In the mid-1930s, the Florida Keys — like most of America — were reeling from the Great Depression. That’s when Florida Governor Julius Stone, and the Federal Emergency Relief Administration, coordinated an influx of artists and writers to paint murals, write guidebooks, teach craft classes and help turn the area into an attractive vacation destination. And guess what? It worked.

Artists are drawn to the Keys for the colorful natural vistas and abundant tropical light.

Today, the Keys’ creative and cultural community is more vibrant and varied than Stone ever could have imagined. Writers are drawn by the offbeat, laidback atmosphere and wealth of quirky tales. Musicians and actors find appreciative Keys audiences. And artists are enthralled by the ever-changing tropical light and the engaging people and places around almost every corner.

Looking for the work of artists and artisans? You can find it literally from one end of the Keys to the other. Galleries abound, filled with oils and watercolors, sculpture, Haitian primitives, collage, pottery, handcrafted jewelry, wood carving, stained and blown glass, metalwork, acrylics and fine crafts.

And they’re all different. Some galleries specialize in tropically themed pieces, some are co-ops run by the artists themselves, and others are gallery/studios where you can meet the artists and watch them work.

Islamorada artist Michelle Lowe displays a piece she designed for the Morada Way Art Walk, a lively event held the third Thursday of each month.

Plus you can enjoy regular gallery strolls and art walks — particularly in Key West’s historic Old Town and Islamorada’s flourishing Morada Way Arts & Cultural District.

On top of that, the Keys offer a rich calendar of art and crafts shows. Whether they’re juried exhibitions of fine art or colorful craft extravaganzas, they draw creative spirits from the Keys and other areas. One of the best is the Pigeon Key Art Festival, held in Marathon each February and named for a tiny island beneath the Old Seven Mile Bridge.

But you don’t have to venture into a gallery or go to an art show to spot engaging local creations. Outdoor art can be seen throughout the Keys, whether it’s murals celebrating the underwater world or sculptures in public places.

Hemingway's former Whitehead Street home (with resident cats) is sometimes called the heart of Key West's literary heritage. (Photo by Andy Newman, Florida Keys News Bureau)

In Key West, of course, the creative atmosphere centers around a rich literary heritage. Tennessee Williams owned a home on the island from 1949 until his death, Robert Frost was a regular visitor and Ernest Hemingway wrote some of his best works during his decade-long residence.

Every July, Key West hosts a festival celebrating Hemingway’s life and work — and his former Whitehead Street home is open for tours.

But icons like Hemingway and Williams were only the beginning.  Key West’s literary community — which has sheltered Pulitzer Prize winners and notables ranging from Elizabeth Bishop to Judy Blume — is as lively today as it was during Hemingway’s era. And each January, the famed Key West Literary Seminar draws writers like Amy Tan, Frank McCourt and Joyce Carol Oates to discuss their craft in front of a spellbound audience.

The Waterfront Playhouse, like theaters throughout the Keys, wows crowds with professional offerings and talented actors. (Photo courtesy of the Waterfront Playhouse)

You’ll find performing arts from Key West to Key Largo. The Keys are home to a number of theaters and community theater groups, many with long and lively histories. The talent pool is truly incredible — ranging from skilled locals to visiting pros who take part in full-book musicals, dramas, sidesplitting comedies and more.

And music? After enjoying the melodic sounds of tropical breezes and waves washing ashore, check out other sources of top-flight musical entertainment: Impromptu Classical Concerts of Key West, the fabulous Key West Songwriter’s Festival, the Florida Keys Concert Association, Islamorada Community Entertainment and many, many more.

In other words, the Florida Keys might be known for their world-class diving and fishing, mellow atmosphere and balmy climate — but their place as a haven for creative spirits can’t be denied. Founded on the legacies of Ernest Hemingway and Julius Stone, the cultural scene is a vital element in the Keys’ exuberant appeal.

