CULTURE VULTURE

 

Culinary art, theater and . . .

 

By C.S. GILBERT

KONK LIFE COLUMNIST

 

Totally unexpectedly, I was treated to a culinary delight in what seemed to me an unlikely venue: Sippin’ Internet Cafe. It’s a place for coffees, smoothies and wifi, right? Well, yes—but they also have a small but interesting menu that, in terms of one item, reaches the sublime.

After that virus, I finally ventured out to Sippin’ for a book signing for “The Funerals of Key West” by Edgardo Alvarado-Vazquez (see CV for Dec. 11). Having eaten little during the infection, I was surprised and pleased to see a modest but very appealing menu offering items for breakfast (8 a.m. till 2 p.m.) and lunch (11 a.m. till 2 p.m.) — although baker and chef Cynthia said she was happy to make whatever one wished for when she was on duty Tuesdays through Thursdays.The “chef’s choice” omelet, pancetta, rosemary and brie served with a grilled tomato and homemade multigrain toast, sounded wonderful and was. There would be a new menu after the first of the year, she said, but the savory omelet and yummy, homemade bread would remain. Sounds like a lovely lunch before a matinee at the Tropic.

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It’s Broadway in Key West, or as close as we get. The Fringe has already closed a fine first production and is set to open Arthur Miller’s classic, “The Price,” on Dec. 26. For details go to www.fringetheater-keywest.org. The madcap “Noises Off” opened Waterfront Playhouse’s 75th season Dec. 18 and runs till Jan. 10. Box office: 305-294-5015. And something a bit more unusual (and to me more interesting), “The Last Night of Ballyhoo,” opened the Red Barn’s 35th season on Dec. 16 (305-296-9911). For anyone who isn’t into Christian family Christmases, B’nai Zion has reserved the entire 80 or so-seat theater for Dec. 25; if there are seats left, you’re welcome to join them—and start with dinner. How lucky are we to have so much good theater in what is really quite a small town? Enjoy!

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There’s a reason performing artists and the people who produce their performances aren’t journalists. Normally, our skill sets are different. Maybe our perception of time is different as well. Weekly newspapers set a deadline almost a week before publication for receipt, editing and processing of news. Too many of you whose work I respect and enjoy have a habit of slipping me info that just misses our print deadline. To miss out on coverage is no doubt distressing to you—but not to be able to provide interesting coverage drives me nuts.

As Christmas falls on Thursday, this edition of the paper comes out on Dec. 24. Skipper Kripitz hosted the amazing Tim Mayer on this past Sunday and Tuesday, with the bonus of Larry Smith and Christine Cardone. Tuesdays, featuring Skippo’s League of Crafty Musicians at Virgilio’s, always offer good music and a welcoming dance floor, but they’ve grown even more popular, with Smith’s fans from Sunday Showcases at the Pier House days flocking to the friendly club when Smith and Cardone appear.

I’m picking on Skippo here, but he’s far from the only one. Especially maddening is Key West’s favorite crooner, Peter Diamond, who never, never does press on himself. That’s carrying modesty too far. Dears, as a holiday gift, give me a little more advance notice, OK?

 

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Reminder to artists: the deadline for submitting work for the 2015 Anne McKee Fine Art Auction, set for Feb. 8 at East Martello, is fast approaching with the new year, Jan. 1, and the popular sale will be limited to 60 works. For online submission go to www.mckeefund.org and click the Call to Artists button. Artists split the sale price of their work 50-50 with the grants awarding organization.

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Another heads up for the new year: On Sunday, Jan. 4, Key West Poetry Guild will feature a fine, new established poet from Tavernier, Elizabeth Elliott. Meetings, still the first Sunday of every month come what may, are now at Andy’s Cabana, 308 Petronia St., at 7 p.m. There is always at least one lightening round for poets in attendance to read an original work.

That’s all for now. Gotta fly!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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