ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. – The New Year is the perfect time to dive into events and experiences celebrating St. Augustine’s vibrant art and history. Explore all the St. Augustine area has to offer with events ranging from art exhibits, concerts, food and musical festivals, and movie screenings. Here’s a selection of events in St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra and the Beaches January through May.

 

Saint Augustine Film Festival

Jan. 18-21

Laugh, cry, ponder, feel anger, and joy. Have your imagination challenged at the 8th Annual St. Augustine Film Festival, a four-day event featuring a collection of unique international film projects from Estonia to Afghanistan, Poland, Trinidad and Tobago. A variety of exclusive independent films from the United States will be shown. Location: Corazon Cinema and Café 36 Granada Street, St. Augustine, FL 32084. For more information, call (904) 461-3993 or visit www.staugfilmfest.com

 

Estonian National Symphony Orchestra

Jan. 27, 7:30 p.m.

Enjoy a night filled with classic music performed by the world-renowned Estonian National Symphony Orchestra. It has performed alongside many well-known conductors and soloists such as Triin Ruubel who has won several prizes in international competitions. Tickets are $40 for adults and $5 for children and students with a valid ID. Location: Flagler College – Lewis Auditorium, 14 Granada Street, St. Augustine, FL 32084. For more information, call (904) 797-2800 or visit http://www.emmaconcerts.com/event/estonian-national-symphony-orchestra/

 

Emmett Fritz: A Centennial Collection

Nov. 3- Jan. 28

Come see the city and streets you love through the eyes of Emmett Fritz, one of St. Augustine’s most treasured and talented artists from the 20th century. The St. Augustine Art Association commemorates the 100th anniversary of Fritz’s birth with a free event showcasing special installations of Fritz’s landscapes and paintings on loan from local and regional private art collectors. Location: 22 Marine Street, St. Augustine, FL 32084. For more information, call (904) 824-2310 or visit  www.staaa.org/emmett-fritz-exhibit

 

Maritime Mysteries: St. Augustine and Beyond

Jan. 30, 7:30 p.m.

Chris Kastle and Joyce Sabato combine their widely acclaimed storytelling and musical talents for a spectacular voyage through the unknown sea on stage at the Limelight Theatre. Tickets are $10 per person and are available online or at the door. Location: 11 Old Mission Ave. St. Augustine, FL 32084. For more information, call (904) 471-0179 or (386) 439-9413 or visit www.taletellers.org.

 

“Evolution”: P.A.St.A. Art Gallery

Jan. 5- Jan. 31

The Professional Artists of St. Augustine (P.A.St.A) theme for the month of January is “Evolution”. Come explore P.A.St.A’s free gallery showcase that includes various art mediums such as oil, watercolor, photography, stained glass and more. Location: P.A.St.A Fine Art Gallery, 214 Charlotte Street, St. Augustine FL, 32084. For more information, call (904) 824-0251 or visit www.pastagalleryart.com

 

Dressing Downton: Changing Fashion for Changing Times

Oct. 4, 2017- Feb. 4, 2018

Due to its extreme popularity, this exhibition has been extended for an additional four weeks at the Lightner Museum, offering St. Augustine visitors a rare opportunity to explore the exquisite exposition of turn of the century costumes and accessories. This tour provides many parallels of the time period to characters of the popular television series “Downton Abbey”, immersed with Otto Lightner’s collection of fine art and furniture from this period. This is Dressing Downton’s only stop in the southeast United States and is a must-see. Purchasing tickets in advance is highly recommended. Location: 75 King Street, St. Augustine, FL 32084. For more information, call (904) 824-2874 or visit www.lightnermuseum.org/dressing-downton/.
First Coast Opera presents I Pagiacci and The Strangers Tale

Feb. 10 and Feb.11

Originally written as a companion piece to Stravinsky’s “A Soldier’s Tale”, “A Stranger’s Tale” presents a homeless man whose interactions with others in New York City’s Central Park ultimately leads to improved lives. This double-bill production is fully-staged at Flagler College’s Lewis Auditorium. Tickets are $40 for adults and $10 for students. Location: 14 Granada Street, St. Augustine, FL 32084. For more information visit www.firstcoastopera.com.

