Ormond Beach Carnivale - fun for the whole family!

The festivities begin Thursday, March 25 at 4:00 pm and continue until Sunday, March 28 at 9:00 pm. Friday evening everyone is looking forward to a return performance from Randy “Elvis” Filippi, an Elvis Tribute Artist, in the Coca Cola Pavilion. Saturday is a full day with an old fashioned hometown parade, health screenings, a Business Expo, Seniors Today Expo, and a Kid’s Entertainment Area.

Many visit the four-day event for the carnival rides, the music and carnival foods;  tasty zeppoles, perfect corn dogs, hot dogs with mustard relish, yummy caramel corn, and sugary sweet cotton candy just to mention a few.

Make sure to bring your dancing shoes!

Another plus is that this  is a free event – no admission fee! Of course, there is a charge for the  food and the carnival rides. The Chamber has discounted tickets and “wrist bands” available for presale at the Chamber and at the carnival ticket booths.

Due to popular demand, also on Saturday, the Battle of the Church Bands™ will return. The “Battle for Souls” begins at 1:00 pm and continues to entertain the crowds until 11:00 pm.

Sunday will be filled with the nostalgic melodies of Johnny Lambrusco from 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm and country singer Bobby Meeks from 6 pm to 8 pm. All the fun continues with the Business Expo, Seniors Today Expo, and the Kid’s Entertainment Area; and, of course, the many carnival rides.

The expected attendance at this event is 25,000 to 30,000 people.

The funds raised from the Carnevale will maintain the Ormond Beach Chamber of Commerce and its mission to support local businesses. A full schedule of events as well as past photos can be found at www.ormondchamber.com/carnevale.

The event takes place in downtown Myrtle Beach on Ocean Boulevard, between 8th Ave and 11th Ave). Click here to see the map of the event area.

The event takes place on March 13, 2010 from 1:00 pm to 11:00 pm. Admission is free.

You can enjoy authentic Irish food and beverages. Live Music on stage with Cracker, Drivin’N'Cryin’, The Blue Dogs, Mark Bryan (from Hootie & The Blowfish w. special guests), Pamalee, Jonas Sees Colors, Lee Travis & The Bounty Hunters, Root Soul Project. Street Performers: Myrtle Beach Pipe and Drum Corps

For more information visit www.mbdowntownstpats.com

Once again  Myrtle Beach welcomes its visitors from the North to the Canadian-American Days.  From March 13-21, 2010, the Myrtle Beach area will welcome visitors with a expressive lineup of events, giveaways, and concerts throughout the Grand Strand.

Visitors can choose from a wide variety of events and activities, many free, including band concerts, the kickoff celebration expo, St. Patrick’s Day parade and dance, festivals and much more.

“Can-Am Days celebrates our snowbird visitors, who escape the cold and snow for the moderate climate and wealth of attractions of the Myrtle Beach area,” said Brad Dean, MBACC president and CEO. “Many of these visitors have been traveling to our destination for decades, and we strive to create new memories for each generation through our festivals.”

Canadian-American Days draws as many as 100,000 Canadian visitors and snowbirds. The Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce introduced Canada Days in 1961 to attract Canadian families during their spring school break. The name was changed to Canadian-American Days in 1963. It is regarded as the first international festival organized in South Carolina.

The 49th Annual Canadian-American Days will feature a variety of events. Here are some of the highlights:

March 15
The 282nd Army Band
7 p.m. (doors open 6 p.m.)
– Beach Church, 557 George Bishop Pkwy., Myrtle Beach. Free but tickets are required. Tickets available 8:30 a.m. March 8 at the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce visitor centers at 1200 N. Oak St., Myrtle Beach, and 3401 U.S. 17 Business S., Murrells Inlet.

March 16
Canadian-American Days Kickoff Celebration Expo
10 a.m.-1 p.m.
– This expo officially kicks off Can-Am Days and features exhibitors, musical entertainment, prizes and giveaways. Myrtle Beach Convention Center, Exhibit Hall C, Myrtle Beach. Free to the public.

