Upcoming Arts and Entertainment (beginning Nov. 23)

Area codes are 850 unless noted.

Bourbon at the Bay

Sip on bourbon and scotch, enjoy hors d’oeuvres, and start your holiday shopping early at the first Bourbon at the Bay from 5:30-8 p.m. Nov. 21 at Regatta Bay.  The event, which features bourbon and scotch tastings and a silent auction, is open to the public. Tickets are $30.  For an updated list of auction items, a list of ticket outlets, and more, visit www.DestinChamber.com or www.Facebook.com/BourbonAtTheBay. 

Americana Under The Stars

Sally Spring performs at a family/pet friendly concert series, Americana Under the Stars, from 6-8 p.m. Nov. 21 in the amphitheater at Topsail Hill Preserve State Park in Santa Rosa Beach. Open mic begins at 6 p.m. Bring a chair and beverage. Free admission into park and a suggested donation of $5 goes to the Friends of Topsail Hill.

• Dec. 5: Matt Prater

Wine Dinner at Vin’tij

Indulge in a four course meal paired with delectable wines at Symphony of Flavors Wine Dinner at Vin’tij in Miramar Beach at 6 p.m. Nov. 21. Live music and unique auction items complete the evening. All proceeds benefit Sinfonia Gulf Coast.

How at the Moon fundraiser

For a $10 donation to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, receive admission to the best dueling piano show on the Emerald Coast at 8 p.m. Nov. 22 at Howl at the Moon on Okaloosa Island. Doors open at 7 p.m. Country music artist items will be given away hourly, including autographed items from Carrie Underwood, Brad Paisley, Tim McGraw and more. Purchase tickets in advance and receive a free St. Jude T-shirt. One-hundred percent of the monies collected will be donated to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Call 244-1055.

Taco and Tequila Festival

Crab Island Cantina, 2 Harbor Blvd., hosts its inaugural Taco and Tequila Festival from 5:30-8:30 p.m. Nov. 23. Cost is $40/person and includes tacos, sauces and tequilas, a silent auction and live entertainment featuring Flamenco guitarist with DJ Vasco in between sets. Purchase tickets at Crab Island Cantina or any Pepito’s restaurant. The event will benefit the Salvation Army.

Kingdom of Sweets

The Northwest Florida Ballet Kingdom of Sweets Reception, sponsored by Vintij Wine Boutique and Bistro, will be held from 5:30-7:15 p.m. Nov. 23 at Mattie Kelly Arts Center Art Galleries in Niceville. Cost is $20 and includes an evening of wine and desserts to celebrate the opening night of The Nutcracker. Call 664-7787 or stop by the studio to RSVP. No tickets will be sold at the door. Must be 21 to attend.

The Nutcracker

The Northwest Florida Ballet’s 44th annual presentation of The Nutcracker begins at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 23 and 2:30 p.m. Nov. 24 at the Mattie Kelly Arts Center. Tickets are $28/adults and $14/children 12 and under and can be purchased at nfballet.org or 850-664-7787.

Hello Dolly!

A national touring Broadway Series musical, “Hello Dolly! Starring Sally Struthers” will be held at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 25 at Mattie Kelly Arts Center of Northwest Florida State College in Niceville. “Hello, Dolly!” is one of the most enduring musical theatre hits, enjoying three Broadway revivals and international success. Tickets are $45 each and are available at 729-6000 or www.mattiekellyartscenter.org.

Window display

The Arts and Design Society, 17 First Street, SE in Fort Walton Beach, presents the works of Pat Roberts, experimental and prize-winning artist in various media, in the studio windows facing First Street for easy viewing during November.

Chronic Jester

Enjoy the reggae, rock, funk and blues of Chronic Jester Tuesdays at Hammerhead’s Bar and Grille, 137 Fisherman’s Cove, Miramar Beach.

Michael J Thomas

Michael J Thomas performs a blend of smooth jazz saxophone music and R&B vocals Tuesday through Saturday "upon availability" at Ruth’s Chris Steak House, 15000 Emerald Coast Parkway. Call 337-5108.

Dinner and a Movie

A full length classic movie shown on the courtyard wall while a four-course prix fixe dinner, inspired by the movie Fiddler on the Roof, is served from 6:30-10 p.m. Nov. 27 at Edward’s Fine Food & Wine, 66 Main St. in Rosemary Beach. Cost is $70+ tax. Call 231-0550 or email info@edwards30a.com for tickets.

