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Pleasure Island Opens State's First Public Glass-Blowing Studio For a rare moment in time, the stars aligned, and the sands of change have begun to blow through the quiet coastal community of Orange Beach. With a newly emptied nest, a glassmaker and his wife wanted to enjoy their retirement along the Alabama Gulf Coast. However, he first needed to find a new home for his pricey glass-blowing equipment, which has become the centerpiece of the state's first and only public-access glass-blowing studio. Donated by Bear Creek Glass founders Joe and Deborah Thompson, the $230,000 equipment is the star attraction at The Hot Shop located at the Orange Beach Art Center. Open since August 21st, The Hot Shop will eventually offer a comprehensive class schedule for novices and experts in all the methods of forming glass. Classes will be taught by staff artist Joe Hobbs and other artists from around the country. The studio will be open to the public for tours, viewing, and demonstrations including specially designed art education programs for K-12 students. Related Upcoming Events at the Orange Beach Art Center: Make Your Own Glass Class Date: 8/22/2009 - 12/19/2009 Time: Every Saturday from 10:00am - 2:00pm Price: $20 - Ornament Class $35 - Paperweight Class You will have the opportunity to experience hot glass. Glass artist Joe Hobbs will demonstrate the creation of an ornament or paperweight. You will then be able to design and create one of your own! This is a fun way to experience glassblowing for the very first time. Come alone or with a group of friends. The 2009 Visiting Artist and Exhibition at the Orange Beach Arts Center presents Joe Hobbs Glass Sculpture Date: 9/1/2009 - 10/14/2009 26389 Canal Road Orange Beach, AL 36561  Joe is a resident of Pensacola where he teaches and creates functional and sculptural art glass at Belmont Art Center. Some of his commissioned works can be seen at Global Grill. His boxes combine drawing with glass creations and create the feeling of delving into the subconscious with all its enigmas and beauty. Resources: For more information, visit the center's website. For press releases on the shop, center, etc., click here. To see some receive press coverage, click here or here.

Country and British Rock Stars to Party with the King of Prawns "So I Hope You Dance" country singer Lee Ann Womack and 1970s blue-rock band Foghat will headline the 38th Annual National Shrimp Festival, which is set for October 8th through 11th in Gulf Shores, Ala. Womack is set to play on Friday night while FogHat will bring the house down on Saturday. Held at the main public beach in Gulf Shores, this free festival offers four days of non-stop excitement at one of the nation’s premier outdoor festivals and features something for every member of the family. Peruse through the wares of 300-plus vendors showcasing their fine art and art and crafts. After your legs and wallet have expired, kick back to the continuous tunes from the two musical stages. Be sure to refuel your body with fresh-from-the-gulf seafood that will satisfy the pickiest eater. Little ones love to play in the sand, and who can blame them? Stop by the Children’s Activity Village, where games, crafts and interactive activities will entertain them for hours. Don’t worry about finding a parking space with the shuttle service offered by the Baldwin Rural Area Transportation System. The shuttle costs $1.00 per passenger, per way and will run Thursday – Saturday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Check out the online schedule that includes detailed route information. Returning for the second year in a row is the Chef’s Challenge. Contestants from area restaurants will showcase their culinary skills and expertise in the September 24th contest, which will start at 7:00 p.m. at the Gulf Coast Culinary Institute in Gulf Shores. The festival runs from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. (except on Sunday when the party draws to a close at 5:00 p.m.). The 38th Annual National Shrimp Festival is produced by the Alabama Gulf Coast Area Chamber of Commerce and is presented by Zatarain’s. For more information, visit the festival's website.

Other Upcoming Events On Pleasure Island In addition to the action-packed schedule of our Alabama Gulf Coast Sports Commission, Pleasure Island will also be hosting the following events in October. South Baldwin Community Theatre presents: The Sound of Music Date: 10/1/2009 - 10/4/2009 Time: 7:30 p.m. showtimes on Thursday - Saturday; Sunday matinee at 2:00 p.m. Location: 2022 West 2nd Ave Gulf Shores, AL Price: Tickets: Adults $15 Students (grades K-12) $7.50 Under school age $5 Contact: 251-968-6721 or web 22nd Annual Lost Bay Regatta Date: 10/9/2009 - 10/10/2009 Location: Pirate's Cove Marina in Josephine Price: Entry fee TBD. Phone: 251-981-4632 or web Race begins at 1:00 pm. All pre-race registration and celebration will be held at the Point Yacht Club facilities. The race is open to monohull sailboats 20 ft. or longer. Friday night music from 7:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m. Fall Bird Banding Session 2009 Date: 10/10/2009 - 10/22/2009 Location: Fort Morgan Historic Site in Gulf Shores Price: Banding is free but guests are asked to pay fort admission ($5:00 adults, $3:00 children 6-12, free to younger children). Contact: 1-800-745-SAND or web The Alabama Gulf Coast is a critical stopover point as migratory birds return from Central and South America. Banding hours are from before dawn to mid-afternoon, depending on the flow of birds. Bring a lawn chair, binoculars and inquisitive mind but leave the pets at home. 2009 Gulf Shores Out & In Concert Series presents: Cool Change (10/15/2009 indoors) Pensacola Civic Band (10/22/2009 outdoors) Eric Marrero (10/29/2009 outdoors) Location: Erie H. Meyer Civic Center in Gulf Shores. Price: Free to public. Contact: 251-968-1172 or web Music Under the Stars at Waterfront Park Date: 10/25/2009 Location: 26425 Canal Road Orange Beach, AL 36561 Price: Free to public. An evening of music under the stars is being planned for the fall featuring the music of the Baldwin Pops Concert Band. Orange Beach will host the concert band at Waterfront Park beginning at 5 p.m. The concert will be set up just north of the Arts Center, along the water. An organization of volunteer musicians from Baldwin and surrounding counties, the Baldwin Pops Concert Band strives to enhance the cultural environment of the area by providing free to the public concerts. Although the event is free, everyone is welcome to bring their own table and chairs and beverage of their choice. “At the end they will have a tablecloth award for whoever has the nicest table set up,” Holk said. “So everyone should bring their table and chairs, maybe a bottle of wine, or a blanket and just sit out and enjoy some nice music.” The band perfoms all types of music including classical, Broadway, big band, Dixie, jazz and marches. For a complete listing of upcoming leisure events, click here.

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