Spring Into Competition Dauphin Island Race, Airbus LPGA Classic & More. Let the Festivities Begin! Arts, Southern Cuisine & Music Take Center Stage

Transcription

1 SPRING 2014 Spring Into Competition Dauphin Island Race, Airbus LPGA Classic & More Let the Festivities Begin! Arts, Southern Cuisine & Music Take Center Stage Local Favorites Places to Dine, Shop, Play & Explore

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3 TEAMS = 20 PADDLERS + 1 DRUMMER SATURDAY, JUNE 7TH 5 RIVERS ON THE CAUSEWAY Price of admission is FREE! First race starts at 9 am! 50 teams will race 250 meters on the Delta! Come out and cheer your favorite Dragon boat to victory! Hot air balloon rides available, food trucks, live music, drummers parade, festival like atmosphere & more!

4 Find where you need to be... Download our free app The Official Smart Phone Guide to Mobile Bay Scan the QR code or visit Visit alabamacoasting.com articles, back issues, and more!

5 Welcome y mobile and the surrounding areas! Aaaahhhhh, springtime in Mobile... blooming azaleas, gentle bay breezes and a more relaxed pace. Locals know that this is a special time of year along the coast and visitors are sure to discover the same as soon as they arrive. Mobile, one of the oldest cities in the Gulf Coast region, has a colorful, international flair, with numerous historic districts, architecturally significant homes and buildings, beautiful gardens, trees, parks and outdoor spaces, fresh, local seafood, numerous waterways to explore and an ever-emerging, vibrant arts community. You can find our love of the coast in our food, music, festivals, and attractions but especially in our people. There are numerous ways to get out on the water, from kayaks to airboats to sailboats to deep-sea charters. We host festivals year-round, celebrating everything from live music to shrimp to the arts to flowers. If you re a military buff, then we have several historic sites and attractions that will take you from the Civil War to present day. If you like architecture, a walking and/or driving tour of the many historic districts, churches and homes Mobile has is a must-do, if you re a foodie, try to eat your way along the bay. Are you are an art lover? There are dozens of galleries and museums that range from folk to fine art. Love the water, then a kayak, airboat or charter fishing boat is waiting for you! Need to smell the salty air and feel sand between your toes? Less than an hour south is laidback Dauphin Island, nestled between the Gulf of Mexico and the Mississippi Sound. You ll find a slower, relaxing pace here with very few man-made distractions and a host of natural wonders. Dotted with individual beach homes, canal-side bungalows and Sound-side cottages, Dauphin Island is a tribute to when a beach vacation was about, well, the beach. This issue of Alabama Coasting Magazine will feature many of the great experiences, dishes to try, places to visit and people to meet that make Mobile a favorite spot by locals and visitors alike. If you need more information, visit our website at or download our free app at AL COASTING. And yes, we re on Facebook, too. Search for and become a fan of Visit Mobile Bay and you ll be included in the latest updates, announcements, event information and fun facts. Have fun! Sincerely, Your friends at the Mobile Bay Convention & Visitors Bureau secretly awesome mobilebay.org ALABAMA COASTING SPRING

6 PUBLISHER S LETTER Yes indeed...this IS the best time m a g a z i n e Managing Partner/CEO Danny Calametti...to be on the ALABAMA COAST. What passes for tough winter weather in these parts falls away quickly and Spring is upon us as festivals and outdoor events of every sort burst forth as brilliant and colorful as our glorious Azaleas. We invite you to use ALABAMA COASTING MAGAZINE as your guide during your entire visit with us. Throughout its pages, we ll introduce you to some of our favorite places and the best choices for where you can DINE, SHOP, PLAY and EXPLORE. To help your search, we ve divided the region into three areas Mobile, the Eastern Shore and the Alabama Gulf Beaches and profiled each within the magazine. Our feature stories educate, entertain and entice you to embrace the treasures of our little part of the world. For help getting around, you ll find area and local maps on pages A business directory and rundown of things to do begins on page 28. For even more help as you re traveling around the Alabama Coast, be sure to download our free Alabama Coasting app. It s the Official Smart Phone Guide for Mobile Bay full of music and event listings and as complete a roster of area restaurants, retail shops, attractions and businesses as you ll find anywhere. It s GPS enabled, so you can be assured of getting wherever you need to be. Just search Mobile Bay on your smartphone President/Publisher David Calametti Art Director Dee Cariglino Sales & Client Services Justin Calametti Content Management Team Whitney Calametti Denise Williams Photography Debbie & Tad Denson myshotz.com Tony West myshotz.com Frank Lee Roberts Michael Thomas Whether you re here for business or pleasure or both, we hope you ll enjoy your time along our little slice of heaven on the Gulf Coast. On the coast to watch the ladies tee it up at Magnolia Grove? Welcome, it s a grand event! Thanks again, for visiting and for reading ALABAMA COASTING MAGAZINE. We invite you to share your feelings and your experiences by sending us a note or joining us on Facebook. Published by Discover Gulf Coast Alabama, LLC Phone: david@alabamacoasting.com 5758 Huffman Drive North Mobile, AL David Calametti, Publisher 2014 Discover Gulf Coast Alabama, LLC. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without written permission from the publisher. 4 ALABAMA COASTING SPRING 2014

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8 departments Mobile Bay CVB welcomes you... 3 Publisher s Letter... 4 Alabama Coasting Recommends: Day Trips and Destinations Live music, dance, art demonstrations and interactive activities combine to bring the Arts Alive! Photo: Whitney Calametti. destinations Mobile... 8 Eastern Shore Dauphin Island & Gulf Beaches directories Dining & Entertainment...30 Music...32 Shopping...34 Play and Explore...36 Events...38 Maps Advertiser Directory...46 SPRING 2014 features THE SKY S THE LIMIT Mobile Airport Authority is flying high SPRING INTO COMPETITION...22 From sailboats and sand traps to sneakers, the game is on IT S FESTIVAL SEASON...26 Art, music, food and more ARTS ALIVE...28 A celebration of performing arts in downtown Mobile Spring Into Competition Dauphin Island Race, Airbus LPGA Classic & More Let the Festivities Begin! Arts, Southern Cuisine & Music Take Center Stage Local Favorites Places to Dine, Shop, Play & Explore On the Cover: Mobile Regional Airport. Photo: Tad Denson, MyShotz.com 6 ALABAMA COASTING SPRING 2014

9 What are the odds of finding something good to eat downtown? 8 Fine Dining 12 Casual 10 Coastal 5 Ethnic 35 (eateries) to 1 (square mile) ;-) ALABAMA COASTING SPRING

10 Mobile A GLORIOUS SEASON Mobile Beckons Visitors in Spring Spring in Mobile truly is a thing of beauty. One visit to Mobile at the end of March or in early April and you ll know precisely how Mobile earned its title as the Azalea City. In addition to its year-round assortment of fine and casual dining, cultural activities and eclectic shopping, a number of large-scale events shine a light on this majestic city. From one of the country s premier flower shows to art and music festivals, Mobile s the place to be in the springtime! DOWNTOWN MOBILE There is virtually something for everyone in Downtown Mobile. An appealing blend of historic and contemporary architecture creates the backdrop for why Mobilians make visitors feel so welcome. A Port City from its inception, there has always been a delicious blend of cultures richly expressed through food, entertainment and community events. Downtown Mobile is becoming a pedestrian s paradise. An easy stroll through downtown offers some of the best samples of the city s classical and historic architecture: authentic, French-Creole wrought iron, antebellum embellishments and buildings dating back to the 1800s. This is highlighted each spring with the Mobile Historic Homes Tour. Enjoy fun boutique shopping at Lunatix & Co. on Dauphin Street, a creative little Eden full of local artists wares, fashions and oddities. Inside Up on Conception Street features women s clothing and accessories as well as home décor, while a few doors down, Covered Boutique is a treasure trove of contemporary women s apparel. Don t forget the Urban Emporium, which serves as a small business incubator and is home to eclectic shops and even a bakery. The Museum of Mobile, Mardi Gras Museum and Gulf Coast Exploreum Science Center are fantastic attractions for the whole family to enjoy. 8 ALABAMA COASTING SPRING 2014

11 The Cathedral Square Arts District stretches from Royal Street, down Dauphin Street, to just past Washington Street and is home to more than 30 art galleries, venues and shops, including Kangal Gallery & The Sail Loft, Artology, Space 301, Cathedral Square Gallery, and The Robertson Gallery. Come out every second Friday of the month from 6-9 p.m. for Mobile s popular monthly ArtWalk. Enjoy live music, gallery openings and fun. For those who fancy themselves culturally in-tune, the Saenger Theatre downtown hosts a myriad of symphonies and national performers of all genres. Just past the doors of the Saenger, the streets of downtown site lined with live music venues and bars of all kinds. Try jazz and blues at Royal Street Tavern, dueling pianos at Dahlia s Piano Bar and punk, rock and folk at The Alabama Music Box and Soul Kitchen. Food is the name of the game downtown. Mediterranean, Thai, seafood, sushi, fine dining...you name it! From the regional seafood favorite, Wintzell s Oyster House, to delicious American fare at The Blind Mule and Panini Pete s to sophisticated Southwestern cuisine at The Bull, your craving is sure to be satisfied. Sweet tooth? You re covered with a visit to the quaint Three Georges candy shop or A&M Peanut Shop. Try the homemade divinity or a shake at Three Georges, or stop in A&M for peanuts roasted hourly in the shop s 90-year-old roaster. April brings with it sunshine and the annual multi-genre arts festival, Arts Alive! in downtown Mobile. Scheduled for April 11, 12 and 13, 2014, the festival offers three days of varied artistic experiences and interactive and hands-on activities for adults and children alike. The Spring Market on the Square also returns in April. Come out every Saturday from the end of April tilt h end of July and revel in a mouth-watering array of locally grown goodness and handmade crafts. Like the rest of the coast, downtown Mobile comes alive in spring. Stroll its sidewalks and enjoy the architecture and well-tended gardens. Engage in al fresco dining, or sample its varied nightlife. For more information on the latest events and festivities all spring, check out our website at MIDTOWN Mobile s Midtown section is, as the name implies, the link between the historic city center and the neighborhoods and suburbs which grew west (away from the river) over the years. The Ashland Place neighborhood nurtures a delightful collection of boutiques, restaurants and shops. At its edge you ll find The Dew Drop Inn, one of the oldest Mobile has a rich past and a contemporary outlook. Top to bottom: Old Dauphin Way Historic District; Lower Dauphin Street nightlife; strolling through Bienville Square. Photos: Tad Desnon, MyShotz.com ALABAMA COASTING SPRING

