Coastal Companion

Your ultimate guide to the coast

Jazz in the Park, St. Simons Island, GA – June 27, 2010

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On Sunday June 27th, 2010, it’s time again for Jazz in the Park at St. Simons Island. The event takes place outside the St Simons Island Lighthouse and is scheduled at high tide to take advantage of the breeze from the ocean. And this weekend, I think we will need all the breeze we can get.

But don’t let the heat keep you indoors. Instead, take advantage of the nice summer weather and spend an evening outside under the stars and enjoy a great jazz performance.

This Sunday the Savannah Stompers are performing.

For upcoming events and more details visit our special events page for Jazz in the Park – St Simons Island, GA

Jazz in the Park – St. Simons Island, Georgia

Fashion in Focus – Savannah, GA

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Oscar de la Renta for Pierre Balmain, Evening Gown
Oscar de la Renta for Pierre Balmain, Evening Gown – Haute Couture, black silk tulle with laser-cut tulle skirt and train, c. 2001. Photo by SCAD

The SCAD Museum of Art announces its latest exhibition, “Fashion in Focus: Photos and Evening Wear from the SCAD Museum of Art Collection,” ongoing now through Sept. 30, 227 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. The exhibition is free and open to the public.

This exhibition of more than 30 objects highlights recent couture gifts to the SCAD Museum of Art including exquisite evening dresses by contemporary designers Ralph Rucci, Oscar de la Renta for Balmain, Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel, Isabel Toledo, Valentino, and Lars Nilsson for Bill Blass. The aesthetic ranges from the sumptuous splendor of an aubergine opera coat and the charm of an ice cream pink ball gown to the clean simple lines of a little black dress or the austere grace of silver and ivory evening dresses.

Among the fashion photographs on view are images from the past few decades by noted photographers Sir Cecil Beaton, Horst P. Horst, Karl Lagerfeld, David Bailey, Arthur Elgort, Herb Ritts and others, in images that graced the pages of Vogue or other fashion journals and featured the top models of the time.

As a teaching museum, the SCAD Museum of Art supports the academic and creative programs at SCAD by providing students with direct encounters with works by major artists while enriching the artistic, educational and cultural offerings available to the university and wider communities. The museum is a cultural gem that adds to Savannah’s reputation as an ideal location for visitors and those interested in the arts and architecture.

For more information about the exhibition and to arrange group tours, call 912.525.7191, or visit www.scad.edu/scadmuseum. Museum hours are Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday, 1-5 p.m.

Fourth of July Weekend in Georgia

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Fourth of July Events in Georgia 2010

4th of July fireworks at Tybee Island, GA

There are lots of fun things to do in coastal Georgia for the Fourth of July weekend. Many cities start their celebration of Independence Day already on the 3rd of July this year. This means that you can actually enjoy fireworks and events all weekend long and make the weekend an extraordinary birthday bash for the country.

SATURDAY JULY 3, 2010

Fireworks Tybee Island Pier
Get an early start for the  Fourth of July weekend and head out to Tybee Island. Here the party starts already on Saturday July 3, 2010, with fireworks at Tybee Pier and Pavilion.
Call 912-786-5444 for more information.

4th of July Festival in St. Marys, Georgia

Independence Day Festival, St Marys, Georgia
Please note that this year, St Marys celebrates the 4th of July already on Saturday, July 3rd, 2010. Come visit historic downtown St Marys, GA, for a delightful Independence Day complete with parade and fireworks. Fireworks at dusk.  For more information call 912.882-4000

Cannons Across the Marsh, Fort King George, Darien
On Saturday- July 3, 2010 from 10am-4pm, Fort King George State Historic Site will be hosting their annual Cannons Across the Marsh celebration in honor of Independence Day.  Artillery and musket firings will be going on throughout the day.  Free watermelon and lemonade will be served.  Also, Boston Butts will be sold at $25 and may be picked up on the 3rd.  RSVPs for Boston Butts are being accepted now and must be received no later than June 30th.  Additionally, BBQ sandwiches will be sold during the day on Saturday the 3rd.

Fort King George State Historic Site, 302 McIntosh Rd. SE, Darien, GA  31305

Call (912) 437-4770 or www.gastateparks.org/fortkinggeorge

Sunday July 4, 2010

Old Fashioned Fourth of July Celebration, Brunswick, GA
Come to Mary Ross Waterfront Park in downtown Brunswick for an Old Fashioned Independence Day celebration on July 4, 2010, for the whole family.  Lots of fun with games, contests, free watermelon and much more. Fireworks at dusk. Downtown Brunswick. Contact 912-265-4032

Jekyll Island Beach, Georgia

Sunshine Festival Arts & Crafts Show, St Simons Island, Georgia
This annual arts and crafts festival takes place in Postell Park in the village. Come and get inspiration for your next art project, or find that perfect gift! Painting, pottery, jewelry, fiber art, garden art, wood craft, photography, sculpture, sweetgrass baskets, art glass and much much more.

