Books, Art, Music Festival Is here! BAM Fest!

Ring in the holiday season at this season’s BAM Fest (Books, Art, and Music Festival) on Wednesday, November 18 from 3-8p.m. at the Port Orange-South Daytona Chamber of Commerce building located on the river at 3431 S. Ridgewood Avenue in Port Orange. 

This free event is open to the public. Throughout the evening you can enjoy entertainment from professional harpist and singer/songwriter Melody Anglin, as well as other local musicians. There will be book signings from over 24 award winning authors, and art for sale from several world-class area visual artists. In addition to light refreshments, there will be an interactive puppet show, Princess Rain and the Dragon, for the kids at 4:45pm. 

The event is intended to celebrate and support Volusia County’s gifted artistic and creative community. It is being co-sponsored by Taylor and Seale Publishing and the Creative Happiness Institute, and partially through a grant from the Cultural Council of Volusia County. Also present will be representatives of Volusia County Council, the City of Daytona Beach, and numerous arts and cultural organizations from our area.

“We would like to present an awareness of the rich, artistic talent of local writers, artists, musicians and entertainers in this area, thus the name BAM Fest, Books Art and Music,” says Dr. Mary Custureri, director of Taylor and Seale Publishing, “As writers, the event’s sponsors are especially interested in inspiring and developing young writers and readers by exposing them to local authors. We are doing this by offering a gala evening at a beautiful venue where people can enjoy the scenery of the Halifax River as they browse through books, admire a gallery of art, and listen to music from talented, professional musicians.” 

Many items will be for sale, personalized and gift wrapped. Some art spaces are still available for the event. 

For more information, go to Taylor and Seale Publishing, email mk@taylorandseale.com, call Dr. Custureri at 1-888-866-8248, or email Dr. David B. Axelrod, director of Creative Happiness Institute. 

 

Creative Florida Living 

Janet Sells Homes 

Greek Festival

Be Greek for a day! Fully immerse yourself in Greek culture. For 39 years, the annual St. Demetrios Greek Festival has featured authentic traditional Greek food, music, dancing and libations.

Enjoy the sounds of traditional Greek music like the Hasapiko, Zeibekiko, Tsamiko, Sirto and Pentozali while the church’s Saint Demetrios Dancers perform folk dances in costume. An indoor and outdoor event, the annual St. Demetrios Greek Festival also boasts authentic Greek cuisine created from family recipes including gyros, fried calamari, pork souvlaki, moussaka, spanakopita and stuffed grape leaves. 

There are even a fresh and frozen prepared foods section where you can purchase your favorites to bring home and share. Don’t forget the sweets. Specialty prepared desserts include baklava, melomakarona (honey walnut cookies), semolina pudding and kourabiethes (almond shortbread cookies). Relax in the coffeehouse, enjoy a beer or glass of ouzo at the Taverna or sip wine at one of the riverfront tables.

There’s also the marketplace where you can browse craft and souvenir booths full of Greek-themed gifts and jewelry.

The Festival runs from Thursday, November 12-Sunday, November 17. Check the Festival’s Facebook Page for most up-to-date info.

Admission is free. There is a free shuttle to Saint Demetrios Church from Our Lady of Lourdes (1014 North Halifax Avenue, Daytona Beach, FL 32118).

Saint Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church

129 North Halifax Avenue, Daytona Beach, FL 32118

 Creative Florida Living

Janet Sells! 

Fall Festival - Port Orange Family Days!

Here in Florida, autumn is not the harbinger of months of cold, wet weather. Instead we are lucky to have sunshine and beautiful temperatures! Whether you live here, are visiting, or are considering moving to the central Florida coast, autumn is the time to enjoy – and it is the time of Fall Festivals! 

 Port Orange Family Days

Family Days is the event of the year! The event initially was run by an all-volunteer group. It has grown from an attendance of 15,000 in 1995 to almost 60,000 today.

Each October, our community comes out to participate in a variety of ways. The fun begins on Thursday night with the opening of carnival, featuring $1 ride night. Thursday is also our Food Truck and Car Show night.  Friday is generally Movie under the Stars.

Businesses, organizations and food vendors come out in full force for our 2 day expo on Saturday and Sunday. You can start off at the amphitheater early Saturday morning for the Mascot Breakfast and finish just in time for the big parade!

The Amphitheater always has something exciting going on. Whether it be a dance showcase, magicians, or band performance, you can have it all! Our event has free admission and parking, and families will find there is plenty to do for everyone!

October 1-4, 2015 at the City Center Complex, 1000 City Center Circle, Port Orange. 

 

Creative Florida Living 

Janet Sells