So much to do in celebration of the last official summer holiday weekend on our coast! The Labor Day Celebration and Beach Music Weekend will be a seasonal highlight on Bald Head Island beginning Thursday, September 2 and continuing through Sunday, September 4. Prices range from $65 for adults and $30 for children for dancing and picnicking during our signature beach music bash. A variety of activities are scheduled with the Annual Texas Bar-B-Q as the grand finale. Think about ribs, chicken, brisket and all flavors of good eats. The weekend will also include the first Beach Cruiser Race, postponed from last weekend due to weather concerns, when bikers of all ages and levels are invited to compete for prizes. Visit baldheadisland.com for details.

The Labor Day Arts & Crafts Festival presented by the Oak Island Art Guild beginning at 9 a.m. on Saturday, September 3 is the 22nd annual event and will feature more than 100 artists and craft vendors. This huge showcase will include fine art, stained glass, woodcarvings, basket weaving, jewelry, toys, pottery, and of course some of our favorite food vendors will be onsite to keep us happy and hydrated all day. We’ll see you at the Middleton Park Extension Soccer Field at 46th SE Street and Dolphin Drive. It’s free, but you’ll want to plan on a bit of shopping and eating.

The Annual Oak Island Surf-Off also is Saturday, September 3 beginning at 8 a.m. Surfers and body-board riders ages 8 years and older at any skill level are welcomed to compete for trophies and prizes. Contact Surfer’s Restaurant at 910.454.8252 for details. The Children’s Crab Derby is a free activity at Southport’s historic waterfront. Registration is at 8:30 a.m. for 14 years old and younger. These young crabbers should bring their own crab line and chicken neck. (Yeah, it’s a coastal thing!) For details call 910.457.7965.

Summer might end its official run with these special events on Labor Day weekend, but we’ll still have plenty of action coming soon with fall festivals and entertainment. Come back here next week for our ideas of what’s next.

Sean Keefer is the featured guest at Coffee With The Authors September 1 at 10 a.m. at Sunset River Marketplace art gallery in Calabash. The SC author’s debut novel, The Trust, published by Old Line Publishing in January, earned an IPPY award in the Mystery/Thriller/Suspense genre as one of the best of 2011. The page turner brings together an attorney named Noah Parks, the mysterious last will and testament of Leonardo Xavier Cross and a safety deposit box that no one knew existed. The book was named by Charleston magazine among others as required beach reading this summer. This is a great opportunity to meet the author and read a new novel while beach time is still perfect on our coast. Sean practices family law and works as a domestic mediator in the Charleston, SC area in addition to his writing. He also photographs in the Lowcountry, plays guitar at assorted venues and explores the underwater world.

Beth Pethtal will prersent Simple Seasonal Interior Design at the gallery on September 14 at 11 a.m. The talented Sunset Beach designer and fabricator of soft custom home furnishings will demonstrate simple ways to change out your entire home or individual rooms according to the season. The fee is $7 and includes lunch. Be sure to reserve your seat.

A free reception on September 17 beginning at 2 p.m. will honor NC artist Nancy Hughes Miller. Her Coastal Colors exhibition of oil paintings showing in the gallery from September 12 through October 22 includes several of her signature local scenes of Sunset Beach.

Liz and Charlie Mitchell will be the featured presenters for the gallery’s Oct. 6 program in the Coffee With The Authors series. (Yes, yours truly.) Co-authors of two recent travel books and two very new mobile apps, plus a few more blogs, we photograph and write about favorite attractions and events throughout several beach towns and love browsing for new topics and discussing our writing.

The author events are free, but reservations are required due to limited space. Call 910-575-5999 or email lassiter@sunsetrivermarketplace.com. Sunset River Marketplace showcases work by approximately 200 North and South Carolina artists including virtually every genre. Custom framing, painting and pottery classes and art workshops are also offered. It’s located at 10283 Beach Drive SW. Regular hours are Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information visit sunsetrivermarketplace.com.

We love our music, and nothing could be finer than to share it with you during outdoor summer concerts in our coastal towns. Check these upcoming events for some groovin' opportunities for relaxing or to dance the nights away while meeting new friends and neighbors. The next best part is that they're all FREE! Bring chairs or blankets to get comfortable and plan to enjoy.

