LAISSEZ LES BON TEMPS ROULER!

Get your purple, green and gold out because it’s Mardi Gras Time for Orange Beach!

And, I can’t think of a better way to start the season off right than at The Conference Center at The Wharf, which was opened last night with The Mystical Order of Mirams Goddess of The Seas 2009 Mardi Gras Ball. Over 300 people enjoyed the Rockin’ Moroccan Nights with their Queen Dana Day and Emblem Virginia Lynn at this new complex at The Wharf. Accompanied by a setting of extravagant Moroccan decorations, Vince Vance and the Andy Smith Band entertained the Gulf Coast guests for their 3rd annual ball. Doors opened at seven o’clock that evening and the Tableau was held at eight. What a spectacular first night at The Conference Center at The Wharf!

The Mardi Gras celebration does not stop there. Kicking off Saturday night at 8 p.m., The Mystics of Pleasure will have their ball at The Conference Center at The Wharf as well. Their “Nine is Fine” Masquerade Ball is the MOP’s ninth Mardi Gras celebration as the largest society on Pleasure Island, and the only society that parades and has its grand ball on the same night!

The Wharf is also celebrating Joe Cain Day this upcoming Sunday, February 22nd. During the onset of Civil War, Mardi Gras celebrations on the gulf coast came to an abrupt halt. In 1866, Joseph Cain paraded down the streets of Mobile to bring Mardi Gras celebration back to the Gulf Coast, and his successful ambition to revive the surrounding cities is observed each year on the Sunday before Mardi Gras Day, dubbed Joe Cain Day. Participating retailers and restaurants are offering raffle tickets for a chance to win an $800 prize pack from The Wharf. Everyone that comes to The Wharf will receive raffle tickets at any of the participating stores, bars, and restaurants with each purchase. The more stores you visit, the more chances you have to win! Participating retailers and restaurants include: Big Easy, Distinctive Kitchens, Fish on A Dish, Frick-n-Frac, Ginny Lane, Guy Harvey, Fusion Spa, Johnny Rockets, Live Bait, Ooh La La, Our Cigar Bar, Papa’s Pizza, Pensacola Blues, Rafters, Sand Dollar Lifestyles, Sassy Britches, Tropic Sol and Villaggio. The drawing for the grand prize winner with be held at 7 p.m. at Palm Plaza at The Wharf. Check out all of these participating tenets for promotions and specials all day, starting at 1 p.m.

GREAT LIVE MUSIC!

And speaking of a good time, The Amphitheater is rolling in some great entertainment for the rest of the year! Thousands jumped at the tickets this past Saturday as the tickets for Kenny Chesney went on sale. Contrary to rumors, there still are tickets BUT NOT MANY! So HURRY UP AND GET THEM BEFORE ITS TOO LATE! If you miss out, The Wharf Rental Management Company has a block of tickets that are available to purchase when you rent a condo for the weekend! Don't miss out on this incredible concert experience!

But wait—there’s more! Don’t forget you can still reserve a spot to experience the most exciting lineup ever at The Amphitheater at The Wharf with a view from the premium box seat program. This program offers box seating for THE concerts of the year on the Gulf Coast (including Kenny Chesney), the ability to purchase additional tickets for most concerts before anyone else, close and convenient parking for the show, access to VIP pre-parties, and personal wait service for your box! Boxes are perfect for entertaining guests and VIPs, rewarding your employees, or even enjoying the concert experience with your friends and family. Boxes have from x to x number of seats in each box. Reserve your spot to see your favorite acts with guaranteed seating to all of the 2009 Pepsi Star Series Concerts including the following upcoming acts and the many more that will soon be announced:

SAT MAR 14 COREY SMITH
With Special Guest: Rhett Akins

FRI APR 17 WIDESPREAD PANIC
With Special Guests: Keller Williams & Pretty Lights

SAT APR 18 WIDESPREAD PANIC
With Special Guests: North Mississippi Allstars & Pretty Lights

SUN APR 19 WIDESPREAD PANIC
With Special Guests: The Avett Brothers & DJ J-Boogie

FRI MAY 8 311
With Special Guests: Hinder & Theory of a Deadman

FRI MAY 15 SUGARLAND
With Special Guests Billy Currington and Matt Nathanson

SAT JUL 4 MONTGOMERY GENTRY

THUR AUG 6 KENNY CHESNEY
With Special Guests: Miranda Lambert & Lady Antebellum

SPRING AND SUMMER ARE IN THE AIR!

