Goombay Festival 2016 celebrates Bahama Village heritage




In 1648, British colonists traveling from Bermuda arrived on the Bahamian island of Eleuthra, “claiming” it as a crown colony of England and setting up shop, so to speak. They remained there for decades, converting the colony to a Navy base in the early 18th century, but were left otherwise alone until a ragtag bunch of ill-humored British subjects north […]

An insider’s look at Key West



The most traveled and visible street in Key West is only the beginning, the surface, of what the town has to offer. Ask the locals about their favorite spots, stroll through quiet neighborhoods or down alleyways off Duval and you’ll begin to dive deeper into the quieter, more diverse and less readily apparent offerings. Here are some spots that you […]

Getting around Key West



1. Southernmost PointThe corner of South Street and Whitehead Streetsouthernmostpointwebcam.comThe city of Key West erected this now-famous concrete buoy in 1983 to denotethe southernmost point in the continentalUnited States. 2. Conch Tour Train303 Front St., Key West(305) 294-5161 or (888) 916-8687conchtourtrain.comThe Conch Train has been windingits way through the streets of Key Westsince 1958. 3. Sloppy Joe’s201 Duval St.(305) 294-5717sloppyjoes.comThe […]

Good times in the Conch Republic



Here are three attractions for the whole family that capture Key West’s artistic inclinations, diverse history and whimsical beauty. Mallory Square The nightly Sunset Celebration at Mallory Square is the best free show in town, a center of Key West commerce and performance art (mallorysquare.com). The square’s history dates back to the town’s early years when it was incorporated in […]

Its namesake never saw it, but Audubon House still worth a look




It’s midway through the tour of Key West’s stunningly pretty Audubon House and Tropical Gardens that the truth comes out: John James Audubon — famed naturalist painter, whose lifelike paintings of bird portraits line the walls of the museum — never actually lived in the Audubon House. But don’t let this spoiler keep you from visiting; indeed, a visit to […]

PINK TRIANGLE

Kristen Livengood, candidate for queen of Fantasy Fest


Kristen Livengood is a true Conch, the rarest of all Key West unicorns. Born and raised in Marathon, Kristen married a man from Key West and now lives on Big Pine Key with the Florida Keys’ version of a nuclear family — her husband, two daughter, and two chickens. As a Florida Keys native, Kristen’s childhood was quite a bit […]

KEY WEST CALENDAR OF EVENTS



SPECIAL EVENTS King and Queen of Fantasy FestThe 2016 Royal Coronation BallOct. 21, 6 to 10 p.m.Casa Marina1500 Reynolds StreetTickets available at ahi.ticketleap.com The Psychedelic FursOct. 22, 8 to 10 p.m.The Key West Theater512 Eaton StreetTickets available at ticketfly.com Zombie Bike Ride-2016Oct. 23, 2 to 9 p.m.Fort East Martello3501 South Roosevelt Heroes and VillainsRun/Walk 5kOct. 24, 6 p.m.Southernmost Beach Cafe1405 […]

Wharfstock on tap at the schooner wharf bar



Fall under the spell of peace, love and music — Woodstock style. Everyone will be getting groovy with tie-dye, flower power and psychedelic hoo doo on Wednesday, Oct. 26, at the Schooner Wharf Bar. Get into character and enter the ’60s Costume Contest. You could take the prize for Sexiest Hippie Chick or Grooviest ’60s Dude. For more fun, be […]

‘Peter Pan’s Adventures in Naughty Land: A Burlesque Parody’



Just beyond the second star to the right and straight on til’ morning, exists another land of pirates, mermaids and fairies; where lost boys and girls do grow up and become very naughty … From the producers of last year’s sensation, “The Sexy Side of Star Wars,” comes the epic tale of an adult Peter, Wendy, John and Michael! “Peter […]

MUSIC SCENE

Here’s Johnny! John LaMere


The snowbirds are returning. The snowbird musicians, that is. (Just don’t call them free birds!) Many Key West musicians head north for the summer to find more temperate places to work while the rest of us fester through the heat of the summer down here during off season. This gives some of the newer musicians who want to get a […]