• Carolina Breakers will be playing in Holden Beach August 14. All of the Holden Beach events are at the end of Jordan Boulevard under the bridge and begin at 6:30 p.m. This group plays beach and Top 40 music.
• Sea Cruz will appear in Ocean Isle Beach August 19 beginning at 6:30 p.m. in the parking lot of the Museum of Coastal Carolina on E. Second Street. Sea Cruz plays variety music. Additional summer concerts here also are in this location at 6:30 p.m.
• Borderland will play in Holden Beach August 21. Southern rock is the sound of the night this time.
• The Spare Change Band will appear in Shallotte August 25. All of the SummerFest in the Garden Concert Series are in the Rourk Gardens on Main Street beginning at 7 p.m. Coolers are allowed here, but no alcohol is permitted in the park.
• Carolina Breakers will be delivering their variety music in Ocean Isle Beach August 26.
• U.B.U. The Band will play beach and Motown music in Holden Beach August 28. These five vocalists from Charlotte perform a wide variety of tunes reflecting their total of 75 years of on-stage experience.
• The Craig Woolard Band will bring their beach music to Ocean Isle Beach September 2. With The Embers for 27 years, the lead singer and frontman for one of beach music's iconic groups, Craig is well known and followed by all ages for such hits as "Love Don't Come No Stronger."
• The Imitations will play beach and Motown sounds from the 50s through the 70s in Holden Beach on September 4. The high-energy vocal group, based in Wilmington, brings a sound and light show to entertain any party.
• The Holiday Band closes the season's concerts in Shallotte on September 8. This is a CAMMY-award-winning party and dance band with the theme of “Keep The Music Alive!”

This will be too cute! Don’t miss our music and drama with the British musical classic Oliver! presented by Brunswick Little Theatre. The cast of 40 promises a treat for the opening of the theater’s 29th season.

The show based on the novel Oliver! by Charles Dickens opened on Broadway in 1963 after a successful run in London. The movie adaptation was a 1968 Academy Award winner. The well-loved and familiar musical includes such favorites as “Food Glorious Food,” “Consider Yourself,” “I'd Do Anything (For You)” and two immortalized by Shirley Bassey, “Where is Love” and “As Long as He Needs Me.”

Oliver! is the story of a young boy who is raised in a workhouse after his mother dies. Suffering the abuses of the workhouse, sold to an undertaker and made to sleep in a coffin, he finally escapes, only to become entangled with a group of ragamuffins, who, under the tutelage of Fagin, learn the art of pickpocketing on the streets of Victorian London. Other characters of note are Bill Sykes, the hard and sadistic graduate of Fagan's academy for crooks; Nancy, Bill's motherly and abused girlfriend; Mr. Bumble, the head of the workhouse; and the Artful Dodger, a good-natured boy who teaches Oliver his trade of pickpocketing.

Oliver! is an indictment of the social structure of nineteenth-century England where the very rich and the aristocrats commanded a sense of entitlement, and everyone else existed to make their lives easier and fuller. Although a dark story, some of the characters and songs lift the story above the maudlin diatribe against Victorian society and its injustices; some of the characters are optimistic of their possibilities, though they could only joke about moving far from their present conditions.

Brunswick Little Theatre will present Oliver! at Odell Williamson Auditorium at 7:30 p.m. July 29, 30 and August 5, 6 and at 3 p.m. July 31 and August 7. Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for students 12 and older and $6 for children under 12. For tickets call 1-800-754-1050, ext. 7416. For more information go to BrunswickLittleTheatre.com.

Photos by Jen Iapalucci, director of the show

Aaarrrggggh! Tickets sell out quickly and you best plan now to be here for this August 5, 6 and 7 weekend event on Bald Head Island. Check online at oldbaldy.org for a package matey! We’ll begin with a treasure hunt, some scalawag schools and a pirate pub night on Friday. Think about shrimp, barbecue, fried chicken and adult beverages among guns and canons in a blazing battle. A pirate party, more for young scalawags and entertainment continue during Blackbeard’s Blowout Saturday, and then the wind down is a pirate and pancake breakfast Sunday. Battles, booty, bragging rights and black powder plus art and heirlooms add up to plenty of fun on a three-day weekend for every age and interest.

