Durty Birdie Burlesque

August 12, 2011









Durty Birdie Burlesque

Key West Burlesque returned to Key West this week with another exciting performance at the Green Parrot bar, with an encore of the wildly popular Durty Birdie Burlesque show. We missed the initial installment at the Parrot when we were out of town and had heard all sorts of positive reviews about the show and the venue, so I was determined to attend this time, even though the show was late (at least for us) on a Tuesday night.

Cowboy Marky







Key West Burlesque has performed at all sorts of venues around the island and the Green Parrot made sense in a lot of ways. It was great for the bar to be packed on an otherwise slow evening and great for the Burlesque because it introduced them to a potentially new audience.









The place was packed as Marky introduced the performers on a makeshift stage created on top of the pool table and extending out from the traditional stage where the Blue Vipers of Brooklyn performed live music as the backdrop for the performers. It made for an intimate, more visceral performance atmosphere and the rowdy crowd created an almost Honky Tonk Burlesque atmosphere.

Blue Vipers of Brooklyn

Frenchie

The line-up of performers included both long time members of Key West Burlesque and a few recent additions as well. They included; Cowboy Marky & Cousin Frenchie, Rocky Bottom, Hunny Bunz, Fanny Fitztightly, Cheeky Derriere and Marques VonPhister. The packed crowd included a healthy mix of locals and tourists, first timers and longtime fans of Key West Burlesque.







It was a great, raucous night at the parrot. The band was great and the performers were all on their A game. The crowd seemed to enjoy the festivities. The conditions for photography weren’t so great, at least for me, I need to get some better equipment to get better shots I think, but hopefully these photos capture a small bit of what Key West Burlesque is about. Risque without raunchiness is the way I describe it, Key West Burlesque honors the tradition of what the art form has traditionally been. These folks are artists and talented ones at that.

Jolly



Michele & Anastasia

Watching the show had me looking forward to the next full season of Key West Burlesque and of the big production shows which I think best exemplify their skills. I hear whispers of big plans for the next year as they continue to expand and grow in popularity.

Midsummer’s Night Dream & Spectacle

August 8, 2011

Fire Dancers

Kathy & Michael



MJ

Midsummer’s Night Dream & Spectacle

One of the most anticipated and fun nights of the summer season in Key West is held each August at the Key West Tropical Forest and Botanical Garden, the Midsummer’s Night Dream & Spectacle party. Organized by the artistic dervish that is Michael Shields, the amazing night celebrating the incredible diversity of artistic pursuits that are found in Key West celebrated its fifth anniversary this year.

Mary & Diane



Cricket

Originally held at the lovely home of arts patron Joyce Stahl, the event became such a success that it had to relocate several years ago to the wide open spaces of the beautiful botanical gardens. The event features a selection of the plethora of artists, performers, musicians, singers, dancers, poets and actors that call Key West home.



Beth





It is a magical setting that also features fairy costume creators, hula hoopers, fire dancers and all manner of magical food and beverage selections. Many of those in attendance, come dressed up in magical fairy gear to help celebrate the magical theme. It is a really fun and interesting night.



Lesley



This year, Kathy was joined by our expectant friend Najada, who recently returned from a trip to her homeland of Albania where she visited her family and her husband Howard, who was there working for RPM Nautical. Both she and Kathy donned fairy wings and we all headed out to the gardens.

Najada & Kathy

Kathy & Najada





It was a typical August night in Key West, steamy hot at first, but the a cooling wind picked up after the amazingly beautiful sunset as storms seemed to surround the area with brilliant lightning storms and the threat of rain that was thankfully never realized. There was a lot going on throughout the grounds, guaranteeing that every attendee had there own unique experience.



Christine & Katharine

Michele

We listened to some music, watched the wonderful Key West Comparsa dancers who performed the Cuban dancing style to the delight of those assembled, many who joined in the conga line and danced along with the troupe. We next wondered over and watched US1 radio personality Bill Becker who was creating huge bubbles over the pond. It was a pretty cool exhibition of bubble creating skills and a hidden talent for the newsman.

Bill Becker



Carla & Kathy



Once the sun went down, we headed over to watch a presentation of one of this summer’s theatrical hits as the Red Barn Theatre presented one of the acts from their “One Acts With Teeth” show that was so popular over the summer. Kathy & I had missed the show at the Red Barn and were thrilled to catch even one of the hilarious acts.



Anastasia & Michele

To close out our evening, we headed over to watch our friend Michele and two of her friends performing their beautiful fire dancing. It was a great way to close out a fun evening and their performance was mesmerizing. Thanks so much to Michael Shields, Carol Tedesco and everyone associated with yet another fantastic event.

Michele

Michael & Carol