March 17
16th Annual South Strand Wildlife and History Day
10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Enjoy family-friendly entertainment, exhibits and activities. The Taste of Murrells Inlet, a culinary extension of the event, will boast specialties from some of the finest restaurants in the “Seafood Capital of South Carolina.” Huntington Beach State Park, 16148 Ocean Hwy., Murrells Inlet. Free for Canadians with valid ID. Adults: $5, S.C. senior citizens: $3.25, children 6-15: $3 and children 5 and under: free. SouthCarolinaParks.com/(843) 235-8755

March 18
Battle at the Beach presented by RBC Bank
11 a.m.
Second annual Canada vs. U.S.A. Friendly Competition for the RBC Cup, four-person scramble format. Greens fee, cart fee and prizes included. All tournament profits will be donated to Myrtle Beach Haven. Pine Lakes Country Club, 5603 Granddaddy Dr., Myrtle Beach. Fee $125 per person, $400 per foursome. CanAmDays.com for registration form and more information.
2010 RBC Bank Presents the 208th Army Reserve Band, 7 p.m. (doors open 6 p.m.) March 19 – Christ United Methodist Church, 2901 Fantasy Way, Myrtle Beach. Free but tickets are required. Tickets available 10 a.m.

For more information, visit MyrtleBeachAreaChamber.com.

There will also be more than 100 arts and crafts exhibitors at the event.  This is a fun event for the whole family.  You can even win groceries, gifts and prizes. The festival is held at Francis Field at 25 W. Castillo Drive next to the Visitors Center. Festival hours are 3-9 p.m. on Friday, March 12th, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. Admission is only $2 for adults. Net proceeds go to Lions Club charities.

Visit www.lionsfestival.com for more information.

Tara Feis, an Irish Festival
Then on Saturday, we’ll go all out with a genuine Irish Festival, Tara Feis taking place on  Saturday March 13. This is a festival celebrating Irish culture with lots of fun for the whole family from food, to music and dance and much more. The festival is held in Emmet Park. The event is free and open to the public, this year’s event features the Cathie Ryan Band. Tara Feis festival takes place in Emmet Park from 11 a.m.- 5 p.m. For more information call 912.651.6417 or http://www.savannahga.gov/arts.

Then there is of course the River Street celebration in the historic downtown district on March 16-17, 2010. This is the main waterfront location for all Paddy Day partygoers coming to town.

The 2010 St. Patrick’s Festival on Historic River Street takes place along the waterfront, includes the following area: River Street from East Broad Street to Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. Festivities in this area include games, food, beverages, and live entertainment. The event itself is free, but partygoers must purchase a wristband ($5) to consume alcoholic beverages on the plaza and inside River Street businesses on Tuesday and Wednesday. Wristbands will be sold at kiosks on the plaza, and at businesses on River Street. Already on Tuesday, the party starts with the I-95 Battle of the Bands.

For more details about St Patrick’s Day on Riverstreet, visit www.riverstreetsavannah.com

The City Market also hosts an Irish celebration on March 16-17.

St Patrick’s Day Parade
Don’t miss the parade itself. This year it’s the 186th time for the St. Patrick’s Day parade, so this is one of the oldest in the United States. The parade features bands and marching groups from across the country. Savannah St Patrick’s Day parade starts at 10:15 a.m. (Here is the map of the parade route)

For more information visit www.SavannahStPatricksDay.com

The city will double in size for St Patrick’s Day – so plan to come early and stay late. For more information about St Patrick’s Day and places to stay, contact Savannah CVB at 1-877-SAVANNAH

At the BB&T Charleston Wine + Food Festival you get an opportunity to sample and learn about Southern cuisine as well as Lowcountry cuisine. The Lowcountry refers to the low-lying coastal region stretching from Charleston, South Carolina, to Savannah, Georgia. This area is known for its regional cooking style that evolved from a multitude of influences from early settlers. The English, French, Spanish, Irish, Italians, Africans, and Caribbean Islanders settled across the South beginning over three centuries ago and they brought influences from their native lands. This created what we know refer to as Lowcountry cuisine.

“The goal for our fifth year anniversary was to expand our events beyond the downtown area,” said Executive Director, Angel Postell. “Guests will have the opportunity to see one of America’s oldest landscaped gardens at Middleton Plantation, enjoy the city skyline from the new waterfront park in neighboring Mt. Pleasant, and take a culinary journey through Wadmalaw Island.”

