In Old Santee Canal Park it’s again time for the 11th Annual Shuckin’ in the Park Oyster Roast on Saturday March 13, 2010 from 1 p.m. – 6 p.m.
There will be lots of fun for the whole family. Enjoy oysters, food tickets can be purchased inside the gate.
But great food  is not the only thing offered, you can also enjoy live music. The Custom 4+2 Band will be performing featuring beach music, oldies and popular music.

There is also fun activities for the children, including a jump castle. The fee is $5.00

The Old Santee Canal Park is located in Moncks Corner, SC.
Click here for directions.
For more information, visit Old Santee Canal Park website

Beverages will be available for purchase on-site. Gates Open
at 7pm. Live music begins at 8pm. On Saturday, March 13, 2010, the band 17 South is performing. 17 South’s music range from Motown, Beach cover tunes, and R&B.

Only 800 tickets will be sold, no advance purchase. But tickets ($10 per person) will be available for purchase at the Pier shop beginning at 4pm on the day of each event.

For more information, visit www.ccprc.com

Start your artwalk at any of the participating AGOSA galleries and pick up a free map – or click here to download the map!

As usual there is a FREE Artwalk Train and a FREE Artwalk Trolley. Just hop on board starting at 6pm on King Street. The train and the trolley each make a loop around town to the galleries about every 15 minutes.

Enjoy exhibits, music, entertainment and refreshments at over 20 participating galleries around town.

For more information about the event, please call 904.829.0065 or visit www.staugustinegalleries.com.

To celebrate the re-opening, there will be a big parade. (Click here to download the pdf document)

Here is a video we did when we visited the Riverside Arts Market in Jacksonville last year

The theme for March 3, 2010: Rock ‘n’ Roll, so you don’t want to miss this one.

A few notes for this month’s event:

There’s a new venue for this art walk, the RiverFit Gym at The Landing, where you can meet t artist, Rejel of REJCEL.co.

Rock ‘n’ Roll to help Haiti with the best bands in Jacksonville and a silent auction benefit by local artists will take place at Suite 106 Gallery.

There’s an Elvis tributes by five-year-old (?!)  Gabriel Jarrett, and Elvis tribute artist, Randy Elvis Walker at Visit Jacksonville. If you enjoy fashion, you’ll have the opportunity to watch a live runway show by “Princess of the Prom” at Cafe 331 & The Sinclair

At the Florida Theater you can view  the 2010 ADDY award-winning work from local advertising agencies and participate in the 2010 AAF JAX Media Auction at 6 p.m.

To watch our video, and to download an map for The First Wednesday Art Walk in Jacksonville, Florida –  click here

The Savannah College of Art and Design will host the 29th annual Black Maria Film and Video Festival Friday, March 5, at 8 p.m. at Trustees Theater, 216 E. Broughton St. Admission is $5 for the general public and free with a valid SCAD ID.

The Black Maria Film and Video Festival, started in 1981, is known for its annual roster of bold contemporary works by award-winning independent film- and video-makers that give insight to the human condition, political, social and environmental issues, and aesthetic investigations. It is a traveling showcase that circulates nationwide to more than 50 host institutions. Each location shows a different selection of work, with the Savannah films selected by faculty from SCAD’s film and television department.

“The Black Maria festival continues to provoke and challenge our concept of cinema,” said Michael Chaney, SCAD professor of film and television. “I’m always inspired by these short innovative works of exceptional filmmaking, and there’s always something for everyone.”

SCAD has hosted the festival annually since 1999, screening work by luminaries such as Leighton Pierce, Emily Hubley and Stan Brackhage.

The Black Maria Film and Video Festival’s mission is to advocate, exhibit and reward cutting-edge work from independent film- and video-makers. It is also an opportunity to view exciting and engaging work from both emerging and established filmmakers from around the world.

For more information on the festival, visit the Web site at www.blackmariafilmfestival.org.

Close to 40 vendors—students, alumni and faculty of the acclaimed SCAD sequential art department will be on site to exhibit and sell their self-published mini-comics and zines.

This event celebrates hand-made comic books and Do-It-Yourself publishing. Other department-related publications and student anthologies will also be available.

There will also be a series of fun demonstrations led by faculty and graduate students, including drawing comics and creating and binding comic books, open to children and adults alike.

The expo and all workshops are free and open to the public.

