Category: Event News

Seabreeze Jazz Festival Announces 2013 Jazz Fest Lineup

Every year the Seabreeze Jazz Festival brings smooth tunes with sea breeze to Northwest Florida provided by renowned artists and classy performances. In the past we’ve had artists like George Benson, Brian Culbertson and Eric Darius and this year’s lineup promises to be as entertaining as ever.

This year’s Seabreeze Jazz Festival will be held at the newly completed Aaron Bessant Park Ampitheater (which looks amazing) April 17 – 21, 2013.

Tickets can be bought by visiting SeabreezeJazzFestival.com/tickets.

Here’s the lineup.

Wednesday April 17th

Smooth Jazz Dinner Cruise aboard The Lady Anderson
Treasure Island Marina, Panama City Beach, FL
Hosted by Brian Culbertson 7pm-10pm
(Boat boards at 6:30pm, sails at 7pm)

Thursday April 18th — Gates open at 5pm — Show at 6pm

6pm – Steve Oliver

7:15pm – Margo Rey

8:45pm – Boney James

Friday April 19th — Gates open at 5pm — Show at 6pm

6pm – Ken Ford

7:30pm – Tim Bowman

8:45pm – Fourplay
(Bob James, Harvey Mason, Nathan East, and Chuck Loeb) with special guest Layla Hathaway

Smooth Jazz After Party — 10:30pm at Reggae J’s at Pier Park (buffet at 10:30pm/Show at 11pm) featuring Motown Jazz Jam — Hosted by Tim Bowman
(Presented by Smooth Lounge.com)

Motor City’s top smooth jazz artists and session players create the ultimate jazz jam show. Artists confirmed include Dave McMurray, Althea Rene, Ron Otis, Rayse Biggs, Yancyy, Ron Otis, Al Mackenzie, Paul Dozier, Gwen Foxx, William Pope, Kali Douglas, and Kereem Warren.

Saturday April 20st — Gates at 10am — Show at 11am

11am Brian Lanair — (Seabreeze Rising Star)

12:30 DW3 — (Los Angeles based smooth jazz group)

2pm – Peter White and Euge Groove

4pm – Peet Project (Hugarian based jazz and funk – 1st USA show) (Seabreeze Hidden Gem)

6pm – Brian Culbertson

8pm – BwB (Norman Brown, Kirk Whalum, and Rick Braun)

After Party — 10:30pm at Reggae J’s at Pier Park featuring Brian Culbertson and special guests (Presented by SmoothJazz.com)

Sunday April 21st — Gates at 10am — Show at 11am 

11am – Roman Street

12 noon – The Southern Gentlemen featuring Joey Sommerville, Michael Ward, and Eric Essix

2pm – Yancyy (Seabreeze Rising Star)

4pm – Average White Band

6pm – Jazz In Pink featuring Pamela Williams, Athea Rene, Karen Briggs, Gail Jhonson, Maria Antionette, and others

8pm – Tower of Power

 

Panama City Beach July 4th Celebration Locations

July 4th is this Wednesday and in celebration of our country’s independence, there are a variety of fireworks displays to enjoy along the beaches of Panama City Beach.  Every year we’ve watched our local celebration grow as Pier Park has opened and more and more people flock to our beaches to commemorate the independence of our country.  And beginning last year, the Panama City Beach Convention and Visitor’s Bureau responded to the public’s request and sponsored fireworks displays at three different areas along our beaches: Russell Fields Pier (at Pier Park), M.B. Miller Pier (County Pier) and Grand Lagoon.

Fireworks Display Locations and Event Schedule

This year, the fireworks display will be at three different locations, simultaneously.

Along with the fireworks display, there is always a huge celebration at Pier Park.

Schedule

9:00 a.m. Veterans Celebration at the Veteran’s Memorial Park (adjacent to Aaron Bessant Park) Chairs will be provided for Vets and Families for the Morning Service.

