This isn’t your traditional film or art festival. You don’t sit and silently watch the films, or quickly walk by a static exhibit. Here, you have the opportunity to walk around and take it all in. Some places, you can even be part of it.

“Extraordinary unique,” is how Mike Ragsdale, town evangelist, describes Alys Beach’s upcoming Digital Graffiti Festival.

And you know, he just might be on to something here.

Scheduled for August 30, the event is nothing like anything else that has taken place along the Beaches of South Walton, or even in the South for that matter.

“There is always something going on in the area. We wanted to create an event that would not only compliment the area, but also would be really different.”

They really didn’t have to go far to come up with an idea. The answer was right in front of them.

“One thing that jumped out at us was all of the white space we (Alys Beach) have available. So, why not have artwork projected on the walls of the town.” 

Thus, Digital Graffiti was created. And what a response, they received over 150 entries from nearby and around the world. Ragsdale says the committee narrowed it down to around 35 different exhibits that best represent different digital art styles. There will also be interactive exhibits, such as one with a laser point that allows guests to physically write on the wall that’s a 100-yards away.

Other activities include a Wii hooked up and projected on a 30-foot wall for people to play different games, and a shadow puppet artist who will educate the young ones on how to create shadow puppets.

Among the many things that make this event unique that the fact that it is outside.

“During our research, we came across different digital festivals around the world and they all happened inside. Ours is all outside.”

In fact, many of the digital artists took in account Alys Beach’s architecture to create custom art.

“It’s going to be visually appealing,” comments Ragsdale. “I can’t wait to see people’s reaction to it for the first time.”

Quick Glance

What: Digital Graffiti at Alys Beach

When: August 30, the event starts at 7 p.m.

Where: Alys Beach, along the Beaches of South Walton, located in the Florida Panhandle.

Cost: $10/adult; $5/children, ages 6-11. Tickets can be purchased online and at the event.

Photo credits: All photos are Digital Graffiti/Projection Art Test by Tommy Crow, courtesy of Alys Beach. 

Apryl Chapman Thomas

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It’s all about fun this Labor Day Weekend in Kentucky, Virginia and West Virginia. Trust me when I say there isn’t a dull moment to be found with all of the events going on.

Curious as to what’s happening in those three states? Here’s a quick peek at some of the events.

In Kentucky

• Make plans to attend the Kentucky Heartland Festival in Elizabethtown on August 29-30. This two-day event is filled with all types of activities for everyone. Some of the highlights include a balloon glow, carnival rides, skydivers and fireworks.

• It’s the 29th Annual Breathitt County Honey Festival on August 29 - September 1. Events include art and craft booths, live music entertainment and much more.

• The Goldenrod Gala is taking place at General Butler State Resort Park on August 30. The day is filled with all types of activities including a cruise in, live performances and crafters’ demonstrations.

In Virginia

• Join the town of Saltville for their 38th Labor Day celebration, August 29 - September 1.  Expect a celebration filled with all kinds of fun, such as a street dance, parade, live music and saltmaking.

• And if you like good music, make your way over to the 15th Annual Verizon Wireless American Music Fest happening in Virginia Beach on August 29 - 31. The four stages will be rockin’, and other activities are planned as well, such as fireworks.

• The 146th Anniversary Commemoration of the Battle of Second Manassas is scheduled for August 30-31. Happening at Manassas National Battlefield Park, you can watch live re-enactments, take guided tours and see the wreath laying ceremony.

In West Virginia

• It’s a packed four days of events during the 2008 Charleston Sternwheel Regatta happening on August 28-31. The event features a little of everything, including a children’s carnival, live music entertainment, hot air balloon lift offs and glows, and the Taste of Charleston on August 30 and 31.

• Living history reenactments take place on August 30 at Tomlinson Run State Park in New Manchester as the site recognizes the 250th anniversary of the French and Indian War.

• Hinton’s Festival of the Rivers on August 30-31 features local and regional musicians, as well as musicians from around the world. Enjoy two days of live musical performances that include Appalachian music.

Photo credit: Clear Skies, flickr, creative commons by ron.richardson

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What happens when you combine cocktails and roller skating? ..an entire night of craziness. That’s what happens every Tuesday night at Gold Coast Roller Rink in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and it has been that way since 1968. Intoxiskate, as it is called, is one of the longest standing institutions for the thriving gay community in South Florida. Local DJs work the turntables, while guests skate the night away. $5 gets you in the door and skate rentals are $2. Drinks are inexpensive, as well. The crowd is younger than the bar scene, as Gold Coast’s liquor license is similar to that of a bowling alley, and you only need to be 18 to get in the door. Couple’s or backwards skate anyone?

Gold Coast Roller Skating Rink is located at 2604 S Federal Highway in Fort Lauderdale. (954) 523-6783 Roll Out takes place every Tuesday night from 8:00 pm - 2:00 am.

