Folio Vol. 38, Issue 7

FEATURES

In

Make

Slang In The World Of Modern Dating Briana

The Players Championship Ripple Effect Carson Rich

No Day Left Behind: Is There Any

Yoga

53

Jax River Jams: Embracing The Culture of

54

New

60

Thanks (For) The Memories Courtney Thomassen 64

Revival: Kill Tactic

74

Goodbye Hangovers, Hello High!

Theresa

Nightmare

Murray

Cirque

HARRY

The Hunt: Finding The Best Bloody Mary In Town Ambar Ramirez, Carmen Macri & Briana Pereira 76

What Your Favorite Jax Bar Says About You

BEHIND

BOUQUETS

HOROSCOPES

Words by Ambar Ramirez & Carmen Macri

ARIES

As the New Moon kicks off the month, Aries, you’re filled with a surge of fresh energy. It’s time to set bold intentions and initiate new ventures. Harness the power of this lunar phase to fuel your ambitions and pave the way for success. Remember to stay patient and trust the process as you navigate the challenges ahead.

TAURUS

April is your time to shine like the dependable star you are, Taurus. Prepare for a month filled with unexpected adventures and delightful surprises. In matters of the heart, sparks could fly as Venus, your ruling planet, aligns with Mars, igniting passion and romance. Whether you’re single or attached, embrace the magic in the air and let your heart lead the way.

GEMINI

Gemini, you’re encouraged to take decisive action toward your goals this month. Your intellectual curiosity is heightened, driving you to explore new ideas and pursue stimulating experiences. Embrace the momentum of this phase to make meaningful progress in both your personal and professional endeavors.

CANCER

April brings a wave of warmth and harmony to your life, Cancer. Indulge in some cozy nesting activities. Whether it’s redecorating your space or hosting intimate gatherings with loved ones, create an atmosphere that nourishes your soul and fosters deeper connections.

LEO VIRGO

This is a time of culmination and celebration, where your confidence and charisma shine brightest. Use this opportunity to reflect on your achievements and express gratitude for the abundance in your life. Release what no longer serves you and step into your full potential.

It’s time to roll up your sleeves and get down to business, Virgo, as the stars align to support your ambitions and goals. Your attention to detail and analytical mind will be your greatest assets, helping you make significant progress toward your objectives. Don’t hesitate to seek guidance from mentors or colleagues who can offer valuable insights.

April brings a dynamic blend of opportunities and challenges your way, requiring you to find balance and adaptability in various aspects of your life. Compromise and cooperation will be essential in maintaining harmony, particularly if tensions arise. Remember, Libra, to prioritize self-care amidst any interpersonal dynamics.

Scorpio, you’re called to dive deep into your emotions and embrace inner transformation. Take this time to reflect on the lessons learned throughout last month and release any lingering attachments or fears. Trust in the power of surrender as you prepare to embark on a new phase of growth and evolution.

Libra Scorpio Sagittarius

Travel may be on the agenda this month, whether for work or leisure, Sagittarius. Embrace the opportunities for exploration and discovery but also take time to recharge and reflect. Balance your adventurous spirit with moments of quiet introspection, allowing yourself to process your experiences and insights.

Capricorn

March sucked and it’s time to close that door one last time and keep it locked. Trust in the timing of the universe. Take practical steps toward your goals, laying a solid foundation for success. Remember to find moments of joy and inspiration amidst your self-journey.

Aquarius

April presents opportunities for self-discovery and personal growth, Aquarius. Take time to explore your passions and interests, delving into subjects that ignite your curiosity. Whether through reading, learning new skills or engaging in thought-provoking discussions, embrace the journey of expanding your mind and broadening your horizons.

Pisces

The moon’s phases guide you on a journey of self-discovery and transformation, helping you unlock new insights and perspectives. Embrace the flow of inspiration and trust in the magic of the cosmos as you navigate the month ahead.

THE SPECKTATOR

Words by Kerry Speckman

Whether it’s a contestant from Jacksonville on “American Idol” (is that thing still on?) or comedian Katt Williams’ riffing on Washington Heights and Eureka Gardens in a Netflix special, I love when our fair city gets randomly mentioned on a TV show (good or bad), probably because I feel like half of the country still doesn’t even know Jacksonville exists … which brings me to one of the greatest Jacksonville pop culture references of all time. (It’s a couple months old, but give me a break; I don’t have cable.)

The show: “The Oval,” a presidential drama about the country’s first interracial first family. The scene: First Lady Victoria Franklin (Kron Moore) is about to be served tea from the hired help. The comment: “She fought me. Yes, she came in here like a ghetto bitch from Duuuval County.”

OK, which one of you hurt Tyler Perry?

Comedy fans have two more ways to enjoy stand-up these days — and possibly see the next big comic in the process. Murray Hill Theatre’s Clean Comedy Series is exactly what it sounds like, comedy that’s fun (and appropriate) for the whole family. In addition to touring comedians like Henry Cho, who kicked off the series earlier this year, local comics also perform.

And then there’s Don’t Tell Comedy. While it’s been around for over than a year, the secret is just now getting out with more shows being scheduled in more parts of town. The concept is simple (and brilliant): a secret line up of up to six comics (local and passers-through that aren’t revealed until they take the stage … performing at a location not revealed until the day of the event! And the locations … let’s just say they’re unique. (The show I went to was at an ax throwing bar.) Check it out for yourself April 19 somewhere in Avondale and May 18 and June 7 somewhere in Murray Hill. (Even if I knew where, I wouldn’t tell you.)

It’s a great month if you love Jacksonville sports. The Sharks, Icemen, Jumbo Shrimp and brand spanking new Jacksonville 95ers (one of the newest teams in the The Basketball League or TBL) all play this month. And if you don’t love sports, no harm, no foul (that’s a sports joke, folks), there are plenty of other things to do this month … if you haven’t already noticed.

When you’re driving around Riverside, Avondale or Springfield, do you ever wonder about the houses (or mansions, as the case may be), what they look like inside and who lives there? Well, here’s your chance to take a peek — without fear of arrest. Riverside Avondale Preservation’s 50th annual Home Tour takes place April 13 and 14 while SPAR’s 45th annual happens April 27 and 28. But please, no snooping in the medicine cabinets.

And finally, St. Augustine has a new museum. That’s right kids, Anastasia Mosquito Control District finally opened the doors to its Disease Vector Education Center and Science Museum. According to “Jacksonville Today,” it’s the only one of its kind in the country (shocking!). Is anyone else itching to visit?

IN THE NAME OF

Words by Amy Love Matchmaker and Founder of the Honey and Flame Matchmaking agency

I FIND MYSELF GETTING CRAZY JEALOUS WHEN MY PARTNER TALKS TO OTHER WOMEN, EVEN THOUGH I KNOW IT’S NOTHING. HOW DO I STOP?

Ah, my dear reader, it appears you find yourself entangled in the intricate dance of jealousy within the realm of love. Fear not, for you are not alone in this delicate waltz of emotions. In matters of the heart, jealousy often lurks in the shadows, ready to cast its envious gaze upon even the most steadfast of partnerships.

First and foremost, it is crucial to recognize that jealousy stems from within oneself, often fueled by insecurities or past experiences. Thus, the journey to quell this tempestuous emotion begins with self-reflection. Take a moment to delve into the depths of your own feelings and unravel the root cause of your jealousy. Are there unresolved issues or uncertainties lurking beneath the surface?

Once you’ve identified the source of your jealousy, it’s time to cultivate trust within your relationship. Open and honest communication with your partner is paramount. Express your feelings openly but remember to do so with grace and understanding. Allow your partner the opportunity to reassure you of their love and commitment.

Moreover, it’s essential to foster a sense of self-confidence and independence. Embrace your own unique qualities and strengths, for confidence is the antidote to jealousy. Engage in activities that bring you joy and fulfillment, allowing yourself to flourish both individually and within the confines of your relationship.

In the grand story of love, jealousy may weave its threads, but with patience, understanding, and self-awareness, you can untangle its grasp and reclaim the harmonious rhythm of your partnership. Trust in the bonds you share and let the flames of jealousy fade into the background, allowing love to reign supreme.

I’M MEETING MY PARTNER’S PARENTS FOR THE FIRST TIME, AND I’M SUPER NERVOUS. ANY ADVICE?

Ah, the anticipation of meeting your partner’s parents for the first time can undoubtedly stir up a whirlwind of nerves. Rest assured, dear reader, for I am here to offer you guidance to navigate this milestone with grace and confidence.

Firstly, approach this encounter with authenticity and an open heart. Your partner’s parents are likely eager to meet the individual who holds their child’s affection. Be genuine in your interactions and let your true self shine through. Authenticity fosters connection and lays the foundation for meaningful relationships.

Prepare yourself mentally by envisioning positive outcomes and focusing on the qualities that make you a wonderful partner to their son or daughter. Remember, you are not there to impress or perform but to simply be yourself.

Communication is key in any relationship, including the one you are about to embark upon with your partner’s parents. Take the time to engage in genuine conversation, showing interest in their lives, experiences, and passions. Active listening demonstrates respect and cultivates a sense of rapport.

Furthermore, don’t forget to prioritize your own wellness amidst the excitement and nerves of the occasion. Practice self-care techniques such as deep breathing or mindfulness exercises to center yourself and alleviate anxiety. Prioritize adequate rest, hydration and nourishing meals to ensure you are at your best both mentally and physically.

Lastly, approach this meeting with a spirit of curiosity and humility. Embrace the opportunity to learn about your partner’s upbringing and family dynamics, recognizing that every family is unique. Be respectful of their traditions and values, and show gratitude for the warmth and hospitality extended to you.

In essence, dear reader, meeting your partner’s parents for the first time is a significant milestone in your relationship journey. Embrace it with authenticity, communication and self-care and you are sure to leave a lasting impression rooted in genuine connection and mutual respect.

Dating in the modern world can be quite the adventure with so many different labels (or no labels at all) nowadays, and it can be hard to keep track of all the different terms. Whether you’re just getting back into the dating world or have been in the game for a while, hopefully this can break down some of the slang that’s been hot within the dating lexicon. While some of these terms might sound a bit more familiar, I didn’t want to leave any out, so here’s my current faves: situationship, delusionship, contra-dating, ghosting, talking, rizz, “pookie,” breadcrumbing, soft launch vs. hard launch, submarining and orbiting.

First up to bat, we have the dreaded situationship. I see situationships as something in the same family as the classic friends with benefits. No labels, but it can sometimes be a little more complex. In a friends with benefits relationship, there’s a discussed and mutually agreed decision of keeping it no strings attached and no labels. In situationships however, there is no discussing the actual relationship between the parties involved; if anything, there’s more of an avoidance to do so. This pattern creates a dynamic that leaves lots of room for overthinking and anxiety, oftentimes there’s a disconnect as to what each person sees the relationship as, and what their expectations are from their partner. Not too fun if you ask me.

What might be one of my current faves (not because I’m guilty of ever being in one of these or anything…*insert face hiding in hands emoji*) is the term delusionship. A delusionship, as defined by Bumble dating coach Caroline West, is an “infatuation that you have for someone you don’t have an established relationship with…” This can be anyone from someone you see everyday when you’re talking your dog on a walk, a cashier at Publix you have the hots for or someone you matched with on a dating app but haven’t met up with yet. A delusionship is essentially finding someone attractive and building a one-sided fantasy life in your head between you and the person. It isn’t necessarily a bad thing, unless you make it an unhealthy and stalkerish obsession, but make sure to remember the real person might not live up to the fantasy version of them that you make up in your head.

This next one is something newer to me (or so I thought, but I’ll explain that in a minute), and I only first learned about it after reading an article posted by “Today.” This new word in my dating vocabulary is contra-dating, it was first introduced on the online dating site known as “Plenty of Fish,” and it’s defined as purposely dating someone outside your usual type or who you wouldn’t necessarily view as compatible rather than choosing to find someone who fits your usual type. This new way of dating is an attempt to spice up the dating world, pushing singles a little out of their comfort zone. If you’ve ever heard the saying “opposites attract,” “golden retriever vs. black cat” or you remember from science class in elementary school when your teacher taught you that only positive and negative poles on magnets will connect, this concept is really starting to sound promising and might have been around for longer than we realized. It’s definitely something I’m not mad at.

This next term is something all too familiar to most of us who are actively out there in the dating world. Ghosting (sorry if that’s triggering for any of you because same) refers to when someone ends all contact without explanation — profile unmatched, messages unanswered, calls avoided. Let’s not sugar coat things … it sucks. I have my own theory behind why ghosting has become as common as it is and that’s due to the rise of online dating. It’s so much easier to block someone from a phone than it is IRL, but I digress.

SLANG IN THE WORLD OF MODERN DATING

Words by Briana Pereira

This may also be a familiar term to my dating vets, and honestly anyone who attempts to stay in touch with the newest slang. Talking is the purgatory of the dating world, it’s not just friends, but it’s also a step below officially dating. It can be both exclusive or for some they use this time to both get to know the person they’re in this phase with, while also exploring other options. Simply defined, talking is the phase of dating when two people are still getting to know one another before starting the relationship, a lot of times most of the getting to know each other happens virtually (especially in today’s digital world).

Rizz. Likely my favorite word in the world of dating — and also named word of the year in 2023 by Oxford University Press. Rizz is essentially having game so good that no matter how unattracted someone might be to you, you can pull them anyway. Think when you see a not-so-hot guy (perfect example: Jermey Allen White from “Shameless), so not conventionally attractive that it makes him 10 times more attractive somehow with an absolute 10/10 baddie, and you’re just kinda left with a hmmm moment. You usually think he’s either stupid rich or has a pretty nice sized — you know what. Rizz has allowed tons of people to secure partners they never once saw attainable. Personally, I’m a sucker for some good rizz.

Another term that’s emerged in the dating realm that I happen to love is pookie . You may have heard your girl besties refer to you as “pookie” or heard them talk about someone they’re into and say “that’s my little pookie bear.” The word became popular after TikTokers Campbell and Jett Puckett started sharing videos where Jett would refer to Campbell as “pookie.” This term quickly spread and is now loved and used by millions, especially Gen Zers and Millennials. Basically, pookie is just a term of endearment that has made its way into the dating world.

And yet another dreadful dating trend, breadcrumbing . This is done when someone wants to keep you interested, fully knowing they have no real plans of building a relationship with you. Not nice if you ask me. But a lot of the times it’s unintentional, and I know I’ve been guilty of it too. Attention is nice and sometimes we use having the upper hand to help us maintain that feeling of being wanted, even if we don’t want the person we’re receiving it from. Simply put, breadcrumbing is a new term for leading people on, showing just enough mixed signals and signs of interest here and there to keep you invested in them.

These concepts are a bit simpler to understand and refer to how people announce they are dating someone. The two approaches are referred to as either a soft launch or a hard launch . A soft launch is a more lowkey and subtle way to let people know you’re off the market. This approach is especially loved by those who want to maintain that private but not secret relationship appearance or someone who wants to wait a little to publicize their partner. It can be done by sharing pics of you and your partner together but their face is purposefully not facing the camera or a picture of a hand holding yours. I personally think soft launches are the way to go and can be a good way to be creative. Hard launching on the other hand is guaranteed to break the internet, especially when there had been no signs that you were seeing anyone. It’s done by posting a picture that shows you and your partner looking all booed up, guaranteed to make all of your friends shocked. It’s definitely quite the opposite of a slow soft launch approach but both are a fun way to show off your relationship status.

Now this is a habit in modern dating that makes me SO FRUSTRATED, submarining

This reminds me of the saying “they always come back,” but, gosh, is it annoying. Submarining is when someone you were seeing disappears out of nowhere, no warning, nothing, and then tries to wiggle their way back into your life a few months later. Kind of like when your ex tries to “happy birthday” their way back into your life.

I chalk this one up to people just being the worst. Honestly, like you were great when we were together, but then I found someone better, then they left, so let me go back to what I know. Reminder: you are too valuable to be anyone’s sometimes, and you aren’t there for their convenience. <3

Last but not least we have orbiting . Now this is something I know anyone with an ex or ex-situationship is more than familiar with, even if they’ve never heard it called this. Orbiting is when someone from your past continues to linger by interacting with your online presence, without actually maintaining a meaningful relationship. This can include liking your Instagram stories, stalking your TikTok, being the first to see your Snapchat stories and more. With this trend it can often lead to a little bit of confusion. Are they doing this to give me false hope or are they just trying to maintain a healthy break-up? It leaves you guessing. It’s important to not look to deep into their habits so that you can ensure your journey to move on stays on the right track.

As you can see, the dating lexicon is constantly expanding and new words for different scenarios are popping up each day (even I learned about a few new ones while writing this). If you’re active in the dating world, it’s helpful to keep up to date with the newest slang, allowing you to make sure you aren’t guilty of some of the less positive habits mentioned.

