In searching for a unique Oscar party that will not break the bank, I found a novel idea in Tampa, Florida.

The Tampa Theater is one of 47 theaters across the country sanctioned by the Academy for a live feed of the Oscars. A 1926 silent movie palace, this iconic theater will host an Oscar themed party as part of its annual fundraiser which supports the Theatre's artistic and education programs.


For a non Hollywood price tag of $30 per person, guests will be whisked around the block in a limousine, cheered by fans screaming for autographs on the red carpet, hounded by the paparazzi, and interviewed by our a zany red carpet hostess, "Roan Jivers." Yes, Tampa's own Joan Rivers with the first letters transposed.

Roan Jivers awaits celeb guests

Roan Jivers interviews arrival guest

There will be complimentary food samples during the reception, plus free popcorn, soda and coffee throughout the evening. And a cash bar.




After all the flash photography from raving fans and paparazzi, guests will enjoy plush red velvet seats inside the 1,400 seat theater and view and applaud the Oscar nominations and winners.  Who do you predict will win?

Large-scale white tents are cropping up on Miami Beach which only means one thing. Tonight is the premiere night of the annual South Beach Wine & Food Festival, more known as SoBe Wine & Food Fest!

Outside the Grand Tasting Village

It's a four-day event of wining, dining and mingling with top chefs, foodies and friends. Be prepared to join thousands of people inside one large tent to sample bite- size portions of  tasty fare from the best restaurants in Miami and finish it off with wine samples from over a hundred labels. 

Inside the Grand Tasting Tent--it's packed!

Oh so good  mini chops!

 Throughout the village, rub elbows alongside more than a dozen top culinary television personalities, like Rachel Ray, Guy Fieri, Anne Burrell and now country  music singer turned chef Trisha Yearwood. Sample a range of offerings at events sponsored by big name brands like Whole Foods, Evian, Target, Amstel Light, Diet Pepsi, and Bank of America.

I personally have met Rachel Ray, Bobby Flay, Emeril Lagasse, and Martha Stewart. Whether you attend a private event, attend their seminar at the beach side village or bump into them in passing, this is a slice of heaven for Food Network fans. And the food is great too!

 

Guy Fieri, chef and crowd pleaser

Most events are sold out including House of Mandela Wine Dinner (as in Nelson Mandela), and the popular kick off BBQ event sponsored by Moet Hennessy, "The Q" hosted by Southern Cooking Queen, Paula Deen and her sons Jamie & Bobbie Deen. But you still have time ...

Tickets are still available for the Grand Tasting Tent on Sunday ($225 each), February 24.  Purchase tickets here. 

The "Baking Out Loud" with Hedy Goldsmith and Josh Wesson is sure to put a smile on your face and make you laugh out loud. Hedy is celebrating the release of her very first cookbook Baking Out Loud by hosting this seminar of ultimate gratifications. From her time in the Michael’s Genuine Food and Drink kitchen, this James Beard Award nominee is so genuinely loved by all. Your heart will fill with warmth as your belly fills with peerless pastry combinations and delicate dessert wines. Purchase tickets here.



ENJOY!

Monday through Sunday: February 18 -24

Picasso: Art & Arena Exhibit - An exhibition featuring dozens of Picasso originals, including many that have never been seen previously in the United States. Both famous and rare, these pieces were produced in different styles, techniques and media; providing unique insights into one of Picasso's main themes: bullfighting.  The exhibition is at the Visitor Information Center,10 Castillo Dr. in St. Augustine. Admission: Adults $10; Seniors $8; Kids 6 & Under - Free; Kids 7 - 12 - $5; Family of 4 - $20; Military in Uniform - Free; Flagler College Student with ID - Free. The Picasso Exhibit is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday - Thursday; Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. www.picassoartandarena.com       904-825-1000    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 Edwin Augustus Moore Special Exhibit at the Lightner Museum - The private collection of Edwin Augustus Moore paintings will be featured as a special exhibit at The Lightner Museum through May 1. Moore was an American painter, traveler, journalist, photographer and composer who used St. Augustine for many of his landscape watercolor subjects. He visited the ancient city in 1895 along with other members of his artistic and eccentric family. The Lightner Museum, located at 75 King Street, is open daily from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Admission is adults $10; Active military with ID $6; College students and young people 12-18 $5; Children under 12 (with adult) free; St. John's County residents are free. 904-824-2874 www.lightnermuseum.org 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

Monday - Friday :  February 18 - 22

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.