Thursday March 4, 2010
Wine Pairing Luncheon and Opening Night
Start the weekend off early with a new event on this years’ schedule, The Perfect Pairing Winemaker Luncheons. Already on Thursday afternoon, two of Charleston’s premier downtown restaurants, MUSE and 82 Queen, will host a three-course lunch paired with carefully selected wines. Here wine professionals share the art of pairing wines with food in a casual setting.

The Food and Wine Festival goes into full swing at the Opening Night Party with Salute to Charleston Chefs, on Thursday, March 4, from 7-10 pm. This soiree features 19+ local culinary icons serving small plates from their restaurant specialties, as well as a sampling of wines from across the country. The Opening Night Party will be a foodie’s delight, with interactive food stations, followed by the sounds of The Quentin Baxter Jazz Septets. This celebration will feature hand-rolled cigars, a cabana lounge with a silent auction, and black-and-white contemporary décor.

Friday March 5, 2010
Tea, Wine, Vegetables and Gullah Traditions
On Friday March 5, the Wadmalaw Farm-to-Table Excursion will begin at the Charleston Tea Plantation where travelers will enjoy a tour and farm-to-table luncheon made from vegetables from Wadmalaw Island. Guests will then travel on to Irvin-House Vineyards, the only domestic winery in Charleston, South Carolina, where they will stroll through the vineyards and have a private tasting with the owner. The final stop is Thackery Farms, where local farmers will give guests a tour of their fields, share insight about organic farming and their relationship with local restaurants.

On Friday afternoon the Gullah community is honored with a Gullah Tribute Luncheon in Marion Square Park. This special fifth year anniversary gathering, from 12-2 pm, will recognize the Gullah culture that began with the migration of African slaves to the Sea Islands of South Carolina, Georgia and Florida. Coming from different regions of Africa, they brought with them their languages, cultures, traditions and cuisines, and these creolized into one form known as Gullah, which has been integral to the Lowcountry ever since. During the luncheon, the best local and regional Gullah cooks will partner with national chefs to create a menu that pays homage to traditional Gullah fare. Guests will have the opportunity to taste and learn about this indigenous cuisine from the cooks themselves, while they enjoy Southern-style cocktails and beverages, live entertainers, and more.

The Culinary Village
On Friday afternoon, the Culinary Village + Grand Tasting Tents, will officially open its doors. The culinary village is the heart and soul of the festival, and a visit is an absolute must. The village will feature two exclusive Grand Tasting Tents, each highlighting delectable cuisine, wine, and spirits from across the country, an SCE&G Celebrity Kitchen Demonstration Tent, Charleston Cooks! Book Signing Tent, Certified Angus Beef & Piggly Wiggly Outdoor Living + Grilling Area, a BB&T Hospitality Tent and live musical entertainment on Friday and Saturday. This year’s FedEx Grand Tasting Tents are set to be the best yet, with guests benefiting from fewer tickets sold per session, the “Taste of the Festival” Signature Charity Tent and one-on-one interaction with esteemed chefs and beverage professionals.

Wine Around The Garden
There’s also an opportunity to explore beyond the downtown area and venture beyond Marion Square during the “Wine” Around the Garden” event at Middleton Place. Here you can stroll through the historic, charming gardens of Middleton Place, America’s oldest landscaped gardens. Old world meets new as winemakers of the modern era pour varietals reflective of European wine-making traditions. Wine professionals will be stationed at designated locations throughout the gardens. Guests will finish their stimulating tour with a spread of farm-to-table dishes from local chefs.

Restaurant Dine-Around
The evening comes to an end at one of most relished events throughout the Festival weekend, the Restaurant Dine-Arounds. Treat your taste buds to a luscious once-in-a-lifetime culinary indulgence at one Charleston’s eighteen finest restaurants- Ben Berryhill’s Red Drum, Carolina’s, Charleston Grill, Circa 1886, Cypress Lowcountry Grill, FIG, Fish, Hominy Grill, High Cotton, Introdaqua, Lana, Magnolias, McCrady’s, Monza, Oak Steakhouse, Peninsula Grill, Slightly North of Broad and Tristan- many known for their 4-star reviews and James Beard Award winning talent. In the ambience of these restaurants each local chef will unite with a national chef to create a unique five-course meal that partners the culinary styles of each chef for a menu unlike any other, highlighted by wines carefully selected by a winemaker to enhance your dining experience.

