Folio Vol. 36, Issue 23

Dazzling Nights! Molly Britt 16

Jacksonville’s Vigilante Carmen Macri 23

Give Us a Break! Just Smash That provides a cathartic—and fun—way to channel frustration Ambar Ramirez & Carmen Macri 25

Born in a Barn: Chris Isaak Rob Nicholson 30

Tib of the Iceberg Tib Miller helped put Jacksonville back on the musical map Shelton Hull

37

The Gift of a Lifetime Ambar Ramirez 39

On the First Day of Christmas… I Went on a Date Where to take your special someone for a festive night on the town Molly Britt 41 Film Reviews Harry Moore 45

Deck the Halls…Jacksonville Beach Style

A look into the annual Deck the Chairs exhibit in Jacksonville Beach Molly Britt 49 Folio’s Declassified New Years Eve Survival Guide For People Who Hate New Years’ Ambar Ramirez & Carmen Macri

FOLIO STAFF

TERESA SPENCER general manager

ROB NICHOLSON sales director

MOLLY BRITT account executive/contributor

AMBAR RAMIREZ multi-media creative

CARMEN MACRI intern

SHELTON HULL contributor

JOHN M. PHILLIPS, ESQ. publisher

KERRY SPECKMAN copy editor

HARRY MOORE contributor

DREW ARNETT illustrator

RAIN HENDERSON designer

Behind the cover: Chip Southworth by Carmen Ramirez

DECEMBER HOROSCOPES

ARIES

December will have you feeling quite sluggish, Aries. Your planetary ruler, Mars, lays fast asleep meaning this is the perfect time for you to rest and recharge. Downtime does not always mean unproductiveness. Prioritize your rest, you’ll need it, especially before the in-laws show up.

TAURUS

You may find yourself working a little bit more than you would like to this month, Taurus. That said, as long as you set boundaries and take breaks when needed, December will treat you right. When shopping for gifts, set aside a little extra cash to buy something for yourself; you deserve it.

GEMINI

Another challenging month awaits you, Gemini. One more emotional rollercoaster of a season, but that’s nothing new for you. The full moon on Dec. 7 will pull your emotions front and center; don’t let it get the best of you. Take deep breaths and long walks: You got this.

CANCER

Don’t forget to fasten your seatbelt, Cancer, as this month will be a rollercoaster of emotions. Though, as long as you focus on the good, nothing bad can happen… right? Lend a helping hand when you can and keep a smile even in the face of negativity. What energy you give, you will receive.

LEO

Your energy planet (Mars) remains in retrograde, Leo. Making you feel like you’ve got nothing left to give. Don’t let this slow start fool you, though! For on Dec. 7, the full moon will send its celestial energy straight to you. Bathe in the moonlight as it pulls you from the emotional trenches. The second half of December has your name written all over it.

VIRGO

Look past the family drama, Virgo, and this month will be virtuous for you. Delve into the cheery vibes this season brings with a load of hot chocolate and holiday movies. As long as you continue to focus on yourself and those you care about, nothing will get in the way of your success.

LIBRA

If you thought things couldn’t get better for you, think again, Libra! After a confusing November, December will bring a sense of clarity. Now is the time to get your life in order so you can focus on the things (and people) most important to you. With this newfound confidence, you will find it easier to express yourself and really show off your loving character.

SCORPIO

Hi, baby gorgeous <3! As the stars leave Scorpio and enter Sagittarius, you may be feeling a power struggle within. It is OK to let go every once in a while and hop in the passenger seat. You’ll be surprised with what you might find. Mars remaining in retrograde brings you luck and intimacy this month; you just need to know where to look. Try to stay off the naughty list…for once.

SAGITTARIUS

Seasons greeting, Sagittarius. The time has come to leave the past in the past and focus on the present… and all the presents you will be receiving. You have been putting in the work these past couple of months and now you can finally reap the benefits. This month is a great excuse to be selfish. Treat yourself!

CAPRICORN

2022 ends with a bang for you, Capricorn. Jupiter brings personal growth, good luck and happiness your way this December. A feeling of optimism may wash over you, calling you to experience all you can before the month’s end. Take advantage of this feeling, and don’t shy away from what you might find!

AQUARIUS

Santa has you on the nice list this month, Aquarius. Despite all the craziness that life throws at you, you have held your head up high and now you can finally relax. Pack your bags and take that trip you have been dying to take. Better yet, put on your comfiest pajamas and watch your favorite holiday movies. You’ve earned it!

PISCES

You have had a rough year, Pisces, but that is not to say that things can not turn around now. Focus on yourself and who you hold dear. The solar eclipse on Dec. 4 that doubles as a supermoon will be a powerhouse of celestial energy for you, shoving you straight into your ambitions and goals. Let the energy wash over and lead you in decision making.

THAT LASTS YEAR-ROUND

Most people are more generous with charitable donations during the holidays, but children in the foster care system need our support throughout the year. This holiday season, we ask you to consider making a gift to the Guardian ad Litem Foundation. With your donation, we will continue to serve the abused, neglected and abandoned children in our community with the initiatives and programming that can Change a Child’s Story for a lifetime.

VOLUNTEER RECRUITMENT AND TRAINING

Providing the necessary training and coordination for Guardian ad Litem Volunteers to perform their duties on behalf of the child.

NORMALCY PROGRAMMING

Providing kids with the necessities needed so that they can assimilate and thrive.

THAT LASTS YEAR-ROUND

Children with a Guardian ad Litem Volunteer are • HALF AS LIKELY TO RE-ENTER FOSTER CARE •

• MORE LIKELY TO BE ADOPTED BY A LOVING FAMILY • • MORE LIKELY TO PERFORM WELL IN SCHOOL • #ChangeAChildsStory

THE EMPOWERMENT SCHOLARSHIP Furthering secondary education for those seeking to rise above their circumstances. LEARN

galfirstcoast.org

THEATER/DANCE

Through Dec. 11

“Jinglebell Jukebox Revue” Players by The Sea Theatre abetjax.com

Through Dec. 24

Irving Berlin's “White Christmas” Alhambra Theatre & Dining alhambrajax.com

Dec. 1-10

“Scrooge: The Musical” Amelia Musical Playhouse, Fernandina Beach ameliamusicalplayhouse.com

Dec. 2

“Puttin' On The Ritz” Ritz Theatre & Museum ritzjacksonville.com

Dec. 4

“The Grinch Comes to Town” Ponte Vedra Concert Hall pvconcerthall.com

Dec. 6-11

“Elf: The Musical” Jacksonville Center for the Performing Arts fscjartistseries.org

Dec. 7

Buster Keaton’s “Sherlock Jr.” with live score Sun-Ray Cinema sunraycinema.com

Dec. 8

“Elf” (original film) Sun-Ray Cinema sunraycinema.com

Dec. 9

The Florida Ballet Presents “The Nutcracker” Thrasher-Horne Center thcenter.org

Dec. 14

“Scrooged” (original film) Sun-Ray Cinema sunraycinema.com

Dec. 16

“One Funny Christmas” Ritz Theatre & Museum ritzjacksonville.com

Dec. 16-18

Apex Threatre Studios Presents “Eb Scrooge: A Southern Fried Carol” Ponte Vedra Concert Hall pvconcerthall.com

Dec. 16-Jan. 1 Venardos Circus St. Augustine Amphitheatre theamp.com

Dec. 16-23

“A Christmas Carol”

The Island Theater, Fleming Island theislandtheater.com

Dec. 18

“White Christmas” (original film) Sun-Ray Cinema sunraycinema.com

Dec. 20

Jason Woods: “A Christmas Carol” Jacksonville Center for the Performing Arts jaxevents.com

Dec. 21

“Christmas Vacation” (original film) Sun-Ray Cinema sunraycinema.com

Dec. 24

“It's a Wonderful Life” (original film) Sun-Ray Cinema sunraycinema.com

Dazzling Nights!

by Molly Britt

If you’re tired of the same old holiday plans, take a look at the Jacksonville Arboretum and & Garden’s solution to that.

Between November 25 and January 1, 2023, they will be the sight for Dazzling Nights. It’s a night time walking immersive experience through lights drawn up all around the gardens. Between 5:30 and 9pm, you can experience a rare sight of one million Christmas lights. The lights are used in various sets, such as a canopy of Moroccan lanterns, an 8,000 square foot light up maze, and a live show featuring moving lights and live singers.

