Upcoming Entertainment

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MARCH

Art exhibit: NWFSC Faculty and Staff Exhibition

NICEVILLE – The Northwest Florida State College Arnie Hart Juried Student Exhibition with NWFSC Arts Center Faculty and Staff Exhibition will run through April 18 in the galleries at the Mattie Kelly Fine & Performing Arts Center at the college. Gallery hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday-Thursday and 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday. Call 729-6000.

Sinfonia Gulf Coast

DESTIN – The Sinfonia Gala Event,  “An Evening in Vintage Hollywood featuring Pink Martini,” will be held at 6 p.m. March 23 at the Emerald Coast Conference Center. Tickets are available at www.SinfoniaGulfCoast.org or call 269-7129.

Spring Concert Series

SEASIDE – Seaside presents free concerts from 6 to 8 p.m. in Central Square on Scenic Hwy. 30-A. Bring a blanket or lawn chair. Call 428-0825.

Performers include:

•March 24: Johnny Sketch and the Dirty Notes.

•March 31: Hightide Blues.

•April 7: Sam Thacker.

•April 14: Dikki Du & the Zydeco Krewe.

Dents Band

DESTIN – The Dents Band will perform at 9:30 p.m. March 27 at Bluz Grill & Bar on Geronimo Street.

Speakeasy

FORT WALTON BEACH – The Speakeasy, 449 Eglin Parkway NE, welcomes Pensacola’s premier musical juggernaut, Bella Orange, March 27. For information, call 315-2335.

Spring into Easter

FORT WALTON BEACH – Spring into Easter from 12 to 6 p.m. March 27 and 28 and April 2 and 3 at Uptown Station. Tour the indoor Easter Village and meet the Easter Bunny and live animals. Children can design their own Easter treat and craft, stuff their own plush animal, ride the train and more. Activity packages are only $7 and $12 with all proceeds benefitting the Emerald Coast Wildlife.

Patriot Dinner

OKALOOSA ISLAND – The Okaloosa County Republican Executive Committee Patriot Dinner will be held at 6 p.m. March 27 at Holiday Inn Resort on Okaloosa Island. The event honors elected officials and stars local candidates.

Reservations required by March 20. Call 240-1335. Donation is $30/person. Century Club members are $25/person.

APRIL

Will Bernard Trio at Bluz

DESTIN – The Will Bernard Trio will perform at 10 p.m. April 2 and 3 at Bluz, 11225 Emerald Coast Parkway. Doors open 9 p.m. Tickets for 21 and over are $5.

Kids Fest

DESTIN – The harbor’s largest outdoor festival just for kids will be held from 12 to 4 p.m. April 3. Children can enjoy hands-on activities, entertainment, fish painting, kite making, sidewalk murals, inflatables, jewelry making, demonstrations from local artisans, kids' karaoke contest and more. For information, visit www.harborwalkdestin.com.

Breakfast with the Easter Bunny and Easter Egg Hunt

DESTIN – Enjoy the Bunny Buffet from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. April in the Emerald Grande Ballroom at HarborWalk Village. Visit the Easter Bunny. Make reservations at 800-676-0091. The egg hunt will be held from 2 to 3 p.m. For information, visit www.harborwalkdestin.com.

Northwest Florida Symphony Orchestra

NICEVILLE – The Northwest Florida Symphony Orchestra at Northwest Florida State College, under the baton of Jeffrey Rink, announces its 2009-10 concert season and the availability of season tickets. The 23rd season of the region’s professional orchestra will include five concerts, special events and new benefits for season subscribers, award-winning guest artists, the premiere of a new work written for the NFSO, collaborative performances with the Northwest Florida Symphony Chorus and more.

Regular season subscriptions for the 2009-10 series of five NFSO concerts are now available for $100. NFSO season tickets are available for purchase in-person or by phone from the college’s Mattie Kelly Arts Center Box office at (850) 729-6000 or online at www.nfsymphony.org.

Conductor’s Circle memberships, for subscribers who make a tax-deductible gift of at least $250 to the symphony in addition to their purchase of the $100 season subscription, are also available.

The Mattie Kelly Arts Center is on the Niceville campus of Northwest Florida State College at 100 College Blvd.

•April 10: “European Masters” features the Northwest Florida Symphony Chorus and orchestra.

Mattie Kelly Arts Center

NICEVILLE ­– The NWF State College Mattie Kelly Fine and Performing Arts Center presents Click, Clack, Moo for school groups on April 13. Limited seating for the public may be available for $6 each. Tickets are on sale through the center's online box office at www.mattiekellyartscenter.org and in-person or by phone.

second wednesday

Butler Organ Recital Series

FORT WALTON BEACH – The music ministry of First United Methodist Church, 103 First Street S.E., will feature David Ott for the Butler Organ Recital Series at noon April 14. Call 687-0862.

Outdoor concert

MIRAMAR BEACH ­– Sinfonia Gulf Coast and Playground Swing will hold a free outdoor musical concert and dancing exhibitions of swinging proportions at 7 p.m. April 17 in Grand Park in Grand Boulevard’s Town Center. Light food and drinks are available for purchase at the event from Tommy Bahama’s Restaurant & Bar.

Before the concert, Sinfonia’s bravo! will hold a reception at Tommy Bahama’s Restaurant & Bar. The cost is $20 and includes appetizers and drink ticket. Reception tickets may be purchased in advance online at sinfoniagulfcoast.org or call 269-7129.

Pensacola Symphony Orchestra

PENSACOLA – The Pensacola Symphony Orchestra’s Masterworks Concerts are held at 8 p.m. at the Saenger Theatre, 118 S Palafox Street. Saturday afternoon dress rehearsals will be at 2 p.m. at the Saenger Theatre. Admission is $5. Public is welcome.

For ticket information, call 435-2533, visit www.pensacolasymphony.com or purchase in person at 205 E. Zaragoza Street in Pensacola.

Schedule includes:

•April 17: Ashley Brown – Uncommon Woman, features Gulf Breeze’s Broadway star Ashley Brown joining the PSO for a night of classical hits.

Waves for Wildlife

DESTIN – A benefit for Emerald Coast Wildlife Refuge, Waves for Wildlife will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. April 24 aboard the Southern Star Glass Bottom Boat at HarborWalk Village. Enjoy food, drink, wine and beer while listening to live music and greeting Animal Ambassadors. Also, door prizes and a 50/50 raffle. Tickets are $30 for adults and $15 for children under 10 years of age. Call 650-1880 to purchase tickets.

MAY

Choral Society of Pensacola

PENSACOLA – The Choral Society of Pensacola presents “Bach to Broadway” at 7:30 p.m. May 1 at St. Paul Catholic Church, Hyde Park Road.

Carrie Underwood

PENSACOLA – Carrie Underwood will bring her new headline 2010 spring tour to the Pensacola Civic Center at 7:30 p.m. May 5. Special guests are Craig Morgan and Sons of Sylvia. Underwoods’ newest CD is “Play On.” Tickets are $55, $45 and $35 the box office, Ticketmaster outlets, Charge By Phone 800-745-3000, or ticketmaster.com (additional fees may apply).