Folio Vol. 37, Issue 19

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WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU! SUBMIT MAIL TO TEAM@FOLIOWEEKLY.COM

BOUQS & BRICKS BOUQUETS BRICKBATS

M.A.D D.A.D.S. Jacksonville for teaming up with local bikers and JSO to help solve unsolved murders in Jacksonville. With the recent rise of gun violence in our city, MAD DADS is gathering on Saturday for its annual “Ride for Life” event to help employ impactful strategies to engage parents in the intervention and prevention of community problems. Sign up begins at 9am on September 30th at Adamec Harley Davidson on Baymeadows Road. The 13-mile ride escorted by JSO ends at Edgewood Avenue South and Highway Avenue. Registration is online at $20 per bike and $5 per rider. Email maddadsjax@gmail.com for online registration.

Duval County Public Schools for ending their 20-year relationship with JASMYN! Yes, we know this is old news however DCPS still deserves a BIG FAT BRICK BAT for cutting out this resource.

JASMYN provides a variety of programming and services for LGBTQIA+ young adults ages 18 - 29. They welcome everyone, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. They provide a place that is uniquely sensitive, respectful and responsive to LGBTQIA+ young adults, youth of color and young adults seeking community and experiencing challenges in their lives.

You can help by supporting their 17th Annual Coming Out Day Breakfast! October 24, 2023 at the Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront. For more information visit jasmyn.org/coming-out-day-breakfast.

Your impulsive nature might lead you down a haunted path this month, Aries. You tend to act like a know-it-all, but sometimes, it’s for the best that you don’t, in fact, know it all. Keep your wits about you, or you might just scare yourself.

Let the spooky season and spooky festivities commence, Taurus. A ghost from the past could resurface, but you’ve dealt with worse … or better, right? Don’t be stubborn; it’s time to confront your fears and let go of old haunts.

ARIES TAURUS GEMINI

Be careful what you say, Gemini. Your words could cast a spell that’s hard to break. Secrets may come back to haunt you or maybe a person. Remember, those of your past are in the past for a reason. Sometimes it is best to lock that closed door.

CANCER

All that witchy activity has been paying off, Cancer, ’cause this month your intuition is off the charts. But don’t toss those crystals into a drawer so soon. There’s always some thing lurking in the shadows. Pay attention to your inner ghost radar; it might lead you to a mysterious revelation.

LEO VIRGO

The spotlight may reveal more than you bargained for, Leo. Beware of hidden motives in the shadows of your social circle. You have had some suspicions as of recently, so trust your intuition: people are rarely ever what they seem. But you know this, right?

It’s a blessing and a curse being you, Virgo, because your attention to detail is a double-edged sword. This month you may uncover unsettling truths beneath the surface of a seemingly ordinary situation or seemingly ordinary people. This doesn’t mean you should be checking under your bed for monsters every night, but it would be wise to tread lightly in new situations.

Your mantra is balance is key, Libra. But that doesn’t mean it comes easily to you. We suggest that this month you should be cautious; a supernatural force might tip the scales in a chilling direction. And if you want to lean a little into the dark side, we won’t tell.

LIBRA SCORPIO

Your mysterious aura is especially potent this month, Scoprio. Use it wisely, as you may attract enigmatic and eerie experiences. But you would like that, wouldn’t you? You’re like a black cat crossing someone’s path. Some see it as good luck, but others… not so much. Sometimes it’s best to remain a bit mysterious.

Oh, dear Sagittarius, you’ve always had an inclination for adventure. And while we’re all for stepping out of your comfort zone, sometimes your wanderlust can lead you into the unknown and not all paths are safe. Just be prepared for some spine-tingling adventures this month.

Your determination is unwavering, even in the face of the paranormal. Just remember, not everything can be explained through logic. Sometimes things are more than just an uncanny coincidence. Start seeing things for what they are — a sign.

OK, Aquarius, we get it. You’re an eccentric sign that loves any excuse to dress up and love all things supernatural. But not everything supernatural is good, as I’m sure you know, so leave the ouija board for someone else to play with. There are other ways of discovering a ghostly connection that doesn’t involve opening your doors to the other side.

PISCES

Your dreams are vivid and spooky this month, Pisces. Dive into your subconscious realm, but be cautious; you might encounter some ghostly apparitions, or maybe just apparitions of someone you thought you left in the past. Maybe you haven’t finished all that self-healing you claimed to have.

IN THE NAME OF Love

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

QUESTION FROM OLIVIA G.: How can couples navigate differences in values, beliefs, and life goals to create a harmonious and fulfilling partnership that respects individual identities and aspirations? Can it really happen if you don’t respect your partner’s opinion?

NAVIGATING DIFFERENCES IN RELATIONSHIPS: A PATH TO HARMONY

Dear Readers,

Today, we tackle a common yet complex issue that often arises in relationships: how to navigate differences in values, beliefs and life goals while maintaining a harmonious and fulfilling partnership that respects individual identities and aspirations. It’s a question that many couples face, and the journey to finding a balance can be both challenging and rewarding.

First and foremost, open and honest communication is the cornerstone of addressing these differences. In any relationship, whether you’re dating, engaged, or married, it’s crucial to create a safe space where both partners can express themselves freely. Encourage each other to share your values, beliefs, and aspirations openly. Actively listen to your partner’s perspective, even if you don’t necessarily agree with it. This is the foundation upon which understanding and, indeed, trust can be built.

If you both are having difficulty in coming together, identify areas of commonality within your values and goals. Celebrate these commonalities; they are the glue that holds your partnership together. By focusing on what you agree on, you’ll create a positive atmosphere where both individuals feel valued and understood.

It’s also essential to recognize that differences are an inevitable part of any relationship. No two people are identical. Respect your partner’s differences and acknowledge that they have their own perspective shaped by their experiences. Do not attempt to change them or convince them to adopt your beliefs or values. Sometimes, arriving at a respectful impasse is much healthier than walking away thinking your partner just doesn’t have the ability to see the issue the way you do.

In situations where your values or goals clash, seek compromises that both partners can live with. Compromising does not mean surrendering your values but rather finding solutions that honor the needs of both individuals. This can be a challenging process, but it’s a crucial skill for building a resilient relationship.

Establish clear boundaries that honor your values and beliefs and respect those of your partner. Discuss what behaviors or actions are unacceptable and agree on how to handle situations when those boundaries are crossed. Mutual respect for each other’s boundaries is essential for maintaining trust and harmony.

Support each other’s personal growth and development. Encourage your partner to pursue their own goals and aspirations, even if they differ from your own. Healthy relationships allow both partners to grow individually. Personal growth enriches the relationship as both individuals bring new experiences and insights to the table.

If you find it challenging to navigate significant differences, consider seeking professional help. Couples counseling or therapy can provide valuable guidance and tools for working through these issues. A trained therapist can facilitate productive conversations and help you develop strategies to strengthen your relationship.

Maintaining your individual identity is vital while being part of a couple. Pursue your own interests and passions. Remember that a strong relationship is built on the foundation of two individuals who are content with themselves and their lives. Encourage your partner to do the same. A healthy sense of self is the right foundation for the most positive relationships.

Keep in mind that relationships are a journey, and differences may evolve over time. What seems like a significant difference today may not be as crucial in the future. Try to revisit your discussions about values, beliefs, and goals to ensure that your relationship remains aligned with your evolving needs and desires.

Lastly, while you may have individual differences, it’s essential to have shared values and goals for your relationship itself. Discuss what you both want from the relationship and work toward those shared goals. These shared aspirations can help guide your journey and provide a sense of purpose.

With open communication, respect, compromise, and support for each other’s personal growth, it’s possible to create a harmonious and fulfilling partnership that respects individual identities and aspirations. Remember that every relationship is unique, and the key is to find what works best for you and your partner as you embark on this journey together.

In the meantime, a person’s journey is complex, honor yourself and your partner by allowing space for him or her to grow individually. Love is always worth the risk!

DON’T BE WARY…. JUST

MAKE SURE YOU STRAP UP AGAINST SEXUAL “SCARIES”

Words by Amiyah Golden

With the spooky season approaching, ghost, ghouls and goblins should be the least of your concerns — as an array of sexual diseases continue to linger among the living due to inadequate education, prevention and the overall stigma.

The existence of STDs and STIs is not just a “Goosebumps” tale but a very real problem that must be discussed. With the topic of sexual health often being regarded as “taboo,” it continues to perpetuate the idea of shame, leaving many people embarrassed and not taking the proper precautions and resources available. It leaves for this “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” culture that exacerbates the dangerous praxis of assumption — with many of those who participate in sexual activities feeling invincible against the grim reaper of infection (but remember STDs do not discriminate!) A plethora of people regardless of gender, race, sexuality or class are being given the unfortunate diagnosis on the daily. With a formidable historical past of homophobic postulations regarding STDs, specifically HIV and AIDS; much of the mainstream public internalized the notion that those who participate in heteronormative sex are exempt from such. This further, instilled fear into a society already plagued with ignorance, justifying many laws that were passed against the queer community. With Jacksonville Pride being this month, it is important that we unlearn the internalized prejudices that we may have and recognize that this epidemic affects everyone.

As a college student, I see firsthand the lack of urgency displayed when it comes to using protection. Many individuals often feel invincible (I don’t know why because even Iron Man died… rest his soul) but with the lack of precautions taken, it quite literally only takes one time for your entire life to be changed.

With an abundance of resources available we cannot blame it on the lack thereof …

As a student at the University of North Florida, I know they have an entire sector in Student Health Services that prioritizes testing, preventatives and contraceptives. Other Jacksonville colleges and universities also offer similar services for their students (just make sure to locate your school’s respective channels if you’re a student.)

This epidemic doesn’t just run rampant through horny college students but throughout the general population.

With local organizations and chapters such as the Northeast Florida Aids Network (NFAN) and the Aids Healthcare Foundation (AHF Healthcare Center) providing free testing for STIs and STDs, there should be no reason you aren’t using your responsibility to fight off a potential future of frightening repercussions because you decided to not practice safe sex!

SEPT. 29-OCT. 1

Jacksonville Home + Patio Show

Prime Osborn Convention Center jacksonvillefallhomeshow.com

SEPT. 29-OCT. 31

13th Floor Haunted House 9230 Arlington Expressway 13thfloorjacksonville.com

THROUGH OCT. 30

The Alice: An Immersive Cocktail Experience Franky’s Parties and Banquets explorehidden.com

OCT. 1

Oktoberfest ft. WUNDERBAR Friday Musicale fridaymusicale.com

OCT. 5-8

Jacksonville Fall RV Show Jacksonville Equestrian Center neflrvdealers.com

OCT. 6 1st Annual Witches Ball Disco Witching Brewing, Yulee discowitchbrewing.com

OCT. 6-7

Beaches Oktoberfest Seawalk Pavilion beachesoktoberfest.com

OCT. 7

Gamble Rogers Gala St. Johns County Agricultural Center gamblerogersfest.org

Island Hop Craft Beer Fest Central Park, Fernandina Beach islandhopcraftbeerfest.com

CROCtoberfest: Brew at the ZOO! St. Augustine Alligator Farm alligatorfarm.com

Mystic Faire Center for Spiritual Living, St. Augustine cslstaugustine.org

OCT.7-8

Annual St. Augustine Greek Fest Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church staugustinegreekfestival.com

OCT. 8

Pride Parade Park Street in Riverside jaxrcpride.org

OCT. 12-31

36th Annual Spooktacular Jacksonville Zoo & Gardens jacksonvillezoo.org

OCT. 13-15

WasabiCon Prime Osborn Convention Center jax.wasabicon.com

OCT. 14

TEDxJacksonville 2023: Human/ Nature WJCT Studios tedxjacksonville.com

Viva La Fiesta Jax 2023

James Weldon Johnson Park jamesweldonjohnsonpark.org

Pridetoberfest

Main Street Food Park facebook.com/mainstfoodpark

Halloween Doors & More Jacksonville Fairgrounds Exhibition Hall thefoundationcares.org

Sun-Ray Cinema presents “Pee Wee’s Big Adventure” Movie Experience

A. Phillip Randolph Park sunraycinema.com

Jax Yoga Fest Riverside Arts Market facebook.com/jaxyogafest

OCT. 14-15

Arlington Mod & More Home Tour and Symposium

Unitarian Universalist Church 904tix.com

OCT. 15

Stories For Kids By Kids: Spooktacular Jacksonville Center for the Performing Arts jaxsymphony.org

OCT. 16-31

“Board Walk” By Dana Lee

Jacksonville Restaurant Week various locations jacksonvillerestaurantweek.com

OCT.18

Chef Kenny Gilbert and Nan Kavanaugh: Book Talk & Signing Silkie’s Chicken & Champagne Bar meetatsilkies.com

Jacksonville Historical Society Speaker Series: Scott Matthews Old St. Andrew’s Church jaxhistory.org

Doktor Kaboom and the Wheel of Science Thrasher-Horne Center, Orange Park thcenter.org

OCT. 18-21

Friends of the Fernandina Beach Library Book Sale

Peck Center Gymnasium, Fernandina Beach fernandinafol.org

OCT. 21

Sea and Sky Airshow 2023

Jacksonville Beach specialevents.coj.net

BarrelTop Burlesque

Burlock and Barrel Distillery & Tasting Room burlockandbarrel.com

Creatures of the Night St. Augustine Alligator Farm alligatorfarm.com

OCT. 21-22

Florida Bridal & Wedding Expo 2023

Prime Osborn Convention Center flbridalshows-pf.com

Fourth Annual Fall Festival 2042 Park Ave., Orange Park opfallfestival.com

OCT. 26

Tides and Tails One Ocean Resort & Spa jaxhumane.org

OCT. 26-28

The Haunted Tavern: A Dark Pop-Up Cocktail Experience Friday Musicale feverup.com

OCT. 27-28

Halloween Lanterns Festival Jacksonville Arboretum & Gardens jacksonvillearboretum.org

OCT. 28

Dab Day: Halloween Festival The Glass Factory & Myrtle Ave Brewing eventbrite.com

Ancient City Kids Day Francis Field, St. Augustine epicbh.org

7th Annual Headless Bangers Costume Ball World Golf Village Renaissance St. Augustine Resort eventbrite.com

OCT. 29 904 Pop Up Seawalk Pavilion 904popup.com

MORE ABOUT FLEABAG

Words by Carmen Macri

For those of us who’ve witnessed Jacksonville’s evolution, it’s no secret how disheartening the transformation of Jacksonville Beach Pier has been. Our grandparents never tire of reminiscing about the good old days when it was a bustling hub of shops, rides, and carnival games. However, those bygone times have faded into history, leaving us with a desolate wooden boardwalk.