Saturday March 6, 2010
Iron Chef Competition at the Village
On Saturday, March 6, it’s time for the ever popular Iron-Chef style Cooking Competitions, starting at 12 pm at the culinary village. It’s a competition where local culinary chefs face off against national chefs in a fierce Iron Chef cooking contest. Members of the audience decide the winner. The Season Five Next Food Network Star Runner-up, Jeffrey Saad, will serve as the Master of Ceremonies and a special fifth anniversary grand finale surprise will leave audience members on a high note.

Winemaker and Celebrity Authors Receptions
For the first time in the history of the festival, the Winemaker Receptions in Private Homes also goes to sea.
Guest can enjoy the Charleston’s unique architecture by visiting one of the historical downtown homes or view the city skyline as they dock-hop aboard private yachts. Each location will be hosted by a wine professional pouring samples of wines and a local chef or caterer serving creative small plates.

New for this year is the Celebrity Authors Reception, taking place from 4-6 pm on Saturday. Join the Festival’s featured guest authors in a private residence and garden in historical downtown Charleston for wine, and hors d’ oeuvres from MUSE restaurant.

Food and Wine with Daniel Boulud
The most exclusive event of the Festival weekend is: Food + Wine with a View: A Night with Daniel Boulud. This event brings sixty privileged guests together for the ULTIMATE dinner, set in a private penthouse downtown. The city skyline is breathtaking as the stellar talent of the one of the nation’s top chefs/restaurateurs, Daniel Boulud, of famed Daniel, are presented to create an intimate five-course dinner matched with the finest wines in the world.

Bubbles and Sweets!
Saturday night will come to a sweet finish as Marion Square is transformed into Bubbles & Sweets…with a Twist, sponsored by The Art Institute of Charleston and Charleston Magazine. This soiree is sure to be the hottest of the weekend with oases of delightful confections created by top local and celebrated pastry chefs, sparkling and dessert wines, and–new to the event–guest bartenders pouring their signature cocktail creations! Four mixology bars, a bubble bar, a ”candylicious” theme, and music are sure to make this event the talk of the town.

From Gullah Gospel to BBQ, Blues and Brew
Sunday morning, March 7, brings the Lowcountry Gospel Brunch, at 11am to the Holy City. The sounds of Gullah Gospel Ensemble fill the air as some of Charleston’s top restaurants and caterers serve the best brunch in town. A special blessing will welcome guests as traditional cocktails are served along with a three-course menu of miraculous adaptations of a true Lowcountry brunch.

The grand finale of the weekend, BBQ, Blues & Brew, from 5-8 pm, is a local’s favorite way to end the weekend. Top southern pit masters and “que” professionals serve a variety of barbeque favorites–whole hog, brisket, ribs, shoulder and chicken alongside all the fixin’s. The Blue Dogs are back to rock the main tent as guests enjoy cold libations and a true Southern celebration while seated at community tables. Our special Fifth Year Anniversary celebration will include the return of the pitmaster’s rigs!

For the entire event schedule, more information or tickets to the BB&T Charleston Wine + Food Festival, please visit the web site, www.charlestonwineandfood.com or call (843) 727-9998 ext. 4.

The Northeast Florida Scottish Games & Festival include Kilted Golf Tournaments, Pub Crawls, Kirkin‘ o‘ the Tartans, Whiskey Tasting, Parades of Tartans & Ceilidh (Scottish Musical Evenings).

There’s also live entertainment with a variety of groups such as Need Fire, Mother Grove,  Highland Reign and Ron Davis. The Navy Band Southeast is also scheduled to perform. Check the website for more information.

The Northeast Florida Scottish Games & Festival 2008 will be held Saturday, February 27, 2010. Gates open at 9:00 a.m. The location for these Games is Clay County Fair Grounds on State Road 16, 2497 SR16 W Green Cove Springs. Tickets prices are $10 per person in advance or $12 at the gate.

Call 904.725.5744 for more information or visit the Northeast Florida Scottish Games and Festival website.

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.

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.

Four stages of entertainment bring fun for the entire family throughout the weekend.
Come to the Irish Festival and enjoy some of the top Irish traditional acts in the world. There will also be performances from The St. Vincent’s Academy Chorale, two schools of Irish Dancers, Glor na h‘Eireann, and the Irish Dancers of Savannah.
There’s free arts and crafts area for kids as well as entertainment on stage geared towards children.
The Festival Cultural Stage will focus on a variety of topics of Irish History, Irish Literature and Irish Music. On top of that, there will also be a large numbers of vendors setting with booths where you can browse interesting Irish items.

