Tonight at one of Key West’s favorite dive bars and music venues, the Hog’s Breath Saloon, catch three acts sure to impress and entertain. First up, from 1pm to 5pm, Joel Nelson will perform some acoustic Americana favorites, after which local legend Gary Hempsey will take the stage, belting out his laid-back tunes until 9:30pm. Then from 10pm until the wee hours of the morning visitors can prepare to have their flip-flops rocked by The Coal Men, in town for just a few nights to perform their special brand of roots rock and roll. This is a stellar line-up for a Thursday night, and the perfect way to beat those gray sky blues.
As the motto of the Hog’s Breath Saloon clearly states: Hog’s Breath is Better Than No Breath At All. In this case, we think it’s pretty great.
On Friday, May 18th at 8:00pm, the talented and popular Gordon Ross will return to the Studios of Key West for a one-night-only concert, with tickets already selling fast!
Accompanied by his new Musical Director, Mr. Michael Robinson, the show will bridge a wide spectrum of styles– from jazz to show tunes, blues and even the Beatles! It’s an evening that is sure to enchant both new fans and old ones. This much-loved local vocalist is scheduled to perform only two musical projects this year — both certain to sell out — so get your tickets now, before it’s too late!
Venture down to the Studios of Key West this week and prepare to be impressed: on view is the artwork of fifteen incredibly talented students from Key West’s own High School Arts Program.
From now until May 31st the public is invited to visit the Historic Armory, located at 600 White Street, to discover drawings, paintings, photographs, and ceramics from our island’s next generation of artists. On Thursday, May 17th, the studios will host an official reception for the students, which will be open to the public from 6-9pm. Come mingle with Key West’s art fans and appreciate just how talented our little island is.
For more information, contact the studios of Key West at 305-296-0458 or visit www.tskw.org.
Join history buffs and novices alike as the Harry S. Truman Little White House hosts its 10th annual Truman Legacy Symposium, with this year’s theme of “Foreign Aid.” Featuring panel discussions with some of today’s leading experts, living relatives of President Truman himself, tours of the Little White House and much more, this two day symposium is always a popular event.
To register or learn more about the conference, visit: http://www.trumanlittlewhitehouse.com/
It’s that time of year in Key West, when weather reports begin to forecast hot, sunny skies– with a chance of thunderstorms hovering at around 30% daily. Don’t fret! This doesn’t mean you need to start unpacking the board games and scheduling rainy day trips to the movies. Here in the tropics, it’s not unusual for there to be a 30% chance of rain each day. When they do occur, these brief thunderstorms are usually a quick, intense burst of rain that never interrupts the day for very long. In fact, they’re usually quite refreshing!
With humidity levels usually hovering around 70%, it can feel like you’re swimming down Duval Street…until a short break of rain swoops in to cool everything down. So when you see the weather report calling for scattered storms, don’t cancel your day at the beach– just bring a dry towel and relax, sit back and enjoy the show. It’ll be over in a minute or two, and that blazing sun will be back to dry you off in a jiffy. It’s the island way!
Tucked away at the back of an overflowing Caribbean handicrafts store lies one of our favorite Key West secrets: the delightfully kitschy Casa Antigua Garden tour. Behind the looming facade of 314 Simonton Street, through the overflowing artisan shop and a few back-room storage areas, visitors suddenly enter a literal oasis– complete with lush tropical foliage, an impressive orchid collection and a booming, theatrical audio tour to narrate the space. You’d never know it from the street, but this massive building has quite the storied history; both Hemingway’s first residence in Key West and the place where he penned A Farewell to Arms, Casa Antigua also served as a hotel, car dealership and even a brothel in years prior. Now the permanent residence and offices of Key West’s favorite must-read tabloid, Conch Color, visitors are still welcome to sneak through to the interior courtyard for the lowly sum of two dollars, where they can sit back, relax, and enjoy one of the most exclusive self-guided garden tours Key West has to offer. We love stealing away for a few minutes to sit beneath the giant palms and imagine ourselves back in Hemingway’s time. Truly a wonderful place to spend a quiet afternoon.
