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 including First Friday events and the final weekend of the award-winning Nights of Lights.

Friday: February 4
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.

FIGURE & PORTRAIT SHOW
Be the first to see thelatestSt. AugustineArt Association Juried art exhibit featuring works with a primary subject of the human figure or face, including figure studies, formal portraits, busts or people in groups. On display through February 27, the opening for this exhibit is from 5 to 9 p.m. Admission is free. Also, a compelling photography exhibition called Incursions: Man-Made America opens. The St. Augustine Art Association Gallery is located at 22 Marine Street and is open Tuesday through Saturday from noon to 4 p.m. and from 2 to 5 p.m. on Sundays. For more information, call 904.824.2310 or visit www.staaa.org.

FIRST FRIDAY MUSIC AT THE BASILICA
Stop by the St. Augustine Cathedra Basilica for a First Friday Concert with Philip Borter on the violin. The concert begins at 6 p.m. and admission is free. The Cathedral Basilica is located at on Cathedral Place along St. Augustine’s Plaza de La Constitucion. For more information, call 904.824.2896.

PARENT’S NIGHT OUT
Parents can treat themselves to a night on the town while the kids are entertained and a sage and educational environment courtesy of the St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park. Kids will enjoy 2 slices of pizza, drinks, hands-on animal presentations, twilight zoo tour, a craft, games and lots of fun! The event is 6-10 p.m. and the cost is $30 for non-members; $25 for members. Open to ages 5 to 12. For reservations, call 904.824.3337, ext. 29.

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, Saturday and Sunday: February 4-6
ST. PHOTIOS PILGRIMAGE WEEKEND
Join the annual pilgrimage celebrating of the feast of the patron of the St. Photios Greek Orthodox National Shrine in St. Augustine. The dedication begins at 5 p.m. on Friday with a Trisagion at the Tolomato Cemetery on Cordova Street followed by a reception at the St. Photios Chapel, 41 St. George Street. Saturday at 5:30 p.m., Great Vespers and a Blessing of the Loaves take place at the Chapel. Then, on Sunday at 8:30 a.m., Orthos and Divine Liturgy take place at the Shrine Chapel and the National Shrine Day Feast takes place at the Casa Monica Hotel at 12:30 p.m. Tickets to the feast are $50 per person. For more information, please call 904.829.8205 or e-mail info@StPhotios.com.

CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF
Actors with a Cause will present Tennessee Williams’ classic Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, directed by award-winning playwright Lorraine Portman in the Flagler Room at the former Ponce de Leon Hotel (Flagler College). The performances begin at 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and at 4 p.m. on Sunday. Each performance will be in celebration and to benefit the retirement of Rabbi Samuel Cywiak, 91, who has served the Congregation Sons of Israel in St Augustine since 1992. Tickets are $25 per person. For tickets and reservations, call 386-313-1792.

Saturday: February 5
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.
RSVP CHOCOLATE & BEYOND GALA
Join in a lovely evening of decadent chocolate and other culinary delights! Enjoy live and silent auctions, art show, contest and, of course, chocolate. The Chocolate Gala events take place at the St. Augustine Shores Riverview Club, located at 790 Christina Drive in St. Augustine. Tickets are $20. For more information and full event details or to order tickets, call RSVP at 904.547.3945.

Saturday and Sunday: February 5 & 6
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 make 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.

NIGHTS OF LIGHTS TO CONTINUE!
St. Augustine’s award-winning Nights of Lights will continue to create magical evenings along the bayfront and in the historic district — at least until the evening of February 6. After that night, the lights won’t return until November 19, 2011.

NOTE:
St. Johns County residents with a valid ID are always admitted free of charge to Government House Museum, the Lightner Museum, the Colonial Spanish Quarter Museum, the Fountain of Youth (special events excluded), the Ximenez-Fatio House, the Oldest Wooden Schoolhouse, and the Spanish Military Hospital Museum. The daily tours and wine tastings at the San Sebastian Winery are free to everyone. Also, admission is free to everyone at the Authentic Old Drug Store, Fort Matanzas National Monument, St. Photios Chapel, the Pena-Peck House, the Father Miguel O’Reilly Museum and the Mission Nombre de Dios Museum. Donations are welcomed.