Monster

Well, I'm back! My only complaint was that there were too many cars and people....Duval Street is trashed with new stores that are ugly with no personality. The back roads still hold a mystique that was there long ago. The Angelina Guest House was so wonderful we gave up our other place we had reserved to stay the whole time at The Angelina! It cost us a cancelation fee, but it was worth it! Wish I could post some pics here. Glad I went! I will return!

I have been back several times, but not lately. There are still too many ghosts for me. I will go back one day.

Well Cindy??? Think it's still a paradise???...

Whoah...Ed! Sorry I didn't see it was you and not Barbie commenting.......Again...I will search high and low for the mystique I always remember of Key West...I'm sure there is something more than just a Florida place...It's like the end of a rainbow...filled with color. Filled with people searching for a better way of life....people still ride bicycles down every road....they still go to sunset at Mallory Square (although I know it's not like it was back in the day), and I know they still
are allured by the ever so slow way of life that only an island on the southern most point of the good ol' Us of A can have. My time there back in '78 was what it was and my time coming will be what it will be...I may be a bit disappointed, but I know I will enjoy it!....Stay tuned everyone!

awww...I have that feeling Barbie....but I will search for the essence of Key West before I will allow disappointment to set in....Again...I'll let you know when I come home...<3

me thinks you will be deeply disappointed at WHAT KW has become!!! Very sad just more of Florida place now...

Hi Barbie!
Thanx for your sweet message! Wow Canada is far far away from Key West. Beautiful place though. There are a few tv shows I like from Canada...They are Red Green! He's hilarious! The other is French Cooking at Home with Laura Caulder. Such a comfy show to watch. She just does it with such ease and with relaxing music in the background and her kitchen is wonderful!
Sounds like your adventure getting to Key West was as much fun as when you finally arrived!
I'm looking forward to getting there and riding my bicycle around down memory lane first, and then hitting Smather's Beach.....A whole lotta R&R and at night...ohhhhh at night...gotta see what it's like now! I'll let you know for sure!
Again, thank you for such a sweet message...
Have a wonderful peaceful day!
Cindy

I'm looking forward to hearing about ur time @ Key West, Cindy! It will be interesting to know about the changes there etc. I live in the "Great White North" aka Canada. Time when I was in KW I lived in Toronto, Canada & it was a couple hrs flight on the 'redeye' to get to FLA then we would take my friend's car parked in a gas station across from the airport down the Keys. Wat a wonderful drive that was ... picking-up all the cute-hitchhikers along the way, of course!

ENJOY & have fun!

Just two more days until paradise! <3 <3 <3

Hi Barbe,
Thank you for being so kind. I will look up the link, but like I said I've pretty fulfilled. I'm happy you have something that is for you as well...
It's amazing for me how the Word of God meets my every need. Lots of peace, joy and sufficiency is good!
Do you live in Key West still? I live in RI. Living near the ocean is wonderful!
Hope this finds you well. Again, it's not taken lightly that you had concern for my heart. Thank you. It's appreciated.
Cindy

Cindy, sorry to hear about ur tribulations ... life is a school, right? The healer I work with is having a 'free' teleconference, evening of Mar 29th. If u r interested in checking this out: www.sourcewithin.com to register. (clic-on the tab "News" @ top or ur screen, then follow directions for Mar 29th Teleconference.)

You don't hav to listen in person ... as once u r registered u will receive an audio-downloard after the session. Let me know if u do & wat u think? Lotsa Lov .... barbe

Good morning!
Wow! The old theatre! It was the only 3 story building in Key West right?! It was on Duval...?
My life has changed so much in 33 years. I've had some major struggles in marriages and losing my oldest to a car wreck...It's his
Dad who died to a suicide. BUT.......now I have a wonderful husband.
We live with God first in our lives to pave what can be an ugly road in sometimes a dark world. I'm not trying to preach, just have to tell of how my life has changed in spite of such horrific circumstances. I'm thankful everyday!
Thank you for being so genuine and open about your life and times in Key West. You may not ever know how happy it makes me to hear all about a place that was so enchanting and magical for me. I'm hoping I can show my husband and it will rub off on him a bit. We plan on retiring in two years. We have a small boat and would love to find a place to dock in the Keys in the winter. I can't even believe it may be possible.
OK...off to start my day...have a wonderful day RC....looking forward to hearing more from you...I'll definitely keep you posted as my vacation unfolds here real soon...
<3
Cindy

I think the Copa opened in '81 which signaled the end of the Monster. The building that became the Copa was the Monroe theater for a million years. They only showed one movie- Deep Throat.
Copa burned in the early 90's. Sad day. It was the best nightclub I have ever been in.
Night.

