Coastal Companion

Your ultimate guide to the coast

First Wednesday Art Walk – May 4, 2011

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The weather is gorgeous in Florida right now. This week it’s time again for the artwalk in downtown Jacksonville, Fla. Bring your whole gang for a fun night out on the town. The whole downtown area comes alive when  art galleries and other venues stay open for the First Wednesday Art walk.

Visit our special events page for the downloadable and printable pdf. You can also watch our video from the art walk in Jacksonville.

First Wednesday Art Walk in Jacksonville

 

Other Jacksonville posts to read:

Remember, Mother’s Day is coming up and if you haven’t made plans yet – read Joe’s article about Mother’s Day in Jacksonville

 

Things To Do Amelia Island May 2011

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FODfest (May 6-7)
A special fundraising event, FODfest offers the community free, public concerts that bring together diverse groups of artists and audiences. FODfest offers, school programs, and multimedia productions that promote its community-building mission. For additional information, visit www.fodfest.org.

Butterflies are Free Breakfast, Author Talk, and Butterfly Release (May 10)
New York Times best-selling author Mary Alice Monroe has chosen Amelia Island to launch her latest book, “The Butterfly’s Daughter”.  A breakfast and author talk will be followed by a release of monarch butterflies, coordinated by volunteers from Wild Amelia Nature Festival. Tickets are $50 and include a signed copy of the book. Tickets can be purchased at Red Otter Outfitters and the Golf Club of Amelia Island after March 15, or by contacting Dickie Anderson (904) 556-6455. The event will benefit the Wild Amelia Nature Festival.

Amelia Island Chamber Music Festival (May 20-June 19)
The Amelia Island Chamber Music Festival will showcase world-class artists performing classical music in intimate and historic settings on Amelia Island. The festival is dedicated to bringing a wide variety of chamber music at the highest level, with performances by the Tokyo String Quartet, Louciana Souza, violinist Rachel Barton Pine, eighth blackbird, classical guitarist Sharon Isbin, and many more. The festival offers four free concerts, including the Air National Guard Band of the South performing a Splendor in the Brass concert. Other Festival highlights include two Candlelight Concerts at Fort Clinch State Park, the more informal Beer and G Strings at the Palace Saloon, and La Tierra Prometida. Click here to read more about the Amelia Island Chamber Music Festival

Wild Amelia Nature Festival (May 20-22)

The 2011 Wild Amelia Nature Festival invites residents and visitors to experience the wild side of Amelia Island. With more than 25 seminars and experiences, the three-day festival includes a Segway tour of Ft. George Island, kayaking the marshes along Ft. Clinch State Park, and exploration of bird habitats by bike. The festival also offers programs designed specifically for children, including a Kid’s Niche with hands-on nature activities. There will also be an EcoExpo with green and nature-based exhibitors, and a Silent Auction. For more information visit Wild Amelia Nature Festival

2011 Ed Gaw Amelia Island Open Water Challenge (May 28)
The Ed Gaw Amelia Island Open Water Challenge includes a 5K (3.1 miles) ocean swim. The event will take place at 8:30 a.m. at Main Beach. The cost to participate is $30. Participants can register online at www.active.com or at the Atlantic Avenue Recreation Center.


WWII Event (May 28-29)
Fort Clinch State Park will hold a Memorial Weekend program in honor of the men and women who served in World War II.  Visitors can explore military displays, view memorabilia, and learn about the uniforms, weapons, vehicles, and lifestyle of those who were part of the war during the 1940’s.  The event will take place on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.  For details, call (904) 277-7274 or visit www.floridastateparks.org/fortclinch.

Keith Urban in Jacksonville

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Keith Urban is coming to the Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Florida, on June 17, 2011 at 7:30 pm.

Below you can watch his music video for “Without You”.

This is going to be a popular concert in Jacksonville, so if you want to go and see Keith Urban live, don’t wait.

Get your tickets here…

 

 

Fun Things To Do in St. Augustine, Fl – April 28 – May 1, 2011

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GAMBLE ROGERS FOLK FESTIVAL
This weekend you can listen to the best in folk and Americana music at this three-day Gamble Rogers Folk festival in downtown St. Augustine. Starting Friday April 29, 2011.

 

LIVING HISTORY DAYS AT FORT MOSE

On Saturday April 30, 2011 from 10 a.m to 2 p.m you can meet real-life St. Augustine’s 1740 residents, Los Presidiales de San Agustín. Fort Mose was established back in 1738. It is the site of the first, legally-sanctioned free black settlement in the continental U.S.  The re-enactors portraying townsfolk will present 18th-century Living History Day programs at the fort. Fort Mose State Park is located at 15 Fort Mose Trail in St. Augustine. Admission is $2 per person. For more information, call 904.823.2232 or visit www.floridastateparks.org/fortmose.

 

UPTOWN SATURDAY NIGHT

On Saturday April 30, 2011, from 5 to 9 p.m., you can experience a fun, Uptown Saturday night  in downtown St. Augustine along galleries, antique stores and unique shops on St. Augustine’s San Marco Avenue between Ripley’s Museum and the Mission Nombre de Dios. Read more here about Uptown Saturday Night in St. Augustine, Florida.
RUBBER DUCK RACE Don’t miss the rubber duck for a good cause at the Sixth Annual Rubber Duck Race to fight cancer. Presented by the American Cancer Society, the race will take place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the St. Johns County Pier Park and Pavilion in St. Augustine Beach. For more information, call 903.307.3638.

