Arts and Entertainment listings

 WEEK OF JULY 5 -11

Auditions: Okaloosa Chamber Singers
Okaloosa Chamber Singers is currently holding auditions for its 11th season. For information and an audition appointment, call Dr. Marilyn Overturf, director, at 682-9651. Rehearsals will be Tuesday evenings in Niceville, starting Aug. 12.

The Grand Ballet Under the Stars
The Northwest Florida Ballet will perform “The Grand Ballet Under the Stars” from 7:30 to 9 p.m. July 5 in the public green space known as Grand Park between Tommy Bahama’s Tropical Café & Emporium and Cantina Laredo. This event is free and open to the public. Guests can enjoy the seating provided or bring their own blankets to sit on the green.
No outside food or drinks may be brought into the park. Cash-only pavilions will provide food and beverages. Attendees must present valid identification to the Guest Services Kiosk at the entrance to the park to receive a wrist band to purchase adult beverages.
Tommy Bahama’s is sponsoring a VIP contest called “Best Seats in the Park” that will offer a table for four directly in front of the stage and dinner catered by the chef and general manager. To enter for a chance to win, visit www.grandboulevard.com.

American Gospel Concerts
American Gospel Ministries presents a free concert with The Watkins Family at 6 p.m. July 5 at First Baptist Church, 622 Bayshore Drive in Niceville. A love offering will be taken.

Art exhibit: Photography at Newbill Collection by The Sea
Local photographer Valerie Lofton will present her black and white photography from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. July 5 at Newbill Collection By The Sea at Ruskin Place Artist Colony in Seaside.
The gallery is open daily from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and from noon to 5 p.m. Sundays.

Fusion Art Glass
Fusion Art Glass in Seaside will host a trunk show by jewelry artist Carolyn Tyler through July 6. The work of glass artist Wendy Saxon Brown will also be featured.

HarborWalk Village
Rock the Docks at the HarborWalk Village stage Saturday night from 7 to 9 p.m. with a performance by Cadillac Willy. Visit www.harborwalkdestin.com for more information.

Coconut Radio
Sing along to the sounds of Coconut Radio, The Village of Baytowne Wharf’s house band, at 6:30 p.m. every Friday, Saturday and Sunday through June. Playing family favorites throughout the spring, Coconut Radio is known for inviting members of the crowd to participate. Coconut Radio performs in the Events Plaza. Call 267-8117.

Cheeseburger In Paradise
Cheeseburger In Paradise at Silver Sands Factory Stores presents free music from 8 p.m. to midnight Saturdays. The event is open to the public. Call 650-2615.

Starlight Film Series
The Seaside Repertory Theatre presents the Starlight Film Series at 8 p.m. Sundays on the Seaside Lyceum Lawn. Cost is $5. A feature film will be shown on a big screen. Tickets will be sold at the door. Call 231-0733.

Art on the Harbor
Enjoy art along the Destin Harbor at HarborWalk Village. Every Sunday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. featuring 12 local artists, ArtStop tent with kid’s activities sponsored by Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation, and market vendors with flowers, plants, specialty foods and produce. Visit www.harborwalkdestin.com for more information.

Cypress Green Concert Series
The Market Shops at Sandestin’s outdoor Cypress Green host a concert under the stars from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday. Call (850) 267-8092.

Kid’s Karaoke
Grab your little performers and head to the Events Plaza stage in The Village of Baytowne Wharf at Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort at 7 p.m. Mondays through Aug. 12 for Kid’s Karaoke. Call 267-8117.

Tupelo Courtyard Strolls
Meander among the fountains in the French Quarter-inspired Tupelo Courtyard with live entertainment at  6:30 p.m. Mondays in The Village of Baytowne Wharf at Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort. Call 267-8279.

