Our Top Picks for May 30-June 1 Entertainment on the Emerald Coast

Happy Friday! This weekend features events around the Emerald Coast like concerts, a fish fry, a pirate science adventure and a roller derby game. In other words, lots of excitement and fun!  For current weather updates, be sure to check weather.com or tune in via television to The Weather Channel.

A nice trip to the beach is always in the picture, too!

The Life’s A Beach crew wishes everyone a very safe and BEACHY weekend! Enjoy!

Friday, May 30, 2014:

Concerts at the Landing – Chris and Gileah

The FWB Landing

139 Brooks Street

Fort Walton Beach

Time: 6-8 p.m.

Bring a lawn chair, picnic and your friends out to this musical event on Friday evening. Chris and Gileah will put on a show-stopping performance for all to enjoy. For more information, please visit www.1021thewave.com.

Fish Fry Fundraiser

103 First Street

Fort Walton Beach

Time: 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.

FWB First United Methodist Church will hold a Fish Fry Fundraiser on Friday. Tickets are $8 each and include fish, cheese grits, hushpuppies and coleslaw. Enjoy your food in the church fellowship hall, or choose take-out. All net proceeds from the event will benefit Fresh Start for Children and Families and FWB FUMC Student Ministry Missions. Tickets can be purchased at the church or at P.S. Gifts in Fort Walton Beach.

Saturday, May 31, 2014:

Pirate Science Adventure

Emerald Coast Science Center

139 Brooks Street

Fort Walton Beach

Time: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

On Saturday, Emerald Coast Science Center will host a Pirate Science experience for those of all ages. Come join the fun for sea monster dissections, celestial navigation, fishing, pirate and sea crafts, a touch tank and more! Come dressed as your favorite pirate! The cost for members is $2 and for nonmembers is $7.75 for adults, $6.75 for seniors, $5.75 for kids and children ages 2 and under get in for free. Call 850.664.1261 for more information.

BBSD Roller Derby Presents: The Memorial Melee

Northwest Florida Fairgrounds

1958 Lewis Turner Boulevard

Fort Walton Beach

Time: 7-9 p.m.

Come out to watch your local, roller derby girls play their favorite game! It’s a family-fun event, beginning at 7 p.m. The cost is $12 at the door and children 12 and under are admitted for free.

Rock the Docks LIVE

HarborWalk Village

10 Harbor Boulevard

Destin

Time: 7-9 p.m.

Every Saturday night throughout summer, come out for great concerts on the HarborWalk Village stage! All concerts are free and open to the public. For more information, please e-mail info@harborwalk-destin.com or call 850.424.0600.

Sunday, June 1, 2014:

Paws on the Throttle Poker Run

Panhandle Animal Welfare Society

752 Lovejoy Road

Fort Walton Beach

Time: Last bike out at 11 a.m./Last bike in at 2 p.m.

For more information, visit www.Paws-Shelter.org or call 850.243.1525 or 850.244.0196.

Our Top Picks for May 23-26 Entertainment on the Emerald Coast

Happy Memorial Day Weekend! This weekend it’s all about honoring our service men and women both past and present. They are a heroic group of people and we are so thankful that with their service we are the home of the brave! For current weather updates, be sure to check weather.com or tune in via television to The Weather Channel.

The Life’s A Beach crew wishes everyone a very safe and BEACHY weekend!

Friday, May 23, 2014:

Concerts at the Landing – Season Ammons Band

The Landing

139 Brooks Street

Fort Walton Beach

Time: 6-8 p.m.

Bring a lawn chair, picnic and your friends out to this musical event on Friday evening. Season Ammons Band will put on a show stopping performance for all to enjoy. For more information, please visit www.1021thewave.com.

