April 1-5

The Blue Angels will practice aboard the Pensacola Naval Air Station at 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday, April 1.

The flight team will be preparing near the National Naval Aviation Museum for the upcoming performance season. Pilots will be at the museum after the practice to sign autographs.

The Blues will also hold practice sessions on April 7-10, 14, 15, 21, 22, 28 and 29.

For more information, call 850-452-2583.

Pensacola Wine Festival spills into the downtown streets

The Pensacola Wine Festival, April 2-5, is a collaborative event created by the fine dining restaurants and wine merchants of Downtown Pensacola.

The festival features a fourday sequence of events to celebrate the multitude of quality wine offerings available yearround in the Pensacola community.

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.pensacolawinefestival.com.

Silver Rhythm Dancers to Perform at Aviation Museum

The Silver Rhythm Dancers of Rowlett High School, Texas will perform at the National Naval Aviation Museum at 2 p.m. on Friday, April 3.

This year, the dancers are especially focused on expressing appreciation to the military who are currently serving our country.

For more information about the museum, visit www.NavalAviationMuseum.org or call the Naval Aviation Museum Foundation at 850-453-2389 or 800-327-5002.

Artists host reception at Quayside Gallery

Quayside Gallery opened "Go Figure!" on March 26 and it runs to May 2. It features the figurative works of eight artists who have been drawing from a live model once a week for the last three years.

The artists are hosting a reception from 5 to 8 p.m. on April 3.

While there will be some clothed as well as paintings of nudes, it has been done in a way that is not offensive but shows a certain sensitivity and beauty of the human form.

Call 850-438-2363 for more information.

UWF hosts annual Festival on the Green

Save the date for the University of West Florida annual Festival on the Green. The festival will take place on Friday and Saturday, April 3 and 4, at the UWF Main Campus.

Events will include an alumni jazz brunch and awards celebration, three stages, a dog sports exhibition, a children's festival, library book sale, a fine arts show, a university showcase, a crafts fair, a classic cars show and festival food.

For more information, contact Jeff Comeau, festival director, at 850-474-2610 or e-mail at jcomeau@uwf.edu.

Gulf Breeze Expo to show off what the town has to offer

Th3 event showcases over 150 businesses from the greater Gulf Breeze area in indoor and outdoor venues at the South Santa Rosa Recreation Center on Saturday, April 4 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

It also includes a family expo with events, music and fun for the whole family provided by many of Gulf Breeze's local non-profit organizations.

Call 850-932-7888 for more information about the event.

Jazz Society of Pensacola presents JazzFest 2009

The Pensacola JazzFest is a free all-jazz festival in downtown, historic Seville Square on Saturday and Sunday, April 4-5. The Jazz Society of Pensacola produces the twoday festival, held in early spring each year, to celebrate America's unique musical art form with music, food and drink and memorabilia.

Admission to the event is free. For more information, contact the Jazz Society at 850-433-8382.

"Live at the Troubadour Tour" hits civic center

Daryl Hall and John Oates, two of the most well-known stars in the music industry, are making a stop at the Pensacola Civic Center for an intimate theatre performance on Sunday, April 5 at 8 p.m.

Hall and Oates started working together in the early 1970's and went on to become the most successful duo in rock history. With over 60 million albums sold, Daryl Hall & John Oates' rich repertoire has garnered a total of 8 #1 hit singles.

Tickets are available at The Pensacola Civic Center Box Office, Ticketmaster outlets, Charge By Phone 800-745-3000, or at www.ticketmaster.com.

April 6-12

The Music As A Weapon Tour, featuring Disturbed, Killswitch Engage and Five Finger Death Punch, makes a stop at the Pensacola Civic Center on April 7 with a 7 p.m. show.

Tickets are available at the Pensacola Civic Center Box Office, Ticketmaster outlets, charge by phone, or at www.ticketmaster.com.

Saenger Theatre presents 'Stomp'

"Stomp" will show at the Pensacola Saenger Theatre on April 7 at 7:30 p.m.

The international percussion sensation has garnered an armful of awards and rave reviews, and has appeared on numerous national television shows.

The eight-member troupe uses everything but conventional percussion instruments- -matchboxes, wooden poles, garbage cans, Zippo lighters, hubcaps--to fill the stage with magnificent rhythms. Stomp...see what the noise is all about!

For tickets or more information, call the Saenger Theatre Box Office at 850-595-3880.

Idol Winner Fantasia performs at Saenger Theatre

Third season American Idol winner, Fantasia, will be live in concert at the Saengar Theatre on April 10 at 8:30 p.m.

Not only is Fantasia Barrino a multi-Grammy and American Music Award nominee, but she was also the first American Idol winner to star on Broadway.