Topics: Arts, Big Pine Key & Lower Keys, Events, Highlights, Islamorada, Key Largo, Key West, Local Color, Marathon, Voices Main Archive

June has arrived, heralding Pride events around the world. In the early hours of June 28, 1969 (do you remember where you were that morning?), at the Stonewall Inn in Greenwich Village, gays put their foot down and said “no more.” No more raids, no more harassment — we do not want to continue to live in fear of being arrested.

In 2003, Key West's Pride celebrations featured the unfurling of a sea-to-sea rainbow flag made by the original flag's creator Gilbert Baker. (Photo by Andy Newman, Florida Keys News Bureau)

When the infamous raid happened it began to draw crowds, someone shouted “gay power,” a drag queen hit a cop on the head with her purse, and a “typical New York Butch” shouted, “Why don’t you guys do something?” The crowd went beserk, and thus began a great story that is still celebrated in small towns and big cities.

While some take our Pride celebrations for granted, considering the event just another festival and parade, we still have brothers and sisters whose government makes strong-arm attempts to push LGBT communities back into closets. This year, reflect on how lucky we are that we can be out, proud, and with our friends and communities.

Key West has celebrated Pride for 29 years.  Known for being a liberal community, in 1983 we elected America’s first openly gay mayor, Mayor Richard Heyman, who proudly served two terms.  A documentary, “The Newcomer” highlights Mayor Heyman’s political race for office and the choices he made while in office, which had ripple effects that extended beyond the shores of Key West.

Nine years ago, Key West celebrated Pride by unfurling a rainbow flag from the Gulf of Mexico to the Atlantic Ocean. We proudly carried the mile-and-quarter flag that had been sewn in a tiny Duval Street building by Gilbert Baker, the creator of the flag seen today throughout the world.

In Key West and around the world, sections of the internationally famous sea-to-sea rainbow flag are still carried in Pride parades.

(FYI, Gilbert created the first flag at the request of Harvey Milk and the original flag can be seen atop San Francisco’s city hall on their Pride day.)

Sections of the iconic Key West flag have been shared across the nation and will be seen in upcoming Pride events in Buffalo, NY, Houston, TX, Columbus, OH, Key West, Orlando, and Chicago. It’s easily recognized, since our “sea-to-sea” rainbow flag sported the original eight colors. Magenta and turquoise were omitted from the mass-produced flags, but we wanted our flag to be original — and indeed, we restored the flag to its original splendor.

We begin this year’s Key West Pride week June 6 with a Pride Luncheon with “FagBug” activist Erin Davies.  A resident of Albany, NY, Erin was a victim of a hate crime when her VW Beetle was vandalized and painted with the words “fag” and “u r gay.”

Erin Davis, who created a positive message out of a hate crime, will appear at Key West Pride. (Photo courtesy of Erin Davis)

Deciding to embrace what happened, Erin took her VW, complete with the graffiti, across the United States and Canada. If you’ll be in Key West, I encourage you to meet Erin and hear her story.

After the luncheon, at 5 p.m., join several hundred Key Westers at the acclaimed Island House resort for the Key West Business Guild’s annual Pride Mixer. Twice a year the Island House welcomes everyone to enjoy champagne, cocktails, and hors d’oeuvres served by the hottest boys in Key West.

Each evening during Pride, you can see a great variety of films at Tropic Cinema as part of the 5th annual film festival hosted by AIDS Help. Our community-based service organization offers assistance to those whose lives have been touched by HIV.

The Key West community mourns Denise Dunbar, shown here with her husband Greg.

Key West has too many Pride events to list here, but I recommend attending the Saturday night pool party at Bourbon Street, where dance music accompanies moonlight swimming and a trip through a mountain of foam. And check out Fury’s LGBTA Ultimate Adventure, which includes sailing, snorkeling, jet skiing, parasailing, kayaking, rock climbing, and water trampolining — plus breakfast, lunch and beverages.

