Celebrate the Arts is Bigger and Better this Year!

Save the Date for Saturday, Jan 25th!

Celebrate the Arts Local Artists Market, just got bigger and bolder thanks to Harley Davidson of Panama City Beach.

This year the event will also include a Celebrity Fashion Show and Live Auction, where local “celebrities” from Sheriff Frank McKeithen to Holly, Mandy and Miguel of Island 106 will not only be modeling the latest Harley fashions but will be auctioned off for a lunch date to benefit Beach Care Services.

In addition to the Fashion Show, with a $10 donation, participants can also enjoy a wine and cheese tasting.

The artists market portion of the event is free to the public, who can expect the same great wares from years before, with the addition of some new artists such as Roxanne Turnipseed who will be debuting her young girls’ bracelet line and Christon Anderson, whose works can be viewed from Main Street Gallery in Panama City to A.Wickey’s Gallery on 30A.

More About Celebrate the Arts

The event was born three years ago when business neighbors Karen Smith of Beachy Beach Real Estate and Roy Eure Jr., designer and owner of Cerulean Interiors fantasized about using art to help their community. Eure, an artist himself, wanted to show his support for the local artist community and give them an opportunity to share their work while Smith saw an opportunity to fund raise for charity. Artists would sell their wares and give a portion of the proceeds to Beach Care Services, a local charity that helps Panama City Beach locals in need.

This year’s event is expected to not only offer more, but more people will get an opportunity to take part due to Harley Davidson providing the event location. To stay tuned into the event, visit the Celebrate the Arts Facebook Page.

Information on how to pre-purchase Fashion Show and Wine Tasting tickets will be announced soon. Until then Save the Date for January 25th starting at 11 am.

Locals Get in Free to Daytime Concerts Today Only!

The first ever Gulf Coast Jam is hitting Panama City Beach today and organizers have announced that today is “Locals Appreciation Day” and will allow all area residents to attend daytime concerts at any of the stages today at no charge.

It is important to note that this perk is only for today, Thursday, September 26th and only for the daytime shows. You will need tickets for the shows starting this evening. Though are area expects several thousand out of town visitors for this event, there are still some Weekend Passes available.

For ticket information, call 888-512-7469 or visit their website at www.gulfcoastjam.com. General Admission Passes for the weekend are only $139 while supplies last. Panama City Beach country music fans can stay up to date with all the weekend has to offer by downloading the Pepsi Gulf Coast Jam Mobile App on your smart phone or visiting their Facebook page.

Some of headliners on the line-up include: Trace Adkins on Thursday, Brantley Gilbert on Friday, and the one and only Toby Keith on Saturday. Stages will be at Frank Brown Park, Edgewater Beach and Golf Resort, Boardwalk Beach Resort and Seahaven Beach Resorts.

Dancing For Life is this Saturday!

If you have ever wanted to see Sheriff Frank McKeithen shake his tail feathers, you can this Saturday, August 10th at Arnold High Theatre.

McKeithen along with other law enforcement officers such as Police Chief Drew Whitman, Sergeant Emily Melton and Teresa Anglin will show off their best moves with professional dancers from Fred Astaire Dance Studios.

Event Attendees will also enjoy something that is quite a treat for our area, a dance performance from nationally acclaimed dancers who waived their performance fee so all event profits could go to Relay for Life. In addition to helping judge the event, World Mambo Champions Ronald and Katie Guillen as well as World Cabaret Champions Kimalee Piedad and Justin Guilmette will be performing.

Bay County law enforcement will go head to head with the Panama City Beach Police Department after spending twenty five hours to prepare a choreographed dance routine to be performed live with their professional partner. The winner will be decided by a combination of votes from judges, audience applause, and the number of “votes” or dollar donations each dance couple receives.

The donations will aid in Fred Astaire’s fundraising efforts for their Relay for Life team for the American Cancer Society. Fred Astaire was moved to start this event five years ago when a beloved student, Dr. Joan Elzawahry passed away from cancer. It was then that the Fred Astaire of Panama City decided to use their gift of dance to help the fight against cancer and their efforts are gaining traction with each passing year.

Show organizer and Ballroom Dance Instructor Stephanie Van Wick reports that “I have been involved with this project since the beginning and have watched it grow. This year it has been especially amazing seeing the level of community involvement, it has inspired me to work harder to make our contributions count.”

You can start voting for your favorite couple now by making a donation as well as purchase tickets for the show by going to www.fredastairepanamacity.com or calling their studio in Panama City at 850-873-6269. General admission tickets are $25 per person but VIP tickets which include preferred seating and a cast party directly following the show at Boatyard restaurant are only $45.

