Key West Songwriters' Festival

Its a party not to be missed!  Celebrating its 18th year, The Key West Songwriters Festival is the largest festival of its kind in the world. Since 1997 BMI has been a charter sponsor of the festival and has helped it grow into both a tourist attraction and favorite of island locals. The festival revolves around five days and nights of more than 20 free shows, staged at an array of the island's most popular drinking holes and hot spots, where live music bliss introduces crowds to the faces, voices and stories behind the songs.
Diverse lineups featuring more than 100 top songwriters deliver rare, "Key West-only" moments: Informal adaptations of Nashville's signature in-the-round acoustic showcases dominate much of the schedule, while an event-capping street concert adds an enticing Mardis Gras fillip to the mix.  The Festival opens on Wed, May 1 and runs through Sunday May 5.  Put on your dancing shoes and join    in on the fun. For the show schedule visit http://www.kwswf.com/home.php.  If you need directions or maps to any of the popular drinking holes and song writers' stops, talk to your concierge, Geri or Rebecca.

Key West FRINGE theater presents "Key West Characters"

The FRINGE Theater is Key West's newest upstart theater company, and they are going all out!  Following on the heals of the Conch Republic Celebration the FRINGE Theater company presents "Key West Characters: A Mini-Festival" presented April 25 through May 12; a theatrical explosion of history and humor!  The plays commemorate Key West history, the characters and the legends that make Key West an island like no other. Two of the plays, 'Weeds' and 'Marion Alert' are to be presented together at the Key West Firehouse Museum, 1024 Grinnell St. Show dates are Friday and Saturday, April 26 and 27 and May 3, 4, 10 and 11. Curtain time is 8 p.m. Tickets are $30 per person. Attendees can enjoy a preshow "firehouse chili" supper at 7 p.m.  The third play is a musical about the birth of the Conch Republic, hitting our shores. That's right, the story of those historic moments in April 1982 when Key West declared its independence from the United States. It's a rollicking musical tale of the Conchs taking on the Feds in one of the greatest PR stunts ever. The music and lyrics are by Gayla Morgan and the book is by Monnie King. The stage director is Randi Reams with Gayla Morgan as music director. CONCH REPUBLIC (The Musical!) will run at 8 p.m. on Thursdays and Sundays at Kelly's Caribbean Upstairs, 301 Whitehead St. Dates are April 25, 28, May 2, 5, 9, 12, 16, 19. Tickets are $35 at KeysTix.com , Contact: 305-296-4761

Fourth Annual Key West Authors' Book Fair

Key West has long been known as a writers haven.  Perhaps its the care free lifestyle, or the cold margaritas or the tropical rains. Hemingway, Williams and Frost are only three of a plethora of authors to of made Key West their island home.  Join in and celebrate the intrigue, the beauty and the tales of Key West at the 4th Annual Key West Authors Book Fair, April 13 11am-4pm.  The book fair is a free event and is an amazing opportunity to meet contemporary Key West authors.  Chat with them, read with them and enjoy.  The Book Fair is to be held in the lovely garden of the Key West Oldest House, 322 Duval Street.  An day of book signings by the authors, readings, brilliant literary conversation, as well as relishing spring in the garden with mimosas and pastries. Presented by Key West's Sea Story Press and the Old Island Restoration Foundation, it is an event not to miss. For more details visit: http://www.seastorypress.com/bookfair.htm