Islamorada Community Entertainment

I’m a Keys native, Coral Shores graduate and dabbler in the arts – needless to say I’m also a fan of Islamorada Community Entertainment, inc. And while ICE was not around when I was in high school, local organizations and our giving community contributed to my college career by way of scholarships.

Now with my college days several years behind me I’m enjoying ICE by way of the entertainment they bring to my own backyard. Often national companies, bands and shows can only be seen off the rock – and I hate going off the rock – but I’ve seen ICE work hard to go outside the usual Keys Festivals and fundraisers to bring quality professional events right here to the Upper Keys.

Reggae Fest was a fantastic concert this season and I only had to go a few miles from home to hear the bands. Some local, some world renowned, some both. In previous years the Dance Alive National Ballet and Saint Petersburg Classic Ballet Theatre put on the Nutcracker. All groups I usually fought holiday traffic in Miami to see. And there are many more… Romeo and Juliet a few months ago, MoradaPalooza, so on and so on.

And of course there is always great local talent to be showcased in the Florida Keys and ICE does that well too. Around every corner, or should I say in the corner of every bar, in the Keys there is a great band playing, musician entertaining or theater group performing. We get to enjoy the talent around town but without ICE and other organizations we would never get to see this talent on a big stage like the TIB Amphitheater. When it’s empty that stage doesn’t look like much, but put the spotlight on the entertainers and the whole park lights up.

So that brings me to Bay Jam… It is all ICE stands for wrapped up in one day. Quality, professional entertainment from Upper Florida Keys locals, with hometown and national reputations and a commitment to bringing us one heck of an event right here at home. The “icing” on the cake… all the money raised goes back to supporting our local students and their interests in the arts. Even this year’s event shirts were designed by a recent Coral Shores grad.

All of that is reason enough for me to go to the 16th Bay Jam, but add the beautiful view of the Florida Bay, resting in my own chair (with cup-holder) and my friends and neighbors surrounding me and what else would I want to be doing?

So, as I wake up this morning and open my eyes to the first day of spring, I’m pulling out my tank top and flip-flops. I’m grabbing my beach blanket, a chair, a couple of bucks and heading a few miles South of my house in Key Largo to enjoy hours of great music, theater, art, food and fun in Islamorada. I’m going to show my support to the community that raised me and contribute to the kids we’re raising now. Will I see you there?

I believe a true movie enthusiast can appreciate a good childrens film. Pixar and Disney have delighted us with many hits the past few years and have truly made a family movie night something that every member of the family enjoys. Then sometimes a childrens movie comes along that the adults want to see even if the kids don’t come along.

The Oscar nomination for “Secret of Kells”, playing this Saturday at Founder’s Park, leads me to believe it is one of these movies. The synopsis from the website says,
“Adventure, action and danger await 12 year old Brendan who must fight Vikings and a serpent god to find a crystal and complete the legendary Book of Kells. Brendan is hard at work with his uncle, Abbott Cellach and the other monks, helping to strengthen the abbey walls as protection against the Viking raids. But a new life of adventure begins with the arrival of Brother Aidan, a celebrated master illuminator who initiates Brendan into the art of illumination, awakening his hidden, but extraordinary talents. In order to finish the magnificent book, Brendan has to overcome his deepest fears on a secret quest that will take him for the first time ever, beyond the abbeys walls into the enchanted forest where dangerous, mythical creatures hide.”

Much like music, allowing ourselves to be entertained by a film for an hour and a half is about experiencing the moment, forgetting about what happened yesterday, about going back to work tomorrow, about suspending belief – living in the now. Don’t we all want more of those moments? Ok, living in the now of a fictional character may not be exactly the same thing as living in the now…of ourselves. But to put it simply, experiencing a great film together as a family is something your children will never forget, and don’t we all want more of THOSE moments?

The proof of a great childrens movie is reflected in the faces of the audience.

Apprehension of the main character as he realizes the challenge before him…

Courage when he decides to embark on it anyway…

Curiosity and excitement of a new adventure…

Friendships he makes throughout the course of his adventure…

Fear of unknown things in the forest…

Creativity and imagination that the illustration, music, storyline and the animation inspire…

Knowledge that one child truly can make a difference in the world….