I can't tell you how fun this is talking with you guys...
Barbie....I can't remember how many times we would all head out to
Stock Island to that bar that was open all night after the Monster closed
down. I didn't sleep but an hour and then off to the Pier House to work Breakfast and then even lunch some times...I'm sure if I walked into these places when I get there in a couple of weeks memories will flood my mind, but I don't have any memory of what the details were inside of these places. Must have had a few too many I guess. Went off to Sugarloaf Key once or twice with a few folks to swim in a canal. Such an awesome time. RC I feel like I missed a lot too with leaving only after 6 months. Not sure if I went into the Copa or not.
Do you remember a guy named Don Bartalone? He and I went down there together, and sadly enough parted ways. So sad seeing how he was a friend of my sisters since I was only 13. Then he just disappeared, but crazy enough he and his wife teach Yoga on the BEach in Key West today! I was thinking of taking a class. If he says hello, that would be wonderful. If not, it's ok. That's life!
ok...off to dream land...Thanx for all the memories! <3

Boca Chica had chains hanging all around it. Was never sure if they were there to keep people out, or in! Very strange walking out of there at 10 or 11 in the morning after a long night. Yeah. When I was young.
Yikes -just remembered DJing there a few mornings w/ Voggue messed up completely out of our minds. We were hand spinning things backwards and ... oy...

Did any1 go to Boca Chicas (splg?) on the outskirts of town? When The Monster started winding-down we would head to BC (funky bar ... no dance floor or anything ... so we danced on the spot). BC stayed open for as long as there was someone there. Mayb it was 24 hrs, LOL? Then we headed to watch the sunrise ... & go home to sleep.

Repeated the next day & the next .......

I didn't work there but had a friend with a place/car I could use anytime I wanted. So went back & forth on cheap 'RedEye' flights, during our winters.

Yep- La Terraza de Marti. Lawrence Formica was the owner and ambiance creator. He was a brilliant fool, if I may say so. The place was host to many of the Survivor parties in the 80's and the infamous Black Hole Awards. I was the DJ for tea dance on Sundays and we played until 8:30 and shipped everyone down to Atlantic Shores for Tea 2 w/ the incomparable David THOMAS (aka DDT).
There were so many brilliant parties with the White Glove Girls, Judy & the Monster crew, Babe and all the wrecks that were Delmonico (myself included), all of the LaTeDa fiascos, shownights at the Old Plantation and of course, The Copa. It was the best times of my life and w/ the high incidence of AIDS, the lowest and saddest times. So many memories.

Oh my God! Is LaTeDa the same as La Teraza De Marti? It was across from the the Newspaper place on Duval. I lived above the Newspaper place for a bit, and my first night in Key West was at LaTeraza De Marti. Loved it. Sat down waiting for dinner that was
cooked by a guest who volunteered that night. We split the meal
by however many people ate that night. Soooo good......While we
were waiting with a bunch of folks including the deaf guy I met that night passed around a box that was full of joints. I looked in it and said, "oh no thanks there's already one going around". Some one looked at me and said, "No, take your own"! So I did!
So many stories I have, and not enough time to tell it all.......

I moved to Miami in '78 and started visiting KW then. I moved there in '80 and stayed until '96. Worked mostly at LaTeDa, Delmonico and Old Plantation, with restaurant work all over town. LaTeDa was my home, though. What a frikkin reality show that would have made. Strange to think that wait staff scheduling had to include at least 2 coke dealers per shift to keep everyone happy!