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13 Majestic oak in Spring Hill. Photo: Bill Finch restaurants in the city. In the heart of Midtown is Cammie s Old Dutch Ice Cream, a 40 year-old tradition for local children (of all ages), plus Queen G s, the Italian Fisherman, Ashland Pub and Fuego Coastal Mexican Eatery. SPRING HILL A visit to Mobile in spring is a certain delight that extends west from Midtown. Time must be devoted by visual art aficionados to Spring Hill. It is home to the world-class Mobile Museum of Art which houses contemporary galleries featuring a permanent collection of over 8,000 works, plus touring exhibits. A visiting exhibit: Front & Center is proud to present a group of figurative works by regional contemporary artists Anke Schofield, Spencer Herr, and Clayton Colvin. The Museum is located in Municipal Park which offers a playground, picnic areas and a pleasant walking trail. Think you ve taken in all the natural beauty of Mobile? Not so fast, just west of the art museum is the Mobile Botanical Gardens, a 100-acre site of cultivated gardens, woodland trails, and a longleaf pine forest, at 5151 Museum Drive. Naturally, Spring is a great time to visit the gardens and this year will be no exception. So just come and enjoy the view the Gardens are open yearround from daylight to dusk. Info: WEST MOBILE If you flew into Mobile, unlike some other places you may land, you ll find the territory near the airport here is not filled with run-of-the-mill flyover spots. In fact, Mobile Regional Airport is located near the newest and most rapidly developing neighborhoods of the city. Familiar national favorites can be found here, but consider sampling some authentic home specialties from local eateries in West Mobile. Constantine s provides authentic, delicious Mediterranean fare while Via Emilia offers outstanding Italian culinary options. The Shed BBQ and Blues Joint creates a unique fusion of the familiar Mississippi Delta with a tantalizing touch of south Alabama flair, and New Orleans transplant Zea serves up Big Easy Creole flavor. Don t let the springtime sun rest on you until you make a visit to the southern edge of West Mobile down on Fowl River where you can experience natural beauty like no other at Bellingrath Gardens and Home. The 65 acres of gardens is abloom with more magnificent azalea verities than any other in a community famed for this plant. Easter lilies, hydrangeas, delphiniums and many more delightful varieties are showcased here. The delightful home, once featured on America s Castles, is available for touring. And, if you re in town, don t miss the premier flower and garden event of the greater Gulf Coast, the ALABAMA COASTING SPRING

14 Festival of Flowers. The Festival takes place March during what is perhaps Mobile s prettiest month. NORTH MOBILE Just a short way up I-65, this community of quaint small towns is seeing tremendous change. ThyssenKrupp Steel USA has opened a multi-billion dollar processing plant which is leading to the opening of many new attractions, accommodations and dining opportunities in the area. However, visitors can easily get back to nature at Chickasabogue Park, which features a 14-mile Mountain Bike Trail, camping facilities and canoeing, among much more fun. THE CAUSEWAY The signature aspect of Mobile and the entire Alabama Coast region is the attachment to water. A great way to spend a beautiful spring day immersed in the more-recent history of Mobile is found by visiting the Causeway that links Mobile to the Eastern Shore/Baldwin County. Right here you can experience history, celebrate the unique coastal ecosystem and find the dining experience you craved when you thought of coming here in the first place. Any trip to the Alabama Coast must include time spent at the USS ALABAMA Memorial Park. The mighty battleship was decorated 9 times in World War II. Visitors can tour the ship and get a feel for what the fighting men who served on Sunset over the Causeway. it endured to protect not only those on their home front but freedom throughout the world. More than 20 other craft including the USS DRUM submarine, helicopters and airplanes are part of the exhibit. The best fresh catch on Mobile Bay during spring or any season may be found at the end of your fork at any of the Causeway s many seafood restaurants. Headlined by Felix s Fish Camp, the Original Oyster House, Ed s Seafood and the Blue Gill Restaurant, you won t go wrong visiting any of the restaurants offering genuine Alabama Coast cuisine. For more information on the neighborhoods of Mobile visit our website at or the Mobile Bay CVB at An unforgettable adventure for the whole family! Battleship USS ALABAMA and Submarine USS DRUM 20+ rare historic aircraft Exciting Flight Simulator ride America s most unique military attraction BATTLESHIP MEMORIAL PARK BAT T LESHIP PARKWAY, MOBILE BAY, MOBILE, AL OPEN DAILY 8:OO A.M. (EXCEPT CHRISTMAS) GANGWAY ALCOAST-11 Certain restrictions may apply. 12 ALABAMA COASTING SPRING 2014

15 Historic Homes of Mobile With its first settlers arriving in 1702, the city of Mobile is rich in history. There s no better way to experience it than to see the city s beautiful historic homes. Mobile has several historic homes that you can tour, all awaiting the opportunity to showcase true southern hospitality. Visit for more information, including group rates. BELLINGRATH GARDENS AND HOME The creation of Mr. and Mrs. Walter Bellingrath. it was first opened to the public in 1932 while a national garden club meeting was taking place in Mobile. Mr. Bellingrath placed an ad in the paper, announcing that anyone who would like to see the spring garden could do so free of charge. After overwhelming response, the couple decided to keep the gardens open year-round, beginning in Tour the Bellingrath Home, complete with its original furnishings and extensive collection of decorative arts. Built in 1935, the 10,500 square foot home was designed by prominent architect, George B. Rogers. www. bellingrath.org. RICHARDS DAR HOUSE Steamboat Captain Charles G. Richards and his wife, Caroline Elizabeth Steele, built this as their dream house in Decorated with lavish iron lace, it s one of Mobile s finest examples of Italianate style. On the Richards DAR House National Register, this beautiful townhouse tells the story of Mobile during its antebellum period. The Ideal Cement Company purchased the house from Richards descendants in After being turned over to the city of Mobile in 1973, the five Mobile Chapters of the Daughters of the American Revolution leased the home. The organization is responsible for furnishing and administering it as a Period House Museum. BRAGG-MITCHELL MANSION Canopied by a grove of century-old oaks and furnished with fine antiques and crystal chandeliers, the Bragg-Mitchell Mansion offers a rare glimpse of life in the Old South. When built in 1855, the house was the center of the lively social life when Mobile was a thriving cotton port. As one of the most photographed buildings in Mobile, the Greek Revival mansion is an architectural icon that evokes a time of gracious living and socializing. braggmitchellmansion.com. CONDÉ-CHARLOTTE MUSEUM HOUSE Located on Theatre Street adjacent to Fort Condé, this is also known as the House of Five Flags. It is beautifully furnished with period antiques depicting Mobile s history under French, English, Spanish, American and Confederate rule. condecharlottemuseum.com. OAKLEIGH HISTORIC COMPLEX When Virginia cotton factor James W. Roper made his fortune in Mobile, his goal was to build a small Greek temple in an oak grove. With Oakleigh, Mobile s Official Period House Museum since 1955, he created a T-shaped Greek revival mansion with unique architectural features including a cantilevered front staircase, grand double parlors and galleries accessed through jib windows. Top to bottom: Bellingrath home exterior and interior, Bragg-Mitchell Mansion, Condé-Charlotte house, Oakleigh. ALABAMA COASTING SPRING

16 MOBILE AIRPORT AUTHORITY The Sky s the Limit Among the many monikers Mobile has earned over the years, Port City seems most apt after all, our safe harbor has been an important asset since Bienville dropped anchor in However, events over the past couple of years have shone a spotlight on another commodity Brookley Field. Located just south of downtown on the western shore of Mobile Bay, Brookley has been an important element of the aviation industry dating back almost 130 years. It was home to some of the first American attempts at powered flight in the 1890s, played host to early pioneers Charles Lindberg and Amelia Earhart and, during World War II, employed 17,000 skilled civilians whose work played a significant role in the Allied victory in Europe. Now, Brookley is the site for Airbus $600 million aircraft design and assembly facility, its first in the U.S., scheduled to open in The Airbus plant is expected to generate some 1,000 direct jobs and hundreds more through its many suppliers headed this way. While there is no denying the significance of the Airbus project for the future of Mobile s aerospace industry, that industry has been alive and thriving for decades. The Mobile Aeroplex at Brookley (as it is now called) is already home to some 100 companies, employing more than 2,400 people. Led by Continental Motors and ST Aerospace, they generate more than $800 million in total economic impact each year. These companies are attracted by the same unique world-class logistics that caught Airbus eye air, water, rail and interstate connections that are unparalleled. The 1,650-acre complex features two runways that can accommodate any aircraft in the world. The site is adjacent to the Port of Mobile, one of the nation s busiest deepwater ports. (Airbus says the location will enable it to deliver fully equipped aircraft sections from Europe via standard freight container ships.) CSX Railroad runs through the Mobile Aeroplex and hubs with four other railroads at the nearby seaport terminal. Interstate 10, a major east-west artery, stands two miles away, with two exits to the property. Interstate 65, which runs north to Chicago, is a mere four miles away. The Mobile Airport Authority the quasi-governmental body that oversees Mobile Aeroplex at Brookley, Mobile Regional Airport and Mobile Downtown Airport has crafted a detailed master plan to carefully develop the 1,600 plus acres, continue to attract a strong, diversified tenant base and ensure the Mobile Aeroplex remains the epicenter of Mobile s global economy. 14 ALABAMA COASTING SPRING 2014

17 WHEN YOU HAVE OVER 700,000 SQUARE FEET OF WAREHOUSE SPACE THE POSSIBILITIES ARE ENDLESS. MOBILE AEROPLEX AT BROOKLEY HAS SOME EXCITING DEVELOPMENTS ON TAP The airport authority has also rolled out a simple message for the traveling public: Let s fly. While the exciting Airbus development at Mobile Aeroplex takes center stage, Mobile Regional remains the gateway for thousands of visitors each year and, often, their first experience with our Alabama Coast community. As Roger Wehner, MAA s Executive Director, observes: We are literally welcoming the world to Mobile right now. So, while the Aeroplex at Brookley gets the lion s share of attention and headlines, Mobile Regional Airport has focused on their own important mission delivering first quality customer service with warmth and tradition of our legendary Southern hospitality. Traveler comments on Facebook, Yelp and other social media platforms reinforce the success of that effort. The mission is also aided by the extensive renovations to the lobby and exterior as well as a package of amenities that include free 30 minute parking, WiFi, comfortable rocking chairs, a fully staffed customer service center and the nation s first frequent flyer program. So come on Let s fly! ALABAMA COASTING SPRING

