Upcoming Arts and Entertainment 11-3
Area codes are 850 unless noted.
Blues, Brews & BBQ
DESTIN – The Fifth Annual Blues, Brews & BBQ will be held from 12-4 p.m. Nov. 10 at HarborWalk Village. Participating restaurants will compete in a spirited and fun competition in several categories and offer samples of creative BBQ styles (not necessarily the traditional pork, beef or ribs) and signature coastal food. Breweries will offer 25+ refreshing craft beers and cocktails. The afternoon will feature "tasting stations" where guests can experience food, live entertainment, and cold beverages. Guests purchase $25 tasting armband day of event.
Here comes Santa Claus
DESTIN – Bass Pro Shops’ Santa’s Wonderland, A Classic Christmas, returns for its fifth year beginning with a special Preview Night from 5-8 p.m. Nov. 10. Local children's groups and choirs sing Christmas carols in front of the store and customers will be treated to hot chocolate and cookies. Santa arrives at 5 p.m. in a Tracker boat pulled by a Toyota Tundra truck, and will light up the outside of the store and a Christmas tree.
The Violin Sings Concert
NICEVILLE – The Northwest Florida symphony Orchestra presents The Violin Sings Concert at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 10 on the Mainstage at Mattie Kelly Arts Center. NFSO concertmaster and violin virtuoso Leonid Yanovskiy steps out of the orchestra to perform as a soloist for two jewels of the Russian violin literature. Tickets are $22.50/adults, $16/Active Duty Military and youth ages 18 and younger. Call 729-6000 or visit www.mattiekellyartscenter.org.
Stage Crafters Community Theatre
FORT WALTON BEACH – Stage Crafters Community Theatre presents its musical production of “The Fantasticks” Nov. 10-11 at the Civic Auditorium on Miracle Strip Parkway. Shows are 7:30 Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sundays. Tickets are $20 and available at P.S. Gifts in Fort Walton Beach, Bayou Books in Niceville, at www.StageCrafters.com, or at the door of the performances. Discounted student tickets are available for $10 at the door of performances only.
Flutterby Festival
ROSEMARY BEACH – One of South Walton's premier events celebrating the migration of the Monarch Butterfly, Flutterby Festival takes place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 10 and 11 at South Barrett Square, Main Street and Western Green. The event provides live music, interactive storytelling, animal encounters and an array of artists, vendors and exhibitors. A master gardener will be on hand teaching children the art of building a butterfly garden. The fun-filled day also includes a butterfly costume parade at 3 p.m., street games, face painting, and street and mural painting. The event is free. Call 622-5970.
Window Gallery Display
FORT WALTON BEACH – To showcase the work of local artists, the Arts and Design Society presents exhibits in their studio windows facing First Street. During November, the works of mixed-media artist Violet Nicklen, who brings a fresh approach to her work, are on display for easy viewing. Call 244-1271.
Sparkling Wines and Holiday Lights
SANDESTIN – The Sandestin Wine Festival begins the holiday season with Sparkling Wines and Holiday Lights from 4-7 p.m. Nov. 17. Stroll streets lined in twinkling lights and greenery and sip a variety of champagnes and taste featured menu items from various Village restaurants. Cost is $40/person. Must be 21 to participate. For more information and to purchase tickets visit sandestinwinefestival.com.
Santa Claus Weekend
SANDESTIN – Bring in the holidays Nov. 23 and 24 at Baytowne Wharf. The Here Comes Santa Claus Weekend includes the annual Village tree lighting, a holiday movie, and, a visit from Santa Claus.
• Nov. 23: A family movie, “Arthur Christmas,” under the stars at 7 p.m. • Nov. 24: Welcome Santa as he lights the Village Christmas Tree at 6 p.m. followed by the choreographed light show, 12 Nights of Lights, and fireworks over the lagoon. Baytowne on Ice
SANDESTIN – The ice skating rink at The Village of Baytowne Wharf will be open through Jan. 31 at the Apex Broadcasting Skating Pavilion. For $10 guests can skate for an hour and a half. Skate rental is $2. The first hour of each day is reserved for "kids skate" for youth 12 and under. Season passes are available for $140. During November bring two non-perishable cans of food for Harvest House of Destin and receive a free skate rental. Call 816-682-1003 for times and special skating packages.
