Memorable Moments

Richard Nixon Official Countdown Calendar

August 8th is the 49th anniversary of the resignation of Richard Nixon. Eight years ago, on the 40th anniversary, of his resignation speech, a day which in the context of today’s politics seems almost quaint, on that auspicious anniversary, many folks, myself included, paused to reflect on the events that August day in 1974. My […]

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JOhn Martini’s Studio & Katrina

Looking at this morning’s various ensemble spaghetti model tracks showing the various predictions for where and when any of the storms brewing in the tropics may be headed we are made painfully aware of the inherent unpredictability of tropical cyclones. We are also reminded, more specifically, that it was eighteen years ago, almost to the […]

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Athens, Georgia-based Tishamingo brings Deep Roots-Rock

Deep Roots-Rock at  The Green Parrot Athens, Georgia-based  quartet Tishamingo brings their original brand of  bluesy  rock and roll to the Green Parrot stage. These four southern musicians are on a mission to navigate the colorful country-rock landscape with their soulful singing, honest lyrics and a steamy two-guitar showdown that bar manager Jim Fossum promises will  keep […]

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Charles Kaczynski Brings Gypsy Jazz Violin

Charles Kaczynski Brings Gypsy Jazz Violin to The Parrot World-renowned violinist/composer Charles Kaczynski will present an evening of Gypsy Jazz in the style of gypsy jazz greats Stephane Grapelli and Django Reinhardt. Gypsy jazz, also known as gypsy swing or hot club jazz, is a style of jazz music said to have been started guitarist Jean “Django” Reinhardt in the 1930s, largely in France. […]

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The Hackensaw Boys: “Where’n The Hell Did These Boys Come From?”

“The Hackensaw Boys, a rough and ready, nationally-touring bluegrass band  bring their high octane brand of roots music to The Green Parrot with shows beginning at 10 P.M.on Monday, January 30th, and 5:30 and 10 PM on Tuesday, January 31st. Flat-out, hard-core barnburners, the energetic acoustic string combo specializing in Appalachian-informed roots music combines fiddle, banjo, guitar, mandolin, mouth harp, […]

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Watermelon Slim: a one-of-a-kind pickin’ and singin’ Okie Dynamo

Watermelon Slim:  “a one-of-a-kind pickin’ and singin’ Okie Dynamo” with an ever-expanding career of ramshackle grandeur. The  critically-acclaimed, award-winning blues artist Bill “Watermelon Slim” Homans  brings his hard-driving,  road-tested  blend of slide guitar, harmonica, and gravel-and-chains vocals to the Green Parrot. Bill “Watermelon Slim” Homans has built a remarkable reputation with his raw, impassioned intensity. HARP Magazine wrote […]

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Eddie Kirkland, Gypsy of the Blues at The Green Parrot

Eddie Kirkland, Gypsy of the Blues at The Green Parrot  Ah, the life of Eddie Kirkland. Although his name may not sound as familiar as B.B. King or Robert Johnson, Eddie Kirkland’s life with the blues matches, at the very least, any other blues artist. Don’t miss your chance to see this living blues legend when he hits the Parrot […]

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Burlesque returns with Durty Birdie Burlesque 

Key West Burlesque returns to the Green Parrot with Durty Birdie Burlesque Key West Burlesque packed the house and overflowed the sidewalks with their debut performance in June, and this show promises to put even more sizzle in your sultry Key West Summer.  The Fabulous dancing Dames and Dudes will team up with The Blue Vipers of Brooklyn […]

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Blue Vipers of Brooklyn Bring  1920’s Hot Jazz, Swing to Green Parrot 

Blue Vipers of Brooklyn Bring  1920’s Hot Jazz, Swing to Green Parrot  The Blue Vipers of Brooklyn bring their timeless, percolating soup of  1920’s hot-jazz, swing, New Orleans jazz, vintage blues, and country to the Green Parrot  stage on Wednesday and Thursday, August 24th and 25th, with shows at 5:30 and 9:00 p.m. The band, composed of acoustic guitar/vocals, upright bass, homemade washboard percussion, trumpet and saxophone performs a repertoire of […]

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International Blues Challenge First Place winners Trampled Under Foot

Blues Music Awards 2012 Band of The Year Nominee to Play at The Green Parrot The sibling-blues trio and International Blues Challenge First Place winners Trampled Under Foot will appear at The Green Parrot with shows at 10 p.m. on Wednesday, March 14, and 5:30 and 10 p.m. on Thursday, March 15. Trampled Under Foot arrived in Memphis for the […]

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Spiritual Rez Brings Reggae Funk Horn Party to Parrot 

Spiritual Rez Brings Reggae Funk Horn Party to Parrot The Reggae/Funk Horn party Spiritual Rez explodes onto the Parrot stage with shows at 5:30, 9:00 and 11:00 p.m. on Tuesday and Wednesday, August 8th and 9th. Spiritual Rez, the Boston-based 6-piece reggae/funk horn party, starts with a dose of old-school Marley-Toots-Tosh reggae and infuses it with everything from Sun Ra Arkestra freak jazz to […]

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Zach Nugent Brings  Unifying Power of Grateful Dead to  Parrot

Zach Nugent Band Brings Disco Dead, Fire on The Mountain, Unifying Power of Grateful Dead to Green Parrot Making his Key West and Green Parrot debut, Former Melvin Seals and JGB guitarist Zach Nugent Music will bring his eponymous band to The Green Parrot  on Wednesday and Thursday, February 19th and 20th, with shows at 5:30, 9:00 and 11:00 p.m. It usually only takes one show to understand why Zach Nugent is […]

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Nicky Yarling Returns to Green Parrot

In her past appearances at The Green Parrot Bar, ultra-dynamic Nicky Yarling simply took over the stage. According to the Miami Sun-Sentinel, “every musical hat fits Nicole Yarling.”   For more than a decade, she has been a part of South Florida ‘s musical world as a singer and violinist, working in jazz, rock, r&b, experimental music, and a […]

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Braille Blues Daddy Bryan Lee Returns to Green Parrot

   As some may recall, legendary  Bourbon Street Bluesman Bryan Lee had to cancel his last Parrot gig to appear on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. Bryan has a great affection for Parrot patrons and  he promised that when he did return to our stage he would deliver a show we would not forget! Well that show is […]

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Bennie Pete, sousaphonist and founding member of the Hot 8 Brass Band Passes

We are deeply saddened by the news the passing of Bennie Pete, sousaphonist and founding member of the Hot 8 Brass Band. New Orleans’ Hot 8 Brass Band has epitomized New Orleans funk-style brass band street music for over two decades with members born and raised in New Orleans, many playing together since high school […]

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Bennie Pete, sousaphonist and founding member of the Hot 8 Brass Band.

We are deeply saddened by the news the passing of Bennie Pete, sousaphonist and founding member of the Hot 8 Brass Band. New Orleans’ Hot 8 Brass Band has epitomized New Orleans funk-style brass band street music for over two decades with members born and raised in New Orleans, many playing together since high school […]

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New Orleans Super-Group Papa Grows Funk Brings Booty-Shaking Mardi Gras Funk to The Green Parrot

New Orleans Super-Group Papa Grows Funk Brings Booty-Shaking Mardi Gras Funk to The Green Parrot New Orleans’ powerhouse super-band, Papa Grows Funk. will explode onto the Parrot stage Thursday, March 19th, beginning at 10 o’clock. 
Papa Grows Funk’s tight grooves re-define the funk-jam band. Tethered by the slinky Hammond B3 and gravel pit vocals of bandleader John “Papa” Gros,” the band is a “who’s-who” of New Orleans’ best musicians. Morphing guitarist […]

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Davis Rogan, “The Real Davis” of Treme, Comes to Green Parrot

Davis Rogan, “The Real Davis” of Treme, Comes to Green Parrot Davis Rogan, “The Real Davis” of The HBO series Treme, will appear at the Green Parrot this weekend Anyone who is a fan of the HBO series TREME will recognize Rogan as “The Real Davis” of the critically acclaimed series that effectively captures the post-Katrina New […]

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The Monophonics Bring Bay-Area Psychedelic Soul to Parrot Stage

The Monophonics Bring Bay-Area Psychedelic Soul to Parrot StageThe six-piece, San Francisco-based, psychedelic soul/funk band The Monophonics make their Green Parrot debut  Paying homage to innovators of psychedelic soul such as Sly Stone, Norman Whitfield and Funkedelic’s George Clinton they sit on the fuzzy psych side of soul and funk.  Touching on everything from cinematic soul, heavy funk, 60’s rock and spaghetti […]

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NYC Power Trio London Souls Return to Parrot

NYC Power Trio London Souls Return to Parrot The NYC-based power trio the London Souls will appear at The Green Parrot The London Souls represent a rock tradition: rock’s most elemental line-up, the power-rock trio, built on roaring chords and flashy solos on guitar, insistent drumming and straight-ahead vocals. Consisting of Tash Neal on guitar and lead vocals, Kiyoshi Matsuyama on bass […]

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Maggie Koerner Makes Parrot Debut Brings NOLA Witchy Roots and Soul to The Green Parrot

Maggie Koerner Makes Parrot Debut Brings NOLA Witchy Roots and Soul to The Green Parrot Singer-Songwriter Maggie Koerner, quickly establishing herself as New Orleans newest spell-caster, will appear at The Green Parrot Bar with shows at 5:30 p.m. on Sunday, April 2nd and 9:30 p.m. on Monday, April 3rd. The Shreveport born singer-songwriter spent the majority of 2013 and 2014 as the […]

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Kung Fu Merges 70’s Funk Fusion with Modern Dance Party

Kung Fu Merges 70’s Funk Fusion with Modern Dance Party As a small, no-cover venue at the end of the road, the Green Parrot seems to be punching above its weight yet again as funk-fusion heavyweights Kung Fu  make a President’s Weekend appearance  Firmly installed in the new-funk movement Kung Fu brings their own brand of  70’s funk fusion and is quickly popularizing their unique sonic contribution, blurring the line […]

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Yarn, Grammy-nominated  Americana/Alt Country Band Returns to  The Green Parrot, 

Yarn, Grammy-nominated  Americana/Alt Country Band Returns to  The Green Parrot, Yarn, the Grammy-nominated Brookyln-based Americana/Alt Country band will make their much-anticipated return to  The Green Parrot, with shows at 5:30, 9:00 and 11:00 PM on Tuesday and Wednesday, January  15th and 16th. With a sound that owes as much to Gram Parsons and Earl Scruggs as to Jerry Garcia and Exile On […]

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Music Makin’ Mama Ann Rabson, A Touch of Real Class at The Green Parrot

Music Makin’ Mama Ann Rabson A Touch of Real Class at The Green Parrot The Green Parrot is very excited to have Alligator recording artist and Music Makin’ Mama Ann Rabson return to the Green Parrot stage .  “It had been extremely rare for us to book a nighttime solo act, but Ann’s performance last year left no doubt […]

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Ronnie Baker Brooks Returns to Fire up The Parrot with New Music

Ronnie Baker Brooks Returns to Fire up The Parrot with New Music Wednesday January 18 Ronnie Baker Brooks lands at The Green Parrot, where world-class hospitality and emphatically open-minded fans have created a haven for bands that routinely play larger rooms.  Since his first appearance there in 2003, Ronnie has returned at least once a year to […]

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Sideman-Turned-Superstar Shawn Kellerman to Play Parrot

Sideman-Turned-Superstar Shawn Kellerman to Play ParrotGuitar wizard Shawn Kellerman will appear at the Green Parrot Those Parrot regulars who keep track of the sidemen who perform with the stellar acts that cross The Parrot stage will no doubt remember Shawn Kellerman as the smokin’ lead guitarist who blew the room away on his gigs here with Canadian harp player Paul Reddick and  his aptly-named […]

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Slide Guitar Diva  Joanna Connor Returns to Green Parrot

Incendiary Chicago blues artist and Slide Guitar Diva  Joanna Connor Returns to Green Parrot         Incendiary Chicago blues artist and Green Parrot favorite Joanna  Connor explodes onto The Parrot stage    Upon her arrival in Chicago, it took Joanna but a few months to take the city’s highly competitive blues circuit by storm. Chicago magazine hailed her as “the most exciting […]

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Jimbo Mathus’ Tri-State: Coalition A Modern Case of Classic Blues

Jimbo Mathus’ Tri-State: Coalition A Modern Case of Classic Blues     Blues guitarist/vocalist James “Jimbo” Mathus brings his latest incarnation, “Jimbo Mathus’ Tri-State Coalition” to The Green Parrot for a full weekend of gut-bucket North Mississippi Juke Joint Blues with shows at 5:30 and 10 PM on Friday, August 24th, 10 PM on Saturday, August 25th, and 5:30 PM on Sunday, August […]

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Patrick and The Swayzees

Patrick and The Swayzees’ Doo Wap, Rock ‘n Soul Explodes onto Green Parrot Stage

Patrick and The Swayzees’ Doo Wap, Rock ‘n Soul Explodes onto Green Parrot Stage The Surf/Soul/Rock-a-Billy Ensemble,  Patrick and The Swazyes make a much-anticipated return to The Green Parrot stage From surf rock to doo wop, rockabilly to beach music, Patrick & The Swayzees have created a current, yet still wholly nostalgic blend of early rock ‘n’ roll sounds that bring crowds to […]

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Waterseed Brings New Orleans Funk and Soul to Green Parrot Party

Waterseed Brings New Orleans Funk and Soul to Green Parrot Party Combining the joyous sounds of traditional New Orleans jazz with the adventurous funk of Parliament, Waterseed, a big, bold ensemble from New Orleans brings their unpredictable experimental edge to the Parrot stage  What do you call a musical gumbo that recalls the ancestral strut andjoie de vivre of the […]

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world inferno friendship society

World/Inferno Friendship Society Brings Cabaret Punk to The Parrot

World/Inferno Friendship Society Brings Cabaret Punk to The Parrot  NYC’s disturbingly cult-like, circus-related, Halloween-tent-revival orchestra, The World/InfernoFriendship Society, will perform at The Green Parrot on Thursday, January 22nd  at 9 p.m. The longstanding Brooklyn-based collective plays cabaret punk with a style that merges punk, soul, klezmer and jazz, while its collective membership features horns, piano and guitar. The ensemble has over […]

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The Hip Abduction Returns to Parrot with Afrrican Traditions, Rock and Reggae 

The Hip Abduction Returns to Parrot with Afrrican Traditions, Rock and Reggae Mixing African traditions, rock and reggae, seven-piece, Tampa-based Hip Abduction will make their much-anticipated return to The Green Parrot stage Named “Best Rock/World Fusion band of 2011” by Creative Loafing,  and currently supporting sold-out shows with Trombone Shorty, Galactic, Toubab Krewe, and Grace Potter and the Nocturnals,  Hip Abduction […]

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The Revivalists bring their ‘brilliantivity’ to The Parrot

The Revivalists bring their ‘brilliantivity’ to The Parrot  The Revivalists brings its unbeatable combo of danceable rock, soulful songwriting and brilliantivity—brilliance in creativity—to The Green Parrot Formed in 2007, The Revivalists have become one of the best young bands in New Orleans’ competitive musical landscape and an instrumental player in the city’s burgeoning indie rock scene. It consists of David […]

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The Doerfels

The Doerfels are one of the most exciting and unique new bands to come along in a very long time. Their progressive acoustic music is a blend of rock, bluegrass, gospel, country and jazz. And yet, when you listen to the band play, you don’t try to analyze it… you simply melt into it. Their […]

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Telluride Bluegrass Festival Winners GREENSKY BLUEGRASS play Parrot

2006 Telluride Bluegrass Festival Winners GREENSKY BLUEGRASS to play Parrot Infusing tradition with an enthusiasm for improvisation, Greensky Bluegrass will appear at The Green Parrot Formed in the fall of 2000 by Michael Arlen Bont (banjo), Dave Bruzza (guitar), and Paul Hoffman (mandolin), Greensky has undergone a musical evolution as unique as the music it […]

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Fruition brings Folk-Rock, Americana, Soul, and Blues

We are very excited to host Fruition as they bring their Folk-Rock, Americana, Soul, and Blues to The Green Parrot with shows at 9 p.m. on Monday, March 14th and 5:30 and 9:00 p.m.Tuesday, March 115th. Last year saw them appear at Bonnaroo, Northwest String Summit and Telluride Bluegrass where Rolling Stone cited their artful choice of covers and “raucous […]

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Crossing Musical Borders, Samantha Fish Makes Green Parrot Debut 

Crossing Musical Borders, Samantha Fish Makes Green Parrot Debut Genre-Bending Samantha Fish makes her Green Parrot Debut on Friday, February 14th with shows at 5:30 and 10 PM. Fish is classified as a blues artist, but she crosses many musical borders. Her set list  typically may include  a cover of “Tennessee Waltz”, a  jaunty version of Steve Miller’s “Jet Airliner,” John […]

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Love Lane Gang Brings “Swing, Jug Band, Anything Goes!” to Green Parrot 

Love Lane Gang Brings “Swing, Jug Band, Anything Goes!” to Green Parrot The Love Lane Gang brings their eclectic mix of Swing, jump swing, jug band – anything goes to The Green Parrot stage on Saturday, February 15th,  beginning at 5:30 PM The Love Lane Gang plays music that spans generations, as well as embodies them. The emphasis is on swing: classics from the 1920s, 1930s, and 1940s, done in a refreshing […]

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Flatpickers Grant Gordy and Ross Martin Bring Hot Licks to Parrot Stage  

Flatpickers Grant Gordy and Ross Martin Bring Hot Licks to Parrot Stage Flatpickers Grant Gordy (of The David Grisman Quintet) and Ross Martin promise an evening of Hot Licks at The Green Parrot bar  Being asked to assume the guitarists’ role in the fabled David Grisman Quintet, a spot previously held by such guitar notables as Tony Rice, Mark O’Connor, Frank Vignola and Mike Marshall, has firmly established Gordy as one of the preeminent […]

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George Victory brings world beats from Africa and the Caribbean

George Victory and Ken Fradley at The Green Parrot’s Friday Soundcheck George Victory will appear at The Green Parrot’s Soundcheck at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, July 29, with one of his best friends and well-known local musician, Ken Fradley. Victory and Fradley promise to bring some of the best world beats from Africa and the Caribbean. The duo plays everything […]

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Gent Treadly Celebrates 20 Years of Jamming at  Green Parrot                                                

Gent Treadly Celebrates 20 Years of Jamming at  Green Parrot Gent Treadly, New York jam/rockers return to the Parrot stage on Wednesday, January 21st beginning at 9:00 PM.GT has gone down countless roads, burst several hundred blood vessels, stormed the gates of heaven and sustained inestimable loss during its 14 years as a band (yikes!). Having toured with […]

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Eoto Brings Non-Stop Dance Party, Sonic Assault to The Green Parrot

Eoto Brings Non-Stop Dance Party, Sonic Assault to The Green Parrot The left coast breakbeat/glitch-hop/house duo, EOTO (pronounced E-oh-toe). brings their non-stop dance party into the Green Parrot Consisting of one third of the two former members of The String Cheese Incident, the  wildely successful touring  progressive jam sextet, EOTO steps out from behind the instruments that made them […]

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Savannah guitar-great Eric Culberson:traditional blues with a modern sonic palette

Eric Culberson makes his long-awaited return to The Green Parrot to deliver a full weekend of high energy performances that are a healthy dose of traditional blues with a modern sonic palette. With a style never overwrought or flashy, always unmistakably authentic and energetic, Culberson continues to bring his signature, mature Texas-meets-Chicago sound, and now […]

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Have you Herd? Donna the Buffalo at The Green Parrot!

Have you Herd? Donna the Buffalo at The Green Parrot! Donna the Buffalo brings it’s feel-good, groove-oriented, danceable, socially-conscious music to the Green Parrot with shows at 10 PM on Friday, January 2nd, and at 5:30 and 10 p.m. on  Saturday, January 3rd and 5:30 and 9 on Sunday, January 4th. It all began over 20 years ago with roots in old time fiddle music […]

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Musically-Adventurous, Grammy-Nominated, The  Duhks  Bring Neo-Folk Fusion to Parrot 

Musically-Adventurous, Grammy-Nominated, The  Duhks  Bring Neo-Folk Fusion to Parrot The Green Parrot will proudly present the Grammy-nominated Canadian folk-fusion band The Duhks The Boston Globe says of the Duhks, “Canada’s premier neo-tradsters romp from world-beat to blues, urban-pop to old-timey, with wild-eyed invention, haunting traditionalism, and spine-rattling groove. GRAMMY nominees and JUNO award winners, seeing The Duhks live is nothing short […]

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Country Punksters Dash Rip Rock Invade Green Parrot

Country Punksters Dash Rip Rock Invade Green Parrot The South’s most notorious band of country drunkster-punksters, the legendary Dash Rip Rock will explode onto The Parrot stage and undoubtedly will blow the lid completely off the joint once again.  FeaturingGreat Southern Rock and Roll with a twist of the obscene this George Jones on acid, Hank Williams on crack […]

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Dangermuffin  Brings Genre-Bending Roots-Rock Americana to Parrot Stage

Dangermuffin  Brings Genre-Bending Roots-Rock Americana to Parrot Stage Casting  a fresh perspective on American roots music, the Folly Beach, South Carolina-based  trio Dangermuffin will appear at The Green Parrot with shows at 5:30 and 9 p.m on Thursday. March 24th. Anchored by the thought-provoking lyrical wit of songwriter Dan Lotti and framed by Nashville-veteran percussionist Steven Sandifer and fluid lead guitarist Mike Sivilli. Dangermuffin brings a […]

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Damon Fowler at The Green Parrot Bar in Key West

Guitar Phenom Damon Fowler Brings Stinging Slide Guitar to Parrot Stage

Playing a hybrid of roots rock, blues, and sacred steel, young guitar phenom Damon Fowler brings his stinging slide guitar The Green Parrot stage Influenced by a broad range of artists, Fowler delivers a heavy helping of swamp rock and slide guitar blues with incredible guitar work and vocal ability. In last year’s “Best of Tampa” poll, Creative […]

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Jose Elias presents Cortadito at The Green Parrot Bar

Cortadito Brings Music of The Buena Vista Social Club to Green Parrot 

Cortadito Brings Music of The Buena Vista Social Club to Green Parrot The Green Parrot presents  Miami’s premier Cuban Son group Cortadito   This is the latest project by Spam Allstars guitarists Jose Elias, joined by guitarist Julio Cesar Rodriguez, their music could best be described as sounding like the Buena Vista Social Club but in a smaller more intimate […]

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Corey Harris Makes Long-Awaited Return to Green Parrot

Corey Harris Makes Long-Awaited Return to Green Parrot   Corey Harris, considered of the most genuinely progressive contemporary bluesmen,  makes his long-awaited return to The Parrot stage.  Expect a powerful mix of country blues, reggae and hip hop beats from master musician Corey Harris and his band when the perform, with shows at 5:30 and 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, May15th and 16th and at 5:30 p.m. on Sunday May 17th. […]

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Cold Hard Cash at The Green Parrot

Cold Hard Cash Brings Johnny Cash Tribute to The Green Parrot

Cold Hard Cash Brings Johnny Cash Tribute to The Green Parrot  The Cold Hard Cash Show, an  original and innovative tribute to the music of Johnny Cash and The Tennessee Three will appear at The Green Parrot with shows at 5:30 and 9:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 3rd. Fronted by guitarist and singer Merle Travis Peterson, The Cold Hard Cash Show brings to life classic Cash songs from the Sun & Columbia Records Catalogs to the modern […]

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Chris Spies Brings NOLA Funk-and Soul to Green Parrot

Chris Spies Brings NOLA Funk-and Soull with a a Local Twist to Green Parrot Wayne’s Addiction, a NOLA/Key West Funk and Soul hybrid featuring New Orleans King of Interstellar Trailer Park Jazz Keyboardist Chris Spies,  and Johnny Sketch saxophone Diva Sage Rouge, teamed with local stalwarts bassist Wayne Hammond, guitarist Andy Westcott, and drummer Randy Morrow will […]

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Chris Henry & Hardcore Grass Bring High Lonesome Sound to The Parrot Stage 

Chris Henry & Hardcore Grass Bring High Lonesome Sound to The Parrot Stage Chris Henry and the Hardcore Grass.draw from the best years of traditional bluegrass to pick out some of the most intense songs and tunes.  Whether it’s a national festival or a small town event, Chris Henry and the Hardcore Grass will bring a powerful show full of memorable moments […]

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The Cedric Burnside Project  Brings North Mississippi Juke Joint Blues to Green Parrot.

The Cedric Burnside Project  Brings North Mississippi Juke Joint Blues to Green Parrot.  One of the leading proponents of Mississippi Hill Country Blues, The Cedric Burnside Project  brings their North Mississippi  Juke Joint Blues to The Green Parrot  with shows at  5:30 and 9 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday, March 8th and 9th. A collaboration between Cedric Burnside and Trenton Ayers, both hailing from the hill country of North Mississippi, the two […]

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Bonerama: “The Ultimate in Brass Balls” Brings “Pure Horn Muscle” to Parrot Stage

Bonerama: “The Ultimate in Brass Balls” Brings “Pure Horn Muscle” to Parrot Stage With the sheer force of three trombones playing simultaneously as their calling card, Bonerama brings their thunderous funk attack to the Parrot stage for a two-night blitzkrieg of pure horn muscle on Friday January 19th at 9:00 & 11:00 p.m. and and Saturday, January 20th with shows beginning at 5:30, 9:00 […]

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Bill Blue

Bill Blue learned his chops playing for many years with Arthur (Big Boy) Crudup (author of Elvis’ hit “That’s Alright Mama”). He’s shared the stage with ZZ Top, The Allman Brothers, Albert King, Johnny Winter and Hank Williams Jr. He was signed to the prestigious Adelphi Record label, one of the best blues labels in the US. […]

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Big Something brings Alt. Rock with a BiG Groove to Green Parrot

Big Something Big Something brings Alt. Rock with a BiG Groove to Green Parrot The  6-piece North Carolina-based rock, pop, and funk powerhouse Big Something is only band to win The Home Grown Music Network’s “New Album of the Year” award three times with three separate releases,  Big Something is an alternative rock group with a BIG groove. A tight six-piece […]

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Albert Castiglia

Miami’s Albert Castiglia was nominated for “song of the year” at the 30th Blues Music Awards in Memphis and was hailed in Blues Revue magazine as one of “Ten To Watch”, the editors of the prestigious  blues publication thought enough of  Castiglia’s talents to include his name on a list of  “…ten artists who just might shape the way blues is […]

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Dave “Biscuit” Miller Plays Green Parrot

Biscuit Miller Dave “Biscuit” Miller Plays Green Parrot Midwest Beat Magazine’s “Entertainer Of The Year, Dave “Biscuit” Miller, will appear at  Green Parrot Bar  on Thursday, June 12th beginning with a 5:30 P.M. “sound check” and returning for a late show at 10 P.M. . Miller was chosen for that honor for a combination of reasons –– his dedication in spreading the love of […]

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NOLA “Supergroup” The New Orleans Suspects

NOLA “Supergroup” The New Orleans Suspects Poised for  Green Parrot Debut   Comprised of musicians with experience and versatility that rival any other band that the New Orleans has ever produced, The New Orleans Suspects are poised to make their Green Parrot debut It’s been said that the musicians of New Orleans are all members of one gigantic band that breaks […]

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Bill Wharton, The Sauce Boss “Will Work For Gumbo” at The Green Parrot

Bill Wharton, The Sauce Boss “Will Work For Gumbo” at The Green Parrot  With an act that can be billed as “Justin Wilson meets Robert Johnson”, Bill Wharton, a.k.a The Sauce Boss, joined by local bluesman Bill Blue and Mick Kilgos,  will stir up the crowd as well as  the roux at The Green Parrot, beginning at 9:00 p.m. on Wednesday October 7th. […]

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Bea Bea Banda Brings Gypsy Jazz to Parrot,  Hosts “Dare to Be Dateless” Valentines Day Soundcheck

Bea Bea Banda Brings Gypsy Jazz to Parrot,  Hosts “Dare to Be Dateless” Valentines Day Soundcheck Bea Bea Banda brings their brand of Django-inspired gypsy swing and 1930’s hot-club jazz to The Green Parrot Bar on Valentine’s Day, Thursday February 14th, beginning at 5:30 p.m. The Green Parrot, once allegedlly mentioned in Cosmopolitan Magazine as “the home of Key West’s most terminally-eligible bachelors”, will keep […]

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barry cuda

Barry Cuda Brings NOLA Roots, Blues, to Parrot

Barry Cuda Brings NOLA Roots, Blues, to Parrot Expect thing to go along swimmingly when  the blues-roots acoustic trio Barry Cuda and The Sharks take the Green Parrot stage with shows at 5:30, 9:00 & 11:00 on Thursday August 2nd. Look for pianist Barry Cuda, accompanied by trumpeter/flugelhornist Kenny Fradley (a former Kid Creole and Celia Cruz sideman), and drummer Mick Kilgos, to play tunes from  a set-list drawn from […]

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B-Side Players Bring  20 Years of Latin Global Funk, Love, Culture & Unity

B-Side Players Bring  Years of Latin Global Funk, Love, Culture & Unity The  San Diego/Tijuana-based B-side players  bring their 8-piece power house of bilingual reggae, funk and cumbia to The Green Parrot Bar with shows at 5:30 and 10 PM on Friday and Saturday, September 19th and 20th With fierce political lyrics and an overwhelming positive […]

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Antilles Music Ensemble Presents  A Caribbean Dance Tour at The Green Parrot

Antilles Music Ensemble Presents  A Caribbean Dance Tour at The Green Parrot   Jose Elias and The Antilles Music Ensemble takes Green Parrot patrons on an unique and inspired musical tour of early 20th century Caribbean dance music. Representing the days of early 20th century Caribbean dance music, and exploring both the diversity and commonality of Caribbean dance music, the Antilles Music Ensemble brings to life a score of traditional songs […]

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Andrew Duhon at The Green Parrot

Andrew Duhon Brings NOLA Folk/Blues to The Parrot Stage

Andrew Duhon Brings NOLA Folk/Blues to The Parrot Stage The New Orleans-based Andrew Duhon is a Blues & Folk influenced singer/songwriter, and a New Orlean’s native.  Andrew’s star is rising, with his latest album, “The Moorings” earning a Grammy nomination, and in 2012  Duhon garnered the “Best Singer/Songwriter”  Award from NOLA’s premier music publication Offbeat Magazine. Featuring bassist […]

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Alvin Youngblood Hart at The green parrot bar in key west

Alvin Youngblood Hart’s Muscle Theory  at The Green Parrot

Alvin Youngblood Hart’s Muscle Theory  at The Green Parrot  Grammy-nominated bluesman, roots/rocker Alvin Youngblood Hart’s Muscle Theory is a live explosion of roots rock that is a test of time in the world of music. He creates a blurred line of Blues, Roots, Country and Rock music that has been enjoyed in our culture for decades. The band bends the […]

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AJ Ghent at The Green Parrot Bar

A.J. Ghents Brings Sacred Steel Guitar, Infectious Enthusiasm,  to Parrot Stage

A.J. Ghents Brings Sacred Steel Guitar, Infectious Enthusiasm,  to Parrot Stage Spanning the genres of southern rock, blues, soul, and funk music and  fusing them together into what he calls “Southern Soul.”, slide guitarist A.J. Ghent comes from a family history of what is known as “Sacred Steel” which was virtually created by his Great Uncle Wille […]

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Giant Talent of New Orleans, Glen David Andrews

Giant Talent of New Orleans, Glen David Andrews, Makes Green Parrot Debut Glen David Andrews, described as  “One of the giant talents of New Orleans.” by Quint Davis, Producer, New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival will make his first appear at The Green Parrot Andrews topped all artists in the recently announced New Orleans Best of the Beat Awards, with six nominations including Artist of the Year, Album of the […]

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Eric “Benny” Bloom of Lettuce Brings Sonic Bloom NOLA Funk/R & B to Parrot Stage

Eric “Benny” Bloom of Lettuce Brings Sonic Bloom NOLA Funk/R & B to Parrot Stage Eric “Benny” Bloom of “Lettuce” brings his newest incarnation “Sonic Bloom” to The Green Parrot Sonic Bloom is a New Orleans based R&B/Funk band led by trumpeter and vocalista, Eric Bloom. Since May 2014, Sonic Bloom quickly gained popularity among local New Orleans music fans and musicians alike. One might attribute […]

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Submariner Ben and Gloria at The Green Parro

Ben Recalls The Brown Derby, the Only Real Submariner’s Bar in Key West.

Ben, his wife Gloria smiling broadly across the table, is former US Navy Submarine sailor stationed here in the ‘50s when Key West was the only U.S. Submarine Base in the country, and The Green Parrot, or rather it’s previous incarnation, The Brown Derby, was the only real submariner’s bar in Key West. Speaking with […]

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itawe-correa-at-the-green-parrot-bar

Post title

It’s been way too long so we are so very happy to greet our dear friend and brother Itawe Correa, the charismatic lead vocalist from the Grammy-nominated, and Green Parrot favorite Locos por Juana, as he prepares to join Fabi World Music on The Parrot stage as part of this year’s Afro Roots Festival. Itawe […]

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Sir-Peter-Anderson

Sir Peter Epitaph; “He Had Fun”

Thinking of Sir Peter this morning of The Conch Republic Independence Celebration: “We celebrate our Independence annually in a public and notorious manner”. “We exist as a ‘State of Mind,’ and aspire only to bring more Warmth, Humor and Respect to a planet we find in sore need of all three.”-Sir Peter Anderson, speaking for […]

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Afro-Roots-Festival-at-The-Green-Parrot-Bar

Cortadito at The Afro Roots Festival

The Miami Afro Roots festival, Miami’s longest-running World Music festival again travels down U.S. 1 to Key West for a special three-night celebration of cultural diversity, featuring everything from Latin funk and electric fusion to Cuban and Jamaican rhythms, creating a world-beat soundtrack that only Miami could dream up. Kicking off the three-day schedule is […]

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veterans-day-Green-Parrot-Bar.

Veterans Day at The Green Parrot Bar

The top photo was taken in The Brown Derby over 60 years ago and the one below it was taken in The Green Parrot last Veterans Day. If you look behind them as well as over their left shoulders you can see both photos were taken with the front-corner windows of our building with the […]

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national poetry month at The Green Parrot Bar in Key West

National Poetry Month at The Green Parrot:Armor by Ann Reichmann

Thinking once again of National Poetry Month at The Green Parrot and recalling something that happened here during Jack Hackett’s “One for the Road, a Poem-a-Day” that demonstrated to me the magic that can be created by the spoken word in the simple but rich setting of a barroom. Before the band started their 5:30 […]

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For National Poetry Month, Gate A-4 Naomi Shihab Nye

For National Poetry month, for all of us, I’d like to share this poem, Gate A 4 by Naomi Shihab Nye. #gateA-4#greenparrotbar#nationalpoetrymonth#omiami#apoemaday#keywest#keywestliving#thankapoet Gate A-4 Naomi Shihab Nye, 1952 Wandering around the Albuquerque Airport Terminal, after learning my flight had been delayed four hours, I heard an announcement: “If anyone in the vicinity of Gate A-4 […]

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Green Parrot named top dive bar in South by southern living magazine

Green Parrot Named Number One Dive Bar in the South by Southern Living Magazine.

We were flattered and honored when we learned  we were named the number one dive bar in the South by Southern Living magazine. We know that of late, “dive bar” has become a wildly misapplied and overused appellation and, we also know that, for a few reasons some may even feel that the Green Parrot […]

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art kane Harlem 1958 poster on Green Parrot Wall

Art Kane’s “A Great Day in Harlem” or “Harlem 1958” Hangs Next to Parrot Stage

Sunday Jazz Continues at The Green Parrot every ‪Sunday from 1:00 to 4:30 p.m.‬ featuring  Mike Emerson, Hal Howland, Joe Dallas, and Mark Rose. As a sidebar on Green Parrot Sunday Jazz, as well as Green Parrot memorabilia, pictured here is “A Great Day in Harlem”, also known as “Harlem 1958″,  arguably the most famous Jazz photograph ever, the […]

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Andy Westcott’s Electrified Trio

It’s on again this Friday, March 12th sets at 5:30 and 9:00. High-octane barn-burners “Andy Westcott’s Electrified Trio” Andy Westcott on guitar, Henry Lysy on bass, Myles Mancuso on drums. Think Hendrix power-trio covers, hard-driving originals,and deep funk. #maskup#putyourmaskon#andywestcottband #axemangler#powertrio #hendrix#bandofgypsys#jimihendrix#buddymiles#billycox#fillmoreeast #jimfossumphotos #greenparrotbar #localsbar#bestbar#bestlivemusicvenue #livemusickeywest #livemusic #keywest #nocovernominimumnowonder

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Fleshtones Bring Garage Band Revival to Green Parrot 

  Originators of the Garage Band Revival and former CBGB’s heyday-stalwarts The Fleshtones   With the garage band   revival still raging in the 21st century, the band has reduced its Super Rock sound down to pure muscle and bone. Fuzzy guitars, vintage organ and cocksure swagger abound  as the band re-stakes its claim on early ‘60s garage. […]

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the drunken Hearts

Drunken Hearts 1

The Drunken Hearts Bring High-Country-Rock, Americana to Green Parrot  Colorado-based Americana Quintet The Drunken Hearts  bring their high-country rock. alt.mountain music to The Green Parrot Bar with shows at 9:00 and 11:00 p.m on Thurday, January 30th and 5:30, 9:00 and 11:00 p.m.  on Friday , January 31st  and Saturday February 1st. Originally formed  in 2010, The Drunken Hearts have grown leaps and bounds in the past eight years, managing to make a name for themselves in a state […]

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Myles Mancuso

Myles Mancuso Band Plays Thursday Green Parrot SoundcheckMyles Mancuso and the Myles Mancuso Band will appear at The Green Parrot Bar on Thursday, January 30th beginning at 5:30 p.m.Myles is a professional, multi-instrumental musician, with a diverse sound ranging from classic country to roots rock and neosoul/blueswho has performed at high quality venues in New York City and Nashville, including The Brooklyn Bowl, […]

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Hendricks Nativity Scene

“No Room At The Gin”: The Hendrick’s Gin Nativity Scene

“I know what we’ll be drinking in Hell”-Vicki Roush   I just want to say that whoever came up with this idea (Nick) had a lot more than visions of sugarplums dancing around in their head. Inspired originally by the very adorable miniatures of Hendrick’s Gin, the small-batch, hand crafted Scottish Gin infused with cucumbers… […]

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Green Parrot First-Ever Uke Out

First-Ever Green Parrot Uke Out   I don’t know what to say about Thursday night’s Uke-Apocalypse except it was amazing. I want to thank everyone who showed up whether young or old, amateur or professional, and either to listen or to participate. You made it happen. It was a perfect example of the Parrot being […]

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sailor jerry and pineapple juice at the green parrot

National Rum Day

“Three ingredients is a cocktail. Two ingredients is an emergency”-Peggy Olson on Mad Men   With National Rum Day August 16th, upon, it may serve us well to take a look at where The Green Parrot stands on the state of rum today. In a tropical-drink world overrun with tiny umbrellas, excessive garnishes, too many splashes of […]

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June 1st: Time For COLBY’S OFFICIAL GREEN PARROT HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS KIT.

As is our custom at the start of each Hurricane season, a new devotional candle has been placed in the small handmade wooden cabinet next to the Benjamin Franklin shutter just inside the Parrot’s front door. The candle, the centerpiece of The Green Parrot Hurricane Preparedness Kit   sits ready to be whisked off to […]

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Green Parrot Drink and Draw

Green Parrot Drink & Draw Tuesday 8 pm

Green Parrot to Hold “First-Tuesday Drink & Dr aw Night” The Green Parrot will host a Drink and Draw Night on the first Tuesday of each month beginning on Tuesday, May 2nd, from 8:00 to 10:00 p.m. The Green Parrot and our first guest host, local artist Tony Gregory invites artists of all skill levels to come Drink & Draw at The Green Parrot. Bring a sketchbook, pens, and paper with you, and if you come empty-handed, […]

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An Homage to Records and Rogues on National Record Store Day

This Saturday shops across the country observed the eleventh annual nationwide celebration of in-person commerce known as National Record Store Day. Organized by coalitions of independent record stores, many record labels use the occasion to release collectible vinyl, limited-edition CDs and live material. As a kind of footnote to that blurb: Pictured above is Records […]

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St. Patrick’s Day at Sharkey’s Tavern

Another St. Patrick’s Day at The Green Parrot. With that in mind, here’s a shot of a St.Patrick’s Day that’s long gone. This photo was taken either in 1956 or 1957 at Sharkey’s Tavern, my father’s bar, outside Philadelphia. In the foreground, behind the bar, sporting a broad grin, a Hibernian string tie, and some […]

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Green Parrot Dog Amnesty

Green Parrot Dog Amnesty Day or “Get A Long Little Doggie”

  One of the highlights around the Green Parrot neighborhood on New Years Eve Day is the Annual Daschund Parade which begins just a block away from us on the corner of Fleming and Whithead streets. We decided a few yers back that it was only fitting that we lift our ban on dogs for […]

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Green Parrot Shawon-o-meter

A Brief History of Our Shawon-O-Meter, or Go Cubs!

As the snake-bitten Chicago Cubs franchise prepares to take the field today and even-up their NLCS series with The Dodgers, overcome 108 years of failure, and mercifully end the longest World Series drought in MLB history, I thought it timely to again examine the Cubbies section of our Green Parrot Sports Wall, particularly the centerpiece,  an original, authentic  SHAWON-O-METER First, a bit on the […]

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Kentiopsis pyriformis

Emergent Leaf of Kentiopsis pyriformis

I would walk past this small, but lovely, palm each morning, a Kentiopsis pyriformis,  and since it was just feet from our gate, I would pass it several times a day and for months, six months at least, this one emergent frond would look exactly the same, never changing. I knew it was a slow growing palm. one […]

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My Father's day post for The Green Parrot

Father’s Day

Here’s a post I put up last year for Father’s Day that and I still can”t  think of a better way to honor all these Fathers in my family who helped make me a better dad….and a better person. Thank You all. On this Father’s Day I’d like to taken a moment to honor not only my […]

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National Negroni Week

National Negroni Week, first launched in 2013, is the brainchild of Imbibe magazine,  and was devised as a way to encourage bars across the country to serve up more Negronis,  and support an effort to raise money for charitable causes around the world.  While, not unlike the Aperol Spritz I mentioned last week, you probably won’t be asking […]

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Muhammed Ali “The Greatest: January 17, 1942 – June 3, 2016

Two of my favorite pieces on the walls here at The Parrot are images of Ali. The photo on the left, taken by Beatles photographer Harry Benson, (which I found in a pile of old photos in a junk store and bought for two dollars I believe) shows Ali, then still known as Cassius Clay, […]

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The Aperol Spritzer 1-2-3

I gotta tell ya. you’re probably not gonna order an Aperopl spritzer in the Green Parrot. But I will say is when I stepped out of The Parrot, while it wasn’t steamy, there’s no doubt it was summer,it might have been the last remnants of the day’s heat coming off the asphalt on Whitehead street […]

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Green Parrot Little Free Library: Memorial Day

Sprucing up our  Little Free Library a bit  this morning for our Bootleggers visit tomorrow, as well as curating with the another  holiday weekend in mind, and looking I suppose for some  beach-reads,  I spied among recent donations,  some  vintage hard-backed Earle Stanley Gardner, as well as some Steven King, Other fiction turned up Isabel Allende’s The Japanese Lover, […]

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Refreshing Summer Cocktail Supplies From Green Parrot Liquors

With summer and Memorial Day upon us,   one of the the first things that comes to mind  is picnics. And when I think of picnics I think of watermelon. I imagine myself reaching elbow-deep, arms stinging, into a washtub filled with block-ice, sodas and beer, and wrangling out a ice-cold watermelon, cutting a deep, […]

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hendricks mint 1

Henricks Gin, Mint and Lime, Perfect Summertime Ingredients

A day as steamy and muggy as today seemed to catch everyone in Key West off guard, so when our bartender Beaver remarked to me this afternoon that he received a text today saying the temperature today seemed liked 111 degrees than the 103 degrees Weather Underground was touting,  it made me think of ways to beat […]

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Candye Kane’s Tupperware Party

When Kathy Fatica mentioned,  in a Facebook comment, Candye Kane’s Tupperware Party , it just reminded me of what a wonderful and unusual person she was offstage. The Tupperware Party, arranged by Vicki at Tom Luna’s house as I recall, was a Green Parrot-first for any touring band. And pictured here, between sets, or after the show, she […]

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Parrot Moms Rock

While the bond between mother and child is honored each Mothers Day, perhaps too often overlooked is the bond Moms have for other Moms. Not so in this picture taken today, where, sporting their “Parrot Moms Rock” gear, Parrot Moms gathered on this special day to show some props for each other. Parrot Moms, here’s […]

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Candye Kane, La Diva Grande, Passes

As a way of remembering Candye Kane, who passed away on Friday, here’s a note I got from her when she got written up in The New Yorker, along with the caricature. “Its my birthday month and what better birthday gift than to grace the pages of the world famous New Yorker magazine? Although they […]

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steve cropper at the green parrot in key west

Steve Cropper

Of the been many, many memorable nights of great music at The Green Parrot. Rocker Mick Taylor of the Rolling Stones was memorable for his chops, Calypso legend The Mighty Sparrow was memorable for his charismatic, playful energy, and the one-two punch of Tony Joe White and Robert Earl Keen a few years back was […]

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Submariner Ben and Gloria at The Green Parro

Submariner Ben Remembers The Brown Derby

The backstory to this photo, begins with Ben,  in the foreground,  handsome  former United States Navy Submariner, and his wife Gloria, smiling broadly across the table last Sunday afternoon at The Green Parrot Bar’s Fats Navarro Jazz Tribute.  At that time, a  few folks were innocently horsing around  in  the window by the table, taking photos, and when asked […]

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Beatles Tribute at The Green Parrot

Beatles Tribute

Touching briefly on sartorial notes before musical ones, pictured here at the Beatles Tribute today at The Green Parrot we have Jeff Clark with an homage to John Lennon’s white Abbey Road suit and Tony Baltimore opting for an earlier look typified by the Greek Fisherman’s Cap Lennon wore on the Beatles’ original American tour […]

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Andrew Duhon at The Green Parrot

Andrew Duhon Trio at The Parrot

Andrew Duhon Bring NOLA Folk/Blues to The Parrot Stage The New Orleans-based Andrew Duhon Trio makes their long-awaited return to The Green Parrot  with shows at  5:30 and 9 PM on Wednesday, February 17th. A Blues & Folk influenced singer/songwriter, and a New Orlean’s native,  Andrew’s star is rising, with his latest album, “The Moorings” earning a Grammy nomination, and in 2012  Duhon garnered the […]

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dirty bourbon
Green Parrot Tradesman's Pass

Tradesman’s Appreciation Day Thursday 5 PM

The Green Parrot will celebrate their 21st Annual tradesman’s Appreciation Day on Thursday, September 17th, beginning at 5 PM. More than two decades ago, great American sculptor John Martini, whose Key West studio was just around the corner from The Green Parrot, would frequent The Parrot to quench his thirst after long, late-night sessions creating […]

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Photos from The Green Parrot 18th Annual Tradesman’s Appreciation Day

The assembly line for Tradesman’s cards begins   Photos are taken outside   A vintage Tradesman’s Nail Apron   Archival footage, the first flyer   Jimbo of “Where’s Jimbo…” fame   Red Dog and Norman   Smiling Artist shows her card     “Molar Mechanic”   Buco raffles off the Strunk Hardware Gift Certificates   […]

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“Is it Rolling Bob?”