Seaside Repertory Theatre
The Seaside Repertory Theatre presents the comedy, Fuddy Meers, at 7:30 p.m. July 9, 10 and 11 in Meeting Hall Theatre.
Tickets are $20/members, and $24/guests, and can be purchased online at www.seasiderep.org, or call 231-0733.
Due to some strong language, mostly by the puppet, parental discretion is advised.
Following the production on Thursdays and Fridays at 10 p.m. are the comedic stylings of the revamped Basic Character Flaws. This year’s late night comedy shows will feature a mix of improv, sketch and stand-up comedy.
Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at the door.
Also playing at the Rep are two family productions, Sleeping Beauty (Mondays in Seaside) and Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales (Mondays in Watercolor).

Mini Gras and Boomin’ Tuesdays at Baytowne
Kids, beads and old-fashioned fun reign supreme during Mini Gras from 7 to 10 p.m. Tuesdays in The Village of Baytowne Wharf at Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort. Special children’s activities throughout the Village and fireworks top off the evening at 9:15 p.m. Call 267-8117.

Wednesday Night Concerts
Free concerts from 7 to 9 p.m. in the Plaza on main stage at The Village of Baytowne Wharf at Sandestin. Call 267-8117.

Gypsy
The Mattie Kelly Fine and Performing Arts Center at Okaloosa-Walton College presents “Gypsy” at 7:30 p.m. July 9, 10, 11 and 12 on the mainstage of the OWC Mattie Kelly Fine and Performing Arts Center in Niceville.
Tickets are $20 for adults and $15 for youth and are available at the Mattie Kelly Arts Center Box Office in-person, by phone at 729-6000.

Meet the Artist
Meet Beaches of South Walton 2008 Artist of the Year Donna Burgess in her gallery at The Market Shops at Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort from 12 to 3 p.m. Wednesdays. Call 837-1887.

Pier Park Concert Series
Summer rocks with this free concert series at 7 p.m. every Thursday through Sept. 3 in the Pier Park Amphitheatre in Panama City Beach. Bring a beach blanket and enjoy live music under the stars.

Red, White and Blue Celebration
Celebrate every Thursday at HarborWalk Village as each week a local military hero from Eglin AFB, Duke Field and Hurlburt Field is honored at 7 p.m. Local entertainers and fireworks over the Destin Harbor begins every Thursday at 8:30 p.m. Visit www.harborwalkdestin.com for more information.

Sunset Cinema
Grab your blankets and popcorn and head to The Village of Baytowne Wharf at Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort for family movies under the stars in the Village Events Plaza at 8 p.m. Thursdays. Call 267-8117 or visit baytownewharf.com for a complete list of movies.

Book debut at Alys Beach
Architectural and fine art photographer Eric Marcus will visit Fonville Press from 5 to 7 p.m. July 11  to debut, discuss and sign his new book, “Alligator Lake.” The book is described as “a tribute to one of South Walton’s coastal dune lakes.”
From 6 to 9 p.m. enjoy a “Trivia Night” party hosted by comedian Kevin Boyle of The Seaside Repertory Theater.
Fonville Press is a coffee shop, newsstand and wine bar on County Road 30A in Alys Beach. These events are free and open to the public. Call (866) 481-8387 or e-mail events@alysbeach.com.

Wine Tasting
Raise a glass to summer with hand-selected vintages showcased by Sandestin Wine World as part of the shop’s weekly Wine Tasting at 5 p.m. every Friday. Cost is $10/person. Call 622-0802.

Wine tasting
Wine tastings will be held in Lumpy’s Wine Barr every Friday at 5 p.m.


ART 

Art exhibit: Art in Public Places
The Walton County Tourist Development Council and Friends of Coastal Branch Library present the Art in Public Places exhibit featuring the work of artists Susie Munz and Doris Cramer during July at the Coastal Branch Library. Call 267-1216.

Newbill Collection By The Sea
The exhibit “Green Craft, Artistic Expressions using Found, Recycled and Eco-Friendly Materials” is showing through July 31. Call 231-4500.
                          