APRIL 6

Jacksonville Sharks vs. Bay Area Panthers VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena jaxsharks.com

Wine and Chocolate Run San Marco Square 1stplacesports.com

Captain Chuck Cornett Navy Run 10K and 5K NAS JAX 1stplacesports.com

APRIL 9-14

Jacksonville Suns vs. Charlotte Knights 121 Financial Ballpark milb.com/jacksonville

APRIL 11

Jacksonville 95ers vs. Raleigh Firebirds

Jacksonville University–Swisher Gym jacksonville95ers.com

APRIL 12

Jacksonville Icemen vs. Savannah Ghost Pirates VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena jacksonvilleicemen.com

Jacksonville 95ers vs.Coastal Georgia Buccaneers

Jacksonville University–Swisher Gym jacksonville95ers.com

APRIL 13

First Coast Parkinson’s Run Riverside Park 1stplacesports.com

APRIL 13-14

Atlanta Gladiators VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena jacksonvilleicemen.com

APRIL 14

March To Get Screened

Northbank Riverwalk Artist Square 1stplacesports.com

APRIL 16-21

Jacksonville Suns vs. Norfolk Tides 121 Financial Ballpark milb.com/jacksonville

APRIL 18

Jacksonville 95ers vs. Rocket City Flight

Jacksonville University–Swisher Gym jacksonville95ers.com

APRIL 19

Jacksonville 95ers vs. Rocket City Flight

Jacksonville University–Swisher Gym jacksonville95ers.com

APRIL 20

Jacksonville Sharks vs. Vegas Nighthawks VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena jaxsharks.com

Girls of Virtue 5K Downtown Riverwalk runsignup.com

Run to the Sun 5K Best Bet Orange Park 1stplacesports.com

APRIL 21

Strides for Pride Northbank Riverwalk Artist Square jasmyn.org

APRIL 25

Coastal Georgia Buccaneers

Jacksonville University–Swisher Gym jacksonville95ers.com

APRIL 27

AEW Collision Daily’s Place dailysplace.com

Run to Feed the Hungry Mandarin Presbyterian Church 1stplacesports.com

THE PLAYERS CHAMPIONSHIP RIPPLE EFFECT

Words & photos by Carson Rich

Every year, the serene coastal community of Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida becomes a focal point of anticipation and excitement as it hosts one of the most prestigious events in professional golf — The Players Championship. Held at the iconic TPC Sawgrass, this tournament not only showcases the skills of the world’s top golfers but also leaves an indelible mark on the fabric of Ponte Vedra Beach itself.

Nestled in St. Johns County, Ponte Vedra Beach is renowned for its pristine beaches, upscale resorts and, of course, its championship golf courses. However, it’s The Players Championship that truly puts this quaint city on the global sporting map. Since its inception in 1974, the tournament has evolved into the unofficial fifth major, attracting elite golfers and avid fans from around the globe.

The economic significance of The Players Championship cannot be overstated. Each year, the influx of spectators, players, sponsors and media personnel injects millions of dollars into Ponte Vedra Beach’s economy. This year’s event brought a sold-out Saturday afternoon, filled with thousands of dollars spent on merchandise, food and beverages. Local businesses, from hotels and restaurants to souvenir shops and transportation services, experience a surge in revenue during the tournament week. Moreover, the exposure garnered by Ponte Vedra Beach through extensive media coverage enhances its appeal as a tourist destination, subsequently boosting future tourism revenue. The tournament acts as a catalyst for economic growth, supporting job creation and fostering local development initiatives.

Beyond its economic implications, The Players Championship fosters a sense of community spirit and civic pride in the community, as well as surrounding

areas. Local residents eagerly volunteer for various roles during the tournament, ranging from marshaling to hospitality services, showcasing their dedication to ensuring the event’s success.

Additionally, The Players Championship prioritizes philanthropy through its charitable initiatives. The tournament’s philanthropic arm, The Players Championship Charities, channels funds into numerous local organizations and causes, addressing vital community needs such as education, healthcare and youth development. This commitment to giving back underscores the tournament’s role as a socially responsible entity, further ingraining itself into the fabric of Ponte Vedra Beach.

The Players Championship has become a cultural hallmark of Ponte Vedra, symbolizing the city’s affinity for excellence and tradition. The iconic island green on the 17th hole of the Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass has attained legendary status in the golfing world, serving as a symbol of both challenge and triumph.

The tournament’s rich history and storied moments have become an integral part of Ponte Vedra Beach’s identity, shaping its narrative and fostering a sense of collective heritage among residents and golf enthusiasts alike.

As we count down the days until the next edition of The Players Championship, anticipation and excitement permeate the air. Beyond the fairways and greens, the tournament represents a celebration of sport, community and the enduring spirit of Ponte Vedra Beach. Even though this year’s round has finished, The Players Championship will continue to leave a lasting impression on Ponte Vedra Beach, both on and off the course.

T R I V I A E

MONDAYS

• St. Augustine Fish Company & Oyster House, 6:30 p.m.

• The Brix Taphouse (music bingo), 7 p.m.

• Donovan’s Irish Pub, St. Augustine, 7 p.m.

• Hurricane Grill & Wings–Atlantic Boulevard (music bingo), 7 p.m.

• Hurricane Grill & Wings–Julington Creek (music bingo), 7 p.m.

• Mellow Mushroom–Avondale, 7 p.m.

• Mellow Mushroom–Durbin Pavilion Drive, 7 p.m.

• Mellow Mushroom–Fleming Island, 7 p.m.

• Mellow Mushroom–River City/Northside, 7 p.m.

• Mellow Mushroom–Tinseltown, 7 p.m.

• V Pizza–Fleming Island (music bingo), 7 p.m.

• Jekyll Brewing, 7:30 p.m.

• Rain Dogs, 9 p.m.

• Treylor Park (pop culture trivia), 9 p.m.

TUESDAYS

• Mr. Chubby’s Wings–Fleming Island (music bingo), 6:30 p.m.

• Amici’s, St. Augustine, 7 p.m.

• The Back 40, 7 p.m.

• Bold City Brewery (Name That Tune), 7 p.m.

• Bottlenose Brewing, 7 p.m.

• Dick’s Wings–Nocatee, 7 p.m.

• Dick’s Wings–San Pablo, 7 p.m.

• Harps American Grill, 7 p.m.

• Hoptinger–5 Points (music bingo), 7 p.m.

• Hurricane Grill & Wings–Atlantic Boulevard, 7 p.m.

• Hurricane Grill & Wings–Julington Creek, 7 p.m.

• Hurricane Grill & Wings–Neptune Beach, 7 p.m.

• Island Wing Company–Southside, 7 p.m.

• Jax Craft Beer, 7 p.m.

• Jerry’s Sports Grille, 7 p.m.

• Players Grille, 7 p.m.

• Raindogs, 7 p.m.

• Sahara Cafe, 7 p.m.

• Southern Grill, 7 p.m.

• Surfside Kitchen, St. Augustine, 7 p.m.

• Xtreme Wings Sports Bar and Grille, St. Johns, 7 p.m.

• Culhane’s Irish Pub–Southside, 7:30 p.m.

CAll games are general knowledge trivia unless otherwise noted.

• Flask & Cannon / V Pizza (pop culture), 7:30 p.m.

• King Maker Brewing (Name That Tune), 7:30 p.m.

• Lynch’s Irish Pub (music bingo), 7:30 p.m.

• Time Out Sports Bar, 7:30 p.m.

• Shantytown Pub, 8:30 p.m.

• Surfer the Bar (pop culture trivia), 9:30 p.m.

WEDNESDAYS

• Mr. Chubby’s Wings–Ponte Vedra (music bingo), 6:30 p.m.

• V Pizza–Mandarin (pop culture), 6:30 p.m.

• The Beacon, St. Augustine, 7 p.m.

• Bold City Brewery, 7 p.m.

• Cruisers Grill, 7 p.m.

• Dick’s Wings–Mandarin, 7 p.m.

• Firefly Bay, 7 p.m.

• Ink Factory Brewing, 7 p.m.

• Island Wing Company–Southside Boulevard (music bingo), 7 p.m.

• Mellow Mushroom–Jacksonville Beach, 7 p.m.

• Scarlett O’ Hara’s, St. Augustine, 7 p.m.

• Shaughnessy’s Sports Grill, St. Augustine, 7 p.m.

• V Pizza–Fleming Island (pop culture trivia), 7 p.m.

• Veterans United Craft Brewery, 7 p.m.

• Dick’s Wings–Fleming Island, 7:30 p.m.

• Harps American Grill (pop culture), 7:30 p.m.

• Hoptinger–5 Points, 7:30 p.m.

• Hurricane Grill–Fleming Island, 7:30 p.m.

• King Maker Brewing, 7:30 p.m.

• Time Out Sports Grill, 7:30 p.m

• The Brix Taphouse (pop culture trivia), 8 p.m.

• Hamburger Mary’s (drag bingo, 21+), 8 p.m.

• Hoptinger–Jacksonville Beach, 9 p.m.

THURSDAYS

• Bold City Brewery, 7 p.m.

• Dick’s Wings–Atlantic Boulevard, 7 p.m.

• Justice Pub (music bingo), 7 p.m.

• Kava and Company–San Marco (every other Thursday), 7 p.m.

• Mr. Chubby’s Wings–Ponte Vedra, 7 p.m.

• Whiskey Jax–Baymeadows, 7 p.m.

• Burrito Gallery–Brooklyn (’80s, ’90s & 2000s), 7:30 p.m.

• Flask & Cannon / V Pizza, 7:30 p.m.

• Dick’s Wings–St Augustine, 7:30 p.m.

• Hoptinger–Jax Beach (music bingo), 9 p.m.

SATURDAYS

• Hamburger Mary’s (HamBingo), 2 p.m.

• Dick’s Wings–Atlantic Boulevard, 7 p.m.

• Ink Factory Brewing (Name That Tune), 7 p.m.

SUNDAYS

• Dart Bar, 7 p.m.

• Rain Dogs (B-movie bingo), 7 p.m.

• Ann O’Malley’s Irish Pub, 8 p.m. (first and third Sunday)

NO DAY LEFT BEHIND: IS THERE ANY HOLIDAY TOO WEIRD?

Words by Carmen Macri

As I write this on March 22nd, it is National World Water Day. When I came up with the idea for this story March 18, it was National Awkward Moments Day. Actually, for the last three weeks, there has been a “national holiday” every single day. Multiple national holidays. Every. Single. Day.

So who comes up with these “holidays”? Is there a board meeting where people gather and converse about which niche events deserve their own holiday? The answer is yes. Well, not necessarily a boardroom committee, but have you ever heard of Chase’s Calendar of Events? It has been the go-to guide for everything about special events, global holidays, festivals, civic observances, historical milestones, famous birthdays and tons more since 1957. Well, they have a form in the back of their catalog where anyone can submit a holiday, and now, we suffer the consequences — like National Bathtub Party Day on Dec. 5 or National Sneak Some Zucchini Onto Your Neighbors’ Porch Day on Aug. 8 – both courtesy of contributors Thomas and Ruth Roy.

Well, that answers that.

Back in 2013, Marlo Anderson, a South Dakota entrepreneur, created a blog where he would track the obscure holidays. That blog has since turned into the National Day Calendar where companies spend thousands of dollars to have a “national day” proclaimed and promote their special day. Anderson has recently claimed online they have about 30,000 applications a year for new holidays, like National Cool Whip Day on Jan. 5 or National Dole Whip Day which falls on the third Thursday in July.

The majority of these charmingly unusual holidays lack official recognition on a federal level. Establishing a genuine national holiday entails a significant amount of effort, as it necessitates legalization through an act of Congress. Wouldn’t it be nice to have work off for Fruitcake Toss Day (Jan 3.)? Though they aren’t technically “real” holidays, it’s still nice to pretend.

Here is a list of some of the more obscure and seemingly pointless national “holidays” (in no particular order):

JAN. 6 BEAN DAY

Because why not? Do you know how many types of beans there are? FEB. 2 BEAN THROWING DAY

Was National Bean Day not enough for you? Well, now you have a day to just … throw beans. Though you are responsible for the consequences of your actions should you choose to throw beans at someone.

JAN. 21 SQUIRREL APPRECIATION DAY

Because rats with a perm deserve love too! OCT. 7 BALD AND FREE DAY

Shout out to all of those men with receding hairlines – just shave it off.

MARCH 9

PANIC DAY

Now, this is every day for some of us, but it is nice to have recognition for the malware in our brains. Maybe we can just pent up our panic and let it out on this day only. What could go wrong?

MAY 9

LOST SOCK MEMORIAL DAY

A big F U to all the dryers out there. I think we are all owed financial and emotional compensation for our lost socks (and underwear).

JULY 27

BARBIE-IN-A-BLENDER DAY

A psychiatrist might be needed.

APRIL 14

EX-SPOUSE DAY

Is Valentine’s Day not really your thing? Well, now you have an entire day to … I’m not sure exactly. Think about your ex-spouse and where it all went wrong?

JULY 27

TAKE YOUR PANTS FOR A WALK DAY

I honestly don’t know. Does it mean taking a walk with your pants on or taking a walk while also carrying a separate pair of pants? These are the answers we need and cannot find.

APRIL 11

BARBERSHOP QUARTET DAY

This just makes sense. I feel like a barbershop quartet is akin to the rise and fall of the Roman Empire

SEPT. 5

BE LATE FOR SOMETHING DAY

Have a work meeting? Doctor’s appointment? Well, be late, they will understand. Why would you be on time for something important when you could just … not? (Looking directly at “Folio” creative director.)

DEC. 5

PUT ON YOUR OWN SHOES DAY

We just want to know, if you are not putting on your own shoes, who is? And can we hire them?

JUNE 25

NATIONAL CATFISH DAY

Obviously, this is about the actual fish, but we would like to make an official request to also include the other types of catfish out there … like the ones who use fake pictures online. They deserve recognition too.

JAN. 16

NATIONAL NOTHING DAY

Say less.

JAN. 22

ANSWER YOUR CAT’S QUESTION DAY

Whose cat submitted this holiday? You should be answering your cat’s questions every day. They are inquisitive little things.

JAN. 8

NATIONAL MAN WATCHERS DAY

A holiday for all you peeping Toms. Ladies, gents and everything in between, take the day to watch the male species as they go about their daily lives. Maybe then we can get some insight into where they find the audacity.

JAN. 10 QUITTERS DAY

Quit your job! You don’t need it; just print your own money.

JAN. 31

NATIONAL GORILLA SUIT DAY

Makes complete and total sense. No description is needed.

FEB. 10

NATIONAL POOP DAY

Shout out to all the hot girls out there with IBS! You are seen! Go sit atop your porcelain throne!

MARCH 8 BE NASTY DAY

Now this is a holiday. Someone shoved past you and didn’t apologize? Throw your coffee at them. Someone didn’t hold the elevator open for you? There are not enough curses in the English language. A kid is running past you on the sidewalk? You know what to do. (Kidding.)

THERESA CAPUTO (AKA THE LONG ISLAND MEDIUM) BRINGS MESSAGES OF LOVE AND PEACE … FROM THE GREAT BEYOND

Words by Kerry Speckman

“I’ll be the first to admit, what I do might sound crazy,” medium Theresa Caputo said via phone from Oregon, where she’s on tour with “Theresa Caputo Live: The Experience.” “Communicating with the dead? It seems impossible, doesn’t it?”

But whether or not anyone doubts Caputo’s ability to connect with the dead doesn’t faze her. The best-selling author, star of TLC’s “Long Island Medium (which aired for 14 seasons) and “Theresa Caputo: Raising Spirits” currently airing on Lifetime knows she’s bringing comfort and peace to the thousands of followers seeking connection with their departed loved ones.

Caputo’s journey with the “Spirit,” her term for the sixth sense linking her with souls in the afterlife, began at the age of four. Initially terrifying, she struggled to comprehend her experiences.

It wasn’t until her 20s, battling crippling anxiety, that she sought help from a spiritual healer. They revealed her anxiety stemmed from suppressing Spirit’s energy. Once she embraced her gift, her life transformed.

“My work revolves around healing. People yearn to know if their loved ones are at peace,” Caputo explains. Through private readings, public appearances, and live shows, she shares intimate details—sometimes uncomfortably close—that only the departed and their loved ones would know. This, she believes, validates Spirit’s direct communication with the deceased.

Acknowledging skeptics, Caputo respects their doubts and extends an invitation for them to witness her abilities firsthand at the Jacksonville Center for the Performing Arts on April 13.