7:30 p.m. POPS Performance in Aaron Bessant Park  — Bring your chairs, blankets and all the children.

9:00 p.m. Three Fireworks Shows all along the Gulf.  — City Pier, County Pier and Grand Lagoon.

History of Independence Day

Independence Day, commonly known as the Fourth of July, is a federal holiday in the United States commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, declaring independence from the Kingdom of Great Britain. Independence Day is commonly associated with fireworks, parades, barbecues, carnivals, fairs, picnics, concerts, baseball games, family reunions, and political speeches and ceremonies, in addition to various other public and private events celebrating the history, government, and traditions of the United States. Independence Day is the national day of the United States.

More information in Independence Day.

Giveaway – Win 2 Four-Day Passes to Seabreeze Jazz Fest

We’ve talked about this year’s line-up to the Seabreeze Jazz Festival, we’ve gone over the full event schedule and we just talked about some fascinating stats on this absolutely wonderful event.  So, you have no excuse to NOT go this year.  And now, we’re going to make going one step easier by doing an awesome giveaway!

We’ve done TONS of giveaways in the past and this time around, we’re going to make increasing your chances of winning even easier!

But first, let’s discuss what we’re giving away.

What we are giving away.

For this giveaway, we are giving away 2 four-day passes to the 2012 Seabreeze Jazz Festival.  To be specific, there are 2 tickets for Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.  Each four-day pass is worth retail $200.  However, each single day individual ticket is worth retail $80.

So, this could be a $400 value or you could look at it as a $640 value.  Whichever makes you feel better! 🙂

Here is the very abbreviated event schedule:

  • Thursday – Gates open at 5 pm
  • Friday – Gates open at 5 pm
  • Saturday – Gates open at 10 am
  • Sunday – Gates open at 10 am
Multiple ways to enter.

Well, we’re all social people, right?  Our Facebook page is one of the most active in the area with over 14,000 Likes.  Our Twitter feed has almost 3,500 followers.  So, in addition to opening this up here on PCBDaily.com, in the comments section (like we’ve traditionally done), we’re opening this up to our Facebook page and Twitter followers.

Here are the ways you can win:

  • Comment below about your past Jazz Fest experiences or future Jazz Fest wishes.
  • Share this post on Facebook and Tag PCBDaily in the post. Here is the url for this contest: http://www.pcbdaily.com/win-2012-seabreeze-jazz-tickets
    • Or, you can just click the Share button to the left. 😉
  • Share the Facebook post we put on our Facebook page.
  • Tweet this: Win Free Seabreeze Jazz Fest Tix from @pcbdaily at http://goo.gl/RA0ZX
  • Or click this button:
One more way to get free tickets.

You can enter, but you leave getting free tickets up to the odds of winning.  But, for a limited quantity, if you book a beach condo with us on a three night minimum for that weekend we’ll give you 2 four-day passes too! In case you hadn’t noticed, we have Panama City Beach Luxury Properties and we’re booking up fast for that weekend!

So, just to summarize.  If you book a condo with us and stay with us for at least 3 nights, we’ll give you 2 four-day passes to the Seabreeze Jazz Festival!  This is a steal, especially if you’re coming down here anyway.  And if you’re local, it’s a great excuse to get out of the house for the weekend!

Rules and other details.
  • Each entrant can enter once and only once (we can verify this by ip AND cookies) and must use a valid first name and email address if they enter in comments below.
  • Contest begins when this post is published and ends on Friday, April 6, 2012 at 5 p.m. CST.
  • We will be doing the drawing regardless of how many people enter.
  • A winner will be chosen at random.  There will be 1 winner total.
  • By entering you are opting in to receive future newsletters and emails from PCBDaily and you are opening yourself up to the greatest resource for news and information Panama City Beach has to offer.
  • If you are selected and you do not respond to our email notifying you of winning 48 hours of the contest ending, then we reserve the right to either keep the prize for another giveaway in the future or award the prize to another entrant.
  • If you are selected from an entrant through either Facebook or Twitter and you do not respond to our notifications and contact attempts within 48 hours of the contest ending, the again, we reserve the right to either keep the prize for another giveaway in the future or award the prize to another entrant.
  • This giveaway is open to anyone in the continental United States.
  • We will not ship or mail the tickets, they must be picked up at our office listed below.
  • Our office address is 12118 Panama City Beach Parkway, Suite 10, Panama City Beach, FL  32407
  • Read full rules here.

