ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT April 5
To list your event, email pgrif-fin@thedestinlog.com or news@thedestinlog.com.
Wednesday Night Concert Series
Bring your chairs and blankets and enjoy a free concert under the stars with the Blues Brothers from 7-9 p.m. April 5 in the Events Plaza in Baytowne Wharf.
• April 12: Departure, A Journey Tribute
• April 19: Satisfaction, A Rolling Stones Tribute
•April 26: Shadow of the King, Elvis Tribute
Soundsations musical show
The Soundsations Show Choir of Northwest Florida State College presents its annual musical variety and dance event at 7:30 p.m. April 6 in the Mainstage Theater of the Mattie Kelly Fine and Performing Arts Center in Niceville. The college’s Raider Rhythms dance ensemble that performs at the NWF sporting events will also appear. Proceeds support student scholarships. Tickets are $15/adult and $10/youth age 18 and younger and may be pur-chased in advance or at the door. Call 729-6000 or visit www.MattieKellyArtsCenter.org.
Teen Night 2017
Fudpucker's Beachside Bar & Grill in Destin holds Teen Night for ages 14-17 from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. every Thursday and Friday through April 14. Teens can dance the night away in a fully supervised environment. Parents are welcome to view the fun from the lounge overlooking the deck. Cost is $15/general admission and $10 additional for VIP Package which includes special VIP area, non-alcoholic champagne, free 32 oz. Fud Bucket, Unlimited Coca Cola prod-ucts, glow jewelry and more. Call 654-4200.
Baytowne LIVE/Spring Break
Enjoy the musical stylings of local artists from 7-10 p.m. on the Baytowne LIVE stage across from MooLaLa. Concerts are free and open to the public.
• Stevie Hall: April 8, 11, 15
• Bryan Bludworth: April 7, 14
Fine Arts Recitals
The Fine and Performing Arts Division of Northwest Florida State College presents a series of free vocal and instrumental recitals featuring NWFSC students who are selected to perform by college faculty. Spring Recitals are sched-uled at 3 p.m. April 7 and April 21, with an Honors Recital April 28, in the Tyler Recital Hall of the Mattie Kelly Arts Center in Niceville. Free seating is on a first come basis with no ticket required. For information, call 729-5362.
MKAF concert
Bring a lawn chair, pack a picnic and wine or purchase dinner prepared fresh onsite when Jersey performs a live tribute concert to the music of Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band at 7 p.m. April 8 in the Mattie Kelly Cultural Arts Village, 4323 Commons Drive West in Destin. Bottled water and soft drinks are available to purchase on-site. Tickets are $25/general admission and $20/MKAF members. Children 12 and under are free. Children under 17 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Pur-chase tickets online at www.mattiekellyartsfoundation.org.
Family Estuary Festival
The Mattie M. Kelly Environmental Institute of NWFSC will host its Family Estuary Festival for the 10th year in a row from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 8 at Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou State Park in Niceville along the Choctawhatchee Bay. Free and open to the public, the Boy Scouts of America will provide food options for purchase. Guests will have the opportunity to participate in interactive activities, including kayak tours and T-shirt making. Winners of the MKEI photo contest will also be announced.
Spring Concerts at Market Shops
Luke Langford & 331 South Band will perform from 1-3 p.m. April 9 at The Market Shops at the entrance to Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort. Bring a chair and blanket. In the event of rainy weather, the concert will be relocated to the covered patio outside of Bijoux.
• April 16: Donnie Sundal
• April 23: Chris Alvarado
• April 30: The Wildlife Specials
ADSO window display
During April, The Arts and Design Society pre-sents the works of students of clay artists Pat Basque and Sherry Cooler. The window art is available for viewing 24/7 at The Art Center Gallery, 17 First Street SE in Fort Walton Beach.
HH Arts Artist of the Month
During April, HH Arts will highlight the works of Benita Tucker, seascape artist, at 100 Beal Parkway SW in Fort Walton Beach.
