No Days Off by Folio Weekly

2 | FOLIOWEEKLY.com | FEBRUARY 12-18, 2020

THIS WEEK // 2.12.20-2.18.20 // VOL. 32 ISSUE 46

MAIN FEATURE

NO DAYS OFF

Garrett Dennis in theory and practice Story by Shelton Hull, Cover photo by Josh Wessolowski

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MEDIA CONSULTANT Tracy Rigdon tracy@folioweekly.com FOLIO WEEKLY MAGAZINE PUBLISHES EVERY WEDNESDAY FOR DISTRIBUTION IN DUVAL, NASSAU, ST. JOHNS AND CLAY COUNTIES. It contains opinions of contributing writers that are not necessarily the opinion of this publication. Folio Weekly welcomes editorial and photographic contributions. Calendar items must be received two weeks in advance of event date. Copyright © Folio Publishing, Inc. 2020. All rights reserved. Advertising rates and information available on request. Advertiser purchases right of publication only. One free issue per person. Additional copies and back issues are $1 each at the office or $4 by U.S. mail, based on availability. First Class mail subscriptions are $48/13 weeks, $96/26 weeks, $189/52 weeks. Folio Weekly is printed on 100 percent recycled paper, using soy-based inks. Please recycle issues of Folio Weekly. Application to mail at periodicals postage prices is pending at Jacksonville, Florida. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Folio Weekly, 45 W. Bay St., Ste. 103, Jacksonville, FL 32202-3632.

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THE MAIL INCONSISTENT VALUES How ironic that Rep. John Rutherford, a former Jacksonville sheriff, doesn’t hold open town meetings, but Rep. Ted Yoho, a large animal veterinarian by trade, does. Perhaps Yoho carries a dart gun to sedate citizens who disagree with him. Rutherford, who surely is packing a firearm all the time, doesn’t want the public to call him out for the policy inconsistencies resulting from his ideology. This is someone too prickly to be in elected office. Rutherford is sympathetic to parents who don’t want their children vaccinated. “I don’t believe that is the government’s responsibility, it is the parent’s responsibility,” he said, according to The Florida Times-Union. “Off the cuff, I don’t like the government telling us what to do.” However, Rutherford doesn’t have the same appreciation for personal rights when it comes to a woman’s reproductive choices, including abortion. He calls himself “pro-life.” How pro-life is it to allow some parents to willfully expose their unvaccinated children to an entire community while a woman cannot make a personal decision without Rutherford’s intervention? Michael Hoffmann via email

THE LONG GAME “Capitalism without regulation is theft.” This week’s impeachment of Trump is a display of dark money’s method of manipulation. The long game (strategic planning and execution) is responsible for the special interest takeover of America’s democratic institutions and aspirations. The plan was to stack the courts, congress and the regulatory bodies with loyal sycophants to increase industries’ profits and power. Unfortunately this playbook

is not new, but 21st-century innovations make criminal misconduct easier and law enforcement more difficult. Look at the Mueller Report. Trump’s conspiracy with Putin to influence the 2016 election is difficult to prove owing to the one-on-one discussions, self-erasing dispatches and executive privilege. The long game for the plutocratic takeover of America uses a boardroom to distribute power and requires an organizational effort to bring average Americans in line. To illustrate, look at the powers of early 20th-century mining. Mining towns had company stores and housing; mine owners paid employees in script rather than money and discounted script for cash. Mine owners employed guards and detectives to keep miners from uniting. Unions threatened owner’s extortionate control, so union control has decreased since the 1950s. Efforts to malign government in favor of private enterprise, to restructure America into separate unequal racial communities, to press for offshoring and high income-tax avoidance are structural changes that aid plutocrats. The engineered misinformation campaigns are a long game to ensure people act against interest. Divide and conquer is still preferable to organized resistance. The American Dream is just that—a dream—for too many Americans. Woke is a call to action, meaning citizen involvement in better schooling, equal treatment in law and in fact, accountability, investment, infrastructure, green living and a 21st-century outlook to aid global cooperation. “Remember what the dormouse said: ‘Feed your head!’” Gilbert Mayers via email

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BRICKBATS + BOUQUETS BOUQUET TO MATT SCHELLENBERG In a recent letter to The Florida Times-Union, the former Jacksonville City Council member called for the resignation of Mayor Lenny Curry in the wake of the JEA scandal. Schellenberg isn’t the first public figure to speak openly about accountability at the top level of city government, either. Activist Ben Frazier, president of the Northside Coalition, has also called on the mayor to step down.

BRICKBAT TO ST. JOHNS COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS Last week, the board voted unanimously to approve a resolution declaring St. Johns County a Second Amendment sanctuary, a symbolic title indicating that the locals will resist the commonsense gun-safety regulations that are becoming consensus issues at the state and federal levels. So much for the rule of law.

BOUQUET TO UNF On Feb. 5, the University of North Florida joined forces with the World Affairs Council of Jacksonville to host a public conversation with Madeleine Albright. The former secretary of state shared wisdom from a life spent in foreign affairs. When appointed by President Bill Clinton in 1997, Albright was the first female secretary of state and the highestranking woman in the history of the U.S. government. DO YOU KNOW SOMEONE WHO DESERVES A BOUQUET? OR MAYBE A BRICKBAT? Submit your choice to mail@folioweekly. com; 50-word maximum, concerning a person, place, or topic of local interest.

4 | FOLIOWEEKLY.com | FEBRUARY 12-18, 2020

FOLIO VOICES: GUEST EDITORIAL

TROJAN HORSE

NEW JAX CHARTER SCHOOL SAYS “CLASSICAL” BUT MEANS “CHRISTIAN”

THE MIXON TOWN NEIGHBORHOOD IS getting a new charter school: the Jacksonville Classical Academy. The charter’s public face is Chairman John Rood, the Vestcor real estate developer who twice recently appeared with Gov. Ron DeSantis to raise his profile. But JCA is actually part of the Optima Foundation network of schools, founded by Erika Donalds, a former Collier County School Board member who is married to Florida Rep. Byron Donalds, who routinely votes to expand charter schools in Florida. Erika holds rather extreme views on books, science and LGBTQ people. She is involved with the Florida Conservative Alliance, which has sought to ban books by Pulitzer Prizewinning authors Toni Morrison and Frank McCourt and pushed for the teaching of science that is a lot closer to creationism than climate change. She pushes anti-LGBTQ views in her Twitter feed and in her professional life. As a school board member, she suggested that her district remove sexual orientation and gender identity from CCPS’ access to equal educational opportunity policy, angering many in the LGBTQ community. If that wasn’t damning enough, the JCA curriculum was developed in partnership with the far-right Hillsdale College, a small Michigan college that was described in a New York Times headline as “a ‘Shining City on a Hill’ for Conservatives.” Hillsdale is known for, among other things, refusing government money such as Pell Grants because of the strings attached, namely Title IX guidelines on sex discrimination. It’s not a surprise that Erika finds Hillsdale so appealing. When the decision was made to legalize same-sex marriage, the college called for all staff and students to pray for the Supreme Court. “Just to give you a heads up, ugly things are happening in the Supreme Court right now,” read an email statement. “Justice Anthony Kennedy is seen as the ‘swing vote’ and, if that is the case, he will have the power to legalize same-sex marriage NATIONWIDE! Yeah ... I do not even think we can imagine the effects this could have on our nation, the church and families.” (To be fair, it was reported some Hillsdale staff were disappointed in the collegewide email.) Hillsdale College’s far-right agenda is troubling; Erika’s book-banning and antiLGBTQ rhetoric are more so; but what is

perhaps most troubling is that Rood is looking to partner with either of them—let alone both. Neither represent the spirit of a classical education, which according to JCA’s website, aims to teach students to communicate effectively, be virtuous, possess cultural literacy, and become active and productive members of American society. The Hillsdale curriculum and Erika’s catechism will only produce straight, conservative members of society. I asked local Brooklyn expert and FSCJ English professor Tim Gilmore and David Withun, JCA’s head of school, for comment. Gilmore replied, “What’s most upsetting about this supposed ‘classical’ approach to education might just be how mockingly insidious it is. It ties itself to E.D. Hirsch’s idea of ‘cultural literacy,’ which addresses the very real frustrations of concerned parents and educators—that kids graduate high school without knowing basic things everyone should know. Like all forms of conservatism, the new ‘classical’ approach creates something new under the guise of returning to something that worked better in the old days. It’s not so much ‘classical,’ in historically amorphous term anyway, as it is anti-multicultural.” This “classical” approach is connected to the CCE Movement, or Classical Christian Education. Most affiliated charters, however, leave out the word “Christian,” since public life (and by extension public education) is free of religious coercion per the Constitution of the United States of America. So “classical” here means within the group’s perceived lines of “Judeo-Christian heritage.” If black writers make their way into the curriculum, it won’t be ones who’ve challenged the system much. What would such a program do with Toni Morrison, James Baldwin or Ta-Nehisi Coates? And what will it do in the face of America’s ballooning diversity? Re-entrench. Create a new system that pretends to return to an old one as a panacea for fixing what’s wrong with public education today, when what it really does is deflect from causes and mock those who earnestly seek to address the causes directly. At the time of writing, Withun hadn’t replied other than extending an invitation to come to a parent presentation to see what the school was all about.

