Hemingway 25th Anniversary
The Ernest Hemingway Home & Museum at 907 Whitehead St. will be the place to be on Friday, July 22, from 7:30 p.m. until midnight. Hot Havana Nights, destined to be Key West’s “party of the summer,” will transport its guests to the streets of Havana with music by Havana Soul, an eight-piece Cuban band from Miami. Many of the musicians are Cuban-born entertainers, including bandleader Frank Diaz, a radio and TV personality from Havana.
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In honor of the 25th anniversary of Hemingway Days, the feature entertainment show TROPICANA will delight the crowd with acts from the “Havana Boys” and Carmen Moranda’s, Dick Moody on his Safe Sax, latin dancers , a Havana street puppet show and more.
Among the party’s highlights is to be an appearance by Alfredo Estrada, the critically acclaimed author of “Welcome to Havana, Señor Hemingway.” Alfredo will also be on hand to sign copies of the intriguing historical novel, which explores a romantic rivalry involving Hemingway set against the rich background of 1930s Havana. Party guests can sip on Bacardi Mojitos and Cuba Libres, watch cigar rollers demonstrate their craft, enjoy a display by Comparsa dancers, savor an authentic Cuban food from Great Events.
VIP show floor tickets for Hot Havana Nights are $100 per person in advance, which includes dinner, drinks, table service and a first-rate seat for the entertainment. General admission tickets are $50.00 in advance, which include 2 drinks and a Cuban Mix. The donation for admission is tax deductible. Advanced tickets may be purchased up until Friday at noon at Fast Buck Freddie’s at 500 Duval , Island Book Store at 513 Fleming St, Ambrosia House Inn at 622 Fleming St. or by calling 305 -296-1504
As well as celebrating Key West’s Hemingway connection, Hot Havana Nights is a benefit to help restore the Key West Tropical Forest and Botanical Garden. The only tropical forest in the continental United States, this once-hidden treasure is located on College Road near Florida Keys Community College. Since 2001, over one million dollars in restoration and enhancements have been done to the garden, which is open seven days a week with four self-guided trail tours, a visitor center and restroom facilities.
The Tropical Forest and Botanical Garden share many species of flora and fauna with Cuba. Just this past winter, it was the site of the first-ever United States sighting of a Cuban fig-eating bat. The Key West Botanical Garden Society, a 501c3 non-profit group, is currently raising funds for a new Cuban Forest exhibit that will include rare palms, orchids, trees and plants.
“We really have a great opportunity to showcase the rare palms and orchids of Cuba in a natural outdoor setting. We hope to re-create a piece of the beauty of Cuba’s environment for visitors to savor right here in the United States,” said Carolann Sharkey, the society’s president and volunteer CEO. “Hemingway would have loved this idea!”