Upcoming Events and Entertainment
All area codes are 850 unless specified.
Northwest Florida State College
The Humanities, Fine & Performing Arts Division of Northwest Florida State College presents Mark Twain’s classic, Big River, July 23 in the Mainstage Theater of the college’s Mattie Kelly Arts Center in Niceville. Tickets are $25/adult and $20/youth, ages 18 and younger. Call 729-6000 or visit www.mattiekellyartscenter.org.
Adventure Club
• July 23: A kayak/canoe trip on Titi Creek, north of Niceville. Meet at 9 a.m. at the intersection of Hwy. 85 and Colonel Greg Malloy Road. An Eglin recreation pass is required. Bring a picnic lunch and drinking water. Call 581-4591.
• July 26: Bike ride on Pensacola Beach and enjoy the free Bands on the Beach Concert after the ride. Meet at 5 p.m. in the parking area under the beach ball looking water tower. Bring a folding chair and picnic supper. Call 581-4591.
• July 28: Bike ride in the old section of Fort Walton Beach. Meet at 9 a.m. at the Fort Walton Landing Park on Brooks Street. Lunch at a nearby restaurant. Call 301-9452 or 974-9591.
• July 31: A kayak/canoe trip on Juniper Creek. Meet at 8:30 a.m. where the creek goes under Red Rock Road. Bring a picnic lunch and drinking water. Call 581-4591.
Florida Trail Association
• July 23: Bring your canoe or kayak for a float trip on Titi Creek & Shoal River at 9 a.m. Call 682-6098.
• July 24: Wake up hike in Milton at 7 a.m. followed by breakfast. Call 776-5147.
• July 26: Monthly meeting at 6 p.m. at Ed’s Hometown Seafood & Steaks in Niceville. Visitors welcome. Call 654-1172.
• July 30: Bring your canoe or kayak for a float trip on Alaqua Creek near Freeport at 9 a.m. Call 830-9486.
• July 31: Wake up hike in Milton at 7 a.m. followed by breakfast. Call 776-5147.
• July 31: Bring your canoe or kayak for a float trip on Juniper Creek in Santa Rosa County at 8:30 a.m. Call 484-9111.
Share the Shelter Music Fest
Share the Shelter Music Fest, benefiting Shelter House and Alaqua Animal Refuge, will be held from 5-9 p.m. July 24 at Gulf Place in Santa Rosa Beach. Performers include Bryan Kennedy, Daphne Willis, Dread Clampitt, Heritage and Kelsey Anna. Tickets are $20/advance and $25/event. Call 243-1201 or visit www.ShelterHouseNWFL.org to purchase tickets.
Topsail tours
Topsail Hill Preserve State Park in Santa Rosa Beach will hold the following tours. A $6 park entrance fee is required, except for Breakfast with a Ranger. Outside tours are canceled during severe weather. For information, call 267-8330.
• July 25: Learn about the common critters that call Topsail Hill home at 1:30 p.m.
• July 30: Hike and learn about the coastal dune systems and uncover the mysteries of the “Mountains of Florida” at 9:30 a.m.
Groovin' On The Green
Bring a beverage of your choice, chairs, blankets and coolers to concerts at 7 p.m. on the Village Green in Carillon Beach. Call 234-7819. Scheduled performers include:
• July 25: Sea Breeze
• Aug. 1: Sticks & Stones
• Aug. 8 Jones and Company
• Aug. 15: Ebb Tyed
Music theory classes
Lisa Cyr will teach classes in reading music and understanding basic music theory from 6-7 p.m. July 25 at the Coastal Branch Library. Students ages 13 and older, from beginner to advanced, are encouraged to attend these free classes. A small supply list is recommended for the class. Call 231-3199 or 267-2809 for more information.
Musical theater day camp
Grit and Grace’s free musical theater day camp will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. July 27-29 at Walton High School. Professional training for children 3rd grade and up. Call 419-0008.
