This Week in St. Johns County

Nights of Lights
This is the last week to enjoy  this year’s brilliant show of lights featuring nearly three million tiny white lights bring the glow of holiday magic to St. Augustine – from the ground to the rooftops. Selected by National Geographic in 2011 and 2012 as one of the ten best holiday lighting displays in the world. Holiday music, the lighting of the city’s Christmas tree and an exciting countdown add to the splendor of the lighting of this dazzling holiday light display. Tracing its origins to the Spanish tradition of displaying a white candle in the window during the Christmas holidays, the spectacular lighting reflects the city’s 449-year history and illuminates the beautiful setting for lasting holiday memories. The lights are displayed through February 1. www.floridashistoriccoast.com

Monday – Sunday: January 26 – February 1

Spanish El Galeon “Andalucia” in St. Augustine
The full-sized replica of a 16th century Spanish ship, El Galeon is open for tours at the St. Augustine Municipal Marina. Named Andalucia, it is an exact replica of the famous galleons that played such an important role in the creation and maintenance of the Spanish Empire. It is similar to the galleon that brought Pedro Menendez to Florida where he founded St. Augustine in 1565. The ship is available for tours from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. daily. Admission to El Galeon is $15 for adults; $10 for children 5-12 and free for those younger than 5. Veterans and St. Johns County residents receive a $2 discount per ticket. Located at 111 Avenida Menendez. Call (904) 824-1606 or visit www.elgaleon.org.

Ongoing Special Tours
For a complete list of Nights of Lights, eco/kayak, food, history, and other tours taking place on Florida’s Historic Coast this week, visit things-to-do/sightseeing tours.

Monday – Friday:  January 26 – 30

Celebrate Art 2015:  9th Annual Juried Artist Member Exhibition
The Cultural Center at Ponte Vedra Beach hosts the 9th Annual Juried Artist Member Exhibition. All media are featured in this showcase of member creations. Admission to the gallery is free and open 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Located at 50 Executive Way, Ponte Vedra Beach. For more information, call (904) 280-0614 or visit www.ccpvb.org.

Monday – Saturday:  January 26 – 31

Re-Riding History: From the Southern Plains to the Matanzas Bay
Curated by artists Emily Arthur, Marwin Begaye and John Hitchcock, and showing through February 28, this exhibition at Flagler College’s Crisp-Ellert Art Museum metaphorically retraces the history of 72 American Indians who were forcibly taken from their homes in Oklahoma and imprisoned in St. Augustine at Castillo de San Marcos (then known as Fort Marion) from 1875 to 1878. In addition to these prisoners, an additional 530 Chiricahua Apache men, women and children were imprisoned in Fort Marion. The artwork in this exhibition was created by 72 invited artists who are Native American, non-Native and descendants of the prisoners. Each individual work is on paper in the same dimensions as the historic ledger drawings created by the prisoners during their time in St. Augustine. Admission is free. Hours are Monday thru Friday 10 a.m.-4 p.m. and Saturday noon-4 p.m. Located at 48 Sevilla St. For more information, call (904) 826-8530, visit www.flagler.edu or www.reridinghistory.org.

DEEPSEA CHALLENGE 3D at World Golf Imax Theater
As a boy, filmmaker James Cameron dreamed of a journey to the deepest part of the ocean. This film is the dramatic fulfillment of that dream, chronicling Cameron’s solo dive to the depths of the Mariana Trench-nearly seven miles beneath the ocean’s surface-piloting a submersible he designed himself. DEEPSEA CHALLENGE 3D is a celebration of science, courage, and extraordinary human aspiration. Tickets are Adults/$13; Military, Senior & Student/$12; Children E-tix/$10. Visit the website for showtimes at www.worldgolfimax.com or call (904) 940-4123. Located at One World Golf Place, St. Augustine.

Tuesday:  January 27

Matanzas Inlet Guided Hike
Join GTM Research Reserve and National Park guides for a free hiking tour along the inlet’s shore to learn about seashells, coquina rock, dune vegetation, heavy minerals, mollusks, and the history of beach sand. Meet guides at the inlet parking area on A1A Matanzas Inlet Bridge before 9 a.m. for this 1 1/2 hour tour. Reservations are required. Located at 8655 A1A South, St. Augustine. Call (904) 823-4500 or visit www.gtmnerr.org.