On a more somber note, last week we lost one of Key West’s shining stars, Denise Linder Dunbar, who left us to join the many Keys stars in the heavens. A genuine and loving member of our community, Denise and her husband Greg made Key West their home in 1995. She was the director of community relations for AIDS Help, Inc., coordinating events like the campaign for King and Queen of Fantasy Fest. Many of my readers have met Denise and Greg at events across the island, and we share Greg’s grief over his loss.

Topics: Events, Festivals, Highlights, Key West, LGBT

He’s known as Lighthouse Larry. The Islamorada-based artist has fashioned his passion for lighthouses into creating exact scale replicas of six historical beacons off the Florida Keys — three of them built before the Civil War.

Larry Herlth's lighthouse replicas, such as Alligator and Sombrero lights, inspire others to learn more about the Keys' historic beacons. (Photos by Andy Newman, Florida Keys News Bureau)

Born in Chicago, 50-something Larry Herlth has lived most of his life in the Keys. As a Keys kid, he was amazed at a local lobster fisherman’s ability to carve a dolphin from coral rock — and discovered that he too was adept at the craft. Soon, people were asking him to carve coral rock dolphins.

When he returned to Islamorada after spending his high school years in California, Larry continued developing his talent for sketching and creating sculptures in stone and coral rock.

But it wasn’t till a friend requested him to build a dock jetty light that Larry became inspired by lighthouses. He first created a replica of Alligator Lighthouse off Islamorada, which dates back to 1873, and his enthusiasm snowballed from there.

Now, having forged replicas of the 160-year-old Carysfort Lighthouse located off the northern end of Key Largo and Sombrero Lighthouse off Marathon, as well as Alligator Light, Larry hopes to re-create each of the once-lived-in and manned lighthouses along the Florida Keys island chain — in several sizes.

In crafting his lighthouse replicas, Larry pays great attention to detail, recreating each feature of the original to scale.

He plans to include Fowey Rocks off Key Biscayne, the ornate Victorian-era American Shoals, the last lighthouse that was built in 1880 off the southernmost tip of Big Pine Key, and Sand Key, built in 1853 off Key West.

His passion earned him his Lighthouse Larry nickname. He finds it a bit comical, but accepts it for a serious reason.

“In building the lighthouses, learning their history, talking about them around the community, I have taken on a true desire to get the word out to save them because of the historical value,” Larry explained. “If that leaves me with the name Lighthouse Larry, so be it. I am proud to wear that name.”

Larry creates his replicas from photographs of each lighthouse, using copper and brazing techniques to heighten and achieve the visual effects of smaller details. He spends an average of 200 to 300 man-hours on a single replica (depending on the size). For pieces more than 20 feet tall, he uses stronger welded steel.

“I strictly go by picture(s) and my eye. I don’t use blueprints,” said Larry, whose work is considered expressionism blended with realism. “There’s no challenge in using plans — if it feels right, that’s what I do.”

Larry doesn’t use blueprints or plans, but instead plans his projects with photographs and the naked eye.

Today, Larry and his wife Keira have two daughters, 23-year-old Lacy and 15-year-old Kyia. An avid triathlete and spear fisherman, he’s a soft-spoken man whose influence on his daughters is apparent. Both are artistically inclined and Lacy is destined for a graphic arts career.

Lighthouse Larry’s sculptures are publicly displayed outside Upper Keys banks and restaurants, including a 20-foot replica of Alligator Light at Islamorada’s Kaiyo Grill. His intention is to create a lighthouse park where people can stop, read the entire history and see what stands just offshore of the Florida Keys.

“I do want to bring attention to the actual beauty of these lighthouses in their design and incredible architecture and strength,” Larry said. “They have held up to the wind, the oceans for 160 years, through many hurricanes, and they are still standing — and hopefully will always be standing.”