18 Eastern Shore IT S A SHORE THING The Eastern Shore shines in spring If you have ever been to Coastal Alabama s Eastern Shore in spring, the first thing that probably comes to mind is one of the best outdoor arts and crafts festivals in the nation. Then, of course, there is great shopping, dining and indoor and outdoor activities galore. This picturesque collection of communities is nestled on the Gulf Coast just minutes east of Mobile. It s a cultured assortment of small towns where charm and southern tradition collides with a sort of coastal-chic ambiance. The Eastern Shore includes its largest cities: Spanish Fort, Daphne and Fairhope as well as smaller delectable locations like historic Point Clear, home to one of the South s oldest and finest resorts, The Grand Hotel. Come on down; the weather and everything else is fine, on the Eastern Shore. Photo: City of Fairhope shopping collectives: The Eastern Shore Centre and Spanish Fort Town Center combined offer literally hundreds of specialty and gift shops, clothiers, varied retailers and dining destinations with expansive, convenient free parking. Historic Blakeley State Park, State Hwy 225, tells the history of Spanish Fort like few interpretive sites are able to. Featuring a well-preserved Civil War battlefield with both Confederate and Union fortifications and breastworks, Blakeley really brings the conflict into contemporary perspective through guided tours and special events. An RV campground with full utility hookups and a rustic campground for tents and pop-ups are available to visitors for overnight stays. The park is open to day visitors 9 a.m. to sunset. Admission and camping rates are charged. SPANISH FORT Historic Spanish Fort, dating to the 18th century, is the northernmost entry to the Eastern Shore. It is a great place to spend afternoons shopping or delving into the colonial spirit that founded our country. And with warmer weather outside, the Eastern Shore will be the destination of choice for many shoppers, with its upscale, open-air shopping locations. The city is home to two of the area s most active If reeling in or bagging a wall-worthy specimen ever crosses your mind, you ll find the shop to suit you here. Spanish Fort Town Center is home to Bass Pro Shop s Outdoor World. This outdoor sports enthusiast s dream store offers everything imaginable for campers, hunters, boaters and anglers. From children s clothing to saltwater fish tanks, footwear to eyewear, cabin items to collectables well, just come inside and hunt for what you ll love having or giving. 16 ALABAMA COASTING SPRING 2014

19 Build your own Eastern Shore excursion: DAPHNE Near to Spanish Fort is the Eastern Shore s Jubilee City : Daphne. The city is world-known for the most unusual phenomenon jubilee where on rare occasions environmental factors draw shrimp, flounder, crab and other ingredients of coastal cuisine close to the shore where they can be easily plucked out of the shallows. The heart of the city, Olde Towne Daphne, is a reminder of the city s small-town beginnings while offering delightful shopping and dining selections. Strolling around the quiet streets leads to unusual and appealing discoveries like De-Cuba on Main Street. Featuring Daphne s only walk-in humidor with the Eastern Shore s largest selection of cigars and cigar accessories this is a place to find Cuban art, clothing and a variety of wines. Across the street, stop in one of the twin restaurants Guido s or Cousin Vinny s. Among Vinny s tasty offerings are salads, sandwiches, hand-tossed specialty pizzas and beer on tap, while Guido s offers a fine selection of wines, as well as an extensive chalkboard menu of appetizers, entrees and desserts. Daphne is home to two unique museums. The Black Education Museum and Daphne Old Methodist Church Museum are Marietta Johnson Museum. each housed in historic buildings featuring fascinating interpretations. The Black Education Museum, 1000 Main Street, is located in the former Baldwin County Training School, the first school established in the country to serve African-American students. Built with student labor in 1941, the museum s collection includes documents and furnishings from throughout the school s history. Open: Tues. and Thurs., 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Info: or Shopping in Daphne also includes the expansive Jubilee Square shopping center (U.S. 90.) with retailers such as familiar favorites Stein Mart, Pier 1 Imports, Hobby Lobby, T.J. Maxx and Dick s Sporting Goods. Jubilee also hosts dining destinations such as Longhorn Steakhouse, Firehouse Subs and Baumhower s Restaurant. If you re feeling a need to get back to nature while here, try the Gator Alley Boardwalk, a free half-mile walkway over D Olive Creek that is open daily for the public to safely view these creatures in their natural habitat. Meaher State Park ART American Sport Art Museum & Archives One Academy Drive in Daphne, Bay Rivers Art Guild & Gallery 1704 Sixth Street, Daphne Booth Sculpture Park outdoor art exhibit 2400 Main Street, Daphne Eastern Shore Art Center 401 Oak Street, Fairhope NATURE TRAILS Daphne Path begins on N. Main Street at Gator Alley Boardwalk, goes through Montrose Fairhope Path begins on N. Section Street and ends at Marriott s Grand Hotel HISTORIC CEMETERIES Confederate Rest Cemetery on the grounds of Marriott s Grand Hotel in Point Clear Fairhope Colony Cemetery Oak Street, across from the Fairhope Civic Center Jackson Springs Cemetery (in Blakeley State Park) Highway 225, Spanish Fort Little Bethel Church & Cemetery 1902 Main Street, Daphne Old Methodist Church & Cemetery 405 Dryer Avenue Daphne PARKS Historic Blakeley State Park Site of the last major battle of the Civil War. Picnic, fishing, shell mounds, boardwalk, pavilion, camping. Cycling, hiking & horseback trails, nature sanctuary. Highway 225, 6 miles north of I-10 Spanish Fort. Meaher State Park Pier, picnic tables, boat launch pavilion, playground, camping, nature trails. Battleship Parkway, Spanish Fort. The Village Park Picnic area, nature trail, Jackson s Oak, champion trees, early American cemetery Main Street, Daphne. ALABAMA COASTING SPRING

20 FAIRHOPE Fairhope, acting as artist haven extraordinaire of the Eastern Shore, will be busy this season with several special events appealing to nature lovers as well as art lovers. This will culminate as thousands take to the streets for the annual Arts & Crafts Festival in mid-march. One of the Southeast Tourism Society s Top 20 events, its mix of talented artists and artisans on display in the charming setting of downtown Fairhope signals an opportunity not to be missed. Shopping and dining in this city is distinctly home grown but don t let that simple description fool you. Unique shops offer fine antiques, original works of art, eclectic home furnishings and collectables. From international fare to coastal cuisine, Fairhope eateries have something special to share. An authentic Irish experience is offered at McSharry s Irish Pub, 101 N. Bancroft Street, featuring traditional food and libations. Other dining delights include elegant fare at the Fairhope Inn and Tamara s Grill. If golf is more your cup of tee than shopping, you won t want to miss playing Fairhope s Rock Creek course. The semi-private club offers Alabama one of Alabama Coast s best 18-hole courses with play open to the public. POINT CLEAR For a great springtime getaway Marriott s distinctive Grand Hotel in Point Clear, on Scenic 98 offers upscale lodging and both fine and casual dining to guests and to the public. Guests have access to the resort s swimming and tennis facilities as well as Lakewood Golf Course. Casual dining is open to the public for breakfast and lunch in the Dining Room and in the Grand Dining Room for an upscale evening. Both feature American cuisine, including local seafood delicacies. For a more casual dinner menu visit the Saltwater Grill which includes a sushi menu. Bucky s Birdcage Lounge offers libations and live music as well. The Grand Hotel in Point Clear is a favorite spot for locals and visitors alike. It features a historic main building, lovely views, a world class spa and one of Alabama s best private golf courses. It s a Shore Thing eastern shore of mobile bay, Alabama Spring into Summer! For information about the Eastern Shore contact the Eastern Shore Chamber of Commerce offices at either 327 Fairhope Ave., Fairhope, , or 29750, Larry Dee Cawyer Dr., Daphne, , or visit them online at From amazing history to sunsets on the bay, we have it all. Fairhope, Daphne, Spanish Fort, Point Clear, Blakeley and Weeks Bay. Shopping, family fun, the Delta and more! Come explore APP: Eastern Shore AL eschamber.com 18 ALABAMA COASTING SPRING 2014

21 Alabama s Gulf Beaches White sands and warm surf make beachtime fun for children of all ages. Photo: Debbie Denson, MyShotz.com. A DAILY VACATION Dauphin Island & Gulf Beaches Now, this is much more like it! Although beautiful and fun year-round, the Alabama Coast comes to life when spring returns to its gentle shores. Generations blend seamlessly as Snowbirds and Spring Breakers join locals here in paradise. Some like it so well they never leave! Shopping, fresh dining options, entertainment and of course, the beach, make every day feel like a vacation. GULF SHORES & ORANGE BEACH Gulf Shores and Orange Beach have been an Alabama coastal playground for generations of visitors from all over the world, and continue to provide family-friendly fun in a small-town beachside setting. Located due south of Foley on Hwy 59, Gulf Shores is home to the little zoo that could. More than 300 animals can be visited at the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo located just a couple of blocks off Highway 59 near the beach. Get up close and personal with lemurs, tiger cubs and more, through one-on-one animal encounters. Call prior to arrival to ensure availability. Don t miss the opening of the Green Zoo later this year. FOLEY Foley is the gateway to the beach community on the Alabama Coast but you won t want to miss stopping here. Of course just about everyone who travels southeast from the Eastern Shore on Scenic 98 or the somewhat more direct route of I-59 immediately associates this city with shopping for fine-name brands at unbelievably affordable prices at Tanger Outlet. However, one should slow down a bit en route to the beach and devote some time to Uptown Foley, an older but equally appealing, destination. Want to get to know this early 20th century town a bit better? Here s the place to do it. Uptown features inviting gift shops located in historic buildings. As you step back in time you can find attractive selections of antiques, books, gifts and more, all within easy walking distance of the John B. Foley Park in the heart of town. The park is a great place to stop and admire the scenery. ALABAMA COASTING SPRING

22 Historic Fort Morgan is just a short ferry ride from its counterpart, Fort Gaines. GULF SHORES & ORANGE BEACH Gulf Shores and Orange Beach have been an Alabama coastal playground for generations of visitors from all over the world, and continue to provide family-friendly fun in a small-town beachside setting. Located due south of Foley on Hwy 59, Gulf Shores is home to the little zoo that could. More than 300 animals can be visited at the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo located just a couple of blocks off Highway 59 near the beach. Get up close and personal with lemurs, tiger cubs and more, through one-on-one animal encounters. Call prior to arrival to ensure availability. Don t miss the opening of the Green Zoo later this year. Of course food plays an unmistakable role in the personality of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. Seafood, seafood seafood. Excellent, fresh seafood is always right and always ready when you dine in any of the innumerable locally-owned restaurants along this stretch of the Alabama Coast. For unbelievable whole flounder and more try The Compleat Angler at The Wharf. For the avid sports fan out there, don t miss a game...baumhower s sports bar (also located at The Wharf) has you covered! And if you are looking for a quieter, more elegant meal, reserve your spot at the Sunset Cork Room, regularly featuring music, a creative menu and one of the choicest wine selections in the area. DAUPHIN ISLAND A short 45 minute jaunt from downtown Mobile or a quick ferry ride from the end of Fort Morgan Road (in Gulf Shores) brings you to Dauphin Island, off the western shore of Mobile Bay. This tiny hamlet on a barrier island a mere 14 miles long has much to offer in a relatively small space. Discover the wonders of the sea at the Dauphn Island Sea Lab Estuarium. Photo: Tad Denson, MyShotz.com Historic Fort Gaines, first visited by explorers in the early 16th century, is an excellent complement to Fort Morgan. Ever hear the expression, Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead? You ll learn the details of the Battle of Mobile Bay where they were famously proclaimed and much more with a visit here. Favored dining spots for locals and others include the Oar House, the Lighthouse Bakery and the Grill at Isle Dauphine Golf Club where you can also sit by the pool or play a round featuring some of the most glorious views you ll find anywhere. The 5th Annual Dauphin Island Gumbo Festival, April 26, is back and better than ever! The festival includes the gumbo cook-off, live music and so much more. The Dauphin Island Sea Lab and Estuarium is one of the few spots on the Alabama Coast where even the smallest visitors can safely and enjoyably get up close and personal with nature. The sea lab uses the actual natural resources, plants and animals found in our region as a means to educate visitors. As you move through the 10,000-square-foot Exhibit Hall, you will come nose-tonose with fish found in these four significant regions: the Barrier Islands (which includes Dauphin Island), Mobile Bay, the Mobile Tensaw River Delta and the Northern Gulf of Mexico. Interactive exhibits such as the Billy Goat Hole Gallery and touch tanks make this visit even more memorable. After all, when was the last time you were able to pet a shark? And another must nature excursion is the Dauphin Island Audubon Bird Sanctuary, which hosts thousands of birds and birders annually. 20 ALABAMA COASTING SPRING 2014

