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‘Summer Solstice Celebration’ Begins in Key West; Nightly Entertainment and Artistry to Continue Through June 20

6/3/2025

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Fifteen-year-old twins Victoria, left, and Maya Gray, right, entertain attendees with steel pan drum rhythms during Sunday evening’s kickoff of the 20-day “Summer Solstice Celebration” at Mallory Square, which runs nightly, and culminates on the longest night of the year, June 20. (Photo by Tony Gregory)
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Kaley Bentz, featured artist for night one of the June 1-20 “Summer Solstice Celebration” at Mallory Square, creates a tribute to the sun and the Solstice with acrylic paints on canvas. (Photo by Tony Gregory)
Key West, Fla. — The “Summer Solstice Celebration” began Sunday on Key West’s waterfront Mallory Square, kicking off a dynamic nightly array of special events, live performances and artisan demonstrations that continues through June 20.

Among opening-night festivities were a steel pan drum performance by twins Maya and Victoria Gray from the Bahama Village Music Program and live painting by artist Kaley Bentz.

Upcoming attractions include showcases of creative magic from artists and craftspeople, entertainment by performers ranging from illusionists to daredevils, interactive activities inspired by solstice traditions, and local vendors’ wares for body and spirit. The festival culminates in an evening honoring the powerful Summer Solstice — the longest day of the year when the sun’s energy is strongest — on June 20, 2025.

Coordinated by the Key West Cultural Preservation Society, organizer of the island city’s famed Mallory Square Sunset Celebration, festivities are backdropped by the sunset gathering.

The “Summer Solstice Celebration” is presented in part by the Monroe County Tourist Development Council. Visit sunsetcelebration.org for more information and a schedule of nightly events.
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‘The Loud Mime,’ ‘Juggling Jase’ and ‘Reidiculous Reid’ to OfferEnthralling Entertainment at Key West’s ‘Summer Solstice Celebration’

5/23/2025

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“The Loud Mime,” aka Will Flederman, whose talents include squeezing their entire body through a small, gutted tennis racket, will appear as a featured performance artist during the June 1-20 “Summer Solstice Celebration” at Mallory Square in Key West. (Photo by Harry Purdy)
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“Reidiculous Reid” Conklin, pictured in action during an audience participation stunt, is to team up with “Juggling Jase” Anderson for a collaborative act and demonstration on June 15 as a highlight of the June 1-20 “Summer Solstice Celebration” at Mallory Square. (Photo by Carol Tedesco)
Key West, Fla. — A vaudevillian and circus artist known as “The Loud Mime” and two daredevils who began their decades-long performance careers as pre-teens are to headline the entertainment lineup during the magical “Summer Solstice Celebration,” set for June 1-20 at Mallory Square beside Key West Harbor.

The festivities celebrate the pageantry, enchantment and mystical significance of the Summer Solstice, the longest day of the year when the sun’s energy is strongest. Presented by the Key West Cultural Preservation Society, organizer of the island’s famed nightly sunset gathering at Mallory Square, the event features thrilling live performances, demonstrations of creativity by artists and artisans, hands-on experiences and sun-centered activities — all culminating on June 20, the night of the 2025 solstice.

Festival attendees can enjoy rollicking shows by “The Loud Mime” Will Flederman, returning to Key West for a limited engagement after enthralling U.S. and international audiences with a blend of classic vaudeville, circus stunts and irreverent comedy. Among Flederman’s most mesmerizing undertakings is squeezing their entire body through a small, gutted tennis racket.

“Some performers call Mallory Square the Olympics of street theater, because as a stage it is unlike anywhere else in the world,” said Flederman. “It turned me into the performer I am today, and I can’t wait to be back for the ‘Summer Solstice Celebration.’”

Performance highlights also include a collaborative act and demonstration Sunday, June 15, by “Reidiculous Reid” Conklin and “Juggling Jase” Anderson, who grew up together honing their showmanship at Mallory Square.