Barbe! There weren't many straight men and you had to hunt them down! When were you there? I was there from January 78 til late June 78. Not nearly enough time to satisfy my thirst for the balmy life of Key West...<3 I love this site! Can't believe I found it! I just kept on searching for anything in Key West! Haha!

Oh wow! That's the place! My memory is maybe a bit fuzzier than yours. I don't remember the Copa or the other place you mentioned. Perhaps with my trip it will all come together. I was only there for 6 months. Not long enough. I have every idea of trying to find a timeshare, boat slip, or something to house mine and my husbands but for the winters here real soon. I have to get back to island life. I miss it terribly. When were you there RC?

In my fuzzy memory, Shorty's was directly across from Delmonico on Duval. Best breakfast ever. That kind of padded aluminum inside and probably not the cleanest place on the planet made it an early morning experience. Also remember late night dining at Backstreet, down by the Copa. 4AM burgers were the best, and a last chance to take someone home, or just get a piece of cake for comfort.

OMG! you guys are awesome! I'm so joanzin to get there! 33 years later!!!!! Hey is Shortie's on Duval? I use to go a place on Duval that had the BEST breakfast ever. Also went to Las Palmas Del Mundo all the time. Heard it's something else now. Will have to stop by, for sure!
Does anyone remember Bree???? She/He was a transvestite. Very sweet. They include her in a documentary i saw on channel 2 up here.
Thanx guys for touchin base! I will keep you all posted! <3

What I wouldn't give for some French toast from Shorty's diner right now!!

LOL @ RC!

I think we all had a few staright men in our time!!!!!
LOL--RC

@Cindy I also met a straight-man in Key West & we eventually lived together for 2 1/2 yrs. Remained friends over the yrs & hav many memories of good-times!

@Cindy ... lookin' forward to hear about ur trip bac to the West!

1978 was the best year of my life. I missed the Blizzard of 78 up here in the northeast. I was not sad I missed it at all. I was in Key West basking in the sun down by the wall at the Southern Most Point on Smathers BEach, and dancing the night away at The Monster and Delmonico's. Can't remember if the Last Dance was always played at The Monster or Delmonico's, but I was there dancing away. I remember the wonderful music and a deaf man that I was inlove with. Can't remember his name 33 years later though! Would love to find him. I later gave birth to a deaf/hard of hearing little boy. That's another story....Nicolas was my hair dresser and I think he dj'd there as well...I also lived with him. Great great times. Just cut short by falling in love with maybe the only straight man on the island and leaving to have a family and then a divorce...I'm heading back to Key West for the first time in 13 days 33 years later. I did visit back in 1980 as well for a month with my son who was only 2. Couldn't manage to make it work though...came home to MA and stayed...Will post on here after my 9 day trip....Cindy

The Monster was just that...a MONSTER!!! The original monster was tiny! Was there the day it opened till the day it closed. Was a great place for everything. One could run into & meet just about anyone...from famous to just one more happy soul!!! Was a very good friends with Van Eno among others. Deeply miss Van & his wonderful ART!!! Sundays were for LaTeDa!!! Being young was soooooooooooo easy...

My best friend Maureen and I lived in KW 1976- 1979, we worked as waitresses at the Deli on Simenton and Truman after work we would go and hang out by the little beach by Jimmy Buffetts old house and at night we would head for The Monster and have the grandiest time dancing the night away along with everyone else. Some of the best memories!!!

Good times! Remember roof opening to sky-full-of-stars every midnight! 1st unisex toilets, dancin' without knickers, better than Studio 54 LOL

Hello Everyone. I lived in Key West during the 1970's and early 80's. I have many fond memories of the Monster. I have kept in touch with a few survivors, however I would like to hear from more of you. Those years spent in KW were the best years of my life.
My email: aKeyWestSurvivor@gmail.com

Hello you party animals. I am so glad to found this site. I know and remember many that DJed at the Monster not to mention the outrageous great time we all shared. Anyone remember a shop on Duval called Entities? I worked for Lee Slater. Of course we can't forget Ms. B. :). I welcome hearing from you. My photos of the Monster and friends were lost. I would welcome any that you are willing to share. I remember many of you and, I look forward hearing from you.