This will be a weekend filled with fun for the whole family, including music and plenty of Irish Dancing. Please join us this year for Valentine’s Day weekend. Stroll through our romantic city and enjoy the largest Irish Festival in the South.

Festival Ticket Information:
$5 donation taken at the door for the Friday night Ceili in the Civic Center’s upstairs ballroom.

A one day ticket for Saturday or Sunday costs $12 and a two day ticket is $16, plus service charges for both from the Civic Center Box Office.

Children Under 14 are admitted FREE.

You can purchase tickets the day of the event, or call 912-651-6556 or 800-351-7469.

Read about other events for Valentine’s Day in Savannah

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

Highlights of this weekend-long event include cannon and musket firing; blacksmithing, craft, and cooking demonstrations; Native American and slave life interpretations; and period music and dance. This is a free event.

The Colonial Faire and Muster 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.

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

Click here to read more about events on Georgia Days

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Super Museum Sunday in Georgia

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

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 Greater Charleston Restaurant Association is hosting the Lowcountry Oyster Festival’s on the grounds of historic Boone Hall Plantation on Sunday, January 31st. This festival is an oyster-lover’s dream. About 65,000 pounds of oysters will arrive at Boone Hall Plantation to be served at the festival. Highlights of Sunday’s “rain or shine” event include the famous “Oyster Shucking & Eating Contest”, live bands on the Main Stage and a Kids Corner complete with pony rides and jump castles.

The Winter Fest features the largest oyster roast in the area, chili, soups, and a variety of seasonal beers. And to top it off, you can enjoy live music with the Paul Grimshaw Band and the PotatoHeads.

Admission is free, but tickets are sold for beer and food.Oysters will be sold by the dozen with cocktail sauce and crackers.
Serious oyster eating participants are encouraged to bring their own oyster knives and gloves.

The Right Whale Festival in Jacksonville Beach took place to celebrate the start of the calving season. The goal of the festival is to engage, inform and inspiring the community about right whales, their habitat, and conservation needs.

Coastal Companion was a proud sponsor of this inaugural festival, and we’re hoping the festival will return in years to come.

You can support the ocean conservancy. Just visit www.rightwhalefestival.org and click on the red button in the right hand column that says “donate”!

Here is the video:

The festival itself is free, but some activities charge a fee. The parking fee to enter Jekyll Island is $5 per vehicle.

* Holiday stage performances
* Arts and crafts for holiday shopping
* Games and activities for children
* Hayrides
* Delicious hot chocolate
* Fireworks finale
* Santa will be on site for pictures

For more information visit www.JekyllIsland.com/HolidayIsland

This is the third year for the popular Winter Wonderland festival at the St. Augustine Amphitheatre starting November 20th and running through January 3rd. More than 80,000 people have spent the holiday season with Winter Wonderland and made it part of their holiday tradition.

New additions to this year’s festival include the Blizzard Bounce House & the Elf Express Train as well as a New Theatre original production of “A Time for Everything”, thousands of additional lights, more decorations, more holiday scenes painted by local artists, and the most holiday cheer in Florida!

Other Winter Wonderland favorites include St. Augustine’s ONLY Ice Skating Rink with Nightly Snow Fall! America’s ONLY Refrigerated Ice Slide, Sleigh Rides, Elf Village, Reindeer Games, Elf Village, Lighted Nature Trails, Candy Cane Forest, S’Mores Pit, and of course the man himself Santa Clause!

Website : www.winterwonderlandflorida.com
The St. Augustine Amphitheatre is located at 1340 A1A South in St. Augustine. For more information, call 904.471.1965

deFINE ART brings a broad range of noted art professionals, alumni and special guests to SCAD with the highly-anticipated Open Studios as the festival anchor.

Friday, November 13

Nene Humphrey Exhibition, Performance and Gallery Talk: “Circling the Center,” Pinnacle Gallery, 320 E. Liberty St., 7 p.m.

“Circling the Center” uses the drum circle, one of the oldest forms of human communication, the craft of Victorian mourning braiding, and the sounds generated during the fabrication process as its conceptual underpinnings and physical structure. The exhibition showcases individual weavings made in the gallery by Humphrey, students, faculty and alumni that, combined, create a central structure of woven wire elements based on Victorian mourning braids.