But these are all tales of old. With the help of Curt DeWitt (the unofficial Jax Beach Mayor) and Kirsten Mayo (more on her in a minute), the pier has become quite the hospitable hotspot for our generation once again.

You might not have heard about it yet — I was in the same boat until recently — but there are some exciting new additions down at the pier. The standout stars are Fleabag Trading Co. and Sandflea Market. Picture Sandflea Market as a pop-up village that magically appears on the pier every Saturday and Sunday. Local vendors from all around Jacksonville converge here to showcase and sell their amazing creations. And here’s the real twist in the tale: as soon as that sun dips below the horizon, the silent disco extravaganza takes center stage. In addition to the Sandflea Market providing a thriving hub for small businesses, Hush Hush Jax rolls out a special booth from 7-10 p.m., ensuring shoppers and their friends can enjoy a night of silent disco magic.

The genius pulling the strings is none other than Mayo, a homegrown entrepreneur who embarked on her journey right here in Jacksonville and is dedicated to continuing the love affair with small businesses.

“For a few years I worked for a local breast cancer foundation called Two Titmice Vodka. During my time there, I would plan and host fundraising events around town, and I think that’s where I got my first taste of how fun and fulfilling it can be to have these types of community events,” Mayo shared. “I then worked as a manager at Urban Outfitters [UO] in the St. Johns Town Center and was in charge of planning the UO Local Markets. I fell in love with it and figured I could do this on a larger scale with more creative freedom than I could under the corporate regulations set in place by UO.”

But before Mayo decided to bring a new life to the pier, she first started her venture with her own fully sustainable swimwear line, Arcane Swim. Just like many small local businesses, you begin your journey by participating in pop-up events and flea markets, and Mayo, well, she’s been there, done that. She built her business from the ground up through these means, so when the opportunity arose to support other small local businesses, Mayo seized it.

“Fleabag has an entirely different business plan and structure than I have with Arcane so it’s definitely been a challenge, but I like pushing myself to learn new things. I know as I develop Fleabag more I will discover new things I can apply to Arcane as well,” Mayo expressed. “Right now Fleabag Trading Company and The Sandflea are getting up and running, and we are working out the kinks.”

The Sandflea Market is more than just a market, of course. Mayo knows the heart and soul of Jacksonville lies with the makers and creators in the lively community. As I’ve reiterated repeatedly and will continue to emphasize, Jacksonville has a deep appreciation for small businesses. Every weekend, in every corner and neighborhood of Jacksonville, you’ll find various markets, be it arts markets or farmers markets. We are fortunate to reside in a city that shares a passion for creativity.

“The ultimate dream is to create a space for The Fleabag Trading Co. to live, where we can operate out of and help small businesses thrive,” Mayo shared. “I would love for a brand to blow up, become insanely successful, and when they get interviewed about their start-up story, they can proudly say, ‘My brand got its start at The Fleabag.’”

Mayo is aiming high with Fleabag Trading Co. After establishing a solid foundation and securing a storefront, Mayo envisions expanding Fleabag’s presence nationwide. This expansion would include hosting pop-up events for local brands and eventually organizing community gatherings. The ultimate objective, whether it’s here at our coastal beaches or across the country, is to create a space where people can come together and connect with one another.

“Right now, just about every vendor we have had set up at the market was either a friend I’ve made through having Arcane at pop-up markets,” Mayo explained. “Or a business that reached out to us through word of mouth. And word travels fast in our little big city.”

There are currently three vendor spaces at the market, but Mayo is aiming for six. And eventually, the whole damn pier.

To learn more about Sandflea Market, contact kirsten@jaxfleabag. com.

THE SPECKTATOR

Words by Kerry Speckman

One of my all-time favorite nuggets of Jax trivia is that it’s the birthplace — and final resting place — of actress Alice Nunn. Never heard of her? Well, if you missed her as Passenger with Dog in “Airport 75,” Lady With Wallet in “Petticoat Junction” or Woman Customer at Quickie Mart on “Simon & Simon,” maybe you caught her scene-stealing turn as Large Marge in “Pee Wee’s Big Adventure.” The folks at Sun-Ray Cinema obviously appreciate Ms. Nunn’s stellar performance in the latter as they have planned a unique movie experience that involves a screening of “Pee Wee’s Big Adventure” at A. Philip Randolph Park complete with a self-guided bike tour to Nunn’s grave at Old City Cemetery. Check sunraycinema.com for deets. And tell ’em Large Marge sent ya.

BONUS FUN FACT: In the movie, Pee Wee’s dog is named Speck. No relation.

Jordyn Jackson and Shawn Fisher (the adorbs husband-wife duo who make up Flagship Romance) may not be technically “Jacksonville’s own” anymore after moving west several years ago, but since they met and formed in Jax, I’m still claiming them as ours. And I’m proclaiming their new EP, “Lightning in a Bottle,” a revelation. Their gut-wrenchingingly beautiful voices and chillinducing harmonies have never sounded better than on “Imposter,” which I’ve been listening to on repeat for a week. The fact the song details personal experiences with mental illness makes it that much more impactful. Check it out on Spotify, Apple Music, etc. or enjoy the video of their impassioned

ICYMI: WWE, in partnership with the NFL, debuted its line of “officially licensed NFL legacy title belts” (why there is a need for this item, I do not know). The $549.99* replica title belts feature official colors and logos of all 32 teams … except the Jags (*plus shipping, handling and tax). Did WWE scrap the belt since Shad Khan owns competitor AEW? Did Khan put the kibosh on his team being associated with WWE? Or (in a very doubtful scenario) did the belts sell out “faster than expected” as Fanatics claimed on Twitter?

As a lifetime member of the Grammar, Spelling and Punctuation Police, I hereby issue a citation to the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office for this sign posted outside the abandoned Snyder Memorial Methodist Episcopal Church on Laura Street. Or should I say the Jacksonville “Sherriff’s” Office.

Photo by Adrian Joaquin Martinez

THE QUINNTESSENTIALS’ PODCAST

PODCAST PICKS

Words by Su Ertekin-Taner

In many ways, The Quinntessentials’ Podcast is a quintessential podcast: weekly, sometimes biweekly episodes, a bass intro, an hour-long exploration of a niche, an outro that advertises all hosts’ social media and frequent episode teasers. In other ways, this podcast exceeds the quintessential: energetic hosts and fluid dynamic, risqué jokes for an 18+ audience and, most importantly, Joseph Quinn.

The Quinntessentials’ Podcast — no, it’s not misspelled — was built from Danielle Nicole, Laura Vanessa, and Shannon A.’s joint obsession with British actor Joseph Quinn. What began as a Joe Quinn-inspired podcast soon metamorphosed into a broader update on some of Hollywood’s favorites. The Quinntessentials hosts sometimes turn their female gaze toward conventionally attractive celebs, sometimes those who are acquired tastes, but always Joseph Quinn — festival and media appearances, film roles, biographical facts and all.

Listening to the podcast, the Quinntessentials’ fan is at the forefront of pop culture and in on the gossip. In fact, as our Quinntessentials hosts develop hyperfixations on Jamie Campbell Bower’s spicy music, James Marsden’s acting credits, Pedro Pascal’s charm, Florence Pugh’s astrological sign and even the appeal of “A Court of Thorns and Roses” fictional book characters, listeners develop hyperfixations on the hosts’ juicy comments.

The hosts are not afraid to delve into the taboo with these comments; they readily explore the external qualities that make a celebrity or character attractive as expected — because some celebrities are just hot and deserve to be commended for it. Their parasocial analyses surpass the superficial though and include evaluations of a celebrity’s or fictional character’s reputation and emotional intelligence. Their subjective attractiveness meter may result in listener agreement or disagreement. Regardless, this bit of listener participation is half the fun of the episode. So if pop culture, Hollywood’s superstars or just gossip about attractive people piques your interest, listen to some quintessential drama with The Quinntessentials’ Podcast.

Listen to The Quinntessentials’ Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Podtail, Patreon, Listen Notes, Rephonic, Amazon Music, Simplecast and Podcash among other locations or follow The Quinntessentials’ Podcast on Twitter and TikTok (@thequinnpodcast).

JENERALLY SPEAKING

Jennifer Genao introduces her auditory creation, “Jenerally Speaking,” in her warm radio voice and fluent radio speak. We’re listening. Soon, she announces her influential Jacksonvillian guests, all poised for a good old fashioned grill session — sans cooking equipment but with all the sizzle. We keep listening. In the next hour, Genao employs her sizzling questions to capture equally as sizzling sound bites that exhibit the ambitions of guests, their critical community involvement and the spirit of Jacksonville. But “Folio” is not just in it for the sound bites. Generally speaking, we keep listening to hear the whole hearty conversation.

And Genao’s pithy guests and questions make hearty conversation easy. First, as a wearer of multiple hats — Genao is a podcaster, model, bartender and influencer — our host seemingly has a connection in every Jacksonville niche and consequently, an eager guest in these niches. For those musically inclined listeners, “Jenerally Speaking” features local rockstar Kody Paul and young talent (and “Folio” artist feature alum) Kenzie’s Place. For the social media savvy, Genao invites local influencers Massiel López, Lina Mariah and Zèke Tayag. Aspiring entrepreneurs might listen to body care brand owner Emefa Kumassah’s divulge her business hacks, and fashion aficionados might try Copper Closet director Josie Valentine’s feature episode.

That most guest-based podcasts are only as impactful as their guests is only partially true; Genao serves as testament. While Genao’s guest roster is certainly impressive, it is her interviewing skills that breathe life into each episode. She doles out a thoughtful balance of hard-hitting, thought-provoking questions and low ballers, always playing to a guest’s conversational strengths. Genao can find and mine any story like gold, her sparkling, empathetic personality guiding the conversation.

Listen to “Jenerally Speaking” for a community behind the scenes, an interview with representatives of your niche or just some of that hearty conversation that defines the podcast. Find “Jenerally Speaking” on Spotify, Amazon Music, iHeart, YouTube and Buzzsprout among other locations.

These days everybody has a podcast, so we did some deep diving into the local podcast scene and found these two pearls.

PILATES IS FOR THE PEOPLE

Words and photo by Amiyah Golden

Contrary to what you may think (and what I used to think), Pilates doesn’t require you to be a socialite or an elite petite athlete. All you need is an open mind and a body willing to move!

I wanted to understand the hype surrounding pilates. With social media being a constant influence in my ever-changing hobbies, my new hyperfixation has now been set around the viral fitness practice. It was now my duty to find a studio in Jacksonville!

Somewhere that met a few of my parameters: inclusive, not overly priced and beginner friendly. I had found the perfect place, Everbalance, a studio that offers not only Pilates but also yoga and barre. At Everbalance you are offered a special that allows you to take two private sessions with an instructor and a group class for a great price. I took the group class option and was surrounded by a plethora of different bodies, ages, and genders — I felt safe. Inclusive and price conscious were checked, now it was time to explore the reactivity of my body to Pilates.

I was greeted by the owner, Tetyana and instructor, Nikole. Both educated me on the history of Pilates and the benefits. I was surprised to find out that Pilates was created by a man, Joseph Pilates. With a harrowing life-story and a period of time as an internee during World War I, the German-born citizen refined his physical fitness skills and techniques during his time as a prisoner. Immigrating to New York City with his wife in the 1920s, Pilates applied his techniques to ballerinas, and those who were hospitalized. The practice of Pilates was first referenced as “contrology” and spread throughout the city for its various benefits.

With all these various outlets when it comes to fitness, I spoke to Tetyana and Nikole about how Pilates differed from other exercises. Nikole emphasized that yoga was rooted in spirituality — even though for some people, Pilates also serves as a spiritual pathway because of the focus on breaths.

“Pilates is how your body functions and how it is supposed to function and how it might not want to function,” said Nikole. “With Pilates you’re able to figure out how to turn on different muscles that you didn’t know how to turn on.”

Weightlifting is now quoted as the newest fitness craze. Although it is nothing new and has literally been around since the beginning of time, it is now being pushed as the most effective exercise. But, the overall incorporation of strength training is the most important factor for those who wish to tone and shed weight, and strength training is one of the major pillars in pilates.

In Pilates, you use equipment that incorporates resistance, control and slowing things down to target muscles. I was loving this history ride that Tetyana and Nikole were taking me on but, now it was time to put it into action.

I was confident. As someone who regularly workouts and a former dancer, I felt good about tackling this class but I was humbled … real fast. With the whole goal being your body’s ability to control the action, I was being forced to work the most minuscule of muscles. I had to rely on every part of my body to control the tension. But with the guidance of an amazing instructor, I was guided on proper form and technique to target the correct muscle groups.

After the class my body felt worked but also was met with a sweet feeling of relief. I would 100% take another Pilates class and I am now recommending it to everyone. So if you really want to open your mind, learn control, concentrate and flow then Pilates might just be for you.

OCT. 2

Pars Fore Paws Golf Tournament Eagle Landing Golf Club, Orange Park clayhumane.org

OCT. 6-8

Consellation Furyk and Friends

TImuquana Country Club constellationfurykandfriends.com

OCT. 7

DONNA 5K

TPC Sawgrass, Ponte Vedra Beach 1stplacesports.com/

Pink Up the Pace St. Augustine Beach Pier pinkupthepace.com

Drum Runner Series Barrel Racing St. Johns County Fairgrounds, Elkton sjchc.org

OCT. 8

Armed Forces Tribridge 10K and Freedom 5K Ford at Bay West (It’s Downtown; google it.) 1stplacesports.com

OCT. 14

Oktoberfest Beer and Brats 5K San Marco Square 1stplacesports.com

Lung Force Run/Walk 5K

Haskell Building 1stplacesports.com

OCT. 14-15

The Big Dill Pickleball Classic Treaty Park, St. Augustine pickleballbrackets.com

OCT. 15

Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Indianapolis Colts EverBank Stadium jaguars.com

Game On! Ponte Vedra Triathlon Mickler’s Landing gameonraceevents.com

OCT. 19

BKS Partners Corporate Run Ford on Bay West (it’s Downtown; google it) 1stplacesports.com

OCT. 20

Kate Kombo Golf and Pickleball Tournament The Yards, Ponte Vedra Beach kateamatofoundation.org

OCT. 21

Bethune Cookman University vs. Southern University EverBank Stadium jaxevents.com

Penney Farms 5K Penney Farms 1stplacesports.com

OCT. 21

Jacksonville Icemen vs. Florida Everblades VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena jacksonvilleicemen.com

Kicks for Karsyn 5K Winston Family YMCA runsignup.com

OCT. 22

Hops, Hounds & Halloween 5K Kanine Social kaninesocial.com

OCT. 27

Florida vs. Georgia Fall Exhibition Baseball Game 121 Financial Ballpark jaxevents.com

Valor Bare Knuckle 2 University of North Florida–Adam W. Herbert University Center valorbk.com

OCT. 27-29

Florida Georgia Pickleball Classic Treaty Park, St, Augustine firstcoastcharitypickleballtournaments.com

OCT 28

Florida Georgia 2023 EverBank Stadium flgajax.com

Mary Jane Jog

Southbank (1601 Louisa St.) 1stplacesports.com

Boos and Brews 5K

Ancient City Brewing, St. Augustine ancientcitybrewing.com

OCT. 29

EverGreen Pumpkin Run Evergreen Cemetery 1stplacesports.com

OCT. 30

Mulligans for Hope Golf Tournament Atlantic Beach Country Club operationnewhope.org

NO GLOVES, NO ROPES, NO MERCY

The Misconception of Bare Knuckle Boxing

Words by Carson Rich and photos provided by Valor Sports Inc.

