» Arts and Culture

It goes without saying that the Panama City Beach Seafood Wine and Music Festival is going to be great fun for everyone across the beach. But, although, there will be great fun to be had, some of you will want to avoid the crowds and seek fun elsewhere. Here are 5 weekend alternative options that will have you and the family out of the house and having a great time. 1. Cirque Dreams Illuminations 7:30PM – Marina Civic Center Cirque Dreams Illumination is a bustling city of generalities set in a landscape of dreams, towering buildings and infinite possibilities. Ablaze with lights and activities, objects and shapes transform into windows and stairways that lead beyond imagination. City dwellers collect objects that are balanced beyond belief, linemen delicately walk wires, daredevils ...

This fall, Panama City Beach and Panama City will host several cultural and artistic events sure to bring out the artist in you. From exhibits, to shows to street painting festivals, there will be loads of artistic fun to be had all over town. You just have to get up, experience the great weather, talented artists and be inspired. 1. BAY COUNTY FAIR ART EXHIBIT – October 5-10 – BAY COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS Calling artists of all ages to submit art for the Bay County Fair Art Exhibit, October 5-10, 2009. 2 youth categories, several adult categories. 2 works per artist. Contact Panama City Artists 850-769-0608, info@panamacityartists.net, www.panamacityartists.net 2. CIRQUE DREAMS ILLUMINATION – October 8 – MARINA CIVIC CENTER Cirque Dreams Illumination is a bustling city ...

10. Flamingo Joe’s One the outside, by name and exterior, one might think Flamingo Joe’s transplanted right out of Key West. But the second you bite into one of their signature Grouper sandwiches, you’ll know the flavor’s all Panama City Beach. Loved for great food, laid-back atmosphere and the tastiest salsa West of the Mississippi, Flamingo Joe’s is basically a residential right-of-passage for beach lovers. Flamingo Joe’s is located at 2304 Thomas Dr Panama City, FL 32408. Call ahead at (850) 233-0600 9. Ms. Newby’s Every city has a local bar to which locals, after a night of fun or dinner, just gravitate. No matter what new bar opens, or what spot becomes a summer trend, Newby’s, for lots of PCB locals, is like home. What began as a liquor...

I refuse to allow the Visual Arts Center to be shut down for the following reason: As I strolled through Panama City Visual Arts Center’s “In Search of Norman Rockwell’s America” exhibit, a heard a woman behind me sigh and say, “Those were the days.” The woman’s voice expressed enough nostalgic longing that I just had to turn around and see for myself what she saw that made those days differ so much from these. The piece was a simple one; Three Boys Fishing, depicting three carefree and shirtless boys hanging over a log to fish. I looked at it, myself never once hanging over a log to fish in my entire life, and somehow I understood what she meant: those really were the days. I was not born in the fifties or the sixties or even the seventies, but I am fortunate to have a clea...