Tickets are available at the Saenger Theatre Box Office, at all Ticketmaster outlets (www.ticketmaster.com) and charge by phone by calling 800-745-3000.

Pensacola hosts Rocket Road Show

A 55-foot Rocket used for educational purposes will be on static display in Admiral Mason Park on Sunday, April 12 from noon-5 p.m. The Rocket will be traveling across country to the Kennedy Space Center.

For more information, visit www.cityofpensacola.com.

April 13-19

The Farmers' Opry House in Chumuckla hosts the 6th Annual White Sands Music Festival from Thursday, April 16 to Saturday, April 18.

The event features excellent food and refreshments and jam sessions in the campground.

For more information call the Farmers' Opry at 850-994-6000 or Harry Felder at 850-932-3734, or visit www.farmersopry.com.

Renowned flautist to perform at Saenger

Flute phenomenon Joshua Smith comes to town as The Pensacola Symphony Orchestra returns to the Saenger for their season finale at 8 p.m. on Saturday, April 18 at the newly renovated Saenger Theatre, downtown Pensacola, 118 South Palafox.

For tickets or more information, call the symphony office at 435-2533 or visit www.pensacolasymphony. com.

Half Hitch Tackle hosts tournament on April 18

The Half Hitch Tackle 2009 Cobia Tournament will be held on April 18 at the Panama City Bch store, 2206 Thomas Drive, Panama City Beach. Registration is from 5-7 p.m. on April 17, with the Captain's Meeting at 6 p.m.

For early registration and complete tournament rules contact 850-234-2621 or visit www.halfhitch.com.

April 20-26

The WEAR ABC 3 De Luna Treasure Hunt, part of the 60th Fiesta of Five Flags celebration, will take place April 20 - May 8.

The Grand Prize Includes $2,000 cash and a 14K gold necklace with Spanish Reale from Jewelers Trade Shop. Second Place Prize is $700 cash and Third Place receives $300 cash.

All details are on the maps which are free and available in April at the Pensacola Historical Museum located at 115 East Zaragosa Street. Clues will begin on April 20 on the 5 p.m. WEAR ABC 3 news broadcast.

Joe Cocker in Concert at the Saenger Theatre

Joe Cocker, one of the truly great rock voices of all time, will be in concert for one night only on Thursday, April 23 at 7:30 p.m. at the Pensacola Saenger Theatre.

For tickets or for more information, contact the Saenger Theatre Box Office at 850-595-3880.

Flora-Bama Lounge hosts Interstate Mullet Toss April 24-26

The Flora-Bama Lounge, in Perdido Key, will hosts its annual Interstate Mullet Toss beach party on April 24-26.

The event features music, food and drink and, of course, a mullet tossing competition.

For more information, visit www.florabama.com.

Take the First Annual Tour de Cure

Take the ride of your life with the First Annual American Diabetes Tour de Cure bicycle ride on Saturday, April 25 at the Andrews Institute in Gulf Breeze.

Three course options are available for everyone from novice to experienced cyclists including a 7-mile family fun ride, as well as 40- and 60-mile rides. A post-race lunch will be served immediately following the ride.

Registration is $35 per cyclist and is available online at www.TK101.com or www.MY1073.com. All cyclists are required to raise a minimum of $100 to participate.

Enjoy Caribbean island sounds at Goombay Gulf Coast

Feel the rhythm of some of the best regional and international reggae, calypso, steel drum bands and Caribbean music around at Goombay Gulf Coast, April 25 from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. and April 26 from noon to 5 p.m. in the Belmont-Devilliers area of Pensacola.

The Caribbean style festival mixes the sound of the islands with local vendors offering tasty food and quality art and crafts. For more information, call 850-207-0206 or email info@goombaygulfcoast.com.

Test your endurance at the Pensacola Beach Triathlon

The race, which begins at 7 a.m. on April 26, consists of a1500 meter swim in the Santa Rosa Sound, a 40K bike through a one loop course and a 10K run along the dunes and homes of Pensacola Beach.

Age groups will be separated in 5-year increments and awards will be given for the top three in each age group and overall male and female winners.

To register for the race, visit www.racepensacola .com. Registration closes on April 23 at 11:59 p.m.

April 27-30

'Wit' opens at PLT

The Pensacola Little Theatre opens its rendition of Margaret Edson's "Wit" on Thursday, April 30 at 8 p.m. Performances continue through the weekend.

The story is set in the last hours of Dr. Vivian Bearing's battle with ovarian cancer. In her dying hours, Bearing assesses her own life through the intricacies of the English language.

For tickets or more information, contact the PLT Box Office at 850-432-2042.