Art exhibit: Mattie Kelly Fine & Performing Arts Center
The Mattie Kelly Fine & Performing Arts Center at Okaloosa-Walton College in Niceville is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays and from 1 to 4 p.m. Sundays. The galleries are closed Friday, Saturday and college holidays. Call 729-6044.
Upcoming exhibit is Haitian artist “Edouard Duval-Carrie´ in the McIlroy Gallery and Selections from the OWC Permanent Collection” in the Holzhauer Gallery through July 24.

Art exhibit: Art Throb
A juried exhibit, all media, Art Throb will be held through July 25 at the Artel Gallery, 505 South Adams St. in Pensacola. An opening reception will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. July 11. Call 432-3080.

Animal portraiture workshop
The Cultural Arts Association will partner with Walton County Artist of the Year Donna Burgess to conduct an animal portraiture workshop from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. July 15 at the Bayou Arts Center on County Road 393 North. Tuition is $75 and $65 for CAA members. To enroll, call 622-5970 or e-mail culturalarts@embarqmail.com.

Folk art painting class
The Heritage Museum of Northwest Florida in Valparaiso will host a folk art style painting class taught by artist Anna Sandlin at 10 a.m. July 16.
Students of all levels will create a one of a kind rose serving tray. Cost of $35 and $30/museum members does not include supplies.
Seating is limited. Call 678-2615 to reserve a seat.

Art exhibit: Coast & Countryside
The Pensacola Museum of Art presents “Coast & Countryside: Selections from the Spanierman Gallery, New York” Exhibition July 18 through Aug. 30 in the Lewis Bear Family Galleries. An opening reception will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. July 18. Call 432-6247.
The PMA is open Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday 12 to 5 p.m. Admission is $5/adults and $2/students and active duty military.

Art exhibit: OWC
Artwork of the late Marie Snow Greene, a watercolor artist and local art teacher, will be on display through July 24 in OWC’s Holzhauer Gallery in the Mattie Kelly Arts Center complex. The exhibit is free and open to the public on Monday to Thursday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sundays from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
A selection of more than 20 of Greene’s watercolors will be available for purchase through a live art auction at 6 p.m. July 25. The auction will be conducted by professional art appraiser and auctioneer Bill Garrett of Fort Walton Beach and is open to the public. Refreshments will be served.
Also on display in the college’s McIlroy Gallery will be selections from the OWC permanent art collection and recent acquisitions. Call 729-6044.

Art exhibit: Members’ Juried Exhibition
The Pensacola Museum of Art presentation of the annual “Members’ Juried Exhibition” will be held through Aug. 9. Call 432-6247.

Digital arts festival
“Digital Graffiti,” an event created to celebrate and recognize some of the world’s most talented and innovative digital artist, comes to Scenic 30A Aug. 30.
Alys Beach has announced numerous award categories and prizes. To qualify for the Best Local Artist award, the winner must reside full-time in Walton, Okaloosa, Bay or Washington County.
Deadline for all submissions of original works of digital art is July 11. Entries may include new or existing abstract digital imagery, short films, photography, VJ sets, animations, YouTube videos, Adobe PhotoShop creations or entirely new interactive concepts. All subject matter is eligible for the festival, although a special $1,000 prize will be awarded to the best entry with a “green” or environmental theme.
Alys Beach is on Scenic Highway 30A, between Destin and Panama City Beach.
Visit www.alysbeach.com/DG, call (866) 481-8387, or e-mail events@alysbeach.com for information.

Art exhibit: “Facing Abstraction: Refiguring the Body in the 20th century”
The Pensacola Museum of Art presents “Facing Abstraction: Refiguring the Body in the Twentieth Century” through July 12 in the Lewis Bear Family Galleries. Call (850) 432-6247. Admission is $5/adults and $2/students and active duty military.

