January is Jam-packed with Live
Entertainment

Join us for the 21st anniversary Krewe of St. Andrews Mardi Gras, a two-day celebration in historic St. Andrews. The weekend starts on Friday, February 2 with a Kids & Pet Parade followed by live music, food and fun! The main parade will be on Saturday, February 3, with over 14 Krewes on over 30 brightly colored floats. As festive music is played along the route, tens of thousands of beads and doubloons will be tossed to the crowd of over 50,000 people! Festivities and fun last from 11 AM to 10 PM. Visit the website or a full schedule of events.

Comedian Ron White will be at the Marina Civic Center on January 5, 2018. Best known as the cigar smoking, scotch drinking funnyman from the highly acclaimed "Blue Collar Comedy Tour", White has two Grammy nominations, a Gold Record, TV show specials, and a New York Times Best Selling book. This act is for mature audiences. You can purchase tickets by visiting MarinaCivicCenter.com.

Kick off the Panama City Music Association - 76th Season on Saturday, January 6th. Anderson & Roe, a dynamic piano duo, will perform on two pianos in a fusion of classical music and rock. Called the ‘'rock stars of classical music" and known for their adrenalized
performances, original compositions, and notorious music videos, Greg Anderson and Elizabeth Roe are revolutionizing the piano duo experience for the 21st century. On Saturday, January 20th, iLuminate will take the stage with a spectacular, magical, dazzling high tech story of adventure and romance performed by illuminated characters in a darkened theater. A finalist in America's Got Talent, this unique performance combines state-of-the-art technology with electrifying entertainers to create the ultimate performing arts experience.

The Panama City POPS Orchestra continues their 2017-2018 season with their second concert, Making Overtures, on Saturday, January 13. This colorful POPS program transports you to Fingal's Cave in Scotland, recalls childhood memories with the Russian Easter Overture and sets your spirits free with Die Fledermaus. This is a concert you won't want to miss!

Discover more events by visiting our website.

Panama City is an Angler's Paradise

Embraced by the shores of St. Andrews Bay, Panama City is an idyllic destination for travelers seeking enrichment and outdoor pursuits in a scenic waterfront setting. The proximity to the water and subtropical climate encourage year-round inshore and offshore fishing. Sprawling more than 68,000 acres behind the protection of the Gulf of Mexico shoreline, St. Andrews Bay is home to abundant aquatic life. The bay spans more than 20 miles and includes a wealth of saltwater flats and seagrass beds that offer rich bounty. Redfish, speckled trout, black drum, cobia, sheepshead and flounder are just a few of the species populating these channels.

Spend the day with one of Panama City's experienced boat captains on a guided fishing expedition. You'll love the excitement of hooking one of the Gulf Coast's many popular varieties of seafood, but what you'll love more is enjoying the "Hook and Cook" dining experience. Upon docking, a local chef expertly cleans and prepares your bounty for a flavorful meal at one of Panama City's charming local restaurants.

Visit the blog to watch and read more!

Panama City's sparkling blue waters and breathtaking sunsets are the perfect inspiration for creativity. As a result, talented artists of all stripes and colors call Panama City home. Every month, we feature the handmade objects and inspiration of this creative core. This month, meet crochet artist, Veronica Murray.

Meet PC Artist Veronica Murray

How long have you been doing this and how did you get started?
I've been creating art for as long as I can remember. I started out painting portraits and murals, but I just learned to crochet in 2011. I used to crochet with my cousin when I was younger and after several years, when I saw my mother in law crocheting, the desire came back. I did a lot of volunteering and outreach and started crocheting hats and scarves to give people and babies in the NICU.

How did you learn the craft?
I am self-taught. I am able to see something and then create it. It is really fun for me.

What are your current focuses or themes?
I know it's a little cliché, but happiness and joy is my main focus. Inspiration is my purpose and whatever I create, I want to inspire people.

How has your work and technique evolved over time?
My technique has definitely become stronger. Without knowing it, I was able to create a brand. When people see my work, they recognize it as something I created. I'm excited to have my own style and know that when people see my work, they know it's Veronica Murray's work.

How do you source your materials?
Sometimes people donate yarn to me. I also like to do branch weaving and I'll find branches in the nature.

Are you a native of the area, or did you relocate here?
I relocated to Panama City. I thought we were going to be snowbirds and stay for a couple of months. After seeing a story about the art gallery, Floriopolis, I just thought, "Oh my gosh, where is that? I have to get there." I love living in a city where the philosophy is that they are going to use art to rebuild the city. Someone once told me they couldn't believe I created a cactus when I live near the beach, but I actually saw the cactus at the beach, along with the jellyfish. It's kind of cool to create what people overlook.

The Destination Panama City Visitors Center is now open! Visit us at 1000 Beck Avenue for free local information.