Coastal Companion

Your ultimate guide to the coast

Happy Cinco de Mayo!

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Who doesn’t love Cinco de Mayo, many bars and restaurants have special events and it is basically an excuse for a party. And why not?
Cinco de Mayo – the 5th of May – is a day of celebration of Mexican heritage and culture in the US and around the world.

A common misconception is that Cinco de Mayo is the “Mexican Independence Day”, it is not. Cinco de Mayo is a regional holiday in Mexico, not an obligatory holiday. The national holiday is actually on September 16th.

Many places started early this year and had Cinco de Mayo parties this past weekend, but the “actual date”, is of course on Tuesday May 5th.

Cinco de Mayo

Movies in the Park – Jacksonville

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Enjoy the nice weather with a free movie under the stars. This time it’s the funny family-friendly flick “Beetlejuice” from 1988 with Michael Keaton. This movie was directed by Tim Burton.

Movies in the ParkBring your own picnic blankets or chair to Treaty Oak Park for a night out with the family. Create your own dinner and a movie night. Show up early and enjoy your picnic while the radio station 96.9 The Eagle supplies the music. Lawn games are available before the movie to keep kids busy.

Free parking available in the Suddath garage on Flagler Street across from the Hampton Inn. Garage gates will open at 5:30 p.m. and stay open until 1:00 a.m. For more information, call 451-3344.

Click here for the listing in our events calendar about the
movie at Treaty Oak Park in our events calendar.

Reggae Nights with De Lions of Jah in Charleston

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It’s time again to enjoy summer in Wannamaker County Park with the annual Reggae Nights. The first concert of the season takes place on Saturday, May 9th. Gates open at 7:30 pm and the concert begins at 8:30 pm.

Bring your whole gang, your own blanket or chair, and your best mood. Spend an evening in the park enjoying an outdoor concert.

Charleston County Park & Recreation Commission will play host to
De Lions Of Jah at its first concert of this summer’s reggae series. The concert, held at Wannamaker County Park, will be on Saturday, May 9 with gates opening at 7:30pm and music beginning at 8:30pm.

Bring your chair or blanket, kick back, and celebrate summer with an outdoor old school reggae concert with a new attitude.

Tickets can be purchased at the gate. $8 for adults (13 and up) or 5 Greenbax; children 12 and under are free. Annual Gold Passes will be honored. Food, beverage, and souvenirs will be available for purchase.

For more information visit www.ccprc.com/reggae or call (843)-795-4FUN (4386).

De Lions at the Conch House

Free Concert in Savannah -Music for Mothers

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Savannah Arts Academy’s Silver Winds Ensemble will present a concert at the Jewish Educational Alliance (5111 Abercorn) on Sunday, May 10th at 3:00 p.m. The concert is FREE & OPEN to the public.

Music NotesThe Silver Winds Ensemble (SWE) has earned consecutive Superior Ratings at the Georgia Music Educators Association Performance Evaluation Festival and Shamrock Music Festival in Dublin, Georgia since the opening of Savannah Arts in 1998. SWE most recently traveled to Troy University after being invited to perform for the Southeastern United States Honor Band Clinic. Many SWE Alumni are now attending universities and conservatories.

Each year, SWE members audition and are selected to the Governor’s Honors Program, Various University Honor Bands, Georgia Music Educators Association (GMEA) District One Honor Band, GMEA All-State Jazz and GMEA Concert Band. The Georgia House of Representatives and State Senate has commended Silver Winds on several occasions in the area of performance.

Michael Hutchinson, SWE’s conductor, now in his 25th year of teaching, was named Savannah Arts Academy’s 2000 Teacher of the Year, He is a graduate of VanderCook School of Music and Troy State University has

directed Silver Winds since the opening of Savannah Arts Academy.
Mr. Hutchinson is a member of:
• National Band Association
• National Educators Association
• Georgia Educators Association
• International Association of Jazz Educators
• Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity
• Blue Key National Honor Society
• Music Educators National Conference
• Society for General Music .

Please join the Silver Winds Ensemble for a magical musical treat honoring our wonderful mothers.
Silver Winds Ensemble

Jacksonville Jazz Festival 2009

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Come downtown for the 2009 Jacksonville Jazz Festival on May 21-24, 2009. The event will feature renowned jazz performances in the heart of downtown Jacksonville on Laura Street. The whole downtown area will turn into a colorful, vibrant street festival. Besides music, you can enjoy the Heart Art Show & Sale, Wine Down Tasting Experience, jazz exhibits, children’s educational activities and much more.

Other highlights of the festival includes the Jacksonville Jazz Piano Competition, the ‘Round Midnight Jazz Jam and Sunday Jazz Brunches.
The 2009 Art in the Heart of Downtown art show and sale
This event features work of prize-winning artists and master craftspeople from around the country. Festival goers can enjoy both live jazz music while browsing art from talented artists

Wine Down Tasting Experience
May 22-24
Hemming Plaza – in the heart of downtown Jacksonville

Now festival goers can also participate in The Wine Down Tasting Experience. Tickets to the wine tasting can be purchased downtown. You’ll receive a souvenir wine glass and eight samplings of featured wines. Winery representatives will also be on-hand to discuss the intricacies of various

May Art Walk
Wednesday, May 6, 5 – 8 p.m.
Laura St. between MOCA Jacksonville and the Main Library

Don’t forget that you can meet and great and get your own poster signed by this year’s Jazz Festival poster artist Tom Farrell at the May Art Walk. Jacksonville Jazz Festival posters will be for sale, plus festival information and giveaways.

Jazz