Weekend entertainment in the historic city

St. Augustine Visitors and Convention Bureau Communications Director Jay Humphreys alerts Historic City News readers that there are many entertainment choices in store for this weekend.

Friday: January 7

FLORIDA’S SEIZURE OF FORT MARION
Mark the 150th Anniversary of the 1861 seizure of Fort Marion (Castillo de San Marcos) by Florida State Militia with a visit to the scene of the event. At 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., re-enactors will re-create this historic moment when St. Augustine entered the Civil War. Military drills and musket demonstrations will take place throughout the day. For more information, call 904.829.6506.

FIRST FRIDAY ART WALK
Enjoy the latest exhibits, music, entertainment and refreshments at more than 20 St. Augustine art galleries. Park for free at the San Sebastian Winery, 157 King Street, where sightseeing trains and trolleys offer free round-trips to the heart of the art district – or go on your own self-guided art walk. Galleries are open from 5 to 9 p.m. For more information, call 904.829.0065 or visit www.artgalleriesofstaugustine.com.

PARENTS’ NIGHT OUT
From 6-10 p.m., the St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park will host Parents’ Night Out, a fun-filled evening for kids to tour the park, play games and participate in hands-on wildlife presentations. The event, which includes pizza and drinks for kids, offers parents an opportunity to enjoy a night on the town or a quiet evening at home while knowing their children are in a safe, fun environment. Parents’ Night Out is open to children aged 5 to 12; costs are $25 for Alligator Farm members and $30 for non-members. For more information, call 904.824.3337.

Friday, Saturday & Sunday: January 7-9

G.I. HOLIDAY JUKEBOX AT LIMELIGHT THEATRE
Set during Christmas in World War II, four fictitious Hollywood stars put together a string of 1940s hits to entertain the boys at the front. The show takes place at Limelight Theatre, 11 Old Mission Avenue in St. Augustine. Show times thru January 9 are Wednesday through Saturday, 7:30 p. m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets are $25 for adults, $22 for seniors and $20 for students and military. For more information, call 904.825.1164 or visit www.limelight-theatre.org .

Saturday: January 8

A MUSTER OF LOS PRESIDIALES DE SAN AUGUSTN
Head over to Ponce de Leon’s Fountain of Youth Archeological Park to experience a special day of real living history. Members of los Presidiales, portraying St. Augustine’s 18th-century soldados and citizens, will gather for military drills and discussions of historical interpretation. Demonstrations will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is $9 for adults, $8 for seniors, $5 for children 6 -12. The Fountain of Youth is located at 11 Magnolia Street in St. Augustine. For more information, call 1-877-FLA-HIST or email info@presidialesdesanagustin.org.

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 for this 2-hour tour 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.

THE PLATTERS, THE COASTERS, THE DRIFTERS AND THE TEMPTATIONS SALUTE
Experience this exciting musical salute to The Platters, The Coasters, The Drifters and the Temptations at Fort Menendez located at 259 San Marco Avenue in St. Augustine. Performed by Myles Savage, former lead singer for The Platters, and Ira Greig of The Drifters, this salute features the all time classic songs of these immortal groups. The show begins at 7 p.m. and tickets are $40 with a limited time “buy one, get one free offer”. To purchase tickets, CALL Fort Menendez at Old Florida Museum at 904-824-8874.

TWELFTH NIGHT BALL
Relive the old tradition of celebrating the Feast of the Epiphany with a costume ball at St. Augustine’s Government House at the west end of the Plaza de la Constitucion. Participants must be dressed in 18th century costume of any nation, as well as bring one pot luck dish and wine, if so desired. Each attendee should also provide his or her own antique plate and eating utensils. Turkey, ham and punch will be served. Festivities begin at 7 p.m. Tickets are $20 per couple or $15 for an individual. For more information and advance ticket purchase, call 904.794.2507.

SORDS AND PONTREMOLI VIOLIN AND PIANO
Violinist Andrew Sords, one of the preeminent faces of classical violin, and pianist Anita Pontremoli will perform together at 8 p.m. at the Flagler College Auditorium located at 14 Granada Street in St. Augustine. Tickets are $30 per person. For more information, call 904.797.2800 or visit www.emmaconcerts.com.

Sunday: January 9

THE WIVES AND LIVES OF HENRY FLAGLER
Enjoy dinner and a lively production of this theatrical portrayal of the Flagler legacy. Following a specially prepared dinner by the chefs at Raintree Restaurant, this Limelight Theatre production cast of theatre veterans, Margaret Kaler, Dianne Jacoby, Darlene Jacobs, and Robert Gill, take the stage for what promises to be a stellar performance. Dinner is served at 6 p.m. and the show begins at 7 p.m. Tickets are $39.95. It all takes place at Raintree Restaurant, located at 102 San Marco Avenue in St. Augustine. For more information and tickets, call 904.825.1164

Photo credits: © 2011 Historic City News staff photographer