Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas

December 24, 2018

 

 

Liz and Wendy

Cale, Caitlin, Greta and Effie

Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas

The week leading up to Christmas, activities in Key West seem to hit a crescendo as the pace and quantity of things that are going on seem to accelerate at a fantastic rate. Even though I tried to pick and choose what to see and do, it seemed as though I always had multiple choices, which I guess I should not complain about. Kathy still was not back from her adventure out west and she checked in from Clovis, New Mexico on a daily (at least) basis.

 

Cale and Tom

Here in Key West, I was left to attend stuff with friends, which was nice as well as I got to catch up with some people it seems that we had not seen in some time. The first major event that I attended was the final concert at Coast. Well at least at the current location of Coast on Stock Island. Apparently there was some unfortunate dispute and the lease on the property was not renewed to the Coast folks. My friend Gae joined me to take in the final show at what had become one of my very favorite Key West venues.

Rayland Baxter

Coast

 

Rayland Baxter was the performer who put a cap on what has been the coolest live music venue in Key West. He has been on a steady upward climb since his appearance last year and he loves Key West and Coast as well, often wearing his Coast hat while performing and even throughout his most recent music video. Speaking of his music videos, he took the opportunity while here in Key West to film the video for his next single, “Hey Larocco”.









His show was great but bittersweet for me at least and I know for all the folks at Coast. They plan to continue to promote shows and hope to find a new cool venue, but it will be tough to top what was like a last little piece of the old cool Key West. There were a couple of other holiday themed shows that I had the good fortune to attend this week. The first was the semi-annual run of “The Nutcracker” at the Tennessee Williams Fine Art Center. This amazing Key West influenced version of the holiday favorite produced by the wonderful Joyce Stahl combines professional ballet dancers brought in from some of the best ballet companies in America, with local talent including a plethora of local children to fill the cast in an amazing production.

Joyce Stahl

My friend Nadene and her daughter Meredith invited me to join them for a matinee of the show, which features 60 local children and 15 professional dancers performing a Key West version of the classic that features an underwater theme. The sets and costumes as well as the performances themselves are truly inspiring.

Nutcracker Interview Highlights from Nutcracker Key West on Vimeo.

The other show that I attended was the John Water’s Christmas show at the Key West Theater. The famed director and comedian did about a ninety minute set of rapid fire, somewhat raunchy comedy that was in keeping with his reputation and certainly not for everyone, though my friend Caitlin and I thought he was hysterical. I had the benefit of knowing what to expect, so I was not as taken aback as some might have been. Prior to the show there was a private VIP concert in the backroom featuring the talented Nick Norman and after the show was a fun meet and greet with John Waters in the same room. It was a fun night.

Michael, John Waters and Caitlin

Aine, John Waters and Kelly

Nick

There were also a couple of my favorite holiday events this week, the first was the annual Christmas Bazaar held at the Key West Customs House. This wonderful event features entertainment, merriment and a lot of local artisans and craftspeople selling their wares as part of the holiday bazaar. I always see a ton of friends at this event, staff and patrons of the Customs House, vendors and people just out enjoying what is a great holiday event. Kudos to the Art and Historical Society for a fun time.

Caitlin

I also went to the open house welcoming the new artists in residence at The Studios of Key West. My friend and former Key West Literary Seminar award winner, writer Sonya Chung is one of the three artists here for a month. I also had the opportunity to sit for another of the artists, portraitist Brenda Zlamany. She is doing a month-long project of painting portraits of 100 Key West residents as part of an even larger traveling show she is doing this year. 

 

 

Mark, David and Martha

Wendy and Scott

Nan and Mark

Finally one of the funnest events of the holiday season, the holiday bike ride organized by our friends Nan and Mark. The annual bike ride to ride around and look at holiday lights around town was the first of what are now many imitators, but the original is still the best and holiday revelers meet at their house for the finest batch of White Russians on the island and a wonderful pre-party before departing on the annual ride.

Michael and Liz

 

The brisk and windy weather may have kept the numbers down from historical numbers but I would guess that close to 100 people participated this year, still a very healthy number and it was a fun, festive crowd. Key West seems to have outdone itself this year as it seemed that there were more and more intense holiday lights and decorations this year. Key West always goes all out as far as holiday decorations and it was great fun to ride around in a massive group checking out the holiday decorations.

Gerald and Carol

 

Tom, Carol and Mark

Spike

http://www.nutcrackerkeywest.com/