Activities for the week of November 1-7

Saturday

Jaycees Haunted House

DESTIN - The Fort Walton Beach Jaycees annual Haunted House will be open from 7 p.m. until everyone is scared away Nov. 1 at HarborWalk Village in Destin.

Tickets are $8 at the door. It is recommended for children at least 10 years old. 

Northwest 

Florida 

Symphony 

Orchestra

NICEVILLE – The second concert of the 22nd performance season of the Northwest Florida Symphony Orchestra will be held Nov. 1 at 7:30 p.m. at the Mattie Kelly Fine and Performing Arts Center on the Niceville campus of Northwest Florida State College. 

The “Night at the Opera” concert will feature national guest soloists Maryann Mootos, tenor John Matz and David Murray. These soloists will be joined by the more than 70 talented voices of the regional Northwest Florida Symphony Chorus who will perform with the orchestra. 

Tickets for the concert and all other NFSO season concerts are now available from the Mattie Kelly Arts Center box office for $22.50 each for adults and $16 each for youth age 18 or younger. Tickets are available in person, by phone at 729-6000 or online from the box office website at www.mattiekellyartscenter.org or the symphony website at www.nfsymphony.org. Tickets are also available at the door on the night of the concert starting at 6 p.m. 

For additional information see the symphony’s website at www.nfsymphony.org.

2008 Northwest Florida Fair

FORT WALTON BEACH - The 2008 Northwest Florida Fair will be held from noon to 11 p.m. Nov. 1 and noon to 6 p.m. Nov. 2.

Saturday is Kid’s Day and midway wristbands are $15 from noon to 5 p.m.; Sunday midway wristbands will be $15 from noon to 6 p.m. Every day is senior citizens day and seniors 65 and over are admitted free.

American 

Gospel Concerts

NICEVILLE - American Gospel Ministries presents a free concert with The Mitchum Brothers at 6 p.m. Nov. 1 at First Baptist Church, 622 Bayshore Drive in Niceville. A love offering will be taken.

Karaoke 

Halloween Party

SANTA ROSA BEACH - The Santa Rosa Golf & Beach Club will host a Karaoke Halloween party at the Beach Club on Nov. 1 from 7–11 p.m. at the Beach Club Restaurant. The event is open to everyone and is not just members only. Guests should come dressed as their favorite entertainer or singer to belt out tunes and compete in the Club’s own version of American Idol. If talents are best kept in the car or shower - great! Come as a favorite Idol judge and support the karaoke singers. 

The night is planned to be fun and frightening with karaoke and costumes good, bad and ugly. Prizes will be awarded for best dressed male, female & ensemble. 

A buffet dinner will be available starting at 7 p.m. with one free drink (exclusions may apply) and karaoke until 11 p.m. The cost is $22.95 per person ($20.95 for members). Reservations should be made early by calling 267.2305. 

The Santa Rosa Club is located in Santa Rosa Beach on Scenic Highway 30A, near the intersection of 393 and 30A. For more information, call the Administration Office at 267-1240 or visit online at www.santarosaclub.com.

Choral Society of Pensacola 

 PENSACOLA - The Choral Society of Pensacola presents Spanish Explorers’ Footsteps at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 1 at Trinity Presbyterian Church, 3400 Bayou Blvd. 

Tickets for individual concerts are $15/reserved seating, $12/general admission, and $5/students. Call 484-1806, or e-mail csop1@juno.com for tickets.

Pioneer Day

NICEVILLE - Pioneer Day at Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou State Park in Niceville will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 1.

Family activities will include candle-dipping, rag doll making, weaving and campfire cooking demonstrations. Other special activities include live dulcimer and flute music, quilting, storytelling and more. The main feature is the restored late 1800’s chuck wagon. There will be at least 15 exhibitors, many with hands-on activities.

Families are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and picnics to enjoy beside the bayou.

Art exhibit: 

Faces and 

Stories: A 

Portrait of Southern Writers

PENSACOLA - The Pensacola Museum of Art has announced the exhibition “Faces and Stories: A Portrait of Southern Writers” will be on view in the Lewis Bear Family Galleries through Nov. 1.

The Rocky 

Horror Show

PENSACOLA - “The Rocky Horror Show” is the stage musical that inspired the cult film “The Rocky Horror Picture Show.” Fans will find all of the fun songs and campy scenes they enjoy, along with the energy and excitement of live theatre. Tickets for the show are on sale at the Pensacola Little Theatre box office or by phone at 432-2042. Performances are at 8 tonight and Saturday night. Prices are $22, $18, $15, with a $2 discount available to senior citizens (60 and up), full-time students, or active-duty military with I.D. Audience members are encouraged to dress in costume and sing along, but to keep our theater neat, leave the props, toast, rice, water pistols, at home. Visit pensacolalittletheatre.com or call 434-0257.

