Seventy-Six Trombones

 

March 22, 2022
 

Seventy-Six Trombones

Kathy, Dakota and I provided yet another first for Dakota’s daughters when we took them to see their first ever live play at the Key West High School auditorium. The play, “The Music Man, Jr.” was a presentation of Keys Kids and the Bahama Village Program and featured children up to high school age from throughout the Florida Keys performing the classic musical.

The adorable production involved kids from all Monroe County Schools was a definite crowd pleaser.. “The Music Man” follows fast-talking traveling salesman, Harold Hill, as he cons the people of River City, Iowa, into buying instruments and uniforms for a boys’ band that he vows to organize – this, despite the fact that he doesn’t know a trombone from a treble clef. His plans to skip town with the cash are foiled when he falls for Marian, the librarian, who transforms him into a respectable citizen by curtain’s fall

I wasn’t sure if Sloane would maintain attention during the duration of a live performance, but she seemed mesmerized by the actors and the singing and dancing on the stage. It was so cool to see. By the final song, she was literally dancing along in the aisle of the auditorium.

As with most events involving kids in Key West, Kathy and I knew a number of the performers and their parents as well as many involved with producing the play. Kid’s shows can be a mixed bag, but this production was a stand-out and ranks in the top echelon of those we have seen here.

For more than twenty years, the Bahama Village Music Program has provided free musical education and instruction to children in the community from ages 6-16 who might otherwise be unable to afford or have access to. It started by targeting students in the Bahama Village neighborhood, but has expanded to include kids from the entire community who have a need and desire to participate. 

The play wasn’t the only musical event we attended, Kathy and I were joined by our friend Gae in attending a concert in the interior courtyard of East Martello Tower presented by Coast and the Key West Art and Historical Society by The Yonder Mountain String Band.

Touring in support of their new album, “Get Yourself Outside”, the renowned bluegrass/ jam band played an extended set of terrific music to the crowd at East Martello. A band called Fireside Collective opened the show and they were damn good as well. Bluegrass is not at the top of my most favorite music list, as I wouldn’t really sit around listening to it, but the live show is another story and this band is top notch.

 

http://www.bvmpkw.org/

Yonder Mountain String Band |