The lights offer a “hazy forest of layers” among the gardens in which nature is put on a beautiful display in between the sets. You can enjoy music and sculptures, a tunnel of stars, and photo opportunities for the whole group. One thing we cannot get in the South is a proper Winter Wonderland, but with organizations like Dazzling Nights, we can still experience the fun and festive environment brought on by the holiday season. Stop by this exhibit and you may even get to see some snow while drinking a delicious hot chocolate.

Have kids with you during the holidays and no clue how to tire them out? This is the perfect place. They get to play in inflatables, fake snow, explore mazes, and more. If they are not tired by the

ride home after that 3/4 mile of lights and shows, you have got one energetic kid and I will keep you in my thoughts.

The lights are open during the holidays rain or shine, but make sure you have something to light up that walkway. In an effort to showcase the beautiful lights the ground, which may be uneven at parts, could be hard to direct. Maybe let the kids use a flashlight before playing in an inflatable Yeti park. While the kids are away walk under the tunnel of stars or the canopy of lantern with your special someone and enjoy the sounds of holiday music for your enjoyment.

Don’t forget the Christmas Tree? Christmas time is such a fun time to drive around and find all the lit up Christmas trees you can on your journey, and this is one you should not miss. The walk starts with a picture perfect thirty foot Christmas Tree boasting some of the million lights used in this exhibit. I, for one, am a huge fan of the beauty of lanterns and the lights they show off, you can and will find me under the canopy.

This is the perfect go-to for family or friends night when you don’t want to do anything too crazy, eggnog sure can end up making some crazy decisions for you…speaking for a friend. So maybe trade the eggnog for the beauty of nature covered in lights of all sorts for the night. Just be sure to buy your tickets online, as this event is not free. If you plan on parking yourself, plan on arriving slightly early so you can ensure the best time of you life. Now, go out, have fun, and enjoy the holidays.

Words

Photo Credit Dazzlingjaz.com

TRIVIA, ETC.

All trivia games are general knowledge unless otherwise noted. Don’t see your favorite trivia spot?

Drop us a hint at mail@folioweekly.com with “trivia” in the subject line.

MONDAYS

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

• Donovan’s Irish Pub, St. Augustine, 7 p.m. Hurricane Grill & Wings–Atlantic Boule vard (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.

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

TUESDAYS

• Mr. Chubby’s Wings–Fleming Island (music bingo), 6:30 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 Boule vard, 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. Raindogs, 7 p.m.

• Sahara Cafe, 7 p.m.

• Southern Grill, 7 p.m.

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

• 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.

• 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. Cruisers Grill, 7 p.m.

• Dick’s Wings–Mandarin, 7 p.m.

• Firefly Bay, 7 p.m.

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

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

• Scarlett O’ Hara’s, 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

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

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

• Whiskey Jax–Baymeadows, 7 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.

SUNDAYS

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

COMEDY

Some shows are age restricted (and with good reason) and may have a dress code and/or drink minimum. Don’t see your favorite ha-ha hole on the list? Humor us and let us know at stories@folioweekly.com. #callbeforeyouhaul

DEC. 1-4

Tony Rock Comedy Zone comedyzone.com

DEC. 2

Sal Vulcano Florida Theatre floridatheatre.com

DEC. 2-3

First Coast Comedy: The Main Event (7:30 p.m.)

Full Disclosure: Adults Only (10 p.m.) First Coast Comedy firstcoastcomedy.com

DEC. 3

Paula Poundstone

WJCT Soundstage floridatheatre.com

DEC. 4

Improv Comedy Night

The Beacon Gastropub, St. Augustine adventure-project.com

DEC. 7

River City Showcase hosted by Alex Sanders Comedy Zone comedyzone.com

Improv Comedy Night

Colonial Oak Music Park, St Augustine thecolonialoakmusicpark.com

DEC. 8-10

Yannis Pappas Comedy Zone comedyzone.com

DEC. 9

First Coast Comedy Presents: Improv Comedy Night Murray Hill Theatre murrayhilltheatre.com

First Coast Comedy: The Main Event (7:30 p.m.)

Full Disclosure: Adults Only (10 p.m.)

First Coast Comedy firstcoastcomedy.com

DEC. 14

Improv Comedy Night

Colonial Oak Music Park, St Augustine thecolonialoakmusicpark.com

DEC. 15

Patrick Garrity & Jen Hellman Jackie Knight’s Comedy Club, St. Augustine jackieknightscomedyclub.com

First Coast Comedy: The Main Event (7:30 p.m.)

Full Disclosure: Adults Only (10 p.m.) First Coast Comedy firstcoastcomedy.com

DEC. 15-17

Preacher Lawson Comedy Zone comedyzone.com

Improv Night With First Coast Comedy

Colonial Oak Music Park, St. Augustine thecolonialoakmusicpark.com

DEC. 18

Unscripted Comedy in the Limelight: A Holiday Extravaganza Limelight Theatre, St. Augustine adventure-project.com

ON-GOING

Jax Craft Beer

Tap That Comedy Night, fourth Wednesday of the month jaxcraftbeer.com

The Justice Pub Bombs Away! Comedy Open Mic, Wednesdays facebook.com/TheJusticePub

Raindogs

Hot Potato Comedy Night, Mondays instagram.com/raindogs5points

Veterans United Craft Brewery Comedy in the Tap Room, third Thursday of the month vubrew.com

The Walrus Magical Mystery Mic hosted by Daisy Tackett, Wednesdays thewalrusjax.com

Paula Poundstone

Deborah Roberts “I’M” Exhibit

The Art Center Gallery

• Featured artists include Mary Atwood, Cook ie Davis, Denise-Sawyer-Johnson Lawrence Walden and Lynn Wehrmann tacjacksonvillegallery.org

Butterfield Garage Art Gallery

• “Holiday Gifts” Group Show butterfieldgarage.com

The Corner Gallery at The Jessie

• Roosevelt Watson III: “Tabano's Tempo: Standing Room Only,” through Feb. 1 movingthemargins.org

Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens

• “Deborah Robert: I’m,” through Dec. 4

• “Frieseke in Florida: Memories of Jackson ville in the 1880s,” through Jan. 1

• “The Age of Armor: Treasures from the Hig gins Armory Collection at the Worcester Art Museum,” through Jan. 22

• “Jacksonville’s Norman Studios,” through Jan. 31 cummermuseum.org

Flagler College

• Erin Kendrick: “The Hotelsmen,” through Dec. 2, Crisp-Ellert Art Museum flagler.edu

Florida State College

• Student Holiday Celebration, through Dec. 6, South Campus Gallery

• Kent Campus Student Holiday Celebration, through Dec. 6, Kent Campus Gallery

• “Elena Øhlander: Journey to the West East,” through Dec. 8, The Gallery at Deerwood Center fscj.edu/art-galleries

Haskell Gallery at Jacksonville International Airport jaxairportarts.com

HiIlary Whitaker Gallery

• Works by Carmelo Blanding, John Bunker, Hillary Butler, Dennis Campay, Page Jones Davis, Marissa Decinque, Christina Foard, Jennifer JL Jones and others hwhitakergallery.com

Jacksonville Main Library

• “What's on Your Table?” through Jan. 5, First Floor Gallery jaxpubliclibrary.org

Jacksonville University

• ”Bill Davis: No Dark in Sight,” virtual exhibi tion

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

Lightner Museum

• “Bouke de Vries: War and Pieces,” through Dec. 31 lightnermuseum.org

MOCA Jacksonville

• Project Atrium: Milagros, Dec. 9-April 9

• “Art With a Heart: What Lifts You Up,” through Jan. 8

• “FIFTY: An Alumni Exhibition,” through Feb. 12

• “Shervone Neckles: Bless This House,” through March 5

• “Don’t Blame It on Zen: The Way of John Cage & Friends,” through May 7 mocajacksonville.unf.edu

Museum of Science and History

• Arts Infusion ImagiNclusion, MOSH Lobby

• Works by Princess Simpson Rashid, MOSH Creation Station themosh.org

NoCo Center

• “Beyond Van Gogh: The Immersive Experi ence,” through Feb. 26 vangoghjacksonville.com

Ritz Theatre & Museum

• “Through Our Eyes: Female Led Legacies,” through Jan. 9

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

Stellers Gallery

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

University of North Florida

• Senior Exhibit, Dec. 8-Jan. 20, UNF Gallery of Art and Lufrano Intercultural Gallery unf.edu/gallery

The Vault at 1930

• Works by Ellen Diamond, David Engdahl, Dolf James, Ed Hall, Ed Malesky, William McMahan and others 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 exhibition yellowhouseart.org

Ongoing

Art Walk: Dec. 7

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 Vagabond 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/artwalk

Fernandina Beach Arts Market: Dec. 9 and 23 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: Dec. 2,9, 16, 23, 30 Artists, artisans and makers display their origi nal paintings, jewelry, photographs, 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: Dec. 2 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. artgalleriesofstaugustine.com

Jacksonville’s Vigilante

On the door to his studio, in red lettering, it reads, “No police beyond this point without a warrant.” Somewhat of an odd welcoming sign, but if you know anything about artist and Jacksonville native Chip Southworth, it makes perfect sense.