Chris Guerrieri mail@folioweekly.com FEBRUARY 12-18, 2020 | FOLIOWEEKLY.com | 5

FRI

14 IMPOSSIBLE? BLACK VIOLIN

This viola-violin duo fuses classical music and hip-hop, smashing expectations and breaking down stereotypes on both sides. On their Impossible Tour, core players Wil B. Baptiste and Kev Marcus Sylvester are joined by DJ SPS and drummer Nat Stokes. 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 14, Florida Theatre, Downtown, floridatheatre.com $52-$62.

OUR

PICKS THIS WEEK’S BIGGEST

& BEST HAPPENINGS

WED

SAT

15 PUCKER UP

MARK GEORGE: POUT

It’s your last chance to check out the Jacksonville-based artist’s solo show, featuring George’s contemporary spin on classic Pop Art. The artist celebrates with a closing reception. 6 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 15, Space 42, Riverside, spacefortytwo.com, free.

SAT

15 PARTY FOR A CAUSE JCC MARDI GRAS

Jacksonville Children’s Chorus throws a Mardi Gras-themed fundraiser, complete with live music, a DJ, food (Cajun, of course), drinks, auctions and performance art. 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 15, Ponte Vedra Concert Hall, pvconcerthall.com, $50-$125. 6 | FOLIOWEEKLY.com | FEBRUARY 12-18, 2020

12 RISE

120 YEARS OF LIFTING OUR VOICES

The Jacksonville Branch NAACP hosts this anniversary event recalling the first performance of “Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing” in 1900. This black national anthem was written by Jacksonville poet James Weldon Johnson and composed musically by John Rosamond Johnson. 6 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 12, Ritz Theatre & Museum, LaVilla, ritzjacksonville.com, free.

WED

12 THE MOUSE

DISNEY TRAINING EXHIBIT

Attention, all Mouseketeers! This exhibition showcases animators’ sketches and model sheets for some of pop culture’s most beloved Disney characters. Through April 28, Karpeles Manuscript Library Museum, Springfield, karpeles.weebly.com, free.

FEBRUARY 12-18, 2020 | FOLIOWEEKLY.com | 7

PICKS

BY DALE RATERMANN | SPORTS@FOLIOWEEKLY.COM

FRI

14 APPRECIATE THE GAME UNF OSPREYS BASEBALL

The University of North Florida baseball team begins its 2020 season with three home games against the Virginia Military Institute. The UNF Ospreys were 3225 last season; the VMI Keydets were 17-41. 6:05 p.m. Friday, Feb. 14; 2:05 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 15; 1:05 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 16, Harmon Stadium, 1 UNF Dr., Southside, unfospreys.com, $5.

SAT

15 LET ME BE BRAVE

SPECIAL OLYMPICS EQUESTRIAN

Riders with intellectual disabilities will participate in the Special Olympics Florida Area 5 Equestrian Games. This is a qualifier for the Florida State Special Olympics Equestrian Championships. 8 a.m.-noon Saturday, Feb. 15, Jacksonville Equestrian Center, 13611 Normandy Blvd., Westside, jaxequestriancenter.com, free.

MON

17 GOLF IS OUR FAVORITE COURSE AMELIA ISLAND COLLEGIATE

More than a dozen women’s golf teams—including JU and UNF—will compete in the Seventh Annual Amelia Island Collegiate. The golfers will play 36 holes on Monday and 18 on Tuesday. 8 a.m. Monday, Feb. 17; 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 18, Amelia National Golf & Country Club, 95211 Clubhouse Rd., Fernandina Beach, judolphins.com, free. 8 | FOLIOWEEKLY.com | FEBRUARY 12-18, 2020

FEBRUARY 12-18, 2020 | FOLIOWEEKLY.com | 9

FOLIO: FEATURE

NO DAYS OFF Garrett Dennis in theory and practice Story by SHELTON HULL Photos BY JOSH WESSOLOWSKI

10 | FOLIOWEEKLY.com | FEBRUARY 12-18, 2020

he fourth floor of Jacksonville City Hall was essentially a ghost town when “the Folio crew” (as the receptionist dubbed us) met with city Councilmember Garrett Dennis. It was the first Monday of February, balmy and beautiful, definitely not the kind of day you’d want to spend at work—but there he was, working. It seems like he’s always working. The 45-year-old father of two has been working in some form or fashion since he was a precocious pre-teen; his mother became disabled, and he became the man of the house. After shooting photos in Hemming Park, we sat down for a wide-ranging conversation that lasted longer than an hour. We began by discussing his childhood. He was born in what is now UF Health on Eighth Street on November 14, 1974, and grew up in the Sherwood area. “It was the place to be,” he says, looking back on an era that is now long gone. “It was still a tight-knit community, unlike today. People’s lifestyles are different. It takes two incomes to make ends meet, and people are more mobile than they used to be.” To be a young black man growing up on the Northside of Jacksonville in the 1980s was to have more than a passing familiarity with the political leadership of that community. Ironically, we both grew up running flyers for candy cash. For me, the patron was Denise Lee, who inherited the seat vacated by the death of Sallye B. Mathis and controlled District 8 for 24 years. Young Garrett Dennis, however, got his start in politics under the tutelage of future state Senator Tony Hill. “We lived on the same street,” Dennis recalls. “A few of us kids were out, playing football in the street. Tony came up and said, ‘Hey, y’all wanna make five dollars?’ We got on the back of the truck and passed out those flyers. That was the first taste of politics and campaigning—eight or nine years old, on Dallen Lea Drive. So I don’t take for granted chance encounters with people, because you never know how that chance encounter might set you up for the future.” Dennis graduated from Jean Ribault High School in 1992, then matriculated at Florida A&M University, class of '97, before returning to the old neighborhood for a new beginning. Today, roughly four decades after that flyer run, he’s a year into his second term representing District 9, a position that Dennis initially pursued back in 1999. He finished third in that first competitive six-person race, behind Audrey Gibson and eventual winner

Reggie Fullwood, who both went on to pursue notable careers in local politics. Dennis was a teacher at that point—first at Kirby-Smith Middle School, then Lee High—but the allure of public service was inescapable. Within a couple of years, he was working at the Office of the Supervisor of Elections under the late John Stafford, who paid him a visit in the classroom to administer the hard sell in person. “He said, ‘I’ll be honest with you: After the 2000 elections, the black community thinks I’m the devil. I need an articulate African American to come in and help me rebuild credibility.’ It was a tough four years; during that time, the stress basically killed him.” Stafford had been essentially scapegoated for widespread shenanigans in Florida’s election system—issues that helped elect George W. Bush to presidency in 2000 and which, by some accounts, helped beat Andrew Gillum in 2018. Stafford resigned in October 2004. His premature death, two years later, ended one of the saddest and most shameful chapters in local history. Dennis, meanwhile, continued under Stafford’s successors, Bill Scheu and Jerry Holland, working as an educational specialist and director of community outreach. In those roles, Dennis helped train more than 10,000 poll workers while getting some 55,000 students registered to vote. Some of them would end up voting for him; some did so twice. Working at the SOE office gave Dennis an insider’s perspective on how the system works and how it doesn’t. “I saw a lot of good people come in who should have been elected but didn’t,” he said, “and a lot of bad people who should have never gotten elected but did. So, over that 14 years, I became a student of the process.”

Soon enough, the game was afoot, and Dennis left the SOE office to make his second run for the District 9 seat in 2015. He took 60 percent of the vote, defeating former Councilmember Glorious Johnson on the first ballot. His predecessor, Warren Jones, is a legend in local politics, having served seven terms in the council, dating back to 1979. Dennis respects his elders, and the elders respect him; Jones even called in during the interview just to say hello. “I tease Warren all the time,” Dennis said, “because he spent 28 years on the council, and I’m like, ‘How did you do this for 28 years?’ Because you’re at 100 miles an hour all the time and there is no letup at all.” “When you first come into office, everyone wants to meet with you,” Dennis said, “from lobbyists to people who want to do business with you. I have a standard line: ‘Listen, this is how I play the game. I don’t believe in pay-to-play, I don’t believe in kickbacks, I don’t believe in money under the table or any of that stuff. So if you approach me [like that], I will never meet with you again.’ I don’t know what other people do, but everyone who meets with me has heard the spiel.” As the owner of his own contracting company, Dennis is keen to avoid any appearance of conflict of interest, which has made him almost obsessive in matters of disclosure—a quirk that has probably saved him from the kind of trouble that has decimated the city’s black leadership in recent years. The jigsaw puzzle-like patterns of council districts are reflective of their shifting demographics. Boundary lines are set roughly based on population, not physical size, so they’re all about 65,000 to 70,000 people each. Dennis’ district is one of the city’s largest, in terms of

square mileage. “I bought a truck in 2017, brand-new, with maybe eleven miles on it,” he said. “Now, it probably has about 116,000 miles on it, and I’ve been out of town twice.” He oversees a district of growing economic strength but whose political power is at a low ebb compared to its glory days in the 1980s, when fellow Northsider Jake Godbold ensured that the black community had consistent seats at the proverbial table. The flag was at half-staff all month in honor of “Big Jake,” who died recently and whose shadow looms over city hall as persistently as that of the flagpole itself. “The district is very, very diverse,” said Dennis, displaying an almost encyclopedic grasp of the city’s internal geography, rattling off neighborhood names like a line cook reciting buffet items. “The northern part is, like, Grand Park, Paxon, EWC, Beaver Street, North Riverside, Robinson Edition. That part is heavily Democratic, heavily African American. And then you have parts of Murray Hill, Cassat, San Juan, Lane Avenue, Hyde Park, Hyde Grove, Sweetwater, Cedar Hills, Confederate Point. Those areas are probably majority white, more Republican. And then you have the southern part of the district: Blanding, Wilson, 103rd, Townsend, the plantation area, 295 and Collins Road, Duclay, the Timuquana area. That’s a mixture, because you’ve got the military and things like that, so that’s kind of 5050. So it’s all diverse, in terms of race, party and people’s needs.” Dennis’ first term was defined largely by tension and tumult, due primarily to the public feud he’s waged with Mayor Lenny Curry. It’s a battle that has played out in restaurants, elevators, office suites and, of course, the council chambers themselves. Their mutual animus has