If you aren’t exhausted yet from our lineup of events and specials here at The Wharf, check out our Spring Break and 4th of July Plans. They will be sure to knock your socks off. For the week of March 15-21, The Wharf is hosting a Spring Break Boardwalk Concert Series – and best of all, it’s F-R-E-E! Spend your spring break 2009 with The Wharf in Orange Beach, AL. With deals on rentals, the best shopping and dining on the Island, nightlife and CONCERTS AND EVENTS ALL WEEK LONG -- where else would you want to stay?

March 14th - Corey Smith with special guest Rhett Akins - tickets only $20

March 15th - Adam Holt - Boardwalk Concert Series - FREE!

March 16th - The Relics- Boardwalk Concert Series - FREE!

March 17th - St. Patty's Day at The Wharf - Boardwalk Concert Series - FREE!

March 18th - Adam Holt - Boardwalk Concert Series - FREE!

March 19th -Wes Loper- Boardwalk Concert Series - FREE!

March 20th - Jason Justice and The Hung Jury - Boardwalk Concert Series - FREE!

March 21st - A Free Boardwalk Concert to be announced soon!

March 22nd - LA Corvette Show

The 4th of July will also be a blast with Montgomery Gentry in concert, a firework spectacular to celebrate Independence Day, family activities on Main Street all day, and there’s rumors of a hot-dog eating contest? Make your condominium reservations now so you can don’t miss out on all the fun! Check back for updated lists of events going on all summer long at The Wharf!

The Fishing Corner with Captain Robby Walker

February is a good month for Speckled Trout fishing in creeks and rivers along the Gulf Coast since the water temperture is cold enough to keep the fish pushed in the creeks for a few more weeks. Bull Reds are still migrating along the beaches of Alabama's Gulf Coast. Weather permitting charters from The Wharf Outfitter are running the beach in search of schools of bait fish, or anchovies, on which the Reds will be feeding.

Bull Reds are great catches through Febuary, and sometimes into March. As Spring arrives, changes in this environment allow for more species to be caught near the pass. These species include Pomano, Flounder, Bluefish, Spanish Mackrel, and Trout.

Kenny Chesney Tickets On Sale This Saturday!

Four-time Academy of Country Music Entertainer of The Year, Kenny Chesney, will bring his 2009 Sun City Carnival Tour, presented by Corona Extra, to The Amphitheater at The Wharf on Thursday, August 6th as a part of The Wharf’s Pepsi Concert Series. This hotly anticipated tour promises to be just as exhilarating as his prior tours that have thrilled over a million fans each of the past seven years.

Chesney was recently recognized by Pollstar as the number one ticket seller for all 2008 concert tours. Chesney’s tours boast sell outs at stadiums and large arenas all over the country including Boston's Gillette Stadium, which sold with over 68,000 seats in less than 10 minutes five years in a row. Miranda Lambert, whose ‘Crazy Ex-Girlfriend’ won the ACM Album of the Year in 2008, and Lady Antebellum, who won the 2008 CMA Best New Duo/Group Award and was nominated for a Grammy for Best New Artist, will also perform at the concert.

“The Wharf is thrilled to be a part of this tour, which includes stops at several NFL stadium sized venues. This validates The Wharf’s growing reputation in the music industry and we think this is a sign of more great things to come for The Wharf and the Gulf Coast area. This concert, being right before schools start back, will make a perfect ending to what promises to be a great summer season at The Wharf and at The Amphitheater,” says Pete Bryan, General Manager of The Amphitheater at The Wharf.

Tickets for this concert go on sale at 10 a.m. Saturday, February 14th online at Ticketmaster.com, charge by phone at 1-800-745-3000, or at The Amphitheater Box Office Monday through Friday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. or at The Dock Store at The Marina. Tickets purchased at The Wharf outlets will incur no Ticketmaster fees. Watch, too, for more information on Kenny Chesney’s 2009 Sun City Carnival Tour as well as announcements of upcoming concerts by visiting www.thewharfal.com or text the word ‘WHARF’ to TEXT ME (839863) for all Wharf events.

