It’s already February, but let’s start with a wrap-up of a few notable events that occurred this past month.
The 43rd annual Key West Literary Seminar was timely, titled “Pay Attention: the Novel — the Long Form in a Time of Short Attention.” The seminar featured some of today’s best fiction writers, including Billy Collins, Richard Russo, Joy Williams and Gary Shteyngart.
Impromptu Classical Concerts, temporarily performing at Tennessee Williams Theater, offered two dynamic programs. And the South Florida Symphony Orchestra, under the baton of Key West’s own Sebrina Maria Alfonso, performed works by Ravel, Vaughan Williams and Sibelius.
February will be another exciting month for the arts.
- Three exhibits at The Studios of Key West galleries run through Feb. 26: “Ghost In Bahama Village” by New York-based artist Ransom celebrates the culture that once defined Bahama Village. Gunnar Baldwin’s “Reclaiming Florida’s Crown Jewel” highlights our endangered coral reefs. Mimi Hein’s “Twist” features intricate geometric designs. The Studios also offers a concert series, winter events, the Spotlight Cabaret curated by Randy Roberts, staged readings of new plays and musicals, and classes in landscape painting, figure drawing, soap sculpting, watercolor, haiku, musical theater and painting bootcamp. For a full listing, visit tskw.org.
- The Key West Art and Historical Society’s four museums — the Custom House, The Tennessee Williams Museum, Fort East Martello and the Key West Lighthouse & Keepers Quarters — are must-see attractions. The current Custom House exhibit, “WPA: Artists In Key West,” highlights the cultural movement that began with the Depression-era Works Progress Administration.
- The South Florida Symphony returns to Tennessee Williams Theater Feb. 21, performing two works honoring Black American culture.
- We’re saddened by the closing of the Little Room Jazz Club, but delighted to welcome the jazz cabaret at the Key West Cultural Center & Veterans Museum, 803 Emma St. This Saturday from 7 to 10 p.m. features Larry Smith, Skipper Kripitz and guests.
- Our local theaters offer provocative, insightful and entertaining works. The Waterfront Playhouse production of “Almost, Maine,” running through Feb. 14, is a series of vignettes about the joys and sorrows of life in a small, mythical town so far north in Maine that it’s “Almost” Canada. Red Barn Theatre’s “At the Wedding” offers a contemporary love mashup, also showing until Feb. 14. Red Barn will follow that with “And the World Goes ’Round: the Music of Kander & Ebb,” Feb. 24-March 21.
- The tunes by the duo responsible for hits such as “Chicago,” “Cabaret” and “Funny Lady” bring us “Letters From Max,” a moving portrait, based on a true story of friendship, love, art, mortality and the afterlife. The show will have a limited run — Feb. 18-20 — at Fringe Theater, 600 White St.
- Key West Theater, 512 Eaton St., showcases two island troubadours. Ben Harrison performs at the Backstage Listening Room Feb. 5 and 17. Scott Kirby takes the same stage Feb. 12, 13, 25 and 26 at 7 p.m. Everyone’s favorite Prairie Home Companion humorist, Garrison Keillor, and his niece Erica Rhodes will be at Key West Theater Feb. 22.
- Rounding out February will be a Jag Gallery-sponsored exhibit showcasing contemporary sculpture fashioned from reclaimed Miami oolite stone carved by writer, composer and sculptor Bill Lorraine, who bases his sculptures “on the human form through an abstract filter.” The exhibit will be installed in Lorraine’s private gardens, 1028 Catherine St. from noon to 5 p.m. from Feb. 28 to March 1.
All of the above is why, dear reader, Key West is known as the Island of the Arts. Any questions?