been documented extensively in print, on camera and occasionally under oath, but the average citizen knows of all this mostly through Twitter: an indispensable tool for pols of the modern era and one that the two men use in very different ways. Dennis still expresses some shock at how relations have deteriorated, given their early collaborations on behalf of residents at Eureka Gardens. To this day, Dennis figures that he’s supported about 85 percent of the mayor’s proposals. But when they disagree, they really, really disagree, as the community has seen during the past year. Ultimately, members of the council must develop their own dynamic with city hall, with the mayor and various departments, and with their own constituents; there’s really no blueprint, no magic formula to speak of. “Some councilmembers spend more time here than others,” said Dennis, one of only a handful of his colleagues in the office on this Monday afternoon. “I think district members spend more time here than at-large members and especially if you’re in districts like 7, 8, 9 or 10, because we’re their advocates for the district. And then if you’re in a minority district, where there are more challenges than others, we have more constituent needs, so they want to interact with us more. But it all depends on how engaged you are. I’ll be honest; some councilmembers are not engaged at all. It’s just a title for them, whereas for others, this is our mission field; we take it seriously. There’s a lot of work to be done.” And with that, it’s back to work for Garrett Dennis. No days off. Not now, not ever. Subscribe to Folio Weekly’s Newsletter at folioweekly.com/newsletters FEBRUARY 12-18, 2020 | FOLIOWEEKLY.com | 11

FOLIO A+E : MUSIC

Jae Bass and Harold George get neighborly Photo by Kate Gardiner

MEET THE NEIGHBORS

JAE BASS & HAROLD GEORGE TALK LINCOLNVILLE PORCH FEST

and Harold’s like, ‘OK, let’s think this through.’” nce an expanse of orange groves The target date for the inaugural edition fringing the periphery of St. was in the fall of 2016, but Hurricane Augustine proper, Lincolnville Matthew had other ideas. The storm roared became a haven for freedmen after the Civil up the First Coast, causing damage and War. Indeed, the neighborhood is named postponing a great many things. Bass and after President Abraham Lincoln, he who George’s pet project was pushed to February decreed the end of the peculiar institution. 2017. When it finally happened, the event It later became a hub of activity during the boasted six host porches plus the main stage civil rights era, serving as a beachhead for at St. Benedict. Some 40 bands participated. Martin Luther King, Jr. It was a success, a multi-block party at which Today, Lincolnville retains its historic both musicians and neighborhood residents character, although it has also become a broke bread together—just as Bass hoped. popular and (relatively) affordable place “One of the reasons we did it was to get for the Ancient City’s musician and student people out of their houses, into the streets, to populations to hang their collective hats. meet each other,” Bass said. “We like meeting Enter Jae Bass, leader of lo-fi indie band our neighbors.” Ghost Tropic and founder of Lincolnville “It’s also an opportunity for the Porch Fest, which returns this weekend for its community to discover local music,” George third edition. The free, all-day music festival added. “Most people don’t go out to the bars takes place (you guessed it) on porches and venues.” throughout the neighborhood. More than The second edition 40 local bands perform of the festival took on eight participating LINCOLNVILLE PORCH FEST place in November porches and two nonNoon-9:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 15, Lincolnville, 2018, but it turns out porch venues: Dog Rose St. Augustine, lincolnvilleporchfest.org, free. Hurricane Matthew Brewing Co. and a main had it right: fall’s just stage erected on the not a good time for Lincolnville Porch Fest. grounds of St. Benedict the Moor Church. “It was successful,” Bass said, “but there Whence does such an idea spring? The was a lot going on at the same time. It was answer shan’t surprise you. “It all started just one week after Jacksonville Porch Fest. on my porch,” Bass told Folio Weekly. “I We realized that people are really itching for moved to Lincolnville close to seven years stuff to do in the winter.” ago. That’s also when I started playing music So for this third edition, Bass and George openly, when I came out as a musician. decided to wait out the entire year of 2019 and Where I live used to be a punk house plow the fallow field of February. This year’s with lots of shows. So I just started having headliners include Gainesville’s Palimony people over and learning more about my as well as St. Augustine’s Wild Shiners and own house, how it was part of the local REELS. In addition to the main program punk scene. The more we were hanging out are three curated porches booked by local on porches with musicians, the more we organizations: art activist collective Underwire, thought, ‘We should do this bigger!’” Computer Club Records and JBirney Financial Bass was—and still is—aided and abetted (which isn’t as square as it sounds; the by the Ancient City’s premiere man-abouteponymous Birney is also a radio host). town, Harold George. “My role changes every year,” George said. “I guess I’m kind of Georgio Valentino a stage manager.” mail@folioweekly.com “When I’m losing my mind, Harold is Subscribe to the Folio Music Newsletter the calming force,” Bass laughed. “We work at folioweekly.com/newsletters together really well. I’ll throw out dream goals,

12 | FOLIOWEEKLY.com | FEBRUARY 12-18, 2020

ARTS + EVENTS Thank you for the music! ABBA MANIA recreates the Swedish sensations’ stage show note for note (and costume for costume). This is the group’s eighth U.S. tour since forming in 1999. 8 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 12, Florida Theatre, Downtown, floridatheatre.com, $41.50-$62.50.

PERFORMANCE

LES BALLETS TROCKADERO de MONTE CARLO This all-male dance company graces the First Coast. 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 13, Times-Union Center, 300 Water St., Downtown, timesunioncenter. com, $27.27-$92.27. MASTERS of ILLUSION This modern magical show, inspired by the CW Network series, is full of illusion and deception. 7 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 16, Florida Theatre, 128 E. Forsyth St., Downtown, floridatheatre.com, $37.50-$62. The FOOD of LOVE Phase Eight Theater Company’s reprise of the show is a queer gourmand adaptation of Cyrano de Bergerac featuring a 5-course meal. 7 p.m. Thursday & Friday, Feb. 13 & 14, Museum of Contemporary Art, 333 N. Laura St., Downtown, phaseeight.org, $88/$108. DANCE LOVE LIFE GIVE The Jacksonville Dance Theater performs to honor Jacksonville University Dance Department Chair Brian Palmer. 7-10:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 15, WJCT Studio A, 100 Festival Park Ave., Northbank, jacksonvilledancetheatre.org, $75. THEATREWORKS: HARRIET TUBMAN The stirring musical drama pays tribute to one of the bravest women in American history and the story of how she freed hundreds of slaves. 10 a.m. & noon Thursday, Feb. 13, Florida Theatre, 128 E. Forsyth St., Downtown, floridatheatre.com, $8.50. The VISIONARY, The SINGER, The STORYTELLER Go back in time to 1851 with Jenny Lind Thomas through stories, songs and news from the pages of history. 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 16, Corazon Cinema & Café, 36 Granada St., St. Augustine, historiccoastculture.com, $10.

CLASSICAL & JAZZ

LOVE & ELECTRIC STRINGS Spend this Valentine’s Day with electric jazz music from Eric Carter. Cost includes dinner, champagne and chocolate-covered strawberries. 9 p.m. Friday, Feb. 14, Breezy Jazz Club, 119 W. Adams St., Downtown, facebook.com/BreezyJazzClub, $120 per couple. A ROMANTIC VALENTINE Soprano Analisa Leaming and tenor Ron Remke join the Jacksonville Symphony for an evening of love songs and duets. 8 p.m. Friday & Saturday, Feb. 14 & 15, Times-Union Center, 300 Water St., Downtown, jaxsymphony.org, $19-$81. RITZ JAZZ JAM Ella, Sarah, Nancy and Maria Howell present a special evening of jazz for lovers. 8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 15, Ritz Theatre & Museum, 829 N. Davis St., LaVilla, ritzjacksonville.com, $25. LAWSON ENSEMBLE Violinist Aurica Duca, violinist/violist Clinton Dewing and cellist Nick Curry perform. 3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 16, Friday Musicale, 645 Oak St., Brooklyn, fridaymusicale.com, free.

BOOKS & POETRY

AMELIA ISLAND BOOK FESTIVAL The yearly staple is back with more than 100 notable authors, writing workshops, luncheons, and an author’s expo reading extravaganza. Time and location vary Thursday-Saturday, Feb. 13-15, Amelia Island, ameliaislandbookfestival.org. RANDY WAYNE WHITE The best-selling author

comes to town to introduce his latest Doc Ford mystery, Salt River. 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 14, The BookMark, 220 First St., Neptune Beach, bookmarkbeach.com, free. RASHAD JENNINGS The New York Times-bestselling author and former Jacksonville Jaguar presents his new book Arcade and the Fiery Metal Tester, the third volume of his popular Coin Slot Chronicles. 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 18, The BookMark, 220 First St., Neptune Beach, bookmarkbeach.com, free. SALON OF SHAME JAX Share old journal entries, unsent letters, poems and other embarrassing content from younger you. Must register to participate. 8-10 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 18, Mudville Music Room, 3105 Beach Blvd., Southside, eventbrite.com, free.

