Recap: 2014 MV Summer Music Festival and Conference

I was in Martha’s Vineyard this weekend for the 2nd Annual MV Summer Music Festival and Conference. What a fun weekend it was!  It was my first time in “The Vineyard” so I was doing my best to soak it all in, in addition to attending the festival’s events.

Festival goers raved about the panel discussion Saturday morning. With panelists including Deb Atney (of “Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta fame) and other entertainment executives, the discussion centered around women’s leadership in the entertainment industry.  The panel was followed by a new artist showcase and later that afternoon, the BBQ Beach Bash, which was sponsored by the Barbados Tourism Authority at the famous Inkwell Beach.  Representatives from Shea Moisture were on hand to style hair while people ate, drank, danced and socialized with other guests.

Saturday evening, Amel Larrieux wooed the crowd with her melodic voice and later, Beverly Bond DJ’d the after party. The Jazz Brunch on Sunday included live music by seriously talented musicians and a performance by vocalist Suzzanne Douglas (hey Soror!).  With chicken and waffles, bacon, eggs, and fruit on the menu, the crowd loved the live show.

The highlight of the weekend for me was seeing Lauryn Hill perform for the first time at the concert on Sunday.  While she performed reggae mixes of “The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill” & “MTV Unplugged No. 2.0” – which admittedly, I would have preferred the original versions so I could sing along – I couldn’t help but to be mesmerized by her beauty and talent. She’s such a musical force that I can only imagine what a more mature Lauryn will say on her next album.   

I can’t wait to see what the MV Soul Concepts team has in store for next year.  Word to the wise, don’t wait until the last minute to make your reservations.  The summer is the island’s busiest time of year and you don’t want to miss out!  Until next year Martha’s Vineyard…

2014 MV Summer Madness Music Festival and Conference

The MV Summer Madness Music Festival and Conference is a weekend-long event featuring concerts, parties, artist showcases and networking opportunities for people in the entertainment industry.  Only in its sophomore year, the festival is August 8-10, 2014 in Oak Bluffs, Massachusetts on Martha’s Vineyard.

This year’s theme, “Ladies First,” commemorates the 40th anniversary of Hip-Hop and the 25th anniversary of Queen Latifah’s 1989 hit, “Ladies First.”  The theme celebrates women of color in entertainment that are making a difference both in front of and behind the scenes, as well as through their philanthropic efforts.

Mr. Janon Costley, Managing Member of MV Soul Concepts, LLC, the group that founded the festival in 2013, says many wander why MV Soul Concepts chose Martha’s Vineyard as the location of the festival.  The event was initially intended to cater to vacationers on Martha’s Vineyard who visit every summer.  MV Soul Concepts wanted to explore the history of Black Americans on the island and how its impacted the culture there and the families who’ve vacationed there for years, even before it became a popular tourist destination.  “We wanted to explore what Martha’s Vineyard means to people of color,” says Costley.  However, the MV Summer Madness Music Festival and Conference has become so popular that organizers have already brainstormed expanding into a bigger venue after only 2 short years.  MV Soul Concepts is also considering adding food, wine and other elements that will make the festival bigger and better next year.

This year’s performers include Lauryn Hill, Melanie Fiona, MC Lyte, and Amel Larrieux.  Other events throughout the weekend include a panel discussion featuring women in the entertainment industry, beach bash sponsored by the Barbados Tourism Authority and jazz brunch featuring vocalist (and soror!) Suzzanne Douglas.

For more information about the MV Summer Madness Music Festival and Conference, click here.  This will be my first time in Martha’s Vineyard, so I look forward to not only attending the festival, but exploring the island and sharing my adventures with you. Stay tuned!

Photo Credit: mvsummermadness.com