 

Flight to Freedom

Feb. 10, 10 a.m.

In celebration of Black History Month, walk with reenactors from the Fort Mose Historical Society on the Freedom Trail, the first “Underground Railroad” and learn the story of hundreds of people who fled to Spanish Florida from enslavement on British indigo and sugar plantations in South Carolina in the 1700s. Location: Fort Mose Historic State Park, 15 Fort Mose Trail, St. Augustine, FL 32084. For more information, call (904) 823-2232 or visit www.historiccoastculture.com/event/flight-to-freedom-3/.

 

Made in St. Augustine

Feb. 11, 11 a.m.-6 p.m.

Come hungry and celebrate everything made in the nation’s oldest city at this one-day festival. Explore the many tastes of St. Augustine in one place and enjoy a market-like atmosphere with local and handmade goods. Sample signature dishes from the city’s best chefs, hand-pick produce from local farmers, and drink various beverages from local coffee roasters, brewers and distillers. Location: Francis Field West Castillo Dr., St. Augustine, FL 32084. For more information, visit www.madeinstaugustinefest.com.

 

Brown Bag Lunch Program: Dressing Downton in the Era of the Lusitania

Feb. 14, 11:30 a.m.

Come celebrate the annual program, St. John Reads, and meet Barry Myers, curator for the Lightner Museum. Mr. Myers will share his knowledge on the costume history of the World War I period and his family’s own experiences aboard the Lusitania. This event complements the Dressing Downton Exhibit at the Lightner Museum and is free to the public. Location: St. Johns County Public Library-Main Branch 1960 North Ponce De Leon Blvd., St. Augustine, FL 32084. For more information, call (904)827-6940 or visit www.sjcpls.org/branches/main-library/.

 

From the Soviet Union to Putin’s Russia: A Journalist’s Perspective

Feb. 15 7 p.m.

Flagler College presents author Andrew Nagorski, former Senior Editor of Newsweek International and former Vice President and Director of public policy for the East/West Institute. Mr. Nagorski discusses Russia’s history, current actions and future prospects from a journalist’s perspective and personal experience. This event is free and open to the public. Location: Flagler College, 74 King Street, St. Augustine, FL 32084. For more information, visit www.historiccoastculture.com/event/soviet-union-putins-russia-journalists-perspective/.

 

Jibade-Khalil Huffman Exhibition

Jan. 19- Feb.22

This exhibit combines layers of art through language, text, and image to tell stories in diverse modes that include photography, performance, video and writing. Huffman’s work emulates life’s intricacies through humor and different materials. This exhibition is free and open to the public. Location: Crisp-Ellert Art Museum at Flagler College, 48 Sevilla Street, St. Augustine, FL 32084. For more information, call (904) 826-8530 or visit www.flagler.edu/news-events/crisp-ellert-art-museum/.

 

The Olde South Photography Series

Dec. 19 – Feb. 22

This exhibit displays Rick McAllister’s series of pictures that show and conserve structures from the past of the old South such as Cracker cabins, plantations and estate ruins, and forts. Location: St. Johns County Administration Building, 500 San Sebastian View, St. Augustine, FL 32084. For more information, call (904) 808-7330 or visit www.floridashistoriccoast.com/events/olde-south-photography-series-exhibition.

 

A Classic Theatre presents Intimate Apparel by Lynn Nottage

Feb. 16- Feb.25

A story of longing, love and unfaithfulness set in 1905 New York City. Directed by Patric Robinson, this performance follows a black seamstress who longs for a husband and a future. The winner of the 2004 New York Drama Critics’ Circle and the Outer Critics Circle Awards. Location: Pioneer Barn at Fort Menendez 259 San Marco Ave. St. Augustine, FL 32084. For more information, call (904) 501-5093 or visit www.aclassictheatre.org/tickets.

 

St. Augustine Lions Seafood Festival

Mar. 16- Mar.18

A great event for a great cause. St. Augustine Lions Foundation hosts the 37th annual festival featuring varieties of delicious seafood, live entertainment, family fun, and over 100 arts and crafts exhibitors. Location:  Francis Field West Castillo Dr. Saint Augustine, FL 32084. For more information, call (904) 829-1753 or visit www.lionsfestival.com.