Florida Seafood Festival

APALACHICOLA – Celebrate the 45th Annual Florida Seafood Festival from October 31-November 1 at Battery Park. This is the oldest seafood festival in the state of Florida. If you love great seafood, arts & crafts, fine folks and wonderful entertainment all wrapped into a magnificent family atmosphere, then join us. The event will feature quality entertainment and maritime crafts paying tribute to the Apalachicola Bay's commercial fishermen. There is also an oyster shucking contest, oyster eating contest. Headliners this November 1st are Daryle Singletary at 4 p.m. and Little Texas at 8 p.m. For more information visit Website www.floridaseafoodfestival.com or call 653-9419.

Folk Life Festival

BAKER - The Baker Heritage and Folk Life Festival will be on Nov. 1 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. at the Baker Block Museum and Heritage Park. Exhibits will include antique turpentine and farm equipment, flintnapping, Native American storytelling & displays, pottery wheel, whittling, open fire cooking and demonstrations in our authentic log cabin. The Otahite Post Office will be opened for business with a commemorative Otahite postmark. Members of the Florida Public Archaeology Network will evaluation archeological finds. Kids can milk a dairy goat and have their picture made. Enjoy bluegrass and gospel music and a variety of foods to choose from. Bring your lawn chairs for a day of family entertainment. Contact the Baker Block Museum at 537-5714 for more information.

Sunday

Ballet at the Rave

DESTIN - Rave Motion Pictures at Destin Commons presents the ballet Romeo & Juliet at 1 p.m. Nov. 2. Tickets are $20.

Tradewinds Wine Tasting

VALPARAISO - The annual Tradewinds Wine Tasting to benefit the Heritage Museum of Northwest Florida takes place from 3 to 6 p.m. Nov. 2. Enjoy hors d’ouevres, sample wines and receive a museum souvenir. A silent auction will feature fishing trips, weekend get-a-ways, wine, art and more.

Tickets are $30 and may be purchased at Tradewinds Restaurant, 205 Government Ave. in Niceville and at the Heritage Museum, 115 Westview Ave. in Valparaiso, or call 678-2615.

Toys For Kids Motorcycle Run

CRESTVIEW — The 10th Anniversary Toys for Kids Run for the Toys happens Sunday starting at the Walmart parking lot. All motorcyclists are welcome to take part in the annual fundraiser, which collects money and new toys for local kids. Entry is $10 and one new, unwrapped toy. Registration is 9:30 to 11 a.m. Riders can also partake of food, a 50/50 drawing and a raffle. After the ride, participants will gather at the VFW on U.S. Highway 90 west of town for a get-together with music by Hat Trick and a cash door prize. Toys and donations go to the Families First Network. Call Ken Henninger at 537-9798.

Miracle Strip Model Railroad Club

The Miracle Strip Model Railroad Club will have its 16th annual Open House 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday at 1255A Eglin Parkway. Look for the operating railroad crossing sign across from the courthouse. Come see trains run on the club’s permanent and modular layouts. There also will be a swapmeet. Call 862-1395 or 376-4069.

Larry the Cable Guy

PENSACOLA — The man who added the catchphrase “Git-R-Done” to the American lexicon is coming to the Pensacola Civic Center at 7:30 p.m. Sunday. Dan Whitney, better known as Larry The Cable Guy, is a best-selling author and has many record breaking comedy CDs, including his latest release, “Morning Constitutions.” Ticket price is $44.25. Tickets are available at the box office, Ticketmaster outlets, Charge By Phone 434-7444, or ticketmaster.com.

Monday

Dance Facets 2009 Auditions

NICEVILLE - The Dance program of Northwest Florida State College’s Division of Humanities, Fine and Performing Arts will hold auditions for the college’s annual dance concert, Dance Facets 2009 on Nov. 3 and 4 at 6:30 p.m. Auditions will be held in the Frances Smith Herron Dance Studio located in Room J-125 in the Mattie Kelly Arts Center on the college’s Niceville campus. Auditions are open to anyone high school age or older. Dancers are required to bring jazz and ballet shoes for the audition. Pointe shoes are mandatory to be considered for a role in any of the pointe pieces. If cast in the show, participants are required to register for a dance technique class in either jazz, ballet, tap, or modern and a Performance Dance course during the spring semester. Class time will be determined by rehearsal schedule. Dance Facets 2009 will be held April 24 and 25, at 7:30 p.m. on the main stage of the Mattie Kelly Arts Center. For more information on auditions or Dance Facets 2009 please contact Joe Taylor, Assistant Professor of Dance at 729-6036.