The festival will honor Jonathan Demme’s work by featuring the following films:

A Man from Plains (2007).
The documentary about President Jimmy Carter that will screened on Sunday, Feb 28 at 1pm at the Hampton Inn & Suites at 19 S. 2nd Street;

The Manchurian Candidate (2004)
This film was partial filmed in Fernandina Beach to be shown at the Hampton Inn & Suites at 3pm; and

The Agronomist (2003)
Demme’s last documentary on Haiti that will screened in partnership with the Salvation Army Relief Fund for
Haiti to be screened on Friday, Feb 26 at 11 am at the Fernandina
Beach City Hall at 204 Ash Street.

Here is the list of award winners for 2010:

Richard Widmark Lifetime Achievment Award

Equinox Documentaries of Florida to be awaded the
Don R. Davis Memorial Award for the Best Florida Film of 2009

Brett Carlson to be awarded the AIFF Best Comedy– Sid Sax Memorial Award

AIFF Inaugural Screenwriters Institute featuring Nadine Vaughan, Sharon Cobb, Dave D’Ardenne, Rick Traum & H. Thomas Hayden

Nadine Vaughan is a published Florida author of Native Son and film producer of The Touch featuring Nicole Travolta that will be screened at the Festival. Nadine is the newest AIFF Board Member.

Sharon Cobb is a Florida Screenwriter that lectures and contributes her expertise to State & National Film Industry communities.

Dave D’Ardenne is a professional videographer that works for
ABC News that lives in Northeast Florida.

Rick Traum is past Executive Producer of NBC’s Tonight Show &
Saturday Night Live, former CFO of Radio City Music Hall and is a Board Member of the AIFF.

H. Thomas Hayden is a film producer from Camden County, Georgia,
presently filming in Georgia and Fernandina Beach his story about the Coast Guard Auxiliary.

For more info please call the AIFF Hotline at:
904.355.1110 or visit: www.AmeliaIslandFilmFestival.org

After months of anticipation and planning, Charleston Fashion Week® proudly announces the schedule of events and runway show participants for the fourth annual event “Glam Rocks!” March 16-20, 2010. Hailed by industry leaders as the next Bryant Park, Charleston magazine has confirmed that among the list of this year’s highlights, Project Runway’s finalist Carol Hannah Whitfield and Mychael Knight will both be debuting collections. Other CFW alum, featured designers, and celebrity judges to return to the tents in Marion Square this spring include: designer Cynthia Rowley, ELLE magazine’s Fashion News Director, Anne Slowey, Project Runway’s Gordana Gehlhausen, and 2009 Emerging Designer Competition winner Marysia Reeves, whose Spring/Summer 2010 line has been picked up by Urban Outfitters and Anthropologie.

The premier fashion event tucked in historic Charleston, SC, will also include the 1st annual Rock the Runway competition in which the top models will strut their stuff to win a fashion spread, modeling contract, and the opportunity to appear before the top modeling scouts in the country. With a cast of celebrity designers in attendance, live entertainment, chic after parties, on-site shopping in the Style Lounge, more than 30 retail runway shows, plus an afternoon of Bridal Couture, Charleston Fashion Week® is ready to prove why “Glam Rocks!” for 2010. Charitable partners for the week long fashion extravaganza proudly include: MUSC Children’s Hospital, The Center for Women, and Lowcountry AIDS Services. To catch all the action and drama of the 2010 Emerging Designer Competition LIVE and check out the latest looks in stores for spring 2010, visit www.charlestonfashionweek.com and purchase your tickets soon. Named a Top 20 Event for March by the Southeast Tourism Society, a guaranteed seat at this event could possibly be one of the hottest tickets of the year!

The Southeastern Wildlife Exposition is traditionally held in the weekend before President’s Day. The popular event attracts over 35,000 attendees to Charleston, South Carolina. During the event attendees get the opportunity to enjoy world-class original art, a wide variety exhibits and presentations.

For more information, tickets and detailed schedule, visit www.sewe.com or call 843-723-1748.

Much Ado About Books follows on February 26-27, 2010 with most of the events taking place at the Main Library on Laura Street in downtown Jacksonville. The festival is hosted by The Jacksonville Public Library Foundation. This year’s festival include a writer’s workshop, breakfast with an author, panel discussions, Children’s Chapter and keynote luncheon.