“Is it Rolling Bob?”, A few wonderful obits for legendary record producer Bob Johnston . On the intro to the track “To Be Alone With You”, on Dylan’s 1969 Nashville Skyline album, Dylan asks, “Is it rolling Bob?” The Bob in question was Bob Johnston and the answer is yes, it was rolling. “As a […]

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Green Parrot Bar celebrates National Tequila Day

WHAT WE’RE DRINKING For National Tequila Day IS TEQUILA-WATERMELON PUNCH

Another National Tequila Day has come and gone but not unnoticed by Green Parrot Package Goods and Spirits. Always on the lookout for  something to celebrate and and always looking to beat the summer heat, we broke out a recipe we’ve tried before, adapted from a NYT article we spied last summer. Keeping it simple, which […]

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bacardi

making a green-parrot-dauquiri   Last evening before dinner I opened an old Sunday Times magazine to a story on the daiquiri and how accessible it was: Rum, Citrus, Sugar.   Well it struck a chord, my pantry seemed up to the task and I dug up the Bacardi light, a ruby red grapefruit, the limes  and […]

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Dock Ellis’ legendary LSD no-hitter

I love this story and animation so much, we need to post it annually In celebration of the greatest athletic achievement by a man on a psychedelic journey, No Mas and artist James Blagden proudly present the animated tale of Dock Ellis’ legendary LSD no-hitter. In the past few years weve heard all too much […]

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The Best Baseball Story….Ever.

My thanks to Cabinet Beer Baseball Club for reminding me what day it is. and I love how Cabinet Beer Baseball Club describes themselves: “We’re like a library with a warning track or a bartender with reading recommendations”

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Memorial Day

This being Memorial Day  thought I would share this photo. That’s my father, Signal Corps Staff Seargant Al Vagnoni on the left, wearing the hat and the impish grin. Oh, wait, they’re all grinning. I’m picturing Al now,  sitting with his headphones on,  in a tiny, steamy radio shack in the middle of a vast […]

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hms lancaster weighs anchor at the Green Parrot

HMS Lancaster Drops Anchor, Buster Delivers Verse

When the Royal Navy Frigate HMS Lancaster made an unannounced call to Key West  Monday due to  mechanical problems scores of royal sailors hit the streets and the first bar many of them happened on was the Green Parrot and, timing being everything,  they arrived just in time to hear Jack Hackett, pictured below, deliver […]

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Elek at Ukulele night at the green parrot bar

April is Jazz Appreciation Month, Thank a Musician Today!

Make it a point to go to see some live jazz this month. No Live jazz nearby? Then visit your favorite musician’s website or Facebook page and leave a message, tell them how much you appreciate what they do for you each day and how much it enriches your life. Tell them the world is […]

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National Poetry Month with Tortuga Jack at The Green Parrot

Irony and Culture Invade Green Parrot

“One For The Road”, Jack Hackett’s Poem-A-Day For National Poetry Month Irony and Culture will rear its ugly head every day in April at The Green Parrot Bar when, as our  contribution to  National Poetry Month,  we are proud to present  “One for the Road”, a Poem-a-Day delivered live in our barroom each day by Key West […]

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chuck bednarik

Eagles Legend Chuck Bednarik Dead at 89 OR “YOU CAN GET UP NOW TAYLOR, THIS F@#%ING GAME’S OVER!”

EAGLES LEGEND CHUCK BEDNARIK DEAD AT 89 OR “YOU CAN GET UP NOW TAYLOR, THIS F@#%ING GAME’S OVER!” Philadelphia’s Chuck Bednarik celebrates after the Eagles’ 17-13 victory over the Packers in the N.F.L. championship game on Dec. 26, 1960, at Franklin Field. Several years after this game, I was hitchhiking from Avalon, New Jersey to […]

READ MORE Eagles Legend Chuck Bednarik Dead at 89 OR “YOU CAN GET UP NOW TAYLOR, THIS F@#%ING GAME’S OVER!”
Green Parrot Makes Rukkus Top 100 List

Rukkus Lists Green Parrot in Top 100 Venue List

Rukkus, the online ticket-seller and self-described NYC-based colony of live music junkies has included us in their latest run-down of their favorite live-music venues in America. (see # 33) Coming on the heels of our inclusion in the list of Top Dive Bars in America, we are again both humbled by the props offered and, […]

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The Duhks at The Green Parrot
Suenalo plays green parrot bar

This Weeks Green Parrot Press Release

The music this week seemed so compelling  so eclectic I felt I needed to share this with more than the press corps. Two days with Paul Cebar, then Suenalo, followed by Town Mountain, and then topped off with The Duhks. Throw in a Bill Blue Soundcheck and you’ve abut covered it all. Enjoy! Paul Cebar’s Tomorrow […]

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the dunks
valentines tom

“Dare To be Dateless on Valentines Day at The Green Parrot “

Tom Robinson, looking more like the antidote for amour than the mythological God of Desire, is pictured here a few years back as our very own Valnetine’s Day Cupid Years back, The Green Parrot, was mentioned in Cosmopolitan magazine as “the home of Key West’s most terminally eligible bachelors,” and I believe many of our […]

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new books

Thanks Again to Bookleggers for Supporting The Green Parrot Little Free Library

I’d like to thank Nathaniel Sandler of Bookleggers, the Miami-based, mobile, pop-up public library. who recently donated a trove of quality books  to The GP Little Free Library. And special thanks to my son Nick and his wife Ingrid who delivered the volumes down to us from Miami. It was during the Bookleggers meet-up on The Green […]

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Eric Lindell

Loved by Parrot patrons, local and visitors alike,  for his engaging and personable stage presence, roots-rocker Lindell, with his cliché-free, hook-filled songs and dive-bar credibility, has consistently been one of  The Parrot’s must-see performers. Consistently  listed as one of the top acts to see at New Orleans Jazz Fest, his combination of sweet, blue-eyed soul, smoldering vocals, and foot-stomping R&B […]

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bob marley tribute at the green parrot
yarn at the green parrot
Yarn at the green parrot bar

Yarn

Led by singer/songwriter, Blake Christiana, pictured below at last year’s Green Parrot debut, Yarn, the Grammy-nominated, genre-defying, Brookyln-based Americana/Alt Country band will make their much-anticipated return to The Green Parrot, with shows at 9 PM on Tuesday, February 3rd and 5:30 and 9 PM on Wednesday, February 4th. With a sound that owes as much […]

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Green Parrot named one of the Diviest Dive Bars in America

GP Named #4 Diviest Dive Bar in America

 Featured in a recent list of “The Diviest Dive Bars in America”, tucked neatly  between The Number 3 “Snake and Jakes Christmas Club Lounge” in New Orleans,  and Number 5 “Canters Deli/Kibitz Room”  in Los Angeles is your very own Green Parrot Bar. Impulcity, a popular and wide-reaching internet city-guide that steers folks to “The Best […]

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Merry Christmas from The Green Parrot Little Free Library

We’d like to take a minute to say Merry Christmas from The Green Parrot Little Free Library and to thank everyone in the neighborhood for continuing to support us here at the Library. I find newly-donated books nearly every day, and find books that have been taken out and are being returned nearly every day […]

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Green Parrot Fireplace

Happy Thanksgiving from The “Toasty-Warm” Green Parrot Stage.

With the mercury plunging and the Holidays upon us we decided, “Why should the folks up North have all the creature comforts and all the fun! Straight from Ebay to 601 Whitehead just in time for Thanksgiving and our cold front  (63 degrees) comes our vintake, circa 1960 fireplace. All we need now is a […]

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Key Lime Pirates at The Green Parrot Bar

KLP Soundcheck, Ukulele Night, & KW Film Festival After-Party with “The Front Man”

  Looking ahead at this week’s music, Wednesday, Nov 12th,  it’s  The Key Lime Pirates, Jeff Clark, Claire Finley and Randy Morrow, doing 5:30-7:00 PM  Soundcheck   then re-assembling at 11 PM for the Key West Film Festival After-Party, a tribute to their stamina as well as their skill-set. Jeff will also co-host the Ukulele Association monthly Uke Out, sandwiched […]

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A new Tony Hillerman novel arrives in The Green Parrot Little Free Library

Tony Hillerman and Sunday Morning at The Green Parrot Little Free Library

Curating The Green Parrot Little Free Library on a rainy Sunday morning, with more rain on the way.I spot a newly-donated volume, no dust jacket,  but the name catches my eye: Tony Hillerman.  Could be a perfect day to spend some time with The Tribal Police in the land of the Navajo. Thanks, Green Parrot […]

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Jose Elias presents Cortadito at The Green Parrot Bar

Cortadito, Wed. Oct 1st 9 PM

Cortadito Brings Music of The Buena Vista Social Club to Green Parrot  The Green Parrot presents  Miami’s premier Cuban Son group Cortadito on Wednesday, October 1st at 9:00 PM   This is the latest project by Spam Allstars guitarists Jose Elias, joined by guitarist Julio Cesar Rodriguez, their music could best be described as sounding like the Buena Vista Social […]

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Our new Green Parrot Session Ale Tap Handle

It’s Official: Green Parrot Session Ale Has Arrived

The Green Parrot Bar has collaborated  with Maine’s craft-beer pioneers, the award-winning Shipyard Brewing Co, to release Green Parrot Session Ale.  What Shipyard has created for The Green Parrot is an easy-drinking, “English-style Session Ale”,  a  fitting  reference to it’s balance and hearty English ale yeast presence and it’s session- friendly,  quaff-able  4.15% abv”. With […]

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GPS Green Parrot Session Ale says "move over" I've arrived.

Green Parrot Session Ale is Launched

The Green Parrot Bar, the iconic Key West saloon that  has become as recognizable to Keys travelers as The Hemingway House or The Seven Mile Bridge has collaborated  with Maine’s craft-beer pioneers, the award-winning Shipyard Brewing Co, to release Green Parrot Session Ale.  The official launch is scheduled for Thursday, August 28th, at 9 PM,  at […]

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classic rock at the green parrot
Hanna plays over the rainbow at Ukulele night

Green Parrot Ukulele Night 8/20/14

Green Parrot Ukulele night again proved to be sure-fire delivery system for joy again last night with a few examples that bear repeating. The first example was a spontaneous affair that started with a tropical summer shower.  Early Thursday evening, a family visiting from London was caught in a brief shower and took shelter in […]

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Green Parrot August Cultural Calendar

The Green Parrot Introduces “Wednesday Summer Sessions” “If not for the culturally elite, certainly for the cultural deprived”

The august cultural calendar is posted, and with our Wednesday Summer Series  a month in, it’s probably a good time to revisit just what The Wednesday Summer Series all about. As first conceived, besides just giving our patrons an excuse to step out  for an early-evening, mid-week visit to The Parrot, we wanted  to use this […]

READ MORE The Green Parrot Introduces “Wednesday Summer Sessions” “If not for the culturally elite, certainly for the cultural deprived”
two new additions to the Green Parrot Little free Library

Trouble in Paradise? Two New Volumes for GP LFL Today

Curating the Green Parrot Little Free Library, as I do each morning,  I spied these two newly-donated books. Today’s assignment, class,  is to compare and contrast these two clearly distinct, yet not wholly-unrelated volumes and while you’re at it suggest where I should file these two beauties in the stacks: Self-Help, Erotic Memoirs, DIY? Anyone? Anyone? […]

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Wed. Summer Sessions: Morikeba Kouyate

Senegal’s Morikeba Kouyate/Spam Allstars Jose Elias Bring West African Roots to Parrot Stage As a special cultural edition of the Green Parrot’s Wednesday Summer Series, on Wednesday, August 6th, beginning at 9 PM, Ancient roots sounds will be supplied by Senegal’s Morikeba Kouyate whose 30-year career celebrates a 700-year lineage in West Africa. He performs […]

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This Week at The Parrot

Jeff Clark Brings “Good Company” to Parrot Stage   Never one to dissappoint, on Thursday, July 10th, beginning at 9 PMJeff Clark brings, Good Compnay, his latest incarnation to The Parrot stage for what promises to be a very danceable night of funk, rock, ska and reggae.  Spam Allstars Electonic Descarga Returns to The Green […]

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New additions to the Green Parrot Little free Library

Green Parrot Little Free Library: Beach-Reads and Beyond for the 4th.

  Curating our Little Free Library this morning with the the holiday weekend in mind, I thought I’d go a bit heavy on the beach-reads: mysteries and the like. Placing some emphasis on writers with a local connection.I came up with a handful , specifically: local author John Leslie, a few from ever-popular Carl Hiaasen, […]

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Library Books Sitting on the Bar

New Additions to Green Parrot Little Free Library

Over the past few weeks since we opened the doors of The Green Parrot Little Free Library, Sunday morning seems to have become the default day to curate our selections. There have been lots of new additions this week, with the shelf space provided for, of course, by those folks taking books. As our Spiritual Leader and Janitor Emeritus, Jimbo […]

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little free library at midnite
green parrot beverage academy

Green Parrot Beverage Academy/ Session 2

Green Parrot Beverage Academy and Premier Beverage presents “Simple Summer Sensations” The Green Parrot beverage Academy is a monthly mixology class sponsored by The Green Parrot and Premier Beverage  that  focuses on essential cocktails, seasonal classics, mixology tips, and trends in Cocktail Culture. The latest installment of The Green Parrot Beverage Academy, “Simple Summer Sensations”,  was […]

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Negroni ingredients at The Green Parrot Package Store

What We’re Drinking Tonight is a Negroni

  National Negroni Week, the brainchild of Imbibe magazine, was devised as a way to encourage bars across the country to serve up more Negronis,  the classic Italian Campari-based cocktail that has made bitterness palatable for generations of drinkers.   Its easy-to-remember 1:1:1 ratio of equal parts gin, Campari and sweet Vermouth means it’s super easy to mix up […]

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The Newly-iinstalled Green Parrot Free Little Library
memorial Day at The Green Parrot Bar

Memorial Day, 2014 Thank You.

A welcome sight this afternoon, a sight that used to be a much more familiar sight when the Navy Base was just down the street. We told them The Parrot used to be THE Submariners bar and they liked that a lot. Great to see you here in The Green Parrot and THANKS FOR ALL […]

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Sangria with fresh fruit

Eppa Red Sangria: Phase one

Begin by muddling the fruit on hand: oranges, cherries, watermelon, pineapple, a plum, some lime, some fresh basil. Add the Eppa organic red sangria from Green Parrot Package Goods and Spirits, lots of ice, a splash of club soda and enjoy.

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Robert Albury at The Green Parrot

Get on the Good Foot with Robert Albury,

Good God, Y’all! Here’s Key West’s own King of Soul, Robert Albury onstage at The Green Parrot Bar this past Sunday as part of our Sunday Jazz show. Robert makes you feel thankful for his own energetic style of soul music, guaranteed to keep you dancing and singing along all night long. Get on the good foot and […]

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St Augustine Florida Cane Vodka Now Available in Key West

  Craft Spirits Made From Fresh Florida Crops New on the Shelves of Green Parrot Package Goods and Spirits is St. Augustine Florida Cane Vodka. Pot-distilled from 100% Florida-farmed sugar cane, their cane is cut by hand, ensuring only the best quality spirit goes into each bottle of this super premium small batch Florida cane […]

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What We’re Drinking Is Tequila-Watermelon Punch

With summer and Memorial Day right around the corner,  one of the the first things that comes to mind  is picnics. And when I think of picnics I think of watermelon. I imagine myself reaching elbow-deep, arms stinging, into a washtub filled with block-ice, sodas and beer, and wrangling out a ice-cold watermelon, cutting a […]

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red elvises poster

Red Elvises Bring Kick-Ass Rock and Roll from Siberia

Red Elvises Deliver Kick-Ass Rock ‘n Roll from Siberia Famed Siberian surf rockers, The Red Elvises, roar back into The Parrot with shows at 10 PM on Wednesday, May 14th and at 5:30 and 10 p.m. on Thursday, May 15th. Promising two big nights of kick-ass rock ‘n roll, Igor says they’re ready to “blow […]

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John’s Sierra Nevada Beer Camp #114 Adventure

 Pictured above is our class photo from Sierra Nevada Beer Camp #114. That’s me on the far right in the yellow shirt and kneeling down on the front left is  Aldo, for whom our beer, “O Brother Where’s Aldo”, a Belgian Red IPA, was named. This Wednesday, May the 7th, at 8 PM, The Green Parrot […]

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Norman Van Aken’s Green Parrot Chicken & Waffles seen on CBS

Here’s Norman at last year’s Chicken and Waffle Jazz Brunch and Tribute to legendary be bop trumpeter and Key West native, Theodore “Fats” Navarro. Norman is peched behing a copy of his latest cookbook, “MY Key West Kitchen” and is preparing to serve up Chicken and Waffle platters to all the faithful. Thanks to our […]

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Green Parrot Launches Beverage Academy

  Green Parrot Package Goods and Spirits, celebrating  it’s First Anniversary,   held it’s inaugural meeting The Green Parrot Beverage Academy. Hosted by Premier Beverage The Green Parrot  Beverage Academy is a monthly mixology class that will focus on essential cocktails, seasonal classics, mixology tips, and trends in Cocktail Culture. The first session, hosted by Cecil and […]

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GP Liquor celebrates 1st Birthday, Launches Beverage Academy

This week Green Parrot Package Goods and Spirits celebrates it’s First Anniversary.  With it’s  convenient Old Town location, thoughtfully-curated selections, and great prices, we’ve been hard at work, constantly improving our inventory, steadily gaining popularity with locals and tourists alike.  As part of our Birthday celebration, along with Premier beverage, we are instituting The Green Parrot Beverage […]

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view from the bench

While sitting on the bench across from the bar and adjusting my camera on my lap I inadvertently snapped this shot and recorded this animated, if quizzical look from this passerby.

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by the mirror wall (nee bottle wall) or, another reminder of why I love this city I live in.

  I was walking early this morning  past the city cemetery and past the house fronted by what we used call the bottle-wall.   The wall is knee-high, and was so-named for the dozens of  old bottles troweled into it’s cement. It’s bottles  were long ago broken, (once catastrophically by a car failing to negotiate the turn) […]

READ MORE by the mirror wall (nee bottle wall) or, another reminder of why I love this city I live in.

Gabriel Garcia Marquez Passes

One Hundred Years of Solitude: I’m fairly certain this is the edition I had. The one I read and re-read. I say I’m fairly certain only because in the years I was a barman  here and conversations on languorous nights in the saloon would turn turn to letters, which they did more often than one […]

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Bulleit Rye, Available in Green Parrot Package Goods & Spirits

Watching the return of Mad Men the other night naturally got me thinking of those boozy, sophisticated drinks everyone seemed to be ordering back then,  and how, nowadays, thanks to some very highly-crafted bourbons and rye whiskeys now being produced  they seemed to be making a comeback. Add to this trend the fact that mixologists […]

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Happy Birthday, Al

Two photos, my dad on the left, me on the right, each of us, I’m thinking, about the same age, early 20’s. Happy Birthday, Al. I don’t want this day to pass without wishing my father a happy birthday on what would have been his 100th.

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selfie taken in green parrot band house

April Uke Out Wed. April 9th

The next meeting of The Green Parrot Ukulele Association will be held on Wednesday, April 9th at 8 PM with co-hosts Jeff Clarke, Tim McAlpine and Jay Gewin.    Following the format as in past shindigs, the meeting will begin with a Workshop for those just starting out on the instrument at that time, basic […]

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Photo of Cow Key Bridge Run participant on Green Parrot porch

Cow Key Channel Bridge Run After-Party, or, “Trails End”.

After a long day on the trail, tumbling along, urging, “get a long, little doggie”,  no wait, that’s the daschund parade, anyway, these two are hunkered down on the porch of The Green Parrot for the official after-party, having “survived” the Cow Key Channel Bridge Run. Congratulations to everyone who courageously lined up and took […]

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Photo of Muddy Francois
Green Parrot Bingo

Tom Robinson, a Hero Then, Our Hero Now!

Sitting in a rocking chair on the porch of The Green Parrot Liquor store Saturday night University of Dayton Alumni and Green Parrot employee Tom Robinson was pondering The Dayton Flyers bold if ill-fated run in this year’s NCAA basketball tournament. Seeming to be in an expansive mood, Tom pulls out  a small velvet pouch from […]

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St. Patrick’s Day at Sharkey’s Tavern

Another St. Patrick’s Day at The Green Parrot With that in mind, here’s a shot of a St.Patrick’s Day that’s long gone. This photo was taken either in 1956 or 1957 at Sharkey’s Tavern, my father’s bar, outside Philadelphia. In the foreground, behind the bar, sporting a broad grin, a Hibernian string tie, and some […]

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Photo of Spider John Koerner

Country Blues/Folk Legend, Bob Dylan Mentor Spider John Koerner plays Green Parrot

Spider John Koerner Returns to Parrot  Bob Dylan Mentor, Country Blues/Folk Legend    Legendary country blues/folk musician “Spider John Koerner” will perform at the Green Parrot Bar on Thursday, March 27th, at 5:30 p.m. Koerner hit the folk-blues scene in the early ’60’s playing the Minnesota coffee house circuit with Bob Dylan, and with his […]

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Green Parrot Named Zagat’s #1 Best Music/Performance Venue in South Florida

The Green Parrot has been named The Best Music/Performance Venue in South Florida in the 2014 Zagat Survey.  This is a real honor, we are pleased the hard work of everyone here has not gone unnoticed.  As I’ve said before  at times when we’ve showed up on someone’s radar in this way, this kind of  recognition […]

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Joey Dale & the Gigolos 1950's Doo wap band photo

Doo Wop Is Forever at The Green Parrot Sunday

Joey Dale has Parrot patrons in the palm of his hand at a recent show here. Dress up in your favorite bouffant, duck tail, bowling shirt or leather jacket, poodle skirt or any of your other favorite 50’s fashions and head down to The Green Parrot on Sunday, January 26th at 5:30 P.M. because Joey […]

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National Popcorn Day, Sunday, January 19th

In what seems like a day tailor-made for us here at the Green Parrot, Sunday January 19th, although the exact date is actually a matter of debate, (see what I mean by being tailor made for the Green Parrot) is National Popcorn Day.  To celebrate you’d think it would be logical to offer free popcorn to […]

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Xperimento, Hendrix Tribute, Love Lane Gang and Biscuit Miller Hit Parrot Stage!

Cumbia/Funk Fusion Xperimento Returns to The Parrot  Xperimento the 7-piece Columbian-roots/cumbia funk/reggae band returns to The Green Parrot stage  on Friday and Saturday, November 22nd and 23rd , with shows at 5:30 and 10 p.m. Voted Miami’s Best Fusion Band 2011 by Miami New Times, Xperimento   is something only Miami could cook up. It plays a blend of cumbia, reggae, salsa, funk, […]

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Green Parrot Goombay/Fantasy Fest Entertainment

You Better Pack A Lunch When I looked at the late October Entertainment Calendar today, even though I knew for months what was coming, I was blown away by what we had on deck. It’s Eric Lindell and Suenalo It’s Burlesque and The Red Elvises It’s The Wild Magnolias and The New Riders What I’m […]

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Sanchez Family Portrait Gifted to The Green Parrot

Yesterday, Debbie DiStefano (Sanchez) a member of the Sanchez family, visiting from Tampa, called on us at the Green Parrot and generously gifted a family photo that includes the patriarch Antonio Sanchez,  world-famous folk artist Mario Sanchez as a little boy and a score of other relatives including Debbie’s grandfather.  The photo was taken in […]

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Green Parrot Travel Club Revisited

 Here’s the photo that launched The Green Parrot Travel Club back in 2005.  Good-Time Charlie at The Great Wall in a Green Parrot t-shirt.Send us your photo in your Green Parrot Gear to green parrot@gmail.com with your name and a brief description of the setting and we’ll post it on the Green Parrot web site […]

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Bong Hits for Geezers, NOLA Legend Alfred “Uganda” Roberts Do Sunday Parrot Soundcheck

Bong Hits for Geezers will be appearing at the Green Parrot Sunday, July 14th, beginning at 5:30 PM.   Joining  Barry Cuda, Kenny Fradley and Richard Crooks performing “Roots Americana and minimalist traditional jazz”  will be legendary New Orleans conga player Alfred “Uganda” Roberts. Born and raised in the historic Treme neighborhood of  New Orleans,  “Uganda” Roberts was introduced to New Orleans pianist Henry […]

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Colby’s Official Green Parrot Hurricane Preparedness Kit.

As is our custom at the start of each Hurricane season, a new devotional candle has been placed in the small handmade wooden cabinet next to the Benjamin Franklin shutter just inside the Parrot’s front door. The candle, the centerpiece of The Green Parrot Hurricane Preparedness Kit   sits ready to be whisked off to […]

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Green Parrot Supports Bahama Village Music Program

  Last week Larry Baeder, Justin VanAken, Daryl Brookes, and myself visited the campus of the  Bahama Village Music Program to meet with program director Katchen Duncan in their new location behind the Douglass Gym at Emma and Olivia Street.      ….an amazing, and loving space, and lively, with classes just starting to get rolling when we arrived. […]

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Hendricks, Mint and Lime

 When Beaver the bartender remarked to me this afternoon that he received a text today that said the temperature today seemed liked 111 degrees out, a steamy  day like today have made me think of ways to beat the heat and brought to mind a refreshing drink using some of my favorite summertime ingredients, namely, Hendrick’s Gin, fresh […]

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Batuke Brings SambaFunk to Parrot Stage

Batuke Samba Funk debuts at The Parrot Coming highly-recommended by Parrot staples Locos por Juana and Xperimento Batuke Samba Funk makes their Green Parrot debut with shows at 5:30 p.m. and 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, April 12 and 13. The Full BatukeSambaFunk Attack A high-energy Brazilian band, Batuke mixes rhythms like 70’s funk with Afro samba, Brazilian […]

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Honey Island Swamp Band

Sunday, March 31st, Easter Sunday, 5:30 PM will be your last chance to see the Honey Island Swamp Band perform their brand of Bayou Americanathis time around,  Chris Mulet Guitar, vocals Aaron Wilkinson, guitar, mandolin, vocals Trevor Brooks, Hammond B 3 organ, vocals Garland Paul, drums, percussion, vocals Sam Price, bass,  vocals        […]

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The Honey Island Swamp Band

Denver-based  photographer Steve Ramsey stopped in yesterday to check out The Honey Island Swamp Band with a few of our friends from new Orleans and left us a few choice shots The Honey Island Swamp Band never disappoints us. The New Orleans band packed the house and had the crowd on their feet for 90 minutes. They […]

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Happy Smirkday Coming Up

Monday, April 1st at 5 P.M. join with well-wishers from near and far, past and present, to wish Green Parrot Icon “Smirk” a happy and healthy 38th Birthday. They grow up so fast. Yes it’s been thirty eight years since since that enigmatic countenance, that sphinx-like kisser, appeared on the plywood shutter on the Southard […]

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Smirk-a-Thon: a countdown to Smirk’s Birthday

 Smirk’s Birthday is fast approaching. We thought it might be fun to  have a sort of Smirk-a-thon, showcasing daily some of the greatest smirks we’ve seen.   Here’s a pair of my favorites that are in a class by themselves. What are your favorites? Smirk-in-Chief The Man Who Would be Smirk

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The Green Parrot: Your Southernmost Center for Culture of All Kinds.

  I thought I’d  give a cultural snapshot of the next 30 or so days, beginning with The Green Parrot Ukulele Association monthly meeting on Wednesday, March 6, up to  Monday, April 1st: Smirk’s Birthday Party. Ukulele Night, in its second year, has been a a ton of fun every month and shows no signs of ever being less fun.  […]

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Parrot Sponsors Kayakers in Everglades Kayak Fishing Tournament

The AFWC (Adventure Fishing World Championship) is a new format of kayak fishing that combines: fishing, strategy, navigation and paddling resulting in a true Everglades Adventure!  On Saturday March 2nd, 2013  teams of two anglers will compete to reach and catch fish at a minimum of 3 out of  5  eligible checkpoints, in any order,and […]

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Green Parrot April Cultural Calendar

In response to a Facebook request I’ll post the most up-to-date version  of our Green Parrot Cultural calendar for April. I often do not post our calendar until all dates are confirmed, and even then, schedules are subject to change.With that disclaimer out of the way here goes.  Monday, April 1st, Smirk’s Birthday Party, 5:30 PM […]

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The Piper Road Spring Band at The Green Parrot

The Piper Road Spring Band makes their annual pilgramage from Wisconsin to The Green Parrot, with shows at 5:30 and 10 PM on Wednesday, February 28th. Randal Harrison on fiddle Bob Mason on Mandolin Barry “Blacky” Riese on guitar Billy “Kangaroo” on washboard Johnny Widdicombe on bass

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Spam Allstars at The Green Parrot Februry 22-23, 20113

Spam came in for the weekend and delivered two pelvis-grinding nights of Latin, funk, hip hop and dub that did not disappoint. The typical Spam crowd comes in clusters and is informed, enthusiastic, and, always, always, in the groove. and committed. DJ Le Spam, Andrew Yeomanson, blends imprvosational electronic elements with a live band to […]

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Last Year’s Cajun Dance Party with Magnolia

Magnolia Brings Authentic Cajun Dance Party to Green Parrot for Fat Tuesday Magnolia put on a good ‘ol Cajun fais do do or dance party. See a video here Featured performers are Magnolia Cajun Band, a traditional Cajun dance band whose music has been thrilling Cajun music enthusiasts from Nova Scotia to Louisiana for almost […]

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Bob Marley’s Birthday Tribute at The Green Parrot to Benefit Bahama Village Music Program

To give a little background to The Bob Marley Birthday Tribute held Wednesday, February 6th at the Green Parrot, the show was the inspiration of long-time Key West Reggae Musician Duane Scott. Duane has been a fixture on the Key West music scene for decades and has been responsible for some of the more memorable […]

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Former Johnny Sketch violin player Harry Hardin predicts possible Super Bowl wardrobe malfunction

Harry looking mischievous Our friend Harry Hardin, former violin player for Johnny Sketch and The Dirty Notes, writes on Facebook this morning,: “Psyched to be playing with OneRepublic this Saturday (NFL Honors 8-10pm CT on CBS) and Sunday (Super Bowl pre-game) with Natalia Cascante, Raúl Gómez, Marc Paradis, and Helen Gillet! They told me I couldn’t wear my Saints jersey, […]

READ MORE Former Johnny Sketch violin player Harry Hardin predicts possible Super Bowl wardrobe malfunction

Suenalo Brings 10-piece funk/afro-latin/jam band to The Parrot stage

What’s it like at The Parrot on A Suenalo Weekend? Have a look.  Suenalo, The Miami-based 10-piece Afro-Latin-funk-jam band, exploded on to The Green Parrot Stage for two of funk, mambo, hip-hop, and jam-band-style this past Friday and Saturday. Any Parrot patron present  will not forget the barrage of music that’s simultaneously Afro-Cuban, Dominican hip-hop, […]

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Mike Dillon Band Last Saturday Night? Anyone? Bueller??

I’m still soliciting reviews of last Saturday’s performance by The Mike Dillon Band from New Orleans. I was not there but I know it was busy and I’m just looking for a few comments.Here’s a shot from the show.Someone’s gotta have a take on this.

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Mike Dillon Band Brings Rock/Funk with Hardcore Edge to Parrot Stage

Those who saw Mike Dillon Saturday Night, I’m curious how you enjoyed the show. Comments, thoughts? Mike Dillon, one of the most dynamic and multifaceted percussionists in the country, best known for his unforgettable live performances, unorthodox percussion rig and distinct original sound, brings his Rock/Funk quartet to The Green Parrot for one night only on […]

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Yojimbo Brings funk, hip-hop, rock and improvised experimentation to Parrot stage

 Yojimbo Means Funk at The Green Parrot  Yojimbo returns at 5:30 and 10 PM today, Friday, January 11th,  with their bodacious blend of funk, hip-hop, rock and improvised experimentation to the Green Parrot   The story of three selcouth savages (rare, untamed artists) who arrived in a hip music town to act as Guardians of the Groove for the […]

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Braille Blues Daddy Bryan Lee Returns to the Parrot at 5:30 for the Sunday Soundcheck

                               Bryan Lee Returns to the Parrot at 5:30  Sunday Braille Blues Daddy Bryan Lee Returns to Green Parrot Legendary Bourbon Street Bluesman Bryan Lee returns to the Green Parrot with shows 10 p.m. on Saturday, January 5, and 5:30 p.m. on  Sunday, January 6. For years, […]

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Parrot Bartenders Agree, “Chivers Know How to Order a Drink”

The Chive website posted this invite to all their kindred spirits who might  be in the vicinity to meet up for a drink at The Green Parrot on Sunday night.  http://thechive.com/2012/12/28/meet-us-at-the-green-parrot-in-key-west-on-sunday/#KEtUPq2jgEmtSaEZ.99 We were at first flattered and at the same time a little anxious not knowing what to expect. Well over the course of the […]

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Watermelon Slim Thursday, December 6th 5:30 and 10 PM

Watermelon Slim Plays The Green Parrot:  “a one-of-a-kind pickin’ and singin’ Okie Dynamo” with an ever- expanding career of ramshackle grandeur. While preparing the Press for this weeks music I started to get an idea for just how much of a treat we are in for this Thursday when Watermelon Slim hits the boards. With a […]

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Applebutter Express Soundcheck

Kyle and Shannon and The Applebutter Express’ Uke/Funk?Pop/Rock Fusion blew the room away at today’s soundcheck.With great originals and inspired covers ranging from Paul Simon to The Band and from The Beatles to Sly Stone.

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Green Parrot Ukulele Association November Meeting to Feature Applebutter Express, “Good-Time Ukulele Funk”

The Green Parrot Ukulele Association November meeting will be kicked up a notch when Kyle Bliss and Shannon more bring their Applebutter Express, a Tampa-based jam-bluegrass outfit to The Green Parrot monthlu Uke gathering this Wednesday, November 14th at 8 PM.. Wednesday night they will appear as part of our regular monthly Green Parrot Ukulele Association […]

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Green Parrot Monday Night Bingo to Benefit GP Kayaker Andy, Wookie and Dude pay it forward.

 Tonight’s Green Parrot Monday Night Bingo, along with The Green Parrot Kayak Society, will benefit our friend Kayak Society  member Andy, who was seriously injured when his kayak was his by a powerboat  a few weeks ago.  Bingo begins at 7 PM, callers tonight are Buco and Dennis, pictured below, with Jello shots by Ginger King. […]

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Green Parrot celebrates 18th Annual Tradesman’s Appreciation Day

More than two decades ago, great American sculptor John Martini, whose Key West studio was just around the corner from The Green Parrot, would frequent The Parrot to quench his thirst after long, late-night sessions creating metal sculptures. He came, too, looking to recruit for his projects some of the able-bodied, often elusive skilled tradesmen […]

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Jimbo Mathus; “Like a Cadillac Driving Off a Cliff”

I put a post up on Facebook today to inform our patrons that we would be closed tomorrow and to urge them to stay safe.I included a photo of myself and Jimbo Mathus, and mentioned  that he would be shortening his weekend here due to Isaac.As an aside I said it had been a great […]

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It was a Win-Win at The Parrot on Saturday

 I’m not sure what I can say about Saturday’s event down on our corner that has not been noted already, either on Facebook, or by word of mouth on the street, or in Mandy Bolens’ column in the Sunday Citizen, where she seemed to suggest that there was an alternative for those people who spend […]

READ MORE It was a Win-Win at The Parrot on Saturday

Beaten but not defeated

Update: The Key West Citizen reports this morning (8/3/12) that prosecutors have filed felony charges against the suspects. You can view the article on the Facebook page set up in support of Tim and Adam. As many of you may have heard, two of our bouncers–or ‘dance instructors’, as we like to call them–Tim “The […]

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Sanchez Corner Memorialized

The Green Parrot building, built in 1890, sits diagonally across the street from the Monroe County Courthouse, erected the same year. In it’s earliest years, it was grocery, owned by the Antonio Sanchez, the paternal grandfather of renowned folk artist Mario Sanchez, a self- taught master of the woodcut. Antonio was also a musician and […]

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David Wegman’s “Napolean’s Caddy”

Pictured above is a painting by one of our favorite artists, David Wegman. David is a frequent contributor  to our  archives. Titled “Napolean’s Caddy”, this particular Wegman hangs above our back bar doorway. In 1998, Wegman, sailing from South Africa to St. Barts on the final leg of his circumnavigation, joined by our good friend […]

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Green Parrot Ukulele Association Celebrates One Year Anniversary

Green Parrot Ukulele Association Celebrates One Year Anniversary The Green Parrot Ukulele Association will celebrate its first anniversary on Wednesday, July 11, from 8 p.m. with a workshop, open mic and group strum-along. Spawned on a whim, or some might say a dare, after Bar Manager John Vagnoni found a ukulele on the sidewalk outside […]

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Green Parrot Ukulele Association Meeting on Wed. June 13th

Green Parrot Ukulele  Association June Meeting The next meeting of The Green Parrot Ukulele Association will be held Wednesday, June 13th, with co-hosts Jeff Clarke, Tim McAlpine, and Jay Gewin. Following the format as in past shindigs, the meeting will begin at 8 p.m. with a workshop for those just starting out on the instrument. Basic instruction […]

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The State of the Parrot

It’s been a year since Pat Croce and I forged our new partnership at The Green Parrot and I’d like to report that The State of The Parrot is Good. I think folks’ greatest fear–change–has been put to rest. As we used to say back in the ’60s, “Things are more like they are now […]

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Soul Rebels from NOLA

The Soul Rebels from New Orleans burned down the house last night. It was a  Monday Night Dance Party, Love-In, Sonic-Beacon  that rocked The Parrot like it ain’t been rocked in awhile! “The Missing Link Between Public Enemy and Louis Armstrong”They will be back tomorrow, Tuesday, with sets at 5:30 and 10 PM. We urge […]

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Bluesman Michael Burks 1957-2012

Michael Burks, once billed as the future of electric blues passed away yesterday from an apparant heart attack at the age of 54. An imposing figure onstage with lightning in his hands, Burks was a man of few words offstage, meticulous with his sound and protective of his band and appeared at The Parrot several […]

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London Souls Invade Parrot

Representing a rock tradition, rock’s most elemental line-up, the power trio The London Souls return to the Green Parrot with shows at 10 PM on Wednesday, May 9th and 5:30 and 10 on Thursday, May 1oth. Built on roaring chords and flashy solos on guitar, insistent drumming and straight-ahead vocals, The London Souls wear their influences on their sleeve, inspired […]

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Headliners Blow The Room Away…

 With a raucous near-two hour set that belied the collective age of those on stage The World Famous Headliners treated Parrot regulars and out-of-town songwriter-types to a blend of everything from stomping rockabilly to honky tonk, barroom weepers and modern country barn-burners all the while delivering cliche-free, hook-filled lyrics that made you shake your head in a […]

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Green Parrot Uke Out This Wednesday, May 2nd at 8 PM

“In terms of improving one’s mood and general outlook, I consider the ukulele to be the big gun.”– Louden Wainright III The Green Parrot Ukulele Associatrion will hold it’s AprilMeeting on Wednesday, May 2nd, beginning at 8 PM. Following the same format as our previous well-attended, high-spirited shindigs, the meeting will begin with a Workshop […]

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Never Forget

 Although to some the memory of last weeks’ invasion of smirk’s personal space seems to have faded, we must be ever-vigilant and ask ourselves, how do we prevent acts like this in the future?  Bulletproof glass like the Mona Lisa, a web of laser beams like Topkapi, a moat perhaps? Perhaps a super elite/Delta Force […]

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Smirk Bombed by Cultural Terrorists, Bounces Back.

Saturday evening  Smirk, arguably the most widely recognized and beloved face of The Parrot was defaced by cultural terrorists. Apparantly using  Sharpies comandeered from a nearby table where the Conch Republic Foster Childrens Fund had set up shop for a fundraiser, two still-to-be-identified women handed the Sharpies out to unwitting tourists crowded in the bar beneath Smirk.  Using […]

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Red Elvises Deliver Kick-Ass Rock ‘n Roll from Siberia

Red Elvises Deliver Kick-Ass Rock ‘n Roll from Siberia Famed Siberian surf rockers, The Red Elvises, roar back into The Parrot with shows at 10 PM on Wednesday, April 18th and at 5:30 and 10 p.m. on Thursday, April 19. Promising two big nights of kick-ass rock ‘n roll, Igor says they’re ready to “blow […]

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Newly-Arrived, Green Parrot Ale

Here’s our friends and long-time patrons Al from Melbourne, Florida and Dave from Chicago being the first customers to enjoy a Green Parrot Ale and both looking pretty pleased about it. Green Parrot Ale, newly-arrived that day, is a craft beer brewed for us in New Hampshire

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Some Kindred Spirits of The Uke Kind

This from The Mana Maddy home page: A monthly ukulele mini-fest at Actual Cafe in Oakland/Emeryville, with group ukulele lesson, uke-centric performances and a love and beer-fueled singalong. Hosted by Mana Maddy These folks at Actual Cafe’s Monthly Ukulele Love-In in Oakland sure look like our kinda people. This from their Facebook page: “Ukuleles will […]

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Hot 8 Funks It Up at The Parrot

For Koy Hot 8 tore up the joint last night, I fully expect to find a crater on the corner this morning instead of a bar! From covering Marvin Gaye’s Sexual Healing to drawing the whole room into a call and responce of Snoop Dog’s “Yipee aye Yippe oh”, to belting out New Orleans staples […]

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Some Props to Hot 8.

Says filmmaker and New Orleans native Royce Osborn, “Those first few parades after the storm, the Hot 8 carried us, they literally lifted the city on their big, brawny shoulders and carried us through the street, insisting that the shit was going to get better.” Don’t miss this chance to see one of New Orleans’ […]

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The Hot 8 Brass Band at The Parrot Thursday, April 5th at 5:30 & 10 PM

“Put on your dancing shoes and break out the fire hoses, kids….Hot 8 is in the house! The underground legends, the band the kicks off every Mardi Gras Day leading the Zulu Parade, the NEW undisputed Brass Band Champions, and the only band that requires a fire engine at every performance, is back at The […]

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Earl Scruggs Passes

When I came home from work tonight, returning from an evening of listening to, and visiting with Spider John Koerner at the bar, I glanced at my computer screen I saw the news that Earl Scruggs has passed away. I can think of no finer obit for earl than this piece that appeared earlier this […]

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A Full House for The March 7th Green Parrot Ukulele Association Meeting

Green Parrot Ukulele Association Meeting, March 7th “All Together Now“ Roger, visiting from Nashville, threw his baritone uke in the car at the last minute, not even knowing there was a Uke Night in Key West A Uke that was signed, sealed and apparantly, delivered for someone’s birthday bash. Full House, and don’t forget the […]

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The Gig Isn’t Over Till The Paperwork’s Done, Green Parrot Style.

While the band loads the van and prepares for the trip back to New Orleans, Davis Rogan finishes up his paperwork with the bar As Davis ponders the wisdom of signing a recording release, one of our crack liquor reps, Vicki Roush, prepares an early-morning sampling of tequila for us . Always a salesperson, Vicki […]

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Davis Rogan Ends 14-year Hiatus, Brings Killer NOLA Quartet to Parrot This Weekend.