 

Roscolusa 2018

Apr. 28

The 7th annual singer-songwriters festival will showcase the talent of Nashville, TN on Ponte Vedra’s beaches for this one-night musical event you won’t forget. Hear original work by these singer-songwriters and hear the stories behind their songs penned for and performed by popular artists such as Blake Shelton and Tim McGraw. Along with performances this event will have delicious local Jacksonville food trucks, a “teen zone” and a play area for children. Location: Nocatee, Village Lake Drive, Ponte Vedra, FL 32081. For more information, visit www.roscolusa.com

 

EMMA Concert Association presents Neil Burg’s 100 Years of Broadway

Apr. 7, 7:30 p.m.

Enjoy a night filled with moments from the finest shows on Broadway featuring actual actors of shows such as “The Phantom of the Opera,” “Les Miserables,” “CATS” and many more. Location: Flagler College-Lewis Auditorium, 14 Granada Street St. Augustine, FL 32084. For more information, call (904) 797-2800 or visit www.emmaconcerts.com.

 

Plein Air Paint Out 

Apr. 22-29

The St. Augustine Art Association presents the 2nd Annual St. Augustine Plein Air Paint Out. The event is open to local, regional and national artists and celebrates the oldest city’s historical, architectural and coastal beauty by painting en plein air, a French term for “painting in open air”, a time-honored practice dating back to the mid-19th century.  Selected works will be featured in the exhibit Where Art Meets History at the St. Augustine Art Association and monetary awards will be given to winners. Location: St. Augustine Art Association, 22 Marine St. St. Augustine, FL. For more information, call (904) 824-2310 or visit www.staaa.org/pleinair.

 

The 22nd Annual Taste of St. Augustine Festival

Apr. 29

This event has grown to be the city’s premier outdoor food festival, featuring exciting “tastes” from over 20 of St. Augustine’s famous restaurants. A live music festival all day, special children’s area and a culinary marketplace add to the fun and excitement. Location: St. Augustine Amphitheatre, 1340C A1A South, St. Augustine, FL 32080. For more information, visit https://www.visitstaugustine.com/event/taste-st-augustine.

 

St. Augustine’s Romanza Festivale of the Arts

May 4-13

An extraordinary celebration of arts and culture, the Festivale showcases St. Augustine’s music, dance, theater, art, cuisine, heritage and romance. Featured are concerts, street fairs, the Romanza Parade, plays, re-enactments, lectures, workshops, tours, exquisite dining opportunities and much more. Location: Downtown St. Augustine, FL 32084. For more information, visit www.romanzafestivale.com/.

Spring Performances at the Ponte Vedra Concert Hall                                                                            Spring performances include Grammy award winner Brad Paisley March 10, Loudon Wainwright III March 30, Florida Chamber Music Project’s Mozart and Smetana May 6, and many more. Location: 1050 A1A North, Ponte Vedra Beach, 32082. For more information, call (904) 209-0399 or visit www.pvconcerthall.com.

 

Spring Concerts at the St. Augustine Amphitheatre

Featured performances at the eco-friendly include Venardos Circus January 24-February 10, Willie Nelson and Family with Special Guest Los Lonely Boys February 18, Justin Moore with Special Guest Dylan Scott March 3, 1964:The Tribute-“The Best Beatles Tribute on Earth” March 17. Location: St. Augustine Amphitheatre, 1340C A1A South, St. Augustine Beach, 32080. For more information, call (904) 209-0367 or visit http://staugamp.sjcvenues.com.

 

For more information about arts,culture and heritage activities on Florida’s Historic Coast and a full calendar of events, log on to the new www.historiccoastculture.com.

 

For story ideas and additional information for the media, visit www.historiccoastculture.com/media.

 

About St. Johns Cultural Council
The St. Johns Cultural Council is a 501© (3) not-for-profit agency. Under agreement with the St. Johns County Board of County Commissioners, the SJCC provides arts, culture and heritage tourism destination marketing services to the county’s Tourist Development Council (TDC). Funding for marketing services comes from a portion of the county’s bed tax. For more information, call (904) 808-7330 or visit www.stjohnsculture.com.

 

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