Coastal Companion

Your ultimate guide to the coast

British Nightwatch and Grande Illumination – St. Augustine, FL

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Commemorate the Treaty of Paris and the impact on 18th century British St. Augustine. Witness the reading of the Treaty of Paris and the reaction of the townsfolk and military during the British Night Watch opening ceremony that takes place at 4 p.m. on Friday at the Plaza de la Constitucion. On Saturday from 9 a.m. until dusk, the British encampment in the City of St. Augustine’s Spanish Quarter Museum on St. George Street will be open free to the public. British troops will demonstrate a wide range of authentically detailed military skills including mass troop movements, bayonet drills, Musket Firings, Changing of the Flag Ceremony and Fife & Drum Music. Then on Saturday at 8 p.m., Regimental British troops, Fife and Drum Corps, Militia, Native American allies and Distaff will parade by torchlight through the historic district to secure the City Gates. The Night Watch Parade begins at Government House at the Plaza de la Constitucion where all will hear the Governor’s holiday proclamation. Join in the largest fully interactive parade that make everyone a part of history – light a candle and follow in the boisterous parade through the town! Musket fire and general revelry by everyone gathered at this historic location add to the holiday spirit.

Call 904.819.5318 or visit our website at http://britishnightwatch.org

A Holiday Dickens Feast at Jekyll Island Club Hotel

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A Dickens Feast – December 13, 2008
Right out of the annals of Victorian literature and into the Grand Dining Room of the Jekyll Island Club Hotel comes Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol December 13th. This musical dinner theatre version is “the best of times.” A gourmet dinner Dickens himself would have approved, the musical performance by a lively acting company from Atlanta, and the Grand Dining Room itself join forces for an evening of delightful merrymaking.

Decorated in all its Christmas finery with the fragrance of live greenery in the air, the Hotel is never lovelier than during the holiday season. With its Victorian ambience, the dining room seems the perfect place for a tribute to Charles Dickens.

Guests gather in the Boar’s Head Lobby between 7:00 and 7:15 p.m. to meet each other and, just before seating at 7:30, drink a toast to “Christmas Present.” It’s a time of anticipation of the musical dinner theatre experience that lies ahead. Scrooge and Bob Cratchit, Fezziwig, Fan and other characters from the production may also pay a visit, sing some spirited carols, and “set the stage” with lively commentary.

Once everyone is seated, the feast begins with an appetizer of Smoked Quail Stuffed with Apricots and Roasted Chestnuts and then Shellfish Consommé with Poached Shrimp. The next course is Bibb and Red Oak Leaf Lettuce with Herb Brie Lemon-Parsley Creamy Vinaigrette. The evening’s entrée is Horseradish Crusted Petite Filet Mignon with Dijon Crème Glace, Young Vegetables and Herb Roasted Potatoes. The perfect ending to the feast is Caramel-Orange Rice Pudding with Chocolate and Spice Petite Cakes. A vegetarian menu preference may be requested at the time the Dickens Feast reservation is made.

Between the courses the story unfolds. The troupe of actors, which has performed here in the past several times to sell-out audiences, engages the audience in the performance. Early in the evening they surreptitiously assign “parts” to guests who’ve agreed to it ahead of time. The entire dining room is their “stage.” It’s an evening of delight in one of the most treasured yuletide stories in the English language.

Business attire or evening wear is appropriate. The cost of the event is $100.00 inclusive. For reservations, please call the Hotel at 912-635-2600. For more information visit this website: www.jekyllclub.com.

The Jekyll Island Club Hotel is located at 371 Riverview Drive, Jekyll Island, GA 31527.

Christmas Made in the South – Jacksonville, Florida

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Get your creative juices flowing for this holiday season. You can get lots of great ideas about arts and crafts project, and maybe even get an early start on your gift shopping.

Christmas in the South takes place at Prime Osborn Convention Center in Jacksonville, Florida on November 28th, 29th and 30th. Bring the whole family. Lots of artisans, and crafts demonstrations, great food and lots of things to see and do.
Fri. 9-6 – Sat. 10-6 – Sun. 11-5
Adults – $ 6.00 – Children 12 & Under – Free
One Admission Good for All 3 Days with hand stamp!

For more information visit www.carolinashows.com

Christmas Made in the South – Charleston, SC

Christmas Made in the South – Savannah, GA

Christmas Made in the South – Charleston,SC

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16th Annual Christmas Made In The South – Ladson Fairgrounds
Christmas time is almost here, and there is no better way to get ready for the holiday season than to stroll the aisles for treasures at this years 16th annual Christmas Made in the South on December 5-7 at Ladson Fairgrounds!

Christmas Made in the South is an event unlike no other. Amazing craftspeople, outstanding art, unique gourmet food, and diverse entertainment to wet and satisfy every demanding appetite. Handmade, one-of-a-kind designs populate the booths that fill the festival. From leather and silk wearables to fabric bags, from dichroic glass jewelry to close-up photography of nature’s funniest and fiercest creatures.

As festival-goers mingle amid the hundreds of exhibitors, entertainment abounds. Christmas Made in the South is focused on keeping the world of fine artisans and craftspeople alive. One of the ways Carolina Shows, Inc. accomplishes this objective is by requiring the exhibitor to be there all three days demonstrating and selling their handcrafted work.

Fri. 10-6 – Sat. 10-6 – Sun. 11-5
Adults – $ 6.00 – Children 12 & Under – Free
One Admission Good for All 3 Days with hand stamp! Click here for directions
www.Carolinashows.com or call Carolina Shows, Inc. at 704-847-9480.
Click here for a printable coupon for $1.00 on admission.
12/05/2008 – 12/07/2008
www.carolinashows.com

Dance of my heart film – Jacksonville, FL

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Ricardo Acosta’s “Dance of My Heart” is a sensitive, well documented portrait of the Cuban dancer/choreographer Alberto Alonso. The co-creator of the Cuban classical ballet style and the choreographer of Carmen Suite, Alonso, up until December 2007, lived his last years working every day at Santa Fe Community College in north Florida. He danced with some of the most important ballet dancers of the 21st century and taught his students how to dance with the same passion and professionalism he used his entire life. The film is not only an ode to the Nestor of classical Cuban dance, but also an ode to the power of art, the power of love and the power of beauty that will not succumb to the power of time. The sensuality that is the heartbeat of Cuban dance is beautifully reflected in Alonso’s timeless choreography and in the vibrant editing by Ricardo Acosta in his directorial debut. Dance of my heart is an inspiring documentary that makes you want to dance and swing on the powerful energy of love and life that cannot be destroyed by time and age.

For more information visit our website at www.filmfestival.jacksonville.com