Audio By Carbonatix
Saturday July 12
If the theme from Jaws makes your blood race, imagine the thrill you’ll experience hearing it while diving in a shark’s back yard. It might sound creepy, but at the Lower Keys Underwater Music Festival you’ll get to act out a scene from the film. That is, unless a real great white shark decides to join the party. The pulsing Ta-Da-Ta-Da music will be just one of the nautically themed songs blaring from underwater speakers at Looe Key National Marine Sanctuary. Now in its 19th year, the festival attracts hundreds of scuba divers and snorkelers to the remote site located six miles from Big Pine Key. There they will party like drunken fish to six solid hours of funky tunes broadcast from WCNK-FM (98.7). Festival organizer and radio personality Bill Becker has strung together nostalgic songs, such as “Yellow Submarine,” “Octopus’s Garden,” and, of course, all those Jimmy Buffett favorites. Perhaps he’ll play John Denver’s classic “Calypso.” Britney Spearfish, Tina Tuna, and Ella Fishgerald, collectively known as the Divas of the Deep, will be entertaining.
“The fish don’t seem to mind,” Becker reassures us. “They actually like it.”
The festival begins at 10:00 a.m. Admission is free. Call 305-892-9100. — By Juan Carlos Rodriguez
Saturday July 12
Basketball Party
A bouncing bash for all
Ballers, rappers, and DJs, oh my. This ain’t Kansas, but a block party in the heart of the city at Miami Senior High School (2450 SW 1st St.). The all-day-all-night affair pits roundballers in one-on-one and dunk competitions. Following that is a contest between rappin’ MCs and scratchy DJs, with Flex the “Big Lip Bandit” and Supa Cindy from WEDR-FM (99.1) hosting the event. There’s also a fashion show, video game kiosks, and surprise guest appearances. And if that’s not enough to get your freak on, check out the prizes: an all-expense-paid trip to the finals at the Apollo Theatre in N.Y.C., shoes, and apparel. The fun starts at noon. Call 305-944-7125 for registration details. — By John Anderson