THINGS TO DO
Tickets on sale now for Planetarium Holiday Special

Casting Crowns will perform at the Pensacola Civic Center this Saturday.

The Pensacola Junior College (PJC) Planetarium and Space Theatre mission for the holidays is to present an out-of-this world program.

Make reservations now for "Tis the Season," a special that recounts historical religious and cultural rituals practiced during the winter solstice - Christian, Jewish, Celtic, Nordic, Roman, Irish, Mexican and Hopi. And, naturally, the adventure includes astronomy. Audiences learn about Northern Hemisphere winter constellations and discover why we have seasons.

Shows are 10 and 11:30 a.m. Monday through Friday, Dec. 3- 18. Tickets are $3.50 for pre-K, $4.50 for K-12, and $5.50 for all others.

The Planetarium is open to groups of 10 or more only. Individuals or smaller groups may be admitted to a pre-scheduled show if space is available. Group reservations must be made one week ahead of the scheduled show. All sales are final, no refunds.

The PJC Planetarium and Space Theatre is in Building 21 at the southwest corner of the Pensacola campus on Airport Boulevard.

For more ticket information and reservations, call 484-1847. Visit the Planetarium Web site at http://planetarium.pjc.edu.

Call to artists

The Santa Rosa Art Association will host its annual benefit ArtFest art show Feb. 9- 10, 2008. Proceeds from entry fees for this juried show provide scholarships for graduating high school seniors from Santa Rosa county to pursue their studies in art.

The show will take place in the Santa Rosa County Auditorium, located across US 90 from K-Mart in Milton. The location is easily accessed from I-10 via Avalon Boulevard.

Artists from all types of fine art mediums are encouraged to participate in this show. Booth space is $53.25, including tax. Artists who wish to be judged for ribbons may opt to pay an additional $10 jury fee. First, second, third and honorable mention ribbons will be awarded in 15 categories, as well as a Best of Show and People's Choice award.

This show has awarded over $8,000 in scholarships to Santa Rosa graduates in the last six years. Application forms and more details are available on the Association website www.santarosaartists. org or by requesting one be mailed by calling Marianne Richardson at (850) 995-7056.

Casting Crowns at the civic center

Heralded as one of the topbilled tours of the season, Casting Crowns brings their "The Altar and The Door" Tour to the Pensacola Civic Center on Saturday, Nov. 24. The tour is in support of the group's highlyanticipated third album released in August.

Casting Crowns has lead the touring season, visiting 36 markets this fall, including Atlanta, Birmingham, Houston, Portland, Seattle, Phoenix, Los Angeles and Washington, D.C., wrapping the tour on Dec. 2 in Dekalb, Ill.

Special guests for the Pensacola date will be Leeland and John Waller.

For more information or to buy tickets, call the civic center box office at 850-434-7444.

Winterfest 2007 comes to town

Winterfest is back to provide yet another wonderful, nostalgic trip through time to visit favorite holiday tales with some of the most beloved characters. Winterfest 2007 will kick-off Nov. 23 at 3:30 p.m. in the Plaza Ferdinand in Pensacola with Santa and friends. Family and friends can mingle with Santa and his friends while enjoying hot chocolate, ginger lattes and gingerbread cake. The delights are $5 for attendees. This will be followed immediately by the Elf Parade. This year's WinterFest 2007 schedule includes:

Performance Tour

Winterfest's premier tour features 14 performances along a 45 minute trip through downtown Pensacola. Singing guides accompany you into a world of wonder featuring scenes from your favorite holiday memories. Performance Tours run Friday and Saturday nights from Thanksgiving until Dec.16,

The price is for $16.50 adults and $12.50 for kids 10 and under.

Santa's Holiday Express Tour

Take a jolly trip with Santa from Plaza Wonderland through highlights of our holiday season. Santa rides every night from Dec. 17 through Christmas Eve. The cost is $10 for adults and $6 for kids 10 and under.

Frosty's Holiday Light Tour

Frosty tours feature songs and stories of the holidays, holiday lights, and relaxing good cheer. This 25 minute tour is the perfect antidote to the hustle and bustle of gift returns and exchanges, every night from Dec. 26 through Dec. 30. The price is for $10 adults and $6 for kids 10 and under.

Holiday Seville Walking Tour

Neighbors compete to decorate their houses for the season, and participants stop by a few performances featuring great holiday characters. This one hour walking tour is a great way to see the neighborhood up close with a talented tour guide. Songs and stories make the evening extra-special. Walking tours run every night of the Performance Tours. The price is $9 for adults and $5 for kids 10 and under.

Horse and Buggy Tours

This 20 minute tour is the perfect way to start an evening for couples or families with a romantic view of the beautiful historic village. Buggy tours run every night of the Performance Tours. The cost is $10 for adults and $5 for kids 10 and under

Prices listed above are for online reservations up to noon on the day of the event. On-site tickets rates are higher. For more information, visit www.pensacolawinterfest.org or contact Denise Daughtry at 850- 435-0914.