The Fishing Corner with Captain Robby Walker

The Fishing Corner
with Captain Robby Walker

Winter in Orange Beach is a great time to fish for Redfish and Speckled Trout.

Bull Reds are adult Redfish that migrate along the Gulf Coast this time of year and are plentiful when the weather is right. Specifically, the best time to fish for Redfish is immediately following a cold front. After the front pushes through, a light north wind makes it easy to run the beach in search of schools of Baitfish, on which Redfish feed. Most Redfish are over 15 lbs and are easily caught on light spin tackle using jigs and live bait.

Trout fishing is another option if the Gulf is too choppy, or if conditions are not right for Redfish. Speckled Trout run up creeks, rivers, and bayous when the water temperature drops. Cold weather drives Baitfish from the bays to the creeks and rivers, and Trout follow.

For fly fishermen, this time of year also presents great opportunities to catch large Redfish and Trout on fly.

The Orvis-endorsed guides at The Wharf Outfitters fish the beautiful waters of the Gulf Coast on trolling motor, and cast various artificial lures or live shrimp.

For more Gulf Coast fishing information, or to book a charter with Captain Robby Walker, call The Wharf Outfitters at 251-224-1483.

Major Concert Announcement at The Wharf

Widespread Panic will appear live at The Amphitheater at The Wharf Friday April 17th, Saturday April 18th and Sunday April 19th as part of the Pepsi Star Series.

Opening acts include Friday April 17th with Keller Williams, Saturday April 18th with North Mississippi Allstars, and Sunday April 19th with The Avett Brothers.

Showtime is set for 7 p.m and tickets go on sale February 7th at 10 a.m. online through Ticketmaster, charge by phone at 1-800-745-3000 or purchase tickets at The Wharf at The Amphitheater Box Office or the Dock Store at The Marina.

Spring Break ‘09 Fever Hits The Wharf with Corey Smith

Spring Break fever hits Orange Beach with the announcement of Corey Smith appearing live at The Amphitheater at The Wharf Saturday, March 14th as part of the Pepsi Star Series. The Wharf, taking on its mission to offer something for everyone this season, knows that distinctive musical flair combined with Smith’s pensive, well-crafted lyrics and soulful Southern voice will kick off the best Spring Break yet!



Smith describes his innovate musical talent as a little of everything. “I like to think my songs reflect the variety of musical styles that have impacted my life in Georgia,” Smith said. “Gospel, country, blues, rock, hip-hop – strands of all these are there.” His album Undertones birthed the college anthem “Twenty-One”, and his hit “I’m Not Gonna’ Cry” was chosen by over 200 schools as their graduation anthem in 2007. Other popular songs such as “Carolina” and “If I Could Do It Again” maintain the honest, emotional connection of Corey Smith and his fans. His most recent album The Good Life shows the maturation of this artist, awarding him respect and appreciation from all ages.

Rhett Akins will perform with Corey Smith. From well known hits “That Ain’t My Truck,” “She Said Yes” and his #1 single “Don’t Get Me Started” to his current success in songwriting including “Put A Girl in It,” “Home Sweet Home” and “Country Song,” Rhett’s emotionally honest communication and warm evocative voice will connect to his Spring Break audience to hallmark this year’s activities at The Wharf.

Every age of Spring Break visitors to The Wharf can enjoy Corey Smith’s original strands of music genres and the rowdy, energetic tunes of Rhett Akins. General admission tickets for this concert are only $20 and will go on sale Saturday, January 31st! Tickets are available through TicketMaster online or charge by phone at 1-866-448-7849. Tickets are also available at The Wharf at The Amphitheater Box Office Monday through Friday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tickets purchased at The Wharf outlets will incur no Ticketmaster fees.

Watch for more information on Spring Break ‘09 as well as announcements of upcoming concerts at The Amphitheater at The Wharf by visiting www.TheWharfAL.com or text the word ‘WHARF’ to TEXT ME (839863) for all Wharf events.

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