CONNECT TO THE ARTS

THIS WEEK

JANUARY 1 - 15

ARTS COUNCIL

Connections Project: A Mosaic of the Keys - Grand Opening POP- UP

Wednesday, January 8, 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.

Marathon Chamber After Hours members event

Berkshire Hathaway Keys Real Estate

9141 Overseas Hwy., Marathon

This year's Connections Project spotlights visual and performing artists throughout Monroe County at a series of pop-up events. Each venue will feature a mosaic of almost 100 unique canvases created by Keys artists along with performances by talented musicians.

Click HERE for more information.

FESTIVALS AND FUNDRAISERS

Book Sale in the Palm Garden

Saturday, January 4, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Friends of the Key West Library

Key West Public Library Palm Garden

700 Fleming St., Key West

A nightly arts festival of arts and crafts exhibitors and psychics, street performers, food carts, and of course the thousands of tourists from around the world who visit this Key West art show.

Click HERE for more information.

Key West Literary Seminar: Family

Thursday through Sunday, January 9 - 12, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.

San Carlos Institute

516 Duval St., Key West

The 2025 seminar theme is "Family" — the one we’re born into, those we’ve later built or chosen, and the ones we’ve lost or found or run as far away from as possible. For “Family,” the seminar brings together writers who can help us understand how the ties that bind shape the stories we tell, the worlds we move through, and all the imagination’s possibilities for human connection. Featured writers include John Irving, Brando Skyhorse, Paul Harding, Nathan Hill, Dani Shapiro and many more.

Click HERE for more information.

Key West Sunset Celebration

Daily one hour prior to sunset

The Dock at Mallory Square, Key West

A nightly arts festival of arts and crafts exhibitors and psychics, street performers, food carts, and of course the thousands of tourists from around the world who visit this Key West art show.

Click HERE for more information.

THEATER

Murder Mystery Dinner- Front Line Murder by John Palmer

Wednesday, January 1, 7 p.m.

Marathon Community Theatre

5101 Overseas Highway, Marathon

It’s 2022, shortly after the worst of the Covid pandemic had passed. A banquet is being held to honor all the front line workers in the region, thanking them for their heroic efforts during the recent health crisis.Lawrence McCall, the local hospital administrator plans to announce some lovely gifts for everyone at the ceremony. But before the announcement, someone is found dead!

For more information, click HERE.

The Vagina Monologues

Monday through Wednesday, January 2 - 4, 7 p.m.

Waterfront Playhouse

407 Wall St. at Mallory Square, Key West

Starting off the new year will be our second Spotlight series production; a show that the New York Times at the end of the 1990’s called “probably the most important piece of political theatre of the last decade” and again in a 2018 article reiterated “No recent hour of theatre has had a greater impact worldwide”.

For more information, click HERE.

The Foreigner

Through January 11, 7:30 p.m.

Red Barn Theater

319 Duval Street (rear), Key West

The scene is a fishing lodge in rural Georgia often visited by “Froggy” LeSueur, a British demolition expert who occasionally runs training sessions at a nearby army base. This time “Froggy” has brought along a friend, a pathologically shy young man named Charlie who is overcome with fear at the thought of making conversation with strangers. So “Froggy,” before departing, tells all assembled that Charlie is from an exotic foreign country and speaks no English. Once alone the fun really begins

For more information, click HERE.

CALL TO ARTISTS

Submit Artwork for Celtic Festival

Art in the Park

Drop-off January 10, 10 a.m. - 5 pm

We live in a beautiful place and everyone can create something that relates to the Florida Keys. No categories, no specific theme.

The requirements: all artwork must be created within the last year. It must be original and not have won any previous awards. Entries must be ready to hang, no saw tooth hangers, no nails, string or staples showing. Mats must be fresh, clean and unspotted. Artists may enter 1 piece of original art, not to exceed 50 united inches including the mat. (IE, total of 2 sides of the work 18 x 32 or 25 X 25 or anything else that adds up to 50”). This does not include the frame which should be no more than 2”.

Email floridakeyscelticfestival@gmail.com with completed application

Download application here

A Child with the Blues by Erykah Badu, by Mary Yardley

Call to Women Artists: From a Woman's Hand

Open through January 30, 2025

Drawn entirely from the Florida Keys community, the exhibit illuminates the remarkable achievements of women artists who have been marginalized for centuries. Gender bias is less obvious today, but contemporary women artists still face many barriers and disparities, as well as continual underrepresentation in museum collections and exhibitions worldwide. The innovative exhibition concept challenges conventional boundaries, inviting artists to create artwork that expresses ideas about the natural world.

Click HERE for more information and to apply.