Showtime is 6:30 pm at this Saturday, August 10th at Arnold High School Theatre on Alf Coleman Road in Panama City Beach.

The Violet Blues Back at the Beach for a Limited Time!

The Violet Blues featuring Ashleigh Smith, Jenne Weaver and Beth Beighey are a Folk/Blues/Soul trio based out of Nashville, TN with ties to the Gulf Coast area with two it’s members hailing from Panama City Beach, Florida.

For a limited time only, two of the three members will be doing some shows in the Panama City Beach for those of us who have missed their unique sound and warm harmonies.

They will be playing at some of the local hot spots so check out their tour lineup on their website www.thevioletblues.com or follow them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/thevioletblues.

Here’s their lineup so far:

3/1 Morning & Midday News Panama City Beach, FL

Channel 2 WMBB News 13

3/2 Finn’s Island Style Grub Panama City, FL
St. Andrews location

3/4 Newby’s Back Door Lounge Panama City Beach, FL

3/7 Hook’d Pier Bar Panama City Beach, FL

3/9 Hook’d Pier Bar Panama City Beach, FL

3/11 Newby’s Back Door Lounge Panama City Beach, FL

3/14 Tin Lizzie’s Atlanta, GA

3/15 Tin Lizzie’s Atlanta, GA

3/16 Tin Lizzie’s Atlanta, GA

And for their friends in Nashville…come see them at The American Pickers Store: Antique Archaeology on Sunday 4/14 at 2:30PM!

Amavida Coffee Hosts “Christon Anderson Art Opening”

The unapproachable urban vibe of Christon Dee Anderson is often in place to filter objectionable attitudes and cloak his kinder gentler persona. A black child born into the eighties was certain to be challenged and, unwavering, he met them head on. From an early age he spent a great deal of time drawing and showed a passionate interest in the arts. Born and bread in Florida’s Northwest panhandle provided an opportunity for other talents to blossom. His skill and ability at baseball, and later football, were recognized and in high school he received local and state accolades. The journeys outside his everyday routine opened his eyes to a whole new world. Although his stardom through making it into the record books was a bit hard to swallow. After a stint in the military he returned home with a hunger to find his voice and be heard. With local luminaries, Roland Hocket he studied drawing and was fascinated by the

artistic visual possibilities of photography under the tutelage of the late Johnnie Ihlfeld.

Anderson cast his bread upon the waters and was encouraged by commissioned works and fine art portraiture. These positive responses continue to bolster those with serious interest in his work.

Self proclaimed as SOPHISTICATED GUTTER, awarded and scooped up by emerging collectors and the seasoned art crowd, Christon Dee Anderson, from mild to wild, has clearly developed a recognizable style. Using a variety of traditional mediums, stand alone and meld, he creates visionary, intuitive, abstract, three dimensional works of ART. Christon evokes memories and fiery emotions through his antagonism and social criticism. Anchors to his stormy sea of creativity, Christan’s wife, Kristina, daughter, Isabel Rain, and son, Coleman Ray, are and will forever be works in progress, forever providing inspiration.

February 1, 2013 @ 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm

Where: Amavida Rosemary
104 North Barrett Square
Panama City Beach,FL 32413
USA

Cost: Free of Admission

White HOT Christmas Party at Fred Astaire

Feliz Navidad from Team Astaire!!!

Put your dancing shoes on for a good cause as Fred Astaire once again uses their gifts to help others in the spirit of “Celebrate the Arts”, a fundraising vehicle for local charities.

Help them “Dance for Aaron” as they welcome everyone, even and perhaps especially beginners for two FUN group dance classes and then stay for a fun night of dancing with the students and professionals of Fred Astaire Dance Studio on Thursday, December 20th.

“Aaron”, is Aaron Nichols, a former Bay High graduate who experienced a traumatic car accident a few years that left him permanently injured. Aaron needs a piece of equipment to help with his recovery and has not been able to purchase it because of lack of funds. The “Celebrate the Arts” event last November got the ball rolling, but several more thousand dollars are still needed to pay for the RT300 he needs.

Thursday night’s event party will start at 6:30 with a group class of that infectious “horsey dance” to “Gangnam Style”.

Fred Astaire will show you all the new moves of the latest pop dance that can’t help but put a smile on your face.

Following the Gangnam style class will be a beginner Latin group class at 7:15. Then a Latin Dance Party starts at 8 pm for you to try out your new salsa moves! Fred Astaire encourages you to bring your friends and share the experience!