23 BAYOU LA BATRE & CODEN South Mobile County was one of the first settled parts of the region with Dauphin Island having been settled by the French in 1699 (who called it Massacre Island due to the large amount of human and animal bones discovered there). Across the Mississippi Sound from Dauphin Island, the small fishing villages of Coden and Bayou La Batre date from the 1720s and 1780s respectively. Both developed into popular resorts during the 1800s but were devastated by hurricanes in 1906, 1916 and Today, though the resorts are forgotten, the area is still focused on fishing. Bayou La Batre is known as the Seafood Capital of Alabama and, by the way, it s pronounced: By -La Bat-ree. For information, contact Alabama Gulf Coast CVB, Gulf Shores, Dauphin Island and South Mobile County, contact Dauphin Island Chamber of Commerce ( or South Mobile County Tourism Authority ( take a walk on the wild side If you re looking for an exciting place to visit head down to South Mobile County (SOMO). Home to some of the most amazing natural scenery in the world, this Alabama gem boasts Dauphin Island s sugar-white sand beaches, the freshest Gulf seafood, worldclass fishing and more. SOMO s Dauphin Island is the natural getaway for all kinds of adventurers. Call TRIP or go to VisitSOMO.com today for assistance in booking your next getaway! where adventure comes naturally VisitSOMO.com South Mobile County Tourism Authority The South Mobile County Tourism Authority was formed in 2011 as an act of the Alabama Legislature to promote and enhance tourism in South Mobile County.South Mobile County has much to offer from the sugar white beaches of Dauphin Island and the beauty of Bellingrath Gardens and Fowl River, to the charming atmosphere of Bayou La Batre. Take a look around and you ll find there is plenty to do here...including doing nothing at all if you choose. UPCOMING EVENTS: ARTS IN THE PARK NATURE FESTIVAL DAUPHIN ISLAND, JUNE 7 9AM-4PM Held under the majestic oaks in Dauphin Island s historic Cadillac Square Park, the event features the work of fine artists & craftsmen from throughout the South as well as food vendors and of course, nature events. The festival will be divided by art in one half of the park and animal exhibits and environmental presentations in the other. There will be scheduled Raptor Programs throughout the day, as well as tents of live local animals on display, native plants, a hands on exhibit from the Dauphin Island Sea Lab Estuarium, bird identification by local birders, the Watershed Wagon from Week s Bay and much, much more. Free to the public. For more info go to 65TH ANNUAL BLESSING OF THE FLEET BAYOU LA BATRE, MAY 3-4 The event is a two-day celebration to send off the local ships to sea at the start a new seafood season. Participate in the Blessing of the Feet 4-mile run, eat delicious seafood, and enjoy local entertainment to commemorate another great year in South Mobile County the nation s seafood industry s leader. ALABAMA COASTING SPRING

24 The Dauphin Island Race is always thrilling! Photos: Susan Kangal SAIL, RUN, SWIM OR SWING Spring Into Competition With its temperate year-round weather, the Alabama Coast is alive with sporting events for both participants and spectators especially during the Spring. There s a road race practically every weekend, kicked off by the nation s premier 10K in March with the Azalea Trail Run. On the water, the Dauphin Island Race is the largest point to point sailboat race in the country. And, on the links, the (newly christened) Airbus LPGA Classic brings the best female golfers in the world to our Robert Trent Jones, Magnolia Grove. If swinging a racket is more your style, Mobile s Copeland-Cox Tennis Center is the largest public tennis facility in the world. Whether watching or playing, get up, get out, and enjoy the competition. SERVE IT UP WITH LOVE APRIL 11 & 13, COPELAND-COX TENNIS CENTER Grab your racquet and head to the Copeland-Cox Tennis Center on April 11 and 13 for a good cause. Serve It Up With Love is in its eighth year of serving the Child Advocacy Center of Mobile for abused children by donating proceeds from this popular tennis tournament. So far, more than $280,000 has been raised to improve children s lives and offer needed services. Last year, the tournament was named the Charity Event of the Year by USTA Alabama. To register, or for more information, visit 22 ALABAMA COASTING SPRING 2014

25 DAUPHIN ISLAND RACE APRIL 26, MOBILE BAY Sail into spring by participating in the 56th annual Dauphin Island Race on April 26, hosted by the Buccaneer Yacht Club. Considered the largest point-to-point day race in the U.S., the Dauphin Island Race attracts competitors from a multitude of classes. See one design and PHRF boats on one course in this distinctive event. More than 160 boats participate. The event is three days of sailing fun including two competitive races and a party on the island to remember. With live bands, food, drinks and excellent amenities, whether sailor or landlubber, you ll enjoy your stay on the Island. BLESSING OF THE FEET 4-MILE RUN AND 1-MILE FUN RUN MAY 3, BAYOU LA BATRE Held the morning of the annual Blessing of the Fleet in Bayou La Batre, this race is Alabama s only certified 4 Mile Course. The race course highlights the industries and communities of Bayou La Batre and is a great way to start off a day of celebrating the bounty found in the waters of the Alabama Coast. Registration and more info at: www. eventbrite.com/e/blessing-of-the-feet-4-miler-and-1-milertickets AIRBUS LPGA CLASSIC MAY 22 25, 2014 An international field of 144 professional golfers representing 25 different countries, including the top three golfers in the world, will compete My 22 to 25 as the Airbus LPGA Classic lands in Mobile. Held on the Crossings Course at the RTJ Magnolia Grove, the event not only showcases the talents of these great golfers, but the natural beauty of the Alabama Coast as well. It s become ALABAMA COASTING SPRING

26 a favorite on the LPGA tour, in no small measure due to the warm and welcoming Southern hospitality served up by the tournament committee and the hundreds of local volunteers who make it all happen. For tickets and more information, go to GRANDMAN TRIATHLON MAY 31, FAIRHOPE Give it your all to benefit Moblile Baykeeper and Camp Rap- A-Hope beginning with a 1/3 mile swim straight out into picturesque Mobile Bay and back beside the Fairhope Municipal Pier. After the swim, comes an 18 mile bike ride through the charming city of Fairhope. The ride begins with one steep hill and five miles of rolling countryside. The race to the finish line is a 3.1 mile run through the quaint streets of Fairhope and along the Bay. For registration and more information go to DRAGON BOAT RACES IN THE DELTA JUNE 7, SPANISH FORT With origins dating back 2,300 years, dragon boat racing is both a unique cultural event and a competition featuring adrenaline-pumping action. Sponsored by The Fuse Project and presented by Dynamic Dragon Boat Racing, the inaugural Dragon Boat Festival set for June 7 at 5 Rivers Delta Resource Center is first and foremost a community fund-raising event. We re trying to raise $100,000 for two specific projects that benefit children in Mobile and Baldwin County by having this unique, wow, different type of event that we hope is going to attract a whole lot of people to race in a dragon boat, said Grant Zarzour, the executive director of the FUSE Project. Teams race in authentic 46-foot long Hong Kong style dragon boats. Past participants rave about the excitement, friendly competition and community spirit surrounding the sport. All ages, skill levels and physiques perfect their stroke and timing for the ultimate teamwork experience! It s a colorful, exciting spectacle for those on the sidelines and the event organizers promise a full day of fun, family activities. For more information (including how you can get on a team) go to www. thefuseproject.org/dragon-boat-racing. Photos: At right: LPGA Classic. Below: Serve It Up With Love. Top: Dragon Boat Racing. Facing page: Dragon Boat Racing, Grand Man Triathlon. Previous pages: Dauphin Island Race, LPGA Classic. Photos courtesy of event organizers, except where noted. 24 ALABAMA COASTING SPRING 2014

27 ALABAMA COASTING SPRING

28 26 ALABAMA COASTING SPRING 2014 OUTDOOR FUN FOR EVERYONE! It s Festival Season

29 GRAB YOUR SPOON Gumbo on Both Sides of the Alabama Coast Photo: hartley-russell Photography Gumbo has been a part of the Alabama Coast culinary menu since Bienville s housekeeper, Madame Langlois, added okra and sassafras to the fish stew she prepared while encamped on Dauphin Island. That was in the early 1700 s when this area was part of the Louisiana territory and a dozen years or so before the city of New Orleans was founded. Like many food traditions, whose gumbo is best sparks lively discussion around many a supper table. And since friendly competition is another favorite southern past time, springtime visitors and locals reap the benefits with a multitude of cook-offs to fill the void before the baseball season heats up. The good news you don t have to choose between the two best. Just mark your calendars, grab your spoon...and enjoy! DAUPHIN ISLAND GUMBO FESTIVAL The 5th Annual Dauphin Island Gumbo Festival on April 26 has evolved into an Island roving affair with gumbo served up at three different venues. Gene Fox, the self-proclaimed Ambassador of Gumbo and the spirit behind the event since its inception calls the new plan a great way to get folks to experience all that the little island has to offer. The popular event will be split into three different locations on the island. We liked our old site at the Alabama Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo headquarters, but by dividing it up to multiple places on the island we felt like it would be a fun way for people to get better acquainted one of the best places in Alabama, Fox said. The three gumbo sites will be in Downtown Dauphin Island (in the shadow of the water tower at the intersection of Alabama 193 and Bienville Boulevard), At the West End shopping strip on Bienville Boulevard, and finally, poolside at the Isle Dauphine Country Club. Teams of contestants will be divided between the three sites and a people s choice award will be given for one team from each site. Guests are invited to rove about the venue, either by car, bicycle or by the free Gumbo shuttle. Event hours are from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. with trophies presented at 4 p.m. Tickets are $10. For more information, L.A. GUMBO FESTIVAL On the other end of the Alabama Coast, Bob Baumhower does it right and does it big. The head honcho of Baumhower s and the Compleat Angler Grill, Bob is orchestrating the second annual L.A.(that s Lower Alabama) Gumbo Festival taking place May 10th and 11th at the Wharf in Orange Beach. It s actually a competition between Lousiana and Alabama Chefs as to who produces the best gumbo. Bob explains: Both Louisiana and Alabama can lay rightful claim to the region s best gumbo and either of these two proud, competitive states do love a disagreement. But when the last dish is served, we all agree on one thing, while we may not agree on who has the best gumbo, we can all agree that gumbo is a universal metaphor for how we do things down here. In other words, a lot of different elements go into making it and a lot of disparate elements go into making it a success. For Bob, gumbo describes how to live and succeed on the Gulf Coast. And with hard work, comes great rewards they do the work and everyone else shares the rewards including enjoying a taste from the World s Largest Gumbo! Bob and Louisiana Chef John Folse will once again conspire to create a pot of gumbo so large that it has to be brought in on an 18-wheel truck. Along with the great food, the festival boast a fantastic array of arts and crafts, live music, and a chance to experience all that the Wharf Entertainment District has to offer. Both days festivities run from 10am to 6pm, but Mother s Day includes a very special recognition as all Moms get complimentary gumbo, sweet tea and flowers. For more info visit ALABAMA COASTING SPRING