Davis Rogan last night Anyone who is a fan of Treme will recognize Rogan as “The Real Davis” of the critically acclaimed series that effectively captures the post-Katrina New Orleans music scene. Longtime Parrot patrons may recognize him from his Green Parrot gigs a dozen or so years back when he exploded onto the Parrot […]

READ MORE Davis Rogan Ends 14-year Hiatus, Brings Killer NOLA Quartet to Parrot This Weekend.

This Week at The Parrot

Here’s what’s coming up this week at the bar. Davis Rogan, “The Real Davis” of Treme appears Fri-Sat-Sun. Davis Rogan, “The Real Davis” of HBO series Treme, will appear at the Green Parrot this weekend with shows at 5:30 p.m. and 10 p.m. on Friday, March 2; 10 p.m. on Saturday, March 3; and 5:30 […]

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“We LIve The Music”

Big Sandy and His Fly-Rite Boys bring Roots, Western Swing andRock-a-Billy to the Parrot Big Sandy and His Fly-Rite Boys bring their brand of American Roots music, Western swing and Rock-a-Billy to the Parrot stage on Sunday, February 19, at 10 p.m., and Monday, February 20, with shows at 5:30 p.m. and 10 p.m. “I […]

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Civil War Re-enactors Salute The Green Parrot

Every year around this time Civil war reenactors converge on Fort Zachary Taylor and on their way to the fort always pause to offer a salute to The Green Parrot Bar. This year they stopped and had their Brass band play for us. See a video of their Brass Band playing Battle Hymn of the […]

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World/Inferno Friendship Society Brings Cabaret Punk to The Parrot

Thursday Night at The Parrot, see a video here. NYC’s disturbingly cult-like, circus-related, Halloween-tent-revival orchestra, The World/Inferno Friendship Society performed at The Green Parrot on Thursday, February 9, at 10 p.m. The longstanding Brooklyn-based collective plays cabaret punk with a style that merges punk, soul, klezmer and jazz, while its collective membership features horns, piano […]

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NFL Flashback, “You can get up now, Taylor”,This (expletive deleted) game’s over.”: Chuck Bednarik

Every Super Bowl Sunday my thoughts turn to the Eagles victory over the Packers in the 1960 NFL championship game Shown in this photo taken in the Parrot this morning, to the upper left of the Budweiser poster announcing this years Super Bowl, is a vintage photo taken game day, December 26th, 1960 at Franklin […]

READ MORE NFL Flashback, “You can get up now, Taylor”,This (expletive deleted) game’s over.”: Chuck Bednarik

Wayne Hammond’s Festivus (for the rest of us) Plays Green Parrot

Wayne Hammond’s Festivus (for the rest of us) Plays Green Parrot Wayne Hammond’s Festivus (for the rest of us) will appear at The Green Parrot with shows at 5:30 and 10 p.m. on Friday, February 3, and 10 p.m. on Saturday, February 4, for two days of Funk, Rock and Reggae.Even if you didn’t watch […]

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Second Annual Boogie Woogie Throwdown at The Green Parrot

The Green Parrot Bar hosted its 2nd Annual Boogie Woogie Throwdown last night. Consisting of three rounds, , this long-awaited rematch pits “The Pianamal” Barry Cuda against “Mr.Rocket 88” Mitch Woods with Key West’s own world famous drummer Richard Crooks reprising his role as referee. With two pianos on stage at one time, it was […]

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Hackensaw Boys, High-Octane, Old Timey Barn-Burners return to Parrot

In bluegrass and 0ld-timey related news the return visit of The Hackensaw Boys is imminent. These Charlotttesville, Virginia-based, rough-and ready, nationally-touring acoustic string combo last visited us in 2007. They’ll be here Monday at 10 PM and Tuesday at 5:30 and 10. So watch out! If you want to check out what they were like […]

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Etta James Dies at 73

Etta James in the studio in Chicago with the Chess Records founder Phil Chess, left, and the producer Ralph Bass in 1960.   Etta James, whose powerful, versatile and emotionally direct voice could enliven the raunchiest blues as well as the subtlest love songs, most indelibly in her signature hit,“At Last,” died on Friday morning […]

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The Green Parrot Ukulele Association January Meeting

Epic Uke-Out Last Night! Tim Wegman’s A 440 Studio set up shop Education as well as commerce Great workshop session and great turn-out Great players as usual Love to see the regulars And some new faces Sarah and Justin Kazoo time Inspired cover tunes Great pickin‘ a visitor from Glascow by way of Manhattan This […]

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Charles Kaczynski Brings Gypsy Jazz Violin to The Parrot

Gypsy Jazz at The Parrot Last Night Last night World-renowned violinist/composer Charles Kaczynski presented an evening of Gypsy Jazz in the style of gypsy jazz greats Stephane Grapelli and Django Reinhardt. Gypsy jazz, also known as gypsy swing or hot club jazz, is a style of jazz music said to have been started guitarist Jean […]

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Spam Allstars Last Night

Our thanks to Andrew of The Spam Allstars for the props he gave the Green Parrot in an interview with Miami New Times the other day. We love having them here and are glad they enjoy the vibe as much as we do. Here’s a look at what went down last night and we plan […]

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What’s Up This Week at The Parrot.

Welcome to another great year of music! photo credit Michael Blades The month, and the year, started started out smokin’ with two nights of Donna The Buffalo and as anyone will tell you that was there, “You shoulda been there” photo credit Michel Blades Next up wasThe Carter Brothers doing the first Friday soundcheck of […]

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Otis Redding’s White Christmas

Otis Redding’s White Christmas, released in October, 1968. 10 months after his death. Such a beautiful version of the song. It’s like Otis is wishing us all a Merry Christmas from Heaven!

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John Lee Hooker’s “Blues at Christmas”

John Lee Hooker’s Blues for Christmas recorded in 1949.Blues for ChristmasBaby I ain’t got a dimeBlues for ChristmasBaby I ain’t got a friggin’ dimeI’m just ain’t and they’re wastedI hang my head down baby, I’m cryin’Baby I’m cryin’ Santa ClausBring my baby back on homeSee I ain’t got a lot of moneyBut my baby, she’s […]

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Cheap-Suit Santas Descend on Parrot Tonight

A snapshot from the SantaCon 2010 Holiday Album. That would be our Tim seemingly intervening with police on behalf of one SantaCon reveler. Some sage advise from a veteran Santacon participant, “Yeah, thats’s right, it’s almost time. Be sure to have your bail money with you…”

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Uke Cover of Neko Case song “Star Witness”

Kate Macdonald and Janelle Blanchard record a version of Neko Case‘s brooding “Star Witness” on a school staircase. Check out this exceptionally haunting cover of the Neko Case song Star Witness with an exceptional backstory. Two high school students record a gorgeous version (youtube) of Neko Case’s Star Witness in their high school stairwell. The […]

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Our Fantasy Fest Sampler

With the Holidays fast approaching, and as we gear up to welcome those snowbirds expected to visit our tiny island in coming weeks and months, our staff would like to pass on this bit of home-spun philosophy first opined by our own Vicki Roush and posted here as a sort of disclaimer for that horde.

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Coco Robicheaux’s Second Line

Graham Wood Drought posted this photo on his facebook page and wrote: “This is why I love New Orleans. 2000 people came out to the second line for Coco. That’s Dancing Man Holding the photo. Very moving shot.” Read the story on NOLA.com here. Read the Offbeat magazine story and see a truly amazing video […]

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Coco Robicheaux, New Orleans hoodoo bluesman, has died

Coco Robicheaux played many gigs at The Parrot in the mid-eighties and as a matter of fact was the closest thing to a house band the Parrot ever had, playing three or four nights a week with Chris, a keyboardist he had brought with him from New Orleans, and whatever local musician cared to sit […]

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The Courthouse Deli Bench: “The Early Years”

Now that The Bench has sort of gone public, I thought it wouldn’t mind if we rolled back the clock a little and look at some of the bench’s “baby pictures”. I mean we’re all friends here, and they grow up so quick.  Here’s Sonoma County, California-by-way-of-New-Orleans soul/funk guitarist Eric Lindell enjoying a cafe con […]

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Jim Fossum’s Natty Root Sailor Tops Field in Drink Contest

  Last Sunday, The Green Parrot was the final stop in The Sailor Jerry Hori Smoku Screening and Bar Crawl   Bartenders from participating bars were invited to submit their favorite Sailor Jerry drink recipes and our own Jim Fossum came in with the top recipe.    Here’s how to make Jim’s Natty Root Sailor: Fill […]

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The Green Parrot Ukulele Association December Meeting to be held on Wednesday, November 23rd

“In terms of improving one’s mood and general outlook, I consider the ukulele to be the big gun.”– Louden Wainright III The Green Parrot Ukulele Associatrion will hold it’s December Meeting on Wednesday, November 23rd, beginning at 8 PM. Following the same format as our previous well-attended, high-spirited shindigs, the meeting will begin with a […]

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Legendary J.C.’s Bring Soul Party to Parrot, Thursday and Friday Night, Friday “soundcheck”

“The Legendary J.C.’s Lonesome Soul Revue” brings their hands-to heaven, old-fashioned R & B rock ‘n roll revue to The Green Parrot bar for three soul-stirring shows: Thursday, November 17th at 10 PM and Friday, November 18thwith a 5:30 “soundcheck” and a 10 PM show.Take Sam Cooke with hints of James Brown and Sammy Davis, […]

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Tall Paul & Crawdaddy at The Parrot

Origunally Billed as Tall Paul & Crawdaddy The stage fillled with friends and kindred spirits with names like Swim Skinny and Country Dave. Obviously crowd -pleasers, as witnessed by this photo, they packed the stage; Tod Sheley, Dave Edmiston and Lynley Tolls, and as is that were not enough, Bonnie Raite’s longtime bassist Frebo filled […]

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Green Parrot Shutter Art Contest Winners

First of all, we’d like to thank all the artists who submited sketches for the new Green Parrot shutters There were more than thirty submissions and choosing was be no means easy, and when they were all spead out together for review it was something to behold. The imagination used showed works that were as […]

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Green Parrot Ukulele Night Tomorrow

“In terms of improving one’s mood and general outlook, I consider the ukulele to be the big gun.”– Louden Wainright III The Green Parrot Ukulele Associatrion will hold it’s October Meeting on Wednesday, November 2nd, beginning at 8 PM. Following the same format as our previous well-attended, high-spirited shindigs, the meeting will begin with a […]

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Greeen Parrot’s Locals’ Night to Howl!

Let us not forget that tonight, October 31st, The Green Parrot will host their 39th annual (we think) Halloween Party and Costume Contest. This is locals night to howl, the party we all train for. We would like to remind you to dress up since mystery judges will be awarding cash prizes for the best […]

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Some images from Eric Lindell’s Tuesday Show

Some images from the Eric Lindell show on Tuesday Two Caymans, two sons of two great dads Tubby Love Tubby Love onstage w/ Eric Lindell Tubby and Eric Tutu Dancer and Eric Eric Lindell Steve King Wants to take a picture of your Aura Steven King (that’s right) Man with a Camera Look out behind […]

READ MORE Some images from Eric Lindell’s Tuesday Show

“The Hardest Working Kenyan in Show Business”

Blasting The Parrot area with their brand of African pop and soukous, Amandla Tunesmith, fronted by Zakayo Mutsache, “The Hardest Working Kenyan in Show Business”, They are a pastiche of rhumba, Cuban, and reggae-esque rhythms; Caribbean consonant color; and an Afro-beat instrumentation similar to “Graceland”

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“Drinking Made Easy” to Air Green Parrot Visit October 26th

I’m reprising this post from May as a way of informing people to tune in to HDNet television on Wednesday, October 26th at 8 PM ET to see the Key West episode of Drinking Made Easy, which features The Green Parrot among other Kew West ginmills, including The Rum Barrel and Island Dogs. I also […]

READ MORE “Drinking Made Easy” to Air Green Parrot Visit October 26th

Shutter Art Contest Deadline Approaches

Artists, The four green shutters pictured below is your canvas. Use your imagination. Have some fun. You have just 24 hour left to submit your design for The Green Parrot Shutter Art Contest.  Numerous entries have been received but there is still time to submit yours and win immortality and $250.00.The shutters are the four […]

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The Green Parrot Bar Ukulele Association covers Obla Di Obla Da at last nights meeting

Continuing to reinforce our mantra month after month “In terms of improving one’s mood and general outlook, I consider the ukulele to be the big gun.”- Louden Wainright III, the monthly meeting continues to be a high-spirited, inspiring, fun event with last months September meeting being the best yet it terms of turn-out, quality and […]

READ MORE The Green Parrot Bar Ukulele Association covers Obla Di Obla Da at last nights meeting

The Lee Boys Bring Sacred Steel Gospel Music to The Green Parrot

 The Lee Boys, Florida’s finest African-American Sacred Steel artists, will transform the Green Parrot into the Green Parish with shows at 5:30 and 10 p.m. on Friday, October 7; 10 p.m. on Saturday, October 8; and a 5:30 p.m. Soundcheck on Sunday, October 9. The Lee Boys deliver powerful music with an exciting steel twist that […]

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First-Rate Second-Liners Invade Parrot

The Hot 8 Brass Band on The Parrot Stage Last Night The Hot 8 Brass band brought their thunderous brass attack to theParrot stage for two shows of pure horn muscle yesterday New Orleans’ Hot 8 Brass Band has epitomized New Orleans street music for over a decade. the band plays the traditional Second Line […]

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James Kerr’s Oil Painting of The Parrot

This oil painting by James Kerr was offered to me some time ago by the Gallery on Greene and though I loved it and coveted it, for many reasons it was not meant to be.I like the jesters hat. Check out the link to James Kerr above to see how The Green Parrot fits in […]

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If there was ever a casting call I felt uniquely qualified to give, this would be it.

Audition Notice: “Bye Bye Liver: The Key West Drinking Play” Calling Actors, Actresses, Musicians for Intoxicating Sketch Comedy Revue It seems our old friend Casey Scott, whose booking agency, Highway Key Touring in years past was responsible for delivering some of the best blues America has to offer directly to the Parrot stage has a […]

READ MORE If there was ever a casting call I felt uniquely qualified to give, this would be it.

Green Parrot Cultural Calendars

I put October up a few days ago and thought folks would like to see how the next few months are shaping up. It’s a work in progress with a few TBA’s and tenatives but you get the idea. We are always open for suggestions you know, so tell us who you’ve liked in the […]

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Murderer’s Row: Green Parrot Style

When I looked at the October Entertainment Calendar today, even though I knew for months what was coming, I was blown away by what we had on deck. It’s Murderer’s Row, but instead of Gehrig and Ruth it’s Spiritual Rez and The Hot 8. It’s The Heavy Pets and The Lee Boys. It’s Eric Lindell […]

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Loco por Juana Last Night

Locos por Juana,which roughly translates to ”Crazy About Jane”, delight in genre-crossing. With members hailing from Colombia, Venezuela, and Puerto Rico, the band mixes Ska, Rock, Salsa, Jamaican Dancehall, Cumbia, Reggae, Hip-Hop, Funk and Electronica – sometimes in one song Itaguey Alex Zapata Mark Javier on Drums and Daniel on Congas

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Diana Nyad and Buco’s adventure

Here’s a photo just taken showing our friend Buco, in the white kayak in the foreground, staying close by early this morning after what Diana’s blog described as “a challenging night” that included multiple jellyfish stings. Everyone here at The Green Parrot is pulling for you Diana! And Buco, from all the Walter Mittys at […]

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A Willy The Burner Update

“Can you dig it Brother?” Burner gives us the high sign! Just got this email update for our dear friend, long-time patron and elder statesman, Willy the Burner. Sounds like he’s keeping his chin up and his powder dry. When the expense of island living and lack of proper elder care facilities made his move […]

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Sailor Jerry Airstream to Visit Parrot

Here’s a shot from the last time the Sailor Jerry gang paid us a visit here at The Parrot. We’re not sure what to expect when they show up this Friday night but we do know how they’re getting here.. In this Sailor Jerry vintage airstream trailer The Sailor Jerry Airstream Trailer will be stopping […]

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Bingo for Frank The Cat

As you may or may not know, last night’s Green Parrot Monday Night Bingo was held to help defray the medical expenses incurred when our own Frank The Cat was attacked by another cat in a savage and unprovoked attack. Frank is recovering nicely but those weekend visits to the vet did add up, as […]

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A Touching Footnote to Frank The Cat’s Bingo Night

When it was all over, all the balls put away, the prizes all won, the pudding shots all gone, Frank sat on the back porch in his carrier waiting for his ride across town, his ride back home. When, out of he darkness, out of nowhere, comes Frank’s sibling Otis. Otis who made his home […]

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Monday Green Parrot Bingo to Benefit Frank the Cat

Monday Green Parrot Bingo to Benefit Frank the Cat Green Parrot Bingo will host a special edition on Monday, September 19th to raise money to cover medical expenses incurred when our own Frank the Cat was injured in an unprovoked attack by another cat in front of his house last month. Frank‘s injury, while no […]

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Green Parrot Ukulele Association Update

How About “One Ukin’ Family”? The fourth monthly meeting of the Green Parrot Ukulele Association was, I believe, the best yet, although it would be hard to top the first meeting for shock value alone, when at least 25 uke enthusiasts showed up out of the blue to participate. This month’s meeting brought out the […]

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Viewers Like You…

I get emails and facebook comments like this often, people telling me how much they like to get down with our webcam at home, no matter where home may be. Ernest Copenhaver posted on The Green Parrot’s Wall: “Miss the Green Parrot… Watched Bobby Lee Rodgers on the bar’s stage cam with the computer plugged […]

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Bobby Lee Rodgers to Headline Green Parrot Ukulele Association

“In terms of improving one’s mood and general outlook, I consider the ukulele to be the big gun.”- Louden Wainright III The next meeting of The Green Parrot Ukulele Association will be held on Monday, August 15, at 9 p.m. with co-hosts Tim McAlpine and Jay Gewin and this month’s special host jam/jazz guitar phenomBobby […]

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Buco, from all the Walter Mitty’s around The Parrot, Thanks for the vicarious thrill!

According to an NPR blog this morning: by EYDER PERALTA Half-way through what was scheduled to be a 60 hour swim, 61-year-old Diana Nyad had to abandon what she called her “Xtreme Dream” — a 103 mile swim from Cuba to Florida. “It’s over. She lasted 29 hours in an heroic attempt,” said Elaine Lafferty, […]

READ MORE Buco, from all the Walter Mitty’s around The Parrot, Thanks for the vicarious thrill!

Good Luck Diana, Good Luck Buco !

Buco’s greenparrot.com kayak ready to make the trip Long-distance swimmer Diana Nyad prepares for her Cuba to Key West swim Green Parrot Kayak Society Member Buco Pantelis prepares to escort, and protect her. Here’s our old friend Buco, bartender alumnus, Green Parrot Mr. fixit, our animal rescue engineer, our quality control expert and nominal head […]

READ MORE Good Luck Diana, Good Luck Buco !

Bobby Lee Rodgers to Headline Green Parrot Ukulele Association Mon., August 15 th at 8 PM

“In terms of Improving one’s mood and general outlook I consider the ukulele to be the big gun.”-Louden Wainright IIIThe next meeting of The Green Parrot Ukulele Association will be held on Monday, August 15th, beginning at 8 P.M. with co-hosts Tim McAlpine and Jay Gewin and this month’s special host jam/jazz guitar phenom Bobby […]

READ MORE Bobby Lee Rodgers to Headline Green Parrot Ukulele Association Mon., August 15 th at 8 PM

Another Look at Diana Nyad’s Unimaginable Swim

Alyce Torzsen, team nurse, takes a closer look at an area of chaffing on the shoulder of swimmer Diana Nyad after a nine-hour workout swim off the coast of Key West, Fla. The sea salt rubs skin raw and swells the tongue. From The Halifax, Nova Scotia Chronicle-Herald: ANY DAY NOW, Diana Nyad will set […]

READ MORE Another Look at Diana Nyad’s Unimaginable Swim

Amy Winehouse,”derailed by alcohol, drugs and bad choices”, dead at 27.

There has been much said about the tragic death of Amy Winehouse. Much was said with compassion, some not so much. Ben Pareles informed but impassioned New York Times articles provides a fitting coda to her brief career.He begins, “She was just getting started. Amy Winehouse, dead at 27, was only two albums into a […]

READ MORE Amy Winehouse,”derailed by alcohol, drugs and bad choices”, dead at 27.

Apollo 11, A Darker Side of The Moon Landing

Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin walked on the moon 42 years ago today. But what would have happened if tragedy had fallen on the Apollo 11 mission? A piece in today’s L.A. Times noting the 42nd anniversary of the first lunar landing addresses that issue. The story quotes William Safire, Richard Nixon’s speechwriter, as he […]

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Was the Extra Two Hours Really Worth This?

Well the portals of the Parrot swung open two hours earlier than the usual due to the repeal of a decades-old blue law that forbade the sale of alcohol in Key West before noon on Sunday. We were excited by the hype and the anticipated new business. Would it be some well-heeled tourists looking for […]

READ MORE Was the Extra Two Hours Really Worth This?

An Open Letter to Frank The Cat

We said it was going to happen, and we said it was going to happen soon, and we were right. Frank the Cat, aka Frank Skids, has come out to mention his part in the Green Parrot’s freshly-minted mention by Tavern/Saloon maven and author Christine Sismondo, naming the Green Parrot as #3 on her Top […]

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Green Parrot Lands Top Ten Bar Honors

Not to sound like we’re boasting, but, you know, if there was one thing my mother taught me, it was was, “Johnny, don’t hide your light under a bushel.” So, that said, I’d like to proudly announce that the Green Parrot has been named one of the Top Ten Bars in America by Christine Sismondo, […]

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2nd Green Parrot Ukulele Association Meeting

Regan looks like he was born with a Uke in his hands Co-host Tim McAlpine poised to begin Folks Sign Up to Join The Green Parrot Ukulele Association a first-time guest belts one out Tim McAlpine’s Special Mikes A participant trinidad joe Jeff Clark co-host all together now A special uke message gather round Ashley […]

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Pope uses his own finger to tweet

The Pope used his inaugural tweet to announce the launch of news.va, a Vatican news and information portal. He added “Praised be our Lord Jesus Christ! With my prayers and blessings, Benedictus.” The tweet was sent from the Vatican News Twitter account, with roughly 12,000 followers but sure to skyrocket following the Pope’s tweet. Vatican […]

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Almost Comatozing

And has got to be my favorite Uke video,For a taste of what’s out there in the Uke World.. I saw this video and thought, “Wow, and that was their X-mas song. I’m surprised one of those kids didn’t scrawl “Help Me” on the back of their Uke.”

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“Stop me if you’ve heard this one”, please.

An Australian television presenter attempted to tell a Dalai Lama joke to the man himself, but struggled to raise a smile. Karl Stefanovic from the Today show had to have elements of the joke translated to the Tibetan leader, and the play on words were met with a blank stare until the Dalai Lama laughed […]

READ MORE “Stop me if you’ve heard this one”, please.

Yuengling Light Contest Heats Up

The contest to see who can sell the most Yuengling Light Lager appears to heating up, these are just the results from yesterday afternoon, twenty seven pints, not bad. Chicken has jumped out to a commanding lead.

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Sign Still Lost, But New Beer Found

The (Still) Missing Boca Chica Bar Sign They say that when a door closes, a window opens up.Well we at The Green Parrot felt that when a piece of memorobilia, a sign from a long-gone historical saloon went missing a door of Key West History had sort of closed up. Well, shortly after that loss, […]

READ MORE Sign Still Lost, But New Beer Found

Elvis/Hemingway Slapdown Reenactment

Here’s our own Kenny providing the narrative to set up the scene between Elvis and Ernest. I was Kenney, you’ll recal from a previous post who noticed the upcoming bicentennial and suggested the reenactment. Good job Kenny. It was also Kenney who, when we needed a narrator at the last minute, stepped into the breech […]

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Durty Birdie Burlesque at The Green Parrot

It was another of those “oh-boy-they’ve-done-it-again” performances last night to when Key West Burlesque and The Blue Vipers of Brooklyn, two throwback troupes, combined forces to seemingly transform the Parrot as we know it into some sort of Gin Mill on The Bowery . The combination of Key West Burlesque’s classic peep-show revue and the […]

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Green Parrot July Entertainment Calendar 2011

Green Parrot July Entertainment Calendar 2011 Friday, July 1st, Damon Fowler 5:30 PM “soundcheck” Friday, July 1st, Damon Fowler, 10 PM show Saturday, July 2nd, Damon Fowler, 5:30 PM “soundcheck” Saturday, July 2nd, Suenalo, 10 PM show Sunday, July 3rd, Bill Blue, 5:30 “soundcheck” Sunday, July 3rd, Suenalo, 10 PM show Tuesday, July 5th, 5:30 […]

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Marlins’ Streaker Has Nothing To Hide

When we first saw the video, and later learned the man in the video was not only a local but one of our good customers, I recalled having put a nice photo of him on the Green Parrot blog a few weeks earlier.Not wanting to embarrass him any further by identifying him, I made the […]

READ MORE Marlins’ Streaker Has Nothing To Hide

Key West Waterfront Park

Since it’s Memorial Day I thought I would reprise a post from a few years back that describes The U.S Coast Guard Cutter Mohawk, newly arrived in Key West for display on the waterfront. There’s also a little sidebar in this blogpost that describes my fathers role in World War II. Down the street from […]

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Durty Birdie Burlesque at The Green Parrot

We are proud to announce that Key West Burlesque will be sharing the Green Parrot stage with The Blue Vipers of Brooklyn on Tuesday, June 14 beginning at 10 PM When Billy and the rest of The Blue Vipers performed at The Parrot in March some members of The Key West Burlesque were in attendance. […]

READ MORE Durty Birdie Burlesque at The Green Parrot

The Kids, As You Can Imagine, Are Heartbroken.

In a case of what surely must have been mistaken identity, that is someone mistaking Treasure for Trash, the vintage Boaca Chica Bar sign is missing from The Green Parrot. It appears to have vanished from a pile of other signs that were taken down from the bar’s ceiling for routine maintenance and were stacked […]

READ MORE The Kids, As You Can Imagine, Are Heartbroken.

Calling all ukulele lovers: Uke-apocalypse at The Green Parrot

While perusing Ukulele Perspective, a usually upbeat and sunny ukulele website, I read: “The Night of 1000 Ukuleles @ Satchel’s has been temporarily suspended. We may well resume, if there is enough interest, in August or September. If you have thoughts on whether we should meet monthly, let me know and we’ll see how it […]

READ MORE Calling all ukulele lovers: Uke-apocalypse at The Green Parrot

Johnny Sketch and The Dirty Notes

Johnny Sketch and The Dirty Notes tore it up again tonight with their killer NOLA Funk, their inspired covers (Spinal Tap to Chocolate Milk to Sgt. Pepper) and their rapport with the crowd that just gets better and better every time.Johnny Sketch, in an unsolicited testimonial, said, “I don’t usually drink Jaeger, but when I […]

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Key West Baseball Outing Goes South

Video: Naked Caveman Streaker Tackled In Last Night’s Marlins-Cubs Game Here’s a link to a story in the Miami New Times that gives an account plus an accompanying video of a streaker at last night’s Marlins-Cubs game. The news account goes on to the poster of the video who claims the nude streaker came from […]

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Change is Good…You Go First.

To quote poet Paul Violi, “Veni, Vidi, Velcro”, “I came. I saw, I stuck around” We all know there been a lot of talk for the last few months about what’s going on at The Parrot. I joked that one afternoon in Publix, cornered by inquiring minds, I felt like I was giving a press […]

READ MORE Change is Good…You Go First.

Brown Chicken Brown Cow

High-Octane Barn Burners Chicken Brown Cow bring their Old Timey Music to The green Parrot on Wednesday, May 18th with shows at 5:30 and 10:00 P.M.Our string band from West Virginia…Xander Hitzig, Justin Morris, Orion Hitzig and Matt Del Olmo are BrownChicken BrownCow StringBand Charlie Hatcher is also an original member playing Bass and Singing. […]

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Coy LeBeau’s Obituary in The New Orleans Times-Picayune on May 10, 2011

LeBEAU Coy James LeBeau passed away on Saturday, April 23, 2011, in New Orleans, at the age of 41. He is survived by his sweetheart Cerulleal “Featherhead” Saturnine (who affectionately called him “Papi”), his mother Beverly LeBeau, his siblings Susan Seybt, Carl “Bubba” Joseph LeBeau, Jr., and Kathy Anderson, his nieces and nephews, and myriad […]

READ MORE Coy LeBeau’s Obituary in The New Orleans Times-Picayune on May 10, 2011

Coy’s “Funeral with Music”

It wasn’t planned as a jazz funeral, but if you walked into the Green Parrot Saturday afternoon you could have heard these lines from St. James Infirmary: “When I die want you to dress me in straight lace shoes I wanna a boxback coat and a Stetson hat Put a twenty dollar gold piece on […]

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Memorial for Coy Lebeau Saturday at The Green Parrot

There will be a Memorial for Coy Lebeau at The Green Parrot Bar this Saturday, May 7th at 1 P.M.Fittingly, Saturday is the big day at Jazzfest in New Orleans.We invite all who knew Coy to come and share their memories of this extraordinary gentleman with the many, manyothers who knew and loved him.Bring a […]

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Green Parrot Old Time Fiddlers’ Contest 2011

Here’s 14-year old Tommy McKinney from Romulus, Michigan as he prepares to play his first tune in yesterday’s 18th Annual Green Parrot Old Time Fiddlers’ Contest. Tommy’s Dad Jim, also a fiddler, called the bar a few weeks ago after hearing about our contest on the internet and wondered if they could still enter and […]

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Bobby Lee Rodgers Trio

The Bobby Lee Rodgers Trio on The Green Parrot stage Thursday night.Bobby Lee returns with shows at 10 P.M on Saturday, April 30th. and again at 5:30 P.M. on Sunday, May 1st A stellar songwriter, vocalist and guitarist, Bobby Lee Rodgers was for years the mainstay of The Codetalkers, a jazz, rock and roll band […]

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The Brown Derby:an air-conditioned sailor’s bar

From The Key West Citizen50 YEARS AGOThe Brown Derby Bar, an air-conditioned sailor’s bar managed by Gladys M. Burgert, was at 601 Whitehead St. Submarine sailors still come in from time to time, and ask “whatever happened to Gladys?” She must have been something special. a href=”http://www.conchs.com/”>Key West Conchs web site: That photo got me […]

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Key West Citizen Channels The Onion

I had to share this. Vicki Roush writes on her facebook page: “If you were wondering about the Secret Command Center, look no further. It’s open, and here’s how to get there. KW Citizen front page headlines: “Secret Command Center Opens” Complete w/ photo of entrance.Where to start?”

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Spam Allstars this past weekend

Looking like the parrot’s answer to the Hal 9000,our new digital soundboard, with our ipad perched next to it, ready to reproduce the best Spam Allstars sound yet.Tomas Diaz, all smiles and drawing smiles in return. There is no vibe like the vibe created when this band, the true Miami sound machine, plays.Looking towards the […]

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Easter in Joshua Tree

This post is a post from a few years back that I believe needs to be reprised every Easter. By way of a disclaimer,on holidays I sometimes take the liberty to digress from bar stuff.This post has nothing to do with the bar except these people are my relatives. These are some unsolicited photos sent […]

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Coy LeBeau 1970-2011

Sadly, so sadly, we received the word that our friend Coy LeBeau has passed away in New Orleans.Coy, looking impish as only he could, displays his freshly-minted, one-of-a-kind Green Parrot Tradesman’s Card.It was that kind of look that almost got him burned at the stake in The Bahamas, when, to hear Tom Robinson and Beaver […]

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Joey Dale Does Sunday Soundcheck

Joey Dale and The Gigolos, South Florida’s premier Doo Wop group doing the Green Parrot’s Sunday “soundcheck” and singing all the hits that people love to hear. Joey Dale Has the Audience in The Palm of His Hand. Sea of Love, Come and Go With Me, The Wanderer, At The Hop, Tempts Jam, The Four […]

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Meet Me at The Parrot

Given the Green Parrot’s proximity to the Monroe County Courthouse, (diagonally across the street), the bar has always served as kind of either a pit-stop or a meeting place for those unfortunate enough to be headed that way. Whether one was stopping in before court, (to bolster one’s courage) or after court, (to drown ones […]

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Smirkfest 2011

Smirk’s 36th Birthday party at Friday’s Souncheck was a blast. What’s a birthday party without a cake. Ane what kind of party would it be without music. That’s Vince Scardina fronting the V Ray Blues Band. Vince was around when Smirk was just a tot so it was only fitting he lead the crowd in […]

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Watermelon Slim at The Green Parrot

The critically-acclaimed, award-winning blues artist Bill “Watermelon Slim” Homans brought his hard-driving, road-tested blend of slide guitar, harmonica and gravel and chains vocals to The Parrot yesterday at soundcheck and again last night.Scheduled to do a ninety minute set Slim played from 5:30 to nearly 8 PM in a near two and half hour set […]

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Last Year’s Smirk’s Birthday Bash

Here’s what to expect this year and here’s to all those masked well-wishers who turned out last year to honor Smirk on his special day, all of you never looked better and Smirk didn’t look a day older than he did in ’75.The Front Porch CrewHelene brought the cakeYikes!Some of the masked revelers, I think […]

READ MORE Last Year’s Smirk’s Birthday Bash
Photo of Spider John Koerner

Spider John Koerner, Serendipity, Shel Silverstein, John Hartford, and Oranges

Folk/country blues legend, Bob Dylan Mentor,  Spider John Koerner at The Parrot While I was speaking with local fiddler Gary Zimmerman outside the bar on Wednesday night the gentleman in the ball cap approached us to report, somewhat incredulously, that Spider John  Koerner was about to start playing inside. “Spider John Koerner…inside…right now”, he repeated. […]

READ MORE Spider John Koerner, Serendipity, Shel Silverstein, John Hartford, and Oranges

In The Gloaming…

It was that special time of the day, that certain time of the year, sun slanting in at at just the right angle again…described in previous post as The Parrot’s Dutch Masters LightOn this occasion it was Will who was the one bathed in this eerie glow, with Mutsy’s radioactive -looking drink next to him. […]

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Pinetop Perkins, Delta Boogie-Woogie Master, Dies at 97

Two weeks ago we noted the passing of Bluesman Eddie Kirkland and last week learned that Delta Bluesman Big Jack Johnson, another Green Parrot performer has died.Today’s paper tells us that Pinetop Perkins is also gone. Pinetop Perkins, the boogie-woogie piano player who worked in Muddy Waters’s last great band and was among the last […]

READ MORE Pinetop Perkins, Delta Boogie-Woogie Master, Dies at 97

Watermelon Slim Sunday 3/27 at The Green Parrot

While preparing the Press for this weeks music I started to get an idea for just how much of a treat we are in for next Sunday when Watermelon Slim hits the boards.With a bio few can match and awards piled up like cordwood Slim appears to be the real deal. He’ll be appearing on […]

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Green Parrot 2011 April Cultural Calendar

Happy Birthday! Green Parrot 2011 April Entertainment Calendar Friday, April1st, 5:30 PM “soundcheck and Smirk’s Birthday Party with” Bill Blue Friday, April 1st , Xperimento 10 PM show Saturday, April 2nd Xperimento 10 PM show Sunday, April 3rd, Sunday Jazz Showcase 1 PM Sunday, April 3rd 5:30 “soundcheck” TBA Wednesday, April 6th, Michael Burks, 5:30 […]

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Eddie Kirkland Live At Banana Peel

This exactly the way I remember Eddie Kirkland.The Banana Peel is a Blues Club in Belgium and we corresponded a good bit with folks there via email. They would watch our web cam and see blues acts that had been to the Banana Peel and comment on them. It was one of the first times […]

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Eddie Kirkland’s New York Times Obituary

The New York Times published this obituary of Bluesman Eddie Kirkland.Eddie Kirkland, then 84, pictured above on the Green Parrot stage a few years back. I mentioned some of these things a few days ago but reading this New York Times piece today made me revisit those memories. Eddie liked to load in early, sometimes […]

READ MORE Eddie Kirkland’s New York Times Obituary

The Parrot Has Feng Shui Out The Ass

Not without CAUTION, the boys try to evaluate the geographical, psychological, philosophical, mathematical, aesthetic and astrological impact of the new Green Parrot awning they have just built in relation to the space and energy flow of the bar.This post is from may ’07 when we rebuilt the awning

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Yea, we’ll miss him

Another shot of Eddie Kirkland at The Parrot. This photo reminds me of what a sweet, sweet man Eddie was.I’m still looking for more photos of his vintage Country Squire, with the spare on the roof, the rear-view mirror held on to the driver’s side door using a guitar string (what else)for baling wire, and […]

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Go Figure

It’s another of those “go figure” moments Green Parrot Testimonial History.We were truly honored a few years back when Playboy magazine named us one of the top bars in America.  We were flattered just a few months ago when Florida Monthly told us we were voted The Best Live Music Venue in Florida for 2010.  […]

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Big Sam Bring Noladelic Powerfunk to Parrot Faithful

Big Sam’s Funky Nation Returns to The Green Parrot bar for two Funky Nights, with shows at 10 PM on Wednesday, February 23rd, and 5:30 and 10 PM on ThursdayThurs, February 24th. Big Sam’s Funky Nation is led by “Big Sam” Williams, formerly of the Dirty Dozen Brass band, who has been celebrated as “the […]

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A Tragic Story but a Great Obit

J. Paul Getty III, 54, Dies; Had Ear Cut Off by Captors Read the New York Times obituary here. J. Paul Getty III, who was a grandson of the oil baron once believed to be the richest man in the world and who achieved tragic notoriety in 1973 when he was kidnapped by Italian gangsters, […]

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So lDriven Train’s CD “Believe” was voted Top Album of 2010 by popular vote by The Home Grown Music Network.

Sol Driven Train’s Musical Express Speeds into 2011 It’s not easy being in a touring group. Non-stop travel does most bands in within a few short years or sometimes months. Constantly coming up with new material and recording and releasing new albums takes its toll and many are just not up to the grind of […]

READ MORE So lDriven Train’s CD “Believe” was voted Top Album of 2010 by popular vote by The Home Grown Music Network.

Another Great Week of Music at The Parrot Will Have Them Diving Out of Their Seats

All the planets are lining up for another great week of music at The Parrot. Stand by for classic rock from South Jersey/Philly , Horn-heavy rock and funk from Charleston, Classic Soul and Afro-Latin Funk from Milwaukee, Sunday Jazz with the Locals, and Powerhouse Rock and Soul from Brooklyn. The Juliano Brothers Band: “1200 Pound […]

READ MORE Another Great Week of Music at The Parrot Will Have Them Diving Out of Their Seats

Piper Road Spring Band

The Piper Road Spring take the stage at The Green Parrot Thursday night, a favorite stop on their annual Keys tour.Tearing it up as usual, left to right, Randal Harrison on fiddle, Bob Mason on mandolin, Billy Kangaroo on washboard, John Widdicombe on bass, and Andy Trout on guitar.The two above photos were taken just […]

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Dutch Masters Light

In The late afternoon, at certain times of the year, natural light pours into the bar through one or another of the doors or windows at just the right angle, and for a just a few moments bathes the Green Parrot in what Brig, Patrick and a few of the other regulars once described to […]

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Just 4 Kids Sidewalk arts and crafts sale

Saturday, Jan. 29th the Green Parrot Bar located at 601 Whitehead St. will be having a sidewalk arts & crafts show / sale. This is a charity event to raise funds for the Just 4 Kids art center. the show is from 10am to 5pm with music from Ray West, Richie Chevy and friends starting […]

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Marino’s Fake Spike

For those of us who are not all caught in the fervor surrounding this year’s Jet’s winning season. here’s a look back at one of their not-so-great-moments.The Fake Spike Game was one of the worst games in the history of the New York Jets, one of football’s most snakebitten franchises:in the way they lost it, […]

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Eric Lindell, Greensky Bluegrass at Parrot

Eric Lindell Brings Blue-eyed Soul, Dive-Bar Credibility and RompingNew Orleans R & B to The ParrotCalifornia-born, New Orleans-schooled R & B singer/songwriter EricLindell bringshis blue-eyed soul, blues and boogie back to the Parrot stage for threefunky, rootsynights with shows at 10 P.M Thursday, January 6th, 5:30 and 10 P.M. on Friday, January 7th and 10 […]

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Johnny Sketch and The Dirty Notes Bring NOLA Funk, New Year’s Cheer, to The Green Parrot

Johnny Sketch and The Dirty Notes, one of the hottest emerging bands on the fertile New Orleans music scene bring their special brand of NOLA funk to the Green Parrot with shows at 5:30 and 10 PM on Friday, December 31st, 5:30 and 10 PM on Saturday, January 1st,and 5:30 PM on Sunday, January 2nd. […]

READ MORE Johnny Sketch and The Dirty Notes Bring NOLA Funk, New Year’s Cheer, to The Green Parrot

Green Parrot Parties “Local-Style”

The Green Parrot was flattered to find themselves mentioned in Florida Travel and Life Magazine as one of only five”insider’ local spots in Key West. We hope to always retain that distinction.We found ourselves in good company being mentioned along with with Virgilio’s, just around the corner, and our friend Pete’s Seven Fish restuarant on […]

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Green Parrot January and February 2011 Cultural Calendar

Johnny Sketch and The Dirty Notes Green Parrot January 2011 Entertainment Calendar Saturday, January 1st, 5:30 PM soundcheck and 10 PM show, Johnny Sketch and The Dirty Notes Sunday, January 2nd, 5:30 PM soundcheck Johnny Sketch and The Dirty Notes Thursday, January 6th,10 PM show Eric Lindell Friday, January 7th, 5:30 PM soundcheck and 10 […]

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Avant-garde musician Captain Beefheart Dies

Avant-garde musician Captain Beefheart died this morning in California from complications of multiple sclerosis. He was 69. An all-time favorite of rock critics — and known to readers of lists of the best rock albums of all time as the guy with the hat and the fish face — Beefheart earned a reputation for making […]

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Bobby Lee Rodgers Trio Brings Post-Bop Jazz, Muscle Shoals Soul, Epic Rock to Green Parrot

The Bobby Lee Rodgers Trio returns to The Green Parrot stagewith shows at 5:30 and 10 P.M. on Friday and Saturday, December 17th and 18th. Bobby Lee Rodgers taps into the primal mojo of ’50s pioneers embellished with the captivating twists & turns of post-bop jazz, Muscle Shoals soul, fleet fingered acoustic picking, and huge […]

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There Once Was a Man….

In what seems like a fitting post for the start of Fantasy Fest it seems The Man From Nantucket was cited for…well, you guessed it. What do they say, “If you got it,….”Arrest Date: 10/25/2010 Time: 07:30 CAD #: Offense #: KWPD10OFF005464 Name: XXXXXXXXXXX DoB:05/22/1973 Age:37 Sex:M Race:W Address: XXXXXXX ST, KEY WEST, FL Occupation: […]

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Soulgrass Rebelllion brings Appalachian/Caribbean Fusion to Green Parrot

Soulgrass Rebelllion brings Appalachian/Caribbean Fusion to Green Parrot Soulgrass Rebellion brings their mix of rggae, bluegrass and rock and roll to The Green Parrotstage with shows beginning at 10 P.M. on Friday, October 1st and 5:30 and 10 P.M. on Saturday, October 2nd.Soulgrass Rebellion is about a family of friends making music, making people dance, […]

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Ben Prestage Brings Delta Blues on Slide Guitar and Diddley-Bow to Parrot

Ben Prestage Brings Delta Blues on Slide Guitar and Diddley-Bow to Parrot Hailed by some as “the future of Southern music”, Ben Prestage willperform true American roots music and down-home Southern CountryBlues on slide guitar and diddley-bow at The Green Parrot with 5:30 P.M.soundchecks on Friday, October 1st and Sunday, October 3rd.Hailing from the Dirty, […]

READ MORE Ben Prestage Brings Delta Blues on Slide Guitar and Diddley-Bow to Parrot

Renaissance Woman, Plus-Size Voluptuary Candye Kane Returns to Green Parrot

Renaissance Woman, Plus-Size Voluptuary Candye Kane Returns to Green Parrot The island is buzzing with the news of Candye Kane’s return to TheGreen Parrot Thursday, October 7th,with shows at 5:20 and10 P.M.. Continuing nearly two decades of relentlesstouring, the seven-time San Diego Best Blues Award winner is on a 26city tour in support of her […]

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Green Parrot to host Heavy Pets and MOFRO’s Daryl Hance

“Perfect Jamband” Heavy Pets Return to Green Parrot “The Heavy Pets return to The Green Parrot on Friday and Saturday, September 24th and 25th with shows at 5:30 and 10 P.M.The Heavy Pets are an American rock and roll band whose contagious vibe blends rhythm and blues, jazz-funk and reggae fusion with homegrown rock and […]

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“Dude, you have no Koran.”