While often referred to as “Keith Haring’s Ghost” (more on that in a minute), Southworth’s art does not consist of empty figures like Haring’s, though, he does take inspiration from the late artist’s message and activism. Through portraits, words and paintings of buildings and structures, Southworth’s work speaks volumes of the state of Jacksonville and the world.

Southworth always dreamed of becoming an artist. But it wasn’t until 2011 when Southworth began to get offers to to have his work in on display in exhibits and galleries that he saw his dream could be a reality.

“I took studio art in high school and in college, and I was always completely seduced by the idea, you know? And I loved art,” Southworth said.

High school and college classes weren’t the only experiences Southworth had with art. Painting billboards and signs with his dad had a huge influence on the type of art Southworth produces today.

“I was able to just kind of go and tap into the sign painting stuff and do some like satirical political stuff, you know?” Southworth

said. “And then it just kind of became just in-your-face political stuff.”

Satirical or not, Southworth’s work often comments on political issues as well as brings to light topics that are too often overlooked.

“I kind of look at things from a historically empathetic viewpoint. As a white male artist, it’s a strange time, you know? And I definitely believe we’re in the midst of, like, a Black cultural revolution, and it’s been awesome,” Southworth explained. “I’ve painted more to try to make statements to people who maybe don’t fully understand our history or where we are. I kind of sometimes use either comedy or hip-hop lyrics, something like that to just paint a very simple picture.”

Every three years, Southworth revisits a certain subject matter. These days, it’s a subject all too familiar to Jacksonville residents, yet ignored with the everyday rush of life. Bridges.

“I’ve been walking over those bridges or driving over them for my whole life,” Southworth noted. “I’m a Jacksonville native, so I’ve always loved them. I’ve always been mesmerized by all that metal, and it’s always really cool to me and really modern. And in a lot of ways it’s kind of like really old school too, but I try not to go that way with it.”

Words & photo by Ambar Ramirez

M Y L A G O S M Y W A Y

All of Southworth’s pieces make viewers look deeper than what is on the surface. Even with his Bridge Series, Southworth focuses on certain beams or wires that usually can’t be seen by the naked eye (unless you have binoculars).

But it’s more than just making a statement for the artist. Southworth notes that one of the most important aspects of being an artist is finding your niche. And for him, it is all about the process of painting. It usually takes Southworth six weeks to complete one painting, and even then, as we sit in his studio space, he is looking at his pieces with a critical eye, thinking of what else can he add to the already completed paintings.

“I try to always progress. I feel like every time I revisit this subject matter, I see it a different way and I paint it a different way,” Southworth said. “I think that there are jewels in every series, you know? But I want the evolution of my painting to come out in the series as well as they progress.”

In addition to paint (obviously), Southworth often uses a blowtorch to add texture and dimension to his paintings. He has highlighted that process using different techniques and painting styles in his Bridge Series. In his second series, he was more influenced by Andy Warhol and pop-art. Now his bridges reflect a much more realistic view with the texture created with blowtorches bringing to life the bridges that are unique to Jacksonville.

Using fire in his pieces isn’t the only way Southworth separates himself from other artists. He speaks his truth, whether anyone wants to hear it or not, and has, on more than one occasion, put his reputation—and freedom—on the line.

Southworth did just that back in 2014 when he began a covert public art project with other local artists. The project was spurred by the the trial of Trayvon Martin, an unarmed, Black 17-yearold student who was shot and killed by George Zimmerman in Sanford, and the murder of another unarmed, Black 17-yearold student, Jordan Davis, who was shot to death by Michael Dunn while sitting in an SUV outside a gas station on Southside Boulevard in Jacksonville. Their senseless deaths —and so many more like them—lit a fire in Southworth who was looking for a way to bring awareness and social action to Jacksonville. He was able to take these tragedies and bring them to light in a way that was easily accessible to local residents and caused them to take notice. His canvas of choice: traffic signal utility boxes.

“Trayvon’s trials were going on and then also Jordan Davis had just happened. So I just kind of took the streets, you know, and was doing it completely anonymously for a long time,” Southworth recalled. “Some other artists were helping me out, just kind of looking out and then [the police] caught me.”

After the police paid $9,000 to get Southworth’s Facebook IP address, they tracked him down and arrested him. But in the face of arrest charges, Southworth decided to use what he was given, his art (and situation), as a way to change the status of some laws surrounding art in Jacksonville. In fact, Southworth, along with the help of other artists and then-Mayor Alvin Brown, changed 18 laws.

“Poverty-stricken neighborhoods had put up these world-class murals, and those whole areas would start to thrive and change completely,” Southworth said. “Part of it’s also gentrification as a result, but there’s give and take with everything, and I think Jacksonville was a much better place with all the art, you know?”

In fact, it was the Southworth and fellow artists from that time who pushed the boundaries of public art and kick-started the renaissance we’re seeing, especially with murals, all around the city. And as with most things, a lot of good can end up being bad, but when it comes to decorating otherwise bland buildings with art that represents each neighborhood and the people who live there, I don’t think we have much to complain about.

Still, at the time, any sort of street art was considered graffiti and, therefore, illegal. But it seems the real reason Southworth was arrested was due more so to the actual art and message he was sending than “defacing” ugly metal utility boxes.

“The project itself was using Keith Haring’s language, nomenclature and what he had created, which is very much like a language, you know? And that’s the way he looked at it too. To use it to kind of poke fun at what was going on around the city,” Southworth explained. “I mean, half of the images were just happy, like a guy holding up a heart or two people with their heads tied in a knot. But there were some pieces about gun violence and stuff like that, that I guess just pushed some of the City Council people over the edge or whatever. It was during gay rights times too.”

Despite getting arrested and having to go to court, Southworth saw what he was doing was getting attention. And even though he was doing it anonymously, in a weird and twisted way, it ended up doing a lot of good for the city of Jacksonville and raising awareness of the importance of bringing art to people who might not be able to visit a museum. Southworth walked so that other artists working in Jacksonville could run.

For any rising artists reading this right now, Southworth reminds them that consistency is key. If you strongly believe in something, it is important to use your voice and art when you can to express that. And who knows… maybe change a couple of other laws while you are at it.

Give Us a Break!

Just Smash That provides a cathartic—and fun—way to channel frustration

Words by Carmen Macri & Ambar Ramirez | Photos Provided

Located on the corner of Blanding Square Plaza in Orange Park, there is a true hole-in-the-wall operation (pun intended). Just Smash That is a family-owned business with everything you need to release your pent-up anger including the tools and the objects to destroy.

It all started three years ago when Shawn Miller was watching TV. He saw an ad for a local rage room and decided it was time for him to make his own. (His daughter, Taylor, claims to be the real inspiration behind it. “Basically, I guess his kids just made him mad enough to want to break stuff,” Taylor explained.)

But Just Smash That isn’t only for releasing rage in a bitter way. It can be a healing experience as well. “A lot of people do come here in a therapeutic way, you know? We don’t claim or say, ‘we can help you with what you’re going through,’ but it can really help people, especially if they’re mourning the losses of another person or just going through a divorce or a breakup,” Taylor said. “If not, then it’s just for fun.”

Just Smash That is also a great place for first dates. As they say… if they can’t handle you at your worst, they don’t deserve you at your best.

“What better way to get to know somebody?” Taylor said. “A lot of people come here on dates to get to know somebody’s crazy level before they get in too deep.” Because where’s the fun in hiding your crazy?

Like many small businesses, the owners built and grew Just Smash It around the wants and needs of its guests. With people driving from all over Florida and Georgia to get rid of their rage, the owners of Just Smash That wanted to offer a more complete adventure that was well worth the trip. What started out as three rage rooms has turned into a seven-room experience that now

includes ax throwing and paint splattering, as well as space for large parties. They also added twists like a spin-the-wheel game to get more desirable items to smash and the option for guests to have their experience filmed via GoPro.

