Entertainment

Wanted: Fast stone-crab eaters in the Florida Keys

The much-anticipated opening of Florida’s stone crab season takes place Oct. 15 but the 2011-12 season opening is going to be followed by a tasty test of crab-consuming capacity.

The inaugural Stone Crab Eating Contest, a challenge for amateur eaters, is set for Oct. 22 beginning at 1 p.m. at Keys Fisheries Market & Marina, off U.S. 1 at 35th Street bayside, Marathon.

Entrants must register and be present by noon the day of the event, and are tasked with cracking and eating 25 stone crab claws, picking them completely clean, in the fastest time. In the event of a tie, those competitors must face off in a 10-claw competition to determine the winner.

Prizes are to be awarded to the top three finishers. The first-place winner is to receive a two-night lodging package at Key West’s Doubletree Grand Key Resort featuring champagne, dinner for two and a sunset cruise on a tall ship or catamaran.

The second-place crab consumer earns a Swim with the Dolphins package at the Dolphin Research Center on Grassy Key, while the third-place finisher wins a $50 Keys Fisheries gift certificate.

The entry fee is $25 per contestant, and you must be at least 18. The contest is limited to 50 participants. Among the rules:

No professional eaters — amateurs only.
Contestants will be allowed to drink water during the competition.
If a contestant throws up, he or she is automatically disqualified.
Grounds for disqualification include:

Not disclosing risks that could jeopardize the contestant’s health or well-being.
Being under the influence of any substance.
Your appearance and/or clothing is deemed inappropriate (dress is Keys attire).
Starting prior to the start signal.
Any food in a competitor’s mouth at the final whistle counts toward the final tally if the competitor chews and swallows that portion of the competitive food. But competitors may not stuff food into their mouth in the final seconds of the contest to increase their total. Judges have the discretion to impose penalties on those who do.

Stone crabs are considered by many to be the finest Florida seafood for their succulent claw meat. In addition, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission, they are the state’s only renewable seafood resource. Legal-size claws are harvested between Oct. 15 and May 15 each year, and the crab’s body is returned to the water to generate new claws.

To register for the contest, go to www.keysfisheries.com.

Florida Keys Events for January 2010

1/7-1/10             28th Annual Key West Literary Seminar, 888-293-9291

1/15-1/16            50th Annual Key West Historic Home & Garden Tours, 305-294-9501

1/15-1/17            NAMSA North American Championship Open Cat Nationals,Islamorada, 305-451-3287

1/16                       No Name Race, Big Pine/Lower Keys, 305-743-5452

1/16                       Art Under the Oaks, Islamorada

1/16                       5th Annual Florida Keys Seafood Festival, Bayview Park, 872-9026

1/18-1/22            Premier Racing Key West Yacht Race Week, 781-639-9545

1/21-1/23            Cheeca Lodge Presidential Sailfish Tournament, 305-451-5094

1/23                       6th Annual Big Pine Nautical Flea Market, 305-872-2411

1/23                       Moradapalooza, Islamorada, 305-395-6344

1/23                       Ann McKee Artists Fund Auction, East Martello Museum, Key West

1/28-1/31            Key West Food & Wine Festival, 305-292-1622

1/30                       January Jamboree, Marathon, 305-743-4971

1/30-1/31            Key Largo Stone Crab & Seafood Festival

1/30-1/31            25th Annual Key West Craft Show, 305-294-1241

1/31                        Key West Master Chefs Classic, 305-294-9526, ext. 25

1/31                        12th Annual Key West Half Marathon, 305-296-7182

via Florida Keys Events for January 2010 | Florida Gulf Vacations Blog.

Florida Keys Underwater Music Festival turns 25

By ROB BUSWEILER Free Press Staff

The silver anniversary of the Underwater Music Festival will be a decidedly yellow affair.

This will be the 25th time the Underwater Music Festival heads out to the waters of the Looe Key Reef. Each year has brought a different theme, and in honor of the 40th anniversary of an iconic Beetles album, the Underwater Music Festival will be paying tribute to the music of the Yellow Submarine. The event is held each year in an effort to raise awareness for the local coral reefs. Read more…

Guitars Gone Wild in Islamorada

On Monday, May 18, at the TIB Bank of the Keys Amphitheater, fans can experience two of the most critically acclaimed guitarists playing today — Jennifer Batten and Vicki Genfan.

At one point Batten was in 6 different bands, playing everything from straight ahead rock, to metal, fusion, and funk. A major turning point came when she was selected from more than 100 guitarists to play in Michael Jackson’s band, resulting in 3 world tours over 10 years and playing in front of almost 5 million people. Spring of 98’ saw Batten joining legendary guitarist Jeff Beck, resulting in two CDs (“Who Else,” “You Had It Coming”) and corresponding world tours. Says the Cleveland Plain Dealer of Jennifer’s Rock N Roll Hall of Fame performance honoring Les Paul: “The evening’s showstopper was Jennifer Batten…amazing and technically dazzling.”

Vicki Genfan has captivated both US and international audiences with a unique style that defies description. Winner of the prestigious 2008 Guitar Player’s “Guitar Superstar”Award, Vicki has developed a sound all her own. As Joel Selvin of the San Francisco Chronicle writes, “Genfan doesn’t just play guitar. She also slaps it, tickles it, fondles it, scratches it, tosses it around in her hands and coaxes all kinds of unlikely, rhythmic sounds out of the otherwise simple instrument.”

Vicki is that rare artist whose live performances are becoming legendary among fans. Genfan’s newest release is “UnCovered.”