Calendar of Events and Entertainment February 18 - 25

All area codes are 850 unless specified.

Saturday, Feb. 18

Classical Connections

Presented by Sinfonia Gulf Coast, Rosemary Beach Foundation and The Merchants of Rosemary, Classical Connections features Grammy Award winning Parker Quartet at 7:30 p.m. at the Rosemary Beach Town Hall. Tickets are $35 and available at www.sinfoniagulfcoast.com or call 269-7129.

Book sale

Friends of the Walton County Coastal Library will hold a book sale from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the community room at the Library. Pre-sale for members will be held from 3:30-5 p.m. Feb. 17. Call 267-2809.

First Note Music Hall

First Note Music Hall in Santa Rosa Beach presents Melissa Fuller, Geoff McBride and Myers Brothers at 7 p.m. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. After Party Band plays 10 p.m. to midnight. Cost is $15. Call 622-0221 for reservations.

Art show and sale

An annual art show and sale will be held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Seascape Resort and Conference Center on U.S. 98. Call 424-6424.

Biophilia Center

Lisa Miller shows her birds of prey at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. at the E.O. Wilson Biophilia Center in Freeport. Standard admission rates apply Call 835-1824. The Center is open to the public from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays. Admission is $5/person, $2/children 6-12, and children 5 and under are free. Under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

Used book sale

The Friends of the Coastal Branch Library will host a used book sale from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Library, 437 Greenway Trail. Most hardback books will sell for $1 with some specialty or large coffee table books up to $5.  Paperback books are 50 cents.

Dinner and bingo

The Freeport Relay for Life will host a spaghetti dinner and bingo night from 5-8 p.m. at the Freeport Community Center. The dinner is $7. Carry out meals available. Bingo players can purchase cards for $1 each in order to play for a variety of prizes. All proceeds benefit the American Cancer Society. Call 259-8871.

Delta Delta Delta

The Delta Delta Delta Alumnae of the Emerald Coast will meet at 10:30 a.m. at Sandestin Beach Club. For reservations, gate code and directions, call 654-5008 or email robincar@cox.net.

Choctawhatchee Audubon Society

Take a birding and photography walk with Walt Spence on the nature trails of the E. O. Wilson Biophilia Center at Nokuse Plantation near Freeport. Meet at the Bluewater Bay Winn-Dixie at 7 a.m.; Freeport City Hall at 7:30 a.m.; or at the Biophilia Center at 8 a.m. Call 678-3965.

Sandestin Gumbo Festival

The 23rd annual Sandestin Gumbo Cook-off will be held Feb. 18-19 at The Village of Baytowne Wharf and includes fun, food and live entertainment. Guests can sample gumbo and Bloody Marys, voting for their favorite as People's Choice. Celebrity judges will hold blind judging contests for the “Area's Best" awards for gumbo. The award for Best Display, which goes to the business or restaurant with the most innovative booth, will also be announced.

Seaside Farmers Market

Get your pick of fresh produce, baked goods, dairy products, native plants and other unique offerings from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Amphitheatre behind Raw & Juicy. Enjoy special cooking demos and activities.

Florida Chautauqua

The Florida Chautauqua presents their production of “Steel Magnolias” at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 18, 24 and 25 and 2:30 p.m. Feb. 19 and 26 at the Florida Chautauqua Theatre. Tickets are $15 for general admission/$12 for seniors and students. Call 892-9494 for tickets.

Sunday, Feb. 19

Modern Bridal Expo

The Modern Bridal Expo will be held from 12:30-4 p.m. at Sandestin’s Baytowne Conference Center, giving brides the opportunity to experience a day full of designer wedding trend ideas, vendors and destination wedding experts.

Mardi Gras Dog Parade

The ninth annual Mardi Gras dog parade will be held at 2 p.m. at Baytowne Wharf. This year's theme is Cruisin' Canines: Fetch a Wave! The streets will be filled with costumed dogs, themed convertibles, small floats (especially pulled by masters), golf carts, bicycles, and decorated wagons and Mardi Gras music will fill the air. Proceeds from this event will benefit Alaqua Animal Refuge.

Monday, Feb. 20

Bill Garrett

Shorty’s Surfside & Topside presents Bill Garrett at 7 p.m. at 63 Hotz Ave. in Grayton Beach. Call 468-0417.

Dueling Piano Show

Rum Runners Dueling Piano Bar, 130 Fisherman’s Cove in Baytowne Wharf, presents its piano show at 9 p.m. Call 351-1817.

Storytelling workshop

Coastal Library Storytelling Workshops will be held at 4 p.m. in the community room for elementary age children grades 3 and up. Storyteller Susie Arnold will present the art of storytelling with puppets and props inviting young people to “tell” stories. Call 267-2809 or email tholinda@co.walton.fl.us for more information.

Tuesday, Feb. 21

Pancake Breakfast

Hope Lutheran Church will hold its annual Shrove Tuesday Pancake Breakfast from 8-10 a.m. at 3422 U.S. 98 West in Santa Rosa Beach on the north side of the highway about a quarter mile west of Hwy. 393 next to Haven House. Everyone is welcome. 

Robotic Surgery

Students at Seaside Neighborhood School will see the new robotic surgical system from Gulf Coast Medical Center and hear guest surgeons from 8:30 a.m. to 2:15 p.m. The community is invited from 3-5 p.m.

