Coastal Companion

Your ultimate guide to the coast

7th Annual Savannah International Boat Show

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The Savannah International Boat Show returns to the Savannah International Trade and Convention Center on Hutchinson Island, March 6-8. Tickets are $8 for adults, children 12 and under are free.

Boats will be displayed both inside the Convention Center as well as on the Savannah River itself. Boats include Power boats, sail boats and yachts and there will also be a variety of events and seminars during the three-day Savannah Boat Show.

Our favorite party band, The Swingin’ Medallions are scheduled to play and there will even be shag contest.

Other activities include a Fishing Simulator by the Georgia DNR and a kids’ fishing clinic.

Click here for more information about the The Savannah International Boat Show 2009

Bonnie Raitt Reschedules Savannah Concert

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Bonnie Raitt Reschedules March 18 Concert in Savannah Due to Dire Family Emergency

Savannah, Georgia – Due to a dire family health emergency, Bonnie Raitt has rescheduled her March 18 concert at the Johnny Mercer Theatre in Savannah for October 16, 2009. In an official statement from her management, Raitt relayed that she is “very sorry and regrets any inconvenience to her fans.” The highly anticipated return of Bonnie Raitt to Savannah is now scheduled for Friday, October 16 at 7:30 pm. The Randall Bramblett Band will open the show.

Tickets will be reissued and mailed in April for those who plan to attend the rescheduled concert on October 16. On the night of the rescheduled concert, only tickets with the October 16 date will be accepted. For those who cannot attend the October 16 concert, refunds and exchanges will begin on Tuesday, February 24 through the SCAD Box Office by emailing tickets@scad.edu, calling 912-525-5050, or in-person at 216 East Broughton Street. Ticket buyers who are uncertain about their contact information on file should also contact the box office. Refund transactions must take place through the box office on or before March 18. After March 19, all remaining non-refunded tickets will be reissued with the October 16 date. Exchanges are only good on other SMF 2009 shows. For those who wish to exchange Bonnie Raitt tickets for other SMF 2009 performances, a 10% discount will be applied to accommodate for any inconvenience caused by this rescheduling.

Savannah Music Festival takes place March 18 – April 5, 2009. For more information or questions, visit www.savannahmusicfestival.org, email maria@savannahmusicfestival.org or call 912-234-3378 x105.

Mardi Gras Festivals on the Coast of Georgia!

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“Mardi Gras” is a French term meaning Fat Tuesday. Mardi Gras refers to the carnival celebration.

Mardi Gras is a celebration prior to the fasting season of Lent and its origins go all the way back to the ancient Romans. Today the tradition is carried on in cities such as Mobile, Alabama and New Orleans, Louisiana, and of course Rio de Janeiro.

Other names for Fat Tuesday is Shrove Tuesday, Pancake Day, Dollar day. The actual date for 2009 is February 24th.
You can experience our own coastal version of Mardi Gras on Tybee Island or in historic downtown St Marys.

Mardi Gras Tybee
Tybee Island is celebrating Mardi Gras for the first time this year.
Purple, gold and green flags will dress up Tybee Island for the Mardi Gras celebration. Mardi Gras Tybee kicks off with a Fantasy Masquerade Ball on Friday, February 20th at 8pm, hosted by Fannies on the Beach. The King and Queen of the event will be chosen at the Fantasy Masquerade Ball by costume contest and bring your best looking cocktail cup for the Best Krewe Cup Contest. On Saturday, 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, Buddy Kosic’s New Orleans Dixieland Jazz Band and Bottles and Cans. 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 St Marys
This is one of the most popular annual festivals in St Marys. Everyone comes downtown to view the Mardi Gras parade and catch beads.
The Mardi Gras Festival includes a parade and live entertainment on Saturday, February 21st.
For more information, please call St Marys Convention and Visitors Bureau at 912.882.4000 or visit www.stmaryswelcome.com

Valentine’s Day in Savannah

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Savannah is probably one of the most romantic cities you’ll find on the coast with beautiful squares, live oaks with hanging moss and a bustling river front. Savannah is the perfect destination for a romantic getaway weekend. There’s always a lot to do and see in Savannah, and also a variety of great restaurants.

Here are a few suggestions of what to do for Valentine’s Day in Savannah, Georgia.