FILM REVIEW

Road House

Words by Harry Moore

There is an episode of “Family Guy” where Peter watches the action movie Road House starring Patrick Swayze and learns that he can solve all his problems by kicking. For a younger generation, this was the lasting cultural imprint of “Road House.” That and Swayze rips the main bad guy’s throat out of his neck. Anyway, that film has now been remade for modern audiences with Jake Gyllenhaal in the lead as a man who solves all his problems by punching. Gyllenhaal stars as Dalton, a disgraced UFC fighter turned drifter, who is offered a lucrative job as a bouncer for the rowdiest bar in the Florida Keys, The Road House. But as soon as Dalton arrives and starts taking out the trash, he draws the ire of a local property developer (Billy Magnussen) trying to build a resort on top of the land, who opts for calling in some hired goons to take care of the super-bouncer.

Director Doug Liman is the kind of journeyman filmmaker who was once a common breed in Hollywood. Neither a visionary auteur, a franchise shepherd, nor grinding in the indie scene, Liman has enjoyed a varied filmography of studio films throughout his career ranging from great with “Edge of Tomorrow “and “The Bourne Identity” to forgettable with “Mr. and Mrs. Smith” and flat-out terrible with “Chaos Walking.” “Road House” feels destined to land somewhere between forgettable and enjoyable; some fun bar brawls and a solid performance from an overqualified Gyllenhaal carry the material, but it barely manages to leave an impact otherwise.

The remake fails to live up to the anarchic, B-movie fun of the original, distinctly lacking the necessary ingredients of an ass-kicking Sam Elliott and throat rips. Dalton also sparks up a romance with a local ER nurse (Daniela Melchior) that is such an afterthought it is barely worth noting.

Gyllenhaal has been in an interesting run in his career recently, between performing Shakespeare on Broadway, he has lent his on-screen gravitas almost exclusively to down-and-dirty action films from directors such as Michael Bay and Guy Ritchie, drifting away from intensely committed dramatic performances in dramas like “Prisoners” and “Nightcrawler” that he was once known for. In “Road House” he dials back his patented intensity, giving Dalton a laidback and friendly demeanor that hides his violent, animalistic instincts simmering beneath the surface. In a piece of stunt casting that in no way feels at least five years too late, former UFC star Conor McGregor gives his first film performance, disappearing into his role as a mouthy scumbag with a talent for dishing out violent beatdowns in an almost Day-Lewis-esque transformation. Who knows what roles this thespian will inhabit in the future. Magnussen and Melchior do their best with the material given them, but the screenplay is bloated with too many characters who could have easily been streamlined into fewer, more fleshed out parts.

As a vaguely diverting action movie with a likable leading performance — and a villain who you can really enjoy watching the shit get beat out of — “Road House” just about manages to be a success, but it is held back by an obligatory checklist of uninspired plot beats that the film can barely muster any enthusiasm for. An aggressively OK that is as memorable as a concussion.

THEATER/DANCE

APRIL 4

Swan Lake Florida Theatre floridatheatre.com

Dinosaur World Live Thrasher-Horne Center thcenter.og

APRIL 5

Grand Story Slam BABS’ LAB at CoRK barbaracolaciello.com

APRIL 10-14

“If/Then”

Flagler College–Lewis Auditorium flagler.edu

APRIL 12-21

“Spamalot” Island Theater, Fleming Island theislandtheater.com

APRIL 12-24

Jacksonville Film Festival: Viva La Cinema Various locations jacksonvillefilmfestival.com

APRIL 12-27

“Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike” Amelia Community Theatre, Fernandina Beach ameliacommunitytheatre.org

APRIL 12-28

“Pollyanna” Artist Connection Theatre artistconnectiontheatre.org

APRIL 13

Theresa Caputo Live: The Experience Florida Theatre floridatheatre.com

Steve Trash: Science Live! FSCJ South Campus–Wilson Center for the Arts fscjartistsries.org

APRIL 17

“Here Comes Tomorrow: Cinema of the Last Century” MOCA Jacksonville mocajacksonville.unf.edu

APRIL 18

Gujarati Drama: Be Adhee Khichdi Kadhi Ritz Theatre & Museum ritzjacksonville.com

APRIL 18-20

Spring Dance Concert Jacksonville University–Swisher Theater ju.edu

APRIL 19-MAY 5

“Picasso at the Lapin Agile” Theatre Jacksonville theatrejax.com

“God of Carnage: Orange Park Community Theatre opct.info

APRIL 19-MAY 12

“First Date” Limelight Theatre, St. Augustine limelight-theatre.org

APRIL 20

Fiat Lux Film Festival Jacksonville University–Swisher Theater ju.edu

APRIL 24

“The Outsiders” with C. Thomas Howell Live! Sun-Ray Cinema sunraycinema.com

“The Psychology of Serial Killers and Why They Captivate Us”

Florida Theatre floridatheatre.com

APRIL 27-MAY 4

Disney’s “Frozen”

Jacksonville Center for the Performing Arts fscjartistseries.org

FRIDAYS AND SATURDAYS

Magician Bill Abbott at the Magic Hideway

Casa Monica Resort & Spa, St. Augustine magichideaway.com

CIRQUE DU SOLEIL: CORTEO

A Late But Better Than Never Review

Words by Ambar Ramirez & photos provided by MajaPrgomet

Cirque du Soleil is known for its artistic evolution, always pushing the bounds of what’s possible and raising the bar. At any Cirque Du Soleil show, you can expect dangerous stunts, hypnotizing storylines, detailed stage design, intricate costumes and large crowds. And Cirque du Soleil: Corteo was no exception.

If you could plan your own funeral, what would it look like? Would you want everyone dressed in black, tears streaming down their cheeks? Or would you want color and laughter? A celebration of life, rather than a mourning. Mauro, the main character in Cirque Du Soleil: Corteo and the one being honored in this funeral procession, wanted to put on one last (epic) show.

The show began with Mauro lying on his deathbed, recounting the joy he had for life surrounded by important characters and live music. (side note: A lot of Italian is spoken so it’s OK if you don’t understand what he is saying … that’s the point). Then came the angels. The angels whisk Mauro from his deathbed and the show truly begins.

Without giving away too much, the show is all about the complexity of life. The good and the bad, the grand with the intimate, the beauty of perfection and imperfection. A story about life and death. All told through stunts that had me holding my breath and that had a deeper meaning that went past the physical.

Stunts included performers hanging from (actual) chandeliers, symbolizing Mauro’s past lovers and the essence of being in love. Beds were outfitted with trampolines, evoking the nostalgic joy of bouncing on beds in youth. An interactive scene featured a performer strapped to giant balloons, floating through the arena with audience participation. A daring display of chutzpah that raises some tension between the characters but ultimately ends with a smile on everyone’s face. Then, there’s the grand finale on horizontal bars, that Cirque Du Soleil describes as the perfect farewell for Mauro. An ultimate test of strength, harmony and bravery.

Jonathan Buese, Cirque Du Soleil performer since 2010, has been doing gymnastics his whole entire life “just down the road in Gainesville,” and is one of many who closes out the show on the bars.

“I’ve always done high bar stunts,” Buese shared. “A lot of the time, just because it’s generally a group act, the high bar numbers generally close the show, so it’s really fun to close the show because it’s sort of the crescendo and finale act, where the emotions are there at the peak.”

OK, so maybe I did give away too much. But, to be fair, it’s one thing to read about the show and another to see it. And what’s even more exciting than seeing the magical show live, is seeing all that goes down behind the scenes that makes the show magical.

“We are all from different countries,” Galliard explained. “And while we all speak English, I always say our second language is trust.”

Alexandra Gaillard, senior publicist for Corteo, shared that this show is unlike most Cirque du Soleil shows. Cirque Du Soleil: Corteo’s had an additional emphasis on the people rather than the characters they are made to play. For this show, the typical heavy makeup was replaced with light make-up that accentuated the performers natural features. The costumes were still very detailed yet still held an element of casualness … in the context of what circus performers usually wear.

Unbound from the constraints of having to play a part disguised in elaborate makeup and costumes, performers were able to improvise performances — with practice of course. While getting a tour backstage with Galliard, artists were testing out some new stunts to incorporate into the acts. All of which, as Galliard emphasized, is where the technicians play a huge role in making everything possible. What looks so effortless on stage is made up of months of practice, communication between performers and technicians and, most important, trust.

“We are all from different countries,” Galliard explained. “And while we all speak English, I always say our second language is trust.”

Every aspect of the show, from the stunts to the lighting and music tempo, is intentional and carefully thought out. For everything that can go wrong, they have a backup. As Galliard said, “The show must go on.”

MAKE AMERICA LATE AGAIN –THE SAN MARCO TRAIN SAGA

Words by Carmen Macri

Remember when Wendy’s Twitter account went supernova with their comeback tweets a few years back? Well, brace yourself for déjà vu, but on a neighborhood level. This time, it’s not a fast-food joint, it’s the San Marco Train Twitter account causing a stir. Yep, that infamous train — the one responsible for gridlock, tardiness excuses and a cacophony of noise complaints (seriously, is that volume even legal?)

In 2016, amidst the frustration of the San Marco Train’s notorious delays, a new Twitter account emerged aiming to inject humor into the situation. Yet, its idea of humor involved trolling anyone venting about the train — a move that’s undeniably hysterical. This account, boldly dubbing itself the “hero train,” scoffed at our limited concept of time, often quipping, “You’re welcome for the extra ‘you’ time” to those lamenting their perpetual lateness caused by the sluggish locomotive. Now, being called out by the San Marco Train Twitter account has become a local badge of honor.

Fortunately, “Folio” managed to uncover the genius behind the notorious account: Jack DeYoung, who graciously attributes the inspiration to his boss, Joe Sampson. DeYoung’s tardiness one fateful day, courtesy of the train, prompted a call to Sampson to explain his delay. It was during this conversation that Sampson conceived of the idea of starting the account. DeYoung wasted no time, sending out the inaugural tweet before the train had even passed.

“I started it in 2016 and the social media landscape was pretty vitriolic — I just wanted to inject a little bit of silliness amidst the interminable doomscrolling that was happening at the time,” DeYoung explained. “As far as the train’s movements are concerned, I think the chaotic unpredictability is part of what makes it so frustrating and (hopefully) funny. You’re so beholden to this unpredictable train, and I loved the idea of the train being this unapologetic, self-aggrandizing entity in the face of that. Plus, any chance to be cartoonishly pompous like Stephen Colbert on old episodes of ‘The Colbert Report’ will always be fun for me.”

He truly nailed it with his unabashed, self-aggrandizing, and outrageously pompous demeanor, never skipping a beat, even when an irate commuter tweets about the myriad trivial inconveniences caused by the train.

“I used to OBSESS over the responses in the early days of the account to the point where my wife had to ask me to stop asking her if something sounded like something the train would say. It was more than a little ridiculous,” DeYoung shared.

Let’s take a stroll down some of our favorite tweets made by the train, shall we?

Seems like the train has a special knack for picking fights with local news stations, arriving right on cue to delay their broadcasts. It’s like it’s got a schedule specifically designed to mess with their timing.

“The ‘feuds’ with local personality types like Melissa Ross [former host of “First Coast Connect] and that dude Lew Turner [First Coast News anchor and meteorologist] who seems to just stick his finger out in the air in the morning and call it meteorology (just kidding, that guy rules) is when the larger community got behind it,” DeYoung said.

And don’t worry, even DeYoung has issues with the slow pace of the train too

“People need to realize they can use the slow pace of the train to their benefit. There is nary a person in Jacksonville who won’t accept ‘I was caught by the train’ as an excuse for being late,” DeYoung shared. “Whoever makes the train schedule does seem to have an uncanny knack for anticipating when I’m really in a hurry to arrive somewhere important because that’s when the long one always seems to roll out.”

“I definitely wanted it to be funny in a way that would make my coworkers and my wife laugh. I actually work in digital marketing/social media for a living and the first few posts started off as a way to blow off steam (pun mercifully unintended) and try to find a creative outlet,” said DeYoung.

“I think I’ve got The Train voice down pretty well at this point. I’m fully aware that saying things like ‘The Train voice’ sounds insane, by the way,” DeYoung explained.

“Only one person just couldn’t fathom that it was a parody. I don’t know them personally, but their response was so incensed because they thought CSX or I don’t know, some nefarious locomotive lobby was blocking them and then bragging about it,” DeYoung shared. “The level of their anger blew me away, and truth be told, they were so vociferous in their rage that it probably encouraged me to keep the account going in the early days. You know who you are and I thank you.”

“There was one other person who tweeted in the early days that it wasn’t funny at all. Because I have the emotional maturity of a toddler, I thought about it a lot,” DeYoung explained. “I think I’d be friends with that person, so, if you remember writing that, hit me up so we can complain about why so many people inexplicably like the Red Hot Chili Peppers, or you can give me advice on how to sleep better with newborn twins at home or something.”

When asked if he has received any feedback or reactions from the San Marco train operators or officials, DeYoung responded with:

“Nope. The Second Industrial Revolution waits for no dumb parody account, I’m afraid.”

COMEDY

APRIL 1

Brew Ha-Ha Improv Comedy Blue Fire Theatre, Yulee bluefirethreatre.org

APRIL 3

Rich Guzzi Comedy Zone comedyzone.com

APRIL 4-6

Big Jay Oakerson Comedy Zone comedyzone.com

APRIL 5-6

First Coast Comedy

The Main Event, 7:30 p.m. Adult Show (21+ only), 10 p.m.

First Coast Comedy firstcoastcomedy.com

APRIL 11-13

Dulcé Sloan Comedy Zone comedyzone.com

APRIL 12

Andrew Schulz

Jacksonville Center for the Performing Arts jaxevents.com

Etta May and the Southern Fried Chicks Florida Theatre floridatheatre.com

APRIL 12-13

First Coast Comedy

The Main Event, 7:30 p.m.

Adult Show (21+ only), 10 p.m. First Coast Comedy firstcoastcomedy.com

APRIL 13

Don’t Tell Comedy Somewhere in the Railyard District donttellcomedy.com

APRIL 19

Katt Williams

VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena jaxevents.com

Clean Comedy Series ft. Nick Harvey Murray Hill Theatre murrayhilltheatre.com

Don’t Tell Comedy Somewhere in Avondale dontellcomedy.com

APRIL 19-20

ISMO

Comedy Zone comedyzone.com

First Coast Comedy

The Main Event, 7:30 p.m.

Adult Show (21+ only), 10 p.m.

First Coast Comedy firstcoastcomedy.com

APRIL 24

Nimesh Patel Comedy Zone comedyzone.com

APRIL 25

Hannah Berner

Florida Theatre floridatheatre.com

APRIL 26-27

Jon Caparulo

Comedy Zone comedyzone.com

First Coast Comedy

The Main Event, 7:30 p.m.

Adult Show (21+ only), 10 p.m.

First Coast Comedy firstcoastcomedy.com

19 YEARS SUPPORTING NFAN MARY H. LEWIS FOOD PANTRY

YOGA 4 ALL: BREAKING BARRIERS

Words & photos by Jillian Lombardo

Did you know that yoga participation in the U.S. has skyrocketed recently? Unfortunately for many in North Florida, particularly those facing financial hardship or trauma, the benefits of yoga remain out of reach. Enter Yoga 4 Change, a transformative non-profit that makes a difference one downward-facing dog at a time.

Celebrating a decade of making yoga accessible to all, Yoga 4 Change continues to empower individuals through mindful movement. They pride themselves on a trauma-informed, trauma-aware philosophy. Their conversational approach helps connect the mind to the body for a unique experience. Its teachers embody support and truly live and breathe this model. They meet people where they are, whether incarcerated, recovering or battling mental health issues. As a non-profit, classes produced by Yoga 4 Change are always free. The organization seeks grants and partnerships to create an environment accessible to everyone. Reaching their 10th birthday is a testament to Yoga 4 Change’s dedication and life-changing impact on countless individuals.

“We provide the tools for people to empower themselves, to continue to grow, and just to get better and better,” said Kim Simon, a teacher for Yoga 4 Change.

Kathryn Thomas is a veteran who suffered from an injury that affected her mind and body. In a search for comfort, she found yoga. It became such an empowering and helpful tool that she wanted to share it with others to utilize in the same way: Yoga 4 Change. She initially focused on four segments: veterans, incarcerated, mental health and youth. The passion of one person who saw the benefits and wanted to bring it to others who might not have access has since blossomed into various fields of need.

It’s a different environment than a studio. There are prenatal women or those who are housing insecure. Many would not have access or wouldn’t try yoga if not for these opportunities and the partnerships made throughout the years.

Yoga is a personal practice. You can find what you like, and the facilitators will help guide you. What you get out of it is inevitably up to you. Simon encourages people to try it. She said people would be surprised at their capabilities. The organization makes sure there is something for everyone. Whether it’s a stress-free environment, a full-body stretch or a moment to connect to your mind and spirit, Yoga 4 Change will meet you at your capabilities. They have classes where participants will be on a mat, while others may be in wheelchairs, some paralyzed or missing a limb. Yoga 4 Change instructors are trained to produce a class that benefits everyone, making it as adaptable as possible so everyone can benefit. “You’ll be surprised,” Simon echoed. “There is a little something for everyone.”

