Coastal Companion

Your ultimate guide to the coast

Art & WineFest in Jacksonville,Florida, August 2010

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At the Art & Wine Festival in Jacksonville you get to sample wines from around the globe, and taste food from the area’s finest restaurants as well as explore amazing desserts while you mingle. You also get to look at the works from of over twenty five of the area’s most exciting artists.

In addition, there are silent auctions for wonderful surprises in art, travel, entertainment and lots more.

Proceeds from the Art & Winefest will benefit Wolfson Children’s Hospital. The Art & Winefest, is presented by The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local Union 177.
Tickets:$35 (plus a Service Charge of $1.50)
Thursday, August 12 from 6pm-9pm at Hyatt Regency Riverfront

Click here to buy your tickets now

It’s Shark Week in Charleston and Jacksonville

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As you know, it’s Shark Week this week on Discovery Channel.  This summer favorite first aired in 1987 and it has been a cable TV hit ever since with a cult-like following. Shark Week features documentaries and educational programs about sharks for seven days straight.  This year Shark week is hosted by Late Late Show’s own Craig Ferguson, I’m not sure what knowledge about the big fish the Scotsman can bring to the table – but I’m sure Craig will boost ratings.

Here at Coastal Companion we decided to make our own version of Shark Week. After all, who want’s to spend a whole week watching TV in the summer?

Take a look at our ides for what to do during Shark Week.


Jacksonville Sharks
Guys like to watch hard hits and lots of action, isn’t that how Shark Week got popular in the first place? But when we talk about Sharks in Jacksonville, were not talking about fish with big teeth, we’re talking lots of arena football action with the city’s home team – The Jacksonville Sharks.  It’s the first year for the team, and they are the South Division Champions of the Arena Football League. Take a look at the incredible action in our video from the last game Jacksonville Sharks vs. Spokane Shock!

Fans are have created their own Shark Dance, the dance team is the Shark Attack team – and it’s just a lot of “fin-tastic fun”! (Click here to watch our video and see for yourself) The Jacksonville Sharks are what Discovery Channel commentators would put it “nature’s perfect killing machine”! The team is  in the playoffs and are facing the Orlando Predators at the Veterans Memorial Arena on Friday August 6. The question is are the Predators  going to become shark bait? Yeah, it is definitely Shark Week in Jacksonville.

Love at First Bite in Charleston
In South Carolina the aquarium celebrates Shark Week with a week long celebration of all things Shark.  Catch one of the shark-themed dive shows, participate in new special interactive activities such as ‘Sharkeology’ and ‘Shark Shapes,’ venture through Shark Alley to see the real size of some of these silent giants and of course, marvel at live sharks swimming in the Aquarium’s largest exhibit, the Great Ocean Tank.

For those who swim with the big fish,  on Thursday, August 5, there’s a a FREE showing of the classic shark movie, ‘Jaws’ at the Aquarium’s Movie on the Lawn! See ‘Jaws’ on the big screen with the sound of the ocean just beyond your seat. Lawn opens at 7 p.m. with the movie beginning at dark. Before the movie starts, interact with Aquarium educators rovering the lawn and watch an Aquarium-made short film on shark myths. This is a free showing, although donations will be accepted at the door to benefit the conservation efforts at the Aquarium. Bring your own chair or blanket.

The South Carolina Aquarium will celebrate Shark Week July 30 – August 8, 2010. For more information, visit scaquarium.org/sharkweek or call (843) 577-FISH (3474).

Sandbar Shark, courtesy of: South Carolina Aquarium

Norah Jones

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Norah Jones is performing at the Times Union Center Moran Theatre on Thursday August 12, 2010, at 8:00 pm.

In 2002, Norah Jones launched her solo career with the release of the critically acclaimed album, Come Away With Me, and sold over 22 million copies sold worldwide. This was also the most successful Jazz album of all time and and the far most successful by a female artist all time. Jones has won numerous awards and has sold over 37 million albums worldwide. Billboard magazine named her the top Jazz artist of the 2000–2009 decade, establishing herself as one of the best-selling artists of her time.

Buy your tickets for Norah Jones in Jacksonville now

Things to do – Northeast Florida – August 2010

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This year it seems to be heading for a new record, so finding different ways to keep cool is a main concern.   I was pleasantly surprised to find out there’s an important holiday in August I never heard of.
On August 5th it’s International Beer Day.  I don’t know how I could have missed that special day which is supposedly a big deal on the other coast.  This year I promise I will make an effort and celebrate.

With the beginning of a new month comes what I like to refer to as “the week firsts”.   First and foremost that means time for art walks,  so lace up your most comfortable walking shoes, slap on some sunscreen, wear your coolest shades and cram your whole gang in the car and prepare for an evening out on the town.

Start your art walk at Hemming Plaza

ART – WHERE ART THOU?

In Jacksonville, the First Wednesday Art Walk takes place on August 4, 2010.  This month it’s time for the 5th Annual Petwalk as well.  So let your furry four-legged friends join for a special night out. There are lots of interesting watering holes in the downtown area, so don’t worry about the heat too much, just plan for spending time cooling off at one of the bars or cafes in the downtown area.  Some places even welcome furry friends in their outside dining areas, Cafe Nola and London Bridge are two worth mentioning.

Download the map and check out our video from the event on the special events page for First Wednesday Art Walk in Jacksonville, Florida

It’s also the First Friday Art Walk in St. Augustine, Florida on Friday August 6, 2010, from 5 – 9 pm.  Head to the San Marco district for a night out.  Enjoy arts, crafts, mingle with art lovers, artisans and authors.