Humphrey earned an M.F.A. degree from York University in Toronto and an M.A. degree from Goddard College in Plainfield, Vt. She has taught at New York University, University of Maryland, Baltimore, and the University of Connecticut. Her work is included in the permanent collections of art centers including the Smithsonian, Washington, D.C.; the High Museum of Art, Atlanta, Ga.; Wilfredo Lam Contemporary Art Center, Havana, Cuba; The Museum of Contemporary Art of Georgia, Atlanta; and the Ogden Museum at the University of New Orleans.

Saturday, Nov. 14

Open Studio Night, Alexander Hall, 668 Indian St., and River Club, 3 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., 5-8 p.m.

Open Studio Night features original works by SCAD students, faculty and alumni. The event showcases the best of SCAD painting, photography, printmaking and sculpture. Artwork on exhibit is available for purchase. Guests are invited to visit the college’s studio spaces and experience hands-on demonstrations.

Projections and Motion Paintings, David Ellis and Roberto Lange, River Club, 3 Martin Luther King Blvd., 6-8 p.m.

Nick Cave, Hamilton Hall Parking Lot, 522 Indian St., 8-9 p.m.

Nick Cave is one of the most internationally acclaimed and sought after artists working today. Suggestive of ceremonial garments, costume, haute couture and superhero disguise, Cave’s Soundsuits, or performative wearable sculptures, are intricately ornamented with reclaimed fabric and found objects selected for their symbolism and auditory function. Densely layered in material and meaning, Cave’s otherworldly creations will be performed by Cave, SCAD students and community members as part of the deFINE ART festival in what Cave is calling a spoken word, dance, DJ music extravaganza.

He has been the celebrated recipient of solo exhibitions at such prestigious venues as Jack Shainman Gallery, New York (2008); Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, San Francisco (currently); and Studio La Citta, Verona, Italy (forthcoming 2010), to name only a few. His work has been reviewed in The New York Times, Modern Painters, The Washington Post, Artforum, The New Yorker, and others, and a recent comprehensive catalogue, “Meet Me At the Center of the Earth,” was published this year. Cave earned an M.F.A. from Cranbrook Academy of Art, Bloomfield Hills, Mich., and a B.F.A. from the Kansas City Art Institute, Kansas City, Mo.

Music:

Unsolved Mysteries, Jon Lynn and Colin Alexander, River Club, 3 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., 9-10 p.m.

Helado Negro, Roberto Lange, River Club, 10-11 p.m.

Prayer Town, Phil Ashley and Patrick Parker, River Club, 11 p.m. – midnight

The Telfair Art Fair is a juried art show and sale that showcases spectacular original artwork by painters, sculptors, photographers, potters, jewelers, and more – and it’s one of the museums largest fundraisers of the year.

An Arty Party

The weekend kicks-off on the evening of Friday, November 13 with a member preview event, the “Arty Party,” a chic cocktail reception where you can preview artwork and meet artists.

This year’s much-anticipated event features the work of more than seventy artists from the Savannah area and across the nation. The Jepson Center’s Eckburg Atrium will be devoted to Open Art, a new category that highlights the work of talented emerging and student artists.

Awards and Jazz

At noon on Saturday, $10,000 in prizes will be awarded in a brief ceremony inside the Art Fair tent. A short awards ceremony recognizing outstanding artists will be held at noon, with Susan Krane—Oshman Executive Director at the San Jose Museum of Art—presiding as the 2009 Art Fair judge. Also, back by popular demand, the Savannah Country Day Jazz Band and the Savannah Arts Academy Skyelite Jazz Band will perform live jazz music in the square throughout the afternoon.

Reinvent, Recreate, Reuse for Kids
This year, the Children’s Art Fair in the Square—themed Reinvent! Recreate! Reuse!—will feature a variety of art stations with creative activities for kids incorporating natural, found, or recycled items. Activities include ornament-making with shells and recycled jar lids; building pinecone bird feeders; pet rock and leaf rubbing projects; creating crazy hair grass heads; and jewelry-making with shells and beads. Additional features include an appearance by Silly Dilly the Clown and a moon bouncer, as well as snack and drink booths.

