Two things undoubtedly go great together: music and food. Add a beautiful background and Key West just doesn’t get any better. The latest in brilliant pairings is First Flight Restaurant and Brewery collaborating with The Big Stage Productions, offering live musical concerts and theatrical shows this coming season. The two behind the idea are popular musician Nick Norman and local restaurateur and owner of First Flight, Damian DeAngelis. Both agree it is a natural addition to the vibrant music and food scene of Key West.
“I want to build a congregation,” said Norman, drawing from his Southern spirit. “Doing the Ramble at the Key West Theater, I loved being connected to the audience, and this setting is great to give people that kind of experience. It’s about the interaction for everyone.”
The casual and spacious biergarten atmosphere of First Flight, located at 301 Whitehead St., beckons for a center stage and invites people to sit and stay a while. The palm trees overhead, speckled with garden lights, give a rather romantic feel, perfect for a date for two or a whole table of friends who simply want to eat well, drink well and be entertained while doing it.
“We built a diverse menu that pairs with our own beer recipes and wine list,” said DeAngelis. “We are a brewery but also a restaurant, so it’s about good, fresh food made from scratch that people can enjoy, as well as the drinks. With entertainment, where else do you need to go?”
The first concerts will be: Nov 25, The Nick Norman Band: An Acoustic Evening, featuring Caffeine Carl Wagoner and Joey Marchiano; Dec. 9, “Landon’s Dysfunctional Family Christmas Reunion,” with actor, DJ, and all-around funny man Landon Bradbary; Feb. 14, “Songs in the Key of Love” – An Evening of Acoustic Love Songs with Les Greene, Kristen McNamara, Nick Norman, Joal Rush, Marjory Lee and Chris Toler and more; and March 10, “The Smallstars in Key West” Nick Norman, Joal Rush, Lewis Brice, Chris Weaver, Warren Bazemore and Shane Williams. Two shows in January and April are in the works with special guest stars to be announced.
Tickets will be available for courtyard or upstairs box seating and VIP section. First Flight’s full menu and drinks will be separate from ticket price except the Valentine’s show. Season tickets and “The Big Fan Package” season table purchase option will also be available. For more information contact info@thebigstageproductions.com, EventBrite.com, or firstflightkw.com.
