Upcoming Arts and Entertainment 4-30

Area codes are 850 unless noted.

Kentucky Derby Day

DESTIN – A Derby Festival on the harbor with live music, Most Creative Derby Hat Contest and Fashion Show, race day games and family fun begins at noon May 7 at HarborWalk Village. Mix up the best cocktail in the Mint Julep Taste-off.

Movies at Uptown Station

Bring your blankets, lawn chairs and coolers for free movies in Central Park at Uptown Station in Fort Walton Beach include the following. No pets or glass containers. Vendors available. Movies begin at 8 p.m., unless noted.

•May 7: Tangled

•May 21: Despicable Me

•June 4: Little Fockers

•June 18: How to Train Your Dragon

•July 2: Apollo 13 - The Movie

•July 16: Megamind

•Aug. 6: Life As We Know It

•Aug 20: Alice in Wonderland, 7:30 p.m

•Sept. 3: Justin Beiber ‘Never Say Never’, 7:30 p.m.

•Sept. 17: The Last Airbender, 7:30 p.m.

Wednesday Night Concert Series

The Village of Baytowne Wharf presents the Wednesday Night Concert Series from 6-8 p.m. in April in the Events Plaza. Beginning in May, 7-9 p.m. Call 267-8186. Scheduled performers include:

•May 11: Heritage

•May 18: Honey Island Swamp Band

Concerts in the Park

DESTIN – The 15th Annual Concerts in the Park will be held at 7 p.m. at The Village Green at the Mattie Kelly Cultural Arts Village, 4323 Commons Drive W. Admission is $5/adult and kids under 12 free. Scheduled performers include:

•May 12: Something Fishy

•May 19: Shawn Rader & The Redneck Riviera Boys

•May 26: United States Air Force Jazz Band

•June 2: Heritage

•June 9: Emerald Gold

•June 16: Lisa and The E-Lusion

•June 23: Gary Roland and The Landsharks Band

American Legion

DESTIN – The Destin American Legion, 311 Main Street, is open to members and guests from 12-6 p.m. Sundays; 1-7 p.m. Mondays; 1-6 p.m. Tuesdays; 1-7 p.m. Wednesdays; 1-6 p.m. Thursdays; 1-11 p.m. Fridays and 1-7 p.m. Saturdays. Call 837-3818,

Family Fun Arts Fest

DESTIN – The Okaloosa Arts Alliance presents the Fourth Annual Family Fun Arts Fest from 10 a.m.-5p.m. May 14 at Henderson Beach State Park. There will be performances by local artists, family fun activities, a silent auction, arts and crafts booth and food.

NFB auditions

FORT WALTON BEACH – The Northwest Florida Ballet will hold auditions May 14 at the NFB studios, 310 Perry Ave. SE. Dancers wishing to audition for the Trainee Program from 9-10:30 a.m. must have three years of formal training and be 10–13 years of age. Dancers wishing to audition for the NFB Company from 10:30 a.m.-noon must be at least 13 years of age and have at least six years of formal training, including two years of pointe experience. 

The dress code for female dancers will be a dark, solid color leotard, pink tights and ballet slippers. Those auditioning for the Company will need to bring pointe shoes as well.  Hair should be arranged neatly in a bun and no jewelry or warm-up clothes will be permitted.  Male dancers should wear black or gray tights, a solid color tee shirt and black or white ballet shoes.

There is an audition fee of $20. Registration in advance required at 664-7787 or visit nfballet.org.

Northwest Florida State College

EMERALD COAST – Performances at NWFSC include the following. Purchase tickets from the Mattie Kelly Arts Center Box Office at 729-6000 or at www.mattiekellyartscenter.org. The Box Office is open 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday to Friday for in person and phone sales. Tickets purchased at the door prior are same price as advance tickets. NWF State College students may obtain one free admission per ID, in person from the Box Office.

•May 14: The Junior Orchestra Spring Concert, 11 a.m. in Tyler Recital Hall in the Music Wing of the arts complex.

•May 15: The Northwest Florida Symphony Youth Orchestra Spring Concert, 3 p.m. in the Mainstage theater of the Mattie Kelly Arts Center.

•Through June 2: The McIlroy and Holzhauer Galleries at the Mattie Kelly Arts Center at NWF State College in Niceville host two new exhibitions, ADSO 19th Southeast Regional Juried Exhibition and 2010 Best-in-Show-Winner, Greg Skaggs.

•June 12-July 24: Two new exhibitions, Maja Godlewska and Jacqueline Bishop, Losing Ground: Imaginary Landscapes. An opening reception will be held at 2 p.m. June 12. 

•July 20-23: The summer musical production of the Humanities, Fine & Performing Arts Division of Northwest Florida State College presents Mark Twain’s classic, Big River, in the Mainstage theater of the college’s Mattie Kelly Arts Center in Niceville. Tickets go on sale May 31 for $25/adult and $20/youth, ages 18 and younger.

