Key West, Be My Valentine
Before we get to all the heart-pounding events our little paradise has on the playbill for Valentine’s Day weekend, there’s an omission to correct. It’s sort of like the shoemaker’s kids going barefoot. Rob O’Neal is first and foremost a photojournalist, working for the Citizen since he was a kid. Imagine our surprise when we got the buzz that a show of his art photography opened, by invitation, at the Debra Butler Design Studio on Southard. No law against that. But weirdly the press, particularly those on the arts beat, weren’t invited. So we went over this week for a look. It’s typically good stuff, showcasing Rob’s typically quirky eye, reasonably priced, and a benefit for a very good cause: The Lighthouse, serving runaway or otherwise homeless kids. Butler reports that she participates in Walk on White and sends announcements only to her own mailing list, which does not include the press, and the show closes Saturday. But catch it if you can.
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Opening last Tuesday was a remarkable, really breathtaking show at Cocco & Salem Gallery at 1111 Duval, a show containing realistic still lifes, lush flora and fauna, gorgeous impressionist seascapes and very interesting abstracts — all by the amazingly versatile and accomplished Jim Salem. This show of “New Works” is accessorized by a variety of other paintings by Marylene Proner, Sean Callahan, Judith Zabar and others, including a half dozen canvasses of hunky young men, one with a lovely rear view. The show runs through Feb. 25 and I recommend it; this relatively young gallery is top drawer, right up there with Lucky Street, Gingerbread Square and a very few others in town.
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In the cooperative category, however, there is always the matriarch of local galleries, the Key West Art Center at 300 Front St., where there’s always interesting art to be found. At a Valentine’s Day reception, 5 till 7, debuts watercolorist Leigh Burleson with an exhibition of “Lasting Flowers.” The show is up through Feb. 26.
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Reports Skipper Kripitz: At Salute this Valentine’s Friday (5-8 p.m.), on Sunday, Feb. 16 at the Gardens Hotel (8:30pm) and on Tuesday the 18th at Virgilio’s (9 p.m.), acclaimed master guitarist Howard Alden joins Kripitz on drums “for some musical fun, along with some very special guests, including on the weekend the wonderful NYC singer/songwriter, Jeanne Gies. Alden “may be the best of his generation,” writes Owen Cordle in “Jazz Times.” He has substituted for Les Paul, as well as worked extensively with legends Joe Pass and Bucky Pizzarelli. Alden and Gies both dazzled audiences last winter, on their first visit to the Keys. (Most places in the world, a hefty cover charge would be levied to see this kind of touring performance!)” At Virgilio’s Howard and Skippo will be joined by local music legends Larry Smith on keyboards and Christine Cordone on vocals.
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Also this weekend is Gardenfest at the Tropical Forest and Botanical Garden on College Road, running both Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. till 4 p.m. There will be a plant sale — native plants, palms and orchids, including an exhibition and sale of rare plants — an arts and crafts market and the entire garden to explore, with its spacious arboretum, wildlife refuge and educational center that showcases flora native to South Florida, Cuba and the Caribbean. Also offered is the Green Marketplace, featuring green products and services, presentations and seminars, along with lunch and beverages in the Beer Garden. Executive Director Misha McRae suggests folks visit the festival as the last stop on the Old Island Restoration Foundation House & Garden Tour (oirf.org). The garden is truly a magical place, welcoming visitors from all over the United States and often the world 10 a.m. till 4 p.m. every day.
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Jeffrey Birn of Gingerbread Square Gallery reports that Colorado artist Nyla Witmore, “an extremely accomplished and internationally recognized artist,” will be exhibiting her latest collection of oil paintings in a show titled “Travels,” which will open with a reception from 5:30 till 8:30 p.m. on Monday, Feb.17. Want a sneak preview? Early viewing will begin at 12:30 p.m. on Sunday, Feb 16. “Travels” continues through Feb. 24. Says Birn, “Nyla Witmore’s impressionistic representations of ‘intimate’ Key West, Paris, Venice, Amsterdam and the Washington D.C. Cherry Blossom Festival are fresh and alluring. Especially notable are her elegant brush strokes and sense of color.” Gingerbread Square Gallery is at 1207 Duval; it’s open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
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Don’t forget Key West Fringe’s production of Edward Albee‘s “A Delicate Balance” opens next week at the Custom House. That’s all for now — gotta fly!
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