Hemingway DAYS

Papa festival in its 37th year celebrates with contests, parties, fishing and surprises


AH, THE SWEET SENSATIONS OF JULY IN Key West. Palms swaying in the breeze, frozen drinks slowly melting in the blazing humidity, chubby grandpas with great white beards flooding every inch of our beautiful little island …. wait, what? Why are all these Santa Clauses roaming around Duval Street in Hawaiian shirts, smoking cigars and swilling rum like they’re trying […]

A towering techno-thriller achievement with a grim political vision




Book 21 in the Kirk McGarvey series by David Hagberg is, among other things, a story about super-luxury real estate, the investment strategies of the super-rich and the enormous vanity and sense of privilege that infects those who have virtually unlimited wealth. These are people whose goal is to invest their money in whatever will bring them more money. They […]

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 Street and you’ll begin to dive deeper into the quieter, more diverse and less readily apparent offerings. Here are eight spots that […]

Getting around Key West



1. Southernmost PointThe corner of South Street andWhitehead Streetwww.southernmostpointwebcam.comThe city of Key West erected this now-famous concrete buoy in 1983 to denotethe southernmost point in the continental United States.2. Conch Tour Train303 Front St., Key West305-294-5161 or 888-916-8687www.conchtourtrain.comThe Conch Train has been windingits way through the streets of Key Westsince 1958.3. Sloppy Joe’s201 Duval St.305-294-5717www.sloppyjoes.comThe historic bar has been a […]

BARTENDER OF THE WEEK

Some work is harder than it looks


Most of us who have served in the hospitality industry have heard family members and peers ask, “When are you going to get a real job?” It’s not meant as an insult, but have no doubt, if you’ve ever done the grueling work it does come off as an insult. I have a daughter with a college degree who spent […]

Schooner Wharf entertainment



¦ Sam Ramos and Chris Case will heat up the Schooner Wharf stage Thursday, July 20, from 7-11 p.m. Get down to Motown, Detroit funk, classic rock, reggae and of course, all your island favorites. Come on down and be prepared to move, groove and dance the night away dockside. ¦ Fridays through Sundays from noon till 5 p.m. stalwart […]

KEY WEST CALENDAR OF EVENTS



SPECIAL EVENTS Hemingway DaysJuly 18 to 23Schedule available atwww.fla-keys.com/hemingway-days “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’sNest”Through July 23, 8 p.m.The Red Barn Theatre319 Duval St., rearTickets available atwww.redbarntheatre.com “Twice Told Tales”July 24, 8 p.m.The Studios of Key West512 Eaton St.Tickets available atwww.redbarntheatre.com Summerish Fun Movie Series:“The Grateful Dead Movie”July 26, 8 p.m.The Key West Theater533 Eaton St.Tickets available atwww.thekeywesttheater.com COMEDY Comedy Open […]

Twice told Tales on tap



TheatreXP, producers of the summer stage theatrical events every July in Key West, always looks for intriguing ideas to include in its “Festival of Stage Arts” lineup. This year, it’s something that’s never been done in Key West. “Twice Told Tales,” set for one night only at 8 p.m. on Monday, July 24, in the Helmerich Theatre at the Studios […]

KEY WEST GALLERY GUIDE



For a comprehensive guide and map to Key West’s finest art galleries, visit www.keysarts.com/artist_ connections/ gallery_ guide.pdf. SPECIAL EVENTS THIS WEEK SALT Gallery830 Fleming St.The Photography ofMartha HubbardOngoing through August 2 Key West Art and HistoricalSocietyCustom House Museum281 Front St.The Navy in Key WestOngoingTennessee Williams,The Playwright and PainterOngoingwww.Kwahs.org The Historic Armory Studios600 White St.Paintings by Michael J. PhillipsOngoingconchead2@yahoo.com704-819-2487Mixed media workby […]

DRAG LIFE

Towering Inga tops them all

Imagine a living, 6-foot-plus tall Barbie doll with the same relative bust-to-hip ratio and requisite long, flowing blond hair. That’s the Inga whom I have seen perform, admire and got to know almost two decades ago. She is a Swedish bombshell who arrived in Key West on Aug. 5, 1997, looking like a model for haute couture, albeit with more […]