Hey cool site. Best times of my life were spent behind the platters at the Monster. (You spelled my last name wrong, lol) Earl and Michael taught me how to spin. Michael is gone now, but a few of the gang are still around. Ma Evans and Rikki Regretto and Nancy Lowey are still in KW, Miss Vickie is in Hollywood FL, I'm split between Orlando and Provincetown.
great to see RC, Earl and Sharon are still around! Anyone who wants too can contact me: QmDDT@aol.com

Hi Girls, Well I think I found all the photos of the Monster Days. I,am going to try and put them into catagories. Great shots of Taylors Funeral party at Atlantic Shores. Going thru these pics is very bitter sweet for me, but i want to share them with anyone who is lucky enough to remember those enchanted days! Who would ever think that being a cocktail waitress could make me feel like a STAR!!! Everybody was a star back then. Most of the photos I have almost everyone is in some kinda drag. Sharon Plataz

Hey Sharon Remember the Insane Asylum party it was a lot of fun for as much as I remember, I got a good shot of you after you had be despenced.

Hi girls, Iam still getting my photos of the Monster k.w. I have photos , of michael st laurent dr quartermain,kim limpesis, john evans lee lequyer greg forsyeth george cadenas sven Divine at the monster tom park stacy tony strobel ricky rigreto judy and me the wild and crazed cocktail waitress/ menue maker/sign maker/stage set maker/ and one of the many Monsterettes on parade! also makeup artist.I will send them to r.c.and martin. great to connect again wow! Sharon plataz

Hey RC cola, is that right, got some pics to upload if I can figure how. Glad you survived.

Earl-- my man-- We were actually roomies for a short time. Unfortunately, I haven't stayed in touch with any of the survivors. Ma Evans is still down there being MA.
Those were great times and I remember you well. Good job back then.
RC

I learned how to play records there, RC, Martin, Mike, & DDT were great friends, Warren taught me how to play along with my friend Marc who went on to make some records. Warren is still famous, one of the best out there. I hope all are well and kickin it. They called me Pearls, I got fired after getting too drunk on the Fantasy Fest Float that was the Monster that year, Judy and Svend were not pleased. I still have a bunch of pics that I was going threw from those days. Remember movie night, it was a great time and a great time to be gay and in the seen. A few years back I was up in NYC Joe was still at the bar in the Village. I don't play any more but we have great parties in the ore house actually the boat house but it looks a lot like the Fairy Garden room.
See you in Lochness
e

There was no place like the Monster dancing outside on December 31st when the rest of the country was freezing their a$$es off!

I was the DJ at Delmonicos and The Old Plantation in Key West. '80-'96. Also DJ'd for the Tea Dance at LaTeDa. Guested at the Monster from time to time. Other Monster DJ's: Michael Reece, DDT (david Thompson). Also looking for any of the old crowd.
RC McWilliams
mcfoghat@cox.net

What about the Grove Monster. It may have been small but we had some fantastic dance sessions there early 80's. I used to use the columns as a partner. Sailed over with some friends one fall and a deer wandered in and up to the bar. Someone there, maybe the bartender, got a picture.

When one visited Key West, this was supposed to be THE PLACE TO GO TO. Sorry, very over-rated. THE COPA was better from my perspective. Better music, better sound and lights, and DJ Bobby V and Bill Kelly!! Sorry Martin, but this is where I told tourists to go!! On my scale from 1-10, THE MONSTER still gets a TEN!!

I was the DJ at The Monster(s) 1976-1979 in KWFL & NY. Looking for some of my old friends...email me.

Martin Dow
md33@verizon.net

Also was a gay men's disco in Greenwich Village. Still stands, but now they allow women in. I was there just a few years ago and was actually disappointed. When I used to try and get in back in the day I'd hear wonderful disco music blaring from the inside. Now that I can get in, the music was a real let down.

On another note, there's also (or was) a Monster discotechque out on Fire Island; that was always a lot of fun.

I saw my first John Waters film at The Monster.

Jorge Cadenas was a DJ at The Monster.