The Edgartown select board voted Monday to not allow dock dances at Memorial Wharf, at least for now, after the police chief raised concerns about his ability to provide coverage given short staffing this summer.
Memorial Wharf joins the Edgartown Yacht Club and the Vose family boathouse as Edgartown looks to preserve historic harborfront buildings in wake of climate change.
On Thursday, four 14 year olds defied expectations and age limits when they strutted into the Ritz and instead of being tossed out started tuning up.
As it has every Tuesday for the last three summers, the Dock Dance Band had brought the wharf alive with Islanders and tourists, dancing and celebrating under the glow of the moon and a few fluorescent lights.
The Dock Dance Swings Again
The mostly young crowd gathers on Tuesday evenings at Memorial Wharf in Edgartown.
The mostly young crowd gathers on Tuesday evenings at Memorial Wharf in Edgartown.
Young people make their way through Edgartown to hear "The Dock Dance Band."
Young people make their way through Edgartown to hear "The Dock Dance Band."
Adam Petkus is the lead-singing frontman and occasional tambourine soloist.
Adam Petkus is the lead-singing frontman and occasional tambourine soloist.
John Stanwood is on guitar and vocals as well.
John Stanwood is on guitar and vocals as well.
Rose Guerin makes frequent guest appearances to sing backup vocals.
Rose Guerin makes frequent guest appearances to sing backup vocals.
Adam Petkus hands the mic to Atlas Zack whose band "Dem Boys" are given a guest spot.
Adam Petkus hands the mic to Atlas Zack whose band "Dem Boys" are given a guest spot.
Atlas Zack, lead singer for "Dem Boys."
Atlas Zack, lead singer for "Dem Boys."
The young crowd is thrilled to see their friends play.
The young crowd is thrilled to see their friends play.
The Dock Dance gets the crowd going.
The Dock Dance gets the crowd going.
The energy rises as the night goes on.
The energy rises as the night goes on.
Dock Dance shows are the place to be, and the mostly young crowd gathers on Tuesday evenings at Memorial Wharf in Edgartown.
Dock Dance Returns for 2024 Season
Dock Dance Band plays as the sun goes down.
Dock Dance Band plays as the sun goes down.
Dock Dance Band warms up before the crowd shows up.
Dock Dance Band warms up before the crowd shows up.
Adam Petkus and Rose Guerin belt it out.
Adam Petkus and Rose Guerin belt it out.
Young dancers begin to arrive.
Young dancers begin to arrive.
Rose Guerin (right) gets her dancing in before the wharf fills up.
Rose Guerin (right) gets her dancing in before the wharf fills up.
It feels good to see old friends.
It feels good to see old friends.
Adam Petkus sings to a full house.
Adam Petkus sings to a full house.
The show gets going.
The show gets going.
Crowd-surfing is popular this year.
Crowd-surfing is popular this year.
Party is lively inside and outside.
Party is lively inside and outside.
The wharf is rocking.
The wharf is rocking.
The crowd grows as the night goes on.
The crowd grows as the night goes on.
New and old generations mix as Adam Petkus and Atlas Zack perform a duet.
New and old generations mix as Adam Petkus and Atlas Zack perform a duet.
Adam Petkus hypes up the crowd.
Adam Petkus hypes up the crowd.
Adam Petkus is lead singer.
Adam Petkus is lead singer.
Memorial Wharf empties after the show ends.
Memorial Wharf empties after the show ends.
Dancers flood the shops on Dock Street.
Dancers flood the shops on Dock Street.
The Dock Dance Band (made up of John Stanwood, Jamie Greene, Alex Karalekas, Niko Ewing, Adam Petkus and Rose Guerin) returned to their old stomping ground to open the season and play for a packed Memorial Wharf crowd.