After checking in at the front desk, you are led to—what we like to call—the choose-your-character room, where you change into your battle gear and pick your method of destruction. From crowbars to wrenches to bowling balls, Just Smash That has a weapon for any shattering occasion. After you pick your artillery, you are taken to one of four rage rooms: Anger Management, Rage Cage, Disorderly Conduct or Panic Attack. (Each comes equipped with a complimentary sledgehammer).

Maybe aggressively smashing an office desk or a photo of an ex-lover isn’t your thing. Then make your way over to the splatter paint rooms, which are set up with six bottles of neon paint and a blank canvas to carry out your very own paint war. (Depending on what you wear, you can also walk out with a brand-new outfit.)

And if that doesn’t pique your interest (or you have a lot of time on your hands), check out Just Smash That’s ultimate rage release: ax throwing.

“The reason we did ax throwing is because it was just starting to take off, and everybody was starting to learn about it,” Shawn explained. “I mean there is a sense of danger with it too, you know?” Taylor added.

With a snack bar and an auxiliary cord, you can live out your lumberjack fantasies in style. If you’re not interested in a tuckedin flannel and blue jeans experience, throwing knives (and stars) are also on deck.

Got rage? Book your experience at breakaroom.com.

ANTWERP

Born in a Barn

Chris Isaak with Rob Nicholson

Country, Americana, Rockabilly, Soft Rock, Folk Rock and just plain ole Rock N Roll, you name it and Chris Isaak plays it, sings it and writes it. With a career spanning more than 30 years Chris Isaak has sold out concert venues for most of his lifetime. Chris had many opportunities, including a shot at being in the CIA but his love has always been the music. Even compared to his rolls as an actor, he prefers the control he gets while working with music. Chris Isaak is probably most know for his run-a-way hit song “Wicked Games” for his album Heart Shaped World which actually debuted a year before it made it to commercial hit radio. It was the inclusion of the song in the film “Wild at Heart” staring Nicolas Cage and Laura Dern and directed by David Lynch that got it noticed. And that isn’t the only time that happened, Partly due to his close friendship with Director David Lynch, who used Chris’ music in a number of films. But also, his song Baby Did a Bad Bad Thing was featured in the film Eyes Wide Shut with Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman and director Stanley Kubrick in addition to being featured in "Zoey's Extraordinary Distraction,". Chris himself has also performed as an actor

in Married to the Mob, The Silence of the Lambs, Little Buddha, That Thing You Do and Lynch’s Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me. He starred in two television series: the sitcom The Chris Isaak Show and the talk show The Chris Isaak Hour.

Often compared to other performers like Elvis Presley, Roy Orbison, Ricky Nelson and Duane Eddy, Isaak is most known for his reverb-laden rockabilly revivalist style with a very wide vocal range. In 1985 Isaak signed his first record contract with Warner Bros. Records and released his first album, Silvertone, to critical acclaim. Silvertone was a reference to the Silvertone guitar brand popularized during the 1950’s. While it had critical acclaim, it didn’t sell as well to the public. But that didn’t stop Chris, David Lynch used two tracks from the album, “Gone Ridin” and Livin’ for Your Lover” in his 1986 film, Blue Velvet.

Fast forward many years and concert date and studio hours, Chris Isaak is coming to Jacksonville on December 13th in support of his just re leased Christmas album, “Everybody Knows It’s Christmas”. Eight of the songs on the album are written by Isaak and there are three covers.

You can get your tickets here: https://www.floridatheatre.com/events/ detail/chris-isaak.

CONCERTS

The Front Bottoms by Mark Jaworski

DEC. 1

Rome & Dudy: The Winter Moon Tour with special guest Channing Wilson

Ponte Vedra Concert Hall pvconcerthall.com

Dave Koz and Friends 25th Anniversary Christmas Tour

Florida Theatre floridatheatre.com

JT and The Gents

Colonial Oak Music Park, St Augustine thecolonialoakmusicpark.com

DEC. 2

Puttin' On The Ritz Live!

Ritz Theatre ritzjacksonville.com

Smokestack: Oak Outreach Winter Fest

Colonial Oak Music Park, St Augustine thecolonialoakmusicpark.com

DEC. 2-3

Jacksonville Symphony: Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto Jacksonville Center for the Performing Arts jaxsymphony.org

DEC. 3

Tab Benoit and The Dirty Dozen Brass Band

Florida Theatre floridatheatre.com

DEC. 4

Black Violin Florida Theatre floridatheatre.com

DEC. 6

The Wood Brothers

Ponte Vedra Concert Hall pvconcerthall.com

DEC. 7

Ana Popovic

Ponte Vedra Concert Hall pvconcerthall.com

DEC. 8

Dean Winter & The Heat

Colonial Oak Music Park, St Augustine thecolonialoakmusicpark.com

DEC. 8-11

Jacksonville Symphony: Holiday Pops

Jacksonville Center for the Performing Arts jaxsymphony.org

DEC. 9

The Front Bottoms with special guest Sydney Sprague

Live from the Backyard Stage at St. Augustine Amphitheatre theamp.com

UNF Choral Ensembles: Carols and Messiah Favorites

Ponte Vedra Concert Hall pvconcerthall.com

An Intimate Evening With Will Downing

Ritz Theatre & Museum ritzjacksonville.com

DEC. 10

The Fab Four: The Ultimate Tribute The Fab Four

Ponte Vedra Concert Hall pvconcerthall.com

DEC. 11

Eric Gales

Florida Theatre floridatheatre.com

The Outlaws: Greengrass and Yuletiede Jams with Pat Travers

Ponte Vedra Concert Hall pvconcerthall.com

DEC. 13

Chris Isaak: Everybody Knows It's Christmas Tour

Florida Theatre floridatheatre.com

DEC. 14

Pentatonix: A Christmas Special VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena jaxevents.com

Mindi Abair: I Can't Wait for Christmas Tour

Ponte Vedra Concert Hall pvconcerthall.com

DEC. 15

Jess Zimmerman

Colonial Oak Music Park, St Augustine thecolonialoakmusicpark.com

DEC. 16

Trans-Siberian Orchestra: The Ghosts of Christmas Eve VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena Jaxevents.com

One Funny Christmas

Ritz Theatre & Museum ritzjacksonville.com

Earth Tonez Music Collective

Colonial Oak Music Park, St Augustine thecolonialoakmusicpark.com

DEC. 16-18

Jacksonville Symphony: First Coast Nutcracker

Jacksonville Performing Arts Center jaxsymphony.org

DEC. 17

Trick Daddy: 25th Anniversary VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena jaxevents.com

Baba Caiman

Colonial Oak Music Park, St Augustine thecolonialoakmusicpark.com

DEC. 17

Debbie Gibson’s “Winterlicious” WJCT Soundstage floridatheatre.com

DEC. 17-18

Jacksonville Symphony: Handel’s Messiah

Jacksonville Center for the Performing Arts jaxsymphony.org

DEC. 18

Let’s Ride Brass Band

Colonial Oak Music Park, St. Augustine thecolonialoakmusicpark.com

DEC. 21

I Vibes & Seed Love

Colonial Oak Music Park, St. Augustine thecolonialoakmusicpark.com

DEC. 22

Rio Grande

Colonial Oak Music Park, St. Augustine thecolonialoakmusicpark.com

DEC. 23

Groove Coalition & Jolie

Colonial Oak Music Park, St. Augustine thecolonialoakmusicpark.com

DEC. 24

Brett Blackshear Trio

Colonial Oak Music Park, St. Augustine thecolonialoakmusicpark.com

DEC. 26

Ramona & The Riot and Sam Pacetti

Colonial Oak Music Park, St. Augustine thecolonialoakmusicpark.com

DEC. 27

Daniel Jude Band

Colonial Oak Music Park, St. Augustine thecolonialoakmusicpark.com

DEC. 28

Dewey Via

Colonial Oak Music Park, St. Augustine thecolonialoakmusicpark.com

DEC. 29

Mary J. Blige: Pre-New Year's Eve Celebration

VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena jaxevents.com

Joe Reid and The Heartland Band & Jolie

Colonial Oak Music Park, St. Augustine thecolonialoakmusicpark.com

DEC. 30

Bad Dog Mama & Sizemore

Colonial Oak Music Park, St. Augustine thecolonialoakmusicpark.com

DEC. 31

NYE Countdown With Groove Coalition

Colonial Oak Music Park, St. Augustine thecolonialoakmusicpark.com

Tib of the Iceberg

Words by Shelton Hull

If you’ve spent any significant amount of time attending concerts in Northeast Florida, it would be almost certain that you’ve been to at least one show promoted by Flying Saucer Presents. I can certainly name a few, but my favorite was probably Yo La Tengo and the Sun Ra Arkestra at the Florida Theatre, back in 2011, I believe. There was also Ani DiFranco at the same building, a decade earlier, as well as The Breeders (my favorite band ever) in Ponte Vedra in 2019.

