News & Culture

From LA To 30A

Kuk Harrell and his wife Stevie sat on the couch in front of a box that was delivered to their Atlanta home. Unsure what it could be, he carefully cut the seal, pulled open the carton’s lid, and reached inside.…

Captured In Flight

It was only a couple years ago that I couldn’t find an eagle anywhere. Fellow photographers were finding them, and the photos were taunting me on social media. But the more I looked, the bigger the disappointment in not seeing…

Weezer in Chronology

Sean Murphy spent much of his photography career in the thick of alternative and punk rock action. Throughout the late ’90s and early 2000s, he shot an innumerable number of bands, many of them big names—Jimmy Eat World, Everclear, Tenacious…

Making Music

The new palm tree planted in Sergey Bogza’s front yard is symbolic to the 39-year-old Panama City Symphony maestro. Bogza was born in Russia but came to the United States when he was 9 years old. He’s lived, studied, and…

Local Tickets. One Place.

A locally based ticketing portal for live events is now available to Northwest Florida residents. 850TIX.com owned by Rowland Publishing, Inc. promises to provide a one-stop shop for residents and visitors to find and purchase tickets to local concerts, events, and shows.

The Latest

Bridgeway Center Breaks Ground on Housing Project

Bridgeway Center Inc. (BCI) is proud to announce the groundbreaking ceremony for Willow Way Village, a transformative new permanent supportive housing development located at 333 Lewis Street in Fort Walton Beach. The event will take place on Friday, September 26,…

The REP Announces Final Curtain Call

With many fond memories and much sadness, The REP Theatre has announced that it will be ceasing operations following the completion of its final summer performances in mid-August, concluding a remarkable 25-year run as a cornerstone of the 30A arts…

No Paint, No Gain

At times, it is hard to take Christon Anderson seriously. The 43-year-old Panama City native is a serious artist. His works have won awards and been on display in galleries and private collections. His abstracts and mixed media pieces are…

ArtsQuest 2025

The Cultural Arts Alliance (CAA) of Walton County, proudly announces Gerard Frank as the Featured Artist for the 37th Annual ArtsQuest Fine Arts Festival. Frank’s custom artworks—Clarence and Alabama, Great Minds, and One Man Show will be showcased on all…

Welcome to Pensacola

A few years ago, I sat on the beach with my sketchbook and drew a happy little pelican. I had no idea that this simple doodle would one day become Pensacola’s new welcome sign, greeting thousands of people as they…

Best Of the Emerald Coast

See who the readers of Emerald Coast Magazine voted as the Best Local Band, Best Community Event, Best Live Music/Entertainment Venue, Best Art Museum/Gallery, Best Place to Take the Kids — and dozens of other categories.

A New Chapter in Housing

For families across Escambia and Santa Rosa counties, the dream of homeownership can feel like a distant, impossible goal. Rising costs, scarce land, and unexpected repairs often force hopeful buyers into an endless cycle of renting. Pensacola Habitat for Humanity…

Panama City Beach Topgolf Opens June 27

Modern golf entertainment leader Topgolf announced that it will open its first venue along Florida’s Emerald Coast in Panama City Beach on June 27. This is Topgolf’s 10th outdoor venue in the state of Florida. Topgolf Basics Never been to a Topgolf…

From LA To 30A

Kuk Harrell and his wife Stevie sat on the couch in front of a box that was delivered to their Atlanta home. Unsure what it could be, he carefully cut the seal, pulled open the carton’s lid, and reached inside.…

Captured In Flight

It was only a couple years ago that I couldn’t find an eagle anywhere. Fellow photographers were finding them, and the photos were taunting me on social media. But the more I looked, the bigger the disappointment in not seeing…

Weezer in Chronology

Sean Murphy spent much of his photography career in the thick of alternative and punk rock action. Throughout the late ’90s and early 2000s, he shot an innumerable number of bands, many of them big names—Jimmy Eat World, Everclear, Tenacious…

Pinnacle of Purpose

The energy inside the Juniper Ballroom of Hotel Effie at Sandestin on March 26 was unmistakable—joyful, electric, and deeply inspiring. As guests entered the elegant foyer, they were greeted by friendly faces and a festively framed portrait of 12 accomplished…

New Fort Walton Beach Welcome Sign

The City of Fort Walton Beach congratulates Christina Donahoe of Christina Custom Art on her winning design for a new downtown Fort Walton Beach entrance sign. For her design efforts, Donahoe was presented with a check for $5,000 during a…

Florida Cocktails

Carrie Honaker was traveling abroad, on board a barge in Southern France, when she unexpectedly received an email from Cider Mill Press.   The publishing company was looking to recruit Honaker to author a compilation of cocktails made at bars…

Building the Beach

It was just after developer and co-founder of Sandcastle Resorts and Hotels Frank Flautt had purchased a 10-acre beachfront lot that would house the future Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa that he placed a call to his friend…

NEWSMAKERS

Bridgeway Center Breaks Ground on Housing Project

Bridgeway Center Inc. (BCI) is proud to announce the groundbreaking ceremony for Willow Way Village, a transformative new permanent supportive housing development located at 333 Lewis Street in Fort Walton Beach. The event will take place on Friday, September 26,…

A New Chapter in Housing

For families across Escambia and Santa Rosa counties, the dream of homeownership can feel like a distant, impossible goal. Rising costs, scarce land, and unexpected repairs often force hopeful buyers into an endless cycle of renting. Pensacola Habitat for Humanity…

Panama City Beach Topgolf Opens June 27

Modern golf entertainment leader Topgolf announced that it will open its first venue along Florida’s Emerald Coast in Panama City Beach on June 27. This is Topgolf’s 10th outdoor venue in the state of Florida. Topgolf Basics Never been to a Topgolf…

Local Art Here

Best friends Autumn Johnson and Kasey Caldwell co-worked for years selling their respective artwork out of co-op shops. But they never anticipated graduating their work relationship to co-owners.   “We’re like soulmates,” Johnson says. “We know each other very well,…

Beyond the Books

Tutoring is a lucrative profession and is often used to supplement a teacher’s salary. Beginners can charge as low as $15 per hour, while those with more experience can receive as much as $80 per hour for high-demand subjects such…

Grand Turk

In February, the Arts & Design Society of Fort Walton Beach announced Michael Lunsford’s Grand Turk painting as the winner of the Viewers’ Choice award in the 65th Annual Beaux Arts Exhibition. And at the 2025 ArtsQuest Fine Arts Festival…

Music as Salvation

I have lived in this flourishing beach town for eight years, and I have never had the opportunity to attend the 30A Songwriters Festival—until this year.   I attended in hopes of being a part of something unique and discovering a…