For many people, the post-holiday blues and long wintry nights can make January a real downer... but not if you plan to spend it in Panama City! In addition to our perpetually sunny skies and pleasant weather, this January we will be celebrating the art of performance.

First up, the Panama City POPS Orchestra and its renowned conductor and composer Dr. David Ott will present "Love & Marriage" at the Marina Civic Center on January 14, 2017. Swoon to the music of Tchaikovsky's passionate Romeo and Juliet. Tap and dance your way to the tropical rhythms of Marquez's amazing Danzon No. 2. Topping it all off are songs of love and marriage played as only the POPS can. It will be a spectacular night that may leave you saying, "I do."

On January 15, the Panama City Music Association, celebrating its 75th year, will host the Prague Philharmonia with internationally acclaimed violin soloist Sarah Chang, and globally-celebrated conductor Emmanuel Villaume at the Marina Civic Center. The
program will include selections by Debussy, Dvorak, Wagner and Beethoven. The Prague Philharmonia is a world-class symphony whose credo is to play with crystal-clear purity and sparkling passion to ensure every listener leaves its concerts full of joie de vivre.

Make January 2017 a month to remember in Panama City! For performance tickets and free trip planning information, visit destinationpanamacity.com.

Oysters, historical markers &
national titles

With Panama City's proximity to the Gulf of Mexico, we take our love of oysters seriously. So seriously that Gene's Oyster Bar has its own historical marker. That's right, our beloved Gene's Oyster Bar, with only eight seats, has been hand-shucking oysters for Panama City residents and guests since the 1930s.

Now, Panama City's passion for oysters has been recognized with a national title. Meet Honor Allen, a 21-year-old whiz, whose ability to shuck a dozen oysters in one minute recently earned him the title of the fastest shucker in the country. Allen, who works as a shucker at Hunt's Oyster Bar in Panama City, won the 2016 U.S. National Oyster Shucking Championship last month in Maryland. He will now compete for the 2017 International Championship in Galway, Ireland. Go, Honor!

Learn more about Panama City's great oyster bars at destinationpanamacity.com.

This may seem odd, but not in Panama City, where more than 200 ukulele players make up the St. Andrews Ukulele Orchestra. One of the nation's largest, the orchestra recently wrote and recorded an original soundtrack for the Uniquely PC videos.

Learn more about Leitz Music and the St. Andrews Ukulele Orchestra at destinationpanamacity.com.

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