International Performances, Art Shows...and Santa Clause!

The Illusionists has become one of the most iconic and best-selling magic shows in the history of Broadway. Adam Trent, one of the original Broadway stars, has teamed up with the producers of The Illusionists to present a headline illusion show with scale and mass appeal not seen since the touring days of David Copperfield. Returning to his roots as a solo headliner, Trent brings his hits from the Broadway show along with never before seen material. On Friday, November 10, The Illusionists Present the Magic of Adam Trent comes to the Panama City Marina Civic Center for an immersive entertainment extravaganza of magic, comedy and music perfect for the entire family.

For two nights each November, Historic Downtown Panama City comes alive with light, sound, art and fun! Public Eye Soar, an International Projection Art Festival, is a two-day family-friendly event held on November 10-11. The event is free and open to the public. Featuring international and local artists, Public Eye Soar takes the art out of galleries and projects it onto buildings, walls and 3D objects for a fun interactive art experience. At the festival, you're invited to create your own art, participate in virtual experiences and watch live art created during the festival. You can also be a part of the festival by submitting your own work.

Santa is coming to town - by helicopter! On November 18, Santa will land at the Panama City Mall in the Main Entrance Parking Lot. Bring the whole family and join us while we welcome Santa. Children will be able to tour fire trucks and police vehicles and receive handouts from the Panama City Fire Department and Bay County Sherriff's Office. Award-winning Deane Bozeman Marching Band will play live music and the Shaddai Shriners Hot Rod Unit will showcase their skills to entertain the crowd. Complimentary donuts will be provided courtesy of the News Herald and Leon's Donuts. Visit the Panama City Mall website for more information.

The Moscow Ballet's Great Russian Nutcracker is the quintessential holiday performance to see! Bring the entire family to celebrate the magic of Christmas with the Moscow's Ballet almost 40 ballerinas and danseurs on December 1, at the Panama City Marina Civic Center. Moscow Ballet's Great Russian Nutcracker is known for its award-winning dancers, lavish costumes and backdrops and its Russian focus, including the life-size Matryoshka Dolls. Adults and children will enjoy the special effects of the flapping winged owl on the Grandfather clock, the growing 50-foot-tall Christmas Tree, the Dove of Peace with a 20-foot wingspan, and of course, the leaps, spins and extraordinary moves of the performers!

Discover more events by visiting our website.

Panama City Local Brings Home
National Title...Again!

With Panama City's proximity to the Gulf, we take our oysters seriously! Panama City's passion for oysters was recognized with a national title for the second year in a row. Panama City native, Honor Allen, defended his title at the 2017 U.S. National Oyster Shucking Championship and took home the title with a record breaking shucking time of 2 minutes and 00.16 seconds! Following close behind, Max Dawson, also a Panama City native, placed 3rd in the competition.

Honor Allen was born and raised in Panama City, Florida and has been shucking competitively for about 3 years. He got his start in oyster shucking when he was only 12 years-old by watching employees at Hunt's Oyster Bar, a local oyster bar in historic St. Andrews district. Now, Honor works at the same restaurant where he shucks about 1,000 oysters a day. Stop in to wish him good luck and watch him in action while he displays the true mastery of his craft as he shucks fresh oysters from behind the bar.

Watch the Destination Panama City Oyster Trail video starring Panama City's Honor Allen!

Artist Marie H. Busher

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 book binder, Marie H. Busher.

Meet Artist PC Marie H. Busher

How long have you been doing this and how did you get started?
I've been binding and making books and paper for a couple of decades. I just really like books and to me, it's an art form and another way of expressing yourself. It's an intricate part of my life.

How did you learn the craft?
I did a lot of reading and research. I learned a lot from a professor at University of West Florida and that is where my interest really peaked.

What are your current focuses or themes?
I'm a mixed media artist. I paint, marble, book bind and work in enamel. I also create my own paper and love to marble it. I like color and paper, which translates well to books. Sometimes I create books with my own content or I create books with empty pages that has to be filled in. It's a way of telling a story or getting someone to tell their own.

How has your work and technique evolved over time?
Over time, it gets to be more experimental and more professional as well. I have become much more comfortable in sharing and teaching what I know.

How do you source your materials?
It's a combination of bought and recycled items, like paper bags.

Are you a native of the area, or did you relocate here?
I originally grew up in Wisconsin and came to Panama City in 1973. Attending the University of West Florida had a lot of influence in my work. I am also friends with so many local artists who have influenced my work as well.

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