Jazz Band Concert
The Jazz Ensemble of Northwest Florida State College will present a rousing free concert of traditional and new jazz favorites at 7:30 p.m. April 11 in the Mainstage Theater of the college’s Mattie Kelly Arts Center in Niceville. Doors open at 7 p.m. with seating selection on a first-come basis.
Wine dinner
Bijoux Restaurant & Spirits will host a wine dinner showcasing Sterling Vineyards at 6 p.m. April 11. Featured wines include their 2014 Napa Sauvignon Blanc, 2014 Napa Chardonnay, 2013 Napa Merlot and 2014 Napa Cabernet Sauvignon. A five course dinner will be prepared by Bijoux Execu-tive Chef/Owner Jack McGuckin. Cost is $65 and reservations are recommended at 622-0760.
Children’s Theatre
Join Arthur, Merlin, Guinevere, and Lancelot in The Tales of King Arthur at 6 p.m. Wednesdays through April 12 in North Barrett Square in Rosemary Beach. Blankets and lawn chairs welcome.
One Night of Queen
“One Night of Queen with Gary Mullen and The Works” appears April 13 in the Mainstage Theater of the Mattie Kelly Arts Center at NWFSC in Niceville. The concert recreates and celebrates the music of Queen. Tick-ets are $35 or $30 for groups of 10 or more purchased together and are available at 729-6000 or www.MattieKellyArtsCenter.org.
‘80s Rewind Dance Party
Emerald Coast Theatre Company (ECTC) is throwing a big-haired dance party, ‘80s style, at 7:30 p.m. April 14 in ECTC’s performing space, Upstairs at 560 Grand Boulevard in Grand Boulevard at Sandestin in Miramar Beach. Scrunchies and bolo ties are optional, but best dressed will win for the “Most Choice” outfit. Shenanigans Show Band will perform. Tickets are $25/advance and $30/door. Proceeds from ticket sales, cash bar and silent auction will benefit Emerald Coast Theatre Company’s educational and professional programs. Purchase tickets at www.emeraldcoasttheatre.org.
Blackwater Review
Student poets and writers published in this year's Blackwater Review at NWFSC will read and perform their pieces at a casual event at 6 p.m. April 14 in the McIlroy Gallery. Event is free and open to the public. Call 729-6032 or email holmesb@nwfsc.edu.
HH Arts anniversary
HH Arts, 100 Beal Parkway in Fort Walton Beach, will celebrate its second anniversary from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 15. Meet many of the artists and watch them at work. Enjoy refreshments and music.
Easter Explosion
Bounce on over to the Village of Baytowne Wharf for an Easter Explosion from 12-3 p.m. April 15. Enjoy a day filled with free family friendly entertainment, lawn games, face-painting, and an inflatable obstacle course. Get your picture taken with the Easter Bunny.
Easter Bunny Brunch/Visit
Enjoy an Easter Brunch overlooking the Destin harbor from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 16 in the HarborView Room. Call 424-0622 for reservations. Then hop on down to HarborWalk Village and visit with the Easter Bunny from 2-4 p.m. on the main stage.
Reading/unveiling
Andre Dubus III is the 2017 guest author appearing as part of the NWF READS program at North-west Florida State College. He will present a Guest Author Reading of his work from 7-8 p.m. April 17 in the Sprint Theater of the Mattie Kelly Arts Center on the Niceville campus. The event is free of charge with no ticket required. Immediately preceding the reading by Dubus, the college’s liter-ary journal Blackwater Review will be unveiled with a reception and selected student readings in the adjoining McIlroy Gallery from 6-6:45 p.m. Event is free.
Pinocchio
The REP presents a free updated, fast paced version of the classic tale that follows the little puppet Pinocchio on his adventures to becoming a real boy. Shows are at 6 p.m. Mondays through April 17 at the Seaside Amphitheater.