Photo Credit: Indy Charlie @ flickr

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Looking for something to do this Labor Day weekend in South Carolina or North Carolina. Well, there’s good news and bad news. The good news is there’s a lot happening. The bad news is that it’s going to be hard choosing what to do.

Let’s take a look at some of the events happening during the holiday weekend.

In South Carolina

• You can’t bypass BBQ on Labor Day weekend, it’s just not right. Come to Myrtle Beach on August 29-30 for the Beach Boogie & BBQ. This event is the real deal when it comes to South Carolina BBQ competitions. Not only do you get to sample what’s grillin’, but the two-day event includes an eating contest, live music and craft booths.

• The Great Southeast Balloon Fest in Anderson is scheduled for August 29- September 1. Events include morning balloon lifts, live music concerts, midway rides, and a Skin’s Hot Dog eating contest. 

• On August 31, Boone Hall Plantation in Mt. Pleasant is hosting the Southern National BBQ Championship and Bluegrass Festival. Expect a day filled with carnival rides, live music, food and fireworks to round out the evening.

In North Carolina

• Sometimes, nothing is better than biting into a good, crisp apple. Don’t believe me? Why don’t you try for yourself at the 2008 NC Apple Festival in Hendersonville on August 29 - September 1. Aside from apples, the festival also features arts and crafts vendors, live music performances and an Apple King Parade on Labor Day. 

• Learn about the history of Cherokee County during the 8th Annual Heritage Walk and Festival on August 30. Take part in the historic walking tours and then enjoy the heritage festival highlighting the area’s artists and local produce growers. There’s also live entertainment scheduled and everyone’s favorite festival staple - food (and since it’s the South, there’ll be plenty of it.)

Photo credits: (middle) Inside a Hot Air Balloon, flickr, creative commons by Peter Nijenhuis; (bottom right) Comfort Me with Apples, flickr, creative commons by monkeyc.net

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It’s all about the spa experience during the month of September in Fort Lauderdale. Like Miami Spa Month, participating spas in the Fort Lauderdale area will be offering deals to the hottest spas in the area for merely pennies (ok, a little more, but only $99). When you book your treatment on sunny.org, you will recieve greater Fort Lauderdale’s “pink pamper pouch” filled with a beach towel and flip flops. Should you desire to make your spa experience an overnight getaway, packages start at $249. Check out some of the treatments below and if you don’t find something here, check out their website for more options. Make sure you go to their website as there are certain restrictions.

• Contour Spa at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, 1 Seminole Way in Hollywood. (954) 587-5905. $99 service includes either a Hammam Loofah and Body Scrub plus Hand & Foot Reflexology or a full hair highlight, a conditioning treatment, plus a Haircut & Style.
• The Grand Resort & Spa (gay), 539 N Birch Rd in Fort Lauderdale. (954) 630-3000 $99 treatment includes a 50-minute massage (Swedish or Deep Tissue) and Choice of a body scrub (Glacier salt, Basil/Mint/Sea Salt, Pomegranate/Salt).
• The Spa at Harbor Beach Marriott Resort & Spa, 3030 Holiday Drive in Fort Lauderdale. (954) 765-3032 The $99 service will be the Harbor Beach Signature Sea Shell Therapy. This 80-minute unique massage uses heated smooth Tiger seashells to drizzle warm scented oil over the body. The shells are then used to massage the oil followed by a deep soothing massage. Great for tense muscles and stressed emotions.
• Spa Atlantic at The Atlantic Resort & Spa, 601 N Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd, Fort Lauderdale (954) 567-8085. For the $99 treatment, you have the option of one of the following: The Marie Antoinette -begin with a chocolate, strawberry or lavendar body scrub to exfoliate your skin, followed by a marshmallow body mask to hydrate, and finish off with a milk and honey body icing piped on with a pastry decorator and massaged in, The Marilyn Monroe- the ulitmate play date for couples. Dip into a champagne and citrus bath followed by a body souffle application of chocolate, strawberry or cool mint. Couples are then provided with a chocolate body paint private session. Another option is the De-Stress Mind & Body Wrap - For 50 minutes the body is exfoliated with crushed olive stones followed by an application of frankincense, rosemary, chamomile and aromatherapy. The body is then enveloped in a wrap and a scalp massage finished off the treatment.
• Spa 66 at the Hyatt Regency Pier 66, 2301 SE 17th St. Causeway in Fort Lauderdale (954) 728-3598. The Spa Chic service is inspired by cultures around the world and natural elements and include a 20-minute indulgent body scrub( think — Chardonnay Sugar Scrub), a 20-minute Aromatherapy Massage and a 45-minute Spa Pedicure.

Photo Credit: Rusty One @ flickr

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