30 Arts Alive! Mobile s annual community arts festival will again make art happen through visual and performing arts April The festival offers three days of varied artistic experiences and interactive and hands-on activities in the Cathedral Square Arts District. Hours: Fri, 5-9:30 p.m.; Sat, 11am-7 p.m.; Sun., noon-5 p.m. Info: LoDa ArtWalk kicks off the Arts Alive weekend on Friday with galleries, shops, restaurants and nightclubs inviting art lovers to relax, mingle and get the weekend off to a great start. Live music in Cathedral Square provided by some of the best regional and local bands compliments of SouthSounds Music Festival. As always, local and regional artists will lend their consider able talents to an exciting and memorable festival. Among the highlights in visual arts are a juried art show, interac tive painting with celebrated nature artist Loren Chavez as well as impromptu art demonstrations by visiting artists, Hands-On Pottery with the University of South Alabama School of Art, and a unique childrens Art experience presented by the Gulf Coast Exploreum. Once again Wearable Art fashions will be showcased courtesy of the very talented Courtney Matthews of Lunatix & Co. Dance and music are also part of the experience. From belly dancing to ballet, jazz to symphonic improvisation, the sights and sounds of the weekend offer something for every taste. The Performing Arts Stage presented by South Sounds Music Festival and the Rumor Union s Temporal City Festival complete the trifecta of arts experiences that must not be missed. For a complete schedule of activities, visit 28 ALABAMA COASTING SPRING 2014

31 NEW MUSIC SouthSounds HANGOUT FESTIVAL MAY 16-18, GULF SHORES Top musical acts set against a backdrop of blue water, white sand and palm trees what more could you ask for? This is the scene every year as The Hangout, a one-of-a-kind music festival takes over Gulf Shores, May Come hang out with 35,000 of your closest friends for an incredible party featuring over 70 bands. Soak up the sun and dance in the sand, this is the Hangout! Confirmed performers at press time are The Black Keys, The Killers, Outkast, Jack Johnson, Queens of the Stone Age, Pretty Lights, The Avett Brothers, Modest Mouse, The Flaming Lips, STS9, Wiz Khalifa, Amos Lee, Conor Oberst, Tegan and Sara, Portugal, Fitz and the Tantrums, Capital Cities, Needtobreathe, Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, Ozomatli, Bastille, Chance The Rapper, Los Lobos, Andrew W.K., Black Lips, Balkan Beat Box, Valerie June, St. Paul and the Broken Bones, and many more. For ticket information and additional artists, visit SouthSounds Music Festival is the first festival dedicated to showcasing the best up and coming musicians and comedians in the South. The festival is spread across downtown Mobile, AL and planned in conjunction with arts festivals Arts Alive and Temporal City Festival, as well as Mobile Fashion Week. Many different local bars and restaurants participate, and there is a free outside stage in one of downtown s beautiful Squares. The primary goal of the festival is to flood downtown Mobile in amazing art and music and help people discover their new favorite band, and likewise help these bands discover Mobile. Participating venues include: Haberdasher, OK Bike Shop, The Blind Mule, Alabama Music Box, Alchemy Tavern, Moe s BBQ, and Callaghan s Irish Social Club. General Admission tickets are $25, but the best deal is the VIP Package at $75 - with entry at ALL participating venues, entry to after-parties with artist meet and greet, hospitality areas including food and beverages, SouthSounds 2014 T-shirt and trolley service between venues. For more info including a complete performance schedule go to Above, L-R:Arts Alive showcases visual and performing arts; Fairhope Arts & Crafts Festival; Dauphin Island Gumbo Festival; Hangout Festival; view of Cathedral by night. At right: local musicians perform in Cathedral Square, Mobile. Facing page: Painting demonstration; Arts Alive attendees become part of the action. Photos: Whitney Calametti; Tad Denson, MyShotz.com ALABAMA COASTING SPRING

32 RE-IMAGINING A SENSE OF PLACE Temporal City Festival Temporal City Festival began in 2011 with the spark of an idea. With no budget, materials, or sites, a group of artists came together to coordinate an experience of downtown like no other. Now four years later, an entire arts organization The Rumor Union - has sprouted up around those eager creative thinkers. The goal of the festival is to create an intersection between geography (space) and art. Artists create temporary art experiences within and around vacant buildings in the downtown area. The theme changes each year this year Temporal City Festival is turning within. According to the mission statement: When you are constantly trying to change your surroundings looking to carve out a place for yourself battling situ and station alike, it is easy to lose yourself in the effort to find space. Everyone wants to make a mark, but less often do we reflect on what drives the hand. Everyone wants a place to call home, but desire has a way of pinning happiness on some distant target in constant motion. Festival Director, Elizabet Elliot explains: This year s festival addresses personal identity. It excavates the inner world that shapes and limits our perception, and it endeavors to locate a space parallel, and profoundly instructive to the spaces we inhabit. Join us as we journey into the various performances of identity. It is a path that can only take you to either a deeper clarity, or complete oblivion This is the fourth and final year of Temporal City (in its current form), set in the long neglected catacombs of the Temple s upper floors, entrance on Claiborne Street, Downtown. Tour groups will meet at the Temporal Festival space in Cathedral Square. Temporal City artists use time as a media to create site-specific works during Arts Alive! 30 ALABAMA COASTING SPRING 2014

33 SUMMER SOARS! Gulf Coast Hot Air Balloon Festival The Gulf Coast Hot Air Balloon Festival welcomes more than 50 hot air balloonists from across the country. Enjoy the floating works of art as they grace the skies of South Baldwin County on Friday and Saturday morning. Get up close and personal as the hot air balloons and their pilots light up the evening skies at the nightly balloon glows, held Friday and Saturday night. eclectic array of local crafters, artisans, and retailers. Many crafters provide onsite demonstrations, find a one of kind piece of art, or grab a souvenir to commemorate your visit. WHEN: June WHERE: Foley Sports Complex, Foley See the world famous Disc-Connected K-9s at the Gulf Coast Hot Air Balloon Festival. Guests enjoy free, fun entertainment featuring something for every member of your family. Spread out your blanket, grab an ice cold drink and enjoy a variety of live music daily. Be sure to catch one of the many shows by the Disc Connected K-9 World Famous Frisbee Dog Show. Pet a baby alligator at the free Kid s Fun Zone which offers hours of fun for any age. Grab a cone of homemade ice cream or delicious BBQ plate as you shop through an ALABAMA COASTING SPRING

34 Dining & Entertainment BAUMHOWER S RESTAURANT Midtown Mobile, Eastern Shore and Orange Beach. Always fresh, always friendly, always fun on the Alabama Coast. Locations: 3673 Airport Blvd., Mobile; 6880 U.S. Hwy 90, Daphne; and at The Wharf in Orange Beach! Info: or (M) or (D) or (OB). BAUMHOWER S COMPLEAT ANGLER SEAFOOD GRILL Orange Beach. A taste of the Caribbean with island-style hospitality! Open Mon-Thu, 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Fri-Sun, 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Located at: The Wharf in Orange Beach! compleatanglergrilll.com or BIMINI BOB S CABANA CAFÉ Orange Beach. Dockside restaurant overlooking The Wharf Marina. Open 7 days. 11am-10pm. biminibobs.com Pan seared salmon at Legacy Bar and Grill BISTRO ESCOFFIER Mobile. Named for F.F. Escoffier, chef/owner Lee Thompson s grandfather, and in homage to Augustin Escoffier, the legendary King of Chefs, this casual fine-dining restaurant opens in mid-november. Bistro Escoffier celebrates the rich tradition of French-inspired cuisine along the Gulf Coast served with a healthy dose of warm, welcoming, Southern hospitality. Featuring a chalkboard menu of carefully selected, locally sourced ingredients in a neighborhood setting in the heart of Old Dauphin Way Dauphin St. Info and reservations: or www. bistroescoffier.com THE BLIND MULE RESTAURANT & BAR Downtown Mobile. Made-from-scratch dishes and live music by local artists. Open daily at 11 a.m. Live music Thu- Sat. Saturday and Sunday Brunch 10 a.m.-2 p.m. We deliver to downtown hotels. 57 N Claiborne Street. myspace.com/theblindmule or BLUEGILL RESTAURANT Mobile Bay Causeway. Committed to fresh traditional seafood in a relaxed fun atmosphere. Our goal is to create a memorable dining experience with great service that will have you returning again and again. Open Tue-Sat, Live music daily Battleship Pkwy, Spanish Fort. com or At the Blind Mule Restaurant & Bar, fresh ingredients, including savory Gulf shrimp, make their Alabama Shrimp & Grits one of the 100 Dishes to Eat in Alabama before You Die. FELIX S FISH CAMP GRILL Mobile Bay Causeway. Don t let the exterior fool you, this is the place for delicious, fresh Gulf seafood and USDA certified steak. We pride ourselves on making you and your guests feel like you are the most important people in town because you are! 1530 Battleship Pkwy., Spanish Fort. Live music Mon-Sat, 6:30-10:30 p.m.; Sun., 12-8 p.m. Info: www. felixsfishcamp.com or LEGACY BAR AND GRILL Spring Hill. A fine dining experience designed to make you and your guest feel special. Steaks, seafood, an excellent selection of wine and memorable desserts. Dress is upscale casual. 9 Du Rhu Drive, Suite 201. Info: LIGHTHOUSE BAKERY Dauphin Island. Open Tue-Fri., 6 a.m.-3 p.m.; Sat., 6 a.m.-4 p.m., Sun., 9 a.m.-3 p.m. 919 Chaumont Ave. Info: MEDITERRANEAN SANDWICH CO. Downtown Mobile. 274 Dauphin Street. Info: ALABAMA COASTING SPRING 2014

35 NO JA Downtown Mobile. This one-of-a-kind dining experience fuses Mediterranean, Asian and contemporary Gulf Coast cuisine to create a menu to remember in the heart of the arts and entertainment district. Open Tue-Sat, 5:30-9:30 p.m.; Reservations recommended. 6 N Jackson Street. or PIRATE S COVE Gulf Beaches. Relax and dine with us overlooking Amica Bay. World-famous Cove Burgers, Pizza and Bushwhackers since Live music Sat. nights. Josephine, Al info: piratescoveriffraff.com RUTH S CHRIS STEAK HOUSE Midtown Mobile. Sizzling USDA prime beef, chicken, fresh seafood, salads and delectable deserts served in a fine dining atmosphere with legendary service. We also feature a variety of wonderful wine selections to complement our entrées. Open for dinner Mon-Sat and also lunch on Friday Airport Blvd. Info: or Bimini Bob s Cabana Café on the Dock at Orange Beach. WINTZELL S OYSTER HOUSE Six locations. 40 years and still shuckin Premier fresh Gulf oysters and seafood. 605 Dauphin St; Downtown Mobile; 6700 Airport Blvd, W. Mobile; I- 65 at Exit 13, Saraland; 805 S. Mobile St. Fairhope; Eastern Shore Ctr, Spanish Fort; Perdido Bch Blvd, Orange Beach. Info: wintzellsoysterhouse.com YAK, THE KATHMANDU KITCHEN Mobile. Bringing the taste of authentic, traditional Nepali style food to sweet home Mobile, Alabama Dauphin St. info: or thekathmandukitchen.com ALABAMA COASTING SPRING