Conklin has entertained in more than 20 countries since beginning his career at age 12, and is constantly fine-tuning his talent and innovative presentation. Today he offers a high-energy comedy act that combines whip cracking, knife juggling and jaw-dropping feats of balance.

Anderson started juggling as a 12-year-old and subsequently developed a comedy-rich routine that blends juggling and unicycling, feats of balance and audience participation. With more than 18 years of experience, he has taken his show on the road to entertain around the United States.

Their collaborative Summer Solstice showcase will feature comedy, juggling and whip cracking in a fusion of the individual acts they present at the Mallory Square Sunset Celebration — an event Conklin praised for its authenticity and true local atmosphere.

“It’s so unique, with the bohemian island vibe, right on the water — and what a view,” he said. “How perfect is Key West?” 

Other featured “Summer Solstice Celebration” performers include young musicians from the Bahama Village Music Program, making four appearances during the festival. Their versatile and dynamic offerings focus on the sounds of the islands, ranging from steel pan drum rhythms to junkanoo stylings.

As well as marveling at entertainers’ skill, festival attendees can observe as artisans and crafters demonstrate their creative wizardry; savor food and drink from local vendors; and participate in age-old solstice traditions by setting intentions for the coming months, making flower crowns associated with the occasion, and opening themselves to illumination and personal renewal.  

Events start at 7 p.m. each evening at Mallory Square in conjunction with the nightly sunset gathering, begun some 50 years ago and now an internationally renowned attraction for visitors.

The “Summer Solstice Celebration” is presented in part by the Monroe County Tourist Development Council. Visit sunsetcelebration.org for more information and a full schedule of events.
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Renowned Tarot Reader Ron Augustine to Share Celestial Insights During Key West’s ‘Summer Solstice Celebration’

5/16/2025

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Key West, Fla. — Transformation and the power of the sun are to take center stage June 1-20 in Key West, one of the sunniest spots in the continental United States, during the “Summer Solstice Celebration” at Mallory Square, the site of the island’s famed nightly sunset celebration.  

At the festival honoring the Summer Solstice or Midsummer, when the sun is at the peak of its power, attendees can enjoy sun-centered activities inspired by Midsummer’s mythology and symbolism, demonstrations of creative magic by artists and craftspeople, entertainment by performers ranging from illusionists to daredevils, and local vendors’ wares for body and spirit. 

“The solstice is the time when everything is most alive, you can see with clarity, and the sun is at its brightest,” said acclaimed intuitive Ron Augustine, who will offer mesmerizing tarot card readings throughout the festival. “To me that’s the most magical part of Key West, because you can’t hide anything from the sun here.”

Esteemed as both an astrologer and card reader, Augustine began developing his abilities as a child. His mentors included master astrologer Harriet Friedlander and world-renowned tarot expert Rachel Pollack, author of the definitive tarot resource “Seventy-Eight Degrees of Wisdom.”

Also an expert metalsmith and jeweler who trained at the Gemological Institute of America, Augustine opened the store Ruby Slipper after moving to Key West in 2000.

“Fate drew me to Key West, because I didn’t even like it when I first came,” he admitted of his initial visit to the island. “Then the magic happened — the second day, something just came over me that said, ‘This is your new home.’”

Since 2007, Augustine has been giving astrology-based tarot readings at the Mallory Square sunset gathering. Widely recognized for his insight and intuitive wisdom, he has  been featured on television shows in several countries and in publications including “National Geographic Traveler.” He also provided the inspiration for the character of Lorenzo in the best-selling Key West Food Critic mystery series.

Born under the astrological sign of Leo, he feels a close connection to the solstice.

“It’s the illumination, being able to see very clearly — and that’s what I’m all about,” Augustine said.

“Summer Solstice Celebration” events culminate June 20, the night of the 2025 solstice itself. Attendees are encouraged to wear flower crowns and ethereal or nature-themed attire associated with solstice mythology.

During the festival finale, people can learn about the summer night sky, set intentions for the coming months and pin them on a “wish board,” and connect with the ocean realm through a sea turtle experience presented by the Florida Keys’ Turtle Hospital. Capping the evening’s enchantment will be a projection of large-scale mystical “dreamscapes” by noted artist Nicholas Bergery.