“It is with great pride that we are hosting this year’s milestone event to benefit the Jacksonville Public Library,” said Maggie Hightower, executive director of the Jacksonville Public Library Foundation. “Much Ado About Books is the cornerstone of our fundraising efforts and a meaningful contribution to Jacksonville’s literary community.”

The festival kicks off on Friday, February 26 with a Writer’s Workshop, hosted by guest authors Steve and Elizabeth Berry. The workshop is from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tickets are $100 in advance and seating is limited.

On Saturday, Feb. 27, a private breakfast for 10 lucky guests will be hosted by a featured author. This event will take place at the Omni Jacksonville Hotel and tickets are $100 in advance.

Following the breakfast, the Book Festival itself, will open its doors at the Main Library. Highlights for 2010 include panel discussions with featured authors and a Children’s Chapter. Here you can meet children’s authors and experience hands-on activities. The Children’s Chapter will take place from 9 a.m. until noon.

The event will conclude with a keynote luncheon, sponsored by THE PLAYERS Championship and featuring women’s fiction author Mary Kay Andrews, who entertain the audience with stories from her most recent book, Fixer Upper. Tickets to the luncheon are $50 in advance and $60 at the door.

Other featured authors include Michael Craven, Michael Cavendish, Jacksonville natives Donna Deegan and Carla Harris, Kaylie Jones, William “Ron” Little, Tori Murden McClure, Katherine Hall Page, Andrew Gross, Michael Palmer, Chris Bohjalian, Carlla Cato and others.

To purchase tickets or get more information about the schedule, visit the event Web site, www.muchadoaboutbooks.com.

Now on its fifth year, the Festival this year showcases the very best of Jewish cinema, representing Jewish interests, culture and Jewish life.
There is a wide variety of films available at this year’s festival. Some of the films screen depict struggle like Lady Kul el Arab and Gut Shabbes Vietnam, while others will make you smile
like Yoo Hoo Mrs. Goldberg and A Matter of Size, just to mention a few.

Full Festival Passes are on sale now at the Jewish Educational Alliance, or you may purchase online. Passes are $50 each for JEA members; $65 each for non-members. Tickets for individual screenings may be purchased at the venue prior to each show; prices are $7 each for JEA members (membership card required), Seniors (65 and older) and students; $9 for general admission.

• Classic Author Celebration on February 11
• Writers’ Workshop – February 12
• Readers’ day, including a featured authors luncheon and a children’s chapter.

Authors include Rick Bragg, Sonny Brewer, Janis Owens, Cassandra King, Jeff Shaara – just to mention a few. For more information about workshops, programs, schedule and tickets, please visit

www.ameliaislandbookfestival.com or call: 904-491-8176

Other stories to read:

Amelia Island Film Festival Announces Award Winners 2010

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.

The Black Eyed Peas, who are nominated for six Grammy Awards including Album Of The Year for THE E.N.D. and Record of The Year for “I Gotta Feeling”, will perform Sunday night, January 31 at the 52nd Annual Grammy Awards live on CBS.

2009 was a monumental year for The Black Eyed Peas, starting with the March release of “Boom Boom Pow” – not only the group’s first #1 single on the Billboard Hot 100 but one of the top dozen or so longest-charting singles in Hot 100 history, 12 weeks at the top. They bumped themselves out of #1 with their second single, “I Gotta Feeling” (released in June), surpassing their own success with a 14-week stay at #1 (only the fourth group in Hot 100 history to replace itself at #1). Their 26 consecutive week run at #1 has now become a new all-time benchmark in Hot 100 history (for groups or solo artists).

Meanwhile, flush with three massive hit singles, The E.N.D. (released June 2, 2009) debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200 albums chart with the highest first-week sales of The Black Eyed Peas’ career. The E.N.D. has sold over 5.2 million cds worldwide. The fourth single, “Imma Be” is climbing the charts at Top 40 radio and is top 5 on the iTunes chart.

Chris “Ludacris” Bridges is a celebrated recording artist, actor, entrepreneur, and philanthropist. Ludacris has sold over 20 million albums worldwide with each release being certified platinum or multi-platinum by the RIAA. His upcoming album, Battle of The Sexes, is set to be released March 16, 2010. To date, he has won three Grammy Awards (including Best Rap Album for Release Therapy) and appeared in two Academy Award-winning films. In addition to his creative endeavors and business ventures, Ludacris serves as Chairman and CEO of The Ludacris Foundation, an award-winning non-profit organization dedicated to helping young people achieve their dreams through the encouragement of “Principles of Success.”

