CONNECT TO THE ARTS

THIS WEEK

FEBRUARY 5 - 12

Connections Project: A Mosaic of the Keys Pop-Up at Marathon Community Theater

Join Us for an Opening Reception on Wednesday February 5th, from 6:30 - 7:45 pm. Art, Live Music and refreshments.

Pop-Up Artwork also on display from Thursday – Saturday (6th – 8th), 7 pm until the curtain rises at 8 pm

Marathon Community Theater - Lobby

5101 Overseas Highway, 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.

Gather Round Members Series: Southernmost Youth Orchestra

Featuring Southernmost Youth Orchestra

Wednesday February 12, 10 am - Noon

St. Paul’s Church

401 Duval St., Key West

Join us for an inspiring presentation of the Southernmost Youth Orchestra, a vibrant program nurturing young string musicians in the Keys. Under the direction of Irie Monte, students aged 7 to 12 gather weekly for rehearsals, preparing for seasonal concerts and community events. In partnership with Keys Community School for the Arts, this program makes arts education accessible, with nearly half of the students receiving scholarships or financial

aid to support their passion for violin, viola, and cello. The presentation, led by Miss Irie, will feature a video showcasing student performances and interviews, followed by an opportunity for attendees to hear directly from the director and participate in a Q&A session, with refreshments.

Click HERE for more information.

CVS Window Display features Dawn Wilkins

On Display through March

CVS Window Exhibit

500 Duval St., Key West

Dawn Wilkins is an artist, printmaker, and textile designer, is exhibiting her work in the CVS window Artist Showcase, 500 Duval Street, courtesy of the Arts Council. The exhibit features a selection of her handmade prints, fabrics, and pillows.

Click HERE for link to her website.

Art Opening Previews Works For Fine Art Auction

Opening Thursday, February 6

The Studios of Key West

533 Eaton St., Key West

Excitement is building with the anticipation of the 30th Annual Anne McKee Fine Art Auction and Tropical Gala. Artwork will be previewed with a “Buy it Now” option beginning February 6th through February 20th at the Studios.

This year, 46 fabulous works of art will be auctioned off. The artwork offers something for every taste, including photography, oils, sculpture, watercolors, ceramics, and more. Many of the artists are former Anne McKee Fund grant recipients whose work is highly prized.

Click HERE for more information.

Dive Into Art & Music: Grateful Dead Experience Concert

Saturday, February 8, 5:30 p.m.

Safe Harbor Angler House

80500 Overseas Highway, Islamorada

Join the History of Diving Museum and Rainbow Full of Sound for a benefit concert, art exhibition and sale while enjoying a special musical tribute to musician, artist, and avid diver Jerry Garcia of the Grateful Dead.

Click HERE for more information.

Roots On the Rock Reggae Festival & Vendor Village Marketplace

Saturday, February 8, 3 - 6 p.m.

Southernmost Beach Resort

1319 Duval Street, Key West

Vendor Village Marketplace to take place at the Duval Street Pocket Park, where Duval meets the Atlantic 2/8/25 from 12 noon – 6pm, featuring local artisans, crafts, candles, art, jewelry & more. FREE!

We’ll have 4 LIVE reggae bands on the beach, with a DJ to get the party started!

Click HERE for more information.

Santa Clara Insider Tour

Tuesday, February 11, 6:30 p.m.

Mel Fisher Maritime Museum

200 Greene St., Key West

An informal tour of the Mel Fisher Maritime Museum’s recently installed exhibition, 'Uncovering the Santa Clara,' led by Corey Malcom, Ph.D. The tour will provide a behind-the-scenes look at the museum’s conservation lab, wet storage and visible permanent collection storage, all spotlighting artifacts from Santa Clara.

Click HERE for more information.

The 2025 Waterfront Playhouse Aqua Idol Season

Every Monday through Mach 10, 6 p.m.