Valor BareKnuckle 2 is heading to Jacksonville on Oct. 27 at the University of North Florida Center. Mark “The Hand Of” Godbeer will face off against Lavar “Big” Johnson in the latest event in the Valor Bare Knuckle series.

“Folio” spoke to legendary UFC Hall of Fame fighter Ken Shamrock, who also founded VBK, about Valor and any misconceptions that have been circulating around it.

Shamrock, who most fans of combat sports may also know as “The Most Dangerous Man in the World,” started Valor Bare Knuckle as a continuation of his passion for the sport. He also had intentions of doing something creative and different, something that could make an impact to expand the world of combat sports.

“Me, as a person, never wanted to do anything halfway. I always wanted to do it the best I could. Best I can and try to be the best,” Shamrock said. “So when I started promoting, I started taking things that I learned from my career, what the fans like, what the media likes, what the fighters like and try to put this vision together.”

Shamrock said he grew weary of seeing the same long, extended fights where fighters throw one or two punches only to wrap each other up to avoid counter attacks. Another issue is audiences have an obstructed view of the action due to the ropes and the elevated surface the ring sits on. Eliminating the ropes and lowering the ring allows for a better viewing experience, which is exactly what he was looking for. He wanted to build something more strategic with rules that could take away the less exciting parts of normal fights to add excitement and tension between the fighters and the fans, and that’s where Valor Bare Knuckle was born.

When asked why Jacksonville was chosen as the host for such an event, Shamrock said it was the perfect location due to the amount of traction and success that has come out of the Duval County area. He listed past accomplishments such as the Jaguars making the NFL playoffs this past season and the AEW with its recent rise in popularity, helping the city become a new hot spot for sports events in the north Florida. The general political views of the area were also mentioned, as it seemed like they matched up to what Valor Bare Knuckle is trying to do. Entertainment companies like Valor can sometimes receive backlash due to the brutality of the sport, but with Jacksonville’s recent history of hosting pro wrestling events and UFC Fight Night, it appears to be widely accepted by the public. Shamrock added that he never wants to push his own beliefs about the sport on anyone but, rather, help educate and diminish the misconceptions that many people often have about bare knuckle boxing.

These false assumptions usually include people saying that bare knuckle boxing is too dangerous or it causes more physical harm than if the fighters were wearing gloves to which Shamrock strongly disagrees. He argues that the gloves can cause more damage.

“For instance, your brain is in fluid inside your head, and it sits in there right? So if I was to tell you that I was going to hit you in the head with a pillow 30 times, and then I’m going to hit you with my fist 10 times. On the outside, I’m going to create a lot of damage with my fist. It’s going to break your bones. It’s going to cut you. It’s going to bleed. And you’re going to have that visual damage that people can see, and it’s just going to be gory. Well, they’re just going to go, ‘Look how brutal that is.’” he said. “But if you go back and look at an x-ray on how much damage was done to your brain, in that sense, the one with the pillow bounced the brain around in your head 30 times, which

means it bruised that brain 30 times. Then with my punch, it was only 10 times creating visual cuts. Who got more damage long term? And that’s what you see these boxers, and I dare anybody to go up to a boxer who has had a 15-, 20-year career and talk to them. They slur. They have speech impediments. Most of them have brain damage.”

This analogy shows that Bare Knuckle is not just a more brutal version of traditional boxing, but instead it has some things that can make the sport safer. Shamrock acknowledges the sport does have its dangers but not to the degree people may think, which is why he tries to educate people about the sport.

Shamrock also noted the benefits that fans get when attending a bare knuckle fight, such as the elimination of the ropes.

Most people will pay a substantial amount of money to sit close to the ring but are oftentimes disappointed when they have to view the action through the ropes. Valor Bare Knuckle makes it possible for audiences to feel like they have the best view of the fight, no matter where they sit.

“We hope that as we start to get Valor out there, that people will appreciate the vision and the hard work that the whole team has put into it to bring this event to the people,” Shamrock said.

MONDAYS

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

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

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

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

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

• Mellow Mushroom–Avondale, 7 p.m.

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

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

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

• Mellow Mushroom–Tinseltown, 7 p.m.

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

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

TUESDAYS

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

• Amici’s, St. Augustine, 7 p.m.

• The Back 40, 7 p.m.

• Bottlenose Brewing, 7 p.m.

• Dick’s Wings–Nocatee, 7 p.m.

• Dick’s Wings–San Pablo, 7 p.m.

• Harps American Grill, 7 p.m.

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

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

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

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

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

• Jax Craft Beer, 7 p.m.

• Jerry’s Sports Grille, 7 p.m.

• Players Grille, 7 p.m.

• Raindogs, 7 p.m.

• Sahara Cafe, 7 p.m.

• Southern Grill, 7 p.m.

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

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

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

• 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.

• Ink Factory Brewing, 7 p.m.

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

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

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

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

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

• Veterans United Craft Brewery, 7 p.m.

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

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

• Hoptinger–5 Points, 7:30 p.m.

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

• King Maker Brewing, 7:30 p.m.

• Time Out Sports Grill, 7:30 p.m

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

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

• Hoptinger–Jacksonville Beach, 9 p.m.

THURSDAYS

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

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

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

• Whiskey Jax–Baymeadows, 7 p.m.

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

• Flask & Cannon / V Pizza, 7:30 p.m.

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

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

SATURDAYS

• Hamburger Mary’s (HamBingo), 2 p.m.

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

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

SUNDAYS

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

All games are general knowledge trivia unless otherwise noted.

TAPPING INTO NATURE’S LIQUID GOLD

Words by Ted Hunt

Florida is renowned for its picturesque beaches, tropical climate, theme parks and citrus industry. However, beneath this vacation paradise lies a lesser-known historical treasure — the early turpentine industry. In the late 1800s and early 1900s, Florida played a major role in this booming industry, tapping into the liquid gold of its vast pine forests.

The foundation of Florida’s turpentine industry lay in the abundant Longleaf Pine forests that covered much of the state. These majestic trees stood as tall sentinels, their trunks harboring a valuable resource known as gum resin/ sap or crude turpentine. Turpentine was a sought-after commodity in a rapidly industrializing world.

TURPENTINE: A CENTURIES OLD INDUSTRY

For centuries, navy powers worldwide with their wooden ships relied on what’s referred to as naval stores to build and keep their ships afloat. Naval refers to ships. Stores refers to supplies. Naval stores are the products essential to the construction, maintenance and operation of wooden ships — lumber, masts, ropes, sails and sealing materials for the hulls and decks. The main product to support the industry was the sap of the pine tree, which was called crude turpentine — aka Liquid Gold. Crude turpentine when distilled, results in products called spirits of turpentine, rosin, pine tar and pitch.

When settlers came to America they found millions of acres of Longleaf Pine forests in the southeastern section of the country, a scarce commodity for European nations with wooden fleets. The naval stores industry quickly developed and farmers began to tap the pine tree for its sap and distilling it for the thirsty industry. The process became known as turpentining.

By the 1840s, the increased demand for naval stores made the process attractive to large Southern plantation owners. Next to cotton and rice, naval stores became one of the South’s greatest exports. There was big money to be made.

FLORIDA’S ABUNDANT PINE FORESTS

Over time, the production of turpentine in the Carolinas and Georgia led to the destruction of the pine forests. Seeking new timber, the industry turned south to Florida with its vast Longleaf Pine forests. By the late 1800s and early 1900s, Florida was a major supplier of worldwide naval stores and other turpentine products. Turpentine camps were established throughout North Central Florida. The camps provided housing and a commissary for countless workers and their families. They worked thousands of acres of pines, and when the trees were depleted of their sap, after about 10 years, the camps would be converted to lumber mills and then harvest the trees. Many trees were used for ship masts. Those not working in the mills would move to another strand of pines and start turpentining all over again. Many stayed behind and built homes, churches and schools and developed the Florida small rural towns that exist today.

TAPPING THAT LIQUID GOLD

To reach the tree sap, turpentine workers removed the pine bark up to a height of more than seven feet. Once debarked, pine trees secreted sap/ crude turpentine onto the surface of the wound as a protective measure to seal the opening. Workers would cut V-shaped channels down the length of the trunks to guide the running sap into containers/cups. The V-shaped cuts were called cat faces for their resemblance to a cat’s whiskers.

The sap was collected and put into wooden kegs and transported by wagons, pulled by mules, to turpentine camps for distillation.

At the turpentine camp, the crude turpentine was heated in large copper kettles, vaporized and the vapor then condensed in a cooling tower – Basic distillation. The refined product was called spirits of turpentine, from which many byproducts were produced.

TURPENTINE BY-PRODUCTS

Spirits of turpentine was used as a substitute for whale oil in lamps (a necessity on ships), in paints, inks and medicines. And yes, they swallowed it and also used it in enemas. Today, it’s widely used in the chemical industry, shoe polish, crayons, vapor rubs and in perfumes as a fragrance. Who remembers the fresh, clean, pine scent of Pine-Sol?

Rosin is the sticky substance left at the bottom of the copper kettle after turpentine distillation. It was used and still is, in soaps, sealing varnishes, sealing wax, adhesives and for waterproofing leather. Today you will also find it in sodas, printing inks, paper, medicines and chewing gum. Speaking of baseball, next time you watch a major league game (if ever), that small white bag on the pitcher’s mound is full of sticky rosin powder. It helps pitchers combat sweat and moisture to get a firm grip on the baseball.

Pine tar is produced by putting pine wood along with pine tree roots into a kiln/oven. The tar is drawn out of the wood into containers. It was essential as a wood sealer on the planks of wooden ships and to waterproof the ships ropes. Medically, it was used to cauterize (burn the flesh) wounds to stop bleeding and also to sterilize amputations. Today it’s used to treat dry, itchy, flaky or inflamed skin conditions and in insect repellants. Back to baseball, it’s used by batters to enhance the grip on the bat. It’s that black substance on the base of the bat.

Pitch is made by boiling pine tar that is mixed with a small amount of turpentine. This makes the tar thicker that can be applied to the planking (boards) on ships, especially the planks below the water line. This waterproofed the planks and also helped prevent worm damage in tropical waters. Ships’ rigging (ropes) were also soaked in pitch then used as caulking between the planks to make them water tight. Today it’s used in the manufacture of roofing tar paper, greases, lubricants and cosmetics.

THE INDUSTRY DECLINED BUT THE LONGLEAF SURVIVES TODAY Florida’s turpentine production continued well into the late 1800s until the wide use of steel ships began the industry’s decline. Overharvesting of Longleaf Pines and the advent of synthetic alternatives added to the reduced demand for turpentine. By the 1920s many turpentine camps were abandoned. By 1970, after decades of consistent decline, the industry had all but disappeared. Today, Florida is known as a vacation paradise but its pivotal role in the turpentine industry was a vital chapter in the state’s history, driven by the bounty of its Longleaf Pine forests. The legacy of the thousands of turpentine workers and the liquid gold they extracted from the trees, endures as a testament to Florida’s everlasting spirit.

Photo obtained from Orion Pictures/MGM

FILM REVIEWS

Words by Harry Moore

“THE EQUALIZER 3”

Between Keanu Reeves and Liam Neeson, the middle-aged action hero has become all the rage over the past 15 years or so — and what better actor is there to take on an aging badass part than Denzel Washington?

The third outing of “The Equalizer” finds the former CIA assassin Robert McCall (Washington), recuperating in an Italian seaside town after being injured in an altercation with drug smugglers. As he heals, he grows fond of the townspeople as they embrace him into their community. He soon learns that the town is being constantly terrorized by local mobsters, so he makes the decision to equalize the Camorra. For an installment in an action franchise, “The Equalizer 3” is surprisingly subdued. Far from the high-octane carnage of a “John Wick” or “Fast and Furious” film, “The Equalizer” is far slower and more contemplative, allowing for plenty of time for McCall to sip espresso and fall in love with an idyllic little Italian town. It plays like “Under the Tuscan Sun” with the addition of severed limbs. The film doesn’t rely on outlandish set pieces, though the action is gritty, brutal and not for the squeamish with the violence often playing more like a horror film than a typical summer blockbuster.

Washington re-teams with director Antoine Fuqua for a third time in this series and the fifth time overall. The pair, who most notably collaborated on “Training Day,” seem to have an understanding of how to get the best from one another at this stage of their careers. Washington, who has aged gracefully into the elder statesman movie star role, is allowed to show off his peerless gravitas through every scene, both quiet and loud, thanks to Fuqua’s trust in what Washington is capable of as a performer, as he is able to take a slower approach than the majority of action movies, whilst still being engaging. Likewise, Washington has consistently elevated Fuqua’s work with just his presence in a way few movie stars are able to. Also notably, “The Equalizer 3” is a reunion between Denzel and Dakota Fanning who both starred in Tony Scott’s revenge thriller “Man on Fire.” Fanning, who was among the most preeminent child stars of the 2000s, gives a serviceable performance with limited material as a CIA analyst on McCall’s tail. Much like the eponymous character, “The Equalizer 3” marches to the beat of his own drum and isn’t afraid to do the dirty work if necessary and showing, once again, that even in these later years of his career, there are few actors capable of holding the screen as Denzel Washington can.

