​Join us for the Key West Artisan Market, Making Memories edition featuring Little Pink Houses of Hope November 3, 2024, 10 am to 2 pm at Indigenous Park. Meet the volunteers of this local charity that supports families experiencing devastating breast cancer diagnosis and offer your support.
 
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.
 
The market is conveniently located close to the Higgs Beach Dog Park, free West Martello Tower botanical gardens, White Street Pier and of course, the alluring Atlantic ocean across the street at Higgs Beach.  The market is 10 am to 2 pm every other Sunday in season, by locals, for locals.

Key West, FL - October 30, 2024 – Bangkok Happy Bowl Asian Bistro, a favorite on Duval Street, is excited to unveil its November nightly music lineup. Combining mouth-watering Asian cuisine with live performances by talented local artists, Bangkok Happy Bowl offers an exceptional experience for Key West residents and visitors.

Situated at 816 Duval Street, Bangkok Happy Bowl features a delightful blend of Thai and Japanese cuisine in a warm and welcoming setting, complete with a beautiful garden patio. From the rich and savory curries to expertly crafted sushi rolls, the restaurant delivers a true taste of Asia. Signature dishes, like their famous pad Thai and fresh sushi rolls, highlight bold, authentic flavors made with the finest ingredients, offering diners a flavorful escape to Southeast Asia.

Starting November 1st, the restaurant will host live music performances four evenings a week from 7:00 PM to 9:30 PM on Sundays, Mondays, Tuesdays, and Fridays. The lineup includes diverse genres, from Roots Rock n’ Roll to Reggae, R&B and Pop, ensuring there’s something for every music lover.

“We’re thrilled to introduce nightly live music as part of the Bangkok Happy Bowl experience,” says Kirk Coult, owner of Bangkok Happy Bowl. “We aim to create an inviting space where guests can not only enjoy incredible food but also unwind and immerse themselves in the vibrant sounds of Key West’s talented musicians.”

November Music Schedule:

• Sundays: Nina and Naomi Newton – R&B, Reggae, Pop
• Mondays: Sam Carlson – Americana
• Tuesdays: Jerico Rockabilly Duo – Roots Rock n’ Roll
• Fridays: The Harrison’s – Soul 

​Whether you're savoring a signature dish or enjoying the live tunes, Bangkok Happy Bowl is the perfect place to relax and soak in Key West’s lively ambiance. Be sure to stop by for a one-of-a-kind dining experience filled with music, flavor, and fun.

To explore the full menu, visit Bangkok Happy Bowl Key West Menu. For more information about Bangkok Happy Bowl Asian Bistro and Sushi Bar, please visit Bangkok Happy Bowl.

KEY WEST, Florida Keys – The Garden is going to the Dogs! Discover The Key West Tropical Forest & Botanical Garden on Saturday, November 9, 2024 from 10am – 1pm. This is a family friendly event to introduce the Garden to our community of dog owners & dog lovers. With 15 acres of mulched and boardwalk trails meandering through forests and meadows we invite everyone to bring their dogs to enjoy the day.

​Highlights include: Florida SPCA Pet Adoption ~ Good Dog Obedience Training ~ FREE Mobile Grooming ~ Dog Friendly Vendors ~ Playground for the Kids ~ Information on plants that are safe for your dog. Meet an adoptable dog! $10 per family – DOGS ARE FREE. The Garden is located at 5210 College Road on Stock Island. For more information call 305-296-1504 or visit www.keywest.garden.

BIG PINE KEY, FL –  A contractor for Monroe County Engineering Services will start repair work on the No Name Key Bridge that leads from Big Pine Key to No Name Key on Monday, Nov. 4. Work will include repairing or replacing damaged guardrail and traffic railing, restoration of embankment slope, repairing and replacing rip-rap cement around end bent and abutments, and removing debris under the bridge deposited from storms. The contractor will have traffic detours set up as needed during operations and will have environmental controls such as a turbidity barrier in place. Weather permitting, the contractor expects to finish work by late December, earlier than the 240 days that is contracted.  