Topics: Arts, History, Islamorada, Local Color, On the Water, Profiles, Voices Main Archive

Chocolate’s rich, dark history dates back 2,000 years according to historians, but visitors to Key Largo are discovering a newfound love of cocoa confections thanks to the talents of Kristie Thomas. As well as being the culinary creator behind Key Largo Chocolates, she’s currently the only chocolatier in the Florida Keys.

A passionate chocolatier, Kristie makes many appearances at Keys festivals with her truffles. (Photos courtesy of Key Largo Chocolates)

Kristie has a passion for baking Key lime cakes and crafting chocolate shells into a creative niche for truffles, each handmade from natural ingredients including the best chocolate from around the globe.

Much of the world’s cacao comes from areas within 20 degrees of the equator, she reports, and one of her favorite cacao products is Machu Picchu from Peru.

Kristie’s husband Bob oversees the company’s marketing, handling custom orders and special events. He refers to his wife’s superbly sweet talents as having “panache with ganache.”

Key Largo Chocolates, located at mile marker 100.5 bayside, grew out of Kristie’s success with her first love — Key lime cakes. Not a professional baker, she attended cake school for cake design and decorating, and dabbled in making her daughter’s Key lime wedding cake in addition to decorative and delectable chocolate seashells.

At a flavor university, Kristie trained among researchers for Kellogg’s, Quaker Oats and candy companies to detect flavor notes and tastes. That training helped develop her ability to balance the cocoa with yummy additions of Ké Ké Key Lime Liquor, bourbon, whiskey and secret spices.

Kristie’s neat-as-a-button chocolate factory and store delight the senses.

In addition to her numerous “everyday” truffles, Kristie concocts seasonal treats that include a dizzying array of flavorful fudges, toffees and specialty barks made with peppermint, cream, pralines and hazelnuts.

A while back, her “pumpkin-pie-less” spiced truffle even won first place in the dessert category at the annual Key Largo Cookoff. However, there’s no pumpkin in it — just secret spices.

The Key Largo kudo is not the only award Kristie has won. Her Key lime truffles placed second in a nationwide taste competition in Atlantic City, behind an offering from the Ruth’s Kris steakhouse conglomerate.

“We’re just a little chocolate company,” Kristie said modestly. “We’ve grown in leaps and bounds, and we enter contests and festivals as often as we can to help our growth spurts.”

Her Key lime confections include freshly squeezed, locally grown limes. With the help of a pastry chef, she creates six- and eight-inch Key lime cakes and cupcakes in addition to rum cakes, a flavor favorite. Her passion for working with chocolate runs as deep.

Kristie says keeping the chocolate for her truffles tempered, or at a temperature ideal for its sheen and consistency, is a challenge in the humid climate of the subtropical Florida Keys since chocolate can absorb moisture.

Kristie has mastered how to temper her chocolate and create beautifully flavored seashells with an attractive sheen.

“To make up to 300 truffles a day, the chocolate needs to be perfect,” she said. With air conditioning and dehumidifiers, she manages to keep her kitchen near a cool 68 degrees.

Entering Kristie’s vibrant store, visitors are greeted by a daunting display of aromatic chocolates to choose from — each a shiny melt-in-your-mouth nugget of heaven. Packaged in lovely boxes, the truffles tempt customers to sneak a sample even before they make it out the door. Plus, the emporium offers ice cream.

In addition, some Upper Keys hotels as well as Key Largo and Islamorada retail stores carry Key Largo Chocolates. Patrons at Key Largo restaurants might also be fortunate enough to find a mousse-filled chocolate seashell on the dessert specials menu.

No matter where her morsels are found, Kristie Thomas aims to please. She delights in the satisfied faces of her customers that testify how irresistible her creations can be.

“People like to treat themselves,” she summed up. “People love chocolates.”

Topics: Food, Key Largo, Local Color, Profiles, Voices Main Archive

Here in Key West, the end of May means blooming frangipani trees, mango trees full of fruit, blossoming Royal Poinciana trees that look like umbrellas of fire across the island, and some incredible sunrises over the Atlantic Ocean. And the calendar of upcoming events is as healthy and lush as the foliage.

