The music will range from jazz and blues to gospel and native American flute-playing when the Estevanico International Festival celebrates the Gulf Coast’s many cultures April 20-21. Admission is free.

The festival will be held on Plaza De Luna, downtown Pensacola’s waterfront park at the southern end of Palafox Street, and diverse food, children’s activities and cultural attractions will highlight the festival, named for the first African known to have set foot in what is now the United States.

Among the performers:

Poet and author Ty Gray-El, an authority on cultural enrichment; gospel singer Kebra Moore, who champions people with disabilities; Kinfolk Brass Band from New Orleans; National Native American Storyteller/Flutist Marcia Johnston (Buffalo Woman); Erma Granat and Shades, a band which plays everything from Ella Fitzgerald to James Brown and Chicago; the Dizzy Juke band, a blues-jazz group which plays at clubs in the Destin-Pensacola-Mobile area; Polynesian dancer Elana Sise; and an 11 a.m. April 21 show featuring local music directors. Children’s activities will be held; vendors will offer food and other items.

The festival will begin at 11 a.m. April 20 with an “Ancestor Remembrance Ceremony” led by cultural historian Ann Chinn, who promotes awareness of cultural diversity through the arts and history.

Estevanico, who was from North Africa, sailed in 1527 with a Spanish explorer, Panfilo de Narvaez, on an epic mission to conquer Florida. He served as an intermediary with American Indians and was a scout for the Spanish. He also was known by several names, including “Little Stephen,” “Stephen the Moor” and “Estevan.” This is a Viva Florida 500 event, part of a celebration of the 500^th anniversary of Juan Ponce de Leon’s arrival on Florida’s east coast. These explorers were the first Europeans to document a landing and give a name to Florida – La Florida.

Enjoy carnival rides, live music, funnel cakes, games and contests at the third annual Perdido Springfest, which is being held every day this week through Saturday.

It’s located at 2221 Blue Angel Pkwy., on the grounds of Liberty Church.

Admission and parking are free. 

Check out more than 15 carnival rides, along with photography, art and cooking contests. Local musicians will entertain daily.

On weekdays Perdido Springfest opens at 6 p.m. and closes by 11 p.m.

On Saturday (April 6) it will be open 3 p.m. to 11 p.m.   

The event is sponsored by the Perdido Key Area Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Center and hosted by Liberty Church; a portion of proceeds will go to Escambia County 4-H, which offers development programs for children ages 5-18.

While admission and parking are free, visitors are invited to bring canned food for Manna Food Bank; the item in greatest demand is peanut butter.

Details: www.perdidospringfest.com

The Blue Angels will resume practice demonstrations Tuesday through Friday, April 2 through 5 with take-offs from Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola scheduled for 11:30 a.m. Bleacher seating is provided behind the National Naval Aviation Museum, but Perdido Key visitors may opt to enjoy the show right from the beach.

Following practice on Wednesday, April 3, the team is scheduled to visit the museum to answer questions and sign autographs.

The Blue Angels' practice schedule for the remainder of April is still to be determined, and updates will be released as soon as they become available. Get the latest information and practice dates on the official website of the Blue Angels.

Hundreds of soccer players will visit Perdido Key March 16-17, when more than 140 teams will play in a two-day soccer tournament and fill soccer fields near Perdido Key with players from throughout the Southeast and from as far away as Illinois.

The Soccer Shootout, an annual event, will be played at soccer fields near the Key as well as nearby Orange Beach and Gulf Shores. Much of the action will be focused near Perdido Key, on Bauer Road, where the new, well-maintained Southwest Escambia County Sports Complex provides a great venue for amateur sports.

Organizers say the tournament will draw 3,000 to 5,000 people – players, coaches and relatives enjoying a St. Patrick’s Day weekend near white beaches and eye-catching nature preserves. The tournament is open to teams of boys and girls ages 9 to 19.

For info on travel deals and things to do in the area go to www.visitperdido.com. For tournament information visit the Soccer Shootout website. 

Celebrate Mardi Gras a little different this year by spending it on the emerald coast at the Perdido Key Mardi Gras Festival, for an island-style twist to the season. Stay on the Key and earn up to $300 in American Express Gift Cards when you register your stay by Jan. 13, book your stay within 3 days of registration, and redeem your stay before Mar. 16, 2013. Prepare yourself for Cajun food, live music by the Sam Glass Band, Johnny Barbato and the Lucky Doggs and headliner JJ Caillier and the Zydeco Knockouts, a boat parade and spectacular fireworks display.

Festivities begin with the 'Magic of Mardi Gras' boat parade at noon; the best-decorated boat wins a $500 prize. A Cajun cook-off, starting at 2pm, will be a showdown among talented chefs competing for People's Choice and Judge's Choice awards; winner in each category will receive $250 prize. Tickets will be available for purchase to sample the culinary creations. Let the Good Times Roll!