Key West Updates

Sunday Donavon Frankenreiter Key West concert update - Rain or Shine

Sunday’s scheduled early evening Donavon Frandenreiter concert at Fort East Martello parade grounds in Key West will take place rain or shine. “I’ll play acoustic guitar in a sideways rain if I have to. I never cancel,” said Frankenreiter in a phone conversation with concert co-producer Evan Haskell on Saturday. “It’ll take an act of God to keep me from playing this show.”

“We’ve got tents to protect the band and their equipment, and more tenting for concert attendee’s,” said Haskell, co-owner of Key West Concerts, who is producing the show in partnership with the Key West Art & Historical Society. “We anticipate windows of clear weather, but also recommend that concertgoer’s bring their rain-gear. We are not in a remote field in Woodstock, NY, but there actually is precedent that mud and music, mixed just-so in the right place and time can create magic,” he added.

Events at the historic fort will kick off at 3 p.m. with a KWAHS ArtCamp! exhibit. Concert grounds open at 4:30 and live music kicks off with opening act Tony Roberts at 5:45pm (Roberts replaces originally scheduled opening act Cody Simpson, who encountered storm related travel complications), followed at 7pm by Frankenreiter who will perform from nearly ten years of solo hit recordings, including his May 2015 release “The Heart”.

Portions of the concert’s proceeds, which is sponsored in part by Pirate Radio, Florida Keys Media, We Cycle, Ecoscapes, Help Yourself, Shipyard Brewing, and WonderDog Productions, will help support KWAHS's community outreach and educational programs. $25 advanced discounted ticket purchase is available at keywestconcerts.com all day. Tickets purchased on site are $30; children under 12 are free. Key West Art & Historical Society members can call 305.295.6616 x 106 for special member-priced tickets and to join KWAHS to receive member benefits.

Parking will be available for $5, bike parking is free. For more information call 305.295.6616 x 106 or visit KWAHS.com. Your Museums. Your Community. It Takes an Island.

Key West Midsummer's Night Dream and Spectacle is tomorrow 5-11 pm, at Fort East Martello (by the Airport)!

$10 advance tix price special ends at noon tomorrow. Here's the scoop: Tickets available at the door for $15; $10 in advance by visiting http://www.kwahs.org/learn/midsummers-night-dream-spectacle/ KWAHS members pay only $10 at any time, children 12 and under admitted free.

Co-produced by Key West Art & Historical Society and Michael Shields’ Java Studios— Midsummer's Night Dream & Spectacle was started 9 years ago by Shields as a way to celebrate the creative people of Key West with a night of expression, feasting, dancing, singing, and theatrical antics. The colorful festivity is an annual favorite among locals who revel in the interactive art projects and spontaneous celebration, many costumed for merrymaking in attire ranging from Key West cool and casual to Midsummer’s magical vying for the title of Solstice King and Queen.

The civil war-era fort and grounds will feature artists of local and national renown—including musicians, face-painters, singers, dancers, sculptors, actors, poets, illusionists and storytellers— coming together in celestial celebration.

While the evening itself welcomes spontaneous play and creative exploration from attendees, there are several prepared highlights included: the Dream Wall with Debbie Butterbaugh, the Grand Dream Mural facilitated by artist Kate Peachey and more than 60 participants, Dream Projections by Nicolas Bergery, ambush poetry with the Key West Poetry Guild, dance performances by the fabulous Key West Comparsa, The Southernmost Shimmies, and the Southernmost Dance Theatre Youth Company, sculptural works by Bill Lorraine and historic artist Stanley Papio, Shakespearean scene performances by Key West Fringe actors and tarot card readings by Mary Beth Hurd.

Music will resonate throughout the fort’s historic brick walls with performances on the main stage emceed by Jenna Stauffer and orchestrated by Skipper Kripitz to include: Larry Smith and Kathleen Peace show with special guests, George Hemund and Les Dudley on horns, Key West Soul R***e with Clayton Clayton L. Lopez, Calvin and Mina Lopez, Zack and Kai Seemiller, Ray Sigismondi Band, Pro Magnum featuring Ross Brown, Mike Emerson, Tyler Smith, Bubba Lownotes, Gary Rivenson, Christine Cordone Smith, Din Allen, Camille and Chris Toler, Bounce Margil and OohLaLa and many more.

Libations and delectable food will be available throughout the annual fundraiser, which this year benefits Key West Art & Historical Society’s Education programs.