Royal Poinciana blooms make a blazing canopy above Key West rooftops. (Photo by Steve Smith)

For vintage car enthusiasts, May 25 kicks off the Southernmost Car Show and Festival Weekend. Presented by the First Class Petty Officer Association from Naval Air Station Key West, this annual benefit car show and festival is part of a commemoration of the 237th birthday of the U.S. Navy.

If you want to show your vehicle, you must register — and for attendees, the weekend will be a great time to see vintage cars, check out vendors’ wares, eat local delicacies, and enjoy the historic Truman Annex waterfront.

Shortly afterward, on June 6, the South Florida Symphony will celebrate Pride Month with a chamber music concert featuring Tchaikovsky’s String Quartet in D Major. Held at the acclaimed Tennessee Williams Cabaret Theatre, the event includes a pre-concert reception and a Meet the Musicians reception afterwards. Where else on an island can you hear symphonic musicians playing pieces by a reputedly gay composer?

And of course June 6 brings Key West’s annual Pride celebration. This 5-day Pride event includes a film festival, dance parties, Pride pageants, a street fair, and a parade down historic Duval Street.

Key West Pride includes a colorful grand parade along famed Duval Street.

Emmy Award-winning actor Leslie Jordan will present his hilarious new one-man show, and our Pride luncheon will showcase Erin Davies’ now famous “FagBug.” Plus, on Friday, the documentary of her 58-day tour around the nation will be presented at the Tropic Cinema with a meet-and-greet following the film.

During the event-filled week, you and your friends can take a 27-mile jet ski tour from the Atlantic Ocean to the Gulf of Mexico, snorkel the gin-clear Keys waters with the boys on Key West’s Blu Q snorkel, kayak, and island adventures (complete with lunch), and enjoy moonlight tea dance sailing and pool parties. Don’t forget the happy hours at Big Ruby’s and Alexander’s Guesthouse, where you can socialize and tour the properties.

Be sure to take a look at the Key West Pride website to plan your days when you’re here for our Pride. Imagine … a 5-day Pride event on 2-mile by 4-mile Key West, lying closer to Cuba than to Miami. There’s no better place to celebrate — so don’t miss the fun!

Topics: Voices Main Archive

The last tall ship built in Key West, the 73-year-old Schooner Western Union, will shortly embark on a new voyage as the official flagship of the State of Florida.

The Western Union, shown here sailing in Key West Harbor, will shortly become Florida's official flagship. (Photo by Bert Budde, Florida Keys News Bureau)

The magnificent schooner is a tangible reminder of the Florida Keys’ rich, colorful maritime heritage — and its recent history demonstrates the island’s dedication to preserving and honoring that heritage.

Launched in 1939, the 130-foot Western Union is the last surviving example of a traditional American coasting schooner. It served the Western Union Telegraph Co. for 35 years as a cable-laying and maintenance vessel — and it’s believed to be the world’s only surviving sailing cable ship.

In 1997, Key West’s Historic Tours of America acquired the Western Union and began operating it for day and sunset sails and charters. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, it came to be known as the flagship of Key West.

Years later, after consistently losing money on the schooner, Historic Tours was forced to put it up for sale. Interest reportedly came from groups in Tampa and the Cayman Islands, but potential buyers wouldn’t guarantee that they’d keep the Western Union in Key West.

The Western Union underwent repairs in a Miami shipyard before returning home to Key West. (Photo by Andy Newman, Florida Keys News Bureau)

That was definitely not okay with island residents, who understand and value Key West’s renegade maritime past. So a grassroots foundation was formed to preserve the Western Union and keep it home-ported where it belonged — and Historic Tours’ owner Ed Swift promptly donated the vessel on the condition that the foundation do just that.

Under the auspices of the Schooner Western Union Preservation Society, the venerable vessel underwent a $1.25 million restoration project that took more than three years. In April 2011, a gala re-launching ceremony was held at Key West’s Historic Seaport.

