Every Friday afternoon, for the last half-dozen years, Island watercolorists have been meeting and painting at the Up-Island Council on Aging. Though there have been retired art teachers among them, there has been no organized instruction. The group has simply gathered from 1 until 3:30 or so to do what it enjoys doing — to paint. And last weekend it had its annual art show on Friday and Saturday at Howes House.

Curry simmering in the kitchen, a guitar strumming down the hall, World Cup on the television, the quiet tapping of keys on a laptop, impromptu concerts on the porch, papier mache, laughter, singing, conversation, debate and a giant puppet named Emmett Jones. These are just some of the memories we have of the first week of New Writers. New Plays., an idea we planted in the still of winter that has now blossomed into reality along with the roses of Edgartown’s picket fences.

The folks responsible for the musical Witness Uganda were seated in a circle of folding chairs in a large mirrored Vineyard Arts Project studio Tuesday afternoon, taking a needed break from their rehearsal schedule to talk about the origins of their project. Writer and director team Matt Gould and Griffin Matthews offered tales of their travels to Africa, shared stories of the Ugandan university students around whom the script is based, and introduced two of their star actors, Leslie Odom Jr. and Nicolette Robinson.

When most people think of the Yard in Chilmark, an arts colony full of modern dancers comes to mind. Perhaps a touch of bohemia, too, with artists living and working on the grounds off Middle Road, running around barefoot with grace and poise. The Yard is all of those things, but at the fifth anniversary gala tonight, artists are out to prove it’s much more.

Opera singers, musicians, actors, performance artists and, yes, dancers will fill the barn theatre to showcase their talents in the fifth celebration of the opening of the Yard Arts Festival.

If Michael Brisson had the opportunity to serve God the perfect meal, he would make his spice crusted foie gras, étouffee of lobster, and his pistachio and limoncellocrèmebrûlée. He’s had 25 years on the Vineyard to perfect those recipes at his restaurant l’étoile in Edgartown, and has more energy than ever.