Area codes are 850 unless noted.
In the Mood
NICEVILLE – Let the brassy big band sounds of In the Mood take you back in time to one of America's greatest musical generations — the 1940s Swing Era — at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 2 at the Mattie Kelly Arts Center at Northwest Florida State College, Mainstage. The In the Mood Singers and Dancers, together with the String of Pearls Big Band Orchestra, present a retro look at a time in history when music moved the nation's spirit. Tickets are $35 each. Group discount of $5 off per ticket is available for groups of 10 or more. Call 729-6000 or visit www.mattiekellyartscenter.org.
American Legion
DESTIN – Events at American Legion Post 296, 311 Main Street, include the following. Events are open to the public. Call 837-3818.
• Feb. 2, 9, 16, 23: Karaoke with Jim Hubbard 7:30-11:30 p.m.
• Feb. 3, 10, 17, 24: Jabbo 4-7 p.m.
• Feb. 4, 18, 25: Bingo 6-8 p.m.; Boy Scouts 6:30 p.m.
• Feb. 8, 15, 22: Deep South 7-11 p.m.
• Feb. 9: Act 4 Murder Dinner Theater 6:30-9:30 p.m.
• Feb. 10: Sunday Feb. 10th Breakfast 8:15-11:15 $6, Jabbo 4-7 PM
• Feb. 13: Post Executive meeting 6:30 p.m.
• Feb. 15: Valentines Dinner, $12,
• Feb. 18: Post and Sal’s general meeting 7 p.m.; Auxiliary general and executive meeting, 6 p.m.
• Feb. 23: Blood Drive, NWFL Blood Mobile, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Call to Artists
FORT WALTON BEACH – The Arts and Design Society is inviting artists across the Southeast to submit works for the 21st Southeast Regional Juried Fine Arts Exhibition, hosted by Northwest Florida State College. JPEG images are due by midnight Feb. 4 for the Exhibition, which runs from April 21 through May 31. Call 244-1271.
School Exhibit
FORT WALTON BEACH – As part of its mission to encourage fledgling student art in the community, the Arts and Design Society will host an exhibition of the art of the elementary students of the Liza Jackson Preparatory School from Feb. 4-8 at 17 First Street, SE. The public is invited to the opening reception from 5-7 p.m. Feb. 7. Admission to the reception and Gallery is free. Call 244-1271,
Snowbird Movie Matinees
DESTIN –The Destin Library will host a free movie matinee, “Moonride Kingdom,” for winter visitors at 2 p.m. Feb. 6. Seating limited to 30 on a first‐come, first‐serve basis. For information, call 837-8572.
• Feb. 13: Arbitrage
Winter Guest Concert Series
DESTIN – All winter guests and locals are invited to enjoy thec finale show by the DizzyJukes Band from 2-4 p.m. Feb. 10 at HarborWalk Village.
Window Gallery Display
FORT WALTON BEACH – To showcase the work of local artists, the Arts and Design Society presents exhibits in their studio windows facing First Street. In February, the works of watercolor artist Toni Dineen, who specializes in sea and beach creatures, are on display for easy viewing. Call 244-1271.
Art Exhibits: Mystical Arts of Tibet: Mandala Sand Painting
NICEVILLE – The Tibetan Lamas of Drepung Loseling Monastery return to create a sand mandala over the course of five days, Feb. 4-9, in the McIlroy Gallery at Mattie Kelly Arts Center. The event is free. Call 729-6044.
Better Listening series
VALPARAISO – Dr. David Ott of Destin, composer and conductor, will open the Unitarian Church sponsored community classical music study series, Better Listening, from 7-9 p.m. Feb. 5 at the Fellowship Hall, 1295 Bayshore Drive in Valparaiso. His program "An Evening in Vienna" will include CD music by Mozart and Beethoven.
Other professional speakers for the weekly series include NFSO Director Jeffrey Rink, Dr. Jeremy Ribando from the NFW State College and retired humanities professor Dr. Robert Larson.
The Better Listening series combines commentaries on classical music and related CD selections. The programs will be held each Tuesday evening through March 26. All sessions are free and open to the public. No reservations required.
Call to Artists
FORT WALTON BEACH – The Arts and Design Society is inviting all artists to submit works for the 54th Annual Beaux Arts Exhibition, hosted by Westwood Retirement Community. Registration is in the Westwood Retirement Community Atrium from 9 a.m. to noon Feb. 7. Entry fee is $25, members; $35 non-members, with a limit of two entries. Call 582-1329.
Destin Mardi Gras Celebration
DESTIN – The Fifth Annual Mardi Gras on the Destin harbor with stilt walkers and the Village Brass Band, begins at 8 p.m. Feb. 8 with a Mardi Gas Pub Crawl led by Destin Nights. For a $10 donation, participants receive a wristband good for free Mardi Gras swag, drink specials and live music throughout the evening. Proceeds benefit American Cancer Society Relay for Life.
• Grande Mardi Gras Parade: More than 100 parade entries will roll, float, pedal and push their from AJ's Seafood and Oyster Bar to the west end of HarborWalk Village 2 p.m. Feb. 9. All parade participants and the viewing public are asked to bring boxes of food or cash donations for Destin's Harvest House.
• Texas Hold ‘Em on The Harbor: The Rotary Club of Destin hosts a Mardi Gras dinner, blackjack and raffle prizes at 5:30 p.m. Feb. 9 in the HarborView Room. For tickets, visit www.holdemontheharbor.com. Proceeds benefit the humanitarian projects of The Rotary Club of Destin.
