Fireworks, BBQ, Jazz Pack Summer on Amelia Island

Fireworks, BBQ, Jazz Pack Summer, Fall Event Calendar on Northeast Florida’s Amelia Island

AMELIA ISLAND, Fla. (April 15, 2010) – Visitors to Northeast Florida’s Amelia Island will discover a jam-packed calendar of exciting, family-friendly events this summer and fall.  Topping the event schedule are the Stars and Stripes Freedom Festival, which includes a colorful parade and dazzling fireworks show on Independence Day; the Great Southern Tailgate Cook-off, with mouth-watering barbeque from more than 40 teams from across the country; the Amelia Island Jazz Festival, featuring Ramsey Lewis, and much more.  Amelia’s natural scenic beauty make the island a perfect setting for these and many other popular events, making every visit a memorable vacation experience.
Visitors can now find event details on the newly-improved Amelia Island web site, www.ameliaisland.com, which features an enhanced event calendar.  Visitors can now download events to their personal calendar, as well as receive RSS feeds and weekly email updates of new events. 
 
Shrimp Expression (May 1- Sept. 30)
Beginning in May 2010, Fernandina Beach will be the temporary home of more than 20 fiberglass shrimp sculptures, each whimsically decorated by a local artist.  Titled “Shrimp Expression,” the project is modeled after similar projects in numerous cities across the country, including Cows on Parade (Chicago, New York, Atlanta).  For more information, call (904) 491-6364 ext. 100 or visit www.shrimpexpression.com.
 
Sounds on Centre (July 2; August 6; September 3; October 1)
The Historic Fernandina Business Association is proud to present Sounds on Centre.   This free community concert is held the first Friday of each month from March through October in historic downtown Fernandina Beach on Centre Street between 2nd and Front from 6 to 8 p.m.  Be sure to bring a chair, your dancing shoes and a smile and song in your heart to enjoy these free concert events. For additional information, visit www.downtownfernandina.com.
 
Stars and Stripes Freedom Festival Parade & Fireworks (July 3-4)
Presented by the City of Fernandina Beach, the Stars and Stripes Freedom Festival includes a colorful parade, a community choir performance at the Visitor Depot, and a Fourth of July Fireworks display at the Marina Waterfront.  For additional information, call (904) 277-0717.
 
Union Garrison at Fort Clinch State Park (July 3-4; August 7-8; September 4-5; October 2-3)
Living history interpreters recreate life at Fort Clinch during the War between the States. Held the first weekend of every month, these events give visitors a glimpse into the daily lives of the soldiers during the Civil War.  Activities may include powder artillery demonstrations, medical demonstrations and soldier drills.  Additionally, soldiers and civilians demonstrate garrison life by taking up duty in the laundry, infirmary, barracks and kitchen.  Saturday events are held from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. and Sunday events are offered from 9 a.m. until noon.  For details, call (904) 277-7274 or visit www.floridastateparks.org/fortclinch.
 
July 4th Beach Bash (July 4)
The Ritz-Carlton will be celebrating Independence Day at 6 p.m. with a full buffet, live entertainment, games, and fireworks on the Oceanfront Lawn. Event costs $75 per adult, $35 per child (ages 5 to 12). Reservations required, call (904) 277-1100.
 
Artrageous Artwalks (July 10; August 14; September 11; October 9)
Every second Saturday, Amelia Island holds an exciting Artrageous Artwalk.  Eleven area galleries display a diverse selection of art, including acrylics, copper, metals, photography, pottery, stained glass, watercolors and much more.  Visitors can wander through galleries in the historic downtown district of Fernandina Beach. Artrageous Artwalk takes place from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. on the second Saturday of each month. For more information, call (904) 277-0717 or visit www.ameliaisland.com.
 
Signature Wine Dinner at Salt (July 15)
Enjoy a four-course tasting menu while sampling featured vintages from Darioush. Event begins at 6 p.m. and costs $145 per person plus tax and gratuity.   Reservations required, call (904) 277-1100.
 
3rd on 3rd at Amelia Island Museum of History (July 16; August 20; September 17; October 15)
On the third Friday of every month, the Amelia Island Museum of History offers a special presentation about the intriguing history of the island.  Events take place at 5:30 p.m. at Baker Hall in the museum.  Admission is free for members and $5 for non-members.  Visit www.ameliamuseum.org for additional information about the museum.
 
Soon Y. Warren Workshop (August 5-7)
Soon Y. Warren's "Painting Glass in Watercolor" Workshop will focus on the technical skills needed to paint crystal and glass, as well as focusing on composition, color theory, value, perspective, and the other elements necessary for the two dimensional painting with watercolor.  An "Early Bird Discount" is available if paid by July 4.  Cost is $375.  Visit www.ameliaislandartistsworkshop.com  or contact Mikolean Longacre at (904) 415-3900 or (904) 491-8040 for registration and "Early Bird" pricing.
  
