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 free and low cost entertaining events for our St Johns County readers.

Monday through Sunday: February 11- 17

“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

Asian Vignettes Photographs by John Roppolo – “An Asian Vignette” features photographs from a recent trip to Southeast Asia, where Roppolo spent six weeks traveling throughout Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar and Vietnam, experiencing the cultures and lifestyles of the people. The Pasta Art Gallery, 214 Charlotte St. is open noon – 4 p.m. Monday – Friday and 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. Saturday – Sunday. 904-824-0251 www.pastaartgallery.net

Planning and Painting in Paradise – The exhibition “Planning and Painting in Paradise: The Art and Architecture of the Hotel Ponce de Leon” will open at 5 p.m. This collection of art architectural drawings related to Henry Flagler’s beautiful hotel will be open through February 22 at the Crisp-Ellert Art Museum, 48 Sevilla Street in St. Augustine. The museum is open 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday thru Friday and noon to 4 p.m. on Saturdays. Admission is free. 904-826-8530 www.flagler.edu/crispellert

Monday – Friday : February 11- 15

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 12

Hotel Ponce de Leon Studios Lecture – Dr. Roger Bradley presents a lecture titled “The ‘Robber Barons:’ Neither Robber Nor Barons.” The presentation is part of the commemorative events celebrating The 125TH Anniversary of the opening of Henry Flagler’s Ponce de Leon Hotel and takes place at 10 a.m. in the Flagler Room at the former Hotel Ponce De Leon 74 King St., St. Augustine. Tickets are $5 per person for a single lecture, or $15 for four lectures. Active military personnel may attend at no charge. The lecture will last approximately one hour and will be followed by a coffee and pastry reception. 904-819-6282 www.ponce125.com

Tuesday through Thursday: February 12 – 14

The Sixties on Screen: Film Screening and Discussion – Visiting Flagler College scholars R. Barton Palmer and Murray Pomerance present screenings and lead discussions of three film classics from the 1960s. Feb. 12: Psycho; Feb. 13: Easy Rider; and February 14: Zabriskie Point. All screening take place at 7 p.m. at the Gamache-Koger Theatre, 50 Sevilla St., St. Augustine. Admission is free. www.flagler.edu

Wednesday: February 13

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

The Birthplace of Freedom – The Story of Fort Mose Lectures – Dr. Susan Parker, Director of the St. Augustine Historical Society, and Dr. Patricia Griffin, independent scholar and researcher, present discussions of the life of Africans in Spanish Florida. Dr. Parker’s talk is titled “Uncertain Freedom — Africans in Spanish Florida” while Dr. Griffin’s discussion is titled “The Odyssey of an American Slave”. The free lectures begin at 7 p.m. in the Flagler Room at Flagler College, 74 King Street in St. Augustine. 904-823-2232 www.flagler.edu

Ponte Vedra Concert Hall 2nd Anniversary Celebration – Open house in honor of the loyal patrons and community as Ponte Vedra Concert Hall Celebrates its 2nd Anniversary of presenting quality performances. The evening’s events include live music by Tropic of Cancer, free food, and chances to win prizes. The celebration takes place from 6 to 8 p.m. at Ponte Vedra Concert Hall, 1050 A1A North, Ponte Vedra Beach. 904-209-0399 www.PVConcertHall.com

Thursday: February 14

Valentine’s Day Astronomy – Experience the magic of the night sky with Park Services Specialist Joe Woodbury at Faver-Dykes State Park. View planets, galaxies, star clusters, and other beautiful objects on a clear night. The program which includes hot chocolate and coffee, is from 7-8 p.m. at the Ranger Station and is included in admission ($5 per vehicle) to the park located at 1000 Faver-Dykes Road, St. Augustine. 904-794-0997 www.floridastateparks.org/faverdykes

Great Backyard Bird Count – Saturday adventure for birders from novice to expert begin at the Anastasia Island Library, 124 Sea Grove Main Street in St. Augustine. From 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. 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 aibirdcount@gmail.com

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. www.tolomatocemetery.com

A Day in Old Florida at Faver-Dykes State Park – Faver-Dykes State Park hosts living history demonstrations including pine needle basketry, a 1700s Trapper Trader Camp, blacksmithing, a Timucua Native American display, and a mullet net knitting. Features an activity center where children can paint a natural habitat, dig archaeology, play Native American games, and a palm frond activity. There will be scheduled nature hikes (11 a.m., noon and 2 p.m.) and Ranger led kayak tours at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.Reservations are required for the kayak tours and cost $10 per person (must be 12 years old or older). Food will be on sale, including pulled pork sandwiches, hamburgers, hot dogs, beverages baked goods and kettle corn. The Festival is from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. at Faver-Dykes State Park, 1000 Faver-Dykes Rd. in St. Augustine. Admission is $5 per vehicle. 386-446-6783 www.floridastateparks.org/faverdykes

Saturday and Sunday: February 16 & 17

Arts and Crafts Festival at St. Augustine Beach Pier – A seaside display of fine art and crafts along with live music and lots of great food. The event takes place from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. on Sunday at the St. Augustine Beach Pier Park located on A1A in St. Augustine Beach. Admission is free. 352-344-0657 www.tnteventsinc.com

Sunday: February 17

Royal Knighting Ceremony – The 2013 Royal Family, composed of heritage residents representing Spain’s 1672 Queen Marianna, King Juan Carlos and Princess Margarita Maria, bestow knighthood on St. Augustine residents selected for their civic good deeds. The colorful event takes place at 2 p.m. at the Isabella Gardens located at the corner of Hypolita and St. George Streets in St. Augustine. 904-829-2333