COMEDY

THREE BLIND DATES An unscripted romantic comedy performance where the audience decides the direction of the story. Follow three women on their night of speed dating and choose who takes each of them on a date. 8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 15, Corazon Cinema & Café, 36 Granada St., St. Augustine, eventbrite.com, $15/$20. COMEDY ZONE LOL Comedy Night with Ozrick Cooley 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 12, $10; Frank Del Pizzo performs at various times ThursdaySaturday, Feb. 13-15, $25; LOL Comedy Night with Brian Thomas 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 18, Comedy Zone, 3130 Hartley Rd., Mandarin, comedyzone.com, $10. BILL ENGVALL The Grammy-nominated actor, artist and comedian returns to Northeast Florida. 8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 15, Thrasher-Horne Center, 283 College Dr., Orange Park, thcenter.org, $49-$129. HOT POTATO COMEDY HOUR Local and touring stand-up comedians 9 p.m. Monday, Feb. 17, Rain Dogs, 1045 Park St., Five Points, facebook.com/ Raindogs, free. OPEN TONIGHT MIC SHOW RickoLus hosts this monthly open mic for local and regional artists. Register through Facebook Messenger. 8 p.m. Monday, Feb. 17, Archetype, 2952 Roosevelt Blvd., Riverside, facebook.com/lateniteopenmic, free.

FILM

SUN-RAY CINEMA Oscar-nominated shorts, Birds of Prey, Come to Daddy and Parasite continue to play. Special showing of Lost Springs 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 12, 1028 Park St., Five Points, sunraycinema.com. ST. JOHN’S CATHEDRAL A Plastic Ocean dinner (5 p.m.) and screening (6 p.m.) Wednesday, Feb. 12, 256 E. Church St., Downtown, jaxcathedral.org, $5 suggested donation. CORAZON CINEMA & CAFÉ Coda & Elvis ‘56 continue to show; TBT featuring His Girl Friday noon & 6:45 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 13, 36 Granada St., St. Augustine, corazoncinemaandcafe.com.

ART WALKS, MARKETS

RIVERSIDE ARTS MARKET Chili cook-off. 10 a.m.–3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 15, 715 Riverside Ave., riversideavondale.org. ATLANTIC BEACH ARTS MARKET Advanced Acrylic Pour Class 2-4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 16, 1805

Mayport Rd., atlanticbeachartsmarket.com, $55. The AMP FARMERS MARKET The weekly staple returns with more food, art and music. Bring your reusable bags and containers for green shopping. Remember to leave your pets at home. 8:30 a.m.12:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 15, The Amp, 1340C A1A S., St. Augustine, staugamphitheatre.com. ORANGE PARK FARMERS’ & ARTS MARKET Explore more than 100 vendors, live music and fresh food. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 16, 2042 Park Ave., Orange Park, orangeparkmarket.com.

GALLERIES

The ART CENTER COOPERATIVE Libations runs through March 13, 9501 Arlington Expy., Ste. 430, Arlington, tacjacksonville.org. BUTTERFIELD GARAGE Cindy Wilson’s Midnight in the Garden of Indigo runs through February 28. 137 King St., St. Augustine, butterfieldgarage.com. CRISP-ELLERT ART MUSEUM Hilary Pecis’ The Space in Between runs through February 29, Flagler College, 48 Sevilla St., St. Augustine, flagler. edu/crispellert. CUTTER & CUTTER FINE ART GALLERIES Salvador Dali: The Argillet Collection is on display. 25 King St., St. Augustine, cutterandcutter.com. FEMART GALLERY Women Who Face It runs through March 29, 10 S. Newnan St., Downtown, femartgallery.org. GRAY 1908 Jenna Alexander’s The Flower Map of the United States is on display. 73 San Marco Ave., St. Augustine, jenna-alexander.com. HASKELL GALLERY Women Artists: Visual Experience runs through April 6, Jacksonville International Airport, 2400 Yankee Clipper Dr., Northside, jiaarts.org. ST. AUGUSTINE ART ASSOCIATION Humanly Possible: Figures & Portraits runs through March 1, 22 Marine St., St. Augustine, staaa.org. THRASHER-HORNE CENTER Off the Beaten Path runs through Saturday, Feb. 15, 283 College Dr., Orange Park, thcenter.org. YELLOW HOUSE Sarah Crooks’ Home is Here runs through February 29. Crooks hosts a mixed-media workshop 1-4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 15, Yellow House, 577 King St., Riverside, yellowhouseart.org, $45 SOUTHLIGHT GALLERY Kathy Stark’s Anastasia State Park is on display. 1 Independent Dr., Ste. 113, Downtown, southlightgallery.com.

EVENTS

LINCOLNVILLE PORCH FEST Enjoy this musical tour of St. Augustine’s Lincolnville with more than 40 local musicians performing on the neighborhood’s porches throughout the day. Noon-9:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 15, St. Augustine, lincolnvilleporchfest.org, free. VALENTINE’S DAY KIDS YOGA WORKSHOP Karli Tobin teaches kids (ages 7-12) how to love themselves and others through yoga poses and activities. 6-8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 14, Red Skies Yoga, 4788 Hodges Blvd., Ste. 206, Southside, redskiesyoga.com, $30. VANISHING WORLDS TEDx & FSCJ partner to host this informational seminar on the effects of the climate change epidemic. Must register to attend. 6-8 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 13, FSCJ FEBRUARY 12-18, 2020 | FOLIOWEEKLY.com | 13

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ARTS + EVENTS Deerwood Center, 9911 Old Baymeadows Rd., Southside, eventbrite.com, free. CIRCUS KIRKUS A comical theatrical performance, inspired by the Ringling Brothers Circus, with aerialists, jugglers, interactive comedy and acrobats. 7 p.m. Thursday & Friday, Feb 13 & 14; 1, 4 & 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 15; 1 & 4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 16, Orange Park Mall, 1910 Wells Rd., Orange Park, tickettailor.com, $16.99-$99.75. THIRD ANNUAL JACKSONVILLE LANTERN PARADE Witness the sky light up with a lantern release followed by a fireworks show. Also enjoy community fellowship and food trucks. 6-9 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 15, Riverside Artist Square, 715 Riverside Ave., Riverside, jacksonvillelanternparade.com, free. LOVE GROVE FIRST ANNIVERSARY & TREE DONATION The AIDS Memorial Project of Northeast Florida hosts this event to honor locals who have lost their lives to AIDS-related diseases by planting 20 trees. 11:45 a.m.1:15 p.m. Friday, Feb. 14, Willow Branch Park, 2870 Sydney St., Riverside, facebook.com/ AIDSmemorialprojectofnortheastflorida, free. JACKSONVILLE MINI MAKER FAIRE The third annual event returns with engineers, scientists, artists and crafters for the greatest show-and-tell on earth. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 15, MOSH, 1025 Museum Circle, Southbank, jacksonville. makerfaire.com, $8/$12, children three and younger are free. JACKSONVILLE MANATEE FESTIVAL A celebration of Florida’s most loved and endangered friends with live music, food, educational presentations and more. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 15, Jacksonville Zoo & Gardens, 370 Zoo Pkwy., Northside, jacksonvillezoo.org, regular admission prices. GET DOWN (TOWN)! Celebrate African American Culture with the African Village Market, food trucks, artists, vendors and live entertainment from Ritz Voices Jacksonville, Jacksonville Arts & Music School, Nan Nkama Pan-African Drum and Dance Ensemble and more. 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 15, Hemming Park, 135 W. Monroe St., Downtown, hemmingpark.org, free. R&B PAINT Singles and couples alike are invited to spend Valentine’s Day painting, sipping wine and enjoying R&B music from DJ Sef Made. 7-9

p.m. Friday, Feb. 14, Event Planning Center, 9501 Arlington Expy., Arlington, eventbrite.com, $32. GALENTINE’S DAY WITH ROOT X DRYBAR JAX Enjoy company, charcuterie, and a glass of bubbly while getting a free dry style. 6-8 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 13, Drybar, 90 Riverside Ave., Ste. 604, Brooklyn, facebook.com/rootrealtyjax, $5 suggested tip. WHITEY’S ANNUAL CHILI COOK-OFF The annual fundraising event is back to benefit St. Jude Children’s Hospital. 2-5 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 16, Whitey’s Fish Camp, 2032 C.R. 220, Fleming Island, facebook.com/whiteysfishcamp, $10 entry, $10 tasting wristband. WINE DOWN WEDNESDAY Wind down with a mid-week break of bottomless wine, champagne, beer and chocolate fondue. 5:30-9:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 12, DOMU, 4852 Town Center Pkwy., Ste. 101, Southside, facebook.com/domufl, $15, 21 and older. ‘90S THROWBACK BAR CRAWL Celebrate the ‘90s with a bar crawl at six participating bars along the coast. 3-10 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 15, check-in at Hoptinger, 333 N. First St., Jax Beach, Jacksonville-90scrawl.com/tickets, $20/$35. LITTLE LEARNERS: LOVE OUR OCEANS MOSH hosts this informational day for young ones to learn more about the ocean, what’s happening with climate change, and big things they can do to help. 9:30-11:30 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 12, MOSH, 1025 Museum Circle, Southbank, themosh.org, $6. BABYSITTING MOVIE NIGHT Need a babysitter for Valentine’s date night? Celestial Farms has you covered! Drop the kids off for a movie, pizza, popcorn, hot chocolate, and a tractor ride around the farm with a trained and screened staff. 6-9 p.m. Friday, Feb. 14, Celestial Farms, 13958 Duval Rd., Northside, celestialfarms.org, $25, children 5 & up. GALENTINE’S POP-UP Spend the evening with your gal pals sipping craft cocktails and shopping local vendors, including Candleleaf, Succulent Strong and Bella Lina Bath. 7-10 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 13, Grape & Grain Exchange, 2000 San Marco Blvd., San Marco, facebook.com/candleleafjax, free. VEGAN BREWS & BBQ Southern Fried Vegan brings its vegan versions of southern comfort favorites. 3-8 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 16, Main & Six Brewing Company, 1636 N. Main St., Downtown, facebook.com/SouthernFriedVegan, free.

