Cory performing on the Commotion

Cory performing on the Commotion.

by Shayne Benowitz

Chad, our senior catamaran mate, said it best Monday night aboard the Commotion, Fury’s official Key West Sunset Sail with Live Music, “In Key West, we are spoiled when it comes to live music.” It’s true, so many bars and restaurants are filled with the sounds of musicians day and night. After a while, us locals start to take it for granted. When I first moved to Key West, live music was one of my favorite things about this island. Whether it was breakfast at Blue Heaven, lunch at Hog’s Breath, happy hour at the Conch Farm, or late night at Sloppy Joe’s, I loved to hear a band play.

My parents made a trip down for Fourth of July weekend, and everywhere we went, they were enchanted by the live music offerings. After a day trip to the Dry Tortugas, we headed to Bobalu’s for pizza. We almost sat inside until my dad heard the sounds of live music at the bar outside, so we grabbed a table there. A trio was performing a great set of eclectic covers ranging from the Rolling Stones to Tom Petty to Sublime. My parents were in heaven.

Fury Girl's dad outside the Green Parrot Bar in Key West

Fury Girl’s dad outside the Green Parrot.

The Green Parrot is a bastion for great live music, and over Fourth of July the Spam All Stars performed. They’re just one of the bands that bring the locals out in droves to jam out to their fusion of latin, funk, groove, and hip-hop. We had a great time and my mom was a dancing queen!

This was the first year I’ve taken the Fourth of July off, and we enjoyed the fireworks from the Southernmost House where my parents were staying. Stephen showed up just in time with four pairs of 3D fireworks viewing glasses that we passed out on the boats that night. I have to admit, I was a little skeptical—after all, fireworks are already 3D, right?—but they were actually pretty cool!

Colorful fireworks in Key West

Fireworks!

For my parents’ final night on the island, we rocked out the Commotion on the Ocean. Monday night, is a series of guest musicians and Cory and the band get a break. This was a trio with a female vocalist, and they performed some great covers by Johnny Cash, Sheryl Crow, and Etta James, to name a few. The evening was slightly overcast, but the sun peeked out at the last minute, a bright pink ball through the clouds, and it was absolutely beautiful.

Boat sailing with a beautiful sunset in Key West

Gorgeous sunset.

We grabbed a bite to eat at the Sunset Pier when the boat returned to the dock, and were greeted by more music. My parents got up and danced to the crooning of classic love songs performed by a solo artist with a soulful voice. It was a pleasure to have my parents in town and hear all of Key West’s great music with a pair of fresh ears.

Shayne Benowitz is a Fury crewmember and freelance writer. For more travel stories and a daily dose of what’s cool around the globe visit her Wanderlust Website at http://web.me.com/shaynebeth.

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Last Updated 03/18/2024