The Children’s Hospital at Sacred Heart to Host 45^th Annual Pediatric Symposium in Destin

5/23-5/26

Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa

4000 Sandestin Blvd. S.

Destin

This Symposium is designed to give primary care providers of children information on the latest developments for diagnosing, treating and managing the pediatric, adolescent and young adult patient. Attendees will be provided opportunities to learn from leading experts from across the nation. Some of the topics to be discussed are asthma, autism, childhood obesity and febrile infants. For more information, please visit www.PSDestinFL.org.

Saturday, May 24, 2014:

Blazefest 2014

Twin Oaks Park

North Highway 85

Niceville

For a day of awesome entertainment by bands like Chevelle, All That Remains, 10 Years, Nonpoint, Sponge and many more, bring your friends and family and come out to Blazefest 2014! Tickets are $30 in advance and $50 the day of the show. To purchase tickets online, visit www.TicketMaster.com. This event is presented by 103.1 The Blaze. For more information, visit www.BlazeFestRocks.com.

Memorial Day Weekend Festivities

5/24-5/26

Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort

9300 Emerald Coast Parkway W.

Destin

Time: 6-9 p.m.

The Village of Baytowne Wharf kicks off your summer at Sandestin for Memorial Day weekend. Live music begins on Saturday and lasts all weekend long. Enjoy bands on the Events Plaza stage from 7-9 p.m. each night. Children’s activities will be featured in the Events Plaza from 6-9 p.m. on Sunday night, and then we will light up the sky above the lagoon with fireworks at 9:15 p.m. On Monday, The Village will host a Memorial Day program right before sunset, presented by Sandestin veterans, including a special brass band performance. Visit www.Sandestin.com/Events for more details.

Memorial Day Concert Celebration

5/24-5/25

HarborWalk Village

10 Harbor Blvd.

Destin

Time: 6-10 p.m.

Kick off the summer with free concerts on the Destin Harbor! Departure: The Journey Tribute Band will rock with you all night long Saturday night. Longreef will have you up and dancing before and after the spectacular fireworks show lights up the night sky on Sunday at 9 p.m. For more information, please contact info@harborwalk-destin.com. 

Our Top Picks for May 16-18 Entertainment on the Emerald Coast

T.G.I.F.! The past two weekends have been rain free and we are hoping for a third consecutive sunny and dry weekend. We hope you find this week’s blog post featuring area entertainment useful in deciding what to do and where to go with friends and family this Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Whatever you decide to do, we wish you a very happy and fun weekend! For current weather updates, be sure to check weather.com or tune in via television to The Weather Channel.

The Life’s A Beach crew wishes everyone a very safe and BEACHY weekend! 

Friday, May 16, 2014:

11^th Annual Bob Hope Memorial Charity Golf Classic

Eglin AFB Golf Course

1527 Fairway Drive

Niceville

Time: 10:30 a.m.

The Air Force Enlisted Village’s major, local fundraising event, the 11^th Annual Bob Hope Memorial Charity Golf Classic, will be held May 16-17 at the Eglin AFB Golf Course in Niceville. Registration is open online at www.afev.us/GolfClassic or by calling 850.651.3766. Proceeds will benefit military widows in need, residing at the Air Force Enlisted Village (AFEV). Play begins at noon on Friday at The Eagle course. Golfers will play The Eagle again on Saturday, May 17, with an 8:30 a.m. start time and an awards luncheon to immediately follow.

Concerts at the Landing – Continuum

The Landing

139 Brooks Street

Fort Walton Beach

Time: 6-8 p.m.

Bring a lawn chair, picnic and your friends out to this musical event on Friday evening. Continuum will put on a show stopping performance for all to enjoy. For more information, please visit www.1021thewave.com.

Downtown FWB Artwalk

Miracle Strip Parkway

Fort Walton Beach

Time: 5:30-8:30 p.m.

This event features local artists over all sorts of mediums. There is something for everyone—from oil paints and jewelry to handmade fishing lures. Stroll through Downtown FWB, check out the stores, listen to the local music and be amazed by the creative talent of our area artists.

Glow Run 5K for Children in Need

Fort Walton Beach High School

400 Hollywood Blvd.

Fort Walton Beach

Time: 6:30 p.m.