Independent Film Series
The Friends Guild of the Destin Library will sponsor a movie, the drama "I Am Sam," at 3 p.m. April 18 at the Destin Library. The program is free and open to the pub-lic; directed toward a mature audience.
Pop & Shop Concert Series
Sip, shop and shimmy to the tunes of Continuum during the new concert series from 5-7 p.m. April 18 throughout the center at The Market Shops at the entrance to Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort.
May 2: Casey Kearney
May 9: Hugh Mitchell & The High Tide
May 16: Boukou Groove
May 23: Continuum
May 30: Kyle LaMonica
June 6: Casey Kearney
June 13: Kyle LaMonica
June 20: Hugh Mitchell & The High Tide
June 27: Luke Langford
July 4: The Graytones
July 11: Hugh Mitchell & The High Tide
July 18: Boukou Groove
July 25: Casey Kearney
Aug. 15: Boukou Groove
Musical Echoes
Musical Echoes Flute Festival returns from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. April 21-23 at The Landing, 139 Brooks St. in Fort Walton Beach. Celebrate Native American culture, art, and music. Admission is free. This is a non-alcoholic event for the entire family.
German Masters Concert
The Northwest Florida Symphony Orchestra's 30th Season continues at 7:30 p.m. April 22 with a German Masters concert in the Mainstage Theater of the Mattie Kelly Fine & Performing Arts Center in Niceville. German violin virtuoso Tobias Steymans is featured and will perform Mendelssohn's Violin Concerto. He is the concertmaster of the world-renown Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra in Munich, Germany, and last appeared with the NFSO in 2012. The NFSO will also raise the roof with Beethoven's iconic Symphony No. 5. Tickets are $25/adult, $18/active duty military and $18/youth 18 and younger. Purchase at 729-6000 and 90 minutes prior to Mainstage Theater events.
Spring Concert
The Madrigal Singers and Belle Voci vocal en-sembles of Northwest Florida State College will present their Spring Concert at 2 p.m. April 23 in the Tyler Recital Hall of the Mattie Kelly Arts Center on the college's Niceville Campus. The event is free.
Bubbly Baytowne
An evening of champagne, live music from Kyle Lamonica, and shopping begins at 5 p.m. April 27 at the Baytowne Wharf Events Plaza. The event is free and for 21 and up only. The Village will be open to the public during this event. Other evening May 18 with music of Scott Rockwood.
Dance Facets
The NWFSC Dance program, students and faculty, join forces with Fred Astaire Dance Studio to present Dance Facets at 7:30 p.m. April 28 and 29 in the Mainstage Theater of the Mattie Kelly Fine and Performing Arts Center in Niceville. Tickets are avail-able at 729-6000 or www.MattieKellyArtsCenter.org for $15/adult and $10/youth age 18 and younger. Proceeds benefit the college's Frances Smith Herron Dance Studio Endowment and student Scholarships.
Duo Piano Recital
The Choctaw Bay Music Club will host its 26th Annual Duo Piano Recital program from 3-4 p.m. April 30 at Northwest Florida State College, Performing Arts Building, Tyler Recital Hall in Niceville. This year's theme is "The Carnival of the Animals." The event is free and open to the general public. Donations will be welcome, but not required.
Call to artists: On the Menu
The Arts and Design Society is calling all artists to participate in their upcoming “On the Menu” Show, in which artwork is inspired by what’s on the menu or restaurant happenings in general. Turn in work from 1-4 p.m. April 29 and 9 a.m. to noon May 1 at the Art Center, 17 First Street, SE in Fort Walton Beach. Entry fee is $25/members, 2 pieces; $35/non-members, 2 pieces. A copy of the entry form with details is available at http://artsdesignsociety.org/.
Cooking with the Chef
Enjoy an afternoon of interactive cooking and lunch with Chef Jimmy McManus at noon May 2 in the HarborView Room at Emerald Grande. Learn the secret behind making Grilled Chicken Pesto and Creamy Mushroom Ri-sotto . Cost is $25/person with a complimentary glass of wine. For reserva-tions, call 424-0622.
