Revel in the most magical night of summer — the eighth annual Midsummer’s Night Dream & Spectacle on Saturday, June 21 from 5 to 11 p.m. in the Florida Keys most enchanting forest, The Key West Tropical Forest & Botanical Garden. It’s a night of creative expression, feasting, dancing, singing, and theatrical antics celebrating the art and artists of Key West.
Midsummer’s Night Dream & Spectacle was created to celebrate the Keys creative community — to give artists a voice and platform to share the power of their visions. Everyone attending is invited to be a co-creator at this colorful and spontaneous festivity, a wonderland of costumed merrymakers, interactive art projects, and multiple stages featuring artists of local and national renown. Attire ranges from Key West cool to Midsummer’s Magical, with a King and Queen of Midsummer’s Night chosen from among the best costumed.
This year’s celestial celebration of creativity includes a Grand Dream Mural Project facilitated by artist Amanda Johnson that will engage more than 75 participants, as well as a Dream Poetry wall; ambush poetry with the Key West Poetry Guild, Shakespearean scenes by the Fringe Theater, and a roster of stellar Key West musicians and singers, including The Celestial Buddha’s – Skipper Kripitz, Larry Smith, Christine Cordone and Journey Blue Heaven; The Future X’s featuring Rock Solomon; The Crizzbee’s — Rob DiStasi, Chris Burchard, Bubba Low-notes and Skippo; The Spectrelles; Adrienne Zolondick; The Love Lane Gang; Kai Seemiller and Friends; Karri Daley; Marty Stonely, C.W. Colt and Robert Douglass; Yankee Jack; Roberta and Mark; Ben Pegg; Danny Simpson; Melody Cooper; Kissed by a Gypsy and more.
Expect dance spectacles by Key West Comparsa; Salsa Rueda and Salsa Flash Mob; ballet with the Southernmost Dance Theatre Youth Company; and after dark, fire dancing with Lydia Firefly and friends.
Good faery’s Joyce Straiton and Beth Hodgin will create glittery enchantment in faery-land — a favorite niche for the “little people” — with face painting, faery wings and hula-hooping.
Throughout the grounds, revelers can immerse in the work of artists and sculptors including Lois Giffen, Lauren P. McAloon, Susann D’ Antonio, Adam Russell, Robert D’ Antonio, James Racchi, Jackie Sanchez, Simram Johnston, Dennis A. Beebe and Tom Charette.
Don’t miss an opportunity to commune with Dawn Michelle, the Southernmost Medium, and to savor the talents of some of Key West’s favorite storytellers. Beverages and Caribbean style food will be available throughout the event.
Created and produced by arts and community development leader Michael Shields and co-produced by the Key West Tropical Forest and Botanical Garden, “Midsummer’s Night celebrates the summer solstice,” said Shields. “It’s a time when the veil between this world and the next is thin, and powerful forces are abroad. On Midsummer’s, legends hold that one can gain the powers of a bard—or on the downside, end up utterly mad, demented, or whisked away by spirit faeries. Romances flourish, affairs are begun, mystery and mischief abound. It all begins with a dream. Come watch the stars or share your own.”
Sponsored by Centennial Bank, Midsummer’s Night Dream & Spectacle benefits the Key West Botanical Garden Society. Admission is $15 advance for adults (order at kwbgs.org); $20 at the door, with Centennial Bank customers and children aged 12 and under admitted free. For further information contact Michael Shields at 305-394-3804 or visit keywestupdates.com.
