DEFUNIAK SPRINGS — The Florida Chautauqua Theatre will present Disney’s “Aladdin.”

Performers are South Walton and Okaloosa kindergarteners through eighth graders, accompanied by Crestview musician Keitha Bledsoe.

The production is based on the iconic animated film with an Academy Award-winning score by Alan Menken, Howard Ashman and Tim Rice.

When the street urchin, Aladdin, vies for the attention of the beautiful Princess Jasmine, he uses a genie's magic power to become a prince in order to marry her. Of course, it is not smooth sailing since the wicked, heartless, egomaniac, Jafar and his nasty parrot sidekick, Iago, are there to thwart Aladdin at every turn. 

Hours are 7 p.m. May 13 and 14, and 2:30 p.m. May 15 at the theater, 848 Baldwin Ave.

Tickets cost $12 for students age 22 and younger and $15 for adults. To purchase or for details, call 892-9494 or email info@fcweb.org.

This article was updated May 3, 2016 to correct the theatre name and add dress rehearsal photos.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Florida Chautauqua Theatre to present 'Aladdin' May 13-15

MILTON — Southern Raceway offers plenty of fun for the dirt track racing enthusiast.

General admission – usually $10 per person – will be lowered to $20 per car for the April 23 event.

Gates open at 4 p.m., driver registration ends at 6 p.m. and racing begins at 7:30 p.m.

Pure stock, street stock, vintage and modified drivers will compete.

The track is located at 9359 Nichols Lake Road in Milton. 

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Southern Raceway in Milton offers discount admission April 23

NICEVILLE — The Northwest Florida State College Film Club is planning its last screening for the spring semester.

The free, open-to-the-public presentation of "Cloud Atlas" is 6:30 p.m. April 27 in the film room  in the Art Wing of the Mattie Kelley Arts Center, Building 110, Room 328, Northwest Florida State College, 100 College Blvd., Niceville.

The group will also elect new officers at this meeting, so arrival before the feature begins is requested. There will be free food and drink, as well as a raffle. Organizers stated in a press release, "Come and bring friends!"

The 2012 independent German-American science fiction film is rated R for violence, language, sexuality, nudity, and some drug use. The Wachowskis brothers and Tom Tykwer adapted the film from the 2004 eponymous novel by David Mitchell.

According to IMDB.com, it's "an exploration of how the actions of individual lives impact one another in the past, present, and future, as one soul is shaped from a killer into a hero, and an act of kindness ripples across centuries to inspire a revolution."

Note: This announcement was edited April 18 to correct the building number where the screening will be held. 

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: NWFSC Film Club to screen Tom Hanks film April 27

NICEVILLE — A two-day dance spectacular by the Northwest Florida State College dance program will include  guest artist performances by the Grain de Sable Dance Company of France.

Grain de Sable — celebrating its 10th anniversary — is based in Soullans, a town in the same region as Crestview's sister city, Noirmoutier. The students are participating in a 10-day exchange program and staying with Northwest Florida residents.

Dance Facets begins at 7:30 p.m. April 22 and 23 in the Mainstage Theater, Mattie Kelly Fine and Performing Arts Center, 100 College Blvd., Niceville.

Proceeds support the Frances Smith Dance Studio Endowment and student scholarships.

Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for youths age 18 and younger. Purchase by phone or web at 729-6000 or www.MattieKellyArtsCenter.org, or at the door at 6 p.m. on show nights. NWFSC students may request one free ticket per student ID. Doors open at 7 p.m. for open seating selection.

Joseph Taylor, NWFSC dance program coordinator said, “It is always a pleasure to host our French friends and we have done many choreographic exchanges with this stellar dance company.” The French guest artists will bring three dance pieces with them titled, D'un élément nait l'instant (from one person, all is possible), Chercher sa voi…. (find his own way of living), and Second Souffle (2nd breath, rebirth). 

“They always add a richness to our performance," Taylor said, “so I anticipate that this year’s offerings will be no different and will be an amazing addition to our concert.”

Upon their return to France after the exchange, Joseph Taylor and fellow NWF State dance instructor Kelly Murdock will travel to Soullans to teach master classes in contemporary dance and jazz.

“Our connection with this company extends the length of the company’s history,” Taylor said.  “The college’s dance faculty have been friends with the artistic director and resident choreographer, Audrey Balavoine, not only as an artistic director but also as choreographer, dancer, and friend for more than 20 years.” 

For information about the college’s dance program or scholarships, contact Taylor at 729-6036 or the Fine & Performing Arts Division Office at 729-5382.  

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: NWFSC's April 22-23 dance spectacular will feature this French company

NICEVILLE – Spoken Word Poetry will take center stage at the main event for this year's NWFSC Reads, the college's annual literacy celebration.

The free, open-to-the-public event — featuring performance poets Sarah Kay and Phil Kaye of Project VOICE (Vocal Outreach into Creative Expression) — is 7 p.m. April 18 at the Sprint Theater, Northwest Florida State College, Niceville. Doors open at 6:45 p.m.