• Dec. 11: Edward Scissorhands

• Jan. 8: Maltese Falcon

• Jan. 22: Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid

• Feb. 5: My Cousin Vinny

• Feb. 19: Godfather II

Thanksgiving Feast

Harbor Docks will host its 19th Annual Thanksgiving Feast Nov. 28. People from all walks of life gather at the Destin restaurant in a true Thanksgiving tradition. Those who are capable of making donations are encouraged to do so. All proceeds raised benefit Habitat for Humanity and Destin Harvest projects.

Thanksgiving Brunch

Sandestin’s culinary team presents a collection of holiday favorites, with traditional turkey and trimming favorites, plus seafood desserts and more, during brunch from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 28 in the Linkside Conference Center at Sandestin. Make reservations at 267-6398 or email thanksgivingbrunch@sandestin.com.

Solaris Thanksgiving buffet

Experience a Thanksgiving Day buffet cruise on Choctawhatchee Bay on board the Solaris from 12-2 p.m. Nov. 28. Boarding begins at 11:15 a.m. at Sandestin’s Baytowne Marina. An assortment of traditional Thanksgiving favorites and select fresh seafood dishes will be prepared onboard. A full service bar is open during the cruise. Adults $58; children 3 – 10, $35; and infants under 3, $20. Seating is limited; call 650-2519 or visit www.SunQuestCruises.com.

Funky Blues Shack

New Orleans Suspects, featuring members of The Radiators, The Neville Bros. and James Brown Band, will be at The Funky Blues Shack in Destin on Nov. 30.

Wednesday Night Concert Series: Enjoy a special holiday edition of the Concert Series from 6-8 p.m. Dec. 4, 11 and 18 in the Events Plaza at The Village of Baytowne Wharf at Sandestin. Call 267-8186.

Sideshow!

The Mattie Kelly Arts Center Galleries present the final show of 2013, Sideshow! an exhibition of sideshow, freak show, and circus posters from the golden age of traveling entertainment. The show will be on view through Dec. 4.

Spencers Art of Illusion

A return engagement of magic, illusion and more by one of the world’s best illusionist teams, Spencers Art of Illusion appears at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 14 at the Mattie Kelly Arts Center of Northwest Florida State College in Niceville. Tickets are $25/adults and $20/youth age 18 and younger. Call 729-6000 or visit www.mattiekellyartscenter.org.

Sinfonia Gulf Coast

Sinfonia Gulf Coast presents the orchestra and world-renowned guest artists beginning at 7:30 p.m. on the dates below. To purchase tickets, visit www.SinfoniaGulfCoast.org or call 269-7129.

• Dec. 20: The Orchestral Holiday concert at Destiny Worship Center features holiday favorites and dancers from the Northwest Florida Ballet.

• Jan. 24: The Bernstein Beat concerts are hosted by Jamie Bernstein, daughter of conductor/composer Leonard Bernstein, and include a morning youth performance and an evening concert which includes Bernstein’s “Symphonic Dances from West Side Story.”

• Feb. 14, 15: Classical Connections at Rosemary Beach Town Hall features string quintet SYBARITE5.

• March 29: Sinfonia Gala features Patti LuPone in her Coulda, Woulda, Shoulda concert at the Emerald Coast Convention Center on Okaloosa Island. Cash bar available.

Destin Desserts

The Destin Desserts chefs’ competition takes place at 7 p.m. Jan. 17 in the Links Ballroom, Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort in Miramar Beach. Local chefs compete for the title of champion by creating original desserts using Girl Scout cookies as the main ingredient. Doors open at 6 p.m. and the evening includes social hour, heavy hors d'oeuvres, dessert tasting and voting, awards, silent auction and entertainment by Shades of Blue. Tickets are $25/person and available at each chef’s business, at any of the three Girl Scout Service Centers or call toll free 1-888-271-8778.

Glenn Miller Orchestra

The World Famous Glenn Miller Orchestra will perform at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 12 at the Mattie Kellie Arts Center, 100 College Blvd., Niceville. Tickets are $20. Advance tickets are available at the Mattie Kelly Arts Box office, www.mattiekellyartscenter.org or call 729-6000 or 888-838-2737.

This event is sponsored by the Niceville High School Band Program, and the NHS Big Band Jazz ensemble perform a song with the orchestra.