Jacksonville Dance Theatre’s annual fundraiser extravaganza DANCE LOVE LIFE GIVE is upon us. Yes, there will be dance performances, but there’s also food, drink and a special presentation honoring guest artist Brian Palmer, chair of Jacksonville University’s dance department. 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 15, WJCT Studio A, Northbank, jacksonvilledancetheatre.org, $75. 16 | FOLIOWEEKLY.com | FEBRUARY 12-18, 2020

CONCERTS

CONCERTS Special K Feb. 15 PROHIBITION KITCHEN, 119 St. George St. John Medico Trio Feb. 12. Chelsea Michelle, Ramona Feb. 13. Let’s Ride, The Swell Feb. 14. Trae Pierce & the T-Stones, M.J. Baker Feb. 15. Elizabeth Nova, Brett Bass & the Melted Plectrum Feb. 16. The WillowWacks Feb. 17. Aslyn & the Naysayers Feb. 18 SARBEZ!, 115 Anastasia Blvd. Stuyedeyed, Minimum Rage, Burl, REELS Feb. 12. The Swell Fellas, Space Koi Feb. 14. Alligator, Changers, Curious Markings Feb. 15

Photo by Ashtin Paige

Nashville-based Americana duo DREW & ELLIE’s You & Me Tour isn’t your standard concert; it’s a show-and-tell of heartfelt folk songs written by husband and wife as well as various collaborators. 8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 15, Florida Theatre, Downtown, floridatheatre.com, $50-$62.

LIVE MUSIC VENUES

AMELIA ISLAND, FERNANDINA

SALTY PELICAN, 12 N. Front St. Davis Turner Feb. 12. Sam McDonald Feb. 13. Kevin Ski Feb. 14. Shawn Layne, Rob Peck Feb. 15. Joe King, Amy Vickery Feb. 16. Travis Harden Feb. 18 SJ BREWING, 463646 S.R. 200, Yulee Kevin Ski Feb. 15 The SURF, 3199 S. Fletcher Ave. Hupp Huppman Feb. 12. Sam McDonald Feb. 14. Justin Spivey Feb. 15

THE BEACHES (All venues in Jax Beach unless otherwise noted)

BEACHES MUSEUM, 381 Beach Blvd. Jack Broadbent Feb. 17 BLUE JAY LISTENING ROOM, 2457B S. Third St. Shawn Mullins Feb. 12. Laura Reed, Kristopher James Feb. 14. Jordan Foley & the Wheelhouse, Kyle Keller Feb. 15. Walter Parks, Jagoda, Jim DeVito & Rob Curto Feb. 16 GUSTO, 1266 Beach Blvd. The Groove Feb. 12. Matt Hall Feb. 13. Caribe Groove Feb. 14 & 15. Mandalla, The Pinedas Feb. 15 LYNCH’S IRISH PUB, 514 N. First St. Spade McQuade, Dustin Monk & the Hustle Feb. 14. Solar Tide, Ivan Pulley Band Feb. 15. Chillula every Wed. Split Tones every Thur. Dirty Pete every Sun. Julia Gulia every Mon. South City Live every Tue. MEZZA LUNA, 110 First St., Neptune Beach Gypsies Ginger every Wed. Mike Shackelford every Thur. Mezza Shuffle Boxband every Mon. Trevor Tanner every Tue. MAVI BAR & GRILL, 2309 Beach Blvd. Eric Alabiso Feb. 12. Cloud 9 Feb. 13. Sidewalk 65 Feb. 14. Richard Smith, The Day After Love & Smokestack Feb. 15. The Bush Doctors Trio Feb. 16

DOWNTOWN

1904 MUSIC HALL, 19 Ocean St. The Main Squeeze Feb. 12. Theo Katzman, Rett Madison Feb. 14. Blockhead, Arms & Sleepers, il:lo Feb. 15. Crunchay Sunday 10 Year Anniversary Feb. 16 FLORIDA THEATRE, 128 E. Forsyth St. Abba Mania Feb. 12. Drew & Ellie Holcomb Feb. 15. Bell Biv Devoe, Color Me Badd Feb 17 HEMMING PARK, 135 W. Monroe St. Joe Watts Feb. 12. The Suedes Feb. 14. The Groove Coalition, Stank Sauce, Let’s Ride Brass Band Feb. 15 MYTH NIGHTCLUB, 333 E. Bay St. DJ Q45, DJ Shotgun, Inner G, Mishin, Caleb Anderson Feb. 14. Mike Shea, Charlie Hustle Feb. 15

FLEMING ISLAND, GREEN COVE

BOONDOCKS, 2808 Henley Rd. Eric & Cody Feb. 15

DALTON’S, 2620 Blanding Blvd., Ste. 17, Middleburg Scott McGinley Feb. 13. Whiskey Heart Feb. 14 DEE’S MUSIC BAR & GRILL, 2141 Loch Rane Blvd., Ste. 140 Live music every Thur. SOUTHERN SOCIAL, 2223 C.R. 200, Middleburg Stephen Quinn & Gabe Bullard Feb. 13. Ken Roy Feb. 15 WHITEY’S FISH CAMP, 2032 C.R. 220 Circus Feb. 14. DownPine Feb. 15

INTRACOASTAL, ARLINGTON

JERRY’S SPORTS GRILLE, 13170-22 Atlantic Blvd. Hindsite Feb. 14. Lucky Stiff Feb. 15

MANDARIN

CHEERS, 11475 San Jose Blvd. Zero Hour Feb. 14 ENZA’S, 10601 San Jose Blvd., Ste. 109 Brian Iannucci every Wed., Sun. & Tue. Carl Grant every Thur., Fri. & Sat. IGGY’S, 104 Bartram Oaks Walk, Ste. 101 Brady Clampitt Feb. 13. Duval County Line Feb. 14. Jason Evans Band Feb. 15. Stephen Quinn Feb. 16

STEVE HACKETT Mar. 20, Ponte Vedra Concert Hall THE SOPHOMORE ATTEMPT, MODERN VIOLENCE, RUNNER’S HIGH Mar. 20, 1904 Music Hall THE MUSIC OF CREAM Mar. 24, Ponte Vedra Concert Hall AGAINST ME! Mar. 25, The Amp Backyard Stage JASON ISBELL, The 400 UNIT, OLD CROW MEDICINE SHOW Mar. 27, The Amp PABLO CRUISE Mar. 28, Ponte Vedra Concert Hall KANE BROWN, RUSSELL DICKERSON, CHRIS LANE Mar. 28 & May 16, Daily’s Place THE EVERLY BROTHERS TRIBUTE Mar. 30 & 31, Alhambra Theatre SAN MARCO, SOUTHBANK VANILLA ICE & SIR MIX-A-LOT Apr. 7, Clay JACK RABBITS, 1528 Hendricks Ave. Lee Scratch County Fair Perry Feb. 14. Flor, Winnetka Bowling League Feb. MANDY MOORE Apr. 7, Florida Theatre 15. Ruston Kelly Feb. 18 EILEN JEWELL BAND Apr. 10, Mudville Music Room LEO KOTTKE Apr. 10, Ponte Vedra Concert Hall SOUTHSIDE, BAYMEADOWS SLAID CLEAVES Apr. 16, Mudville Music Room ALHAMBRA THEATRE, 12000 Beach Blvd. Elvis COLE SWINDELL, HARDY, TREA LANDON Apr. 17, Tribute: Kevin Mills Feb. 12-16 Daily’s Place VETERANS UNITED CRAFT BREWERY, 8999 The PSYCHEDELIC FURS, ELETTRO DOMESTICO Western Way, Ste. 104 Daniel John Kleinrock Apr. 19, Ponte Vedra Concert Hall Feb. 14 WHISKEY JAX, 10915 Baymeadows Rd., Ste. 135 SHAWN COLVIN, DAPHNE WILLIS Apr. 24, Ponte Vedra Concert Hall Matt O’Ree Band Feb. 16 COLLIE BUDDZ Apr. 25, Surfer the Bar TOWER of POWER Apr. 28, Ponte Vedra SPRINGFIELD, NORTHSIDE Concert Hall COPPERTOP BAR & RESTAURANT, 12405-7 N. MELISSA ETHERIDGE Apr. 30, Thrasher-Horne Center Main St. Joe Santana’s Kingfish Feb. 14 PALMS FISH CAMP, 6359 Heckscher Dr. The Last LED ZEPPELIN TRIBUTE: ZOSO Apr. 30, Ponte Resort Feb. 14. Patrick Hague, The Remedy Feb. 15. Vedra Concert Hall NF May 2, Daily’s Place Michael Ward Feb. 16 AJR May 6, Daily’s Place PCOMING ONCERTS MICHAEL FRANTI & SPEARHEAD, BOMBARGO JOHN FOGERTY Feb. 23, The Amp May 8, The Amp NEIL DIAMOND: SWEET CAROLINE TRIBUTE Feb. MICHAEL BUBLE Mar. 17, VyStar Veterans Arena 24 & 25, Alhambra Theatre The LUMINEERS, SHAKEY GRAVES, JADE BIRD LUCERO Feb. 26, The Amp Backyard Stage May 19 & 20, Daily’s Place NEARLY NICKS Feb. 27, Thrasher-Horne Center BRUCE COCKBURN May 20, Ponte Vedra FLORIDA TROUBADOURS Feb. 29, Mudville Concert Hall Music Room OF MONSTERS & MEN, GORDI May 29, The Amp REO SPEEDWAGON Mar. 3, Florida Theatre ELTON JOHN June 3, VyStar Veterans Arena DIANA ROSS Mar. 4, Times-Union Center BARENAKED LADIES, GIN BLOSSOMS, TOAD the RICHARD SMITH Mar. 5, Mudville Music Room WET SPROCKET June 3, The Amp POOR MAN’S MARTIN GORE Mar. 7, Rain Dogs HAPPY TOGETHER TOUR: The TURTLES, CHUCK The OUTLAWS Mar. 8, Ponte Vedra Concert Hall NEGRON, The ASSOCIATION, MARK LINDSAY, The McCARTNEY YEARS Mar. 9, Alhambra Theatre The VOGUES, The COWSILLS June 4, SOUTHSIDE JOHNNY, The ASBURY JUKES Mar. Florida Theatre 10, Ponte Vedra Concert Hall THE 1975, PHOEBE BRIDGERS, BEABADOOBEE FRED EAGLESMITH, TIF GINN Mar. 12, Mudville June 8, Daily’s Place Music Room REBELUTION, STEEL PULSE June 21, The Amp JOSH GROBAN Mar. 13, Times-Union Center RINGO STARR, EDGAR WINTER June 26, The Amp CASTING CROWS, MATTHEW WEST Mar. 19, ALICIA KEYS July 28, Daily’s Place The Amp

