Musicians Fest taking shape – Locals-only event set for Sept. 19-20

Musicians Fest taking shape – Locals-only event set for Sept. 19-20 - A group of people in a room - Plucked string instrument

 

By Daryl Brooke

It’s September in Key West, and that means it’s time again for the annual Key West Musicians Festival. The Key West Musicians Festival is a free event held at the Smokin’ Tuna Saloon from on Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 19-20 from 2 to 9 p.m. The festival can best be described as locals performing for locals — local musicians and songwriters performing for locals in one intimate setting, at a time of year when Key West locals are able to enjoy really great music, food, and drink, without all the crowds associated with the tourist season.

Organized by Singing Iguana Productions of Key West, this year marks the fifth year of the festival. The Key West Musicians festival showcases many of Key West best local musicians and songwriters performing on the prestigious Smokin’ Tuna stage. The festival is also a benefit event and helps support Sister Season Fund, the nonprofit Organization that assists locals employed in tourist related industries in Key West, when they fall on hard times.

Ken and Laura Floyd, and Steve Mellette are the organizers of this wonderful event, and work hard to make the event even better each year, and this year will certainly be exciting. When asked about this year’s performers, Ken said, “The 5th Annual Key West Musicians Festival is just a few days away and we have an awesome lineup of musicians and song writers that will be performing. Come celebrate Key West!”

Besides great music at the Key West Musician’s Festival, donations to Sister Sister Fund are encouraged, 50/50 prize raffles are held throughout the day, and commemorative T-shirts and CDs for sale. All of the performances have been recorded in past years and this year that tradition will carry on. “We record the festival and produce a commemorative CD from the recording and commemorative T-shirts so each festival will live on for years to come.”

Here is a list of some of the many musicians who have already confirmed playing the Key West Musicians Festival this year. Bill Blue, Larry Baeder, Ericson Holt, Rolando Rojas, Caribe of Key West, Lone Star of David (Clint Bullard and Al Subarsky), Frankendread, Allen Holland, Michael McCloud and friends, Carl Peachey, Gabriel Wright, Chris Rehm, Dani Hoy, Mary Spear, Dora Gholson, Greg Gerace, Liz OConnor, Jack Chiniski, Tony Roberts, Ray West, Ben Harrison, John Jones, Stan Coffman, Jeep Caillouet, Popeye Cunard, Debbie Cunard, Shastina Chiles, Myles Mancuso, Patrick and the Swayzees.

For more details, friend Key West Musicians Festival on Facebook.