THE MUSIC WON'T STOP at Schooner Wharf Bar all weekend. Today, Saturday, and Sunday,
June 9-11, catch MICHAEL MC CLOUD & Friends, Noon `til 5. Texas Blues legend RANDY MC
ALLISTER and his band are on tonight, Friday, 7-Midnight. McAllister, top right, was named Best Blues
Harmonica Player in Texas by Real Blues Magazine. The LADY "A" BLUES BAND, left. returns to the
Schooner Wharf stage Saturday night, 7-Midnight. The critics describe her work as "strong and raunchy."
World-class entertainment returns to the Waterfront Playhouse next week as Key West Players, Inc. presents its season finale. Broadway diva Julia Nixon hits the boards June 15 for the opening night performance of Hot & Soul— A New View of Broadway and the Blues.
This is the second season the Key West Players will present Nixon in a 90-minute program, which is described as a history of soul music— at least those songs that made it to Broadway.
"Last year's production was a major hit," says Key West Players artistic director Scott Gilmore.
Written by Nixon, Ylvisaker, and Gilmore, the show includes some new, original work. This year, the repertoire includes "Bring Back the Springtime." Written by Nixon and David Ylvisaker, this song will be preformed with children from the Bahama Village music Program. Directed by children's music professional Robin Kaplan, the choral group is being sponsored by the Key West Players' new children's program, the Bahama Village Theatre Lab Project.
The other numbers, including "Our Love Is Here To Stay," "Summertime," and "Fools Fall in Love," will be performed by Nixon and her band, who will be joined by local drummer Skipper Krippitz. Artistic director Scott Gilmore co-wrote the arrangement and will direct the show.
Last year, Julia Nixon starred in a sell-out run of "Hot & Soul" at the Waterfront Playhouse. Based in Washington, D.C., where she's appeared at the White House, her credentials include performances with Patti LaBelle, Smokey Robinson, Marvin Hamlisch and others. She starred in the Broadway productions of Dreamgirls and Smokey Joe's Cafe.
The diva's voice spans a phenomenal four-and-a-half octaves— the range necessary to sing Hot & Soul's diverse repertoire of steamy jazz and blues. Expect to hear the music of Gershwin, Duke Ellington, Cole Porter, Bessie Smith, Billie Holiday, Big Mama Thornton, and many others.
Hot & Soul— A New View of Broadway and the Blues runs Tues. to Sat., June 15 to July 15; curtain is 8 p.m. Tickets are $20 and $25, and seating is limited. Call the box office at 294-5015 for reservations; or visit www.ticketweb.com.
The Key West Garden Club wants to commission a local artist to develop a sculpture for West Martello Tower located on Atlantic Boulevard. The successful proposal will tie together most imaginatively the concept of gardening to the history of West Martello Tower, the Civil War outpost of Fort Zachary Taylor.
The sculpture should be designed for The Colonel's Garden at West Martello's entrance. Because this section of the garden is lighted at night, the sculptural showpiece will be visible 24 hours a day. We're thinking BIG impression here, so plan your art accordingly.
Proposals from artists living and working in Monroe County will be accepted through August 15. Proposals must include concept, size, a drawn visual, materials anticipated, and artist's fee.
Artists will be notified of the selection by November 1, 2000. deliver proposals to Janine, the Key West Garden Club's receptionist at West Martello Tower, or mail to: The Colonel's Garden Showpiece, P. O. Box 2277, Key West, FL 33045.