Generations are named and separated by decades, but they are defined by their coming-of-age movies. Baby Boomers joined “The Breakfast Club,” Gen X was “Clueless” and for millennials, it was “Superbad” and “Mean Girls” that spoke to them. And now, as Gen Z comes of age, they have finally been gifted the high school comedy that will take a full page in Hollywood’s yearbook in the shape of “Bottoms.” Emma Seligman’s film follows PJ (Rachel Sennott) and Josie (Ayo Edebiri), two unpopular queer friends who are hellbent on losing their virginities to the pretty, popular girls. They soon decide that starting a women’s self-defense/ fight club is the best course of action for gaining the attention of their crushes.

“Bottoms” is a decisively modern take on the high school comedy with its manic humor, knowing subversions of the genre’s well-trodden character archetypes and its handling of the generation’s sexual politics that doesn’t feel half a decade behind the culture — as many Hollywood comedies so often are. “Bottoms” strives for a bizarre and acidicly funny tone that feels like it is more inspired by Bugs Bunny than John Hughes. Seligman and Sennott co-wrote the inventive screenplay together with the former Tisch classmates reteaming after collaborating on Seligman’s quietly acclaimed debut “Shiva Baby” which launched the pair as being the darlings of the current independent film scene. Bottoms tackles the cliches of teen comedies with glee. The trope of football players as the school’s popular kids is pushed to the extreme with their pictures decorating the school hallways as though it were almost totalitarian propaganda, and the school’s staff playing fealty to the actions of the team. The star quarterback, Jeff (Nicholas Galitzine), is played as the prom king from hell, terrorizing students on the lower end of the food chain and treating women as objects for his own pleasure. And yet, Seligman heavily plays up the pathetic nature of the character, having him scream hysterically as the girls take their revenge on him and making him into an inept child whenever he isn’t supported by his teammates-cum-hired goons. It is a depiction that amplifies the cartoonish tone that the movie strives for with Jeff and his sidekick Tim (Miles Fowler) being a pair of villainous man-children.

The ensemble cast, led by Sennott and Edebiri, is very strong with each member knowing their role and playing the part to great effect. Sennott, who stole the show in last year’s horror-comedy ensemble “Bodies, Bodies, Bodies,” gives another winning, wryly funny performance as PJ. She isn’t afraid of making the character unsympathetic and seems to thrive at twisting on other people in order to get a laugh. Edebiri, who has had a breakout year with major roles in “Theater Camp,” “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem” and co-leading Hulu’s hit series “The Bear,” is like the Michael Cera to Sennott’s Jonah Hill. She is able to wring laughs out of the less showy, more subdued part with understated line deliveries and facial reactions. Elsewhere in the cast, supermodel Kaia Gerber makes her big-screen debut in a role that leans into and subverts her image as the seemingly vapid cheerleader Brittany, while Ruby Cruz and Havana Rose Liu both give memorable performances as members of the fight club. Meanwhile, former NFL star Marshawn Lynch shows off his natural charisma and comic delivery in a supporting role that is closer to Kareem in “Airplane!” than Shaq in anything. “Bottoms” is a witty and unique take on the high school comedy that I feel will leave a lasting impression on the genre.

with the

Choreography: Roberto Forleo

Conductor: Kevin Fitzgerald

October 13 - 14, 2023

THEATER/DANCE

THROUGH OCT. 1

“The Diary of Anne Frank” Theatre Jacksonville theatrejax.com

“Dot” Players by the Sea playersbythesea.org

“A Wrinkle in Time”

The Island Theater, Fleming Island theislandtheater.com

THROUGH OCT. 15

ABET presents “Alabama Story” Players by the Sea Theatre abetjax.com

THROUGH OCT. 22

“The Music Man” Limelight Theatre, St. Augustine limelight-theatre.org

THROUGH NOV. 5

“Legally Blonde: The Musical” Alhambra Theatre & Dining alhambrajax.com

OCT. 1

Disney Junior Live on Tour: Costume Palooza Thrasher-Horne Center, Orange Park thcenter.org

OCT. 6-15

“Newsies”

The Island Theater, Fleming Island theislandtheater.com

“Church & State”

St. Augustine Waterworks aclassictheatre.org

OCT. 8

“MJ LIVE: Michael Jackson Tribute” Jacksonville Center for the Performing Arts fscjartistseries.org

“Mutts Gone Nuts” Nathan H. Wilson Center for the Arts fscjartistseries.com

OCT. 12-22

“The Wizard of Oz “ Amelia Musical Playhouse, Fernandina Beach ameliamusicalplayhouse.com

OCT. 13-14

The Florida Ballet: Roberto Forleo’s “Dracula” Jacksonville Center for the Performing Arts floridaballet.org

OCT. 13-28

“The Rocky Horror Show” Alhambra Theatre & Dining alhambrajax.com

OCT. 17

“Eaglemania: The World’s Greatest Eagles Tribute Band”

Jacksonville Center for the Performing Arts fscjartistseries.org

OCT.18

“Oh What a Night”

Jacksonville Center for the Performing Arts fscjartistseries.org

OCT. 20-22

Amelia Island Opera Company presents “The Medium”

Disco Witch Brewing ameliaislandopera.org

OCT. 20-29

“Night of the Living Dead”

The Island Theater, Fleming Island theislandtheater.com

OCT. 20-NOV. 5

“The Addams Family” Players by the Sea playersbythesea.org

OCT. 26-28

“The Rocky Horror Show”

Amelia Musical Playhouse, Fernandina Beach ameliamusicalplayhouse.com

OCT. 26-29

“Vanities: A New Musical”

Jacksonville University–Phillips Fine Art Building ju.edu/cfa

OCT. 27-28

“A Night at the Opera”

Amelia Community Theatre, Fernandina Beach ameliaislandopera.org

“Copland’s America“

Celebration Hall, St. Augustine firstcoastopera.com

OCT. 28

“The Rocky Horror Picture Show” Florida Theatre floridatheatre.com

ONGOING

Fridays and Saturdays

Magician Bill Abbott at the Magic Hideway

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

CHA-CHA-ING FOR THE COMMUNITY WITH FIRST COAST DANCING WITH THE STARS

Words by Su Ertekin-Taner and photos by Scott Blake

First Coast Dancing with the Stars (DWTS) wrapped up its eighth season with its annual gala and competition at WJCT Studios. The gala’s format imitates, as the name suggests, that of the eponymous Emmy Award-winning TV series, “Dancing with the Stars” — except on a local level. Local professional ballroom dancers and local celebrities team up to compete for the local version of the iconic mirror ball trophy. Instead of the multiple rounds of competition that the celebrities of Dancing with the Stars endure, however, the First Coast DWTS teams undergo only one crucial round of judging.

This year the gala, hosted by and benefiting the Beaches Fine Arts Series, featured eight pairs of competitors cha-cha-ing, jiving, swinging and dancing the merengue and Zouk for the chance at winning the mirrorball trophy. Each performance was the culmination of four months of ballroom skill lessons, learning choreography and refining the performance.

But the First Coast gala’s night of performances is the more glamorous front of an impactful community contribution. Accordingly, the win each year depends equally on each local DWTS stars’ fundraising efforts for Beaches Fine Arts Series. So, while learning and polishing their ballroom routines, stars were also making financial moves. Stars ‘sell’ seats at gala tables (of various values), votes, and gala program ads to family, friends, coworkers, and clients in the hopes of raising more funds than their competitors.

Each year, the stars’ fundraising efforts account for a third of nonprofit Beaches Fine Arts Series’ budget. Specifically, to finance their free concerts and educational programming, BFAS allocates some of the funds from the event to artists’ costly performance and masterclass fees and bussing for children from Title I schools who want to attend events on-site.

This year some of these funds will also pay for artists’ on-site performances at Pine Castle, an academy for adults with intellectual and developmental differences, and Jacksonville’s senior living facilities.

“The benefit is enormous for Beaches Fine Arts Series. It makes a huge difference. As you can imagine, a third of a budget is…that’s a lot of how we’re able to make things happen,” Kathy Wallis, executive director of BFAS and the brainchild of First Coast DWTS, said.

The now annual, popular fundraiser event has come a long way from its experimental roots. Inspired in part by another local DWTS event called River City Dancing with the Stars, the 2013 trial DWTS fundraiser was meant to replace the organization’s costly triathlon fundraiser.

The switch was also a tribute to Wallis’ fruitful ballroom experience with current First Coast DWTS pro Chris Thomas: “I did a few competitions, you know, at the lower level and I just learned a little bit about the ballroom world and I knew about all the dancing and stuff.” Wallis added, “I knew it was kind of possible for an amateur, a person who had really never danced before, to do this.”

A successful (not to mention more financially viable) gala rounded off a year of pitching the concept to local dance studios, recruiting stars, and dutiful venue planning. “We’ve been doing it ever since,” Wallis said.

This year’s champions, pro Allan Alday and star Clarissa Chandler, were both enlisted by this word of mouth recruitment process. Inspired by the potential community impact of his efforts and keen on dancing on a new stage, Alday joined the DWTS program in its experimental year. “Since [the event is] concerning arts and music, I said, ‘why not?’” Alday said.

His partner, choral performer Clarissa Chandler, was also well-acquainted with the Beaches Fine Arts community, having regularly attended the organization’s free concerts and programming including First Coast DWTS in the past. “I was an easy sell,” Chandler admitted.

The eager pair perfected their cha cha-disco-hustle routine to Earth, Wind & Fire’s “September” with weekly, sometimes semiweekly rehearsals for four months. While Chandler was no stranger to the concept of moving to rhythm and noting musical intricacies, Alday’s lessons on maintaining balance and following the movements of the leader challenged the singer. Chandler even quipped, “I think I had to learn how to follow which was the hardest part. Being married to my husband 45 years, I’ve always done the leading.”

Throughout the process of learning her routine and fundraising, Chandler’s desire to place in the top three dancers morphed into a desire to win. The winning mindset was fit for a winning performance. The lively routine–along with Chandler’s sparkling dress–dazzled a panel of professional dancer judges Dewitt Cooper III, Megan Wallace Widrich, and Norianne Wright. The dance scored a perfect 30 and warranted the win. Pro Sean Anthony and star Pat Gillum Sams were close first runner-ups.

Now, Alday somewhat-jokingly plans to take Chandler’s dancing national. “My plan for her is to compete all over the US because she’s got what it takes,” Alday said. Maybe, we’ll see the pair hit national stages. Maybe not. Regardless, it would be difficult for either Chandler or Alday to forget their First Coast Dancing with the Stars roots.

OCTOBER

DECEMBER

FEBRUARY

‘THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW’ IS EVERYTHING BUT A HORROR

Words by Ambar Ramirez and photos by Justin Drain

It’s that magical time of year when the air gets a touch crisper, and suddenly everyone thinks it’s OK to break out their cozy sweaters and strut their stuff in boots. First Coast Pride descends upon us with all the flair of a Broadway musical, complete with parades and glitter galore. Our screens light up with spine-tingling scares that make us jump, squeal and then question our life choices. But hold on to your broomsticks, folks, because the pièce de résistance is the spook-tacular Halloween treat at the end of the month!

Now, I’d be content with just Halloween and Pride events, but October, being the overachiever it is, also treats us to the legendary film “The Rocky Horror Picture Show.” Mark your calendars for Oct. 28 at the Florida Theatre, where the cult classic will have you doing the “Time Warp” again and again and again.

When the film first came out in 1975, it wasn’t celebrated as much as it is now. In his review at the time, legendary film critic Roger Ebert gave the film 2½ stars saying, “[It] would be more fun, I suspect, if it weren’t a picture show. It belongs on a stage with the performers and audience joining in a collective sendup.” It seems that Ebert’s criticism had a huge impact as that is exactly what a screening of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” now consists of.

This isn’t your run-of-the-mill “let’s watch a movie at a theatre” experience; this is a gathering of the community for the community. It’s an interactive experience, where viewers become immersed into the 1970s and get a glimpse of what it’s like to be a part of a cult classic.

This is also the first show back at the Florida Theatre after its recent renovations.

“It is kind of ironic that we’re spending $8 million this summer on improving the theater, and the first thing we’re going to do is throw toilet paper and confetti everywhere,”said Numa Saisselin, president of the Florida Theatre. “The thing we are most looking forward to is showing the public what we have always known the Florida Theatre could be: even better and even more beautiful.”

In addition to the screening, local rockers Annie Dukes will perform. The Jacksonville-based, female-led band is looking forward to the show, especially because of the film.

“‘Rocky Horror’ has no boundaries. It is inclusive, sexy, edgy and all around an experience. We love that this movie really embodies owning your individualism and uniqueness,” band members said. “As a band, we always want to represent all those things so it is a huge honor to open the night.”

The members of Annie Dukes pride themselves on their live performances as it not only gives them a chance to share their music, but also gives them a chance to connect with their audience. And what better show than Rocky Horror Picture Show to do just that.

“We are most looking forward to being home off tour and walking onto the iconic stage of the Florida Theatre to see a crowd as intense as ‘Rocky Horror’ fans,” they shared. “For Annie Dukes, this will be the most epic homecoming we’ve ever had!” They’re even throwing in a little Halloween-inspired song for the occasion.

And it wouldn’t be a true Florida Theatre “Rocky Horror” experience without the hostess with the mostest and Queen of Comedy Karrissa Wade. This is the 10th year of the show at the Florida Theatre and each year Wade hosts it, and there’s a reason for that.

“The show, to me, is about breaking the norm. Being eccentric. It was shocking and way before its time,” Wade shared. “I think it pushed society’s views on what the norm is. It’s campy, funny and witty. What drag queen doesn’t like good camp?”

The theater is encouraging all who attend to bring props and to show up in their most camp costumes. “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” is all about “don’t dream it, be it” and for decades viewers have dressed up in their most outrageous outfits becoming who they’ve always wanted to be.

“The costumes each year are amazing seeing so many variations of the characters. We even have character costume contest at the theatre,” Wade said. “It’s amazing to see the twist on characters people do. What’s also incredible is people come in unique outrageous costumes that aren’t from the movie. Each year I create a new bold costume to host the show in.”

And if you’re feeling uninspired, may I suggest you show up in the character from the picture-show you most identify with? Or the character you want to be. This is your chance to break out of the mold and be your most authentic self. “Rocky Horror” and the Florida Theatre wouldn’t want it any other way.

“I most identify with the character Frank-N-Furter. They are bold, non-apologetic and larger than life. I relate to them because all of my life I’ve been pushed to fit into a certain mold. Told to fit in and be a certain way,” Wade shared. “I love being boisterous and larger than life. And their character is just that. I just don’t tend to bust out into song often and am still trying to figure out how to create the perfect man. ‘Oh, Rocky,’”

If you haven’t already, make sure to buy tickets on floridatheatre.com. And needless to say, if you don’t show up in costume or bring props, I’ll be disappointed. But not as disappointed as you’ll be when you realize you missed out on this unpredictable interactive experience.