As with so many things in America these days, a planned Koran-burning in Texas last week that seemed as if it might end in tears, instead ended in Auto-Tuning. While much of the planet was focused on the possibility that the pastor of a tiny Florida church might burn copies of the Koran to mark […]

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“The Pets just might be a perfect jamband”

“Perfect Jam band” Heavy Pets Return to Green Parrot “The Heavy Pets return to The Green Parrot on Friday and Saturday, September 24th and 25th with shows at 5:30 and 10 P.M.The Heavy Pets are an American rock and roll band whose contagious vibe blends rhythm and blues, jazz-funk and reggae fusion with homegrown rock […]

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The Green Parrot Bar Named the Best Live Music Venue in Florida

The Green Parrot Bar has been named the Best Live Music Venue in Florida for 2010 by Florida Monthly Magazine. The announcement will appear in Florida Monthly Magazine’s September issue. The Green Parrot replaces Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park for the top spot. “This is a real honor,” said Bar Manager John Vagnoni “We […]

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J.P Soars & The Red Hots Play Parrot for Poker Run

Blues Award Winners J.P. Soars and The Red Hots Play Green Parrot International Blues Challenge First Place winners J.P. Soars and The Red Hots will appear at The Green Parrot Friday and Saturday, September 17th and 18th with shows at 5:30 and 10 P.M. J.P. SOARS & THE RED HOTS took the Blues world by […]

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Jacuzzi Boys Open for Dash Rip Rock at Green Parrot Saturday

Jacuzzi Boys The Miami garage-rock trio Jacuzzi Boys bring their ’60’s-inspired haze of fuzzy, Florida swamp rock to The Green Parrot for one show only on Saturday, August 14th, beginning at 9 PM. Jacuzzi Boys’ three-chord sound is not only infectious, but tight, and their onstage presence and charisma shows the hype surrounding the promising […]

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Country Punksters Dash Rip Rock at Green Parrot

Great Southern Rock and Roll with a twist of the obscene! The South’s most notorious band of country drunkster-punksters, thelegendary Dash Rip Rock, are at it again, and no Florida road trip would be complete without a stop at The Green Parrot Bar. These psycho-billy roadwarriors will explode onto The Parrot stage on Friday and […]

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From Sunday’s Key West Citizen:

Jim Bean, owner of the Green Parrot Bar, died suddenly at his home in Excelsior, Minnesota, on July 31, 2010. Jim was born December 6, 1946, and after graduating from Minnetonka High School (’64) he served valiantly in the Marines during Viet Nam, receiving the Purple Heart in recognition of his combat injuries. Back in […]

READ MORE From Sunday’s Key West Citizen:

Linda Bean’s Address

Many of you have been inquiring, so here it is. Linda BeanBean’s Greenwood Marina21945 Minnetonka Blvd.Excelsior, MN 55331 Thank you all for the tremendous outpouring of affection for Bean. We all miss him terribly. ::

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A Sad Day At The Parrot

It is terribly difficult to let all of you know that The Green Parrot will be closed today in honor of Jim Bean, who passed away last evening as a result of a sudden heart attack. John thanks everyone for their concern, and will keep everyone informed as to the arrangements being made in Minnesota, […]

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Updated Green Parrot Cultural Calendar

Here’s a more up-to-date Cultural Calendar through November. Remember, all dates are subject to change and for more information call the bar ar 305-294-6133 Green Parrot August Entertainment Calendar Sunday, August 1st, 5:30 PM “soundcheck” Vince Scardina Friday,August 6th, 5:30 PM “soundcheck” MuseGurusFriday, August 6th, 10 PM show Spam AllstarsSaturday ,August 6th, 5:30 PM “soundcheck” […]

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Man Arrested For Breaking Into Bar, Selling Drinks

Suspect Served Drinks To Customers For Four Days Before Being Arrested Arrested Only After Newspaper Published An Article On The Bar’s ReopeningTravis Kevie in a picture featured in the Auburn Journal article about the re-opening of the landmark Valencia Club. Kevie was arrested the day after the article was published. An Auburn, California man has […]

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“Perfect Jamband” Heavy Pets Return to Green Parrot

“The Heavy Pets return to The Green Parrot on Friday and Saturday, July 23rd and 24th with shows at 5:30 and 10 P.M.The Heavy Pets are an American rock and roll band whose contagious vibe blends rhythm and blues, jazz-funk and reggae fusion with homegrown rock and roll. The Heavy Pets are known for powerhouse […]

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Green Parrot August, September, October, November Entertainment Calendar

All Shows Subject To Change Without Notice, please call 305-294-6133 To Confirm Dates and Times Green Parrot August Entertainment Calendar Sunday, August 1st, 5:30 PM “soundcheck” Vince Scardina Friday,August 6th, 5:30 PM “soundcheck” TBAFriday, August 6th, 10 PM show Spam AllstarsSaturday ,August 6th, 5:30 PM “soundcheck” TBASaturday, August 7th, 10 PM show Spam Allstars Sunday, […]

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“Set the Wayback Machine” or Tell Cave-Man Dave we Got His Beer in

Since we’ve started serving Dogfish Head 60 minute IPA at The Parrot we’ve had a few posts about Dogfish Head owner San Calagione’s penchant for resurrecting long-lost recipes for malt beverages, such as Midas Touch, created from sediment found on drinking vessels in the tomb of King Midas in Turkey, or making a batch of […]

READ MORE “Set the Wayback Machine” or Tell Cave-Man Dave we Got His Beer in

Hori Smoku Sailor Jerry

The Green Parrot Bar hosts  a screening of The Sailor Jerry documentary Hori Smoku Sailor Jerry: A Film About The Life and Times of American Tattoo Master Norman Collins. Norman”Sailor Jerry: Collins.A bona fide Green Parrot Cultural Event, sponsored by Premier Beverage and Sailor Jerry Rum, the screening also included Sailor Jerry prizes and giveaways, and […]

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Parrot To Screen “Hori Smoku, Sailor Jerry”

a vintage photo of Norman”Sailor Jerry: Collins. On Thursday, July 15th, beginning at 8:30 P.M., The Green Parrot Bar will host a screening of The Sailor Jerry documentary Hori Smoku Sailor Jerry: A Film About The Life and Times of American Tattoo Master Norman Collins. This bona fide cultural event, sponsored by Premier Beverage and […]

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Abe’s Strange Trip

Of course we all know that there’s a story behind every object that graces the walls of the Parrot but this is one of the better ones.Seeing the story in today’s Key West Citizen about the family of Dr.Mudd visiting Key West this week prompts me to tell the story of the day we hung […]

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The Spam Allstars at The Green Parrot Bar, Saturday, July 3rd, 2010.

Blending latin, funk, hip hop and dub, The SpamAllstars make theirhighly anticipated return to The Green Parrot for twopelvis-grinding nights.Well known in Miami for their innovative sound, the SpamAllstarshave become the true Miami sound machine, giving South Florida apremium blend of nostalgic, obscure, and retro sounds which has beendescribed as retro-Cuban and even as deconstructed […]

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Robert Albury at The Green Parrot, Good God, Y’all!

 Key West’s own King of Soul, Robert Albury appears at The Green Parrot Bar  this Friday, July 2nd  with shows  at 5:30 and10 PM and Saturday, July 3rd at 5:30 PM.  Robert makes you feel thankful for his own energetic style ofsoul music, guaranteed to keep you dancing and singing along all nightlong. Get on the good foot this Friday at The […]

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Spam Allstars Return to Green Parrot

Andrew Yeomanson, a/k/a DJ Le Spam leads the Spam Allstars back to the Parrot for 4th of July weekend Blending latin, funk, hip hop and dub, The Spam Allstars make theirhighly anticipated return to The Green Parrot for twopelvis-grinding nights, Saturday and Sunday, Juyy 3rd and 4th,beginning at 10 P.M.Well known in Miami for their […]

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When the Booty Band Hits the Stage, Everybody Dances!

Yo Mama’s Big Fat Booty Band blew the doors off theGreen Parrot on Friday and Saturday night.See the youtube clip here. Fresh from pulling off a hat-trick of prestigious music awards, namelyThe Home Grown Music Awards #1 New Band of the Year Award, The HomeGrown Music Awards Studio Album of the Year, and, last but […]

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Father’s Day Photos I Was Looking For…

This is really the Father’s Day photo. or photos rather, that I was looking for yesterday. They were on my fridge for a very, very,  long time.  Always, it seemed, so I just assumed they would be there yesterday, when I needed them.But they were not. I’m thinking we’re both about 22.

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“Yo Mama’s Big fat Booty Band” to Funk Up The Green Parrot

Award-Winning “Yo Mama’s Big fat Booty Band” to Funk Up The GreenParrot: When the Booty Band hits the stage, everybody dances! Fresh from pulling off a hat-trick of prestigious music awards, namelyThe Home Grown Music Awards #1 New Band of the Year Award, The HomeGrown Music Awards Studio Album of the Year, and, last but […]

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LOWELL, MASS

As a kind of footnote, here’s a Billy Collins’ poem I’m fond of that kind of reminds me of a lot of dads, including mine. LOWELL, MASS. Kerouac was born in the same town as my father, but my father never had time to write On The Road let alone drive around the country in […]

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Victory HopDevil, Score One For The Home Team

Victory Hopdevil Pale Ale is the newest addition to The Green Parrot stable of draft beers.  What did it replace you ask?   The British Royal Navy ship HMS Manchester  has weighed anchor after a week in port here, but not before our key west soccer team edged their ship’s team nine-zip, and then in the World […]

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Paul Cebar’s Tomorrow Sound: Classic Soul Meets Afro-Funk

Well known for shaking up the Green Parrot Bar’s stage, Paul Cebar’s Tomorrow Sound. (formerly Paul Cebar andthe Milwaukeeans) return to the Parrot for an unprecedented three pelvis-grinding days and nightswith shows at 5:30 and 10 PM on Friday and Saturday, June 11th and 12th and 5:30 P.M. onSunday, June 13th.Cebar’s long-awaited return to The […]

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American Craft Beer Week, May 17-23, 2010

Check out The South Florida Beer Blog for a list of South Florida events  celebrating American Craft Beer Week. The Green Parrot’s draft beer list, as presented so invitingly here by bartender alumni Eric Bissel,  while still interesting,  by virtue of  our geography and demographics,  of necessity remained fairly mainstream.  I can remember over the years various […]

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Suenalo Last Night BringsTheir 10-piece funk/afro-latin/jam band to the Parrot Stage

Suenalo, the Miami-based 10-piece Afro-Latin-funk-jam bandexplodes on to The Green Parrot Stage with its polyrhythmic display offunk, mambo, hip-hop, and jam-band-style Green Parrot patrons will be dancing, twisting and shouting for threepelvis-grinding nights as Suenalo brings a their 10-piece funk /afro-beat / jam band to the Parrot stage. a barrage ofmusic that’s simultaneously Afro-Cuban, Dominican […]

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Sailor Jerry Rum Brand Ambassador Lisa Hare Pays a Visit to The Parrot

Sailor Jerry Rum Brand Ambassador Lisa Hare pays a visit to The Parrot as a guest of Premier Beverage.Here she clutches some of Bob Sexton’s homegrown tomatoes as Tommy The Fisherman (left) and  Premier Beverage Salesperson, our own Vicki Roush (right), looks on. That’s some tomato from  Bob the Farmer. Who knew? No, that’s some […]

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Suenalo on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, May 28th, 29th, and 30th

Suenalo, the Miami-based 10-piece Afro-Latin-funk-jam band explodes on to The Green Parrot Stage with its polyrhythmic display offunk, mambo, hip-hop, and jam-band-style on Friday,Saturday and Sunday, May 28th, 29th, and 30th with shows beginning at 10 P.M.Green Parrot patrons will be dancing, twisting and shouting for twopelvis-grinding nights as Suenalo brings a their 10-piece funk […]

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At High noon today, in what could be billed as a Subway Series, The Green Parrot squares off against Cowboy Bill’s.Let’s Go Get ‘Em!

Harking back to the Glory Days of  Roddy, Frenchy,  Jimbo, Buco, Joe Dog, Fireball Frank and John,  the Parrot is again within striking distance of the championship cup. At High noon today, in what could be billed as a Subway Series,  The Green Parrot squares off against Cowboy Bill’s. Let’s Go Get ‘Em!The Green Parrot […]

READ MORE At High noon today, in what could be billed as a Subway Series, The Green Parrot squares off against Cowboy Bill’s.Let’s Go Get ‘Em!

The Carter Brothers Bring NewGrass to Green Parrot

Sons of North Carolina, and pioneers of emerging folk-rock,bluegrass/newgrass, The Carter Brothers Tim and Danny will make areturn appearance to The Green Parrot Bar on Saturday, May 22nd, with shows at 5:30 and 10 P.M., and Sunday, May 23rd at 5:30 P.M.True American originals, Tim and Dan are blood related to A.P.,Sarah and Maybelle Carter […]

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Sleepy and me

Here’s a shot of Sleepy LaBeef and myself. I’m only in the picture to show the scale of the subject.I really think it’s just that hat that makes him look so much taller than me.

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Robert Earl Keen Backstage

Here’s myself with Robert Earl Keen after his show at The Green Parrot. He said he totally enjoyed playing at The Parrot and hoped Parrot folks felt the same. Love that shirt.

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What’s Coming Up This Weekend at The Parrot

Black Blondie Brings All-Female, Twin Cities Experimental R & B to the Parrot StageBlack Blondie, the all-female experimental R & B group from Minneapolis, will bring the tried and true fundamentals of strong melodies, tatsty arrangements and searing passion to the Parrot stage on Thursday, May 20th with shows beginning at 5:30 and 9 P.MThe […]

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Green Parrot May-June-July 2010 Entertainment Calendar

May 2010 Entertainment Calendar Saturday, May 1st, J. P. Soars & The Red Hots 5:30 &10 PM shows Sunday. May 2nd J. P. Soars & The Red Hots 5:30 P.M. show Wednesday, May 5th, Cinco de Mayo Party with The Bobby Lee Rodgers Trio Thursday, May 6th Bobby Lee Rodgers 10 P.M. show Friday, May […]

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4/20

Here’s our own Kenny at a national NORML convention a few years back and I guess I don’t have to tell you where he is or what he’s up to.and here’s what he’s up to today…

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Red Bull Gives You Wings Indeed

The Spanish police have stopped what appears to have been a daring strategy by an enterprising band of drug smugglers, who the police say tried to use the Dakar Rally in January to cover up their tracks.Agence France-Presse reported that the smugglers disguised a truck to look like a race support vehicle for the rally, […]

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Robert Earl Keen at The Green Parrot

It’s official. Robert Earl Keen will appear at The Parrot Friday night, April 30th at 10 PM as part of the Key West Songwriters Festival. We couldn’t be happier to have him on our stage. It will be a great night. For information go to the Key West Songwriters Festival website.

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Smirk Birthday Party and Group Photo

This Thursday, April 1st at 5 P.M. join with well-wishers from near and far, past and present, to wish Green Parrot Icon “Smirk” a happy and healthy 35th Birthday. They grow up so fast. Yes it’s been thirty five years since since that enigmatic countenance, that sphinxlike kisser, appeared on the plywood shutter on the […]

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New Scooter-rental business?

. Actually, some plumber in England was getting tired of people trying to cut him off. From Mail Online, “It is the ultimate road rage revenge vehicle – a scooter that fires 12ft flames. Colin Furze rigged his 60mph bike with a rear-facing flamethrower because he was fed up with drivers cutting him up. It […]

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R.I.P. Duke Randall

I got word of Duke’s passing through a phone message at the bar yesterday. I passed the news on to Captain Conch who sent me a photo and a brief, but near-perfect eulogy, Thanks, Bruce Duke Randall, one of the island characters from the pirate days of Key West is dead. Later on he moved […]

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See The Lower Keys on Your Hands and Knees (kinda)

News of the bizarre brings us to an official Romanian government crossing sign: : From Jonathan Turley’s blog: Romanian officials have posted signs to deal with a growing problem: cars running over drunks. Mayor Petru Antal explained that “we have to target the drivers because by the time the pedestrians get into this state they […]

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Today’s The Day

In just about one hour, Bobalu’s will open up shop at their second location, right next door to the Parrot and we can’t tell you how thrilled we are to have these guys right next door.New Haven-style pizza, subs and salads, all this and great neighbors to boot.Here’s their new shirt, front and back…Thanks for […]

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Damon Fowler 5:30 and 10 PM Today

Guitar Phenom Damon Fowler Brings Stinging Slide Guitar to Parrot Stage Playing a hybrid of roots rock, blues, and sacred steel, young guitarphenom Damon Fowler brings his stinging slide from Tampa, Florida toThe Green Parrot stage with shows at 5:30 and 10:00 P.M. on Saturday, March 6th. Influenced by a broad range of artists,with incredible […]

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Life Imitating Art

Here’s Linda, from Sugarloaf Key, the model for Steve Heuel’s “No Cover, No Minimum, No Wonder” Tripitych, which can be seen behind her.I mention this because they were both in the bar today.

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Happy Birthday Blanche!

Due to an unyielding social schedule, Miss Blanche has been detained at home and will be unable to celebrate her birthday with us here in Key West. Happy Birthday, Ma’am. We will continue the tradition of having plenty of cocktails in celebration. Give your mom a hug for us, too! Love,Your Pals at The Green […]

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Frenchy’s Tour de France

As I write this we are at the half way point of Frenchy’s 5 day memorial service, his posthumous pub crawl, which was described by him in an addendum to his will and is being carried out by Buco in meticulous detail that would make Frenchy proud. “Following my death to accomodate the hundred if […]

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Super Bowl party lands one man in hospital

Following  is a story that appeared in Monday’s Key West Citizen describing a Super Bowl Party gone horribly wrong.I particularly like the offhanded “Other than that Mrs. Lincoln, how was the play?”  tone of  the last line of the citizen story and I’ve also included a few of the headlines the story generated in the […]

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“Wreck The Hoose Juice” or “Forget The Jaeger Bomb, Gimme a Buckie!”

For Scots, a Scourge Unleashed by a Bottle of “Wreck The Hoose Juice”    “It’ll blow your head off,”Buckfast is 15 percent alcohol by volume, a bit stronger than most wines. Each bottle has as much caffeine as eight cans of Coke. Buckfast has emerged as a symbol of Scotland’s entrenched drinking problems at a […]

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Frenchy, 1940-2010, au revoir

” I want my ashes to be thrown out to sea as far as it could be so the Gulf Stream would carry them slowly to the coast of my native Brittany {France} where the Gulf Stream ends.”

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FRANK ROBERT CARROLL JR. 1956-2010

Friends of Frank Carroll gathered at The Parrot this morning to raise a glass and join in spirit with his family’s memorial service  being held at the same hour in New Jersey.The gathering which was nearly spontaneous, was extremely well attended and a testament to the good will and love that Frank constantly displayed in […]

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The New Old Way to Tote Your Beer

Growlers — 64-ounce glass vessels that look like a moonshine jug — have become the beer accessory of the moment. And the jugs, filled at taps in bars and stores, are not just the toys of the bearded, flannel-shirt, beer-geek set. Liz Thorpe, vice president of Murray’s Cheese, said she had two to four growlers […]

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How Parrot Patrons Can Contribute to the Haitian Relief Effort

Here’s our Kenny as he prepares yet another cocktail with Barbancourt Rum.  It was Kenny’s idea to figure a way to use the Haitian-produced rum to generate funds for the Haitian relief effort so we decided, simply enough, that  the proceeds for every Barbancourt we pour will become  a donation to Paul Farmer’s Partners in […]

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If You Ever Want to See Your Weed Again…

Marathon – Monroe County Sheriff’s Office Special Investigations detectives employed an unusual tactic to arrest a suspect who was growing marijuana. They left a note in place of the plants asking him to call; in return for cash they offered him his plants back. “Thanks for the grow! You want them back? Call for the […]

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Sleepy LaBeef Delivers a Soundcheck of Seismic Proportions.

Here’s the post from Sleepy’s last Parrot show,in December of 2006. Sleepy LaBeef climbed onstage for the afternoon soundcheck and delivered a set of seismic proportions. Covering tunes by everyone from Bob Wills to Rockin’ Sidney, the songs were flying by like white center lines on Thunder Road, with hardly a breath between them, it […]

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Green Parrot February Cultural Calendar

Wednesday, February 3rd, The Piper Road Spring Band5:30 “soundcheck”, 10P.M. show Thursday, February 4th, Jason Ricci, 5:30 “soundcheck”,10 P.M. show Friday, February 5th, Jason Ricci, 5:30 “soundcheck”,10 P.M. show Saturday, February 6th, Bobby Lee Rodgers, 10 PM show Sunday, February 7th, Bobby Lee Rodgers, “soundcheck”,10 PM show Thursday, February 11th, Albert Castiglia, 10 P.M. show […]

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Sleepy Labeef, Parrot Favorite, featured in Literary Magazine

“If  you screwed a jukebox to a choo-choo train powered by a nuclear reactor and gave it a guitar, you’d have some idea of Sleepy LaBeef.” Titled “the rockabilly iron man”, so begins Joe R. Lansdale’s profile of Sleepy LaBeef in The Oxford American,  an American quarterly literary magazine that features writing and art from Southerners or about […]

READ MORE Sleepy Labeef, Parrot Favorite, featured in Literary Magazine

Key West Annual Dachshund Walk or get-a-long little doggie

Walkin’ in a Weinie WonderlandA record 168 dachshunds  gathered with their humans at high noon on New Years Eve on the steps of the Monroe County Courthouse for their annual promenade.Either simply on the end of a leash or in more elaborate costume…it was quite a sightthey provided their own crossing guardssmiling facesa poserthe real […]

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Festivus at The Green Parrot

Wayne Hammond’s Festivus, with Bobby DeVito on Guitar, Teddy Molet on trombone and Keyboard, and Randy Morrow on drums cover a Jeff Beck-inspired version of Albert King’s “Down”.

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Festivus at The Parrot plays I Dream of Jeannie theme

Wayne Hammond with Teddy Molet on trombone, Randy Morrow on drums and Bobby Devito on Guitar stun the audience with a complete, uncut cover of the I Dream of Jeannie theme, including the bridge and a “thank you, master” homage to Barbara Eden.

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Ben Prestage

Hailed by some as “the future of Southern music”, Ben Prestage performs  true American roots music and down-home Southern CountryBlues on slide guitar and diddley-bow.To the unique sound ofBen’s homemade diddley-bow (made by a friend, John Lowe of Memphis,TN) he adds another homemade instrument, thelap-steel-guitar (made by his father Kenneth Prestage.) Thecombination of these two instruments […]

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The Year Before the Flood: The Ponderosa Stomp

A great post among several great posts  from Boing Boing guestblogger Ned Sublette with an excerpt from The Year Before the Flood  wherein author, historian, photographer, and roving singer-songwriter  Sublette “replays the last year the city of New Orleans was whole, 2004-05.”  The exerpt is memorable for so many reasons not the least of which […]

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WPA-Produced Depression- Era Guidebook

A story in today’s citizen about an upcoming Monroe County Public Library retrospective of Key West during the Great Depression made me think of this post I made from a few years back after I found an old WPA-sponsored brochure designed to market a down-and-out Key West as a tourist destinationPlease note that the story […]

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‘Aint No Party Like a Lee Boy Party

People Get Ready: Lee Boys Bring Sacred Steel Gospel Music to The Green Parrot People Get Ready! The Lee Boys, Florida’s finest African-AmericanSacred Steel artists are ready to transform the Green Parrot into theGreen Parish with shows at 10 P.M. on Friday and Saturday, December 18th and 19th.Fans of all different genres of music will […]

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Hendrick’s Gin Tasting with Jim Ryan

At first glance, Hendrick’s, a small-batch, hand-crafted gin produced in Scotland, with a kind of a “wonky bottle”, as Jim described it, looks like it would be more at home on an apothecary shelf than a bar rail. And it just gets weirder from there. Enjoying a sort of cult status in this country, Hendrick’s […]

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Further at The Parrot?

Check out Pollstar to see who’s coming to the Parrot Thu 12/31/09 Johnny Sketch & The Dirty Notes 0 | Fri 01/01/10 Johnny Sketch & The Dirty Notes 0 | Sat 01/02/10 Johnny Sketch & The Dirty Notes 0 | Sat 01/09/10 Toubab Krewe 0 | Fri 01/22/10 Damon Fowler Group 0 | Sat 01/23/10 Damon […]

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“Queen of Swing” Norma Miller Does Green Parrot Sunday Soundcheck

“Queen of Swing” Norma Miller returns to Key West for her 90th birthday celebration and makes The Green Parrot Sunday “soundcheck” a part of her “Birthday Bash”. Known to many as the Queen of Swing, Norma Miller is an author, choreographer, dancer, comedian and actor whose career spans over seven decades. Discovered at the age […]

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Sharkey’s Tavern Alumni

Former Sharkey’s Tavern bartender Bob McLauglin and his wife visit the Parrot on Saturday night. Great to see them both and talk about the old days at Sharkey’s, i.e. locking the doors at 2 AM which was the closing time by law, but locking themselves in with some customers so they could watch the end […]

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our own Kenny at a national NORML convention

Being NORML’s 26th annual Key West Legal Seminar this week it seemed like a perfect opportunity to reprise this post from last year’s convention and resurrect this snapshot of our own Kenny at a national NORML convention a few years back and I guess I don’t have to tell you where he is or what […]

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Busted

From The Brown Derby and Conchology to The Gobi Desert and archeology with this story of one man’s well-hidden stash.Seen here is a 2700-year-old stash of marijuana, found in a Gobi Desert grave near Turpan, China. Ethan Russo, a visiting professor at the Chinese Acadmy of Scineces, and his colleagues report the discovery in the […]

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Green Parrot 1981

Here’s a photo and comment posted by someone on our Green Parrot Facebook Fan Page. What a great shot. Check out the roofline (or lack of roofline) above Smirk. I remember when Buco, Burner and Bink added the section of roof above that window, (sans building permit or HARK approval I might add). I’d love […]

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December and January Cultural Calendar

Green Parrot December 2009 Entertainment Calendar  Friday, December 4th, 5:30 “soundcheck” The Honey Island Swamp Band Friday, December 4th, The Honey Island Swamp Band 10 P.M. show Saturday, December 5th, The The Honey Island Swamp Band 10 P.M. show  Sunday, December 6th, Norma Miller’s 90th Birthday Bash 5:30 P.M.  Friday, December 11th, 5:30 The Michael Dixon BandTBA […]

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Hey, we play Bingo…, we have chickens…

Chicken shit bingo at Ginny’s Little Longhorn Saloon in Austin, Texas. They put a giant bingo card on a pool table, set the chicken on the card and place the cage on the table. Fifty tickets are sold at $2 a pop and then the actions on (if you want to call it that). You […]

READ MORE Hey, we play Bingo…, we have chickens…

Just In Time For Hanukkah, “Major League Dreidel”

With the Holidays fast approaching, this just in from our sports desk:The first ever “professional” dreidel league will host its debut matches in Williamsburg on Dec. 12 — the second day of Hanukkah. In an article laden with Borscht Belt-style puns, the Brooklyn Paper reports on Major League Dreidel, which is expected to draw 100 […]

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This Weekend

Honey Island Swamp Band  Returns to the Green Parrot Honey Island Swamp Band from New Orleans will return to the Green Parrot with shows on Friday, December 4th  at 5:30 and 10:00 PM. and at 10 PM on Saturday, December 5th. For most of the past decade, Aaron Wilkinson and Chris Mulé established themselves as top-notch musicians and songwriters, most […]

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DR. FEEL GOOD Take this and call me in the morning.

An article in today’s Sunday New York Times takes note of how, “bartenders, normally dispensers of pleasure, have lately been playing doctor behind the bar.”       Serving up drinks like the Flu Shot, a drink on the menu at Drop Off Service, a bar on Avenue A in Manhattan. It’s a mixture of garlic-infused […]

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A Big Week of Music

For Immediate ReleaseJohn Vagnoni –305-587-1527November 9, 2009 Bernard Allison, “Son of The Blues” Plays Green Parrot Bernard Allison, the guitar-playing, singing and songwriting son of the late, legendary blues guitarist Luther Allison will appear at The Green Parrot with shows at 10 P.M. at 5:30 and 10 P.M on Thursday, November 12th. Bernard Allison totes […]

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Pimps of Joytime Brings Funk and Soul, Second Line, to Green Parrot

Brooklyn-based multi-ethnic funk and soul afro-beat-latin whatever mash-up band, the The Pimps of Joytime will will make their Green Parrot debut with shows at 10 P.M. on Saturday and Sunday November 14th and 15th.Hear The Pimps of Joytime NPR interview hereSee The Pimps of Joytime live on Youtube here and especially here The Pimps of […]

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Candye Kane in The New Yorker

Here’s a note we got from Candye Kane this morning: “Its my birthday month and what better birthday gift than to grace the pages of the world famous New Yorker magazine? Although they still label me “adult entertainer turned blues diva,” it is an amazing accomplishment to be enough of a personality to get a […]

READ MORE Candye Kane in The New Yorker

Root

ROOT, a new, artisanally-produced root liqueur, recently released  as a small-batch spirit by crafty collective Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction in collaboration with the producers of Hendrick’s Gin and Sailor Jerry Rum, could be a good fit for us. Based on a Pre-Prohibition recipe, but with a provenance going back to Native Americans’ […]

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The Hobo Nephews of Uncle Frank

 Minnesota’s The Hobo Nephews of Uncle Frank will appear at The Green Parrot Bar on Thursday, October 1st with shows at 5:30 and 10 P.M.   Playing Americana that’s at times raucous, a Minnesota-bred blend of The Band and Avett Bros, The Alexy brothers, Ian and Teague, grew up in the New Jersey shore town of Somers Point – the town […]

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Way to Go Charlie

Abe gives Charlie as “Atta’ Girl” This Letter to the editor appeared in the Key West Citizen and the heroine is none other our Charlie of Ron and Charlie. While we commend her for her honesty it doesn’t surprise anyone who knows her because, “hey, that’s just the kind of hairpin she is”. The Letter […]

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Lonely Planet Review

Hot on the heels of Fodor’s uncluttered, white-bread, but broadly positive description of the “sometimes rowdy” Parrot comes another publication with their distinctly different, edgier, yet almost whimsical take on us. It’s The Lonely Planet Guide wherein we’re branded as a “rogue cantina” (I like that) and then for good measure they throw in clouds […]

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Fodor’s Review

Fodor’s gives the Parrot a positive if somewhat innocuous review here.“Pause for a libation at the open-air Green Parrot Bar. Built in 1890, the bar is said to be Key West’s oldest. The sometimes-rowdy saloon has locals outnumbering out-of-towners, especially on weekends when bands play.” a few sometimes-rowdy locals at The Parrot’s Old Time Fiddler’s […]

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From Our Archives

We’ve lately been looking over some images for a web-site face-lift. Here’s a few, picked at random, with brief captions MIchelle and Girard with Suenalo Tony Jolly Inaugural Day Brand New Funky President 1501 The Flakes Brown Derby Guy Flames w/ Diddly Bo Ben’s Cigar Box Guitar Ben Prestage Songwriter Fest The Parrot Has Feng […]

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More Dogfish Head Chicha

The folks at Dogfish Head Brewpub in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware show how they made chicha, a South American fermented beverage that sometimes involves chewing maize to convert the starch into sugar.

READ MORE More Dogfish Head Chicha

Hep Cat Boo Daddies

Some shots of The Hep Cat Boo Daddies from a few years back. They’re  here this Saturday with shows at 5:30 and 10 PM The Boo Daddies tore the place up for two days.

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Any Suggestions…

I think I remember seeing it there this afternoon, sort of,  but seeing it tonight,  I think, how could I not have stopped to take a closer look. But, here it is…. A Suggestion Box, securely attached to a two x four, then bolted to a conch cruiser then moored to  the perpetually-ignored “One Way Do Not […]

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You did what in my beer?

THE PERUVIAN WAY Sam Calagione, left, and two professors chew corn to make chicha, a beer.Photo Credit Ryan Collerd for The New York Times By JOYCE WADLER for The New York TimesPublished: September 8, 2009 SAM CALAGIONE, the founder of Dogfish Head Craft Brewed Ales, has a taste for exotic brews. There is Midas Touch, […]

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September/October Cultural Calendar

September 2009 Entertainment Calendar Friday. Sept. 4th , 5:30 “soundcheck” TBA, Robert Albury 10 P.M. show Saturday, Sept. 5th Spam Allstars 10 P.M. show Sunday, Sept. 6th , 5:30 Soundcheck, The Big Spiesy” , Spam Allstars 10 PM show Friday, September 11th, Mike Zito, 5:30 soundcheck, 10 PM show Saturday, September 12th Mike Zito 10 […]

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Rubles For Clunkers

Red Elvises Van for Sale“With 7 musicians to transport we had to get a bigger tour vehicle. Now we are selling the old one in Los Angeles. Email Jamie to find out more about purchasing the sexiest van in the West. Winning bidder will be able to stalk us across the country in style.”Read the […]

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Parrot To Reprise Key West TV Series

Pictured above: Fox Network’s Idea of Key West “characters” Parrot to show Key West TV Series, Concert Videos, Roll Back Prices to 1993. Being the repository of Key West Cultural History that it is, The Green Parrot Bar will begin airing on its big screen episodes of Key West, The TV series, the snake-bittten 1993 […]

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IKO-IKO Returns to Parrot

KO-IKO Returns to Parrot Graham Wood Drout returns to the Parrot stage with hislegendary south florida swamp-blues band IKO IKO for two big nights onFriday and Saturday August 21st and 22nd beginning at 10 P.M. plusspecial 5:30 P.M. “soundcheck” on Friday. A genuine underground phenomona, Drout writes songsincorporating an eclectic mix of southern musical traditions, GulfCoast […]

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The Stock Island Tree Snail or “Thar She Blows”

Granted, it doesn’t get one’s heart thumping as much as say, whale watching,  but for what it’s worth, right out in our  yard this morning.  we spotted and correctly ID’d this guy as  The Stock Island tree snail,  or Orthalicus reses reses, seen on Flickr here, a federally-listed threatened species of mollusk. Not often one gets to find […]

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Afrobeta Late Night

photo credits Justin HarrisAfrobeta’s Cuci Amador and Tony Smurphio (dubbed the hardest working ‘fro in show business and also the keyboardist from Suenalo), brought their colorful explosion of feel good lyrics, electronic beats and psychedelic mischief to the Green Parrot’s stage late-night.Afrobeta so completely encapsulates so many different aspects of Miami music it’s hard to […]

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Woodstock Remembered

Here’s my friend Steve outside the Parrot last night while Suenalo was on break.  Standing there we heard someone mention that it was exactly forty years ago this weekend that Woodstock happened. Steve said he was there and from his memory bank  offered up  a few personal anecdotes of that weekend.  He was 15-year old  who […]

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Been there, Done that!

Joining others who have “Been There, Done That” by showing off their Green Parrot Apparel around the world is Jess Vagnoni donning her Parrot Gear with Mt. Rushmore as a backdrop. In appreciation for her submission we will be sending Jess something from the latest Green Parrot Fashions Collection. Want some new Parrot Gear for […]

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Suenalo Brings 10-piece funk/afro-latin/jam band to the Parrot Stage

Suenalo, the Miami-based 10-piece Afro-Latin-funk-jam bandexplodes on to The Green Parrot Stage with its polyrhythmic display offunk, mambo, hip-hop, and jam-band-style onFriday and Saturday, August 14th and 15th with shows beginning at 10 P.M.Green Parrot patrons will be dancing, twisting and shouting for twopelvis-grinding nights as Suenalo brings a their 10-piece funk /afro-beat / jam […]

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AfroBeta Brings Late Night Electronic Beats and Psychedelic Mischief to the Green Parrot.

As if Suenalo wasn’t enough on Friday and Saturday, August 14th and 15th the music continues when Afrobeta’s Cuci Amador and Tony Smurphio (dubbed the hardest working ‘fro in show business and also the keyboardist from Suenalo), bring their colorful explosion of feel good lyrics, electronic beats and psychedelic mischief to the Green Parrot’s stage […]

READ MORE AfroBeta Brings Late Night Electronic Beats and Psychedelic Mischief to the Green Parrot.

Washboard/ Harmonica Virtuoso Jimmy Sweetwater at The Green Parrot Bar

Washboard and harmonica player extroidinaire Jimmy Sweetwater will appear at The Green Parrot Bar on Sunday, August 16th beginnng at 5:30 P.M. A local fixture of the San Francisco music scene for over fifteen years, Jimmy Sweetwater has developed a reputation as one of San Francisco’s premier washboard and harmonica players, having performed and recorded […]

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Sloan Labels Bill “A Weenie”

The headline of the story in today’s Citizen was:“Nude beach won’t be on ballotSupporters urge commissioners to decide issue”but I think the following single paragraph is all one really needs to see the level of discourse and philosophical debate attained with regularity at our city commission meetings. “A lengthy and heated discussion preceded the vote, […]

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Belated Apology

I’d like to apologize for not posting anything for over a month. But hey,  I was on vacation,  and even when returned I had a tough time getting it together to put anything up.  But, moreover,  I’m sorry that the post that I left everyone to view for that month gave me the appearance of […]

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Great Pizza If You Can Find It

a  facsimile ham and pineapple pizza.  The New York Times announced this afternoon that Brooklynite Sam Sifton, currently the cultural news editor at the Times, will be taking over the job of the paper’s restaurant critic, starting in early October,  replacing the articulate but demanding Frank Bruni, NYT restaurant critic since 2004.   In response to today’s announcement, […]

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“Wazzzzzzup!”

Obama Beer Summit at 6 P.M. Today Trying to smooth over the racially-tinged brouhaha resulting from the arrest of black Harvard professor and Obama-buddy Henry Louis Gates a few weeks back, President Obama has invited Gates and arresting officer Jim Crowley to have a beer together at the White House. This could also be viewed […]

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Filipino Prison Thriller Remake

To show just how far-reaching the celebrity of Michael Jackson had become, we post this video of inmates of a Philippines jail – Cebu jail, a bizarre take-off of his entertainment career hit high-water mark — “Thriller,” from 1982, certified 28 times platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America.

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Green Parrot July Entertainment Calendar

Patrick Marshall checks out Tony Gregory’s T shirt design, made specially for the Green Parrot’s Sidewalk Art show. The design features an image of at John Martini sculpture recently added to the Parrot’s collection.Green Parrot July Entertainment CalendarThu 2 Jason Ricci, 5:30 PM soundcheck 10 PM showFri 3 Jason Ricci, 5:30 PM soundcheck 10 PM […]

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Green Parrot August Entertainment Calendar

Green Parrot August Entertainment Calendar Saturday, August 1st, 10 PM show, Brian Stoltz Sunday,August 2nd, 5:30 PM “soundcheck” TBA Thursday, August 6th, 10 PM show, Technodread Friday,August 7th, 5:30 PM “soundcheck” TechnodreadFriday, August 7th, 10 PM show Technodread Saturday, August 8th, 10 PM show TBA Sunday, August 9th, 5:30 PM “soundcheck” TBA Friday, August 14th, […]

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In Lanes 1, 2 and 3…flips, beehives, and bouffants

Watching reruns of American Gladiator in the back bar last week everyone got a kick out of the seriously outdated hair styles of the Gladiators, both men (mullets) and women(teased), but underneath all the hype (and gel) we realize this was after all show business, not really athletics.That said, check out the Sports Illustrated cover […]

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Call Me Old Fashioned…

Our friend Graham Wood Drought of IKO IKO posted this note on his facebook page: ” I think having a big birthday party bash for 80’s drug smuggler Cocaine Cowboy Mickey Munday at Tobacco Road is a very bad idea. What do you think?“Hey, call me old fashioned but I tend to agree.

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What’s It Like Out?

As a service to our readers, and a kind of homage to the start of Hurricane season I’m posting a link to my favorite Weather page. Consider this as as an alternative to those verbose and paranoid Weather Channel Guys. Let’s keep it simple why don’t we.

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Blue Redux

Bill Blue, playing to a packed house at the Parrot’s Sunday Soundcheck, formally announced his return to the Key West music scene. Bill, along with a local cadre of bandmates, tore it up.l to r: Bob Boyd, Bill Goldner, Bill Blue, Caffeine Carl, Richard Crooks,(Bill Blue, 1981) and Danny Simpson.Danny swears that not only is […]

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Tony’s Ship Comes In

Here’s Green Parrot Bartender Alumni Tony Jonas, AKA Parrot Tony or Russian Tony. Tony was staple around the Parrot throughout the 70’s and 80’s. His parties at his house around the corner from the bar, feasts for scores and scores of people really,were legend. Tony was 7 years old in 1952, when he and his […]

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Hendrick’s Gin

Here’s a post from a while back that I’ve reprised as kind on an intro to a link I received today about a Hendrick’s Gin-sponsored event held recently in New York. Here’s the link on EMBURY COCKTAILS Maybe The Green Parrot could have a Hendrick’s Croquet Tournament on the lawn at The Little White House, a […]

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Walk Score

So, if you lived at The Green Parrot, your Walk Score would be an impressive 92 points! How do you score? (Assuming you don’t actually reside at The Parrot.) ::

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“Tell me It Ain’t So, Shoeless Joe”

Framed by a white light worthy of a Speilberg movie, Vicki hands her card over to Annie B for the momentous swipe that will end the “cash only” era of our historic watering hole Next in line with plastic, and initially clueless to their imminent place in Parrot History, one of this trio from the […]

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Rapture Index Goes UP!

Beating John to the punch: After the WebCam, credit cards were the next logical step. First credit card used at The Green Parrot!! . .John will be back for more.

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Green Parrot Entertainmnet Calendar April 2009

Stationed within earshot across the street from the bar…our crack staff of sound engineers say,“…Just text us if there’s a problem” Friday, April 3rd, The Dave Shelley Band, 5:30 “soundcheck”,10 P.M. show Saturday, April 4th, The Dave Shelley Band 10 P.M. show Sunday, April 5th, Bong Hits for Geezers, 5:30 “soundcheck” Thursday, April 9th, Cedric […]

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Eoto Brings Non-Stop Dance Party, Sonic Assault to The Green Parrot

The left coast breakbeat/glitch-hop/house duo, EOTO (pronouncedE-oh-toe). brings their non-stop dance party into the Green Parrot forone night only on Tuesday March 10th, beginning at 10 P.M.Consisting of one third of the members of The String CheeseIncident, the wildely successful touring progressive jam sextet,EOTO steps out from behind the instruments that made them famous andembarks […]

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New Orleans Super-Group Papa Grows Funk Brings Booty-Shaking Mardi Gras Funk to The Green Parrot

New Orleans’ powerhouse super-band, Papa Grows Funk. will explode onto the Parrot stage for two blazing nights, Wednesday and Thursday, March 18th and 19th, beginning at 10 o’clock.
Papa Grows Funk’s tight grooves re-define the funk-jam band. Tethered by the slinky Hammond B3 and gravel pit vocals of bandleader John “Papa” Gros,” the band is a […]

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Jahfe Brings 11-Piece Reggae, Afro-Beat to The Green Parrot

On Friday and Saturday, March 13th and 14th beginning at 10 P.M. Jahfé, one of the hottest roots/reggae groups to come out of Miami in years, will appear at The Green Parrot Bar.Jahfe’s infectious vibe flows from the stage, onto the dance floor and into the crowds whipped up in a frenzy of clapping, shouting […]

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And We Thought We Clung To The Past…

This Sunday morning, just a few blocks from the bar, on the grounds of The Little White House, the clock was rolled back to a gentler, more refined era as Womankind hosted their annual Croquet tournament A fine looking couple.These people laugh and joke but they don’t play. Notice the player on the left being […]

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Taxidermy Update or “Stefan We Hardly Knew Ye”

.Details emerge.The African Blue Fronted Amazon now hanging in the bar was donated to us by John and Lee Mitchell of West Virginia. Stefan was John’s beloved pet since he was hatched in 1977, which, coincidentally, was also the year John first set foot in the Green Parrot Bar while visiting Key West on Spring […]

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New Parrot Ephemera

Arriving in a box large enough to hold a major appliance, stuffed with styrofoam peanuts and with not even a note to provide some sort of provenance, was this spendid stuffed blue fronted amazon parrot.I have a pretty good idea where it came from. More on this later.It looks a lot like the painting above […]

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Friends from Charleston

You may remember these friendly visitors who appeared on our blog a few years back(pictured below). On their return this year they had something new to share, namely a tradesman’s tattoo.

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HASBRO’s Word of The Day

As a kind of shout-out to Parrot Scrabble players, we saw this today.Over at Hasbro.com right now on Sunday afternoon, the official “SCRABBLE Word of the Day” is, er, “DILDO.” For 7 points. Click here for screenshot of full Web page

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Lynne Noble & Albert Castiglia: Two Miami Blues Legends on the Parrot stage for a Friday “soundcheck”

Pictured here shortly after Lynne joined Albert onstage and treated a packed Parrot house to an inspired, show-stopping cover of Sonny Boy Williamson’s “Help Me” “Help me babyI can’t do it all by myselfHelp me babyI can’t do it all by myselfIf you won’t help me I’m gonna have to find somebody else”

READ MORE Lynne Noble & Albert Castiglia: Two Miami Blues Legends on the Parrot stage for a Friday “soundcheck”

How March is Shaping Up

March 2009 Entertainment Calendar Sunday, March 1st, 1 to 4:30 P.M., Sunday Jazz Showcase with Lonnie Jacobson, Gordy Michael and Richard Crooks Ben Prestage 5:30 P.M. “soundcheck” Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, March 3rd, 4th, 5th The Nighthawks 5:30 and 9 PM Friday, March 6th, The Bubba System, 5:30 P.M. “soundcheck” Friday, March 6th, The Stray Dogs, […]

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Love Blooms

Ah, my favorite Valentine. It reminds me soooooo many nights at Ye Olde Green Parrot. (Aw shucks, I’m just waxing sentimental, now) Happy Valentine’s Day, all.

