First Friday weekend entertainment

St. Augustine Visitors and Convention Bureau Communications Director Jay Humphreys announced to Historic City News that tomorrow’s “First Friday Artwalk” will kickoff the Labor Day Weekend.

Friday: September 2

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. Plus…meet the artists, see new art, enjoy wine and tapas at High Tide Gallery 51 Cordova Street; see an exhibit of Maricarmen’s work at P.A.S.T.A Gallery, 214 Charlotte Street; and see what the faculty of Flagler College’s Art and Design Department have created for a new exhibit opening at the Crisp-Ellert Art Museum, 48 Sevilla Street. For more information on First Friday, call 904.829.0065 or visit www.artgalleriesofstaugustine.com.

WALK IN PEACE EXHIBIT

Attend the opening of Don Trousdell’s Walk in Peace exhibit at the St. Augustine Art Association’s Main Gallery at 22 Marine Street. Presented as part of First Friday Art Walk, the new exhibit features colorful paintings and interactive installations that chronicle the history and imagery of peace as interpreted by this internationally-acclaimed artist. The exhibit debuts from 5-9 p.m. and will be on display through October 2. The exhibit is being featured to commemorate the 10th anniversary of 9/11. For more information, call 904.824.2310 or go to www.staaa.com

LIGHTING THE PLAZA FOR RECOVERY

Come light a luminary in St. Augustine’s Plaza de la Constitucion in honor of someone you know who is on their recovery journey. This event kicks off National Recovery Month. Presented by EPIC Community Services, this inspiring night of hope takes place from 6:30 to 8 p.m. For more information, visit www.epiccommunityservices.org or call 904.829.2273.

PARENT’S NIGHT OUT!

Let the St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park entertain your kids while you and yours have a night on the town. From 6-10 p.m., kids ages 5-12 will experience hands-on animal presentations, twilight zoo tour, a craft, nocturnal games, pizza, drinks and lots of fun! The cost is $25 for members, $30 for non-members. Pre-registration required. Call Katie at 904.824.3337 ext. 29.

ANASTASIA STATE PARK CAMPFIRE PROGRAMS

Sit around the campfire and enjoy a program about the park’s environment. The program begins at 7 p.m. Anastasia State Park is located on A1A on Anastasia Island in St. Augustine. Admission to the park is $8 per vehicle up to 8 people, and $2 per additional passengers. Pedestrians and bicyclist admission is $2. For more information, call 904.461.2033 or visit www.floridastateparks.org/anastasia.

Friday, Saturday and Sunday: September 2-4

El CONQUISTADOR THRILL RIDE

Go for a thrilling, high-speed, one-hour ride across Matanzas Bay aboard El Conquistador, St. Augustine’s newest thrill ride. Narrated tour features history, speed and fun aboard this powerful speedboat. El Conquistador departs from the City Marina’s Slip 73. Tickets are $39.50 for adults and $29.50 for children (ages 4-12). Free for active duty military. Special rates for groups of eight or more. For safety reasons, children under four and pregnant women are not allowed onboard. For information and reservations, go to www.elconspeedboat.com or call 904.738.4695.

MURDER MYSTERY DINNER THEATER

Experience the first theater on St. Augustine’s St. George Street since a terrible fire destroyed the Genovar Opera House in 1914. The St. Augustine Murder Mystery Theatre features a great meal and exciting live entertainment at 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $43.15 each. For more information, call 904.671.2508 or go to www.StAugustineMurderMysteryDinnerTheater.com.

YACHT OF FUN

Have a captain and a fun-equipped 22-foot boat at your service from dawn to dusk! Yacht of Fun takes up to six people on a full day of whatever passengers prefer – fishing, swimming, stopping at waterfront restaurants, sunning – you name it. The boat leaves from St. Augustine and offers the perfect way to spend a day. The rate is $60 per person for a party of six. For more information, go to www.yachtoffun.net or call Cap’n Mike at 352.246.3836

WEEKEND ON THE WATER

Choose from any of three types of fun (sailing, boating and kayaking) and get $5 off on adult tickets! Experienced guides ensure a safe and educational adventure and small group size allow for personal attention. Fantastic wildlife sightings! Lots of tour times available (including Monday!) . For full details, call 904.377.7245 or go to www.staugustineecotours.com .

MUSIC AT SARA’S CREPE CAFÉ

Combine delicious fresh crepes, authentic Old World charm and outstanding music at Sara’s Crepe Café, 100 St. George Street in St. Augustine. From 8-11 p.m. on Friday, violinist Zoriy Zinger plays Music From the Heart. From the Russian Symphony Orchestra to Lincoln Center and appearances on Regis and Kathy Lee, his solo violin performances have enchanted millions. On Saturday from 8-11 p.m. and again on Sunday from 7-10 p.m., the dynamic duo of Maja & Gitana blend violin and acoustic guitar while singing Latin, Gypsy and Jazz. For more information, call 904.810.5800.

BEACH HORSEBACK RIDING

Experience the fun and excitement of horseback riding at the edge of the sea. Country Carriages offer daily one-hour rides (weather and tides permitting) from Surfside Park on Vilano Beach. The cost is $75 per person. For reservations (a must) and more information, call 904.826.1982.

Saturday: September 3

DOO-WOP MUSICAL SALUTE

Experience an exciting musical salute to The Platters, The Coasters, The Drifters and the Temptations at Fort Menendez at Old Florida Museum. Performed by Myles Savage, former lead singer from The Platters, this salute features the all-time classic songs of these immortal groups. The show begins at 7 p.m. Tickets are $40 (limited time, buy one-get one free!) Reservations are required. To purchase tickets, call Fort Menendez at Old Florida Museum at 904.824.8874 or visit www.oldfloridamuseum.com for more information. Fort Menendez is located at 259 San Marco Avenue St Augustine, Florida.

Monday: September 5

St Augustine Labor Day CONCERT IN THE PLAZA

Enjoy an afternoon concert featuring the St. Augustine Jazz Society in St. Augustine’s Plaza de la Constitucion. This is the final concert of the season. The concert is from 1 to 5 p.m. and is free to the public. For more information, call 904.825.1004 or visit www.plazaconcerts.com.

NOTE: St. Johns County residents with a valid ID are always admitted free of charge to the Lightner 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.

For more information on events and activities, go to the Visitors and Convention Bureau website at www.FloridasHistoricCoast.com or call 1.800.653.2489.
Jay Humphreys, Communications Director
St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra and the Beaches Visitors and Convention Bureau
29 Old Mission Avenue, St. Augustine, FL 32084