Must-Do Kids Event: Cinema Circus

For those with families, the Island in the summer can become so chock full of events that it is hard to figure out which ones to choose. That's why Martha's Vineyard Patch has decided to highlight one family event every week that is sure to please. Some of them are once-a-summer moments, others happen weekly or even daily. Whatever their frequency, you can count on these outings and events to be great fun for the entire family.

With the start of its third season underway, there's no question that the Martha's Vineyard Film Festival's Cinema Circus has become a top-notch family event that has earned it a definite spot as a Must-Do Kid's Event. Every Wednesday, as afternoon turns to evening, the lawn of the transforms into a real live circus. Complete with clowns, trapeze artists, stilt walkers, fire spinners and, new this year, an official Ring Master.

Guests begin arriving at 5 pm and are welcomed by an array of circus personalities. Children can get their faces painted and enjoy a delicious locally sourced, organic dinner provided by Jan Buhrman's Kitchen Porch caterers, which this year includes burritos and smoothies. This can then be followed up with treats like Pinkletink Pops and baked goods from Chilmark Cottage Bakers. (Chilmark Coffee Company will also be on hand with iced coffee so parents can keep up!) Soon, they will be called into what Lindsey Scott, director of children's programs, calls "the Little Big Top," where Ring Master Mac Young will lead a variety show filled with all sorts of guests with all sorts of talents.

"We spent a lot of time this winter reflecting on our first two seasons," said Scott, "and we have really great things in store for the Cinema Circus this summer." Some of what's in store include Rick Bausman's drummers, a group from Pittsburgh called PigPen Theater, puppeteers and more. In keeping with it's film focus (it is, after all, a Cinema Circus), kids will also participate in film-related projects, such as how to take a still picture and animate it.

And the fun does not stop there. After the circus ends, the guests and performers join in a parade that takes them into the theater where the kids can settle in for an hour of short films. These films, said Scott, "are from all around the world. They have great storylines, nice role models and are all interesting films for kids to chew on."

The film and circus come to a close as the sun begins to set, but the fun is just beginning for the adults. At 7 p.m. it's time for the sitter to pick up the kids and for date night to begin. Dinner is served and at 8 p.m. the MVFF feature begins.

Scott suggests that families purchase tickets ahead of time so as not to lose precious circus time standing in line. You can do this by going to their website: www.tmvff.org and the tickets will be held for you at the box office. Tickets for any summer screening and MVFF memberships may be purchased online until 8 a.m. the day of the show.

"We're hoping to meet all the needs of a family looking for a good time," said Scott. With a line-up like this, we're pretty sure you'll find every member of your family having even more than a good time.