Postmortem (August 12 -28)
The Amelia Community Theatre presents the murder mystery thriller, Postmortem.  For play description, ticket pricing, times and more information, visit www.ameliacommunitytheatre.org.
 
Great Southern Tailgate Cook-off (August 27-28)
More than 40 cooking teams from across the country will compete at Main Beach for up to $20,000 in cash and prizes. The cook-off will be sanctioned by the Kansas City Barbeque Society and is a Florida State Championship event.  More information is available at www.gstailgatecookoff.com or by calling (904) 277-0717. 
 
Turtle Trot (September 4)
The Turtle Trot 5K and 10K race event is held by the Amelia Island Runners. The run begins at the Atlantic Avenue Recreation Center and is open to all ages. For additional information, visit www.ameliaislandrunners.com.
 
Signature Wine Dinner at Salt (September 16)
Enjoy a four-course tasting menu while sampling featured vintages from Portugal and Spain. Event begins at 6 p.m. and costs $115 per person plus tax and gratuity. Reservations required, call (904) 277-1100.
 
Spanish American War Event (September 18-19)
Visitors can head to Fort Clinch State Park for a commemoration of the Spanish American War. The event will take place on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 9 a.m. to noon.  For details, call (904) 277-7274, or visit www.floridastateparks.org/fortclinch.
 
Leah Lopez Workshop (September 24-26)
The Leah Lopez, "Classical Still Life Painting" Oil Painting Workshop is for beginner to advanced painters. Leah Lopez is a nationally recognized, award winning, traditionally trained artist teaching at the esteemed New York Academy of Art as well as conducting workshops around the country.  Inspired by the oil paintings of the masters, this workshop will cover the essential skills needed to achieve luminosity and depth with paint. Students will make significant advances in their painting skills which will not only produce beautiful still-lifes but will carry over to their other paintings of portraits, figures and landscapes as well.  Cost is $295. An "Early Bird Discount" is available if paid by Aug. 23. Visit www.ameliaislandartistsworkshop.com  for registration information or contact Mikolean Longacre at (904) 415-3900 or (904) 491-8040.
 
Amelia Island Jazz Festival (October 3-10)
The Amelia Island Jazz Festival will once again light up the island with a week-long series of events celebrating this diverse all-American art form, with headliner, multiple Grammy award-winning pianist, Ramsey Lewis.  Under the creative direction of renowned jazz drummer and bandleader, Les DeMerle, the festival will feature world-class jazz artists in a wide variety of styles.  Thousands of visitors will enjoy Dixieland, Smooth Jazz, Bebop, Big Band, Blues, Latin and more at the new, state-of-the-art First Baptist Church auditorium, at the beautiful St. Peter's Church Courtyard and at several other charming venues around the island. For more information, visit www.ameliaislandjazzfestival.com.
 
 
Elizabeth St. Hillaire Nelson Workshop (October 9-10)
Artist Elizabeth St. Hillaire Nelson will give a three-day Paper Paintings workshop for beginner to advanced artists covering hand-painting and hand-staining papers for collage. The workshop includes materials to use for ground, glue and varnishes, how to make a collage archival along with course design, composition and color, directional ripping and paper choice. Cost is $325.  An "Early Bird Discount" is available if paid by Sept. 7. Visit www.ameliaislandartistsworkshop.com for registration and "Early Bird" pricing or contact Mikolean Longacre at (904) 415-3900 or (904) 491-8040.
 
Alyson Stanfield Workshop (October 16-17)
Alyson Stanfield's Taking Charge of your Career" two-day Workshop will be taught Oct. 16-17.  Stanfield is the nationally known author of "I'd Rather be in the Studio" and her famous "Art Biz Coach" blog.  She will offer practical advice to artists to take charge of their art careers allowing them to sell more art and build an art career that lasts.  Cost is $150.  An "Early Bird Discount" is available if paid by Sept. 15. Visit www.ameliaislandartistsworkshop.com  or contact Mikolean Longacre at (904) 415-3900 or (904) 491-8040 for registration and "Early Bird" pricing.
 
Judy Carducci Workshop (October 20-24)
The Judy Carducci Portraiture Workshop will allow participants to work in the medium of their choice, either Oil or Pastel. Listed in Who's Who in American Art, Who's Who of American Women, Who's Who in the World and "Outstanding People of the 20th (& 21's) Century," Carducci has received international recognition as one of today's best portrait painters.  Her expertise as a teacher of portrait painting is extremely sought after.  This unique opportunity allows attendees to study with one of the best.  Cost is $550.  An "Early Bird Discount" is available if paid by Sept. 19. Visit www.ameliaislandartistsworkshop.com&
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