Arts and entertainment listings

WEEK OF JUNE 7 - 13

Pensacola Little Theatre
Pensacola Little Theatre presents “This is Heaven,” a comedy by Pensacola author Rick Jank, and an unpublished musical-comedy, “Imogene’s Wash and Go Beauty Shop,” at 8 p.m. June 7 and 2:30 p.m. June 8. Tickets are $12/café seating and $8/general admission and can be purchased at the Box Office or by phone at 432-2042.

Pensacola Adventure Race
The University of West Florida will host the Gulf Coast Adventure Racing’s Pensacola Adventure Race June 7. This event will feature 10 miles of biking, four miles of canoeing and five miles of trekking and running. Participants will bike and hike on single-track trails, paddle on bayous and rivers and complete team mystery challenges. Early registration costs $65/person, which includes canoes, life vests, paddles, maps, passports and the post-race party. Participants can choose to compete in individual races or the entire series. The race is limited to 60 teams and the deadline for registration is June 1.
Teams of three will compete in co-ed, all-male, all-female or co-ed masters divisions. Special team awards will be given for the top three finishers in each division.
This race is open to beginners, as well as experienced adventurers and will be a part of the “Racing to N’Awlins” series where teams can receive points toward the Gulf Coast Championship.
For more information or to register, visit www.GulfCoastAdventure.com.

American Gospel Concerts
American Gospel Ministries presents a free concert with Bama Blu-Grace at 6 p.m. June 7 at First Baptist Church, 622 Bayshore Drive in Niceville. A love offering will be taken.

 Stage Crafters Community Theatre
Same Time Next Year, one of the most popular romantic comedies of the century, will be presented by Stage Crafters Community Theatre at 7:30 p.m. June 7 and 2 p.m. June 8.
Tickets are $20 and on sale at the following locations: P.S. Gifts, Fort Walton Beach; Bayou Books, Niceville; Century 21, all locations; Connect with Flowers, Shalimar; and Dowd Title Group, LLC, Destin.

Drawing workshop
The Cultural Arts Association will offer a drawing workshop taught by Fort Walton artist and art teacher Barbara Fudge from  9 a.m. to noon June 7 at the Cultural Arts Association office, 2282 W. County Road 30A.
The class, appropriate for artists at all levels, will focus on drawing shapes and learning to see art as the relationships of shapes.
The cost is $30 for CAA members and $35 for non-members. Seating is limited. To register, contact Lee at 622-5970.

Cypress Green Concert Series
The Market Shops at Sandestin’s  outdoor Cypress Green will host a concert under the stars with Harmonica Red and The New Heard  from 6 to 8 p.m. June 9. Call (850) 267-8092.

Hot Opera Nights
Hot Opera Nights will feature Tenor Patrick Kelley-Alvarado with Pensacola Opera, accompanied by Blake Riley, serenading diners at Varona’s Authentic Cuban Cuisine in Pensacola with opera, Broadway, pop and Latin tunes from 7 to 9 p.m. June 9.

Wednesday Night Concerts
A free concert with Harper Band from 7 to 9 p.m. June 11 in the Plaza on main stage at The Village of Baytowne Wharf at Sandestin. Call 267-8117.

Seaside Repertory Theatre
The Seaside Repertory Theatre presents the comedy, Fuddy Meers, at 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays beginning June 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).

Concerts in the Park
The Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation presents a summer concert serie with Retroactive at 7 p.m. June 12 on the Event Lawn at the Mattie Kelly Cultural Arts Village, adjacent to Grace Lutheran Church on Commons Drive. A $5 donation per adult for admission is requested and children under 12 are free. Call 650-2226.

Legendary Poker Run
The seventh annual Legendary Destin Poker Run, benefiting the Destin Family YMCA and local Fire Fighters Children’s Burn Camp of North Florida, will take place June 13 and 14 along the Emerald Coast.
The Poker Run begins with a Captain’s Party at 7:30 p.m. June 13 at Emerald Grande resort on the Destin harbor at HarborWalk Village. Captains of each boat will be required to attend a safety meeting at 6:30 p.m.
Participants will begin the boat run at 10 a.m. June 14 with eight stops available. The event concludes Saturday evening with the official Poker Run Party at the Legendary Marine showroom at the south side of the Mid-Bay Bridge in Destin.
Registration fee is a $360 tax deductible donation and includes four poker hands, four Captain’s Party tickets, and four Official Poker Run Party tickets. Additional tickets for the Poker Run Party are available for $50 per person. Entry forms are available online at www.destinpokerrun.com. Call 337-8300 or visit www.destinpokerrun.com.

