The Downtown Blues: Find the Cure this November

By Darby Moore | gargoyle@flagler.edu

A deadly epidemic known as the “the Downtown Blues” is sweeping the streets of St. Augustine. Slowly diminishing the morale of the city’s youth, symptoms of the disease include: grogginess, lethargy, frequent visits to establishments such as White Lion and binge eating waffles at Cousteau’s.

There is good news –DB is entirely curable. Treatment includes avoiding downtown, primarily on the weekends. Here are a few suggestions to get you out of town and on your way to a DB-free November.

 

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Tommy Tant Memorial Surf Classic

 

 

 

 

 

When: Nov. 15, 16
Where: Flagler Beach Pier

The Tommy Tant Memorial Surf Classic is an event held annually in Flagler Beach, Fla. Approximately a 40 minute drive from campus, the classic is held to honor and memorialize 24-year-old surfer Tommy Tant, who died unexpectedly from an aortic aneurysm.

This event seeks to bring together the community to celebrate the young surfer’s life. This event will include a surf contest for all skill levels. Whether you’re a professional or simply an amateur, this is a great event to attend to show off your surfing skills to the community.

Not a surfer? The event will also feature a food festival, serving dishes from local restaurants such as the Flagler Fish Company, Salty Dog Cafe, Turtle Shack and many more. A ticket for a delicious dish from one of these restaurants will cost you only $5, or, if you’re feeling a bit indecisive when it comes to dinner, $10 will provide you access to dishes from three different stands. One can enjoy the sounds of St. Augustine band The Mix as they put on a concert for the public from the Flagler Beach Pier. Following these events, there will be a paddle out in memory of Tant. 

Once you’re surfed out, it’s time to relax and pull up to an outdoor screening of the film Beyond Sight: The Derek Rabelo Story. This film will be shown in Veteran’s Park in downtown Flagler Beach, a perfect ending to a sun and surf-filled day. Whether you’re a surfer or simply appreciate the sport, the Tommy Tant Memorial Surf Classic will ensure you have a great weekend: sun, surf, good food, and great friends.

 

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 Red Bull Night Riders

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

When: Nov. 21
Where: Jax Beach Pier
Red Bull will be hosting one of their most innovative events at the Jacksonville Pier this month. In one day, six professional surfers will compete in this tow-in style contest and pull the best tricks in the sport.

Professional surfers, including local Gabe Kling, Evan Thompson, Cody Thompson, Tristian Thompson, Ryan Briggs and Asher Nolan will be surfing the pier after dark.

Here’s the catch: the event doesn’t start until 8 p.m.

The event is free to attend, and the unique atmosphere of the event is something that can’t be matched. The Jacksonville Pier is only about an hour drive from campus, and the drive is well worth it. If you want to see some world-class surfing at one of the most original events in the sport, you’ll be at the Jax Pier next weekend.

 

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Passafire

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

When: Nov. 28
Where: Freebird Live
Based out of Savannah, Ga., Passafire will not disappoint. For just $15 in advance, you can see them at Freebird Live this month. The rock-reggae group will begin playing an intimate concert at 8 p.m. The venue’s general admission policy allows one to get front row seats for a bargain. For tickets purchased the day of the show , the price is raised to a mere $20.

 

 

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The Big Ticket

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

When: Dec. 5
Where: Metropolitan Park, Jacksonville

For just under $40 a ticket, you can see all the big names in music in one place, including Weezer, Young the Giant, Bear Hands and many more. The event will be filled with multiple stages and bands playing at once, providing concert goers with constant entertainment. The line up of each band, their appropriate times and assigned stages will be up on thebigticketfest.com two weeks before the event.

Food vendors will also be present at the event, giving one room to enjoy the concert all day long. Located at Metropolitan Park in Jacksonville, this event is just under one hour away from campus. So get a ticket, grab some friends and get ready to start your December off right.