"For audiences who are new to the medium, this performance is the perfect introduction to the magic of Spoken Word Poetry, but for longtime Spoken Word fans, this show also promises to surprise and reinvigorate a love of the art," according to information provided to the college.

"Armed with only a microphone, award-winning Project VOICE performers Phil Kaye and Sarah Kay are champions of vulnerability, cheerleaders for the unexpected, and ruthless flashlights for all your heart's nooks and crannies."

Other free, public NWFSC Reads events are:

●6 p.m. April 15, McIlroy Gallery — Selected student poets and writers published in this year's Blackwater Review will read and perform their pieces at a casual event at 6 p.m. in the McIlroy Gallery.

●6-6:45 p.m. April 18, McIlroy Gallery — Annual Blackwater Review reception, with selected student readings and the unveiling of the student art on its cover, just before the Spoken Word Poetry event.

For more information, visit the NWFSC Reads webpage.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Project VOICE poets schedule April 18 Northwest Florida performance

DEFUNIAK SPRINGS — A program featuring Broadway favorites from "It's a Brand New Day" and "All of Me" to "In the Still of the Night" has been scheduled.

The Emerald Coast Chorus, a chapter of the Barbershop Harmony Society, will also have two quartet selections during the event.

The free concert is 3 p.m. April 10 at St. Agatha's Episcopal Church, 144 Circle Drive, DeFuniak Springs. It is part of the church's Lakeside Concert Series.

A reception will follow, and love offerings will be accepted during the event.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Emerald Coast Chorus plans free April 10 performance

NICEVILLE — Every April, Northwest Florida State College honors Poetry Month with many special events, including poetry readings, author visits, and the debut of this year’s issue of  Blackwater Review.

A poetry slam is being sponsored by the Raider Writers from 3:30-5 p.m. April 13 in the building 100, the Tyler Recital Hall at Northwest Florida State College, Niceville.

There are three rounds with three poems, each delivered within a three-minute timeframe.  Judges will evaluate round one, then reduce the field by half.  After round two, the final two contestants will “slam off” for a cash prize. 

Sign-up is at 3 p.m. Bring your best poems and best delivery style. 

A $50 cash prize will be awarded to the winner. For more information contact Vickie Hunt, huntv@nwfsc.edu.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: April 13 Poetry Month slam scheduled, cash prize award

NICEVILLE — Jazz artist Bob Dorough will perform at the Mattie Kelly Arts Center.

The free performance is 7:30 p.m. April 12 in the Mainstage theater, Northwest Florida State College, Niceville.

No tickets are required for the event. Doors open at 6 p.m., and seats are on a first-come, first serve basis at 7 p.m.

According to the Mattie Kelly Arts Center media release, Dorough is "a jazz pianist, composter and vocalist, perhaps best known for his work to put the multiplication tables to music, with his award-winning work appearing nationally on ABC television's Schoolhouse Rock, Saturday morning cartoons and other youth programming for more than 40 years.

For more information, visit http://bit.ly/208EYNw.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: NWF April 12 jazz concert features Bob Dorough

MIRAMAR BEACH — Emerald Coast Theatre Company, a non-profit professional theater company will host summer camp for children in preschool through ninth grade.

Classes begin June 6 with four camps divided by age group. All of the camps will end with a final performance for parents and friends to enjoy. 

●Little Rascals Camp encourages children to begin exploring the world of theater and is for children age 4 through first grade.  Lion King-themed classes begin June 6 in Destin and July 11 in Santa Rosa Beach. Mermaids and Musketeers-themed classes will also begin in Santa Rosa Beach on June 6.

●Beauty and the Beast production camp for children entering grades 2-8. This is a one-week, non-musical version. Hours are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. with extended hours available in Crestview, Santa Rosa Beach, Panama City, Fort Walton Beach and Destin with varying start dates beginning June 6.

●Camp Showtime, for children in grades 2-8, focuses on Broadway music and choreography from popular musical numbers, as well as theater games and improvisation. The camp will be offered in Destin, Panama City and Santa Rosa Beach with varying start dates and times beginning June 6.

●“Annie Jr.,” a two-week musical for children in grades 3-9, is 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., with extended hours available, in Destin beginning June 13 and in Panama City on July 18.

Camps tuition starts at $109 with a $20 t-shirt/registration fee.  The tuition goes up from there depending on the full day or half day to one week to two week variables of each camp. 

Scholarships to assist with tuition are available.

"I am thrilled that we were recently able to offer four partial scholarships and one full scholarship for the 2016 spring educational classes. Everyone deserves to have access to the arts," Anna Fisher, ECTC associate artistic director, said. 

To learn more about these scholarships or to apply, visit EmeraldCoastTheatre.org and view the Paul Londe Education and Scholarship Fund.

ECTC is also running an Instagram contest. To win a free week of summer camp, just tag ec_theatre_co with a picture of yourself or your child being “dramatic” with the hashtag #ECTCSummerOnStage. One winner will be selected on May 15.

For more information visit the website or call 684-0323. Find ECTC on Facebook at ECTheatreCompany.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: June 6 start date for Emerald Coast theatre camp