Fireworks July 4.  July 2 – 4, 2010. Sunshine Festival Arts & Crafts Show. Pier Village Parks, St. Simons Island. Pier Village Association. Call 912-262-0628. Fireworks on St Simon’s at 9 pm!

Fourth of July Celebration – Jekyll Island, GA
Jekyll Island is a gorgeous island to visit, so if you have friends and family in town, it might be a great idea to head out to the beach on Jekyll Island.  Every year Jekyll Island hosts a family-fun party at the Beachdeck . The fireworks finale is said to be one of the best in the area. Click here to read more about the Jekyll Island Fourth of July Extravaganza

For more information call 877-4-JEKYLL

Forsyth Park in Savannah, Georgia

Fantastic Fourth of July on River Street, Savannah, GA
In Savannah, the celebration takes place on River Street in the downtown district.

Celebrate the Fourth of July in River Street style in Savannah, Georgia. The party starts at 5 p.m. on the plaza with live entertainment, ice cream eating contests and more. Fireworks will begin around 9:20 p.m.
Call 912.234.0295 or visit www.riverstreetsavannah.com

Click here to read all about Fourth of July events in Savannah

Things To Do for Father’s Day in Savannah

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It doesn’t matter if your Dad likes the outdoors, is a history buff, or just likes jazz and good food – below you’ll find a few ideas about fun things to do in Savannah for Father’s Day 2010.

Have a Blast with Dad!

What dad can resist a good old cannon firing? Wouldn’t that just be the perfect way to celebrate Father’s Day in style? This time of year there are cannon firings at Old Fort Jackson! For history buffs, a visit to the National Historic Landmark Old Fort Jackson is a special treat – especially when the visit includes cannon firings. The cannon firings take place at 10am and 2pm all throughout the spring and summer.

For more information, contact us at 912.232.3945 or visit www.chsgeorgia.org for more.

Fly Boy Special
Blasting cannons might not interest your dad, but how about air planes? In honor of Father’s Day on Sunday, June 20, the Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum is offering all fathers a special admission rate of $5.
Jun 20, 2010 – 9 a.m.- 5 p.m.

The Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum, 175 Bourne Ave., Savannah, GA
Call for admission information 912.748.8888 or visit www.mightyeighth.org

Jazz It Up
If your dad enjoys jazz, this is a great idea for a fun event to attend.
The performance with the Equinox Jazz Quintet led by Jeremy Davis is not your everyday concert or a jazz recital, but more a one-of-a kind, high-energy stage show featuring some of the best jazz musicians around.

Jeremy Davis has shared the stage with artist ranging from David Sanborn, Ellis Marsalis, Bill Watrous, Carl Fontana, Fred Wesley and Harry Waters to George Clinton, Govt Mule, Col. Bruce Hampton, Derek Trucks and many more.

Jazz – Just Across The River presents the Annual Fathers’ day Concert, featuring the Equinox Jazz Quintet, on Sunday, June 20 at 5 pm at the Westin Savannah Harbor on Hutchinson Island. The concert is free for Coastal Jazz Association members and $10 for non-members. Attendees who join CJA while at the concert will also be admitted for free.

The Equinox Jazz Quintet with Jeremy Davis
Sunday, June 20th 5:00 p.m.
Westin Savannah Harbor – Hutchinson Island

For more info call: 912.920.1317 or go to www.coastal-jazz.org

I Scream, You Scream…
Lately the heat has been a bit tiring, so make sure to include a trip to Leopolds Icecream Parlor – what dad is going to turn down a delicious cool treat?
Leopold’s has been around forever, and there is a special flavor for everyone. The pink grapefruit sherbert is so refreshing. I know that suggestion would meet with “the look” from my Dad, he would have opted for the more appropriate “real man” flavor of Peanut Butter Chippy or Rum Bisque.

Leopold’s Ice Cream, 212 E. Broughton St., Savannah
912.234.4442 or visit Leopolds Icecream

The Beat Goes On
Join dad on a trip down memory lane with this fun performance. Remember the big hair, the funky fashion and most of all the music. This hit musical will covers all of dad’s favorite songs from the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s! From beach blankets to the BeeGees, it’s three decades of Big Hair and big fun!

Savannah Theatre, 222 Bull St., Savannah 912.233.7764

A Luxury Brunch for Dad
To impress dad, how about a fantastic Father’s Day Sunday Jazz Brunch at Aqua Star at the Westin? You and dad will enjoy a decadent meal prepared by Executive Chef Roger Michel and his team of culinary experts. Live music provided by Jazz legend Ben Tucker. Reservations to this event is strongly recommended since it most likely will sell out.

So call now and reserve your spots at 912.201.2085 or visit www.aquastar@westin.com.

Down the River
Another idea is to go on a Fathers Day Brunch Cruise in the Savannah River. This is a great way to see Savannah from the water if you’re visiting for the day.

