DOWNTOWN NEIGHBORS 09.25.2012

Downtown resident, Lowell Beyer, is the featured artist at 233 West King Gallery in an exclusive show titled “Slice of Time,” which is a series of black and white photographs.  Call 217-7470 for gallery hours.  The show runs through October 2^nd so you’ll have to hurry to see it, and see it you should.

Joe Segal, downtown musician and sculptor along with Teresa Segal, photographer, invite everyone to “The Power of Two” being held at Maitland Art Center Galleries in Maitland FL.  The show highlights some of Florida’s most renowned visual artist couples and their works.  Opening reception is this Friday from 6-8pm and the show runs through January 4^th.  For more information visit artandhistory.org.

Helena Kahan, owner of 360 Boutique at 50 San Marco Avenue, will be celebrating her 6^th year in business during Uptown Saturday Night on September 29^th.  Displaced from New Orleans by Hurricane Katrina, Kahan relocated to St Augustine and has created a loyal following.   Stop by to say congratulations and be sure to visit all the participating shops and galleries during Uptown Saturday Night.

Downtown sculptor and musician, Marianne Lerbs, hopes one and all will come out to the St Augustine Scuplture Garden this Sunday, September 30^th, for a public celebration of the life and work of the late Thomas Glover White.  No better place to do so than at the Garden where so many of Thomas’s sculptures are gathered for the enjoyment of the public.  It’s a potluck so bring a dish and a chair.  Complimentary wine will be provided and Lonesome Bert & the Skinny Lizards will be sharing some brand new tunes and some old favorites.  Starting at 4pm, the Sculpture Garden is located at Ron Parker Park in St Augustine Beach (just south of City Hall and the police station).

Wells Fargo is presenting the St Augustine Spanish Wine and Food Festival as the first event in a series of annual doings honoring St Augustine’s Spanish roots.  On October 3^rd, a wine tasting will be held at The Tasting Room at 25 Cuna Street and will benefit the St Johns Children’s Museum.  On Thursday the 4^th, the wine tasting moves to Rhett’s Piano Bar and Brasserie at 66 Hypolita Street and will also benefit the Children’s Museum.  On October 5^th, the festival moves to the River House at 180 Marine Street, where there will be music, dancing and a four-course Spanish dinner.  For more info and to buy tickets, check out staugustinespanishwinefestival.com.

October 5^th brings us First Friday Art Walk and there is plenty to see, touch and add to your collections.  Elyse Brady reminds us of the 11^th Annual Tactile Art Show being held at the St Augustine Art Association at 22 Marine Street.  Students from the Florida School for the Deaf & Blind helped prepare the exhibit by creating Braille labels for the artwork and participated in guided tours and hands-on projects.

Downtown resident artist, Rosamond Parrish, will be premiering her new book, “Lincolnville:  A Sketchbook Journal of St Augustine’s Historic Neighborhood,” at First Friday at the St Augustine Art Association and Parrish will be on hand for a special book signing.  It was a labor of love to create this fine book and Parrish thanks Carrie Johnson and David Nolan among others for their invaluable help during the project.  The Lincolnville Sketchbook Journal exhibit will be on display through October 28^th in the South Gallery.  Don’t miss it.

Karen Sheridan of Plum Gallery invites you to an exceptional fall show making its debut during First Friday.  In addition to the works of Karen Sheridan and Susanna Richter-Helman, glass blower Thomas Long, painter and educator Sara Pedigo, abstract artist Karlene McConnell and artist and sculpture Roxanne Horvath will be featured.  Reception runs from 5-9pm and Plum Gallery is at 9 Aviles Street.

Downtown resident Kathy Schirmacher reminds us of the First Friday concert at the Cathedral Basilica.  The St Augustine Singers present Jubilate, featuring the music of English composer, Bob Chilcott.  The concert is free and open to the public.  Kathleen Vande Berg will conduct and Shannon McKay is the accompanist.

Laurel Baker of Anchor Boutique will be hosting Kristin Ademczyk who is a local clothing designer.  Showcasing a body of work including one-of-a-kind clothing designs using vintage fabric executed with a fine tailoring for both high end looks and appeal.  Anchor Boutique is at 210 St George Street, just south of King Street.  There’ll be live music and drinks offered.

Kay Burtin, St Augustine Art Association Docent Coordinator, and Tom Rahner, Flagler College Professor Emeritus, will lead a candlelight tour of St Augustine Art at the St Augustine Art Association from 7-9pm on Sunday, October 7^th.  Offering a rare and illuminating glimpse into St Augustine’s art scene of the mid-20^th century and today.  This is a fundraising event to support Kay Burtin’s bid for Society Queen of the Junior Service League’s annual gala, benefiting Kids Bridge, the Lightner Museum and the St Augustine Lighthouse Museum.  Tickets are $35 per person, $50 per couple and free parking is available.  Several new acquisitions to the permanent collection include a landscape by Beau Redmond and photographs by the late Victor Rahner.  For more info please call 824-2486 or 824-2310.

Steve and Sue Marrazzo of Simple Gestures have put out the call for scarecrows so it must be time for their annual Great American Scarecrow Festival benefiting Pie in the Sky in Hastings and all the great work they do.  There’ll be scarecrows, apple bobbing, pie hole playing, face painting, sugar cane, live music by Lonesome Bert & the Skinny Lizards and yes, there’ll be pie and a pie raffle.  Malea says, “Come by and have some pie.”   The festival will be held at Simple Gestures (immediately south of Gypsy Cab restaurant on Anastasia Boulevard) on Saturday, October 13^th from 10am to 4pm.  Be there!

Finally, don’t forget about the third annual Fiesta de Aviles being sponsored by the Aviles Street Merchants Association.  On Saturday, October 13^th, the event starts at 10:30 with the running of the bulls at 2pm.  Zumba and flamenco dancing, a spectacular Brazilian Tropicana show, food, music, art and shopping – it’s going to be terrific and it lasts from 10:30am to 10:00pm.  On Sunday the 14^th the fun continues during Sangria Sunday where merchants compete to offer the best sangria and Jim and Sylvia Kaval make music for you.  For information call 825.0069.

City resident Vickie Rianda wants everyone to come out for Fish-N-Chips Marina Casino Night on Saturday, October 20^th as part of the Monique Burr Foundation El Pescado Billfish Tournament.  The event includes cocktails, dinner, casino style games and wonderful prizes.  The proceeds help protect Florida’s children through its national bullying and child abuse prevention program, “Speak up, Be Safe.”  Tickets are $75 and you can get more information on the tournament and dinner at ElPescadoBillfish.com.

Wow – did you get all that down?!  See you on the street.

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