Digital Graffiti at Alys Beach is Coming Soon!

What: 5^th Annual Digital Graffiti at Alys Beach

Where: Alys Beach on Scenic Highway 30-A

When: June 8-9

For a truly unique experience, and a technological adventure in modern art, you do not want to miss the 5^th Annual Digital Graffiti at Alys Beach. Attracting digital artists, filmmakers, musicians, interactive designers, photographers, VJs, producers, celebrities, agency executives and fans of art, technology and architecture each year, this awe-inspiring event will have you feeling like a kid again.  Mark your calendars for this magical event!

Alys Beach, located on Scenic Highway 30A between Seaside and Rosemary Beach is a unique resort community comprised of green standard, white-walled structures. These pristine white walls transform the entire town into a blank canvas for artists participating in the annual Digital Graffiti at Alys Beach.

Digital Graffiti at Alys Beach is the world’s first projection art festival, with artists using the latest technologies to project their original works onto the town’s iconic white walls. Sometimes referred to as “phonon bombing,” “guerilla projection” or “urban projection,” underground artists from around the globe have been using the latest design, animation and projection technologies to cast dynamic images onto skyscrapers and other urban structures as a means of artistic expression. Digital Graffiti at Alys Beach is the first outdoor festival specifically organized to celebrate and showcase these unique talents.

During the festival, Alys Beach opens its doors, courtyards and pedestrian paths to innovative companies and ground-breaking artists who fuse design, technology and architecture into entirely new art forms. These artists will transform the entire town into a living work of art. Each year, thousands of dollars in prizes are awarded to artists, with digital submissions being received from all around the globe.

Get your tickets now to this one-of-a-kind event! You’ll be glad you did.

DigitalGraffiti.com

--All photos in this post from DigitalGraffiti.com. 

The Family Fun Arts Fest is Just Around the Corner

What: The Family Fun Arts Fest

Where: Henderson Beach State Park

When: May 12, 2012, 10 am – 5 pm

A Place For Creativity to Flourish

The Okaloosa Arts Alliance has joined forces with the Friends of the Emerald Coast State Parks to bring you the 5^th Annual Family Fun Arts Fest. The festival will be held at Henderson Beach State Park in Destin on Saturday, May 12 from 10 am – 5 pm. The festival and park are fee and open to the public all day, with free parking available in the park. This lovely festival offers something for everyone so ring the whole family out to this beautiful state park for a day of cultural fun in the sun.

Browse through the many arts and crafts vendors onsite to find that unique Mother’s Day gift, and don’t forget to pick something out for yourself. Take in performances by local artists while you enjoy delicious food and drinks. You won’t want to miss out on the loads of free activities for families including painting, crafts, chalk, drawing, mother’s day cards, animals, face painting and more. Stick around and place your bid at the silent auction, featuring several fantastic items. All festival proceeds benefit the Okaloosa County Arts Alliance.

There’s still time to enter the 4^th Annual OAA Okaloosa Schools Poster Contest

Do you know a young da Vinci? All Okaloosa County School students are invited to participate in the 4^th Annual OAA Okaloosa Schools Poster Contest. For this year’s contest the OAA wants to know what you consider “Summer Fun.” Entries can be anything a student creates on paper with markers, paint, pastels, charcoal or crayons. Digital artwork is also being accepted. A 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd place winner will be chosen from each of the following levels; elementary school (grades K-4), middle school (grades 5-8), and high school (grades 9-12). All poster contest entries will be on display at the Family Fun Arts Fest, and winners will be chosen by a panel of judges and announced at the Fest.

Any Okaloosa County School student may enter. Entries can be mailed through an Okaloosa County School or by an individual student. The poster contest deadline is April 30, 2012.

For more information about the Okaloosa County Arts Alliance, the Family Fun Arts Fest, or the poster contest, visit OkaloosaArts.org.

Images from OkaloosaArts.org

The Sandestin Wine Festival is Just Around the Corner!

What: The 26th Annual Sandestin Wine Festival

When: April 26-29

Where: The Village of Baytowne Wharf 

Image from SandestinWineFestival.com

The Sandestin Wine Festival is a picture perfect event complete with white tents, flowing wine, gourmet food, ladies strolling in hats, live music, and more. Each year, the Village of Baytowne Wharf, the heart and soul of Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort, transforms itself into the South of France with a four day event providing patrons with an atmosphere to enjoy fine wine that is both entertaining and enlightening.

Image from SandestinWineFestival.com

The festival’s bounty of unique events open up a wide range of experiences from attending private dinners, participating in auctions for rare and distinctive wines, and taking part in wine tastings that showcase an unprecedented 800 wines. Wine novices are able to learn more about wines and sample from a comprehensive selection in all varieties, styles, and price ranges. Seasoned wine connoisseurs can enjoy meeting winemakers, asking detailed questions, and acquiring hard-to-get selections. As an added bonus, participants have the opportunity to immediately purchase their favorite selections from the retail tent at discounted prices.

Image from SandestinWineFestival.com

If you’re ready for an event that combines a great time with some of the best food and wine from around the globe, mark your calendar for April 26-29 and attend this year’s Sandestin Wine Festival. For more detailed information, visit their website at SandestinWineFestival.com. 

8th Annual Kitty Hawk Kites Kite Festival

Dates: April 6 &7, 2012

Time: 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. both days

The perfect way to kick off National Kite Month! This great family event will include numerous activities including free kite making and kids games in front of the store. Live entertainment will be on site to keep everyone singing and dancing the day away while having a great time flying kites! Best of all, this event is free and open to the public. 

Bring your camera! Large show kites will be flying on the show kite field. These include large 90 foot scuba divers, as well as a variety of sea creatures. There will also be a separate field for Stunt Kites and Power Kites.

Bonus! There will be free instruction in stunt kite flying and power kite flying for all who would like to try.

For more information about this one-of-a-kind event, please call 850.796.0102.

Mardi Gras Kick Off Parade At HarborWalk Village

Hanging out before the parade.
On the left Sarah Hockett, Charles Born, Whitney Born.
On the right, Mardi Gra King Mark Bellinger.

I know there were a ton of people at last Saturday’s Mardi Gras Kick Off Parade at HarborWalk Village. It was an absolutely gorgeous day to be out enjoying the festivities. For those of you that were in attendance you know what a blast this event was.

Gearing up for the parade. We're ready to roll!
From right to left:
Whitney Born with her dad, Charles, Life's A Beach Distribution Manager,
Sarah Hockett, Copy Production Editor,
Melissa Wride-Auer, Art Director,
Rick Seevers, Publisher/Owner

 Everyone was in a festive spirit and dressed to the nines in their Mardi Gras best. A river of purple, gold, and green flowed through the streets of HarborWalk Village as it rained beads, candy, and moon pies over the crowds of smiling people. The Life’s A Beach gang was glad to glitz up the van, glam up themselves and be a part of this fun-filled celebration. 

Rubbing elbows with the Mardi Gras King and Queen
Okaloosa County Tourist Development Council's
Mark Bellinger, and Destin Mayor "Sam" (Sarah) Seevers

A post- parade picture of our decorating handy work

Click here to see video of this event!