36 Live Music ALABAMA MUSIC BOX Downtown Mobile. 455 Dauphin Street. Info: alabamamusicbox.net or BAUMHOWER S RESTAURANT Mobile Airport Blvd; Daphne, 6880 Hwy 90. Orange Beach. The Wharf. Info: Baumhowers.com BIMINI BOB S Orange Beach. The Wharf Marina. Info: biminibobs.com BLIND MULE SALOON Downtown Mobile. 57 N Claiborne St. Info: or BLUEGILL RESTAURANT Mobile Bay Causeway Battleship Pkwy. bluegillrestaurant.com or BLUES TAVERN Midtown Mobile Government Blvd. Info: or BOO RADLEY S Downtown Mobile. 276 Dauphin Street. Info: or booradleysmobile.com. THE BRICKYARD Downtown Mobile. 266 Dauphin Street. Info: CALLAGHAN S IRISH SOCIAL CLUB Oakleigh Historic Garden District. 916 Charleston Street, Mobile. Info: com or CLUB CASINO West Mobile Tanner Rd., Ste. B (Old Shell and Schillinger.) Info: COMPLEAT ANGLER Orange Beach, The Wharf. Info: compleatanglergrill.com CROOKED MARTINI West Mobile Cottage Hill Road, Ste. C. Info: DAHLIA S ELECTRIC PIANO HALL Downtown Mobile. 258 Dauphin Street. Info: myspace.com/dahliasmobile or FELIX S FISH CAMP GRILL Mobile Bay Causeway Battleship Pkwy, Spanish Fort or FLORA-BAMA Gulf Beaches Perdido Key Dr., Pensacola (State Line). florabama. com or THE GARAGE Downtown Mobile. 9 S Washington Ave. Info: or GRAND CENTRAL Downtown Mobile. 256 Dauphin Street. Info: grandcentralmobile.com or LEGACY BAR & GRILL Mobile.9 Du Rhu Dr. Spring Hill Info: THE GUMBO SHACK Eastern Shore. 212 Fairhope Ave., Fairhope. Info: JOE CAIN CAFE Downtown Mobile. 26 N Royal Street. Info: LIQUID LOUNGE Downtown Mobile. 661 Dauphin Street. Info: LULU S AT HOMEPORT MARINA Gulf Beaches. 200 E 25th Ave., Gulf Shores. Info: LULU. OK BICYCLE SHOP Downtown Mobile. 661 Dauphin Street. Info: PIRATE S COVE Gulf Beaches County Road 95, Elberta or piratescoveriffraff.com. THE PUB Eastern Shore. 311 Fairhope Ave., Fairhope or SADDLE UP SALOON Downtown Mobile. 9 N Jackson Street. Info: SAENGER THEATRE Downtown Mobile. 6 S Joachim Street. Info: or SKYVIEW LOUNGE Downtown Mobile. Top floor of the Holiday Inn, 301 Government Street. Info: , ext or SOUL KITCHEN Downtown Mobile. 219 Dauphin Street. Info: or soulkitchenmobile.com. STUDIO 5 4 Downtown Mobile. 216 Dauphin Street. Info: TRADER S Mobile Bay Causeway Battleship Pkwy., Spanish Fort. Info: VEET S Downtown Mobile. 66 S Royal Street. Info: or 34 ALABAMA COASTING SPRING 2014

37 GROWING NEW BUSINESSES Urban Emporium The Urban Emporium is Downtown Mobile s newest retail experience, offering shoppers a variety of merchandise, from women s clothing to gourmet foods to great gifts for the home and garden. The Emporium, located at 260 Dauphin Street, is the Downtown Mobile Alliance s retail incubator, offering new and expanding entrepreneurs the opportunity to test the downtown waters without a long term lease commitment or the expense of remodeling a storefront. The goal of the project is to send these new retailers out into currently empty downtown storefronts after they have an established customer base and reliable income stream. ALABAMA COASTING SPRING

38 Shopping WISMAR JEWELRY Eastern Shore. (Formerly known as Metal Benders Gallery). Distinctive original fine jewelry in traditional and art styles by Master Jeweler Bill Wismar and other accomplished designers. Custom design and jewelry repair offered courtesy of the full-casting facility on site. 314-A De La Mare Ave., Fairhope. Info: or COVERED BOUTIQUE Downtown Mobile. Great finds in women s apparel. 16 S Conception St DE-CUBA Daphne s premier spot to shop and enjoy a fine selection of cigars, wine, craft beer, and smoking accessories. Our walk-in humidor carefully maintains hand rolled cigars like Gran Habano, CAO, Alec Bradley, Gurkha, and more. Our wine and beer selection also has something for everyone be it a long time favorite or a new taste, we offer a variety at many different price points Main Street, Daphne. Info: or de-cuba.net. HOLIDAY HOLIDAY PLACE Spring Hill. Contemporary ladies and children s clothing Old Shell Road. Info: or JUBILEE GIFT SHOP Eastern Shore. Specializing in Fleur de Lis, Cameo, Crown, Harlequin, Jester, Mermaid, Butterfly and Mardi Gras merchandise. Find just what you need and more U.S. Hwy 98, Daphne. Info: or LUNATIX & CO. Downtown Mobile. Wonderfully eclectic merchandise. All items are handmade, handcrafted or up-cycled wearable art. 662 Springhill Ave. at Dauphin Street. Info: URBAN EMPORIUM Downtown Mobile. Offering shoppers a variety of merchandise, from women s clothing to gourmet foods to great gifts for the home and garden. 260 Dauphin Street. Info: Shopping Districts MOBILE DOWNTOWN Dauphin Street and vicinity, between Water St. and Broad. VILLAGE OF SPRING HILL Old Shell Rd. west of I-65 to University Blvd. ASHLAND PLACE Old Shell Road between Upham and Florida Streets. BEL AIR MALL: Airport Blvd at I-65. SPRINGDALE MALL: Airport Blvd at I-65. LEGACY VILLAGE: Dauphin Street at I-65. WEST MOBILE Schillinger Rd. at Airport Blvd. EASTERN SHORE JUBILEE SQUARE Hwy 98 at I-10 in Daphne. EASTERN SHORE CENTER I-10 Exit 38 in Spanish Fort. DOWNTOWN FAIRHOPE GULF BEACHES PELICAN PLACE Hwy 59 (Gulf Shores Pkwy) just north of the Intracoastal Bridge in Gulf Shores. TANGER OUTLET MALL 2601 S. McKenzie St. Foley. THE WHARF Canal Road, Orange Beach. Lunatix & Co. 36 ALABAMA COASTING SPRING 2014

39 ALABAMA COASTING INTERNATIONAL Come trekking with us As the Mobile International Festival has demonstrated for almost 30 years, the Alabama Coast is home to a vibrant mix of cultures from around the world. Our long history and coastal location make this area an international destination and one of the most culturally diverse communities in the South. We pride ourselves on being gracious hosts and welcoming neighbors as we share our home and culture. Now, born out of a conversation over a lunch of authentic Nepali cuisine, it s time for us to do a little global Alabama Coasting. Estela Dorn, longtime grande dame of the Mobile International Festival, and Salam Singh Lama, our lunchtime host, are spearheading a trekking adventure to explore the Himalayan region of Nepal. Tentatively slated for next November, the excursion will offer an introduction to the ancient culture of the birthplace of Buddha. Highlights of the trek will include opportunities to explore pristine nature and panoramic views of the Himalayan mountains, local festivals, holy sites and enjoy the richness and variety of local cuisines the native people. Travel packages are in development by Steve Cape of Cape Travel. To keep abreast of details as they come together, find us on facebook at Alabama Coasting treks Nepal or send an to Estela (kitkatadverb@ comcast.net) or Salam (thekathmandukitchen@gmail.com). For a local taste of Nepal, enjoy a meal at Yak, the Kathmandu Kitchen, 3210 Dauphin Street in Mobile. As owner, Salam Singh Lama describes: We offer delicious, culturally rich authentic foods from the Himalayan region which includes Nepali, Indian, Tibetan, and Bhutanese dishes. Our food is cooked in traditional Nepali style with Nepali masala, which is mixture of many spices and herbs from the Himalayan mountains and we serve this with the best of Southern hospitality. For a sampling of Nepali flavors, try one of the Thali entrées. ALABAMA COASTING SPRING

40 Play & Explore BELLINGRATH GARDENS Mobile. Walking tours of the garden and guided tours of the majestic Bellingrath Home are available. Open daily for regular tours 8 a.m.-5 p.m Bellingrath Gardens Road, Theodore. Info: www. bellingrath.org or COPELAND/COX MOBILE TENNIS CENTER The world s largest public tennis facility. Over 50 lighted hard courts. Visit www. themobiletenniscenter.net or call for event details or court times. COTTAGES ON THE GREEN Gulf Beaches. Just across the Alabama/ Florida state line, in an area of white sand beaches and emerald waters, Perdido Bay Golf Club, former host of the PGA s Pensacola Open, retains its reputation as championship golf course. The cottages Lost Keys location place you in proximity to the range of activities found along the Gulf Coast. Info: or cottagesonthegreen.com. EASTERN SHORE ART CENTER Eastern Shore. Five exhibit galleries. Open Tue.-Fri. 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Sat. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. 401 Oak Street, Fairhope. Info: www. esartcenter.com or FIVE RIVERS DELTA RESOURCE CENTER Eastern Shore. At Five Rivers visitors can learn about the Mobile, Spanish, Tensaw, Apalachee and Blakeley Rivers that flow into Mobile Bay through fascinating exhibits in a scenic setting ushering you into 250,000 acres of waterways, wetlands and woodlands. Info: or GULF COAST EXPLOREUM SCIENCE CENTER Downtown Mobile. Bringing the world of science to the Gulf Coast through permanent and traveling exhibits as well as an impressive IMAX Theater. Open Mon-Fri, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sat,10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sun,12-5 p.m. 65 Government Street. Info: exploreum.com or HISTORY MUSEUM OF MOBILE Downtown Mobile. History, Culture, Heritage, Diversity. Open Mon-Sat, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sun,1-5 p.m. 111 S Royal Street. Info: or museumofmobile.com. MOBILE REGIONAL AIRPORT We are your airport, offering 30 minutes free parking, great dining and shopping options, WiFi, comfortable rocking chairs, a fully staffed customer service center, an executive club, the nation s first airport frequent flyer program and much more. Four airlines serve Mobile Regional Airport, Delta, American Eagle, Continental and US Airways, offering non-stop, direct service to Charlotte, Dallas/ Fort Worth, Houston, Memphis and Atlanta. Check schedules and current arrivals and departures, updated every 30 seconds, on MOBILE BOTANICAL GARDENS Mobile. 100 acres of cultivated gardens, woodland trails, and a longleaf pine forest in the middle of the city. International Camellia Society Garden of Excellence and one of the largest collections of azaleas in the U.S. Beautiful year-round. Open daily, dawn until dusk Museum Dr., adjacent to Langan Park. Information: or mobilebotanicalgardens.org. MOBILE CARNIVAL MUSEUM Downtown Mobile. Highlighting the history of Mardi Gras in its true birthplace. Open Mon, Wed, Fri & Sat, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Info: or MOBILE MUSEUM OF ART Mobile. The largest fine arts museum on the Central Gulf Coast. Extensive permanent collection, plus temporary exhibitions. See Masterworks from the Beaverbrook Art Gallery now through April Museum Dr., Mobile. Info: or 38 ALABAMA COASTING SPRING 2014 Mobile Regional Airport