International Surfing Day
On June 20, surfers from around the world will celebrate International Surfing Day. The Florida Panhandle Chapter Surfrider Foundation will host a series of family-friendly events throughout South Walton during the month of June. All events are free and open to the public.
•June 13: “Stand Up For Our Oceans!” a four-member paddle board team challenge at 7 p.m. on Lake Allen next to Stinky’s Fish Camp. Visit www.BlueMountainSurf.com.

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ART 

Art in Public Places
The Walton County Tourist Development Council and Friends of Coastal Branch Library present Art in Public Places exhibit featuring the artwork of 2008 Artist of the Year, Donna Burgess during the month of June at the Coastal Branch Library.
For more information on the Art in Public Places program or the Artist of the Year program, contact Tiffany McCaskill at tmccaskill@beachesofsouthwalton.com or 267-1216.

Kid’s Night Out
Paint’n Place in The Village of Baytowne Wharf will entertain children beginning at 6 p.m. Wednesdays and Fridays in June. The evening includes a pizza dinner, refreshments and materials for painting a 6-inch-by-6-inch tile. Fee is $40/child. Reservations required. Call 850/267-6062.
                          
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 June 15-July 24.

National call to artists
Through the state of Florida’s Art in State Buildings program, the University of West Florida announced a national call for artists to commission artwork for two new buildings on the Pensacola campus.
The new Child Care Center has a projected completion date of November 2008 with occupancy by January 2009. The university arts committee has a budget of $12,000 and is interested in entries from local artists geared towards stimulating children’s imagination and development. The deadline for entries is June 6.
The new building for the School of Science and Engineering broke ground on March 11 and has a projected occupancy date of January 2010. The university arts committee has a budget of $50,000 and has expressed interest in works that reflect the natural setting and nature preserve culture of the UWF Main campus, while also recognizing the sciences and engineering disciplines and instruction. Deadline for entries is June 20.
For more information on each of the projects, as well as submission requirements, visit uwf.edu/art/CallToArtists.cfm, call 474-2045 or e-mail rburt@uwf.edu.

Art exhibit: Emil Holzhauer
The Pensacola Museum of Art will present “Emil Holzhauer: Selections from the Permanent Collections of the PMA and OWC” through June 21 in the Kugelman Family and Thornton Galleries.
For more information, visit www.pensacolamuseumofart.org or call 432-6247. The PMA is open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 12-5 p.m. Saturday. Admission is $5/adults and $2/students and active duty military.

CAA workshop
Join professional photographer and artist Jay Shoots for an intensive workshop exploring techniques of “cameraless photography” hosted by the Cultural Arts Association from 6 to 8 p.m. June 27 and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 28 at the Bayou Arts Center on County Road 393 North.
Tuition for the two-part workshop is $250. All supplies and a materials resource list will be provided. To enroll, call the CAA office at 622-5970 or e-mail culturalarts@embarqmail.com by June 13.

Art exhibit: Alien Language
Alien Language, a juried exhibit, will be held through June 27 at Artel Gallery, 505 South Adams St. in Pensacola.
An opening reception will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. May 30. Call 432-3080.

Art exhibit: Members’ Juried Exhibition
The Pensacola Museum of Art presentation of the annual “Members’ Juried Exhibition” will be held June 27-Aug. 9. An opening reception and awards ceremony will be held at the PMA from 5 to 7 p.m. June 27. Call 432-6247.

Call to artists: Art Throb
A juried exhibit, all media, Art Throb will be held July 1-25 at the Artel Gallery, 505 South Adams St. in Pensacola.
Entry fee (non-refundable) is $25/members and $35/non-members.
Drop off work from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 28 and 1 to 4 p.m. June 29.
An opening reception will be held from 6 to 8 pm. July 11.
Artists may submit up to three works for one entry fee. Works must have been executed within the last two years. Works previously shown at Artel may not be resubmitted. All work must be ready for hanging or presentation and easy to exhibit with clear instructions where necessary. Call 432-3080.