Tuesday: February 19

Hotel Ponce de Leon 125th Anniversary Community Lecture - A presentation by Dr. Susan Braden titled "Entrepreneurs And Empires: Henry Flagler and Henry Plant in Florida." This presentation is part of the commemorative events celebrating The 125TH Anniversary of the opening of the Ponce de Leon Hotel. Takes place at 7 p.m. at the Lewis Auditorium at Flagler College, 14 Granada St. in St. Augustine. Admission is free.   www.ponce125.com

Wednesday: February 20

An Evening With Chef Jeff -  Nationally-acclaimed culinarian, television personality and New York Times best-selling author, Chef Jeff Henderson will be at the First Coast Technical College, 2980 Collins Ave. at 7 p.m.   Chef Jeff will feature his rendition of how his "discovery" of food was the catalyst for professional success, and will be followed by a signing of his bestselling memoir, COOKED. Tickets are $20.  907-547-3386  www.fctc.edu

Thursday: February 21

Tommy Emmanuel Concert - Australian guitarist, Tommy Emmanuel, known for his complex finger-style technique, energetic performances and effects on the guitar, performs 8 p.m. at the Ponte Vedra Concert Hall,1050 A1A North in Ponte Vedra Beach. Tickets are $44.50 & $36.50. www.pvconcerthall.com   904-209-0399

Friday: February 22

Carl Safina at the Whitney Laboratory - Dr. Carl Safina, acclaimed marine conservationist, host of the current PBS series "Saving the Ocean" and president of the Blue Ocean Institute will speak at 7 p.m. at the Whitney Laboratory for Marine Bioscience at Marineland. Dr. Safina's talk will focus on his international studies of the marine environment and his views on the ethical implications of science. Tickets are $10 each and due to limited seating, should be purchased in advance. The Whitney Laboratory is located at 9505 Ocean Shore Blvd.  904-461-4000 or www.whitney.ufl.edu Vienna Boys Choir - The world-renowned Vienna Boys Choir will perform at 7:30 p.m. at St. Augustine's Cathedral Basilica located at 38 Cathedral Place. The performance is part of the Cathedral's "Rejoice and Restore" campaign leading up to the 2015 celebration of the city's 450th anniversary. www.thefirstparish.org

Friday and Saturday: February 22 & 23

Sea Your History Weekend: Connecting to Our Shared History-Genealogy, DNA Sampling in the Oldest City - Genealogy is the theme of a special weekend presentation at the St. Augustine Lighthouse & Museum, 81 Lighthouse Ave. Friday from 3-6 p.m. visitors can help Lighthouse archaeologists unlock the secrets of long-lost shipwrecks. Saturday at 9 a.m., visitors can meet and work with traditional wooden boatbuilding as they build a boat from centuries gone by. At 11 a.m., a Smithsonian Presentation gives visitors an opportunity to meet some of the people who make the Smithsonian the world's leader in research and exploration. Weekend value pack which includes all 3 events and 2 days at the Lighthouse is $25. www.staugustinelighthouse.org    904-829-0745

Friday, Saturday and Sunday: February 22 - 24

Coalition for the Visual Arts Exhibition - The showcase of works of the Jacksonville Coalition for the Visual Arts will be displayed at The Cultural Center at Ponte Vedra Beach, 50 Executive Way, Ponte Vedra Beach. The exhibition opening will be February 22 from 6 - 8 p.m. The gallery is free and open daily from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday.  904-280-0614 www.ccpvb.org 28th Annual Cathedral Festival - One of the area's largest festivals features midway rides, games, bingo, a silent auction, mouthwatering food, beverages, a fireworks show and favorite local bands playing each day. The festival takes place at the Mission of Nombre de Dios, 101 San Marco Avenue from 5 p.m. - 10:30 p.m. on Friday, Noon to 10:30 p.m. on Saturday, and Noon to 9 p.m. on Sunday. Admission for festival grounds is adults $5; children 11-17 and adults 65+ are $3; children under 10 and active duty military are admitted free. Tickets for rides are $1 each (most rides take 4 - 6 tickets).  http://thecathedralfestival.com

