Coastal Companion

Your ultimate guide to the coast

Boone Hall Beach Blast – Charleston, SC

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Life’s a Beach in Charleston, SC, when Boone Hall Plantation opens it gates to the 2nd Annual Boone Hall Beach Blast on Saturday June 26, 2010.

Maurice Williams and The Zodiacs
Maurice Williams and The Zodiacs

Maurice Williams and The Zodiacs headline the 2nd Annual Boone Hall Beach Blast on Saturday June 26, 2010. Maurice Williams is best known for his number one hit “Stay” which was also featured in , “Dirty Dancing,” starring the late Patrick Swayze. But Williams rose to the top of billboard’s charts back in 1964 with the big hit “May I”.

The Mighty Tams are also appearing at the event, this group is well-known in beach music circles. Their entertaining performance includes
memorable hits and choreographed dancing. Other performers are The
Fantastic Shakers, The Sugar Bees, and reggae music by The Mystic Vibrations.

The Tams
The Tams

But there’s more than music at this event. No Beach Party is complete without a bikini contest – so Boone Hall hosts its own. There will also be
volleyball, shag lessons, and much more.

Beer, wine, and “beach” style food will be available for purchase. Bring your lawn chairs and beach blankets and find your spot on the beautiful back lawn at Boone Hall Plantation.

Schedule – Gates open 11am

Boone Hall Beach Blast12:00 – 1:45 Mystic Vibrations
2:00 – 3:00 – Sizzling Summer Bikini Contest
3:30 – 4:30 – The SugarBees
5:00 – 6:30 – The Fantastic Shakers
7:00 – 8:30 – The Tams
9:00 – 10:30 – Maurice Williams – The Zodiacs

For more information, visit www.boonehallplantation.com

Lifeguard Competition – Folly Beach, SC

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Baywatch in Real Life

Come watch when Folly Beach turn into a real competition for real lifeguards. David Hasselhoff would probably not qualify for a spot in this tough contest – and I don’t think Pamela Anderson is coming either – but that doesn’t mean it won’t be fun to watch.

Local and regional lifeguards will come together to compete in a challenge that showcases and tests lifesaving skills, the 13th Annual SCRPA Lifeguard Competition, on Friday, June 25.

Organized by Charleston County Park and Recreation Commission (CCPRC) and the Mount Pleasant Recreation Department, the day-long event brings together beach, pool and waterpark lifeguards from across South Carolina. The competition is held on behalf of the SCRPA Aquatics Branch with the goal of encouraging guards to improve their lifesaving skills and training.

“The lifeguard competition continues to be a motivating tool for lifeguards throughout South Carolina, giving them the chance to perfect and test their skills against fellow lifeguards,” said Michael Bradley, CCPRC’s Assistant Ocean Access Manager.

Bradley adds that lifeguard teams from across the state are encouraged to sign up. “Participants get the opportunity to have fun and compete in a variety of events in both the pool and ocean settings,” he says.

The competition kicks off at 8:30 a.m. with pool events at the Mount Pleasant Recreation Department’s R.L. Jones Center pool, then moves to Folly Beach County Park around 1 p.m.

Pool events at the R.L. Jones Center feature team competition in both speed races and lifesaving techniques, including Spinal Injury Management, Brick Tow Relay, 50-Yard Sprint, Submerged Deep Water Rescue with CPR, 500-Yard Swim and 100-Yard Relay events. The action-packed beach events on Folly will have teams running in and out of the water as they simulate rescues and compete in fitness tests, including the Run-Swim-Run, One-Mile Run, Beach Flags and Active Rescue events.

An awards ceremony will immediately follow the competition, with awards given to first, second and third-placing teams.

To qualify to compete, all participants must be certified through an accredited agency. Teams must be composed of 3 to 4 members, with at least one male and one female on each team. Entry fees are $50 per team and proof of certification must be furnished with registration.

Competitions are open to the public. For more information call (843) 795-PARK or email mbradley@ccprc.com.