DMS Concert and Silent Auction
DESTIN – The Destin Middle School Fall Concert and Silent Auction will be held at 6:30 p.m. Nov. 29 at Village Baptist Church, 101 Matthew Blvd. The auction bidding begins at 6 p.m. The concert is free.
A Coastal Christmas
FORT WALTON BEACH – The City of Fort Walton Beach and the FWB Chamber have joined to provide a festive holiday beginning at 4 p.m. Nov. 29 at the Fort Walton Beach Landing, 139 Brooks Street. Santa will arrive by fire truck for pictures with all the good boys and girls and the City of Fort Walton Beach Dance Department will be on stage with their presentation of “The Most Wonderful Time of the Year” plus local church and high school choirs.
There will be face painting provided by Fantasea Faces and the City Cares Fundraising Team’s Concession area will have hot chocolate, cookies, popcorn, hot dogs and soft drinks available for purchase.
Local businesses are invited to sponsor and decorate a Christmas tree for the Coastal Christmas Festival of Trees. Tree sponsorships are $75/Chamber members; and $100/non-Chamber members per 8 foot live tree, which includes a stand, a sponsorship sign, and a spot at the Landing. Organizations are responsible for decorating their own trees. Decorated trees will be sold, via silent auction bids, to benefit their selected non-profit organizations.
The Holiday Beach Parade returns with two size divisions and prizes will be awarded. Entry forms can be found at fwbchamber.org. There is a $35 entry fee per vessel. Call 833-9575 for more information.
Media, Mix and Mingle
DESTIN – The American Advertising Federation Emerald Coast chapter hosts its annual Media, Mix and Mingle, formerly known as the Media Auction, at 6:30 p.m. Nov. 29 at Hard Rock Cafe in Destin Commons as part of its 20th Anniversary celebration. Tickets are $10/person and include heavy hors d'oeuvres and two drink tickets and cash bar. Donations such as graphic design, photography, gift certificates and vacation packages will be accepted.
For additional information and to complete a donation, please contact the Auction Committee at auction@aafemeraldcoast.com. Some of the organizations receiving funds from the event will be the Boys and Girls Club, Habitat for Humanity and Children in Crisis.
Independent film series
DESTIN – The Friends Guild of the Destin Library presents an independent and foreign film at 7 p.m. the third Tuesday of the month. The program is free and open to the public. Films are unrated and directed toward mature audiences. Seating will be limited to 60 on a first come, first served basis.
Pastel Society Juried Exhibition
NICEVILLE – The Pastel Society of North Florida will host its 12th Biennial National Juried All-Pastel Exhibition through Nov. 30 at Mattie Kelly Arts Center Galleries, 100 College Blvd. at Northwest Florida State College. The exhibition is free and open to the public. For information, email artgalleries@NWFSC.edu or 729-6044.
DECEMBER
A World Affair
SANDESTIN – A World Affair will be held from 1-4 p.m. Dec. 2 at the Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort’s Linkside Exhibition Hall and will celebrate food, dance and culture from around the world. Several Emerald Coast restaurants will serve a selection of international foods, and area performing arts groups will demonstrate cultural dances. An international fashion show will showcase traditional clothing from a variety of countries, and a silent auction will be held.
All proceeds benefit Covenant Hospice’s unfunded programs in Okaloosa and Walton counties. Covenant Hospice needs restaurants to participate and items for the silent auction. Corporate sponsorships are available and range from $100 to $2,500. Call 598-4815.
Wednesday Night Concerts
SANDESTIN – Enjoy a special holiday edition of the Concert Series from 6-8 p.m. Wednesdays in the Events Plaza at the Village of Baytowne Wharf through the month of December.
Sounds of the Season
DESTIN – The Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation will present their annual Christmas concert, Sounds of the Season, at 7 p.m. Dec. 7 at Village Baptist Church.
Admission is a donation of an unwrapped child’s toy to be distributed among the participating church’s outreach ministries. A love offering at intermission will benefit the Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation’s “All Kinds of Art” program, a children’s educational outreach for the literary, performing and visual arts.
Call 650-2226 or visit www.mattiekellyartsfoundation.org
Holiday Lantern Parade
SANDESTIN – The Third annual Baytowne Holiday Lantern Parade will take place at 6 p.m. Dec. 15 with paper lanterns in the shapes of iconic symbols of the holiday season. Individuals and groups are invited to participate by making their own paper lanterns. Sandestin
Homeowners will light up their golf carts and join in the fun as they pass by with parade treats. Call 267-8186.