Coastal Companion

Your ultimate guide to the coast

Myrtle Beach Celebrates Snowbirds during Can-Am Days 2010

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Celebrate 49th Annual Canadian-American Days March 13-21, 2010
Festival Features Events, Concerts and Discounts Throughout the Grand Strand

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.

Shaggin’ on the Cooper is back for 2010 – Mount Pleasant, SC

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The new Mount Pleasant Pier in is open and Shaggin’ on the Cooper is back in 2010. Take your sweetheart by the arm and head to the pier for a romantic evening under the stars, where you can dance the night away.

Beverages will be available for purchase on-site. Gates Open
at 7pm. Live music begins at 8pm. On Saturday, March 13, 2010, the band 17 South is performing. 17 South’s music range from Motown, Beach cover tunes, and R&B.

Only 800 tickets will be sold, no advance purchase. But tickets ($10 per person) will be available for purchase at the Pier shop beginning at 4pm on the day of each event.

For more information, visit www.ccprc.com


Shaggin' on the cooper

The Black Eyed Peas Tour comes to Jacksonville, Florida

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Three-time Grammy Award winning recording artist, The Black Eyed Peas announced today that Ludacris will be joining opening act LMFAO on their highly anticipated world tour. Described as the ultimate Black Eyed Peas party experience, it also marks the first time that the group – will.i.am, apl.de.ap, Taboo and Fergie – is united for a North American headline tour since their 2006 Monkey Business world tour.

The Black Eyed Peas, who are nominated for six Grammy Awards including Album Of The Year for THE E.N.D. and Record of The Year for “I Gotta Feeling”, will perform Sunday night, January 31 at the 52nd Annual Grammy Awards live on CBS.

2009 was a monumental year for The Black Eyed Peas, starting with the March release of “Boom Boom Pow” – not only the group’s first #1 single on the Billboard Hot 100 but one of the top dozen or so longest-charting singles in Hot 100 history, 12 weeks at the top. They bumped themselves out of #1 with their second single, “I Gotta Feeling” (released in June), surpassing their own success with a 14-week stay at #1 (only the fourth group in Hot 100 history to replace itself at #1). Their 26 consecutive week run at #1 has now become a new all-time benchmark in Hot 100 history (for groups or solo artists).

Meanwhile, flush with three massive hit singles, The E.N.D. (released June 2, 2009) debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200 albums chart with the highest first-week sales of The Black Eyed Peas’ career. The E.N.D. has sold over 5.2 million cds worldwide. The fourth single, “Imma Be” is climbing the charts at Top 40 radio and is top 5 on the iTunes chart.

Chris “Ludacris” Bridges is a celebrated recording artist, actor, entrepreneur, and philanthropist. Ludacris has sold over 20 million albums worldwide with each release being certified platinum or multi-platinum by the RIAA. His upcoming album, Battle of The Sexes, is set to be released March 16, 2010. To date, he has won three Grammy Awards (including Best Rap Album for Release Therapy) and appeared in two Academy Award-winning films. In addition to his creative endeavors and business ventures, Ludacris serves as Chairman and CEO of The Ludacris Foundation, an award-winning non-profit organization dedicated to helping young people achieve their dreams through the encouragement of “Principles of Success.”

The tour kicks off on February 4, 2010 at Philips arena in Atlanta, Georgia. On February 6 it’s Miami and then Jacksonville on February 9, 2010.

Feb. 4 Atlanta, GA Philips Arena
6 Miami, FL American Airlines Arena
9 Jacksonville, FL Jacksonville Veteran’s Memorial Arena
"crowd"

Jazz Holiday Concert on Christmas Day – Savannah, GA

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Jazz-up your spirit this holiday season in Savannah by attending The 34th Annual CJA Holiday Concert and Jam Session. Mark your calendar for Friday, December 25 at 5:00 p.m. and head down to Westin – Savannah Harbor Resort on Hutchinson Istand –Just Across the River- for some great jazz.

Trombonist, Teddy Adams will host a who’s who of regional jazz All-Stars. “Yule” hear some of the best musicians in the Coastal Empire. This is the annual CJA fundraiser and will benefit the student scholarship education fund. Tickets Cost $15 in advance and $20 at the door.

More information at www.coastal-jazz.org or to reserve your tickets by calling 912.920.1317

Jazz on the Beach

Free Concerts in the Plaza on Thursdays in St Augustine, Florida

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When you’re visiting St. Augustine, don’t miss the free concerts on Thursday nights. It’s the best way to enjoy a beautiful summer evening.
For the 19th year, St. Augustine continues with the free Concerts in the Plaza series. This popular event is said to be “the best way to spend a Thursday night in the Old City”, and it is definitely a great way to enjoy a free concert under live oaks in the park. The concert series brings a variety of music to the historic district of St. Augustine’s all summer long. Listen to Bluegrass and blues, jazz and country, swing and folk, old time and popular rock every Thursday.
All Thursday night concerts are free. The performance begins at 7 p.m, bring your own chair and maybe even picnic dinner.

The Plaza de la Constitución is located in the heart of St. Augustine between Cathedral Place and King Street, west of the Bridge of Lions. The band performs from The Gazebo, located in the center of the Plaza. Plan to come early to get reserve a good spot, this is usually a popular event.

Where to Park
Parking is available in the Historic Downtown Parking Facility (HDPF) located at the St. Augustine & St. Johns County Visitors Information Center. This is usually where we park when we visit St Augustine for the day. It’s convenient and easy – who wants to waste time driving around looking for parking anyway? There’s too much to see in St Augustine for that. This place is about a ten minute walk along St. George St. to the Plaza. The cost there is $1.25 per hour with a $7.50 per day maximum.
On street parking is also available near the Plaza de la Constitución and is free after 5:00pm.
St Augustine, Florida