“If you have never been to a “Rocky Horror Picture” showing, you are in for a treat. It’s definitely something to mark off your bucket list and you’ll most likely become ‘a Rocky,’” Wade said. “This cult classic will leave you energized. Come say hello and take a pic. Tell them ‘Folio’ sent you.”

COMEDY

OCT. 4

Poker Face Comedy Live Bar eventbrite.com

Improv Night

Colonial Oak Music Park, St. Augustine thecolonialoakmusicpark.com

OCT. 4-5

The Christi Show

The Comedy Zone comedyzone.com

OCT. 5

Comedy for Pride with Flame Monroe and Sampson McCormick Ritz Theatre and Museum ritzjacksonville.com

OCT. 6

The Main Event, 7:30 p.m. Live Cowbell & Alexander (21+ only), 10 p.m.

First Coast Comedy firstcoastcomedy.com

Comedy Night Justice Pub eventbrite.com

OCT. 6-7

Shelly Belly

The Comedy Zone comedyzone.com

OCT. 7

Matt Rife: ProbleMATTic World Tour Jacksonville Center for the Performing Arts jaxevents.com

The Main Event, 7:30 p.m.

The Blue Show (21+ only), 10 p.m.

First Coast Comedy firstcoastcomedy.com

OCT. 8

EJ Speaks

The Comedy Zone comedyzone.com

OCT. 11

Justin Silva

The Comedy Zone comedyzone.com

Improv Night

Colonial Oak Music Park, St. Augustine thecolonialoakmusicpark.com

OCT. 12

Al Ernst

Jackie Knight’s Comedy Club, St. Augustine jackieknightscomedyclub.com

OCT. 12-14

Affion Crockett

The Comedy Zone comedyzone.com

OCT. 13-14

The Main Event, 7:30 p.m.

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

OCT. 14

Bert Kreischer: Tops Off Comedy Tour VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena jaxevents.com

Zane Lamprey’s THIRSTY! COMEDY TOUR

Bier Hall at Intuition Aleworks intuitionaleworks.com

OCT. 18

Improv Night

Colonial Oak Music Park, St. Augustine thecolonialoakmusicpark.com

OCT. 20

Gabriel Iglesias: Don’t Worry Be Fluffy VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena jaxevents.com

The Main Event, 7:30 p.m. Full Disclosure (21+ only), 10 p.m. First Coast Comedy firstcoastcomedy.com

OCT. 20-21

Maddy Smith

The Comedy Zone comedyzone.com

OCT. 21

Phat Katz Comedy Ritz Theatre & Musuem ritzjacksonville.com

The Main Event, 7:30 p.m.

The Blue Show (21+ only), 10 p.m.

First Coast Comedy firstcoastcomedy.com

OCT. 25

Improv Night

Colonial Oak Music Park, St. Augustine thecolonialoakmusicpark.com

OCT. 26

Tony Black

Jackie Knight’s Comedy Club, St. Augustine jackieknightscomedyclub.com

OCT. 26-28

The Highnamic Duo Comedy Tour w/ Darren Brand & Tyler Chronicles The Comedy Zone comedyzone.com

OCT. 27-28

The Brain Event Halloween Special, 7:30 p.m.

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

OCT. 29

Dating Horror Stories with 3 Blind Dates Limelight Theatre, St. Augustine limelight-theatre.org

OPEN MIC COMEDY NIGHTS

MONDAYS

Kava and Company–San Marco kavaandcompany.com

Rain Dogs facebook.com/raindogsjax

TUESDAYS

Voo Swar Restaurant & Lounge instagram.com/vooswar

WEDNESDAYS

Comedy Zone–Lobby Bar comedyzone.com

Live Bar facebook.com/livebarclubjax

The Walrus thewalrusjax.com

THURSDAYS

King Maker Brewing kingmakerbrewing.com

CLOWN CULTURE

Words and photos by Ambar Ramirez

I should start this article by saying I am not one who fears many things. In fact, I pride myself on the fact that I can usually face fear in the eyes and scare it off — except for that time when I watched the movie “Boogeyman” at the prime age of 5 and refused to go in my closet for a whole year. (As a result, my mom became my stylist, and frankly, the boogeyman wasn’t as scary as my outfits.)

Will Smith said that once you get past the point of fear, you find happiness and joy … or something like that. That sounds great in theory but there are two things I am so afraid of that no amount of exposure therapy can cure —

cockroaches and clowns. Fear of cockroaches makes sense. I’ve faced many cockroaches in my life (unfortunately), and I don’t care that they are small insects that are probably more afraid of us than we are of them. They are ruthless and natural selection should have selected them already. But to be honest with you, I don’t know where my fear of clowns stems from. Maybe it’s because of John Wayne Gacy or because they are always so happy it’s a little scary. Nonetheless, I refuse to watch any movies with clowns in them (no, I have not seen “IT” and I never will). I’ve made it through 23 years of life without coming face to face with a clown, but it seems my time is up. And of my own free will, may I add.

I decided that since I don’t know much about clowns (except for the fact that they make appearances at birthday parties and the occasional scary movie), many others may also have misplaced fears regarding those cheeky, rednosed, always laughing jokesters. And what better way to kick off the spooky season than to come face to face with one of your greatest fears?

What’s crazy is that clowns have been around since 2400 B.C. in the fifth dynasty of Egypt. While I thought clowns were similar to jesters, that could not be further from the truth. According to Britannica, clowns, unlike jesters, perform a set routine characterized by broad, graphic humor. Clowning was a common act during medieval times but was not considered a professional act until the Middle Ages. The earliest, true circus clown was Joseph Grimaldi who first appeared in England in 1805. Grimaldi (aka Joey) is remembered as the father of modern clowning and is the clown after whom modern clowns take their nicknames.

What’s even crazier is that Jacksonville is home to a nonprofit clown alley and school. And what’s even crazier than that is the fact that I visited it —all in the name of research (you’re welcome “Folio” readers) — and it wasn’t that scary after all.

Gator Clowns of Jacksonville, Florida relies on volunteers to promote the art of clowning. It is one of the oldest, active clown alleys in North America and works toward spreading joy and laughter in north Florida and south Georgia. Other than clowning about at volunteer events, Gator Clowns is also home to a clown school where they teach the history of clowning, help you choose your clown persona, show you how to apply makeup, work on costuming, performance, improv, character development and so on.

Clowns come in all shapes, genders, ages and personas. And as the times have changed so has the act of clowning.

TOE-KNEE THE ITALIAN CLOWN

Bill Gilespie also known as Toe-Knee the Italian clown has been with Gator Clowns since 1991. But his history with clowning goes back further than that. From a young age, Gilespie had an inclination toward art and magic, though that didn’t mean he saw himself becoming a clown.

“I think it was 1990. I was in season field in a squadron, and it was at Christmas time. And we had a clown invited. Her name was Rainbow —and she just passed — but she was down there doing face painting, magic shows and balloons,” Gilespie recalled. “And I asked our command master chief, ‘How much are we paying?’ And he said, “65 bucks an hour.” And then I was like, now I know what I want to do when I retire. So that’s what I did.”

One of the oldest members of Gator Clowns, Gilespie noted how nothing has changed about the non-profit other than the size of the group.

“When I came here in 1991, we had 165 members,” Gilespie shared. “But we’re still here. We’re here to serve the community.”

And while the act of clowning and what Gator Clowns does for the community hasn’t changed, the way the masses view clowns has. Gilespie shared that ever since the infamous killer clowns showed up, he’s been doing more magic shows than clown performances. Obviously, Gilespie and his fellow Gator Clowns haven’t allowed this negative portrayal to keep them from doing what they love.

Gilespie volunteers at Wolfson Children’s Hospital where he lights up the faces of those wearing a frown too often.

“To be honest with you, my favorite part is entertaining the kids,” Gilespie shared.

SPRINKLES THE CLOWN

Carole Jennings also known as Sprinkles the Clown has been with Gator Clowns since 2011 along with her husband Sean (clown name: Shorty), though, if you saw her and heard her contagious laugh, you’d think she was born to be a clown. While Sean played a huge role in convincing Carole to become a clown, it wasn’t until she attended the Easter parade in St. Augustine that she got a glimpse into what being a clown means and the effect it can have on people.

Eventually, she was convinced and went to Clown College where she found a piece of herself that (I think) was always there.

“I wanted to be Sparkles. And I got to class that night and somebody said, What’s your name? And I said I want to be Sparkles. But then somebody else said you can’t be Sparkles because she wants to be Sparkles, and they pointed to a 10-year-old girl,” Carole recalled. “So the next logical word that just came to me was Sprinkles.”

Interestingly, I found out that clowns don’t just come up with a name but a whole persona that they embody when they put on their make-up and costumes. Since Carole didn’t originally want to be Sprinkles, she had to get creative with her backstory.

“One of the things they tell us early on is to come up with the back story … And I couldn’t come up with anything,” Carole shared. “But then a couple of years ago, one of the kids asked, ‘What’s your name?’ And I had to think, ‘OK, what’s appropriate?’ So I said that when my mom was waiting for me to be born all she did was eat cupcakes with sprinkles on them. And, you know what, the kids loved it. I love that because it’s a fantasy they can relate to.”

But again, time has opened up a lot of doors within the clown industry, as well as closed a lot of them. Carole emphasized how she has found that there is a very fine line between real life and clown life. And it’s not just because she has been in this profession for so long or that she is naturally inclined to make people smile.

“We were mentored by a guy who was a ringstar. So that was a lot of great exposure for us. And he taught us a lot about what’s proper, what’s right, you know, how to dress and so on,” Carole said. “He’d probably die if he saw me now because, you know, in the old days, every inch was covered. And when we started, Tony taught us that everything was covered either by makeup or clothing. No jewelry, no earrings, no nothing to identify you as a human being. Because you were a fantasy creature. But times have changed. And that’s a hard thing for some of the older classes that have been around for 30, 40 years.”

Time has allowed for less makeup and more leniency when it comes to costumes. And while not every clown may agree with the changes, I can’t imagine being outside all day in the heat at a birthday party or parade, fully covered, head-to-toe.

“It’s hot. I’ve found ways to lighten up my makeup. I don’t need to cover my face in every space. I don’t wear a wig anymore, And who cares? I mean, I don’t. Like, you know, look at the world, some people dress really funny,” Carole said.

SHORTY THE CLOWN

Carole’s husband Sean Jennings, also known as Shorty The Clown (even though he is nowhere near short), was one of the few I spoke to who actually always admired clowns.

“I got out of the military in ’74. And my sister and I were talking and trying to figure out a career. And I think I just mentioned that I always liked clowns,” Sean mentioned. “And she said, ‘You know, they have a clown college.’”

That led Sean down a long road that many of us fall victim to — not feeling like he was good enough — but a couple of years later when Sean saw his friend’s post about going to clown school he decided it was time to follow his dreams. But on his first night at the new school, Sean didn’t find what he expected.

He was about to leave when he came across a guy sitting outside by himself. After a little back-and-forth conversation, Sean finds out that he has been a clown for years. And it was his words that convinced Sean not to leave.

“This guy, his name was Rich Baumann, but everybody called him Uncle Rich. And he said something like, ‘If you stay here, you will never, ever regret it,’” Sean recalled.

Since then, Sean has never regretted it. And not only did Uncle Rich encourage Sean to stick with clowning, but it was he we have to thank for the ironic clown name Shorty.

“Uncle Rich would always say, ‘It’s Shorty, my good friend, the world’s tallest little person.’ He was just a great guy,” Sean expressed. “I had like a week and a half before graduation, and he says, ‘Well, I don’t know what you’re going to do now so I guess I need to get my house together so everybody can come over. And on Memorial Day, Uncle Rich died. And so the first time I was ever in full costume was Uncle Richard’s memorial.”

But it wasn’t the last time Sean would wear his clown costume. Clowning has taken Sean and his wife to places he never thought he would see and do things he only dreamed about. Being a clown is more than a profession; it’s an escape from the mundane.

BUTTONS

Sarah Page, also known as Buttons the Clown is one of the newest (and youngest) members of Gator Clowns and is changing the game when it comes to how the Gator Clowns community communicates and is taking engagement to new heights.

Before Page and before the pandemic, all Gator Clown meetings and class es were held solely in person. There was only a public Facebook page that would post events and upcoming meetings the day of, not giving members enough time to be involved. But now, members can attend meetings and classes through Zoom. Members are notified of events well ahead of time through a private Facebook page and can put in their two cents on a forum created by Page. Not only has Page brought back life and activity to the pan demic-affected Gator Clowns but through her own experience clowning, Page has also re-ignited excitement in her own life.

“It’s like growing up, all the things that were exciting about childhood and young adulthood started to fade and you’re like, ‘Oh, real life is settling in and it’s boring.’ And I just started to think about, like, what things made me happy when I was younger,” Page recalled. “When I was really young, my mom used to collect some clown memorabilia. And I’m one of four siblings, so my parents were all about the DIY, and my mom would make the birthday cakes herself and she used to always make a little clown face on my birthday cake when I was a kid. So it was just something that was familiar to me”

In the search to feed her inner child, Page remembered how most of her happy memories as a kid were tied, in one form or another, to clowns. In her early 20s, Page did a lot of volunteering and costume character work but never was she a clown.

“And I was like, you know, I want to just do that,” Page shared. “And that’s what led me to, you know, getting my knee out of my own slump and trying to find a community of people and after doing a little research I found Gator Clowns.”

Unlike the other clowns I had the privilege of speaking with, Page did not attend clown school. Instead, she taught herself through a lot of research, YouTube videos and, most importantly, DIY projects. Which is also how she came up with the name Buttons.

Page said she always gravitated toward arts and crafts and felt that it would be fun to still do the balloons and face-painting that come with clowning but also to be a crafty clown.

“I kind of thought it was fun to use the word ‘buttons’ because, you know, that’s something you’d use in arts and crafts. But a lot of what I also had read was humor is healing and when you’re clowning, you’re walking this fine line like a tightrope of, you know, extreme feelings, extreme emotions,” Page said. “And so it’s like the best and the worst times because clowns are like big emotion, big energy. And I thought, again, kind of the urge to conflate the fabrics of healing and humor and fastening things together. And I was like, oh, that’s cute.”

