Maestro Demetrius Fuller to conduct Sinfonia Gulf Coast orchestra Sinfonia Gulf Coast presents award-winning violinist Geneva Lewis as part of its Classical Connections program on Saturday, March 11 at 7:30 p.m. at Destin High School. Lewis will perform Felix Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto in E Minor, Op. 64 with the full Sinfonia Gulf Coast orchestra conducted by Music & Artistic Director Demetrius Fuller. The orchestra will also perform Robert Schumann’s Symphony No. 2, Op. 61. “We are thrilled to welcome an artist of Geneva’s caliber to Sinfonia Gulf Coast. Supporting the development of a young musician already on a trajectory of a major career is as rewarding as watching this talent blossom and flourish for years to come,” Fuller says. New Zealand-born, Lewis has forged a reputation as a musician of consummate artistry whose performances speak from and to the heart. Lauded for “remarkable mastery of her instrument” and hailed as “clearly one to watch,” Lewis is the recipient of a 2022 Borletti-Buitoni Trust Award, 2021 Avery Fisher Career Grant, and Grand Prize winner of the 2020 Concert Artists Guild Competition. Deeply passionate about collaboration, Lewis has performed with many prominent musicians such as Jonathan Biss, Glenn Dicterow, Miriam Fried, Kim Kashkashian, Gidon Kremer, Marcy Rosen, Sir András Schiff, Mitsuko Uchida among others. Born in Hamburg, Germany, Mendelssohn (1809-1847) is usually regarded as a conservative composer, who despite his allegiance to Romanticism, closely followed the classical forms and feelings of Mozart and Haydn. But Mendelssohn also was a true Romantic... Read More

  Month-Long “Celebrate! Alaqua” Events Alaqua Animal Refuge is pleased to announce the formal opening of their new, one-of-a-kind facility, located at 155 Dugas Way, and invites the community to celebrate the momentous occasion with a month-long celebration of events titled “Celebrate! Alaqua” beginning March 4. As the Southeast’s premier 501(c)3 refuge and sanctuary, Alaqua believes that every abused, neglected, and homeless animal deserves a second chance. Originally located on 10 acres in Freeport, the new 100-acre facility will allow Alaqua to continue to do the important work of animal rescue and rehabilitation, as well as be an educational and training center for animal welfare advocates as a place that will inspire, empower, and educate others to make change in society and recreate the model worldwide. “We are so happy to finally be in our permanent home,” said Alaqua Founder Laurie Hood. “We have welcomed the animals to their new sanctuary and now we want to welcome our community to come see what their love, fundraising, and support throughout the years has built. After eight years of creating this space, we invite everyone to come ‘Celebrate Alaqua’ and honor this momentous move for our organization.” During the month of March, Alaqua will host a featured event every Saturday, kicking off with the highly anticipated Seventh Annual 100 Point and Cult Wine Dinner on Saturday, March 4. The sold-out, exclusive evening will offer guests a one-of-a-kind experience as they will be the first to dine in Alaqua’s permanent home. The elegant... Read More

  The First American Vodka in a Recyclable Paperboard Bottle Leans Further Into Sustainability With Ingredients From Local, Family-Farmed Crops Half Shell Vodka, the newest spirit developed by Florida-based Distillery 98 and distributed by North America’s leading beverage wholesaler Breakthru Beverage Group, makes history as the U.S.’s first spirit brand packaged in a recyclable paperboard bottle. Made from 94% recycled paperboard, Half Shell Vodka’s Frugal Bottle embodies the Florida Panhandle’s legacy of community and sustainability by using 6x less carbon than traditional glass bottles. “When we discovered the Frugal bottle in the U.K., we immediately realized that this packaging represents the future for our industry,” said Distillery 98 co-owner Harrison Holditch. “We hope that our commitment to Half Shell’s transformative bottle persuades more companies to embrace environmentally friendly packaging.” Half Shell’s dedication to sustainability extends far beyond packaging, encompassing everything from ingredient sourcing to the incorporation of circular economy principles into the company’s business practices. Half Shell sources its corn locally from the Florida Panhandle and leverages a distillation process that features a one-of-a-kind activated coconut carbon and oyster shell filtration system. The family-run distillery also partners with local farmers for the use of Half Shell’s spent grains as livestock feed. While some distilleries can claim farm-to-bottle cred, far fewer can identify themselves as farm-to-bottle-to-farm. Half Shell Vodka heightens its company-wide homage to the Florida Panhandle with a blue bottle reflecting the Emerald Coast’s world-class subtropical waters and a distillation process that harnesses shells from the Panhandle’s economically important and... Read More