2011 Seabreeze Jazz Fest Stats

Year over year, since the Jazz Fest has come to Panama City Beach, the event has grown and drawn a sophisticated audience to the beach.  Many of the attendees upon their first event, had never been here before.  And many have a pattern of returning every year and at other times of year as well.

We recently had a discussion with Mark and Renee Carter, the event promoters, about the growth and success of the event.

Stats
  • Festival attendance topped 25,000 (includes dinner cruise, Meet- and Greet, Kick off concert, and all shows at Pier Park)
  • Named “Top 10 Jazz Festival in the USA” by JazzIZ Magazine
  • Named “Top 100 Event by the North American Tour Bus Association”
  • Demographic is 30-54 years old affluent adults, college-educated, professionals earning $100,000+ annually. Many attendees earn in excess of $250,000+.
  • 65% of tickets sold were outside the State of FL.
  • Most stay on an average of 4 nights.
  • Resorts such as Sterling and Resort Quest have tracked jazz festival attendees returning multiple times per year on vacation after the jazz festival is done.
  • The 2011 event created a $14.2 million impact to Panama City Beach and Bay County according to the HAAS Center at the University of West Florida Small Business Developmental Center.
  • Seabreeze Jazz Festival was #1 ticketed paid event in Bay County for 2011 in gross receipts and top gross receipts for a single event (Pollstar.com) with close to $1 million in ticket sales.
  • In 2011 — tickets were sold in 48 of the 50 states in the USA and 6 different countries.
  • Over 1 million hits to the festival website April 2011.
  • Music Scholarships, jazz band clinics, and instrument purchases were incorporated into the 2011 event with participating from Arnold High School in PCB and South Walton High School in Santa Rosa Beach.
  • Seabreeze Jazz Festival always offers free admissions to all local band students who wear their band shirt to the front gates.
  • WSBZ-FM 106.3 in Destin, FL is one of only 12 full-time smooth jazz radio stations in the USA.
Two ways to get free tickets

You want to know something awesome?  We’ve worked out a special deal to do a ticket giveaway and offer some free tickets to those that book their stay through us as well.

We’re going to do a ticket giveaway later this week, where we’ll give away 2 four-day passes to one lucky winner!  This is a $400 value!

Keep your eyes peeled!

Full Event Schedule for the 2012 Seabreeze Jazz Festival

The Seabreeze Jazz Festival is coming up in a few short weeks, can you hear those sweet tunes yet?  I sure can.  In years past, we’ve attended this amazing event, shot tons of fun pictures and brushed shoulders with the best in the Jazz.  This year will be the same, and we’re looking forward to good weather, a great lineup and an amazing weekend.

Full schedule of events

Wednesday April 18th

  • SMOOTH JAZZ DINNER CRUISE presented by ResortQuest featuring Brian Culbertson
  • The Lady Anderson Dinner Yacht, Panama City Beach
  • 6:30pm Boarding
  • 7pm-10pm – Sailing the waterways

Thursday April 19th – 3pm FREE EVENT

  • Seabreeze Jazz Festival Kickoff Party
  • Featuring Urban Jazz Coalition and Friends
  • Jimmy Buffet’s Margaritaville in Pier Park – Panama City Beach, FL

Main Stage — Pier Park Amphitheater

  • (Gates open at 5 pm)
  • 6PM – The Seabreeze Groove Project” featuring Four 80 East, Matt Marshak, and Shilts
  • 8PM – “R n R” featuring Richard Elliot and Rick Bruan