Dinner With An Artist:  Dennis Campay
Friends of the Arts and Stellers Gallery of Ponte Vedra Beach present a unique evening of delicious food, outstanding wines and fellowship during their “Dinner with an Artist” series at Ruth’s Chris Steak House. Renowned artist Dennis Campay will share his stories, inspirations as well as samples of his amazing artwork. Tickets are $100 for members and $115 for non-members. Located at 814 A1A North, Suite 103, Ponte Vedra Beach. For more information, call (904) 280-0614 x202 or visit www.ccpvb.org.

Tuesday – Sunday:  January 27 – February 1 

St. Augustine Art Association’s Fantastic Florida!
Fantastic Florida runs through February 1 and celebrates the sights and structures, beaches and byways, flora and fauna, history and happenings that are uniquely Florida. The gallery is open Tuesday – Saturday noon – 4 p.m. and Sunday 2 – 5 p.m. Admission is free. Located at 22 Marine St. St. Augustine. Call (904) 824-2310 or visit www.staaa.org.

Wednesday:  January 28

Farmer’s Arts and Crafts Market
Farmer’s Market located at the oceanside St. Johns County Pier Park featuring selections of fresh produce, plants, baked goods, fine art, jewelry and more! Open 8 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. rain or shine. Located at 350 A1A Beach Blvd., St. Augustine Beach. Call (904) 347-8007, for more information.

Flagler College Lecture: St. Augustine’s 450th
As part of the Ideas and Images lecture series, Dr. J. Michael Francis, professor of history and Hough Family chair of Florida Studies, University of South Florida-St. Gettysburg, discusses “St. Augustine’s 450th: History and Commemoration in America’s Oldest City.” The lecture begins at 7 p.m. at the Lewis Auditorium at Flagler College. Admission is free. Located at 14 Granada St., St. Augustine. Call (904) 819-6400 or visit www.flagler.edu.

An Evening with Leon Russell
The Ponte Vedra Concert Hall hosts legendary rock ‘n’ roll session man Leon Russell at 7 p.m. (doors open 8 p.m.)  A two-time Grammy Award winner and a member of both the Rock and Roll and Songwriters Hall of Fame, Russell is perhaps the most accomplished and versatile musician in the history of rock ‘n’ roll. Tickets are $48 for the first 8 rows; All Remaining Rows $38. Located at 1050 A1A North, Ponte Vedra Beach. Call (904) 209-0399 or visit www.pvconcerthall.com.

Thursday: January 29

Author Laura McCullough at Flagler College
As part of Flagler College’s Writers-in-Residence Program, Laura McCullough discusses her award-winning poetry and fiction. Her lecture begins at 7 p.m. in the Flagler Room. Admission is free. Located at 74 King St., St. Augustine. For more information, call (904) 819-6282 or visit www.flagler.edu.

Flagler College Forum: Jon Sawyer
Jon Sawyer is director of the Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting, a non-profit organization that funds independent reporting. Sawyer became the center’s founding director after a 31-year career with the St. Louis Post Dispatch. Part of the Flagler College Forum on Government and Public Policy series, the lecture begins at 7 p.m. at Lewis Auditorium at Flagler College. Admission is free. Located at 14 Granada St., St. Augustine. Call (904) 819-6400 or visit www.flagler.edu.

Dulcimer Performance by Robert Burns
From 7 – 8:15 p.m., Robert Burns will perform instrumental music on an ancient instrument, the Hammered Dulcimer. The free concert takes place in the historic swimming pool area of the Lightner Museum. Additionally, the Lightner Museum’s special exhibit of paintings by Felix de Crano will be open for the public to view following the performance. Located at 75 King St., St. Augustine. For more information, call (904) 824-2874 or visit www.lightnermuseum.org.

Thursday – Sunday: January 29- February 1

Sweet Bird of Youth at Limelight Theatre
Sweet Bird of Youth is a classic play by Tennessee Williams which tells the story of a gigolo and drifter, Chance Wayne, who returns to his home town as the companion of a faded movie star, Alexandra Del Lago, whom he hopes to use to help him break into the movies. His homecoming is not well-received by the locals as longtime secrets are revealed. Showing through February 15, performance times are 7:30 p.m. Thursday – Saturday and 2 p.m. on Sunday. Tickets are $25; $22 seniors; $20 student and military. Located at 11 Old Mission Ave., St. Augustine. Call (904) 825-1164 or visit www.limelight-theatre.org.

