Activities for the week of September 27 - October 3

TODAY

Northwest 

Florida Symphony Orchestra

The Northwest Florida Symphony Orchestra at Okaloosa-Walton College presents “Good as Gold,” featuring Janice Ingrid Fehlauer, 2007 Wideman Piano Competition Gold Medal winner, at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 27.

 Tickets are available for $22.50 each from the box office, by phone at 729-6000 or by web at www.mattiekellyartscenter.org

The Parrot-Heads Panhandle 

PhunFest

The Parrot-Heads Panhandle PhunFest will be held Saturday to benefit The Zoo Northwest Florida. PhunFest is scheduled for Saturday at Navarre Park off U.S. Highway 98. Admission on Saturday is free. Performers scheduled today are the Island Brothers (noon), Steve Hall (2 p.m.), Emerald Gold Band (4 p.m.) and Brent Burns (6:30 p.m.) There will be arts and crafts vendors, food and beverage vendors, a dunking booth and children’s games and events. A “Fins Up” personal signature by Jimmy Buffet on his 2008 Tour Jacket is the first prize in a chance drawing. The second prize is two premier seats to any Jimmy Buffet concert in the United States between now and December 2009. Raffle tickets are $10 each and available online at panhandlephunfest.com and both events. Call Jerry Foster at 501-2244.

Origami 

workshop

The University of West Florida Japan Center will offer an origami workshop from 1 to 4 p.m. Sept. 27 in Bldg. 71, Room 141. The workshops are free and open to the public. Class size is limited and participants should reserve their spaces no later than the Friday before each workshop.

To register, call (850) 474-3363 or e-mail japan@uwf.edu.

Seaside Sunset Serenade Series

Free concert with Tidewater will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. Sept. 27 at the Seaside Amphitheater.

Pensacola 

Seafood Festival

The Pensacola Seafood Festival announces the entertainment lineup playing continuously at the entertainment stage located in Fountain Park:  Saturday, Kyle Parker Band at noon; Stars at 2 p.m.; Sponsor Recognition at 3:45 p.m.; Miles from Coltrane at 4 p.m.; Modern Elderados at 6 p.m.; Reunion Band at 8:15 p.m.; Sunday, Wildwood at noon; Dr. Breeze at 2 p.m.; Cat Daddy at 3:30 p.m. A Splash Dogs competition also will take place during the festival. Contact the Fiesta Office at 433-6512 or visit fiestaoffiveflags.org.

Thunder Beach

The 8th Annual Thunder Beach Autumn Motorcycle Rally is expected to draw as many as 65,000 bikers and their families from across America on Sept. 26-28. The event features a week of motorcycle showmanship, vendor exhibitions, bike accessories and apparel, live entertainment, local restaurant sponsors, free contests, giveaways hosted by six venues on Panama City Beach. Parking and admission are free to all participants. Call toll-free 888-396-1638 or visit online at thunderbeachproductions.com or at visitpanamacitybeach.com.

Mystic Festival

PANAMA CITY - Mystic Festival at Capstone House, 1713 Beck Ave., 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $5. The festival features card readers, Reiki sharing, metaphysical crafts and products, speakers. Vendors still needed. Call 747-9224.

Oktoberfest

NICEVILLE – Enjoy the 14th annual Oktoberfest in Bluewater Bay Sept. 27 from 11 a.m.-10 p.m. at Market Place near Winn-Dixie on Highway 20, Bluewater Bay. Featuring Arts and crafts, live music, entertainment, children’s activities, soft drinks, bratwurst meal, and beer. Sponsored by the Mid-Bay Rotary Club. All proceeds go to local charities. Free admission.

Dog Daze

The Greater Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce will host FWB Dog Daze at Fort Walton Landing 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Saturday, planned in conjunction with the American Kennel Club’s Responsible Pet Ownership program. Hundreds of dogs and their owners will enjoy a day of activities, entertainment, services and merchandise. All well-behaved dogs over 6 months of age are invited. Registration is necessary upon arrival, and pet owners must show proof of current rabies vaccination. Pets must be on a solid, non-retractable leash at all times, and owners are responsible for cleaning up after their pets. A $3 registration donation per dog is requested, and registered dogs receive a special goody bag with each donation. The event is presented by Petland and PetSmart. Visit fwbchamber.com/dogdaze online or call 244-8191.

