The Dr. Seuss estate’s decision to pull six books from reprints has nothing to do with cancel culture. That pair of terms has become its own dogmatic dumbbell anyway. Our misplaced nostalgia for books we were so fond of isn’t more important than the golden rule of looking out for our neighbors, to whom the same nostalgia translates as insult or put-down.
Culture
Now Florida’s Only 2nd All-American Road, Storied A1A Has Long Navigated Between Quaint and Crass
State Road A1A is now an All-American Road, adding to the road’s paradoxes of beauty and history on one side and and relentless commercialization and development on the other, though the same people who applaud its scenic designation are also those who endanger it most.
Life, Breath, and Death: Michael Eric Dyson’s ‘Long Time Coming’ as Elegy and Call to Action
Michael Eric Dyson’s “Long Time Coming” is for those who are just beginning to see, for those who are seeking to reignite the fire, and for those who are coming, as is said in the Black church, from a mighty long way.
Stampeding Elephants! Raging Typhoons! Runaway Trains! City Rep Theatre Goes ‘Around the World in 80 Days’
A handful of actors play dozens of roles in City Repertory Theatre’s new production of Jules Verne’s “Around the World in 80 Days” at the outdoors, socially distanced stage in Palm Coast’s Town Center of the Palm Coast Arts Foundation this weekend.
Outta’ Sight: Flagler Auditorium Celebrates Community with Covid-Conscious Concert Series
The Cherry Drops’s Feb. 27 show will be Flagler Auditorium’s second in its Community Celebration Series, a multi-artist, multi-media string of spring performances that lives up to its title. Along with concerts by mostly area music artists, each event will include presentations and activities by area civic and cultural groups such as the Flagler County Historical Society, and the Palm Coast Cruisers with their car show.
New Galleria d’Arte Lights Up Contemporary Art in Palm Coast, Countering Sharp Decline in Exhibit Space
Lisette Otero-Lewis’s Galleria d’Arte in Palm Coast’s St. Joe Plaza has informal partnerships with the Gargiulo Art Foundation and with artist J.J. Graham of Salvo Art Project. Otero-Lewis is seeking to counter the effects of the pandemic, which hs limited art exhibits.
Go To the Theatre in Comfort of Your Home: “Two for the Seesaw” Benefits CRT and Arts Foundation
City Repertory Theatre and the Palm Coast Arts Foundation have teamed up for a co-production of “Two for the Seesaw,” filmed at St. Augustine’s Limelight Theatre and available over the next two weekends from home for $30, which benefits the arts organizations.
Flager Beach Rotary’s Race for the Runways 5K Is On at County Airport, With Strong Covid Safety Guidelines
The pandemic requires format changes and safety guidelines for everyone’s comfort and safety, participant and volunteer peace of mind and safety being paramount in this 10th Anniversary Race. Participants will also be required to sign a release.
American Impressionism at the Lightner Museum
This spring, the Lightner Museum in St. Augustine celebrates the evocative, timeless beauty of late 19th and early 20th century American art with two exhibitions of American Impressionist paintings.
Flagler Auditorium Announces Lineup of Live and Multimedia Shows Celebrating the Community
Flagler Auditorium pays tribute to the vibrant Flagler County community with a special line-up of programs celebrating its history, artists, service organizations, and heroes starting later this month.
Audrey II Puts Bite in City Rep’s “Little Shop of Horrors,” Opening Outdoors on Thanksgiving Weekend
“Little Shop of Horrors” is City Repertory Theatre’s most expensive production in 10 years, and is intended in part to give theater-goers a break from pandemic fatigue even as the show easily invites allegorical leaps to the present-day.
Palm Coast Faces a Town Center Reckoning: Too Many Apartments, No Commercial Development, and Looming Cash Crunch
The Palm Coast City Council is awakening to several converging realities about Town Center, the once and future promise of the city’s vitality: incentives for apartment construction have worked, incentives for commercial development have not–not yet–and turnover on the council and the administration means few recall the purpose of Town Center to start with. The mayor is looking for a reset.