ARTIST MARKETS

Waterfront Farmers Market

Thursday, January 2 (Every Thursday), 2-7 p.m.

Farmer's Market

Truman Waterfront Park, Key West

(end of Southard Street)

Culinary, beverages, produce, seafood, apparel, gifts, and art.

For more info contact Sean@dailyplan-it.net

Island Home: Local Artisan & Gourmet Market

Friday, January 3 (Every Friday), 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Island Home

88720 Overseas Hwy, Tavernier

Pick up and indulge in Artisan Breads, Local Honey, Nut Butters, Homemade Jams, Oils, Spreads, Dried Fruits & Veggies, Baked Goods, and more!

Key West Artisan Market

Sunday, January 5, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Key West Wildlife Center. Parking Lot

1801 White Street, Key West

Come enjoy bloody’s, mimosas along with a full bar, coffee, smoothies, natural juices and cut fruit, multiple food trucks and stalls offering eat-here or take-away. Shop a curated outdoor market offering fine crafts, art and jewelry from talented Florida Keys makers. Listen to awesome local musicians of the trop rock variety and meet talented local writers.

Click HERE for more information.

ARTIST RECEPTIONS

First Thursdays at The Studios

Thursday, January 2, 6 - 8 p.m.

The Studios of Key West

533 Eaton St., Key West

Friends new and old are invited to join us for each month’s First Thursday Open House event, when we keep our lights on late and throw our doors open to celebrate the newest work in our galleries

Click HERE for more information.

Underwater Photography Gallery

Thursday, January 2, 5 -7 p.m.

Underwater Photography Gallery

22627 La Fitte Drive, Cudjoe Key

The exhibit features marine life of the Florida Keys, behavior and photography techniques. Mike and Suzanne Lombard have been diving and photographing underwater around the world for over 40 years. They support ocean conservation and recovery of threatened/endangered species such as manatees, turtles, sharks, dolphin, and other rare/ endemic aquatic life.

Click HERE for more information.

First Fridays on Fleming

Friday, January, 6 -9 p.m.

500 block of Fleming to Grinnell St., Key West

Vibrant boutiques, galleries, antique stores, artist studios, restaurants, a cocktail lounge, bookstore, yoga

Click HERE for more information.

Art Demo and January Meeting

Friday, January 10, 3:30 p.m.

Key West Art Center

301 Front St., Key West

After the brief business portion of the meeting, enjoy refreshments and an artist demo by Juan Camilo Buitrago. Juan recently opened Island Contemporary gallery with his wife and will be demonstrating his interesting process creating gel plate prints.

Click HERE for more information.

LECTURES

Weird Florida

Wednesday, January 8, 6 p.m.

Florida Keys History & Discovery Center

82100 Overseas Hwy, Islamorada

An evening filled with laughter and intrigue as we welcome Eliot Kleinberg, author of Weird Florida. Discover the strange, quirky, and captivating stories that make Florida truly unique! From UFO sightings to haunted airlines and beyond, you’ll be entertained and amazed.

Click HERE for more information

Distinguished Speaker Series: Across the Florida Straits to Cuba | A Living History of the Buildings Left Behind

Thursday, January 16, 6 -7 p.m.

Tropic Cinema

416 Eaton St, Key West

Cuba is a historical laboratory of buildings, streets, and artifacts that have been mostly untouched since 1960—allowing visitors to transport themselves into a time and space that has not evolved into modern times. In this historical presentation, Mario Cartaya retraces and recalls six decades of friendly and cooperative Cuban-American relations and history.

Click HERE for more information

Art by Mario Sanchez

Mario Sanchez

Daily, 2 p.m.

Gallery on Green

606 Greene St, Key West

Mario Sanchez, 1908 American, whose art tells the unwritten history of Key West and in the permanent collection of the Smithsonian American art Museum, and the American of Folk Museum in New York.

Click HERE for more information

LITERARY

Key West Poetry Guild Meeting

Sunday, January 5, 7 p.m.

327 Elizabeth St., Key West

The KWPG Monthly Open Mic is open to all Poets interested in sharing original poetry. Bring original poems to read or come to listen.

Click HERE for more information..

Work with Young Adult writer Malinda Lo, at Literary Seminar Writers' Workshops

Now accepting applications

Our Writers’ Workshop Program provides writers at all stages of development with opportunities to explore the craft of writing. We have a few spots left in Malinda Lo's workshop, Developing the Young Adult Voice (fiction). . Enrollment is typically limited to twelve participants per workshop to ensure individual attention.

For information and application link, click HERE.

FILM

Small Things Like These

Get The Book - See The Movie! Support the Tropics

Thursday, January 2, 4:50 p.m.