Saturday: February 23

Kayaking Old City Style - Guided 2-hour eco tour provides a unique perspective of the historic Castillo de San Marcosand gorgeous views of the bay front. An interpretive guide identifies wildlife along the way and explains local salt marsh ecology. No experience necessary. Stable tandem kayaks make the paddle enjoyable for all. The tour costs $40/paddler. Tours depart from St. Augustine City Marina, 111 Avenida Menendez. 904-377-7245 www.staugustineecotours.com St. Augustine Chocolate Tour - Guided journey to the finest chocolatiers in St. Augustine. Learn the history of chocolate while sampling truffles, pastries, and gooey delights. The 2 hours tour departs at 1:30 p.m. from the Old Town Trolley Welcome Center at 27 San Marco Ave. The tour cost is $60.   904-829-3800  www.trolleytours.com/st-augustine/tour-chocolate.asp Guided Nature Trail Hike at Washington Oaks State Park - Join Park Ranger Amanda on a guided hike along the Bella Vista Nature Trail from 11 a.m. - 12 p.m. at Washington Oaks State Park located at 6400 N. Oceanshore Blvd., Palm Coast, FL 32137. Stop along the way to discuss the flora and fauna native to Florida and learn about the wildlife that may be seen in the park. Admission to the park is $5 per vehicle and $2 for pedestrians or bicyclists.  386-446-6783 www.floridastateparks.org/washingtonoaks    20th Annual RSVP Chocolate and Beyond - Savor a parade of chocolate delicacies from many of the area's finest restaurants and specialty shops at this annual event hosted by the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program of St. Johns County. The event is from 2-5 p.m. at St. Augustine's Ponce de Leon Mall, 2121 U.S. 1. Tickets are $10 per person.  904-547-3945 Menendez Birthday Grand Procession - Colorful and authentic 16th Century re-enactors, musicians and entertainers stroll along St. George Street to Lightner Museum for the opening of the Nocha de Gala, the 494th birthday celebration of St. Augustine's founder Pedro Menendez de Aviles.The procession begins at 5 p.m. at St. Augustine's City Gate located at Orange and St. George Streets.  904-669-1485. Casa Monica Noche de Gala - Sponsored by the Casa Monica Hotel, this is St. Augustine's most exciting social event of the year. This sixteenth century masked ball celebrates the 494th birthday of St. Augustine's founder, Don Pedro Menéndez de Avilés. Noche de Gala features a cocktail reception and dinner followed by dancing to contemporary tunes. Gala attire is black tie or 16th century costume. Noche de Galatakes place from 6:30 p.m. - 11 p.m. in the Lightner Museum Ballroom, 75 King Street. Tickets are $195 per person, or $75 per person for just the cocktail reception. All proceeds go toward the restoration of Lightner Museum. Reservations are required. email nochedegala@casamonica.com    "It Was A Very Good Year" by Tony Sands - Tony Sands presents his musical tribute to Frank Sinatra featuring the songs that made "Ol' Blue Eyes" one of America's greatest entertainers.   Performances are 3 & 7 p.m. at the Pioneer Barn at Fort Menendez, 259 San Marco Avenue in St. Augustine. Tickets are $12 for general admission.  www.fortmenendez.com  904-824-8874 Uptown Saturday Night - From 5 - 9 p.m. on the last Saturday of each month, experience live music, refreshments, new exhibits, book signings and much more at the galleries, antique stores and unique shop on St. Augustine's San Marco Ave. between Ripley's Museum and the Mission Nombre de Dios. The Mission Nombre de Diosprovides FREE PARKING.  904-823-9263.

Sunday: February 24

Murder in the Old City - Set in 1880's St. Augustine, this tale of murder, scandal, love and deceit enlists the dinner theater audience in judging the guilt of the accused. Tickets to this five-star dinner theatre experience at the Raintree Restaurant are $39.95 (adult beverages served separately). Dinner is served at 6 p.m. (5:30 p.m. arrival suggested) and the show begins at 7 p.m. Advance tickets can be purchased beginning at 2 p.m. daily at the Raintree, 102 San Marco Ave. in St. Augustine. 904-824-7211 Leo KottkeConcert - Blending folk, jazz, and blues influences Leo Kottke performs at 8 p.m. at the Ponte Vedra Concert Hall, 1050 A1A North in Ponte Vedra Beach. Tickets are $45 and $30. www.pvconcerthall.com 904-209-0399

The Super Bowl of all Boat Shows happens every February in Miami Beach, FL  the home and playground of stars and fun seekers everywhere.

The event is so big it spans three locations:

1. New Yacht & Power Boat Show, Sea Isle Marina
2. Shop for boats for every activity and budget at the Miami Beach Convention Center.
3. Strictly Sail at Miamarina Bayside (Downtown Miami)  is the largest display of multi-hull sailboats, gears, seminars and charters.

Highlights:

The Big Game Room is celebrating 10 years at the Miami Boat Show and is sure to impress this year!
They offer everything the big game enthusiast could want like bait rigging instructions.

There will also be a huge raffle to give away a Carolina Skiff JVX 16CC Center Console boat, a Suzuki DF60ATL1W motor and Magic Tilt aluminum trailer with 13inch tires!

The Strictly Sail Miami Boat Show at Miamarina at Bayside (in downtown) offers a sailors catch of education and fun with interactive seminars both on land and on the water, DIY programs to enhance your sailing skills, and the opportunity to spend the day with industry pros from around the globe.

The Big Game Room also features the Marlin Bar and Lounge and this year they will have live reggae musician Pluto Shervington.
 
The Miami Boat Show schedules informative seminars and events and has everything from installing a new battery and propping your boat to one on one with marine techs to ask anything!


Ready for the action? You helm the boat and I'll enjoy the ride!

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the popular  Coconut Grove Arts Festival.

What started as a publicity stunt of "clothesline hung art work" along the bay to promote the French musical Irma La Douce at the Coconut Grove Playhouse in October 1963, Charles Cinnamon's gamble paid off. 

This weekend the art festival will feature 380 artists (out of 1400 applications) and close to 500,000 attendees. Pop art, black and white photos, and wooden figures are just a few examples of the type of art presented at the largest outdoor art festival in Florida. There's something for everyone in terms of price range from $10 to $100,000 and higher.



On opposite ends, so as not detract from the art, are music performances and food galore. Count on fair favorite like funnel cakes. This year wine tents elevate the experience when admiring a masterpiece.

Admission is $10 per person. Children 12 and younger are free.

What: 50th Anniversary Coconut Grove Arts Festival
Where: Mile-long path begins on McFarlane Road and runs down 2700 South Bayshore Drive
When: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday-Monday
Cost: $10 per day, children 12 and younger free
Info: www.CGAF.com