Happy Birthday Tennessee Williams!

During the month of March stop in at 513 Truman Avenue (Mon-Sat 10-5, Sun 12-5) and explore the comprehensive Tennessee Williams exhibit. Known as one of the greatest 20th century American playwrights, he is also one of Key Wests most loved icons. His works such as The Glass Menagerie, A Streetcar Named Desire and Cat on a Hot Tin Roof and many others are classics of the American stage which earned him two Pulitzer Prizes, Tony Awards, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, as well as many other literary awards.
Tennessee Williams visited and lived in Key West from 1941 until his death in 1983. It is believed that he wrote the final draft of Street Car Named Desire while staying at the La Concha Hotel in Key West in 1947. He established residence here in 1949 and in 1950 bought the house at 1431 Duncan Street that was his home for 34 years. He was part of the literary movement that resulted in Key West and the Florida Keys being recognized as a haven for artists.
In commemoration of our dear Tennessee, Key West will be celebrating his103rd birthday during the month of March. Events planned include a series of four classic movies adapted from Tennessee Williams' award winning plays being shown at the Tropic Cinema, a Poetry Contest, an Artist Challenge, two receptions and an exhibit of original paintings by Tennessee Williams at the Custom House. Wednesday, March 26, a reception honoring the 103rd birthday of Tennessee Williams and his life in Key West is to be held at the Tennessee Williams Key West Exhibit, 513 Truman Ave, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. For event schedules and more information visit: http://twkw.org/index.html

The 49th Annual Old Island Days Art Festival

The Old Island Days Art Festival  is set on  lower Whitehead Street and Caroline Street in historic Old Town. This renowned fine art show runs for two days, Saturday February 22 and Sunday Feb 23, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Visitors can leisurely browse the beautiful displays of paintings from watercolor to oil and acrylic, decorative sculpture, photography and other fine arts from the selected artists. The show, which is in its 49th year, is sponsored by the Key West Art Center, and was originally held to raise money for the renovation of the building at 301 Front Street.  That building is now home for the KWAC and displays works by the 60 plus local members.  The first show was held on the sidewalk on Front Street, near the current gallery and artists used clothespins to attach their work to the fence in front of the old Custom’s House.   Since then the show has been held annually and grown from just local artists and now includes exhibitors from across the country and Canada. For more information visit http://www.keywestartcenter.com/festival.html , hope to see you there!

"One Race, the Human Race" Cuban/American Art Exchange

KEY WEST, Florida Keys — Some of Cuba’s leading contemporary artists are to debut their work in Key West Thursday through Saturday, Feb. 20-22, as part of a groundbreaking Cuban-American art exchange that is believed to be the first in more than 50 years.
As a feature of the exchange, an exhibition of 30 intaglio prints by the late Key West folk artist Mario Sanchez debuted Jan. 17 at Cuba’s Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes in Havana. A second-generation American of Cuban descent, Sanchez was famed for his painted bas-relief carvings that chronicled Key West life and its racial, religious and gender harmony in the early 1900s.
Enthusiasts can meet the Cuban artists in Key West and view nearly 120 pieces of their work during unveilings and other events at five venues in the island city’s historic Old Town. The event includes, educational film at the Tropic Cinema, music, wine and art at The Studios of Key West and will take you to the historic buildings of the Ernest Hemingway Home & Museum, Florida Keys Council of the Arts (Gato Building), Oldest House & Garden Museum, and Mel Fisher Maritime Museum. It is a grand way to experience Key West and its Cuban Heritage while enjoying the islands architecture, art and its social life.  For event schedule and artist listings visit: http://tskw.org/news-room/one-race-the-human-race-una-raza-la-raza-humana/. Talk to your concierge Geri or Rebecca for event locations, great dinning nearby and even island history. 

Theater, Theater and More Theater!

It is a well known fact among the many that reside part time or full time in Key West, that the island city is busting with artists.  When season kicks in the artists burst into action and Key West becomes full of activity and creativity.  One such art is the art of Theater, and Key West boasts 3 theater companys that bring professional dynamic theater to the small island.  The month of February boasts three amazing plays that must be seen.  The award winning plays will be sure to knock your socks off.  Currently playing at the Waterfront Playhouse is Other Desert Cities.  A Pulitzer Prize finalist and nominated for 5 Tony Awards, Other Desert Cities is one of the most celebrated plays in recent Broadway history. Runs Jan 18- Feb 15, Showtime 8 p.m. For tickets and more information visit http://www.waterfrontplayhouse.org/
Winner of the 2013 Tony Award for Best Play, Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike plays at the Red Barn Theater and is a hilarious spoof of siblings living in Bucks County, Pa., and their movie star sister who comes for a visit with her newest boy toy. Runs Jan 28- March 1, 8pm. For tickets and more information visit http://www.redbarntheatre.com
Albee's Pulitzer Prize winning play A Delicate Balance, presented by The FRINGE takes the audience on a trip to the mundane world of suburbia with all its skeletons, social norms and responsibilities. Lines are crossed and the meaning of life is questioned in this dark comedy. Runs Feb 20- March 8, 8pm. For tickets and more information visit http://www.keywestfringe.org  

28th Annual Civil War Days Heritage Festival

Although not a big island, Key West has a gigantic and colorful history.  Part of its history are the stories of the Union and Confederate sympathizers that lived together on the very small island.  Many friends were lost and enemies made when the Civil War broke out. Union soldiers inhabited Ft. Zachary Taylor and the Martello Forts to ensure control over the desirable Gulf Stream passage. Join in on this slice of Key West history during the 28th Annual Civil War Days this Friday, February 7-9, 10:00am. Colorful Civil War re-enactments, the roar of cannon fire and the sight of soldiers in Civil War uniforms are to greet visitors at Key West's oceanfront historic Civil War-era Fort Zachary Taylor. Historic State Park. The three-day event features a sea/land battle with schooners, patrol skirmish, period demonstrations, campsite tours, blockade runners’ trial, a memorial service in Clinton Square followed by a parade down Duval Street, ladies tea, and more.
Friday 7th and Saturday 8th - 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Sunday 9th - 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Fees: Free with park admission
Contact: (305) 292-6713