Continues Through Sunday
The Conch Republic Independence Celebration continues through Sunday. The highlight of today's events, Friday, April 27, is the Conch Republic Naval Parade and Great Battle in Key West Harbor at 7 p.m. Best viewing will be from the Sunset Pier at the Ocean Key Resort and the Key West Hilton— where pre-battle parties start at 6.
After the battle, the victory party will be at the Schooner Wharf Bar, the official headquarters of the Conch Republic Celebration.
On Saturday, the Conch Republic Crafts Show and Food Fest will take over Greene Street between Duval and Whitehead, 10 a.m. `til 5 p.m., followed by the Lower Duval Crawl— which, some say, spawned the slogan, "See the Keys on Your Hands and Knees."
Saturday afternoon, the annual Conch Republic Pedicab Downhill Invitational gets underway on Duval Street. At 4, Duval Street between the La Concha Hotel to the Hog's Breath Saloon will be taken over by the Red Ribbon Bed Race.
If you like old-time fiddle music, you gotta be at the Green Parrot Bar Saturday afternoon, 3-7, for the Conch Republic Fiddler's Contest. The best fiddlers in the Republic will be vying for awards in this "bring your own instrument— tune or die" jam of Blues, Bluegrass and Old-Timey music. Bring your own fiddle— or guitar, mandolin or banjo.
Special musical guests will be the Murphy family, featuring young Seamus Murphy and his twin sister, Caitlin, on fiddle.
From 6-11 p.m. on Saturday, the Great Conch Republic Chili Cook Off takes over the 200 block of Duval Street.
And, of course, there's a party Saturday night— The Pirate Ball and Pig Roast at the Schooner Wharf Bar. Music by the Oysters Fantastic Band.
On Sunday morning, April 29, 9-12, the Key West Sunrise Rotary puts on their annual breakfast spread at Bayview Park.
Don't miss the annual Conch Cruiser Car Show at Schooner Wharf Bar at noon.
And at 1, this year's final sailing race for the Wrecker's Cup starts in Key West Harbor. Viewing from the harbor-front hotels and Mallory Square.
Long live the Conch Republic!
The critically acclaimed Rhymes, Reasons & Bomb Ass Beatz will enjoy a special three-night run at the Waterfront Playhouse. Written and performed by Harold Finley, an award-winning Royal National Theatre and West End actor, this contemporary solo theatre piece features 11 characters— all portrayed by Finley.
Produced by the Key West Players, Rhymes will open Tuesday, May 1 (with a Gala at Rooftop Cafe), with shows Wednesday and Thursday, May 2-3.
A recent smash hit at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, this darkly comic play explores the interconnected lives and sexual journeys of 11 diverse characters, including a rapper, drug dealer, preacher, teenager, transsexual— and the oldest living woman in Mississippi.
"On the surface she's a sweet great-great granny," says Finley. "But she's also a `poodle killer.'"
The 90-minute production follows the characters over a two-year period, taking the audience from London to New York, America's Mid-West and the Deep South. An original hip hop score by New York-based Iluminatti Entertainment sets the pulsating, urban tone.
"This is what I consider to be the real magic of the theatre," says Finley, who won a Theatre World best actor award for his Broadway performance opposite Harvey Keitel in Some Freaks. "No flashy sets but a highly theatrical experience."
Rhymes appeals to various audiences, including those interested in hip hop music and culture, gay audiences, and traditional theatre goers. Geared for a mature audience only, it contains adult language and themes.
Known for compelling physical performance, Finley scored a mega-hit in the award-winning solo piece, Diary of A New York Queen. He currently appears in the BBC hit drama series "Casualty" (think of a British "ER"), and will be in Key West to perform the Waterfront Playhouse's May/June production of A Maiden's Prayer, with Scott Gilmore and Kelly McGillis.
Finley's American stage acting credits include Emergency Room for Seattle's Pioneer Square theatre, Night and Day at the Chocolate Bayou theatre, Houston, and A Midsummer's Nights Dream with the Houston Shakespeare Festival. He has appeared in Stephen McBride's film "Shame" as well in the ABC mini-series "The Apocalypse Watch."
Overseas, he has appeared at the Royal National Theatre in John Caird's sell-out production of Peter Pan as Nibs, a Lost Boy opposite Sir Ian McKellen. Other recent credits include the West End production of Birdy opposite Rob Morrow ("Northern Exposure"), as well as Birdy at the Lyric Theatre Hammersmith Studio.
Info and reservations: 294-5015.