Upcoming Arts and Entertainment (beginning April 1)
Wednesday Night Concert Series
Listen to a free concert with the music of Hotel California from 7-9 p.m. April 1 Events Plaza at Baytowne Wharf in Sandestin.
• April 8: Blues Brothers
• April 15: The Return
• April 22: Walt Wise
• April 29: Folsom Prison Gang
Act4Murder
Act4Murder presents “Killer in the Kitchen” at 7 p.m. April 3 at Angler’s Beachside Grill on Okaloosa Island. Price is $50/adults, $25/children 10 and under. Call 862-2885 or visit http://act4murder.com for tickets.
• April 10: Gangsters on the Gangplank at 7 p.m. at Crab Island Cantina, 2 Harbor Blvd. in Destin. Price is $49.95/adults, $24.95/kids 12 and under.
• April 17: Decked Out for Death at Angler’s Beachside Grill on Okaloosa Island. Price is $50/adults, $25/children 10 and under.
• April 24: Redneck Rivalry at 7 p.m. at Crab Island Cantina, 2 Harbor Blvd. in Destin. Price is $49.95/adults, $24.95/kids 12 and under.
Cultural Arts Fest
Bluewater Bay Marina Complex hosts the free third annual Bluewater Bay Cultural Arts Festival from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. April 4 at 290 Yacht Club Drive with local and regional artists, custom skim boards and long boards, folk art, one of a kind jewelry, photography, classical guitar children’s activities and more. Kickoff party will be held from 6-9 p.m. April 2 at LJ Schooners Dockside Restaurant. Rain date is April 11.
ADSO window display
The Arts and Design Society presents the oil paintings of Geraldine Walters during April in the studio windows. The Art Center Gallery is at 17 First Street, SE, in Fort Walton Beach.
Finest on the Emerald Coast
Celebrate with more than 90 local businesses as they showcase why they were voted “Finest” from 6-9:30 p.m. April 9 at HarborWalk Village. Enjoy food, entertainment, and fireworks over the harbor at 8 p.m. Tickets are $30/advance, $35/door or $50/VIP.
Student Art Show
The Arts and Design Society will host the annual Van Porter Student Art Show through April 10 at 17 First Street, SE, in Fort Walton Beach. The exhibit showcases outstanding 8th grade and 12th grade art work. A reception will be held from 5-7 p.m. April 9. Admission to the reception and Gallery is free. Call 244-1271 or visit http://artsdesignsociety.
MKAF concert
December ‘63, Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons tribute band, celebrates the sounds of the ‘60s at 7 p.m. April 11 in the Dugas Pavilion in the Mattie Kelly Cultural Arts Village, 4323 Commons Drive West in Destin. Tickets are $25/adult; $20/MKAF members; and free for children under 12. Purchase tickets at www.MattieKellyArtsFoundation.org or call 650-2226.
Disney Pixar in Concert
Watch your favorite Pixar moments come to life on a giant screen while Sinfonia Gulf Coast performs the film scores from 7-10 p.m. April 11 at the Emerald Coast Convention Center on Okaloosa Island. Selections from all 14 Pixar films, including “Toy Story,” “A Bug’s Life,” “Finding Nemo,” “Cars,” “The Incredibles,” plus more, will be a feast for your eyes and ears. Round up the entire family for this once in a lifetime concert opportunity. For ticket pricing and/or to purchase tickets, visit www.sinfoniagulfcoast.org.
A Night at the Opera
The Northwest Florida Symphony Orchestra welcomes German soprano Vera Schoenberg and baritone Robert Honeysucker along with Korean tenor Won Whi Choi and the Northwest Florida Symphony Chorale for an evening of opera and operetta at 7:30 p.m. April 11 in the mainstage theater of the Mattie Kelly Arts Center in Niceville. Tickets are $25/adult, $18/active duty military and their guests, $18/age 18 and younger, and one free to NWFSC students with ID, space permitting. Call 729-6000.
A Real Gem Show
ADSO will host The Playground Gem and Mineral Society’s “A Real Gem Show” April 11-17. The reception will be from 6-8 p.m. April 11 at 17 First Street, SE in Fort Walton Beach. The show will highlight the activities of the club, as well as some of the wonders of nature. For information, call 244-1271 or visit http://artsdesignsociety.
Bart Rockett
Now appearing (and disappearing) at Emerald Grande’s HarborWalk Village, come and enjoy world-class magic, illusions, ventriloquism and comedy presented by variety performer Bart Rockett at 7:30 p.m. through April 11 and on April 17-18 in the theater. Purchase tickets at www.DestinMagic.com.
Southern Drawl Band
Defined in categories like Country, Southern Rock, Trop Rock and Bluegrass, Southern Drawl Band will perform April 12 at Crab Island Cantina at HarborWalk Village. Call 424-7417.
