Events February 2012
This month’s greatest events
Everglades Seafood Festival
FEB. 9 TO APR. 29
Gauguin and Polynesia: An Elusive Paradise - Seattle
Follow Paul Gauguin on his search for the exotic. The famous French artist bravely left France to settle down in the still mostly unknown French Polynesia in the late 1800s, creating bold and colorful art that was far ahead of his time. The Seattle Museum of Art, the only American stop for this landmark exhibition, will feature 50 of Gauguin's pieces alongside 60 Polynesian objects. www.seattleartmuseum.org
FEB. 3-5
Everglades Seafood Festival - Everglades City (65 miles from Fort Myers)
This tiny town of 500 residents plays host to 50,000 fish fiends who descend upon it once a year to partake in its famous seafood festival. More county fair than seafood fest, it features live country music and arts and crafts in this slice of Old Florida. But don't worry, fresh seafood abounds, as Everglades City is also known as the state's "stone crab capital." www.evergladesseafoodfestival.com
FEB. 10-12
Love Your Shorts Film Festival - Sanford, FL (30 miles from Orlando)
This festival is for film buffs who can't stand a sore bum after watching an overly long movie (think The Lord of the Rings). Veteran and novice filmmakers showcase 30 minutes or less shorts, while competing for cash prizes. Set in one of Florida's last historic theaters, the festival tests the art of saying a lot with a little. Be sure to catch Shane Dewalt's The Goner Prologue (pictured) or the oneofakind local films in the "Florida Flavor" division. www.loveyourshorts.com
FEB. 10-12
US National Toboggan Championships - Camden, ME (84 miles from Portland)
This event has tobogganing down to a science when 400 teams compete for the national championship — sleds are inspected, and there's even an official Traditional toboggan schematics rulebook. Nerves are tested as racers whiz down the 400foot chute at 30+ miles per hour, and creativity evaluated as prizes are awarded for best costumes. www.camdensnowbowl.com
FEB. 10-19
San Francisco Beer Week - San Francisco
Bigger is often better, but it's always better where beer is concerned. With nearly 400 events in just nine short days, this behemoth beer fest is one of the biggest there is. Attend special craft beer releases, or beer and food pairing dinners at some of the city's top restaurants. Raise a glass (and knock it back) to big West Coast IPAs as you celebrate the birthplace of America's craft beer movement. www.sfbeerweek.org
FEB. 11-12, 18-19, 25-26, MARCH 3-4
Bands, Brew & BBQ - Orlando
SeaWorld is the kind of family-friendly aquatic wonderland that recalls The Little Mermaid. Only it's not the fish that do the singing here. Instead, classic rock and country legends bring it on, on weekends this month. Nosh delectable barbecue and quaff any of 50 craft beers from 20 different domestic and international breweries in the beer tent. Don't miss Trace Adkins (Feb. 18), Kenny Rogers (Feb. 19), the Doobie Brothers (pictured) (Feb. 25) and country crooner Sara Evans (March 3). www.seaworldparks.com
FEB. 17-20
Mid-Atlantic Jazz Festival - Rockville, MD (40 miles from Baltimore)
Get over your winter blues with smokin' hot jazz. Brian Lynch, Nicholas Payton and Terell Stafford promise to toot the roof off the house at the festival highlight, the Trumpet Summit. If this trio of talented trumpeteers isn't enough, check out more than 70 other performers — up-and-comers and veterans alike — like Kim Burrell or Roy Haynes Fountain of Youth Band (pictured). www.midatlanticjazzfestival.org
FEB. 18-21
Mardi Gras, Breckenridge Style - Breckenridge, CO (104 miles from Denver)
Breckenridge bursts with beads and boas in February in their homage to New Orleans' famed Mardi Gras celebration. The revelry kicks off with the annual Bacchus Ball and the crowning of the Rex and Queen. Afterwards, festivities like Lundi Gras and Fat Tuesday — a giant parade full of floats and a Taste of Nawlins picnic — will keep visitors merry. www.gobreck.com
Crazy For Carnival
Don a boa and shake your beads — it's carnival time.
Feb. 15-21
PONCE, PUERTO RICO (74 miles from San Juan)
Dating back to the early 1800s, if not earlier, this is one of the oldest carnivals in the Western Hemisphere. Beware of the roving vejigantes — scary demons. www.travelponce.com
Jan. 6 to Feb. 20
ARUBA
The longestrunning carnival, this one is packed with activities — from pajama parties and costume competitions to the "old mask burning parade," which marks its end. February 20 is a national holiday and day of rest known as "Burnout Day." We're not surprised. www.visitaruba.com
Feb. 21
NEW ORLEANS
The most well known of all carnival celebrations, Mardi Gras is also the rowdiest. Check out dozens of wild parades, but try to steer clear of the hordes on Bourbon Street. www.mardigrasneworleans.com
March 10
PUNTA CANA, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
This colorful carnival features over 1,000 characters from 20 Dominican provinces shaking their hips to Caribbean beats at a wild, indigenous celebration founded by the native Taino indians.www.godominicanrepublic.com
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