Flight Fest

PENSACOLA – Let your creativity come alive as you soak your fingers in the colors of the rainbow for the “Hands on History” paint-aplane event at Flight Fest 10 a.m.–3 p.m. Saturday behind the National Naval Aviation Museum. Kids of all ages are invited join in the fun by leaving a painted handprint on an F-5 Tiger (T-38 Talon) airplane. Rainbow the Clown, Nate the Magician and Scoop from the Pensacola Pelicans will entertain the kids.

Coin Show

FORT WALTON BEACH – There will be coin dealers set up at Westwood Retirement Resort, 1001 Marwalt Drive, in the atrium 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday for a Coin Show sponsored by the Fort Walton Beach Coin Club. Coin-Give-Away prizes for $1 donation per ticket. Attendance not required to win. Call 936-4892. Free admission and parking.

Heart Walk

The American Heart Association’slargest local fundraiser, the Start! Heart Walk, will be Saturday at the Northwest Florida State College Niceville campus. Donation turn-in will begin at 8 a.m. and the walk will begin at 9 a.m. Okaloosa County Commissioner Don Amunds and County Administrator Jim Curry will serve as co-chairs for the event. Heart Walk will feature a 5k walk, refreshments provided by Subway, entertainment, and a special Kids Zone, sponsored by CHELCO. Call the American Heart Association office at 243-0131.

Emerald Coast’s Strongest Man Challenge

FORT WALTON BEACH — Join Belanger Power Sports and Max Muscle at Uptown Station at 10 a.m. Saturday for the Emerald Coast’s Strongest Man Challenge and support the Ronald McDonald House of Northwest Florida. Watch competitors show their stuff at events such as the Log Press or Tire Flip. A raffle and Truck Pull also will be held with proceeds benefiting the Ronald McDonald House. Contact Dan Belanger at 686-2965 or visit uptownstation.com.

Sunday

Howl at the Moon

Howl at the Moon starts every Sunday night with no cover charge from 7 to 8 p.m. for anyone 21 and up (except for some holidays and Special events) We are 18 to enter, 21 to drink.

Dueling Piano Show begins at 8 p.m. followed by Comedy Show with Paul Hooper and Earle Vaughn at 9 p.m. Sept. 28.

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.

Sunday Afternoon at Magnolia Grill

Tom and Peggy Rice will host a wine/cheese/dessert reception from 3 to 5 p.m. Sept. 28 at Magnolia Grill in Fort Walton Beach to benefit Destin History & Fishing Museum, Heritage Park & Cultural Center and Heritage Museum of Northwest Florida.

Cost is $15/person. Call 678-2615 to purchase tickets.

Monday

Decorating 

Seminar

Carol Stearns and Debbie Starling of Interiors by Decorating Den, are hosting a free decorating seminar, titled What’s Hot & What’s Not at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 30 at Northwest Florida State College’s Niceville campus at Building K Gallery. Seats are limited so call 244-2255 by that morning to confirm seating. Seminar begins at 7 p.m. and will last about an hour.

Art A La Carte

Art A La Carte, Artel Gallery’s  wearable art fashion show and luncheon, will take place Sept. 29 at  Varona’s Restaurant in Pensacola. Guests will enjoy  festive foods and creative fashions in a colorful setting. Silent auction items, door prizes and give-aways will be awarded.

Doors open at 10 a.m. for early bird shopping. There is no charge for coming just to shop at the boutique, which will remain open throughout the evening.

Tickets are $35 each and tables of eight are $280. Table sponsorships are $330. Call 932-6769 to make reservations.

Tuesday

IMAX Pensacola

An IMAX® fan favorite, “Everest,” returns to the National Naval Aviation Museum for a limited showing at 1 p.m. daily through Sept. 30. The museum offers discounted IMAX® tickets to all active and reserve military in uniform. Tickets will be discounted to $4.75 from the regular military price of $7.50. Individual tickets can be purchased for $8, and tickets for seniors, foundation members and kids 5-12 are $7.50. For a list of events and exhibits, visit navalaviationmuseum.org or call 453-2389 or (800) 327-5002.

Wednesday

Wednesday Night Concerts

Bucktown Kickback appears in a free concert from 7-9 p.m. in the Plaza on main stage at The Village of Baytowne Wharf at Sandestin. Call 267-8117.