Simon discovered Yoga 4 Change four years ago after seeking help for her back issues. She was a caregiver for her mother, transporting her from the bed to the chair or the bathroom. It slowly took a toll on her body. After her mother’s passing, Simon had more free time and decided to jump in with both feet by attending a yoga training course. A friend introduced her to Yoga 4 Change and gifted her a trauma yoga book, the spark that ignited this passion.

Simon now teaches classes in the Putnam County Jail and for Recovery Point in Palatka. At first, many who left the Putnam jail had no safe space to practice yoga. While there were offers at local breweries that were perfect for their classes, the locations were simply too problematic for those coming out of recovery. Recovery Point stepped in and became that safe space for them.

“You can choose to rest if that’s what you need today; that’s yoga,” said Simon. “You can choose to be curious and adventurous and challenge yourself. That’s up to you. So really, what they get out of it is up to them, and I think that’s why it works.”

Yoga 4 Change defines “change” as the ability to grow, learn, cope and forgive. Gratitude is a significant backbone of their beliefs. They strive to provide a safe space for participants, many of whom are wearing their trauma on their sleeves, to explore their capabilities and their thoughts. The introduction of gratitude can be a struggle for many students of Yoga 4 Change. Instructors have witnessed participants becoming emotional or opening up because the class impacted them. It’s not a superficial relationship; the instructors know they are not therapists, but they are there to provide tools to help students navigate their feelings.

Yoga 4 Change was established in Duval County, where it continues to offer its largest range of classes. Its impact has blossomed, reaching Clay, St. Johns, Nassau and Putnam counties. It recently brought its practice to Flagler County through Project WARM (Women Assisting Recovery Mothers), a residential behavioral healthcare program, and occasionally holds special events in Gainesville.

The organization’s ambitious vision extends farther west with a potential new location in Tallahassee and aspirations to reach the entire Florida Panhandle.

A grant from Florida Blue made Yoga 4 Change’s expansion into the Tampa/ Orlando area a few years ago possible. But the story doesn’t end there. After the grant ended, many hosting facilities secured funding to keep the classes going. This powerful ripple effect speaks volumes about the positive change Yoga 4 Change brings to individuals and communities.

After weeks in Yoga 4 Change classes, a participant finally felt safe to share a secret with her teacher, Simon. She expressed that the only time she felt the ability to be creative was when she was using drugs, specifically methamphetamine. It was not until her introduction to meditation that she found an outlet or safe space within herself to be creative.

Another participant arrived at Yoga 4 Change from a troublesome situation. Inside those walls, they discovered a path to healing and purpose. This person felt inspired to become a teacher for Yoga 4 Change. An alumnus of the program, they now strive to give others the guidance and meditation they received through the program. (If you want to join this mission, their next yoga teacher training will be in the fall of 2024.)

“We all see the benefits, we practice, we see it in real-time with students, and for those of us who are teaching, we all care,” Simon said.

While yoga studios continue to flourish, Yoga 4 Change reminds us that this practice is for everyone, regardless of background or circumstance. They are breaking down barriers and proving that yoga’s transformative power can reach even the most unexpected places. To learn more or to find a location near you, visit Y4C.org.

“420 friendly” is a term that originated in cannabis culture and it typically means that a person or a place is open to the use of marijuana or cannabis. It’s often used to indicate that someone is comfortable with the presence or use of marijuana, whether for recreational or medicinal purposes. For example, if someone mentions that their apartment is “420 friendly,” it usually means that they don’t mind if guests smoke marijuana there.

What 420 Means and Where it Came From

“420” is a term that originated in cannabis culture, often used to refer to the consumption of marijuana. Its exact origins are debated, but one popular theory traces it back to a group of high school students in California in the 1970s who would meet at 4:20 p.m. to search for a rumored abandoned cannabis crop. Over time, “420” became a code word for marijuana consumption and evolved into a symbol of cannabis culture and counterculture more broadly. Today, April 20th (4/20) is celebrated as a day of cannabis appreciation and activism in many parts of the world.

AMIYAH’S PERFECT 420 PLAYLIST

Participating in the experience that is cannabis consumption varies from participant to participant with copious methods of consumption, intentions and intensity, a euphoric trip with ganja always feels better with the aid of music. Sensitivities heightened while under the influence, our appreciation for art seems to reach a different level of understanding, allowing us to be more in tune with instrumentation and vocal abilities, while also recognizing language and lyricism that may have not stood out before.

I have created what I think is the perfect playlist to accompany your 420 smoke session (and any future ones) with handpicked songs curated from my deep love and appreciation of music while also supporting an environment that allows for a blissful trip.

With music from a variety of genres, I hope this playlist expands your musical palate and your internal flow.

Happy 420! Trip safely!

GOODBYE HANGOVERS, HELLO HIGH!

Words by Mallory Pace

We finally have a healthy trend circulating TikTok: sobriety. Sobriety from alcohol, that is. There has been a change in representation for the sober community as more and more users take to social media to share their experiences and document their recoveries. There’s also those who choose not to drink alcohol out of preference for another vice … Did I mention this is the 4/20 issue?

As someone who doesn’t traditionally partake in the festivities of this holiday, I have found myself somewhat enthralled with the weed-smoking community on social media. They’re always happy about something. They’re eating good food without shame, and they never have hangovers. Alcohol has always been incredibly normalized, but cannabis not so much. In my opinion, a drunk person is much more dangerous than one high on marijuana, but alcohol is much more prevalent and celebrated in society than smoking weed for reasons that are too deeply rooted for me to get into. Nevertheless, there has certainly been a shift in people’s attitudes toward alcohol, one that directs the attention onto its alternatives, which are plentiful.

In the last few years alone, the seltzer market has skyrocketed. What started as White Claw and Truly has turned into Sunny D Hard Seltzer, Simply Spiked Lemonade, Mountain Dew Hard Seltzer and High Noon Hard Seltzers (with vodka and tequila!), to name a few. Although the range of alcoholic options is a bit wider than its counterpart, there are more 0% alcohol options than ever before with White Claw, Budweiser, Coors, Bud Light and even more brands stepping into the non-alcohol zone, including 0% IPAs!

The uptick in alcohol replacements has gone further than 0% alcohol drinks, but we’re now seeing beverages and seltzers infused with CBD, THC, Delta-9 or some variation of the mix. Quick chemistry lesson: CBD is a chemical found in marijuana that doesn’t contain THC, the psychoactive ingredient that produces a high. There are three common forms of THC — delta-8, -9 and -10 — though the THC found in marijuana plants is typically delta-9. Delta-8 has become increasingly popular in the last decade and is found in marijuana plants in very small amounts, so its products are typically made by synthetically converting CBD or delta-9 THC into delta-8. Although research on it is somewhat limited, studies have found that consumers feel that delta-8 has less intense side effects than typical marijuana. There is very little research done on delta-10, though it has a similar makeup to that of delta-8.

These cannabis-derived products are rapidly hitting the market and are currently legal for recreational use, though they’re not FDA approved. They’re typically found as edibles and ingestible forms, or a smoking device similar to a vape pen. But more recently, they’re hitting the bars. A new delta-8-infused seltzer called hi has been introduced to Jacksonville and several of its bars and breweries recently, and promises zero sugar, zero calories and of course, zero alcohol. According to hi’s website, their processing facility, one of 20 in the U.S., features “in-line pasteurization” for guaranteed freshness, and their carbonation process utilizes actual “carb-stones” to deliver the most bubbles of any cannabis-infused drink on the market.

According to sites’ product locator, hi is currently sold at dozens of local bars, breweries, restaurants and dispensaries across Jacksonville, including Pete’s Bar, Mango’s Beach Bar, Green Room Brewing, Engine 15 Brewing Co. and Dick’s Wings.

And these alcohol alternatives continue to emerge. One popular beverage circulating TikTok called Nowadays is a cannabis-infused beverage that can be taken as a shot or made into a mocktail. The dosages range from 2-10 mg per serving so consumers can pick what works for them. Nowadays has rave reviews on TikTok as people express how they’re able to fit in with alcohol drinkers without feeling left out or pressured to join them.

Another common alternative that’s been in the game for quite some time is kava, a drug made from the ground roots of a plant found in the South Pacific. It’s most commonly consumed as a drink and used to treat anxiety. It has a sedating, relaxing effect while delivering a “social buzz.” Kava bars scatter Jacksonville, offering various kava-based drinks and a chill atmosphere. These spots are perfect for social gatherings without the chaos that typically follows with alcohol and can be found in Riverside, Jacksonville Beach, San Marco, Mandarin and St. Augustine, among others.

The allure of drinking has a lot, if not all, to do with the social aspect of it. Whether that’s meeting up with friends for happy hour or sporting events, hitting the town for a girl’s night out or hosting a party at home, alcohol is typically a big part of social gatherings. If that’s good or bad is irrelevant — alcohol is part of our society and socialization and that’s fine, but people who choose to not drink deserve to have fun of their own. These alcohol alternatives give them the same opportunity to partake in the social aspect of drinking with everyone else. Don’t discriminate against someone’s vice just because it’s not yours. (Except for maybe meth; don’t do meth.) We all have our guilty pleasures, but just because alcohol is so normalized doesn’t mean it’s the best option … really, far from it. If anything, we need to shift the normalcy to being sober, or at least free to partake in what relaxes us as long as it’s not hurting anyone. So, cheers to whatever it is that suits you!

POSTSCRIPT: In early March the Florida Legislature approved a bill to ban delta-8 THC products and if the bill is signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis, it will go into effect on Oct. 1. This move would reverse the 2019 provisions when Florida updated its CBD laws to align with the 2018 Farm Bill that said hemp and hemp extracts were legal, so hemp-derived cannabinoids, like delta-8, were no longer controlled substances. Mr. DeSantis, if you’re reading this, I’m sorry for anything I’ve said or written about you … I didn’t mean it … please don’t sign the bill. The people want to get high.

NIGHTMARE BLUNT ROTATION

Words by Amiyah Golden

Although we’re way past the Halloween season, horror knows no bounds. With 4/20 approaching — an annual affair for Mary Jane indulgers — it serves as a time to come together with fellow partakers and pass the blunt. Being a part of the rotation is an honor and I’m sure if you were invited to join, you’re fancied by the people in your circle. But sometimes there’s that one loose cannon, the person you dread being high around. As you inhale and travel through dimensions, the absence of ego, bickering and annoyance would be nice — and there’s a select few people that I would rather throw away the entire eighth for than get blazed with. Therefore, I’d like to introduce my nightmare blunt rotation: Kanye West, Candace Owens, Elon Musk, JoJo Siwa, Jaxson de Ville, Eric Cartman, Clay from “Love is Blind,” Ms. Netta and Charles, and Leslie Knope.

Now before y’all beat me up because I know how y’all like to tussle about your cult lea… I mean, favorite figures, hear me out first.

Kanye West or Ye, as he’s being requested to be called, would absolutely make me ash my blunt immediately. Politically, morally and all around, we would not get along; musically, maybe, but I don’t think we would be able to keep a conversation contained. I think once we spark up and start disagreeing he would absolutely start a smear campaign against me. A Gemini and a Sagittarius arguing while bake just doesn’t seem like a good idea … if I wanted to do so I would argue with my ex.

Along, the same lines of politics and controversy, Candace Owens, would fall in the same realm for me as Kanye West. As a hardcore Conservative with some very bold views, Candace and I would just absolutely kill the vibe with our back and forth. I respect differing views than I value discourse so much — it’s become my favorite pastime even — but Ms. Owens is very firm on her ideologies of social change and we would get nowhere in a conversation sober, not to mention high.

Next would be Elon Musk. Honestly, the true beef I have with this man is him changing Twitter’s name to X and naming his child, X Æ A-12, for that alone… I would not share my blunt.

A trip with Jojo Siwa would simply feel like childhood actress trauma mixed with self-discovery, glitter and the continual performance of her latest song — that I’ve heard enough for three lifetimes against my will — and I would just rather not engage with Ms. Siwa while I’m floating like a kite.

To all my Duval family, please don’t hate me but Jaxson de Ville scares the crap out of me. It’s a childhood fear that continues to plague me today and the idea of seeing a mascot face half illuminated by the glow from the fire of a lighter actually would give me lifelong night terrors.

Eric Cartman — the character you are — if you haven’t watched the infamous animated series, “South Park,” you may be confused why I have a gripe with a fictional character, but this 10-year-old cartoon character is so evil … oh, my goodness. Cartman would definitely manipulate me during our trip, and I would probably end up in an awful predicament because of him, and he would just be laughing so, no.

Now, if you’ve indulged in the dumpster fire that has been season six of “Love is Blind,” I would hope you would share similar grievances with me about Clay Gravesande. I’m truly convinced he’s not real, but if he is, it would make getting high with him even worse. He would absolutely hate me after our trip because I would ask him everything America wanted to know (that we didn’t get answered during the reunion) and would not stop pestering him until he answered truthfully. Also, he’s a Gemini as well and that conversation would end in hellfire, so it would be best (for the both of us) if he wasn’t a part of the rotation.

Now, this next duo may be a bit niche to the masses but, Ms. Netta and Charles, the couple who has become somewhat social media famous, have absolutely infiltrated my algorithm and I’m sick of seeing them. So to not be able to escape them during a smoke session would make me burn all of the remaining weed. Imagine continually hearing, “Charles your lunch is ready!” while stoned… absolutely not.

Finally, Ms. Leslie Knope. Although Amy Poehler in real life seems like a gem, she played her role as Leslie Knope in “Parks and Recreation” a little too well and now my brain automatically recognizes her as a legitimate historical figure. Watching “Parks and Recreation” made me want to leap into the television and squabble with her, but if we were smoking…. I think I would lose brain cells trying to keep her from gaslighting me.

Well, thankfully, I’m just a little nobody and I will never meet these people or characters ever in real life, let alone grasp an opportunity to participate in a collective smoke session, but if I ever do … please come save me.

MURRAY HILL FARMERS MARKET:

CULTIVATING CONNECTIONS THROUGH

LOCAL FOOD, REGENERATION

AND COMMUNITY

Words & photos by Ambar Ramirez

Nearly every day it seems that a study comes out with information about harmful chemicals and components being found in our food. Whether it’s microplastics, micropollutants, Red 40 or GMO, they are making their way into our food, grocery stores and bodies. With the influx of information regarding our apparent disregard for nutrition labels, manufacturing morals and harmful digestives, it makes sense that we are naturally entering an era where people care more about the food’s nutritional value rather than what it looks like. More than that, because, of course, our consumerist tendencies go further than just what we eat, we are seeing a focus on supporting and buying local.

And in Murray Hill, there’s a farmer’s market setting the standard as to what our future can look like in regard to how (and where) we get our food and how we can be more conscious about the food we are getting.

Murray Hills Farmer Market started back in 2022 when Miranda Jayde, marketing manager and founder, and Nadia Korths, co-founder, noticed a lack of access to sustainable products in the Murray Hill area.

Folio: What inspired you to start the Murray Hill Farmers Market, and what values do you aim to promote through its existence?

Miranda Jayde: The Murray Hill Farmers Market was brought into the world to promote the importance of regenerative agriculture, to create a more connected local food system, and to foster a sense of community around locally grown food. I started volunteering at a farm and gained a huge respect for agriculture, then co-founder and friend Nadia Korths suggested to me, “What if you were to start a farmers market in Murray Hill?” Noticing that I had some ideal skills for management as well as connections, particularly in the local agriculture scene and in the neighborhood, Nadia and I combined our brains and hearts to develop a model for a small- to medium-sized farmers market — proportional to the area it resides — that is centered around sustainability and food sovereignty, the two core values of the market.”

This model can be replicated in other parts of town in order to move toward the vision of a neighborhood that embodies natural beauty, ecological health and an abundant capacity beyond the standards we have become accustomed to. Where a problem exists, there also exists an opportunity for a solution, for growth, and for connection; in this case, connection to our food and to each other. A complex issue such as this one can be frustrating because there is no quick fix. It takes a whole lot of time and people that care enough to make change happen.

Folio: Can you tell us about the process of selecting vendors for the market? What criteria do you prioritize in choosing participants? Any specific vendors you want to highlight?