AMERICAN PICKERS is a documentary series that explores the fascinating world of antique “picking” on The History Channel. The hit show follows skilled pickers in the business, as they hunt for America’s most valuable antiques. They are always excited to find historically significant or rare items, in addition to unforgettable Characters and their collections.

As they hit the back roads from coast to coast, the Pickers are on a mission to recycle and rescue forgotten relics. Along the way, they want to meet characters with amazing stories and fun items. They hope to give historically significant objects a new lease on life while learning a thing or two about America’s past along the way. The Pickers have seen a lot of rusty gold over the years and are always looking to discover something they’ve never seen before. They are ready to find extraordinary items and hear fascinating tales about them.

​The American Pickers TV Show is looking for leads and would love to explore your hidden treasure. If you or someone you know has a unique item, story to tell, and is ready to sell…we would love to hear from you! Please note, the Pickers DO NOT pick stores, flea markets, malls, auction businesses, museums, or anything open to the public. If interested, please send us your name, phone number, location, and description of the collection with photos to: [email protected] or call (646) 493-2184 facebook: @GotAPick

​MONROE COUNTY, FL –  The UF/IFAS Monroe County Extension Services Master Gardener volunteers recently received an Award of Excellence for Master Gardeners Volunteer Team at the Florida State Master Gardener Conference.
 
“This is a first for our program and we competed against teams from much larger counties,” said Monroe County Extension Director Alicia Betancourt. “This group of five have assisted Florida Keys residents with horticultural issues and have created a blueprint for a virtual approach to assisting our community in widespread gardening and planting areas.”
 
A special thank you and congratulations to volunteers Kitty Somerville, Susie Reutling, Sharon Thomas, Barbara Martinkosky, and Karen Sunderland.
 
The virtual Master Gardeners help desk can be reached at [email protected] or 305-292-4501.
 
The Extension Services continue to offer free plant clinics throughout the Florida Keys:
 
Upper Keys

• First Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to noon at Key Largo Public Library branch
• Third Tuesdays from 9 to 11 a.m. at the Garden Club of the Upper Keys, Tavernier
• Fourth Thursdays from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Island Home Nursery, Tavernier

 
Middle Keys

• Third Saturdays from 9 a.m. to noon at Home Depot, Marathon

 
Lower Keys

• Third Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Key Deer Refuge Nature Center, Big Pine Key
• Third Saturdays from 9 a.m. to noon at Key West Botanical Garden Nursery, Stock Island

 
To learn more about the Extension Services or to sign up for the monthly newsletter, visit www.monroecounty-fl.gov/extensionservices. 

Tropic Cinema in partnership with the Monroe County Public Library launches its “Movies Under the Stars” series starting November 16 with the screening of the Disney classic and audience favorite Mary Poppins. Tropic Cinema in conjunction with the library has been hosting the family friendly series for three years now. The movies are shown outdoors on Eaton Street starting about a half hour after dusk and admission is free. Some seating is provided by the library, but the Tropic encourages folks to bring their own chairs or blankets to enjoy the movie in comfort. Concessions will be available in the lobby of the Tropic and can be taken outside to enjoy with the movie screening.

Following is the complete list of movies and dates starting in November through April of 2025.

November 16, 2024 – Mary Poppins
December 21, 2024 – Elf
January 25, 2025 – War Games
February 15, 2025 – Princess Diaries
March 8, 2025 – Freaky Friday
April 26, 2025 – Space Balls

For more information, please visit Tropiccinema.com and look for the “Movies under the Stars” section in the tab for movies and events.
Contact: Carla Turner
Email: [email protected]

Key West, FL — On Thursday, November 7, from 6–8 pm, The Studios of Key West invites the public to its highly anticipated First Thursday event, featuring the opening of exhibitions that explore powerful themes of nature, resilience, and nostalgia. In addition to enjoying the exhibitions, visitors are welcome to experience Hugh’s View, The Studios’ scenic rooftop terrace, where stunning sunset views over Old Town Key West set the scene for an unforgettable evening.
​
In Submerged Serenity, on view in the Sanger Gallery, Australian artist Debra Hill delves into the lush, intricate flora and birdlife of her homeland, reflecting on humanity’s profound relationship with nature and one another. Her vibrant, nature-inspired works invite viewers to pause and consider their own connections to the environment, as well as the ties they share with others.