The Secret of Kells promises to deliver these good lessons for the entire family. This movie has been nominated for an Oscar in the category ‘Animated Feature Film’ and has been winning rave reviews in the media.
“Absolutely Luscious to Behold!” – Variety
“Stunning! A cascade of light, color and wonder burst from the screen!”
- The Irish Times
“Holds the spectator in a waking dream from beginning to end!” – Le Monde

So here’s your chance to check it with the whole family before the celebrated Oscar awards show on Sunday.

The Secret of Kells is part of the NY Children’s Film Festival presented at Founders park, 7pm, Saturday, March 6. Tickets are $5 at the gate. Advance Tickets at all TIB Bank Branches. Hopefully we’ll see you there!

One of the goals of MoradaPalooza was to give the young musicians the opportunity to play on a large stage and feel like rock stars. But it really was the audience who had the greatest opportunity. This was a chance for everyone who attended to say “we saw them when…” And the bands proved we will be saying that.

The day started off with “A moment Of”. It’s hard to be the first band on any concert lineup. The sound system is still being adjusted and the kinks worked out but they played like pros and had a tight set. The power trio set the tone for the day and they did it well!

“Thunderhead” followed. This young classic rock band pulled off some challenging tunes with lots of special effects, great stage presence, and a very polished cool vibe.

Next, “Fiendish Effigy” who drew in lots of loyal fans brought a total shift in musical direction. Reminiscent of 80’s punk, these guys have a hard driving pyrotechnic energy.

“Xpelled”, from Homestead, was a real treat. The group featured three part harmonies, dual guitar lines and solid arrangements. They played originals and covered some very modern pop tunes with flair.

Headliners “Inside the Mind of” did not disappoint. These young men delivered some of the most orchestrated, well written, and complex music ever heard on the Islamorada Founders Park amphitheater stage. This was a whole different ballgame and the audience knew it. Some describe the style as “progressive” but a better description might be modern Jazz-fusion.

To the audience the Upper Keys event was about the performances. For the performers the event was much more. It was an opportunity to learn about stage production, wiring and concert sound. It was also a chance for these young artists to relax and figure out their identity in a safe environment.

Cooperation and organization were key. Several walk-on performers were inspired by the scheduled acts and joined in the music, resulting in two hours of jamming organized by members of bands and individuals. It was great to see the kids openly sharing their ideas in this forum.

At MoradaPalooza the youth bands’ dedication, professionalism, and talent was a sight to see and hear. The vibe of the day was inspiring – inspiring to other kids to follow their dreams and inspiring to adults who sometimes need to be reminded to resurrect their dreams.

In the spirit of the talent, passion and determination of young artists, of what you believed you could do in your life BEFORE you grew up, and of the tired parents who tolerate the late night basement jam sessions….In the spirit of MoradaPalooza (TODAY – FOUNDER’S PARK AT NOON!www.keysice.com ) we decided to talk to a handful of local musicians about how they got their start in music.

First up? Mike DiMaggio of Stereo Underground.
A horseshoe tournament? Love it!

Q: Were you in a band when you were young? If yes, how old were you?
A: Yes, I was 16.

Q: Who were the other members of the band?
A: My brother Dave and our two friends Jack and Pat.

Q: How did the band get together?
A: We all played instruments so we just started jamming together as friends, then eventually we got gigs.

Q: Where did the band practice?
A: My mom’s basement

Q: Tell us about your first gig? How old were you?
A: I think I was 17. It was an outdoor gig, at a horseshoe tournament. I had never been to a horseshoe tournament and haven’t been to one since. It was strange but a lot of fun.

Q: How has your feeling for performing changed over the years? Less excited, or more, relaxed or do you still get a little nervous or anxious?
A: I used to get very nervous which is not always a bad thing. If you can use that nervous energy in a good way sometimes your performance can benefit from it. Now I don’t really get nervous anymore but I do get anxious a few hours before a show, but once I get there I’m quite relaxed.

Q: What is the secret to keeping a band together? Are you like family or co-workers?
A: Well, I can’t say I really know that secret! I’ve been lucky enough to have my brother in the band, so we’ve always had a partial band even when other band members left for whatever reasons. It’s very difficult to keep a band together, over the years we’ve had lots of different bands.