Jayde: The five categories of vendors are directly linked to the mission:

1. Food grown/produced locally

2. Value added products/cottage industry foods (ex: pickles, breads)

3. Food related products (ex: wooden cutting boards/spoons)

4. Health/wellness/lifestyle (ex: candles, detergents, sustainable home goods)

5. Farming/gardening related products (ex: seeds, plant starts)

We have decided not to include any jewelry, art, craft or clothing vendors for this market, as we are holding a strong focus on our mission and core values. A few vendors that are an excellent representation of MHFM are ChanDanko Farms, Harmony Mushroom Co., Clinical Traditions Co., Prema Bakes and Seitanic Jax. The folks behind all five of these businesses are hyper-local (live within five miles of the market), practice or support sustainable agriculture, and play a role in bringing wholesome, high quality food/medicine directly to consumers. They are quite charming as well!

Folio: How does the market educate consumers about the importance of supporting local food systems and the benefits of consuming fresh, locally sourced produce?

Jayde: The vendors are the market, and due to our careful selection of vendors that align with our values and mission, each week they naturally educate the people who come by sharing the stories and experiences of how they grow and/or make what they offer. We would like to, in the future, offer workshops and demonstrations during the market as an educational component. The best example of this would be an event we put on last year in March called Hug-A-Farmer Day, in collaboration with the Duval Soil and Water Conservation District, with the simple intent of appreciating the farmers in our local food system and strengthening the network in Jacksonville. There were some activities including a farm passport, where customers collected stamps from each of the farmers and could exchange it for a seed pack prize. Hugs were exchanged, and six farms/farmers each received a gift basket of local and farm related goodies! We’re in the midst of planning a second Hug-AFarmer Day for 2024.

Folio: In what ways do you engage with marginalized or underserved communities to enhance their access to fresh, nutritious foods through the market?

Jayde: Accessibility … we are bringing some of the best quality groceries around Jacksonville directly to a diverse historic neighborhood that people can easily walk or bike to. Murray Hill is, relatively speaking, a food desert, meaning there are no grocery stores directly in the neighborhood. An important goal we have is to become a part of the FAB (Fresh Access Bucks) program, which not only accepts SNAP/EBT as currency, but doubles their money for grocery-type foods. It’s a huge deal for low-income folks to be able to shop high quality, locally grown food: This directly ties into food sovereignty. Food sovereignty is the right to local, healthy food. It suggests a smaller food system in which the people who produce, distribute and consume food are at the heart of the food system rather than larger corporations. We hope to add the FAB program into our structure as soon as we can manage it.

Folio: Community engagement is often a cornerstone of farmers markets. What initiatives or activities do you organize to foster a sense of community among vendors and shoppers?

Jayde: Our host, Fishweir Brewing Co has been a huge help because they have already worked toward great community engagement over the years. It’s probably the most family-friendly brewery I’ve been to — which is a huge plus for the farmers market. Lots of parents enjoy bringing their kids along to MHFM; they can enjoy a craft beer and enjoy live music while their kiddos run around the backyard and get some energy out. We’ve got a couple of yard games like corn hole and giant Connect 4 to entertain folks of all ages.

Korths: There is the weekly relaxed evening vibe among the vendors and shoppers. We are enjoying local musicians, watching children play together in Fishweir’s Backyard while sipping an inhouse brew. There’s something magical about people sharing their love of local, regenerative and community together over and over again each week.

Folio: In what ways does the Murray Hill Farmers Market contribute to local regeneration efforts, both environmentally and economically?

Jayde: MHFM prioritizes selecting vendors/farmers that practice regenerative farming, which goes a step beyond organic/sustainable farming because not only are they not spraying harmful chemicals and preservatives (which are terrible for our health), but they are using farming practices that enhance our soil more and more after each harvest. Farming regeneratively, or supporting those that do, is one of the greatest environmental impacts you can have as an individual. Some regeneratively minded vendors/farms you can find at the market include Clover Farms, Bee Grateful Apiaries, CartWheel Ranch Meats, Southern Acre Farm, and Bee Pollen Farms.

Aside from the agricultural part, Murray Hill Farmers Market is naturally regenerating community amongst neighbors and the local economy by keeping our dollars circulating right here! This creates strength and resiliency in our community, especially when it’s tied to our food, health and overall wellbeing. It’s a big deal!

Folio: Could you share any success stories or notable impacts the market has had on local farmers, artisans, or the community at large?

Jayde: Since day one of Murray Hill Farmers Market [Sept. 28, 2022], we have been fostering a sense of community with each other. It’s something that comes natural when you bring people together that deeply care about the same things — for us it’s supporting local and highlighting agriculture. Someone came up with ‘the Farmily’ as a nickname for our group and it stuck. Many of the vendors support each other by collaborating on products, selling each other’s products at other markets and also trading/bartering items; for example, “I’ll trade you a bunch of carrots for a slice of cake!” In my eyes this is a success story.

Folio: How do you address accessibility and inclusivity within the market to ensure that all members of the community can participate and benefit?

Jayde: We don’t expect all of Jacksonville to come out to Murray Hill in the middle of the week for their groceries: Our goal is to be accessible to the folks in and around the neighborhood. A bigger picture vision that could address accessibility issues would be having a farmers market in every borough of Jacksonville, so that we all have access to fresh seasonal food within walking/biking distance. We hope to be an example for other neighborhoods to work toward a stronger local food system.

Folio: As an organizer, what challenges have you faced in maintaining the market’s ethos of promoting local, fresh food, and how have you overcome them?

Jayde: It’s a little challenging to turn down vendors that don’t fit the ethos of the market, but having the categories and core values to back me up makes for a perfectly understandable explanation, that way it’s never personal. The biggest challenge for me personally has been marketing/promotion and dealing with the responsibility of customers showing up to shop! As a founder, the market is so much deeper to me than it may appear to a first-time market goer, so I’m hoping stories like this one will help the community to truly understand why we’re here and what we stand for. If people don’t show up and shop, the Murray Hill Farmers Market cannot serve its purpose.

Someone came up with ‘the Farmily’ as a nickname for our group and it stuck. Many of the vendors support each other by collaborating on products, selling each other’s products at other markets and also trading/bartering items; for example, “I’ll trade you a bunch of carrots for a slice of cake!” In my eyes this is a success story.”

Folio: What strategies are in place to minimize food waste and encourage sustainable consumption practices among vendors and shoppers?

Jayde: Vendors are encouraged to use compostable packaging when possible, and we even have a resource section on our website for this! We do not allow styrofoam at the market, and we discourage the use of unnecessary plastic. I’d like to highlight one of our regular vendors here, Seitanic Jax! They always have a small compost box next to their table that all of their food scraps go into. This sets an excellent example for other vendors as well as customers.

Currently, MHFM is a drop-off option for Apple Rabbit Compost subscribers. I would love to someday have their resource recovery bins at the market every week, which separates waste into 3 categories: compost, recycle, and landfill. This is a very educational practice that definitely aligns with our values.

Folio: Are there any plans or aspirations for expanding the market or introducing new initiatives in the future?

Jayde : The goal is the same now as it was in the very beginning: to have a great selection of high quality, locally grown/produced food staples that folks tend to need on a weekly basis. We want to continually solidify this, so we can really become a one-stop shop type of market where you can get all of your grocery and home goods for the week — one that is consistent and reliable for the neighborhood. To some extent we have already accomplished this, but, of course, there’s also so much room for improvement,” It’s a win-winwin. Food that’s healthier for you, your community and our environment. And we’re pretty good at having fun while we do it!

Every Wednesday from 5 to 8pm, Murray Hills Farmer Market is at Fishweir Brewing Company. For more information on the market or how to get involved, check out murrayhillfarmersmarket.com.

THE ART CENTER COOPERATIVE

“In the Style Of,” Through May 11 tacjacksonville.org

BEACHES MUSEUM beachesmuseum.org

BUTTERFIELD GARAGE ART GALLERY

• Works by Amy Hemphill Dove, Nancy Hamlin–Vogle, Sydney McKenna, Jan Miller, Debra Mixon Holliday, Paula Pascucci, Ron Vellucci and Cindy Wilson butterfieldgarage.com

THE CORNER GALLERY AT THE JESSIE

• Ya La’ford–”Embed: the approach,” through May 8 facebook.com/movingthemargins

CUMMER MUSEUM OF ART & GARDENS

• “Sporting Fashion: Outdoor Girls 1800-1960,” through May 16

• Jacksonville’s Norman Studios: Movie Posters from the Permanent Collection, through July 7

• Works on Paper from the Cummer Museum’s Collection, through Sept. 30 cummermuseum.org

FEMART GALLERY femartgallery.org

FIRST COAST CULTURAL CENTER firstcoastculturalcenter.org

GALLERY 725 gallery725.com

GOVERNOR’S HOUSE CULTURAL CENTER AND MUSEUM, ST. AUGUSTINE

• “Painting St. Augustine: Selections from the Samuel H. and Roberta T. Vickers Collection,” ongoing

• “Freedom Is Not Free: Ax Handle Saturday,” virtual exhibition staugustine.ufl.edu

HASKELL GALLERY AT JACKSONVILLE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT jaxairportarts.com

HILLARY WHITAKER GALLERY hwhitakergallery.com

JACKSONVILLE UNIVERSITY

• ”Bill Davis: No Dark in Sight,” virtual exhibition

• “Kristin Skees: Close Knit,” virtual exhibition ju.edu/cfa

THE LIGHTNER MUSEUM

• “75 for 75: Lightner Museum Diamond Anniversary Exhibition,” ongoing

• “Illuminate: Lightner Museum’s Stained Glass Rediscovered,” ongoing

• “St. Augustine Through the Lens of William Henry Jackson,” ongoing lightnermuseum.org

MOCA JACKSONVILLE

• “A Walk on the Wild Side,” through June 30

• Project Atrium: Frank Stella,” through July 21 mocajacksonville.unf.edu

NOCO CENTER

“Beyond Monet”, through June 16 beyondmonet.com

PASTA FINE ART GALLERY

• Works by David Fain, Pam Geiger, Linda F. Hawkins, Tracy Lavely, Ginny LeJeune, Rafael Pasarell, Marlene Zullig and others pastagalleryart.com

RITZ THEATRE & MUSEUM

• “Marcus Williams: Dignity and Pride,” through May 3

• “Maya Matheison: Beaufifully Damaged,” through May 3

• “Lift Ev’ry Voice,” permanent collection ritzjacksonville.com

SOUTHLIGHT GALLERY

• Featuring works by Will Dickey, Koo Hon, Paul Karabinis, Pablo Rivera, Enzo Torcoletti, Pam Zambetti and more southlightgallery.com

ST. AUGUSTINE ART ASSOCIATION staaa.org

STELLERS GALLERY

• Works by Eileen Corse, Jim Draper, MacTruque, Fallon Pepper, C. Ford Riley, Alice Williams, Jeff Foxworthy (yes, that Jeff Foxworthy) and more stellersgallery.com

THRASHER-HORNE CENTER GALLERY

• Works by Thomas H. Nagata, Yamel Molerio and John Gerstner, ongoing thcenter.org

TOUCHÉ GALLERY touchegallery.com

UNIVERSITY OF NORTH FLORIDA

unf.edu/gallery

THE VAULT AT 330

• Featured artists include Susan Astleford, Margena Burnett, Ellen Dia mond, Ed Hall, Dolf James, Harry McCormick and Denise Murphy thevaultat1930.com

YELLOW HOUSE

• “Sit in Stand Up,” virtual exhibition

• “Still Not About a Hotdog and a Coke,” virtual exhibition

• “Magic, Mirth, and Mortality: Musings on Black Motherhood,” virtual ex hibition

yellowhouseart.org

ONGOING

Art Walk: April 3

Downtown Jacksonville lights up the first Wednesday of the month with art by local artists at hubs in James Weldon Johnson Park, The Jessie and Vag abond Flea at VyStar Tower from 5–9 p.m. Visitors can also enjoy live music, food trucks, street performers, free admission to MOCA and complimentary rides on JTA’s Skyway. dtjax.org

Fernandina Beach Arts Market: April 13 and 27

Amelia Island’s premier arts and crafts market comes alive the second and fourth Saturday of every month from 9 a.m.–1 p.m. fernandinabeachartsmarket.com

Riverside Arts Market: April 6, 13, 20 and 27

JME LIVE MUSIC CALENDAR

Artists, artisans and makers display their original paintings, jewelry, photo graphs, prints and other handcrafted items every Saturday — rain or shine — from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. on Riverside Avenue underneath the canopy of the Fuller Warren Bridge. riversideartsmarket.com

St. Augustine First Friday Artwalk: April 5

On the first Friday of every month (hence the clever name), more than 30 galleries around the Oldest City open their doors from 5–9 p.m. for visitors to browse exhibits and interact with artists. A complimentary trolley service provides transportation between downtown venues. staaa.org

Vilano Beach Artisan Market: April 20

Part beach party, part arts market, this monthly event includes works by local artists and locally-made products, as well as live music. The market takes place on the third Saturday of every month from 4-8 p.m. on A1A and Vilano Road.

facebook.com/vilanobeachofficial

JAX RIVER JAMS: EMBRACING THE CULTURE OF DUVAL

Words by Carson Rich

One of Jacksonville’s most beloved music festivals is back, and this year looks like it’s going to be another banger. Jax River Jams is a four-day, free concert series, bringing entertainment from both internationally and locally known artists, dragging out the culture of Jacksonville right alongside the St. Johns River. Turning the already beautiful waterfront into a natural amphitheater, friends and families from all over can come and see what Duval County is really all about, while enjoying great food and music.

The River Jams Festival is more than just a music event; it’s a vibrant tapestry interwoven with diverse sounds, genres and artistic expressions. From the infectious beats of hip-hop to the raw energy of alternative rock, and the soulful cadences of country to the pulsating rhythms of pop, the festival curates a lineup that caters to every musical palate. Rather than a regular seating arrangement, this festival allows for more variety for comfortability as there are no seats, so picnic blankets and lawn chairs are encouraged.

Each day during this 4-day concert extravaganza features a different genre of music, with country music starting the first day (April 4), indie/alternative rock on April 11, hip-hop on April 18, and pop on April 25. Headliners include country star Rodney Atkins; who has released notable hits like “Take a Back Road” and “Farmer’s Daughter” in the 2000’s, British alternative singer Bishop Briggs, whom you may know from their song “River”; Atlanta hip-hop duo Earthgang, who you might have seen in numerous features or from their song “Proud of U”; and pop singer/songwriter Andy Grammer, who has been all over the radio with songs like “Honey, I’m Good.”

In addition to the main performances, the festival features multiple locally known talents, such as Rambler Kane, Coyboi, Full Plate Fam and Madison Hughes. This emphasis on fostering grassroots talent underscores the festival’s commitment to supporting the vibrant music scene in Jacksonville and beyond.

Beyond the music, the Jacksonville River Jams Festival offers a plethora of immersive cultural experiences designed to engage and entertain attendees including interactive art installations. The events will also feature food trucks, ranging from chicken fingers to mini donuts and shrimp to “Mother Truckin’ Pizza,” and craft beer tastings, as well as being bustling hub of creativity and innovation.

With the city skyline aglow in the distance and the silhouettes of sailboats gliding along the river, the festival becomes a magical oasis where urban sophistication meets natural splendor. As attendees gather along the Downtown scenery, basking in the warm glow of camaraderie and creativity, one thing becomes abundantly clear — the Jax River Jams Festival isn’t just a music festival: It’s a celebration of life, love and the enduring spirit of Jacksonville.

For more information, visit jaxriverjams.com

“A LA SALA”

NEW MUSIC RELEASES

Made For You By Amiyah Golden

One of my favorite trios ever, Khruangbin is releasing their latest album, “A LA SALA.”

If you’re into heavy bass with touches of varying cultural musical influences you will absolutely love Khruangbin. I can’t rave about this group enough and they have never produced a bad song, so I’m heavily anticipating this release.

Khraungbin will be going on tour in support of “A LA SALA,” kicking off their North American leg at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival.

You can’t tell but tears are definitely falling on my keyboard right now because I wish I could be there.

Now, if soul is what you’re craving to hear, you need to give Marcus King a listen.

In this recent discovery, I have fallen down a rabbit hole of immaculate storytelling, gritty vocals that also happen to be as smooth as butter and shredded emotions. King is the epitome of good music — no extra gimmicks, no added controversy, no shock factors — just good music. With blues and soul influences pouring out of his heart and guitar, he gives listeners an experience to remember.

King will be releasing his album, Mood Swings, this April, and he has already given fans a peak of what’s to come with early releases of his singles, “Hero,” “F*ck My Life Up Again,” and his title track. King will also be kicking off his Mood Swings tour, on May 6.

As shoegaze continues to regain popularity, 19-year-old Wisp has paved her way into the scene with her soft voice and hypnotizing guitar. My discovery of her came after my introduction to her song, “Your Face,” which continues to have major replay value on my playlists.

Wisp has announced her debut EP, And Enough for you, while also releasing the title track, which highlights her vocals a bit more — while still making room for her guitar. Wisp has also announced she will be going on a U.S. tour!