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.

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 in Seaside) and Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales (Mondays in Watercolor).

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.

MUSIC

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. through Aug. 11. Call (850) 267-8092.
•June 16: David Seering.
•June 23: Ron Adams.
•June 30: Motor City Josh and The Big 3.

Hot Opera Nights
Hot Opera Nights will feature an array of opera professionals, accompanied by Blake Riley, serenading diners at Varona’s Authentic Cuban Cuisine in Pensacola with opera, Broadway, pop and Latin tunes each Monday in June from 7 to 9 p.m.
•June 9: Tenor Patrick Kelley-Alvarado with Pensacola Opera.
•June 16: Erin Kelley Sammis and Timothy Kennedy.
•June 23: Mezzo-soprano Elise Quagliata, Pensacola Opera’s Carmen.
•June 30: Pensacolian Erik Lautier.
For more information on Hot Opera Nights, contact the Opera Center at (850) 433-6737.
A portion of the cost of dinner during Hot Opera Nights goes to support programs of Pensacola Opera, including mainstage productions and education/outreach activities reaching 40,000 children and adults each year.

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.

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.
•June 18: Lil’ Dave Thompson.
•June 25: Ugli Stick.

Concerts in the Park
The Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation presents its summer concert series at 7 p.m. Thursdays through June 26 on the Event Lawn at the Mattie Kelly Cultural Arts Village, adjacent to Grace Lutheran Church on Commons Drive. A $5 donation per adult for admission is requested and children under 12 are free. Call 650-2226.
•June 19: 313th U S Army Band (free to military with proper military ID).
•June 26: Deja vu.

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.

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:
•July 5: The Watkins Family.
•Aug. 2: Forgiven Trio.
•Sept. 6: The Ball Brothers.
•Oct. 4: Sons Of The Father.

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

International Surfing Day
On June 20, surfers from around the world will celebrate International Surfing Day. The Florida Panhandle Chapter Surfrider Foundation will host a series of family-friendly events throughout South Walton during the month of June. All events are free and open to the public.
•June 14: Beach clean-up at 9 a.m. on the beach in front of Majestic Sun and Surfside in Miramar Beach.
•June 20: A family-friendly event on the beach behind Pompano Joe’s in Miramar Beach beginning at 6 p.m. The event will include a paddle out, raffle prizes, silent auction, live music, food and a bonfire. Guests are encouraged to bring their own beverages.

West Indies Market
The West Indies Market at Rosemary Beach will beheld from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. June 14 and 15 and July 12 and 13. Fine art, folk art, jewelry, pottery and photography can be seen. Call 951-2148.

Destin Commons events
Destin Commons at the corner of Mid Bay Bridge Road and U.S. 98 will hold the following events. Call 337-8700.
•Father’s Day Caricatures: Professional caricature artist Deano will be in Center Plaza from 1 to 4 p.m. June 15.

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey
Bellobration, presented by Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey, comes to The Pensacola Civic Center at 7 p.m. June 19-21, 3 p.m. June 21 and 1:30 p.m. June 22. Tickets are $15 and are available at The Pensacola Civic Center Box Office, TicketMaster outlets, Charge By Phone at 434-7444 or visit wwww.ticketmaster.com

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.

Sand Castle Building
Learn how to build sand castles at Sand Odyssey at 7 p.m. each Monday in June on Cannery Lane in The Village of Baytowne Wharf at Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort. Call 267-8117.

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.

Ballet @ Baytowne
Adapted for an outdoor stage, Ballet @ Baytowne is a blend of classical and contemporary ballet performed by the Northwest Florida Ballet at 7:30 p.m. June 29 in the Events Plaza at The Village of Baytowne Wharf at Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort. Call 267-8117.

Wine tasting
Wine tastings will be held in the Bistro Bijoux Wine Bar every Friday and Saturday from 5 to 6 p.m. and the cost will be $7.50 per person. Call 267-2526.