Call to artists: Destin Festival of the Arts
The 13th annual Destin Festival of the Arts will be presented by the Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation on Oct. 25 and 26 at Henderson Beach State Park in Destin awarding over $8,200 in cash prizes. Applications are now being accepted for juried show artists ($30 non-refundable jury fee and $175 booth fee). Poster entries for the signature poster and T-shirt design will be featured on festival promotional materials and merchandise with a $350 cash award.
Artist and poster deadline is July 18. To receive an artist application or enter the poster competition, contact the Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation at 650-2226.

Call to artists: 2009 Artist of the Year
The Walton County Tourist Development Council is launching a call to artists for the 2009 Artist of the Year.
A panel of judges will review all submitted artwork and grade each artist in accordance with the established criteria. Media categories include clay, oil, watercolor, acrylic, mixed media, photography, sculpture and fiber.
The artwork will be judged according to Beaches of South Walton brand promise categories, which include nature and heritage, high quality of life/lifestyle, arts and culture, managed growth and quality dining and shopping. The chosen artist will be announced at the TDC’s annual luncheon in October.
The artist must be a permanent resident of Walton County and/or own an art related business (i.e. art gallery) for a minimum of one year in Walton County. The deadline for application is July 18.
To obtain an application contact Melinda Wickham at (850) 267-1216 or mwickham@beachesofsouthwalton.com.

Meet the Artist
Meet Beaches of South Walton 2008 Artist of the Year Donna Burgess in her gallery at The Market Shops at Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort from 12 to 3 p.m. Wednesdays. Call 837-1887.

ON STAGE

Seaside Repertory Theatre
The Seaside Repertory Theatre presents the comedy, Fuddy Meers, at 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays in Meeting Hall Theatre. The show runs through July 26.
Tickets are $20/members, and $24/guests, and can be purchased online at www.seasiderep.org, or call 231-0733.
Due to some strong language, mostly by the puppet, parental discretion is advised.
Following the production on Thursdays and Fridays at 10 p.m. are the comedic stylings of the revamped Basic Character Flaws. This year’s late night comedy shows will feature a mix of improv, sketch and stand-up comedy.
Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at the door.
Also playing at the Rep are two family productions, Sleeping Beauty (Mondays at 7:30 p.m. in Seaside) and Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales (Tuesdays at 7:30 p.m. in Watercolor’s Marina Park Amphitheatre).

Gulf Coast Comedy Festival
See improv, sketch and stand-up comedy from around the country at the fifth annual Gulf Coast Comedy Festival, presented by the Seaside Repertory Theatre, will be held at 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. July 30 through Aug. 2 in the Meeting Hall Theatre. Cost is $15.

Gypsy
The Mattie Kelly Fine and Performing Arts Center at Okaloosa-Walton College presents “Gypsy” at 7:30 p.m. July 12 on the mainstage of the OWC Mattie Kelly Fine and Performing Arts Center in Niceville.
Tickets are $20 for adults and $15 for youth and are available at the Mattie Kelly Arts Center Box Office in-person, by phone at 729-6000.

MUSIC

Nicole Hart & The NRG
Nicole Hart & The NRG Band will perform at 8 p.m. July 13 at Seacrest Beach Lagoon. The group will also perform at 8 p.m. July 14 at Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort and 8 p.m. July 16 at the Village of Baytowne Wharf.

Auditions: Okaloosa Chamber Singers
Okaloosa Chamber Singers is currently holding auditions for its 11th season. For information and an audition appointment, call Dr. Marilyn Overturf, director, at 682-9651. Rehearsals will be Tuesday evenings in Niceville, starting Aug. 12.

Cheeseburger In Paradise
Cheeseburger In Paradise at Silver Sands Factory Stores presents free music from 8 p.m. to midnight Saturdays. The event is open to the public. Call 650-2615.

Cypress Green Concert Series
The Market Shops at Sandestin’s  outdoor Cypress Green will host concerts under the stars from 6 to 8 p.m. Mondays through Aug. 11. Call (850) 267-8092.