Abridged by Pandemic, City Rep Theatre Season Kicks Off with Wacky Shakespeare in the Socially Distanced Park
Palm Coast’s City Repertory Theatre returns for the first time since the pandemic with “The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged)” in an outdoors production at the Palm Coast Arts Foundation’s venue in Town Center, with socially distanced seating.
Gargiulo Arts Foundation Presents Non-Covid Talks at Flagler County Art League
Artist Tom Gargiulo, cofounder of the Gargiulo Arts Foundation, along with his partner Arlene Volpe, will present an artist talk from 1 to 3 p.m. Sept. 19, Rick de Yampert, whose photographic digital art is included in a current exhibit at the Art League, will present talks from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 26, at FCAL.
Palm Coast Will Establish an Arts District in Town Center as New Spur for Commerce of Culture
The Palm Coast City Council is moving toward establishing an arts district in Town Center, bringing together key arts and culture organizations through an arts council and dedicating revenue from the Town Center redevelopment zone to match private grants, spur artistic and cultural activity in the district and further encourage economic development.
Flagler Auditorium Hopes to Re-Ignite Arts Support, and Concert-Going, with Outdoors Hayfire Concert
All proceeds from the Sept. 13 benefit concert by Hayfire, the first at the Auditorium since the pandemic, will go to the Palm Coast Arts Foundation, Flagler Playhouse and City Repertory Theatre.
Two New Shows at Flagler County Art League Tread Back to Public Exhibits in Covid Era
Two art exhibitions — the Four Artists Show and 8×8 Inch Show – will be presented by the Gargiulo Art Foundation from Thursday, Aug. 13, through Sept. 7 at the Flagler County Art League.
Glass Menagerie: Lee Richards Slices His Way to Flagler County Artist of the Year
Two exhibits that would have featured Artist of the Year Lee Richards’s works were cancelled–one because a gallery closed, the next, scheduled for this month, because of the pandemic.
Flagler Beach Cancels July 4 Parade and Fireworks, Palm Coast Does Likewise in Latest Covid Casualties
For the first time in 22 years, Flagler Beach will not hold its traditional July 4 parade and fireworks, nor will Palm Coast hold its own Independence Day festivities, which would have normally taken place in Central Park on July 3.
Flagler Beach and Flagler County Will Close 18 Miles of Beaches Monday Morning As Florida Infections Soar
Flagler Beach and Flagler County are closing their beaches to the public starting at 6 a.m. Monday, joining a growing list of coastal communities and counties, in Florida and elsewhere, doing likewise in an increasingly strict response to the coronavirus.
Even in Flagler, Virus-Related Postponements and Restrictions Begin to Accumulate
The Flagler school district is scrapping out of state travel, the Sheriff’s Office is postponing the Safety Expo, Flagler College is moving classes online, Bethune Cookman is cancelling them, among other schedule disruptions.
Volusia/Flagler Chapter Marks ACLU’s Centennial With “Future Voters Essay Contest” and $500 Prize
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) ‘s Volusia/Flagler chapter is celebrating the ACLU’s 100th birthday with an essay contest open to all students, with a $500 prize and publication of the winning essay in FlaglerLive.
Florida Agricultural Museum Is On Track with New Train, ‘Dirt Detectives’ and Other Projects
Four years ago the Florida Agriculture Museum at the north end of Palm Coast was heading for closure. Today, it’s bustling with a half dozen programs, including an equestrian boarding and riding program, and more ahead.
From Verona to Brooklyn, With Love: Shakespeare’s ‘Romeo and Juliet’ Parks It at City Rep
Brent Jordan and Lillie Thomas are in the lead roles in City Repertory Theatre’s and the Palm Coast Arts Foundation’s “Romeo and Juliet,” originally planned for the big tent in Town center, but moved to CRT’s indoor venue after last week’s storm.
