Shiver me timbers and call me a pirate! With April starting off with this beautiful weather, what better way to spend your day then adding a few argghh matey’s in your vocabulary!

The Sea Dragon Pirate Ship sets sail on the high seas and you’ve just got to get on board!  It’s fun for the whole family and don’t forget to bring your camera to capture your pirate life!

Yo ho ho ho a pirate’s life for me!

Check out the cruise schedule for the month of April here!

For more information, please check out The Sea Dragon Pirate Ship online now!

And don’t forget to print out your $2 OFF coupon NOW!

Check out the great lineup of entertainment coming to Firefly over the next few weeks!

Sat April 3 Saxophonist Chris Godber in the Library Lounge

 Fri April 9 Massalina Cargo Live in the Library Lounge

 Fri April 16 The Carolinas’s Live in the Library Lounge

Fri April 23 Destin Charity Wine Auction Wine Dinner featuring Groth Winery

 Sat April 24 Chef Paul’s Cooking Class (call for reservations)

Sun May 9 Mother’s Day Brunch

Give them a call for reservations at 850.249.3599(FLYY)

Check them out online today for more information on menu, dining room and a full wine list! http://www.fireflypcb.com

Bay Arts Alliance announces the first screening of independent films series, Tuesday, April 27, 2010, 6:30 PM at the Marina Civic Center .

 On February 18^th of this year, Bay Arts Alliance was contacted by Sheri Candler, an independent film marketing professional who had recently relocated to Panama City . One week later, the plans were underway to initiate an independent film series. Taking a reverse approach; a potential audience is identified, then films that address their interests are located by Candler. Community and service organizations that address the films’ content concerns are invited to partner with Bay Arts Alliance in the event.

 *About the Film:  What do people who were once paid to be creative for a living do when they’re laid off? They get creative with their own lives. Lemonade is an inspirational film about 16 advertising professionals who lost their jobs and found their calling, encouraging people to listen to that little voice inside their head that asks, “What if?”
All resources for Lemonade were donated. From cameras to lights to flights, this is a project by and for those who have been affected by unemployment.

Stats

• “Lemonade” was the number one most watched film on Hulu for two straight days and has more than 50,000 views in a month. 
• The trailer for “Lemonade” had nearly 200,000 views in seven months.
• 3000 hits/day on Lemonademovie.com
• Premiere in Boston featured on CBS Evening News with Katie Couric 
• Sold-out screenings in Boston, New York City, San Francisco, Pittsburgh, Chicago, Miami, Toronto, Calgary, Edmonton, and Glens Falls, NY 
• Dozens of “pop up” screenings in cities around the world, where people receive a free DVD in exchange for organizing their own showing.

 About the Filmmaker:  When Erik Proulx’s high school football coach said he was too small to play defensive end in college, he became a running back instead. When his college counselor told him to be a journalist, he pursued advertising. And when the economy told him to get out advertising, he made a movie. During Erik’s 15-year communications career, he intently ignored convention while working for boutique creative shops, enormous Madison Avenue agencies and everything in between. He has crafted campaigns for Stella Artois , Perdue Chicken, GMC Trucks, Fidelity Investments, Heineken, and MTV2. Erik created and produced the campaign that won the Volvo account for Arnold Worldwide, and was the lead writer on that account for almost two years. Most recently, Erik’s natural instinct to defy expectation motivated him to write and produce the documentary Lemonade, which has been featured on CBS Evening News with Katie Couric, ABC News, and Fast Company among others. 

About the Marketer:  Sheri Candler is a successful marketing and publicity specialist who is putting her skills and expertise into helping independent filmmakers gather an audience for their work. While working as the Marketing and Sponsorship Manager for the Santa Clarita Valley Film Festival, she encountered numerous talented filmmakers who possessed expert knowledge in storytelling and film production, yet lacked the knowledge of how to promote and distribute their films. As a fan of  independent films, it was painful to see how opportunities were being missed and she now uses her marketing experience to help independent filmmakers devise successful marketing and promotional strategies.

Recently, she has worked with the Los Angeles Film Festival, the Los Angeles International Shorts Fest (LA Shorts) and is a contributing writer to Microfilmmaker Magazine covering film marketing for microbudget films. She was responsible for publicizing the film YELLOWBRICKROAD at  Slamdance 2010 and works with filmmaker/author Jon Reiss to promote his book “Think Outside the Box Office, the ultimate guide to film distribution in the digital era.” She also is a featured expert in the upcoming book Guerrilla Filmmakers Pocketbook by Chris Jones and will be handling the promotion of the book as well as participating in various workshops on film marketing and distribution in 2010.

The screening of the film will occur at 6:30 PM and immediately after, we will host a question and answer session with Erik Proulx via Skype followed by “curbside consultations” for attendees with representatives from the film industry and educational resources, employment and small business consultants. Admission is $5.00 and seating is limited. For tickets, visit www.marinaciviccenter.com or call 769-4696.

Erik is still taking stories for submission about people’s experiences from being fired and finding their passion. http://www.lemonademovie.com/lemonade-the-book.php.  For more information or to request an interview with Erik Proulx or Sheri Candler, please email Jennifer Jones at jenniferjones@bayarts.org or call 850-769-1217 ext 102.

*This particular film contains language not appropriate for children and is recommended for mature audiences only.

Come on and check out Downtown Panama City and head over to the Martin Theatre for a great show!

Smoke on the Mountain Homecoming begins tomorrow night Thursday, March 24th and will be showing through to Saturday, March 27th. The show starts at 7:30pm and you don’t want to be late for this fantastic show!