FSP was the brainchild of ace promoter Tib Miller, who passed away on Tuesday, November 15, following a long battle with bone cancer. He waged this final fight so quietly and with so little fuss that many of his closest friends had no idea that he was sick. This made the news of his death even more shocking, coming near the end of a year, 2022, that has seen more notable losses in the local arts and music scene than probably any other year in history.

The news slowly filtered through the local and extended music scene as the week wore on, and the response was universal: deep sadness, and deeper gratitude to a local legend. I was informed of his death that Thursday morning by his friend Liz McCoy, the Executive Director of James Weldon Johnson Park. “Tib’s knowledge, love and respect for music and musicians is

what made him a great promoter,” she says. “He took great care of every artist that performed on stage, whether they were a Grammy-winning headliner or a local artist, and earned their respect and admiration as well. He also loved to share his passion for music either by spinning his collection of 45’s before a show, or just talking about music over a good bottle of red wine. I think the entirety of NEFL will miss the music he shared with us.”

McCoy sent me a spreadsheet that she’d gotten from him a while back. It contains 410 names, just a partial list of the many, MANY musicians and comedians he’d promoted through Flying Saucer Presents over the years. Most of these people would have never come here, or come back here, if not for his personal direction. It’s a fascinating document, and a compelling piece of local music history; I’d advise all future promoters to do this as well.

WJCT printed the list in full, but highlights include legends like Mose Allison, Marcia Ball, The B-52’s, The Breeders, Junior Brown, Carolina Chocolate Drops, Clarence Carter, Roseanne Cash, Boozoo Chavis, CJ Chenier, Cyrus Chestnut, Elvis Costello, Marshall Crenshaw, Dick Dale, Kimya Dawson, Ani DiFranco, Dr. John, Jimmie Dale Gilmore, Guided By Voices, Merle Haggard, Indigo Girls, Lake Street Dive, Bill Maher, Christian McBride, Seth

Tib Miller helped put Jacksonville back on the musical map

Meyers, The Mountain Goats (Dave Hargrove’s favorite band), Graham Nash, Shannon Ogden, NRBQ, Van Dyke Parks, Billy Joe Shaver, Lonnie Smith, Taj Mahal, Trombone Shorty, Suzanne Vega, Loudon Wainright III, John Waters, Wilco, Lucinda Williams, Dwight Yoakam, Yo La Tengo and Jessi Zazu. Many of these artists have already preceded him in death.

Some were rising stars in the industry, but many were established veterans. Promoters like Miller helped many of these older artists remain active and on the road, long after their commercial peaks had passed. Over and over, colleagues reiterated that Miller never cared that much about ticket sales–but it is a business, after all, so over time Miller’s own passion for the work became as much a part of the FSP brand and the artists themselves.

Miller moved here from the Northeast a quarter-century ago, and made himself a fixture in the local music scene almost immediately. “Tib Miller was enigmatic yet generous,” says Darren Ronan, leader of the 77d’s and owner of the Ronan School of Music. “He was generous in giving local musicians the opportunity to open for, and meet, the great artists he brought in. His support for local music is almost unheard of by a promoter in today’s world.”

As a music writer myself, I’ve known him for over 20 years, and of course he did a ton of business with Folio and EU, which together must have published hundreds of articles about the concerts he promoted. Folio featured him on the cover with an article by Nick McGregor way back in June 2012. He always had something interesting going on. Oddly for a man so active in the community, he didn’t use social media very much; his last Facebook post was for an Indigo Girls concert way back in January 2013.

Tib belongs on the same list as people like Tim Hall, Erik Hart, Jason Lewis, Ray Lewis, Ryan Murphy and others. Very few people ever promoted more shows in this region than Miller did, and they were of an almost uniformly high quality. Miller promoted for almost every major or minor venue in Northeast Florida in this century, including the Blue Jay Listening Room, Florida Theatre, Intuition Ale Works, Murray Hill Theatre, Ponte Vedra Concert Hall, The Ritz, St. Augustine Amphitheatre, the former Times-Union Center and numerous other places. Along the way, he brought some of the most important musical acts in history to this area.

“He had impeccable taste and just an insatiable curiosity about music,” says musician Matt Shaw, a former editor of Folio who now runs the Jacksonville Music Experience, over at WJCT. (He wrote an excellent tribute to Miller, which is definitely worth your

time.) “He was humble and had a really moral and ethical outlook about how to sustain and build the local music scene. He was really conscious about what shows to put at what venues, because he really saw the scene as a fragile ecosystem that really required stewardship.”

Miller’s efforts helped inspire a new generation of concert promoters, whose own work has brought the Northeast Florida scene to new heights of acclaim. For example, Ryan Murphy, who was the brains behind the St. Augustine Amphitheatre for several years, before moving to run The Orion in Huntsville last year. “Tib not only was one of the purest, independent and visionary promoters in North Florida,” says Murphy, “but he was also a magical human being. I was lucky enough to begin working with Tib in 2012 when we first did a WILCO show together at the St. Augustine Amphitheatre. And we co-promoted hundreds of shows after that.”

The loyalty that Tib showed to the artists he loved was reciprocated by those artists, as well as others fixtures in a scene that can be highly competitive, at best, and dysfunctional, at worst. “Tib knew a good song and a good musician when he heard them, and conversely, could tell immediately if someone wasn’t being honest in their music,” says Ronan.

“Tib was a mentor, a friend and someone I could talk to about music, life, food, art and anything that fills the soul,” says Murphy. “He was a dear friend to my entire family; he was even the DJ at my wedding. He was a force of nature, and someone who singlehandedly changed the culture of North Florida forever. I am a better person because I knew him and had the honor to work with him...and call him a friend.”

“If you’ve been to a show and seen a band that surprised you or bought tickets to something where you thought, wow I can’t believe this artist is coming to Jacksonville,” says Shaw, “it’s likely Tib booked the show.” This will remain true, well into the new year. The family he leaves behind includes a son, Grant, and his daughter Pepper; she will continue his legacy as head of Flying Saucer Presents. They have a full slate of shows scheduled for 2023 (including Belle and Sebastian), and we’ll be sure to keep you all informed.

“As the months pass and music lovers in Jacksonville begin to realize the tours of many great artists are passing right by us,” says Ronan, “then they will feel how profound the loss of Tib Miller is to them - even if they never met him.”

https://www.wjct.org/jme/2022/11/tib-miller-obituary/ https://www.flyingsaucerpresents.org/

NIGHTLIFE

ARLINGTON

Cliff’s Bar and Grille

Live music, Friday and Saturday cliffsbarandgrill.com

BEACHES/PONTE VEDRA

Gusto

Live music throughout the week gustojax.com

Lemon Bar & Grille

Live music throughout the week lemonbarjax.com

Lynch’s Irish Pub

Live music all week lynchsirishpub.com

Mango’s

Karaoke, Sunday and Wednesday mangosjaxbeach.com

Mavi’s Waterfront Bar & Grill

Live music, Friday–Sunday mavijax.com

Monkey’s Uncle Tavern

DJ, Tuesdays; live music, Thursday, Friday and Sunday; karaoke, Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday monkeysuncletavern.com

Palm Valley Outdoors Bar and Grill

Live music, Friday–Sunday palmvalleyoutdoors.com

The Ritz Lounge

DJs and dancing, Friday–Sunday theritzlounge.com

The Shim Sham Room

Burlesque shows, Wednesday; DJs and dancing, Friday–Sunday shimshamroom.com

Surfer The Bar

DJs and dancing, Friday–Sunday surferthebar.com

DOWNTOWN

Myth Nightclub

Electronic Thursdays, Dec. 15, 22; Before & After Fridays: Dec. 2, 9; Ugly Christmas Sweater Party, Dec. 25; Various DJs, Dec. 1, 8, 3, 10, 11, 18 mythexperience.com

