Your Weekly Guide to Fun

All area codes are 850 unless specified.

Destin Area Restaurant Week

DESTIN – Destin locals are encouraged to enjoy tasty dishes from across the Destin area during the last two days of the first Destin Area Restaurant Week Feb. 6-7. 

Restaurants will showcase signature and new dishes on affordable prix fixe menus. Participating restaurants so far include Café Thirty-A & Fishbone Room, Commander's Palace, Fudpucker's Beachside Bar & Grill, and Hard Rock Café. Lunch and dinner options will be available. For more information or to sign up to participate, contact Elizabeth Spies at 837-2711, ext. 5 or e-mail espies@DestinChamber.com.

Super Bowl weekend

AMVETS Post #29, 106 Benning Drive in Destin, will host a membership drive barbeque at 6 p.m. Feb. 6 with karaoke and wings and 2 p.m. Feb. 7 with pig roast barbeque. Call 837-1794

Mardi Gras on the Island

OKALOOSA ISLAND – “Laissez les Bon Temps Roulez,” Okaloosa Island style, at the Mardi Gras on the Island celebration Feb. 6. A full day of activities starts with the Mardi Gras Parade on Okaloosa Island at 11 a.m. as floats make their way down Santa Rosa Boulevard starting at Tarpon Drive and work their way under the Brooks Bridge, and ending near Marler Avenue. To register a float, contact the Chamber at 244-8191. After the parade there will be a Block Party sponsored by Helen Back on Amberjack Drive from 12 to 5 p.m. with food, festivities, a Crawfish Boil and a Kid Zone. Music will be provided by Dikki Du and the Zydeco Krewe.

The Chamber will host the Mardi Gras Ball from 8 p.m. to midnight at the Emerald Coast Conference Center. Come in costume or in your favorite gown and enjoy the sounds of the “Swingin’ Dick Tracys.” Tickets are $35 each or $400 for a corporate table of 10 and can be purchased at the Chamber building, 34 Miracle Strip Parkway SE in Fort Walton Beach or online at www.fwbchamber.org/mardigras.

 Ed Asner as FDR

NICEVILLE – Veteran stage and screen actor Ed Asner will perform in the national tour of the solo performance drama, “FDR”, at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 6 at the Mattie Kelly Arts Center. Tickets are on sale for $30 each from the Mattie Kelly Arts Center Box Office in-person, by phone at 729-6000, or online at www.mattiekellyartscenter.org.

Bikers for Bridget Poker Run

OKALOOSA, WALTON COUNTY – The Bikers for Bridget Poker Run will be held Feb. 6 with the first bike out at 10 a.m. and the last bike out at 11 a.m. Registration is at 9 a.m. at the Earth, Wind-N-Fire with a light breakfast. The cost is $10 per hand. Stops will be in Fort Walton Beach, Destin, Freeport and finally in Niceville. There will goodie bags and door prizes. All proceeds go towards Bridget's medical Care. Call 360-909-1051 or 376-6764.

Comedy Night

OKALOOSA ISLAND – Howl at the Moon Comedy Night by “The Comedy Zone” is held every Sunday night featuring two touring comedians. Doors open at 7 p.m. Dueling Piano Show starts at 8. Comedy Show starts at 9.  Reservations recommended.

Ott music series

MIRAMAR BEACH — Dr. David Ott presents his popular music series, “From Opera to Symphony,” at 1 p.m. Feb. 8 in the sanctuary of Faith Assembly Church, 306 South Geronimo St. Ott is an internationally recognized composer and conductor. He is also music director and organist at First United Methodist Church. Cost is $5 per class

Coffee seminar

DESTIN – Every first Tuesday, Starbucks Destin Commons will host a coffee seminar dealing with various topics with the growing, roasting and preparing of coffee. The next seminar will be held at 11 a.m. Feb. 9. Call 650-0333.

Butler Organ Recital Series

FORT WALTON BEACH – The music ministry of First United Methodist Church, 103 First Street S.E., will feature Dr. David Ott for the Butler Organ Recital Series at noon Feb. 10. Call 687-0862.

American Legion

DESTIN – The Destin American Legion, 311 Main Street, offers the following activities for members and guests. Call 837-3818.

Friday: Happy Hour, 4 to 7 p.m.; dinner, 4 to 7 p.m.; food and entertainment, 7 p.m. to midnight.

Saturday: Happy Hour, 4 to 7 p.m.; lunch menu begins at noon.

Sunday:  Happy Hour, 4 to 7 p.m.; lunch menu begins at noon.

Monday: Bingo, 6 to 8 p.m. Food available. Happy Hour, 4 to 7 p.m.

Tuesday–Thursday: Happy Hour, 4 to 7 p.m.

Upcoming

Movie Night

Uptown Station will hold a free movie night at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 13 in Central Park at Uptown Station. The romantic family movie, ‘The Time Traveler’s Wife,’ will be shown on the giant 30’ inflatable movie screen. Bring lawn chairs, blankets, coolers and drinks. No glass containers or pets.  Folks can also sit in their cars and tune into the sound track on FM106.9.

Texas Hold’ Em Tournament-Fundraiser

DESTIN – The Destin Fire & Rescue Foundation will hold the Inaugural Aces & Eights Poker Tournament at 6 p.m. Feb. 27 at Destin Jet. Hundreds of players will gather to compete for a chance to win a seat at the World Series of Poker Tournament-Harrah’s New Orleans, as well as many other exciting prizes.

The event will also showcase a large silent auction with such prizes as spa packages from Serenity by the sea and national resort and golf vacation packages, as well as live entertainment. Area restaurants and caterers will provide food and cocktails, included in ticket price.

Red carpet arrival will begin at 5 p.m. The tournament will follow a Texas Hold’ Em format, with buy-in pricing at $100 for early bird players and $50 for early bird event attendees, not competing in the tournament. These prices are valid through Feb. 14. Tickets purchased after this date will be $120 for players and $65 for event attendees.

The proceeds from the tournament will benefit the many programs of the Destin Fire & Rescue Foundation.

Tickets are on sale at the Destin Firehouse or are payable by phone. In addition to tickets, there are multiple levels of sponsorship available, along with corporate table sponsorships. To purchase tickets, call 837-8413.