In the last of the Trilogy, we meet up with the Sanders family one last time. The war is over and Reverend Oglethorpe and June, his bride, are moving to a new church and Dennis is taking his place. It all adds up to a great family reunion and a lot of wonderful old time gospel music!

Contact Number: (850) 763-8080

Check out more on the Martin Theatre on Harrison Ave. at: http://www.martintheatre.com

Fan favorite songs include “Letter to My…” and “Fred”.

Top 10 albums, including: Live, Greatest Hits, King of the Mountains & some other named albums which cannot be listed here due to mature content, all of which continue to receive major radio airplay and a place on the national comedy charts. Morning Wood and Greatest Hits (a double CD), have both earned RIAA gold record certification, and are well on the way to platinum status.

It’s just the beginning of Spring Break here in Panama City Beach, FL and the traffic is picking up as everyone makes their way down to The World’s Most Beautiful Beaches!
So what better way to spend a Friday night than at Fireflyin the Shoppes of Edgewater?
“Massalina Cargo” will be the entertainment for the night with a great acoustic duo playing country, contemporary and rock music. No cover charge!

If you have never had the chance to check out Firefly, you won’t regret it! The food is amazingly prepared with taste and class and the atmosphere is unlike anything you’ve ever experienced!

Reservations are recommended  for dinner so please call: 850.249.FLYY(3599)
Don’t forget to check them out online at: http://www.fireflypcb.com

re

Fat Tuesday was a great day and a gorgeous one at that in Panama City Beach. I had the great privilege of seeing the Broadway Touring Musical  at the Marina Civic Center last night and it was flat-out amazing!

If you’ve never seen Hairspray The Musical or the 2 movies that have been made on it, here’s a synopsis for you!

It’s 1962, and pleasantly plump Baltimore teen Tracy Turnblad has only one desire – to dance on the popular Corny Collins Show. When her dream comes true, Tracy is transformed from social outcast to sudden star, but she must use her newfound power to vanquish the reigning Teen Queen, win the affections of heartthrob Link Larkin and integrate a TV network – all without denting her ‘do! Be sure not to miss Hairspray!
“You Can’t Stop The Beat!”

If you had the chance to make it out and enjoyed the show, let us know!

Can’t wait to see all the new shows coming to Panama City, FL in 2010!

See you at the theater!

Pier Park in Panama City Beach, FL had a GREAT turnout for Mardi Gras 2010 hosted by the Krewe of Dominique Youx! The traffic seemed to be bumper to bumper just for everyone to get the chance to see this parade and it was well worth it!  Everyone went all out this year with some amazing floats decorated like Pirate Ships to the Palm Tree setting for Sandpiper Beacon Beach Resort!

Me and Amber were able to get our picture with the King & Queen of Dominique Youx from Friday night’s festivities!

Videos of the parade will be uploaded very soon..so check back on this blog with updates throughout the week!

A big thank you to the Krewe of Dominique Youx and Pier Park for putting on a great Mardi Gras for Panama City Beach, Florida!

Are you ready to celebrate Reggae Month at Pineapple Willy’s, well it’s only a month away so mark your calendars! Willy’s Pier Bar will be hosting some of the top names in Reggae bands over the entire course of March with even one of Oprah Winfrey’s favorite reggae bands:Fourth Dimension! You definitely don’t want to miss this jammin’ good time!

                                        Willy’s Pier Bar Reggae March Schedule:

March 8-14th, 2010- Vibe Irie- an innovative and multi faceted reggae group from Pensacola,FL. Styles ranging from mellow roots and dub reggae, to energetic, booty shakin’ dancehall, calypso, afro/latin fusion, and reggae hip-hop; playing originals and an eclectic arrangement of covers. Vibe Irie can perform in a variety of venues,from festivals and bars to private parties and corporate functions.Spreading good vibes across the gulf coast and beyond!

Check out their music at:http://www.myspace.com/vibeirie

March 15-20th, 2010- Herbal Crew

March 21-24th, 2010-Fourth Dimension- named Oprah’s favorite Reggae Band, these boys are based out of Fort Lauderdale,FL.

Check them out at:http://www.4thdimension.org/

March 25-28th,2010-Rising Lion- Based from Orlando, Rising Lion has been touring the US and abroad for 14 years. The Lion has performed and proven to be a favorite at the following various festivals: The Annual Bob Marley Reggae Festival, The Legends of Rasta Reggae Tour, The New England Reggae Fest, Golden Gate Park Reggae Festival, and various concert series around the US. During these times, Rising Lion has had the pleasure of performing along side with the likes of Santana, Ziggy Marley and The Melody Makers, The Wailers, Lauren Hill, Yellowman, Toots and The Maytals, The Wailing Souls, Burning Spear, The Mighty Diamonds, Inner Circle, and many more. Rising Lion tour information can be found at Risinglion.com, Jambase.com, and myspace.com/risinglion.

Check out the music at:http://www.myspace.com/risinglion

Listen to the music and feel the beat of the water and you’ll be in Panama City Beach, FL before you know it!

There’s nothing like reggae music to really put me in a good mood. I love listening to Bob Marley and taking a cruise down Front Beach Road blasting “Could You Be Loved” and really knowing I’m a beach girl at heart! I’m very thankful to live in a place where great musicians come through and Pineapple Willy’s always has an amazing lineup of artists throughout the year, stay tuned for the Thunder Beach Bike Rally Music Schedule!