Upcoming Arts and Entertainment (beginning May 10)
• May 21: Ocean Street
• May 28: Stephen Simmons Band
Concerts in the Village
The Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation’s 19th Annual Concerts in the Village presents The Downbeat Classic Brass, a Rock ‘n Roll Horn Band Review, at 7 p.m. May 15 at the Dugas Pavilion at the Mattie Kelly Cultural Arts Village in Destin. Bring a picnic and wine or beverage of choice, or purchase meal from local restaurant prepared on-site. Bottled water and soft drinks available with proceeds to benefit the MKAF’s cultural and education mission. Admission is $10/adult and children under 12 and MKAF members are free. Call 650-2226.
Scheduled performers include:
• May 22: The Mike Veal Band, Stump the Band from over 200 artists
• May 29: Ike Barkley, soul, blues & jazz, funky dance music
• June 5: Lisa & The E-Lusion, Motown, Rock & Roll, 80’s Dance Music
• June 12: LavaLamp, The best of the 70’s disco, soul & funk
• June 19: Alter Eagles, A Tribute to the Eagles
• June 26: Twelve Against Nature, Nashville’s Steely Dan ExperienceBottom of Form
Art show
Opening reception for the Arts and Design Society’s show “Fauvism” will be held from 6-8 p.m. May 16 at 17 First Street in Fort Walton Beach. Show runs May 13-June 7 and will include art in any medium, reflecting the work of the French Fauve artists, known for their use of strong colors. Call 244-1271.
Splash series
Cruise up and anchor your boat during the Summer Boating Splash series for movies and concerts on the water. The first event is a showing of “Captain Ron” May 17 at North Light Marina in Niceville.
• June 28: Heritage concert, 4-8 p.m. North Light Marina
• July 26: Cadillac Willy concert, 4-8 p.m. on Destin harbor
• Aug. 23: “Jaws” at sunset at harbor
My Secret Garden
Award winning artist Michael Cheney presents an exhibit of his collection of botanical paintings, “My Secret Garden,” through May 17 at Full Circle Gallery, 29 B Eglin Parkway SW in Fort Walton Beach. Call 362-8041.
ArtWalk on the Harbor
Local and regional artists and vendors display their work at Artwalk on the Harbor, started by DestinBoardwalk.com and AJ’s Seafood, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 18 within the Destin boardwalk from east of Margaritaville to AJ’s. The event is free.
Dinner theater
Act4Murder will perform Red Leg the Dreaded Pirate of the Gulf at 7:30 p.m. May 18 and 25 at Crab Island Cantina, 2 Harbor Blvd. #100. Seating at 7 p.m. Price is $49.95/adults and $24.95/kids 10 and under, all inclusive. Call 862-2885 for reservations.
Poker Run
The Big Mac Classic Poker Run, sponsored by Emerald Coast McDonald’s, owner Mike Wright, will be held from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. May 18 starting and finishing at AJ’s in Destin. Entry fee is $10 and motorcycles, Vintage and Classic cars are welcome. Raffles and prizes. All proceeds go to the Ronald McDonald House of NW FL in Pensacola. Call 217-8661.
Dinner theater
Act4Murder will perform “Knock ‘em Dead” at 7 p.m. May 23 at Angler’s Beachside Grill on Okaloosa Island. Seating at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $50, all inclusive. Call 796-0260 or 862-2885.
• May 30: Podunk Pandemonium
BlazeFest 2014
Apex Broadcasting, comprised of Highway 98 Country, 103.1 The Blaze, 102.1 The Wave, and Q92, along with the City of Niceville, Eglin AFB, and all participating sponsors, will host BlazeFest 2014 on May 24 at Twin Oaks Park in Niceville. General admission is $40/advance and $50/day. For ticket information and line up, visit blazefestrocks.com.
Gregg Allman
Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Gregg Allman brings his distinctive Southern Rock & Blues sound to the Green @ Gulf Place May 28. Tickets are available at select local retail stores along 30A including Central Square Records in Seaside or at GulfPlaceEvents.com.
Dancing with Desire
Dance champions seen on the hit series “Dancing with the Stars” will perform at a star-studded event at 7 p.m. June 19 on stage at the Mattie Kelly Arts Center in Niceville. The performance is presented by Fred Astaire Dance Studio-Fort Walton Beach. Ticket prices are $50 for general admission, and $100 for VIP, which includes preferred seating, access to the stars at the cast post party, and more. Active Duty military and senior citizens are offered a reduced rate of $35 for a balcony seat. Visit www.dancingwithdesire.com or call 864-4242.
All proceeds benefit Horizons-The Arc of The Emerald Coast, to help provide services to children and adults with autism, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, and other intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Starlight Ballet
The NWF Ballet presents a free mixed repertory performance at 7 p.m. June 21 in Rosemary Beach with scenes from the 2nd Act of Swan Lake as well as an eclectic mix of new contemporary pieces.
Art in the Park
Free event begins at 2 p.m. June 28 in the Fort Walton Beach Landing Park with an art exhibition and a preview of Spamalot. Food vendors will be on site. At sundown, the NWF Ballet presents a mixed repertory performance with scenes from the 2nd Act of Swan Lake as well as an eclectic mix of new contemporary pieces.
Spamalot
The Northwest Florida State College Fine & Performing Arts Division presents Monty Python’s Spamalot with performances at 7:30 p.m. July 16, 17, 18 and 19. Tickets go on sale May 1 at 729-6000 or at www.MattieKellyArtsCenter.org and are $25/adults and $20/youth ages 18 and younger.
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.
Ashley Rose
Jam with the music of Ashley Rose at 9 p.m. Fridays at Cabana Café, 112 Seascape Blvd. in Miramar Beach.