Followers of the late singer-songwriter Jimmy Buffett can have a good time his legacy over Labor Day Weekend in Key West, his former residence and the island that impressed his most enduring songs, through the Only a Few Associates competition. Set for Aug. 29 by means of Sept. 1, the gathering is an element memorial, half music competition and a singular alternative to expertise the place the place Buffett developed his famed “trop-rock” sound.
The gathering presents attendees an opportunity to stroll the identical streets Buffett sang about, go to the bars and marinas the place his tales started, and listen to the musicians who knew him finest carry out in intimate settings.
“That is about greater than music,” stated co-organizer Paul Menta. “We honor Jimmy’s reminiscence by immersing folks within the island he cherished — the folks, the historical past, the sunsets, the flavors. It’s a celebration of the lifestyle he loved right here and made his personal.”
The guts of the weekend is Sunday’s Second Line Memorial Parade, a jubilant procession that winds down Key West’s Duval Avenue and ends at Truman Waterfront Park. There, the free “Social gathering within the Park” live performance will carry the tribute previous sundown with Howard Livingston & the Mile Marker 24 Band, vocalist Nadirah Shakoor from Buffett’s Coral Reefer Band, and a stage stuffed with his musical associates.
Live shows are also scheduled starring former Coral Reefer guitarist Roger Bartlett & the Nautical Wheelers on Saturday night, and Buffett’s “Bubbles Up” co-writer Will Kimbrough Monday night time. Each happen on the Ocean Key Resort’s Sundown Pier overlooking Key West Harbor.
Past music, the competition weaves in experiences that might solely occur in Key West. Amongst them: Scott Atwell will reveal the true story behind the colourful lifetime of Phil Clark, the topic of Buffett’s basic track “A Pirate Seems at Forty,” in a panel dialogue that debuts his guide “Buffett Backstories: The Pirate Version.”
Crusing adventures on schooners, catamarans and floating tiki boats provide a style of the island from the water, whereas guided strolling and trolley excursions highlight Buffett’s favourite locations in Key West.
Pageant attendees may get pleasure from guide signings, brunches, a 5k race, pool events, a waterfront cleanup and even a mustache look-alike contest on the Chart Room Bar the place Buffett frolicked and Clark poured drinks.
Two ticketed highlights spherical out the weekend. Friday’s Cheeseburger on the Seaside Contest at Southernmost Seaside Resort pairs scrumptious competitors with stay music from the Margaritas in Paradise tribute band. Saturday’s Milagro Margarita Bar Stroll is a full of life tasting tour the place 22 bars compete for the title of Key West’s Greatest Margarita.
Whereas the competition usually attracts guests from throughout the nation, its coronary heart stays native. Proceeds from collectible Occasion Badges instantly profit three Key West organizations: Reef Reduction, the Bahama Village Music Program, and the Key West Excessive Faculty Marching Band. Final 12 months the badges raised greater than $34,000, with each greenback going again into the neighborhood.
For Buffett followers who need to do greater than pay attention, Only a Few Associates presents the possibility to turn into immersed within the island that gave delivery to a way of thinking. Particulars, badges and ticket info are at www.justafewfriendskeywest.com.
The occasions aren’t affiliated with or endorsed by Buffett’s property or Margaritaville Enterprises.