Aqua Plex Nightclub Main Stage

711 Duval St., Key West

A wonderful group of vocalists will be singing their hearts out to raise money for the esteemed Waterfront Playhouse. Singers are Alexa Loduca, Jordan Upchurch, Zoe Elwell, Stephanie Wise, Jeff Jolly, Ruby Sickmen, Davis Stack, Larry Ketron, River Sienne, Barbara Mundy, Beatrix Dixie, Victoria Moon, Rick Dery, Leslie Bowman, Sarah Perkins and Jaime Weisberg and Rich Damasco.

It is the best Free-to-Attend Show in town...and it is open to all who love great entertainment and who love live Theater in Key West. Destiny Montgomery and Lynda Frechette are working hard to present a terrific show and a marvelous prize package for the Top Contestants. It is GREAT Fun for a GREAT Cause!!!! Laurie Thibaud is the emcee.... Great Celebrity Judges weekly.... including Christopher Peterson our resident ‘Simon Cowell'. 

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.

Ms Holmes & Ms Watson, Apt. 2B

Thursday through Saturday, through February 22, 7:30 p.m.

Red Barn Theater

319 Duval Street (rear), Key West

An irreverent, darkly comic, modern take on Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s famous sleuth and sidekick, this fast-paced romp re-examines the world’s most famous detective story with a bold new feminist lens. In this highly theatrical, small-cast escapade, oddball female roommates Sherlock (yes, it’s also a girl’s name—wait, is it a girl’s name? Is it even a name?) Holmes & Joan Watson join forces to emerge from pandemic fog as a deeply codependent, quasi-dysfunctional Odd Couple adventure duo—solving mysteries and kicking butts, until they come face to face with a villain who seems to have all of the answers.

For more information, click HERE.

Always a Bridesmaid

Thursdays through Saturdays,Through February. 8, 8 p.m.

Marathon Community Theatre

5101 Overseas Highway, Marathon

This comedy follows four Southern high school friends who vow serve as bridesmaids in each other's weddings, no matter what. Fast forward to 30 years later, they are still determined to honor their vow and navigate the challenges of love and marriage as bridesmaids through multiple weddings

Click HERE for more information.

The Angel Next Door

Thursday through Saturday, through February 8, 8 p.m.

Waterfront Playhouse

407 Wall St. at Mallory Square, Key West

The Angel Next Door, alternately titled Theatre People, takes a playful dive into the antics of eccentric artists, unpredictable love affairs, and comedic chaos. Directed by Waterfront Playhouse Artistic Director Patrick New, the production offers audiences a thoroughly entertaining evening filled with laughter, charm, and unexpected twists.

For more information, click HERE.

A Public Arts Tool Box 

February 5, 12, 19

Webinar

Sponsored by Florida Association of Public Art Professionals

Mark your calendar and plan to attend the upcoming webinar - A Public Arts Tool Box - scheduled for February 5, 12, & 19. Join your colleagues for a lunch and learn series to gain new insight as an emerging or established public artist or administrator. 

Click HERE for more information and to register.

Call for Artists

Open

The Plantation Yacht Harbor Arts and Crafts Show, April 5-6, will feature approximately 100 artists whose works include everything from paintings and sculptures to jewelry, fine crafts, and even driftwood carvings. Space is limited so apply now.

Click HERE for more information and to apply.

Call for Artists

Open through March 18

The Key West Art Center & Gallery proudly announces a call for artists for our 2025 Associate Members' Show. Each spring the work of our many associate members is featured in the Gallery. This is a chance for associate members to show their work to the public and for the public to see the exciting variety of talent that is in their midst. 

Click HERE for more information and to apply.

Waterfront Farmers Market

Thursday, February 6 (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, February 7 (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, February 9, 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.

From a Woman’s Hand exhibition 

Friday, February 7, 5 - 8 p.m.

Key West Museum of Art & History

281 Front St., Key West

The Key West Art & Historical Society welcomes the public to celebrate the work of 50 Florida Keys female artists featured in its “From a Woman’s Hand” exhibition at the The biannual display juried by arts community leaders illuminates the remarkable achievements of women artists who have been marginalized for centuries.