The Volstead

Swing dance night, every third Sunday of the month thevolsteadjax.com

FLEMING ISLAND

Mr. Chubby’s Wings Live music, Friday mrchubbyswings.com

Mercury Moon

Live music, Monday and Wednesday facebook.com/Mercury-Moon

Sunset Tiki Bar

Live music Friday–Sunday the-sunset-tiki-bar.business.site

Whitey’s Fish Camp

Live music, Saturday and Sunday whiteysfishcamp.com

MANDARIN

Enza’s

Live piano music,Tuesday–Sunday enzas.net

MURRAY HILL

Buchner’s Bierhalle

Live music, Wednesday buchnersbierhalle.com

The Stout Snug

Dec. 2: Love Monkey; Dec. 3: Beau and The Burners; Dec. 9: North of 40 FL; Dec. 10: Spade McQuade; Dec. 16: Mad Hatter Trio; Dec. 17: Whalin Funk; Dec. 23: Jig To a Mile stone; Dec. 30: Mr. Bill Show; Dec. 31: New Year’s Eve with Love Monkey thestoutsnug.com

The Walrus

Daily entertainment Tuesday–Sunday thewalrusjax.com

ORANGE PARK

57 Heaven

DJs, Wednesday–Friday facebook.com/57HeavenOP

Big

Dawgs Sports Restaurant

Karaoke/live music, Wednesday bigdawgsrestaurant.com

Cheers

The Daq Shack

Karaoke, Wednesday; live music, Sunday thedaqshack904.com

Dee’s Music Bar and Grill

Live music, Friday and Saturday facebook.com/musicbarandgrill

Locals Pub

Karaoke, Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday; DJs, Friday and Sunday localspub.co

Tom and Betty’s

Live music, Friday and most Saturdays tomandbettys.net

RIVERSIDE/AVONDALE Birdies

Various DJs throughout the week facebook.com/birdiesfivepoints

Brick Restaurant

Live jazz on weekends brickofavondale.com

Casbah Cafe

Live jazz, Sunday; belly dancing, Friday and Saturday thecasbahcafe.com

The Garage

Live music, Friday and Saturday; Reggae with DJ Brooks, Sunday garagejax.com

Jazzy’s Restaurant & Lounge

Spoken word poetry and DJ Swagg, Tuesday; live music, Friday and Saturday jazzysrestau rant.net

Keg & Coin

Arcade bar with daily events kegandcoinjax.com

The Loft

Karaoke, Tuesday; DJ Robbie P, Thursday; DJ Brooks, Friday; DJ Robbie P, Saturday loftjax.com

Rain Dogs

Live music throughout the week instagram.com/raindogs5points

River & Post

Park Avenue

Live music, Friday–Sunday cheersparkave.com

Dec. 2: Honey Hounds; Dec. 3: Eric Charlton; Dec. 9: Honey Hounds; Dec. 10: Taylor Rob erts and Eric Charlton; Dec. 16: Ryan Camp

bell; Dec. 17: Travis Hardin; Dec. 23: Eric Charlton; Dec. 30: Ryan Campbell; Dec. 31: Eric Charlton riverandpostjax.com

Root Down

Silent disco, Friday–Sunday facebook.com/RootDownJax

SAN MARCO/ST. NICHOLAS

Breezy Jazz House

DJ, Wednesday; live jazz, Friday and Saturday breezyjazzhouse.com

Cuba Libre Ultra Lounge

DJs, Thursday; DJ Alekz Vibration, Friday and Saturday cubalibrebar.com

Fore Score Golf Tavern

Live music, Thursday and Saturday forescoregolf.com

The Mudville Grill

TBA Big Band, first and third Monday; River City Rhythm Kings, second Monday themudvillegrill.com

SOUTHSIDE

Culhane’s

Karaoke, Saturday culhanesirishpub.com

Jax Craft Beer

Live music, Friday jaxcraftbeer.com

ST. AUGUSTINE

Arnold’s

Lounge

Acoustic music, Wednesday; karaoke, Thursday; live music, Friday and Saturday; acoustic open mic night, Sunday arnoldslounge.com

Café Eleven

Dec. 1: Matt Hires; Dec. 2: Jimmy Carpenter Band; Dec. 3: Morgan James; Dec. 7: Harper & Midwest Kind; Dec. 8: Seth Glier; Dec. 9: Selwyn Birch wood originalcafe11.com

Cellar Upstairs Bar at San Sebastian Winery

Dec. 1: Ian Kelly; Dec. 2: Gary Douglas Campbell and Yael & Gabriel; Dec. 3: Vibe RW and The Car petbaggers; Dec. 4: Vinny Jacobs; Dec. 8: Tony Scozzaro; Dec. 9: Jolie and The Committee Band; Dec. 10: Wes Register and The Committee Band; Dec. 11: Vinny Jacobs; Dec. 15: Vinny Jacobs; Dec. 16: Caleb Joye and Bread & Butter; Dec. 17: Wes Register and Tony & Friends; Dec. 18: Vinny Jacobs; Dec. 22: Caleb Joye; Dec. 23: TJ Brown and Bread & Butter; Dec. 26: Vinny Jacobs; Dec. 27: TJ Brown; Dec. 28: Corey on Sax; Dec. 29: Yael & Gabriel; Dec. 30: Tony Scozzaro and Tony & Friends sansebastianwinery.com

Prohibition Kitchen

Cookin’ in the Kitchen Jazz Jam, Wednesday; Bluegrass Jam, Sunday; Dec. 1: Brady Clampitt; Dec. 2: Soulo Lyons and Esh x Schief; Dec. 3: Chillula and The Raisen Cake Orchestra; Dec. 5: Sam Pacetti; Dec. 6: Jim Johnson; Dec. 8: Freddy for Peace; Dec. 9: Esh x Schief and Color of Soul; Dec. 10: Ginger Bread and Shaun & Kristen; Dec. 12: Jim Johnston; Dec. 13: Colton McKenna; Dec.

15: Ramona; Dec. 16: Honey Hounds and Brady Clampitt; Dec. 17: Whim and Musical Chairs; Dec. 19: Micah Gilliam; Dec. 20: Joshua Worthy; Dec. 22: Remedy Tree; Dec. 23: Paper City Hustlers and Mashela; Dec. 24: Cover Boy and Ramona; Dec. 26: Corey on Sax; Dec. 27: Colton McKenna and Jim Johnston; Dec. 29: Brady Clampitt; Dec. 30: Laiken Love; Dec. 31: The Band Draucker and The Corbitt Brothers pkstaug.com

Tradewinds Lounge

Live music throughout the week tradewindslounge.com

The Gift of a Lifetime

Words by Ambar Ramirez

There are only 100 of its kind. And only 12 remain in operation, including one in downtown Jacksonville.

The 15-foot-tall, cast-iron street clock built by Seth Thomas Clock Com pany originally stood on West Bay Street where it marked the new loca tion of one of the city’s earliest jewelry stores. (The store’s original loca tion, two blocks away, was destroyed in The Great Fire of 1901.) Over the years, it was moved a couple of times around Downtown before finding its forever home in front of Jacobs Jewelers, as it became known, on the corner of North Laura and Adams streets.

In the 1970s the historical clock was donated to the City of Jacksonville by the owners of Jacobs Jewelers themselves, Roy and Delorise Thom as.

The two met through mutual friends 63 years ago and have been to gether ever since. The business itself was established in 1890 and stood there long before the two began working there in 1968. And now, after 54 years of working together, the Thomas family is saying goodbye to Jacob Jewelers, though, not without gifting their loyal customers, turned family, with a huge sale.

“We’ll miss the customers really. We’re having heartburn over that,” Roy said. “They’re the most important part of the business.” Delorise added, “We’re in the third generation, so a lot of the customers now are thirdtime shoppers, their grandparents shopped here, their parents shopped here and now they’re shopping with us. So the ties to the customer have been very special, and I don’t think that’ll ever go away. We’ll cherish those memories forever.”

Roy and Delorise admit it is sad to close their doors, but their retirement is a celebration of all the years they have run a successful business with decades of happy customers. And those cherished memories will contin ue to live on through the unique pieces they have sold.

“You’re remembering happy occasions, and you’re making this occasion more and more special each year,” Delorise said. “And as you grow with your customers, when they buy an engagement ring and then we go to the wedding and then they have children, and we watched the children grow. It just becomes a very big family, and our family has extended a long way since we came here in 1968.”

Through the connections they have built over the years, the impact that the business and the Thomas family has left will live forever. For Roy and Delorise it is all about the quality they have established with not only the exquisite jewelry and watches they sell, but the quality of the relation ships they have built with their customers.

