Historic American Legion Post 168 to Host Friends of Bubba After Party

Featuring Aaron Luka's "Songs We Know By Heart" Sing-Along  

KEY WEST, FL — A historic music hall that once welcomed legends including James Brown, B.B. King, Otis Redding, Etta James and Key West's own Coffee Butler will once again fill with music during Labor Day weekend as historic William Weech American Legion Post 168 hosts the official Friends of Bubba After Party for the 2026 Just a Few Friends Key West festival.

Following the festival's signature free Party in the Park concert featuring Coral Reefer Mac McAnally on Sunday, September 6, pianist, vocalist and interactive entertainer Aaron Luka will lead "Songs We Know By Heart," an audience-request sing-along celebrating Jimmy Buffett favorites, Trop Rock classics and the island songs that have become the soundtrack of generations of Parrotheads.

Luka's musical career spans jazz, dueling pianos, live piano karaoke and interactive performances that turn complete strangers into a room full of friends. Rather than a traditional concert, he'll take requests throughout the evening, inviting everyone to sing along.

Buffett fans may appreciate another connection. Early in his career, Luka crossed paths with original Coral Reefer guitarist Roger Bartlett while performing in North Carolina, where Bartlett served as music director for the musical The Cowboy Café. Years later, those musical paths come full circle during a weekend dedicated to celebrating Jimmy Buffett and the musicians who helped create his unmistakable sound.


The venue itself tells an important story.
Built in 1951 by local Black veterans, American Legion Post 168 became known for generations as Key West's "Black Town Hall." As a stop on the historic Chitlin' Circuit, it welcomed many of the era's greatest performers like Brown, Redding, Sam Cooke and BB King, while serving as a gathering place for veterans, families and the Bahama Village community—a musical legacy that continues to seven decades later.

Today, thanks to the efforts of American Legion Post 168, the Key West Cultural Center & Veterans Museum, and dedicated local musicians and supporters, live music has returned to that storied stage. Once again, the hall has become a place where artists gather, collaborate and celebrate Key West's rich musical heritage, making it a fitting setting for this year's official Friends of Bubba After Party.

The connections in this neighborhood community run deep. Just around the corner, the Bahama Village Music Program—one of the three charitable beneficiaries of Just a Few Friends—has spent more than two decades providing free music education to neighborhood children. Among its proudest moments was welcoming the late Robert , Jimmy Buffett's beloved steel pan virtuoso and longtime Coral Reefer, who performed with the students, generously supported the program and inspired a new generation of young musicians.

Following an evening outdoors at Truman Waterfront Park, guests will appreciate the comfort of Post 168's cold air conditioning, dance floor, comfortable seating, real restrooms and inexpensive drinks. Attendees are encouraged to enjoy one of the many food trucks at Party in the Park before making the short walk to the after-party.
Admission is free, and everyone is welcome.

For the complete schedule of events, visit www.JustAFewFriendsKeyWest.com

About Just a Few Friends
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Just a Few Friends is an annual Labor Day weekend celebration in Key West honoring the music, memories, friendships and generous spirit that continue to connect fans with the island. The five-day gathering includes concerts, storytelling, island excursions, competitions, charitable activities and the Second Line Memorial Parade through Key West.