The tour kicks off on February 4, 2010 at Philips arena in Atlanta, Georgia. On February 6 it’s Miami and then Jacksonville on February 9, 2010.

Feb. 4 Atlanta, GA Philips Arena
6 Miami, FL American Airlines Arena
9 Jacksonville, FL Jacksonville Veteran’s Memorial Arena

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.”

Murrells Inlet, SC- In observance of Black History Month, Brookgreen Gardens will present two program opportunities that are free with garden admission.

On Saturday, February 13, at 1:00 p.m., The Healing Force, a four-member performance troupe from Winston-Salem, NC, offers a lively celebration of Africa with stories and songs, in the Wall Lowcountry Center Auditorium. The program is free with garden admission. A special cultural menu in the Pavilion Restaurant will be offered the day of the performance.

On Wednesday, February 17 and 24, Ron Daise, Brookgreen’s Vice President for Creative Education, will present a program of selected readings, songs and photographs from his book Gullah Branches, West African Roots at 1 p.m. in the Wall Lowcountry Center Auditorium. This participatory presentation tells about the journey of enslaved Africans to Gullah communities and culture. The program is free with garden admission.

Please Note: 2010 admission prices are $12 for adults, $10 for seniors (65 and up), $6 for children (4-12) and free for children three and under.

Brookgreen Gardens, a National Historic Landmark and non-profit organization, is located on U.S. 17 between Myrtle Beach and Pawleys Island, South Carolina, and is open to the public daily. For more information, visit our web site at www.brookgreen.org or call 843-235-6000.

The 2010 festival will explore Our Journey From a Glorious Past. The Savannah Black Heritage Festival is presented by The City of Savannah and Savannah State University, and all events and activities are free and open to the public.

The festival highlights the performing and visual arts, culture and crafts. Ethnic cuisine and fun for the whole family is emphazised throughout the celebration. There’s also great music, dance performances, local youth talent showcases, historic tours, visual art exhibitions, lectures, spoken word and dramatic productions. In addition, educational opportunities are provided through a Health and Wellness Fair, culinary arts activities and youth programs.

Grand Festival Day, a family-fun day of top entertainment, is held at the Savannah Civic Center on Feb. 20 from 11 a.m. until 9 p.m. In addition to the variety of activities and performances, food and retail vendors are also on hand with a wide variety of cuisine, goods and services.

For more information, call (912) 351-6320 or visit www.savannahblackheritagefestival.com

In 1999 the American Film Institute ranked Marilyn Monroe as the sixth greatest female star of all time, so the title of the exhibit “Marilyn Monroe: Life as a Legend” is fitting. The exhibit begins on January 22, 2010 and continues through  April 4, 2010.

The Museum of Contemporary Art Jacksonville (MOCA) will host a traveling exhibition over the next several months, highlighting the life of Marilyn Monroe. This exhibit features the works of more than 50 artists including Andy Warhol, Richard Avedon, Henri Cartier-Bresson, and Bert Stern.

Monroe began a career as a model, which led to a film contract in 1946.  She has performed in many movies, but is perhaps most known for her roles in “The Asphalt Jungle”,  “All About Eve”, “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes”, “Some Like It Hot” and “The Seven Year Itch”.

Chorus Line is the winner of nine Tony Awards, including “Best Musical”, and Chorus Line also received a Pulitzer Prize for dramal. It is the longest-running American Broadway musical ever. And now a Chorus Line returns and comes to Jacksonville Jan 19 – 23, 2010 at the Times-Union Center for the Performing Arts, Jacksonville.

Click here for more information

This festival is produced by Theatre 99 and the Charleston City Paper.
Several artists are slated to perform in this year’s festival, including Cook County Social Club, an improv and sketch comedy group from Chicago that played to packed houses in 2009. Cook County will team up with The Dangerous Strangers of Cabaret Kiki, the band behind Charleston’s favorite burlesque show who will reunite for a one-night only performance.

