Coastal Companion

Your ultimate guide to the coast

Jacksonville in May 2011

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Summer is almost here and there is no shortage of fun things to do on the coast this month. May is usually an action-packed month. We’ll start out with two popular festival that technically start in April, but I wanted to add them to the list anyway to make sure you don’t forget.

 

World of Nations Celebration
April 28 – May 1, 2011

Jacksonville celebrates its cultural diversity with the World of Nations Celebration in Metropolitan Park every spring. The festival is presented by the City of Jacksonville. Metropolitan Park transforms into a multi-ethnic marketplace of cuisine, crafts and entertainment of people from around the world.
Read more about World of Nations Celebration here.

 

Florida’s Birding and FotoFest
April 28-May 1

This event features professional photographers giving hands-on advice and nature excursions throughout Northeast Florida. Headquartered at Guana Environmental Education Center, attendees can experience a butterfly house, vendors and other family activities. Read more here.

 

Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival
April 28 – May 1

This unique Amelia Island festival combines delicious fresh seafood with a fun, small town celebration complete with parade, pirate invasions, live music, activities, contests and much more. The festival takes place in historic downtown Fernandina Beach. Read more and watch our video from Fernandina Shrimp Festival here.

 

First Wednesday Art Walk
May 4, 2011

Every month downtown Jacksonville comes alive with the art walk. Come participate and take a stroll downtown to explore new art and new experiences. The weather is perfect for an evening walk. Start in Hemming Plaza. More information here.

Movies in the Park
May 6, 2011

Downtown Jacksonville’s series is returning to historic Treaty Oak Park Fridays in the spring. Hosted by Downtown Vision, Inc. and JaxParks, the series features four family-friendly movies shown under the stars, each beginning at dusk (around 8 p.m.)

Pops at the Beach – Mother’s Day Concert
May 8, 2011

This is a great idea for how to celebrate Mother’s Day within your budget. Head to Jacksonville Beach for a free Mother’s Day concert, you can even bring your own picnic dinner. Read more about Pops at the Beach here.

World Golf Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony
May 9, 2011

This year’s ceremony marks the first time this event will be held during THE PLAYERS Championship. The induction class of 2011 will be featured in a new exhibit at the World Golf Hall of Fame Museum. Event takes place on an outdoor stage adjacent to the Hall of Fame and is free and open to the public. Seating is limited. Call (904) 940-4123 or visit www.worldgolfhalloffame.org.

THE PLAYERS Championship
 May 9-15, 2011

It’s one of golf’s biggest events and it’s played annually on the coastline of Northeast Florida at the famed Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra, Florida. The lush, green rolling hills and steep inclines offer spectacular views of each hole. The tournament begins on Monday with practice rounds. Thursday, the competition heats up as Round 1 of tournament play begins, concluding Sunday with fans gathering around the 18th hole to see who will take home the crystal trophy. Visit our special page for THE PLAYERS.

Dancin’ in the Street
May 21, 2011

Atlantic beach block party. Log on to www.jacksonvillebeach.org or call (904) 270-1658 for more information.

starry nightsStarry Nights
May 21, 2011

The City of Jacksonville presents Starry Nights, an event that combines the sounds of the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra with a national performer. Concert is held at Metropolitan Park, along the St. Johns River. www.makeascenedowntown.com

Moonlight Movies
May 20 & 27
Enjoy classic movies under the stars and by the ocean. These events are free to the public and featured movies will be announced a few weeks prior to the first screening. Held over four Friday evenings at 9 p.m.  Visit our Moonlight Movies page for more info.

Jacksonville Jazz Festival
May 26-29, 2011

Held annually over the Memorial Day holiday weekend in the heart of Downtown Jacksonville. Street party atmosphere includes four stages scattered in the city’s Laura Street corridor. Enjoy internationally acclaimed jazz performers, as well as the region’s best musicians during this four-day event. More information about the Jacksonville Jazz Festival here.

