Keepers Roast & Grog Fest this weekend

In a report to Historic City News from Communications Director Jay Humphreys with the St. Augustine Visitors and Convention Bureau, we discovered many new weekend activities including the Keeper’s Roast & Grog Fest at the St. Augustine Lighthouse and Museum.

Friday: February 27

SORDS AND THE ST. AUGUSTINE COMMUNITY ORCHESTRA

Experience the youthful artistry of virtuoso violinist Andrew Sords when he appears in concert with the St. Augustine Community Orchestra. The concert will take place at 8 p.m. in the Lightner Museum at 75 King Street in St. Augustine. An encore performance will take place on March 1 at 3 p.m. at the St. Johns County Convention Center at World Golf Village. Admission is free, but a $10 donation would be appreciated. For more details, call 904.471.3026.

NEW VISIONS EXHIBITION

Be among the first to see New Visions – an exhibition of the latest work by acclaimed artist Jim Draper. The artist, known for his ability to capture the qualities of urban and rural life along with the individual’s place within them, will be in attendance at the opening reception from 6:30-8 p.m. at the Cultural Center at Ponte Vedra Beach, 50 Executive Way. Admission is free. New Visions will be on exhibit through April 11. For more information, call 904.280.0614.

NIGHT OWL CINEMA

Experience the edge-of-your-seat excitement and fun of Indiana Jones and The Temple of Doom when this classic adventure yarn comes to life on the big screen at the St. Augustine Amphitheatre. Admission is free and lots of local restaurants will be represented with their great food and drinks. The amphitheatre is truly one of the most beautiful venues in the Southeast – don’t miss this opportunity to check it out. Gates open at 6:30 p.m. and movies begins at 8 p.m. (Please, no outside food or beverages will be permitted.) For more information, go to www.staugamphitheatre.com/cinema.php or call 904.471.1965.

KEEPER’S ROAST AND GROG

Experience a delightful evening at a historic light station when the St. Augustine Lighthouse and Museum presents the first ever Keeper’s Roast & Grog Fest. The event features a $25 ($20 for museum members) feast of roasted pork, grilled oysters and chicken, rice and beans, and corn on the cob washed down with authentic nautical Grog. The event is 6 to 9 p.m. and all proceeds benefit the lighthouse’s non-profit museum. For more information, go to www.staugustinelighthouse.com and to make a reservation, call Sara at 904.829.0745, x224.

Saturday: February 28

UPTOWN SATURDAY NIGHT

A favorite end-of-the-month event, Uptown Saturday Night takes place from 5 to 9 p.m. the last Saturday of every month in the Uptown San Marco Shopping District, St. Augustine. Galleries, antique stores and unique shops between Ripley’s Museum and the Mission of Nombre de Dios remain open during this special time. Meet the artists, book signings, live music, refreshments and other events contribute to the party-like atmosphere. The Mission of Nombre de Dios provides FREE PARKING for Uptown Saturday Night. Appetizers are provided by the Saint Augustine Independent Restaurant Association (SAiRA). The event is sponsored by the San Marco Avenue Merchants Association. Please call 904.824.3152 for more information.

FORT MATANZAS NATURE EXPLORATIONS

Enjoy this program that is part of the National Parks Service Nature Series at Fort Matanzas National Monument. This ranger-led walk explores “The Wonders of the Salt Marsh” one of a series of guided walks, each exploring a different habitat or ecosystem at Fort Matanzas. The free tour takes place from 9:30 to 11:30 am. Participants meet ranger on the benches in front of the visitor center. Fort Matanzas National Monument is located on A1A at the south end of Anastasia Island approximately 15 miles south of St. Augustine. For more information, call 904.471.0116 or visit www.nps.gov/foma.

TORCHLIGHT TOUR OF FORT MATANZAS

Enjoy a nighttime historic event at Fort Matanzas National Monument. The tours depart by boat from the park’s visitor center at 6:00, 6:45, 7:30, and 8:15 p.m., and are led by re-enactors portraying Spanish soldiers of the 1740’s on duty at the fort. Each tour will include a spectacular nighttime cannon firing! Tickets are available at the Fort Matanzas Visitor Center and must be purchased in advance. Tickets are $7, children three and under are free. There are no ticket refunds unless the event is cancelled. Fort Matanzas National Monument is located on A1A at the south end of Anastasia Island approximately 15 miles south of St. Augustine. This will be the last nighttime tour of Fort Matanzas until November. For more information, call 904.471.0116 or visit www.nps.gov/foma.

NOCHE DE GALA

Be a part of this 16th century masked ball celebrating the 490th birthday of St. Augustine’s founder, don Pedro Menéndez de Avilés. Guests will be escorted to the festivities by re-enactors in period clothing. The cocktail reception and dinner will be followed by dancing to contemporary tunes. Attire is black tie or 16th century costume. The Noche de Gala begins at 6:30 p.m. in the Lightner Museum Ballroom, 75 King Street in St. Augustine. Admission is $175. Reservations are required. For more information, call 904.825.5033.

GTM RESEARCH RESERVE FAMILY FUN KAYAK EXPERIENCE

Come explore the Guana River Aquatic Preserve and the Environmental Educational Center with the whole family! Ripple Effect Ecotours will offer kayak tours designed for ages 6 and up that will surely captivate nature lovers of all ages. Tours take place from 10 a.m. to noon. Tour price is $45 for adults and $35 for kids ages 6 to 15 and includes admission into the reserve, photos of the tour and access to the Environmental Educational Center at the GTM Research Reserve! The GTM Research Reserve is located on A1A approximately 8 miles north of St. Augustine at 505 Guana River Road in Ponte Vedra Beach. For more information or to make reservations, call 904.347.1565 or visit www.RippleEffectEcotours.com.

NATURE WORKSHOP AT ST. AUGUSTINE LIGHTHOUSE

Enjoy making abodes for birds, frogs, toads, dragonflies and butterflies from materials found in nature. The Lighthouse’s Nature and Natural History Educator, Gail Compton will lead this group of adults and children as she interacts about the things found around us and their importance to nature. Participation in the workshop is free and regular admission is required to enter the museum or climb the tower $9 adults, $8 Seniors, $7 children (St. Johns County residents are admitted for half-price)i. The Workshop takes place from 9 to 11 a.m. at the St. Augustine Lighthouse, located at 81 Lighthouse Drive in St. Augustine. For more information, call 904.829.0745 or visit www.staugustinelighthouse.com.

Sunday: March 1

WOMEN OF THE PAST, FUTURE AND PRESENT

Be entertained by three performances spotlighting women past, present and future. Kiki Tovey will perform an excerpt from 9 Parts of Desire, a play by Heather Raffo that offers a portrait of Iraqi women in a country overshadowed by war. Paulette Mitchell will provide a reading of her three poems about 19th and 20th century women and Dr. Dorothy Israel will conclude the program with a reading of Hats at Easter. The performances begin at 3 p.m. at The Art Advocate, 76 B San Marco Avenue, in St. Augustine. Admission is free. For more information, call 904.826.4116.

NOTE: St. Johns County residents with a valid ID are always admitted free of charge to Government House Museum, the Lightner Museum, the Colonial Spanish Quarter Museum, the Fountain of Youth, the Ximenez-Fatio House, the Oldest Wooden Schoolhouse, and the Spanish Military Hospital Museum and the Father Miguel O’Reilly 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 Peña-Peck House and the Father Miguel O’Reilly Museum. (donations are welcome)