Wednesday

Wednesday Night Concerts

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

Thursday

Seeing Red Wine Festival

SEASIDE - For the 18th annual Seeing Red Wine Festival, Seaside has partnered with the Taste of THE Beach to present the seven events with proceeds benefiting local charities.

The Vintner Dinner at Seaside’s Bud & Alley’s will kick-off the festival at 7 p.m. Nov. 6. Call 231-5900.

Read & Grow

DESTIN - Destin Commons presents an interactive time for children with a storyteller who will read about zoo animals from 10 to 11 a.m. Nov. 6 at the playground. Northwest Florida Zoo animals will be in attendance. Hugs and Hissyfits will give away gift cards and merchandise. Goody bags will be given to the first 100 guests.

The event is free and geared to children ages 3-6.

Hometown Heros Celebration

DESTIN - Celebrate every Thursday at HarborWalk Village as each week a local hero 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.

Scotch Tasting

DESTIN - Seagars Prime Steaks and Seafood Southern Gentleman's Scotch Tasting will be on Nov. 6 from 6-8 p.m. A Taste Tour of Great Scotch;  Aficionados will enjoy over 10 scotches paired with chef's creative appetizers. Cigars provided by Smoke Goddess.

Reservations are limited, $40 per person. Call 622.1500 or go to www.SeagarsDestin.com

Great Gulfcoast Arts Festival

PENSACOLA - The Great Gulfcoast Arts Festival, a juried art show,will be Nov.7-9 in historic Seville Square. It draws more than 200 of the nation’s best painters, potters, sculptors, jewelers, graphic artists, photographers, craftsmen, mixed-media artists and others. Hours Nov. 7and 8 are 9 a.m.-6 p.m. and Nov.9 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Children’s Festival Hours are Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m-4 p.m. Admission is free, as are programs and maps. Pets are not allowed.

Friday

First Friday 

Concert Series

DESTIN - Celebrate the fifth anniversary of Destin Commons at a free concert featuring Jones & Company from 6 to 10 p.m. Nov. 7 in Center Plaza.

Other highlights of the concert evening include Zakari, the balloon sculpting stilt walker. Lawn chairs and blankets are encouraged.

Telluride 

MountainFilm

SANTA ROSA BEACH - The Telluride MountainFilm on Tour will be in the WaterColor Amphitheater on Nov. 7-8 from 6 p.m.-10 p.m. for its eighth annual run. 

Blankets, folding chairs and outside snacks and drinks are permitted in the amphitheater. No pets, glass or large coolers are allowed. 

Tickets are $25 per person for one night and $40 per person for both nights. For information and tickets call 267-0683 or 231-6500.

Seeing Red Wine Festival

SEASIDE - From 6 to 8 p.m. Nov. 7, the premier Al Fresco Reserve Wine Tasting takes place in Ruskin Place with a silent auction and chamber music. Admission is $160 per person. To reserve tickets, call (800) 554-8696.

Art exhibit: Newbill 

Collection By the Sea

SEASIDE - Newbill Collection By the Sea will host Tallahassee sculptor Barbara Balzer and Panama City jewelry designer Deborah Kivett for the Ruskin Place First Friday Art Walk from 5 to 8 p.m. Nov. 7 in Seaside.

Godspell

FORT WALTON BEACH - Stage Crafters Community Theatre will present the final show of the season for 2008. Godspell – a musical based upon the Gospel according to St. Matthew starts on Nov. 7 and runs through the 8, 9 and the 13-15 and ends on 16th. Evening performances at 7:30 p.m. Sunday matinee at 2 p.m. Admission is $20 each and tickets are available at P.S. Gifts - FWB, Bayou Books - Niceville, Century 21 - All locations, Connect with Flowers - Shalimar, Dowd Title Group, LLC - Destin. The Stage Crafters Community Theatre is at 107 Miracle Strip Parkway at the FWB Civic Auditorium. Call 863-2288.

Thunderbird 

Intertribal 

Powwow

NICEVILLE - The 21st Annual Thunderbird Intertribal Powwow is once again being presented by Eglin Air Force Base and the Thunderbird Intertribal Council (a 501 c 3 non-profit Organization). This event will be held at the Mullet Festival Grounds (FL Hwy 85 N and College Blvd) in Niceville on Nov. 7–9. 

The first day of the event features Children’s Day from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. All area school children are invited to participate with hands-on demonstrations by the Indian Temple Mound, Eglin Archeological, Valparaiso Heritage Museum, just to name a few. The entire event will feature Native American dancers, drummers, and craft demonstrations. This is a wonderful event aimed at educating the local community about Native Americans and their role in the past and present. 