“It’s been important to us that when someone says, I bought my ring at Jacobs, you don’t have to question the quality,” Delorise said. “Because Jacobs itself says quality.”

The pieces and jewels that Jacobs Jewelers sell are all about quality and longevity. This is especially true for the two-ton timepiece they donated to the city which has outlasted several owners, survived multiple moves, and endured a number of restorations, the most significant after it was slammed into by a city bus.

For many, the historical clock is a symbol of Jacksonville’s own history, and how no matter what disasters are thrown at the city, it will continue to rise from the ashes. For Roy and Delorise, the clock, in a way, symbol izes their business too.

“I think the clock just is a symbol that time marches on. So being a part of that march has been important to us because time... just kind of keeps moving on,” Delorise said. “What we do with that time is up to us, and I think when you see the clock, you’re reminded of the fact that time is moving on very quickly. So enjoy your days and enjoy your time.”

With the tagline “Meet me under the clock,” Jacksonville’s symbolic keeper of time has been a destination for generations to convene. For as long as the city of Jacksonville stands, the clock will be there. Along with the clock’s “Jacobs Jewelers” signage, it will be a reminder for years to come of the business that once stood there and the all the people who made the business one of the most treasured in town, and truly making it a gift that will continue to give.

On the First Day of Christmas… I went on a Date

Where to take your special someone for a festive night on the town

Words by Molly Britt

Do you ever think to yourself: Winter is the absolute best time to be single? Yeah, me neither. I know all of you single 20-somethings are thinking of ways to get through the holidays without one more family member asking if you’ve met anyone special yet. Well, I am here to help…not the finding someone part (sorry I am perpetually single as well) but the one time you work up the nerve to ask someone out on a date this holiday season, you’ll be prepared.

The holiday dating scene…it’s something. I refuse to believe anyone would not like a classic date enjoying the holiday season, and if I just described the opposite of you or your significant other….that’s rather unfortunate for those around you. Kidding… mostly, don’t be a Grinch.

So, you worked up the nerve to ask someone out: Congrats the hard part is over (and by hard part I mean overcoming the fear of rejection)! Where do you go? You can’t just bring them to some basic dinner or grab a drink at the same bar you go to every weekend (I’m describing myself). Lucky for you, there is plenty of festive fare, fun and feels around Northeast Florida.

Looking for a casual drink with someone you may have just met or are still getting to know? I recommend a stop at the Grape & Grain Exchange through December. They will be hosting the Miracle Pop-up Bar for those who like their eggnog a bit stronger and their holidays a bit livelier. Grab your date (metaphorically) and head over one night to enjoy an old fashioned Santa mug or a “ho-ho-ho” barrel filled with your favorite festive spirits. It’ll be like you’ve entered Santa’s winter wonderland. If you’re lagging in the conversation department, just bring up the decorations, holidays, or the most embarrassing thing you have ever done could be fun. Maybe start with the latter, end it on a good note and soften the blow.

Don’t want to do the bar scene? Head over to Jacksonville Beach’s Deck The Chairs exhibit with your other half or first piece, depends on when you met, I guess. There you’ll find over 40 lifeguard chairs decorated with lights and props by various local companies and non-profits in an effort to promote the arts and arts education in children . This event will leave you with plenty to discuss and see, not to mention the romantic aura from the Christmas lights if you’re into that kind of thing. Make sure to visit before Jan. 1. If you’re loving the lights, maybe make a whole night out of it. Start here and visit the Jacksonville Arboretum & Gardens for Dazzling Nights, showcasing nearly a mile of lights and holiday-themed sets. They even have hot chocolate, wine and beer for purchase before you go exploring. They boast the use of one million lights, including an 8,000-square-foot lighted maze and a tunnel of stars. After that, drive around to explore all the fun decorated houses around the area. We Floridian’s like to show off, especially during the holidays.

Last, but obviously not least, considering we all knew it was coming … Nights of Lights in St. Augustine. This nationallyrecognized event is a tradition for those looking to enjoy a bit of everything with their date. Make a whole night out of it. Stroll the famous St. George Street and get lost in the lights put up in every window, tree, nook, and cranny. Make a pit stop for food at one of the many amazing eateries, then continue on your journey through the lights, and maybe end up at one of the multiple sweets shops if you’re looking to really impress your date…aka me.

Now, I get holidays are hectic with family, friends and everything else, but make sure you take time for yourself. Ask out that certain someone you’ve noticed. Find a fun holiday happy place and just get to chatting. Who knows…it could end up being the first of many. Or not…that’s all up to you two, but good luck and happy viewing!

December Movie Reviews

Words by Harry Moore

BLACK PANTHER: WAKANDA FOREVER

Marvel’s sequel to its 2018 sensation Black Panther is tasked with the burden of continuing the story of the people of Wakanda, while also paying tribute to the original film’s star Chadwick Boseman who passed away in 2020. For director Ryan Coogler, it is a delicate un dertaking that he manages to handle with grace - for the most part. Coogler doesn’t shy away from the real, palpable loss that looms over the film, allowing for grief to be a driving theme of the picture. When it comes to creating a tribute to the life and work of Bose man, memorably in a moving and visually striking funeral sequence for Boseman’s character, King T’Challa, Coogler is able to make one of the most potent spectacle films to be released in recent years. However, the need to balance this emotional throughline with the sub plots and table setting necessary to keep spinning the wheels of an interconnected film universe appears to be an ask too great for even a filmmaker of Coogler’s astronomical talents. The film’s story follows the people of Wakanda grappling with the loss of their king and facing the looming threat of war with the Talokan, an ancient civ ilization of underwater dwelling superhumans, who are led by their king, Namor (Tenoch Huerta Mejía).

Wakanda Forever opens with the aforementioned funeral, told from the perspective of the king’s sister Shuri (Letitia Wright), who as sumes the central focus of this story. Wright, much like Shuri, lives up to the gravity of the moment giving a performance that imbues the character with depth that wasn’t previously there; mostly serving as the exposition dealing comic relief prior to her starring turn. The rest of the cast is also at the top of their game. As Queen Ramonda, Ange la Bassett gives a stirring performance as a grieving mother forced to assume the reins of responsibility over her people and protect them from an existential threat. Winston Duke returns as M’Baku, a former rival turned ally of the Wakandan throne, giving a memorable and charismatic supporting turn. While the relatively unknown Tenoch Huerta Mejía shines on the screen as Namor, creating an immediately compelling and sympathetic antagonist who will inevitably go down as one of Marvel’s best on screen villains. Another highlight of the film is its score by Coogler’s long-time collaborator Ludwig Görans son, who won an Oscar for his work composing on the original Black Panther. Here he expands on the Afrofuturistic sound he cultivated in the first film and creates a sonic landscape that is both sweeping and intimate.

The film struggles where a lot of these later stage MCU entries struggle. Characters from other projects in the super franchise just appear with little explanation. If you haven’t seen any of the many, mostly mediocre, Disney+ series, you’d be forgiven for asking why Julia Louis-Dreyfus has a minor role in the film as a character who receives no notable introduction. It is notice able when Elaine just walks into a blockbuster movie with little fanfare. There is also the issue of the film losing focus on its own story in order to lay the track for future adventures. A new character named Riri Williams (Dominique Thorne) is introduced in a subplot that does the bloated runtime no favors; but it is im portant she is introduced as she is set to front her own series on Disney+ and reveals that she is able to build a flying metal suit. A novel concept for this long running franchise. There is also the issue of the climactic battle, set on a giant floating vessel, feeling incredibly tired and recycled from the other MCU films. It is as though the studio’s in-house effects team are just copy and pasting these sequences from one project to the other; and given how overworked they are with the endless churn of these releases, it is hard to blame artists for not being more inventive with these sequences. I am sure they are already hard at work on the many future productions that are on the horizon.

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever serves as a moving tribute to its fallen and greatly missed star. The loss of Chadwick Boseman propels this film to greater emotional depths than many other superhero films could even dream of reaching. It is very unfor tunate that a real-life tragedy is required to give the film such poignancy, and that the Marvel machine shackles the filmmak ers from reaching even greater heights with this project. It is a terrific showcase for the film’s ensemble cast, particularly Letitia Wright who gives one of the best performances seen in any of these films. The film is also a reminder of the considerable tal ents of the director Ryan Coogler, who will hopefully now be able to leave behind the Marvel factory and flourish creatively as an artist of his calibre should be.

