Your Weekly Guide to Fun February 11 - 18

Area codes are 850 unless noted.

‘Greater Tuna’

DESTIN – A special showing of the comedy “Greater Tuna” is scheduled at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 11 at the Destin Community Center, 101 Stahlman Ave. Advance tickets for the show are $20/adults, $18/military, students and seniors. Tickets also can be purchased at the door for $22.50.

Mardi Gras on the Island

OKALOOSA ISLANAD – Mardi Gras on the Island begins with a parade at 11 a.m. Feb. 11. After the parade a Block Party with games for the kids, vendors and food takes place at Helen Back on Amberjack Drive. Parade applications are available at www.fwbchamber.com/mardigras or call 244-8191. 

ADSO

FORT WALTON BEACH – The Arts and Design Society will host the following events at the Art Center, 14 First Street, SE., unless noted. Call 244-1271 for more information or visit www.artsdesignsociety.org.

• Feb. 11-12: The 53rd Annual Beaux Arts Exhibition will be in the atrium at Westwood Retirement Community, 1001 Mar Walt Drive. A reception will be held from 2-4 on Feb. 12.

• Feb. 17-29:  An opening reception for "Human Palette” gallery show, reflecting the diversity of human cultures, is scheduled from 5-7 p.m. Feb. 17. 

Mattie Kelly Arts Center

NICEVILE – The Mattie Kelly Arts Center at Northwest Florida State College presents Brigadoon at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 15. Call 729-6000 or visit the Box Office between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday to Friday for ticket information.

Snowbird Movie Matinee

DESTIN – The Destin Library hosts a free movie matinee, “Midnight in Paris”, at 3 p.m. Feb. 16. Seating will be limited to 30 on a first-come-first-serve basis.

Valentine cruises

SANDESTIN – SunQuest Cruises will host Valentine’s dinner cruises from 5:15 p.m.-9 p.m. Feb. 11 and 6:15-10 p.m. Feb. 14 aboard the Solaris. Cost is $150/couple and includes a 3-course meal, cruise and live entertainment. A full service bar and appetizers are available for purchase onboard. Casual cocktail dress, suit not required. Seating is limited. Make reservations at www.SunQuestCruises.com or call 650-2519.

Hearts and Art

DESTIN – Geana’s Art Gallery & Custom Framing, at City Market east of Bass Pro Shops on U.S. 98, will host a date night, Hearts and Art, from 6-9 p.m. Feb. 14. Spend the evening with your loved one and paint a canvas together and share wine and refreshments. Reservations required at 650-0779. Cost is $50/person and includes supplies.

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.

Art exhibits

NICEVILLE – Duncan Baird and Cetin Oguz, two Cleveland, Miss.-based artists, bring a decidedly contemporary two-man show to the McIlroy Gallery at Mattie Kelly Arts Center through Feb. 17.

In the Holzhauer Gallery, Elizabeth Austin will display her cassetinas, Italian for “little boxes.” These small-scale works, some of which display Austin's signature style of reverse painting evoke magical, otherworldly scenes, and have often been compared to jewel boxes or reliquaries.

NFSO Symphony

NICEVILLE – The Northwest Florida Symphony Orchestra presents Annual Stars of Tomorrow, with guest artists from some of the finest young talent the area has to offer as well as the orchestra’s tribute to the Old West in a performance of Copland’s Billy the Kid, at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 17. Call 729-6000 for ticket information.

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.