Florida Keys Weekly Podcast

He’s an internationally renowned DJ, a Miami style icon and the pregame opener for the Miami Heat for the past seven years. But perhaps the most intriguing facet of DJ Cardi is his humility. This is no small feat for someone who just returned from working a private gig for Dakota Johnson at the Toronto Film Festival. But catering to A-list stars like Leonardo DiCaprio or regularly performing at the Cannes Film Festival, Formula 1 Grand Prix and Pegasus World Cup is just another day’s work for the Miami native. 

If that’s not enough, Cardi is a recognized fashion aficionado. Forbes recently hailed him as “one of Miami’s style icons,” where he curates soundscapes for brands such as Armani, Dolce & Gabbana and Vogue. 

On Oct. 12, the celebrity DJ will return to Key West to support United Way of Collier and the  Keys — a retirement benefit to celebrate Monroe County’s longest-serving elected official, Andy Griffiths. 

DJ Cardi joins the Florida Keys Weekly Podcast to discuss his love for South Florida, the influences that shaped his eclectic style and his love for exquisite cuisine and movies. 

Limited tickets remain for DJ Cardi, performing at Andy Griffiths’ “Gone Fishing” retirement benefit for United Way of Collier and the Keys on Oct. 12 at the Beachside Resort. Tickets are on sale now and available on web or Facebook at United Way of Collier and the Keys.

https://uwcollierkeys.org/event/andy-griffiths-retirement-party/

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Martin Dube and Steve Diamond join the Florida Keys Weekly Podcast to discuss their stop at the Key West Theater on Sept 22. The duo, professionally known as Dube Diamond: Dueling Impersonators, take over the Key West Theater for an evening of comedy, pageantry and mind-blowing talent. Larry King referred to the act as “a must see,” as they perform (often in character) dozens of the world’s most recognized ballads ranging from pop, rock, opera and disco. The duo discusses their growing popularity, the most difficult singers to impersonate and even go into character during a fun segment on this week’s show.  

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Awaken: The Music of YES promises to be the tribute band of the summer. 

Joe Luca, keyboardist and band leader of Awaken: The Music of YES, joins the Florida Keys Weekly Podcast to discuss their upcoming show on Sept 5 at the Key West Theater. Luca discusses how he and his band embarked on the journey of preserving the legacy of YES, as they tour and perform the legendary band's songs that span more than three decades. This is one of those interviews that peaks behind the curtain of professional entertainers with a passion for music. And you’ll see and hear why this is a can’t miss show as the band hits Key West in the coming days. 

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Musician Tim Williams joined Keys Weekly digital editor Gwen Filosa on the Key West Side Tracks podcast for a deep dive on one of the most endearing and enduring albums of the past half century: August and Everything After by Counting Crows. 

The Tim Williams Band is headed to the Key West Theater on Monday, Aug. 12, to perform August and 30 Years After: A Counting Crows Tribute. 

Tim arrived in Key West in July to play shows in Key West and dropped by the Weekly’s office on Stock Island. From “Mr. Jones” to “Anna Begins,” Tim and Gwen go song-by-song sharing what they find meaningful in the roots rock staple. 

Tim and his band will play in its entirety the smash debut album by Counting Crows, released Sept. 14, 2023, to rave reviews and eventually sold seven times platinum. 

As he introduced Counting Crows on his show in 1994, David Letterman said, "And I’m telling you something, if you don’t have a copy of this, there’s something wrong with you.”

Key West Side Tracks is presented by the Keys Weekly Newspapers, the only locally owned and operated media outlet in the Florida Keys. Pulitzer Prize winning journalist Gwen Filosa hosts the podcast, with a wide-ranging guest list that includes touring musicians as they make stops in Key West, along with local creatives.

Key West Side Tracks is available wherever you find podcasts. 

keysweekly.com

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Liza Jane, a singer-songwriter from Key West, is currently living in Los Angeles where she writes songs, performs and works on a career that has taken off with hits, music videos and live shows -- including playing Hollywood's Viper Room and Troubadour. 