41 DAY TRIPS AND DESTINATIONS Seaside Romance at Henderson Park Inn As you can tell from evidence throughout the pages of Alabama Coasting, we re big fans of all things in and around our little stretch of the Gulf Coast. We do know, however, that there are times where our friends may feel the need to broaden their Coasting experience. Well, we re here to help. In each issue, and archived on alabamacoasting.com, we ll profile a unique Gulf Coast destination that warrants consideration as a day trip or even a weekend get-away. Looking for the ultimate romantic beach vacation? Quietly tucked away on a mile of secluded beach adjacent to Henderson Beach State Park is one of those special places Henderson Park Inn calming and comfortable while at the same time offering all the amenities of a five-star resort and surpassing them on several fronts. Known for its brilliant white sand and emerald green water, Destin, Florida is the crown jewel of the beautiful beach towns that comprise the Emerald Coast and home of Henderson Park Inn. The Inn has received numerous awards for its ambience and exceptional service: including Destin s Best Inn by Southern Living Magazine, Most Romantic Inn in North America in a Readers Poll on About.com, as well as a designation by TripAdvisor as one of the country s Top Ten Most Romantic Hotels. The Inn itself is best described as a modern luxury boutique hotel with old time romantic beach ambiance. A longtime favorite of visitors and locals looking for a romantic vacation or quiet getaway, this New England style inn features luxury furnishings and linens with terraces overlooking the Gulf of Mexico. Privacy and romance are always in the air at the inn, beginning with wine and chocolates in your room upon arrival and sunset toasts on the beachside deck in the evening. A gourmet breakfast is served on site at the BeachWalk Café, offering fine dining in a casual setting. The intimate ALABAMA COASTING SPRING

42 More than 6,000 feet of scenic shoreline border emerald Gulf waters; large verandas and private terraces entice peaceful escapes. dining room features spectacular Gulf views inside or on the outside deck. For a truly memorable dinner, guests can enjoy Toes in the Sand dining right on the beach. Our amazing, relaxing location on the beach is just part of the ambience of Henderson Park, says General Manager Ryan Olin. We strive to make staying with us effortless for our guests, with attention to detail and extra amenities beyond expectation. So what makes Henderson Park Inn such a romantic destination? We ve all read the romantic novels where the quintessential couple, celebrating their anniversary, reflecting back on years of life together, find themselves reconnecting at a quaint seaside bed and breakfast. Or the young couple, experiencing the thrill of falling in love while sitting on a beach, intimate and quiet, all thoughts of the world vanishing except for the special moments they spend together. The Henderson Park Inn in Destin, Florida is that seaside bed & breakfast...and so much more. Nestled perfectly within the fine sugary white beach dunes on one of the most beautiful beaches in the world, Henderson Park Inn is truly a paradise for lovers. At this adults-only, all inclusive gulffront boutique hotel, privacy seekers will find the ultimate romantic sanctuary. For more information on this Gulf Coast escape, visit or call To nominate your own Alabama Coasting day trip send us an at staff@alabamacoasting.com. Watch the sunset while enjoying gourmet food on the beach with Henderson Inn s exclusive Toes in the Sand VIP dining package or enjoy spectacular Gulf views at the BeachWalk Café. 40 ALABAMA COASTING SPRING 2014

43 Events April Arts Alive! FILM: FLIGHT OF THE BUTTERFLIES Through April 12. Tue Fri, 10 & 11 AM, noon, 1, 2 & 3 PM; Sat, 10 & 11 AM, noon, 1, 2, 3 & 4 PM; Sun, 1, 2, 3 & 4 PM. Gulf Coast Exploreum Science Center, IMAX Dome Theater (65 Government St) For more information: / 5 Through April 25. MAC s biennial exhibition open to all students in the area and is juried by Alabama State Council on the Arts Visual Arts Program Manager Elliot Knight, the show features 59 works in a variety of media by 38 artists. Mobile Arts Council (318 Dauphin St) Through Fri, Apr 25. Mon - Fri, 9 AM - 5 PM. Free. For more information: / BROWN BAG IN BIENVILLE April 2 - May 28, Each Wednesday. Spring has sprung in downtown Mobile! Come out and listen to live music as you have lunch in Bienville Square. Tables & chairs will be set up around historic Ketchum Fountain for your convenience each Wednesday. For more information: ncsmobile.org 2014 Spring Schedule: April 2 Lisa Mills (Jazz) April 9 Sugarcane Jane (Folk Rock) April 16 Nu Image (Soul Gospel) April 23 Eric Erdman (Singer/Songwriter) April 30 Phoenix String Quartet (Classical) May 7 Rebecca Barry w/brett Mecham (Jazz/Rock Fusion) May 14 Excelsior Band (Dixieland) May 21 Wolf-Gambino Project (Jazz) May 28 John Cochran Trio (Nu Jazz) FIRST FRIDAY ARTWALK April 4. Exhibit openings--with guest artists, refreshments and live entertainment at a variety of venues; map of participating venues, including specialty shops and restaurants, available at the Eastern Shore Art Center 401 Oak St. 6 8 PM. Downtown Fairhope. For more information: or www. esartcenter.com ARSENIC AND OLD LACE April 4-6. Elderly sisters Martha and Abby Brewster just can t bear to see the loneliness that afflicts so many men their age, so they invite them for a sip of elderberry wine. Location: Chickasaw Civic Theatre. Information: (251) or FILM: A SURPRISE IN TEXAS Documentary about blind pianist Nobuyuki Tsujii,* gold medal winner at the Van Cliburn Piano Competition in Tue, 7 PM, University of South Alabama Baldwin County Performance Center (111 St James Ave, Fairhope) and Thu, 8 PM, Crescent Theater (208 Dauphin St) $10. *soloist for Mobile Symphony s Russian Festival concert (Apr 12 & 13). For more information: / 9TH ANNUAL SERVE IT UP WITH LOVE April 10 & 12. Tennis tournament for men, women and juniors to benefit Mobile s Child Advocacy Center. Copeland-Cox Tennis Center. To register, or for more information, visit www. serveitupwithlove.com. ONE ENCHANTED EVENING April 10. The Mobile Botanical Gardens requests the pleasure of your company for One Enchanted Evening, Celebrating our 40th Anniversary. 7 pm. $100/person. Cocktail Attire. Info: (251) or www. mobilebotanicalgardens.org. LODA ARTWALK April 11. Don t forget- the second Friday of every month there is an ArtWalk in downtown Mobile! ArtWalk happens rain or shine, 12 months out of the year. Artists looking to get involved may call any of the local galleries to see if they can accommodate you. You can pick up a map at any participating venue or The Mobile Arts Council. ARTS ALIVE! April Mobile s premier celebration of the arts. three days of varied artistic experiences and interactive and hands-on activities. Downtown Mobile. Fri, 5-9:30 p.m.; Sat 11 a.m.-7 p.m. and Sun 12-5 p.m. Free admission. For schedule, visit artsalivemobile.com. DAUPHIN ISLAND SEA LAB DISCOVERY DAY April 12. The Dauphin Island Sea Lab invites you to a day of discovery. Explore and learn about the ecosystem and wildlife here on the gulf coast. Location: Dauphin Island Sea Lab & Estuarium For more information: or CINDERELLA April 12. Bay Shore Ballet Theatre. 2 PM (all seats/ $5) & 7:30 PM (adults/ $12; seniors and children 12 and under/ $10; reserved/ $17) Fairhope Civic Center (161 N Section St, Fairhope) Tickets: The Coffee Loft (503 S Section St, Fairhope), Page and Palette (32 S Section St, Fairhope), at the door or (Missy Templeton) For more information: or bayshoreballet.com. ALABAMA COASTING SPRING

