Category Archives: Entertainment

THAT’S OUTRAGEOUS! CAPTAIN OUTRAGEOUS RETROSPECTIVE

Photo of Captain Outrageous courtesy of Rob O'Neal.

Captain 2On Friday evening, April 13th, we were delighted to be a part of Key West’s Custom House Museum’s opening night preview of That’s Outrageous! the first major exhibition to examine the pop art style artwork of one of Key West’s most beloved artists, Captain Outrageous.

An unforgettable Key West character, Captain Outrageous, was a financial analyst by trade, who relocated to our island in the 1970s. He picked up his paintbrush and painted thousands of items: bicycles, scooters, furniture, cars, camper vans, sinks, musical instruments, toilet seats, and telephones. During his thirty-three years in Key West, Captain ran for mayor, operated a restaurant called The Last Straw, participated in several Fantasy Fest parades, and opened his own art gallery on Caroline Street. Suffering an almost simultaneous stroke and heart attack on the steps of his gallery, Captain Outrageous passed away, leaving a legacy of stories and artwork that embody the true spirit of Key West.

Captain 1

Captain 5

Captain 4

Captain 3We were thrilled to see our George Lee Crosby painting of Captain’s gallery included in the beautifully curated retrospective. George was represented by Captain Outrageous’ galley and was the featured artist of the gallery’s inaugural exhibition. Captain Outrageous Galley on Caroline Street features Captain painting on the front porch, his dog Rommel in the doorway, and his two cats on the sidewalk.

That’s Outrageous! is on display in Key West’s Customs House Museum’s Bryan Gallery through June 24, 2018. Don’t miss this delightful retrospective.

THE TOWNSEND TEAM, Dean & Keith Townsend, REALTORS®

Captain 7

Photo of Captain Outrageous courtesy of Rob O’Neal.

Key West’s Fantasy Fest 2015

Key West’s Fantasy Fest 2015—All Hallows Intergalactic Freak Show—has come and gone. As expected, the annual, fun-filled, 10-day party in paradise did not disappoint. What fun we had!

Dressed as "The Birdcage" for the Masquerade March.

Dressed as “The Birdcage” for the Masquerade March.

Showing our best "sugar skull" faces.

Showing our best “sugar skull” face.

All year, we looked forward to joining the mass of zombies that took to the island’s streets for Key West’s Rock & Roll Zombie Bike Ride 2015. On a spectacularly beautiful Sunday evening, we adorned our best Day of the Dead “sugar skull” costumes and joined over 8,000 living dead riders on a path from the Fort East Martello on South Roosevelt Boulevard to the start of Duval Street. From its humble beginning with just 70 people in 2009, the annual event has proven to be a not-to-be-missed celebration.

We love the Zombie Bike Ride!

We love the Zombie Bike Ride!

Dean's amazing costume for the Headdress Ball.

Dean’s amazing costume for the Headdress Ball.

With more Fantasy Fest parties to choose from than we could possibly attend, we had a great time dressing up for our favorites. Dean looked spectacular as he continued his volunteer tradition of working the door at Key West’s 33rd Annual Headdress Ball. The Key West Business Guild’s annual fundraising extravaganza—held this year on the Truman Waterfront—once again proved to be a night to remember. Along with our Santa Fe friends Mark & Ken, we undoubtedly turned heads on Tutu Tuesday as we hit Duval Street wearing our pizza box tutu attire. Posing for countless pictures, we definitely felt like Britney Spears.

Turning Heads on Tutu Tuesday!

Turning Heads on Tutu Tuesday!

The Masquerade March on Friday was without a doubt our favorite event of the week. Affectionately known as the People’s Parade, the annual walking parade through Old Town Key West showcases the creativity, camaraderie, and hospitality of our island home like no other event. Shortly after last year’s parade we brainstormed with our friends Ann, Jim, Mark, and Ken and happily decided on dressing as characters from the beloved 1996 film The Birdcage. We had so much fun coming up with our costumes and were delighted by the joyful response our theme received.

Political Voodoo and Ballot-Box Barbarians has been selected as the theme for next year’s Fantasy Fest celebration. Join us in our home town for all the fabulous festivities, October 21-30, 2016. We bet you will love it as much as we do!

—Keith & Dean

Click here to visit Fantasy Fest’s website.
Click here to visit Key West’s Rock & Roll Zombie Bike Ride’s website.
Click here to visit Key West’s Headdress Ball’s website.
Click here to visit Tutu Tuesday’s website.

