In a recent Key West Weekly interview, Jed Dodds, executive director of The Studios of Key West, opined, “I think you’d have to go to a city probably 20 times the size of Key West before you’d find the cultural life comparable to what we have here.”
The Key West cultural calendar confirms Dodds’s observation. Outstanding March musical events were performed with depth and virtuosity by the South Florida Symphony Orchestra, Impromptu Classical Concerts, the Key West Community Orchestra, Bobby Nesbitt and Keys Choral Arts.
Now on to April:
April 3-4: Staged reading of a new American play, “My Maria” by Andrew Russell at The Studios of Key West at 8 p.m.
April 7: Country singer Crystal Gayle at Key West Theater.
April 8-9: Actor/playwright Mike Wiley performs two one-man shows: “Tired Souls: The Montgomery Bus Boycott” and “Breach of Peace.” Wiley brings to life the heroes of the civil rights movement at the American Legion Post, 803 Emma St. 7 p.m.
April 8-18: The Waterfront Playhouse presents the comedy-thriller “Accomplice,” a brilliant mix of deception, misdirection and comedy. 8 p.m.
April 12: Singer/songwriter Donavon Frankenreiter at Key West Theater.
April 15-25: Fringe Theater presents “The Shark Is Broken,” a “bitingly” funny behind-the- scenes look at the emotional mayhem of shooting “JAWS.” Based on the “drinking” diary of actor Robert Shaw, who portrayed Quint, a professional shark hunter. 7 p.m. at Key West Armory, 600 White St.
April 19: Southernmost Youth Orchestra performs a concert showcasing the rising stars of our community under the direction of Irie Monte at The Studios of Key West. 5 p.m.
Through April 25: Red Barn Theater presents “A Rock Sails By,” which explores the great questions of our time. 7:30 p.m. curtain.
April 25: MARC House presents an innovative dance program featuring the talents of Key West’s “remarkable” citizens at The Studios of Key West. 4 p.m.
April 25 & 26: Graham Nash (formerly of Crosby, Stills & Nash) performs at Key West Theater. Ongoing events: The Key West Cultural Center, 803 Emma St., schedules shows throughout the week. Mondays feature Larry Smith on piano accompanied by Skipper Kripitz on percussion and Joe Dallas on bass. Female vocalists take the stage on Wednesdays accompanied by Smith. Thursdays are dedicated to jazz, blues and soul featuring Terri White and Larry Baeder. Saturdays are an open forum with live music. For information, find the Legion Post 168 on Facebook.
The Key West Museum of Art and History at the Custom House presents an exhibit in partnership with the Smithsonian Institution. “Celebrating Conch Cuisine” explores how Indigenous know-how, local Afro-Caribbean heritage, Cuban and Bahamian migration and maritime trade routes all contributed to the bold, resourceful and flavorful food traditions of the Florida Keys. The exhibit runs through Jan. 3, 2027.