Thursday

Opera at Rave

Rave Motion Pictures at Destin Commons presents “Carmen,” a presentation of the Royal Opera House in London, at 7 p.m. Oct. 2. Tickets are $20.

DC Kids

Destin Commons is starting a club that caters exclusively to kids — the DC Kids Club. Members of the DC Kids Club will be the first to know about special events for the entire family, get priority seating at select kid’s events, experience unique and educational programs designed for kids, and receive online newsletters with family information and special offers from retailers. The DC Kids Club will kick off at 10 a.m. Oct. 2 with the introduction of Read ‘n Grow. Field trips for day care groups and schools can be arranged and will be scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis. Contact Jessica Proffitt at jproffitt@turnberry.com. DC Kids Club registration can be done at any kid’s event at Destin Commons, at the Customer Service Kiosk, or online at DestinCommons.com. Membership is free. 

Friday

Destin Seafood Festival

The 30th annual Destin Seafood Festival will be held Oct. 3-5 at HarborWalk Village on Destin’s harbor. Enjoy fresh seafood, headlining entertainment, arts and crafts booths, children’s activities and more. Visit the Destin Area Chamber of Commerce to purchase admission passes. Passes are $5/day or $10/entire festival.

For a complete schedule of events, visit www.DestinSeafoodFestival.org or contact the Destin Area Chamber of Commerce at 837-6241. 

First Friday 

Concert

Bourbon Street comes to Destin Commons when the Dents Brothers perform from 6 to 10 p.m. Oct. 3 in Center Plaza. Other highlights of the concert evening include Zakari, the balloon-sculpting stilt-walker. Lawn chairs and blankets are encouraged.

Night Walk

SANTA ROSA BEACH  Nonie’s Ark Animal Encounters will host a free hour-long night walk for the Choctawhatchee Audubon Society at 6 p.m. Oct. 3 at 6 p.m. at Topsail State Park. All are invited but focus is on ages 4-10. Bring a flashlight/ headlamp to light your way and wear bug repellent. RSVP to 862-9588 or choctawhatcheeaudubon.org.

Art exhibit: 

Transparent

Artel Gallery presents “Transparent,” a juried exhibit, through Oct. 25. An opening reception will take place from 5 to 9 p.m. Oct. 3 during Gallery Night. Artel is at 505 South Adams Street in Pensacola. Call 432-3080 or visit artelgallery.org

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.

Upcoming

Seaside 

Community 

Yard Sale

Browse 200 vendor tables from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 4 in the Seaside Amphithater.

Destin Duck Derby 

The Women’s Council of Realtors inaugural Destin Duck Derby will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 4 at Destin West’s Floating Pool on the north side of U.S. 98 on Okaloosa Island.

Bring pre-paid ticket to the park or buy ducks at the door. Cost is $5 a duck or $20 for five ducks. Races begin at noon. 

Enjoy the duck shop, ducky tattoos and AFLAC duck photos. Food and beverages available for purchase. Call 543-4604.

Art & Wine 

Weekend

PENSACOLA — Uncork the magic as Pensacola Beach blends the best of both worlds with its inaugural Art & Wine Weekend 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Oct. 4 and noon–5 p.m. on Oct. 5.The tasting is free.

Opera at Rave

Rave Motion Pictures at Destin Commons presents “Carmen,” a presentation of the Royal Opera House in London, at 7 p.m. Oct. 5. Tickets are $20.

And Then There Were None

The Northwest Florida State College theatrical production of Agatha Christie’s mystery “And Then There Were None” is set for the Sprint Theater at the Mattie Kelly Fine and Performing Arts Center on the college’s Niceville campus on Oct. 8, 9, 10, and 11 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets; $20 for adults and $15 for youth, are now available at the NWF State College box office at 729-6000 or in person 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday to Fridays.

Pensacola 

Symphony Orchestra

The Pensacola Symphony Orchestra’s  will present violinist Chee-Yun at 8 p.m. Oct. 4 at First Baptist Church, 500 N Palafox Street. For ticket information, call 435-2533.

Saturday afternoon dress rehearsal concert is at 2 p.m. and admission is $5.

Pensacola 

Symphony Orchestra

The Pensacola Symphony Orchestra’s  will present violinist Chee-Yun at 8 p.m. Oct. 4 at First Baptist Church, 500 N Palafox Street. For ticket information, call 435-2533.

Saturday afternoon dress rehearsal concert is at 2 p.m. and admission is $5.