It’s much like a relationship, each person has to carry some responsibility and be conscious of other people’s feelings. I think the main thing that breaks most bands up is a big ego.

Q: Do you find playing in the Keys is different then playing other places?
A: It’s a little limited in terms of venues or places to play but other than that, not really.

Q: Do you have a favorite song?
A: Not really, I have lots of favorite songs and different parts of songs that I like more than others. I listen to anything and everything to hear what is out there.

Q: Favorite song to play?
A: Honestly, that changes from night to night. Usually it’s a new song for me. I like to add new songs to my sets, it keeps it fresh exciting for me. It also really depends on how well I play a certain song and how it is being received by the audience.

Q: Some people say it is dangerous to turn your passion into your work, would you say this has some draw backs?
A: Well, I did and so far so good. I have the band gigs, acoustic duo gigs with my brother on percussions, and solo acoustic gigs. However, there definitely are drawbacks, and the biggest one is not having having the time to write and record music as often as I would like.

Q: What are your pros and cons about turning your hobby into a professional career?
A: The good thing is making money doing what I love. The bad thing is sometimes treating it as job and losing some of the excitement that made me love it in the first place.

Q: What do you hope the future brings for Stereo Underground?
A:  I hope to get another record finished and released soon, that would be our third record. I just hope to sell more and play more of the songs I write.

Q: What advice would you give to young people just starting out in a band?
A: Don’t give up, have fun with it. Check your ego at the door!

Q: How would you say those early years playing helped you in your later years?
A: It gave me the experience and the confidence to do it professionally.

Find more info about Stereo Underground here;

Website: myspace.com/stereounderground
Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/pages/Stereo-Underground/99783315052?ref=ts

Mike’s Solo gigs:

Every Tuesday – Acoustic Open Mic Night – Coconuts 7:30 -12am
Every Wednesday and Saturday – Acoustic – Snook’s 5 -9
Every Friday – Acoustic – Outback Steakhouse 5:30 – 9:30

Stereo Underground gigs:

Feb 5, 6, 25, 26, 27 Holiday Isle – Tiki Bar 10pm – 2am
March 13 Ocean Reef Club – Burgee Bar 10pm – 2am

It is cccold here in the Keys but the fire is stoked and the vibes are warm. My little dogs are snuggled next to me in my big chair and I’m excited thinking about what ICE has planned in the near future.

The next big event we are bringing to our South Florida neighbors is MORADAPALOOZA on January 23! This all day concert is a Kids Jam Fest with fresh new music from bands with members all under the age of 21. It is the future of music baby!

This FREE ICE concert is a chance for people of all ages to enjoy these young bands who can’t play in our local bars and clubs. You’ll get a sneak peak into what is happening in the garages, backrooms, and carports of these kids’ homes.

Claudia Miller covered the event for the local press. Here’s the link and an excerpt; http://www.keysnet.com/arts_entertainment/story/175802.html

“Alex Caldwell, a 24-year-old MoradaPalooza veteran, who has gone on to play professionally in several bands, said that he and his friends were having trouble finding venues and wanted a place to perform.

“When we were in high school, we’d get together with the other bands and save money for three months to rent out the Elks Club,” he said. “Dave (Feder) started allowing one kid band to play at BayJam each year, but he didn’t want to have it become unappealing for the older audiences. He came up with MoradaPalooza for us.” There were several MoradaPaloozas, and then it tapered off as many of the participants graduated and went on to professional music careers. A few years ago, the tradition was picked up again, and this year marks the third festival for a new generation of young bands.”

Featured Bands this year include:

• “Inside the Mind of” features an alternative progressive fusion metal style band with a high evolved and surprisingly sophisticated sound. http://www.insidethemindof.net

• “Thunderhead,” a talented classic rock style band.

• “Fiendish Effigy” is a four-man high energy thrash metal band.