ORANGE PARK

CHEERS, 1138 Park Ave. Julia Gulia Feb. 12. Ginger Beard Man Feb. 14. Lifeline Feb. 15 THRASHER-HORNE CENTER, 283 College Dr. Three Dog Night Feb. 13

PONTE VEDRA

FIONN MACCOOL’S, 145 Hilden Rd. Seven Nations Feb. 14. Sutton the Duo Feb. 15 PONTE VEDRA CONCERT HALL, 1050 A1A N. Al Stewart Feb. 14. Jim Messina Feb. 18.

RIVERSIDE, WESTSIDE

ARCHETYPE, 2952 Roosevelt Blvd. Teenage Bottlerocket, Tightwire Feb. 12. The Sponges, Too Heavy Crew Feb. 13. Full Metal Tassels Feb. 14. Ether Coven, Barishi, Outlier, Dead Scrolls, Xaeus, Excruciating Feb. 15 RAIN DOGS, 1045 Park St. The White Bear Project, Crashes Down, Paleos, Swamp Feb. 16 RIVER & POST, 1000 Riverside Ave., Ste. 100 Barrett Thomas Feb. 14. Eric Charlton Feb. 15

ST. AUGUSTINE

The AMP, 1340C A1A S. Willie Nelson & Family Feb. 15 ARNOLD’S LOUNGE, 3912 N. Ponce de Leon Blvd. Hind Site Feb. 15. Moses Creek Feb. 16 The CELLAR UPSTAIRS, 157 King St. Evan D Feb. 13. Chillula, Watson & Taylor Feb. 14. Gary Douglas Campbell, St. John’s Wood Feb. 15. Soulo Lyon Feb. 16 COLONIAL OAK MUSIC PARK, 33 St. George St. Adam & the Testifiers Feb. 14. Papercutt, DJ

Kenny Loggins’ old songwriting partner and producer JIM MESSINA brings that trademark soft rock sound to Northeast Florida. 8 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 18, Ponte Vedra Concert Hall, pvconcerthall.com, $45.50-$65.50. FEBRUARY 12-18, 2020 | FOLIOWEEKLY.com | 17

CONCERTS

Photo by Ashtin Paige

LIVE MUSIC VENUES

AMELIA ISLAND, FERNANDINA

THE BEACHES (All venues in Jax Beach unless otherwise noted)

DOWNTOWN

FLEMING ISLAND, GREEN COVE

BOONDOCKS, 2808 Henley Rd. Eric & Cody Feb. 15 18 | FOLIOWEEKLY.com | FEBRUARY 12-18, 2020

INTRACOASTAL, ARLINGTON

JERRY’S SPORTS GRILLE, 13170-22 Atlantic Blvd. Hindsite Feb. 14. Lucky Stiff Feb. 15

MANDARIN

ORANGE PARK

CHEERS, 1138 Park Ave. Julia Gulia Feb. 12. Ginger Beard Man Feb. 14. Lifeline Feb. 15 THRASHER-HORNE CENTER, 283 College Dr. Three Dog Night Feb. 13

PONTE VEDRA

FIONN MACCOOL’S, 145 Hilden Rd. Seven Nations Feb. 14. Sutton the Duo Feb. 15 PONTE VEDRA CONCERT HALL, 1050 A1A N. Al Stewart Feb. 14. Jim Messina Feb. 18.

RIVERSIDE, WESTSIDE

ST. AUGUSTINE

FOLIO PETS

LOCAL PET EVENTS & ADOPTABLES VALENTINE’S DAY ADOPTION SPECIAL Fall in love with a furry friend this Valentine’s Day. The Jacksonville Humane Society offers $14 adoptions. All pets are spayed/neutered, microchipped and vaccinated. Friday-Monday, Feb. 14-17, Jacksonville Humane Society, 8464 Beach Blvd., Southside, jaxhumane.org.

ADOPTABLES

JACKPOT

SEARCH NO MORE

YOU’VE ALREADY FOUND THE PERFECT VALENTINE’S DATE

IN A DAY AND AGE WHERE SCROLLthrough, swipe-left dating has killed romance, it’s good to know there’s one Valentine’s date that will be delighted to spend the whole day by your side. As it turns out, one in five people prefer spending Valentine’s Day with their pets rather than their partners. Here’s the lowdown on why dogs make a better date this Valentine’s Day. Dogs won’t leave you hanging. It might not text you back, but your pooch is not likely to stand you up. Chances are it will patiently wait for you at home, right by the door, anticipating the moment your key turns the lock. Find a human that will be that dedicated. You don’t have to share your dessert with a dog. In fact, you shouldn’t. All that sweet stuff conveniently makes dogs sick. So, you can have your cake and eat it, too! Go easy, though—sugar hangovers are real. No need to bust out the fancy outfit or expensive shoes to hang with your dog. Dogs don’t care how you look or what you wear. All your dog cares about is you (and probably food). With your dog, you’ll always feel loved, cherished and appreciated. Dogs don’t care if you make reservations at a fancy restaurant or book an outrageous getaway. They’ll be pumped to take a walk at the park and then snuggle up for some television, just like you do every night. All they want is to spend time with you. No makeup, no ironing and no shower required. Score! A dog won’t look deeply, then hopefully, and finally disdainfully into your eyes when

the evening doesn’t end with a romantic gesture. Won’t happen. Prolonged eye contact totally freaks dogs out. You will never have to dream up a way to get rid of a dog, because you’d never want to! Dogs are fun and funny and clean food right off the kitchen floor. Most dates frown upon that sort of thing. Lame. One thing I can absolutely guarantee is that you’ll never find a date that loves you more than your dog. Dogs are always there to lick your tears when you are sad and jump for joy when you are happy. They never judge, even when you stay home in your pajamas, watch bad television and eat chips all day. Nowadays, dates can severely lack manners, but your woofer is a date that will always say, “Thank you.” While dogs may not say it in English (did I mention dogs don’t talk?), you’ll know by the smooches and tail wags that you’ve made them feel like the special pups they truly are. Dogs believe in happily ever after. Once you have their heart, you have it forever. With your dog as your valentine, you’re sure to have a fantastic day filled with love. Dogs make the perfect companion for holidays and every day in between. So grab some heart-shaped dog treats and a box of chocolate for yourself and celebrate Valentine’s Day with your furry best friend. Davi the Dachshund mail@folioweekly.com Subscribe to Folio Weekly Magazine’s Pets Newsletter at folioweekly.com/newsletters

Wonder why they call me Jackpot? Because everyone who meets me is lucky, of course! Adopt me and I promise you’ll feel like a million bucks. I’m a friendly boy who loves taking walks and lounging with my favorite people. My adoption is sponsored by the Dolly’s Dream Foundation! Visit jaxhumane.org/dolly to learn more.

DOGTONA 500 Kanine Social hosts its second annual corgi races with a special round of dachshund races. Dogs and their humans race other teams to the finish. One winner from each heat moves on to the finals to claim to the title of Quickest Kanine. Noon-3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 16, Kanine Social, 580 College St., Brooklyn, kaninesocial.com, $15 (members free).

ADOPTABLES

GUMDROP

Who doesn’t like Gumdrops? If you’ve been searching for a sweet-as-sugar kitty who loves affection and lap naps, look no further. I’m also a big fan of tuna, catnip and gazing out the window. Think we should meet? You’ll find me hanging out with my feline roommates in Group Room 5 at JHS!