Wednesday Night Concerts
Free concerts from 7-9 p.m. in the Plaza on main stage at The Village of Baytowne Wharf at Sandestin. Call 267-8117.

Kid’s Karaoke
Grab your little performers and head to the Events Plaza stage in The Village of Baytowne Wharf at Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort at 7 p.m. Mondays through Aug. 12 for Kid’s Karaoke. Call 267-8117.

Emerald Coast Classic
The inaugural Emerald Coast Classic drum and bugle corps competition will be held at 7:30 p.m. July 14 at Joe Etheredge Stadium in Fort Walton Beach. More than 1,000 musicians and color guard members will perform with proceeds to benefit the Choctawhatchee High School band. Tickets are $14-$18 and are available at (317) 275-1212 or www.dci.org/tickets.

Pier Park Concert Series
Summer rocks with this free concert series at 7 p.m. every Thursday through Sept. 3 in the Pier Park Amphitheatre in Panama City Beach. Bring a beach blanket and enjoy live music under the stars.

Schola Cantorum auditions
Auditions for additional group members for Okaloosa-Walton College’s Schola Cantorum, translated school of singing, will be held from 6 to 7:30 p.m. July 14 in Building J, room 312 on the OWC Niceville Campus. There are limited number of openings in the soprano, alto, tenor and bass sections of the group. Individuals interested in auditioning should be able to read music. Previous experience singing in choral groups is desired.
For further information or to arrange a different audition time, contact the director at 830-2062.

American Gospel Concerts
American Gospel Ministries presents free concerts at 6 p.m. at First Baptist Church, 622 Bayshore Drive in Niceville. A love offering will be taken.
Performers include:
•Aug. 2: Forgiven Trio.
•Sept. 6: The Ball Brothers.
•Oct. 4: Sons Of The Father.

Auditions: Pensacola Children’s Chorus
The Pensacola Children’s Chorus will hold auditions for the 2008-2009 season in August for the Festival, Concert, Echo and Young Singers choirs.
All auditions take place at the Margaret Moore Nickelsen Center on the campus of First Presbyterian Church, 46 East Chase Street in  Pensacola. Individual appointment no necessary, and auditionees do not need to bring a prepared song. Audition results will be posted on the Children’s chorus Web site Aug. 22. Call 434-7760.
 •Returning members of the Pensacola Children’s Chorus, with the exception of boys in grades 4-8: Aug. 11 through 14.
•New member auditions for girls in grades 4-8: 4 to 6:30 p.m. Aug. 18 and 20.
•All boys, new and returning, in grades 4-8: 4 to 6:30 p.m. Aug. 19.
 •New boys and girls in grades 9-12: 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Aug. 19.

Northwest Florida Symphony Orchestra 2008-2009 season
The Northwest Florida Symphony Orchestra at Okaloosa-Walton College, under the baton of Jeffrey Rink, announces its 2008-09 concert season.
•Sept. 27: “Good as Gold” featuring Janice Ingrid Fehlauer, 2007 Wideman Piano Competition Gold Medal winner.
•Nov. 1: “A Night at the Opera” featuring the Northwest Florida Symphony Chorus.
•Dec. 12: “Christmas Pops” with the Northwest Symphony Chorus.
•Jan. 30: “Symphonic Miniatures” with the Chamber Orchestra featuring OWC dance students.
•Feb. 20: “Stars of Tomorrow” featuring the winners of the 22nd annual Concerto Competition.
•March 14: Special event, NFSO Goes Pops, with performer Della Reese, will be a fund-raiser to benefit the symphony’s year-round programs and will include opportunity to purchase front row seats and attend a post concert reception with Reese.
•May 9: “The Creation” featuring the Tokyo Oratorio Society in performance with the NFSO and the Northwest Florida Symphony Chorus, along with guest soloists Jane Redding, Adam Kirkpatrick, and Robert Honeysucker.
Season tickets for a series of six NFSO concerts are available for $120. Tickets for the fund-raiser “NFSO Goes Pops” event with Della Reese are $45 each, with a special section of limited front-row seats available for $100 each which include post-concert reception.
NFSO season tickets are available in-person or by phone from the OWC Mattie Kelly Arts Center Box office at 729-6000 or online at www.nfsymphony.org.