Mayor Craig Cates, whose family has a personal connection with the Western Union, presided over the ceremonies.

“Our maritime history runs deep in Key West, so this is a special day for us — and especially for my family, since my grandfather worked on the vessel,” said the mayor.

Just over a year after that auspicious day, the Schooner Western Union Preservation Society received wonderful news from the office of Florida Governor Rick Scott. On April 27, the governor signed a bill making the stately schooner the flagship of the entire state.

Captain Lenn Verreau (left,) steers the Western Union off Key West. (Photo by Bert Budde, Florida Keys News Bureau)

“The Western Union is the last remaining working coastal sailing vessel from Florida’s great maritime history,” stated Bill Barry, president and chairman of the society. “This designation is a great honor for the ship, the people who have supported it, and the Florida Keys & Key West.”

The bill, which previously passed unanimously in Florida’s Senate and House, will take effect July 1.

These days, visitors can see the Western Union anchored in Key West’s Historic Seaport. Better yet, they can set sail on the soon-to-be state flagship for a breathtaking sunset excursion or stargazer cruise … and, on the water surrounding the island city, celebrate the historic schooner and the community that kept it where it belongs.

Topics: Highlights, History, Key West, Local Color, On the Water, Voices Main Archive

It’s vacation time, and this year you’ve decided to take a drive from the mainland to the Florida Keys. You’ve heard about the attractions, the magnificent coral reef, and the laid-back lifestyle. And after a long winter of working hard, it’s what you’ve dreamed about.

Marine life artist Wyland takes a break after putting finishing touches on his 7,500-square-foot marine life mural in Key Largo. (Photo by Andy Newman, Florida Keys News Bureau)

Once you leave the mainland, almost before you know it you’re in Key Largo, world-famous as a dive paradise. One of the first things you’ll spot is a colorful marine life mural wrapping around all four sides of a building at mile marker 99.2.

This massive “Whaling Wall” mural is one of 100 that artist Wyland, an Upper Keys resident, has painted in the United States and around the world. (He has also painted walls in Marathon and Key West). An avid conservationist, Wyland often invites kids to participate in his mural paintings, giving them lessons in art while educating them about our oceans and their inhabitants.

As part of Wyland’s Keys public relations team, I was on site during his week of painting. I saw crowds gather every day to watch as Wyland transformed a nondescript building at the entrance to the Florida Keys into a glimpse of the wonders of the underwater world.

The African Queen is the original vessel from director John Huston's classic 1951 film by the same name. (Photo by Andy Newman, Florida Keys News Bureau)

Sea turtles, dolphins, manatees and fish were brought to life by the talented artist. Seeing the look of wonder on onlookers’ faces as Wyland grinned down at them from his scaffolding is an experience I’ll never forget.

Once you’ve seen the mural, you’re likely to be hooked. The waters off the Florida Keys beckon and you want to immerse yourself in the underwater experience.

But before you leave Key Largo, take a trip above the water’s surface on the restored African Queen for a journey into history.

Some of us older seniors will remember the film, “The African Queen,” with Humphrey Bogart and Katharine Hepburn, but the vessel that appeared in the film has a much larger history than her role on the silver screen.

Stephen Bogart, son of actor Humphrey Bogart, steers the original African Queen in Key Largo waters. (Photo by Andy Newman, Florida Keys News Bureau)

She was built in the United Kingdom in 1912. The British East Africa Rail Company used her as a cargo and passenger ship in Africa until 1968, and later she was a passenger boat in the U.S. for a time. In 1983 she began taking visitors for rides in Key Largo, but eventually fell into disrepair.

Recently, however, the African Queen was completely restored to her appearance in the iconic film and is now a national historic site. In April 2012, this famous vessel was re-launched for cruises, leaving from the Holiday Inn Key Largo. You will savor the experience of traveling on her — available nowhere else in the world.