Memorial Wall Ceremony
May 31, 2010

Remember wounded and lost soldiers and their families this Memorial Day. Jacksonville honor its military heritage and local heroes with keynote speakers, presentation of colors, family tributes, a wreath presentation, a 21-gun salute, “Taps” and musical tributes. Call (904) 630-3690 or log on to www.makeascenedowntown.com.

First Wednesday Art Walk in Jacksonville – March 2011

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Don’t forget, this is the week of firsts on the coast with lots of art walks and other monthly events. One of the most popular is the downtown art walk in Jacksonville, Florida.

Here’s this month’s schedule. Click here to visit our special page for First Wednesday Art Walk to get download the map, watch or video from the art walk and get more info.

Snyder Memorial – Jacksonville Fashion Week presents “The Art of Fashion,” weaving together recycled material “clothing,” avant-garde costumes and more.

The Art Center Cooperative, Inc. (TAC II) – Jacksonville Fashion Week presents “Sew Artistic” featuring fashion photography, paintings and more.

111 E. Bay St. Studios – F13RCE Dance Theatre presents “Music, Fashion and Dance” at 7 p.m., plus a Fierce Magazine fashion show.

Elemental Gallery & Studio – The Jacksonville Weavers’ Guild demonstrates their fine craft.

Hemming Plaza Jewelers – Enjoy a bridal extravaganza!

The Jacksonville Landing – Design workshops and sewing lessons by Kara Bazma Dress Factory.

Southlight Gallery – Art and wearables by The Southlight Collaborative and Bodega of Plenty.

The Ivy Ultra Bar – Complimentary make-up and hair styling by Bella Hair Designs from 6-8 p.m.

Northstar “The Pizza Bar” – Features handmade earrings, necklaces, chokers and more.

The Library: 122 Ocean – The Fine Arts Department of Florida State College at Jacksonville returns with a superb multi-discipline event.

Main Library – Visit Jaxport’s “Mixed Cargo,” an environmentally-friendly mixed media art exhibit and the new home of the permanent exhibition, “Imagination Squared.”

First Wednesday Art Walk in Jacksonville – July 7, 2010

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The monthly art walk in downtown Jacksonville returns on Wednesday July 7, 2010 from 5 – 9 p.m. This month’s theme is Comedy & Drama.

The First Wednesday Art Walk is a self-guided tour of galleries and other venues in the downtown area. The downtown ambassadors are handing out maps in Hemming Plaza ( or Click here to download the map from our special page for First Wednesday Art Walk).

This is one of the best ways to spend an evening and explore the downtown area. If you haven’t had a chance to visit the art walk, and don’t know what to expect – watch our video on our special page First Wednesday Art Walk. You can also find more information about parking etc. on that page.

North Charleston Arts Festival 2010

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The 2010 North Charleston Arts Festival takes place from April 30 – May 8, 2010. The celebration lasts for nine whole days and the festival is one of the most comprehensive arts festivals in the Lowcountry.

North Charleston Arts festivalThe Main Event
The Main Event, held May 1st and 2nd at the Charleston Area Convention Center Complex, offers free admission and parking to over 40 performances on four stages featuring national, regional, and local professional performers, ethnic and cultural groups. Other activities include judged art, photography, youth art, and fine craft exhibitions, a gem & mineral show, children’s activities, Art & Craft booths, and an Outdoor Food Court.

The Festival Week
Concerts, theater and dance performances, children’s programs, literary events, and multi-cultural block parties are just some of the offerings during the Festival Week. The Arts Festival has over 50 free or moderately priced ticketed events throughout the week at various locations around North Charleston. Festival Week offerings include concerts, theater and dance performances, children’s programs, literary events, block parties, an Art Walk, and much more.

The Grand Finale
The festivities conclude on Saturday, May 8, with the Grand Finale at Riverfront Park, featuring a variety of concerts and activities, as well as a fantastic fireworks display over the Cooper River.

For more information call 843-745-1087 or visit www.northcharleston.org

First Friday Art Walk March 2010 – St Augustine, Fl

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The First Friday Art walk is one of St. Augustine’s most popular events. The art walk for March 2010 is scheduled for Friday March 5, 2010, from 5 – 9 p.m., rain or shine!

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.

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