Another Comedy festival favorite is Elephant Larry, an NYC sketch comedy troupe who debuted at the Comedy Fest in 2006 and returned for that year’s Piccolo Fringe Festival in May. The Uprights Citizen Brigade Touring Company makes its semi-annual performance with Pangea 3000, a four-man sketch comedy group comprised of writers and contributors to The Onion, and Sidecar, a group that will perform a compilation of their greatest sketches.

Many stand-up comedians will be taking the stage during the festival. Kenny Zimlinghaus, a former 96Wave deejay who is now on Cosmo Radio on XM and Sirius, will return to perform and emcee the annual Charleston Stand-Up Competition.

Venues for the festival this year include Theatre 99 (280 Meeting St. above the Bicycle Shoppe), The American Theater and Stars Bar (446 King St.), Charleston Ballet Theatre (477 King St.), Trio Club
(139 Calhoun St.), the Music Farm (32 Ann St.), and Eye Level Art 103 Gallery (103 Spring St.). The festival has expanded to the suburbs with two new venues: the Charleston Pour House on James Island (1977 Maybank Hwy.) and Centre Pointe Bar & Grill in North Charleston (4950 Centre Pointe Dr.)

Ticket prices range from $5 – $20 and are available at www.charlestoncomedyfestival.com or by calling Etix at 1-800-514-ETIX. Tickets will be sold at Theatre 99 (280 Meeting St.) the week of the festival.

The Beaches Museum and History Center
413 Beach Boulevard, Jacksonville Bch, FL 32250
(904) 241-5657

Jazz it Up

Beginning Jan. 20, the Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens will unveil a new must-see exhibit for jazz fans of all ages. Jazz ABZ: An A to Z Collection of Jazz Portraits by Paul Rogers highlights jazz greats through poetry, from A (Louis Armstrong) to Z (Dizzy Gillespie). Each portrait and poem is evocative of the particular musician’s sound, and each work of art alludes to song titles, artifacts, and other markers of the time, including artistic references to well-known artists who were particularly inspired by jazz music.

The Cummer Museum of Arts & Gardens
829 Riverside Avenue, Jacksonville, Florida 32204
904.356.6857

Life as a Legend: Marily Monroe
Marilyn Monroe is once again in the limelight at the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) Jacksonville this season. The feature exhibition, Life as a Legend: Marilyn Monroe, will debut on Jan. 22 and run through April 4, 2010. Forever Blonde, a captivating one-woman live performance celebrating the life and glamour of Marilyn Monroe will take the stage Thursdays through Sundays Feb. 11 to March 7, 2010. On March 13, MOCA will host the Mad About Marilyn Soirée, a Hollywood-style party featuring diamond-laced cocktails, live music, dancing and late-night tours of the Marilyn exhibition.

MOCA Museum of Contemporary Art
333 North Laura Street,Jacksonville, FL, 32202 USA
(904) 366-6911

Virtual Ocean Trip
A fully immersive maze-based exhibit starts on January 30 at The Museum of Science and History (MOSH) in Jacksonville. A-Mazing Sea is a virtual trip into the ocean with surprises around every corner – from role play games and puzzles to problem-solving and deep-sea sleuthing.

A-Mazing Sea compels visitors to climb into sea turtle shells, crawl through a whale’s mouth and reach into an octopus cave while discovering simple solutions for challenges that face inhabitants of the deep blue and beyond.

MOSH Museum of Science and History
1025 Museum Circle, Jacksonville, Florida 32207
904-396-6674

New IMAX Film Presented by Jean-Michel Cousteau; Opening Weekend to Feature Live Presentations by Gavin McKinney, “SHARKS” Director of Photography

The 2D World Golf Hall of Fame IMAX Theater, Jean-Michel Cousteau and 3D Entertainment, in collaboration with the United Nations Environment Programme, invite audiences to a stunning, immersive diving experience with SHARKS, premiering Friday, Jan. 15, 2010. Additionally, the film’s Director of Photography, Gavin McKinney, will be on-hand opening weekend to share his expertise and experience in bringing SHARKS to IMAX audiences. For film schedules, presentation times and ticket information, visit the IMAX Theater section on www.wgv.com.