THE FABELMANS

Steven Spielberg is the world’s most famous living filmmaker, and is perhaps the most influential and significant American art ist of the last 50 years. Throughout his career, Spielberg has never been afraid of dissecting his childhood, usually through the prism of visiting aliens, rampaging dinosaurs or any other fantastic creations. But with The Fabelmans, Spielberg shows his authentic and unvarnished youth; detailing his burgeoning wunderkind talent as a filmmaker, growing up in post-war Amer ica and the tumultuous marriage between his parents, Mitzi (Mi chelle Williams) and Burt (Paul Dano).

The Fabelmans picks up with Steven Spielberg’s young avatar, Sammy Fabelman (played as a child by Mateo Zoryan and as a teenager by Gabriel LaBelle) being taken to the cinema by his parent for the first time. There they see Cecille B. DeMille’s cir cus picture The Greatest Show on Earth, which features a dra matic train crash that at once entrances and horrifies the young Sammy, causing him to want to get his own train set and rec reate the crash he saw on the big screen. His parents decide that he should film it, to avoid breaking his new toy, and like that filmmaking star is born. Like many of Spielberg’s films, The Fabelmans is dripping with sentimentality and a palpable love of cinema which shines through in practically every shot. As has been said many times, it is the great directors most personal film to date delving into his own life and story with tremendous vulnerability as retells his childhood as a melodrama. Many of his fans will have heard bits and pieces of these stories before, such as him discovering to create the effect of gun shots by poking holes into the film stock and his encounter with the legendary John Ford (played here by the famous filmmaker David Lynch), and it is thrilling to see these moments brought life by Spiel berg’s exacting design.

The casting of this film is impeccable. Williams, who has long been one of the best character actors working today, is excellent as Spielberg’s free-spirited, artistic mother and is likely going to be a front runner this awards season. Dano has made a career out of playing weirdos and psychopaths, most recently playing the Riddler in Matt Reeves’ dark take on Batman, but here he is able to effortlessly portray a loving father, who cares greatly for his family but doesn’t fully understand his wife or son’s artistic inclinations. Seth Rogen also appears as the family friend Benny and gives what is undoubtedly the best dramatic performance of his career Gabriel LaBelle is something of a rev elation in this film. For a young actor with minimal credits to his name prior to this film, he gives a breathtakingly nuanced perfor mance at the center of the film that signals the arrival of a gifted young talent. Spielberg’s usual collaborators are also at the top of their game, Janusz Kamiński’s cinematography is immaculate as always, and with John Williams set to retire after next year’s Indiana Jones sequel, The Fabelmans may mark the final col laboration between two of the most prosperous colleagues in cinema history.

Spielberg creates a remarkably affecting coming of age story and goes to great lengths in mythologising the mythmaker’s ori gin. It is not only the best film Spielberg has made in many years, but among the best works he has made in the entirety of his illustrious career. The Fabelmans is a moving drama about family and the power of film.

Deck the Halls…Jacksonville Beach Style

A look into the annual Deck the Chairs exhibit in Jacksonville Beach

Words by Molly Britt

As a Floridian, I can tell you, I know how it feels to hope for the dreamy white Christmas. Snow falling, lights up around the house, and hot chocolate without sweating while we drink it because our families needed the heat on in 69 degree weather. Well, we may not have the ideal winter weather, but we definitely have lots of fun lights and hot chocolate - we just ignore the heat. Some of Northeast Florida’s greatest Christmas lights exhibits happen here, and thankfully, there’s one right at the heart of Jacksonville Beach.

Jacksonville Beach Deck The Chairs (JBDTC) is an annual event hosted at the Seawalk Pavilion throughout the entire month of December. The month-long event partners with small business and local non-profits, among other groups, in an effort to promote art and create opportunities for children’s art education. The organization Deck The Chairs began back in 2013 and grew year by year to what it is now…a nationally known holiday event hosting thousands of visitors.

JBDTC began as a way to liven up the holiday spirit in Jacksonville Beach. It became a beloved tradition where local companies and non-profits would decorate their own lifeguard chairs with lights and props to showcase at the Pavilion for six weeks. The organization and event hosts hundreds of volunteers, sponsors, and donators who are in support of promoting education in the arts. The event boasts over 40 wonderfully festive lifeguard chairs, along with a giant Christmas tree made out of lights. Some of the companies sponsored include the Jaguars, First Coast News, Circle K and so many more. Personally, my favorite

part is the Beaches Go Green exhibit, in which plastic found littered on the beaches is reused in their beautifully lit piece in a way to generate national attention over plastic usage.

According to founder, Kurtis Loftus, Deck The Chairs has been “able to positively impact millions of lives with our creatively inspired holiday spirit.” The annual exhibit showcases over 500 holiday performers open to public viewing and brings in more than $60,000 to distaste to local no-profits and art groups. Not only does this event benefit the attendees and local businesses that sponsor, but it also is a way to bring in revenue for areas at the beach that typically face slower crowds during the colder temperatures.

As part of their exhibit, Deck The Chairs hosts their very own “SeaSongs Light Show.” This “one-of-a-kind motion activated holiday sound experience” features 140 feet of custom exhibit designed to play various musical chords when visitors interact with it. This six week long event is completely open and free to the public. As a long-time resident of Jacksonville Beach and a lover of the holiday season, I can tell you this event is one of my favorites every year. My entire family gathers with friends and spend the night enjoying the festive lights and decorated chairs. Pictures are taken and hot chocolate is drank while we walk around in the fresh air. I understand St. Augustine during December is a favorite among visitors from all over, but if you want to take a break from the insanely large crowds, I highly recommend a night spent under the Chairs.

Photo Credit Kurtis Loftus of Deck the Chairs

Folio’s Declassified New Years Eve Survival Guide

For People Who Hate New Years’

Words by Carmen Macri & Ambar Ramirez

What is better than being bumper to bumper in a sweaty crowded college bar on new years eve? Fighting off the anxiety of finding some lucky stranger to be your new year’s kiss with Vodka Redbulls (so you don’t have to kiss your friend for the third year in a row) Nothing. (Kidding)

Only being 23, you’d think this would be right up my alley, but after the first new years eve spent at the beach bars (Surfer, Lynches, Hoptinger, etc…) I can confidently say, I will never do that again. It was fun for the first hour, but as the night dragged on and the already slim pickens for an eligible bachelor dwindled, the night got messier… and sweatier. Seriously. I mean what is the point of doing my hair and makeup when three hours in, my hair looks like I have just been electrocuted and my makeup looks like I just ran a marathon in a full face?

If you’re like me and don’t want to spend the last night of 2022 fighting off men with bad BO, the Folio team has found a few things to do that don’t include feeling like a sardine.

The Timeless Times Square Experience:

Stock up your home bar with bottles and invite some of your closest friends over to watch the infamous ball drop from the comfort of your couch. Some obvious benefits to celebrating at home are that you don’t have to worry about finding a drunk ride home or worry ing about dressing up and finding that perfect shimmery dress that will make you stand out against the bright fireworks.

New Years’ Eve Shrimp Drop:

Not interested in watching the ball drop at 12 AM, head over to Front Street in downtown Fernandina Beach to watch a lit-up shrimp fall from the sky at 7 PM. It’s free (which is always good) and who wouldn’t want to see a giant shrimp descend from the heavens as a farewell to 2022?

Build a Pillow-Fort:

Feed your inner child by building a giant pillow fort to bring in the new year. This is especially helpful if the sound of fireworks increas es your anxiety. There is nothing worse than unwarranted fireworks especially if you live in a neighborhood that “does not shoot fire works.” The fort can be (but not limited to) a pillow fort or a literal tent pitched in the living room (recommended).

Mosh at the MOSH:

If you are in the EDM scene, this one’s for you. G-Jones and Lab Group are hosting a New Year’s Eve party inside the MOSH in downtown Jacksonville on December 30th. Now, this one may be similar to the crowded bar fiasco, but at least there will be good music and good people. Tickets are selling for $40

Black tie not so optional:

Feeling fancy? Rather than spending New Year’s Eve in a dingy bar - head over to The Ritz-Carlton in Amelia Island for their Black & White Gala. Luxurious food buffets, live music, and an open bar. Did I mention it is a masquerade? Are you kidding? This one is a little pricey, but it is definitely worth it. $335 to live out a Cinderella Story fantasy!? Worth it.

Easy Breezy:

Ya like jazz? You are in luck! Breezy Jazz Club is hosting an inaugu ral New Year’s Eve Extravaganza with Doug Carn on December 31st. Raffles, giveaways, champagne (complimentary) and more! Starting at 7pm, the party will be going on until midnight.