Friday  April 20th

Main Stage — Pier Park Amphitheater

  • (Gates open at 5 pm)
  • 6PM Vincent Ingala and Chris Geith  (Seabreeze Rising Stars)
  • 7:15pm Urban Jazz Coalition
  • 8:30pm Brian Culbertson

After Party

  • 10:30pm Seabreeze After Party Jam – hosted by Nick Collione
  • Reggae J’s at Pier Park sponsored by Smooth Jazz.com

Saturday April 21st

Main Stage — Pier Park Amphitheater

  • (Gates open at 10 am)
  • 11:30am Down To The Bone
  • 1:30pm Jazz In Pink featuring Cindy Bradley, Althea Rene, Karen Briggs, Gail Jhonson, Mariea Antoninette, and others
  • 3:30pm Nick Colionne
  • 5:30pm Seabreeze Smooth Jazz All Stars featuring Eric Darius, Brian Simpson, Maysa, and Phil Perry
  • 8PM Fourplay

After Party

  • 10:30pm Seabreeze After Party Jam – hosted by Brian Culbertson
  • Reggae J’s at Pier Park sponsored by Smooth Lounge.com

Sunday April 22nd

Main Stage — Pier Park Amphitheater

  • (Gates open at 10 am)
  • 11:30am Alexander Zonjic and Jeff Lorber
  • 1pm Street Corner Renaissance
  • 2pm Mindi Abair featuring Jeff Golub and David Pack
  • 4pm Trombone Shorty
  • 6pm Dave Koz
Ticket pricing and where to buy

Tickets

  • Seabreeze Jazz Dinner Cruise — $145 per person SOLD OUT
  • Four day pass — $200 per person
  • Three day pass — $150 per person
  • Single day pass — $80 per person
  • VIP four day pass — $575 per person SOLD OUT
  • VIP four day reserved table for 10 — $7000 per table

Chair Rental

  • All weekend — $45
  • Single day — $15
For more information about the tickets, what you get for the price and where to buy, visit Seabreezejazzfestival.com/tickets

The festival promoters have said that no coolers are allowed, just a small, personal insulated tote no more than 12 inches high.  They’ve stated that no alcohol is permitted and attendees have their chairs out of their bags upon entry.

Bonus – Pictures from last year

2012 Seabreeze Jazz Festival – Full Artist Lineup

Every year, as the weather begins to warm and the grass begins to green there are few things that come to mind before the sweet tunes of the annual Seabreeze Jazz Festival that confirms spring is definitely in the air. Brought to Pier Park in April of 2009, they’ve seen record growth year over year and have brought in artists such as Nick Colione, George Benson, Boney James, and Brian Culbertson, just to name a few.

This year’s lineup is going to make the weekend one of the most awesome you’ve ever had.

The full Seabreeze Jazz Festival Artist Lineup

To buy tickets or for more information, visit SeabreezeJazzFestival.com

Bay Point Billfish Invitational Cancelled

An annual summer tradition in Panama City Beach has been cancelled for 2012, citing economic and logistical challenges.  Every summer, the Bay Point Invitational Billfish Tournament brings people,  young and old alike, out of the woodwork to enjoy Panama City Beach’s hot summer nights, look at awesome boats and see some huge fish weigh in.

High fuel costs and competition

“It was definitely a tough decision,” said Steve Arndt, marina director at Bay Point Marina, “but ultimately the right one.” He contends that it wasn’t a single factor that led to the decision to cancel the 2012 tournament, but a combination of obstacles.

Arndt suggested that the economy was the main culprit, resulting in high fuel prices and a dwindling sponsor pool. “High fuel costs are especially tough on this tournament,” said Arndt, “Many of our boats come from out of town, and when fuel gets expensive it definitely affects their attendance.”