Needless to say, I’m not that afraid of clowns anymore as long as they aren’t holding any objects that can harm me. Sometimes all we need to do is lift that veil of uncertainty to look past all of the over-exaggerated makeup and

HALLOWEEN COSTUMES I WANT TO SEE THIS YEAR

Words by Mallory Pace and Photos by Ambar Ramirez

Halloween has returned once again, and along with it the anxiety of finding the perfect costume. We only get a few days each year to bring our creativity to life in the form of extravagant, witty and creative costumes, but the pressure comes on when it’s time to actually put it together. At least for me, it seems like I spend the months prior coming up with great ideas just to eventually pull out my sexy angel costume (which is quite sacrilegious when I think about it) for the third year in a row. You don’t have to spend $100 on Amazon to have a great costume. As a matter of fact, let’s not do that this year. Your local thrift stores or even your closet might have everything you need.

HERE ARE EIGHT CREATIVE AND EASY COSTUME IDEAS THAT I HOPE TO BE SEEING THIS HALLOWEEN:

1BARBIE AND KEN

The 2023 Barbie movie dominated pop culture for months, and it still does. There are plenty of scenes from the movie to curate a costume around. There’s the rollerblading scene where Barbie and Ken dress in an ‘80s neon skate set completed with kneepads and visors. Classic. If you identify with more of the Western Barbie, you can easily recreate the iconic pink vest and bell bottom look with a cowboy hat and boots. For Ken, find a black and white Western-style jacket and glue on the white fringe that you can find at any craft store. Pair that with black jeans, a western belt, a cowboy hat and voila!

For my Kens out there, another simple scene to recreate is Ken’s all-jean, no shirt look. Throw on a pair of jeans, let a white underwear band peek out and throw on a jean vest. Ditch the shirt and draw on abs if you have to — I won’t tell. For all my I’m-not-like-other-girls-but-go-feminism Barbies, Weird Barbie is an easy and fun costume idea. Wear a pink dress, mess your hair up and draw all over your face. Especially if you treated your Barbies as punching bags when you were a kid … it’s time for some justice.

This witty duo costume idea couldn’t be easier to put together. Find a t-shirt with a pumpkin on it (I have one from Walmart) and then either write or iron on the words “Peter Peter” onto another orange shirt for your partner. Then cover their face or hands with orange face paint to make “Peter peter, pumpkin eater.” Speaking from experience, it’s sure to get a few laughs.

PETER PETER, PUMPKIN EATER

3SHARK ATTACK

Another duo that makes perfect sense for Floridians is recreating a shark attack. Doubling as a way to stay cool, one person dresses up as a lifeguard and the other in a bathing suit with “blood” dripping from a body part. This has the perfect mix of shock factor and a twisted sense of humor, making for the ideal Halloween costume. You can also get as creative with this one as you’d like — whether you want to make the “shark bite” look realistic or pay an ode to Soul Surfer, it’ll be a good costume, especially if you’re hanging out around the Beaches.

4ADAM SANDLER

A personal favorite, dressing up as Adam Sandler is niche but super comfortable. Despite being an award-winning actor, Sandler is known for his laid-back streetwear style consisting of kneelength basketball shorts and seemingly the first shirt he can find. Sometimes it’s a zip-up hoodie, sometimes a classic dad t-shirt, or if Mr. Sandler is feeling extra spiffy, a golf collared shirt. It’s like he doesn’t know he’s a famous actor ,and that’s why I’m obsessed with it.

This outfit you can surely find in your closet, if not your brother’s or boyfriend’s. Throw together the perfect Dad-fit with some baggy gym shorts and any baggy top, either a T-shirt, golf shirt or zip-up. Complete the look with sneakers and long white socks.

Again, classic and easy. This is a good last-minute group idea if you don’t feel like trying too hard. Ghosts are the epitome of Halloween, after all. Find some white sheets from your local thrift store (I found two huge ones and cut them in half) and cut some holes for eyes and you’re good to go. You can also cut a hole for the head if you’re going to be out and about.

This takes minimal effort, but it can also be customized to your liking. For example, by adding cowboy boots and a cowboy hat, you’re now Western ghosts. It doesn’t make much sense, but Halloween isn’t about being logical. Or you can add tights and boots to make it a bit sexier. The options are endless, just get creative.

5GHOSTS

6

CHEETAH GIRLS

If you have the time to do a little extra searching, the Cheetah Girls is the perfect costume for a group of girls (or boys… who cares?). In the movie, the girls wear different colored tracksuits and matching headbands. The color scheme is pink, purple, orange and blue but really anything would work. With a few trips to the thrift stores, or somewhere online, find a matching tracksuit set and throw a headband on. Or ditch the tracksuit and find something relatively similar. Cheetah-printed top and colored sweatpants would do the trick as well. This costume is fun and easy to play with, so let your imagination run wild.

As stressful as it might be, Halloween is your chance to put those creative thoughts begging to be released to good use. The best part of this holiday is nothing is off the table when it comes to costumes, so be as funny, sexy or scary as you’d like. Just eat a lot of candy, drink too much spiked witch’s brew and have fun. After all, the next thing you know it’s time to put up the Christmas tree and have Thanksgiving dinner with your in-laws … that’s even scarier than Halloween.

Another personal favorite, the 1976 horror film “Carrie” is the blueprint of villain origin stories, and I think we all see a bit of ourselves in her. This costume requires a bit of mess but find a long dress with thin straps, cover your chest and face in fake blood and throw a tiara on — you can finally be the prom queen you never got to be! This costume is timeless and is sure to turn a few heads. You can even get into character by somehow getting sweet revenge on an ex-boyfriend or friend and blame it on method acting … without burning the place down, that is.

The 2019 Jordan Peele film “Us” is a perfect group costume for friends or family. It’s easy, creepy and recognizable without being basic. Put together an all-red outfit of pants and a collared shirt and carry around a fake pair of scissors (or real, depending on where you’re going). To up the ante, walk around the way the family does in the film — quickly and on tiptoes. It looks creepier than it sounds.

ART

The Art Center Cooperative tacjacksonville.org

Beaches Museum

• “American Dream: Steps Toward Abstraction: Caitlin Flynn,” through Nov. 5 beachesmuseum.org

Butterfield Garage Art Gallery

• Butterfield Gallery Invitational, through Oct. 31 butterfieldgarage.com

The Corner Gallery at The Jessie

• “Lillian Blades: Fragmental Reflections,” through Nov. 1 facebook.com/movingthemargins

Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens

• “James McBey: Etchings,” through Oct. 29

• “Outside: In,” through Nov. 30

• Tattoos in Japanese Prints, through Jan. 14, 2024

• Jacksonville’s Norman Studios, through Jan. 31, 2024 cummermuseum.org

FemArt Gallery

• “Squares,” through Oct. 28 femartgallery.org

Florida State College at Jacksonville

• “Armor: Louise Freshman Brown,” through Oct. 13, South Gallery

• Highlights of the Student Annual, through Oct. 13, Deerwood Gallery fscj.edu/art-galleries

Gallery 725

• The Art of Chad Smith, virtual exhibition gallery725.com

Governor’s House Cultural Center and Museum, St. Augustine

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

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

Haskell Gallery at Jacksonville International Airport jaxairportarts.com

Hillary Whitaker Gallery

• Works by Erin Gregory, Jennifer JL Jones, Laura Lacambra Shubert and Marissa Vogl, Oct. 13-TBA hwhitakergallery.com

Jacksonville University

• “Firstlings: Sculptures + Works on Paper: Arny Nadler,” through Oct. 6

• “Giant Size Comics: Christopher Troumant,” through Oct. 6

• Annual Student Juried Exhibition, through Nov. 15

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

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

The Lightner Museum

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

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

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

MOCA Jacksonville

• “Contemporary Cartographies,” through Oct. 15

• “Facets: Contemporary Ceramic Sculpture,” through Nov. 26

• Brennan Wojtyla: Cathedral of Labor,” through Dec. 17

• “Art With a Heart in Healthcare: Daydreamers,” through Jan. 14, 2024

• Project Atrium: Rowland Ricketts, through Jan. 28, 2024 mocajacksonville.unf.edu

NoCo Center

“Beyond King Tut,” through Oct. 22 beyondkingtut.com

PAStA Fine Art Gallery

• Featured artist photographer Meghan Holder, Oct. 1-30 pastagalleryart.com

Ritz Theatre & Museum

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

Southlight Gallery

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

St. Augustine Art Association

• Fall Members Show, through Oct. 1

• Tactile Show, Oct. 6-27 (in gallery and online) staaa.org

Stellers Gallery

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

Thrasher-Horne Center Gallery

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

University of North Florida

• “Voces y Caras: Hispanic Communities of North Florida,” through Oct. 13, UNF Gallery of Art

• 2023 Annual UNF Art and Design Faculty Exhibition, Oct. 19-Nov. 17, UNF Gallery of Art

• “An Era of Racial Terror: Jacksonville’s Legacy of Lynching,” through Nov. 12, Lufrano Intercultural Gallery unf.edu/gallery

The Vault at 330

• Works by Susan Astleford, Margena Burnett, Ellen Diamond, Ed Hall, Dolf James, Harry McCormick, Denise Murphy and more 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: Oct. 6

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

Fernandina Beach Arts Market: Oct. 14 and 28 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: Oct. 7, 14, 21 and 28

Artists, artisans and makers display their original 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: Oct. 6

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

Vilano Beach Artisan Market: Oct. 21

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

WHAT DOES MEAN TO YOU?

Words and interviews by Kelila Ritchie & Teresa Spencer October is LGBTQ+ History Month where we celebrate and remember the history and accomplishments of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people. We asked a couple members of the community: “What does pride mean to you?”

GEEXELLA

“To me Pride means resistance, power and change! Black and brown trans femme have been on the frontlines for change. I feel so honored to be a part of a collective that is constantly fighting for change.”

“Pride is humility, it’s love and most importantly, its community. I’m not sure if I would be where I am today without accepting and forgiving myself and Pride is the only reason why I’m able to. When you look at so many people that love and support one another, communicate so healthily and will never turn their backs on each other, it’s hard not to be proud of yourself for playing a part in it.”

“Pride means self-love, self-acceptance. Being unapologetically you and not caring about what the next person thinks about the things that make you happy: That's pride. Pride in who I am. Comfortable in my skin … COZY.”

MARIE

“Pride is great conversations over cute drinks with the gays in 5 Points. Pride is holding hands in public with my head held high. Pride is knowing my love is valid because I said it’s so!”

JAY MCPHERSON

“An overall admiration and ability to bask in the trueness of self. Growing up a young, brown, queer person, I have been demonized for being myself by society and the people around me. It wasn’t until recently I have been able to fully let myself be and become the person who would have inspired little kid me. Now Pride for me isn’t just a day or a month but a lifestyle. It makes me smile being able to visibly see and reflect on the evolution of myself; it brings me genuine joy. I’m finally getting somewhere that feels good for me, and I am really excited to see what the future holds.”

LOVE REIGNS

Pride to me means walking confidently in my skin and standing firm in who I am. Even if I decide to change, I’m confident in my decisions and proud of the journey. What’s keeping me smiling these days is leaning into more of who I am and learning to love me more and more everyday.

ROB NICHOLSON

“Pride means the freedom to express ourselves, not just in front of our peers but in front of everyone else whether they want to see it or not.”

For me, Pride gives me a sense of community. A sense of belonging after feeling like I didn’t belong for so much of my life. It’s an opportunity to get to know others who are like me and those who are not. Pride gives us a sense of family with others who have also struggled to be themselves after being raised to be someone we are not. It gives me the feeling of belonging and being accepted for who we are as individuals. There is now a history of Pride that spans back more than 50 years by saying we will not be denied equal rights as human beings. Pride is about supporting those around me and creating awareness for those who are perhaps unaware. It means a time of celebrating and being thankful to those who sacrificed so much to make our community what it is today. It gives people a special freedom to express themselves. It is about inclusion and celebrating diversity, difference and who we are. Pride helps us measure our steps toward equality. It is where and when we can see the future of our community and be proud of who we are.

SOUNDS FROM THE JACKSONVILLE

by Carson Rich

Words and interviews

The Greater Jacksonville Agricultural Fair is coming to town once again. The food and rides are top-notch as usual, but this year’s entertainment lineup for their concert series looks like it is going to be special. Here is the official list and description of who will be performing:

Dalton Dover: After climbing up the charts with his smash country hit “Giving Up On That,” Dover has proven that he has what it takes to rock the main stage. Last year he was named a Spotify “Hot Country 2022 Artist to Watch.”

Steeln’ Peaches: A rock and roll revue of the Allman Brothers Band who tours around playing covers in celebration of the legendary group.

Stephen Carey: An up-and-coming country singer who is making waves in Nashville. Was a part of “Rolling Stone” magazine’s “10 New Country Artists You Need to Know” list.

Beau & The Burners: A laid-back group who create a large, jumpin’, rockabilly sound featuring Beau Knott, twangin’ and sangin’; Jim Weber, crash-boombangin’; and Justin Hammack, thumpin’ and slappin’.

Dennis Lee Band: For over 30 years, Dennis Lee and the gang have been rockin’ out at festivals and fairs. His interactive and participatory shows give the audience a moment to remember.

Jackie Stranger: Americana singer/multi-instrumentalist. If you don’t know Jackie Stranger, you’re not livin’ right.

Jason Evans Band: Jason Evans’ background is full of music history. He was born into the industry with his father Doug being an integral part of the legendary band Heart of Dixie Bluegrass.

Kaden and The Meeks: Kaden and the Meeks dip their toe deep into the well of old-school, Appalachian honky-tonk with a side helping of anthemic Southern rock goodness.

Kevin PM: A singer/songwriter based out of Northeast Florida. His songwriting employs elements of folk, rock, country, and experimental music.

Let’s Ride Brass Band: Your favorite 11-piece brass band bringing it to ya, straight from Duval!

Madison Grace: Madison Grace is a 21-year-old singer/songwriter from Lakeland by way of the deep-south town of Myrtle, Mississippi.

Patsy’s Daydream: Tianna DiSalvo started Patsy’s Daydream as a homage to Patsy Cline. Since forming in 2020, they have branched out to offer what Tianna calls “‘50s and ‘60s dream pop.”

Rambler Kane: Standing soaked in the music crossroads of folk, country, blues and soul, Rambler Kane is a singer/songwriter from Jacksonville, FL who presents a unique blend of Americana.

Robbie Dammit & The Broken Strings: Robbie Dammit is a singer/songwriter whose rough edges bleed through his honest brand of Americana music.

Sunriver: Sunriver will be taking it to the next level, a trio with a brand new fiddle player.