• “Xpelled” is a six-person rock/punk/metal band from Homestead.            http://www.thexpelled.com/

If words like thrash metal, alternative progressive fusion and punk scare you, take a chance, expand your horizons and support the talented youth here in your community. Come to the free concert. What do you have to lose? Nothing. What do you have to gain? A better appreciation for the music the future brings. You also have bragging rights. These young musicians are working their butts off and will be BIG one day, and you’ll be able to say I saw them when…

It’s getting chillier and I have to pull my chair a little closer to the fire while I think of what else is coming. I look at the smoke as it lingers out of the wood-burning stove and up to the stars. Speaking of stars, wait ‘til you see what other events ICE is bringing South Florida and the Florida Keys:

• American Shakespeare Center’s Romeo and Juliet – Feb. 6.

• The New York Children’s International Film Festival – Feb. 26 & 27; March 5&6

• Rossini’s La Cenerentola (Cinderella Opera) by the Jacksonville Lyric Opera
8pm, at Coral Shores PAC – March 6

• Bay Jam – March 20

• Dancing with Our Island Stars – March 26 & 27 (tickets on sale now)

Although we dub ICE as cool entertainment just the thought of these events and the good vibes they evoke warms my spirit. I’m sure this surprise cold weather will be gone by January 23 for MoradaPalooza but even if it’s still cold the great music and good crowd will keep us warm. See you at Islamorada Founder’s Park at the beautiful TIB Ampitheater for the Kids Jam Fest.

For more information about ICE and any of these events visit www.keysice.com.

With my tank of holiday spirit running low I looked to the CocoNutcracker to help fill ‘er back up. Truth be told I had to be dragged to the performance at the Coral Shores Performing Arts Center. It seems my Christmas spirit runs out a little bit sooner each year. I start out strong after Thanksgiving. I get the tree up and decorated, fight the crowds to get the shopping done, spend too much money on my family to make up for the fact that I can’t see them over the holidays….All while staying busy and focused on my work. Can’t slack off on the holidays. Not in this economy.

My dear friend and her 8-year-old aspiring ballerina daughter decided to save me from my impending Scrooge-dom and insisted I join them. So off we went to the 7pm standing room only showing of the CocoNutcracker, the Florida Keys very own tropical version of the old holiday classic. I’m sure you’re familiar with The Nutcracker, but here’s how it goes with a Florida Keys twist.

The kids are having a beach party, its all fun and games until dad opens a mysterious toy chest and finds two crazy punked out rock pirate dolls inside. Once the mischievous pirate dolls are tucked back safe and sound into the toy box, the kids get a little rambunctious and little Calvin gets bonked on the head with a coconut. Luckily a gang of frisky pirate monkeys came along to wake him up. But he’s shocked to discover that while he was out a gang of pirates had invaded on The CocoNutcracker, a pirate ship.

The pirates take Calvin on The CocoNutcracker to an enchanted island where they find the beautiful Island Queen and her forest fairies. The Island Queen graciously invites Calvin and his new pirate friend to enjoy her fantastic line up of island entertainment.

The crowd went crazy for the bubble bath ballerina water fairies, the cute little dancing poinsettias, and the enchanting red dressed Spanish flamenco girls. There were gymnasts hanging from the ceiling and

backhand-springing through the air. Mother Seaweed’s colorful dancing fish were swimming and cart-wheeling across the stage. The pirate ninjas performed with their swords and the Chinese dancers with their bamboo.

Calvin was in awe, and I’m sure he hated to go, but before long he had to get back to his beach party. So he and the pirates said goodbye to their new Island friends and set sail for home.

The hard work and enthusiasm these kids (and adults too!) of all ages put into the performance was amazing. The community spirit it takes to put on a performance like this was uplifting. The awe in the faces of the kids in the audience each time a new set of performers danced across the stage was contagious. My friend’s daughter made me realize how important it is to get out in the community and experience performances like these. The smile on her face and sparkle in her eyes when the magical Island Queen leaped and twirled and pirouetted across the stage so gracefully…well…It filled my spirit tank back up to the top. Just in time for Christmas!

Here’s some video if you’d like to see for yourself
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-_MRXA1YJ58 ) although I ran out of film before the end. Feel free to share your holiday performance pics or video at our facebook page. http://www.facebook.com/pages/Islamorada-Community-Entertainment-ICE/172253228106

Anything to help fill up our tanks…Thank you to everyone involved with this magical holiday performance…Merry Christmas Eve and happy holidays!!!

