Entertainment in St Augustine this week

Barbara Golden, Communications Manager for the St Augustine, Ponte Vedra and the Beaches Visitors and Convention Bureau, informed local Historic City News reporters about the following entertaining events for our St Johns County readers.

Picasso: Art & Arena Exhibit – An exhibition featuring dozens of Picasso originals, including many that have never been seen previously in the United States. Both famous and rare, these pieces were produced in different styles, techniques and media; providing unique insights into one of Picasso’s main themes: bullfighting. The exhibition will be at the Visitor Information Center,10 Castillo Dr. in St. Augustine. Admission: Adults $10; Seniors $8; Kids 6 & Under – Free; Kids 7 – 12 – $5; Family of 4 – $20; Military in Uniform – Free; Flagler College Student with ID – Free. The Picasso Exhibit will be open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday – Thursday; Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. www.picassoartandarena.com 904-825-1000

“Negro Y Blanco” Art Exhibit at Space Eight – Exhibition of black and white creations by artist Anthony Ausgang. Titled “Negro Y Blanco,” the exhibit takes place at the Space Eight Gallery, 228 W. King St., in St. Augustine. 904-829-2838 www.spaceeight.com

Celebrate Art: 6th Annual Juried Artist Member Exhibition – Thirty-five of the area’s finest artists will present their juried works in this popular members’ exhibition. The galleries are free and open daily from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday at the Cultural Center at Ponte Vedra, 50 Executive Way, Ponte Vedra Beach. 904-280-0614 www.ccpvb.org

Big Red Art Show – A celebration of the color red includes works that convey a range of moods and meanings with any variation of the spectrum’s hottest color. The St. Augustine Art Association Gallery is located at 22 Marine St. in St. Augustine and is open Tuesday through Saturday from noon to 4 p.m. and Sunday from 2 to 5 p.m. Admission is free. www.staaa.org 904-824-2310

Monday – Friday : February 4 – 7

Hotel Ponce De Leon Carrere & Hastings Blueprint Exhibit – In commemoration of the 125th anniversary of the opening of the Ponce de Leon Hotel, historically and culturally significant ephemera relating to the construction and early years of the Hotel Ponce de Leon will be on display through February 22. This exhibit includes original Carrere and Hastings and McGuire drawings and blueprints, photographs, a copy of an 1885 map, and construction documents. Additionally, the exhibit highlights a group of artists who made the Hotel Ponce de Leon their seasonal home during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Original artwork and other artifacts related to their time in Saint Augustine will also be displayed at Flagler College’s Crisp – Ellert Art Museum, located at 48 Sevilla St., St. Augustine. The museum is open Monday through Friday 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Admission is free. www.ponce125.com 904-829-6481

Tuesday: February 5

Hotel Ponce de Leon Studios Lecture – At 7 p.m., Dr. Roberta Favis, Stetson University Professor Emeritus of Art History, will present a lecture titled “The Ponce de Leon Studios: Artists and Salons in Florida’s Gilded Age”. The free lecture will take place in the Flagler Room of Flagler College, 74 King Street, St. Augustine. 904-826-8530 www.ponce125.com

Wednesday: February 6

First Wednesdays Lightner Museum Tours – Lightner Museum curator provides an exclusive encounter with some of the museum’s eclectic relics. The themed interactive tours are changed monthly and are designed to give participants an opportunity to talk with the curator and to see acquisitions in operation rather than just as static displays. This month’s tour will feature painted works by Edwin Augustus Moore which are on exhibit for a limited time on the 2nd floor mezzanine level of the Lightner Museum. Tours begin at 10 a.m. on the second floor of the museum located at 75 King Street in St. Augustine. The tour is included in the regular admission price of $10 adults; active duty military $6; $5 college students and young people ages 12-18; free for under 12. 904-824-2874 www.lightnermuseum.org