PUPS ON THE PATIO YAPPY HOUR One waterfront bar is rolling out the red carpet for pet parents and their fur babies. Located inside the Guy Harvey Resort, Santiago’s is offering $1 off drinks, $3 doggie “paw’ke” bowls and free dog biscuits during this weekly event. 4-7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 17, Santiago’s Florida Kitchen & Craft Bar, 860 A1A Beach Blvd., St. Aug. Beach, santiagosfloridakitchen.com. FEBRUARY 12-18, 2020 | FOLIOWEEKLY.com | 19

NEWS OF THE WEIRD

DALE RATERMANN’s Folio Weekly Crossword presented by

Serving Excellence Since 1928 Member American Gem Society

San Marco 2044 San Marco Blvd. 398-9741

Avondale 3617 St. Johns Ave. 388-5406

Ponte Vedra

THE SHOPPES OF PONTE VEDRA

330 A1A North 280-1202

Voted Best Jeweler in FW’s Best of Jax readers’ poll!

FOLIO WEEKLY CROSSWORD 1

47 50

55 61

1 5 9 14 15 16 17 20 21 22 23 25 27 30 33 37 39 41 42

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UNF mil. grp. Exploits It's a dyeing art Nabisco cookie Cyborg prefix Jags' best effort Heart___ (3 times) Sheds pounds Norse port Presently Thus far Mayo VIPs Sound of woe Best Buy buy Black pool ball Skee-Ball site Cat's warning Maui garland Heart___ (3 times) "___ be nice..." Just Right away Fable fellow Carafe kin Lyric works DOD division Ship part Schindler of First Coast News

ACROSS

UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES In the fall of 2018, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement launched Fortify Florida, an app intended for students to anonymously report suspicious activity. Since then, more than 6,000 tips have been received statewide, but school officials are feeling mostly frustration, reports WFTS in Tampa. Indian River County Superintendent Dr. David Moore said students will “talk about the flavor of the food in the cafeteria.” Pasco Superintendent Kurt Browning said, “The number of kids entering bogus tips is consuming a great deal of resources. ... There’s a coyote in my front yard,” was one example. Indian River Country authorities spent hours investigating a report of a student planning to shoot up a high school, only to find out it was a revenge report for a recent breakup. Florida lawmakers are considering a bill to allow authorities to track tipsters’ IP addresses and prosecute those who submit false information.

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60 iPhone voice 63 Nasal cavity 67 Heart___ (3 times) 70 Eager kids' plea 71 Way to sit by 72 Citrus hybrid 73 Dog slobber 74 Not hidden 75 Lee HS junior's exam

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1 Florida Theatre seating array 2 Vocalized 3 Key West mayor Johnston 4 Shared by all 5 Fancy vase 6 "Mmm, delish!" 7 Recedes 8 Music genre 9 Prohibit 10 1992 Wimbledon champ 11 Hola! menu item 12 Texter's "I think..." 13 Astute 18 DSL provider 19 Jax Beach Pier

20 | FOLIOWEEKLY.com | FEBRUARY 12-18, 2020

fishing gear 24 Pointer's word 26 Zero out 27 The mob 28 Speak to a crowd 29 Corrosives 31 Passed 32 Routing term 34 Thymus, e.g. 35 Subsequently 36 Ocean motions 38 Trashy places 40 Ogle 43 Bard's "before" 44 "Ever hear of Google?" 49 Boxer's combo 51 Fit to be tried

54 Burnout result 56 Pensacola winter hrs. 57 Multiple-choice choices 58 Close 59 Prefix meaning one billionth 61 Eye part 62 Took a JTA bus 64 Pesters 65 Myles Jack's coll. 66 Comedy Zone bit 68 ___ Aviv 69 Writer Rand

SOLUTION TO 2.5.20 PUZZLE W A L E S

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M A S A K F T I N B N E S N D R A W C V E A R

ANNALS OF HYGIENE The Times of India reports that Soni Devi, 20, of Vaishali district, petitioned the state women’s commission on Jan. 9 for divorce from her husband of two years, Manish Ram, 23, complaining, “My husband stinks as he won’t shave and bathe for nearly 10 days at a stretch. Moreover, he doesn’t brush his teeth. He also doesn’t have manners and follow etiquette. ... Kindly get me rid of this man; he has ruined my life.” Commission member Pratima Sinha told the Times, “I was taken aback by her silly reasons,” but nonetheless, the commission will give the husband “two months’ time to mend his ways. If his behavior is not found satisfactory even after that, we will ... refer the matter to the family court for separation.” Manish reportedly promised to mend his ways.

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IRONY Sauntore Thomas, 44, of Detroit, presented three checks at his bank on Jan. 21 that he had received as settlement in a race discrimination lawsuit against his former employer, according to the Detroit Free Press. Instead of accepting the checks, TCF Bank in Livonia, where Thomas was an established customer, summoned police and initiated a fraud investigation. Thomas’ attorney, Deborah Gordon, told the Free Press, “Obviously, assumptions were made the minute he walked in based on his race.” Thomas finally closed his existing accounts, left the bank and deposited the checks at a different bank without any trouble. The next day, Thomas filed a lawsuit against TCF Bank alleging race

discrimination and asking for unspecified damages and an apology from the company. VALENTINE’S GREETINGS If you have lifetime commitment on your mind this Valentine’s Day, Domino’s Australia wants to help out. The pizza chain announced a contest on Feb. 3 in which the winner will receive a diamondencrusted engagement ring in the shape of a pizza slice worth $9,000, Fox News reported. Fans can enter with a 30-second video detailing “how you will involve pizza in your proposal,” according to the company. Good luck! LIFE IMITATES A TELEVISION DRAMA Two chemistry professors at Henderson State University in Arkadelphia, Arkansas, were formally charged on Feb. 3 with manufacturing methamphetamines and possession, KTHV reported. Terry David Bateman, 45, and Bradley Allen Rowland, 40, both associate professors, were arrested on Nov. 15 and had been on administrative leave since Oct. 11, after the science center on campus was closed because of a chemical odor. It reopened on Oct. 29 after testing, but in the meantime, according to court documents, faculty members reported to the Clark County Sheriff’s Office the two were acting in a way that indicated “these persons were involved in some type of illegal activity.” The suspects had also lost weight and were “extremely guarded” about who was in their laboratories and when. (Should have sprung for the RV.) COMPELLING EXPLANATION Ottawa, Ontario, businessman Bruce McConville, 55, who ran for mayor in the last election with a tough-on-crime platform, has gone to great lengths to avoid paying his ex-wife the spousal and child support he was ordered by the court to provide. The Ottawa Citizen reports McConville has long defied several court orders involving his finances, finally telling Superior Court Justice Kevin Phillips he withdrew over $1 million (Canadian) from six bank accounts, but he no longer had the cash. “I burnt it,” he told the incredulous judge, who replied, “I don’t believe you, I don’t trust you, I don’t think you’re honest,” and on Jan. 28 sentenced McConville to 30 days in jail, after which he’ll face penalties of $2,000 for each day he fails to provide a full account of his finances, including where the $1 million-plus in cash is. The fines will be paid directly to his ex-wife. “You cannot thumb your nose at the court as you have done,” Phillips warned. weirdnewstips@amuniversal.com

FREEWILL ASTROLOGY

ARIES (March 21-April 19): With age, comedian Tig Notaro has become wiser about love. Her increased capacity for romantic happiness has developed in part because she’s been willing to change her attitudes. She says, “Instead of being someone who expects people to have all the strengths I think I need them to have, I resolved to try to become someone who focuses on the strengths they do have.” In accordance with this Valentine’s season’s astrological omens, I invite you to meditate on how you might cultivate more of that aptitude yourself.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Artist Joan Miró loved to daub colored paint on canvases. He said he approached his work in the same way he made love: “a total embrace, without caution, prudence thrown to the winds, nothing held back.” Invoke a similar attitude with all the important things you do in the coming weeks. Summon the ardor and artistry of a creative lover for all-purpose use.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): In 1910, businessman Irving Seery was 20 years old. One evening he traveled to the Metropolitan Opera in New York City to see an opera starring the gorgeous and electrifying soprano singer Maria Jeritza. He fell in love instantly. For the next 38 years he remained a bachelor as he nursed his desire to marry her. His devotion finally paid off. Jeritza married Seery in 1948. In 2020, you will be capable of a heroic feat of love that resembles Seery’s. Which of your yearnings might evoke such intensely passionate dedication? CANCER (June 21-July 22): I’ve been married twice, both times to the same woman. Our first time around, we were less than perfectly wise in the arts of relationship. After our divorce and during the few years we weren’t together, we each ripened into more graceful versions of ourselves; we developed greater intimacy skills. Our second marriage has been far more successful. Is there a comparable possibility in your life? A chance to enhance your ability to build satisfying togetherness? An opening to learn practical lessons from past romantic mistakes? Now is a favorable time to capitalize. LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): In 1911, the famous Russian poet Anna Akhmatova and the famous Italian painter Amedeo Modigliani were in love with each other. Both were quite poor, though. They didn’t have much to spend on luxuries. In her memoir, Akhmatova recalled the time they went on a date in the rain at the Luxembourg Gardens in Paris. Barely protected under a rickety umbrella, they amused each other by reciting the verse of Paul Verlaine, a poet they both loved. Isn’t that romantic? In the coming weeks, experiment with comparable approaches to cultivating love. Get back to raw basics. Happy Valentine Daze!