Cost of this entire evening of fun is only $30 per person and includes an additional PRIVATE lesson to be used at a later time for new adult students. Guests may also choose to just do the Gangnam Style dance for $15. Fred Astaire will also be taking donations for Aaron, during the dance party.

To sign up for the event call the award-winning team at Fred Astaire of Panama City at 850 873 6269 or sign up for the event on their Facebook Event Page.

If you are a local business owner that would like to help out with your own fundraising idea using your product or service to help out folks like Aaron Nichols , email Britt@beachybeach.com or send a message to www.facebook.com/celebratetheartspcb.

If you know Aaron and cannot make event on the 20th, you may also make donations to his equipment fund at www.beachybeach.com/celebratetheartspcb.

Remember this White HOT Latin party, is with a twist! Dress in your white Christmas party clothes with a little twist, like a fun red bow or a green tie….get creative and bring your dancing shoes!

And if you don’t have dancing shoes…come in anyway, Beginners are welcome and you do NOT need a partner.

See you at Fred Astaire on Thursday, December 20th and Feliz Navidad!

Operation Tango Heats up the Dance Floor

Operation Spay Bay needs your help. And all you have to do is break out your dance shoes and make room for some Spanish Paella.

Paella? Don’t know what it is? Who Cares? All you need to know is it is delicious and it is being served Friday November 16th alongside a fun night of Spanish Culture, music and dancing!

Have two left feet? No worries, the professionals at Fred Astaire Dance Studios will be leading small group sessions for beginners to try some of the most popular Latin dances from the Tango to the Rumba. No experience or partner is needed just a willingness to learn and have fun. There will also be general dancing if you want to bypass the lesson and just enjoy the music.

Operation Tango is the perfect cure for the routine “dinner and a movie” date night and is a great excuse to do something you wouldn’t normally do…and no worries there are no judges with score cards! Participants can enjoy all the event has to offer for just $35 per person or $65 per couple.

Participants will enjoy authentic homemade Spanish cuisine as well as Sangria courtesy of The Wine Dog. Tickets to this event can be purchased from The Wine Dog at 103 West 23rd Street or at Fred Astaire Dance Studios in Panama City. You may also purchase tickets from Beachy Beach Real Estate on the West End of Panama City Beach.

Save the Date for Operation Tango on Friday, November 16th, 7 to 9:30 pm at Fred Astaire Dance Studios at 2401 Ruth Hentz Ave off of 23rd Street in Panama City.

For more information visit: www.operationspaybay.org or call 850 -784- 2826.

Local Artists Giving their Hearts and Arts this Saturday

An intimate group of artists from all types of mediums are joining together this weekend for “Celebrate the Arts”, an event that will raise awareness and funds for Beach Care Services and local resident, Aaron Nichols, who is in need of medical equipment.

The artists will gather in front of Beachy Beach Real Estate (22600 Panama City Beach Parkway), Cerulean Interiors and Emerald Coast Family Medicine, a small plaza about a half mile east of Carillon Beach this Saturday from 10 am to 4 pm.

The artists will be selling their wares, all locally designed and made and donating a portion of their proceeds back to Beach Care Services. They will also be providing a piece of their work to be raffled off to help the cause of Aaron Nichols, who after a traumatic car accident in 2007 is still undergoing intense but hopeful rehabilitation. The pieces they are donating are one of a kind pieces of work, some several hundred dollars in retail value, all yours possibly for the price of a few dollars for a raffle ticket.

Some of the artists that could not participate in this now annual event will still donate to the cause and we will tell you more about them later, but until then…...here is the official artist line up for CTA, this Saturday Nov. 3rd.

Original Stained Glass Jewelry – Eve Allgood provides beautiful stained glass jewelry that just “makes you happy” as one customer says. From necklaces to earrings, Eve’s take on somewhat simple design concepts like hearts and crosses, are anything but simple. Her handcrafted work is highly sought after, especially her famous “Roll Tide” elephant earrings. Email her: Eveatlarge@gmail.com

Mixed Media and Acrylic Paintings – Sharon Kator, a local favorite, many of her pieces, including those featured on WMBB, Channel 13 last week can be purchased at Cerulean Interiors. She will be donating her original painting “Summer Beach” for the raffle, which can also be viewed inside Cerulean Interiors on PCB Parkway next to Beachy Beach Real Estate. Look for the unveiling of her website: www.glasseyedseahorse.com or email her at: swkator@bellsouth.net