The main powwow starts at 7 p.m. on Friday runs thru Sunday with closing ceremonies at 4 p.m. This is an alcohol free event for the entire family with Native American vendors, dancers, food, singing, and entertainment. Admission is $2. For more information visit our Website www.thunderbirdpowwow.org or call 863-5311.

Wine Tasting

SANDESTIN - 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

Art exhibit: Newbill 

Collection By the Sea

SEASIDE - Newbill Collection By the Sea will host Tallahassee sculptor Barbara Balzer and Panama City jewelry designer Deborah Kivett at the gallery in Ruskin Place Artist Colony, Seaside.

Balzer and Kivett will be featured at trunk shows from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 8 in conjunction with the Seaside Seeing Red Wine Festival.

Kivett will be at the gallery from 12 to 3 p.m. Nov. 9. Call 231-4500.

The Loud One

FORT WALTON BEACH - The Emerald Coast Foundation, host of the Emerald Coast Poker Run, presents the “The Loud One” beginning at 10 a.m. Nov. 8 with local motorcyclists hitting stops in Santa Rosa, Okaloosa and Walton Counties. The event will culminate at the Northwest Florida Fair Grounds with a party and concert featuring Three Dog Night.

The concert is open to the public; tickets may be purchased at The Block, Helen Back, Heritage Cycles Harley Davidson or at the door the night of the event.

All proceeds from “The Loud One” will be given to the Special Operations Warrior Foundation. For bike registration or information, visit  http://theloud1.com

JUNGUA 

NICEVILLE - USA Tour Direct from China - 2,500 Years of tradition rolled into 90 Minutes of Entertainment with China’s Finest Acrobats & Martial Arts Masters. JUNGUA – A high impact entertainment experience for all ages, “JUNGUA - Descendents of the Dragon” celebrates the Chinese culture in an explosion of kungfu, acrobatics, music and dance. The amazing skills of China's finest acrobats and martial arts masters appear as part of a national tour on Nov. 8 at 7:30 p.m. at the Mattie Kelly Fine & Performing Arts Center on the Niceville campus of Northwest Florida State College. Tickets for JUNGUA are now available for $25 each from the box office at 729-6000 or by web at www.mattiekellyartscenter.org. A group discount of $5 off per ticket (tickets $20 each) is available for groups of 10 or more tickets purchased at the same time. For a complete schedule, to be sent a season brochure or to purchase tickets, visit the center’s website or contact the box office at 729-6000 or toll-free 1-888-838-ARTS (2787). 

Seeing Red Wine Festival

SEASIDE - From 1 to 5 p.m. Nov. 8, Seaside hosts The Taste of THE Beach throughout Seaside with wine samples, hors d’ oeuvres and live music. Admission is $100 per person. To reserve tickets, call (800) 554-8696.

The Grand Finale event concludes at 11 a.m. Nov. 9 with a Wine Down Brunch at Café Rendez Vous. Call 534-0254.

Call (800) 277-TOWN (8696) or visit www.cottagerentalagency.com.

Pensacola 

Symphony 

Orchestra

PENSACOLA - The Pensacola Symphony Orchestra will present Old Vienna at 8 p.m. Nov. 8 at First Baptist Church, 500 N Palafox Street. Saturday afternoon dress rehearsal concert at 2 p.m. and admission is $5.

Jagermeister Music Tour

FORT WALTON BEACH - The Swamp season closing party welcomes the Jagermeister Music Tour featuring Hinder, Trapt and Revelation Theory on Nov. 10. Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 the day of the show, which is presented by 99 Rock. Advance tickets are available at F.Y.E. in Santa Rosa Mall. Call 796-1300. Web site: swampclub.com.

Blue Angels

PENSACOLA - The Navy’s Flight Demonstration Squadron, the Blue Angels, will close the 2008 season at their annual Homecoming Air Show

aboard Naval Air Station Pensacola on Nov. 14 and 15. More than 50 military and civilian aircraft will be on static display. Gates open at 8 a.m. both days with flying demonstrations beginning at 9:45 a.m. Both shows are open to the public. Admission and parking are free. Pets, cooler and smoking are not permitted. Call 452-3100, ext. 1539 and 1534.

Southern Trans Am Regional Show

FORT WALTON BEACH - The Southern Trans Am Regional Show happens this year at the Northwest Florida Fairgrounds on Nov. 14-16. All Firebirds, Formulas, Trans Ams, GTAs and Firehawks are invited. Dash plaques will go to the first 100 entrants, and first-, secondand third-place awards will go to the winners. There will be door prizes and a 50/50 drawing. Entry fee is $50 in advance, or $60 the weekend of the show. Call 863-9516 or e-mail info@ starsfl.org.