Marineland Beach Walk – The GTM Research Reserve presents a free, guided walk along the beach at Marineland. The hike focuses on birdlife, habitats and the unusual geology of the shore. The 90-minute hike begins at 9 a.m. Watch for the temporary event sign posted on the west side of A1A at the south end of Marineland. 904-823-4500

“Fort Mose: Thirty Years of Discovery” – Dr. Jane Landers of Vanderbilt University and Dr. Kathleen Deagan from the Florida Museum of Natural History, University of Florida, will discuss the archaeology and history of St. Augustine’s Fort Mose, the first legally-sanctioned black community in what is now the United States, The free lecture takes place at 7 p.m. in the Flagler Room of Flagler College, 74 King Street, St. Augustine. Info: 904-823-2232; www.flagler.edu

Eco Geek Series at the GTM Research Reserve – These 3-4 p.m. presentations focus on the latest technology used in environmental research. How Humans Have Used the Environment to Their Advantage will take place at the GTM Research Reserve Environmental Education Center, 505 Guana River Rd. in South Ponte Vedra. Participation is free with $3 per vehicle reserve admission. 904-823-4500 www.gtmnerr.org/index.htm

Saturday: February 9

Second Saturdays GTM Reserve Guided Trail Hike – Join GTM Research Reserve volunteers from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. for a 1.5 mile guided walk through the Guana Trail. After the walk, visit the GTM Research Reserve Environmental Education Center (EEC). The EEC is located at 505 Guana River Road, Ponte Vedra Beach. There is a $3.00 parking fee. 904-823-4500 http://gtmnerr2ndtrailhike.eventbrite.com

Flight to Freedom Fort Mose – Unique living history event depicts the flight of slaves from the British colonies to St. Augustine’s Fort Mose where they are freed by the Spanish. From 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. there will be guided tours, food, drumming and music, authentic historic reenactors, colonial weapons demonstrations and more. It all takes place at Fort Mose Historic State Park, located at 15 Fort Mose Trail just north of St. Augustine. Free shuttle service from the Old Jail at 167 San Marco Ave. will be provided. Admission to the park is $2 per person. 904-823-2232 http://www.floridastateparks.org/fortmose/default.cfm

Great Backyard Bird Count – Two Saturday adventures for birders from novice to expert begin at the Anastasia Island Library, 124 Sea Grove Main Street in St. Augustine. At 2 p.m. on Feb. 9, an Audubon expert provides an informative presentation on how to identify birds likely to be seen in St. Augustine. Plus, field guide leaders who will be heading out on the bird count the following Saturday will be present and a go-kit with basic birding information will be available. Then from 10 a..m – 5 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 16, participants will head out to count as many feathered friends as possible! Guides will offer suggestions on locations and will be present at many key birding sites. Last year, St. Augustine placed 5th nationally in this nationwide bird counting event. 904-209-3730 e-mail aibirdcount@gmail.com

Sunday: February 10

Tour of St. Augustine Houses of Worship – Self-guided walking tour provides an opportunity to learn about the Oldest City’s historic houses of worship. Hosts will be available to explain the history and architecture of each and St. Augustine Sightseeing Trains will provide a special free shuttle between locations. Tour maps will be provided and parking will be available at some of the locations. The tour is from 1:30 to 4 p.m. There is no charge for admission, but donations are appreciated. For more information, call Grace United Methodist Church, 904.829-8272.

Wedding Vow Renewal: World Record Attempt – Ripley’s Believe It or Not! in St. Augustine hosts an attempt to set a new record for the world’s largest wedding vow renewal ceremony — 1,087 couples are needed! Registration is from 11 a.m.-1 p.m., with the big ceremony at 2 p.m.. To take the vow, couples need a copy of their marriage license, valid ID and a signed photo release (provided onsite or on website). Participating couples get lots of goodies including a flower, wedding cake, romantic train ride down the bay front, confetti, live music and dancing — it’s all FREE! Ripley’s is located at 19 San Marco Ave. in St. Augustine. www.ripleys.com/staugustine 904-824-1606