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Estelle Bennett, a Singer for the Ronettes, Is Dead at 67

Ms. Bennett in 2007.The Ronettes in 1966. From left, Estelle Bennett, Ronnie Spector and Nedra Talley-Ross.By BEN SISARIOEstelle Bennett, one of the beehived queens of 1960s girl-group pop as a member of the Ronettes, has died at her home in Englewood, N.J. She was 67.She was found on Wednesday in her apartment by a friend, […]

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Our Homage to Lincoln

Kenny on a halloween pastKenny today sporting his Abe Lincoln gearAbe Grande Abe salutes the Parrot during last year’s Cival War reenactment at Ft Zachary taylorAbe agrees to stop back for a cold one later

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Zachary and Bird

Zachary and Bird stopped by to have a few yesterday. Oddly enough, the African Grey Parrot is named Zachary and the gentleman goes by the name of Bird.

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Locos Por Juana: Grammy Nominated, L.A. Bound

“Miami is Our Time Let’s Get it” Score one for the home team as we got a call today from Locos por Juana, pictured here in their last Parrot peformance, to excitedly inform us they had been nominated for a grammy and will be flying out to L.A. manana for the awards ceremony on Sunday […]

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She’s one ‘tough’ act to follow

Musical chronicles hard life and times of blues singerWe just got this email from Candye telling us about her new play and her sale on ebay. Hello Everyone,I have just listed some more fabulous stage clothes and other items on Ebay and more will follow. My ebay handle is Kanecandye but all items should be […]

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Portrait of the Artist

Visiting artist at The Studios of Key West, Helsinki-based American photographer Curt Richter has set up a studio around the corner from the bar. We dropped in on Curt and his 8 x 10 view camera the other morning.See what Curt has been up to at The Key west Literary Seminar here.

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Eagles-Cardinals 1948 NFL Championship Game

In what I certainly believe must be the last time these two teams met for any kind of title, in blizzard-like conditions the Philadelphia Eagles play against the Chicago Cardinals in the 1948 NFL championship game which they won, 7-0, at Shibe Park. To read more about this game, including a mention of how Hall […]

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Wounded Warriors Project

Just before noon today members of The Wounded Warriors Project passed the Green Parrot With scattered groups of flag-waving citizens cheering them along U.S. 1 Friday, three dozen war veterans wounded in recent conflicts bicycled from Key Largo to the Disabled American Veterans in Marathon, and across the Seven Mile Bridge to Naval Air Station […]

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Go Iggles!

Enjoy your meat products, gooey cheesy products, fried items, and of course, beverages of your choice. Sr. Vagnoni recommends Italian. ::

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Ron Asheton, Guitarist in the Stooges, Dies at 60

Ron Asheton, in glasses, with other Stooges members in 1972, from left, James Williamson, Iggy Pop and Scott Asheton. By BEN RATLIFFPublished: January 8, 2009Ron Asheton, a guitarist of the Michigan proto-punk band the Stooges, and the guiding hand of some of the most simple, satisfying and copied riffs in rock ’n’ roll, including “TV […]

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Eartha Kitt, “C’est Si Bon”

Eartha KittJanuary 17, 1927 – December 25, 2008photographed here by Gordon Parks See Eartha Kitt “C’est Si Bon” On herself: ‘They said; she’s too strange, too weird’ American singer, dancer and actress Eartha Kitt has died at the age 81, her friend and publicist has said.Kitt died of colon cancer on Thursday, Andrew Freedman said.She […]

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This Is How January’s Shaping Up

The Spam Allstars,Fri., Sat. & Sunday January 16th, 17th 18th Green Parrot January 2009 Entertainment Calendar Thursday, January 1st , Rockin’ Jake’s Annual “5 PM Breakfast” Friday, January 2nd, The Doerfuls, 5:00-8:00 PM “supersoundcheck” Friday, January 2nd, Rockin’ Jake, 10 PM show Saturday, January 3rd, The Doerfuls, 5:00-8:00 PM “supersoundcheck”Saturday, January 3th, Rockin’ Jake, 10 […]

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Vikings, Eagles among winners in race to playoffs

Ryan Longwell’s 50-yard field goal with 5 seconds remaining in the game clinched the N.F.C. North for the Vikings (10-6)Minnesota needed the last-gasp field goal to book a playoff berth versus wild-card Philadelphia next week in Minneapolis. Philadelphia pummelled Dallas to punch their postseason ticket on a hectic final day of the National Football League […]

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Tradesman’s Tattoo

Doorman Justin proudly sports his Tradesman’s tattoo for sculptor and long-time patron John Martini, creator of “where’s jimbo and the other giants of the building trade”, the iron sculpture, bolted to the parrot wall, our adopted parrot icon, and model for Justin’s tattoo.

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“The Alliens”, Spawn of “The Survivors”, Invade Parrot.

“Yes, they’ve landed. There is no runnin, hidin, cryin, or tryin tochange your fate.” Allien Zeph (left) atttempts to turn Pat (right)into a pod person but it appears The Brotherman, scoffing, is having none of it. With shows scheduled at 5:30 P.M.Sunday, December 21st, and 9:00 P.M Monday and Tuesday, December 22nd and 23rd, The […]

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Snow in New Orleans

We got a call from A-ron, the bassist/mandolin player from eric lindell’s band this morning.”..hey man, it’s snowing here…for real, well, yea, it’s comin’ down hard…WTF” Check out these palms…let’s see a follow up video in a few weeks

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NOLA Snow

On Bienville Street, a sight not often seen…A Gringa in New Orleans blog has more photos. A few more snow shots here.The last snowfall in the New Orleans area was on Christmas Day in 2004. Before that, 1989 was the last significant snowfall. The sight is so rare that many children were seeing snow for […]

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Suenalo explodes on to The Green Parrot Stage

Suenalo, the Miami-based10-piece Afro-Latin-funk-jam band willexplode on to The Green Parrot Stage with its polyrhythmic display offunk, mambo, hip-hop, and jam-band-style playinoFriday and Saturday, December 12 and 13th, beginning at 10 P.M. Green Parrot patrons will be dancing, twisting and shouting for twopelvis-grinding nights as Suenalo brings a their 10-piece funk / afro-beat / jam […]

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Wayne Hammond: The Gold Standard Bingo Caller

Band Leader/Bassist/ and one-half of Kings of Adult Comedy Duo Pete and Wayne, Wayne Hammond takes the helm at Green Parrot Monday Night Bingo. Flanked by Bingo organizer and bingo-card shill Dixie from the MARC House and assisitant/bodyguard Big E, Wayne proceeded to set a new record by selling over 600 cards and thus becomes […]

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Rest In Peace, Pat Ramsey:

Here’s a note I got from Graham Drout of IKO IKO just a few minutes ago. I’m sure he’d like to share his thoughts.Rest In Peace, Pat Ramsey:Pat Ramsey passed away November 17, 2008, at 3:11 pm, ET. Considered by many to be the greatest of the Rock ‘n’ Roll harp players, Ramsey fought a […]

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A Few Things I Didn’t Know About Wisconsin Liquor Laws

Being long-time members of a Responsible Vendors Program here in Florida we are always interested in what goes on in other states. It sseems that in Wisconsin when a 15-year-old comes into a bar looking for a cold beer, the bartender is happy to serve it up — as long as a parent is there […]

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“I Got Your Cannolis Right Here”

Some of The family from Mazzaro’s Italian Market of St. Pete and Pittsburgh dropped in the parrot to shoot a little stick on Saturday night. I believe that’s a Mazzaro in the photo below way in the background getting ready to sink a ball..The shirt is what caught my eye first.Make sure you check out […]

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Ax-Mangler Pistol Pete Brings The Canon of Jimi Hendrix to The Green Parrot

Chicago blues-rocker Pistol Pete returns to Tthe Green Parrot withshows at 5:30 and 10 PM on Friday, November 14th, 10 P.M. Saturday,November 15th and a 5:30 to 8:30 P.M. “supersoundcheck” onSunday,November 16th. Besting thousands of other ax-manglers, Pete was the winner of the JimiHendrix Electric Guitar Competition Midwestern Division and runner-upin Seattle for the finals.Pete […]

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And Then There Were None: Mitch Mitchell Dies at 62; Drummer for Jimi Hendrix

Noel Redding, far left, Jimi Hendrix and Mitch Mitchell in 1967. Mitch Mitchell, the jazzy and versatile British drummer in the Jimi Hendrix Experience, died on Wednesday in a hotel in Portland, Ore. He was 62 and had recently finished a national tribute tour, Experience Hendrix. The cause was unknown, said Bob Merlis, publicist for […]

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Jimmy Carl Black, Rocker, Dies at 70

Jimmy Carl Black in Hollywood, Ca., in 1975 The morning paper brought news of the death of Jimmy Carl Black, who along with other former members of the Mothers of Invention Don Preston and Bunk Gardner, appearing as the Grandmothers graced the Parrot stage several years back and gave our patrons two nights of Vintage […]

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“Is This Heaven?”

Not unlike Shoeless Joe stepping through The Cornfield, one would be prompted to ask the same question at The 30th Anniversary of the World’s Largest Sale of Palms at Fairchild Tropical Botanical GardenThe annual show is sponsored in part by The South Florida Palm Society.The man in the picture below is our friend and palm […]

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Went in this guy Rick’s balloon today

Outside of Taos, New Mexico We hadn’t heard from Buco, our wandering greengrocer-turned-biker in some time and we were starting to worry but I’m sure if he’s in Taos, he’s with our former bartenders Eric and Terri, and as you can see from this picture of Eric at his best, what possibly is there to […]

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Pez Garden

I’ve never quoted the Citizen’s Voice in spite of seeing some extremely quotable, albeit unattributed, zingers in the daily Citizen feature, but, without choosing any sides in the Sonny McCoy International Airport brouhaha, I couldn’t pass up this contribution which featured a spot-on description of the Sculpture Garden at Mallory Square I’d never heard before.Citizen’s […]

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SpamAllstars to Headline Goombay Weekend at Green Parrot

Blending latin, funk, hip hop and dub, The SpamAllstars make their highly anticipated return to The Green Parrot for twopelvis-grinding nights on Friday and Saturday October 17th and18th beginning at 10 P.M. Returning to Key West as part of The Green Parrot’s cultural contribution to the Goomay Weekend and also to celebrate therelease of their […]

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Buco leaving Las Vegas

A great shot of the strip, I want to post this great shot now even though it will leapfrog a few of his other pictures. They have been coming in clusters and flurries along with an occasional youtube video of lumberjacking or goldmining, and I’ve been posting them as best I can…well some of us […]

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Buco’s recent photos

Going for the gold with Jim, prospector and potential film director. Coming in to the Avenue of the Giants It’s not what you think. The camera went off when I was raising my thumb in the air while squating inside the tree

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Shinin’ Like A Diamond in a Goat’s Ass

With the island plunged into darkness due to a major power outage and the highly anticipated vice-presidential debate looming….The Parrot became a beacon in the night…. and thanks to our generator and Beaver and Jim stepping into the breech by hacking into to our NFL Sunday Ticket Direct TV Box we were able to show […]

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Key West Waterspout circa 1970’s

Since we’re on the subject of waterspouts here’s a reprise of an earlier post that features a waterspout photo I took in the early ’70’s. I spotted this waterspout from the second floor balcony of my United Street apartment. I bolted down the stairs and ran the two blocks down Duval Street to the concrete […]

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“Man’s Dog is Chum (for real)”

Owner saves dog from shark’s jawsA Florida Keys man punched a shark to save his dog from becoming a meal. The rat terrier named Jake, who was badly bitten, is expected to recover.In a story that could be sub-titled “Man’s Dog is Chum (for real), An Islamorada man risks life and limb for his pet. […]

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Buco in The Redwoods

It woud appear from Buco’s caption that he’s up in this tree with these guys.“Couple of wild men running this operation. I estimate that we climbedto about 235 feet on those lines. What a view!! There was three ofthem side by side and they just towered above the others. They figuredabout 700 years old.”

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More of Buco’s Excellent Adventure

We received a flurry of e mailed photos and videos from Buco over the weekend. Here’s the first one from McKenzie Pass in Oregon.As a former driver of the Waterfront Market 18-wheeler I’m sure Buco’s heart went out to this guy but as you can discern from the first sentence of his caption he was […]

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Pilot completes jetpack challenge

No this isn’t Buco and I concede that this post isn’t bar-related, but this guy is definitly a badass. A Swiss man has become the first person to fly solo across the English Channel using a single jet-propelled wing.Yves Rossy landed safely after the 22-mile (35.4 km) flight from Calais to Dover, which had been […]

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Sahalie Falls

Buco says, “Good stuff east of Eugene on the way to Crater Lake.” Looks like a nice rainbow at the base of the falls, I might add.

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The Tail Wing of The Spruce Goose

Apparently Buco is on the road again as I just received this photo and caption from what appears to be an Air Museum in Oregon.Buco says,”This thing is huge. The tail dwarf’s the helicopter and plane. McMinnville, Or”

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Katrina vs. Ike

As a contrast and a testament to the unpredictable nature of tropical cyclones, we see the palms in John Martini’s garden being whipped about by Katrina’s winds, gusting to near 90 mph.Katrina, some remember, was a storm that was supposed to impact Ft. Lauderdale, then drag across the Everglades before emerging, greatly weakened, into the […]

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Hurricane Quiz

Can you tell the difference between the first business pictured and the second. Both were taken just minutes apart during Hurricane Ike.Those of you who answered, “The Creperie is open and The Parrot is closed” are correct.I know a lot of our customers were disappointed that we were not open on Tuesday afternoon but with […]

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Waiting for Ike or Someone Like Him

A few typically boarded-up places.Kenny under the Green Parrot Hurricane Preparedness KitKenny displays a vintage and oddly relevant campaign pinGreen Parrot Hurri-CamSome Parrot PatronsThe scene in front of Fast BucksAlice says there’s no drinkin’ like hurricane drinkin’Dawn studies online at The Green Parrot, an exchange student of sorts.Some Dogs were granted a special dispensation due […]

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Green Parrot Entertainment Calendar

September 2008 Entertainment Calendar Thurs., September 4th Ben Prestage 10 P.M. show Friday, September 5th Caffeine Carl 5:30 PM “soundcheck” Friday. September 5th Xperimento 10 P.M. showSaturday, September 6th Xperimento 10 P.M. show Sunday, September 7th Ben Prestage 5:30-8:30 “soundcheck” Friday, Sept. 12th Sean Chambers 5:30 PM “soundcheck”, 10 PM ShowSaturday, Sept. 13th Sean Chambers, […]

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Green Parrot Monkey Bingo

Undaunted by last week’s postponement due to Tropical Storm Fay, an unlikely alliance of Superheroes, primates and more than 50 Bingo mavens, tourists and locals alike, managed to pull off the first-ever Green Parrot Bingo Night to benefit the MARC House. Alice herself, pictured here flanked by celebrity callers Stock Island Boy and Captain Conch […]

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Another Batch of Buco’s Roadtrip photos

Could not get down to the water but here it is Thanks to Chandy, the great bartender at the Spring Tavern, northwestern most bar, John, tell me if you got the fiddler’s video ok and I’ll send one of the bar. They are large files.

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Buco’s latest photos:

Hope you can hear this.(he sent a video which I am trying to post) Bad accident 2 miles up from jimmy comelately?!!last mile hike through a beautiful forest to the farthest point from key west in the lower 48.

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Where’s Buco?

Here’s an updated map of Buco’s trip. The middle pin is him in Concrete, Washington. The westernmost pin is Buco looking for the westernmost point in the continental United States, or as far away from Key West as he can be and still be in the states. I’m sure there will some sort of photo […]

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Buco’s Roadtrip, Fiddlers Contest

Just a few hours later, another photo from Buco. This one shows a sign by the side of the road advertising an Old Time Fiddlers’ Contest. The text that accompanies the photo is as follows, “Going through Winthrop, Wa. Checking it out. It’s a nice little town.”Keep ’em coming, Buco. We can’t be with you, […]

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Buco’s Roadtrip Continues

When we last we visited our wandering hero he was fixing Mitzi’s fence in South Dakota.Since then he’s moved on to Montana to redezvous with our pal Rudy Prazen at Dink Bruce’s house in The Big Sky State. Rudy is also touring the states on his hog and after visiting with Dink plans to turn […]

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L. Rust Hills, Fiction Editor at Esquire, Dies at 83

L. Rust Hills at his home office in Connecticut in 1973. Rust and his wife Joy lived next door to us for a time and were occasional patrons of the Green Parrot, dropping in to listen in to the Poetry Slams we liked to feature a few years back. Both immensely gifted people and good […]

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AMF Revisted or Buco’s Trip Continues

When we last visited Buco he was saddled up outside The green Parrot and beginning the first leg of his cross-country motor tour.Since then he’s motored to Indiana to team up with our friend Shep, another Harley enthusiast. Then on to his hometown of Chicago to make a few minor adjustments to his two-wheeler thanks […]

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August Calendar

Friday, August 1st, Caffeine Carl 5:30 & 10 PMSaturday, August 2nd, Caffeiene Carl 10 PM Sunday, August 3rd, 5:30 PM TBA Friday, August 8th, Buffalo Strange. 5:30 & 10 PMSaturday, August 9th, Buffalo Strange, 10 PM Sunday, August 10th, 5:30 TBA Friday, August 15th, Joey Gilmore, 5:30 & 10 PMSaturday, August 16th, Joey Gilmore, 10 […]

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High-Octane Barn-Burners, Dash Rip Rock Blaze into Green Parrot

Dash Rip Rock. the roots/punk/party trio whose Great Southern Rockand Roll with a twist of the obscene has served as the soundtrack forbar fights and drunken hookups around the globe for more than twentyyears. are on the road again, and no Florida road trip would becompletewithout a stop at The Green Parrot Bar. These psycho-billy […]

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“so show up, cause we might be there…”

Evan Haskell, still cresting from being named The Citizen of The Day back in April, spearheads The Flakes return to the Parrot on Sunday.The Flakes will appear at The Green Parrot’s 3-hour “SuperSoundcheck” on Sunday afternoon, June 22nd beginning at 5:30 PM.Making their sophomore Green Parrot appearance, The Flakes are:Cayman Smith-Martin on rhythm guitar and […]

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bad boy burrito

If Key West is indeed a city, as often advertised, bursting at the seams with world class restaurants, why are so many food-saavy folks I know here constanly scratching their heads and asking each other “where can we go to eat?” Let’s try to imagine a venue that can supply its’ local gentry with thoughtfully […]

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Bo Diddley, Who Gave Rock His Beat, Dies at 79

Bo Diddley, a singer and guitarist who invented his own name, his own guitars, his own beat and, with a handful of other musical pioneers, rock ’n’ roll itself, died Monday at his home in Archer, Fla. He was 79. The cause was heart failure, a spokeswoman, Susan Clary, said. Mr. Diddley had a heart […]

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Albert Castiglia Returns to Green Parrot

Albert Castiglia, One of Blues Revue’s “Ten To Watch” Future Bluesmen,Returns to Green ParrotMiami’s Albert Castiglia returns to The Green Parrot Bar on Friday andSaturday, June 6th and 7th beginning at 10 o’clock with 5:30P.M. “sound checks” on both Friday and Saturday and including aspecial extended three-hour “Super Soundcheck” on Sunday, June 8th,from 5:30 to […]

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Nightblooming Cereus Cactus

These cactus flowers bloom only at night, and last just for one night, and, I’ve been told, only when the evening temperature is above 80 degrees. These shots were taken along my front fence, on the last full moon, which can be seen peeking out of the clouds behind the dinner-plate size blossoms.

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385 year-old Spanish Q-Tip Recovered Off Key West

This post is perhaps only peripherally related to the Parrot but does qualify as as one of the more interesting items to be found scanning the local papers this morning. The item descibes the latest and one of the more curious artifacts to percolate up from Mel Fishers’ Santa Margarita mother-lode of treasure near the […]

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Sunday Morning Lizard Safari

This is one of theose posts that has nothing at all to do with the bar and I realize also that there are quite a few seemingly similar photos here,(note that there are a few different kinds of lizards sharing the same habitat here). But what the heck, I didn’t go to jazzfest so I’ll […]

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Ron and Charlie’s Excellent Jazzfest Adventure

We Made ItThe Key West Gang Still at itThe Cute CoupleCharlie and SuzetteSt.Louis CathedralSantanaRon and Julie at Yo Mama’sPete’sPlacePaulPat and Kenny’s DigsPapa Grows FunkPapa Grows FunkNOLA SunsetNo Nuthin’MRB’s The Bloody Mary MasterMmmm….BeignetsMmmm..soft shell creabLawn ArtLandmarksKeb MoJackson SquareJackson SquareHotel Ste.HeleneGP of NOLAGotta Love That HatDerby Day at Harry’sCute Couple at Harry’sCreole Zydeco FarmersCoop’sKitchenCharley’s BookstoreBourbon Street SignBourbon […]

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so show up, cause we might be there

Well they showed up allright, and so did the local crowdFriday, May 16th 5:30 PM “soundcheck”The flakes are: cayman smith-martin on rhythm guitar and lead vocals, josh lowe on lead guitar and backup vocals, paul sullivan on bass, and evan haskell on drums and backup vocals. a sound generated right here in the keys feet […]

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Chile… or Middle Earth?

After 9,000 years of silence, Chile’s Chaitén volcano is erupting with lava, ash—and lightning The mingling of lightning and ash seen above may be a “dirty thunderstorm.” The little-understood storms may be sparked when rock fragments, ash, and ice particles in the plume collide to produce static charges—just as ice particles collide to create charge […]

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Green Parrot June/July Cultural Calendar

Friday, June 6th, Albert Castiglia, 5:30 “soundcheck”, 10 PM showSautrday, June 7th, Albert Castiglia, 5:30 “soundcheck”, 10 PM showSunday, June 8th, Albert Castiglia, 5:30-8:30 PM “super sound check”See Albert on youtube here. Friday, June 13th, The Heavy Pets, 5:30 “soundcheck”, 10 PM showSaturday, June 14th, The Heavy Pets, 10 PM showSee The Heavy Pets on […]

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Ben Prestage Brings Delta Blues on Slide Guitar, diddley-bow to Parrot

Ben Prestage Brings Delta Blues on Slide Guitar, diddley-bow to Parrot Hailed by some as “the future of Southern music”, Ben Prestage willperform true American roots music and down-home Southern CountryBlues on slide guitar and diddley-bowat The Green Parrot with shows Thursday, May 1st, beginning at 10 PM,on Sunday, May 4th with a 5:30 to […]

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Woodsheding

The final minutes or sometimes even hours before the contest are spent out behind the bar going over the tunes the contestants plan to play, tuning up , renewing old frienships and getting straight with their accompaniast, sometimes a hasty, last-minute deal

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Fiddlers’

The Fiddlers’ Contest today was a blast and maybe we should start with some shots of Clinton and Sunshine and their children to give you an idea just what kind of day it was. More manana.

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Green Parrot May 2008 Entertainment Calendar

Thursday, May 1st, Ben Prestage 10 PM show. (more on Ben here) Friday. May 2nd Key West Songwriters Festival 5:30 “soundcheck” with Tim James, Danny Myrick, Kate & Kacey Coppola, 10 P.M. show with D. Vincent Williams, James Dean Hicks & Dillon Dixon Saturday, May 3rd The Bubba System, 10 P.M. show Sunday, May 4th, […]

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“Just Text Me”

Having polished off their chicken and waffles and with instructions to management to “just text me” if there are any problems with the sound, Fritz and Francois, The Green Parrot’s crack team of sound engineers lazily monitor the sound quality of last week’s music festival from their vantage point across the street at The Courthouse […]

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Spam Allstars 4/20 Matinee & Fats Navarro Tribute

Some random shots from yesterday’s Spam Allstars 4/20 Matinee, Chicken and Waffle Gospel/Soul Brunch & Fats Navarro Tribute.It was a blast and our special thanks to all the musicians who carved out the time to make this thing work and special thanks to the Spam allstars who not only donated their afternoon set to our […]

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Happy Birthday Lazaro

Tonight is Spam Allstars Percussionist Lazaro Alfonso’s Birthday, he is onstage at the Parrot as we speak, blowing the room away, and we wish him well on his birthday. He looks ageless and super relaxed behind his congas. I have no idea how old he is but he certainly is looking none the worse for […]

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The Green Parrot Chicken and Waffle Brunch, Music Festival

The Green Parrot to Host Chicken and Waffle Brunch, Conch Republic MusicFestival and Fats Navarro Tribute On Sunday April 20th, presented as part of the Annual Conch RepublicIndependence DaysCelebration, The Green Parrot Bar will host the 2008 Green ParrotConch RepublicMusic Festival beginning at 1:00 P.M..The Festival kicks off at 12:30 PM with a Chicken and […]

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Newly-Found Old Bottle

While planting trees in the yard the other day this circa 1900 Vaseline Chesebrough New-York bottle percolated to the surface.along with an old brass latchthe bottle will no doubt join the others we have found.

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Foggy Mountain Breakdown

As they say in the NFL:..upon further review… these guys are a Japanese Bluegrass band, the B-Rank Strangers, and now, looking even more unlikely than before, they make the leap from soulful to shit-kicking in no time flat, and yes, we would love to lure them down here.

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Si Bheag Si Mhor

With our Fiddler’s Contest coming up on April 26th I thought I’d post this haunting O’Carrolan tune done by these unlikely-looking but extremely soulful fellows. I wish we could lure them down here.

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Twins Love The Onesies from The Green Parrot Store

These are the twin sons of Nan Klingener’s friend Marika, who was in the Herald bureau down here in the mid ’90s and now lives in Miami. Marika writes, “Neale and Ian are dazed and confused after hitting the bottle hard at their favorite Key West establishment. But true to the Green Parrot’s motto, there […]

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Luna’s Knuckles

Saw Luna last night and somehow got to talking about his faux HATE HATE knuckle tattoos from The Epidermal Art Contest.Want to see more great knuckle tattoos, Here’s a link to some great real ones.

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This Week at The Parrot

Eric Lindell Brings Blue-eyed Soul and Romping New Orleans R & B to The ParrotFresh from his appearance on Late Night with Conan O’Brian, the smoldering California-born, New Orleans-schooled R & B singer/songwriter Eric Lindell bringshis blue-eyed soul, blues and boogie back to the Parrot stage for two funky, rootsynights Thursday and Friday, April 3rd […]

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Photo Friday Challenge: Found Objects

This week’s Photo Friday Challenge was Found Objects.The Green Parrot submission, # 367, is a found photo from some months ago. This polaroid appeared one morning, pinned alongside my band posters, on the street outside the bar, inside the plexiglass doors of our entertainment marquee,which conveniently doubled as the backdrop for this dudes inauspicious salute, […]

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This weekend: axe-mangler Kelly Richey & Kent Burnside’s “Cotton Fields Disco”

Blues Guitar Diva Kelly Richey at Green Parrot on YouTube The Cinncinnatti-based powerhouse Kelly Richey Band returns to TheGreen Parrot Bar on Thursday and Friday,March 27th and 28th at 10o’clock includinga 5:30 P.M. “sound check” on Friday afternoon and a 5:30 to 8 PM “supersoundcheck” on Thursday afternoon..Buoyed by critical praise and fiercely loyal fans, […]

READ MORE This weekend: axe-mangler Kelly Richey & Kent Burnside’s “Cotton Fields Disco”

On YouTube:Nick Cianci Blows The Room Away

Check out The Video Here.Albert Castiglia gives young Nick Cianci The Keys to The Highway and invites him onstage during Friday’s Green Parrot “soundcheck”Not knowing what to expect Albert lets him run with it……and run with it….And to everyone’s surprise, exept perhaps parents Tony and Donna, the 12-year old axe-mangler from Malvern, Pa. blows the […]

READ MORE On YouTube:Nick Cianci Blows The Room Away

Happy Easter

Pictured, newly-arrived Lillies, Orchids and Peonies…it would seem everyone needs to see something sprout, flower, or otherwise just turn towards the sun with grace and promise on Easter morning…

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Arthur C. Clarke Dead at 90

“Look Dave, I can see you’re really upset about this. I honestly think you ought to sit down calmly, take a stress pill, and think things over”“Arthur C. Clarke, a writer whose seamless blend of scientific expertise and poetic imagination helped usher in the space age, died early Wednesday in Colombo, Sri Lanka, where he […]

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The Alice Foundation St. Patrick’s Day Parade

Pictured is the staging area for the first-ever Alice Foundation St. Patrick’s Day Parade. It appears to be the real deal with local, albeit seemingly puzzled scribes and press photographers in attendance. .With the parade launch only moments away however and still no formal announcements regarding either parade route or street closings, Jerry, seen here […]

READ MORE The Alice Foundation St. Patrick’s Day Parade

Green Parrot April 2008 Entertainment Calendar

Here’s the way April’s shaping up for us, All dates subject to change.Thursday, April 3rd, Eric Lindell, 10 P.M. showFriday, April 4th, Eric Lindell, 5:30 “soundcheck”,10 P.M. showTuesday, April 8th, Nick Moss, 10 PM showWednesday, April 9th,Nick Moss, 5:30 “soundcheck”, 10 P.M. showThursday, April 10th, Jason Ricci, 10 P.M. showFriday, April 11th, Jason Ricci, 5:30 […]

READ MORE Green Parrot April 2008 Entertainment Calendar

Rising Star Eric Lindell Brings His Dive-Bar Credibility Back to the Parrot stage

Fresh from a show-stopping performance on Conan O’Brian just two weeks ago and always a favorite here, Eric Lindell brings his Blue-eyed Soul, Blues, Boogie and Romping New Orleans R & B back to The Parrot on Thursday and Friday, April 3rd and 4th. Smoldering New Orleans R & B singer/songwriter Eric Lindell , who […]

READ MORE Rising Star Eric Lindell Brings His Dive-Bar Credibility Back to the Parrot stage

Coming Up…

World-Famous Nighthawks at Green Parrot “America’s Favorite Bar Band,” The Nighthawks, will be rockin’ theGreen Parrot Bar onThursday March 6th, starting at 10pm, including a 5:30P.M. “soundcheck” on Thursday afternoon.Long before it was cool, way back in the late ’70s, the Nighthawkswere carving out touring routes through the country playing clubs andcolleges dominated by the […]

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Band House Upgrades

Way in the back you can see a new bedroom has been added to the band house. We’ve also moved slightly away from our tropical theme and more into a Hunting Lodge motif.

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Psychedelic funk-rockers The Burnin’ Smyrnans at Green Parrot

The high energy psychedelic funk-rockers The Burnnin’ Smyrnans maketheir much anticipated return to The Green Parrot stage for two veryspecial nights onFriday and Saturday, February 29th and March 1st, beginning at 10 o’clock,including two 5:30 PM “sound checks” on Friday and Sunday, March 2nd. Sure to get your feet moving with their high energy blend […]

READ MORE Psychedelic funk-rockers The Burnin’ Smyrnans at Green Parrot

Thank You, Debra Walker

We thank Nan Klingener (and at the same time formally invite her to contribute anytime the spirit moves) for forwarding this Miami Herald story describing an emotionally-charged State School Board meeting held in Orlando on Monday. Our hats are off to our own Dr. Debra Walker of the Monroe County School Board, who took the […]

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Spider John’s Morning Ritual

Here’s Spider John Koerner performing his Morning Ritual: The New York Times crossword puzzle and a cup of his special blend taken in the friendly confines of a local saloon.

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This Week at The Parrot

Genre-Bending Harpist Jason Ricci plays Green Parrot. Fiery, passionate, and sometimes compared to Government Mule, The Derek Trucks Band, and other crossover acts, the genre-expandingharmonica virtuoso Jason Ricci and his band make their return to theGreen Parrot stage on Thursday,February 14th, beginning at 10 P.M. and incuding a special 5:30 P.M. “soundcheck” on Thursday afternoon.Blueswax […]

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Magnolia Brings Authentic Cajun Dance Party to Green Parrot for Fat Tuesday

Be on hand and bring your dancing shoes when The Parrot puts on agood ‘ol Cajun “fais do do”, or “dance party” on Tuesday, February5th, beginning at 6 PM. Featured performers are Magnolia Cajun Band,a seven piece traditional cajun dance band whose music has beenthrilling Cajun music enthusiasts from Nova Scotia to Louisiana foralmost sixteen […]

READ MORE Magnolia Brings Authentic Cajun Dance Party to Green Parrot for Fat Tuesday

Coming Up This Week at The Parrot

Axe-Mangler Popa Chubby at Green Parrot“Bluesman For The New Millenium” New York City singer/songwriter/axe-mangler Popa Chubby promises to have GreenParrot patrons howling when he explodes ontothe stage for two riotous days Thursday and Friday, January 31st and February 1st with shows beginning at10 P.M.,and for good measure tosses in a 5:30 P.M. “sound check” on […]

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Spam Allstars Hit NYT

Our friends The Spam Allstars had this great photo of the band as the one graphic in this article in yesterday’s Escapes section of The New York Times.

READ MORE Spam Allstars Hit NYT

Afro-Latin-funk-jam band Suenalo Explodes Onto The Green Parrot Stage

Saturday and Sunday January 19th and 20th, beginning at 10 P.M.,Green Parrot patrons will be dancing, twisting and shouting for twopelvis-grinding nights as Suenalo brings a their 10-piece funk /afro-beat / jam band to the Parrot stage. Unleashing a barrage ofmusic that’s simultaneously Afro-Cuban, Dominican hip-hop, R&B,Latin-Funk, Cuban Rhumba, and Colombian Cumbia Suenala promises tohave […]

READ MORE Afro-Latin-funk-jam band Suenalo Explodes Onto The Green Parrot Stage

Chickens Will Evolve at Katha’s Animal Farm

This letter to the editor appeared in The Key west citizen on Wednesday, January 8th, 2008. Katha Sheehan was the proprietor of The Chicken Store. Chickens will evolve at Katha’s animal farm As we step into a new year, I have a resolution and a prediction I would like to share. My New Year’s resolution […]

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Green Parrot February and March Entertainmnent Calendar

This is what I have so far, remember all dates are subject to change and I’ll add the links soon. Friday. February 1 st Popa Chubby 5:30 “soundcheck” 10 P.M. show Saturday, February 2nd Harper 5:30 “soundcheck” 10 P.M. show Sunday, February 3rd Superbowl Party 6 PM Tuesday, Feb. 5th “Fat Tuesday” Party with Magnolia […]

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“Get A Long Little Doggie”

Prior to their promende, a portion of this year’s participants in the Annual New Year’s’s Eve-Day Daschund Parade mingle and eventually gather for a group portrait in front of the Monroe County Courthouse.photo credit Nick Vagnoni

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Bonerama Opens The Sugar Bowl

Just moments ago, Jim Fossum called to say that Bonerama, pictured below at their Halloween gig at The Parrot, was playing the National Anthem on the Fox Network broadcast of The Sugar Bowl in New OrleansCraig, always an ambassador for The Crescent City expresses his hopes on the bell of his horn.

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The Best Present Ever

One of our good friends Landon reports on his blog: “JoEll Commissioned one of my Favorite Key West Artists to Paint my bike in front of my favorite bar. This was the best present ever.”

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Thanks

This afternoon’s “5 O’clock Breakfast” with the Rockin’ Jake Band mercifully marks the end of this year’s holiday push. Thanks partly to great weather and great music, from Bob Margolin to The Alliens to Rockin’ Jake, it was a blast. But mostly we’d like to thank to all those great folks who hung in there […]

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A Bartender’s Prayer

This statuette, reminiscent of the plastic Jesus one might find “magnetized” to the dashboard of one’s car in decade’s past, appeared in our office just days ago.The accompanying card proclaims the saint to be St. Martha. patron saint of all those who work for tips, an idea that Beaver, in the background, clearly finds amusing.Beaver, […]

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Green Parrot January Entertainment Calendar

Green Parrot January Entertainment Calendar Friday, January 4, Mitch Woods and His Rocket 88’s, 5:30 PM soundcheck10 PM showSaturday, January 5, Mitch Woods and His Rocket 88’s , 10 PM show Sunday, January 6, Caffeine Carl 5:30 soundcheck Friday, January 11, The Southernmost Brass Band, 5:30 PM soundcheck 10 PM showSaturday, January 12, The Southernmost […]

READ MORE Green Parrot January Entertainment Calendar

Our Christmas Sampler

With the Holidays fast approaching, and as we gear up to welcome those snowbirds expected to visit our tiny island in coming weeks and months, our staff would like to pass on this bit of home-spun philosophy first opined by our own Vicki Roush and posted here as a sort of disclaimer for that horde.

READ MORE Our Christmas Sampler

I’ve Been Looking for Smaller Camera

Here’s a photo sent to me, taken with a camera much, much more compact than the one alway tote around. It’s far from a point-and-shoot as it allows almost all the manual settings one would prefer, and it fits easily into a pants pocket if not a breast pocket, and it’s reasonable…and it’s a Leica…with […]

READ MORE I’ve Been Looking for Smaller Camera

The Worst Band Names Of ’07

The Onion AV Club has posted an extensive and excellent list of redonkulous band names in 2007.I only bring this up only because, weighing in at no less than #5 on the extensive list is “Yo Mama’s Big Fat Booty Band” who, incidentally, we’re hoping to see at The Parrot in late January.

READ MORE The Worst Band Names Of ’07

Wow. Just. Wow.

Who thought of this in the first place? Pure genius. Luciano Pavarotti and James Brown. Together. Singing “It’s a Man’s World.” (The build beginning at about 3:25 is enough to bring a damn tear to the eye.)

READ MORE Wow. Just. Wow.

Speaking of a Reprise…

Well, we let the Thanksgiving Holiday pass us by without publishing one of our sentimental favorite Holiday images (behind of course Beaver’s brother Tim’s Christmas cards) and that would be Bob Murphy’s Turkey Dinner Tatoo and here it is, Roast Tom Turkey with all the fixin’s. And then we ask every year: “Bob, what were […]

READ MORE Speaking of a Reprise…

Tom and Julie’s Holiday Greetings

This is a reprise of a post frrom’05.Tom and Julie seem to have hit a Home run with this Christmas card. We pinned it to the wall with the other Holiday Greetings we’ve received and almost without exception everyone who walks by gives a nod of approval and “Great Card” or similar comment. Chicken gets […]

READ MORE Tom and Julie’s Holiday Greetings

Itinerant Eastern European Jazz at The Green Parrot

Gypsy Jazz at The Green Parrot The GypsyBlue Acoustic Review, a seven-piece Gypsy Jazz band, willreturn to the Green Parrot on Saturday, December 8th beginning at 10 PMand Sunday December 9th for a 5:30 PM “soundcheck”. Based in Fort Lauderdale,The Gypsy Blue Acoustic Review is dedicatedto playing and preserving the timeless music known as Gypsy […]

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Ain’t No Party Like A Lee Boys’ Party

People Get Ready: Sacred Steel Gospel Music at The Green Parrot People Get Ready! The LeeBoys, Florida’s finest African AmericanSacred Steel artists are ready to transform the Green Parrot into theGreen Parish on Friday, December 7th,beginning at 10 PM including a special 5:30 PM “soundcheck” on Friday afternoon.Fans of all different genres of music will […]

READ MORE Ain’t No Party Like A Lee Boys’ Party

You Tell Me…

Here’s a shot of bartender Leigh and her friend Matthew. At first glance it seems nothing more than a bartab type photo, until you notice the shower cap/scrubs each walked in wearing. You may have to make up your own caption for this one.

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Papa Mali’s Southern-Fried Soul and Blunted Delta Blues

The Papa Mali Trio Brings Swamp Blues and New Orleans Second-Line Funk toThe Green Parrot Malcolm ” Papa Mali” Welbourne’s Southern-Fried Soul and Blunted Delta Blues were heard at The Green Parrot for two big nights A Papa Mali show is a joyful explosion of soulful, funky grooves and bluesy, screaming slide guitar,a tasty gumbo […]

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Albert Castiglia Soundcheck

Albert takes Dan’s home-made Muddy Waters Telecaster for a test drive…. and must like it because he plays the whole set with it…Thanks, AlbertAfter the set…luthier Dan and blues-artist Albert look the axe over…

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Bucko’s Exploding pumpkin 2007

With all the trappings of a carnival: hot dogs, popcorn, sno-cones…some 150 or so thrill-seekers gather in front of the Waterfront Market on Sunday night as Buco again attempts to put the first Gourd in Space. Again we ask: how could anyone replace the Waterfront Market?

READ MORE Bucko’s Exploding pumpkin 2007

A Green Parrot Orange Bowl Excursion

A few Parrot regulars and staff made the trek to the mainland for The Last Waltz at The Orange Bowl.As some former UM greats are introduced on the field Pat ponders what the actual graduation figures might be for these student-atheletes..After the Hurricanes’ 47-zip shellacking at the hands of the Virginia Caveliers our group repairs […]

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Jimbo and Olga Mathus bring a Modern Case of Classic Blues toThe Parrot

A remarkable evening of music. Jimbo and Olga walk onstage with two acoustic guitars,some incredibly inspired vocals, and an occasional harmonica or kazoo and knock everyone out. From the first song, a bit of Country Blues by way of Furry Lewis’ Kassie Jones to some Delta Blues with Robert Johnson’s Phonograph Blues, to Olga’s Torch […]

READ MORE Jimbo and Olga Mathus bring a Modern Case of Classic Blues toThe Parrot

Reggae Cowboys Bring Rock Steady Rodeo

  Reggae Cowboys Bring Rock Steady Rodeo to The Green Parrot Get ready for some rock-steady rodeo from the Reggae Cowboys at The Green Parrot Bar on Saturday, November 10th, beginning at 10 o’clock and a special Sunday “soundchck” on November 11th beginning at 5:30 P.M. The wild West Indies meets Bonanza and dreadlocks meet Stetsons as The Reggae Cowboys return to The Parrot with […]

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Pretty Much, This Is What It’s Down To…

Unfortunately, looking back on Fantasy Fest 2007, this is the image that will endure for many of us…The poster child for most recent Fantasy Fests. I’m not saying that body painting and nudity not two of the seminal components of Fantasty Fest.Even the first Fantasy Fest, I recall that Sister led the first parade down […]

READ MORE Pretty Much, This Is What It’s Down To…

You Can’t Taze a Mime

Here’s a video from our 35th Annual Halloween Costume Party. What you see is the eventual First Place Winners, Three Blind Mimes, one of whom was unable to accept his award since he was still on the lam. I’ll tell ya’, our judges can still pick ’em.

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November-December Cultural Calendar

Green Parrot NOVEMBER ’07 Entertainment Friday, Nov. 2nd Danny Morris 5:30 “soundcheck”, 10 PM show Saturday, Nov. 3rd Danny Morris 5:30 “soundcheck”, 10 PM show Sunday, Nov. 4th Danny Morris 5:30 “soundcheck” only Friday, Nov. 9th Kettle of Fish , 5:30 “soundcheck”, 10 PM show Saturday, Nov. 10th Reggae Cowboys, 10 PM show Sunday, Nov. […]

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Wait, They Have One Too?

We received this postcard from Budapest today from our old and dear friends Paul and Debbie Fecate.Just how dear we are to them you can gather from their highly personalized salutation.But at any rate, the Fecates remain always on the lookout for Parrot or Keys-related tidbits on their jaunts around the globe and they took […]

READ MORE Wait, They Have One Too?

Good News For A Good Guy

Talking to Rockin’ Jake today I learned that Corey Harris, pictured here at a Parrot appearance last year, has been named one of this year’s MacArthur’s Fellowship twenty four recipients. Also known as the “genius grant” it’s worth $500,000.00 to each recipient. Given with no strings attached the gift is considered by the Foundation to […]

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Black Cash

My friend Tammy from Moonstruck Promotions e mailed me today about the possibility of booking Black Cash, a Virginia-based Man-In-Black cover band. I don’t know about you but I think they’d blow the room away. You tell me, here’s there latest videoTammy’s associated with some other great bands including Reverend Jeff Mosier’s Blueground Undergrass, whom […]

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“You be good, see you tomorrow. I love you.”

According to an article in yesterday’s New York Times, Alex, the famous African Grey parrot who mastered a surprising vocabulary of words and concepts, died unexpectedly last week at the age of 31, said Dr. Irene Pepperberg, a comparative psychologist at Brandeis University and Harvard who studied and worked with the parrot for most of […]

READ MORE “You be good, see you tomorrow. I love you.”

Didn’t I F**k You at Woodstock?

This photo was lifted from a video we showed at Tradesman’s Day last Friday. The video dates back to the First Tradesman’s Day some 14 years ago. Pictured here is Jimbo the Plumber, the inspiration for the John Martini sculpture “Where’s Jimbo and the Other Giants of the Building Trade” which in turn begat the […]

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Purple Sandy

Purple Sandy at The Green Parrot’s Tradesman’s Appreciation Day yesterday.Photofriday’s Challenge this week is Purple.

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Just Blow Me

In case you’re wondering why a simple note like this would cause Parrot bartenders to look for reasons to take that long weekend getaway they’ve been thinking about, or have people fill in their shifts for them or worst comes to worst just call in sick. Well, the photo below should explain it.