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): I hope there’s someone in your life to whom you can give a note like the one I’ll offer at the end of this oracle. If there’s not, I trust you will locate that person in the next six months. Feel free to alter the note as you see fit. Here it is. “When you and I are together, it’s as if we have been reborn into luckier lives; as if we can breathe deeper breaths that fill our bodies with richer sunlight; as if we see all of the world’s beauty that alone we were blind to; as if the secrets of our souls’ codes are no longer secret.” LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): In the course of your life, how many people and animals have truly loved you?

FOLIO WEED

Three? Seven? More? I invite you to try this Valentine experiment: Write down their names on a piece of paper. Spend a few minutes visualizing the specific qualities in you that they cherished, and how they expressed their love, and how you felt as you received their caring attention. Then send out a beam of gratitude to each of them. Honor them with sublime appreciation for having treasured your unique beauty. Doing this exercise will magnetize you to further outpourings of love in the coming weeks.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Copy the following passage and offer it to a person who is receptive to deepening their connection with you. “Your healing eyes bless the winter jasmine flowers that the breeze blew into the misty creek. Your welcoming prayers celebrate the rhythmic light of the mud-loving cypress trees. Your fresh dreams replenish the eternal salt that nourishes our beloved song of songs. With your melodic breath, you pour all these not-yet-remembered joys into my body.” (This lyrical message is a blend of my words with those of poet Odysseus Elytis.) SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Virgil wrote three epic poems that are still in print today. His second was a masterpiece called the Georgics. It took him seven years to write, even though it was only 2,740 lines long. So on average he wrote a little over one line per day. Use him as inspiration as you toil over your own labors of love in the coming weeks and months. There’ll be no need to rush. In fact, the final outcomes will be better if you do them slowly. Be especially diligent and deliberate in all matters involving intimacy and collaboration and togetherness.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Copy the following passage and offer it to a person who is ready to explore a more deeply lyrical connection with you. “I yearn to earn the right to your whispered laugh, your confident caress, your inscrutable dance. Amused and curious, I wander where moon meets dawn, inhaling the sweet mist in quest of your questions. I study the joy that my imagination of you has awakened. All the maps are useless, and I like them that way. I’m guided by my nervous excitement to know you deeper. Onward toward the ever-fresh truth of your mysterious rhythms!” AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Author Derek Walcott had a perspective on love that I suspect might come in handy for you during this Valentine season. “Break a vase,” he wrote, “and the love that reassembles the fragments is stronger than that love which took its symmetry for granted when it was whole.” Meditate on how you could apply his counsel to your own love story. How might you remake your closest alliances into even better and brighter versions of themselves?

GARRETT’S GANJA GAMBIT

LAST YEAR’S MOVE TO DECRIMINALIZE FAILED. BUT THIS YEAR? THIS WEEK’S GARRETT DENNIS PROFILE touched on a number of topics, but our meeting ended with a discussion of the councilmember’s efforts to decriminalize cannabis in Jacksonville. “I don’t participate in marijuana,” he said, but he sees no value in locking up those who do. Bill 2019-0330 would have reduced the penalty for possession of 20 grams of cannabis or less to a $100 fine or 10 hours of community service. A UNF PORL poll from June 2019 puts local support for decriminalization at 84 percent, making it about the lowest-hanging fruit you can find in this city. In theory, it should have been easy. But contrary to the slogans, not everything is easier here. Besides the usual civil libertarian appeal of such legislation, there is a practical financial benefit for cities, as Dennis told Florida Politics at the time. According to Dennis, it costs about $864 to process an inmate and an additional $60 per day to house them, which comes to about $22,000 over the course of a year. This is money that can be put to much better use, such as overpaying for The Jacksonville Landing or paying ransom to Shad Khan so he doesn’t move the Jaguars to London. That, in addition to the windfall profits seen around the country by cities and states that have already moved in that direction, creates a strong, compelling argument for increasing appeal to free-market, small “c” conservatives. The bill was introduced mid-May, and the councilmember pushed his proposal through a series of four town hall meetings held during July and August. On the Northside, Southside, Westside and the Beaches, the rooms were always full, and the audience spoke mostly in favor of the bill. Hardly a representative sample,

but with nearly 70 percent of Floridians favoring outright legalization of recreational marijuana, according to recent polls, there is clearly a consensus already in place. But all that was ultimately irrelevant, and the initiative became collateral damage in a broader conflict. Bill 2019-0330 was thus given the ooh-la-la by a five-to-two vote of the Neighborhoods, Public Health and Safety Committee in August 2019. Dennis claims that several colleagues expressed support in private but refused to do so publicly, fearing blowback from the mayor’s office. Had someone else introduced the bill, Dennis thinks it stood a good chance of a narrow passage by the full council. “Everybody supported it,” he said, “even the sheriff, but he was squeezed, politically. He knew about it before I went public, and he said, ‘I’m already working on something like that. I think it’s the right thing to do.’ He shared stories with me about how it ticks police officers off. But as soon as Garrett Dennis introduced the bill, it became a target. I even had council members say to me, after the fact, ‘I got worked on it.’ I’m going to reintroduce it, after the 12 months are up.” As a FAMU grad, Dennis took note of Tallahassee’s recent decision to decriminalize: an evolution of policy quite similar to what he proposed last year. As noted above, Dennis plans to reboot the bill later this year, like Charlie Brown kicking the football, but he is open to passing the ball to a colleague, which frankly would be ideal. If that happens, it might actually get over. Otherwise, nope. Shelton Hull mail@folioweekly.com Subscribe to the Folio Weed Newsletter at folioweekly.com/newsletters

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Consider experimenting with poet Saul Williams’ concept of sublime kisses this Valentine season. Explore new sensations and meanings available through the act of joining your mouth to another’s. “Have you ever lost yourself in a kiss? I mean pure psychedelic inebriation. Not just lustful petting but transcendental metamorphosis, when you became aware that the greatness of this other being is breathing into you. Licking your mouth, like sealing a thousand fleshy envelopes filled with the essence of your passionate being, and then opened by the same mouth and delivered back to you, over and over again—the first kiss of the rest of your life.”

Rob Brezsny freewillastrology@freewillastrology.com FEBRUARY 12-18, 2020 | FOLIOWEEKLY.com | 21

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FOLIO VOICES: BACKPAGE

THE POWER OF SONG

JACKSONVILLE CHILDREN’S CHORUS CHANGES YOUNG LIVES THERE ARE SOME WHO SAY, “THE CURE for anything is salt water: sweat, tears or the sea.” But what if sadness is the thing you need to be cured from? Tears are certainly a wonderful expression of sadness, but they do little to heal it at the source. Then there are those who say, “Laughter is the best medicine.” In my experience, laughter can often do a tremendous job of masking sadness without actually healing it at the root. This is not to say that laughter is not important. It can be a wonderful coping mechanism. But I don’t believe it is capable of truly healing our pain at its core. Allow me to suggest another healing method: music. When my daughter and I first moved to Jacksonville in the fall of 2017, it was the most recent of four major moves since she started pre-K in Georgia. That means by fifth grade, she had attended five different elementary schools. As a single mother, I knew that I needed to follow my career trajectory and do what was best for us financially, but I also knew that I owed her some semblance of stability. So I promised that moving to Jacksonville would be it—at least until she finished middle school. And yet, I knew she was unhappy. She attended one of Duval County’s best public elementary schools for gifted students and had no trouble forging friendships. Still, my girl was suffering from depression, and she needed something to pull her from the doldrums of her lifestyle and reignite the spark of creativity and joy that she was capable of experiencing. Yes, I booked her an appointment with a therapist, but I also registered her to audition for the Jacksonville Children’s Chorus. I firmly believe that participating in an artistic organization like the JCC offers invaluable therapeutic benefits for

children who may be emotionally drifting without another creative outlet. As I mentioned, my daughter started seeing a therapist and rebounded quickly from her depressive symptoms, but it happened concurrently with her enrollment and participation in a choir that teaches children self-discipline, teamwork, artistic expression and good citizenship. The chorus, founded in 1995, is Jacksonville’s largest provider of music education, enriching the lives of singers and audiences across the region. The nonprofit organization offers scholarships to any child who wishes to sing, through the generous support of sponsors and donors. My child is a scholarship recipient, and our family could not be more grateful to all the donors who give in order that she may be able to take part in this wonderful group whose music lifts my spirits every time I attend a performance. I can only imagine how it works to lift the spirits of the children who perform and rehearse every single week, all for the love of music and the arts in Jacksonville and beyond. The chorus hosts its annual Mardi Gras fundraiser Saturday, Feb. 15, at the Ponte Vedra Concert Hall. (See Our Picks, pg. 6 for details.) There will be jazz musicians as well as performances by the JCC Touring Choir and adult ensemble Voices of Jacksonville along with hors d’oeuvres, cocktails and dancing, aerialists, a tarot card reader and live and silent auctions. Come take part in the celebration of music, of our talented children, and of the power that music has to evoke all levels of emotion. Mindy Wadley mail@folioweekly.com __________________________________ Wadley is the parent of a JCC performer.

FOLIO WEEKLY welcomes Backpage submissions. They should be 1,200 words or fewer and on a topic of local interest and/or concern. Send your submissions to mail@folioweekly.com. Opinions expressed on the Backpage are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Folio Weekly. FEBRUARY 12-18, 2020 | FOLIOWEEKLY.com | 23