Upcoming Arts and Entertainment (beginning Jan. 28)

Winter Resident Appreciation Day

All winter residents in Destin and Miramar Beach, plus family and friends, are invited to the 2015 Winter Resident Open House from 1-4 p.m. Jan. 29 at Sterling Sands, 1080 U.S. 98 East in Destin; Sterling Shores, 1751 Scenic Hwy. 98, Destin; Huntington by the Sea, 140 Monaco St. in Miramar Beach; and Majestic Sun, 1160 Scenic Gulf Drive in Miramar Beach. The afternoon will include food, fun and festivities plus property tours, prizes and special rates.

Tasting of Champions

The Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation’s 2015 Tasting of Champions will be held from 6-8 p.m. Jan. 30 at Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa. Sample 600+ 2015 South Walton Beaches Food & Wine Festival entries, including medal winners in more than 60 categories. Light appetizers served. Tickets are $50 at http://www.dcwaf.org/tickets.

Act4Murder

A local professional comedy troupe, Act4 Murder performs “Red Leg the Dreaded Pirate of the Gulf” at 7 p.m. Jan. 30 at Crab Island Cantina at HarborWalk Village in Destin. Price is $49.95/adults and $24.95/children 10 and under. Call862-2885 or visit www.act4murder.com to make reservations.

• Feb. 6: Redneck Rivalry at Angler’s Beachside Grill on Okaloosa Island

• Feb. 13: Newest show, Death by Cupcake, at 7 p.m. at Crab Island Cantina, 2 Harbor Blvd. in Destin. Price is $49.95.

• Feb. 20: Death by Cupcake at Angler’s Beachside Grill on Okaloosa Island with 7 p.m. seating. Price is $50.

• Feb. 27: Podunk Pandemonium at Crab Island Cantina.

American Legion

Enjoy Karaoke from 7:30-11:30 p.m. Jan. 30 at American Legion Post 296, 311 Main Street in Destin. Call 837-3818.

Gumbo Contest/Silent Auction

The Destin History & Fishing Museum hosts its annual Gumbo Contest and Silent Auction fundraiser from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Jan. 31 at the Destin Community Center. Area restaurants and individuals compete for the title of the best gumbo in the Panhandle. The event will include live music by a local band and a silent auction of 60 plus packages including artwork, vacation stays, jewelry, and restaurant gift certificates, boating and fishing trips, services, golf, recreational activities and much more. Cast your vote for the People’s Choice Award.

Advanced tickets are available now at the Museum for $10 per adult. Admission will be $12 at the door the day of the event. For more information concerning entering your gumbo in the contest, donating an item for the silent auction or coming to enjoy the event contact the Museum at 837-6611 or email kathydestinhistory@gmail.com.

Capes & Crowns

Dress up as your favorite superhero or glittering princess and enter The Capes & Crowns Fun Run + 5Kto benefit The Tree House Episcopal Montessori School in Santa Rosa Beach from 3-7 p.m. Jan. 31 at The Village of Baytowne Wharf. Registration is $40/5K and $25/Fun Run. Register at CapesAndCrowns.com.

Author Bash

More than 40 local and non local authors from several genres will attend the Down & Dirty Destination Destin Author Bash from 1-4 p.m. Jan. 31 at the Emerald Grande at HarborWalk. General admission tickets are $10 and includes a small bag for swag and items collected throughout the event. Tickets available at Eventbrite.com.

Winter Guest Concert Series

All winter guests and locals are invited to enjoy a free inspirational concert with Chuck Lawson from 2-4 p.m. Feb. 1 on HarborWalk Village’s main stage.

• Feb. 8: Coconut Radio

• Feb. 15: Flash Flood

• Feb. 22: Soundsations Choir

• Feb. 6: George Dyer & Family

Senior Wednesdays

Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park on Okaloosa Island will offer $5 park admission for visitors age 62+ every Wednesday through March 4. Enjoy marine animal shows and exhibits for a fraction of the regular park admission, $18.95 for seniors.

Fine Arts Exhibitions

The Arts and Design Society of Fort Walton Beach, Inc., presents its annual juried regional fine arts exhibition through Feb. 13 in the McIlroy Gallery at the Mattie Arts Center at Northwest Florida State College in Niceville. This exhibition showcases the best in all media from throughout the Southeastern United States. Also on view in the Holzhauer Gallery will be a solo exhibition of the works of Rick Otoupalik, whose sculpture, Balance, won 2014 ADSO Best-in-Show award. Call 729-6044 or email ArtGalleries@nwfsc.edu for information or to schedule group tours.

Mardi Gras Pub Crawl

Wear your best Mardi Gras outfit join in the pub crawl along the Destin Harbor Boardwalk from 8-11:30 p.m. Feb. 6. Drink and food specials at all the stops.

Branson Show Camp

Branson entertainer George Dyer & Family perform at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Feb. 6 at the Fort Walton Beach Civic Auditorium, 107 Miracle Strip Parkway SW. Matinee is $15 and evening show is $18.

Mardi Gras Parade

The Destin Harbor transforms into New Orleans as big brass band music fills the harbor during the Seventh Annual Mardi Gras Parade from 2-4 p.m. Feb. 7. Enjoy floats, street performers and colorful costumes as they parade through HarborWalk Village tossing beads, moon pies and more. Live music on main stage after parade. Proceeds benefit the Boys and Girls Clubs. To participate, email abrand@harborwalkdestin.com.

Beaux Arts Exhibition

The 56th Annual Beaux Arts Exhibition will be held Feb. 6-8 at the Meridian at Westwood, 1001 Mar Walt Drive inFort Walton Beach, and sponsored by the Arts and Design Society. A reception and silent auction will be held from 2-4 p.m. Feb. 8 with awards to be given at 3:30 p.m.

Comedy Night

Graffiti & The Funky Blues Shack, 109 Cannery Lane in Baytowne Wharf, presents a comedy night at 9 p.m. Feb. 8. Headliner is Philly’s own Toppflight featuring Mac Page, Dan Luther and host John Phillips. Cover $10.

ArtWalk on the Harbor

Dozens of artists showcase their creative artwork ranging from traditional to contemporary art, jewelry, paintings and more from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Feb. 15 at HarborWalk Village. Winter concert begins at 2 p.m. Every third Sunday of month.

Mardi Gras Celebration

Enjoy free red beans and rice from Jackacudas Seafood and Sushi and celebrate Mardi Gras at one of the HarborWalk Village clubs and restaurants from 5-8 p.m. Feb. 17.