“The Society is very excited to host this year’s event,” says KWAHS Executive Director Michael Gieda. “As part of our growing educational offerings, what better way to celebrate the art and history of the Keys than to offer a family-friendly event showcasing the islands’ many talented artists with the historic Fort East Martello as the backdrop?”

Children of all ages will delight in good faery Joyce Straiton and friends, who will create glittery enchantment in faery-land with stardust and face painting, faery wings and hula-hooping.

Key West Art & Historical Society & Java Studios invite everyone to be a part of this playful and spontaneous celebration that tips hearts and hats to the summer solstice and the power of dreams.

“It all begins with a dream,” says Shields.

This year’s event is particularly poignant for Shields, who tragically lost his son last week. Jason Shields would have celebrated his 40 th birthday on that evening, and Michael hopes the community will come together to remember both the impermanence of life and the magic that is offered in it while we are here together.

Fort East Martello is located at 3501 S. Roosevelt Blvd., Key West. Parking is available on site. Tickets will be available at the door for $15 or $10 in advance by visiting http://www.kwahs.org/learn/midsummers-night-dream-spectacle/ KWAHS members pay only $10 at any time, children 12 and under admitted free. For more information and to volunteer, contact Christine Nottage at 305. 295.6616 x 111. Interested artists contact: [email protected] / 305-394-3804.

Have you ever imagined yourself in the role of moody mobster, dangerous dame or daring detective in a fiction novel? Now, organizers of the upcoming 2nd Annual Mystery Writers Key West Fest have announced that one Fest guest will walk into the pages of New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Heather Graham’s next novel.

Every fan of mystery fiction that has registered for the Fest by midnight June 30 is eligible to win a cameo “character placement” role in the prolific author’s next work. Graham, who has more than seventy-five million books in print published in approximately twenty languages, is slated to be a featured presenter and panelist at the upcoming “Murder & Mayhem in Paradise” themed Fest, a gathering of true-crime, mystery, and suspense writers and fans to be held in Key West, Florida, August 14-16.

Fest registration includes three days of panels, presentations and social events with best-selling and global award winning authors, including Graham, featured guest Jeffery Deaver - international best-selling author of the acclaimed “Lincoln Rhyme” book series; James O. Born, former U.S. Drug Agent and undercover operative whose titles include the award-winning novel "Escape Clause;" and a Who’s-Who of mystery genre luminaries including Carolina Garcia-Aguilera, Sandra Balzo, Don Bruns, Nancy J. Cohen, Libby Fischer Hellman, Chris Kuznesk, Sharon Potts and others including Irish thriller writer Laurence O’Bryan and Florida Keys based authors Michael Haskins, Mike Dennis, Shirrel Rhoades and Jonathan Woods.

Sponsored in part by the Mystery Writers of America - Florida Chapter, the Key West Citizen daily newspaper and the Florida Keys Council of the Arts, registration for all three days of events is $125, with “killer” early bird discounts for select hotel rooms booked by July 10.

For registration, hotel room booking link and further information, visit www.mysterywriterskeywestfest.com.

Do you have a mystery novel in the works or know someone who does? Those who do are eligible to compete for the inaugural Jeremiah Healy Mystery Writing Award, to be presented at the 2nd Annual Mystery Writers Key West Fest, August 14-16 in Key West, Florida. The winner will claim a book-publishing contract with Absolutely Amazing eBooks, free Mystery Writers Key West Fest registration, hotel accommodations for two nights, and a captivating bobble-headed "Jerry" trophy.

Sponsored by Absolutely Amazing eBooks, the award salutes Healy's legacy as a beloved and influential mentor credited with helping and advising many aspiring writers. Candidates wishing to compete for the Award are invited to submit the first three pages of a finished, unpublished manuscript no later than June 30, 2015. There is no fee to enter, finalists will be notified August 1, and will have until August 10 to submit full manuscripts.

Complete Jeremiah Healy Mystery Writing Award competition guidelines and details are available at www.mysterywriterskeywestfest.com.

Calling musicians, actors, painters, card-readers, palm-readers, filmmakers, poets, dancers, storytellers, jugglers, fire-breathers, fairies, nymphs and satyrs to take the stage and celebrate the arts in our community, Saturday, June 20, at the 9th Annual Midsummer’s Night Dream & Spectacle at its historic and enchanting new venue, Fort East Martello Museum in Key West.

Co-produced by Michael Shields’ Java Studios and the Key West Art & Historical Society to benefit KWAHS children’s educational programs, Midsummer’s Night Dream & Spectacle celebrates the creative Keys community, and gives artists a voice and platform to share the power of their dreams. To participate as an artist contact Michael Shields at 305-394-3804 / [email protected]. For more information visit kwahs.org.