Scalawag schools teach youngsters ages four through ten a thing or two about walking, talking and acting like a pirate. Blackbeard’s Crew, from the home port of Hampton, VA, will set up a pirate encampment with a living history performance depicting an accurate representation of seafaring life in the late seventeenth and early eighteenth centuries. Rusty Cutlass is a band of pirates which leaves their coastal plundering of Florida and their official pirate post at Disneyworld to invade our island and perform pirate tunes, authentic sea schanties and contemporary nautical favorites with vocal harmonies. Captain Horatio Sinbad invades the island on his authentic sailing ship with a look at years past.

The pirate craziness is actually a fundraiser for preservation projects at our Old Baldy Lighthouse which is the oldest lighthouse in North Carolina boasting 194 years. Be sure to tour the lighthouse too. The annual weekend party also celebrates National Lighthouse Day. Bald Head Island is only accessible via ferry from the mainland at Southport. Call 910-457-7481 for more details or tickets.

What could be more fun that shopping and dining in our lovely coastal town of Southport? Add live entertainment in the shopping districts twice a month for an even richer experience. Shop to the Beat features live music, a variety of additional types of entertainers performing, merchandising games and some super shopping and dining specials. Different surprises may be in store at each event and street scenes sometimes include vintage car exhibits, costumed historic interpreters, guitarists, harmonics, keyboards, violins, vocalists, djs, corn bag toss, or clowns and face painting. Trivia contests, raffles or discounts are offered at some of the retailers, and you may enjoy a variety of specials at participating restaurants. Find this located at several spots throughout all three of our main shopping districts: downtown, midtown and uptown. Shop to the Beat on the first and third Thursdays until mid-November. Upcoming dates are July 21, August 4, August 18, September 1, September 15, October 6, October 20, November 3 and November 17. Watch for green and black flags of participating restaurants and businesses from 4 p.m. until 6 p.m.

A few choices to visit in Uptown include the Olde Southport Village Shops, which is a collection of shops including restaurants, produce, jewelry, antiques, art, needlework, hammocks and much more. Live Oak Café, Taylor Cuisine Café and Catering and the new Swordfish Grille also are here. The Midtown section includes more art, gifts and dining choices such as the Franklin Square Art Gallery, Art @ 211 the Ricky Evans Gallery, Mr. P’s Bistro, Magnolia Gifts and The Wine Rack. Downtown be sure to check out The Christmas House, Cattail Cottage, Port City Java, Moore Street Market and Fishy Fishy Café or BullFrog Corner. If you aren’t yet familiar with Southport, we suggest walking throughout all of this area. The Downtown, Midtown and Uptown are all adjoining and just a few blocks will deliver a complete experience for shopping and dining. Check back here often too for suggestions of historic touring and special events. We always have something happening!

For more information about Shop to the Beat contact the Southport-Oak Island Chamber of Commerce at 910-457-6964.The entertainment is free, but of course the shopping and dining offer a few irresistible spending opportunities!

The Ingram Planetarium in Sunset Beach offers a rare opportunity to view the sky and learn a little bit about science. Special free summer family programs run until the end of August and interactive exhibits are a prelude to the evening’s spectacular dome show in the Sky Theater. The free 45-minute programs begin at noon. Beginning Skywatching is the Monday topic with a sky map introduction to the three constellations of the summer triangle. Navigating the Seas is the Tuesday program with details of celestial navigation used by sailors. On Wednesdays Turtle Talk explains the life cycle of sea turtles including current state and local turtle activities underway and the programs protecting the endangered species. Black Holes are the Thursday topic – the real story of density, mass, volume and true workings of a black hole. Solar System Playdough is the Friday activity with fun for all ages in sizing up the universe.

Sky Theater shows are presented on the hour beginning at 1 p.m. and continue until 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, when a live star show follows each program. Two Pieces of Glass at 1 p.m. explains the telescope and how it works. Oasis in Space at 2 p.m. is a voyage through the solar system in search of water. Zulu Patrol Under the Weather at 3 p.m. is especially for young audiences to learn about weather with an experience including the inhabitants of Planet Zulu and their Pet Gorga. The Seven Wonders at 4 p.m. covers the wonders of the ancient world plus seven cosmic wonders in space. The Astronaut at 5 p.m. is a rocket launch experience.

