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.

Spring Member Show at St. Augustine Art Association Gallery – Outstanding exhibition of Association members’ art juried for awards through April 28. The gallery is located at 22 Marine St. and is open Tuesday through Saturday from noon to 4 p.m. and Sunday from 2 to 5 p.m. Admission is free. http://www.staaa.org 904-824-2310.

What Flows From Spain Exhibit – In recognition of Florida’s quincentennial, the St. Augustine Art Association will feature a special exhibit of the works of Cuban-American artist Elio Beltran through April 28. The exhibit, titled What Flows From Spain, includes several large-scale narrative paintings emphasizing Florida’s ties to Spain. Admission to the gallery is free. On April 18, a Spanish-inspired reception, “Viva Espana,” will take place from 6:30-8:30 p.m. and will feature Dennis Fermin on guitar, flamenco dancing and sangria. Admission for this event is $5. The St. Augustine Art Association is located at 22 Marine Street. I904-824-2310 http://www.staaa.org

“Deeper-New Works Art Exhibit to Benefit Rikki” – Space:Eight Gallery exhibit opens with all new works by Chip Southworth produced for benefit of Rikke Southworth to aid in her ongoing battle with breast cancer. The exhibit is at the Space Eight Gallery, 228 W. King St., St. Augustine. The show will run through May 24 with all proceeds from art sales presented to Rikki. www.spaceeight.com 904-829-2838

Tuesday: April 16

Hotel Ponce de Leon 125th Anniversary Community Lecture – Dr. Jerry Dickey presents a lecture titled “Costume Balls and Cake Walk Contests: Social Dancing and Casino Entertainment in the Flagler Era.” The presentation is part of the commemorative events celebrating The 125TH Anniversary of the opening of Henry Flagler’s Hotel Ponce de Leon and takes place at 7 p.m. at the Lewis Auditorium at Flagler College, 14 Granada St.. Admission is free. Info: www.ponce125.com

Thursday: April 18

Viva Espana Party!- The St. Augustine Art Association will host an evening of Latin music and the art of Flamenco dancing featuring guitarist Dennis Fermin. Includes a hearty tapas table, Sangria bar and fiesta-themed galleria of colorful artwork. Spanish-style attire is encouraged. Please contribute to the Spanish table by bringing an appetizer dish. The party is from 6 – 8:30 p.m. Admission is $5 and reservations are required. The Art Association is located at 22 Marine Street. Info: 904-824-2310 or www.staaa.org

Keynote Speaker Series: “Marine Studios to Marineland Dolphin Adventure” – The history and heritage of Marineland will be presented at 6 p.m. at the Whitney Auditorium. located at 9505 Oceanshore Blvd. Admission is free to the first 250 guests. Guest speakers are Terran McGinnis, co-author of “Marineland,” and Kurt Allen, VP and General Manager of Marineland Dolphin Adventure. Info: 904-471-1111; www.marineland.net

Thursday through Sunday: April 18 – 21

2013 Florida’s Birding and PhotoFest- Experience northeast Florida’s abundant bird life and photogenic natural beauty at more than 110 exciting birding and outdoor photography events during the 2013 Florida’s Birding & PhotoFest! In addition to the ever-popular nature tours and excursions, new discoveries for this year’s event include workshops on preparing your images and composition, photographing birds in flight, selections and layer masking, flash techniques and many in field photography workshops.The festival is headquartered at the GTM Research Reserve, located 8 miles north of St. Augustine on A1A N. Discover the region’s phenomenal bird life and the abundant natural habitats that sustain them with bird walks and boat and kayak trips to undisturbed areas. This Festival is guaranteed to excite nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts of all ages. Info: 904-209-4422; www.FloridasBirdingAndPhotoFest.com.

Saturday: April 20

Tolomato Cemetery Guided Tour – The Tolomato Cemetery is the oldest extant planned cemetery in the State of Florida, with burials starting during the First Spanish Period (1565-1763). Visitor access is limited to the 3rd Saturday of each month when docents provide guided tours. Admission is free, but donations are encouraged. The cemetery will be open from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. and is located at 16 Cordova Street in St. Augustine. Info: board@tolomatocemetery.com; www.tolomatocemetery.com

Castillo By Candlelight – Night tours by candlelight will be from 6 -9 p.m. at the Castillo de San Marcos, 1 South Castillo Drive. Revisit the events of the Second Seminole War from the eyes of a United States Army Sergeant. Admission is $8 per adult ages 15 and older; $4 per child 5 – 15; and free for children 4 and younger. Info: www.nps.gov/casa or 904-829-6506, ext. 233.

Saturday & Sunday: April 20 & 21

17th Annual Flower & Garden Expo – Growers, educational seminars, nurseries and artisans from around the state offer gardeners everything they need to make spring bloom. Admission is $ 5 (which is good for both days) and children under 11 are admitted free. The Expo takes place Saturday 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. at the St. Johns County Agricultural Center, 3125 Agricultural Center Dr., located off SR 16 in St. Augustine. Info: 904-829-3295; visit www.epiccommunityservices.org.

Earth Day Celebration – 24th Annual Earth Day Celebration at Washington Oaks State Gardens, located at 6400 North Ocean Shore Blvd (A1A South) in Palm Coast. Each day’s activities will include arts and crafts vendors, living history demonstrations, environmental and cultural booths, live entertainment, nature programs, live animals, games of chance, and a large children’s environmental activity center. The event times are from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Admission is $10 donation per vehicle (up to 8 people). Info: 386-446-6780 or www.floridastateparks.org/washingtonoaks

Local Resident Specials

St. Johns County residents with a valid ID are always admitted free of charge to the Oldest House, the Lightner Museum, the Fountain of Youth (special events excluded), the Ximenez-Fatio House, the Oldest Wooden Schoolhouse, Spanish Military Hospital Museum, and the Historic Tours of Flagler College. 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. Also, on the first Monday of each month, St. Johns County residents are admitted free to the Dow Museum of Historic Houses, 246 St. George Street, St. Augustine.