Photo: Dancer Ahzs Maralda casts a dramatic shadow against artist Nicholas Bergery’s Dream Projections at last year's Midsummer's Night Dream & Spectacle.

More great programming from the Key West Art & Historical Society - TD Allman, author of the acclaimed book "Finding Florida: The True History of the Sunshine State, will speak on Florida's role in the Civil War this Thursday, Feb 12 (all the details here: www.kwahs.org/event/keynote-speaker-td-allman). Allman's presentation, to take place at the Tropic Cinema, is the opening salvo of the Society's latest exhibit, The Civil War in Key West: A Sesquicentennial Salute, which debuts Friday, Feb 13 at the Custom House Museum. Here's a link to a NY Times review of author, historian, and foreign correspondent Allman's book: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/04/28/books/review/finding-florida-by-t-d-allman.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0

Mystery Writers Key West Fest alert! Today is the final day to reserve rooms at the "killer" discount being offered by DoubleTree Grand Key Resort. And, those who buy their Fest tix today will be registered to win a walk-on roll in Sandra Balzo's next story of suspense! Registration is $98 and open to authors, aspiring authors and non-writing mystery-buffs alike. www.mysterywriterskeywestfest.com

Mystery Writers Key West Fest Mystery Writers Key West Fest is a gathering of your favorite South Florida mystery writers along with local storytellers.

Planning on attending the Mystery Writers Key West Fest? Those who register by midnight tomorrow (Sat, May 10), are eligible to win a walk-on roll in Sandra Balzo's next story of suspense! Plus, out-of-towner's who book their rooms at DoubleTree by midnight tomorrow get a "killer" discount! register at www.mysterywriterskeywestfest.com

Volunteers are sought for the inaugural Mystery Writers Key West Fest, a gathering of premier South Florida based mystery writers and local storytellers set for June 13-15, 2014.

Open to writers and non-writing mystery-buffs alike, registration includes panel events with acclaimed crime fiction and true crime authors, a drawing for a “walk-on” cameo appearance in an upcoming mystery tale, buffet luncheon with best-selling mystery and detective fiction author William E. Butterworth IV (aka W.E.B. Griffin), a group book signing event, one-on-one consultations with publishing and editing experts, a Key West night-life stroll, and a noir movie night at the award winning Tropic Cinema, hosted by author Mike Dennis.

To become a much-appreciated volunteer, email [email protected]. Registration and lodging information for the sleuthfest is available at www.mysterywriterskeywestfest.com

FYI - cost to attend the inaugural fest is just $98 (not including hotel room) and includes a Friday-night opening party populated with nearly two-dozen participating mystery writers … a day-long session filled with informative panels and luncheon with best-selling mystery and detective fiction author W.E.B. Griffin … a noir movie night, group book-signing event, bar-hopping with your favorite mystery writers, free consultations with industry experts and those who register by May 10 have the chance to win a cameo role in Sandra Balzo's next Maggy Thorsen Coffee House Mystery! http://mysterywriterskeywestfest.com/

Wesley House Family Services celebrates its 31st annual Valentine’s Gala, Friday, February 14, 6:30 to 9:30 pm, on the grounds of the historic Curry Mansion Inn in Key West.

Gala highlights include abundant dining and libations included in the ticket price: VIP admission includes open premium bars, passed hors d’ oeuvres and full Southern inspired Hard Rock Café dinner buffet featuring pecan crusted chicken, Shrimp Creole over rice, corn, green beans, ambrosia fruit salad, biscuits and rolls, home-made apple cobbler and ice cream, and pecan pie tartlettes; General Admission tickets include open bars by Sloppy Joe’s and Rick’s/Durty Harry’s and full Hard Rock Café dinner buffet.

In addition to splendiferous feasting comes world-class entertainment - Howard Livingston as Master of Ceremonies, and music and dancing with the band Honey Mouth featuring Bubba Low Notes, Raven Cooper & Friends and a silent auction extravaganza brought to you by Prudential Knight & Gardner Realty.

An annual favorite that draws revelers by the hundreds, the gala’s purpose is to raise money for multiple Wesley House programs that provide crucial support to child welfare and family preservation throughout the Florida Keys. 100% of proceeds from the 2014 Gala will aid in providing support for foster families in areas that statutory funding does not, and assist in purchasing playground equipment for the Inez Martin Child Development Center.

Ticket prices are: $50 advance general admission, $55 general admission at the door; $100 reserved VIP seating. For ticket information and locations visit www.wesleyhouse.org.