The Bahama Village Music Program is one of ten local non-profit organizations that will benefit from the Saturday, December 4, COAST Is Clear Music & Arts Festival at Fort East Martello’s newly renovated Parade Grounds. (Photo by Cricket Desmarais)

Local nonprofits to benefit from October ticket purchases for COAST Is Clear Music & Arts Festival at Fort East Martello’s Parade Grounds

Festival-goers and music-lovers who purchase tickets during the month of October for the upcoming outdoor COAST Is Clear Music & Arts Festival can enjoy the Saturday, December 4, event all the more knowing that their purchase benefits one of ten excellent Florida Keys non-profit organizations. 

Co-produced and presented by Key West Art & Historical Society and COAST Projects, the 11:00am -11:00pm family-friendly festival will feature an entertainment lineup of world-class talent set to appear on three stages, along with an artist’s market, food vendors, and a cash bar at the newly restored Parade Grounds of historic Fort East Martello, 3501 S. Roosevelt Blvd., Key West.

Originally born from the wrath of Hurricane Irma that ravaged the Florida Keys in 2017 and named for the fact that hurricane season is over and the “coast is clear,” the festival offers respite and connection for locals in need of some southernmost comfort. 

“That year, 2017, a few musician friends of ours agreed to come down to lend a hand and lift spirits by doing what they do best,” says Producer and COAST Projects founder Billy Kearins. “And since then, we’ve committed to bringing down top-notch, nationally-acclaimed bands, paired with local art to make COAST Is Clear an annual festival — one that has been enjoyed equally by our local friends and traveling fans alike.”

This year’s guests can exhale after the questionable 2021 hurricane season and revel in the sounds of Grammy nominated headliners Black Pumas – a psychedelic soul duo from Austin, Texas; singer-songwriter and recording artist Phosphorescent (Matthew Houck) from Huntsville, Alabama; Nashville-born indie folk-rocker Rayland Baxter; New Hope, Pennsylvania indie folk-rocker Langhorne Slim (Sean Scolnic); psychedelic-rocker Liz Cooper from Brooklyn, New York; American-indie rock band SUSTO from Charleston, South Carolina; and a bevy of locally-based favorites to be announced. 

In the spirit of locals helping locals, October ticket sales will benefit Bahama Village Music Program, Reef Relief, Tropic Cinema, Dolphin Research Center, Florida Keys Surfrider, Sigsbee Charter School, The Studios of Key West, Montessori Children’s School, The Music Room, and The Turtle Hospital. Simply visit coastisclearfest.com, select a charity and use the corresponding promo code when checking out and 20% of your purchase will be distributed accordingly.  

“We are so grateful for the opportunity to benefit from this wonderful event,” says Bahama Village Music Program Executive Director Kawana Staffney. “This gracious outpouring of support allows for us to continue to provide FREE music lessons to even more children on our island paradise.”

The event is rain or shine, with free admission for ages 12 and under, special discounts for teachers, military personnel, and first responders. Covid-19 safety protocols will be observed, including a cap on ticket sales. Chairs and blankets are welcome. Limited parking is available; bicycling encouraged. Information on ancillary VIP special events and advance ticket sales at www.coastisclearfest.com. This event is likely to sell out ahead of show-time; advance ticket purchase recommended. Your Museums.  Your Community.  It Takes an Island.  

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