Don’t miss your last chance to see the Red Barn’s Theatre’s Short Attention Span Theatre, now in its final three performances. The uproariously funny series of one act plays is perfect for the novice theatre-goer and the expert alike– with fresh 10-minute plays that highlight local talent and leave the audience begging for more. Located in the heart of historic downtown Key West, it’s the perfect way to spend a Friday night (and puts you right on Duval for a post-theatre drink afterward!)
Visit www.redbarntheatre.com for tickets and show times.
This coming May 17th-20th you are invited to join Key West’s San Carlos Institute for a tribute to Jose Marti, Cuba’s foremost patriot and poet, and for a celebration of Cuba’s 1902 independence from Spain. The San Carlos Institute is one of South Florida’s most beautiful landmarks, founded in 1871 by Cuban exiles as a center for education, patriotism and civic leadership. A not-for-profit Cuban heritage center and museum, it served as the platform from which Marti launched the final drive for Cuba’s independence in 1892. Marti so loved the San Carlos that he called it “La Casa Cuba.”
The Jose Marti Weekend will play host to a bevy of cultural events, including film screenings, musical performances, panel discussions and more. For tickets, visit www.keystix.com. For more information, call 305-294-3887 or 786-251-3399.
 Yes, you read that right. From Friday through Sunday, May 18-20th, one of the largest ships to ever be sunk as an artificial reef will play host to a different kind of activity: an underwater race.
The third annual Vandenberg Grand Prix will see participants use diver-propulsion vehicles to race around the 523-foot-long Gen. Hoyt S. Vandenberg, a former military ship sunk in 2009 approximately seven miles off Key West. On Friday, May 18th, racers will meet at the Rum Barrel, 528 Front St. The following morning a myriad of events will begin, including scooter demonstrations, race practice, manufacturer races and diver-propulsion vehicle certification for any racers who are not yet DPV certified. Finally, at 8:30 a.m. Sunday, May 20, the race will begin as divers zoom around the top of the Vandenberg’s superstructure, competing in multiple classes to achieve the fastest speeds while staying within safety parameters. An awards ceremony will follow.
Race entry fees are $50 per diver.
For event information and registration, visit: formulaH20 or wreckracingleague.com
While a bar crawl on Duval is always fun, we know that many of our Parrot Key Resort guests also enjoy the finer things our little island has to offer. From wine tastings to tango lessons, Key West offers a wide variety of activities for those of us who are more partial to Picasso than Piña Coladas. Below, some local activities to get you through the weekend without having to come near a jello shot.
On Thursday, May 10th, The Wine Cottage on Eaton will be hosting a wine tasting & artist’s reception for painter Susan O’Neill. Call 772-216-5933 for details & directions.
On Friday, May 11th, visit the Wyland Gallery for the opening of Jim Warren’s most recent exhibit of whimsical, satirized animal paintings. For more information, call 305-292-4998.
Afterward, why not indulge in a beginner’s Salsa Dancing lesson from “Learn to Dance with Lucy & Leon” at 7:00pm? For directions, call 305-296-6348.
On Saturday, May 12th, you’d be sorry to miss the evening performance of Hy Conrad’s new mystery play “Home Exchange,” which opened on May 5th to rave reviews. Visit www.waterfrontplayhouse.org for tickets and details.
Or else catch an independent movie at Key West’s favorite little movie theatre, The Tropic – where else can you buy a bottle of wine and a slice of key lime pie to take with you into your movie? visit www.tropiccinema.com for showtimes.
On Sunday, May 13th, stroll through the lushly landscaped home of Key West’s garden club, the West Martello Tower. Entry is free and gets you meandering shady paths, beautiful foliage and stunning water views from the gazebo on top of the hill.
Later, enjoy the musical stylings of the Mike Emerson Trio as they perform their weekly Jazz in The Gardens gig, located at 526 Angela Street.
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