Sea Inspired Custom Made Jewelry – Constance Snellgrove, Aka Sassy Jewels whose love for not only sea life but life in general, is infectious. Once you meet her you will never forget her! Many are familiar with her work in The Blue Giraffe in Watercolor, which is celebrating its’ Two year anniversary this week! Connie utilizes only the best of semi-precious stones, pearls from around the world, crystals and antique glass and sterling silver for her creations. Email her: sassyjewels1@yahoo.com

Reclaimed and Custom Designed Furniture– Linda Shannon of Cottage Collages. Reclaimed designs are all the rage right now, but this woman has been doing it for over two decades. She is a master at turning Trash into Treasure. You have seen her work in magazines, local markets, and area stores from Peaches to Beaches, Retail Therapy and more. Visit her Facebook page or email her: lindacottagecollages@gmail.com

Whimsical Ceramics– Dianne Register brings us “Fish Pots“. Fun, colorful, care free, the cute little ceramic fishes by this woman look like they are ready to start a conversation with you. She hopes you will see her “love for the Gulf Coast in the colors” she chooses. Email her at: fishpotstn@gmail.com or see some of her pictures on our Celebrate the Arts Facebook page.

Jessie Shepherd Photography – Original and Inventive perspective from a local photographer who can shoot anything from a tiger to a toddler in a tiara. If you want something other than the cliche posed portrait, this is your girl. Jessica also works at the North West Florida Art Center. Email her: jessieshep@gmail.com

Original and Vintage Jewelry – Fun beaded bracelets donned with vintage gypsy coins she hand picked, Carrie Vitullo also knows the art of turning the ordinary into the extraordinary. And you can’t wear just one, many of her bracelets are designed to be mixed and matched. She also offer the leather and pearl jewelry that is so popular right now. Email her: Carrievitullo@yahoo.com

Beachy signs and Home Decor– Gallery30A – Local artist Abby Nefe infuses her carefree spirit with her work. She is also new to CTA this year. Email her: gallery30a@gmail.com

Acrylic Paintings and Signs – Susanne Leloup-West provides a fresh, folksy take on sea and animal life of the Emerald Coast with her birds and fish not just showing up on canvas but on fun surfaces like old cabinet drawers. The best part….the price tag. Suzanne, who showcases some of her work in Retail Therapy off of Hwy 98 in Santa Rosa Beach, offers something for every pocketbook. Find out more about her: leloupwest@yahoo.com

“Wall Jewelry” as she calls it…PJ Lewis offers colorful and decorative tile pieces and paintings unlike any you have see in our area. This is PJ’s first year supporting Celebrate the Artists, but she is very involved in our local artist community, also a director at the City Arts CoOP. Email her: thatmakeuplady@gmail.com

Please come out and support this compassionate group of artists as they use their gifts not only to CELEBRATE the ARTS but to CELEBRATE LIFE as they raise funds for two great causes, Beach Care Services and Aaron Nichols.

Celebrate the Arts will take place on Saturday, November 3rd from 10 am to 4 pm on the West end of Panama City Beach at 22600 PCB Parkway.

Visit the CTA Facebook page for updates and pictures of some of the artwork as well as info on how you can get involved.

http://www.facebook.com/celebratetheartspcb

You can also order the first ever CTA EVENT Tshirt with proceeds going directly to Aaron Nichols to help him purchase the equipment he needs by visiting: http://www.beachybeach.com/celebratetheartspcb

See you Saturday!

Celebrate the Arts to Help PCB Locals

2^nd Annual “Celebrate the Arts” Local Artists Market to benefit Beach Care Services will take place this year on Saturday, November 3^rd from 10 am to 4 pm.

The event co-hosted by Beachy Beach Real Estate and Cerulean Interiors unites local artists and craftsmen to share their gifts and “celebrate” art, including its’ power to improve the lives of others. The event will be located in front of the aforementioned businesses at 22600 Panama City Beach Parkway on the West End of Panama City Beach, just a little bit east of Publix at Carillon.

Co-host, Roy Calvin Eure, Jr , owner of Cerulean Interiors , an artist in his own right, says “ as a member of the local business community, I think it is important we encourage the creation of art and it’s power as a vehicle for social change. “

When asked why she was involved with Celebrate the Arts, Karen Smith, Broker of Beachy Beach Real Estate said , “we just try help people with the gifts we are given…when you are blessed, you are called to bless others. Beach Care Services helps people directly, Roy and I want to be a part of that.”

