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 |

” There is nothing on this earth more to be prized than true friendship.” Thomas Aquinas

 

March 20, 2022

 

” There is nothing on this earth more to be prized than true friendship.” Thomas Aquinas

Spending time with our friend Dakota and her two adorable daughters during their three-week visit to our house has been one of the highlights of our year. We just love having the kids here and getting to spend a bit of quality time with Dakota is pretty amazing as well.

Introducing Sloane and her sister Norah to the fun things for kids to do in Key West has been especially enjoyable. We have spent time exploring some of the fun things to do in Key West.  One of the first places we wanted to visit after the butterfly garden was the Key West Aquarium.

Built in 1932, The Key West Aquarium is one of the oldest and among the first tourist attractions in Key West. It is the oldest aquarium in Florida .  The aquarium is located in Mallory Square and is one of the most popular destinations in Key West. The entire area in the vicinity of the aquarium is tourist oriented.

The displays in the aquarium really have not changed all that much in all the years it has been open. In the main room, large aquariums line each wall featuring a collection of fish, crustaceans and other sea life that is found in local waters. The center features large tanks that hold nurse sharks, sea turtles and larger fish. 

All manner of cool wildlife is featured. We parked nearby and walked across Mallory Square and through the Shell Warehouse to the entrance of the aquarium. Once inside, Sloane and her sister took in all the assorted sea life that is on display.  While at the aquarium, I got a message that another long-time friend was in town and near us, so we arranged to meet at the nearby Clinton Square Market.

My friends Thor and Steph, who I have known for close to 40 years and who I grew up with in Indianapolis were in the Keys for a vacation for Spring Break with their adult children, Hannah and Wolfgang. It has been years since I have seen them and even longer since I spent any significant time with them.

I ended up spending the rest of the day and evening with them, walking the length of Duval Street, bar-hopping before heading out to eat at the Stock Island location of El Siboney restaurant. It was a fantastic afternoon and evening spending time with old friends.

Later in the week, Dakota, Sloane, Norah and I spent time visiting Books and Books at the Studios of Key West where they got to meet owner and author Judy Blume. We also went over to take a tour of the Key West Wildlife Center, which rehabilitates injured birds and animals and has a cool trail back to a small pond that has wild birds and a plethora of small turtles.

Finally, I attended a new play at the Red Barn Theatre that starred a couple of my friends called “Hurricane Diane”. My friends Erin and Sussanah played major roles in the sort of strange new play that was a comedy/drama. 

https://www.keywestaquarium.com/