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 into a good set of speakers. What a kick ass show! My girlfriend and I were doing the "bar-cam bogie" in her front room here in Orlando till the show ended. Yes, I'm the one that called the bar and requested one last number...LOL!"

Bobby Lee Rodgers on The Parrot Stage

I'm passing this one on because these Bobby Lee Rodgers fans had it all dialed in.

Good speakers, a little dance action, and even a request line.

August uke out

Uke Out Tonight

Bobby Lee Rodgersand Tim McAlpine get Ready For Tonight's Uke Out

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 Lee Rodgers, who promises to take his uke to places no uke has gone before.

As a professor of Jazz Studies, Rodgers was one of the youngest professors to teach at the Berklee College of Music. Rodgers’ songwriting/instrumental/vocal skills have led him to great places, notably collaborations with The Grateful Dead, Phil Lesh and Friends, The Allman Brothers and Widespread Panic.

Following the same format as the well-attended, high-spirited June and July shindigs, the meeting will begin with a Workshop at 8 p.m. for those just starting out on the instrument. Basic instruction and chord and song sheets will be provided. At 9 p.m., there will be featured performers, an open mic and a play-along in no particular order.

For those who missed the last months' events, they were outstanding, with an ever-growing congregation of uke-bearing aficionados in attendance, most of whom crowded the stage for a few nimble and professional sing-along covers of popular songs to wrap up an already lively night.

It is obvious from last two month's turnout that there is a serious Key West ukulele scene simmering just below the surface,” said John Vagnoni, Green Parrot manager. “We also see this as a unique way for Key Westers to meet people and make music at the same time."

So dig out that old ukulele from your attic or closet and strum your way into a four-string stupor at Green Parrot Ukulele Night, Key West's only ukulele-powered jam session.

Come to just listen or join in. All levels are welcome and remember, spare ukes and instruction are available for those who want to try them out.

The Green Parrot is your Southernmost Center for Uke Culture of every kind, and is located at the corner of Whitehead and Southard streets. For additional information call The Green Parrot at 305-294-6133.

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, one of Nyad's crew members, on Twitter.

On the same Twitter account, her team said that earlier in the evening Nyad was in the water, "surrounded by dolphins and a beautiful Caribbean sunset." But, they explained, a strong wind "blew her 15mph off course."

"I am not sad. It was absolutely the right call," she told CNN.

On a more personal note, our old friend Buco was one of the

kayakers who accompannied Diana and we cannot wait to see Buco back at the bar and give him the welcome he deserves.

He has already been an inspiration to so many of us around here for so many years it's hard to know where to begin thanking him for his infectious positive attitude that seems to trickle down to everyone he comes in contact with. Just as he did for so many years with the Waterfront Market he cannot stop himself from making sure that every cog in the Green Parrot machine is greased and grinding away as it should. He's our very own McGuyver, counselor, friend and all-around stand-up guy and we can't wait to see him safely back at the Parrot. From all the Walter Mitty's at the Green Parrot thanks for the vicarious thrill of the last few days and we can't wait to hear you spin your stories in person.

Let's hang your kayak from the rafters!

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 of our research and developement department and most importantly for this story, a founding member of the Green Parrot Kayak Society. Buco has signed on for what is, even for him, he admits, an amazing adventure.

He will be one of the kayakers who will, his kayak armed with electronic anti-shark devices, paddle alongside veteran long-distance swimmer Diana Nyad when she attempts her 103-mile swim swim from Cuba to Key West later this week, an attempt that should take her 40 to 60 hours without a rest.

Last week Buco went on a practice run with Diana and her team, to test his own stamina, learn a few ocean-kayaking techniques and, he thought, perhaps synch some of his new-found skills with Diane's decades-old ones. And sych himself with her he did, so much so that as he began to match every one of strokes with every one of his paddles he said he entered a near-medatative state that he did not stir from till unil he looked around and found him surrounded by fishing boats and he realized he had just paddled out to the reef, a feat that previously he had not remotely thought himself capable of.
Now tested and ready, he sits waiting for a call to action from Diana's team that will come when, and only when, water temperature and weather conditions are optimal for her attempt to begin.

Taking his responsibility with the same sincerity, urgency and aptitude that he applies to everything he does in life, Buco said, "I have to be mentally and physically prepared for this because once we're out there, in the water, I am her bodyguard"

Read the full New York Times story on her attempt here.

Read another story in The Huffington Post or read an ESPN story about the swim here.


Here's Buco posed with The Green Parrot'trophy representing their victory as First Grand Champions "They Can't Take That Away From Us" of The Southernmost Bocce League.

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 III

The 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 Lee Rodgers, who promises to take his uke to places no uke has gone before.

As a professor of Jazz Studies, Rodgers was one of the youngest professors to teach at the Berklee College of Music. Rodgers songwriting/instrumental/vocal skills have led him to great places, notably collaborations with The Grateful Dead, Phil Lesh and Friends, The Allman Brothers and Widespread Panic..

Following the same format as the well-attended, high-spirited June and July shindigs, the meeting will begin at 8 PM with a Workshop for those just starting out on the instrument. At that time, basic instruction will be provided, as well as chord and song sheets.

At 9 PM there will be featured performers, an open mike and a play-along in no particular order.
For those who missed the last months' events, they were outstanding, with an ever-growing congregation of uke-bearing afficionados in attendence, most of whom crowded the stage for a few nimble and professional sing-along covers of popular songs to wrap up an already lively night.

Said Bar Manager john Vagnoni, "It is obvious from last two month's turnout that there is a serious Key West ukulele scene simmering just below the surface, we also see this as a unique way for Key Westers to meet people and make music at the same time."

Dig out that old ukulele from your attic or closet and strum your way into a four-string stupor at Green Parrot Ukulele Night, Key West's only ukulele-powered jam session.

Come to just listen, or join in. All levels are welcome and remember, spare ukes and instruction are available for those who want to try them out.


The Green Parrot is your Southernmost Center for Uke Culture of every
kind, and is located at the corner of Whitehead and Southard Streets.
For additional information call The Green Parrot at 294-6133.