Celebrate the Arts (CTA) will feature artists and craftsmen from a variety of disciplines, from jewelry to woodworking to photography. CTA will also feature live music, door prizes and special giveaways and activities for kids, including a booth just for them hosted by the Beachy Beach Kids Club.

This family friendly event is FREE to attend, but participants are encouraged to bring their pocket books, as all the artists are donating a portion of their profits to Beach Care Services and this year the first ever CTA event T-shirt will be available for sale with all profits going to Aaron Nichols, a local resident and Bay High graduate whose near fatal car accident five years ago left him and his family in dire need of financial help.

This year at the event, there will be an additional booth selling the CTA logo shirt and Beachy Beach merchandise, with all profits going to the Aaron Nichols fund to help him purchase much needed medical equipment to help him learn how to walk again. Many residents may know Aaron’s father, Gary Nichols who teaches music at Breakfast Point Academy. To learn more about getting Aaron back on his feet, visit http://www.giveforward.com/aaronnichols

In addition, if you cannot come to the event but you would like to help in some way, whether it be an item donation, volunteer or whatever your heart moves you please reach out to the Panama City Beach location of the Beachy Beach Real Estate office at 850 233 4351 or email Tammy@beachybeachy.com or Britt@beachybeach.com. To find out more about the event please visit the facebook page, www.facebook.com/celebratetheartspcb. Beach Care Services, who epitomizes their slogan of “Locals helping Locals” are also on Facebook if you would like to learn more about them. Thanks to the generous support of businesses like Pineapple Willy’s and successful fundraisers like last month’s Duck Races, Beach Care Services has been able to help a large number of local families in need in our area.

Isaac Benefit at C-Level this Saturday

A hurricane can change your life forever, and no one knows that more than Shane Johns, local musician who is originally from New Orleans, Louisiana.

So this Saturday he is going to use the other powerful force of nature he has…..his music…. to help bring people together on Saturday for he victims of Hurricane Isaac. When I saw his level of enthusiasm and compassion about his fellow Gulf Coast residents….well, I had to share it with you.

I ran into Shane a couple nights ago at Hook’d Pier Bar and that is where he shared about a benefit he and some fellow musicians are a part of this Saturday, September 15th at C-Level Bar and Grill of Thomas Drive in Panama City Beach.

The family friendly event will have something all ages including raffle prizes, snow cones, and a bounce house for the little ones. The fun begins at 11 am on Saturday and doesn’t end until closing time.

There will be live, original music by Shane Johns, Faust, DJ Fatt and other guests.

Guests are encouraged to bring much needed items such as:

Non-perishable goods

Clothing

Cat and Dog food

If you are moved to help or maybe you can not go on Saturday but you would like to contribute in some way….call Celeste Sphar 850-303-5602.

I had heard of Shane before, but didn’t know a lot about him, so after he shared the event information for our wonderful PCB Daily readers, I asked him if he could answer a few questions and quench my curiosity.

Our little Q and A is below for those of you that are curious like me.

Q: Ok, so I know you have been a solo artist for many years but who have you been working with lately?

A: I have been performing with a trio called Lounge Act recently and while we work with featured artists as well, our main line up is myself, Shane Johns: Guitar, Vocals: Jordan Faust: Vocals, Guitar: Chris Peralta: Bass and Vocal. Jordan was born and raised in Panama City Beach. Chris was born and raised in Miami, while I was born in Atlanta but grew up in New Orleans. But we all have the same mission to bring original music to Panama City Beach.

Q: For those of us that are not familiar with your music, could you tell us about the style?

A: Our style is acoustic based alternative rock and beach rap but we do not have a specific genre, our music can go from jazz to blues to rock to rap.

Q: What inspired you to help Hurricane Isaac victims?

A: Being from New Orleans, I have close friends there and other coastal parts in Louisiana, they are like family. I was around for Katrina and Gustav and dealt with its’ aftermath.

Q: Have you done a benefit like this before?

A: Yes, I have performed for many relief benefits in the past. I enjoy performing with the purpose (sic) of helping people in need.

Q: So refresh us again , when are you playing on Saturday?

A: We open the benefit at C-level on Thomas Drive at 11 am and then we are on again at 6 pm at Hook’ed Pier Bar at Pier Park.

I found Shane to be a gracious young artist and am looking forward to seeing what he does in the future. He performs a lot locally in Panama City Beach and the tri-state area. You can hear his music on Reverbnation or check Faust out on Youtube.

If you can not make it to C-level this Saturday and want to help his Hurricane Isaac Relief Efforts, call Celeste Spar at 850-303-5602.