Tropic Cinema

416 Eaton St., Key West

Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan is a beautifully written, poignant story set in 1980s Ireland. It follows Bill Furlong, a quiet, hardworking coal merchant, who is forced to confront long-buried truths as he navigates a cold, unforgiving Christmas season. It's a tale of morality, choices, and the small acts of kindness that can change everything.

Click HERE for more information..

MUSIC

First Friday Concert - Li'l Rev

Friday, January 6,6 p.m.

Key Largo Library

Tradewinds Shopping Plaza

MM 101.5, Key Largo

Lil’ Rev is a world-class entertainer and steward of vintage song and lore. Performing with ukulele, harmonica, mandolin, guitar and banjor, Rev has an unmatched reporteire of both traditional and original song, poetry, storytelling and humor.

For more information, click HERE.

Old Town New Folk Series: Susan Werner & Jonatha Brooke

Tuesday, January 7, 7 p.m.

Helmerich Theater

Wednesday, January, 8, 6 p.m.

Hugh's View

Studios of Key West

533 Eaton St., Key West

Join acclaimed folk rock artists Susan Werner and Jonatha Brooke for a night of innovative songwriting, captivating harmonies, and masterful musicianship.

For more information, click HERE.

Scott Kirby w. Noah Robertson

Sunday and Monday, January 8 - 9, 7 pm

Singer, songwriter, guitarist, storyteller, traveler and road warrior are all words that aptly describe Scott Kirby. Finishing songs while driving through the Italian countryside, performing 100 plus live shows throughout the US and Canada, touring Ireland with 50 fans in tow, and recording his tenth album in Nashville, all keep the barnacles off this modern-day troubadour. More at: scottkirby.com

Paula Poundstone

Monday, January 9, 8 pm

Iconic comedian Paula Poundstone is known for her smart, observational humor and a spontaneous wit that has become the stuff of legend. She regularly plays theaters across the country, hosts a weekly comedy podcast, Nobody Listens to Paula Poundstone, and is a regular panelist on NPR’s Wait, Wait… Don’t Tell Me.

Key West Theater

512 Eaton St., Key West

Click HERE for more information.

Impromptu Concerts Presents Thomas Mesa and Greg Zelek

Sunday, January 12, 4 pm

St. Paul’s Church

401 Duval St., Key West

The first concert of Key West Impromptu Classical Concerts’ 53rd anniversary season will feature the cellist Thomas Mesa and organist Greg Zelek in a duo concert showcasing the historic pipe organ at St. Paul’s Episcopal church.

Organist Greg Zelek, praised as “extraordinary in the classical music world” (Jon Hornbacher, PBS Wisconsin Life) and a “musical star” (Bill Wineke, Channel 3000), is the Principal Organist of the Madison Symphony Orchestra and Curator of the Overture Concert Organ. In this role, Greg performs and oversees all the MSO’s organ programming.

For more information, click HERE.

Key West Jazz Society Duo

Thursdays, 4-7 pm

Hemingway Social Club

201 Simonton St, Key West

Vintage and Latin Jazz with Channing (clarinet, sax, flute) and company.

For more information, click HERE.

Jazz In The Gardens on Sundays

Sundays, 5-7 pm

The Gardens Hotel

526 Angela St., Key West

ARTIST CLASSES

Annual Members Kick-off Meeting

Saturday, January 7, 10 a.m.

Florida Keys Watercolor Society

Marathon Community Theater

5101 Overseas Hwy, Marathon

The mission of the Florida Keys Watercolor Society is to promote the fine art of water based painting through fellowship and education within its membership base. The Shows, Workshops, and Paint-Outs offered by the FKWCS invite its participants to immerse themselves in the joy and rewards associated with the water based medium.

Click HERE for more information.

Life Drawing Classes

Annamarie Giordano Artist

Tuesdays, 11 - 2 p.m.

3 hours of continuous drawing. All levels and mediums are welcome. Reservations are required and classes are held in Key West.

Reservations are required text 609-884-3474 or email annamariegoirdanostudios@gmail.com.

Figure Drawing Pop-Up Classes

Most Wednesdays from 5 - 7 p.m.

The Key West Art Center

301 Front St., Key West

On the last Wednesday of each month (Jan, Feb and March of 2025), the figure drawing monitor, KWAC member Lothar Speer, MFA, will offer an informative hands-on 2.5 hr long instructed figure drawing workshop in the 19th Century Russian Sauce Technique. These workshops will culminate in an art show at KWAC in April 2025 of select student work from the figure drawing classes. Bring your own sketch pads, instructor will provide the special crayons used for this unique technique.

Click HERE for more information.