• Mardi Gras Pardi Paddle: Sponsored by Kitty Hawk Kites, the event begins at noon Feb. 10.
• Mardi Gras Concert: Enjoy Blues, Rock and Zydeco music with The DizzyJukes Band at 2 p.m. Feb. 10.
• Fat Tuesday: Free Red Beans and Rice anad Hurricanes Specials at 5 p.m. Feb. 12, sponsored by Village Merchants and Poppy's Crazy Lobster.
Mardi Gras Masquerade
DESTIN – The fourth annual Mardi Gras Masquerade will be held from 6-8 p.m. Feb. 8 on Main Street and in Center Plaza at Destin Commons. The family friendly event features live music with local favorite Heritage, Cajun boil, Louisiana gumbo from Time Out Sports Bar, arts and crafts, face painting, street dancing, Captain Davy pirate magic and a luminous Mardi Gras Parade and fireworks finale at 8 p.m.
First Arts Concert
FORT WALTON BEACH – Pianist Thomas Pandolfi returns to First Arts Concert Series at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 8 in the sanctuary at First United Methodist Church, 103 First St. Tickets are available at www.firstartsconcerts.com, Pavlic’s Unique Florist in Destin, Kitchenique in City Market in Destin, Bayou Books in Niceville, Playground Music and P. S. Gifts in Fort Walton Beach and in the church office. Call 863-2436 or 243-9292.
Wine Women and Shoes Vintner Dinners
EMERALD COAST – Intimate dinners featuring world-class wines and regional chefs will be held at 6 p.m. Feb. 8 in private homes in Destin, Sandestin, Bluewater Bay and Panama City Beach. For ticket information, visit winewomenandshoes.com/sinfonia.
Beaux Arts Exhibition
FORT WALTON BEACH – The Arts and Design Society presents the 54th Annual Beaux Arts Exhibition Feb. 8-10 in the atrium at the Westwood Retirement Community, 1001 Mar Walt Drive. A reception will be held from 2-4 p.m. Feb. 10 with awards to be given at 3:30. The reception and exhibition are free and open to the public. Call 582-1329.
Chocolat’ Fare
DESTIN – The annual Destin United Methodist Women’s Chocolat’ Fare and Jewelry Sale will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Feb. 9 in the Atrium Room at the church.
Soundsations Snowbird Concert
NICEVILLE – Northwest Florida State College's group of fine and performing arts scholarship students, the Soundsations Show Choir, will perform their variety show of song and dance at 2 p.m. Feb. 10 in the mainstage theater of the Mattie Kelly Arts Center. Tickets are available through local snowbird clubs and the event is a fundraiser for the Showchoir. Call 729-6000.
Wine, Women & Shoes
SANDESTN – The Magnolia Ballroom at The Village of Baytowne Wharf is transformed into a shopping, wine and fashion paradise for the Wine, Women & Shoes Fashion Show, Shopping and Wine Extravaganza at 2 p.m. Feb. 10. Event benefits Sinfonia Gulf Coast and Sinfonia’s Music Education Program. Tickets are $65 at winewomenandshoes.com/sinfonia.
Moos Bros.
DESTIN – Join the Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation from 7:30-11 p.m. Feb. 15 at Club LA for an evening of dancing and music performed on stage by Emerald Coast’s premier party band, the Moos Bros. The group is comprised of nine musicians and vocalists representing local professional business members from the legal, medical and financial industries. Tickets are $20 and available at www.MattieKellyArtsFoundation.org/tickets.htm. Enter charity benefit drawing to win prizes to support art, music and education. Call 650-2226.
Amernet String Quartet
ROSEMARY BEACH – The Amernet String Quartet, Ensemble-in-Residence at Florida International University, presents a weekend of chamber music at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 15 and 16 in Town Hall. Tickets are $35 at sinfoniagulfcoast.org.
David Seering and Friends
DESTIN – Musician David Seering and the Michael Walker Band will perform in a concert, with special guest Gina Walker, at 7 p.m. Feb. 16 at Village Baptist Church. All proceeds will benefit local charity Children in Crisis. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased at 864-4242.
Independent film series
DESTIN – The Friends Guild of the Destin Library presents an independent and foreign film at 7 p.m. the third Tuesday of the month. The program is free and open to the public. Films are unrated and directed toward mature audiences. Seating will be limited to 60 on a first come, first served basis.
• Feb. 19: In Love We Trust
MARCH
Sinfonia: Bond and Beyond
OKALOOSA ISLAND – The Sinfonia celebrates its seventh season (007) and 50 years of James Bond at 7:30 p.m. March 23 at the Emerald Coast Convention Center on Okaloosa Island. Featured will be the music that made the Bond films famous with award-winning singer Debbie Gravitte, who joins the orchestra to perform Bond favorites such as "Diamonds Are Forever," "Secret Agent Man," "Goldfinger," and more. Tickets are $125 at sinfoniagulfcoast.org.
MAY
Family Fun Arts Fest
DESTIN – The Sixth Annual Okaloosa Arts Alliance Family Fun Fest will be held May 18 and 19 at HarborWalk Village. The annual event features dozens of local artisans and craft vendors, food and beverages, live music and art performances, free family activities, hands on art projects, educational animal presentations and exhibits, face painting and street performances. A silent auction will help raise funds for OAA and Okaloosa County School Poster contest entries will be on display.