For the full schedule of performances, visit jacksonvillefair.com.

“FOR ALL THE DOGS”

NEW MUSIC RELEASES

Made

For You By Amiyah

Golden

Following the recent release of his single, “Slime You Out” featuring R&B singer SZA, the Canadian rapper excites fans for his upcoming album drop, “For All the Dogs.”

With his longevity and heavy-hitting rap skills, Drake has high expectations from fans for another stellar album with featured performances by Nicki Minaj, Bad Bunny and more. And considering Drake’s ability to span multiple genres and revel in various flows, another album doesn’t feel like an ego boost or an act of overcompensation — but just natural artistry that speaks to his talent.

As Drake continues his “It Was All A Blur” tour, showcasing his recent hits along with classics, Drake devotees now have an even more comprehensive discography to jam out to.

“Live for Me” has been announced as Omar Apollo’s newest EP.

Apollo is widely known for his hit song “Evergreen” that went epically viral on TikTok, expediting his major successes.

With an R&B influence directing his sound and lyrics that resonate with a slew of millennials and Gen-Z listeners navigating the world of love, life and personal discovery, Apollo continues to exhibit vulnerability that is often discouraged. His single “Ice Slippin” from the EP has already received a lot of positive praise. With Apollo sharing a statement that the single “… is about reliving the thoughts I had passing through my mind the winter I came out to my family. Receiving cold judgment as opposed to the acceptance I felt I deserved.”

Apollo is another example of an openly queer artist making space for the LGBTQ+ community in the music industry.

“JAVELIN”

SUFJAN STEVENS

The indie singer-songwriter is following the release of his latest single, “So You Are Tired,” with his newest album, “Javelin.”

The excitement surrounding the new project, is coupled with the untimely diagnosis of Guillain-Barre Syndrome for the Michigan artist. In his latest Instagram post, Stevens has kept fans updated on his condition, sharing his unfortunate medical hardships while still creating music that encapsulates timelessness and intention.

His seventh studio album, “Carrie and Lowell,” will always remain in my Top 50 Albums list that sits in the Notes app of my iPhone. With music that alludes to personal experiences and development, Steven’s storytelling is in a completely different stratosphere than most artists I have explored, and I can’t wait to hear the 10-track LP and listen to Steven’s most recent journey.

The YouTuber-turned-pop star-turned-actor is releasing his third studio album, “Something to Give Each Other.”

After the release of his single “Rush,” I am beyond excited to hear what the South African born/Australian raised singer is bringing to the table. Although, I wasn’t interested in the artist until his recent appearance in the Max show “The Idol.” I now understand the praise that many of my friends expressed regarding Sivan.

Sivan’s newest record is described as a “...celebration of sex, dance, sweat, community, queerness, love and friendship.” This album couldn’t come at a better time as we gear up to celebrate Jacksonville pride! Sivan is noted as a pillar in the LGBTQ+ community and is making big strides toward mainstream success.

Now this is a release I’m stoked for — I know I say this about every album but just hear me out!

Their viral song “Tek It” (which I found through TikTok last summer) infiltrated my brain for a solid year, making me burst each time with pure glee, every time I heard it — without fail. With accompanying bangers such as “Friction” and “Perspective,” the pair’s collaboration creates a sound that falls into the genre of shoegaze or alternative pop.

With “cafuné” being a Brazilian Portugues word for “the act of running your fingers through a loved one’s hair” it is a perfect name for a band that incites tender emotions that follow up with gaiety!

So make sure to add their newest EP, “Love Songs for the End,” into your future rotations!

“LOVE SONGS FOR THE END”

It’s been a long time coming for Sampha fans!

“LAHAI”

SAMPHA

CAFUNÉ

His newest album “LAHAI” titled after his grandfather’s given name and his own middle name is described by him as: “My next musical chapter … Fever Dreams. Continuums. Dancing. Generations. Syncopation. Bridges. Grief. Motherlands. Love. Spirit. Fear. Flesh. Flight.” It comes six years after the release of his 2017 album, “Process.”

The South London artist’s voice and tone is unique and one that can only be found in him. A compilation of sounds that are unexpected and eccentric but always compliment the venturing musical journey he takes listeners on.

T-Swizzle is back, baby! With the pop star infamously re-recording all her studio albums due to conflict between her and her former manager. “1989” marks the tetrad to her collection of “Taylor’s Version” reproduced records.

Out of all her albums, I think “1989” encompasses a period where you knew her songs (purposefully or against your will) because of hits such as, “Bad Blood,” “Shake it Off” and “Style” being blasted across multiple avenues in 2014 — elevators, department stores, televisions ads, you name it — you literally couldn’t miss a beat with these songs.

Fans were already given a snippet of what’s to come when Swift released “Taylor’s Version” of her songs “Wildest Dreams” in 2021 and “This Love” in 2022 — both hits from “1989,” which only gave fans an even greater hunger to unlock all the songs from “1989.” Swift’s re-recorded albums also come with the treat of music that’s never been heard before dubbed “From the Vault” is what Swift calls the new songs that are added to the re-recorded track list.

Swift was quoted as saying “1989” is her favorite re-record “because the ‘from the vault’ tracks are so insane. I can’t believe they were ever left behind.”

“1989 (TAYLOR’S VERSION)”

TAYLOR SWIFT

(SPANISH) GUITAR HERO

Roni Benise returns to Jacksonville

Words by Shelton Hull and photo provided by Roni Benise Press Kit

When Roni Benise comes to town, you’re gonna hear about it well in advance, and his concert at the WJCT Soundstage on Oct. 10 is no exception. It’s the first of five shows in Florida, coming right after a run through his old stomping-grounds of Southern California. “This is my eight time in Jacksonville,” said Benise (pronounced Buh-nes-say) via email. “My first was 2007 and I enjoy coming back every year! I look forward to the sweet tea!” And the sweet tea, it turns out, is looking forward to him, as well.

The story of Roni Benise begins in what seems like the most unlikely place: Nebraska, where he was born in January 1965. (Interestingly, he grew up in Ravenna, a town of less than 2,000 which happens to share a name with the Italian city that was a hub for classical music for generations.) Music was a passion for him at an early age, inspired by the legendary rock guitarists he heard on the radio. He got his first guitar at age 11, and he was already playing in local bands by the time he was a teenager. Benise moved to Los Angeles in the 1990s, and quickly built his own rep, busking the streets of the entertainment capital of the world.

His own style is often classified as “nuevo flamenco,” in recognition of the fusion elements he brings to his music, while also incorporating aspects of Cuban salsa, Brazilian samba and Parisian waltz. The Flamenco style of guitar has influenced rock and roll since at least the 1950s, helping to inspire icons from Jimi Hendrix and Jeff Beck to Dick Dale and Jimmy Page. “Santana helped expose Spanish Guitar to a lot of people,” says. “What I do is fuse Spanish guitar with rock. Some examples are Led Zeppelin’s “Kashmir” and AC/DC’s “Thunderstruck.” It creates a different take on these classic songs.”

You can easily hear the rock influence in Benise’s music, but you’re more apt to see the influence, particularly in his stage presence.

“The whole show is a multimedia production,” he said. “The sets/lights/costumes all help set the mood as each song is a different scene. I like to take people on a roller-coaster of emotions.” Roni Benise shows aren’t just concerts — they’re experiences, and that has allowed him to cultivate a fiercely loyal fanbase with no radio and minimal media support.

Obviously, Spanish guitar in early 2000s Los Angeles was not the easiest thing to sell, so Benise took up the means of production and, with it, control of his own destiny. He formed his own band and began renting venues independently and booking the shows himself, which is something every working musician should think about doing. Within seven years, he went from playing for tips from tourists to selling out 2,000-seat theaters, which he’s been doing for 20 years now.

In addition to what seems like a never-ending tour schedule, with shows already booked through July 2024, Benise has also released 14 albums in 23 years, in addition to two compilations, a live album and six concert films, the second of which, Nights of Fire!, even won an Emmy Award in 2006. That is a remarkably productive pace, by any standard, but that is literally only the half of it. His autobiography, “The Notes Less Traveled: My Journey of Music, Love, and Life,” was published in 2016, followed not long after by a children’s book, “Wish Upon a ROCK Star,” available via his website. He even runs his own ocean cruise, every Memorial Day Weekend.

The man called “The Prince of Spanish Guitar” has embraced all aspects of the music business, including the actual business of music, and all that hard work in the early years has certainly paid off. And soon, there will be sweet tea, as well.

CONCERTS

OCT. 1

Danny Attack Jack Rabbits jaxlive.com

OCT. 3

Dustin Lynch: 2023 Furyk Foundation Concert Daily’s Place dailysplace.org

OCT. 4

Alice Cooper St. Augustine Amphitheatre theamp.com

Blue October Ponte Vedra Concert Hall pvconcerthall.com

The Limit Breakers: Halloween VGM Show Underbelly underbellyjax.com

OCT. 5

An Epic Night of Hits! Ja Rule & Ashanti Jacksonville Center for the Performing Arts jaxevents.com

Toad the Wet Sprocket with special guest The Verve Pipe Ponte Vedra Concert Hall pvconcerthall.com

Faze Wave Jack Rabbits jaxlive.com

OCT. 5-6

Lynyrd Skynyrd with special guest The Curt Towne Band St. Augustine Amphitheatre theamp.com

OCT. 6

The Music of Earth, Wind & Fire featuring Serpentine Fire Jacksonville Center for the Performing Arts jaxsymphony.org

Pedrito Martinez Ritz Theatre & Museum ritzjacksonville.com

Zach Nugent’s Dead Set: Hell in a Bucket Fall Tour Underbelly underbellyjax.com

The Might Powerball and guests

Jack Rabbits jaxlive.com

OCT. 7

Jon Pardi: Mr. Saturday Night World Tour Daily’s Place Dailysplace.com

Aaron Lewis Thrasher-Horne Center, Orange Park thcenter.org

Moonshine Bandits Jack Rabbits jaxlive.com

OCT. 8

Kirk Franklin: The Reunion Tour VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena jaxevents.com

Emblem3 with Noah Cunane and Kaia Jette 1904 Music Hall 1904musichall.com

Tidal Daze, Naum, Slippery Rick The Walrus thewalrusjax.com

OCT. 9

Noah Kahan: Stick Season

Daily’s Place dailysplace.com

OCT. 10

Benise — Fiesta! WJCT Soundstage floridatheatre.com

Scott Yoder, Kairos Creature Club, Mold! The Walrus thewalrusjax.com

OCT. 11

Wheeland Brothers Cafe Eleven, St. Augustine originalcafe11.com

OCT. 12

Earshot

Jack Rabbits jaxlive.com

The Midnight in Jacksonville Underbelly underbellyjax.com

OCT. 13

Jelly Roll: Backroad Baptism Tour 2023 VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena jaxevents

Dehd Jack Rabbits jaxlive.com

Rawayana Underbelly underbellyjax.com

Jake Xerxes Fussell Bier Hall at Intuition Aleworks intuitionaleworks.com

Micah Tyler Murray Hill Theatre murrayhilltheatre.com

OCT. 14

Gov’t Mule: Dark Side of The Mule St. Augustine Amphitheatre theamp.com

SOJA with special guests Hirie and Mihali Ponte Vedra Concert Hall pvconcerthall.com

Greg Zelek in Recital Jacksonville Center for the Performing Arts jaxsymphony.org

The Protest with Marshall Huffman & Tricord Murray Hill Theatre murrayhilltheatre.com

The Destinators & SensaMotion Cafe Eleven, St. Augustine originalcafe11.com

OCT. 15

Raheem Devaughn Ritz Theatre & Museum ritzjacksonville.com

OCT. 17

Falling In Reverse with special guest Slaughter To Prevail St. Augustine Amphitheatre theamp.com

The Church Ponte Vedra Concert Hall pvconcerthall.com

Attila “About That Life” Anniversary Tour Underbelly underbellyjax.com

The Inside Out and guests Jack Rabbits jaxlive.com

OCT. 18

The Head And The Heart with special guest Amanda Shires St. Augustine Amphitheatre theamp.com

The Cat Empire with special guest High Fade Ponte Vedra Concert Hall pvconcerthall.com

Mike Pinto Underbelly underbellyjax.com

The Goddamn Gallow Jack Rabbits jaxlive.com

OCT. 19

Hardy with special guests Lainey Wilson & Dylan Marlowe St. Augustine Amphitheatre theamp.com

Ellis Paul Cafe Eleven, St. Augustine originalcafe11.com

OCT. 20

Buddy Guy with special guest Christone “Kingfish” Ingram St. Augustine Amphitheatre theamp.com

The Jax City Blues Festival Jacksonville Center for the Performing Arts jaxevents.com

Lonestar Thrasher-Horne Center, Orange Park thcenter.org

Beethoven, Brahms & Dinnerstein Jacksonville Center for the Performing Arts jaxsymphony.org

Jazz Jam Music Series: Noel Freidline Ritz Theatre & Museum ritzjacksonville.com

LPT

Underbelly underbellyjax.com

Psychedelic Porn Crumpets

Jack Rabbits jaxlive.com

All Them Witches with GA-20 and Fortune Child Bier Hall at Intuition Aleworks intuitionaleworks.com

MIDI Memory, Last Grasp, Glass Chapel, Funeral Homes

The Walrus thewalrusjax.com

Tara Strickland with Andrew Cunningham & The People Murray Hill Theatre murrayhilltheatre.com

OCT 20-22

St. Benedict the Moor Blues Festival St. Benedict the Moor Catholic Church, St. Augustine facebook.com/stbenedictthemoorbluesfest

OCT. 21

Raphael Saadiq Revisits Tony! Toni! Toné!: Just Me and You Tour 2023 Jacksonville Center for the Performing Arts jaxevents.com

The Newsboys Thrasher-Horne Center, Orange Park thcenter.org

Death From Above 1979

Underbelly underbellyjax.com

MSSV plus Chalk Tiger and Stillfire Bellows

Jack Rabbits jaxlive.com

OCT. 22

Joanne Shaw Taylor Ponte Vedra Concert Hall pvconcerthall.com

The Soap Girls

Jack Rabbits jaxlive.com

Veeze: The Ganger Tour Underbelly underbellyjax.com

Carlos Truly, Eureka Springs, Chalooby The Walrus thewalrusjax.com

Charlie Mars Cafe Eleven, St. Augustine originalcafe11.com

OCT. 25

Billy Ocean Thrasher-Horne Center, Orange Park thcenter.org

Beauty School Dropout Jack Rabbits jaxlive.com

The Expendables Underbelly underbellyjax.com

OCT. 26

Sammy Hagar & The Circle with special guest George Thorogood & The Destroyers St. Augustine Amphitheatre theamp.com

Classical Mix Tape Jacksonville Center for the Performing Arts jaxsymphony.org

Church Girls Jack Rabbits jaxlive.com

EVE 6 w/ Suzie True Underbelly underbellyjax.com

OCT. 27

MercyMe with Crowder and Andrew Ripp St. Augustine Amphitheatre theamp.com

Barnes Courtney Jack Rabbits jaxlive.com

Damon Fowler Cafe Eleven, St. Augustine originalcafe11.com

OCT. 28

Dirty Honey with special guest Austin Meade Ponte Vedra Concert Hall pvconcerthall.com

Ritz Chamber Players Jacksonville University–Terry Concert Hall ritzplayers.org

The Temple of Mercy (Sisters of Mercy Tribute) Jack Rabbits jaxlive.com

EMMA Concert Series presents Bad Boys of Opera

Flagler College–Lewis Auditorium, St. Augustine emmaconcerts.com

Mindy Smith Cafe Eleven, St Augustine originalcafe11.com

OCT. 29

Icon for Hire, Concrete Castles & more Underbelly underbellyjax.com

OCT. 31

Acoustic Alchemy Ponte Vedra Concert Hall pvconcerthall.com

Fall Choral Concert: The SoundS of Shibboleth Jacksonville University–Terry Concert Hall ju.edu/cfa

Cindy Lee, Freak Heat Waves, Severed, Said and more The Walrus thewalrusjax.com

THOMAS RHETT: HOME TEAM TOUR ‘23 REVIEW

Words and photos by Carson Rich

Thomas Rhett, the 33 year-old Georgia native, got straight to business, coming out of the gate playing a drum kit while an eerie aroma of smoke poured out from beneath him. As he began to face the seats, everyone lost their minds to the sight of him wearing a Jacksonville Jaguars hat, representing the home team everyone knows and loves. Rhett curated his setlist in a way that could please any fan, given that he has more than a handful of family favorites in his impressive catalog. From chart-topping tunes like “Crash and Burn” to familiar favorites like “Die A Happy Man,” he reminded Duval County why he was on that stage.

