Holiday entertainment news

St. Augustine Visitors and Convention Bureau Communications Director Jay Humphreys told Historic City News that this 4th of July Holiday Weekend will offer great local entertainment and shopping.

Friday: July 2
FREEDOM TRAIL LUNCHEON
Commemorate the 46th Anniversary of the Signing of the Landmark Civil Rights Act of 1964 during the 4th Annual Freedom Trail Luncheon at the Casa Monica Hotel in St. Augustine, Florida. Civil Rights Leader, The Honorable United States Congressman John Lewis will be the Keynote Speaker. The luncheon begins at 11:30 a.m. at Casa Monica Hotel, located at 95 Cordova Street. Tickets are $50 per person. For more information, call 904. 347.1382or visit www.accordfreedomtrail.org

FIRST FRIDAY ART WALK
Enjoy the latest exhibits, music, entertainment and refreshments at over 20 participating galleries – plus, great food courtesy of the St. Augustine Independent Restaurant Association. Tours begin at Rembrandtz American Craft Gallery, 131 King Street. Galleries are open from 5 to 9 p.m. St. Augustine Sightseeing Trains and Old Town Trolleys offer attendees a complimentary shuttle service to most of the galleries. Shuttles run on a continuous loop every 30 minutes. For more information, call 904.829.0065 or visit www.artgalleriesofstaugustine.com

REO SPEEDWAGON, PAT BENATAR & NEIL GERALDO IN CONCERT
REO Speedwagon has sold 60 million records and Pat Benatar has received four Grammys!. See these legends live at the beautiful St. Augustine Amphitheatre. The show starts at 7 p.m. and tickets are $69.50, $64.50, $57.50, $47.50 & $37.50. The St. Augustine Amphitheatre is located at 1340 A1A, St. Augustine. For more information call 904.471.1965, or visit www.staugamphitheatre.com .

WORLD GOLF VILLAGE FIREWORKS
Enjoy one of the largest fireworks displays in Northeast Florida as World Golf Village celebrates Independence Day. Bring blankets or lawn chairs (no coolers please) and find a spot around the Walk of Champions to enjoy the show. Admission is free, but a small parking fee will required. Coolers not allowed. The Fireworks take place at 9:30 p.m. Restaurants and shops will be open to the public and the Renaiisance Resort at World Golf Village’s 500 South will offer a classic backyard barbecue dinner from 5-9 p.m. (for more information and reservations, call 904.940.8623). Dinner and a Movie packages that include a buffet dinner at Fairways Café, an IMAX film (The Twilight Saga: Eclipse)and unlimited free putting on the Hall’s 18-hole putting course are available for $35 for adults with special pricing for children. The World Golf Village is located at Exit 323 off I-95 in St. Augustine. For more information, visit www.WorldGolfHallofFame.org or call 904.940.4123.

Friday and Saturday: July 2-3
WILD DREAMS – DISCOVERING HENRY FLAGLER
See Henry Flagler brought to life in this critically-acclaimed performance by Paul Jellinek. Performances are Friday and Saturday nights at 7 p.m. at the San Marco Theater across from Ripley’s Believe It or Not Museum in St. Augustine. Tickets are $12 for adults and $6 children. For more information, call 904.429.0280.
THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW
Back by popular demand, the Limelight Theatre’s original cast returns to present Richard O’Brien’s cult rock and roll horror-comedy. Audience participation is encouraged at this live performance, but please no props from home – prop packages will be made available prior to the show. The horror begins at 7:30 p.m. both nights. The show will run Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights through July 10 with a special 11 p.m. performance on July 3. Tickets are $25 each. The Limelight Theatre is located at 11 Old Mission Avenue in St. Augustine. For more information and reservations, call 904.825.1164 or go to www.Limelight-Theatre.org .

Friday, Saturday and Sunday: July 2-4
JUDITH RYAN WILLIAMS WILDLIFE AND NATURE ART EXHIBIT
See this exhibit featuring work from more than 100 artists from across the country. The exhibit, through August 29, includes two and three-dimensional representational art in an array of media and sizes, all depicting nature in its many beautiful forms. Admission to the exhibit is free. The St. Augustine Art Association Gallery is located at 22 Marine Street. Hours are Tuesday-Saturday, noon to 4 p.m. and Sundays, 2 to 4pm. For more information, call 904.824.2310 or visit www.STAAA.org .