“Our mission is to promote and elevate the humanities and arts of the Florida Keys, including an emphasis on the role of women in these cultural sectors,” says Society curator Cori Convertito. “This exhibit features strong, thought-provoking pieces alongside nature-inspired works created by female artists of all ages. The breadth and depth of the artists’ originality and imagination is astonishing.”

Click HERE for more information.

Art Guild of The Purple Isles Opening Photography Exhibit

Tuesday, February 11, 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.

Islamorada Public Library

81830 Overseas Hwy, Islamorada

AGPI members exhibit their original fine art photography and/or digital art based on original photography. On view through April 4, 9 - 5 p.m. 

Click HERE for more information.

GROWERS: New Works from Tory Mata and Natalie Bissell

Wednesday, February 12, 5 - 7 p.m.

Jag Gallery

Duval Square, 1075 Duval 

GROWERS features Key West and gallery favorite Tort Mata returning with a stunning, and inviting new collection of landscapes in a warm and subtle palette inspired by the varied land and sky of some of her favorite places from New Mexico to Cape Cod in her home state of Massachusetts to her surroundings for over a decade here in Key West. Notably, this is a joyful and timely return for the artist to landscape painting, something Tory has admitted missing.

Click HERE for more information.

First Thursdays at The Studios

Thursday, February 6, 6 - 8 p.m.

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.

First Fridays on Fleming

Friday, February 7, 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.

Riff on Roxfilm:

Film Screenings Presented with Roxbury International Film Fest

Friday and Saturday, February 7 - 8, 7 p.m.

The Studios of Key West Helmerich Theater

533 Eaton St., Key West

The Studios of Key West is thrilled to present Riff on ROXFILM, a weekend of extraordinary film screenings in collaboration with the Roxbury International Film Festival, the largest New England festival dedicated to films by, for, and about people of color. This special event features two thought-provoking films followed by engaging talkbacks with their directors, Daniel Callahan and Frederick Lewis, moderated by ROXFILM board member Andrea Lyman.

Click HERE for more information.

Celebrate Black History Month: Imitation of Life

Sunday, February 9, 2 p.m.

Tropic Cinema

416 Eaton St., Key West

Join us tonight for an introduction from Shirley Knowles Brown of American Legion #168, as she presents the film Imitation of Life and shares more about the organization. Imitation of Life is a classic drama that explores themes of race, identity, and motherhood. 

Click HERE for more information.

Key West Garden Society: From Slave Ship to Submerged Florida with Dr. Corey Malcom

Thursday, February 6, 1:30 p.m.

Key West Garden Club: Fort West Martello

1100 Atlantic Blvd, Key West

Click HERE for more information.

Distinguished Speaker Series: Florida Keys or Bust! A History of Tourism

Thursday, February 6, 6 - 7 p.m.

Tropic Cinema

416 Eaton St., Key West

No matter who they were or why they came here, the Florida Keys soon emerged as one of the most celebrated tourist destinations in the world. The islands continually evolve in order to meet the demands of a burgeoning tourism economy. Journey through the history of tourism and find out what makes the Florida Keys such an unsurpassed location to visit.

Click HERE for more information.

Everglades Restoration Project with Adam Gelber

Monday, February 10, 12 - 1 p.m.

Florida Keys History and Discovery Foundation

82100 Overseas Highway, Islamorada

Click HERE for more information.

Speaker Series: Ellen T. White and Leslie Linsley, in conversation

Monday, February 10, 6 - 7 p.m.

Key West Public Library Palm Garden 700 Fleming Street, Key West

Ellen T. White and Leslie Linsley, in conversation with Annette Holmstrom. Leslie Linsley is the author of more than 70 titles on American crafts, decorating, and home style, as well as many books on Nantucket Island and Key West, including Key West Cottages and Gardens: Inspiration from America’s Special Tropical Island. Her national column “At Home” appears in the Key West Citizen.

Click HERE for more information.

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

Keys Writers Meeting

Wednesday, February 5, 1 p.m.