  Eat, drink, and be social this Cinco De Mayo at North Beach Social from 6:00 – 9:00 p.m., May 5, 2022. Guests will enjoy music from DJ 30A, a photo booth, and a costume contest with a $100 gift card prize. There will be food and drink specials all day as well. Stop by the North Beach of South Walton for the festivities. About North Beach Social: North Beach Social is a beach restaurant and bar located at the foot of the 331 bridge in Santa Rosa Beach on the Choctawhatchee Bay. Guests order from the counter and bar and enjoy beach games, toys and seating in a very laid back atmosphere. On the menu are some of Chef Jim Shirley’s most famous dishes, like Grits á Ya Ya, The Bomber Burger, fresh oysters and Tuna Poké Bowls. Open Monday-Friday from 11:00am – 9:00pm and Saturday and Sunday from 8am – 9pm, with breakfast Saturdays and Sundays 8-11AM. More at NorthBeach.Social. Or follow along on Facebook and Instagram. (12)   Read More

  Spring is quickly approaching and Holi Indian Restaurants will be ringing it in with the traditional Festival of Colors! The community is invited to participate in this joyous holiday on March 20, 2023, at the Fort Walton Beach Landing, from 1 to 7 p.m. Media Alert WHO: Holi Indian Restaurants WHAT: Holi Festival of Colors WHEN: Monday, March 20, 2023 | 1 – 7 p.m. WHERE: Fort Walton Beach Landing Park  139 Brooks Street SE   Fort Walton Beach, FL 32547 DESCRIPTION: Holi Indian Restaurants brings the Indian tradition of Holi to the Emerald Coast with Florida’s largest Holi Festival of Colors. In celebration of spirituality, community, love, and diversity, the festival boasts live music, multi-cuisine food trucks, drinks, and family activities. The community is invited to take part in the Holi Festival of Colors from 1 to 7 p.m. on March 20, 2023, at the Fort Walton Beach Landing. Admission is free and attendees are encouraged to wear white, as all are welcome to throw gulal, the traditional colored powder, on one another. The powder comes in many colors, each carrying a special meaning, to include red, symbolizing love and passion; yellow, symbolizing happiness and peace; and blue, symbolizing calm and serenity. The gulal is non-toxic and will wash out of most clothing. Those interested in becoming a vendor can request more information by emailing info@holirestaurants.com. For updates and additional event information, visit the Holi Festival of Colors Facebook event. ABOUT HOLI: Holi Indian Restaurants feature the flavors... Read More

  South Walton Fire District (SWFD) responded to a fatal water rescue incident near Miramar Beach Regional Beach Access on Saturday at approximately 1:56 p.m. https://30a-tv.com/30a/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/dji-30secs-miramar-beach.mp4 The original 9-1-1 caller reported to SWFD Dispatchers that multiple swimmers were in distress near 2375 Scenic Gulf Drive. SWFD’s Surf 5 lifeguard responded to the caller’s location, then entered the water and made contact with several swimmers who were approximately 150 yards offshore. These swimmers stated a male of approximately 20 years of age was in distress and then submerged. They said they had lost sight of the individual and had been searching for them while lifeguards were enroute. At that time, two more lifeguards and SWFD Advanced Life Support arrived on-scene. The lifeguard signaled back to shore of a “Code X” at 2:04 p.m., which initiates the search for a missing swimmer. The three lifeguards began searching in a pattern to the east based on the direction of the current and located the victim at 2:16 p.m. Lifeguards then brought the victim back to shore, where the individual was pronounced deceased at the scene. Single red flags were flying at the time the incident occurred, which indicate high surf hazards and the presence of dangerous rip currents. SWFD would like to remind the public that the 2023 Beach Safety Season will begin on Wednesday, March 1, with the staffing of lifeguard towers and full-scale beach safety operations. Until that date, lifeguards are patrolling 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. each day in accordance... Read More

  Join Topsail Hill Preserve State Park for the Inaugural Mardi Paw Parade on Saturday, February 18th from 10:30AM – 12:30PM. Dress up your pet & participate! Regular park admission Fee + $5.00 suggested registration fee. NEW! Annual Mardi Paw Parade 10:30AM || Registration begins (Dayuse Area) 11:15AM || Parade begins (Route: ¾ mile) 12:30PM || Interpretive Program (Ampitheater)   Read More

  Gather your friends for the 9th annual Tea Fore Her on Sunday, March 5th from 12-2pm at The Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort and Spa! Enjoy lunch and tea with great company while raising funds for breast cancer patients along the Emerald Coast. During the event there will be a photo booth, silent auction, seated lunch, live music,  complimentary glass of champagne, and more. Big hats encouraged for a chance to win “Best Hat” prize.   Read More

  As Valentine’s Day approaches, locals and visitors can can celebrate love with Hotel Effie’s romantic offerings. Whether you’re looking for over-the-top luxury or a relaxing and romantic escape on the sandy beaches and clear waters of the Emerald Coast.   Read More

  Get your hot tickets now for the annual Caring & Sharing of South Walton Spring Fashion Show and Luncheon. This year’s event will be held on Sunday, February 26th from 12:30 to 3 p.m at The Vue on 30a.   Read More