Music, theater, art and chocolate this weekend

St. Augustine Visitors and Convention Bureau Communications Director Jay Humphreys reported some great entertainment ideas for Historic City News readers to enjoy this weekend, including St. Augustine’s Original Chocolate Tour.

Friday, Saturday and Sunday: February 18-20

GYPSY AT LIMELIGHT THEATRE
Don’t miss the premier of the Limelight Theatre’s production of Gypsy. Based on the memoirs of famous burlesque stripper Gypsy Rose Lee, “Mama” Rose is determined to break into show business by pushing the vaudeville act of her younger daughter, Baby June. But it’s shy elder daughter Louise who will one day play to packed houses. Performances through March 6 are Thursday through Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday Matinees at 2 p.m. Tickets are $25 for adults, $22 for seniors and $20 for active military and students. The Limelight Theatre is located at 11 Old Mission Avenue in St. Augustine. For reservations, or more information, visit www.limelight-theatre.org.

Friday and Saturday: February 18 & 19
RUSSIAN ARTISTS IN ST. AUGUSTINE
Meet Michael and Inessa Garmash at the Galeria del Mar, 9 King Street in St. Augustine. Two of the greatest Romantic Impressionists of our day, they will exhibit a large body of new and impressive work. For details, call the gallery at 904.829.2120.

THE DAY THEY SHOT JOHN LENNON
This dramatic performance produced by Classic Theatre Inc. and directed by Robert Gill will be performed at the San Marco Theater, located at 28 San Marco Ave. in St. Augustine. This show contains adult language. Performances are Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings at 7:30 p.m. through February 26. Tickets are $20 Adults, $18 Seniors (62+) and $10 Students. For more information and reservations, email aclassictheatre@hotmail.com.

Saturday: February 19
ST. AUGUSTINE’S ORIGINAL CHOCOLATE TOUR
Learn the history of chocolate and chocolate making while sampling truffles, pastries and gooey delights from the finest chocolatiers on this exciting tour presented by Old Town Trolleys. The tours depart from the Old Town Trolley Welcome Center located at 27 San Marco Avenue at 1:30 p.m. Tickets are $60 per person. The tour includes stops and samples at Raintree Restaurant, Hilton Bayfront Aviles Restaurant, Casa Monica Hotel, Claude’s Chocolates, Peterbrooke’s Chocolates, and St. Augustine’s original chocolatier, Whetstone’s Chocolates. For more information and reservations, call 904.829.3800 or visit www.TrolleyTours.com/st-augustine/tour-chocolate.asp.

A DAY IN OLD FLORIDA
Visit Faver-Dykes State Park to experience a day filled with living history including pine needle basketry, a 1700s Trapper Trader Camp, blacksmithing, a Timucua Native American display, and a demonstration of the art of mullet net knitting. There’s even a nature’s painting wall exhibit where children can paint a natural habitat along with an activity center where children can make arts & crafts. There are a variety of interpretive programs scheduled, as well as a birding walk, live entertainment and wagon tours of the park. Food will be on sale, including a Minorcan Clam Chowder. The Festival is from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Faver-Dykes State Park, located off I-95’s Exit 311 at 1000 Faver-Dykes Road in St. Augustine. Admission is $5 per vehicle. For more information, call 386.446.6783 or visit www.FloridaStateParks.org.

FIRST COAST PLAYWRIGHT’S FESTIVAL
Enjoy staged readings at Flagler College’s Gamache-Koger Theatre in the Ringhaver Student Center, 44 Sevilla Street in St. Augustine. First Coast Playwright’s Festival is produced by This Veddy Theatre Group to present new plays with a focus on St. Augustine history. Tom Rahner and Roger Rueff will be the two guest speakers. A native of St. Augustine, Tom Rahner is Professor Emeritus of Flagler College, founder and chair of the Theatre Dept. for 31 years, director, designer, playwright, actor and technician for 60 years with 35 years teaching experience. He currently performs his one-man show, Henry Flagler Remembers, throughout Florida. For nearly a decade, he was the director of Florida’s official State play, Cross and Sword, and served as the General Manager for St. Augustine’s 400th Anniversary. Roger Rueff is an award-winning writer whose produced dramatic works include stage plays, teleplays, and screenplays. His stage play Hospitality Suite premiered in 1992 and has been subsequently produced internationally. His works for the screen include the teleplay God Lives produced by the Magic Door Children’s Theater in Chicago and The Big Kahuna, his screen adaptation of Hospitality Suite, starring Kevin Spacey and Danny DeVito. In 2000, The Big Kahuna was one of three films nominated for the 2000 Humanitas Award for independent film. Winning plays submitted to the festival will be considered for full production during the city’s 2013-2015 historic celebrations. Tickets are $20 per person. For more information, call 904.806.2423 or visit www.VeddyTheatre.org.

