Islamorada Community Entertainment

Archive for March, 2010

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.

Kymani Marley at Reggae Fest

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.

The Waybacks at last year's Bay Jam

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!