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milk, vodka, razor blades

Cleaning out the console of my car today I came across this old grocery list my wife had sent me out of the house with. To me it begged to be a candidate for The Grocery List Collection, the world’s largest online collection of found grocery lists, or “milk, vodka, razor blades” as it is […]

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A 1985 Key West Vacation

These two youtube videos below were sent to me by a friend. The are the homemade travelogue of someone’s (larry’s) 1985 visit to The Keys.They are just another reason to love youtube and the things that can be mined from their archives.These are a great look back at a Key West not too long ago […]

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For Reasons Unknown, Key West TV Series to Continue at Parrot

Whether it’s the rollback of drink prices to 1993 levels, thecompelling dialogue or the come-hither looks of these people on thecover of a vintage TV Guide, our weekly screenings seem to have strucka nerve so we want to remind viewers that the The Green Parrot willcontinue to air episodes of Key West, The TV series […]

READ MORE For Reasons Unknown, Key West TV Series to Continue at Parrot

Parrot Airs Key West TV Series, Rolls Back Clock, Beer Prices, to 1993.

Here’s what Fox thought a bunch of Key West “characters” would look like. Being the repository of Key West Cultural History that it is, TheGreen Parrot Bar began airing episodes of Key West, The TVseries, the snake-bittten 1993 hour-long television comedy-dramafilmed right here in our Island City and aired on Fox between Januaryand June 1993. […]

READ MORE Parrot Airs Key West TV Series, Rolls Back Clock, Beer Prices, to 1993.

Ickes Clan

Surrounded by Parrot bric-a-brac, my old friend David Ickes and his family. David lived in Key West in the seventies and was a loyal Parrot customer and good friend. A professional photographer he moved back to Philadelphia in 1979, soon to become the Philadelphia Phillies photographer I believe. Whenever I would return to Philadelphia for […]

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Excess in Moderation

This story from England could serve as a cautionary tale over here too, if not for the Parrot, certainly for the folks queing up for cuban coffee in the deli across the street. No Double Half-Caf Venti Low-Fat Mochaccino for this bird, it appears this teenage waitress overdosed on caffeine after drinking 14 shots of […]

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Technodread  Brings Roots Reggae to The Green Parrot

  Technodread  Brings Roots Reggae to The Green Parrot  Tony Gits’ Roots Reggae Band Technodread, backed by local reggae favorites  Duane “Bongo D” Scott playing percussion and keyboards, Adel Iziman playing bass guitar, and Matthew Watson on drums will appear at The Green Parrot on Friday night August 10th beginning at10 o’clock  with a special […]

READ MORE Technodread  Brings Roots Reggae to The Green Parrot

In memory of Thomas V. Silvia, 1950 – 2007.

Our deepest sympathy goes out to our friend Brita Brooks who lost her boyfriend Tom last Friday. Tom was a member of the State Bar of Michigan with a passion and dedication to the arts and the rights of artists, Perhaps his greatest passion was Indian Law and he was one of the first hundred […]

READ MORE In memory of Thomas V. Silvia, 1950 – 2007.

Gypsy Jazz at The Green Parrot

Gypsy Jazz at The Green Parrot The Gypsy Blue Acoustic Review, a seven-piece Gypsy Jazz band, willappear at the Green Parrot on Saturday, August 11th beginning at 10 PMand Sunday August 12th for a 5:30 PM “soundcheck”. Based in Fort Lauderdale,The Gypsy Blue Acoustic Review is dedicatedto playing and preserving the timeless music known as […]

READ MORE Gypsy Jazz at The Green Parrot

Technodread Brings Roots Reggae to The Green Parrot

Technodread Brings Roots Reggae to The Green Parrot Tony Gits’ Roots Reggae Band Technodread, backed by local reggaefavorites Duane “Bongo D” Scott playing percussion and keyboards,Adel Iziman playing bass guitar, and Matthew Watson on drums willappear at The Green Parrot on Friday night August 10th beginning at10o’clock with a special 5:30 PM “soundcheck” on Friday […]

READ MORE Technodread Brings Roots Reggae to The Green Parrot

Home Made Donuts

It looks like I picked the wrong weekend to be out of town.While I was gone, what was described to me over the phone as “these yeasty little pillows of air” were rising to perfection…ready to be fried at exactly the right temperature…to yield these..next the chocolate glaze..the final product…damn, there’s alot of them too…photo […]

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“Bong Hits for Geezers.Com” at “soundcheck” this Sunday

Barry Cuda and Kenny Fradley will be appearing with their new band“Bong Hits for Geezers.Com” at a Green Parrot “soundcheck” thisSunday, August 5th beginning at 5;30 PM. They will be performing “Roots Americana”, “old timey acoustic”, and“minimalist traditional jazz”(you can’t call it Dixieland anymore).Cuda adds, ” I think we can classify this as “your mama’s […]

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Bonerama at Green Parrot “The Ultimate in Brass Balls”

Bonerama at Green Parrot“The Ultimate in Brass Balls” With the sheer force of five trombones playing simultaneously as their calling card, Bonerama, brings their thunderous funk attack to the Parrot stage for two nights of pure horn muscle on Sunday and Monday, August 5th and 6th, beginning at 10 o’clock. “…crushing ensemble riffing, human-feedback shrieks […]

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IKO-IKO at the Green Parrot

IKO-IKO Returns to Parrot Graham Wood Drout returns to the Parrot stage with hislegendary south florida swamp-blues band IKOIKO for two big nights on Friday and Saturday August 3rd and 4th beginning at 10 P.M. plusspecial 5:30 P.M. “soundcheck” on Friday and Saturdayafternoon. A genuine underground phenomona, Drout writes songsincorporating an eclectic mix of southern […]

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Green Parrot August 2007 Entertainment Calendar

Green Parrot August 2007 Entertainment Calendar Friday, August 3rd, IKO-IKO 5:30 “soundcheck” 10 PM showSaturday, August 4th, IKO-IKO 5:30 “soundcheck” 10 PM show Sunday, August 5th, 5:30 PM “soundcheck” Barry Cuda & Kenny FradleySunday, August 5th Bonerama, 10 PM showMonday, August 6th, Bonerama, 10 PM show. Friday, August 10th, TechnoDread 5:30 “soundcheck 10 PM showSaturday, […]

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Thanks, Deb

Thanks Deb, and I don’t mean just for this very special card, but for trying to make every day special.And my love to my kids Dan, Nick and Renee, just for being who they are. I really believe this is my best birthday ever.And to everyone at the Parrot, you’re too good to me.The Walrusphoto […]

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Little Ed & Tricky Dick

Oddly, both these photos, each sporting some noteworthy hang-time, found their way into my photo library right next to each other. Whether the diminutive, duck-walking Chicago bluesman cares for his juxtaposition with our 37th President remains to be seen.

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Porcine Battle Royal Shaping Up For This Sunday’s Art Show

As a special attraction, this year’s show will include A “Pig-Off”, pitting a whole roast pig from Jay’s Cuban Boxagainst pork shoulders from The Big Green Egg of Richard Talmedgefrom The Restaurant Store. A tasting will follow with all proceedsfrom the pork to benefit Key West High’s Pro Start Culinary program. Looking tan, rested and […]

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The Green Parrot “Off The Wall’ Sidewalk Art Show

New Grandfather Roger Doucette from Stone Soup GalleryDisplays Art from Cuba On Sunday, July 22nd , from noon to 7 PM, The Green Parrot willhost the latest of their “Off The Wall’ Sidewalk Art Shows. Billed as a part of Hemingway Days, the purpose of the “Off The Wall”SidewalkArt Show is to showcase local artists […]

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My Green Parrot July Music Calendar

Here, I hope this is a little better.Green Parrot July 2007 Entertainment Calendar Sunday, July 1st Caffeine Carl 5:30 “soundcheck” only Tuesday July 3rd, Brian Stoltz, 5:30 “soundcheck” , 10 PM showWednesday, July 4th Brian Stoltz, 10 PM show Thursday, July 5th, Tinsley Ellis, cancelled Friday, July 6th, note Special 5:00 PM start time “soundcheck” […]

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not the motorcycle diaries

For the last several months I’ve been tracking, by way of their blog, notthemotorcyclediaries.com, the travels of a pair of Key West brothers, Josh and Ian Rowan, as they travel by motorcycle through Central and South America. The idea of this venture is to, more or less, retrace the route of an earlier trip they […]

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Southernmost Brass Band Does Soundcheck

Mike Emerson brought his horn-heavy Southernmost Brass band to The Parrot for a friday afternoon “soundcheck” and as usual, had the folks crowding the floor.Joe Dallas on trombone and Mike Emerson on guitarTim McAlpine on fretless bass.Charts…something you don’t see everyday in the Parrot.

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Hobex Brings Blue-Eyed Soul to The Green Parrot

“Humphreys will have them slow-dancing in dives from Chapel Hill to Key West.” “At the end of the month, we’re headed to Florida for dates at the Bamboo Room in Lake Worth FL and our annual Key West Weekend at the Green Parrot. We’ve had some adventurous HOBEX fans make it to the past couple […]

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Props for Our Juke Box

I came across this post recently from a blogger/music fan from Baltimore’s WTMD radio station who had just returned from Key West and spoke of the fairly homogenized Key West music scene and how impressed he was with the selections on the Parrot juke box, painting it as kind of an oasis for music lovers […]

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Plumbers Aloft

This photo will be my Photofriday Challenge: “Active”. This is Jimbo the Plumber being shot out of a cannon in front of the Green Parrot Bar on Halloween night.Rather than being included in Photofriday Challenge or even the Green Parrot Blog this sequence seems to be more fitting for Spike TV’s “You Gotta See This”or […]

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Hoodoo Man

Miami’s Albert Castiglia returned to The Green Parrot Bar this afternoon and as usual, did not disappoint.Look for Albert to blow the new awning off the place tonight.He’s slated to play tonight and tomorrow night, beginning at 10 o’clock with another 5:30 P.M. “sound check” tomorrow. The Green Parrot Bar is your Southernmost Center for […]

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Inside The Actors Studio

“You talkin’ to me?”“You talkin’ to ME?”“Well I’m the only one here. You MUST be talkin to me…who the f#*k do you THINK you’re talkin’ to?”

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First Things First

Since this Elvis/Hemingway thing has been crying out for some kind of closure for the past fifty years I wanted to rush home and get the pictures from the event posted ASAP. Prior to the Slapdown however, I had stopped by Buco’s Waterfront Market and picked up a fresh whole yellowtail just the right size […]

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Elvis/Hemingway/Gay Pride Melange

The finish of The Elvis/Hemingway Slapdown merged with the beginning of the Key West Gay Pride Parade and made for a cross-cultural, gender-bending event that provided a Green Parrot “Slice of Life” moment and reminded all our patrons yet again that this not your average corner saloon. Full story and more photos to follow.

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Deconstructed Scrabble

Says She, “Q-U-I-P… Quip!” It’s at the bottom right, closet to her.He says he, “Quip is not a word!” He Repeats. “Quip is not a word!” She’s over the high fives. “Allright, Let’s ask this guy.” (Me) “Quip, an off hand remark, an aside” the man replies.Case Closed“The mans says it’s a word. it’s a […]

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Picasa Web Albums

In addtion to Flickr I’ve created some Web Albums with Picasa too. This photo of Eric Culberson and his 1966 Trin Lopez Gibson is from the album titled “Some Parrot performers and their instruments”

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Red Elvises Day 2

The Red Elvises brought down the house for the second straight day. two sidebars to this story. Amid all the mayhem this couple managed to get married… This couple pictured below played an extended game of scrabble looking everybit as comfortable as if they were at their kitchen table at home….and yes, QUIP is a […]

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The Red Elvises, Your Favorite Band!

The Red Elvises, with the addition of a new guitar player from Austin, Texas, pictured here, put on their usual racous show last night. They’re back today and tonight so stand by.More Red Elivises photos can be seen on Flickr.

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Elvis/Hemingway Throwdown

“The man walked in and slapped him once, hard, between the eyes, in the middle of his face. And when he finally lifted up his head, the man asked him, ‘How’s the writing?’” It may be a little known fact, but along with the title of “Green Parrot Employee” comes the secondary title of “curator.” […]

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Red Elvises at the Parrot

Red Elvises Deliver Kick-Ass Rock ‘n Roll from Siberia Famed Siberian surf rockers The Red Elvises roar back into The Parrot for a two-day stand Tuesday and Wednesday, June 5 and 6th including a pelvis-grinding 5:30 P.M. “soundcheck” on Wednesday. Promising two big nights of kick-ass rock ‘n roll Igor says they’re ready to “blow […]

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Found Photo:”Pat w/Conch Republic Flag”

In this undated, unattributed photo,with ballpoint inscription, The Brotherman, Conchtown Banner proudly unfurled, seems to be looking beyond the Blue Horizon, his gaze fixed upon both the Glorious Past and the Bright Future of our Island City. Or maybe he just woke up.

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Jimbo Mathus Photos on Flickr

It seems everyone is using a flickr account to save, organize and post their photos these days. I thought I’d get in the swim so here’s my first effort. Fairly painless,I might add, although somehow I got an Eddie Kirkland shot mixed in with Jimbo,but I don’t imagine Jimbo would mind that.Here they are…some Jimbo […]

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Props to Susan Olsen

A Solares Hill: The Blog post this morning features one our our best friends and past customers, Susan Olsen, the former director of The Key West Art and Historical Society and now the now the executive director of the Friends of Woodlawn, the historic Bronx, New York cemetery. A loyal Parrot patron, it was Susan […]

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Where’d Everybody Go.

Work on the awning replacement continues apace although it appears that when the lunch whistle blew Buco was left behind by his coworkers, hungry, and apparantly ladderless, on the roof .Buco wants to know how there lunch was. Back on the job, Buco, Building Permit (or perhaps a take-out menu) in hand, joins our team […]

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Green Parrot Shameless Commerce Department

You may or may not have noticed the repairs underway at The Parrot. The rising price of materials, the cost of builing permits, the added workmans’s comp premiums have sent the cost of renovations spiraling out of control. In order to offset these factors we’ve adopted different strategies to try to get a handle on […]

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2007 Green Parrot Old Time Fiddlers’ Contest

The Conch Republic Fiddlers’ Contest at The Green Parrot Master of ceremonies Terry Cassidy joins  Gary Zimmerman as co-hosts for  the Seventeenth Annual Green Parrot Conch Republic “Tune or Die” Old Time Fiddlers;’ Contest. Join us as we welcome to the Green Parrot stage the best fiddlers the Conch Republic has to offer. Boasting  Conch Republic Fiddling Champs from years’  past, this year’s competition promises an […]

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Ckicken and Waffle Gospel Brunch

One of the first in line, Rick Dostal digs into his platterSoundman and bandleader Fritz Sigler gets Larry Baeder and Kenney Fradley dialed in for their set of Fats Navarro Be Bop Larry Baeder,Kenney Fradley, Lonnie Jacobsen and drummer Richard Crooks offer their tribute to FatsGlowing like the contents of that briefcase in Pulp Fiction, […]

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Bois Sec Ardoin, Musician and Nurturer of Creole Tradition, Dies at 91

I’m posting this obituary as it appears in today’s New York Times because of its’ connection to last week’s entertainment at The Green Parrot, namely The Bluerunners.The Bluerunners are from Lafayette, Louisianna. Lafayette is to zydeco what Clarksdale is to delta blues. I’d guess that this gentleman influenced these boys in more ways than one. […]

READ MORE Bois Sec Ardoin, Musician and Nurturer of Creole Tradition, Dies at 91

Rockin’ Jake Band Thunders in to The Green Parrot

“It Ain’t Nothin’ But A Party” declares Vernon at the start of Rockin’ Jake’s “5 O’clock Breakfast” last New Year’s Day. Rockin’ Jake Band Thunders in to The Green Parrot “It Ain’t Nothin’ But A Party!” The Green Parrot Bar brings back New Orleans’ Rockin’ Jake and The Rockin’ Jake Blues Band, laying down some […]

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Jay Gewin’s Jazzfest Photos

I received these photos from Jay over a week ago but due to operator malfunction on my part I was unable to post them. Here they are now, the unabridged travelogue of Jazzfest starring Jay, Tom, Pat and Kenney. The images you will see range from the typical tourist snapshots of Bourbon Street, sternwheelers, leveees […]

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Psychedelic Tele

Speaking of Axes, a friend of my son’s found this hand-painted, circa 1980 telecaster in a guitar shop in Connecticut this past weekend and brought it back to Key West.Check out the ying/yang hand painted on the fret markers.

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Cajun Rockers Make Parrot Debut

A Lafayette, Louisianna favorite since their late 1980s inception,The Bluerunners made their Green Parrot debut Friday and Saturday, May18th and 19th, beginning at 10 PM, with 5:30 PM “soundchecks” on bothFriday and Saturday. For 20 years, the Bluerunners have intermingled the fully ampedguitars of modern roots rock with the fiddles and accordions oftraditional Cajun music, […]

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Billy Bacon, “Dressed To Swill” at The Green Parrot

Billy Bacon & the Forbidden Pigs Play Mother’s Day at The Green Parrot Billy Bacon and the Forbidden Pigs, personifying what The Green Parrot Bar is all about, , returned for a special  Mother’s Day show Some performers are animated. Some are manic. But only a precious few play like they are truly possessed. Some […]

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Mark Hummel Brings West Coast Jump Blues Harmonica to The Parrot

Mark Hummel, called by Blues Revue magazine “… a harmonicavirtuoso. Quite simply,… one of a handful of the best players everon the instrument…” brings his exciting new style of West CoastBlues to The Green Parrot for two nights of jump blues and rock androll on Wednesday andThursday, May 16th and 17, beginning at 10 P.M.The […]

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Seward Johnson Sculptures Update

The odyssey of the rejected Seward Johnson sculptures, formerly installed at the Southernmost Point and recently spotted behind the padlocked chain link fence of Simonton Street scrapyard, appears to have taken a turn for the worse. “New Friends” indeed.

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Mingering Mike

I heard this story on NPR today and then came across this link tonight: It’s quirky nature and ties to Soul and R & B seemed to tie it into the Parrot somehow.Here’s a link to the second part of the story:

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Art Behind Bars

For those of you wondering what may have happened to the Seward Johnson sculptures after the city commission voted them off the island last week; shown here are Seward’s tourist facsimiles, pictured, as we like to say, in happier times.Fast Forward to the scrapyard on Virginia and Simonton Streets where the sculptures appear to be […]

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Give Up?

Well, let me flesh out the scene a little here. It’s wall-to-wall for the Fiddlers’ Contest, The Weary Boys have just sung Happy Birthday, The crowd is whipped up, Scotty has just deposited a birthday cake on the counter in front of the stage and birthday-girl Chicken, in the center of the frame in the […]

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The Weary Boys or “The Stanley Brothers Meet The Clash”

The Weary Boys at The Green Parrot or “The Stanley Brothers Meet The Clash” The Weary Boys, the alt. country quintet from Austin, Texas make their much anticipated return to The Green Parrot Five men in black taking Ralph Stanley, Bill Monroe, Lefty Frizell et al., and spewing it back out with the fire and […]

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Kate’s Birthday

Appearing to hold court with her wand, Kate presides over the party in the back bar on Friday.Another great cake by Pockets.This was the Fort Zachary Taylor cake because it, like the civil war fort down the street from the bar, is also missing its’ top level.Robert Albury sings Happy Birthday to Kate.

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Hendricks Gin w/ Mint & Lime

After my last post of a Hendrick’s Gin and Tonic I received a comment from a gentleman describing a Hendricks with muddled mint and lemon juice. Well, here’s another mint recipes, this time using lime and with a blender instead of a muddler as the main tool.Hendrick’s Gin,Fresh mint, key limes if available, simple syrup […]

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Frankie Mo’s Birthday

Frankie questions the wisdom of having a shot AND a beer on his birthdayHeavy is the head that wear the crown.Oh, well, you’re only 25 once.After seeing Frankie’s cake, Pockets let’s us in on his recipe for Friday’s Birthday Cake. Stand By.

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The Next Few Days…

As kind of a snapshot of wnat’s happening in the next few day…Fergie’s Makeover, Robert Albury’s “soundcheck”, Two pelvis-grinding nights of the Spam Allstars, an all-day music festival with A Chicken & Waffle Gospel/Soul Brunch, a Fats Navarro Tribute….

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More Culture Than Pat’s Refrigerator

Here’s a copy of a new ad for the Florida Keys Council of the Arts “Who,What,When” brochureI hope Pat doesn’t mind that I used his refrigerator as a shill for The Parrot. And I always loved Vicki’s quip.

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Delicous Vinyl

Latin Grammy-nominated DJ Le Spam & the Spam Allstars Play Goombay at The Parrot Blending latin, funk, hip hop and dub The Spam Allstars will maketheir first Green Parrot appearance on Saturday and Sunday October21st and 22nd beginning at 10 P.M. with a special 5:30 P.M.“soundcheck” on Sunday afternoon.Well known in Miami for their innovative […]

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Photofriday Challenge: “Blues” Eddie Kirkland, “Gypsy of the Blues”

Many may have already seen this post.I thought the picture and subject matter apropos this week’s Photofriday Challenge. Ah, the life of Eddie Kirkland.Though his name may not sound as familiar as B.B. King or Robert Johnson, Eddie Kirkland’s life with the blues matches, at the very least, any other blues artist. He was born […]

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Remembering Clutch

Clutch was one Krazy Kiwi. We’ll set a bottle of Corona on the bar today in his memory. NO LIME! Meet you in the whare nui in the sky. He puna wai e utuhia, he wai kei aku kamo.Te pua korau e ruia, e tipu i te waru.(Nga Moteatea 134 )-Whai Ngata Like the spring […]

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Frangipani Bokeh

A Frangipani blossom from my yard. And just because I like it, and because my wife urged me to post a photo of a bloom from the very same plumeria last Easter, and in spite of the fact that there are dozens of ferns unraveling and crocuses burting through the loam already submitted, I believe […]

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More Macro

More navel-gazing, introspective photos as I stalk household objects with my macro lens. The subject this time being my Flatiron mandolin.

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Some Macro Shots

One of our new employees has the same camera as I do so we swapped lenses for a bit. He got my fisheye and I got his macro lens. The first two shots are a fern and an orchid in my yard, the second a detail from the front door of the bar.

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Jim and Al In Front of Sharkey’s

Here’s my Photofriday entry for “sentimental” Here’s a photo of Jim and Al, two partners standing in front the new brick facade of their Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania saloon, Sharkey’s Tavern, circa 1966.Sentimental to me because I remember how proud these two guys, my father and uncle, were to replace the old fashioned plate glass and […]

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The Nighthawks on Youtube

“America’s Best Bar Band”, the Nighthawks, blew into town and treated parrot patrons to 3 big nights of their road-tested, (try 35 years), style of roots-rock and blues. We taped some of the show and you can see it here on Youtube.

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I’m Thinking of a Theory….

Happy Birthday Mr. Einstein! Just a few years older than The Green Parrot – 128 years. We hope you can stop by today and help raise the average IQ. We’ like to hit triple digits on this special day! Albert is probably the only person who wouldn’t live by the Green Parrot rule: No Thinking, […]

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Mother Nature’s Art

This photo was taken at Black Brook in Andover, Maine by Helene’s friend Nancy Palmer. The perfectly round disc you see was naturally formed by the circulation of the stream.

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Howdy Neighbor

We would like to take this opportunity to welcome our new neighbor. The word on the street was confirmed by this Miami Herald story. Another apparent victim of condo conversions on the island, it seems The Chicken Store will be relocating just down the block from us on Southard between the Honda shop and Island […]

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Eric von Schmidt 1931-2007

Since we like to say the Parrot is your “Center for Blues Culture of All Kinds”, I thought a a homage of sorts was appropriate here. Eric von Scmidt passed away on February 2nd and will be remembered for many contributions to music and art.He was a key part of the folk/blues revival of the […]

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A Class Act

Here’s an email I recieved yesterday fololwing Bryan Lee’s cancelation of his Parrot gig and subsequent Tonight Show appearance with Jay Leno on Wednesday night. I post it just to show what kind of hairpin he is. A class act. Date: Wed, 14 Feb 2007 17:43:42 -0500Subject: Bryan Lee Hello JohnBryan requested I email you […]

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Boros Family Album

I just recieved this email from the Boros family with the message”Don’t turn your back on this guy!!!” and a picture of Lucas and Jimmy.

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Eric’s Civil War Adventure

A moment from Civil War enactments of the past with a Green Parrot connection. This photo hangs in the Parrot and shows former bartender and next-door neighbor Eric Bissell lettin’ a civil war era black powder cannon rip one off from the ramparts of Fort Zachary Taylor. While I wouldn’t want to characterize Eric as […]

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Civil War Reenactors Salute Parrot

The Union Color Guard Marches to The Green ParrotThey all stop, eyes left, and each one, including The President of The Republic, salutes their favorite saloonThe Old Railsplitter says “It’s All You, Annie”Abe agrees to meet later for a cold one under his portrait in the bar.The ladies auxilliaryOur friend from The Fort, HarryA Civil […]

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So a Guy Walks into a Bar

Stop me if you’ve heard this one…so a guy walks into a bar,and says, “Hey, that picture on the wall behind me is a picture of my grandpa…”…and it was stolen froma bar on Stock Island…and “I want it back.”now I KNOW this is bullshit because I brought that picture to the Parrot myself, from […]

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Good News, Bad News

We just got word that Bryan Lee would be unable to play the Parrot dates he was booked for next Tuesday and Wednesday. That’s the bad news.The reason he can’t make it is he just got a call to perform Wednesday night on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno, arguably the most important launching pad […]

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Good Morning America Visits Parrot

A film crew from ABC’s morning show dropped in to sample a bit of the local color this morning.Bill Weir , the show’s weekend anchor seemed right at home as did the crew. They all said they remembered the Parrot well having visited the bar in the past under less formal circumstances.The real star of […]

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New At Parrotphenalia

Ever wonder (I sound like Andy Rooney here) what’s the secret to those great Bloody Marys at The Parrot. Ever wonder how you could make those at home. Try this new combination from Parrotphenalia. Combine some Green Parrot Bold and Spicy Bloody Mary Mix with a shot of your favorite vodka, rum or tequila, a […]

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Minolta Autocord Photos

Some photos taken with a vintage Minolta Autocord Medium Format Twin Lens Reflex camera Judges at our Tattoo contest. Left to right: Suck Face Al, Buco, Eric and Mr. Bill.My Wife DebbieBlue Heaven, a restaurant in our neighborhood, with our neighbor pedalling by.A Tattoo contestant waiting his turn.Country Blues/Folk Legend Spider John Koerner

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Game Face

Kenny, sporting his Colts jersey has the poised, calm look of a man with ice water in his veins.This gentleman, on the other hand, has a different kind of game face on.

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Neutral Turf

Knowing that the Parrot is the sports equivalent of Switzerland especially vis a vis next week’s Super bowl I was a little surprised the Martini sculpture had become sort of a marquee for the NFC Champion Bears.

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Clan McLaren

This distinctive ink on this gentleman’s arm yesterday caught my eye and asked to get a closer look. Rob McLaren pleasantly obliged and went on to explain that he received this tattoo in Washington,D.C. the pattern is the the McLaren tartan. and a rampant lion rearing up with three paws stretched out. The the royal […]

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Bluesy greetz, Noel from Belgium.

Hi Parrot, i spend my time watching the show tonight but i see shit.Can you point that cam a whole bit closer to stage please,it’s gonna be a big difference for your dedicated webcam audience!I wear glasses like Flora Molton once did and all i see is some ants on a tiny stage :-). Bluesy […]

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“The Greatest” Has A Birthday

Wednesday was Muhammad Ali’s 65th birthday. You can wish Ali a Happy Birthday yourself on this site.One of our favorite pieces on the walls here is this photo of Ali with The Beatles taken at the 5th Street Gym in Miami Beach in the early sixties. The Beatles were on their first visit to America […]

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CBC, Canadian Public Radio Visits The Parrot

Donning her Blues Brothers sunglasses for the occasion, Canadian journalist Roberta Walker, backs me up to the wall with her microphone as she prepares to conduct an interview for the syndicated CBC show “Postcards From The Edge”. She chose to visit us here in the friendly confines of The Green Parrot to gather information for […]

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Two Sure Signs That Race Week is Upon Us

The first and most obvious sign would be the tent that goes up in front of the Waterfront MarketThe second sign, less visible but more insidious, would be represented here by Pat’s entry in the Green Parrot daily log book referring to what must surely be the yachties’ tip denomination of choice .

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The Banana Peel Blues Club in Belgium

I just received an email from Noel, a kindred spirit and blues fan at The Banana Peel Club in Belgium who has been logging on to the Green Parrot website regularly to watch the bands perform on our live streaming webcam. I’ve included a link to his club in Belgium. His email follows along with […]

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Annie Got Me Thinkin’ (and Nancy Too)

A couple of things prompted today’s post. The most recent thing was when Annie the bar manager asked me this morning as she was opening the bar, “Hey did you see that big statue down in front of the Customs House, they say it’s really something.” Well, I hadn’t, but my curiosity was piqued so […]

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Welcome Lucas Boros

Yes it’s true that we have a soft spot for kids around here, and yes we absolutely fawn over them when they’re the offspring of one of our own, but give me a break here. Is this the most beautiful, angelic baby face you’ve ever seen. He was born January 5th. Rachel & Jimmie, Good […]

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Pockets’ Spaghetti & Meatballs Cake

Hard pressed to top his “kitty litter” cake or his super-spiked 151 Knockout cake, Pockets has artistically outdone himself with this faux Italiano creation. It’s like Michaelangelo with a hand mixer!

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Lucky Peterson

Lucky Peterson, after a rousing show last night gets ready to head out of town for his next gig.Lucky signs our “Legends of The Green Parrot” guitar.

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Former North Mississippi All Star Duwayne Burnside

Former North Mississippi Allstar Duwayne Burnside, pictured above onstage and out back with Buco between sets,who gave ascintallating performance here last spring brings his hard-hittingNorth Mississippi Hill Country Blues back to The Parrot to for onenight only this Saturday, January 13th beginning at 10 pm. Duwayne was born in Senotobia, Mississippi and grew up hearing […]

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Celery That Sucks Coming to The Parrot?

Celery with a hollow center has been genetically engineerd by a Florida bio-engineering firm to be used as a straw in Blood Marys. Duda Farm Fresh Foods in Florida is expected to begin marketing the innovative new stalks sometime soon. The celery can be used as a Bloody Mary straw or an edible swizzle-stick, or, […]

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The Albert Castiglia Blues Band

Albert, as always, tore up the place. On fire from the first chord of the first set he had them screaming for more for two days.Recently earning an endorsement from Hagstrom, Albert displays his new axe from the swedish guitarmaker.

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Lucky & James Peterson, Wednesday, January 10

Blues Legends James and Lucky Peterson at The Green Parrot One of the preeminent blues performers of the modern era, LuckyPeterson, will appear at The Green Parrot with his special guest, hisfather, James Peterson, on Wednesday, January 10th at 10 P.M.A searing lead guitarist, fantastic organist, and first-rate vocalist,no one would refute his reputation as […]

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Some More 2006 Snapshots

Jimbo Mathus was the first performer to be seen on our webcam.Jimbo Mathus takes a quuiet moment to catch up on his reading.Pat and Little EdBlind Bluesman Bryan LeeLarry’s BirthdayKenny and Louie get ready to serve up Chicken and Waffles at The Gospel Brunch.Kenny The Plumber belts one out with Nick Moss and The Flip […]

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Some Personal Favorites of 2006

These photos, while in no way intended as a highlight reel, represent, in no particular order, some of the things I posted this past year taht bear revisiting. I will add comments and a few more pictures as I get time, but i see midnight approaching. Happy New Year! Vince Welnick did some incredible shows […]

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Rockin’ Jake Gets Rocked by Vicki

I just loves me some Rockin Jake! John took these pictures, and thankfully, he’s letting me edit. See. Jake is still smiling! St. Louis guitarist Rich is getting his first glimpse of our special Vicki-Rockin’ thang. Rich – you’re next, pal! No idea what was going on there. Just a little pre-New Year’s Eve dance. […]

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Godfather of Soul Kidnapped from Parrot, As I Remember It

This battery operated figure, displayed on a shelf by the front door was a coveted piece of Parrot ephemora, so much so I guess, that in a moment of unforgetable late-night bravado, a car screeched to a halt at the front door of the bar, four men leaped out, raced in in and snatched James […]

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James Brown, Late-Night Soundtrack of The Parrot Dies at 73

At B.B. King’s in Times Square, a promotional poster for Mr. Brown’s scheduled New Year’s Eve concert was changed into a memorial.James Brown, whose 45’s and CD’s on the Green Parrot jukebox provided a soundtrack for decades of late-night Parrot partying died early yesterday in Atlanta. Always a staple on the Parrot jukebox, Brown is […]

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Zac Harmon This Week

Zac Harmon to Share a “Mighty High” at the Green Parrot The Green Parrot will host one of blues music’s fastest rising starswhen Zac Harmon takes the stage for a two-night stand on WednesdayDecember 27 and Thursday December 28 beginning at 10 P.M.including a5:30 P.M. “soundcheck” on Thursday.Zac Harmon is the love child of Jackson […]

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Merry Christmas

My apologies for not having posted anything for a few days but as you can see we’ve had othe matters to attend to. Merry Christmas and God Bless.

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Weary Boys Play Green Parrot Vintage Instruments

Pictured on the front porch of the Green Parrot bandhouse two of The Weary Boys sample a few of the vintage instruments from the bilges of the Parrot instument repository. Mario, above, looking somewhat like he was Gumped off the cover of “Nashville Skyline”, sports our 1947 Martin 000-21 while Big D sets down his […]

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Bad Santa

This photo was forwarded to me today by our friend Jay Gewin. The Green Parrot Christmas Party is tomorrow night and I sure I hope our Santa does better than this one caught napping at the Simonton Street beach.

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Captain Outrageous Photo Album

The Captain Outrageous website contains a page containing a the Captain Outrageous Photo Album with dozens of 70’s and 80’s photos of Key Westers mostly taken in or around Norman’s White Street burger joint, “The Last Straw” pictured below. The eatery was located next to Page’s Paints, where Mo’s restarant operates today.Below is a detail […]

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“Don’t Play Anything Stupid, Man”

When I saw this article in today’s Times I was reminded how Lou Reed’s sullen 7-minute-plus version of “Heroin” on the Parrot Juke Box would sometimes set up this late-night tension between the abject patron who desperately needed to hear it and thus droped his quarter into the slot, and the bartender who, looking only […]

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Young Blues Legend Corey Harris at Green Parrot

In what is certainly the Parrot’s biggest musical coup of this year,or perhaps any other, the young blues legend and giant talent CoreyHarris will will perform with his 5 x 5 band at The Green Parrot Baron Wednesday, Thursday and Friday nights, December 13th, 14th and15th beginning at 10 PM with 5:30 P.M “soundcheck” on […]

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Highway Child

A converted school bus from Ontario with a sort of observation platform welded on the roof parks outside the Parrot during the Jimbo Mathus afternoon set.

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Christmas Card Photoshoot

Looking more like a summary execution than a christmas card photoshoot some of our regulars take turns lining up to have their holiday photos taken in front of the venerable gin millIt would seem that all that’s needed to complete this tableau would be a blindfold and a cigarette.Below, sporting more costume changes than The […]

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Thanks Again Sleepy

Our Thanks again to Mr. LaBeef and his band.Anyone who was here yesterday will agree that we haven’t had a day of music like that in a while.

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Jimbo Meets Alice, et al.

Here’s Jimbo Mathus onstage at his last go-around here.You know, I’d like to say I have no idea what the hell is going on here, but I I do.This would be Alice, onstage with Jimbo Mathus’ KnockDown South, and joined by the Crime Fighting Wing of the Alice Foundatiion, namely, Stock Island Boy and Captain […]

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“Jimbo Mathus’ Knockdown South”:

Blues guitarist/vocalist James “Jimbo” Mathus brings his latestincarnation, “Jimbo Mathus’ Knockdown South” to The Green Parrot fortwo raw nights of gut-bucket North Mississippi Juke Joint BluesSaturday and Sunday December 9th and 10th, beginning at 10 o’clockwith a 5:30 P.M. “Sound Check” on Sunday. If you’ve only known Jimbo Mathus for his work as the founder […]

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From Hoodoo to Digeradoo Harper Brings Down Under Blues

Harper onstage with a handcrafted one-of-a- kind digeradoosWith Scotty outside the barHarper, pictured here with his wife Bobbi on and on stage during their last visitnnovative Australian singer/songwrtiter/harmonica virtuoso anddigeradoo performer Harper returns to the Green Parrot Bar on Thursdayand Friday, December 7th and 8th beginning at 10 PM with 5:30 P.M.“soundchecks” on both Thursday […]

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It’s 4:20 Somewhere

NORML’s 23rd annual Key West Legal Seminar will took place this week so it seemed like a perfect opportunity to resurrect this snapshot from the “been there, done that” pages of our website. Here’s our own Kenny at a national NORML convention a few years back and I guess I don’t have to tell you […]

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The Fins Cruise into The Parrot

Benny Hi-Fi and Angelo Mancuso (I love that name) get the party started at the Friday “soundcheck”Benny hops onto the dance floor to keep the party goingHe even makes it to the back bar to play up close and personal with some customersBenny shows off his ’56 Les Paul Gold Top

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Happy Birthday, Jaco

Jaco Pastorius December 1, 1951 – September 21, 1987 This post is a homage to Ft. Lauderdale native and monster bassist Jaco Pastorius on the occasion of what would have been his 45th birthday. The link I have added to Jaco’s name brings you to Pat Metheny’s liner notes to the 2000 reissue of Jaco’s […]

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Rock-a-Billy Legend Sleepy LaBeef, Dec. 5th

Sleepy La Beef Finally Returns to Green Parrot It’s been way, way too long since Sleepy LaBeef has rocked the stage at The Green Parrot Bar, but he’s finally back On Tuesday, December 5th beginning at 10 P.M. including a special 5:30 P.M. “soundcheck” Tuesday afternoon.Sleepy has recently marked over 45 years in show business, […]

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An Unsolicited Opinion

I came across this post which deserves a link. I especially like the kudos to our “eclectic” clientele. Hey, wait a minute, what did he call us? http://thefraserjourney.blogspot.com/2006/11/and-winner-is.html

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Fat Albert Life Rings

I’m going to post this one again because I just got another e mail from one of the Fat Albert Guys and he asked me to post it.It follows:John,The recent emails back and forth between you and I regarding the “Fat Alberts” and the life rings made me take another step in locating the infamous […]

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Big Sam’s Funky Nation, Wed., November 22nd

Big Sam’s Funky Nation at The Green Parrot“New Orleans Style Brass Funk Band” It’s “Time To Funk It Up” again at The Green Parrot when, hot off the heels of his tour with Allen Toussaint and Elvis Costello, Big Sam brings his Funky Nation to the Parrot stage for one big night of New Orleans […]

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Eric Lindell to Appear Nov. 17th

Blue-eyed Soul, Blues, Boogie and Romping New Orleans R & B at The Parrot Smoldering New Orleans R & B singer/songwriter Eric Lindell , who hastaken the talent-heavy New Orleans club scene by storm, and whosethe release of “Change in The Weather”, an album whose completelyoriginal, roosty, funky music and hook-filled, cliche-free songs seemsready to […]

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Jason Ricci Band

Todd Edmunds with his upside down strung bassJason Ricci and New Blood, featuring guitarist Shawn Stachursky (Starski) on stage last nightbassist Todd Edmunds with his ’67 Fender jazz bassand a vintage amp to match

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Roger Wilson’s Photo Ops

Our old friend and Bluesman Roger Wilson sent us these great snapshots taken last month in New York City while on the East Coast leg of his national tour.Based in Atlanta, Roger has been frequent visitor to the Green Parrot stage for the past ten years. The first shot shows Roger obviously enjoying a jam […]

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Danny Morris Surfs On In

Danny Morris rolled in to the Parrot for 5 shows in three days and had everyone on their feet from the first set on Friday to the last chord on Sunday.Parrotheads were out in droves and Danny’s Roots Rocks was a perfect fitLocal too couldn’t get enoughFielding requests from the audience and even on from […]

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Alice Across The Great Divide

Here’s some photos I just received from Ranger Steve of The Alice Foundation, bringing Alice out to Colorado to visit Foundation Member and former Parrot bartender Meg and husband and Alice Foundation member John in what must be one of the more remote but beautiful Foundation outposts. I’ll let Steve decribe the action: “Alice and […]

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Bonarama Drummer Eric Bolivar

Pictured here is Bonarama drummer Eric Bolivar after signing our guitar in the Green Parrot bandhouse.I apologize for wrongly identifying him on a previous post. Sorry Eric. One thing I do know is that Eric blows the room away whenever he’s here. Practically every musician in town was at either one or both of the […]

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Breaking News From London

Just got off the telly with an old Key West buddy, Rae Coates, now working in the Wardrobe Department for the West End musical “Footloose.” Yes, a stage adaptaion of the movie musical. Well, talk about your culture – one of the costume pieces for the show is a Green Parrot T-shirt! He promises to […]

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Tom and Leigh

as kind of a vignette, while Bonerama and Tony Clifton were preparing for their Halloween show… Tom and Leigh were outside…I don’t know if they ever did make it into the bar…

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Some Bonerama Footnotes

The bell of craig’s trombone speaks volumes for the band’s hopes for New Orleans Craig, already somewhat in costume Introducing,….”Tony Clifton” Tony Clifton belts out “For Once in my Life” Tony serenades our partners “Keep Your Hands Offa Me”

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Bonerama Set List

This would be the set list from Bonerama’s second night at the Parrrot, salvaged from the stage the next morning, which, by the way, looked not unlike the floor of a movie theatre. To offer my unprofessional deconstuction:FIRST SET “Less is More”, penned by New Orleans drummer Stanton Moore of Galactic, covered on one of […]

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Why Take Any Chances

Covering all his bases, Tom Luna, MC for today’s Green Parrot Epidermal Art Contest let’s his Georgia redneck tattoos speak for themselves as he prepares for today’s competition.

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Tom Robinson’s Sister

Tom Robinson’s sister just got to town, cute as a bug, a cockeyed optimist from Cleveland, ready to make her mark in Key West, maybe even land a shift at The Schooner…. heck she even brought her own pom poms…True the guys gave her a lot of elbow room at the bar and Annie seemed […]

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Kenny’s Birthday

Kenny gets a cake from Pockets. The cake says “51” on it but the icing should say “151” The red Elvises and Paula help Kenny celebrate and sing a Happy Birthday that wont be soon forgotten.Pockets gets an atta boy from the birthday boy.

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“Oh Diosa Mia” or “Tell me it aint so ….”

We just got word that after nearly a dozen years of preaching their gospel of “The New Mambo Revival”, Cabaret Diosa, the wildly popular Colorado-based retro Latin dance band and Green Parrot favorites, are planning what will be their final appearance to be held Halloween night at the Boulder Theatre in Boulder, Colorado. Pictured here […]

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Brita’s Pictures From Tiger’s Game

Here’s some photos our old friend and contributing photographer Brita Brooks sent us from Detroit. I’ll bet Paul and Debbie Fecate were at the game too. I print Brita’s note verbatim here because the part about sleeping on the Parrot roof in ’72 with the peace pipe kind of defies transcription. Hi John-Heres some fun […]

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Kido

This sculpture appeared recently in front of the new Key West weather station. It’s the work of local artist Rick Worth. I guess it’s part of an art in public places program that is long overdue in a place with so many creative people. This oversized pooch is a whimsical study of Rick’s now departed […]

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Sunday Afternoon Football

Like the two good citizens and sons that they are, Louie and brother John first rise for the national anthem. and next salute their mother in Long Island via the Green Parrot web cam. Hey wait, Louie, what kinda salute is that?

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Full Moon

Again, not bar related except this is what my yard looked like under a full moon when I returned from hearing Robert Albury last night.

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Don’t Miss The Boat

These three ladies stopped into the Parrot Friday. Two of them had to be back on the ship to Cozumel by 2:00. I hope they made it on time. They all looked like they were enjoying The Parrot.

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The Legendary J.C.’s

Here’s some photos of the Legendary J.C.’s the last time around…Popping out of an innocous white mini van that belies the explosive nature of their stage show the Legendary Joint Chiefs pull up from Orlando with frontman Eugene ready to jump out of the moving car.Hands to Heaven they proceed to blow the room away.

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Suck-Face Al Goes to Telluride

I got a letter and a few photos today from Al Walsh AKA Suck-Face Al. Al’s our dear friend and a former Park Ranger at Fort Jefferson in The Dry Tortugas. Al, is currently ranger at Lake Powell in Arizona, made the drive up and met us at the Telluride Blues Fest the last two […]

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Pepe’s/Off Season

Things are pretty quiet at the Parrot. That said, this post has nothing to do with the bar but is rather an aside to what is happening in town at the moment which happens to be absolutely nothing. Here we grab a table at Pepe’s just after sunset and look over the wine list, which, […]

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Waterfront Market Petition

Here’s a petition that made it’s way into the bar yesterday urging the city fathers to renew Buco’s lease at the key West Bight.Pat signs on for his brother Buco

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Gary Primich

With his harp arsenal before him, and a set list that gave a nod to D’jango and Muddy and a few in between, Gary doles out a few nights and days of his jazzy mix of blues and swing. Mike’s vintage-looking Tele is actually only 5 years old and hand-crafted in Austin.

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Give me a break, willya!