5th Annual Telfair Art Fair and Open Art
Telfair Academy, 121 Barnard St, Savannah GA 31401
Saturday, 14 November, 2009
10:00 AM – 05:00 PM
For more information visit www.telfair.org

The festival will celebrate the written word and the magic of storytelling with children’s book authors and illustrators from around the country. Come to the Children’s Book Festival in Forsyth Park and meet local authors, explore arts and crafts booths, a variety of entertainment, an international tent, costumed characters, a “teen scene” and much more! The Savannah Civic Center will be the location in case of rain. Visit Savannah Children’s Book festival in our calendar for details.

But the Festival of Lights is more than a driving tour. Make sure to park the car and experience the other holiday attractions. This event is sure to be a hit with the younger crowd.

Santa’s Village

Take an evening walk through Santa’s Village to see the meticulously crafted holiday sand sculpture. This sculpture has been constructed by hand with 50-tons of sand. Pretty impressive! You also don’t want to miss the amazing gingerbread house competition.

The aroma of coffee, cookies and fudge fill the air, you’re just going to have to stop by Santa’s Sweet Shoppe. After all, it is the holiday season, and isn’t that the time of year when parents are nice? You can also make s’mores at the marshmallow roasting pits, take a snapshot with Santa and then hop aboard the train for an up-close look at the light displays.

Winter Wonderland

In Winter Wonderland there is a traditional 18-animal carousel ride. Also, take a look at the beautiful gigantic 4-by-8 foot holiday cards designed by local school students.

20 Nights of Celebrating 20 Years

This is a special 20th Anniversary series of activities featuring a variety of events and live entertainers during the first 20 days of December. Kick off takes place on December 1 with the Tree-Lighting ceremony. The rest of the schedule is listed below.

December 1
Mrs. Claus Storytelling 6pm-9pm

December 2
Family Craft Night
Presented by the Children’s Museum of the Lowcountry.
Santa Paws Bring your favorite furry friend to have a photo taken with Santa Claus.
6pm – 8:00pm & 8:20pm – 9:30pm.

December 3
Outdoor Movie: How the Grinch Stole Christmas!
Grab a chair and a warm blanket to see one of your favorite holiday flicks.
6pm, 7pm, 8pm, 9pm at Winter Wonderland.

December 4
The Cooper School Choir featuring The Hungry Monks
7pm-9pm

December 5
The Palmetto Bronze Handbell Choir
7pm-9pm

December 6
The Hungry Monks
7pm-9pm

December 7
Lowcountry Power Brass
7pm-9pm
Family Craft Night
Presented by the Children’s Museum of theLowcountry.

December 8
Franklin Hodge and Band
6pm-9pm

December 9
Family Craft Night
Presented by the Children’s Museum of the Lowcountry.
Santa Paws Photo Sessions 6pm – 8:00pm & 8:20pm – 9:30pm.

December 10
Outdoor Movie: A Christmas Story
6pm and 8pm at Winter Wonderland.

December 11
Mrs. Claus Storytelling
6pm-9pm

December 12
Lowcountry Power Brass

7pm-9pm

December 13
Franklin Hodge and Band
6pm-9pm

December 14
Family Craft Night
Presented by the Children’s Museum of the Lowcountry.

December 15
Franklin Hodge and Band
6pm-9pm

December 16
Family Craft Night
Presented by the Children’s Museum of the Lowcountry.

Santa Paws photo sessions
6pm – 8:00pm & 8:20pm – 9:30pm.

December 17
Outdoor Movie: The Polar Express
6pm and 8pm at Winter Wonderland.

December 18
Lowcountry Power Brass
7pm-9pm

December 19
The Hungry Monks
7pm-9pm

December 20
Mrs. Claus Storytelling
6pm-9pm

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We produce three different shows every week, one for each state. To find out more about the show, visit the weekly show page.

Here is the list of the winners:

Top 3 Songs:
1) Bryan Fogle
2) Kelty Shellhorn
3) Craig Hand

Top 3 Artists:
1) Kata Rhe
2) Kelty Shellhorn
3) Rebecca Hewitt

Best Green Song:
Al Monte

Upcoming Star:
Kelty Shellhorn

Click here to go to our previous post about from Nashville to Treehill Music Festival Jacksonville

Click here to read more about Treehill Nature Center Jacksonville and watch our video