Sun Fun Festival in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

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School is out and it’s time to have fun in the sun! Many families head to Myrtle Beach for a getaway vacation, and this weekend Myrtle Beach has a big festival.

Every year Myrtle Beach, SC, celebrates the summer season with the Sun Fun Festival. This weekend it’s time for the big kick off event with a parade, free concerts, celebraty appearances, vendors, Jet Ski Championship and much more.

Click here to read more about the Sun Fun Festival in Myrtle Beach

Pops at the Beach – Mother’s Day Concert at Jacksonville Beach, Florida

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POPS AT THE BEACH
It is spring, it is TPC week, and it is Mother’s Day. Cap off the week of championship golf by talking your favorite mother to the Sea Walk Pavilion on Mother’s Day. What better way to honor her than a Pops concert featuring the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra performing a little night music.  An extra plus is the fact that admission to the concert is free, so you can treat Mom to lunch or dinner instead.  Just bring mom, friends, family, lawn chairs or blanket, and enjoy an evening of great music, moonlight, sea breezes and the sounds of the ocean. This is a family event, kids of all ages are welcome. Soft drinks, wine and beer, food, and dessert are available for purchase. Admission is free. The event area opens at 5:00 PM.

The City of Jacksonville Beach, Beaches Fine Arts Series, B.R.A.S.S., and the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra are partnering again to bring you the annual Mother’s Day POPS AT THE BEACH concert featuring the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra on Sunday, May 9, 2010.

This is the 16th POPS AT THE BEACH performance by the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra and the 10th from the Sea Walk Pavilion stage designed specifically for the JSO by The Haskell Company. Under the direction of guest conductor Morihiko Nakahara, the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra takes the stage at 7:30 PM performing music from the movies, the opera, Broadway and the concert hall. Maestro Nakahara is in his second season as music director of the South Carolina Philharmonic. Having served as Jacksonville Symphony associate conductor in 2007, he continues to make annual JSO conducting appearances.

The Jacksonville Mass Choir starts off the evening’s entertainment at 5:45 PM with To Michael with Love – The Songs of Michael Jackson. The group is directed by Deborah McDuffie, Artistic Director for the Jacksonville Mass Choir and its younger component, Boys and Girls Choir; and, Chair of the Fine Arts Department/Choral Director at Paxon School for Advanced Studies and Executive Director of Arts4Jax, Inc., a community performing arts foundation in Jacksonville, Florida.
There is no better way to show moms how special they are than this outstanding performance under the stars at Jacksonville Beach’s Sea Walk Pavilion.

For more information, call the hotline  (904) 247-6100 press 3 or visit  www.jacksonvillebeach.org.

MOTHER’S DAY CONCERT PROGRAM

THE JACKSONVILLE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
MORIHIKO NAKAHARA, CONDUCTING A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC!
Overture to West Side Story BERNSTEIN/PERESS
Eine Kleine Nachtmusik, Mvt. I MOZART
Send in the Clowns from A Little Night Music SONDHEIM/LOWDEN
Por Una Cabeza (Tango from Scent of a Woman) GARDEL/WILLIAMS Philip Pan, violin
Suite from Carmen BIZET Les Toreadors – Suite No. 1, Mvt. V Habanera – Suite No. 2, Mvt. II Nocturn – Suite No. 2, Mvt. III Danse Boheme – Suite No. 2, Mvt. VI

INTERMISSION

The Wizard of Oz ARLEN/SAYRE
La Comparsa (Night Procession) LECUONA
Dance of the Hours from La Gioconda PONCHELLI
Moon River MANCINI
Phantom of the Opera WEBBER/CUSTER

What To Do for Mother’s Day in Jacksonville, Florida

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It’s an action-packed week with the Players Championship at  TPC Sawgrass, followed closely by everyone’s favorite celebration – Cinco de Mayo on Wednesday.  Then on Sunday it’s time for Mother’s Day.