The reference in the Citizen’s Sunday cartoon is to The city granting a sweetheart $1.00 per year lease to Flair gymnastics to share a city-owned space with the not-for-profit Police Athletic League while 21-year tenant Buco of the Waterfront Market has the screws put to him to the point where he may go under…Give Me […]

READ MORE Give me a break, willya!

Waterfront Market Dispute on Chowhound

photo credit kw citizen The Chowhound Article This post appeared on Chowhound, arguably the #1 foodie message board on the internet. It seems the dispute between Buco and the city has more legs than your average municipal rent negotiation. Let’s keep the ball rolling to see that the word spreads that this guy is about […]

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Albert Castiglia/Graham Drout Sunday Soundcheck or “No Cover, No Minimum, No Wanda”

Albert and Graham put on one of the most memorable sounchecks yet.To say they connected with the audience is an understatement. The combination of their virtuosity, their choice of material and their warmth made for a great musical experience. Today’s eclectic set list included some Dylan, “Just Like Tom Thumb’s Blues” and “Like a Rolling […]

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cornered

This image from flickr was just forwarded to me. Looks familiar. by way of attribution I’ve given the web address below.http://www.flickr.com/photos/78889382@N00/251541420/

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More Albert

Albert has changed guitars today going to a Gibson Flying V that warrants a new photo plus some other stage shots from the Saturday Matinee. Albert continues to heat up the Parrot stage delivering one strong set after another. Opening this afternoon w/ Walkin’ Blues, adding some Albert and Freddie King, some Buddy Guy and […]

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Happy Birthday, Whitey!

Today’s Whitey’s Birthday, “The Original Mo’”, “without him there would be No Mo’…” Happy Birthday and we’re sure that today he’s doin “Pretty Good, Not Bad…” oh well, you know the rest.I thought I’d include something from our yellowed archives that I coincidentally stumbled across just yesterday when excavating in my office,

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Here Comes Jack

Ready for his introduction into Key West Society, Tony delivers Jack.A closer look reveals many of the details incorporated into Jack’s persona.Perched on the Parrot stageJack surveys the crowd

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Jack and Tony

Artist Tony Gregory has taken a keen interest in the Parrot’s entry in the “Paint The Jack” contest, almost playing Gepetto to Jack Daniels’ Pinocchio. Here Tony ponders what last-minute touches to apply the statuette of the venerable distiller.Here, more remiscent of something from a “Chuckie” movie, Jack seems to be pondering something of his […]

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Key West Magazine to Feature Parrot Memorobilia.

Kim, a photographer from Key West magazine was in yesterday to take some photos for an upcoming article on the various memorobilia and ephemera that cover the walls of the Green Parrot. The article should be in October’s issue, featuring a sidebar on some of Buco and the boys’ infamous group halloween costumes.The parachute on […]

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“Poco Loco”, Eric and Terri’s General Store

Here’s Kenny visiting Eric Bissel at the general store that Eric has established with his wife Terri in Carson, New Mexico, just outside of Taos. Eric and terri were both former Parrot bartenders who lived right next door to the bar before heading out for new adventures in Taos and Bocas del Toro, Panama. A […]

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Opening Day

The first day of the NFL season. The big screen is prepped and readyThe ganglia of wires notwithstanding, our satelite feed is hitting on all cylinders.After much deliberation the selection commitee has picked which games will be broadcast to our patrons. No easy job considering the vagaries of opening day games and the sundry allegiancies […]

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Tradesman’s Day

Here’s Coy, complete with toga and his Tradesman’s Pass hand painted by Tony Gregory More traditional passes were provided by Christine and Dixie, Also pictured above is Eric Larson downloading and printing all the photos used on the cards. Check out the frogs on his monitor. Helene had her Tradesman’s Booth fully stocked. Sales of […]

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“Jack of All Trades”

No Stranger to Fantasy Fest King and Queen fundraisers himself, Bill Heller applies the very first touches on what will eventually be The Green Parrot’s entry in “Paint the Jack” Bike Week competion put on by Premier Beverage.Named “Jack of All Trades” by Joe Weed, the statue of the venerable distiller Jack Daniel will receivea […]

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“Let’s Go Fishin'”

With Castro so much in the news recently I thought it might be a good time to reprise this photo of Fidel with his fishin’ buddy and fellow revolutionary Che Guevera, pictured here in, as they say, happier times. Although one never can tell just how happy they were. For all we know, they were […]

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Green Parrot “Off The Wall” Sidewalk Art Show

Some photos from the recent Sidewalk Art Show beginning with Jay Gogin’s outrageous Paella, some of David Wegman’s art, Rick Worth with his work, Tony Gregory making art on the spot, a few vendors and participants, and the former and current mayors squaring off in a pottery throwdown . Also some random images of vendors […]

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IKO IKO

Miami-based swamp rockers IKO IKO played their first-ever Parrot gig to a full house this weekend and vowed to make it a regular stop from now on.

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Bronson Arroyo & Mrs. Tepe

Sporting her Green Parrot shirt, Mrs. Tepe finally gets to meet Cinncinati Reds’ pitcher, and Key West native/heartthrob Bronson Arroyo. She’ll be shopping for a replacement shirt, as Bronson kindly autographed the one she was wearing. Go Reds!

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“Legends of The Green Parrot” Guitar to be Auctioned off to Benefit AIDS Help

Friday September 8th from 4 to 7 P.M. The Green Parrot bar will againhost Tradesman’s and Tradeswoman’s Appreciation Day which each yearfeatures a raffle to benefit AIDS HELP.As a special addition to this year’s fundraiser, to be auctioned off will be a “Legends of TheGreen Parrot” Fender Stratocaster, donated by Tim Wegman of CarolineStreet Music […]

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Clay McClinton

Playing what one customer described as “perfect barroom music” Clay McClinton brought an East Texas Honky Tonk ambience to an appreciative Parrotcrowd on Thursday and Friday.

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Like Father Like Son

The Clay McClinton Band Debuts at The Green Parrot Like Father Like Son The Clay McClinton Band, fronted by Clay McClinton, son of Grammy Award-winning country blues icon Delbert McClinton bring their brand of Texas stomp, blues and bluegrass to The Green Parrot Bar on Thursday and Friday, August 17th and 18th, beginning at 10 […]

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Amen

Rev. Billy C. Wirtz At The Green ParrotRev. Billy C. Wirtz is Sanctified…and Tickled TooLove The Sinner, Hate The HaircutAfter 15 years of blues bars, comedy clubs and a couple of stints with pro wrestling, satirist/song parodist Rev. Billy C. Wirtz is ready to bring his First House Of Polyester Worship to The Green Parrot […]

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Green Parrot Archelogical Site

These photos were passed on to me by Harry Smid, who along with Kip Blevin are regular Parrot customers and are Park Rangers at Fort Zachary Taylor State Park, a very special piece of paradise located just down the street from the bar. Harry and Kip were part of a state Archaeological Monitoring Resource class […]

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Chubby Check

Popa Chubby turned in two great prime time gigs and a memorable “sound check” on Tuesdy afternoon, at one point apparantly ritualistically dousing his guitar with bills from his tip cup. Offstage the man was a gentle giant and could not have been nicer, a class act. Onstage, he was an axe-mangler that had the […]

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Popa Chubby’s Axe

A 1966 Strat with a well-used whammy bar, sporting just a suggestion of the original sunburst finish and a flame job that would not look put of place on the hood of a “51 Mercury, it looks to be the only guitar Popa travels with and the only one he needs. It serves him well […]

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Life Imitates Art

This would be Linda fron Sugarloaf, Steve Heuel’s friend who was the model for his “No Cover, No Minimum, No Wonder” painting on the Parrot stage. Take note that in real life Linda does not have a macaw flying in one ear and out the other before bursting into flames and crashing. At least she […]

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Guitar Shorty, Jime Hendrix Brother-in-Law, Wed. June 7th

Guitar Shorty Leaps Into Green Parrot When he’s not turning somersaults, doing backwards flips, and standingon his head — all while playing, of course — Guitar Shorty is prone tocutting loose with savagely slashing licks on his instrument. Live,he’s simply amazing — and live he’ll be, at The Green Parrot Bar, on,Wednesday, July 7th, at […]

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Vince Wellnick 1951-2006

Pictured here is former Grateful Dead keyboardist Vince Wellnick at the Parrot gig in April that what was perhaps his last show. To say he was well received by the Parrot crowd is an understatement. He was absolutely embraced by them, swallowed up by them, whenever he was here. And he always managed to shine […]

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Bill Blue

BillBlue is appearing at The Parrot tonight. These however are pictures from his last go around, at the music festival in April. Better late than never so here they are and if you want to catch him live he starts in a bout 15 minutes. That’s where I’m headed.

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Popa Chubby June 5-6

Papa Chubby at Green Parrot“Bluesman For The New Millenium”New York City singer/axe-mangler Popa Chubby promises to have GreenParrot patrons rolling at a heart-thumping pace when he explodes ontothe stage Monday and Tuesday June 5th and 6th with shows beginning at10 P.M. both nights including a 5 P.M. “sound check” on Tuesday. Popa Chubby’s music, forged […]

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2006 Fiddlers’ Contest

Terry Cassidy announces the co-champs of this year’s contest: Brian from the Weary Boys on the left and Chuck Anton on the right Bob Murphy, patriarch of Murphy’s Law Family String Band saws through a tune in the contest Chuck plays his selection as Brian looks on A stagefull of fiddlers A full house lovin’ […]

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Siegel-Schwall at The Green Parrot

Pictured top to bottom Jim Schwall, Sam Lay, Corky Siegal and .The lady to Corky’s left is Laura, former Commander Cody Lost Planet Airman(woman) who dropped in to sing a few with Corky. Jim Shcwall signs Scott’s Grandfathers “Old Kraftsman” guitar.Fellow Chicagoans Corky and Buco talk about their hometown.

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Paul Butterfield’s Harp

Sam Lay, the original drummer for the Paul Butterfield Blues Band goes back in time and looks reverentially at the harp used by Paul on the groundbreaking PBBB’s 1966 “East-West” album.

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“John, Don’t Hang Up, I Don’t Need Money!”

That’s how Pat started out his call to me from NOLA last night. I reassured him that no, of course I wouldn’t hang up on him but he must have sensed something as the the phone in my hand had in fact begun an immediate downward arc toward the cradle as soon as I heard […]

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Louie and Kenny

These guys deserve to be first because without them there would be no waffles and no chicken and no chicken and waffle gospel brunch. Louie was working on saturday night to make this happen and Kenny came back from New Mexico a day early for the same reason. These guys blow my mind. photo credit […]

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Chicago House Rockers Lil’ Ed and The Blues Imperials Duck-Walk into The Green Parrot”

  Chicago House Rockers Lil’ Ed and The Blues Imperials Duck-Walk into The Green Parrot” With  smoking slide guitar runs, raw-boned Chicago shuffles and  the deepest blues,  the five-foot-one-inch Lil’ Ed and his blistering road-tested band, The Blues Imperials return to The  Green Parrot with shows at 5:30 and 9:00  p.m. on Thursday, May 26th. Between their wonderfully raucous music and Ed’s flying leaps, his duck-walking […]

READ MORE Chicago House Rockers Lil’ Ed and The Blues Imperials Duck-Walk into The Green Parrot”

Tom Robinson’s Easter

So it’s Easter Sunday night and Tom Robinson’s manning his regular shift at the Parrot. Tom Robinson, who we already know has more costume changes at home than a Rockette. But no, Tom shows up in a white t shirt with nothin’ but a miniature cadbury easter egg.Tom, come on….you coulda’ done better…You coulda’ been […]

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Harper and Bobbi

Harper and Bobbi, his wife/road manager/partner get ready to head up the road to their next show. Scotty wishes them well and Harper checks out the new green Parrot sign. More on that sign later.Anyway, our thanks to Harper and Bobbi for some great shows and we’ll see them in December.

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You Tell Me

I’m not sure why this Conch Tour Train seems to have been intercepted by this police car. You tell me. As it turns out the train was part of some sort of a breakdown or minor fender-bender and while they were waiting for a replacement train to finish their tour of Key West a few […]

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From Boogaloo to Dijeradoo

Harper wraps up a three day stint at The Parrot tonight. His shows were very well received. He likes to work the room, has a great band with him. Accomplished blues harp player and a powerful singer and brings a tribal/cultural with him. Great act.

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A Gulag For Five-Toed Cats

This is a developing story. Over the past few weeks it has been revealed- -both through on site inspections and an exclusive interview with a Hemingway House groundskeeper which was held in an undisclosed and top-secret location over several pints of Sierra Nevada Pale Ale while listening to a blues band-that the celebrated and much-photographed […]

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Jason Ricci Blows April 19th

“Genre-Bending Harpist Jason Ricci at The Green Parrot”. “His name is Jason Ricci. He plays harp like I can’t explain–except to say that I have not heard the ghost of Butterfield in awhile.” Blueswax magazine Fiery, passionate, and sometimes compared to Government Mule, The Derek Trucks Band, and other crossover acts, the genre-expanding harmonica virtuoso […]

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Vince Welnick April 13-14

The Grateful Dead’s Vince Wellnick with Gent Treadly at The Green ParrotFormer Grateful Dead keyboardist Vince Wellnick returns to The Green Parrot with The Gent Treadly Band on Thursday and Friday, April 13th and 14th beginning at 10 P.M. with a special 5 P.M. “sound check” on Friday.Welnick is best known as the keyboardist for […]

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Harper: From Hoodoo to Dijeradoo to Boogaloo

From Hoodoo to Digeradoo Harper Brings Down Under Bluesto The Green Parrot Innovative Australian singer/songwrtiter/harmonica virtuoso and digeradoo performer Harper returns to the Green Parrot Bar on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, November 10 th, 11th and 12th beginning at 10 PM with a 5 P.M. “sound check” on Wednesday and including a special night of […]

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Little Ed and The Blues Imperials

Just a note on whose coming in next week, no not just Pat…..Here’s some press on Little Ed:House Rockers Little Ed and The Blues Imperials Return to The Green ParrotWith smoking slide guitar runs, raw-boned Chicago shuffles and the deepest blues the five-foot-one-inch Lil’ Ed and his blistering road-tested band, The Blues Imperials return to […]

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Corey Harris 5 x 5: A Final Note on This Week’s Music

Over the last few days I’ve posted many photos posted but not many words. For that I apologize. I also apologize for the sporadic performance of the webcam the last few days. Had it been working it would have shown, even on that tiny screen, the energy being generated Tuesday through Friday. Roots revivalist Corey […]

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Corey and Mohamad prepare to hit the road

Here’s Corey and Mohamad in Parrotphenalia, The Green Parrot retail, store giving their wardrobe a touch-up before hitting The Bamboo Room in Lake Worth.Corey takes a moment to give an approving nod to the artwork of Everglades blues artist Lennie Jones.Mohamad proudly displays his passport to which someone has affixed a Conch Republic Stamp.Before he […]

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Corey Harris Tues. and Wed. 10 PM Wed, and Fri 5 PM

Pictured her in Telluride last summer with Nick Vagnoni and Pat Lonergan the Young Blues Legend Corey Harris will appear at Green Parrot next week.In what is certainly the Parrot’s biggest musical coup of this year,or perhaps any other, the young blues legend and giant talent CoreyHarris will will perform with his 5 x 5 […]

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Julien Kasper

Julien Kasper struts his stuff to the Parrot faithful. By all reports the guy was amazing and really needs to do two nights next time so the word can get out to the faithful. Many local musicians were present and jaws were dropping left and right. The guy has the chops and some chord fingerings […]

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Springtime in Indianapolis

Things may have thawed since these photos were forwarded to me but you have my apologies for the glacial (no pun intended) pace with which things move here here at the nerve center of the green parrot’ Thanks for the photos Rachel and the one shot of your bungalow is right out of Currier and […]

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Caution: Artist At Work

Here’s visiting artist Steve Heuel single-handedly attempting to “dispel the myth that artists are utterly incapable of any form of physical labor” (hey, he said it, I didn’t) by pushing a wheelbarrel loaded with his grandmother’s cast iron Sears and Roebuck wood stove to his truck to be transported back to from whence it came, […]

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Fats and Trumpet Bob

This is Trumpet Bob, no slave to fashion, who, while sketching The Parrot takes a break to chat a bit and to admire another artist’s (Steve Heuel) portrait of another trumpeter (Fats Navarro) which will soon hang on the stage of The Green Parrot.Bob was well aware of the legendary Fats’ role as a seminal […]

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On The Look Out

This would be the ever-vigilant Captain Conch in tandem with SIB outside the Parrot.“Careful, Dude, there’s a beverage involved here”

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More of the SuperHeroes

As we said, there would be more to follow. This would be Stock Island Boy, part of the CrimeFighting Arm of the Alice Foundation. I for one can’t wait to hear what his SuperPowers are.

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Mondays with Alice, Vol. 1

You know, I’d like to say I have no idea what the hell is going on here, but I I do.This would be Alice, onstage with Jimbo Mathus’ KnockDown South, and joined by the Crime Fighting Wing of the Alice Foundatiion, namely, Stock Island Boy and Captain Conch. And I would venture to say that, […]

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Jimbo Mathus’ Parrot Webcam Debut

Jimbo Mathus’ Knockdown South brought their North Mississippi juke joint blues to the Parrot for the third time but this time with a twist as they became the first band to be beamed on the internet on the Parrot newly-minted stage webcam. All shows should be available for live viewing and many will be archived […]

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Those Halloran Boys

The Halloran brothers, former city commisioner and old friend George and visiting brother Andrew paid us a visit yesterday, ostensibly to check to see if the Boca Chica Bar sign George had put on loan to the bar was still on display (it was) but we think it was just a chance to grab a […]

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Public Service Announcement for NOLA Area Voters

The Louisianna Secretary of State has posted information for displaced voters to obtain absentee ballots. With so many of our NOLA and gulf coast friends spread far and wide, we thought some outreach might be helpful. Here you GO! .

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Hendrix Scholar Julien Kasper, Thursday, March 23rd

Blues/Rock Guitar Virtuoso at The Green Parrot“Jimi Henrix Scholar” Blues/rock guitar phenomenon Julien Kasper will appear at the Green Parrot Bar for one night only on Thursday, March 23rd beginning at 10 o’clock.South Florida Blues fans may remember Kasper as a member of Florida’s legendary swamp/blues band Iko Iko. Others may have heard of him […]

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The Fins, Friday and Saturday March 17th and 18th

Take a Ride With The Finsat The Green Parrot The Fins are back! The blues & party band that reviewers and audiences throughout New York and New Jersey have acclaimed as the hippest, hottest, most happening band around are heading straight back to their favorite south Florida gig – The Green Parrot Bar – on […]

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Heidi’s Mom

Heidi’s mom prepares to shove off from the Green Parrot in the style of Pat Lonergan, i.e. with his bags occupying the bar stool next to him as he waits for a cab.As it turned out they needn’t have been rushing since while they were running for their cab another cab was bursting into flames […]

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Spring (break) is in the Air

What’s the first sign of spring on our corner?A crocus peeping out of the soil?A robin redbreast?How about the first appearance of Woody, our tight-lipped and ever-vigilant doorman on the Whitehead Street side.

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Art Conservator Steve Heuel

Flown in from Wisconsin for the occassion, Green Parrot Art Conservator Steve Heuel spruces up the Bill Berg portrait of the Great Thinker in preparation for Einstein’s birthday next week.

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Brian Stoltz

New Orleans’ King of Funk Guitar Brian Stoltz turned in three stunning shows in two days and even the seasoned fans at The Parrot were in awe of this guy’s seemingly effortless guitar wizardry.Pictured on the porch of the bandhouse in the bottom photo is Brian with his Fort Lauderdale-based bassist Kilmo as they fuel […]

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Time To Funk It Up with Brian Stoltz

Funky Meters’ Brian StoltzReturns to Green ParrotIt’s gonna be a couple of those Oh-Boy-They’ve-Done-It-Again nightsat The Green Parrot as New Orleans’ King of Funk Guitar, Brian Stoltzreturns to the Parrot stage for two Funked-Up performances on Tuesdayand Wednesday nights, March 7th and 8th, beginning at 10 o’clock, witha special 5 P.M. “Sound Check” on Wednesday.While […]

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A Recap:”I’m Either Gonna Be In The Blog or in The Red Book” or “The Hardest Working Plumber in Show Business”

While is may seem that these pictures of Kenny the Plumber’s Parrot debut defy description, they do deserve some sort of coda.Well, here’s how I remember it: one minute he was sitting at the bar with the rest of the crew, next he was casually leaning over the counter in front of the stage conferring […]

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Larry’s Birthday

Larry Niemec chose to celebrate his natal anniversary in the Parrot with friends and we might add he never looked better. His better half, in the background, seems vastly entertained by the scene. Happy Birthday man!

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SpongeMan

This one certainly needs a a little set up. When I first looked out the front door of the parrot I saw my old friend Greg, of the Key West Aquarium, at the wheel of a pick up stopped at the light. As I approached the truck to say hello to Greg my gaze fell […]

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Jurassic Beaver Found, Find Stuns Experts

With our own Beaver, known for stunning experts with his own cunning stunts, returning just last night from the Olympics I thought this recent National Geographic story noteworthy. Jurassic “Beaver” Found; Rewrites History of Mammal A beaverlike tail, seal-esque teeth, and positively platypus-ian ankle spurs make Castorocauda lutrasimilis one original animal, as shown in this […]

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Stranded in Amsterdam

Why is this guy smiling?Word was recieved today from Moose and Beaver, our two globe-hopping, olympic-watching bartenders , that they had missed a connection and would not be home as soon as planned and as a matter of fact were stranded in Amsterdam.Sympathy for them, as was to be expected, was in low supply.

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Former North Mississippi All Star Duwayne Burnside to Appear this Fri-Sat

Former North Mississippi All Star Duwayne Burnside atGreen ParrotFormer North Mississippi All star Duwayne Burnside with his band TheMississippi Mafia will make their Key West and Green Parrot debut thisFriday and Saturday, February 24th and 25th beginning at 10 pm with a 5 PM Saturday Matinee. Duwayne was born in Senotobia, Mississippi and grew up […]

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Tonight & Tomnorrow with a Tuesday Matinee

Juggernaut Jug Band at Green Parrot “…they don’t let their virtuosity get in the way of having fun.” -Washington Post With their zany showmanship and straw-hat schtick andpromising “to make as much music as any four humans can”, TheJuggernaut Jug Band will take the stage at The Green Parrot Bar, onMonday and Tuesday, February 20 […]

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Sniveling Origins Uncovered in Italy

The following is part of an e mail I recieved from the artist Greg Sobran, who has serendipitously uncovered some backround on snivelers while doing some reading on Renaissance Italy. The exerpt reads:” By the way, I’ve dug up the “no sniveling” origins from 15thcentury Italy. This is from Ross Kings recent book on Michelangelo.It […]

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Arrevederci, Moose

A Moose and his euros are soon parted. Moose and Beaver, our two anthropomorphic-sounding bartenders leave leave tommorow for the Winter Olympics in Turin.They say we should keep an eye out for them on Sunday where they will be viewing the USA-Sweden Hockey match. Moose will be waving a large Conch Republic flag and Beaver […]

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Tony O and Bobby Ratcliff, Thurs-Fri. Feb. 16-17

For Immediate ReleaseJohn Vagnoni – 587-1527February 13, 2006Tony O’ Brings New York City Guitar Legend to Green Parrot Hard-driving New York bluesman Tony O returns to The Green Parrotstage and proudly features Big Apple guitar legend Bobby Ratcliff fortwo very special nights of classic blues on Thursday and FridayFebruary 16th and 17th at 10 o’clock, […]

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Greyhound’s East Texas Funk Sat. Sun. Feb. 18-19

Greyhounds East Texas Funk and Soul at Green Parrot East Texas funk and soul is featured at the Green Parrot when theAustin-based trio The Greyhounds take the stage on Saturday andSunday, February 18th qnd 19th, with a special 5 PM “soundcheck” onSunday afternoon.The Greyhounds have turned heads on their latest national tour bycombining elements of […]

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Juggernaut Jug Band, Mon.-Tues Feb. 20-21 w/ Tues. matinee

Juggernaut Jug Band at Green Parrot “…they don’t let their virtuosity get in the way of having fun.” -Washington Post With their zany showmanship and straw-hat schtick andpromising “to make as much music as any four humans can”, TheJuggernaut Jug Band will take the stage at The Green Parrot Bar, onMonday and Tuesday, February 20 […]

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The Past Weekend’s Entertainers

Two of this past week’s emtertainers off the stage. Roger “Hurricane” Wilson pictured here after his matinee, hanging out in the concrete-reenforced bunker that serves as the nerve center of the Green Parrot.Next, both sporting similar facial hair, are Wally Greeny, aka Sweet Daddy Cool Breeze, and manager Scott Morris.shoot the breeze before Wally Heads […]

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Roger Wilson’s Matinee

Roger Wilson takes the stage for Happy Hour.Mike’s in the front row. Patrick greets the sax-playin’, roller-skatin’ and virtually ageless Joseph. Back to town for a surprise visit.

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Sweet Daddy Cook Breeze Sat-Sun Feb 11-12 w/ Sun. Matinee

Sweet Daddy Cool Breeze Blowin’ at The Green ParrotThe Green Parrot Bar will present the groove-driven blues band Sweet Daddy Cool Breeze on Saturday and Sunday, February 11th and 12th, at 10pm, with a special 5 P.M. “sound check” on Sunday, February 11th.Fronted by acrobatic and pyrotechnic Wally “Sweet Daddy” Greaney on the harmonica, sax, […]

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Roger “Hurricane” Wilson Friday, Feb. 10th 5 & 10 P.M.

Roger “Hurricane” Wilson at Green Parrot Delivering his own brand of blues and roots-rock Atlanta’s Roger “Hurricane” Wilson will appear at The Green Parrot Friday, February 10th beginning at 10 pm, with a special Friday Happy Hour 5 P.M. “sound check”. A hint about Wilson’s show. Living Blues Magazine says, “Wilson takes no prisoners in […]

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Pockets’ Super Bowl XL Cakes

Pockets brought Annie a Steelers Cake for Good Luck…atta boy, Pockey- Mo.Truth be told, he brought a Seahawks cake too. And made Annie unwrap that one first…you’re pushin’ he envelope there, Pockey.

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Lamnont Cranston Sound Check

The Minneapolis-based Lamont Cranston Blues Band has been at it since 1969 and after 14 CDs and countless show-stopping performances the band and band leader Pat “Lamont” Hayes are still going strong and they showed it this afternoon with their 5 PM “sound check” when they had a full house on their feet for 75 […]

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Next Up: Acoustic Blues Revivalists Paul Rishell & Annie Raines Wed. Feb 1st 9 PM

Acoustic blues revivalists Paul Rishell and Annie Raines will appear at the Green Parrot Bar for one night only on Wednesday, February 1st beginning at 9 PM.Known for their close attention to prewar acoustic blues styles, W. C Handy award winners Paul and Annie Paul form an explosive blues combination that covers vast blues territory. […]

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Piper Road Spring band, Tues. Feb. 7th 9 PM

Bluegrass at The Green ParrotAs part of their 31st Anniversary tour, The Piper Road Spring band brings their diverse brand of acoustic bluegrass to the Parrot stage for one night only on Tuesday, February 7th, beginning at 9 PM. In their three decades performing together they have been nominated by the national Bluegrass Music Industry […]

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Eric Culberson, Sat-Sun., Feb.4-5

Eric Culberson Brings Righteous Blues to Green ParrotShout Hallelujah.On Saturday and Sunday, February 4th and 5th, beginning at 10 PM, Kingsnake recording artist Eric Culberson, will burst onto The Green Parrot stage for some unmistakeably authentic and energetic blues action. Culberson’s “Blues is My Religion” has topped the national Blues charts, and his new CD […]

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Lamont Cranston, Thurs.-Fri.Feb.2-3

Legendary Lamont Cranston Blues Band Plays Parrot The Legendary Lamont Cranston Blues Band will at The Green Parrot Thursday and Friday, February 2nd and 3rd beginning at 10 PM. The Minneapolis-based blues band has been at it since 1969 and after 14 CDs and countless show-stopping performances the band and band leader Pat “Lamont” Hayes […]

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OTA

It seems every year a group of bartenders from The Conch Farm get together for a bar stroll where they don home-made costumes in order to good-naturedly poke fun at some of the stereotypical tourists than populate (some say over-populate) our tiny island each season. The OTA (Obnoxiuous Tourists Association) began their stroll at The […]

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“Just Do It”

This post has got absolutely zero to do with the Parrot (or at least we hope so). Consider it as kind of a neighborhood sidebar. Last night at about 4:30 AM a truck tried to go down a lane in the neighborhood not realizing that the lane quickly narrows to a footpath until it eventually […]

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Braille Blues Daddy Bryan Lee Gets Warmed Up

The buzz surrounding Bryan Lee’s first Green Parrot appearance was palpable this week and as showtime drew closer it all seemed well founded. Bryan was very approachable, whether it was sitting at the bar drinking coffee the afternoon before the show or chatting easily with a customer from the stage right before he started. He […]

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Seeing Double

If some of the patrons at the bar today thought they had perhaps had a bit too much to drink and were seeing double…well they would have been half right. Paying us a visit today were Harold and Carroll Alexander. These Alexander boys hail from Stony Point, North Carolina and between their looks and their […]

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David Wegman’s Ship in a Bottle

While on our field trip to Timmy Wegman’s A 440 Studio I spied a whimsical piece of art created by Tim’s brother David. Over the years Tim’s brother David has contributed more than a few paintings and pieces of signage to the Parrot. He currently displays some of his paintings in Parrotphenalia, the Parrot’s retail […]

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A Field Trip to A 440

The plan is for Timmy Wegman from A 440 Studios on Caroline Street to donate a vintage guitar that will then be signed by all the musicians who play the Parrot this coming year. The Guitar will then be auctioned off to the highest bidder to benefit AIDS Help this year at Fantasy Fest. Here’s […]

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Braille Blues Daddy Bryan Lee Thurs-Fri Jan 26-27 w/ 5 PM Fri. Matinee

Bryan Lee at Green Parrot Legendary Bourbon Street Bluesman Bryan Lee will make his first Green Parrot appearance on Thursday and Friday, January 26th and 27th, beginning at 10 PM, with a special 5 PM ‘sound check” on Friday afternoon. For years a NOLA fixture and often the only blues band visitors to New Orleans […]

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Legendary J.C.’s Bring Soul Party to Parrot, Sat-Sun Jan. 28-29 10 PM w/ 5 PM Sun Matinee

“The Legendary J.C.’s Lonesome Soul Revue” brings their hands-to heaven, old-fashioned R & B rock ‘n roll revue to The Green Parrot bar for three soul-stirring shows: Saturday and Sunday January 28th and 29th beginning at 10 PM and a special Happy Hour “ Sound Check” Sunday at 5 PM. Take Sam Cooke with hints […]

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Time to Funk It Up

The Cosmic Sweat Society takes the stage.Guitarist Elliot Cohn and basssist Kennyy Green dose out some some hybrid “Funk and Roll” on Friday night.Parrot patrons may remember these two from “Grin” who appeared on this same stage several years ago.

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Ronnie Baker Brooks

Arguably the country’s fastest rising star in contemporary or “next-generation” blues, Ronnie Baker Brooks explodes onto the Parrot stage with new tales to tell and new songs to sing.

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Elliot Cohn’s Cosmic Sweat Society Jan. 20-21

Cosmic Sweat Society at Green Parrot “Funk ‘n Roll” from NOLA Long a fixture on the highly-competitive New Orleans music scene and among the legions of Katrina-displaced Crescent City musicians, Elliot Kohn brings his Cosmic Sweat Society and their special brand of “Funk and Roll” to the Green Parrot for two nights, Friday and Saturday, […]

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Now, Coach, Now?

In a photo dating back a few years, one of my sons sports an authentic Bears helmet that somehow wound up in our office. Good luck to the Bears today as they, while allowing only 61 points against them all season, enjoy a season that reminds one of the glory days of Rudy Buchich.Our Parrot […]

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“Bring It On”

With Heidi acting as the ref(and dressed for it too) and kickoff time approaching, Steeler fan Annie urges Colt’s fan Kenny to “bring it on”. While Parrot patrons look typically oblivious to the scuffle we still must wonder what kind of example does this set for the customers.

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We Get Love Letters

Ah, the memories. Going through a box of “stuff” today, I got all sentimental remembering when I got this adorable love letter from the children of a patron. Being a responsible bartender has its rewards. “Dear Vicky, Thank-you for sending Daddy home on time. Love, Olivia & Max” I don’t throw anything away…. (You can […]

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Big Week for Blues at The Parrot

Slide Guitar Diva Joanna Connor Returns to Green Parrot Top-notch Chicago Blues artist and Green Parrot favorite Joanna Connor returns for three big shows this Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights January 13 th 14th and 15th beginning at 10 PM and including a special matinee Saturday, January 14th at 5 pm.Upon her arrival in Chicago, […]

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New Generation Blues

Ronnie Baker Brooks Returns to Fire up The Parrot with New Music Wednesday January 18 Ronnie Baker Brooks lands at The Green Parrot, where world-class hospitality and emphatically open-minded fans have created a haven for bands that routinely play larger rooms. Since his first appearance there in 2003, Ronnie has returned at least once a […]

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Tishamingo

Athens, Georgia-based blues-rockers Tishamingo begin their three-night stand at The Parrot. Featuring a steamy twin guitar lead reminiscent of another Georgia-based outfit, these guys had folks on their feet from the start. They play Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights beginning at 10 PM and will include a 6 PM Saturday matinee this time around.

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Cheers Mate

I got an email from our dear friend Rangi the other day wishing us all Happy Holidays. Rangi is a New Zealander who lived around the corner from the bar with fellow Kiwi Clutch when they weren’t touring with Robert Plant, REM or The Who. They had their own kiwi corner of the bar and […]

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Rockin’

Rockin’ Jake wraps an unprecedented 4 day gig with a New Year’s Day Happy Hour set.Bob from Bradenton treats his friends at home to an earful fo Jake on his cell phone.Guitarist Randy of the Rockin’ Jake Band.Vernon celebrates New Years’ Day.

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Brian O’Neill 1955-2005, Bonerama Trombonist

While browsing the Bonerama website I was shocked to see the news of the passing of trombonist Brian O’Neill. A charter member of the New Orleans band, he was a friendly and gentle man and before one of his Parrot gigs I particularly remember him taking the time to chat up a few young musicians […]

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Burner and Helene

Willie the Burner, sporting what he says is a much-admired vintage Parrot T shirt takes a moment to have an O’Doul’s and grab some quality time with Helene.

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Them Golden Slippers

This turned up the other morning in the bar with the other detritus of the previous night’s frivolities. Being born and raised in Philadelphia and a veteran observer of many Mummer’s Parades and the drunken brouhaha that accompanies the event, I had heard that fifty or so Mummers were in town and realized at once […]

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A Face Only a Mother Could Love

It had to come sooner or later and today’s mail, along with Guitar Shorty’s wishes for the holiday season, came Beaver’s brother Tim’s annual Christmas postcard. What can I say. I’m just surprised that there’s not some sort of Postal Police or something that would regulate this sort of thing. Go Sox Indeed.

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Separated at Birth?

Here’s an interesting photo that appeared on the office wall the other day. This would be our own Kenny with rocker Alice Cooper. When we asked Kenny how it went meeting the Metal icon Kenny confesssed that he was at a loss for words so just told him, “My mother still hates you”

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Guitar Shorty Sends Belated Christmas Greetings

This card came in today’s mail. A Greeting for all of us Parrot folk from Alligator Records artist Guitar Shorty. Shorty is well known for his classic blues licks and his stage acrobatics. He also is reknowned as Jimi Hendrix brother-in-law and for winning the Gong Show. In addition he is a fine and gentle […]

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Al’s Packin’

Looking through some old family photos this Christmas morning we came acroos this group shot of some of the men in our family taken on Christmas some years ago. left to right: my uncle Johnny, my uncle Dick, my uncle Carmen, my father Al and my grandfather John. I can tell it’s Christmas by the […]

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Can I Get A Leg Up Here?

This would be Alice in Wonderland, a Great Dane visiting from Vermont, being greeted at the door by our own pint-size Fergie and truth be known, Fergie is slightly less than pint-size.

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Bollitos!

What better way for a kid to kick off his Christmas vacation than a search for a christmas wreath that begins, not uncoincidentally, with a detour to a nearby corner cuban grocery for a cafe con leche (for dad) and a bag of hot, fresh bollos (pronounced boy-os) or bollitos, (literally little balls), those crispy, […]

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Green Parrot Christmas Party

As we speak the Parrot Chritmas Party is in full swing, (as is Pat). Secret Santa and her Elf survey the crowd, A Santa Emeritus or two are in attendance, and Buco’s brother Neil from Chicago jams with Carl and Joe Pepper. More photos to follow. Merry Christmas

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Vicki’s Rum Balls

Vicki’s Rum Balls, with each staff member having their own clearly labeled designated allotement, arrived in a timely manner today but looking less like a holiday confection than some sort of contraband worthy of postal interdiction.

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Impromptu Book Signing

Rob O’Neal’s Key West Photo Safari has all the earmarks of a home run as witnessed when what began as a simple errand turned into an impromptu book signing at The Parrot today.

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Alice Foundation Christmas Gift Exchange

Yesterday was the Alice Foundation’s big Christmas Gift Exchange and do these primates know how to party or what. The Pollyanna came off without a hitch, glasses of cheer were hoisted all around and we understand that plans were laid to hire a trolley for a Christmas field trip to take Alice and the gang […]

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Sonny Rhodes: “Disciple of The Blues”

Sonny Rhodes, “Disciple of the Blues” at Green Parrot Sonny Rhodes, the world-traveled, been-there-and-done-that self-proclaimed “Disciple of The Blues” will appear at the Green Parrot Bar on Friday and Saturday, December 23rd and 24th beginning at 10 PM.Sonny Rhodes-like BB King, Bobby Bland, Buddy Guy and dozens of other bluesmen past and present- is a […]

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Green Parrot Entertainment

Green Parrot January 06 Entertainment Friday, January 6th Tishamingo 10 PMSaturday, January 7th Tishamingo 10 PMSunday, January 8th Tishamingo 10 PM Friday, January 13th Joanna Connor 10 PMSaturday, January 14th, Joanna Connor 10 PMSunday, January 15th Joanna Connor (showtimeTBA) Wednesday, January 18th Ronnie Baker Brooks 10 PM Friday January 20th Cosmic Sweat Society 10 PMSaturday. […]

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Christmas Sidewalk Art Show

Looking less like a sidewalk art fair than the summer olympics, Jeff, Jay and Robin kick off the festivities with their fiery preparations for their christmas paella. More photos to follow.

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christmas

To all of our patrons and our bands we say “thanks”Wishing everyone a very happy holiday season May all people in this world know peace The Green Parrot

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David Wegman

With our sidewalk art show tomorrow we should perhaps mention a local artist who won’t be with us but certainly should be. That would be David Wegman whose images are scattered all around the Parrot and indeed all around Key West. David is pictured here with ine of his laiest creations.

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Mike’s The Shit

My brother Mike buys a round of Fu Fu’s for the Mo’s. Pounds one himself and then, to the approval of all in attendance executes a perfect sky hook into the can.

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Yehuda

Yehuda Guttman, another octogenarian musician. Yehuda is a concert pianist and has performed in some of the most famous concert halls in the world, including Carnegie Hall.He was my neighbor in the early seventies. I lived in the upstairs of a conch house on Aronovitz Lane and downstairs, fronting on Duval Street, Yehuda and his […]

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Roger, Here and There

This summer in Telluride, Colorado at the Blues Fest, for no particular reason, I took a photo of a guy who was painting a picture in the middle of the main street of town.Today I saw a guy painting a picture of The Parrot and, for no particular reason, took a picture of the guy. […]

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Key West Bar Tab

This month’s Key West Bar Tab magazine sports our very own Beaver on the cover ostensibly being inked with the magazine’s logo.Delving deeper into this month’s issue, see if you can spot another member of the Parrot staff.

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Happy Birthday, Eric!

Always the kid, our former bartender Eric is having a birthday today. He’s a champion, and in touch with his feminine side, too. Happy Birthday, Eric! See more of Eric’s Antics at Jeremiah’s Birthday Parties and his ass at Barwars galleries.

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Corey Harris Returns to Parrot

We’re very excited to announce today that young blues revivalst Corey Harris will return to the The Green Parrot stage, along with The 5 x 5 band, on Tuesday and Wednesday April 4th and 5th.We saw Corey this summer at The Telluride Blues fest and we must have rekindled his interest in Key West and […]

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Wayside Tavern

Here’s a short essay from the latest issue of Modern Drunkard magazine. I dont want to overestimate the significance of joints like ours but there is a point to be made about being able to sidle up to the bar and by virtue of ponying up the price of a drink be able to, within […]

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All The President’s Flip Flops

What’s with the shower slippers on the bar you might ask. Well it seems a well-known Washington D.C. political wonk and Green Parrot neighbor is the unnamed and unindicted co-conspirator of this. It happens our aforementioned neighbor bought these shoes for his guests at a pool party he had recently planned. The party was cancelled […]

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Goombay

>A few images of Key West’s Goombay Fest, held in Bahama Village this weekend. Pictured:A few young and hip shoppers, Louie’s Falafel Stand, Dakota and Daniels Bead Stand, and Tommy Chong helps Maddick pitch his dijeradoos, etc.

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Jimmy and Rachel’s Wedding

Here’s a shot of everyone at Jimmy and Rachel’s wedding. I truly apologize for not posting it sooner. I’ve been meaning to for some time but was not reminded of it until they walked into the bar a few days ago. Better late than never certainly applies here because it’s a great photo of a […]

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Been There, Done That

Here’s a couple of shots of our own Kenny the Plumber at two greatly different elevations. The first taken at 6900 feet on a recent visit to New Mexico and the second taken at his house in Key West, which is just above sea level, of which we are lately painfully aware. For bringing us […]

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Monsoon Cafe

It was no Royale with Cheese but my Three Bean Buger with Sweet Potato Fries from the new Indian eatery next to the laundromat at. Southard and Margaret was excellent.

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Fire That Bad Boy Up

Here’s another grotto-related item. Pictured here as they appeared on the front page of the Key West Citizen this summer is Green Parrot bartender Heidi Moloney and friend Kari Kruse as they high-tail it over to the shrine and fire one up. This as one of our many 2005 hurricanes bears down on our tiny […]

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Chicken Wars Reconsidered

This whole chicken thing has got a few new wrinkles in it. Namely, due to the glut of rogue birds at the Chicken Store they will no longer accept any of our collars. And as added insurance to their new quota system, they kept our trap that we had rented from them. Moreover, the trap […]

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“It’s On”

Scotty pulls up and prepares to provide transport for the third bird captured since this skirmish began a few days ago, but not before Kate comes out of the bar and positively ID’s the bird as the very same one that precipitated all this bullshit by flying over her shoulder and into the popcorn machine […]

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Parrots 2- Chickens 0

It’s up, up, and away for chicken #2 as Scott Morris prepares to hand deliver the errant fowl to the Chicken store.In lower photo, Buco, no stranger himself to Poultry Relocation Programs looks on approvingly.

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Pirates in Paradise sans Alice

I was talking to Tom Robinson and Dr. Steve, excuse me, that would be Ranger Steve, at the weekly Alice Foundation meeting yesterday and it seems Alice is off on another walkabout, this time off to Memphis for a few days with Alice Foundation member and Key West Mayor’s Assistant Jay Gewin. I was hoping […]

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Alberta Adams

Just a reminder that Detroit’s Queen of Blues, Alberta Adams, will be appearing this weekend at The Green Parrot.She began her career in the late 1930’s, touring with lumineries such as Duke Ellington and Loius Jordan. It give me goosbumps just to type those names in here. Alberta is pictured here onstage at the Parrot […]

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Harper: From Hoodoo to Dijeradoo to Boogaloo

Australian Bluesman Harper, the first non-american to sign with the prestigious independent Blind Pig Blues label had them dancing in the streets tonight with his steamy vocals and extremely multi-cultural instrumentals. Recently named male vocalist of the year down under, Harper left little doubt as to why as he belted out tune after soulful tune […]

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No Snivelling While Schlepping

From today’s Key West Citizen, The Parrot’s Own…. “Volunteer Scott Morris, center, helps unload the first of three shipments containing 750 Fraser firs Tuesday morning at the Harris School on Southard Street. The 22nd annual MARC House Christmas tree sale runs from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily until the trees are gone. More volunteers […]

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Kate and Tegan

Experiencing more of a working holiday than just another outing, Tegan seems to be taking it all in stride. She did however cause a bit of a stir among staff and patrons. In the first frame Frankie Mo looks on approvingly.

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Kenny Stands Tall(er)

Back to work at nearly his former pace, card-carrying Hipster Kenny stands tall (by about and inch and a half more, we hear) for his first full Sunday shift. That following his first full Saturday night shift. Good work and welcome back Kenny.

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Mo’s poised for MARC House Tree Sale

Vicki will be pleased to know that the wheels are in motion and Scotty and the Parrot regulars are ready to leap into action bright and early on Tuesday morning and help those MARC house folks unload their first delivery of christmas trees. Fueled only by altruism and perhaps a free drink card or two, […]

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Local Color

Here’s colorfully-garbed local woodcarver/cabinetmaker Rudy Prazen whiling a way a happy hour with a colorfully-inked friend.

