March 13, 2019 – (Key West, FL). Tennessee Williams Birthday Celebration continues with array of arts and cultural events
Key West Art & Historical Society’s month-long Tennessee Williams Birthday Celebration, which remembers the Pulitzer-prize winning literary icon with an array of arts and cultural events, continues through April 1 at multiple Key West venues. In recognition of Williams’ patronage and devotion to the Monroe County Library in Key West, this year’s celebration theme is “The Library.” For tickets and information on all upcoming events, visit kwahs.org/events. Still to come:
Thursday, March 14 from noon to 1:00pm, at the Custom House Museum, 281 Front Street, theater director, dramaturge, and author of opera librettos Stephen Kitsakos presents a Lunchtime Lecture illuminating Williams’ later one-act plays. Titled “Tennessee Williams: Eroticism & Experimentation,” tickets are $5; seating is limited, and early registration advised.
Friday, March 15 from 7:00-9:00pm at The Key West Theater, raise a glass with acclaimed mixologist and cocktail columnist Philip Greene, co-founder of the Museum of the American Cocktail in New Orleans, during his presentation “An Evening with Tennessee Williams.” Greene will entertain with excerpts from Williams’ pages and serve cocktail samples based on drinks imbibed in them, along with favorites enjoyed by friends and literary greats F. Scott Fitzgerald, Ian Fleming, Raymond Chandler, Truman Capote, William Faulkner, Dorothy Parker, and Ernest Hemingway. Tickets are $35 for KWAHS members, $45 for nonmembers.
Saturday, March 16, artists can immerse in creativity while competing for cash prizes and acclaim by entering the Tennessee Williams Plein Air Painting Contest, taking place at the Key West Library, 700 Fleming Street. There will be $200 and $100 winners in both Recreational and Professional painter categories, blind-judged by four arts community leaders. A $20 entry fee includes choice of canvas or watercolor paper; artists supply their own painting materials and easels. Event hours are 9:00am-4:00pm.
Monday, March 18 from 6:30–8:30pm, the Tennessee Williams Monday Night Classic Film Series at the Tropic Cinema, 416 Eaton St., presents “Boom,” aBritish drama film starring Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton and Noël Coward, adapted from the play “The Milk Train Doesn’t Stop Here Anymore.” Film tickets available exclusively at Tropic Cinema or www.tropiccinema.com.
Friday, March 22, from 10:00–11:00am, join Curator Dennis Beaver on a tour of the award-winning Tennessee Williams Museum, 513 Truman Ave., during which he will share highlights of Williams’ life and work during his years in Key West. Tickets are free for KWAHS members, $5 for non-members.
Monday, March 25, 6:30pm – 8:30pm the Tennessee Williams Monday Night Classic Film Series at the Tropic Cinema presents “Sweet Bird of Youth,”a drama based on the Broadway play by the same name starring Paul Newman, Golden Globe-winner Geraldine Page, Shirley Knight, Madeleine Sherwood, and Ed Begley. Film tickets available exclusively at Tropic Cinema or www.tropiccinema.com.
Wednesday, March 27, 5:30-7:30pm, KWAHS invites the public to a party at the Tennessee Williams Museum celebrating what would have been Williams’ 108thbirthday. The evening will include contest award presentations, bubbly beverages, and birthday cake. $10 donation.
Sunday, March 31 and April 1, 7:30-9:30pm at The Studios of Key West: Stephen Kitsakos directs two one-act theatre productions of Williams’ work, the rarely performed comedy “Lifeboat Drill,” and the steamy threesome, “Kingdom of Earth.” Tickets are $45 general admission, $60 preferred seating.
Visit kwahs.org/events for full schedule and advance ticket purchases or contact Dani Holliday at dholliday@kwahs.orgor 305-295-6616 x 114. Sponsored in part by the Community Foundation of the Florida Keys, The Helmerich Trust, Southernmost Beach Resort, Neal Ruchman and Melissa Jean McDaniel, Bert Whitt Hemingway Rum Co. makers of Papa’s Pilar, Campari, Bulldog Gin, Haus Alpenz for Dolin Vermouth. Your museums. Your community. It takes an island.
Photo Caption:
Key West Art & Historical Society’s month-long series of arts and cultural events celebrating Pulitzer-prize winning literary icon Tennessee Williams continues through April 1 at multiple Key West venues. (Image courtesy KWAHS)