In a First for Flagler’s Black Heritage, Espanola Schoolhouse Is a Step Closer to National Register Listing
The Espanola Schoolhouse will be the first piece of Flagler County black history to be recognized nationally for its historical significance to education and black ethnic heritage.
Frieda Zamba Featured at Flagler Beach Historical Museum’s New Surf Exhibit
Frieda Zamba and Haley Watson will be available for autographs and selfies featured in the Flagler Beach Historical Museum’s new Surf exhibit opening Friday, Feb. 7.
The Florida Lottery Exploits a Racist Stereotype
The Florida Lottery just issued a 30-second television spot that exploits a bigoted stereotype–the African-American with oversized lips–themed around making the black patient’s teeth “100 times whiter.”
Critical Lack of Exhibit Space Hobbling Palm Coast Art Scene Even as Organizations Thrive
For the first time in 20 years, the Flagler County Artist of the Year will not have a show, for lack of space. The critical lack of exhibit space is on the radar of the Flagler County Art League, the fledgling Palm Coast Arts Foundation and the Grand Gallery at Grand Living Realty.
FlaglerLive’s Rick de Yampert Lands in New York Times as a Palm Coast Book Lover
FlaglerLive Culture Writer Rick de Yampert’s written response was one of just 14 out of more than 1,300 that The New York Times published Sunday in answer to the question: “Was Your Life Changed by a Book?”
Buddy Taylor’s Michelle Coolican and Plant Services’ Lynn Mellow Take Top Honors in School District’s Annual Gala
Michelle Coolican and Lynn Mellow were named the 2020 Teacher and Support Employee of the Year for Flagler Schools at the district’s annual gala celebration at Flagler Auditorium Thursday evening.
Palm Coast Arts Foundation Hosts Celebrity Golf Tournament with Lopez and Rodriguez
orld famous legendary golfers Nancy Lopez and Chi Chi Rodriguez will be the guest celebrity golfers for the Palm Coast Arts Foundation’s first charity golf tournament on May 11 at Palm Coast’s Grand Haven Golf Club.
City Rep Theatre is Playing Neil Simon’s ‘Song’ in Bow to Broadway Romance
Palm Coast’s City Repertory Theatre stages Neil Simon’s “They’re Playing Our Song,” the popular, semi-autobiographical story of Marvin Hamlisch and songwriting partner Carol Bayer Sager–or of Simon and Marsha Mason.
Love Is In The Air: Ten Tenors Return to Flagler Auditorium For One Performance
The Ten Tenors are among the most popular acts at the Flagler Auditorium, making what has been an annual pilgrimage to Palm Coast year after year. They’ll perform one night only, on Dec. 21.
Mary Ann Clark, Power Behind Piles Of Flagler Scholarship Awards, Gets One In Her Name at AAUW
The late Mary Ann Clark started the AAUW Flagler branch’s very first scholarship 32 years ago. The organization has since awarded 231 scholarships to Flagler students totaling $220,000. Now a new scholarship will be awarded in Clark’s name.
Palm Coast Starlight Parade Traffic and Parking Information for Dec. 14
To improve traffic flow into and out of this Saturday’s Starlight Parade, the City of Palm Coast is planning several strategies related to traffic flow, temporary road closures and parking.
City Rep’s ‘Actually,’ a #MeToo Whodunit Treading the Blurry Lines of Consent, Assault and Guilt
“Actually,” the newest production at Palm Coast’s City Repertopry Theatre opening this weekend, tells the tale of two Ivy League freshmen – a young black man and a young white woman — who become mired in a he said/she said, was-it-date-rape scenario.
Cordone and Kilgore ‘Swing in the Holidays’ in Jazzy, Witty Palm Coast Show Dec. 10
Natalie Cordone and Shawn Kilgore bring their jazzy blend of wit, pop and vocal standards to the Palm Coast Community Center for one show only on Dec. 10. They’ve been touring nationally and internationally for five years.
