Islamorada Community Entertainment

Archive for the ‘Florida Keys Entertainment’ Category

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

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.