MENORCAN DAY TEA

On Sunday May 1, 2011, from 2 to 4 p.m. you can learn about unique Menorcan customs while enjoying a traditional Menorcan tea hosted by three natives who can trace their heritage back through nearly 445 years of St. Augustine history and into antiquity in Spain. These heritage natives portray the city’s Spanish Royal Family – Queen Maria Anna, her son King Carlos, and her daughter Princess Margarita Maria – the royal family of Spain during the construction of the city’s Castillo de San Marcos.  
For more information, call 904.824.4991. corina kopf nudes

 

EMMA FREE CONCERT

How about a free concert? Violist Jorge Peña Portillo has performed with the National Orchestra Institute, Washington D.C., the Grand Teton Music Festival, Jackson Hole, WY and others and was the Assistant Principal Violist for both the Annapolis Symphony Orchestra and the Maryland Symphony Orchestra. The free concert takes place on Sunday May 1, 2011, at 2 p.m. in the Flagler College Auditorium, 14 Granada Street in St. Augustine. For more information, call 904.797.2800 or visit www.EMMAConcerts.com.

Jacksonville in May 2011

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Summer is almost here and there is no shortage of fun things to do on the coast this month. May is usually an action-packed month. We’ll start out with two popular festival that technically start in April, but I wanted to add them to the list anyway to make sure you don’t forget.

 

World of Nations Celebration
April 28 – May 1, 2011

Jacksonville celebrates its cultural diversity with the World of Nations Celebration in Metropolitan Park every spring. The festival is presented by the City of Jacksonville. Metropolitan Park transforms into a multi-ethnic marketplace of cuisine, crafts and entertainment of people from around the world.
Read more about World of Nations Celebration here.

 

Florida’s Birding and FotoFest
April 28-May 1

This event features professional photographers giving hands-on advice and nature excursions throughout Northeast Florida. Headquartered at Guana Environmental Education Center, attendees can experience a butterfly house, vendors and other family activities. Read more here.

 

Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival
April 28 – May 1

This unique Amelia Island festival combines delicious fresh seafood with a fun, small town celebration complete with parade, pirate invasions, live music, activities, contests and much more. The festival takes place in historic downtown Fernandina Beach. Read more and watch our video from Fernandina Shrimp Festival here.

 

First Wednesday Art Walk
May 4, 2011

Every month downtown Jacksonville comes alive with the art walk. Come participate and take a stroll downtown to explore new art and new experiences. The weather is perfect for an evening walk. Start in Hemming Plaza. More information here.

Movies in the Park
May 6, 2011

Downtown Jacksonville’s series is returning to historic Treaty Oak Park Fridays in the spring. Hosted by Downtown Vision, Inc. and JaxParks, the series features four family-friendly movies shown under the stars, each beginning at dusk (around 8 p.m.)

Pops at the Beach – Mother’s Day Concert
May 8, 2011

This is a great idea for how to celebrate Mother’s Day within your budget. Head to Jacksonville Beach for a free Mother’s Day concert, you can even bring your own picnic dinner. Read more about Pops at the Beach here.

World Golf Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony
May 9, 2011

This year’s ceremony marks the first time this event will be held during THE PLAYERS Championship. The induction class of 2011 will be featured in a new exhibit at the World Golf Hall of Fame Museum. Event takes place on an outdoor stage adjacent to the Hall of Fame and is free and open to the public. Seating is limited. Call (904) 940-4123 or visit www.worldgolfhalloffame.org.

THE PLAYERS Championship
 May 9-15, 2011

It’s one of golf’s biggest events and it’s played annually on the coastline of Northeast Florida at the famed Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra, Florida. The lush, green rolling hills and steep inclines offer spectacular views of each hole. The tournament begins on Monday with practice rounds. Thursday, the competition heats up as Round 1 of tournament play begins, concluding Sunday with fans gathering around the 18th hole to see who will take home the crystal trophy. Visit our special page for THE PLAYERS.

Dancin’ in the Street
May 21, 2011

Atlantic beach block party. Log on to www.jacksonvillebeach.org or call (904) 270-1658 for more information.

starry nightsStarry Nights
May 21, 2011

The City of Jacksonville presents Starry Nights, an event that combines the sounds of the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra with a national performer. Concert is held at Metropolitan Park, along the St. Johns River. www.makeascenedowntown.com

Moonlight Movies
May 20 & 27
Enjoy classic movies under the stars and by the ocean. These events are free to the public and featured movies will be announced a few weeks prior to the first screening. Held over four Friday evenings at 9 p.m.  Visit our Moonlight Movies page for more info.

Jacksonville Jazz Festival
May 26-29, 2011

Held annually over the Memorial Day holiday weekend in the heart of Downtown Jacksonville. Street party atmosphere includes four stages scattered in the city’s Laura Street corridor. Enjoy internationally acclaimed jazz performers, as well as the region’s best musicians during this four-day event. More information about the Jacksonville Jazz Festival here.

Memorial Wall Ceremony
May 31, 2010

Remember wounded and lost soldiers and their families this Memorial Day. Jacksonville honor its military heritage and local heroes with keynote speakers, presentation of colors, family tributes, a wreath presentation, a 21-gun salute, “Taps” and musical tributes. Call (904) 630-3690 or log on to www.makeascenedowntown.com.