TWILIGHT AT IMAX
See The Twilight Saga: Eclipse on a screen six stories high during this special engagement at the World Golf Hall of Fame IMAX theatre. This highly anticipated third installment in the The Twilight Saga and the event film of the summer looks amazing on IMAX. For show times and tickets, go to www.WorldGolfIMAX.com

Saturday: July 3
WALK FOR OUR TROOPS
Join an old-fashioned parade featuring marching troops, bands, civilians, vets on motorcycles and a BBQ with hamburgers, hot dogs and apple pie. The proceeds provide care packages for area military men and women actively serving abroad. The event takes place from 10 a,m, to 1 p.m. at the St. Augustine Shores entrance on US 1 South in St. Augustine. For more information call 904.347.2299 or visit www.WalkForOurTroops.com.

2ND ANNUAL INDEPENDENCE DAY FESTIVAL
Celebrate our Nation’s founding at this day that is full of activity on the grounds of Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Museum. Enjoy arts and crafts exhibits, music and foods, lots of kid’s activities and games with prizes. You can even take an art class with artist John Koehler. The fun all takes place from 1 to 7 p.m. at Ripley’s Believe It or Not Museum grounds, 19 San Marco Avenue. Admission to the grounds is free, art sessions are $40 per person. For more information, call 904.824.1606.

Sunday: July 4
WILLIE GREEN IN CONCERT
Blues legend and Eclipse recording artist Willie Green will perform two special July 4th concerts in St. Augustine. Admission is free to his 2-6 p.m. show at the Lincolnville Summer Sunday Music Series at St. Benedict Shady Field, 100 M.L. King in Lincolnville (bring a chair) – food, drinks and family fun! From 9:30 p.m. ’til closing, Willie and his Blues Project Band will perform at Café 11, 501 A1A Beach Boulevard in St. Augustine Beach. $10 cover charge. For more information, email otterrick7@aol.com

ST. AUGUSTINE’S FOURTH OF JULY CELEBRATION
Have a blast at one of the East Coast’s largest fireworks shows! The spectacular fireworks burst above the ancient Castillo de San Marcos and reflect in the waters of Matanzas Bay. The festivities begin at 6 p.m. in the Plaza de la Constitucion with a two-hour concert by the All Star Orchestra featuring big band and swing hits along with patriotic favorites. Fireworks Over the Matanzas begins at 9:30 p.m. and the 20-minute show includes a stirring soundtrack of great patriotic music. Admission is free with the best vantage points located along the bayfront between the Castillo and the Bridge of Lions. For more details, go to www.fireworksoverthematanzas..com

4TH OF JULY TOP OF THE LIGHTHOUSE
Celebrate the 4th of July at the Top of the St. Augustine Lighthouse with a magnificent view of the skyline and St. Augustine fireworks! The spectacular event begins with the viewing of the sunset over the Atlantic. Then fireworks when darkness sets…… St. Augustine Lighthouse and Museum is located at 81 Lighthouse Avenue in St. Augustine. Tickets are $40 per person and space is limited. For reservations call 904.829.0745 ext. 207. For more information, visit www.staugustinelighthouse.com

FIREWORKS FROM THE WATER
Get a close up look at St. Augustine’s fireworks extravaganza from the waters of Matanzas Bay. St. Augustine Scenic Cruise offers a Fireworks special aboard the Victory III for only $25 per person. To purchase tickets, call Barbara at 904.824.1806 x210 or go to www.scenic-cruise.com . The pirates of the Black Raven are offering an adults-only fireworks cruise for $60 per person (food included; cash bar onboard). For details and tickets go to www.BlackRavenAdventures.com or call 877.578.5050.

INDEPENDENCE DAY AT THE WHITE ROOM
Enjoy dinner, dancing and a spectacular view of St. Augustine’s fireworks from the renovated and upscale rooftop at The White Room. Dinner and open bar from 7:30 p.m. until midnight, plus entertainment provided by Roaring Sounds Productions and DJ Brian Sullivan. $75 per person. For reservations, call 904.824.9056 or mail info@ocwhiteroom.com. For photos and more information, go to www.whiteroomweddings.blogspot.com.

Monday: July 5
MORNING AFTER BEACH CLEAN-UP
Keepers of the Coast will conduct its second annual “Morning After” Beach Clean-up to restore the coastline from the impacts of July 4 – traditionally, one of the busiest beach days of the year. To help clean our beaches, simply show up from 8-11 a.m. at one of the following beach access points: Mickler’s Beachfront Park, Ponte Vedra; Vilano Beach Access Ramp; A Street Beach Access Ramp, St. Augustine Beach; Butler Beachfront Park East, Crescent Beachfront Park and Fort Matanzas Beach Access Ramp. Garbage bags will be provided and there’s a prize for the person collecting the most cigarette butts at each location. For more information, go to www.keepersofthecoast.org or call 904.814.1299.