Most people I’ve spoken to usually take Mom out for breakfast, brunch or dinner. Some moms with more than one child gets to go out and eat all day, the biggest problem seems to be to agree on who is handling what meal.  Keep in mind that some restaurants get really busy on Mother’s Day and opt for reservations.  But if you want to do something a little bit different this year without spending all your hard earned money,  stick with me.  I have found activities in Jacksonville both  you and your mother can enjoy.

Museum of Contemporary Art MOCA Jacksonville FloridaContemporary Art
Sunday is always “Family Free Sunday” at MOCA Jacksonville, so if your Mom likes art and you have a big group, a trip to the Museum of Contemporary Art in downtown Jacksonville could just be the ticket. Also Cafe Nola has a special Mother’s Day Brunch which includes free mimosas. My mom would really enjoy that.   (Reservations are strongly suggested for Cafe Nola.
Visit www.MOCAjacksonville.org for more information.

Home & Garden Tour
The 32nd Annual Tour of Homes and Gardens in Springfield is going on all weekend. The tour takes you to some of the most beautiful historic homes in Springfield and the tour also includes tea in Henrietta’s Tearoom in the SPAR building, 1321 N Main Street.  If you like you can upgrade your ticket to include a dinner, which seems like it’s a really good deal.  Choose from 10 restaurants and bars in the Springfield area that will provide discounts. You will also receive a free beer from the Bier Garden during the Home Tour.
I would really enjoy that!

On Sunday May 9th the tour takes place from 1:00 pm until 4:00 pm.

Driving Miss Daisy
Another way to see historic Springfield is to participate in the  historic bike tour.   My Mom is probably not that interested in riding her bike around Springfield – even though it’s a free tour –  so she’ll be relieved to know that the tour takes place already  on Saturday May 8th at 10:00 am.  A more suitable activity for my mother is to  sit down in the air conditioned theater with a nice cold Pepsi watching the play  “Driving Miss Daisy” by Stage Aurora.

This is a heart-warming story and I would enjoy the performance, but mom  would probably take it the wrong way and think I’m trying to point out how old she is.  Now when I think about it,  a better idea is to take mom to the Florida Theater where the king of blues himself, B.B.King, is performing.   He is 84 years old but still going strong, and he takes the stage at 8:00 pm on Sunday May 9th.    (For more information about B.B. King, click here)

Free Mother’s Day Concert at the Beach
I’d suggest heading to Jacksonville Beach on Mother’s Day.  Here you can enjoy a live performance with the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra at Sea Walk Pavilion.  You can get everyone in the car and “drive your Miss Daisy” to Jax Beach for a great evening under the stars.  The event area opens at 5:00 pm.  At 5:45 pm Jacksonville Mass Choir performs To Michael with Love – The Songs of Michael Jackson. The Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra takes the stage at 7:30 PM performing music from the movies, the opera, Broadway and the concert hall.  Don’t forget to bring a lawn chair or a picnic blanket for mom to sit on.   You could even turn the whole Mother’s Day dinner into a outdoor picnic.  Gather the family, make a big outing and a great impression while saving money, after all this is a free concert.

For more information:

MOCA Jacksonville
333 North Laura Street, Jacksonville, FL, 32202
Ph: (904) 366-6911
www.MOCAjacksonville.org

Cafe Nola for reservations  (904) 366-6911, ext. 231

Tour of Homes and Gardens in Springfield
Friday May 7th & Saturday May 8th from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Sunday May 9th from 1:00 pm until 4:00 pm.
Call 904-353-7727 or visit www.sparcouncil.org for more information.

Springfield Historic Bike Tour
Saturday May 8th from 10:00 am – 12:00 noon
Bring your own bike and ride for free, or rent one for $25
www.e2ride.com

Stage Aurora
5164-A Norwood Ave, Jacksonville, Fl 32208 (click here for map)
Call 904.765.7372 or visit www.stageaurora.org

Florida Theater
128 East Forsyth Street, Jacksonville, Fl

www.floridatheatre.com

Pops at the Beach
Sea Walk Pavilion, Jacksonville Beach, Fl
Event Hotline (904) 247-6100 press 3
www.jacksonvillebeach.org