Islamorada Community Entertainment

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

• “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

• “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.