Stay Human

October 22, 2018











Jevne

Stay Human

I have been a huge fan of Michael Franti since way back in 1990 when he was the lead of a little hip-hop group that was known as The Disposable Heroes of Hiphoprisy. They released two amazing albums including one, “Hypocrisy Is the Greatest Luxury” which I still consider one of the best hip hop records of all-time. I remember seeing them open for U2 on the Zoo TV tour along with Public Enemy and I was hooked. Franti disbanded the socially relevant hip hop band in 1992 and went on to pursue a much different style of music with his new band, Spearhead, yet I remained a fan.

 







We have seen Michael Franti and Spearhead a number of times, multiple shows when they were part of the Counting Crows Saturday Night Rebel Rockers Traveling Circus & Medicine Show tour and also as solo headliners a few additional times in the past decade, but I never really even imagined that they would be playing in Key West. I was beyond thrilled when a show was announced that had them playing at the beautiful and intimate Sunset Green Event Lawn. Thanks Ram’s Head for booking this one.









The fact that the show was happening smack dab in the midst of Fantasy Fest week was ok with me as the town was already in a party mood. Franti shows are an experience full of good feelings and a positive vibe that was just what Key West needed after a rough end of the summer and early fall season. The show opened with a pair of young singer/ songwriters, Dustin Thomas and Victoria Canal. Thomas is a free-spirited, big-haired singer songwriter who plays acoustic sets with a singalong format; Canal is a singer-songwriter who plays piano, guitar and ukulele, noted for her vocal talent and feel-good songs. She would join Franti’s band as well for the majority of his set.







The show was just as magical as ever with Franti spreading the love, often venturing into the crowd, hugging and singing along with many audience members. He also pulled a number of members of the audience on stage to join him, especially children and it was just so cool to see local kids that we know up there on stage having the time of their lives. It was another wonderful evening of music,









hope and happy feelings and the show was another triumph of the burgeoning Key West music scene.
Tuesday of Fantasy Fest week has taken on a life of its own since the humble beginnings of the Tutu party ten years ago. Back then there were perhaps 60-75 of us in attendance at the small space of Martin’s restaurant on Duval Street. Ten years later and the Tutu party has literally outgrown the three previous spaces it was held and this year had a sparkly new location, the large complex that included the bars General Horseplay, Club A, Teaser’s and 2,2 & Company.





The party has not just grown as a party, but the entire day has become known as Tutu Tuesday and almost everyone who is out during the day or night can be found wearing a Tutu, whether they have any intention or even know about the actual Tutu party. In fact last year an un-named bar even hosted their own tutu party. I guess imitation is the best form of flattery, but nothing will ever challenge the original tutui party.

Larry and Bernie







Before the Tutu party, I had to make a quick stop at the official Fantasy Fest poster signing party at the LaConcha hotel. This annual event honors the poster artist and this year’s artist was on hand along with the Fantasy Fest King and Queen to introduce the artist and official poster. After a quick stop there, I was rushing home to get my Tutu costume (Michael Myers from the Halloween movies) and pick up Kathy who had created yet another costuming masterpiece for the party.









Livi

We headed down to Mary Ellen’s bar, where the Tutu pre-party and parade was starting. The parade took early tu-tu costumed revelers from Mary-Ellen’s to a number of stops including First Flight and the Tiki Hut before heading over to General Horseplay to enter the actual party. I would estimate that there were a couple of hundred pre-partiers, which is a good number, but a fraction of what was to come once the party got going.



Jeremy and Kathy







https://www.michaelfranti.com/