She started singing at age 2 and never looked back, later becoming a classically trained musician who lived in Nashville before moving to L.A. Today, her original songs "Unbreakable," "Sacrifice" and "Man or the Monster" are successes in the electronic dance music world.

lizajanesmusic.com

Key West Side Tracks, presented by the Keys Weekly Newspapers, is hosted by digital editor Gwen Filosa, a Pulitzer Prize winner who has covered the Keys for 13 years. 

If you enjoyed the episode, please consider leaving a review on wherever you find podcasts. 

keysweekly.com

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Joy Nulisch, of Key West, is a true "Conch," as those born and raised on the island are known. She joined Gwen to talk about the legendary, near-professional level of the Key West High School Conch baseball program, the island's tight-knit, familial community that welcomes tourists and transplants without hesitation, adopting her dog, Tito, and what it's like retiring from the Monroe County School District after 35 years on the job.

Key West Side Tracks is hosted by Gwen Filosa, Keys Weekly digital editor and Pulitzer Prize winner for her part of covering the devastation of Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans in 2005. Keys Weekly is the only locally owned and operated news organization in the Florida Keys. 

keysweekly.com

The Keys Weekly Newspaper's three editions -- Key West, Marathon and Upper Keys -- publish every Thursday. Check out keysweekly.com. No paywalls, no email sign-ups required. 

joynulisch.com

The Bring Joy podcast, hosted by Joy Nulisch s available anywhere podcasts are found. 

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Director Noah Salzman and actor Germain Arroyo join Gwen to talk about their film 'Clocked' (2023), the story of Adolfo, an 18-year-old Puerto Rican boxer who fears being accepted as transgender by his conservative Catholic family.

'Clocked,' at its heart a sweet film about family ties and self-acceptance, has made the film festival rounds, including in Key West, Miami and Sedona, to rave reviews. Salzman said they're now looking for a distributor to release the film to the public. 

keysweekly.com

Photo: Writer-director Noah Salzman, Germain Arroyo and Danell Leyva on the set of Clocked. Clocked photo

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The Bubbas are back, and it's time to nominate your favorite Key West restaurants, bars, businesses, musicians, artists, attractions and community notables for the 11th annual people's choice awards. 

On this episode, publisher Britt Myers, Key West Weekly editor Mandy Miles and advertising director Stephanie Mitchell answer readers' questions about the nominating process. 

Nominations are open online through June 16. You can make your picks once per day on keysweekly.com. Only an email address is needed to take part. 

Since its inception, more than 1,000 winners have been crowned in nearly 100 categories, and more than $175,000 has been raised for local nonprofits.

This year’s nonprofit recipient is Wesley House Family Services.'

Follow Keys Weekly on Facebook, Instagram and X (formerly Twitter) for updates on the Bubbas and to ask us any questions about nominations and voting. 

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Florida Keys Film Commissioner Chad Newman joins Gwen to talk about Hollywood's long-term relationship with the Keys.  

The much-anticipated Bad Monkey, based on the Carl Hiaasen novel, was shot in Key West. Starring Vince Vaughn and produced by Bill Lawrence (Ted Lasso, Shrinking), the 10-episode comedy series premieres Aug. 14 on Apple TV.

Key West Side Tracks is produced by the Keys Weekly Newspapers, a locally owned and operated news organization with the largest print circulation in the Keys. 

keysweekly.com

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Paul Menta is a chef, a rum distiller, a competitive kite-boarder and the guy who put together a second-line parade in memory of Jimmy Buffett within 16 hours of the announcement that the legendary singer-songwriter had died Sept. 1, 2023. 

Now, Paul is among the Key West locals starring in the season premiere of Gordon Ramsay: Uncharted, which airs May 27 at 9 p.m. on the National Geographic Channel. Paul joined Gwen to talk about how he did battle with celebrity chef Ramsay in a final cooking showdown. 

Photo credit: National Geographic Channel

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