Big Pine Library Conference Room

Winn-Dixie Shopping Plaza, Big Pine Key

Explore writing in a fun, supportive environment with the Keys Writers Group! All styles and abilities are welcome. Participants may bring up to five pages, double spaced, to read aloud. If you can, bring 5-7 copies to share. The group offers feedback in a friendly, constructive way. Not ready to share? Come to a meeting to get acquainted and offer feedback. "Writers need readers!"

Key West Writers Guild

Saturday, February 8, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.

La Brisa, Poolhouse

901 S. Roosevelt Blvd., Key West 

Meets monthly for writers’ critiques, fellowship and provides workshops and advice for new writers. Newcomers welcome.

Click HERE for more information..

Elizabeth Bishop Key West Birthday Poetry Reading

Saturday, February 8, 4:30 p.m.

Key West Theater

512 Eaton St., Key West

Since Feb. 8 is the 109th anniversary of Bishop’s birth, a community poetry reading and cake cutting are scheduled to commemorate the poet’s noted fondness for birthday festivities. Coordinated by the Elizabeth Bishop Key West Committee, the event is to take place in the listening room of the Key West Theater.

Old Town Literary Walking Tours

Wednesdays & Sundays, 10 a.m.

Departs from Key West Public Library

700 Fleming St., Key West

Join us each week for the Old Town Literary Walking Tour, a stroll through downtown Key West, illuminating stories of writers that have called our island home. Inspired by David A. Kaufelt’s original literary walking tour, our new tour features the former homes and favorite haunts of writers, including Tennessee Williams, Shel Silverstein, Elizabeth Bishop, and Robert Frost, and highlights tales of our lesser-known local talent. Sponsored by the Key West Literary Seminar.

Tours commence in front of the Monroe County Public Library, 700 Fleming Street (between Elizabeth and William Streets) and end near Greene and Elizabeth Streets in Key West. Tours last approximately 90 minutes. Please be on time and wear comfortable shoes.

Click HERE for more information and to register (required).

Will Kimbrough in Concert

Wednesday, February 5, 6 p.m.

The Studios of Key West

533 Eaton St., Key West

Hailed as one of the most important bands in music since the dawn of the rock and roll era, the legendary rock and roll band with horns, Chicago, came in as the highest charting American band in Billboard Magazine's Top 125 Artists Of All Time. And, Chicago is the first American rock band to chart Top 40 albums in six consecutive decades.

Click HERE for more information..

Gipsy Kings Featuring Nicholas Reyes

Saturday, February 8, 8 p.m.

Nicolas Reyes has been the leader and co-founder of the Gipsy Kings for well over 30 years. In the past three decades, they have dominated the World Music charts and sold more than 14 million albums worldwide. Their platinum compilation, The Best of the Gipsy Kings, was charting for over a year upon its release and their ninth studio album, Savor Flamenco, was awarded the Grammy for Best World Music Album in 2013.

Coffee Butler Amphitheater at Truman Waterfront

35 E. Quay Rd., Key West

Click HERE for more information.

A Blonde, Burnette, and Some Duets featuring Eric McCormack & Laura Bell Bundy

Saturday, February 8, 8 pm

The Four Phantoms in Concert

Wednesday, February 12, 8 pm

Tennessee Williams Theatre

5901 College Rd., Key West 

Star from the hit TV show Will & Grace, Eric McCormack, and Tony nominated actress, Laura Bell Bundy, come to the Tennessee Williams Theatre! Together, they bring their magnetic chemistry from Broadway’s The Cottage to the stage, promising a night of unforgettable entertainment that spans Broadway hits, cinematic charm, and chart-topping tunes.

Click HERE for more information.

Impromptu Classical Concerts: Dover Quartet

Sunday, February 9, 4 pm

St. Pauls Church

401 Duval St., Key West

Star from the hit TV show Will & Grace, Eric McCormack, and Tony nominated actress, Laura Bell Bundy, come to the Tennessee Williams Theatre! Together, they bring their magnetic chemistry from Broadway’s The Cottage to the stage, promising a night of unforgettable entertainment that spans Broadway hits, cinematic charm, and chart-topping tunes.