Produced by the Key West Cultural Preservation Society, organizer of the Mallory Square sunset gathering, festival events begin at 7 p.m. each evening. The “Summer Solstice Celebration” is presented in part by the Monroe County Tourist Development Council.
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Visit sunsetcelebration.org for more information and a schedule of events.

 

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Key West’s ‘Summer Solstice Celebration’ Presents Entertainment and Artistry June 1-20

5/2/2025

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Key West, Fla. — The color, pageantry and magic of the Summer Solstice will be commemorated June 1-20 at Key West’s waterfront Mallory Square, with a dynamic array of special events, live performances and artisan demonstrations backdropped by the world-renowned nightly Sunset Celebration.


The Summer Solstice, the longest day of the year and the official first day of summer, has possessed unique significance in many cultures since ancient times. Attendees at the “Summer Solstice Celebration” can participate in interactive experiences and sun-centered traditions — all leading up to a ceremony that honors the powerful June 20 occasion.


Presented by the Key West Cultural Preservation Society, organizer of the Mallory Square sunset gathering, the festival is a multifaceted tapestry of offerings and attractions that salute the power of the sun. Each evening’s roster of events will spotlight specific performers, artisans, food vendors and themed or guided activities, providing an ever-changing experience for visitors.


Attendees can take part in an age-old solstice tradition by making wishes and pinning them to an onsite “wish banner,” get inspired while observing sun-themed plein air painting sessions, open their spirits with tarot card readings, sway to the sounds of sun-centered music on the square beside Key West Harbor, and marvel at eclectic craft demonstrations and “dream projections” of digital artwork.


Event highlights are to include outrageous live shows by entertainers including “The Loud Mime” Will Flederman, appearing at the “Summer Solstice Celebration” following performances around the U.S.; four nights of music by students from Key West’s acclaimed Bahama Village Music Program, demonstrating their mastery of island-style steel pan and Junkanoo rhythms; and a rare collaborative act and demonstration by Jase Anderson and “Reidiculous” Reid Conklin, who grew up together honing their showmanship at Mallory Square.


Local marine wildlife is to take center stage as well, in an educational sea turtle presentation by experts from the Florida Keys’ famed Turtle Hospital — founded in 1986 as the world’s first state-licensed veterinary hospital for sea turtles.


Because the Summer Solstice honors the sun, it’s particularly fitting that festivities are set against the background of Key West’s Sunset Celebration at Mallory Square. In a tradition that dates back some 50 years, residents and visitors alike flock to the historic waterfront site each evening to enjoy entertainment by jugglers, acrobats and other buskers; browse vibrant artists’ and vendors’ wares; and applaud as the sun sinks below the horizon.


The “Summer Solstice Celebration” is presented in part by the Monroe County Tourist Development Council. Visit sunsetcelebration.org for more information and schedule updates.
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Mallory Square: New Survey Available Now

12/16/2022

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​The Second Survey in the Mallory Square Visioning Process is live. This is a NEW survey to gather feedback about concepts for the future of the square. If you took the first survey back in September of this year, we hope you will take this one as well and make your voice heard once again!
Go to: Mallorysquare.engage.sasaki.com to take the survey
Please share the survey with your friends, co-workers, and family so everyone has an opportunity to provide input. The Survey will close on January 2 at midnight.
 
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Mallory Square Nominated for USA Today 2022 10 Best Readers' Choice travel awards

3/22/2022

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The expert panel at USA Today selected Mallory Square as a contender for Best Public Square. The contest gives voters four weeks to vote for the candidate of their choice at https://www.10best.com/awards/travel/best-public-square-2022/.  A person can vote once a day for the run of the contest. 

Voting ends Monday, April 11th and the winners will be announced on 10Best on Friday, April 22nd at 12:00pm EDT. You can read the official rules here. Please note that the rules do not allow offering prizes or other inducements to members of the public in exchange for votes during the voting period.

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