Coastal Companion

Your ultimate guide to the coast

First Wednesday Art Walk, Jacksonville, FL – February 2010

by

Art Walk in February in downtown Jacksonville, Florida
Check out our First Wednesday Art Walk Jacksonville, Florida, page and watch our video and download this month’s map.

February 3, 2010: Ladies Night

February is the month of Valentine’s Day and the theme for this month’s art walk is “Ladies Night”, lots of special treats for ladies. You don’t want to miss out this time!

Hemming Plaza: Show off, impress and be memorable. Don’t miss the opportunity to learn some new dance moves with dancing and lessons by Salsa Caliente from 5:30 – 6:30 p.m.

The Adrian Pickett Gallery – New location at the Jacksonville Landing. Portraits in charcoal and more by Adrian Pickett. Special treat for ladies.

Jacksonville Historic Naval Ship Museum – New location at the Jacksonville Landing – U.S. Navy ship models, photographs and former shipboard equipment on display.

MOCA Jacksonville – Check out the new exhibit: Life as a Legend: Marilyn Monroe.

Burrito Gallery – Features works by Overstreet Ducasse, Roosevelt Watson and Adrian Rhodes with a ladies night video installation by Biggie Tea.

Cafe 331 – Burlesque show, fire dancing, live body painting, the history of St. Valentine and more. Chocolate-covered strawberries while supplies last.

The Sinclair – Features haikus and web comics by Haiku Birdie. Chances to win Valentine’s-themed prizes.

11E – Circa Sixty Three showcases the ‘Frontier’ collection and hosts a raffle to win an exclusive jewelry package.

The Twisted Martini – The spot for THE OFFICIAL ART WALK AFTER PARTY! Buy one drink, hand over your Art Walk flyer and receive your second drink free.

Click here to visit  First Wednesday Art Walk Jacksonville, Florida, watch the video and download the map for February 2010.

Mardi Gras festivals on the coast of Georgia

by

Mardi Gras is known for fun and festivities. Mardi Gras traditionally takes place before the fasting season of Lent, its origins go all the way back to the ancient Rome. Many cities continue the tradition today, for example Mobile, Alabama and New Orleans, Louisiana, and maybe the most famous celebration of them all takes place in Rio de Janeiro.
But did you know that here on the coast of Georgia, we actually have two festivals of our own. St Marys Mardi Gras has a long tradition, in 2010 it’s the 16th year for the annual festival.  Tybee Island is slightly behind, celebrating the 2nd Mardi Gras.

Mardi Gras St Marys
The 16th Annual Mardi Gras Festival and Parade will showcase festive floats and costumes designed around this year’s theme “Romance Through the Ages.”  This is one of the most popular annual festivals in St Marys. Everyone comes downtown to view the Mardi Gras parade and catch beads.

A 10 a.m. parade will kick off the festival and the parade is followed by an action-packed day of entertainment, arts and crafts, and amusements. When the sun goes down , adults can continue to the Mardi Gras Ball. And when I say adults, I mean adults. A new King and Queen are chosen and prizes are awarded for best costumes. Dance music will be provided by the band, “A Touch of Grey”.  I warned you, this party is for adults only.

Tickets for the ball are available at the St. Marys Welcome Center and Once Upon a Bookseller in Downtown St. Marys. Beads are also available at the bookstore on days leading up to the festival. For more information, call 912-882-7350 or 912-552-0072.

The Mardi Gras Festival includes a parade and live entertainment on Saturday, February 13th.
For more information, please call St Marys Convention and Visitors Bureau at 912.882.4000 or visit www.stmaryswelcome.com

Mardi Gras Tybee
Tybee Island is celebrating Mardi Gras for the second time this year.
Purple, gold and green flags will dress up Tybee Island for the party. Mardi Gras Tybee kicks off with a  Masquerade Ball on Friday, February 12th at 8pm, hosted by Fannies on the Beach. Tickets are $20 in advance, or $25 at the door.

On Saturday February 13th, there will be a Mardi Gras parade at 3pm down Butler Avenue and a street party with music and festivities on Tybrisa Street. Join the fun, listen to authentic Zydeco music featuring Brad Randell and the Zydeco Ballers, All American All Star Dixieland Review and Jeff Beasley Band. The music starts already at noon. Admission to the street party and parade viewing is free.


Tickets for the Fantasy Masquerade Ball can be purchased online at www.mardigrastybee.com

mardi gras festival georgia 2010

Art Show during 2010 Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance

by

The Automotive Fine Arts Society will host its 15th annual art show during the 2010 Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance on March 11-14, 2010, in Amelia Island, Fla. Mazda North America will once again sponsor the popular exhibit, which will showcase automotive subjects in a variety of mediums including oil, watercolors, acrylics, wood, gouache, pen and ink, clay and metal. The AFAS was established in 1983 and consists of the most celebrated automotive artists in the world.

Painting by Charlie Maher commemorating Stirling Moss and his victory at the Cuban Grand Prix 50 years ago.

“Each spring our members look forward to displaying at the Amelia Island Concours, which has become one of the true gems of automotive events worldwide,” said Ken Eberts, president of the AFAS. “Our artists, who are finishing their new pieces for the show, always seem to exhibit paintings that connect with the cars and people of Amelia Island. The event’s ability to celebrate both man and machine inspires us to do the same.”

Held at the magnificent Ritz-Carlton Hotel and The Golf Club of Amelia Island at Summer Beach, the Amelia Island Concours is among the most popular automotive events in the country. Celebrities, industry leaders, art collectors and automotive enthusiasts regularly attend the annual event and the AFAS exhibit.