FESTIVALS/EVENTS

Artists needed: Oktoberfest
The 14th annual Oktoberfest and Arts & Crafts Festival at Winn Dixie Plaza in Bluewater Bay is looking for artists and craftsman interested in selling their work. The festival, sponsored by the Mid-Bay Rotary Club, will be held from 5 to 10 p.m. Sept. 26 and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sept. 27. Call 897-3190 for an application before end of August.

West Indies Market
The West Indies Market at Rosemary Beach will beheld from 11 a.m.-6 p.m.  July 12 and 13. Fine art, folk art, jewelry, pottery and photography can be seen. Call 951-2148.

Festa Italiana
Once again, the Sons of Italy will bring a little bit of Italy’s customs, music, costumes, dancing, and especially food to the local area when the Joseph B. Franzalia Lodge #2422 presents their annual Festa Italiana  from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. July 26 and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. July 27 at the Emerald Coast Conference Center on Okaloosa Island.

Starlight Film Series
The Seaside Repertory Theatre presents the Starlight Film Series at 8 p.m. Sundays through October on the Seaside Lyceum Lawn. Cost is $5. A feature film will be shown on a big screen. Tickets will be sold at the door. Call 231-0733.

Wine Tasting
Raise a glass to summer with hand-selected vintages showcased by Sandestin Wine World as part of the shop’s weekly Wine Tasting at 5 p.m. every Friday. Cost is $10/person. Call 622-0802.

Summerfest 2008
The Destin Harbor will present Harbor Celebrations on Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays through Aug. 17 which will showcase the uniqueness of the Destin Harbor. 
Thursday nights will have fireworks and a presentation of a local military hero at HarborWalk Village. 
Saturday nights will feature live music on the Harbor.
Sundays feature Art on the Harbor with local artist displays of watercolors, oil paintings, whimsical signs, abstract art, pottery, fused/wired glass, wood carvings, photography, jewelry and more. Artists will set up beginning at 11 a.m. and the event is free. Mattie Kelly Arts foundation will present an ArtStop tent featuring kid’s art projects.
For more information, visit www.destinharbor.org.
 
Tupelo Courtyard Strolls
Meander among the fountains in the French Quarter-inspired Tupelo Courtyard with live entertainment at  6:30 p.m. Mondays through Aug. 25 in The Village of Baytowne Wharf at Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort. Call 267-8279.

ZOO benefit
The ZOO-Northwest Florida will hold a benefit Aug. 9. Teen sensations from the cast of the Disney mega-hit High School Musical are scheduled to appear. All proceeds will go to The ZOO.
Tickets for the event can only be purchased in-person at The ZOO, 5701 Gulf Breeze Parkway in Gulf Breeze or by phone at 698-5791 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday beginning July 7.
For more information or to see a detailed entertainment schedule, visit www.thezoonorthwestflorida.org 

Mini Gras and Boomin’ Tuesdays at Baytowne
Kids, beads and old-fashioned fun reign supreme during Mini Gras from 7 to 10 p.m. Tuesday through August 12 in The Village of Baytowne Wharf at Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort. Special children’s activities throughout the Village and fireworks top off the evening at 9:15 p.m. Call 267-8117.

Sunset Cinema
Grab your blankets and popcorn and head to The Village of Baytowne Wharf at Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort for family movies under the stars in the Village Events Plaza at 8 p.m. Thursdays through Aug. 14. Call 267-8117 or visit baytownewharf.com for a complete list of movies.

Wine tasting
Wine tastings will be held in Lumpy’s Wine Barr every Friday at 5 p.m.