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Tishamingo

I walked up to the corner to mail a few letters and it just popped into my head that we have Tishamingo coming in for three nights in January. Specifically, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, January 6,7, and 8

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The Fins

Benny Hi Fi along with Eric Addio and Angelo Mancuso, kicks off a night of Jump Blues and Swing with the Fins, one of Jersey’s top party bands.

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Packin’ it in

Here’s the scene in the Green Parrot bandhouse as the boys from New orleans get ready to head up US 1 for their show at the Bamboo Room in Lake Worth. Guitarist Bert Cotton prepares to sign the Parrot’s vintage telecaster, as many other road warriors have before him. Fueled by cuban coffee from the […]

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NOLA musicians give a little more back

At the invitation of Key west high band leader Mike Truhan, all seven members of Bonerama offered, with evident enthusiasm, to put on a clinic at the High School on Monday afternoon. It was so well received that many of Key West’s budding musicians, properly chaperoned of course, turned out for the first set of […]

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“pulp ambience”

You can file this one under “go figure”, because once again a national publication has singled the Green Parrot out in their much sought after pages.This time it was the recent issue of Details, the testosterone-drenched glossy in the Conde Nast stable.In a sidebar noting roadside jewels not to be missed along US 1 in […]

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Bonerama: “This ain’t Herb Alpert”

Bonerama, the New Orleans-based trombone blitzkreig began their thunderous two-night funk attack last night with a full house out front and pure horn muscle on the bandstand. For those front and center in the audience the sound waves from the brass just thumped off your chest. And trust me on this one folks, this was […]

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Pistol Pete

A fixture on the Chicago blues scene, Pistol Pete was flown in by fellow Chicagoans Dick and Robin to celebrate their first anniversary. Not too shabby. Pete blew the roof off the joint last night and is in the process of doing the same right now. Note that Pete does not limit himself to the […]

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Game Face

Many folks might wonder, “just how does a Green Parrot bartender prepare himself for his shift? What rituals or bits of arcana take place in the few moments before he steps out of the office and into that fishbowl behind the bar and prepares for ten hours of God-knows-what.” Well thanks to the Parrot’s office […]

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Hence the Name

This would be Big Bill Morganfield getting ready to head out of town after his gig at The Parrot. As you can see Bill is a man of large carriage and with a heart to match I might add; a real gentleman.Bill is the son of seminal bluesman Muddy Waters and Wednesday night he put […]

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Bonerama:”The Ultimate in Brass Balls”

This band has been on our radar screen for a few years and personally i never thought we would be able to lure them down here. But for once all the planets seem lined up in our favor and this Sunday and Monday night they will bring their thunderous 5-trombone funk attack to the parrot […]

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One Word: Wilma

I guess if I had to sum up the reason why I haven’t had any posts in the last two weeks That would be the word. Wilma. And the image of that car waiting either for an insurance agent or a tow truck would be the poster child. That car and the pile after pile […]

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GP OK

You’ll be happy to know that the bar fared Wilma’s winds and waters fairly well. Some of the staff was not so lucky. Flooding, a blown-off roof, and slight head injury have been suffered by some of your loyal Green Parrot Family. Customers, too, lost quite a lot. No one was seriously hurt, though, so […]

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Saturday Morning Update

Annie reports that it’s a beautiful morning in Key West, but for the Mighty Moes, the streets are quiet. Many businesses and homes are boarded up, and the waiting is agony. The bar will open on schedule at 10am and remain open until officials say otherwise. Time to worry will come soon enough. The Key […]

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Uh-Oh

Well, well, well. John’s in evac-mode, so we’ll be blogging from afar. Housekeeping, all events cancelled for the weekend. No Goombay, no Coronation Ball, no fantastic live music at The Parrot. It’s hunker-down time, kids. Will try to keep you all posted. Dan will be camping out in the band house again, so perhaps we’ll […]

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Public Hanging on Halloween Night

Here’s another photo of the boys on Halloween night.On this night, before the halloween party even began a ten-foot high trailer was rolled up outside of the front door of the bar and there it sat there till near midnite, mysteriously shrouded completely in black plastic. At the bewitching hour, the plastic was torn away […]

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Some of the Boys on Halloween

Digging through some photos of Halloweens past this one surfaced. It’s Buco, Jimbo, Dashboard, Brian and Backdeck at a post-party gathering.This Halloween photo could be one of the ones filed under “Top Ten Reasons Not Have A WebCam”.

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Snowbird

Pictured here is Dick, of Bev and Dick, our only part-time, seasonal employee. His name came up today as we were wondering when they would begin their annual migration south from Boston to Key West. With their Red Sox being promptly dispatched by the White Sox they may want to delay their trip for a […]

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Kate and Teagan

Here’s brand-new Mom Kate with daughter Teagan.Although I have yet to meet her, the word is that she is every bit as sweet as she looks, which is major league.This photo was forwarded to me by Chicken and I’m sure Chicken will have more for us as time goes on: i.e.,Teagan in the high chair, […]

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Extreme Fort-holding

Ah, the burdens of being a chronic early-riser…. Wait! News flash from CNN at 6:15am! Green Parrot Bar in Key West to be featured in a story upcoming. Huh? (rubs eyes.) Bounce out of the bed and grab the TIVO controls. Exaulted fort-holder Dan Brock gives CNN a great phoner. Articulate and full of common […]

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Brita’s Photo Archives

Our old friend Brita Brooks was in town last week and brought along some great black and white photos she had taken some years back. This one was, we agreed, one of our favorites.Pictured at the bocce courts are Fireball Frank, Jimbo the plumber, and Jimbo’s son Ian.

READ MORE Brita’s Photo Archives

Brazen Hussies

Here’s the same Tom Robinson a few nights earlier performing at Key West’s Waterfront Theatre with the local dance troupe The Brazen Hussies.Although at the time the nimble, lithe, and coquetish Tom seemed a perfect fit for the group and filled out his tights nicely, as we speak his resume is being pored over much […]

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Bling

At the weekly Meeting of The Alice Foundation Tom Robinson displays the sheet metal folk art bestowed by management for no good reason on him specifically and the foundation in general. Other Foundation members John, Leigh, and Jerry look on admiringly.

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What Hath God Wrought

Both hands bristling with remotes and wondering WTF, Jim Fossum peers out from the liquor room which has now become the nerve center for the new state-of-the-art Home Theatre Projection System.

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No Mondongo Hoy

Looking for the Mondango advertised as the Sunday special I returned to t Nicaraguan eatery the following day. The first thing Oscar said to me was. “How was your tamale?”

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The Honeymooners

No, it’s not Ralph and Alice Cramden.Here’s Bulldog and his Blushing Bride, and when we say blushing we mean that she’s got quite the sunburn working. They’re from West Palm Beach and are enjoying their honeymoon in the keys and The Green Parrot

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Opening Day

This can mean only one thing. Here’s our mascot decked out in Meg’s #9 Jim McMahon Bears Jersey to signify the start of the NFL season and what we hope to be a promising one for Da Bears. In all fairness since the bears are playing the redskins today we told meg that under the […]

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It’s A Girl!

Breaking News. Congratulations to Green Parrot bartender Kate and Sean on the birth of their daughter at about 9:30 last night. Word is that mother and daughter are doing fine. More on this as information becomes available. We understand that Chicken was on the scene bright and early this morning and thus was the first, […]

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Nicarauguan Tamales on White Street

Once again this has little to do with the Parrot except to say that this innocuous , signless storefront on White street houses a tiny 4-stool Nicaraguan eatery that is a fine place to go on a Saturday morning after a Friday night at the bar. One of the four specials offered every saturday is […]

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Rockin’ Jake Update (and others)

Jake’s cool, and in DFW with his lovely wife. Seems his home is totalled, but he and Christy are safe and together. He’s mourning the absence of funk. While we talked, he was sitting in a Starbucks. He waxed philisophically about wishing he could be having coffee at Jeanna’s Deli or some Cuban coffee shop […]

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Spank The Beaver

So, by way of explanation, this is a one-of-a-kind metal sculpture, commissioned from a local artist for Beaver by his friend Karina. The sculpture is a kinetic one, in that by moving the ring below the beaver’s tail you may paddle the female figure on her bottom.Beaver, with his usual insouciance, ponders his next hand-crafted […]

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Zydefunk

Atlanta-based, but led by Laffayette, Louisiana native Charlie Wooten, Zydefunk is a good-time bar band of the first order. Their mix of zydeco and NOLA funk had folks on the dance floor from the git go and kept them out there for the rest of the night.

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Please Donate Now

Please help our friends and bretheren on the Gulf Coast by making a donation to The American Red Cross No amount is too small. (If you live near a Lowe’s Home Improvement Center, the company is matching Red Cross Donations made at the stores up to $1 Million)

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NOLA

I know it always seemed like a major hurricane when Patrick would hit town for JazzFest, but this is the real deal,baby. “It’s All Good” doesn’t apply today. To all our friends in NOLA, you are in our thoughts. Jake! Call us and check in. We’re going to make Colby’s Candle do double duty for […]

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MoreWork

Oh yea. And I guess in addition to the mound of hurricane-soaked clothes waiting in the laundry room, the yard needs a little attention too.

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Power Outage Update

Just for the record. In my last post, just as had finished saying how grateful we were to have power restored after a day and a half, and just as I clicked the “publish post” frame on my blog…the power went out again and did not return until mid afternoon the next day. So now […]

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Jay Gogin’s Raku Pottery

Jay proudly displays the platter he created with his assistant Jeff just a few weeks earlier at the Green Parrot outdoor art show. This piece was made here, was glazed and fired at the college, and now will hang in the bar. See post below to view the piece the day it was thrown. Thanks […]

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Blast Off!

While spending a lazy Sunday afternoon surfing around, I decided to check the No Snivelling Zone stats. From the search engines leading folks here were these top two keywords: Hunter Thompson. (Here) RIP, Dr. Hunter. Speaking of blasting off, I’m prepping for a colonoscopy this weekend. What are you doing?.

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Silver Medal for Parrottroopers

Proving once again that age and guile will consistently overcome youth and enthusiasm, The Parrot Troopers stunned the Key West Bar and Restaurant Community with their Silver Medal Performance. It is, however, unfortunate that the snake-bitten Parrot team was again deprived of a first place finish by officiating that some termed,at the very least, questionable […]

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New Martini Sculpture Instalation

In typical Green Parrot fashion, as the battle of the Bars raged on, and as Joanna Connor belted out scorching Chicago blues and searing slide guitar, the new John Martini sculpture titled “I Don’t Know…Had I Been Drinkin?” was brought out from the storage shed and formally installed in it’s permanent repository in the back […]

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Battle of The Bars

Eye of the Tiger.The scene at The Parrot Base Camp as the team pepares themselves. Pat will draw power from beaver’s shaved head and then spread the JuJu over the course to thwart all those who would stand in their way.

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Eye of the Tiger

Here’s Parrot Trooper Kenny Scott in his dojo preparing for Bar Wars 2004. Kenny displays the go-for-the-jugular, no-holds-barred attitude that has made the Parrot team one of the most feared competitors year after year

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Kate’s Ready

You may or may not have noticed from this picture of Kate, ready for the onslaught of square dancers, she’s about to have a baby! Here. The baby shower is this week, hostessed by the Lovely Linda, seamstress extraordinaire. Chicken has long been vying for the coveted Godmother position, but I’ve done my part by […]

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Breaking News

Just heard the The Green Parrot has once again been named one of the Top 100 Bars in the U.S. by Nightclub and Bar Magazine for the 2nd consecutive year! Yey Us! May I please go to the convention this year? Please? Huh? Huh? Please?

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What’s Up?

Prolific blogmeister John has experienced a pesky computer crash during Hurricane Dennis. Hence, the lag of blog activity here in the No Snivelling Zone. We’ll take this moment to offer condolences at the passing of three friends: Trish, Big Ed, and Kat. Damn. As they say in the blogosphere: Treat this as an open thread.(Clinton! […]

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Alleged Snivelling in Key West Citizen Crime Report

You know, traditionally, we here at the Green Parrot have always had compassion for others and never been given over to sangfroid. In addtion we never liked the way the Citizen Crime Report headlines often made light of serious, even grave situations. But we felt that this story in the today’s citizen merits some comment. […]

READ MORE Alleged Snivelling in Key West Citizen Crime Report

M & M Laundromat

Maybe not Green Parrot Bar-related per se, but still a Sunday morning-after-Saturday-night ritual that a lot of Parrot customers can relate to.

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Barn Dance

It was hats all around and the barn dance came off without a hitch on Sunday. There’s a lot of photos so in the interest of expediency I’m gonna post them in no particular order. Just to give an idea of what was going on…and there was a lot going on.

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MO-LE

Shit-Kickers Guy and Frankie don their hats and eagerly await a day of dippin’ and sippin’ to Barnstorm, a live square dance band.

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Congratulations Jimmy and Rachel

I just got this photo of Jimmy and Rachel’s wedding. It looks like it was a beautiful day for a beautiful couple. I’ll be posting more of their wedding photos soon. Good Luck and God Bless.

READ MORE Congratulations Jimmy and Rachel

Barnstorm Checks In

When I went to the bandhouse on Saturday morning to see if Barnstorm had checked in Friday night this is what greeted me. It turns out that this is rubber chicken is Barnstorm’s Official Mascot and was unceremoniously hung from the eaves of the bandhouse with no prior knowledge that their performance on Sunday was […]

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Friday Night Blackout

This is the scene about an hour ago, as a massive blackout gripped this Island City in it’s inky clutches…Tim and RB stand outside. This is, I am told, what blogging is all about…the immediacy….the near-real time reportage…any way. it’s back on now, so WTF

READ MORE Friday Night Blackout

Suck-Face Al

Al, a long-time customer, great guy and our favorite former Park Ranger at Fort Jefferson in the Dry Tortugas. Al has since re-located to Lake Powell National Park and is back for a visit. Welcome back brother!

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Bats

This post has absolutely nothing to do with the bar.What we have here is part of the navy property in Key West about a block from my house, specifically an old battery or gunnery position, which is that hill to the right. To the left of the hill and the tower, what looks like a […]

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Key West Water Taxi

This was on the front page of today’s Key West Citizen. The photo has been widely circulated on wire services and television. I just had to include this because this is exactly the kind of bizarre thing that happens down here way too often it seems.What we are looking at is a 1949 Mercury taxi […]

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Johnny Sketch and The Dirty Notes

A couple on their honeymoon, obviously looking forward to the Johnny Sketch show, wanted to be sure they had a good seat,left this overturned popcorn boat on the counter in front of the stage.

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Fathead

This one goes back a few years.This would be Fathead, from Philadelphia…. a free-spirited, funk/jazz/hip-hop thing, with horns and two rappers.They came highly recommended by my nephew Chris Vagnoni and rightly so. They returned more than once; always to great reviews.I recall Chris and Herb out front, Pete on Guitar and john on sax, my […]

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#1 Reason We’ll Never Have a Web Cam

Here’s another shot of what John Martini called “the ancient ones”. (Photo credit Brita Brooks)l. to r. ,it would be Peter, Terry and Jimbo (of “Where’s Jimbo…?” fame.I used to look at this photo and think. “This is the number one reason we’ll never have a web cam”. But I also look at this picture […]

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Minolta Autocord

Folk legend Spider John Koerner, photographed between sets with a vintage Minolta Autocord Twin Lens Reflex camera. John returns on May 29-30

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The Lee Boys at B.B. King’s

As a kind of a postscript to The Lee Boys three lively and soulful shows this weekend; Alvin Lee called me at the bar late this afternoon to tell me how their Monday night show at B.B. King’s in Manhattan went.Over the weekend he had mentioned the show more than once. Who wouldn’t be nervous […]

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Smells Like Bocce

Tonight is the Bocce Prom and our two teams will both come home with some new hardware for the trophy shelf and we heartily congratulate them on a fine season.Which brings me to the next item…..

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Just About, Cappy, Just About…

Heavy Duty…long time parrot customer… retired fisherman from Long Island…I say retired, but he still was active around the Key West fish houses and shrimp docks… a true gentleman in spite of his affilliation with the rough-and-tumble trade he chose. He religiously made the rounds of the old town saloons in the early afternoons… he […]

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The Red Book

Here’s a page from yesterday’s Red Book. The Red Book being the daily log book we use to keep to-do lists, note incoming messages, communicate between employees, kind of a mailbox to drop a line between shifts, and a journal to document incidents in a timely manner, whether it be a slip and fall, a […]

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Where’s Jimbo

Pictured here is Jim Lauritzen, long-time Key Wester, former submarine sailor, janitor emeritus of The Green Parrot, and the Tradesman forever immortalized in The John Martini sculpture Where’s Jimbo and the Other Giants of the Building Trade.Jimbo was in town to proudly attend his son Ian’s graduation from Key West High. Great to see you […]

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Grilled Yellowtail

Once again, not to turn this into a food blog or anything, but here’s a yellowtail snapper, between a pound and a pound and a half, fresh from Lauren at Waterfront Market, ready for the grill.The four deep slashes on each side of the fish have been packed with a paste made of fresh thyme, […]

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Beaver, Jay and The FOP Bring Home the Bacon

Steve Balmes displays the trophy representing First Place in the Eight and Under Division of The Southernmost Hockey League.Beaver and co-coach Jay Gewin coached their Fraternal Order of Police team to the 2005 title, their playoff drive culminating with a victory over the stunned Police Benevolent Association team.These two guys have been dedicated coaches for […]

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John “Papa” Gros

left to right: Robert Mache, guitar and vocals, Peter Harris on bass, John Gros on keyboards and vocals and Robert Lee on drums, for two nights dish the New Orleans’ canon of rock and roll.

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Ron Hatfield and The Big Coppit Cowboys

Percolating up from our archives. This would be the jacket of the 45 “Stompin’ at The Half Shell” recorded by Ron Hatfield and The Big Coppit Cowboys, recorded in 1978 I believe.They were a very popular band in the late 70’s when the Key West Bight in the winter seemed more like Freeport, Texas or […]

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Pockets Birthday’

As usual, we are flattered when our customers choose to spend those special days of their lives with us in here the friendly confines of the Green Parrot.Pictured here is Pockey-Mo with all his birthday regalia. Bobby-Mo and Smirk look on.

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The Subway Series

No matter what you care to call it, this Saturday at 3 PM it’s the Green Parrot’s (1st Grand Champions, “They-Can’t-Take-That-Away-From-Us”, perennially snake-bitten) Wednesday Night’s Team versus the Green Parrot’s ( skilled and hungry, always-the-bridesmaid-never-the-bride, buy-your-own-beer) Tuesday night team.

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Tishamingo

Named for the county in the Coen Brothers film O Brother Where Art Thou, (“…they say there’s a man in Tishamingo County that will pay you ten dollars to sing into a tin can…”) , this Athens, Georgia-based quartet brings two nights of steamy deep-roots rock to the Parrot.

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Our New Martini

Here’s the new John Martini sculpture in the back of my car. Hopefully it will be installed in the back bar of the parrot on July 24th as part of our sidewalk art show. More on that later.I sure do like this piece though.Also, I have some photos from his studio that I will post […]

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Shinin’ Like a Diamond in a Goat’s Ass

This post really goes with the fiddlers’ contest. Pictured here is the very valuable diamond and setting that was lost and then recovered the day of the contest. There’s a whole story that goes with this, but you know I get stressed just thinking about it so i think i’ll just say that Jeremy found […]

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A Little Weather

With the National Weather Service predicting winds up up to 60 mph a squall line moves across the island on Thursday morning bringing heavy rains and a little chill in the air.

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The Brain Trust

Here’s one of the last photos from the Fiddlers’ Contest.Bob Murphy and Tim Wegman, half of our panel of judges pore over the score sheets.The first thing I notice when I look at this picture is the lack of beverages.If this were a picture of the judges for the epidermal art contest at Fantasy Fest […]

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Gary Blodgett: First Place Contemporary Fiddle

Gary Blodgett, a local guitar and banjo picker, took his division by storm.Though he hasn’t played the fiddle that long, what he did was select classic and easily recognizable fiddle tunes, play them with gusto and a ton of stage presence, and use what was easily the best sound equipment in the room to get […]

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Lauren:First Place Old Timey Fiddle

Pictured here is Lauren, a student of Chuck Anton, holding her First Place in the Old Timey Division plaque. I believe that’s her dad in back left of the photo. For this she deserves an enormous amount of credit.It was the luck of the draw that earned her a spot in the lineup right after […]

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Buffalo Strange

I apologize…sadly there are no pictures from the great show that Buffalo Strange put on last night…they started early and played late…people were up and dancing from the git go and a good time was had by all… They are from the Tampa Bay area and we hope to have them back for a weekend […]

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More Fiddlers’ Pictures

I said I had some more pictures from the Fiddlers’ Contest that I would post when I got them developed and here’s one. This is the scene at the end of the contest. They said they had been looking for me to present me with an award for putting on the contest for the last […]

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“From A Buick 6”

Key West DJ Simon “Simon in the Sun” Hendrix pulls up in a Buick bigger than Ahab’s Whale…rest assured that nobody’s gonna get up in his grille…

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The 12th Annual Green Parrot Tune or Die Old Time Fiddlers’ contest

This is what the place looked like at 3 pm on Saturday when the Murphy Family String band took the stage to kick off the 12th Annual Green Parrot Old Time Fiddlers’ Contest.These photos represent only an impression of what went on this afternoon…without being maudlin, it’s hard to describe the good vibe and positive […]

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Weary Boy’s Axe

Weary Boy Darren Hoff sports a Martin flattop with a rare sunburst finish and autographs of among others,(top to bottom)Merle Haggard, Harry Dean Stanton and Dr. Ralph Stanley

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“Oh Diosa Mia”:Cabraret Diosa Storms Parrot for Conch Republic Celebration

Cabraret Diosa Storms Parrot for Conch Republic Celebration   That’s Right! Wildly exciting eleven piece Mambo-rock ensemble Cabaret Diosa returns to The Green Parrot Bar and  promises to “blow the lid right offa this joint!” Cabaret Diosa performed for the first time in Boulder, Colorado on January 16, 1996 at the West End Tavern. The packed little room in the basement was a sign […]

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Tune or Die

Bob Murphy urging everyone to Tune or Die as he poses in front of last year’s Old Time Fiddlers’ Contest awards table.

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Way Too Much Bus

Motor City Josh pulled into The Parrot for his two-night stand with this 50′ by Godzilla Tour Bus that cramped our style for a day or two. Take note that the Dumpster pictured behind the bus is actual size.

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Another Irrelevant Post

Another post with zero to do with The Parrot. I should probably allow myself one irrelevant post a week. This is a fresh ear of yellow corn from The Waterfront Market, grilled, then coated with mayonnaise, freshly grated parmesan cheese, and chili powder. The lime is optional.This is street food, grilled on a charcol brazier, […]

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The Two High String Band

A great night with The Two High String Band from Austin, Texas. Geoff Union, Billy Bright and Brian Smith take the stage.“Think Big Monroe…. without the banjo and fiddle”

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Johnnie Johnson 1924-2005 “Hail, Hail, Rock ‘n Roll”

Johnnie Johnson was a blues and early rock ‘n roll pianist who played on many of Chuck Berry’s early hits and performed with Mr. Berry for more than 20 years. It has been said that it was Mr. Johnson’s bouncy and insistent piano chords that were the models for the Chuck Berry guitar riffs that […]

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The Ancient Ones

This is a good one.This goes back a dozen or so years. Above their heads is the John Martini sculpture “Where’s Jimbo and the Other Giants of the Building Trade“. The white-bearded gentleman in the center is of course Jimbo, flanked by other giants of the building trade Bruce Gorman and Peter Bernhart. Someone once […]

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Any Given Sunday

You got The Masters and NASCAR on TV, Annie and Heidi behind the bar, The usual suspects on the other side of the bar…and then Nigel Mack and his Blues Attack take the stage to give everybody a taste of what’d been going on for the last few nights…

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Nigel Mack’s Blues Attack

Nigel Mack and His Blues Attack top off two nights of solid blues with an impromptu Sunday afternoon jam session that had the Parrot Happy Hour regulars begging for more.

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New Mambo Revival

Another reminder. This year as part of the Conch Republic Independence Celebration we again will host a three day stand by the 11 piece Latin Dance Band and New Mambo Revivalists Cabaret Diosa. Included will be another Sunday Matinee, pictured here. I believe on this particular Sunday , in the middle of the show, the […]

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Tune or Die Fiddlers’ Contest

Just a reminder that the Green Parrot’s 12th Annual (we think)Conch Republic Tune or Die Old Time Fiddlers’ Contest is coming up on April 30th. Here’s a few fiddlers woodshedding out behind the bar a few years back.

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Everybody out of the pool…

This is one of those posts that don’t really relate to the bar but somehow manage to make their way in…anyhow, this is Red in his new security tower at the Waterfront Market Parking lot from which he scans the horizon for parking lot poachers. Another great idea from our friend and former Green parrot […]

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Green Parrot-phrenalia for The Milwaukeeans

Paul and His Milwaukeeans pick up some Green Parrot souveniers in Parrotphenalia, The Green Parrot retail store. Note the two good dads on the right have selected the yellow Kids Green Parrot t-shirts for the young ones at home.

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Mon Ami

Frenchie, a member of the first Green Parrot Bocce team. (The first Grand Champions of the Southernmost Bocce League, “They Can’t Take That Away From Us”) sports his vintage Parrot Bocce shirt on St. Patrick’s Day. More on Frenchie and the shirt later.

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“I don’t know…use your imagination…”

Steve Huell was in town and since he had painted a few other things that hang in the bar and since we thought the panels that divide the stage from the Ladies room entrance could stand some sort of decoration… “What do you want on it”, he asked. “I don’t know”, I said, “use your […]

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SHAWON-O-METER

More from the Sports Wall…get ready for this one ..this is one of the two original SHAWON-O-METERS, this was the road version. We hear the home-field version is in Cooperstown. It arrived unceremoniously and anonymously via Parcel Post one morning just as the bar was opening.We found out later it was sent to us under […]

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Holy Cow!

With baseball season upon us…this from our Sports Wall…Harry belts one out on this Cubbies poster comemorating their Eastern Division Champioship.

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Mike Fisher’s April Fool’s Poster

This poster featuring the the two toothy masks comes from a 1981 April Fool’s Day Film Festival held in Chicago. It hangs on the wall on the right side of the Parrot stage and is on loan from Green Parrot bartender alumnus and former Chicagoan Mike Fisher. Thanks Mike, this has always been one of […]

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Jimbo Mathus’ Knockdown South

Jimbo Mathus brought Knockdown South and his North Mississippi Juke Joint Blues to The Parrot last night. The Greyhounds opted to stick around an extra day to check out Jimbo’s act and wound up sitting in…that’s Anthony from the Greyhounds on keyboard. Another night of gut bucket electric delta blues on tap for tonight.

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Happy Easter

While looking at some photos we took this morning my wife suggested that I post this one for Easter and the arrival of spring. A fine idea Debbie. Thank you. This is a yellow frangipani flower outside our door. The yellow frangipanis always bloom a few weeks ahead of their white or pink counterparts and […]

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Pat’s Big Fifty Party!

Well, the night we all waited for, the night we all train for, arrived. Pat’s Fiftieth Birthday. Here’s Pat, jovial as ever, thanking all the well-wishers for taking the time out to ring in his next half-century. Whatever he said got Larry going too. There were a ton of folks there… from all over. I […]

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“…..more culture than my refrigerator…”

We promised Irony and Culture at The Parrot and here it comes..or as Pat Lonergan said, “between the poetry reading and the klezmer band, this place has more culture than my refrigerator.” Local poetry maven Tony Klein prepares to introduce visiting poet and performance artist Ray McNiece at our Annual Belated Green Parrot Valentines Day […]

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Oy!

More culture, as promised. The Vulgar Bulgars from Virginia brought their Yiddish dance music to The Green Parrot and they had people on their feet from the Git-go.

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Sleepy and Me

The posting the other day of myself and my wife posing diminutively with two Philadelphia Eagles reminded someone of this photo of myself with another larger-than-life figure: rock-a-billy legend Sleepy LaBeef, pictured here after one of his earth-shaking, basso profundo performances on the Parrot stage. Man, a guy could get a complex around here,

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Birds of a Feather…Eagles Land at Parrot…

NFC Champs Philadelpia Eagles’ Guard Jon Runyon and Center Hank Fraley landed at The Parrot yesterday and after visiting inside with Kate and Annie took the time for a photo op with John and Debbie. Right after this photo was taken the two hopped on their Harleys and roared off. The two Eagles that is…not […]

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Madonna: Smoked Ham; Brooke Shield: Chopped Liver.

Dwight Kalb is back in the friendly confines and hard at work, as is witnessed here today.I told him that when I mentioned on our blog that he had once done a 180 lb. sculpture of Brooke Shield made entirely of ham and then showed it on the Letterman Show it was quickly pointed out […]

READ MORE Madonna: Smoked Ham; Brooke Shield: Chopped Liver.

A Retraction

Here’s Dwight at last year’s art fair. I’m very sorry that I got my facts wrong on my last post dealing with Dwight. I guess I’ve been hanging around with Matt Drudge too long or I thought that a blog had some sort of grace period with the facts…at any rate..it was Madonna and not […]

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Tattoo Contest

Taken at a Conch Republic Tattoo Contest several years ago.Judges Buco, Eric and Mr. Bill appear earnest in their deliberations.Note that each judge is backed up by at least one beer.Photo taken with Minolta Autocord Twin Lense Reflex camera using 400 ASA 120 roll film.

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Suds Run ’84

This photo was just handed to me today by the gentleman pictured on the right. It dates back to a St. Patrick’s Day 21 years ago. Pictured left to right are…well heck, i guess either you recognize them or you don’t…

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Hunter S. Thompson 1937-2005

“Being shot out of a cannon is always better than being squeezed through a tube.”-Hunter S. Thompson, Kingdom of Fear Thompson was a sometimes-Key West resident and a frequent island visitor. He was an occasional Green Parrot patron and more than a few stories about him circulated around the bar today.I wish I could find […]

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A Great Shot

A photo taken by Jim Fossum this summer in the old mining town of Telluride, Colorado. A great effort to catch this magnificent rainbow streched across the valley.

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Time to Suit up?

I hear Jimmy will be in town on Wednesday.What did the patron on the far right just ask him? Jimmy’s obviously carefully weighing his response.The way things have been he just might have to work Wednesday night.

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Beaver and Iron Mike

Beaver with his pal Mike Keenan, National Hockey League legend and former Blackhawks, Flyers and Rangers coach. Beav’s got his Blackhawks jersey on and no one but Beaver knew it at the time but he was working that night with a dislocated shoulder sustained in a hockey game. Man, would Mike have dug on that. […]

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Victor Borge Meets Scott Joplin

Just a reminder that the quietly iconic, never laconic, sometimes moronic Barry Cuda will continue his gigs for the engagingly louche assortment of patrons at The Parrot Sundays from 6 to 9 pm.

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Cupid?…is that you?

You know I think you’re gonna have to make up your own caption for this one…Even Alice had the presence of mind not to show up for this meeting.

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Holding Down The Fort

As we said earlier, more than a few civil war re-enactors would find their way back down to the corner. It appears Ed from the 3rd Maine has drawn sentry duty for the night.

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Civil War Re-enactors March on the Parrot

The Union Color Guard leads this year’s cadre of Civil War Re-enactors past the Green Parrot Bar and on to Fort Zachary Taylor for their annual weekend bivouac as Green Parrot Breakfast Club members look on.

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Smells Like Bocce

This can mean only one thing. It is now Post Time. The new season of the Southernmost Bocce League began tonight and I we took all three games so we are undefeated as we speak. Good luck to all of you and we welcome Louie to the team. The Green Parrot, The First Grand Champions […]

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2004 Rogues Gallery

Here’s the 2004 Rogues Gallery. You know there’s some great stories here too, and I suppose if you want to know them all you have to do is sit down and ask.

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Key West ’81: One Hundred and Sixty Five Portraits

One hundred and sixty five portraits approaching their silver anniversary. (Click on photo to enlarge) I believe Bob Kennedy set up his camera on the corner of Green and Duval and snapped photos of these of locals as they went about their daily business. About a dozen or so years ago this poster either percolated […]

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Pinhole Photograph

I’ts been mentioned lately that I sometimes post things that don’t relate directly to the bar… That said, here’s a photo I took with a cardboard pinhole camera.

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Waterspout

Even though this post doesn’t quite fit our mission statement in that this is not one of the latest happenings around the Green Parrot I decided to use a little poetic license and go for it anyway just because I thought it was an interesting Key West shot. I photographed this waterspout just off South […]

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Hobex

Bandleader Greg Humphreys gives a clinic in lap steel guitar with a side trip to Heavenly Seventies Soul on the way… .I’d like to see their set list. all photos credit jim fossum

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Cuban Coffee Break

Across the street from the bar, Sonoma County, California-by-way-of-New-Orleans soul/funk guitarist Eric Lindell enjoys a cafe con leche from Buco’s Courthouse Deli wiith friend Sarah

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Cuda’s Coming!

As has been our custom in recent years Barry Cuda‘s ribald barrelhouse piano will supplant football in the post-superbowl Parrot. The fun begins Sunday, February 13th from 6 to 9 PM.

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On the Outside Looking In

Another long-suffering victim of the “No Dog Rule” at The Parrot. “When will it ever end” Blanche asks herself as she watches the rest of the world enjoy Happy Hour. (Thank God for Blanche it’s not Monday when they parade that stupid monkey around.)

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Brace Yourself

Judging from what’s posted on the front door you can brace yourself for a boatload of great music in the next week or so…beginning w/ Eric Lindell on Tuesday and Wednesday, then Hobex on Friday, Mitch Woods and Larry Baeder on Saturday, Lil’ Ed and The Blues Imperials on Sunday, Lamont Cranston on Tuesday and […]

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Alberta Adams

Detroit’s First Lady of the blues Alberta Adams and grandaughter Emmy. Alberta performed at the Parrot Friday and Saturday night to hugely appreciative audiences both nights. Thank you Alberta.

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Jail to The Chief

Somehow, with this Inauguration Day almost over, it seemed apropos to post this bit of political memorabilia that recently percolated up from some Green Parrot storage area. Whoever owned this one was crossing off the days as if he was in some gulag.

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Sharkey’s New Look

Jim and Al pose proudly in front of the newly-bricked facade of their Drexel Hill, Pa. saloon with the earlier mentioned Sharkey’s sign above them. As a rough guide to dating this photo, I think that’s a ’67 chevy.

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What Have We Here?

What we have here is a photo with my cousin Chris Ranalli on the left and myself, John Vagnoni on the right. More importantly, what we have here above our heads is a sign from Sharkey’s Tavern screwed to the ceiling of the Green Parrot. The proprieters of Sharkey’s were also a Ranalli and a […]

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Can You Dig It

William Eng, aka Willie the Burner, down for a visit from Marathon. On her recent visit to Key West Linda Cotton brought Burner in for a visit and we all thank her greatly for it. It was a fine time.

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More Spaghetti and Crabs

Not to go off message and go on again about this spaghetti and crabs thing…but this is another batch I made the very next night that came out even better by using local crabs, fresh tomatoes and linguini. A very good batch indeed.

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“Not for Nothing'”

Not to turn this into a food blog or something but, not for nothing, here’s the spaghetti (ziti) and crabs I made for dinner tonight. I guess if we really need some tie-in to the Parrot Blog, Russell Batiste, Jr., the drummer for Papa Grows Funk said they were making spaghetti in the band house […]

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From Belgrade to Memphis to Key West

Nominated for a W.C. Handy award in Memphis as the Best New Blues Artist of the Year (rare for a European Blues artist) Twenty seven year-old Yugoslavian Guitar Slinger Ana Popovic’s rise on the Blues circuit has been meteoric. With great chops and a ton of stage presence Ana was a crowd pleaser for two […]

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Papa Grows Funk:One Helluva Funky Throwdown at The Parrot

Here’s what the boys from Papa Grows Funk had to say on their web site message board about their upcoming visit on Saturday and Sunday January 18th and 19th: “Happy Holidays from John, Marc, June, Russell, Peter and Jason.It’s hard to imagine that 2004 is winding down. We’ll be finishing out the year next week […]

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Heavy Weather in Key West

Green Parrot Ephemera: credit Bud Navaro A 20-year old-flyer for an appearance at The Strand Theater on Duval St. by bassist Jaco Pastorius, late of Ft. Lauderdale and The World. Two things spring to mind: #1 I don’t believe the concert was ever consumated. (tragic) #2 This month the Strand Theatre became a Walgreen’s. (pathetic)

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Go Figure

Well yes, we did get a little blurb in the Sunday, Nov, 21st New York Times Sophisticated Traveller Magazine. After calling from Miami to ask if a photo session was ok,The New York Times photographer made the drive and showed up late on a Saturday night few weeks back. Though I never met him, I […]

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No Quorum…but hell, let’s have another round…

The Alice Foundation held their weekly meeting in the friendly confines of the Parrot as usual on Monday. And although the turnout was light, their spirit was not, prompting the manager to buy each and every foundation member in attendence the domestic draft beer of their choice. I noticed that Jerry, as secretary, immediatley noted […]

READ MORE No Quorum…but hell, let’s have another round…

Two Beer or Not Two Beer

Former Green Parrot bartender Eric Bissel appears to have answered his own question as he checks his eyelids for light leaks at the Blues and Brews Festival in Telluride, Colorado last week.

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Hurricane Vicki

Looking forward to seeing you all on Thursday. I got my leather butt-thong out of the cleaners just in time for the Poker Run (they’ve never seen one here before in Spring Hill) and something more appropriate for the Big Wedding on Sunday. Congratulations to Emmett and Suzette.

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we’ll be pullin’ up the rope now…

We’ll be pullin up the rope now and not coming out until this things over. Will the last person up please turn off the TV and while you’re at it grab James Brown (The Sex Machine) off the shelf and bring him up with you.

READ MORE we’ll be pullin’ up the rope now…

To quote a noted British poet…”Hurry up please, it’s time”

Seven P.M. is certainly an odd closing time for the Green Parrot but with inclement (or worse) weather imminent… when its time…it’s time. For those who have never witnessed the 4 A.M. version of this closing ritual I’m sure it was quite a revelation. First sound of shutters being slammed shut and bolted. Then the […]

READ MORE To quote a noted British poet…”Hurry up please, it’s time”

Somebody Had To Do It….

You will notice from the photo that the candle is missing from the Green Parrot’s Hurricane Preparadeness Kit. I later recieved this note: John, Sorry about ruining your nice little box without asking yout permission…but I really did try. I asked Pat if it would be OK to break the glass and take the candle […]

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“…you know, we’re here to help…”

As you may or may not know, the third major hurricane in as many weeks is plowing through the caribbean and heading through our neighborhood, leaving us wound real tight. There has been time for little else than preparations, let alone blogging. However, I need to take the time to post this picture of Buco […]

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Danny Morris Surfs in

Surf-Rocker and perennial Green Parrot favorite Danny Morris slid south for Labor Day at The Parrot and barely managed to avoid Hurricane Frances as it steamed north up the coast toward his house in Cocoa Beach. Here Manager Pat Lonergan gives Danny the Glad Hand and welcomes him for what(thanks to Hurricane Frances) turned out […]

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Diesel Dickie Goes Down on Alvin

Dickie Boyd,long-time Green Parrot patron, Big Coppit Key resident, bromeliad farmer, FKCC Marine Propulsion School Graduate, Vietnam war veteran, and engineer on the R/V Atlantis, pictured here in his Green Parrot Bar t-shirt on deck of the Wood’s Hole, Mass. research vessel as they prepare for the the descent of deep water submersible vessel “Alvin”. […]

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Hurricane Frances redux

On a lighter and more secular note than the previous few posts, here’s the poster for this weekend’s entertainment. Danny Morris lives in Cocoa Beach so he opted for the relative safety of the Keys and his band has been more aptly named. Also the note the Personal Flotation Device that someone has crafted for […]

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Religious Shrines: Home Edition

Speaking of shrines and altars, here is a homemade shrine made of distressed wood with what seems to be a decoupage depicting the Blessed Mother answering the prayers (we hope) of three Cuban fisherman struggling to keep their half-swamped vessel afloat. Two fisherman paddle ineffectually while the third gazes skyward beseeching The Madonna for her […]

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Watching the Weather Channel (again)

I thought we did this a few weeks ago. There will be no grotto jokes about his one. This is scary one and we wish it would just go away. The leeward islands, Hispaniola, and Puerto Rico were very lucky and we wish the same for the Bahamas and the U.S.

READ MORE Watching the Weather Channel (again)

Mangrove Liberation Front

Vicki here, posting from Spring Hill. Yes, we’re a far flung family, but I’m not giving up the Blogger password yet! Have been running into lots of ex-Key Westers, and naturally, Green Parrot customers, so the big housewarming party coming up in a couple of weeks will be dubbed: The Mangrove Liberation Front Mobilization. I […]

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Well..That wasn’t so hard…

There it is…our first post in nearly five months…since Vicki left the blog has sort of lain fallow..so here we go again..in keeping with what I believe was our original mission statement…since we are sort of a far-flung family we’d like to keep our relationship vital and to that end we want to keep you […]

READ MORE Well..That wasn’t so hard…

Pregnant Pickle

Congratulations to our friends, The Pickle People, on the annoucement of their pending little gerkin. We look forward to Baby Pickle’s first visit to the Green Parrot, and I’m sure Mrs. Pickle will be registering for her baby shower at Parrotphenalia!

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Regime Change

It’s hard to believe, but we’re losing another one. Vicki Roush, (that’s me) will be leaving the Green Parrot, and Key West, this month. I am going to miss my many friends desperately, but it’s time for a new adventure, so I’m off to mainland Florida. I’d like to thank everyone for the great going […]

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Christmas in February

The Annual Green Parrot Christmas Party and Corporate Picnic was held on February 3. Virgilio’s was again the venue, and provided much good food and drink. Enough good drink, in fact, to get former daytime bartender Lurey to re-enact her famous Bar Dance routine. And to quote Lurey: “If I don’t remember it, it didn’t […]

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More Wedding Bells

I don’t know what’s in the water here, but Jimmie Boros has become engaged to the lovely Rachel, and Pete has convinced Melanie to become his lovely wife. Congratulations to you all!

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Parrotphenalia is Up and Running

Visit our updated store, Parrotphenalia, and see how many new, great items we’ve added. Sure, your Green Parrot wardrobe needs updating, but now you can acquire household goods, books, art, and even our convenient No Shrivelling Condoms! Visit Parrotphenalia here!

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Update from Sgt. Rivas

We got our first reply from our letter to Sgt. Rivas today, complete with a few Iraqi dinars for a souvenier. Some of you must be writing as he says he’s gotten a lot of mail and is grateful. Miguel answered the burning question: How did you come to write us here at The Parrot?? […]

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Wedding Bells

Congratulations to Red Headed Jim on his pending nuptuals. He popped the question to Dani in a most tear-evoking romantic way. Of course, she said, “Yes.” We hear the ring is another testament to his good taste, and we look forward to the bachelor party.

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Soldier Writes To Green Parrot

Brother, could you spare a stamp? SSG Miguel Rivas, stationed in Tikrit, Iraq, writes: “Hello Green Parrot, If you think I’m hard up for mail, you are correct. So please pass my address around. Could you do that for me?” Hell, Yes! Come on, folks, join us in getting some letters out to: SSG Rivas, […]

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Everthing Key West

Congratulations to our customers Ron and Charlene Bell who recently purchased Conch Traders.com from our other special customer, Ginger. If you’re longing for some Key West products, check out the Grand Re-opening of Conch Traders.

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The Truth at Last

Despite what you hear from your local tour guide/yarn spinner, here’s the real history of The Green Parrot Bar: • From 1888 to 1927 the building is listed as a grocery store in Key West City Directories. • The 1948 directory lists the establishment as The Brown Derby Bar, and the name remains the same […]

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Toot Toot

Just last night, in the annual People’s Choice Awards held here in Key West, The Green Parrot Bar was voted the People’s most favorite bar! Thanks to all who voted, and a special thanks to everyone who makes this possible – our great staff and especially our great customers.

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Meet The Alice Foundation

Not just another Key West Drinking Club Alert reader/customer/Alice Foundation webmaster emailed to inform us of a grave oversight – we failed to link to The Alice Foundation. Don’t ask, just go look and learn. And wonder how so many people have so much spare time. Monday is Alice Day and The Parrot. Come join […]

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Wow! That didn’t take long.

Our new blog has already been noticed in the Blogosphere. Philly blog The Lighter Side of Rittenhouse has blogged our new blog. Go check it out. This Philadelphia connection is doubly nice, too, as our GM, John, is from Philly and cut his teeth on the bar business in the bar his dad used to […]

READ MORE Wow! That didn’t take long.

Green Parrot on Comedy Channel

Tonight! (Thurs, June 26) Watch Insomniac (shown here at 10pm) for some great Fantasy Fest fun. The Parrot will be featured on the program, which I assume will not be suitable for children. It’s a sure bet there will be surprises in store for us all.

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Welcome to the NEW Green Parrot Blog!

This is an experiment, folks. Maybe it’ll be a little easier for us to keep you up to date and involved. We’ll be providing links to local items of interest and have added a comments section. Your thoughts on this baby are appreciated, let us know what you’d like to see here. We’ll try to […]

READ MORE Welcome to the NEW Green Parrot Blog!