Honoree of the Concours will be famed NASCAR champion, “The King” Richard Petty, while Mercedes-Benz will serve as the featured marque. The event will also commemorate the 40th anniversary of Porsche’s inaugural victory at the 24 Hours of Daytona and Le Mans, while showcasing several influential 917s. Sir Stirling Moss will also be on hand as the Concours celebrates the 50th Anniversary of his victory in the last Cuban Grand Prix. Several artists will display paintings and sculptures honoring these special guests.

“The AFAS always exhibits the best examples of art showcasing our honoree and historic racing moments,” noted Bill Warner, Amelia Island Concours Chairman. “The Amelia is about the celebration of our heroes and great moments in racing. The artists of the AFAS feel the same passion as the staff and volunteers of the Concours.”

Georgia Super Museum Sunday, Feb 7, 2010

by

Georgia Days Super Museum Sunday Offers Free Access
to Area Museums and Historic Sites

The Georgia Historical Society (GHS) in conjunction with area museums and historic sites invites everyone to participate in and enjoy Georgia Days Super Museum Sunday on February 7, 2010, from 12:00 noon until 4:00 p.m.

Don’t miss this once-a-year event, as historic house museums, art museums, and other cultural organizations throughout coastal Georgia open their doors to the public at no charge during this annual Georgia Historical Society’s Georgia Days event.

Georgia Days Super Museum Sunday is part of GHS’s Georgia Days, a month-long commemoration of Georgia’s rich history, and GHS’s signature educational event of the year. Georgia Days Super Museum Sunday is free and open to the public.

For a map of participating museums, click here!

For more Georgia Day events and activities, click here.

For more information visit www.georgiahistory.com and follow the Georgia Days links.

Photo: Fort Pulaski, Savannah

Georgia Days 2010

by

sidney sweeny nude

Georgia Days is the signature educational program of the Georgia Historical Society held every year. The events take place around the anniversary of the founding of the colony of Georgia on February 12, 1733. The event tries to bring history to life through a variety of programs including a series of school events and curriculum, crafts workshops, and the two-day Colonial Faire and Muster living-history program held at Wormsloe State Historic Site. The colorful Georgia Day parade is one of the most popular highlights of the Georgia Days celebration.

Georgia Days Kick Off Event & Lecture
Featuring an evening with National Public Radio’s Scott Simon, author of Jackie Robinson and the Integration of Baseball
Tuesday, February 2, 2010, 6:00 P.M.
Ralph Mark Gilbert Civil Rights Museum Annex – 460 Martin Luther King Blvd, Savannah

Savannah Book Festival
Friday and Saturday , February 5-6, 2010
Various locations around Telfair Square, Savannah

Colonial Faire and Muster
Saturday (Family Day) and Sunday, February 6-7, 2010, 10:00 A.M. – 4:00 P.M.
Wormsloe State Historic Site, Savannah

Take your family back in time to the site of one of the earliest and most beautiful plantations of the Georgia coast for this popular annual living-history event featuring costumed re-enactors.

Georgia Days Super Museum Sunday
Sunday, February 7, 2010, 12:00 – 4:00 P.M.
Multiple Savannah-area sites.  Experience coastal Georgia’s rich history and cultural life as historic sites, house museums, art museums, and other points of interest in Savannah and coastal Georgia open their doors to the public at no charge during this annual Georgia Days event.  From Statesboro to Darien, more than 40 sites participate in this event, providing visitors a rare opportunity to experience the history in our own backyard.

Georgia Day Parade


Thursday, February 12, 2010, 10:30 A.M.
Bull Street from Forsyth Park to City Hall, Savannah

Thousands of costumed local school children participate in the annual parade. The kids will march behind banners in commemoration of Georgia’s founding in 1733. The parade also include local dignitaries, costumed characters, musicians, and a military color guard. The Georgia Day Parade starts at Forsyth Park and ends with a program in front of City Hall. Here the mayor and other officials will give out awards for the annual Banner Competition.

Oglethorpe Arrives at Darien
Friday, February 13, 2009, 10:00 a.m.
Fort King George State Historic Site, Fort King George Drive, Darien

On January 19, 1736, Scottish Highlanders arrived at the site of Fort King George on January 19, 1736. James Oglethorpe visited the site a month later.  Witness a re-enactment of the historic landing and hear Oglethorpe’s speech to the new Highland settlement. For more information please call 912.437.4770.  This is a free event.

Georgia Days Birthday Bash and Annual Awards Gala
Saturday, February 14, 2010, 7:00 P.M.
Hyatt Regency, Savannah

The Georgia Days Birthday Bash and Annual Awards Gala is the lavish culmination of GHS’s two-week commemoration of the founding of the Colony of Georgia. The celebration will be held under the stars on the banks of the Savannah River.

Fort Frederica Living History Festival
February 21, 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
Fort Frederica National Monument, 6515 Frederica Road, St. Simons Island
This annual event commemorates the founding of Frederica in 1736. Activities throughout the day will immerse visitors in the history of Frederica and the struggle for empire between Great Britain and Spain in the 18th Century. Programs include tabby making, hands-on musket drills, colonial children’s games, journal making, and archeology programs. This event is organized by Fort Frederica National Monument. For more information, please contact the Fort Frederica Visitor’s Center at 912.638.3639.

Georgia Days Scottish Highland Dinner
Saturday, February 20, 2010, 7:00 P.M.
Fort King George State Historic Site, Fort King George Drive, Darien

This annual event features a Scottish dinner, hosted by Oglethorpe himself, at the Fort King George barracks. This event is organized by Fort King George and the Lower Altamaha Historical Society. For more information, please call 912.437.4770. Reservations required; a fee will be charged for dinner.

For more information about Georgia Days events, click here.

"state of georgia flag"