Star Gazing by the Shore
Volunteers from the Northwest Florida Astronomy Association will set up several telescopes for public viewing the sun and star clusters, planets, and galaxies and answer questions about the night sky from 4:15-10 p.m. April 17 at Henderson Beach State Park.The park will close at sunset which is 7:14 p.m. Come early and bring a picnic dinner to enjoy the sunset. If bringing a flashlight it is recommended that it is covered with a red lens.Program included in the park admission fee.Call837-7550.
Okaloosa Arts Fest
This free family-friendly event features artists and artwork from around the Emerald Coast April 18 at Destin Commons. In addition, there will be live entertainment on the stage and free family hands-on activities.
Fashion show/play
An all volunteer group presents “The Awakening: Celebrating the Spring Equinox in Style,” a farcical, adult-oriented fashion show set to an original play, from 5-7 p.m. April 19 at Shoreline Village, 886 Harbor Blvd. in Destin, off Gulf Shore Drive. Event is free but donations to Shelter House requested. Call 797-3638.
ArtWalk on the Harbor
HarborWalk Village becomes a mini art district as dozens of artists showcase their creative artwork ranging from traditional to contemporary art, jewelry, paintings, handcrafted items and more from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 19 at HarborWalk Village. Also, music on main stage. Held third Sunday of each month.
Student Posters Show
The Arts and Design society will host the Sixth Annual Okaloosa Arts Alliance Student Poster Contest April 21-May 2. Posters, creations of young people Grades 1-12, living in and/or going to school in Okaloosa County, will depict their ideas of “Summer Fun” and will be on display in ADSO's Gallery, 17 First Street SE in Fort Walton Beach. A reception will be held from 6-8 p.m. April 24. Admission to the reception and show is free. Call 244-1271 or visit http://artsdesignsociety.
Cajun Crawfish Bash
The Rotary Club of Destin will host its Third Annual Cajun Crawfish Bash from 5:30-9 p.m. May 1 at Warren Averett CPA & Advisors in Destin, 36474C Emerald Coast Parkway # 3301. Event proceeds benefit young families in need through Food For Thought, Harvest House, the Boys & Girls Club of the Emerald Coast and support The Rotary Club of Destin Scholarship Funds. Tickets are $25/person and $10/children under 12 or free to kids three and under. Day of event, tickets are $30/person. Tickets can be purchased in advance from a Destin Rotarian, at Newman-Dailey Resort Properties or call 837-1071.
Joffrey Ballet
The Merchants of Seaside will host the Joffrey Ballet Concert Group for a debut performance at 6:30 p.m. May 2 in the Seaside Amphitheater. There is no admission to attend the performance.
Concerts in the Village
Mingo Fishtrap brings its melodic pop-meets-gritty-Memphis-soul sound, with a twist of New Orleans funk, to the Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation’s 20th Annual Concerts in the Village at 7 p.m. May 7 in the Dugas Pavilion at the Mattie Kelly Cultural Arts Village, 4323 Commons Drive West in Destin. Tickets are $10/adults and children under 12 are free. Call 650-2226.
• May 14: Déjà Vu fills the evening with R&B and dance music from the ‘70s to the ‘90s
• May 21: Shades of Blue perform a smooth blend of jazz/blues along with their signature pop songs and selections from the ‘70s
• May 28: Local favorite, The Mulligans, entertain with the sounds of the ‘60s and dance music from the ‘70s
• June 4: Pieces of Eight delivers an evening of brassy soul and beachy R&B
• June 11: With energetic choreography and an eclectic sound, The Maxx entertains with classic oldies from yesterday and today’s pop tunes
• June 18: Party band Mr. Big & the Rhythm Sisters heat up summer with sizzling Motown and jazz
• June 25: Dance the night away under the stars with Tyn Tymes, the South’s favorite dance band
• July 2: Popular local singer/pianist/entertainer David Seering presents “An American Celebration” to close out the series
Groovin’ On The Green
The Carillon Beach Institute presents a free concert with The Rowdies from 7-9 p.m. May 24 at the Village Green. Food and beverage vendors will be on site.
•June 1: Latitude 29
•June 8: Ebb Tyed
•June 15: Legacy
•June 22nd Civilized Natives
•June 29: The Jeff Carter Group
•July 4: Sonic Boom
•July 6: Jones & Company
•July 13: In Tune
•July 20: The Mighty Hurricanes
•July 27: Reasonable Doubt
•Aug. 3: Confederate Smoke
•Aug. 10: Luke Pinegar & Friends
•Aug. 17: Civilized Natives
•Aug. 24: Sonic Boom
•Aug. 30: The Rowdies