Children in Crisis are joining forces with Mary Esther United Methodist Church to raise funds to benefit the children in our community. On May 16, a dance party starts the night off at 6:30 p.m. followed by the run at 7:30 p.m. Proceeds from the event will benefit Children in Crisis and all Children’s Compassion Ministries of Mary Esther Methodist. Register online at www.Active.com or in person at Mary Esther United Methodist at 703 East Miracle Strip Parkway in Mary Esther. www.MaryEstherUMC.org

Saturday, May 17, 2014:

Michles & Booth Charity Golf Tournament

Shalimar Pointe Golf Club

302 Country Club Road

Shalimar

Time: 11 a.m. registration/noon shotgun start

This tournament will benefit the Veterans Tribute Tower of Northwest Florida. The entry fee is $150 per person and is limited to the first 120 players. Sponsorships are available. Come out to this great event for an even greater cause. Prizes and raffles put the cherry on top of this spectacular event! www.ShalimarPointe.com; 850.651.1416

21^st Annual ABWA Billy Bowlegs Boat Poker Run

Shalimar Yacht Basin

100 Old Ferry Road

Shalimar

The 21^st Annual ABWA Billy Bowlegs Boat Poker Run begins and ends at Shalimar Yacht Basin. Boaters cruise to several local ports, visit the Casino Room and party at Shalimar Yacht Basin. The top three Poker hands win valuable prize packages. Local restaurants will donate food for the party. Entertainment will also be provided. To participate, call 850.863.9082 or visit www.ABWA-ECC.org. The Emerald Coast Chapter of the American Business Women’s Association (ABWA) is a nonprofit civic organization and all proceeds provide scholarships and educational opportunities for their members and for area students.

Spring Fest at HarborWalk Village

HarborWalk Village

10 Harbor Blvd. Ste. 230

Destin

Time: 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.

This event benefits the Okaloosa Arts Alliance (OAA) and is free and family friendly. There will be live entertainment, arts and crafts vendors, free, family activities, live animals, face painting, hands-on art activities, a silent auction and a display of posters from the talented students in the area. For more information, please contact Amy at amybaty1@gmail.com or Nancy Babin at kidzoneonthecoast@aol.com.

www.OkaloosaArts.org

Sunday, May 18, 2014:

ArtWalk on the Harbor

HarborWalk Village

10 Harbor Blvd.

Destin

Time: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.

This art event spans the Destin Harbor Boardwalk from HarborWalk Village to AJ’s Seafood & Oyster Bar, featuring local and regional artists and vendors. The ArtWalk includes more than 40 artists and artisans from a variety of disciplines like painters, jewelers, soap makers, watch designers, photographers, sculptors and more! For more information on this event, e-mail info@harborwalk-destin.com or call 850.424.0600. www.ArtWalkOnTheharbor.com

Our Top Picks for May 9-11 Entertainment on the Emerald Coast

This weekend it’s all about MOM! Treat the special lady in your life to one of the events listed below for a Mother's Day that she will never forget! For current weather updates for events held outdoors, be sure to check weather.com or tune in via television to The Weather Channel.

The Life’s A Beach crew wishes everyone a very safe and BEACHY weekend! 

Happy Mother's Day!

Friday, May 9, 2014:

Concerts at the Landing – Boukou Groove

The Landing

139 Brooks Street

Fort Walton Beach

Time: 6-8 p.m.

Bring a lawn chair, picnic and your friends out to this musical event on Friday evening. Boukou Groove will put on a show stopping performance for all to enjoy. For more information, please visit www.1021thewave.com.