Check out the page for the First Friday Art Walk in St Augustine

BACK TO SCHOOL

Even though most kids are heading back to school in August, summer in the South is far from over and Amelia Island Sun Splash is a Summer event celebrating having fun in the sun.  The event takes place at Seaside Beach on Saturday, August 7, 2010, 8am – 7pm.  Come enjoy island fun on the beach with live music and lots of activities.

At 7 am, there will be a beach clean up with Keep Nassau Beautiful, followed by a surf contest at 8am.  Then it is time for the popular reggae music concert. Live reggae is performed from 1-7pm. There’s also a swimwear fashion show, volleyball, ping-pong, sand castle contest, giveaways and prizes.

AND ALL THAT JAZZ

Summer Jazz at Jax Beach

There’s more music in the summer, than any other time of the year – especially when it comes to free concerts.  Head to Jacksonville Beach on Sunday August 8, 2010, for the next concert in the Summer Jazz series. The headliner: R n R featuring Rick Braun & Richard Elliott. For more details visit our special events page for the Summer Jazz series


Three favorite pastimes in Florida is without A  doubt playing golf, listening to good music and eating good food.  TPC Sawgrass took that into consideration and created The Summer Swing Music & BBQ, an event for golfers and non-golfers alike.  This sizzling summer series combines – golf, barbecue and music! The event takes place on August 18, 2010.

Visit the driving range and afterwards enjoy live music and delicious barbecue on the lawn at TPC Sawgrass Clubhouse. The event takes place from 6 – 10 p.m. and is open to the public. Call  904.543.5105 for more information.

The lawns of TPC Sawgrass Clubhouse, 110 Championship Way, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL

ART OUTSIDE THE BOX

Fernandina’s art walk is doing things a little bit  differently compared to other art events on the coast.   Instead of competing for fame for  “the week of firsts”, the organizers were thinking outside the box and created an art walk on the Second Saturday of the month.  The self-guided art walk is called the Artrageous Artwalk in Fernandina and takes place on Saturday, August 14, 2010 from 5:30 – 8:30pm in Historic Downtown Fernandina Beach, Amelia Island. Meet the artists and enjoy a vast array of fine art.   This month the Island Art Association is hosting a Nouveau Art Reception ,”Sea and Sky” from 5-8pm. The featured artist is Rhonda Bristol, mixed media.

Magnificent view from the lighthouse

BAD MOON RISING

What goes down has to come back up, is that how the old saying goes? No, I’m not talking about the International Beer Day or the fact that August is Goat Cheese Month in the U.S.  That’s not where I was going at all.  The saying fits when it comes to the sun and the moon, that’s all I was saying.  Let’s just move on – and continue with the sun and the moon, two opposites marking the change from day to night. (Like that sentence better?)

In any case, on Tuesday August 24, 2010, you can view the sunset and moonrise from the most unique perspective in all of St. Augustine – from the vantage point of the top of the lighthouse. The Sunset/Moonlight Tour is $25 includes a champagne toast and light refreshments atop the tower and an informative overview of the history of the St. Augustine Light Station.

St. Augustine Lighthouse Tower is located on Anastasia Island, 81 Lighthouse Avenue in St. Augustine, FL.  This is a recurring event, for reservations and more dates call 904.829.0745 or visit www.staugustinelighthouse.com

TAILGATING IN STYLE

The Great Tailgate Cookoff Amelia Island Florida
Tailgate in style!

Nothing says summer better than barbequing – and on Amelia Island the experts are gathering for a special event. You will be able to smell your way across the island to the Inaugural Great Southern Tailgate Cook-Off at the Main Beach Park on Amelia Island. Over 40 cooking teams from across the country will compete for up to $20,000 in cash and prizes. The event takes place on Friday August 27 and Saturday August 28 on Amelia Island.

Visit our special event page for more information about the Great Southern Tailgate cook-Off

St. Augustine is alway a wonderful city to visit and to walk around in. There’s so much to see and do, but the last Saturday of the month is special. Uptown Saturday Night is a recurring event in St. Augustine, and it’s always popular but especially so in the summer months.  In August, Uptown Saturday Night takes place on Saturday August 28, 2010, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. the last Saturday of every month in the San Marco Shopping District.   Many galleries, antique stores and shops between Ripley’s Museum and the Mission of Nombre de Dios remain open during this special event. Meet artists, meet authors during book signings, enjoy live music and refreshments in a party-like atmosphere. The Mission of Nombre de Dios provides FREE PARKING for Uptown Saturday Night. The event is sponsored by the San Marco Avenue Merchants Association. Call 904.823.9263 for more information.

First Wednesday Art Walk: Aug 4, 2010

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Jacksonville’s favorite monthly event, the First Wednesday Art Walk returns on August 4, 2010. This art walk focuses around man’s best friend.

Here are a few of the highlights:

The PetWalk headquarters is as usual the Florida Theatre. This year it’s the 5th annual PetWalk.
At the theatre you can take a look at exhibits for pet health, pet art, pet adoptions and pet safety.

Pet Friends – Hemming Plaza
Features Friendz of Douglas Anderson, Friends of Jacksonville Animals and The Pawfessionals.

Outside Pet Dining РCaf̩ NOLA @ MOCA
Take this opportunity to dine outside with your furry friend. Make your reservation for the patio during Art Walk and receive specials for both you and your pet.

Enjoy Local Art at London Bridge Eatery & Pub
London Bridge also has pet-friendly outdoor seating. Here you can enjoy local art and live music.

Visit our special events page and download the map for the First Wednesday Art Walk in Jacksonville