Wednesday Night Concert Series
The Village of Baytowne Wharf presents the Wednesday Night Concert Series from 7-9 p.m. in the Events Plaza. Call 267-8186. Scheduled performers include:
• July 27: Forrest Williams Band
• Aug. 3: Christabel & the Jons
• Aug. 10: Ruston Kelly and the Commonwealth
• Aug. 17: Stephen Simmons
• Aug. 24: Ellizabethtown
• Aug. 31: Josh Garrett & the Bottomline
Seaside Summer Concerts
The Seaside Summer Concert Series presents free concerts at 7 p.m. during the summer at the Seaside Amphitheater. Scheduled performers include:
• July 27: Honey Island Swamp Band
• Aug. 3: Joe Firstman
• Aug. 10: Tim Brantley
Moonlight & Movies
Bring a blanket and enjoy a free family movie under the stars at 8:15 p.m. on the Western Green in Rosemary Beach. Scheduled movies are:
• July 28: Shrek Forever After
• Aug. 4: The Dogfather
• Aug. 11: Gnomeo & Juliet
Sunset Cinema
Watch family movies under the stars at 8 p.m. at the Village of Baytowne Wharf. Schedule includes:
• July 28: Matilda
• Aug. 4: Tangled
• Aug. 11: The Princess & the Frog
Pier Park Summer Concert Series
Bring your beach chairs or blankets out to the Aaron Bessant Amphitheater at Pier Park in Panama City at 7 p.m. for concerts in the park. Small coolers and pets on a leash are permitted. Scheduled performers include:
• July 28: Eric Lindell
• Aug. 4: Bonerama
• Aug. 11: Eric Heatherly
Seaside Farmers Market
Get your pick of fresh produce, baked goods, dairy products, native plants and other unique offerings during Market on Saturday mornings from 8 a.m. to noon through Aug. 27 in the Amphitheatre behind Raw & Juicy. Enjoy special cooking demos and activities.
Emerald Coast Pipes & Drums
All performing and student bagpipers, former and current marching band snare, tenor, and bass drummers are welcome to join the Emerald Coast Pipes & Drums in Okaloosa, Walton and Santa Rosa Counties. The group meets at 6 p.m. Thursdays at First United Methodist Church in Niceville, 214 Partin Drive, for beginner bagpiping classes and 6:30 p.m. for rehearsals for performing players. If interested, call 243-2879, 226-1700 or email ecppesanddrums@cox.net.
Amateur Radio Club
The Chautauqua Amateur Radio Club of DeFuniak Springs/Walton County meets at 6:30 p.m. the last Tuesday of every month at McLean's Restaurant near I10 and 331 South. This club welcomes new and old Ham Radio operators. There are no business meetings on these Tuesdays. We have classes and a great time together. Call 892-2562 or email kj4jah@arrl.net.
Rotary Club of South Walton
The Rotary Club of South Walton meets for breakfast at 7:30 a.m. each Thursday morning at the Embassy Suites, Scenic Hwy. 98 in Miramar Beach. Visiting Rotarians and their guests are welcome. Call 267-2929.
Herman Lodge
Herman Lodge #108 Free and Accepted Masons will meet at 7 p.m. first and third Tuesdays of each month on Madison Street in Freeport. Call 835-2314.
Eastern Star
The Order of the Eastern Star #281 meets at 7:30 p.m. the first and third Fridays of each month at Herman Lodge on Madison Street in Freeport. Call 835-2314.
New SHRM Chapter
A new Society of Human Resource Management Chapter in Walton County will meet at 8 a.m. the first Thursday of the month at TJ’s Table in Freeport. The group is currently seeking new members and is open to all individuals involved in any aspect of human resources. Email rpazik@jobsplus02.com or call 892-8668, ext. 215.
Hilda McDonald
Pianist Hilda McDonald plays mellow melodies at 6 p.m. Fridays at Christiano’s in Santa Rosa Beach.
Biophilia Center
The E.O. Wilson Biophilia Center will be open to the public from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Fridays; 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays; and 1-5 p.m. Sundays through Aug. 31. From Sept. 1-May 31, hours will be 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.
Knot Kamp
Yards N Yarn in Freeport will host summer three-day knot sessions for any age from 10 a.m. to noon, 1-3 p.m. and 3-5 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. Cost is $35 and includes project and items. Call 880-6404.
Magical Mondays
Join magician Rick Moore from 7-9 p.m. Mondays through Aug. 8 on the Events Plaza at the Village of Baytowne Wharf for an evening full of laughs and illusions.
Stories by the Sea
Join the Seaside Repertory Theatre at 4 p.m. Mondays-Fridays through Aug. 13 for a one-of-a-kind storytelling experience for children of all ages.