With It Only Hurts, on view in the XOJ Gallery, Key West artist Emma MacLean presents a powerful and deeply personal exploration of chronic pain. A chronically ill and disabled artist, MacLean uses 78 textile pieces to visualize the language of pain, with each piece representing a word from the McGill Pain Questionnaire. Through her painstakingly crafted textiles, MacLean brings visibility to the invisible and often isolating experience of chronic illness.

Key West native Catherine Solmo transports visitors to a bygone era in Memory Lane, a nostalgic series inspired by family stories and old photographs, on view in the Zabar Lobby Gallery. Her evocative paintings pay tribute to generations of Conchs and their traditions, offering a heartfelt glimpse into the island’s past and the vibrant lives of those who once called it home.

Also on display in the Zabar Project Gallery is a collection of student watercolors from a beachside workshop held this past June. Watercolor enthusiasts gathered just before sunset, armed with paints, brushes, and open imaginations. A selection of their works will be shown alongside one created by their instructor, Susan Sugar, celebrating both artistic growth and the collaborative spirit of the class.

The First Thursday event is free and open to all. To learn more about the exhibitions, classes, and events at The Studios of Key West, visit www.tskw.org.

The Florida Keys wildly creative cosmic character was on full display in an out-of-this-universe moving pageant Saturday night as the world famous Key West Fantasy Fest parade made its way down Duval Street, celebrating its 45th year and the 2024 theme, “It’s a 90s NEON Cosmic Carnival!”

Each year, following the parade, prizes are awarded by a panel of judges to multiple “Best Of” entries in a variety of categories, followed by announcement of the following year’s Fantasy Fest theme.

This year, nearly 50 entries competed for $20,000 in prizes, and the winners are:  

• $3000 Best in Entertainment: “Cosmic Neon Lambada—90s and Forever!” by Pamela Stephenson Connolly’s Key West International Dance Company.
• $3000 Best in Costume: “Cosmic Vortex” by Daniel Bitnar.
• $2500 Best Interpretation of Theme: “Fantasy Quest” by the Lower Keys Fluffers.
• $2000 Best Walking Group: “DJ Time Warp and the Power Ravers” by Guy Hermelin.
• $1500 The Green Parrot’s Best Live Music Award: “Space Force X” by Stan Shaw.
• $1000 Best Bicycle Award: “Cosmic Carnival” by Southernmost Slow Riders.
• $1000 Directors Choice Award: “Grand Marshal” by David Sloan.

​The $6000 Key West Fantasy Fest Parade Grand Prize for Best Overall, presented by The Lodging Association of the Florida Keys & Key West, is awarded to Jaimie Gwidt’s Key West Kreatives with their entry “Flagler’s 1890s Fantasy.”

The winning theme for Key West Fantasy Fest 2025, which is scheduled for Oct. 17-26, is “Bedtime Stories & Magical Monsters.” Ellen LaMoia of Key West, Fla., has scored Fantasy Fest Parade Grand Stand seats where she will enjoy the 2025 spectacle seated among the parade’s judges and organizers for her contribution to the theme.
“The Monroe County Tourist Development Association Board of Directors all agreed that “Bedtime Stories & Magical Monsters” elicits wonderfully enchanting and deliciously scary imaginings—from fresh twists on historic fables to new takes on mythical beasts—such as the ones that might be found hiding under beds,” said Nadene Grossman Orr, Fantasy Fest Director and President/CEO of We’ve Got the Keys.

Fantasy Fest events and happenings wrap up on Sunday with a slate of happenings, including Children’s Day at Bayview Park, a “Fantasy Pickleball Tournament” at Higgs Beach Courts, “The Fat Lady Sings” Tea Dance at La Te Da Hotel, Restaurant, Cabaret and Bars, Fest finale’ pool parties held at Island House Resort, the Southernmost Beach Resort, and a pool party/concert at The Marker. 

Fantasy Fest 2024 featured more than 100 events citywide and was presented in part by the Monroe County Tourist Development Council and We’ve Got the Keys. Visit http://www.fantasyfest.com for photo galleries of 2024 highlights and advance 2025 festival news and information.