Hot Havana Nights at the Tropical Garden & Forest

The Key West Tropical Forest & Botanical Garden's annual Hot Havana Nights is always the HOTTEST PARTY on the island! Saturday, April 13. VIP guests will enjoy an authentic Cuban dinner catered by Small Chef at Large and open bar from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. in the beautiful Waterfall Courtyard. During which their senses will be tantalized by a vivacious performance by Miguel Cruz & The Tropical Dreams featuring Dayami. If you select to join in after the VIP dinner, Frank Diaz and the sounds of Havana Soul, the steamy Cuban Orquesta, begins at 7:30 p.m. on the Lakeside Terrace. Wear your dancing shoes and bring your best moves because the awesome sound of this 10-piece band is sure to move you! Mojitos, cash bar and light fare will all be available for purchase to fuel your dance fever. This HOT benefit always sells out so make your reservations early! VIP Seating and General Admission tickets available. Spend a tropical night under the stars and indulge in the Cuban essence of the Keys.  Contact: 305-296-1504 Email: KWBGS@kwbgs.org

2013 Florida Keys Ocean Festival

Certainly one of the top reasons visitors flock to our island every year is the amazing Gulf waters that surround us.  We truly have a unique marine eco-system and boast the only coral reef system in the United States.  This weekend, Saturday March 30 from 11am-6pm the island celebrates the ocean, and gathers together for music, food, educational activities and more.  The Florida Keys Ocean Festival takes places at the Truman Waterfront in front of the Eco-Discovery Center.   Free Admission, free parking and live music all day long.  The festival has great education tools for kids such as touch tanks and learning activities as well as face-painting and balloons. And for the adults there will be beer and cocktails, shopping, food and more.  Visit with the notorious Wyland and view the more than 30 non-profit and conservation exhibitors.  Plan on stopping in at the festival and after you can head to the fabulous State Park Beach and swim in the warm Gulf Stream waters. See you there!  For more information visit www.keysoceanfest.org.

Adam Scott Rote Galleries presents: The Art of Cinema

Join in, this Saturday March 23, on a Key West artsy experience and meet some superstars! The official opening celebration of the Adam Scott Rote Galleries, at 608 Duval St. is to be highlighted with a special exhibit, "The Art of Cinema," with special guests Burt Reynolds, Angie Dickinson and Tippi Hedren. These legendary actors have become fan's of Rote's work and will make guest appearances to sign their names to pieces featuring their iconic images from the silver screen. Burt Reynolds and Angie Dickinson come together at Rote's Gallery to sign a piece featuring a scene from "Sam Whiskey." Tippi is featured in Rote's version of a scene from Hitchcock's "Marnie." The public is invited to witness the autographing of these pieces, which will be for sale in the gallery. The artist will debut original paintings and special unique works in mixed media at the event, open from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Join in to Honor Tennessee William's Birthday

 

For more than 30 years, internationally renowned playwright Tennessee Williams lived in a cottage on a quiet Key West street. The grand opening of an exhibit honoring Williams’ literary prowess and longtime residence is to be staged Friday, March 22, kicking off an early birthday celebration for the playwright who was born March 26, 1911.

Williams first visited Key West in 1941. In the late 1940s he purchased the 1431 Duncan St. house that remained his home until his death in 1983. He completed “Summer and Smoke” in Key West and wrote “Night of the Iguana” among other works.

 The Academy Award–winning film adaptation of Williams’ play, “The Rose Tattoo,” was shot on the island in the 1950s, and the Tennessee Williams Theatre opened in 1980 with the world premiere of his play, “Will Mr. Merriweather Return From Memphis?”

The ribbon-cutting and opening reception for the exhibit, located at 513 Truman Ave. behind the Key West Business Guild Visitor Center, are set for 5:30 p.m. Friday, March 22.

The free-admission exhibit focuses on Williams’ Key West years while exploring his beliefs and legacy. Highlights include personal photographs of the playwright at home with his partner and friends, original posters of local productions of his plays, books of poetry and drama, playbills, a typewriter Williams used in Key West and more. The celebration is to continue Saturday, March 23, with guided exhibit tours led by curator and producer Dennis Beaver. The tours are free and scheduled for noon to 4 p.m.

An open house and party commemorating Williams’ birthday anniversary, complete with cake, are planned for noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, March 24, at the visitor center and exhibit gallery. The public is invited. 

The Tennessee Williams exhibit is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.  Event information: Exhibit producer and curator Dennis Beaver at 305-294-3121