After the major success of her single “Ceilings,” Lizzie McAlpine is gracing fans with her newest project, “Older.” The album features 14 songs that I’m sure are reminiscent of McAlpine’s own lore.

With her sound usually consisting of heavy acoustic instrumentation, fans can likely expect an emphasis on her own style of artistic narration with a stripped-back sound.

“PANDORA”

WISP

KHRUANGBIN

“MOOD

LIZZIE MCALPINE

“OLDER”

Singer Bryson Tiller is making his way back on the music scene with his latest hot-girl anthem, “Whatever She Wants” and also dropping a new self-titled album this spring.

Tiller released the single “Calypso” from his upcoming album with an emphasis on his sultry vocals a a chill, island-type beat in the background.

I can definitely foresee Tiller’s new album being my go-to for being “outside” this summer.

SELF TITLED

BRYSON TILLER

After his single “Heather,” took over the internet in 2020, Conan Gray became so popular, he took a hiatus from releasing music. Four years later, Gray has announced the release of his LP, “Found Heaven.” Gray has released five songs before the drop, getting fans stirred up over what’s to come.

Queer icon, girl in red, has announced her latest project, “I’M DOING IT AGAIN BABY!” as well as her North American and European tour.

This album will serve as her sophomore album with the early release of her song “You Need me Now?” featuring Sabrina Carpenter, enticing fans with an upbeat anthem.

Before the release of her 10-track project “Don’t Forget About Me,” the Maryland singer-songwriter gifted fans with early releases of her songs, “So Sick of Dreaming” and the title song both sounding like a nod to the early 2000s, reminding me of the style of singers such as Nora Jones and KT Tunstall. Rogers’ newest release also comes with a tour beginning May 4 in Charlotte, North Carolina.

“DON’T FORGET ABOUT ME”

MAGGIE ROGERS

“DARK MATTER”

PEARL JAM

For all my “dad-rock” connoisseurs out there, get excited because Pearl Jam has announced their latest album, “Dark Matter.”

The project is accompanied by an exclusive cinematic experience, a one-night-only global theatrical performance shown in more than 225 locations in the United States and around the world. I will be in attendance with my fellow Pearl “Jammers” (yes, it’s coming to Jax!) to experience what band members have been cooking up to serve us.

The album release also comes with the promise of a world tour starting in North America, on May 4. Pearl Jam will unfortunately not be visiting Florida so, my cinema experience is the closest I’m going to get.

“FOUND HEAVEN”

CONAN GRAY

CONCERTS

APRIL 1

Scream at the Sky Jack Rabbits jaxlive.com

APRIL 3

REO Speedwagon with special guest Cheap Trick St. Augustine Amphitheatre theamp.com

Ashley McBride Florida Theatre floridatheatre.com

Mac McAnally Ponte Vedra Concert Hall pvconcerthall.com

The Portrait Jack Rabbits jaxlive.com

APRIL 4

Rodney Atkins Ford on Bay jaxriverjams.com

APRIL 5

DaBaby + Yo Gotti and Friends VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena jaxevents.com

Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox Florida Theatre floridatheatre.com

Owl City with special guest Augustana Ponte Vedra Concert Hall pvconcerthall.com

APRIL 6

Turnpike Troubadours Daily’s Place dailysplace.com

Orchestra Noir Florida Theatre floridatheatre.com

Doubleside Jack Rabbits jaxlive.com

APRIL 7

The Classic Rock Show Florida Theatre floridatheatre.com

Maoli with special guest Lindsay James

Ponte Vedra Concert Hall pvconcerthall.com

APRIL 10

The Rock Orchestra by Candlelight Florida Theatre floridatheatre.com

Bodeans

Ponte Vedra Concert Hall pvconcerthall.com

APRIL 11

The Guess Who Florida Theatre floridatheatre.com

The Crane Wives Jack Rabbits jaxlive.com

APRIL 12

Butcher Brown and Son Little Ponte Vedra Concert Hall pvconcerthall.com

Grace Kelly Ritz Theatre & Museum ritzjacksonville.com

Within Our Nature Jack Rabbits jaxlive.com

APRIL 12-14

“Carmen”

Jacksonville Center for the Performing Arts jaxsymphony.org

APRIL 13

The Hails Jack Rabbits jaxlive.com

Woofstock

Kanine Social kaninesocial.com/woofstock

APRIL 14

Satsang Jack Rabbits jaxlive.com

APRIL 16

Brit Floyd

Florida Theatre floridatheatre.com

Photo by Courtney Thomassen

The Toasters

Jack Rabbits jaxlive.com

APRIL 17

Rodrigo y Gabriela Florida Theatre floridatheatre.com

Justin Hayward Ponte Vedra Concert Hall pvconcerthall.com

George Clanton

Jack Rabbits jaxlive.com

APRIL 18

Don Felder with special guests Pablo Cruise & Firefall Florida Theatre floridatheatre.com

Band Camp featuring Staind with Ayron Jones & Tim Montana St. Augustine Amphitheatre theamp.com

An Evening With Ottmar Liebert & Luna Negra Ponte Vedra Concert Hall pvconcerthall.com

Sextile

Jack Rabbits jaxlive.com

APRIL 19

Jeremy Camp Florida Theatre floridatheatre.com

Billy Prine presents the Songs of John Prine Ponte Vedra Concert Hall pvconcerthall.com

Fly by Midnight Jack Rabbits jaxlive.com

APRIL 19-20

Let’s Misbehave: Tony DeSare Sings Cole Porter Jacksonville Center for the Performing Arts jaxsymphony.org

APRIL 19-21

Billy Strings

St. Augustine Amphitheatre theamp.com

APRIL 20

The Flaming Lips

Florida Theatre floridatheatre.com

Morgan Wade Ponte Vedra Concert Hall pvconcerthall.com

Hotter Than July : Stevie Wonder Tribute Band Ritz Theatre & Museum ritzjacksonville.com

Four Barrel Band

Jack Rabbits jaxlive.com

High Fade

Jack Rabbits jaxlive.com

APRIL 21

The Flaming Lips Florida Theatre floridatheatre.com

The Red Clay Strays

Ponte Vedra Concert Hall pvconcerthall.com

APRIL 22

Leonid and Friends Florida Theatre floridatheatre.com

APRIL 24

The Wallflowers

Ponte Vedra Concert Hall pvconcerthall.com

APRIL 25

Brandon Lake VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena jaxevents.com

Brothers Osborne St. Augustine Amphitheatre theamp.com

The Dixie Dregs with special guest Steve Morse Band Ponte Vedra Concert Hall pvconcerthall.com

APRIL 26

Bad Religion and Social Distortion St. Augustine Amphitheatre theamp.com

APRIL 26-27

The Pines & Fountains of Rome

Jacksonville Center for the Performing Arts jaxevents.com

APRIL 27

Yellow Brick Road: A Tribute to Elton John Florida Theatre floridatheatre.com

Sing Praise ft. Ritz Voices Ritz Theatre & Museum ritzjacksonville.com

Sun Room

Jack Rabbits jaxlive.com

APRIL 28

NEEDTOBREATHE

Daily’s Place dailysplace.com

Adam Cotton Jack Rabbits jaxlive.com

APRIL 29

Jim White Jack Rabbits jaxlive.com

APRIL

Rain: A Tribute to The Beatles Thrasher-Horne Center thcenter.org

THANKS (FOR) THE MEMORIES

Words & photos by Courtney Thomassen

This year’s St. Patrick’s Day was really Patrick Stump Day for Fall Out Boy fans when the band played VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena for their first solo-headliner in Northeast Florida since 2007.

Festivities started early with a block party held in front of the venue. Jax Events partnered with local radio stations 97.9 Kiss FM and 107.3 Planet Radio to bring food trucks, bars, games and a DJ for the crowd to enjoy until the show began.

Games We Play, the first of three opening acts, kicked the night off with a short but memorable twenty minute set. The trio released their debut studio album earlier this month, “Life’s Going Great,” Included on the setlist were “The End” and “Naked” from the recent release.

A large white banner with text reading “YOU ARE WATCHING A BAND CALLED THE MAINE” hung at the back of the stage as the Arizona-based rock band walked out, all in matching white suits. Frontman John O’Callaghan took a moment to thank Fall Out Boy for the opportunity to join them; this would be their final show on the tour before Hot Mulligan took over the opening slot for the remainder of the run. After first gaining popularity over a decade ago, The Maine has only continued to grow their fanbase. The past few years have seen the release of fan favorites “Sticky,” “Loved You A Little” and “thoughts i have while laying in bed” from the band’s 2023 self-titled album.

After a quick set changeover fellow Arizona rockers Jimmy Eat World took their place on stage for the final opening act. With a whopping 15 songs, the hour-long set could have easily been the main event. Immediately the crowd was transported back to the 2000s with “A Praise Chorus,” “Big Casino” and “Sweetness.” The set drew most heavily from 2001’s “Bleed American,” but overall included a good mix between new and old work. The band’s 2022 single “Something Loud” and “All The Way (Stay)” off of “Surviving” had fans singing and dancing along. By the time the set closed with “The Middle,” the crowd’s energy had reached new heights, but the peak was yet to come.

By the time the house lights dimmed one final time, it had been nearly four hours since the doors to VyStar Arena opened. Even though the length of a full show had come and gone, it wouldn’t be long before the crowd realized the show had barely begun. Through the darkness the voice of Ethan Hawke, featured in the “So Much (for) Stardust” interlude “The Pink Seashell,” elicited cheers throughout the venue. With each pulse of the stage lights fans grew louder until the soundbite finished playing. As smoke floated across the stage, the signature half smiling, half frowning face associated with their 2023 album was illuminated on the screen above. The kick of the opening riff of “Love From the Other Side” was punctuated by a blast of fireworks at the back of the stage as Fall Out Boy appeared. Excitement rose as the band immediately dove into hit after hit. “The Phoenix” continued to raise the bar for pyrotechnic display with large plumes of fire fanning out behind drummer Andy Hurley and the unique inclusion of a flamethrower attachment on Pete Wentz’s bass. With the iconic groove of the “Sugar We’re Going Down” intro, the crowd went wild, screaming along to the first verse louder than singer Patrick Stump. When the chorus hit, the already high energy was amplified, and this was only the third song.

A pause between songs drew attention to the elaborate stage setup. A structure with intricate designs of tea parties, moons, and octopus tentacles framed the stage, moving and lighting up during the transitions. As guitarist Joe Trohman played the instantly recognizable theme from “The Munsters,” sampled in “Uma Thurman,” the red curtain behind the band parted to reveal two large cacti on a desert backdrop, the first of multiple set pieces that would be used throughout the show. In one of the most clever uses of their large form props, a giant doberman head loomed over the stage during “Disloyal Order of Water Buffalos,” barking along as crew threw clear inflatable balls to the crowd and bubbles were pumped into the air to mimic the recent album’s cover art. The set continued with “Heaven, Iowa” and “Bang the Doldrums,” followed by “Fake Out,” a fan favorite off of “So Much (for) Stardust.”

In recent years fan projects have been gaining popularity among the most dedicated, so it was no surprise that this tour saw the creation of its own “stardust project.” During “Fake Out” fans held pink paper cutouts over phone flashlights to go above and beyond in showing their support for the musicians. A piano medley by Stump marked the halfway point of the set and included a cover of Queen’s “Don’t Stop Me Now,” a solo release from the singer called “Bad Side of 25” and the first live performance of “20 Dollar Nose Bleed” since 2013. This surprise was not the last though; during each show there is a “Magic 8 Ball” song, a random addition to the otherwise stellar setlist. When the time came, Wentz asked an animation of the vintage toy “Are we the new faces of failure?”

The crowd screamed as the ball responded affirmatively, leading into the first full performance of fan favorite “I’m Like a Lawyer…” since 2014. From there the band delivered a parade of classics, pulling from their most popular songs across their full discography. The 2007 masterpiece “Thnks fr th Mmrs” saw a new level of elation from fans that was somehow topped when it was followed by “Centuries.” Streamers and confetti exploded over the crowd during closing track “Saturday,” a fitting end to an amazing Saturday night.

REVIVAL: KILL TACTIC

Words & photos by Amiyah Golden

Rock music and culture hold such a special place in my heart. It’s one that can’t be explained unless you immerse yourself in the genre and the scene, and the best adjective I can give you is liberation.

With a rich history of origin, wide influence and creative practitioners, rock and roll continues to tear down ceilings and make its presence known with the birth of a plethora of subgenres such as alternative rock, metal, deathcore, emo, shoegaze, psychedelic rock. The bounds for what lives under the house of rock and roll continue to expand as artists continue to experiment with their own sounds, making room for a new generation of musicians who wish to add variety and their own flair to the genre.

Jacksonville rock and metal band Kill Tactik is a paradigm of such, as they stamp themselves on the local music scene with a sound that’s exploratory but very well rooted in the genre. Made up of four witty individuals: Harold on the bass, Quez on the drums, Brandon on lead vocals, and John Krawl on guitar, they have come together to create music that stirs from the desire to see people revel in headbanging and thrill.

The conception of Kill Tactik as a collective is fairly recent, as the band gets ready to celebrate a year together. With Brandon and John originally existing as a duo for a decade (and Quez and Harold the same), a band listing posted on Craig’s list ended the unbeknownst partition and the two duos combined forces to become what we know today as Kill Tactik. With all the individuals in the band not being limited to their roles as listed above, but all having numerous abilities when it comes to creating music, merging was seamless and favorable for all.

As the band began to emerge from the Jacksonville music scene, the support grew and never wavered thanks, in part, to their early supporters, significant figures in the live music scene like the owners of Shantytown Pub and Justice Pub. They also gave a shout out to the creator of the Jacksonville Bridge shows, which hold a special place for alternative musicians in the punk scene to shine. Numerous other mentions were on their mind when we sat down to chat — significant others and fans. A strong sense of community has definitely been felt by the band.

Getting to sit down with the members further showed me why they have a strong base behind them — just four humble guys who genuinely love creating music with each other. Mutual respect among the quad allows for the freedom of experimental creation. Suggestions of the incorporation of trap beats and deathcore were met with encouragement by fellow members, showcasing the trust they have in each other. Hopefully, it’s a mash-up we can look for with their next project.

“Nothing’s for sure. We’re rock, but due to the vibe, it depends,” Brandon chimed in. “Expect nothing but expect everything.”

With each member having their own individual influences (John: Wes Borland, Brandon: hip-hop and death metal, Quez: Judas Priest and Harold: Beyond Creation), the band’s sound morphs itself into an identity created off the sheer purity of the love for music. This is evident in their self-titled album, “Kill Tactik,” composed of seven songs that respectively highlight each member’s talents.

Their current sound can be collectively described as explosive — with the ability to go from performing a chill set one moment to the crowd straight moshing during another, their variety and volatility allow fans to idle in anticipation of what’s next.

Revival is in store for the band, as they plan to contribute to the rebirth of the rock community in Jacksonville.

With strides being made in the right direction, the alternative rock music scene in the city comes with a new pair of eyes; with more diversity, new sounds, and listeners, it’s well on its way to becoming bigger than “the fall.”

Kill Tactik will be taking a minor hiatus to work on some new material, but that doesn’t mean they’re not still open to playing shows. Follow them on Instagram @killtactikmusic to keep up with their performances and new music.

