Light the candles and blow up the balloons! Because during the whole month of March, Key West celebrates the birthday of iconic playwright, Tennessee Williams.
Hosted by the Key West Art & Historical Society, this special event pays homage to one of the world’s most popular literary giants with a series of art and cultural events that take place all over the island.
The annual celebration often includes a museum fundraiser, Plein Air painting, poetry and short story writing contests, lectures, museum tours, film showings, live theater events and a birthday party replete with cake and bubbly.
Born on March 26, 1911, Williams visited and lived in Key West from1941until he inhaled an eyedropper bottle cap in a freak accident and choked to death in 1983. During his residence here, he completed “Summer and Smoke” and wrote “Night of the Iguana,” among other works. The Academy Award–winning film adaptation of his play, “The Rose Tattoo,” was filmed on the island in 1954. His award-winning classics like “A Streetcar Named Desire” and “Cat On A Hot Tin Roof,” earned him two Pulitzer Prizes and are still performed today.
You can view an extraordinary collection of Tennessee Williams’ memorabilia including photographs, artwork, first edition plays and books, rare newspaper and magazine articles, videos, a typewriter and other fascinating artifacts at Key West’s Tennessee Williams Museum. The museum is open every Monday through Saturday from 10am – 5pm at 513 Truman Avenue in Key West.
For more info and a complete list of birthday celebration events call 305-842-6616 or go to kwahs.org.
