Pucker Pros Take Center Stage in Key West’s ‘Conch Honk’
Maybe chart-topping rock stars aren’t abandoning their guitars to play the conch shell. But that’s okay — because the “pucker pros” playing pink-lined shells were treated like rock stars at Key West’s recent Conch Shell Blowing Contest. The event saluted the Florida Keys’ seafaring heritage and centuries-old use of the “conch horn” for signaling.
Winning the ‘Conch Honk’ Crown in Key West
Fans of the fluted, pink-lined conch shell displayed their pucker power Saturday, March 7, during Key West's quirky annual Conch Shell Blowing Contest. Participants ranging from kids to seniors to groups attempted to coax the most impressive sounds from their “instruments” — with one woman even tootling parts of melodies including Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody."
Sunset and Symphony Make Magic in Key West
Key West’s sunset is famed for its spectacular colors over the Gulf of Mexico, and for the nightly Mallory Square celebration that salutes it. Sunday, March 8, the South Florida Symphony presents a full-scale musical tribute to the colorful phenomenon: the Key West world premiere of John Gottsch’s orchestral symphonic poem titled “Sunset.”
Seven Things to Do NOW in the Florida Keys & Key West
This spring in the Florida Keys & Key West, it’s a great time to revel in the island chain's spectacular weather — with average daytime temps in the mid-70s to low 80s. Discover and enjoy activities on land and sea, and the welcoming spirit that makes the Keys a popular choice for LGBTQ travelers.
Clinton Curry: Steward of Key West’s Heritage
Clinton Curry is a seventh-generation Key West resident or “Conch” whose ancestors arrived some 180 years ago from the Bahamas’ Green Turtle Cay. The fifth generation of his family to be born in Key West, he’s passionate about preserving the history and culture of his hometown — through means including masterful conch shell musicianship.
Fishing at the Northernmost and Southernmost Points
This winter, angling aficionados can vie to win a two-destination vacation to fish freshwater and saltwater species — in the “Northernmost to Southernmost Fishing Trip Giveaway” that spotlights recreational angling in Lake of the Woods, Minnesota, and the Florida Keys. The two locales feature the northernmost and southernmost points in the contiguous United States.
Spotlight: Billy Record, Master Mixologist and Karaoke Jockey
One of the most popular spots at Key West's Equator Resort is Billy Record's bar. Not only is Billy a talented bartender, but he also manages karaoke shows at two LGBTQ venues, where he blends hilarious commentary and outlandish costumes. Recently Billy offered some insights into Key West and Equator’s enduring appeal.