Enjoy a buffet style brunch while the Captain narrates the rich history of Savannah along the way. Spend some quality time with dad, learn about Savannah’s history and a experience a boat ride on the river!
The brunch cruise takes place at noon on Jun 20, 2010. Call (800)786-6404 for ticket information.
9 East River Street, Savannah, GA
Tickets: $21.95 – $39.95
www.savannahriverboat.com

For the Brave Outdoors Man
For dads who enjoy the outdoors – how about a special trip for summer solstice? This is an easy paddling tour down a historic, blackwater creek.Paddling is a great way to experience the outdoors, and this trip is suitable for beginners too. After basic canoeing instruction, the naturalist will lead the way downstream past stately tupelo and cypress. Their bright green foliage and unique trunks reflect perfectly in the mirror-dark water. Keep an eye out for turtles, herons and kingfishers. Maybe you’ll be lucky enough to spot a shy alligator.

The paddle takes place at Ebenezer Creek. The price is $45 – person, includes canoe, paddle and basic instruction. Please call 912.236.8115 or visit www.wilderness-southeast.org

Savannah Westin Hotel, Georgia

Juneteenth at Telfair

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JUNETEENTH AT TELFAIR – Savannah, Georgia

June 14-19, 2010
Juneteenth: A Celebration of Freedom

In June, the Telfair proudly presents its third annual Juneteenth Festival, celebrating the anniversary of the end of slavery in the United States. This year’s event focuses on the roots of African music as well as its impact on American music. Throughout the week, the Telfair will present programs at multiple sites to explore black history, culture, and identity. Highlights include a talk by author and political commentator Farai Chideya, a performance by the renowned Senegalese rap group the Gokh-Bi System, and the third annual Juneteenth Family Day.

The Telfair will kick-off the 2010 Juneteenth festival on Monday, June 14, with an opening ceremony featuring storytelling by Aunt Pearlie Sue. Aunt Pearlie Sue is the creation of Anita Singleton-Prather, a native of the Sea Islands in Beaufort County, South Carolina. From 6:30-7:30 pm, the Aunt Pearlie Sue character, based on Prather’s grandmother, will entertain visitors with Gullah-flavored stories and folktales.

Owens-Thomas House Tour/Talk:
“How the Owens-Thomas House Got the Thomas Name”
June 15, 5 pm
Telfair’s Owens-Thomas House

Lecture by Multimedia Journalist Farai Chideya:
“The Color of Our Future: Race in the 21st Century”
June 17, 7 pm
Second African Baptist Church, 123 Houston Street
A former host of NPR’s News and Notes, Chideya is an award-winning political reporter and writer who has worked in print, television, and radio, as well as online. She has authored several books, including Kiss the Sky and Don’t Believe the Hype: Fighting Cultural Misinformation about African Americans.

Akonting Workshop with Sana Ndiaye of the Gokh-Bi System
Presented in collaboration with the Ships of the Sea Museum
June 18, 6 pm
Ships of the Sea Museum, 41 Martin Luther King Boulevard, Museum Garden Pavilion
Musician Sana Ndiaye will lead a workshop on playing the akonting—a stringed, banjo-like instrument used in parts of West Africa including Senegal and Gambia. Bring your akonting or come by to listen. Registration requested.

Juneteenth Family Day
June 19, 10 am – 1 pm
Telfair’s Jepson Center
This fun-filled morning features storytelling, instrument-making demonstrations, and more!

Family Day Schedule

10-10:10 am
Welcome with Drumming/Libations – Majied /J’miah

10:10-10:50 am
J’miah’s Juneteenth Storytelling

10:50-11:10 am
Health Restoration 101:
Presentation by Carolyn Guilford, Consulting Nutritionist

11:10am-11:40 am
Juneteenth and the Puppet People Theater

11:40 am-12 pm
World Music Interlude: “Hanif aboard the Black Star Liner”

12-12:30 pm
Conversation with Sana and Tony Pizzo, Director of Ships of Sea Museum (Musician Sana Ndiaye)

12:30p m
World Music Interlude and Broom Jumping with Sista V and Jahwalks

Activity Stations
Eckburg Atrium
Health Talk – Carolyn Guilford
Oral History Table – Barbara Fertig, Volunteer (Dr. Barbara Fertig, Preofessor of History at Armstrong Atlantic State University
Basket-weaving Demonstration – Jery Taylor

Gokh-Bi System/Rap Tassu from Senegal Concert
Presented in collaboration with the Ships of the Sea Museum
June 19, 5-7 pm
Ships of the Sea Museum, North Garden
Recognized as one of the leaders in contemporary African music, the Gokh-Bi System unites hip-hop with its ancient West African roots. The group uses a variety of instruments, including djembe drums and the traditional, stringed akonting, while rapping in English, French, Arabic, and Wolof.

All Juneteenth programs are free of charge and open to the public, thanks to project funding provided by the City of Savannah. Additional support for selected programs has been provided by the Ships of the Sea Museum.

telfair museum, savannah, georgia