Ethan Bortnick, Once a Prodigy, Now a Mere Teen Superstar, At Flagler Auditorium With Local Choirs
Ethan Bortnick, the pianist, songwriter-performer and one-time child prodigy who raises millions, packs houses but still can’t legally drink, is bringing his show to the Flagler Auditorium for one night only on Dec. 4 at 7:30 p.m.
Wine, Water and Song: Palm Coast Holiday Boat Parade Deadline Extended
Organizers for the 37th annual Palm Coast Holiday Boat Parade have extended the deadline for boat registrations to December 6. The parade is scheduled for Dec. 7. A record 47 boats participated in the parade last year.
Flagler Professor Discovers Unknown Spanish-Timucua Book While on Sabbatical
Timothy J. Johnson, Craig and Audrey Thorn Distinguished Professor of Religion at Flagler College, recently discovered a Spanish-Timucua book by the Franciscan Friar Francisco Pareja. The book, previously unknown to scholars, was published in Mexico in 1628.
La Bonne Vieille Veuve Clicquot: History of Champagne’s Great Widow
As you get ready for New Year’s Eve, be sure to pick up the real stuff. Like Veuve Clicquot, the champagne served at Rick’s Cafe in Casablanca. Here’s a brief history of the Veuve Clicquot Champagne and its maker, Barbe-Nicole Ponsardin.
Mary Ann Clark, Resolute Founder and Leader of Innumerable Flagler Institutions, Dies at 91
Mary Ann Clark’s eclectic leadership, tenacity, verve and love for her community founded, fostered or shaped many of Flagler County’s cornerstone civic and cultural organizations over the past four decades.
As Local News Outlets Shutter, Rural America Suffers Most
Amid the steady decline in local news, some states are considering stepping in to support the Fourth Estate. But critics worry that doing so might undermine the press’s role as a government watchdog.
Teen Spirit and Lust Defy Conventions in City Rep’s “Spring Awakening,” the Tony Award Musical
“Spring Awakening,” a tale of adolescent sexual angst and libido-denial at Palm Coast’s City Repertory Theatre starting this weekend, became a rock musical in 2006 by folkie rocker Duncan Sheik and won eight Tony Awards.
Stetson University’s Monumental Man John B. Stetson Honored with Campus Sculpture
Installed in Palm Court in August, the larger-than-life statue and bench weighs approximately 1,600 pounds and features a relaxed Stetson sitting on the bench while tipping one of his famous hats and beckoning folks to grab a seat or strike a selfie pose.
13 Palm Coast Organizations Split $30,000 in Cultural Arts Grants from City Government
The amount is $4,000 less than last year, but remains around the same total amount the city has handed out annually since 2013, when it increased the sum from $20,000.
PCAF’s “Quilty,” Turtle #6 Unveiling Thursday at Waterfront Park
The Palm Coast Arts Foundation invites the public to the unveiling of Turtle #6 on their public sculpture Turtle Trail project Thursday, Oct. 10 at 10 a.m. at Waterfront Park, 150 Waterfront Park Rd, Palm Coast, off Colbert Lane.
DSC’s Southeast Museum of Photography Gets $10,000 Federal Preservation Grant
The National Endowment for the Humanities last month awarded one of its prestigious Preservation Assistance Grants to Daytona State College. The $10,000 grant will be used to improve the Southeast Museum of Photography’s ability to preserve and care for its collection of photographs.
City Repertory Theatre’s New Season: Shakespeare, Teen Lust and Two Neil Simons
Palm Coast’s City Repertory Theatre continues to push boundaries with three tales of adolescent love and lust, “Romeo and Juliet” not least, but also a couple of box office-pleasing Neil Simons.
Florida Film Academy’s International Student Film Festival in St. Augustine Sept. 14-15
Florida Film Academy is hosting its inaugural International Student Film Festival on Saturday, September 14 and Sunday, September 15 at Corazon Cinema and Café in downtown St. Augustine with showings from 12:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.