Friday: January 30

Castillo by Candlelight: The Enemy at the Gates
Re-live the siege of 1740 during these special nighttime, candlelight tours of St. Augustine’s Castillo de San Marcos. Throughout the evening, National Park service staff and volunteers dressed in authentic 18th century period clothing will tell stories of the siege during which the town’s residents sought refuge in the Castillo while British cannon bombarded the town. Tours depart from the ticket booth at 6:45, 7:00, 7:15, 7:30, 7:45 and 8 p.m. Tour tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis and may be purchased at the ticket booth or by calling (904) 829-6506, ext. 232. Tickets are $8 for age 16 and up; $4 per child ages 5-15; and free for those under age 5. Located at 1 South Castillo Dr., St. Augustine. www.nps.gov/casa/index.htm

Saturday:  January 31

Old City Farmers’ Market
Features locally grown fresh produce, baked goods, plants and more. Located at the St. Augustine Amphitheatre, 1340 A1A, St. Augustine. Open 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Admission is free. For more information, call (904) 471-3733.

Spanish Garrison Grand Muster
See St. Augustine’s rich Spanish military history come to life in this annual encampment and torchlight parade. From 10 a.m. – 9 p.m., the Spanish Garrison of 1740 holds an encampment at the Colonial Quarter and at 8 p.m. begins a colorful torchlit parade from the Castillo de San Marcos to the Governor’s House in the Plaza de la Constitucion. The public is invited to follow the soldiers, militia and townsfolk on the parade route. Admission is free. Located at 33 St. George St., St. Augustine. historic-florida-militia.org

Uptown Saturday Night
From 5 – 9 p.m. on the last Saturday of each month, experience live music, refreshments, new exhibits, book signings and much more at the galleries, antique stores and unique shops on St. Augustine’s San Marco Ave., between Ripley’s Museum and the Mission Nombre de Dios. The Mission Nombre de Dios provides free parking. For more information, call (904) 823-9263.

23rd Annual Limelight Theatre Gala
The Limelight Theatre’s annual gala features a 1940’s Swing Club theme along with dinner, open bar, dancing and silent auction. Entertainment provided by The Bay Kings Band and haute cuisine from some of St. Augustine’s finest restaurants is on the menu. Cocktails and appetizers served at 6 p.m. followed by dinner at 7 p.m. with dancing and fun until 11 p.m. It all takes place at the Mark Lance National Guard Armory located at 190 San Marco Ave., St. Augustine. Tickets for the annual fundraiser for Limelight Theatre are $100 each and may be purchased by calling (904) 825-1164. 

Dancing Stars of St. Johns County Gala
St. Augustine Community School of Performing Arts & Kids Bridge Family Visitation Center hosts their 2nd Annual Dancing Stars of St. Johns County at 6 p.m. at The River House. The event includes dinner, drinks, and a competition between the dancing stars. Tickets are $125 each. Located at 179 Marine St., St. Augustine. For more information, call (904) 824-0664 or visit dancingstarsofsjc.com.

Gin 101 & Gin Cocktails Class
Learn basic bartending techniques while making a classic gin cocktail at 6:15 p.m. class at the St. Augustine Distillery. Explore gin’s history, nose and taste different categories of gin and learn how New World Gin is produced. The 90-minute class includes expert instruction, a welcome cocktail, ingredients and light snacks. Cost is $35 per person. Located at 112 Riberia St., St. Augustine. Call (904) 825-4962 or visit staugustinedistillery.com.

Cocktails on the Small Screen: Downton Abbey, Boardwalk Empire, and Mad Men
This workshop at the St. Augustine Distillery is your ticket to the past, as brought to life on the small screen. Examine the historical context of these popular shows and enjoy drinks from the early 20th century through the 50’s and 60’s, all while teaching you the proper techniques behind mixing stirring and shaking like a pro. The 90-minute class includes expert instruction, a welcome cocktail, ingredients and light snacks and begins at 8 p.m. Cost is $35 per person. Located at 112 Riberia St., St. Augustine. Call (904) 825-4962 or visit staugustinedistillery.com.

NOTE: St. Johns County residents with a valid ID are always admitted free of charge to the Oldest House, the Lightner Museum, the Ximenez-Fatio House, the Oldest Wooden Schoolhouse, City Walks History Mystery Murder Evening Tour, and the Hotel Ponce de Leon Legacy Tours at Flagler College. The daily tours and wine tastings at the San Sebastian Winery and St. Augustine Distillery are free to everyone. Also, admission is free to everyone at the 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). Many other local attractions offer discounted admissions to St. Johns County residents with valid ID.

For more information on events and activities in St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra & The Beaches, visit the Visitors and Convention Bureau website at www.floridashistoriccoast.com or call 1-800-653-2489.