A little farther down the Keys’ famed Overseas Highway, you’ll get your chance to slip into the water when you stop at Islamorada’s Theater of the Sea, the second oldest marine mammal facility in the world. Open since 1946, this unique facility is home to many species of marine life and has attracted visitors from around the globe.

Marine life and lively parrots intrigue young visitors to Islamorada's Theater of the Sea.

Here dolphins, stingrays, and sea lions occupy several lagoons, all frolicking in the salt water pumped in from the Atlantic. Here too, visitors can swim with any one of the three species, a fascinating water adventure for kids and adults alike.

As a SENIOR senior citizen, I admit I haven’t done this (yet), but family members have swum with rays and dolphins and thoroughly enjoyed it. Even kids as young as three years old can wade with the dolphins when accompanied by an adult, so share the experience with your kids or grandkids.

Theater of the Sea also offers attractions including parrot shows, marine shows, guided marine life tours and a four-hour Adventure and Snorkel Cruise in the waters of Florida Bay and the Atlantic.

In case you haven’t realized it by now, the laid-back yet lively Florida Keys offer enough to see and do to fill your days with fun and wonder. I’ve been here for more than 20 years, and I STILL haven’t experienced everything!

Topics: Environment, Highlights, Islamorada, Key Largo, Local Color, On the Water, Senior Adventures, Voices Main Archive

In the blockbuster film “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire,” Harry — and three other candidates chosen from prestigious schools of witchcraft and wizardry — are tasked with defeating fire-breathing dragons to earn points in a magical challenge.

Dragons, a powerful symbol in Chinese culture, can be spotted in Marathon each May. (Photo courtesy of John Duke, Florida Keys Dragon Boat Club)

For Harry and his friends, dragons are dangerous opponents, to be outwitted and defeated and, above all, feared.

Dragons also loom large in Chinese legend. During the fourth century B.C. and the Ch’u dynasty in China, the emperor’s personal advisor Qu Yuan drowned himself in the Mi Lo River in defiance of the ruler’s corrupt and indulgent lifestyle. And that’s where the dragons came in.

Local fishermen, desperate to keep the river’s water dragons and fish from consuming Qu Yuan’s earthly body, beat drums and splashed the water with their boats’ paddles.

Which brings us to Marathon, a place where dragons have a far friendlier reputation. Instead of enemies, they’re actually “teammates” in a lively sport called dragon boat racing.

The modern dragon boat race pays tribute to the ancient fishermen’s courage by re-enacting their race to save Qu Yuan. And in Marathon’s “Battle in the Bay” challenge this year, you’ll find almost two dozen sleek, graceful dragon-headed boats whose teams will vie to propel them through the water faster than their competitors.

Dragon boat teams launch their colorful craft from Marathon's Sombrero Beach.

One of the world’s fastest-growing water sports, dragon boat racing involves 20 paddlers moving in unison in each vessel — in a breathtaking combination of strength, teamwork and synchronized competitive spirit. Teams can be made up of men, women, or both, and anyone age 14 or older can participate.

Marathon’s Sombrero Beach provides a perfect viewing spot for spectators and a direct-from-the-beach launch for the 40-foot-long race boats, whose elaborate dragon designs originated in ancient China.

Dragons, by the way, are also strong and powerful symbol of spring rains and growth in Chinese culture — and according to the Chinese astrology calendar, this just happens to be the year of the water dragon.

Strength and teamwork are required to succeed in a fast-paced dragon boat challenge.

It’s certainly the year for dragon boat racing in Marathon waters! More than 20 races are scheduled Saturday, May 12, becoming progressively more competitive as the slower teams fall by the wayside.

Notable entrants in the Marathon event include a senior team from Florida’s west coast named the Draggin’ Dragons, previous champions the Tampa Tarpons, and a team representing the Florida Keys’ colorful Conch Republic Navy. One of the hands-down favorites is Save Our Sisters, a team of Miami breast cancer survivors and supporters who regularly participate in a countrywide dragon-boat race circuit.