Writing about music is like dancing about architecture.  -Martin Mull

And the Reggae show on November 21 was pretty indescribable. So lets just say this… the people were smiling and moving to the sounds all night. And so many who attended are already asking for another such event. Let us catch our breath a bit and we at ICE promise to bring you much more like it very soon.

Mean while enjoy some other great entertainment here in the Florida Keys. Sunday, Dec. 6, Dave Feder is playing “Jazz in the Garden” with Lenore Troia at The Gardens Hotel in Key West from 5-7. If you’re in Key West don’t miss it.

Also on the ICE calendar is the annual CocoNutcracker on December 19. And we’ll be giving you many more details about the much anticipated MoradaPalooza Jam Fest that is coming January 2.

So here’s the deal. We won’t try to write about the music if you’ll make it a gift to yourself and go enjoy some South Florida musical entertainment. During this holiday season there is all kinds of great opportunities to enjoy tunes from Key Largo to Key West. Round up the kids, grab your friends and visiting family and take them to the CocoNutcracker or one of the FREE concerts being put on by the Keys Community Concert Band as part of “Pops in the Park”.

For more information visit www.keysice.com.

I know it always seems like too many events are happening every day here in South Florida and the Florida Keys. And sometimes it’s overwhelming trying to navigate life, events, responsibilities, etc. There are endless b

enefits, student performances, art shows, peace rallies, holiday fairs, drum circles…

The list goes on and on. And most are for really good causes. But sometimes an event happens that is just too momentous to miss. I believe the BayJama Reggae Fest is one of these. If you only come to one show this year, this would be the one. This Saturday, Nov. 21, gates open at 2 p.m. music starts at 4 p.m.

There has never been an event quite like this anywhere!  This unique happening, BayJama, will simply be the most wonderfully fun, uplifting, spiritual event that has ever occurred in the Florida Keys.  Most of us missed Woodstock, but we can say we were in Islamorada when it all started. Featuring Ky-Mani Marley (Son of Bob), Kevens, the Tibetan Buddhist Monks, 20WT, Sunny got Money 4th Dimension, this all day happening promises to be the party of the decade.

The bands are not the only factor. Even the vendors at this entertainment event are largely made up of peaceful, spiritually aware, and ecology minded people who all care about us and our world.

It’s a huge group of like-minded individuals creating and sharing big positive vibrations, Mon!

Life changing?   I think so. As a special offer we are now helping more young folks join this great experience by admitting KIDS under 12 FREE to this Islamorada community event.

For more information about this event or more Islamorada entertainment check out www.keysice.com for details. Or visit us on facebook or twitter.

Still not sold? Preview what you can see live on Saturday… go to these sites to get a taste of the performers music and vibe… www.kymani-marley.com/video-dear-dad.php or www.youtube.com/watch?v=jbr88yuRmus.

Recorded music is not real music in any way except that we have convinced ourselves that it is. We have trained ourselves to process this representation of music as music itself. It’s the same way a written account of an event is not the real event; but while reading, we create for ourselves an experience sculpted by our own imagination.

This human ability to process representations of “reality” into an internal reality is essential for communication, education, and even survival. We cross information, and representations of reality with actual experience, and create our own reality.

We cannot experience everything live and if we limited ourselves to gain experience only from the reality we bare-witness to we would stifle our creativity and spirituality. And while these representations are important or needed, it is equally important to identify and disarm less useful internally created realities. Realizing when a particular reality is no longer useful is an essential key to our personal and spiritual growth.

But why worry about interpreting a representation of reality when you can experience the real thing. Take advantage of every opportunity you have to encounter music first-hand.

Saturday, November 21 put down your iPods, mp3 players, turn off your radios and TV’s and come enjoy music they way you should, LIVE! It’s the ICE organization’s season opener, REGGAE FEST.

Share the South Florida entertainment experience with your friends and connect with the artists at the TIB Amphitheater at Islamorada’s Founders Park. With artists like Grammy-nominated Ky-Mani Marley, and Dalai Lama’s Tibetan Monks performing at the spectacular waterfront venue it will be a very real, very uplifting, very inspiring event.

For more information about ICE and upcoming Florida Keys and Islamorada entertainment or to purchase tickets visit www.keysice.com.