An expert international team of ocean explorers that brought audiences “OCEAN WONDERLAND” have embarked on a unique round-the-globe expedition documenting the life of the ultimate predator in “SHARKS.” The World Golf Hall of Fame IMAX Theater brings “SHARKS” to life in grand fashion, offering a unique experience from each of its 300 stadium-style seats with high-definition images projected onto the huge, six-story tall screen and 12,000 watts of pure digital surround sound.
Swimming with Sharks
“I am very pleased that Jacksonville- and St. Augustine-area residents will now get the chance to share in this truly memorable encounter with the world’s great shark species, such as the Great White, Whale Shark and Hammerhead,” said Jean-Michel Cousteau, President of Ocean Futures Society. “Watching ‘SHARKS’ is like pulling on a diving suit and swimming weightlessly with sharks all around. If you’ve ever wanted to know what it’s really like to dive with sharks, this film is certainly a must-see. You can witness them as they truly are in their natural habitat — not wicked man-eating creatures, as they are far too frequently depicted in modern feature films, but wild, fascinating and highly endangered animals that have been in existence since a million years before the dinosaurs.”

Principal photography on “SHARKS” required an extensive nine-month shoot totaling 500 dive hours. The film was shot on location in Guadalupe Island, Socorro Island, Revillagigedos and the Sea of Cortez (Mexico), Malpelo Island (Colombia), the Red Sea (Egypt), Sodwana Bay (South Africa), Inhambane (Mozambique), San Diego (USA) and Rangiroa Atoll (French Polynesia).

SHARKS is recommended for general audiences and is produced by 3D Entertainment and McKinney Underwater Productions Inc. Directed by Jean-Jacques Mantello, filmed by Gavin McKinney and executive produced by Francois Mantello. SHARKS features an original score composed by Christophe Jacquelin and performed by the Bulgarian Symphony Orchestra. “SHARKS” is distributed worldwide by 3D Entertainment in collaboration with the United Nations Environment Programme (http://www.unep.org) and is endorsed and supported by Ocean Futures Society (http://www.oceanfutures.org), Reef Check (http://www.reefcheck.org) and PADI’s Project Aware (http://www.projectaware.org).

Official website: http://www.SharksFilm.com

Savannah, Georgia –SWING CENTRAL, the nationally acclaimed high school jazz band competition and workshop produced by the Savannah Music Festival (SMF), is the subject of a new media project that utilizes technology to enhance the promotion of jazz music and education. SMF is one of only five recipients of first-round funding from the national Jazz.NEXT initiative, also including NPR, Monterey Jazz Festival, Walker Art Center and the National Federation of Community Broadcasters. The project is funded by Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation through the generous support of the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation. “Through this technology project, we’re making our unique jazz education efforts accessible to the masses,” remarks SMF Associate Artistic Director of Jazz Education, Marcus Roberts. “The internet is now a primary learning tool for people of all ages, and young people such as the participants in our Swing Central program will benefit greatly from the lessons, artist interviews and audio/video performances that will be hosted at swingcentraljazz.org.”

Over the next two years, the swingcentraljazz.org technology initiative will combine video and audio documentation of SMF’s jazz programs, social and other digital media, and traditional broadcast to promote its efforts to a broader audience, offer supplemental educational content to young jazz musicians, reinforce the creative and academic work of jazz artists, enhance communication between students and teachers, and connect members of the jazz community with each other. The Center for New American Media from New York City has been selected to handle video documentary work relating to the project, and Heideldesign from Savannah will be SMF’s digital media partner. In addition to its wide use within swingcentraljazz.org, the video documentation of the 2010 SWING CENTRAL program will be used to produce a documentary promoting the importance of mentorship and teamwork within the jazz tradition.

The Center for New American Media and its creative partners (Louis Alvarez, Andrew Kolker, and Peter Odabashian) have created some of the most honored and critically praised documentaries on American life and culture over the past 25 years. Twice winners of both the Peabody Award and the duPont-Columbia Journalism Award, their work, all of which premiered on public television, includes People Like Us: Social Class in America, Vote for Me: Politics in America, and American Tongues, which deals with American accents. Heideldesign, managed by lead designer and owner, Lee Heidel, has been on the leading edge of web design and development since 1998. Their web development work is featured on the newly redesigned savannahmusicfestival.org.

Trombonist, Teddy Adams will host a who’s who of regional jazz All-Stars. “Yule” hear some of the best musicians in the Coastal Empire. This is the annual CJA fundraiser and will benefit the student scholarship education fund. Tickets Cost $15 in advance and $20 at the door.

More information at www.coastal-jazz.org or to reserve your tickets by calling 912.920.1317