Laser music shows at 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. Monday through Friday are a light show on the sky dome accompanying loud rock music ranging from the Beatles to Pink Floyd to Metallica. A few of these are especially for adults and not suitable for children. Check the daily schedule for details.
Admission for each program in the Sky Theater or Laser Music Show is $8 for adults; $6 for seniors or students; $4 for ages 3 and 4 and free for children 2 and younger. For more information visit museumplanetarium.org or call 910.575.0033.

The first weekend of July marks some of the biggest and best fun we can offer for the whole family. It’s centered in the Southport and Oak Island area where we have celebrated the nation’s independence for 200 years in grand style. Beach Day will be underway Friday, July 1, with youth activities and contests from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the 46th Street SE and Beachfront Cabana area on Oak Island. Then a beach music band will begin at 6 p.m. at Middleton Park Extension for a shag contest which begins at 7 p.m. Registration opens at 5 p.m. For details, contact the Oak Island Parks & Recreation Department at 910-278-5518. Fireworks will be at dark (approximately 9 p.m.) on the Oak Island Fishing Pier. It’s all free!

The regatta will be July 2 at 2 p.m. at the Southport waterfront. Other events include a national art show which is underway until July 23 at Franklin Square Gallery and arts and crafts in the park July 2 and 3; bike tours and tours of the historic Old Jail and the St. Phillips Episcopal Church of the Cross.

The statewide Naturalization Ceremony is set for July 3 at 4 p.m. on the lawn at Fort Johnston at the Southport waterfront. In addition to the oath of citizenship for the state’s new citizens, it includes music, speaking, cannon firings, closing with a fireboat in the harbor spraying red, white and blue water. The Flag Retirement Ceremony will be at 6 p.m. July 3 at the BB&T Flagpole at South Howe and West Moore Streets in Southport. This is a somber and respectful occasion to destroy flags which are no longer suitable for display.

The Flag Raising Ceremony will be on July 4 at 10:30 a.m., also at the corner of Howe and Moore Streets. Then the Festival Parade steps off at 11 a.m. with 120 units filling the streets in the center of Southport. A military equipment static display will be in the waterfront park all afternoon, and the Classic Car Show will be open from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. On Bald Head Island the annual golf cart parade begins at 10 a.m., and a Fireworks Cruise is scheduled for 8 p.m. Fireworks also will be displayed at 9:05 p.m. at the Battleship North Carolina. What a celebration!

The Museum of Coastal Carolina in Ocean Isle Beach has new entertaining and educational family programs and special schedules continuing until late August.

The afternoon family programs begin at 3:30 p.m. Salt water fishing is the Monday feature. (No fishing, just learning). Certified Coast Guard Captain Fred David, who is also a former charter fishing boat owner, along with his son Forest David discuss baits, lures, rods and fishing for flounder, Spanish mackerel, surf fishing, crabbing and clamming. The Tuesday program highlights creatures that inhabit an ocean reef at the museum’s dry aquarium which is the largest of its kind in the Southeast. The Wednesday event is about aquatic life and rip currents focusing on personal shoreline safety. A hunt for a shark’s tooth in the museum’s sea fossil pit is included in the Thursday agenda covering the different species of sharks.

On Friday the museum docents demonstrate feeding sea stars, urchins, whelks, crabs, fish and other animals in the touch tank.
The evening series, which begins at 7 p.m. on Mondays, is about sea turtles including a video of local nesting activities and information about the life cycle. The Wednesday program features a walk to two haunted locations (yes, really!) with ghost lore author Will Smith guiding or speaking at the museum if weather is not conducive to the walk. Live snakes and other reptiles showcased by a local snake specialist are the super cool attraction on Thursdays.

The museum’s seven themed galleries are open for self-guided tours every day except Sunday. Hours are Monday, Wednesday and Thursday from 10 a.m. until 8:30 p.m.; Tuesday and Friday from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. The all-day admission, which includes family afternoon and evening programs, is $8 for adults; $6 for seniors or students; $4 for ages three to four and free for younger children. A summer Family Vacation Pass is available for a full week of unlimited access. Contact the museum at 910.579.1016 or visit museumplanetarium.org for more details.