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.

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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.

According to Lower Keys Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Carole Stevens, the lineup of this year’s underwater performers will include “Ringo Starfish,” “John Lemon-shark,” “Paul McCarpney” and “George Herringson.” She added that backup singer “Mako Ono” will also be making an appearance.

“We got them Beetles wigs,” Stevens said of the divers. Along with the costumed divers are the ubiquitous mermaids that have been a staple at the event.

Local artist August Powers will also have his handmade underwater instruments on display, and his newest sculpture, a set of drums, will be played by Ringo. The instruments are currently on display at the Artists in Paradise Gallery in Big Pine Key.

The tongue-in-cheek scuba diver depictions are nothing new for the event. Last year, mock ups of presidential candidates were under the waves entertaining the masses. It is all part of the 25-year history from an event that was only supposed to be a one-time deal.

“It’s hard to believe its been going on for that long,” said event co-founder and U.S. 1 Radio host Bill Becker. “Much like the Seven Mile Bridge race, we were just looking at it as a one time event.”

From 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. on July 11, the music broadcasting from U.S. 1’s radio towers will also be piped underwater at the reef via specialized speakers from the Lubell Laboratory. The four-hour set list includes the typical popular paradise tunes as well as performances from local artists both live and taped. Interspersed throughout the set are public service announcements on protecting the coral reef.

The event has garnered national attention in years past, as previous festivals have featured everything from an underwater restaurant setting to an underwater marching band. The well-attended event typically sees hundreds of swimmers in the water to listen to the music.

To participate in the Underwater Music Festival’s 25th anniversary, divers and snorkelers can reserve space aboard boats run by Lower Keys dive operators or launch their own boats from public ramps and local marinas. More information about area dive charters and accommodations can be found by calling the Lower Keys Chamber of Commerce at 305-872-2411, or by going online to www.fla-keys.com or www.lowerkeyschamber.com.

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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.”

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