44 Events, cont. STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL April Shopping, entertainment, a car show and of course, fresh Strawberry Shortcake! Loxley Municipal Park www. baldwincountystrawberryfestival.org. THE MOBILE SYMPHONY S RUSSIAN FESTIVAL April 12 & 13. Blind since birth and the Van Cliburn Gold Medal Winner, pianist Nobuyuki Tsujii joins the Mobile Symphony for a celebrations of Russian music that includes Prokofiev s Piano Concerto No. 3, Shostakovich s Festive Overture and Tchaikovsky s Symphony No. 4. For more information: or BLACK JACKET SYMPHONY PRESENTS HOTEL CALIFORNIA April 18 at 8pm in the Mobile Civic Center Theatre. Tickets are $18 - $28 and available at the Mobile Civic Center Box Office, by phone at or online at Ticketmaster.com. SPRING MARKET ON THE SQUARE April 26 July 27, Saturdays, 7:30 a.m. until Noon on Cathedral Square. Shop for the freshest crop in town! This time of year is our favorite because you can get locally grown: tomatoes, potatoes, sweet corn, cantaloupe, watermelon, seafood, flowers, plants, baked breads, pasta s, casseroles, pies, handcrafted goods and so much more. Stay for live music on the green! Each Saturday through July 27th. This year we will be adding organic vegetables as well. For more information call DAUPHIN ISLAND REGATTA April The 56th Annual Dauphin Island Race, often called the largest single-day point-to-point race in the United States, will be held April 26, 2014 on Mobile Bay. Join us for three days of sailing fun including two competitive races and a party on the island to remember. With live bands, food, drinks and excellent amenities, you ll enjoy your stay on the Island. Come race with us! Questions? Call Margaret or Harvie Jordan, or visit 55thdauphinislandrace.com. BARRY SILVERMAN S OLD-TIME RADIO SHOW April Relive the days of old-time radio with Mobile s Barry Silverman. Location: Chickasaw Civic Theatre. For more information: (251) or 5TH ANNUAL DAUPHIN ISLAND GUMBO FESTIVAL & COOK-OFF April 26. Tour the island while sampling gumbo along the way. 11AM-3PM. For more information, or visit www. dauphinislandchamber.com. 4TH ANNUAL INFIRMARY TWILIGHT DUATHLON April 26. Two-mile run, 10-mile bike, twomile run followed by a great after party. Also offering a two-mile fun run. Relay teams may participate. PRO Health Fitness Center, Mobile Infirmary campus. 5 p.m. race. 6-9 p.m. after party. Visit infirmaryduathlon.racesonline.com for more information, or to register. May COCKTAILS WITH THE CRITTERS May 1. Music by Delta Reign; silent auction; hors d oeuvres and wine and beer. Benefits Dauphin Island Sea Lab Foundation. 6 9 PM. Tacky Jacks (1175 Battleship Pkwy, Spanish Fort) In advance/ $50; at the door/ $55. Contact: / GALLERY OF GARDENS May 2-3. Explore private gardens in three historic Mobile neighborhoods on this annual tour, which benefits Mobile Botanical Gardens. 9 am - 4 pm daily. Tickets $20/adv., $25/tour days. Info: (251) or www. mobilebotanicalgardens.org. BLESSING OF THE FEET 4-MILE & 1-MILE FUN RUN May 3. Join us for the Blessing of the Fleet. The event is a two-day celebration of the sendoff of our local ships to sea to start a new seafood season. Participate in the run, eat delicious seafood, and enjoy local entertainment as we commemorate another great year in South Mobile County as the nation s seafood industry s leader. dauphinislandtourism.com BEST OF RODGERS AND HAMMERSTEIN May 3. What makes great movies like The Sound of Music and Oklahoma! so memorable? The music! MSO is dedicating an entire concert to the Golden Age writing team that is still making its debut in households around the world today. It s a season finale you will not want to miss! For more information: or DR JEKYLL AND MR HYDE May 8 11 and May By Jeffrey Hatcher, based on the story by Robert Louis Stevenson; director: Jonne Thornton. 8 PM. Theatre 98 (350 Morphy Ave, Fairhope) Adults/ $18; students/ $12. Contact: / LODA ARTWALK May 9. Don t forget- the second Friday of every month there is an ArtWalk in downtown Mobile! ArtWalk happens rain or shine, 12 months out of the year. Artists looking to get involved may call any of the local galleries to see if they can accommodate you. You can pick up a map at any participating venue or The Mobile Arts Council. 42 ALABAMA COASTING SPRING 2013

45 PUMP BOYS AND DINETTES May 9 11 and Musical comedy. 8 PM. Mobile Theatre Guild (14 N Lafayette St) General/ $20; 62+, military & students/ $15. For more information: mobiletheatreguild.org CATS May 9 11, and Music: Andrew Lloyd Webber; director: Mike Box. 7:30 PM. Lola Phillips Playhouse (801 Iroquois St, Chickasaw) Adults/ $15; senior citizens (60+) & students/ $12 (cash and local checks) / 3RD ANNUAL COASTAL SEAFOOD CRAZE May 9. This celebration of local seafood features dishes with local catches, plus live music and children s activities. Coincides with LoDa Artwalk, proceeds benefit Alabama Coastal Foundation s education and habitat restoration programs. Downtown Mobile. Tickets $25, or $40 for ticket and membership to ACF. Call (251) or visit joinacf.org. ANNUAL MOTHER S DAY CONCERT May 11. The Mobile Youth Symphony Orchestra performs in Bellingrath Garden s Live Oak Plaza. Enjoy a picnic on the grounds. Bring your own, or pre-order a box supper. Admission charged. For details, call (251) or visit Balloon tent at Hangout Festival 2012 HANGOUT FESTIVAL May What s better than a music festival on the beach? Don t miss The Flaming Lips, Pretty Lights, The Black Keys, Jack Johnson and more. Gulf Shores. Visit hangoutmusicfest. com for complete lineup and ticket information. AIRBUS MOBILE BAY LPGA CLASSIC May Week-long tournament with four days of play by LPGA professionals, plus practice and Pro-Am rounds. Crossings Course, Robert Trent Jones Trail at Magnolia Grove. Information, tickets: mobilebaylpgaclassic.com. SPAMALOT May 30 June 15. Music: John Du Prez, Eric Idle, & Neil Innes; lyrics & book: Eric Idle; director: Jeffrey Williamson. 8 PM. Joe Jefferson Playhouse (11 S Carlen St) Adults/ $20; senior citizens and military/ $15; students/ $10. For more information: / GRANDMAN TRIATHLON May 31. Swim in Mobile Bay and race along the scenic streets of Fairhope in this triathlon that attracts competitors from across the region. Sponsored by Springhill Medical Center, proceeds go to Mobile Baykeeper, Camp Rap-A-Hope, Baldwin County Trailblazers and The Gulf Coast Area Triathletes. Fairhope. Information: (251) or www. thegrandman.com. June ART IN THE PARK NATURE FESTIVAL June 7. Art festival with music, nature and fun. Dauphin Island. Free admission. Call (251) or visit dauphinislandcoc.com. GULF COAST HOT AIR BALLOON FESTIVAL June A high-flying spectacle complete with the Disc-connected K9s, live music, food, arts and crafts, and more than 50 hot air balloons. Foley Sportspark. Information: southbaldwinchamber.com/major-events/gulfcoast-hot-air-balloon-festival-overview. For more information: southbaldwinchamber.com. LODA ARTWALK June 13. Don t forget- the second Friday of every month there is an ArtWalk in downtown Mobile! ArtWalk happens rain or shine, 12 months out of the year. Artists looking to get involved may call any of the local galleries to see if they can accommodate you. You can pick up a map at any participating venue or The Mobile Arts Council. FORBIDDEN BROADWAY June and Musical comedy by Gerard Alessandini; director: Eric Browne. 8 PM. Mobile Theatre Guild (14 N Lafayette St) General/ $20; 62+, military & students/ $15. For more information: / www. mobiletheatreguild.org ALABAMA COASTING SPRING

46 Marine Cody Rd. Bellingrath Rd. St. Francis St. 8 Dauphin St. 6 Franklin St. Jackson St. Joachim St. Conception St. St. Emanuel St. Royal St. Water St. Conti St. Dearborn St. Government St. Church St. Warren St. Lawrence St. Cedar St. Hamilton St Claiborne St RSA Tower 11 Mobile Convention Center Daphne/ Fairhope 90 Mobile Bay 90 5 USS Alabama Battleship McGregor Ave. Airport Blvd. Schillinger Rd. Senior Bowl Museum Mobile Carnival Museum & Toomey s Mardi Gras TP Crockmiers Urban Emporium Du Rhu Dr. Downtowner Midtown Spring Hill West Mobile Cody Rd University Blvd. 65 SpringDale Mall Yak 1 Colonial Mall Bel Air Cottage Hill Rd Civic Center Spring Hill Ave. Sage Ave. Old Shell Rd. The Blind Mule Saenger Theatre Old Shell Rd. Dauphin St. toomey s Mardi Gras Baumhower s USS Alabama McGregor Ave. 5 McGregor Ave. Azalea Rd Florida St. 98 Airport Blvd Airport Blvd. Downtowner Wintzell s Cabo Cantina Artology Ladd-Peebles Stadium Theatre St. Monroe St. Gulf Coast Exploreum 6 Mobile Infirmary Blvd. Oakleigh Pl. Legacy Bar & Grill Holiday Ruth s Chris 2 Old Shell Rd. Dauphin St. 90 Mobile Infirmary Medical Center Government St. Savannah St. Selma St. 7 George St. 10 Dauphin Island Airport Bienville Blvd. 10 Mobile Bay Downtown Mobile Wintzell s 165 Charleston St. Dauphin Island Desoto Ave. Orleans Dr Ziegler Blvd. Mobile Regional Theodore- Dawes Rd. 1 Wintzell s Dawes Rd. Schillinger Rd Coden Isle Dauphine Golf & Beach Club 13 Half Mile Rd. 98 University Blvd. 188 Dauphin Island Shell Mound Trail Bienville Blvd. Gulf of Mexico Satsuma Saraland 65 Chickasaw Heron Bay Dauphin Island Sea Lab Agassiz Cir. 41 Museum Dr. Exit Moffett Rd. 8 2 Springhill Prichard ALT Ave Old Shell 5A 27 Dauphin Broad 65 Airport Blvd. 25 Cottage Hill Rd. Halls Mill Rd. Mobile Pkwy Exit Rangeline Rd. Hamilton Blvd. Laurendine Rd. Bellingrath Gardens Gulf of Mexico 1 2 Dauphin Island Pkwy Pkwy Dauphin Island 163 Fort Gaines Fort Fort Morgan Morgan D.I. Chamber Fort Gaines USS Alabama Mobile Bay Point Clear 2 ACP Realty Mac n dd s Lighthouse 1 Bakery 3 44 ALABAMA COASTING SPRING 2014

47 Malbis Plantation Pkwy Bass Pro Shops Spanish Fort 2 Eastern Shore Center Battleship Pkwy Bass Pro Dr. Jubilee Shopping Center Malbis 225 Bay Minette Stapleton Park Dr. Mobile Bay ALT 98 Daphne & Spanish Fort Fairhope Eastern Shore Chamber Welcome Center Wintzell s Felix s Fish Camp The Compleat Angler Seafood Grille & Bar Baumhower s Restaurant The BlueGill Restaurant t r Point Clear Barnwell Spanish Fort Exit Malbis 64 Daphne ALT 98 Montrose Fairhope 104 Loxley 59 Robertsdale Foley 10 Mobile Bay Point Clear Fairhope Pier S. Mobile St. ALT Downtown Fairhope S. Section St. ALT 98 1 Fairhope Ave Eastern Shore Art Center Wintzell s Punta Clara Kitchen N. Summit St. S. Summit St. N. Church St. Parks and Pier Pier Metal Benders Downtown Antiques Windmill Market S. Church St. Magnolia Ave. Parking Fairhope Ave. 4 Morphy Ave. N. Section St. De la Mare S. Section St. 5 6 Parking Bancroft St Mobile Bay Fort Morgan Gulf of Mexico Gulf Shores Tanger Outlets Life Bytes 180 Shelby Lakes 182 Gulf Shores 3 Gulf State Park Gulf of Mexico The Wharf Wintzell s Pirates Cove Perdido Beach Blvd. 3 Orange Beach Baumhower s Compleat Angler Bimini Bobs Terry Cotton Cove Bayou Perdido Key 5 Cottages on the Green Gulf Shores & Orange Beach ALABAMA COASTING SPRING

48 Advertiser Directory Alabama Gulf Seafood Alabama Public Radio Baumhower s Bellingrath Gardens Bimini Bob s... 5 Bistro Escoffier The Blind Mule Restaurant & Bar Compleat Angler... 5 Crescent Theater Downtown Mobile Alliance... 7 Dragon Boat Races Eastern Shore Chamber of Commerce Gulf Coast Exploreum ITEX Jubilee Shop... 7 Mobile International Festival Mobile Bay CVB... 3 Mobile Regional Airport... 2 MyStockShotz.com Pirate s Cove South Mobile County Tourism USS Alabama Yak, Kathmandu Kitchen ALABAMA COASTING SPRING 2014