ART!KEY WEST! - an island art festival

ART! KEY WEST! is vibrant three day festival and art walk celebrating all of the arts in Key West: visual, performing, literary, film, musical events, performances and exhibitions.  The eclectic art festival is the first of of its kind in Key West, bringing artists together to celebrate the creative community in which we live. Showcasing three days of artistry throughout historic Old Town as well as spotlight events that rotate among the island's multiple cultural districts. Attendees can enjoy gallery openings, performance art, graffiti walls, live music, theatrical stagings, poetry readings, projection displays, a chalk art "happening" and much more. Nov 30- Dec 2.  Friday's spotlight arts events and experiences are scheduled along Key West's Truman Avenue and White Street corridor, while Saturday's focus is on the Historic Seaport district. Sunday's creative highlights are to take place along Upper Duval Street. Art-loving attendees can explore and enjoy more than three dozen events during the three days of islandwide artistry. Displays of culinary and couture art also are planned, as are day and nightly performances by Key West's eclectic Fringe Theater. For event information and schedule vist: artskeywest.com.

The Key West Film Festival

Join in on Key West's first ever official Film Festival Nov 29-Dec 2.  A four day extravaganza of films, parties and fabulous events that highlight the creative spirit alive in the Keys.  The Key West Film Festival showcases films that exhibit excellence in storytelling and capture the essence of what Key West is all about; Creativity, Diversity, Sustainability, and Beauty.  The festival's lineup is to feature screenings and special events hosted at landmark venues throughout Key West, including the Tropic Cinema, the San Carlos Institute and the kick of party is at the regal Ernest Hemingway Home, Thursday Nov 29, 5:30pm-7:30pm., $30.  The four-day program is to include more than 30 films from multiple genres and categories as well as social events with filmmakers, actors and film lovers. Program highlights include a directorial debut from Dustin Hoffman in Quartet, a first-in-Florida premier of Journey to the Planet X and many more screenings whose impressive lineups of actors include Clive Owen, Sissy Spacek, Olympia Dukakis, among others. For schedule of events, to purchase tickets and learn more about the Key West Film Festival visit http://keywestiff.com

South Florida Symphony presents "Beauty and the Bear,"

The South Florida Symphony, a unique gathering of professional symphonic musicians that began as the Key West Symphony, is to launch its 15th anniversary Master Concerts season.  Each season the  nationally recognized conductor and Key West native Sebrina Maria Alfonso brings together a core group of skilled musicians from around the country. The group is supplemented with other leading musicians and soloists chosen to enhance each concert program.  This spectacular opening of the Master Concerts season features the renowned violinist Lara St. John.  Canadian-born, St. John performed her first solo with an orchestra at age 4. She has appeared with orchestras on five continents and is widely acclaimed for her passion, charisma and power. In addition, she has recorded with prestigious orchestras including London's Royal Philharmonic. The performance is titled "Beauty and the Bear" and  includes Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky's "Concerto for Violin and Orchestra" and Anton Bruckner's Symphony No. 4 "Romantic." For the music lovers among us, it is a rare opportunity to enjoy world renowned musicians on our little tropical island. The concert is set for 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 16, at the Tennessee Williams Theatre, 5901 College Road on the campus of Florida Keys Community College. Concert tickets range from $25 to $75 per person depending on seat location and are available at keystix.com. The price includes an after-show reception with Alfonso, orchestra members and soloists. 

Boston Marriage Opens Saturday Nov 17

Other than the fabulous weather the island is graced with in November, we also have the opening of our Theater Season.  The local talent that our little city holds is amazing, and during our winter season the theater scene flourishes.  This upcoming Friday November 9th the Key West FRINGE Theater company begins its season with David Mamet's Boston Marriage.  A Victorian Scam filled with witty innuendo, farce and Mamet-esqe language.  The Key West FRINGE is a theater company relatively new to the Key West scene.  The company is unique it that it moves throughout the island of Key West producing shows in interesting and historic places, homes, gardens, inns; whatever space will suit the needs of the play.  Boston Marriage will be performed at the lovely Victorian Guesthouse, The Carriage Trade at 529 Eaton Street.  It offers the audience a glimpse into some of the spectacular Key West spaces they have never seen while taking in a night of theater.  Take advantage of the Key West Theater scene and enjoy an evening of entertainment, perhaps fit in a decadent dinner at one of the may fine Key West restaurants before the show. Boston Marriage Runs Nov 16- Dec 11 (black on Thanksgiving weekend). Curtain 8pm at the Carriage Trade Guest House 529 Eaton St.  For more information go to www.keywestfringe.org or book your tickets at www.keystix.com .