26^th Annual ArtsQuest Fine Arts Festival

May 9-11

Grand Boulevard

600 Grand Blvd. Ste. 203

Destin

During every Mother’s Day weekend for the past 26 years, art is celebrated in South Walton with ArtsQuest, a fine arts festival produced by the Cultural Arts Alliance of Walton County (CAA). This special tradition scheduled for May 9-11 in Grand Boulevard at Sandestin, brings mothers and daughters together to experience nearly 200 national and local artists, live music and kids’ activities. This year during the festival week, local galleries will participate in Gallery Nights Monday through Thursday, offering special parties, showings and events in the spirit of ArtsQuest. This tour of special gallery events is open to the public. For a complete list of participating galleries, visit www.ArtsQuestFlorida.com.

Saturday, May 10, 2014:

“Summer’s Coming” Car Show

Shalimar Elementary School

1350 Joe Martin Circle

Shalimar

Time: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

This event is centered on delicious food, great music and People’s Choice voting for the best cars! The cost is $20 to pre-register and $25 to register at the show. Business sponsors are also needed for $50. All proceeds benefit Shalimar Student Programs. Please call 850.833.4339 for more information.

All About Mom Market

The Landing

139 Brooks Street

Fort Walton Beach

Time: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.

The 1^st Annual Mother’s Day celebration is focused on the ladies. This free event will be a day to bring Mom out for a stroll in the park, shopping and maybe even a relaxing spa day! Bella Day Spa will be in the gazebo, offering nail, hair and makeup services at your convenience. This event is hosted by Gulf Coast Celebrations. For more information, contact FloridaPanhandleMarkets@gmail.com.

“Mother’s Day Victorian Tea” at the Heritage Museum of Northwest Florida

Heritage Museum of Northwest Florida

115 Westview Avenue

Valparaiso

Time: 2 p.m.

Men, women and children are invited to honor their Mothers in a unique and special way at the “Mother’s Day Victorian Tea”. Enjoy light refreshments, a variety of teas and a fun history program with tea etiquette and traditions associated with “Tea Time”. The cost is $18 per person or $15 per person for Museum Members. Reservations are required. Please call 850.678.2615.

5^th Annual Crawfish Boil, “Kickin’ the Tail out of Crime”

Uptown Station

Eglin Parkway

Fort Walton Beach

Time:  11 a.m.

Emerald Coast Crime Stoppers will host its 5^th Annual Crawfish Boil, “Kickin’ the Tail out of Crime” on Saturday, May 10 at Uptown Station, beginning at 11 a.m.

Bravo Beat 5K Walk/Run

The Village of Baytowne Wharf

Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort

9300 Emerald Coast Parkway

Destin

Lace up your shoes and run for the arts on May 10 in Sinfonia Gulf Coast’s 4^th Annual Bravo! Beat 5K run/walk. There will be post-event food, beer and entertainment. The award ceremony will be hosted by Aimee Schaffer. All proceeds benefit Sinfonia Gulf Coast’s musical and educational initiatives throughout the community and its Arts in Medicine collaboration with Sacred Heart Hospital. The cost is $30 per person. To register online, visit www.SinfoniaGulfCoast.org. For more information, please call 850.269.7229.

Sunday, May 11, 2014:

Share Mother’s Day at Beach Walk Café

Beach Walk Henderson Park

2700 Scenic Highway 98

Destin

Time: 11:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.

Celebrate the special woman in your life this Mother’s Day at Beach Walk Café. Browse their menu ahead of time and make your reservations today! www.BeachWalkCafe.com.

Mother’s Day Lunch Cruise on the SOLARIS Yacht

SunQuest Cruises

Sandestin Golf & Beach Resort/Baytowne Marina

9300 Emerald Coast Parkway

Miramar Beach

Time: 1-3 p.m.

Show your Mom how special she is to you with an experience she will never forget onboard the SOLARIS! Embark on the 125-foot SOLARIS Yacht in Sandestin for a day of cruising and coastal cuisines. After taking in the fresh breezes on the open-air sky deck and cruising the local waters, indulge in a three-course, chef-prepared meal that begins with freshly baked Artisan rolls with garlic and herbs, infused with oil. Your cruise continues with a delectable three-course meal and dessert. Reservations are required online at www.SunQuestCruises.com or by calling 850.650.2519.