Occhipinti's Big Band swings Crystal Ball tonight

Civilized Natives plays Tuesday at Bands on the Beach.

Step back in time, when big band music swept the world with rhythms so addictive, it literally changed the musical styles of nearly every nation. Join Joe Occhipinti's Big Band for the traditional Crystal Ball Concert from 7- 9:15 p.m. on Thursday, June 21 at Evenings in Olde Seville Square featuring music that makes the feet tap and the heart race with excitement. This concert is sponsored by 1st Choice Home Improvements and 111 Spring.

Joe Occhipinti's Big Band will whisk audiences away with famous arrangements of the stars of the '30s and '40s - such as Glen Miller, Benny Goodman, Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington - for a full evening of dancing.

The Reunion Band is ready with their crowd-pleasing music and invites you to join them at the next Evenings in Olde Seville Square on Thursday, June 28, for their "Salute to the Sixties" concert.

When attending concerts, bring a lawn chair or a blanket for seating. Also, bring your appetite. Located on Alcaniz Street, concession stands also offer sandwiches, wraps, hot dogs, sausage, snacks and the "Evening's" famous freshly popped popcorn as well as frozen desserts, soft drinks and bottled water.

The Northwest Florida Bloodmobile will also be present from 5- 9 p.m. at every concert on the corner of Alcaniz and Zaragoza Streets offering you the chance to give the gift of life by donating blood.

Since 1988, these musicfilled evenings have become a "new" tradition, recreating the popular concerts held in the city's park at the turn of the 19th century. The 2007 summer season features 14 concerts with a wide variety of musical talents and tastes each Thursday from 7- 9:15 p.m. in historic Seville Square. The "Evenings" are free thanks to our sponsors and are presented by the Pensacola Heritage Foundation in cooperation with the City of Pensacola and the West Florida Historic Preservation.

Civilized Natives give beach variety

If a variety of music is what you crave, look no further than Civilized Natives. The highenergy rock outfit performs at Bands on the Beach from 7-9 p.m. on Tuesday, June 26 at the Gulfside Pavilion. They bring with them a huge repertoire of cover songs and originals alike and are sure to please fans of everyone from Eric Clapton to Weezer. No matter what flavor of rock you like, they've got it.

Joining Vignolo on stage are Therese Vignolo on guitar, percussion and vocals; Robert Hammac on percussion, congas and vocals; Christopher Halbrook on guitar, keyboards and vocals; Brad Knobel on cello; Mark Miller on bass guitar and vocals; and Mike Miller on drums.

Bands on the Beach continues Tuesday, July 3 with The Kee Creek Band. For a complete schedule of events, go to www.visitpensacolabeach.com.

Spectators are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets to the pavilion area. No pets are allowed and glass is prohibited. Concerts are provided and organized by the Santa Rosa Island Authority.

For more information call the Santa Rosa Island Authority events coordinator at (850) 932- 2257, go to www.visitpensacolabeach. com or tune to Cat Country 98.7 for the latest updates.

During the summer season, you can enjoy Bands on the Beach concerts for free featuring an exciting line up of bands playing every Tuesday from 7-9 p.m., May through September at the Gulfside Pavilion. Concerts are provided by the Santa Rosa Island Authority.

Power of Photography show offers cash prizes

Do you have a terrific photo? Would you like to win cash for showing it?

The Wide Angle Photo Club is offering $2,350 in cash and prizes to winners in the Power of Photography show and contest.

Bonanza Bingo is offering $100 for the Best Black and White Photo. Circle C Feed & Tack is sponsoring a $50 cash award for the Best Equine Photo. WEAR-TV3 will give $50 for the Best Still Life; Staples, Ellis offers for $50 for the Best Landscape or Seascape; and Fast Signs is offering $50 for the Best Macro Photo.

In addition to these five awards and the accompanying ribbons, dozens of other prizes will be awarded for a total of over $2,350 in cash and prizes. The date to enter photos in the 14th annual The Power of Photography contest is July 7.

The Power of Photography show is a benefit show for ARC Gateway. Contestants may enter as many original photos as they wish (size 8x10 or larger) for an entry fee of $10 per photo. Show proceeds go to benefit ARC, which helps developmentally disabled children and adults.

The show is open to the public July 20-22 at the Wright Place in Pensacola.

Entry fees and matted photos are due at ARC Gateway on July 7. See details and rules on the clubS web site www.wideanglephotoclub. org and to download an entry form. Entry forms are also available at the Chamber of Commerce in Gulf Breeze.

Saenger Theatre donations receive tax credit

As the Saenger Theatre prepares to begin construction on its facilities expansion and upgrades, it's getting a fundraising boost from the State's Office of Tourism, Trade and Economic Development. The office has designated the Saenger Theatre renovation as a Community Contribution Tax Credit project that entitles donors to special tax credits against Florida tax equal to 50 percent of the donation. The credit may be applied to the following tax liabilities: Florida Corporate Income Tax, Sales & Use Tax, or Insurance Premium Tax. The donation period runs through July 2.

"This incentive has the potential to help double the amount of donations given by qualifying businesses," says Sherri Hemminghaus Weeks, President of the Friends of the Saenger.

The Friends of the Saenger is conducting a one million dollar capital campaign to demonstrate broad-based local community support to match the funds committed by the City of Pensacola and Escambia County. The initial proposed cost for the Saenger Theatre

Renovation and Expansion was estimated at $9,000,000. That was prior to Ivan driving up building costs and wages on the Gulf Coast. Now the expected cost of the project has escalated to $14 million.

The City of Pensacola is assisting with the tax credit applications. To qualify, the donation must be made to the Friends of the Saenger and documented by the City of Pensacola. Businesses can donate in several different ways: cash, real property (requires 200 volunteer hours), goods or inventory. The City will prepare the application for the tax credit and submit it to Tallahassee. The applications cannot be submitted until July 2, 2007.

Donations should be made to: Friends of the Saenger Attn: Renovation PO Box 13666 Pensacola, FL32591