Key West Art & Historical Society to Contribute to Hemingway Days Events with Multiple Cultural Offerings
Literary icon and Key West legend Ernest Hemingway will be commemorated July 18-23 during the annual Hemingway Days celebration, with this year’s offerings to include an array of cultural events presented by Key West Art & Historical Society that applaud not only Hemingway’s accomplishments but those that have been inspired by him.
“Hemingway Days is a perfect fit for our mission,” says Director of Education Adele Williams. “The event attracts a diverse audience to Key West and allows us to showcase a myriad of subject matter experts.”
In addition to the world-famous look-alike contest, three-day marlin tournament, a zany “Running of the Bulls”, book signings, readings, and awards ceremony for the Lorian Hemingway literary competition, The Society will present a symposium and book signings of Hemingway historians and authors at the Custom House Museum, a film premiere and live performance dedicated to Hemingway at the Studios of Key West, and a Hemingway Gala and cocktail presentation at the Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum.
“Programs presented by The Society include something for everyone,” says Williams. “The socially inclined will enjoy Phil Greene’s take on Hemingway cocktails, the symposium of authors will appeal to the researchers and readers, and for those that appreciate classical music, Bill Lorraine’s Hemingway Suite is not to be missed.”
The Society’s Hemingway Days offerings kick off on Tuesday, July 18 from 6:00pm-8:00pm at the Custom House Museum with “Hemingway & Harry’s Way” presented by author Ted Geltner whose “Blood, Bone and Marrow: A Biography of Harry Crews,” was chosen by Publishers Weekly as one of the best books of 2016. Geltner refers to novelist Harry Crews as the “Hemingway of Georgia,” revealing the life of the American novelist, playwright, short story writer and essayist whose work uncovers the hard lives and dark corners of the South. A champagne reception will follow. Tickets are $5 for members and $10 for nonmembers.
The Hemingway Symposium at the Custom House Museum on Thursday, July 20 begins at noon with author, researcher, lecturer and historian Brewster Chamberlin, who will discuss “Fact and Fiction in the Hemingway Industry,” with an emphasis on separating truth from fiction in the abundance of biographical studies and memoirs about the great American author. At 1:30pm, Kirk Curnutt will offer a study of the only novel Ernest Hemingway set on American soil (in Key West) with his book “Reading To Have and Have Not,” and from 3:00pm – 4:00pm Robert Elder presents “Hidden Hemingway: Inside the Earnest Hemingway Archives of Oak Park,” a research book featuring more than 300 color images that is part time capsule, part biography illuminating objects, ephemera, and unpublished photos; love letters; bullfighting memorabilia; high school assignments; adolescent diaries; Hemingway’s earliest published work; and even a dental X-ray-that he kept and treasured. Book signings will follow each presenter. Tickets are $5 for members and $10 for non-members per speaker.
“The Hemingway Suite” short film premier and performance on Thursday, July 20 from 6:00pm-8:00pm at The Studios of Key West presents local artist and musician Bill Lorraine’s compositions inspired by Hemingway’s works as performed by the Havana Orchestra at Cuba’s Teatro Marti de La Habana. Prior to the film, composer Lorraine and Cuban virtuoso pianist Lianne Vega will perform a few melodies from the suite, and Cuban Conductor Zenaida Romeu will join the composer in a discussion of its compositions. A champagne reception will follow. Tickets are $5 for members and $10 for non-members.
Lastly, The Society offers a “To Have and Have Another” Gala featuring mixologist and historian Phil Greene on Sunday, July 23 from 7:30pm-10:00pm at the Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum. Greene, an attorney, writer, cocktail historian and co-founder of the Museum of the American Cocktail, will offer an evening of anecdotes, excerpts and delicious drinks from the pages of Hemingway’s novels, short stories, letters and more, all based on his book “To Have and Have Another: A Hemingway Cocktail Companion.” Tickets are $50 for members and $75 for nonmembers and include light, tasty edibles and music.
“The Society is thrilled to participate in the annual Hemingway Days festivities,” says Society Executive Director Michael Gieda. “We’re excited to foster greater awareness about Hemingway’s lasting cultural impact.”
Register now at kwahs.org or for more information contact Adele Williams, Director of Education, at 305-295-6616, x115. Your Museums. Your Community. It takes an Island.