BY BITE

BITE

Cliff’s Bar & Grill cliffsbarandgrill.com

Fancy Sushi & Grill Japanese Restaurant fancysushiandgrill.com

ARLINGTON

Fuji Sushi fujisushi-fl.com

The Good Place Nutrition facebook.com/thegoodplacenutrition

Grinders American Diner grindersamdiner.com

La Palmerita orderlapalmerita.com

ABBQ abbqmeatdrink.com

Anejo anejococinamexicana.com

Angie’s Subs facebook.com/angiessubs

Aqua Grill aquagrill.net

Azurea at One Ocean azurearestaurant.com

Barbara Jean’s on the Water barbarajeansonthewater.com

Caffe Andiamo caffeandiamo.com

Cantina Louie cantinalouie.com

BEACHES/ Intracoastal West

Coop 303 coop303.com

Eleven South elevensouth.com

Engine 15 Brewing Company engine15.com

European Street Cafe europeanstreet.com

The Fish Company Restaurant and Oyster Bar thefishcojax.com

Flying Iguana Taqueria & Tequila Bar flyingiguana.com

The G.O.A.T. Tapas & Bar thegoatjax.com

Hawkers eathawkers.com

Rice + Noodles Korean Restaurant riceandnoodles.net

Seven Wonders Restaurant 7wondersbakery.com

Southern Coast Seafood southerncoastseafood.com

Tabouleh Cafe taboulehcafe.com

Thai & Lao Bistro thaiandlaobistro.com

JJ’s Liberty Bistro jjbistro.com/ponte-vedra

Kamiya 86 kamiya86fl.com

Lone Wolf Co. lonewolfjax.com

Marker 32 marker32.com Mezzaluna mezzalunajax.com

Mojo Kitchen mojobbq.com/mojo-kitchen

Nona Blue Modern Tavern nonablue.com

North Beach Fish Camp thenorthbeachfishcamp.com

Oaxaca Club theoaxacaclub.com

O-Ku o-kusushi.com

Palm Valley Fish Camp palmvalleyfishcamp.com

Poe’s Tavern poestavern.com

Ragtime Tavern ragtimetavern.com

Safe Harbor Seafood Market and Restaurant safeharbor-seafood.com

Salt Life Food Shack saltlifefoodshack.com

Salumeria 104 Atlantic Beach salumeria104.com

DOWNTOWN

Singleton’s Seafood Shack singletonsseafood.com

Sliders Oyster Bar slidersoysterbar.com

Southern Grounds southerngrounds.com

TacoLu tacolu.com

Bellweather bellwetherjax.com

The Bread and Board thebreadandboard.com

The Brick Coffee House brickcoffeehouse.com

Burrito Gallery burritogallery.com

Cowford Chophouse cowfordchophouse.com

Casa Dora Italian Cafe facebook.com/casadorajax

De Real Ting Cafe facebook.com/derealtingcafe

Estrella Cocina estrellajax.com

The Happy Grilled Cheese thehappygrilledchees.wixsite.com/grilledcheese

Indochine indochinejax.com

Berndt Ends BBQ facebook.com/berndtendsbbq

Blue Bamboo Canton Bistro bluebamboojacksonville.com

ChopHouse Thirteen chophouse13.com

Enza’s Italian Restaurant enzas.net

ISO ISO Ramen isoisoramen.com

Julington Creek Fish Camp julingtoncreekfishcamp.com

Kazu Japanese Restaurant kazujapaneserestaurant.com

Le Petit Paris French Cafe lepetitparisjax.com

Two Dudes Seafood Restaurant twodudesrestaurant.com

Valley Smoke BBQ valleysmoke.com Vicious Biscuit viciousbiscuit.com

Juliette’s Bistro at Marriott Jacksonville Downtown marriott.com

Morton’s The Steakhouse mortons.com

Ocean Street Tacos oceanstreettacos.com

On The Fly Sandwiches & Stuff (food truck) ontheflyjax.com

The River Club jaxriverclub.com

Spliff’s Gastropub spliffsgastropub.com

Super Food & Brew superfoodandbrew.com

Sweet Pete’s sweetpetescandy.com

Tavern at the Hyatt Regency hyatt.com

Mandola’s Italian Kitchen mandolas.com

Masala Indian Cuisine jaxmasala.com

One Night Taco Stand onenightjax.com

Picasso’s Pizzeria jaxpicassos.wixsite.com/jaxpicassos

Rosy’s Restaurant rosys-restaurant.business.site

Taziki’s Mediterranean Cafe tazikis.com

Umami Japanese Curry & Ramen umamijax.com

Wicked Barley Brewing Company wickedbarley.com

MURRAY HILL NORTHSIDE RIVERSIDE & AVONDALE

Bold Birds Nashville Hot Chicken boldbirdshotchicken.com

Buchner’s Bierhall buchnersbierhalle.com

The Dreamette dreametteicecream.com

El Jefe Tex Mex eljefejax.com

Fired Up Pizza woodfireduppizza.com

Maple Street Biscuit Company maplestreetbiscuits.com/murray-hill

Fuji Yama fujiyamajax.com

Green Papaya Pan Asian Cuisine greenpapayaus.com

Joseph’s Pizza josephspizza.com/northside-full-menu

The Jungle Bowl facebook.com/thejunglebowl

Junior’s Seafood Restaurant juniorsseafoodrestaurant.com/north-jacksonville

Masala Mantra masalamantrajax.com

13 Gypsies 13gypsies.com

904 Tacos facebook.com/904tacosfivepoints

Ale Pie House alepiehousefl.com

Arepa Please arepaplease.com

Bagel Love bagel-love.ueniweb.com

Biggie’s Pizza biggiespizzajax.com

Biscottis biscottis.net

The Blue Fish bluefishjax.com

Blue Buddha bluebuddhaspecialty.com

Blue Orchid Thai Cuisine blueorchidthai.com

Moon River Pizza moonriverpizza.net

Murray Hillbilly murrayhillbilly.com

Solazo Taqueria solazofl.business.site

The Stout Snug thestoutsnug.com

Vagabond Coffee Co. vagabondcoffee.com

The Walrus thewalrusjax.com

Nagasaki Japanese Restaurant nagasakisushirestaurant.com

New Berlin Fish House & Oyster Bar newberlinfishhouse.com

Ship 2 Shore Seafood & Steak ship2shoreseafood.com

Sushi Zen Jax sushizenfl.kwickmenu.com

Terry’s Grill facebook.com/terrysgrill

Bold Bean boldbeancoffee.com

Brew Five Points brewfivepoints.co

Carolina Jax carolinajax.com

Carmines Pie House carminespiehouse.com

Cool Moose Cafe coolmoosecafe.net

Cuisine 76 & Bar cuisine76andbar.com

European Street Cafe europeanstreet.com

The Fox Restaurant facebook.com/thefoxrestaurant

Hawkers eathawkers.com

Homespun Kitchen homespunkitchen.com

Iguana on Park iguanaonpark.com

Josephine josephineavondale.com

Kickbacks Gastropub kickbacksgastropub.com

Kingmaker Brewing kingmakerbrewing.com

MOJO No. 4 Urban BBQ & Whiskey Bar mojobbq.com/mojo-no-4

The Mossfire Grill mossfire.com

Nacho Taco nachotaco.net

Pattaya Thai Grill pattayathaijax.com

1937 1937sanmarco.com

Bar Molino barmolino.com

bb’s bbsrestaurant.com

The Bearded Pig thebeardedpigbbq.com

Bistro X Restaurant and Lounge bistrox.com

Chart House chart-house.com

European Street Cafe europeanstreet.com

Fla. Juice and Bowl flajuiceandbowl.com

Flavors of Thai flavors-of-thai.business.site

Fuji Sushi jacksonvillefujisushi.com

The Local thelocaljax.com

Pizza Cave

facebook.com/pizzacave5pts Restaurant Orsay restaurantorsay.com

River & Post riverandpostjax.com

Sake House sakehousejax.com

Southern Grounds southerngrounds.com

S & R Dim Sum srdimsumjax.com

Sushi Cafe sushicafejax.com

Sweet Theory Baking Company sweettheorybakingco.com

Taqueria Cinco taqueria5points.com

Matthew’s Restaurant matthewsrestaurant.com

The Metro Diner metrodiner.com

The Olive Tree Mediterranean Grille theolivetreemediterraneangrille.com

Peterbrooke peterbrooke.com/pages/san-marco

Pink Salt Restaurant + Wine Bar pinksaltrestaurant.com

Rue Saint-Marc ruesaintmarc.com

Southern Grounds southerngrounds.com

Taverna taverna.restaurant

Town Hall townhalljax.com

V Pizza vpizza.com

SPRINGFIELD SOUTHSIDE

1748 Bakehouse 1748bakehouse.com

Caribbean Sunrise Bakery & Restaurant caribbeansunrisebakery.com

Crispy’s Springfield Gallery facebook.com/CrispysSpringfieldGallery

Flavva flavvajacksonville.com

Island Tropics Restaurant facebook.com/Island-Tropics-Restaurant-Lounge

Tha Soulfood Smagicians facebook.com/thasmagicians

The Dreamette dreametteicecream.com

III Forks 3forks.com/location/jacksonville

4 Rivers Smokehouse 4rsmokehouse.com

Amazing Thai Restaurant amazingthaijax.com

Bazille at Nordstrom nordstrom.com

Blaze Pizza blazepizza.com

Catullo’s Italian catullos.hrpos.heartland.us/menu

Culhane’s Irish Pub culhanesirishpub.com

The French Pantry thefrenchpantryfl.com

Ahadu Ethiopian Restaurant ahadu-ethiopian-restaurant.business.site

Banana Leaf Asian Bistro facebook.com/bananaleafasianbistro

WESTSIDE

Cross Creek Steakhouse and Ribs crosscreeksteakhouse.com

Ellianos Coffee ellianos.com

The Juicy Crab thejuicycrabjax.com

La Perla Mexican Restaurant orderlaperlamexicanrestaurant.com

Lewey’s Seafood and Wings leweys-seafood-wings.business.site

The District thedistrictspr.com

Hola Mexican Restaurant holajax.com

Social Grounds Coffee Roasters social-grounds-coffee.myshopify.com

Strings Sport Brewery stringssportsbrewery.com

Silkie’s Chicken & Champagne Bar meetatsilkies.com

Uptown Kitchen and Bar uptownkitchenjax.com

Waafa and Mike’s Cafe facebook.com/waafaandmikes

Galaxy Burger galaxyburgersjax.com

Mr. Potato Spread mrpotatospread.com

Midtown Table midtowntable.medurebrothers.com

Prati Italia pratiitalia.com

Seasons 52 seasons52.com

Taste of Thai tasteofthaijax.com

Texas de Brazil texasdebrazil.com Mesa mesajax.com

The Metro Diner metrodiner.com

The Potter’s House Soul Food and Bistro thesoulfoodbistro.com

Puerto Plata Restaurant puertoplatarestaurant.com

Sushi Bear sushibearjax.com

Trent’s Seafood jltrents.com

Words by Briana Pereira, Carmen Macri & Ambar Ramirez

The Bloody Mary, a cocktail known for its fun (sometimes insane) garnishes and savory flavors, are definitely a hit or miss. With so many different flavor profiles you can create, some classic, some spicy, some pickle-flavored, the possibilities are endless. For this Hunt —although we know it’s really not a one-size-fits-all kind of drink — we wanted to try and find the best here in Northeast Florida for our readers.

Plus, it’s the perfect way to get ready for Brunch Fest on April 7.

Let’s get started, shall we?

BULL & CROWN PUBLICK HOUSE 3/5

Bull & Crown sits on St. George Street, one of the busiest streets in the Historic District of St. Augustine. It’s a bit of a smaller spot, inside seating-wise, but they have lots of patio spots available, the perfect place to stop by on a sunny day. Their location is a bit older and looks similar to a log cabin, but definitely gives off the historic feel of St. Augustine. Although the spot is quite bustling on weeknights and weekends, their full-service bar is first come first served.

Their take on the classic Bloody Mary is one of the Bull & Crown’s specialty cocktails, titled The Crowned Mary and sitting at the top of their cocktail menu. It is prepared with Bacon Vodka, Pepper Vodka, Bull & Crown’s housemade Bloody Mary Mix, and garnished with bacon, okra, celery and green olives.

Appearance-wise, it was a beautiful bright burnt-orange color with lots of spices visible throughout. It had a decent texture, definitely a thinner consistency than what we’re used to, but all of the flavors paired well, personally, we felt like the bacon flavors definitely stood out in this drink, so again, definitely a niche flavor profile. The presentation of the drink was perfect, as everyone knows the garnish is a super important part of giving a Bloody Mary its signature look.

4/5

HOPTINGER BIER GARDEN AND SAUSAGE HOUSE

For this specific scavenger hunt, we chose the Jacksonville Beach location for no reason other than it’s closer to us, and we are lazy. That being said, located on the infamous strip of beach bars, Hoptinger is sitting pretty with a covered patio and tons of seating. As we mentioned, we were feeling lazy and a bit hungover, so we found ourselves a comfortable spot in the back near the kitchen and got right to business.

One of the highlights of Hoptinger’s Bloody Mary is their customizable options. They provide a card loaded with various bases, spice levels and an array of garnishes. For our latest experience, we opted for a classic approach. We started with the original Hoptinger bloody mix (reminiscent of Zing Zang) complemented by muddled jalapeños. As for garnishes, we selected bacon, celery, pickles, olives, lemon and lime – the classics. Though they do offer “The Works’ ‘ which has everything you could possibly imagine: jalapeño poppers, a cheesehead, onion rings, corn dog bites, chicken wings, sausages, sliders… you get the point. It’s basically a four-course meal and a beverage.

Back to business. When our (previously underestimated) Bloody Marys arrived, they exceeded all expectations. The base was smooth with just the right kick of spice. Each flavor harmonized beautifully, none overpowering the other. Remarkably, as we savored the first ... and then the second … our hangovers seemed to fade away.

ATMOSPHERE: 3/5

FLAVOR: 3/5

OVERALL: 3/5

Perfect if you love a smoky and spicier flavor profile for your Bloody Mary, go for it, but if you aren’t a bacon fan or hate the spice, I’d say skip it.

ATMOSPHERE: 3/5

FLAVOR: 5/5

OVERALL: 4/5

Perfect for people feeling adventurous with their beverages and need a quick Sunday morning pick-me-up.

TULUA BISTRO 3/5

What can we say about Tulua Bistro that hasn’t already been said? It’s one of the best brunch spots in Jacksonville Beach for a reason. Located off of Third Street, this traditional brunch restaurant is always packed and not just because the food doesn’t disappoint but because there are about 10 tables that fill the small space. Luckily for us and Jacksonville, Tulua Bistro is on the road to opening its second location in Springfield on April 8.

There are two options of Bloody Marys here, regular and burnthe-back-of-your-throat spicy. Unfortunately, it is a very, very fine line, but the flavor is still amazing — just make sure you have a pitcher of water at the table. The base is your classic Zing Zang, and if you ask for spicy, they include half a bottle of hot sauce. The garnishes are classic: lemon, lime, pickle, olive and a slice of bacon. While the drink itself is nice, there is nothing that stands out. Unless, of course you add the hot sauce, then this drink is unforgettable as you will be recovering from the burn for the rest of the day.

CITY GRILLE & RAW BAR 4.5/5

Located a couple blocks down from Friendship Fountain, in the heart of San Marco is City Grille & Raw Bar. This is what we like to call a small yet mighty spot. With an unassuming exterior built of white bricks and gold signage, the interior is naturally sunlit, refreshing and honestly looks expensive. Disclaimer: It is expensive. Its menu is innovative and extensive with a wide selection of seafood dishes, steak and seasonal options. Naturally, there’s a wine list and a raw bar for those who don’t like their seafood cooked.

Anyway, let’s get to business …You’re probably at the point of this article where you are starting to question what else could we possibly say about Bloody Marys? That’s probably because you’ve never had a Bloody Mary at City Grille and Raw Bar. Yes, it comes in a regular tall glass, and yes, it’s full of tomato juice and vodka, but what sets this Bloody Mary apart from most are the toppings. Remember the mention of the innovative and extensive menu? Well, this Bloody Mary is no exception. You could go for a regular (boring) Bloody Mary with no toppings or you can add a vegetable skewer OR (what we ordered) the ultimate Bloody Mary that comes with a lobster and shrimp skewer.

To say that this is just a Bloody Mary is an understatement. It’s the whole meal. Sip and snack, it doesn’t get any better than that. And for $15 a piece, the flavor isn’t shy of exceptional either. It was a perfect balance of savoriness in a glass.

ATMOSPHERE: 3/5

FLAVOR: 3/5

OVERALL: 3/5

Perfect for people who like to stare at inspirational quotes from Gandhi, MLK and RuPaul while they eat/drink.

ATMOSPHERE: 4/5

FLAVOR: 5/5

OVERALL: 4.5/5

Perfect for people who are feeling boujee and want to spend $15 on a Bloody Mary.

WHAT YOUR FAVORITE JAX BEACH BAR SAYS ABOUT YOU

Words by Mallory Pace

The neighborhoods of Jacksonville offer something for everyone. There’s Downtown, where buildings fill the skyline and beams of LED illuminate the vibrancy of its nightlife. Riverside has edge, as if by day it’s all bookstores and coffee shops, but at night the tortured artists all gather at underground bars and speakeasies, sipping Kava and having orgies. San Marco feels like a quaint, quiet town sheltered by trees and locally-owned boutiques.

The same goes for the Jacksonville Beach bars. The street where lovers go to dance, where friendships are made, where the brokenhearted go to drown out their sorrows and where everyone belongs somewhere. The row of bars, each different from the last, draw in their own unique crowd and sooner or later, everyone finds their niche. Some cling to the nostalgia of the older bars, some find comfort in the quieter scenes, some crawl from bar to bar, desperate to find the best party, others take turns, searching for the perfect place to call home. No matter the goal, everyone has a favorite beach bar, and trust me, it shows. Most times you can tell someone’s bar-type by the looks of them (I mean that in the most judgmental way!). But I don’t bar-shame, all of them are great and still standing for a reason … except you, Shim Sham Room, it was time to go.