Cool Down with Ice Cream for Your Sweetheart
Who wants ice cream in February? Well, normally, this would be a treat saved for the warmer summer months, but Savannah has one of the most unique ice cream parlors – Leopold’s Ice cream on 212 E. Broughton Street. The place is owned by Stratton Leopold, a known movie producer, and contains lots of fun memorabilia. Stratton actually closed the place to pursue his career in Hollywood, but in 2004 Leopold’s re-opened in a new location. The place has been around since 1919, and so has many of the recipes. The place is designed by Academy Award winning designer Dan Lomino and still contains many of the original features such as the soda fountain, Philco radio and malted milk dispenser. For Valentine’s Day try February’s special flavors; Rose Petal Cream or Chocolate Cherry Cordial.
Leopold’s Ice Cream, 212 E. Broughton Street, Savannah
www.leopoldsicecream.com

Valentine’s and All That Jazz
The best way is to say the three words “I love you” might be with food, wine and jazz.

On Valentine’s Day, February 14th 2010, the Savannah Stompers Jazz Band (SSJB), Savannah’s premier good time band is ready to help you out to make this day special.

The SSJB plays traditional jazz, from New Orleans, Chicago and Memphis to the West Coast Revival movement of the late ‘30s and early ‘40s. For more information 912.920.1317 or visit www.coastal-jazz.org
February 14th, 5 p.m at The Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Resort and Spa. Admission is $10 for non-members

Savannah’s Own Love Boat
One of the best ways to experience Savannah is from the water. How about a Valentine’s Day Dinner Cruise? It could be the perfect way to end a perfect day.

Watch the glittering lights from the city reflect in the water. Relax in the cool ocean breeze. This Valentine’s Day package includes a dinner cruise, complete with dancing, entertainment, and bottle of house wine or champagne, balloons  and a plush bear.

Valentine’s Day Cruise on Saturday February 13th or Sunday February 14th
Call 912.232.6404 for more information or visit www.savannahriverboat.com

Something Old, Something New
Of course, if you’ve already decided to “take the big step” on this special day you could do so on the coast. One of the most romantic choices is a Valentine’s Day Weddings in the Davenport House Garden in Savannah. Here you can get married on Sunday, February 14, 2010  from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Have your wedding in the beautiful courtyard garden of the Davenport Museum! Ceremonies will be offered every 10 minutes. Judge Hamrick “Rick” Gnann, Jr. will officiate. $100 donation to the museum is requested. The Davenport House is located on  324 E. State Street in Savannah. Call 912.236.8097 for additional information or visit www.davenporthousemuseum.org

Tie the Knot on Tybee
Tie the Knot on Tybee is a unique and romantic Valentine’s Day tradition on Tybee Island outside Savannah, Georgia. The event is a group wedding ceremony and vow renewal celebration open to the public.

This event takes place on Sunday February 14th, 2010, At the (indoors) Tybee Island – AMERICAN LEGION Post 154. The doors open at 6:00 pm. For more information visit www.tietheknotontybee.com or call 912.786.5319.

And remember, Tybee Island also celebrates Mardi Gras with a festival on February 12-13, 2010, so plan to come early and participate in the fun.

The Luck of the Irish
Weddings and renewing your vows might not be your idea of how to celebrate Valentine’s Day. Maybe the Irish Festival in Savannah is more your cup of tea…or should we say mug of beer? Savannah offers one of the best Irish Festivals around. The 17th Annual Savannah Irish Festival will take place February 12-14, 2010 at the Savannah Civic Center in historic downtown Savannah. Four stages of continuous entertainment bring fun for the entire family throughout the weekend. This is your chance to enjoy the largest Irish Festival in the South with plenty of Irish dancing, Irish music, culture, food and fun. For more information visit www.savannahirish.org or call 912.232.3448



The Readers’ Theatre presents New Plays

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In the month of February a new program kicks off to introduce new playwrights to the community in Savannah. The new monthly recurring program is called Readers’ Theatre and takes place on the third Saturday of every month from 1.00 pm to 3.30 pm at S.P.A.C.E in Savannah. During the event a reading of a new play will take place followed by a discussion. The Readers’ Theatre is a free event open to the public.

On Saturday February 21st, a play by Ina Williams called The McCullogh Boys will be read. Writers interested in future readings are welcome to submit their plays.

Scripts must be submitted one month prior to the date for which they will be considered.  Interested writers should email scripts to Ellie Pyle, Performing Arts Coordinator, at Elizabeth_pyle@savannahga.gov or call (912) 651-6783 for information.  Individuals who would like to volunteer as readers should email a resume, headshot and availability to Pyle.

The Black Box at S.P.A.C.E. is located at 9 W. Henry St.  For information, contact 912-651-6783 or visit www.savannahga.gov/arts.