Herman Lodge

Herman Lodge #108 Free and Accepted Masons will meet at 7 p.m. on Madison Street in Freeport. Call 835-2314.

Wednesday, Feb. 22

Town Hall meeting

Rep. Steve Southerland, II will host a free town hall meeting from 2-3:30 p.m. at the South Walton Courthouse Annex, 31 Coastal Center Blvd. in Santa Rosa Beach. The public is welcome.

On stage

Shirley Simpson performs on stage as Gracie Allen at 5 p.m. at the Sandestin Hilton Coral Ballroom. Doors open at 4:30 p.m. Tickets are $25 for the benefit performance for Billy Gray Ministries. Call 502-548-5311 or 582-4986.

Prime Time Programs

Walton County Coastal Library Winter “Prime Time Programs” presents attorney J. Mark Fisher at 10 a.m. Call 267-2809.

Sean Dietrich

Sean Dietrich and his group play at Christiano's Ristorante on U.S. 98 in Santa Rosa Beach. Call 267-2185.

Job fair

The Workforce Development Board of Okaloosa and Walton Counties and its JobsPlus One-Stop Career Centers will host the 2012 Spring Seasonal Hiring Fair from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Emerald Coast Convention Center. The job fair is free and individuals from students to seniors are invited.

Tai Chi class

The John Horton Senior Center, 194 County Hwy. 393, will offer Tai Chi exercise classes taught by an instructor for Seniors at 10:30 a.m. Tai Chi is designed for seniors regardless of physical capabilities. Senior Center hours are 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday. Call 622-0917.

Soup Supper

Hope Lutheran Church will host a Soup Supper and Ash Wednesday Service beginning at 5:30 p.m.  Call 267-0322 for more information.

Thursday, Feb. 23

Tea Party Patriots

The Walton County Tea Party Patriots will meet at 6 p.m. in the Life Enrichment Senior Center on College Avenue in DeFuniak Springs. The meeting is free and open to the public. For information, visit www.waltoncountypatriots.tcoinc.com or call 520-4229.

Rotary Club of South Walton

The Rotary Club of South Walton meets for breakfast at 7:30 a.m. at the Embassy Suites, Scenic Hwy. 98 in Miramar Beach. Visiting Rotarians and their guests are welcome. Call 267-2929.

Marie's Bistro

Singer/guitarist Bill Evett performs from 7-11 p.m. Fridays at Marie’s Bistro on 30A in Blue Mountain Beach. DJ Vladi begins DJ-ing dance music and fun at 8:30 p.m. Saturdays; Karaoke takes center stage on Wednesdays; Kelsey Ann performs Thursdays; and Danice Lowery on Tuesdays.

Thursday thread therapy

Needlers, knitters, crocheters and others come for free therapy from 4-6 p.m. on the porch at Yards N Yarn, 3770 Co. Hwy. 3280 in Freeport. Call 880-6404.

Friday, Feb. 24

Cooking class

Shelter House presents the Carrabba's Italian Grill Cooking Class from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Carrabba’s in Silver Sands Factory Stores. The $40 registration includes a glass of wine and recipes to take home. Seating is limited. Call 243-1201.

Taste of the Bayou

The16th Annual Taste of the Bayou and Charity Auction, sponsored by Okaloosa-Walton Child Care Services, will be held from 6-8 p.m. at St. Mary Church in Fort Walton Beach. The event features local restaurants presenting samples of their delicacies. The silent charity auction features a trip to the Atlantis Resort in the Bahamas, autographed sports memorabilia, resort vacation getaways, golf packages, fishing trips, Disney World tickets and more. Advance tickets are $12/adults and $5/children 5-10. Call 833-9330, ext.202, for purchase locations. Tickets are $15 at the door.

Monty Python’s Spamalot

The Mattie Kelly Arts Center at Northwest Florida State College in Niceville presents Monty Python’s Spamalot at 7:30 p.m. Call 729-6000 or visit the Box Office between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday to Friday for ticket information.

 Note Music Hall

First Note Music Hall in Santa Rosa Beach presents Melissa Fuller, Geoff McBride and Myers Brothers at 7 p.m. Feb. 24 and 25. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. After Party Band plays 10 p.m. to midnight. Cost is $15. Call 622-0221 for reservations.

Hilda McDonald

Pianist Hilda McDonald plays mellow melodies at 6 p.m. at Christiano’s in Santa Rosa Beach.

Saturday, Feb. 25

Biophilia Center

Joe Wyatt presents Snakes, Snakes and More Snakes at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. at the E.O. Wilson Biophilia Center in Freeport. Standard admission rates apply Call 835-1824.

Camellia Festival

The Friends of Eden pay tribute to the camellia from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Eden Gardens State Park in Point Washington. Event includes handicraft and camellia care and floral arrangement demonstrations. The event is free with free admission to the State Park — donations made to the Friends of Eden will be appreciated.

Book signing

James Harvey, author of “Grayton Beach Affair”, a WWII action and romantic thriller, will sign copies of his book from 2-5 p.m. at The Blue Giraffe in Watercolor. 

Miss Freeport pageants

The Town Planters Society of Freeport will host the Miss Florida 2012 Pageants at 6 p.m. at the Freeport High School Auditorium. Age groups are K-1, 2-3, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9 and 16-21. Miss Freeport 2012 receives a $1,000 scholarship to school of her choice. All others will a savings bond. Call 835-5200 or 830-2389.