Here’s what your favorite Jax Beach bar says about you.

Disclaimer: These are the opinions of a 22-year-old girl. Don’t take it to heart, weirdo.

SURFER THE BAR TAVERN SALT THE RITZ

If Surfer the Bar is your go-to, you’re probably freshly 21 and looking for trouble. I have found that the scene of Surfer doesn’t usually pick up until later in the night, but when it does, it really does. There’s two types of Surfer fans — upstairs and downstairs. I’m afraid of upstairs Surfer. You’re not having conversations if you’re upstairs … you’re holding on for dear life. It’s great for dancing if you’re into remixes of classic songs that change before the beat drops, or if you’re looking to grind on a stranger you’ll never see again. If I find myself upstairs at Surfer, I’m either pounding a drink to dance better or fighting my demons while trying to telepathically tell my boyfriend it’s time to go home. Either way, I’m standing by the patio doors and escaping outside every chance I get.

Even if you’re more of a downstairs/outside Surfer bar-type, you’re still trouble, but you might be looking for more conversation and socialization or a drink because Lord knows you won’t get one upstairs. Downstairs is usually more relaxed; you’ll find people playing ping-pong or hacky sack or sitting at a picnic table either nursing a drink or being force-fed water waiting for their Uber. Of course, Surfer is a classic, but I have found it’s more reserved for those thirsty for a blackout or good conversation if you can land a table. No inbetween.

If Tavern is your favorite bar, you’re probably still in college or you’ve already graduated but just can’t seem to let go of the past. If you’re a part of the former, you’re probably still trying to find your place among the beach bars and Tavern is your safety net.

Don’t worry, you won’t be there forever. You’re probably awkwardly dancing on the makeshift dance floor until it’s time for another drink or running into old friends that you’re definitely too drunk to be talking to. You might be throwing back cups of water from their complimentary water jug (genius and thank you) or conveniently buying a pack of cigarettes from their vending machine because we all know drunk cigs don’t count. Tavern’s a good time, but my experiences there have felt more like fillers. We’re usually waiting until it’s late enough to go to another bar or using it as a meeting spot. If you’re spending more than two hours at Tavern, good for you, but may I ask why?

If you’re walking past Tavern, avoiding eye contact at all costs and heading into Wreck as your favorite spot, I trust you more. Wreck is usually more lowkey and is the closest spot to feeling like you’re actually at the beach. It’s opened up so the salty air and beachfront breeze masks the smell of cheap tequila they always have a deal on. If Wreck is your favorite bar, you value the environment of a place over its popularity. Or you may have opted for the devil’s lettuce at the pregame and now you can’t stomach a crowded scene.

If Salt is your favorite bar, I don’t have much to say about you. I don’t know you and I don’t want to. But it was so great catching up. Have a good night! For all my Ritz Dawgs, if this is your go-to bar, you either think you’re an old soul and too cool for the other “juvenile” bars with the young, rowdy kids, or you actually are old (KIDDING!). I could count on one hand how many times I’ve been to The Ritz. The first being my 21st birthday, and I was given my first green tea shot by a very sweet (older) couple. The next time all I remember was shoveling plates of popcorn down my gullet until I was sick from the mixture of butter and beer. But I do know people love this bar and I definitely see why. It has a good mix of things to do, adequate seating and even live music most nights, which is ideal. To me, the best part of The Ritz is something every Jax Beach bar goer knows all too well — the Ritz Dogs. I just drooled onto my computer. That dinky looking food truck that sits in The Ritz parking lot is my safe space, oasis, home away from home. Even if you’re throwing it up hours later, it’s worth it every time. Ritz is certainly a classic and it’s probably your favorite for a specific reason, given how much it offers. It’s reliable and fun, but, like, shut up about it.

LYNCH’S IRISH PUB

Now we’re faced with Lynch’s Irish Pub. The only Irish thing about it is its infamous Irish Car Bombs, and if you’re ordering those for any reason other than to torture the birthday girl/ boy or as a sick, twisted joke, I need you far away from me. If this is your favorite bar, you’re probably getting wasted while being the life of the party. You have goals in mind — could be to push through until the bar is blinded with overhead lighting or trying to find the love of your life, you hopeless romantic.

Lynch’s is a hit or miss from my experience. You’re either at a good, peak drunk and listening to live music and chatting with new or old friends or you’re hurling your body into a sea of sweaty people as vodka-crans are being spilled down your shirt as you desperately seek the outside air to find it just as crowded. If you’re unbothered by crowds, Lynch’s can be a lot fun. The people are typically friendly, even if they’re burping Guinness into your face it’s part of the experience. If this is your favorite bar, you probably like the dive-ness feel to it and the hustling and bustling of a good night out. It’s not too loud to the point of unpleasantness (most times), but it’s busy enough to slip into the background. You know you’ve had a good time at Lynch’s if you come out with at least one stain somewhere and you’re Irish goodbye-ing (see what I did there?) the creepy guy who’s been shadowing you all night.

If Wine Bar is your favorite spot … hi, mom and dad! Wine Bar is great, don’t get me wrong, but you’re either soooo annoying about it or you’re really cool parents in need of a night out. If you’re of the former, you’re probably trying to get with one of the hot bartenders by seeming cool and mysterious, but you’re actually just slurring your words and desperately need water. If you don’t feel like you fit in at Wine Bar, you probably don’t. Read the room.

If Mango’s is your favorite beach bar, you know what you like and you’re unwavering on your stance. You cling to comfort and stability. Or you might be trying to live out your “Cheers” daydream where everyone knows your name … keep going, I’m sure they will one day. However, if there’s one bar that’s going to have regulars, it’s Mango’s. Over 65 years later and under new management, it’s still a local favorite. On a busy Friday night, it can get rowdy, but there’s a certain je ne sais quoi to it — you know this bar has seen some ghosts, but it’s also modern and alive. Maybe it’s the colorful Christmas lights they keep up year round, the wall of Polaroid pictures or the sweet smell of freshly popped popcorn (that I’m also inhaling at any given minute). Whatever it is, it’s working. If Mango’s is your go-to, you’ve probably found your forever home.

CASA MARINA MANGO’S WINE BAR

Finally, if Casa Marina is your favorite bar, you’re pretentious but in the best way. You’re willing to pay for overpriced, yet delicious martinis in return for feeling better than everyone else. You’ll sit outside, sip your espresso martini, sigh dramatically and say something like, “We needed this.” You’re going to overestimate the strength of a few martinis and wake up with terrible hangxiety over how much money you spent. You also might roll your eyes at those dancing in front of the DJ booth who’s playing the actual setlist from a middle school dance, but, as those martinis do what they always do, you’ll soon be joining them. Casa Marina is for the elegant, yet trashy, and I am certainly one of them.

Wherever you end up at the end of the night doesn’t really matter. We’re all the same Jax Beach loving crowd with a shared passion for getting drunk and making memories. On our own, we represent the bar we hold closest to our hearts. As a collective, we make up the epitome of Jax Beach. And if you don’t feel like you belong anywhere, well, try staying at home because something might be wrong with you.

ARLINGTON

Cliff’s Bar and Grill cliffsbarandgrill.com

Club Heaven clubheavenjax.com

BEACHES/PONTE VEDRA

Blue Jay Listening Room bluejayjax.com

The Brix Taphouse jacksonvillebeachbar.com

Casa Marina casamarinahotel.com

Culhane’s culhanesirishpub.com

Flask & Cannon facebook.com/flaskandcannon

Fly’s Tie Irish Pub facebook.com/flystieirishpub

Green Room Brewing greenroombrewing.com

Grey Matter Distillery greymatterdistillery.com

Gusto gustojax.com

Hoptinger Bier Garden + Sausage House hoptinger.com

Ink Factory Brewing inkfactorybrewing.com

NIGHTLIFE

Island Girl Cigar Bar islandgirlcigarbar.com

Jax Beach Kava Bar kavajacksonville.com

Jekyll Brewing jekyllbrewing.com

Julep Palm Valley facebook.com/juleppalmvalley

Lemon Bar & Grille lemonbarjax.com

Lynch’s Irish Pub lynchsirishpub.com

Mango’s mangosjaxbeach.com

Mavi’s Waterfront Bar & Grill mavijax.com

Monkey’s Uncle Tavern monkeysuncletavern.com

Palm Valley Outdoors Bar and Grill palmvalleyoutdoors.com

Penthouse Lounge at Casa Marina Hotel casamarinahotel.com

Ragtime Tavern ragtimetavern.com

Refinery Jax Beach refineryjaxbeach.com

Reve Brewing revebrewing.com

The Ritz Lounge theritzlounge.com

The Shim Sham Room shimshamroom.com

Southern Swells Brewing Company southernswells.com

Surfer The Bar surferthebar.com

Voo Swar Restaurant & Lounge instagram.com/vooswar

DOWNTOWN

The Bier Hall at Intuition Ale Works intuitionaleworks.com/bierhall

Bold City Brewery boldcitybrewery.com

De Real Ting Cafe facebook.com/derealtingcafe

Dos Gatos dosgatosjax.com

Element Bistro Bar & Lounge elementjax.com

Hardwicks hardwicksbarjax.com

Intuition Aleworks intuitionaleworks.com

Island Girl Cigar Bar islandgirlcigarbar.com

Justice Pub facebook.com/thejusticepub

The Lark thelarkjax.com

Live Bar facebook.com/livebarclubjax

Manifest Distilling manifestdistilling.com

Ocean Street Tequila instagram.com/oceanstreettacosandtequila

The RL Lounge therlloungejax.com

Ruby Beach Brewing rubybeachbrewing.com

Underbelly underbellyjax.com

The Volstead thevolsteadjax.com

FLEMING ISLAND

Island Girl Cigar Bar islandgirlcigarbar.com/fleming-island

Mercury Moon facebook.com/mercury-moon

Mr. Chubby’s Wings mrchubbyswings.com

Sunset Tiki Bar the-sunset-tiki-bar.business.site

Whitey’s Fish Camp whiteysfishcamp.com

INTRACOASTAL WEST 9 Zero Pour 9zeropour.com

MVP’s Sports Grille facebook.com/mvpssportsgrille

The Spot Hookah Lounge thespothookahloungejax.com

Time Out Sports Grill timeoutsportsgrill.com

MANDARIN/JULINGTON CREEK/ FRUIT COVE 2nd Bay Brewing 2ndbaybrewing.com

Comedy Zone comedyzone.com

Iggy’s Grill and Bar facebook.com/iggysgrill

Kava & Company kavaandcompany.com

Legacy Ale Works legacyaleworks.com

Monkey’s Uncle Tavern facebook.com/monkeysunclemandarin1

Rack’em Up Sports Bar facebook.com/rackemupsportsbar

Time Out Sports Grill timeoutsportsgrill.com

MURRAY HILL Axe Champs axechamps.com

Buchner’s Bierhalle buchnersbierhalle.com

The Boot Rack Saloon boot-rack-saloon.business.site

Fishweir Brewing Company fishweirbrewing.com

The Flamingo theflamingojax.com

Perfect Rack Billiards perfectrackbilliards.com

Silver Cow silvercowjax.com

The Stout Snug thestoutsnug.com

The Walrus thewalrusjax.com

Restaurant coppertopbarandrestaurant.com

Four

APRIL

2 THE JUNGLE BOOK FOR SCHOOLS

3 ASHLEY MCBRYDE - WITH SPECIAL GUEST MEG MCREE

4 SWAN LAKE

5 SCOTT BRADLEE’S POSTMODERN JUKEBOX

6 ORCHESTRA NOIR

7 THE CLASSIC ROCK SHOW

11 THE GUESS WHO

12 ETTA MAY AND THE SOUTHERN FRIED CHICKS

13 THERESA CAPUTO

15 ROSIE REVERE, ENGINEER & FRIENDS FOR SCHOOLS

16 BRIT FLOYD

17 RODRIGO Y GABRIELA

18 DON FELDER FORMERLY OF THE EAGLES WITH SPECIAL GUEST PABLO CRUISE & FIREFALL

19 JEREMY CAMP

20 THE FLAMING LIPS

21 AMY GRANT

22 LEONID & FRIENDS

24

25

27

ROAD – A TRIBUTE TO ELTON JOHN

3

5

8

11

12

31

JUNE

4 CELTIC THRONE

6 HAPPY TOGETHER TOUR 2024

7 ALI SIDDIQ

ORANGE PARK/MIDDLEBURG

57 Heaven facebook.com/57heavenop

Big Dawgs Sports Restaurant bigdawgsrestaurant.com

Cheers Park Avenue cheersparkave.com

The Daq Shack thedaqshack904.com

Dee’s Music Bar and Grill facebook.com/musicbarandgrill

The Fresh Spot Lounge thefreshspotlounge.com

LeaderBoard Arcade leaderboardarcade.com

Locals Pub localspub.co

Nakama Anime Bar nakamabar.com

Park Avenue Billiards parkavenuebilliards.com

Pinglehead Brewing Company pinglehead.com

Southern Social Whiskey Bar & Lounge southernsocialbar.com

RIVERSIDE/AVONDALE Birdies facebook.com/birdiesfivepoints

Bold City Brewery boldcitybrewery.com

Brick Restaurant brickofavondale.com

Burlock & Barrel burlockandbarrel.com

Casbah Cafe thecasbahcafe.com

Dart Bar & Games facebook.com/dartbarjax

Eclipse Bar & Nightclub facebook.com/eclipsebarjax

The Garage garagejax.com

The Green House thegreenhousebar.com

Hoptinger Bier Garden + Sausage House hoptinger.com

Incahoots incahootsnightclub.com

Kanine Social Taproom kaninesocial.com

Keg & Coin kegandcoinjax.com

Kingmaker Brewing kingmakerbrewing.com

Lemonstreet Brewing Company lemonstreetbrewing.com

The Loft loftjax.com

Mickie’s Irish Pub facebook.com/mickiesjax

Myrtle Avenue Brewing facebook.com/myrtleavebrewing

Park Place Lounge park-place-lounge.business.site

Rain Dogs instagram.com/raindogs5points

River & Post riverandpostjax.com

Riverside Liquors riversideliquors.biz

Rogue Bar facebook.com/rogue.bar.1

Root Down facebook.com/rootdownjax

Shores Liquor and Bar instagram.com/shoresliquoravondale

Wildcrafters facebook.com/wildcraftersjax

SAN MARCO/ST. NICHOLAS 1937 Spirits & Eatery 1937sanmarco.com

Aardwolf Brewing Company aardwolfbrewing.com

Bar Molino barmolino.com

Breezy Jazz House breezyjazzhouse.com

Cuba Libre Ultra Lounge cubalibrebar.com

Fore Score Golf Tavern forescoregolf.com

The Grape & Grain Exchange grapeandgrainexchange.com

Kava & Company kavaandcompany.com

The Mudville Grill themudvillegrill.com

The Players Grille playersgrille.com

Posting House posting.house Sidecar instagram.com/sidecarjax

SOUTHSIDE/ST. JOHNS TOWN CENTER

Austin Karaoke facebook.com/austinkaraoke

Bottlenose Brewing bottlenosebrewing.com

Cataluna Jax catalunajax.com

Culhane’s culhanesirishpub.com

Island Girl Cigar Bar islandgirlcigarbar.com

Jax Craft Beer jaxcraftbeer.com

Medusa Restaurant and Hookah Lounge facebook.com/medusa-loungejacksonville

Secret Tiki Temple secrettikitemple.com

Seven Bridges Grille & Brewery 7bridgesgrille.com

Trio Lounge triohookahlounge.com

Veterans United Craft Brewery vubrew.com

Wicked Barley Brewing Company wickedbarley.com

WXYZ Bar at Aloft Hotel aloftjacksonvilletapestrypark.com

SPRINGFIELD

Crispy’s Springfield Gallery crispysspringfieldgallery.com

The District thedistrictspr.com

Historically Hoppy Brewing Company historicallyhoppy.com

Shantytown Pub facebook.com/shantytownjax

Strings Sports Brewery stringssportsbrewery.com

Stumpy’s Hatchet House stumpyshh.com

ST. AUGUSTINE

Ancient City Brewing ancientcitybrewing.com

Arnold’s Lounge arnoldslounge.com

Beacon Listening Room beaconstaug.com

Cellar Upstairs Bar at San Sebastian Winery sansebastianwinery.com

Dog Rose Brewing dogrosebrewing.com

The Original Café Eleven originalcafe11.com

Prohibition Kitchen pkstaug.com

Tradewinds Lounge tradewindslounge.com

WESTSIDE

Elevation Lounge elevationjax.com

Lillian’s lillianssportsgrill.com

The Phoenix Bar & Bowling facebook.com/thephoenixjax

Annabella suffered a meniscus tear but thanks to Injury Care Centers & our Biotarget Therapy she was back on the field in only 3 weeks.

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