Key West’s Fantasy Fest 2014

We love Key West’s annual Fantasy Fest! Although we go all out for our Christmas celebration, Fantasy Fest takes the cake. We often refer to it—tongue-in-cheek of course— as our High Holy Days. Every year before the 10-day celebration comes to an end, we are already planning our costumes for the next year and looking forward to enjoying the revelry with houseguests and friends.

The Love Boat 2014!

The Love Boat 2014!

Our festivities kicked off on Friday, October 17th with the Royal Coronation Ball on the water at the Southernmost Beach Café. We always love the camaraderie as Key West Locals turnout to thank and support the candidates for King and Queen of Fantasy Fest that have worked so diligently raising money for AIDS Help. As usual, the homespun stage show did not disappoint; leaving us with a year’s worth of stories to tell.

The Zombie Bike Ride 2014!

The Zombie Bike Ride 2014!

One of our favorite Fantasy Fest events is the relatively new We Cycle Bike Shop’s Zombie Bike Ride. Created by Marky Pierson, Evan Haskell, and Chris Needham in 2009, the Zombie Bike Ride has quickly grown from a couple hundred people to an epic 10,000 undead riders this year! We were thrilled with the new starting location at the East Martello Fort where we could not get enough of the incredibly creative costumes. The amazingly high number of spectators lining the parade route, the perfect October weather, and the memorable time spent with friends, made for a perfect Sunday evening.

The Undead! What Fun!!!

The Undead! What Fun!!!

The best people watching of the week could be found at Kelly’s Kinky Karnival at Kelly’s Caribbean Bar, Grill & Brewery on Monday night. We love that this annual event is a true costume party. Everyone must have on a “kinky costume” in order to enter. No doubt, we spied Water and Mary Jo for Omaha working their best Dominatrix and Leather Man gear.

The Masquerade March on Friday was undoubtedly the highlight of our week. Friends gathered at our home on Olivia Street to gear up for the annual people’s parade. We were knocked out by the extraordinary costumes on display. Starting at the far end of the Key West Cemetery, we joined thousands and thousands of costumed revelers strolling through the heart of Old Town. Stopping countless time to get our picture snapped, we could not help but feel like Britney Spears walking a rock and roll red carpet!

The Masquerade March is our favorite Fantasy Fest event!

The Masquerade March is our favorite Fantasy Fest event!

With “The Fat Lady Sings” Tea Dance on Sunday evening at the new and improved La Te Da, our amazing week of fun and frolic came to a close. Knowing we would soon wave goodbye to our out-of-town friends, our tinge of sadness was overshadowed by our happy memories of Fantasy Fest 2014.

Keith & Dean

Click here to visit Fantasy Fest’s website.

Click here to visit the Zombie Bike Ride’s website.

Christopher Peterson’s EYECONS at La Te Da in Key West, Florida

Happy Birthday Mr. President!

Happy Birthday Mr. President!

We love Christopher Peterson’s amazing one man/many women show EYECONS at the Crystal Room Cabaret at La Te Da.

Christopher's Judy Garland is spectacular!

Christopher’s Judy Garland is spectacular!

The award winning Christopher Peterson is undeniably one of North America’s foremost female impersonators. His spectacular talent is perfectly showcased in his live cabaret show EYECONS. There is no lip-synching involved as Christopher transforms onstage from one showbiz icon to another. With stellar comic timing and stunning singing skill, Christopher brings an ever-changing array of the world’s most famous divas to life. His Bette Midler impersonation is hilarious, he nails his Kennedy era Marilyn Monroe, rocks Tina Turner, channels Bette Davis, and no one captures the voice and essence of Judy Garland as masterfully. With couture quality costumes (designed and constructed by Christopher) and astounding hair, makeup, lighting, and production values, EYECONS is not to be missed.

Divine Bette Davis!

Divine Bette Davis!

Christopher Peterson’s EYECONS is the perfect match for the elegant ambience of the Crystal Room Cabaret. The cabaret has been a Key West landmark for over 30 years. With its retro décor, cabaret table seating, and cocktail service, you will feel like you have been transported to a 1950’s Las Vegas supper club. The Crystal Room Cabaret at La Te Da undoubtedly presents the reigning queens of female impersonation.

Keith & Dean

Click here to enjoy Christopher Peterson’s fabulous website.

Click here to visit La Te Da’s terrific website.