Vail Johnson: BASSically Incorrect

Sunday and Monday, February 9 - 10, 4 pm

Red Barn Theater

319 Duval Street (rear), Key West

BASSically Incorrect is Vails' one- man show encompassing 4 decades of 'round the world touring and recording with artists from Herbie Hancock to Kenny G, Stevie Nicks to Whitney Houston and so on......Stories about them and music done in Vail's unique style make for a fun and entertaining event.

Click HERE for more information.

Trio Zimbalist

Monday, February 10, 7:30 pm

Marathon High School Performing Arts Center

350 Sombrero Beach Rd., Marathon

Tuesday February 11, 7:30 PM - 8:30 PM

Coral Shores High School Performing Arts Center

89901 Old Hwy., Tavernier

Trio Zimbalist has garnered critical acclaim for its “precision and feverish intensity” (Greece’s EfSyn). The group was lauded for its “liveliness and vigor of playing” and performances that were “pure enjoyment!” (Athinorama) at the Nights of Classical Music at the Gennadius Library festival in Athens, where it served as ensemble in residence in 2021. Members of the trio—violinist Josef Špaček, cellist Timotheos Gavriilidis-Petrin, and pianist George Xiaoyuan Fu—are all distinguished alumni of the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia. In demand across Europe and the U.S. as soloists, chamber musicians, and recitalists, they form an inimitable ensemble with repertoire spanning Romantic masterworks to today’s most lauded composers.

Click HERE for more information.

The Reverend Peyton's Big Damn Band

Wednesday, February 5, 8 p.m.

The latest album from Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band was written by candlelight and then recorded using the best technology available . . . in the 1950s. But listeners won’t find another album as relevant, electrifying and timely as Dance Songs for Hard Times.

Ben Harrison

Thursday, February 6, 7 p.m.

Ben Harrison is a playwright, lyricist and composer who is also an entertainer. What makes his live performances so enjoyable is that, at his core, he is a barroom guitar player/singer/songwriter who somehow manages to blend history, musical theater, Key West and humor into unusual stories that are mostly true. 

Massacoustics - 25 Years of Key West

Thursday, February 6, 8 p.m.

The Massacoustics formed in 2000 with brothers Andrew Thompson on guitar and vocals and Matthew Thompson on drums, bass and vocals). They've performed their own brand of writer rock all over the world, but have a long history in Key West.

Key West Theater

512 Eaton St., Key West

Click HERE for more information.

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

Workshops

Dates and Times vary

Florida Keys Watercolor Society

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.

Classes

Sacred Space

529 Southard St., Key West

We add classes as the artists get the information to us so everything listed is up to date. Visit Sacred Space for full schedule of classes.

Workshops

Studios of Key West

533 Eaton St., Key West

View and sign up for classes HERE.

Zen by Karen Moore Jewelry

ZEN Jewelry Pop-up at the Perry Hotel

Once a month, Sunday 10am - 4 p.m.

inside the lobby, 7001 Shrimp Road

Create with Karen: Bracelet Making & ZEN Jewelry Pop-up Shop

Find all the ZEN jewelry event details HERE.

Painting with Sandra Lee

Sip n Paint Parties

Weekly through summer

Life Drawing Classes, Key West

Click HERE for full details and Schedule.

Classes - Sandra Trupcevic-West

Artist & Instructor Sandra Trupcevic-West

Fridays - TSKW 4-5pm 

533 Eaton St., Key West

Fridays - Stone Soup Gallery, 6-8p.m.

802 White St., Key West

Wednesdays -Parmer’s Resort 2-4 p.m.

565 Barry Ave., Little Torch Key

For information: 816-547-3449 or ArtintheKeys.com

Learn to Dance with Lucy & Friends

Tuesdays, 4:30 p.m Thursdays: 6 p.m.

Swing, Latin & Ballroom

Williams Hall, 729 Fleming St Key West

Fridays, 7 p.m. 

Salsa & Salsa Rueda

CoffeeMill Dance Studio

804 White St, Key West

Private lessons for all occasions

CoffeeMill Dance Studio

For information and private lessons call Lucy at 305.745.5578.

Click HERE for more information and for up-to-date schedule.