DOO-WOP MUSICAL SALUTE
Experience an exciting musical salute to The Platters, The Coasters, The Drifters and the Temptations at Fort Menendez at Old Florida Museum. Performed by Myles Savage, former lead singer from The Platters, this salute features the all-time classic songs of these immortal groups. The show begins at 7 p.m. Tickets are $40 (limited time, buy one-get one free!) Reservations are required. To purchase tickets, call Fort Menendez at Old Florida Museum at 904-824-8874 or visit www.oldfloridamuseum.com for more information. Fort Menendez is located at 259 San Marco Avenue St Augustine, Florida.

Saturday, Sunday and Monday: February 19-21
PRESIDENT’S DAY WEEKEND AT THE WORLD GOLF HALL OF FAME
Take a special guided tour and learn some fascinating facts about the leaders of this country and their respective love affairs with golf when the World Golf Hall of Fame celebrates a common thread between generations of United States presidents and golf with its annual President’s Day weekend. With regular museum admission, the public can tour the museum, including its feature exhibit, “Bob Hope: Shanks for the Memory,” to find a collection of golf stories and Presidential memorabilia, including some from 2009 Inductee Dwight D. Eisenhower. The World Golf Hall of Fame, located at World Golf Village, at I-95 Exit 3232 in St. Augustine is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and noon to 6 p.m. on Sunday. For admissions and more information, call 904-940-4123 or visit www.wgv.com.

Saturday and Sunday: February 20 & 21
BALD EAGLE BIRD WATCHING TOUR
Experience something like never before…this boat tour will leave from the St. Augustine City Marina to observe wild dolphins, a variety of birds and many other marine organisms. Then, the boat makes a special stop beneath an endangered Bald Eagle’s nest. This stop will provide a chance to see two eagles that have recently returned to the area. Cameras are encouraged whether you’re a novice or experienced photographer. Binoculars are provided on board as well as all the information you could ask for about the creatures and environment you see. Tours are limited to 2-6 guests, $35 for adults / $30 for kids 12 & under. Saturday and Sunday 10:00am. Call Zach for reservations and details 904-377-7245.

Sunday: February 20
EMMA CONCERT: Capetown Philharmonic Orchestra
The Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra, South Africa’s “orchestra for all seasons”, featuring violinist Philippe Quint will perform at 2 p.m. at the Flagler College Auditorium located at 14 Granada Street in St. Augustine. Tickets are $35 for adults and $ 5 for students. For more information, call 904.797.2800 or visit www.emmaconcerts.com.

THE WIVES AND LIVES OF HENRY FLAGLER
St. Augustine’s The Raintree Restaurant and The Limelight Theatre, the same production team that brought you Murder in the Olde City, are proud to present the public debut of The Lives and Wives of Henry Flagler. “Quite simply…the very best theatrical portrayal of the Flagler legacy ever written,” said Variety reporter Alan Smithee. Tickets are $39.95 per person all inclusive, with adult beverages also served separately. Dinner will be served at the Raintree Restaurant at 6:00 PM (suggested arrival time at 5:00) with the show to follow at 7:00 PM. Ticketholders take note that the dinner and show are in the upstairs dining room. Tickets can be purchased in advance at the Limelight Theatre during their regular box office hours: Tuesday-Friday 10 AM-4 PM, and Saturday 2 p.m.-6 p.m. Please call 904.825.1164 for reservations.

THE B-52’S PERFORM AT THE PONTE VEDRA CONCERT HALL
Come enjoy a live performance at the new Ponte Vedra Concert Hall when Alternative rock band, the B-52’s perform. Originally from Athens Georgia, the B-52’s are best known for their hits that include “Love Shack”, “Summer of Love”, “Roam”, and “Deadbeat Club”. The concert takes place at 8 p.m. Tickets are $59.50 in advance and $69.50 day of the show. The new Ponte Vedra Concert Hall located at 1050 A1A in Ponte Vedra. For more information, visit www.pvconcerthall.com or call 904.471.1965.