The proliferation of billfish tournaments along the Gulf Coast is also a factor. “There are almost a dozen big money tournaments along the Gulf Coast each year,” said Arndt. “And in this tight economy anglers and sponsors can’t afford to participate in every event.”

Many tournament anglers feel that their best chance to land a money winning fish lies westward in the fertile fishing grounds near the Louisiana oil fields. In the past, many boats from Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi participated, but fuel costs have been pushing that number lower each year as they choose to fish closer to home.

Lost tons of parking

Other logistical factors influenced the decision to cancel the tournament, such as limited parking space. For years the tournament utilized a vacant lot just north of the marina as parking for spectators, participants and boat owners. That lot was recently renovated as a park, resulting in the loss of over 400 parking spaces. “Parking has always been a challenge, and when we lost the lot it was a severe blow. Without that extra space, there is no place for our boat owners and anglers to park.”

“We have many other special events at the marina, such as the Bay Point Outdoor Expo and In-Water Boats Show in March, the Leukemia Cup Poker Run in May and several smaller events throughout the year,” he said, “and we haven’t given up on the Invitational. Hopefully this will just be a short break.”

Past coverage of this event

2011 Billfish

2009 Billfish

2008 Billfish

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

Looking to shed the Scrooge-like funk before the holidays hit?  Panama City Beach is full of events and activities to get you singing “Jingle Bells” in no time!

Santa’s Arrival and Breakfast

November 25th, 2011

At 9:00am, Santa will be arriving at Pier Park for cookies, hot chocolate and pictures with all of the boys and girls who come to see him!  Pictures will be taking place at the Santa House on the boardwalk.

Annual Mayor’s Tree Lighting

November 25th, 2011

The age old tradition of the Christmas tree lighting will take place from 6:00pm-7:00pm.  Listen to holiday carolers as the Mayor lights the 20ft tree in Pier Park and starts the holiday season!

25th Annual Christmas Boat Parade

November 26th, 2011

This year’s boat parade will mark the 25th Anniversary of the parade in Panama City.  From 4pm- 9pm in Historic St. Andrews you can watch the “Silver Anniversary”-themed parade tour the St. Andrews Marina.  For more information, please visit the website.

Schooners Last Local Beach Party

November 26th, 2011

Celebrate the holiday season with Schooners!  Starting at 7pm, Schooners would like to thank those who have supported them all year long.  They will have live entertainment from Smoke N Mirrors.  There will also be food and drink specials, holiday gifts, and VIP card giveaways.  The event will benefit the Children’s Home Society.  Schooners asks you to bring a new unwrapped toy to benefit an underprivileged child in the community.

8th Annual Festival of Trees

November 29th- December 2nd, 2011

The Panama City Rescue Mission is hosting the 8th Annual Festival of Trees: The Greatest Gift of All at the Marina Civic Center.  This event enables local artists and designers to decorate beautiful Christmas items for charity, which are judged in a competition and then sold at auction.  All proceeds help Bethel Village, the Rescue Mission’s home for recovering homeless women and families.

The Rescue Mission will also be hosting a “Lunch with Santa,” which will be a field trip for our school’s homeless children allowing them to enjoy beautiful trees, learn the history of Christmas, meet Santa, and receive presents.

Tickets and more information are available online.

Holiday Fun at the Beach

It’s almost time to flip the switch and turn on the Christmas lights!  Four main events will set the holiday atmosphere here in Panama City Beach.  If you’re looking for something to do this holiday season, look no further!

