Coastal Companion

Your ultimate guide to the coast

How Sweet the Sound

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Choirs all across America, from coast to coast, have answered the call for the chance to take the stage and claim the title of the 2010 Best Church Choir in America on September 11! A panel of expert judges has been tasked with the difficult job to find the sweetest sounds in America. How Sweet the Sound an empowering gospel music celebration guaranteed to leave the audience both uplifted and inspired. Every choir participating in the regional events wins both $3000 and an unforgettable experience in unity and fellowship.
Sept 11 at Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena

Tickets start at $5.00. Click here to reserve your seat now!

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

A Golden Isles Christmas – Brunswick, GA

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A Golden Isles Christmas is a holiday Concert featuring Nathaniel Roper and Glynn Academy Concert Choir; works by Bach and others. Coastal Symphony of Georgia is organizing this Christmas concert taking place on December 15, 2008 at 8pm at the Glynn Academy Auditorium – Monck & Norwich Street – Brunwick, Georgia
Admission: $25 adult, $5 student/child
For more information, please call (912) 634-2006 or visit www.coastalsymphonyofgeorgia.org

Holiday Entertainment and Visits with Santa – Charleston, SC

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MusicChildren’s choirs, church choirs, gospel, classical, folk, storytelling and other entertainment dazzle audiences at Marion Square. Bring your Christmas wish lists to the North Pole Mailbox and visit with Santa, Mrs. Claus and their Elf assistants in the magically decorated park. Admission is free!

Mondays-Fridays: 10am-6pm; Saturdays and Sundays: 10am-4pm

For more information call 843-724-7305 or visit www.charlestoncity.info

Citadel’s Christmas Candlelight Service – Charleston, SC

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The South Carolina Corps of Cadets will present its Christmas Candlelight Service for the Lowcountry at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 6, 7 and 8 in Summerall Chapel on The Citadel campus.
Cadets from the Protestant, Catholic and Gospel choirs, the Chorale, the Women’s Ensemble and members of The Citadel Regimental Band will take part in the annual celebration of the birth of Christ, observing the events of the Advent, the Annunciation, the Birth of the King, and Epiphany through Scripture lessons and carols. Traditional and international favorites are sung, and special highlights include the Procession of Lights.

Cadets coordinate the production with Nancy Lefter, director of chorale activities, organist Mark A. Bebensee of the School of Business Administration and Commander Mike Alverson, director of music.

The hour-long program is free and open to the public. Donations are accepted. Flash cameras and video lights are not permitted inside the chapel.

This event is one of the most popular Christmas activities in Charleston. Visitors are encouraged to arrive early to secure parking on campus and seating in the chapel.
For more information, call 843-953-5049. Summerall Chapel on The Citadel campus.
12/06/2008, 12/07/2008, 12/08/2008

christmas music
Creative Commons License photo credit: hans s