Mini Gras & Boomin' Tuesdays
An evening of fun and merriment with special children’s activities takes place from 7-10 p.m. Tuesdays through Aug. 9 in the Events Plaza at the Village of Baytowne Wharf. Each week, the Village will crown a king and queen to throw moonpies and candy to the crowd. Fireworks begin at 9:15 p.m. over the lagoon. Event is free. Enjoy the Bouncy Castle and other inflatables with purchase of a $10 wristband.
Marina Beach Luau
Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort brings back old-fashioned summer fun and adds a hint of tropical flare with its Marina Beach Luaus from 6:30-9 p.m. Tuesdays at the marina beach at Baytowne Marina. Enjoy tropical music, a bon fire, and tropical foods, a cash bar and more, while children enjoy canoe rides, a tiki flamethrower, limbo dances and hunting for crabs on the beach. MaryAnn and Gilligan, the resort’s resident parrots, put on a show as they dance, talk and greet all of the luau guests. Fireworks begin at 9:15 p.m. Call 267-7775.
Artists Meet and Greet
Join Donna Burgess and Mermaid Artist, Wendy Prentice, for wine and art from 1-4 p.m. Wednesdays in July and August at Donna Burgess Gallery, 585 Grand Blvd., Sandestin Town Center. Call 974-1452.
Sand Sculpting
Seaside offers free sand sculpting lessons by sand master Mark Flynn from Sand Odyssey from 1-3 p.m. Thursdays through July 28. Pick up your wristband from Seaside Beach before the event, as space is limited.
Seaside Rep
The Seaside Repertory Theatre presents “How I Became a Pirate” at 7 p.m. Tuesdays through Aug. 2 at WaterColor in the Marina Park Amphitheatre. Other scheduled programs include:
• The Commedia Pinocchio: Through Aug. 10 at 6 p.m. Wednesdays at Rosemary Beach in North Barrett Square.
• Alice's Adventures in Wonderland: Through Aug. 11 at 6 p.m. Thursdays in at the Alys Beach Amphitheatre.
• Around the World in 80 Days: Thursdays through Saturdays through July 30 at 7:30 p.m. in the Meeting Hall Theatre in Seaside. Tickets are $25.
• The Turn of the Screw: Oct. 6-22 at 7:30 p.m. $25.
• Every Christmas Story Ever Told (And Then Some!): Nov. 25-Dec. 30 at 7:30 p.m. $25.
Central Square Cinema
Grab your blankets and head to the Seaside Amphitheatre for blockbusters and classics alike under the stars at 8 p.m. Fridays through Aug. 12.
Grit & Grace
A new cast, a new script, new songs, and an entirely new Grit & Grace performance, “The Way It Was”, will make you laugh, cry and just think about the old times at 7 p.m. Aug. 4-6 and 2 p.m. Aug. 7 at the Walton High School auditorium. For ticket reservations, call 892-9578, or visit www.gritandgrace.org.
Bay Sneak-a-Peek and Open House
Bay Elementary in Santa Rosa Beach will host a Sneak-a-Peek for kindergarten from 8-9 a.m. Aug. 5 and an Open House for grades 1 and 2 from 9:30-10:30 a.m. and for grades 3, 4 and 5 from 11 a.m. to noon Aug. 5.
Butler Sneak-Peek
Van R. Butler Elementary School Kindergarten students and their parents are invited to attend “Sneak-Peek” from 9-11:15 a.m. Aug. 5. Children will have an opportunity to visit their homeroom class, art, music, P.E., and the media center. Letters regarding classroom teacher assignments and additional information will be mailed home to all kindergartners during the week of July 25-29.
Students in all other grade levels (PK, grades 1-5), may visit the school between 1:30 and 3 p.m. Aug. 5 and meet their teachers. Student rosters for grades 1-5 will not be released until this time.
New students of all grades who are planning to attend Butler Elementary for the 2011-2012 school year who have not yet registered need to do so as soon as possible. The school office is open Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Amy Grant concert
Music icon Amy Grant will appear live at 7 p.m. Aug. 28 at the Emerald Coast Convention Center on Okaloosa Island. Tickets are on sale at the center from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, www.EmeraldCoastConventionCenter.com or call 850-609-3800.
Ticket prices are $35, $30 and $25 with a $3 processing fee added to each ticket sale. A limited number of VIP tickets are available and include a meet and greet with Amy Grant plus a free CD for $65, plus a $3 ticketing fee.