Cajun Crawfish Bash
The Rotary Club of Destin will host its 5th Annual Cajun Crawfish Bash with a twist of Cinco de Crawdaddy from 5:30-9 p.m. May 5 at Warren Averett CPA & Advisors, 36474C Emerald Coast Parkway, # 3301 in Destin. Event proceeds benefit young families in need through Food For Thought, Harvest House, Boys & Girls Club of the Emerald Coast and education support for Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation’s outreach and The Rotary Club of Destin Scholarship Funds. Tickets are on sale for $30/person and $10/children under 12 or free to kids age three and under. Day of event, tickets are $35/person. Tickets can be purchased at Newman-Dailey Resort Properties or call 837-1071 or from a Destin Rotarian.
Luncheon
“Run for the Roses” with The Friends Guild of the Destin Library when they host their annual May luncheon at 11 a.m. May 5 at Tuscany Italian Bistro Restaurant, 36178 Emerald Coast Parkway. Advance tickets are $20/person which includes a choice of entree, beverage, tax, and tip. Tickets may be purchased until May 2 by check at the Destin Library or at 654-5476.
Wine Dinner: The E.O.Wilson Biophilia Center will host its first Birds of Prey Wine Dinner at 6 p.m. May 6 at Roux 30A, 114 Logan Lane in Santa Rosa Beach. Discover the beauty of some of the most impressive birds of prey from our area during a live show and enjoy a 5-course dinner prepared by Chef Nikhil. Evening ends with silent auction. Cost is $200/person and proceeds go to the Biophilia Center. Make reservations at https:/birdsofpreywinedinner.eventbrite.com.
Digital Graffiti Festival 2017
Digital Graffiti at Alys Beach, a projection art festival on Scenic Highway 30A, will be held from May 19-21. Twenty finalists along with three artist-in-residence participants from four countries will gather to showcase their digital artwork and vie for cash prizes totaling $10,000. Purchase tickets at http://www.digitalgraffiti.com/tickets/
Art presentation
“The Art of George Rodrigue” presentation by Mrs. George (Wendy) Rodrigue will be at 6 p.m. May 25 in the Rosemary Beach Town Hall. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Wendy Rodrigue will also sign copies of her book, The Other Side of the Painting. Books will be available for purchase at the free event. A cash bar will be provided by Edward’s Fine Food And Wine until 6:15 p.m.
Sculpture Exhibition
Opening, Wine Reception and Unveiling takes place at 4 p.m. May 26 in the Rosemary Beach Town Hall Courtyard. Reception provided by Restaurant Paradis. Meet some of the artists and enjoy a self-guided tour of the exhibition.
Sinfonia Goes Pops
Enjoy the orchestral sounds of Sinfonia Gulf Coast under the palm trees in the Alys Beach Amphitheatre at 7:30 p.m. May 28. Food and beverage available for purchase. Free and open to the public.
The Stoked Show
Hypnotic comedy, hilarious impersonations and toe-tapping sing-along hits with audience participation can be seen at 2 and 8 p.m. through May 28, Wednesdays through Saturdays, at the Bart Rockett Theater at HarborWalk Village. Show is free.
Paddle at the Porch
The 6th Annual Paddle at the Porch, a stand up paddle board race, will take place at 9 a.m. Aug. 19, in the Gulf waters behind The Back Porch Seafood & Oyster House in Destin. It offers races for all skill and age levels, with its Kids’ Fun Paddle, 1-Mile Beginner Ride, 3-Mile Recreational Race, and 6-Mile Elite Race. Packet Pick Up Party at The Back Porch Aug. 18. Register at pad-dleguru.com/races/6thAnnualPaddleatthePorch.
Locals Night Out
Ruth's Chris Steakhouse Destin presents Locals Night Out with the music of Jones & Company from 6-9 p.m. every Wednesday in the Courtyard Bar.