Your Weekly Guide to Fun February 18 - 25

Area codes are 850 unless noted.

Mardi Gras Masquerade rescheduled

Destin Commons will now host its third annual Mardi Gras Masquerade from 3-5 p.m. Feb. 19 in Center Plaza and Main Street. Free arts and crafts, free face painting, live entertainment, crawfish boil, street dancing, fun with Captain Davy, and a Mardi Gras Parade at 5 p.m. highlight the day.

Art show and sale

DESTIN – An annual art show and sale will be held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Feb. 18 at Seascape Resort and Conference Center on U.S. 98. Call 424-6424.

Emerald Coast Concert Association

FORT WALTON BEACH – The Emerald Coast Concert Association presents the Doo-Wah Riders at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 18 at the Fort Walton Beach Civic Auditorium. After the concert, a reception will be held at the Magnolia Grill in Fort Walton Beach to meet the band members. Tickets are $22/person and available at Kitchenique in Destin; P.S. Gifts in Fort Walton Beach; Connect with Flowers in Shalimar; and Artful Things in Niceville. Call 362-9356. Tickets at the door will be $25 per person.

Sandestin Gumbo Festival

SANDESTIN – The 23rd annual Sandestin Gumbo Cook-off will be held Feb. 18-19 at The Village of Baytowne Wharf and includes fun, food and live entertainment. Guests can sample gumbo and Bloody Mary's, voting for their favorite as People's Choice. Celebrity judges will hold blind judging contests for the “Area's Best" awards for gumbo. The award for Best Display, which goes to the business or restaurant with the most innovative booth, will also be announced.

Mardi Gras Celebration

DESTIN – Enjoy free red beans and rice from Poppy's Crazy Lobster, street performers, and live music plus a Party Animal Parade with your four-legged friends at 6 p.m. Feb. 19 at HarborWalk Village. Call 424-0600.

Music awards

DESTIN – The Fourth Annual Beachcomber Music Awards will be held from 5-10 p.m. Feb. 19 at HarborWalk Village and surrounding music venues. The Beachcomber Music Awards highlight the area's best music from rock, jazz fusion, pop and country, bluegrass to alternative genres. More than 30 local and regional music groups will be represented. Performances are free and start at 4 p.m.  

The Modern Bridal Expo

SANDESTIN – An opportunity for brides-to-be to mix and mingle with more than 50 vendors at Sandestin’s Baytowne Conference Center from 12:30-4 p.m. Feb. 19. Fashion show starts at 3:30 p.m.

Zydeco Jam

DESTIN – Live Zydeco music fills the harbor at 2 p.m. Feb. 19 as soulful tunes sound at the HarborWalk Village Main Stage. Concert is free and open to the public. Call 424-0600.

Emerald Coast Sing Off

FORT WALTON BEACH – The last night for auditions for The Emerald Coast Sing Off, CLASH FOR THE CASH, will be at 10 p.m. Feb. 20 at the Sand Dollar Lounge, inside White Sands Bowling Center. The 15 finalists who will appear on stage at the Emerald Coast Convention Center on March 11 will compete for more than $5,000 in cash and other prizes. The finalists will be introduced Feb. 29 at Hard Rock Café in Destin commons during The Night of Stars. For more information and tickets, visit www.EmeraldCoastSingOff.com.

Monty Python’s Spamalot

NICEVILE – The Mattie Kelly Arts Center at Northwest Florida State College presents Monty Python’s Spamalot at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 24. Call 729-6000 or visit the Box Office between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday to Friday for ticket information.

Film series

DESTIN – The Destin Library’s Independent Film Series presents an unrated foreign film for mature audiences at 7 p.m. Feb. 21. Seating on a first-come-first-served basis. Call 837-8572.

Destin Harmony

SANTA ROSA BEACH – The Destin Harmony trio will perform songs from the 50s, 60s and 70s during happy hour at 4 p.m. Fridays at Marie’s Bistro.

Taste of the Bayou

FORT WALTON BEACH – The16th Annual Taste of the Bayou and Charity Auction, sponsored by Okaloosa-Walton Child Care Services, will be held from 6-8 p.m. Feb. 24 at St. Mary Church. The event features local restaurants presenting samples of their delicacies. The silent charity auction features a trip to the Atlantis Resort in the Bahamas, autographed sports memorabilia, resort vacation getaways, golf packages, fishing trips, Disney World tickets and more. Advance tickets are $12/adults and $5/children 5-10. Call 833-9330, ext.202, for purchase locations. Tickets are $15 at the door.

Rock the Slots

DESTIN – The Junior League of the Emerald Coast will host Rock the Slots Feb. 24 at Hard Rock Café. “Rock the Red Carpet” will take place from 6:30-7 p.m., with food, entertainment and gaming beginning at 7 p.m. Artists performing will be Evan Barber and the Dead Gamblers, of Albany, Ga., Aron Shiers, of Memphis, and Hotel Oscar, of Destin. Gaming includes blackjack, poker, and slots. All proceeds will benefit the Junior League’s charitable programs throughout Okaloosa and Walton counties. Advance tickets are $60, with a limited number of VIP tickets available for $100. Tickets are $75 the night of the event. To purchase tickets, visit www.jlec.org or call 862-2665.

Fish Fry

DESTIN – Emerald Coast Knights of Columbus will host a Fish Fry from 4-8 p.m. Feb. 24 at American Legion Post 296, 311 Main St. Cost is $9/adults and $4/children 6-12. Take out available. Call 837-3818.