Memorial luncheon

NICEVILLE – The Annual Okaloosa County Law Enforcement Memorial Luncheon will be held at 11 a.m. May 18 at the Niceville Community Center. Featured speaker will be Col. Ed Hubbard USAF (Ret.), former POW and author of “Escape from the Box”. Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi will be special guest.

Casting call

FORT WALTON BEACH – The “Pirates of the Emerald Coast,” the Greater Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce, will hold a casting call for the Billy Bowlegs Pirate Festival from 5:30-6:30 p.m. May 19 at the Chamber offices, 34 Miracle Strip Parkway.  Wear full pirate regalia and present a short statement of their “pirate pedigree”.  

Seaside Rep

SEASIDE – The Seaside Repertory Theatre recently announced a season packed with good ole gals, gripping drama and holiday charm. For the Mainstage Season, subscription prices are $100 for all five shows. Single tickets will go on-sale approximately six to eight weeks prior to each performance opening. Shows for the Summer Repertory season are free.

Mainstage Season

•Around the World in 80 Days: June 16-July 30 at 7:30 p.m. $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.

Summer Repertory Season

•Alice's Adventures in Wonderland: Thursdays, June 9-Aug. 11 at 6 p.m. in Alys Beach at the Alys Beach Amphitheatre.

•The Stinky Cheese Man: May 23-Aug. 8 at 7 p.m. Mondays in the Seaside Amphitheatre.

•How I Became a Pirate: May 31-Aug. 2 at 7 p.m. Tuesdays at Watercolor in the Marina Park Amphitheatre.

•The Commedia Pinocchio: June 1-Aug. 10 at 6 p.m. Wednesdays at Rosemary Beach in North Barrett Square.

Bret Michaels

OKALOOSA ISLAND — As part of the 99Rock Concert Series, Bret Michaels brings his Get Your Rock On tour live to The Swamp on the Boardwalk on May 26. Doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets are $35/advance at  swampclub.com and FYE in Santa Rosa Mall. Cost will be $40 day of show.

Just Sculpture

FORT WALTON BEACH – The Arts and Design Society presents a “Just Sculpture” exhibit through May 27.

Memorial Day celebration

DESTIN – A Memorial Day Concert Celebration takes place beginning at 6 p.m. May 28 and 29 with Rock the Docks featuring Elvis' Blue Hawaii show with Ron Adams as Elvis. Free face painting and crafts for kids from 6-8 p.m. Fireworks over the harbor at 8:30 p.m.

Sinfonia Gulf Coast

ALYS BEACH – The Sinfonia returns to Alys Beach for Sinfonia Goes Pops Under the Palms on May 29. This free community concert will feature light classics, Broadway show tunes and patriotic selections with a fireworks finale. Call 269-7129.

Operation Inspiration

DESTIN – A unique evening of live musical entertainment with Know Hope Collective, previously known as Audiio Adrenaline, begins at 5 p.m. Sundays beginning May 29 at HarborWalk Village with a Meet & Greet with performing artist. Concerts begin at 6 p.m. and are free. Event continues throughout the summer.

JUNE

Call to Artists: Destin Festival of the Arts

Destin – Artist applications are being accepted for the 16th Annual Destin Festival of the Arts to be held on Oct. 29 and 30 at Henderson Beach State Park. Festival space limited to 100 artists competing for $9,000 in cash awards. Entry fees include $30 non-refundable jury fee and $190 booth fee. Application deadline is June 1. Artist applications and Rules of Participation are available online at www.mattiekellyartsfoundation.org. For more information, call 650-2226. 

Call to Artists: Destin Festival of the Arts Poster Competition

DESTIN – Calling all artists to enter a competition to design the signature artwork for the 16th Annual Destin Festival of the Arts on Oct. 29 and 30.  A $400 cash prize is awarded to the winning artist’s design. Submissions should be suitable for reproduction on festival merchandise. Entries must be received by noon June 1. Poster applications are available online at www.mattiekellyartsfoundation.org. Call 650-2226 to make delivery arrangements or mail artwork and application to MKAF, 4323 Commons Drive West, Destin, FL 32541.    

Red, White and Blue Celebration

DESTIN – A weekly event honoring a local hero will be held at 6:30 p.m. Thursdays in June, July and August at HarborWalk Village. June 2 will be a reunion of heroes honored over the past two years. The celebrations highlight the efforts of people who go above and beyond to better their community. Enjoy live entertainment, free kid's crafts, facepainting, a WWII replica flyover, and fireworks display.

Rock the Docks

DESTIN – Party and dance at free concerts at 7 p.m. Saturdays in June, July and August at HarborWalk Village.

JULY

Extravaganza on the Harbor

DESTIN – The July 4th Extravaganza on the Harbor will feature five days of happenings beginning at 6 p.m.

•June 39: Red, White & Blue Celebration on the Harbor

•July 1: Family Fun Fest

•July 2: Rock the Docks

•July 3: Operation Inspiration

•July 4: Hot Dog Eating Contest and a spectacular fireworks display finale.