About Fun for the Holidays:

Panama City Beach is putting on four events to kick-start the holiday season right for everyone!  Tickets are available online or at the gate, however- Friday November 18th, admission will be free and will include a performance by the Panama City POPS Orchestra.  Tickets will be $15.00 for adults, $10.00 for students, seniors, and active members of the military, $2.00 children age six to 12, and children under six are free.  Ice skates are available for an additional $5 adults, $2 children 12 and under.  Bay County residents will receive a Thursday discount: $5.00 Adults, $2.00 students, seniors, active military, $1.00 children 12 and under.  Fun for the Holidays kicks off on November 18 and will run every Thursday, Friday & Saturday until December 23rd. (Except for Thanksgiving Day)

Christmas Tree Forest and Ice Palace

A forest of lighted Christmas trees and a ice skating rink will transform the intersection of Alf Coleman Drive and Front Beach Road into a winter wonderland and the hub of holiday activities.  The ice skating rink will be 50×100-feet.  In the center of the Christmas tree forest, you’ll find a 40-foot tree with lights that have been choreographed to festive holiday music.

Santa’s Beach House Village

Shipwreck Island Waterpark will be changed into a beach wonderland, complete with elves, reindeer, and other holiday favorites.  Visitors will be greeted by the friends of Mr. and Mrs. Claus- starfish, seahorses, turtles, dolphins, fish, and crabs- each one illuminated.  There will be a craft table to make holiday keepsakes, hot chocolate, Christmas cookies, holiday treats, and of course- pictures with Santa.

Christmas Under the Sea

M.B. Miller County Pier will be decorated with lights and animation, allowing you to experience holiday lights while overlooking the Gulf of Mexico!

Beach Ball Drop

2012 will begin after the Fourth Annual Beach Ball Drop hosted by Pier Park on Saturday, December 31st.  Complete with family-friendly entertainment including bounce houses, street performers, stilt walkers, face painters, and live music starting at 5:30pm.  At 8:00pm thousands of inflatable beach balls will be dropped for the delight of children.  Counting down till midnight an 800-pound beach ball will decend 100-feet as we enjoy the last moments of 2011.   New Year’s Eve activities are complimentary.

Happy Holidays, from PCB Daily!

Cruzin’ the Emerald Coast

Gather your friends and family for some fun November 10th-12th; hot rods, cruzers, classic cars and trucks, and more make their way to Panama City Beach!  Frank Brown Park (across from Pier Park) will be lined with over 3,000 classic and custom cars for this year’s Emerald Coast Cruzin’.  Among the cars lining the park will be vendors of car memorabilia, parts, ladies wear, a kids corner, and more.  There is sure to be something their for every car aficionado and their family members.

In addition to the car show, there will also be parades, concerts from T Graham Brown and TG Sheppard, and more- to ensure fun for everyone attending.  The best part?  100% of ticket sales go to The Boys and Girls Club of Bay County.   Cost for entry is $10.00 per person (including parking and auction), $25.00 for a 3 day pass, and children under 12 are free.

Schedule of Events

Thursday, November 10th

8:00am-5:00pm: Vehicle Registration at Sharky’s

8:00am-5:00pm: Show and Shine at Frank Brown Park

9:00am-4:00pm: Vehicle Auction Registration at Frank Brown Park

5:30pm: Burn-out Competition at Hammerhead Fred’s

6:00pm: Live Entertainment from 345 Express at the Sandpiper Beacon Tiki Bar

Friday, November 11th

8:00am-5:00pm: Vehicle Registration at Sharky’s

8:00am-5:00pm: Show and Shine at Frank Brown Park

9:00am-4:00pm: Vehicle Auction Registration at Frank Brown Park

4:30pm: Parade through Pier Park (beginning at Dillards and ending at Sharky’s)

5:30pm: Beach Blast Concert with Jimmy Dale, Bobby Parish, and The Cadillacs Band ($5.00 to registered participants)

Saturday, November 12th

8:00am-5:00pm: Vehicle Registration at Sharky’s

8:00am-5:00pm: Show and Shine at Frank Brown Park

9:00am: Vehicle Auction Begins at Frank Brown Park

4:00pm: Awards Announcement (must be present to win)

6:00pm: Lineup Show (Starts at 7pm) and Flame Throwing Contest at Pineapple Willies

 

Have fun enjoying these amazing classic cars and hot rods!