Enjoy a festive mariachi serenade throughout historic downtown St. Augustine on October 30th from 5:30-7 PM, proudly sponsored by the St. Johns Cultural Council.
Cultural Council 2021 State of the Arts Grants
The St. Johns Cultural Council is pleased to announce the recipients of the Fall 2021 State of the Arts (SOTA) Grants. These grants, presented annually, are available through funds raised by the sale of “State of the Arts” specialty license plates and have provided more than $130,000 of support to arts organizations and individual artists in St. Johns County. Congratulations to all of the Fall 2021 grantees! Special thanks to our hard-working SOTA grant panel and for every individual who purchases a State of the Arts license plate to support this important initiative. Click the link below to see this year’s recipients and learn more about State of the Arts grants.
Alexis Peramas Alexis Peramas is a musician and visual artist in St. Augustine known for bringing his unbridled energy to break down the reservation and restriction of ego at his live performances. He has recorded with local musicians like Shea Burney, Earth Walker, and The Young Step. In February 2019, Alexis released his first EP, Magic Beach, revealing influences like Michael Jackson, Steely Dan, and Tears for Fears. His sound spans from whispery ballads to full-on rock & roll. His visual art is multi-media pop surrealism made from acrylic paint, ink and paper, hand-cut collage, and digital art. Find Alexis’s mural “World Grease, Grilled Peace” at Sarbez! — a local music venue, arcade, and grilled cheese lounge located on Anastasia Island. Click here to learn more about Alexis Peramas.
This Week’s Recommended Events
St. Benedict Blues Festival 2021 October 22-24
The St. Benedict Blues Festival will take place on the grounds of Saint Benedict the Moor Catholic Church in the historic Lincolnville neighborhood of downtown St. Augustine. Enjoy the festival on Friday & Saturday from 4-10 PM and Sunday from 11 AM to 5 PM. Admission is $5 and includes parking. Be sure to make room for New Orleans gumbo, pulled pork, ribs, desserts, local craft beer, and more. Bring lawn chairs for seating. All proceeds go toward the Catholic Mission Rectory Fund. Click the link below for the lineup and more details.
4th Annual St. Augustine Songwriters Festival October 22-24
The 4th Annual St. Augustine Songwriters Festival will take place from Friday to Sunday, October 22–24 at several venues in the historic district in St. Augustine. Admission is FREE. The festival includes outstanding songwriters, ranging from legendary artists to current hitmakers and budding stars, including Terri Jo Box, James McNair, Jason Duke, Jolie, Mark Irwin, Jesse Rice, Justin Wilson, Styles Haury, Tommy Cecil, Melissa Bollea, Megan Linville, Phillip White, and Kaylee Rose.
Tom Schifanella: Faces of the Alcazar Opening October 29th Tom Schifanella’s Faces of the Alcazar presents a compelling glimpse of life behind the scenes at Henry Flagler’s Alcazar Hotel. The exhibition documents the fragmentary clippings from early-20th century motion picture magazines pasted to the walls of the Alcazar staff quarters by the people who lived and worked at the hotel. Flagler’s grand hotels required a huge workforce to ensure their smooth operation. Staff at resort hotels like the Alcazar included a vast and diverse group of working-class employees: men and women, Black and White, and newly arrived immigrants from Europe all found employment in Florida during the winter tourist season. This exhibit opens on October 29th and will be free to view with the purchase of a Lightner Museum admission ticket until March 7, 2022.
African-American Cultural & Historical Grants Application Deadline Tuesday, November 30th by 5 PM The Florida Department of State opened its African-American Cultural & Historical Grant program on October 11th. This grant program intends to provide funding for fixed capital outlay projects at Florida facilities that highlight the contributions, culture, or history of African-Americans. Organizations can request up to $500,000 or up to $1,000,000 with matched funds from other sources. Click the link below for more details and to access the application.
Songwriter’s Workshop Sunday, October 24th at 11 AM The St. Johns Cultural Council has partnered with the St. Augustine Songwriter’s Festival to present a free workshop for songwriters at Colonial Oak Music Park this Sunday from 11 AM until 12 PM. Hear from industry professionals and singer-songwriters David Tolliver, Andy Albert, and Paul Jenkins.
Call For Art: Florida Wild Entry Deadline Monday, November 1st by 3 PM The St. Augustine Art Association invites artists to submit two (2) 2D or 3D works in any medium or style for the upcoming Florida Wild exhibit. From November 5th through December 31st, this display explores a wide range of artistic interpretations of Florida’s wild side including people and places, plants and animals, and wilderness and waterways. Entries must be original work and subjects must pertain to the theme. The application fee is $35 for non-members.
“A Shayna Maidel” Auditions November 6th at 2 PM The Limelight Theatre is holding auditions for its upcoming production of A Shayna Maidel on November 6th at the Matuza Mainstage. Two sisters meet in 1946 after 20 years of separation in this powerful yet haunting portrait following the aftermath of the Holocaust. Old barriers and griefs pave the way for a new sense of hope for a better tomorrow from the bitter ashes of a troubled past. A Shayna Maidel will be onstage from January 14th until February 6th. The audition will consist of cold readings from the script. Please bring a theatrical resume and headshot if available.
The Hopper Prize Artist Grants Application Deadline Tuesday, November 16th The Hopper Prize was established to increase the recognition of artwork created by artists and photographers in order to advance their careers by providing unrestricted financial support coupled with a platform for increased visibility. For Fall 2021, The Hopper Prize is offering two (2) grants in the amount of $3,500 and four (4) grants of $1,000 for Fall 2021. Jurors will select six artists to receive grants and additional exposure in the digital publication Journal: Insights into Contemporary Art. Thirty artists will be added to a shortlist to have their work archived at the Hopper Prize and a possible feature on Hopper Prize’s social media platforms. The application fee is $40.
National Juried Exhibition Application Deadline Monday, December 5th The Arts & Culture Alliance developed its National Juried Exhibition to provide a forum for artists to compete on a national scale and display their work. Approximately 45-55 fine artworks encompassing all styles and genres from both emerging and established artists will be selected by the juror, Tommie Rush, for exhibition in the Balcony Gallery in Knoxville, Tennessee’s downtown arts anchor location. Artists are invited to submit up to six (6) 2D or 3D works in any medium or style. Awards include $500 Best in Show, two $250 Juror’s Citations, and a cash award for Best Work by an Alliance member. The application fee starts at $40 for up to three (3) works and $7 per additional entry, up to three. Special rates are available for ACA students and members.
Ghost Stories at the BeachThe Art Studio at St. Augustine BeachSaturday, Oct. 23rd 6:30-9 PM The Tale Tellers of St. Augustine presents spooky ghost tales at twilight at the beach with open mic opportunities.
“The Dining Room” Lincolnville Museum & Cultural CenterOct. 29th – Nov. 7th Various Showtimes The Dining Room is a comment on how American society has changed for better and worse. The result is hilarious and touching.
Book Club: “Crossing the Creek”Virtual Event via ZoomWednesday, Nov. 3rd 6:30 PM Anna Lillios examines the complex relationship between two major literary figures whose friendship blossomed in St. Augustine.