The entire racing event has a strong ethic of benefiting charities, including the Cancer Foundation of the Florida Keys.

The on-the-water action begins at 9 a.m. May 12, but there are plenty of land-based attractions too. For example, spectators can enjoy food and beverages, check out vendors selling items like kites and racewear in an Athletes’ Village, and view amazing performances by the troupe Fusho Daiko, masters of the 2,600-year-old art of Japanese taiko drumming.

In fact, chances are even Harry Potter and his friends would be enthralled with this dragon-filled challenge.

Topics: Events, Festivals, Highlights, Local Color, On the Water, Voices Main Archive

Yesterday morning, while awaiting a flight from Miami to Key West, I noticed a lot of people in the boarding lounge with guitar cases and those containing other instruments. It then dawned on me that this weekend is the annual Key West Songwriter’s Festival.

The Key West Songwriter's Festival brings scores of hit songwriters to perform in intimate Key West settings each year. (Photo courtesy of the Key West Songwriter's Festival)

Now in its 17th year, this is largest festival of its kind in the world. Since 1997, music giant BMI has been a major sponsor, along with assistance from the Florida Keys tourism council.

This five-day festival features some two dozen shows staged across the island. More than 100 top songwriters will entertain at venues from local watering holes to oceanfront resorts — capped by a free concert in the 200 block of Duval Street.

There’s still time to drive down the Overseas Highway this week and join in the festival. And put the event on your getaway schedule for 2013, because it gets better each year!

Have you ever thought of trading houses with total strangers for a vacation? I have friends who have done this several times and had great experiences.

What if a simple exchange of homes led to the discovery of a murder plot? That's the question behind a new play at the Waterfront Playhouse this month.

But what if you exchanged your house and, when you settled into your new digs, you began to fear you’d discovered a murder plot? What would you do???

That’s the premise of “Home Exchange,” a world-premiere production now running at Key West’s Waterfront Playhouse. Enjoy an evening at this suspenseful comedy written by Hy Conrad, writer for the Emmy-winning TV series “Monk” and “White Collar.”

If you’re a paddleboard enthusiast, come to Key West for the annual 12-mile elite race around the island held on May 12. (Those who find 12 miles a bit daunting can join in a 4-mile open race.)  Where else in the world can you paddle past historic Civil War forts and stately hotels and homes, and cross from the Gulf of Mexico into the Atlantic Ocean? This diverse sea-to-sea adventure is open to all paddlers.

After you rest up from the race, take in the newest musical at the Red Barn Theatre. “Finito: the Dream is Real” combines comedy, variety and burlesque into an uproarious night of song and dance. The acclaimed Key West Burlesque troupe will entertain you during this short 12-night run.

Blog author Steve Smith gets ready for a jam-packed month of events in Key West.

If you haven’t been to the Red Barn Theatre, it actually is a red barn with only 65 or so seats — so intimate that you almost feel like you’re on stage during the performances!

When I first went to the Barn, there was no air-conditioning. Now it‘s climate controlled, with outstanding lighting and libations available both before the show and during the intermission. Treat yourself to a memorable evening at this tiny theater!

Finally, Key West Pride is rapidly approaching on the island (check our fun commercial airing all over Florida!). Make your plans to be a part of the annual Pride event that sweeps across town starting June 6.  Emmy-winning actor Leslie Jordan will be here with his new one-man show, and you’ll have the chance to meet Erin Davies with her inspiring “Fagbug.”

A victim of a hate crime for sporting a rainbow sticker on her VW Beetle, Erin embraced what happened and left the graffiti on her car. She then took her “Bug” on a 58-day trip around the United States and Canada. Her documentary will screen during Key West Pride, followed by a question-and-answer session.

More on Key West Pride next time!

Topics: Arts, Events, Festivals, Key West, LGBT