He also performed songs from his latest album, “Where We Started,” released last year. Taking advantage of this time where everyone is starting to get into the fall mindset, Rhett featured the song “Slow Down Summer” as a cry out to the memories that are made during the heat of the season. Later on, Rhett officially stole the show by performing covers from different eras that had every face screaming all of the words. Popular songs like “Jessie’s Girl,” “3AM” and “The Middle” kept the crowd roaring with excitement as the country music star ventured into other genres.

After a decade of releases and over 20 No. 1 songs, the “Home Team Tour” was nothing short of “Unforgettable.”

Multi-Platinum country music artist Thomas Rhett hit the stage on his “Home Team Tour 23,” lighting up the Veterans Memorial Arena with special guests Cole Swindell and Nate Smith. Rhett has drawn up quite an amount of buzz over the past decade, making himself a prominent face in the genre, and the way he controlled the crowd on his Jacksonville stop showed why.

Nate Smith electrified the arena by proving why he deserves all of the praise he gets. His resounding voice took everyone by surprise, as his debut hit “World On

Fire” set the mood for what was to come. Smith acted as if he had been rocking the stage for decades with his calmness, using his personality to elevate his performance to the next level. Shortly after, Cole Swindell opened wearing a T-shirt that had a picture of country music legend Randy Travis on the front. During his hit “She Had Me At Heads Carolina,” he incorporated Travis’ name into the lyrics and gave a heartfelt message about him being his idol growing up and how he feels grateful to be in the position he’s in. Then it was time for the main act to begin.

Most of Thomas Rhett’s discography seems to take a country twist on classic pop-rock tunes that we are used to hearing, so the atmosphere matches perfectly for anyone to come have a good time. His electrifying voice and upbeat tempo made sure nobody was uninterested, and as long as he keeps that Jaguars hat on, he is more than welcome back for another round in Duval County.

If you haven’t been to one of Jacksonville’s dive bars to bump elbows with fellow locals and wallow at the top of your lungs in an off-key pitch to some classics, can you say you’ve truly lived yet?

I cover many emerging artists in the Jacksonville music scene, but I had the opportunity to talk to local cover band Solar Tide and explore their unique impact within Jacksonville’s soundscape.

The band is composed of musicians Chad Stidham, Sarah Spelsberg and Chris Condon. All three being a testament that it is possible to have a flourishing career while still pursuing your passions. It is not out of the ordinary to see artists have 9-to-5 jobs outside of their musical pursuits. Many of the artists we cover dedicate long hours to their employers while squeezing in room to practice, write and perform!

The trio all have demanding professions. With Stidham working as a nurse manager, Condon as a professional photographer for the PGA Tour and Spelsberg finishing up medical school and now working in her residency in emergency medicine,

A NURSE, A DOCTOR, AND WALK INTO

Words by Amiyah Golden and

the energy they find for gigs is fueled by the love they all have for music.

Originally hailing from Detroit, Stidham is all too familiar with the world of music. With a long history of band life, the guitarist was totally convinced he wouldn’t be involved with any more bands once he moved to Jacksonville.

“Honestly, when I moved here, I was like, I’m never playing music again,” said Stidham, “Once I started working, I got sucked into an open mic here and there.”

And work is exactly where Stidham and Spelsberg connected. The two met at the Mayo Clinic, where they bonded over their love for music. A holiday party was the first time the two mingled their voices — and instruments — together.

“A bunch of musicians [who were] medical professionals at Mayo were dared to make a band and play the Christmas party in 2010, so we did!” said Spelsberg. “Chad and I had so much fun playing together he started inviting me to play with him at his open mic night.”

AND A PHOTOGRAPHER INTO A BAR…..

and photo by Mark Cubbage

With Stidham on guitar and Spelsberg being a multifaceted musician with the ability to play the guitar, mandolin and the fiddle, the two graced numerous local music hotspots to perform. This lasted for years before the addition of drummer Chris Condon. Having mutual ties to Spelsberg through his wife’s father, the two connected. With Codon already familiar with Stidham, the three forming to become an energetic trio just made sense.

Condon also wasn’t new to the culture of performing having been a member of two former bands, Dial Nine and Jacksonville favorites the Dirty Gringos.

Cover bands aren’t a new concept, especially in the early ’80s and ’90s, with many bands being known for their unique renditions of classic hits. They cater to fans who couldn’t experience Nirvana or Metallica in person but still wanted to experience their favorite songs.

The band has established a synergy so sound that they often don’t rehearse together because of their busy schedules but, surprisingly, never miss a note when it comes time to perform.

As a personal frequenter of Lynch’s Irish Pub in Jacksonville Beach, it is always a delight to hear a song that unlocks a core memory. With many of the greats having passed away, the need for cover bands is imminent— keeping music alive for the people, while sharing their individual beautiful talents and sound!

Make sure to check out Solar Tide once a month at Lynch’s Irish Pub. With the band usually performing in the early evening, it’s the perfect ending to a long walk on the beach!

To keep up with the band and their other performances, you can follow them on Instagram or Facebook!

Instagram: @solartidejax

Facebook: Solar Tide

RAISING THE BAR: MICHAEL FOX

Words and interview by Ambar Ramirez

Not all heroes wear capes. In fact, my favorite type of hero is the one who pours a strong one and doesn’t ask questions. And no, I’m not an alcoholic, just a 23-year-old facing the brutal reality of adulthood. Anyway, this story isn’t about me — it’s about Michael Fox.

Fox started bartending by bar backing at the Top Golf in St. Johns Town Center. While bar backing, Fox was able to get a glimpse of the inner workings of a bar and what being a bartender is like. From there, he worked his way up and became a bartender.

And while Fox has plans of getting a job in cyber security, his journey with bartending did not stop at Top Golf. This year, Fox is bartending at Jacksonville Jaguars football games. He quite literally started from the bottom and is now bartending at not one but two sports complexes.

Now I’m sure you have a lot of questions, like how did he go from bar backing to bartending or how did he go from bar backing at Top Golf to bartending at the football stadium? Don’t worry, I got the scoop.

BITE BY BITE ARLINGTON

BEACHES/ Intracoastal West

Cliff’s Bar & Grill cliffsbarandgrill.com

Fancy Sushi & Grill Japanese Restaurant fancysushiandgrill.com

The Good Place Nutrition facebook.com/thegoodplacenutrition

Grinders American Diner grindersamdiner.com

La Palmerita orderlapalmerita.com

ABBQ abbqmeatdrink.com

Anejo anejococinamexicana.com

Angie’s Subs facebook.com/angiessubs

Aqua Grill aquagrill.net

Azurea at One Ocean azurearestaurant.com

Barbara Jean’s on the Water barbarajeansonthewater.com

Caffe Andiamo caffeandiamo.com

Cantina Louie cantinalouie.com

Coop 303 coop303.com

Eleven South elevensouth.com

Engine 15 Brewing Company engine15.com

The Fish Company Restaurant and Oyster Bar thefishcojax.com

Flying Iguana Taqueria & Tequila Bar flyingiguana.com

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

Hawkers eathawkers.com

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

Rice + Noodles Korean Restaurant riceandnoodles.net

Seven Wonders Restaurant 7wondersbakery.com

Southern Coast Seafood southerncoastseafood.com

Tabouleh Cafe taboulehcafe.com

Thai & Lao Bistro thaiandlaobistro.com

Kamiya 86 kamiya86fl.com

Lone Wolf Co. lonewolfjax.com

Marker 32 marker32.com

Mezzaluna mezzalunajax.com

Mojo Kitchen mojobbq.com/mojo-kitchen

Nona Blue Modern Tavern nonablue.com

North Beach Fish Camp thenorthbeachfishcamp.com

Oaxaca Club theoaxacaclub.com

O-Ku o-kusushi.com

Palm Valley Fish Camp palmvalleyfishcamp.com

Poe’s Tavern poestavern.com

Ragtime Tavern ragtimetavern.com

Safe Harbor Seafood Market and Restaurant safeharbor-seafood.com

Salt Life Food Shack saltlifefoodshack.com

Salumeria 104 Atlantic Beach salumeria104.com

Singleton’s Seafood Shack singletonsseafood.com

Sliders Oyster Bar slidersoysterbar.com

Southern Grounds southerngrounds.com

TacoLu tacolu.com

Bellweather bellwetherjax.com

The Bread and Board thebreadandboard.com

The Brick Coffee House brickcoffeehouse.com

Burrito Gallery burritogallery.com

Cowford Chophouse cowfordchophouse.com

Casa Dora Italian Cafe facebook.com/casadorajax

De Real Ting Cafe facebook.com/derealtingcafe

Estrella Cocina estrellajax.com

The Happy Grilled Cheese thehappygrilledchees.wixsite.com/grilledcheese

Indochine indochinejax.com

Berndt Ends BBQ facebook.com/berndtendsbbq

Blue Bamboo Canton Bistro bluebamboojacksonville.com

ChopHouse Thirteen chophouse13.com

Enza’s Italian Restaurant enzas.net

ISO ISO Ramen isoisoramen.com

Julington Creek Fish Camp julingtoncreekfishcamp.com

Kazu Japanese Restaurant kazujapaneserestaurant.com

Le Petit Paris French Cafe lepetitparisjax.com

Two Dudes Seafood Restaurant twodudesrestaurant.com

Valley Smoke BBQ valleysmoke.com

Vicious Biscuit viciousbiscuit.com

Juliette’s Bistro at Marriott Jacksonville Downtown marriott.com

Morton’s The Steakhouse mortons.com

Ocean Street Tacos oceanstreettacos.com

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

The River Club jaxriverclub.com

Spliff’s Gastropub spliffsgastropub.com

Super Food & Brew superfoodandbrew.com

Sweet Pete’s sweetpetescandy.com

Tavern at the Hyatt Regency hyatt.com

Mandola’s Italian Kitchen mandolas.com

Masala Indian Cuisine jaxmasala.com

One Night Taco Stand onenightjax.com

Picasso’s Pizzeria jaxpicassos.wixsite.com/jaxpicassos

Rosy’s Restaurant rosys-restaurant.business.site

Taziki’s Mediterranean Cafe tazikis.com

Umami Japanese Curry & Ramen umamijax.com

Wicked Barley Brewing Company wickedbarley.com

MURRAY HILL NORTHSIDE

Bold Birds Nashville Hot Chicken boldbirdshotchicken.com

Buchner’s Bierhall buchnersbierhalle.com

The Dreamette dreametteicecream.com

El Jefe Tex Mex eljefejax.com

Fired Up Pizza woodfireduppizza.com

Maple Street Biscuit Company maplestreetbiscuits.com/murray-hill

Fuji Yama fujiyamajax.com

Green Papaya Pan Asian Cuisine greenpapayaus.com

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

The Jungle Bowl facebook.com/thejunglebowl

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

Masala Mantra masalamantrajax.com

13 Gypsies 13gypsies.com

904 Tacos facebook.com/904tacosfivepoints

Ale Pie House alepiehousefl.com

RIVERSIDE & AVONDALE

Arepa Please arepaplease.com

Bagel Love bagel-love.ueniweb.com

Biggie’s Pizza biggiespizzajax.com

Biscottis biscottis.net

The Blue Fish bluefishjax.com

Blue Buddha bluebuddhaspecialty.com

Blue Orchid Thai Cuisine blueorchidthai.com

Moon River Pizza moonriverpizza.net

Murray Hillbilly murrayhillbilly.com

Solazo Taqueria solazofl.business.site

The Stout Snug thestoutsnug.com

Vagabond Coffee Co. vagabondcoffee.com

The Walrus thewalrusjax.com

Nagasaki Japanese Restaurant nagasakisushirestaurant.com

New Berlin Fish House & Oyster Bar newberlinfishhouse.com

Ship 2 Shore Seafood & Steak ship2shoreseafood.com

Sushi Zen Jax sushizenfl.kwickmenu.com

Terry’s Grill facebook.com/terrysgrill

Bold Bean boldbeancoffee.com

Brew Five Points brewfivepoints.co

Carmines Pie House carminespiehouse.com

Cool Moose Cafe coolmoosecafe.net

Corner Taco cornertaco.com

Cuisine 76 & Bar cuisine76andbar.com

European Street Cafe europeanstreet.com

The Fox Restaurant facebook.com/thefoxrestaurant

Hawkers eathawkers.com

Homespun Kitchen homespunkitchen.com

Iguana on Park iguanaonpark.com

Jazzy’s Restaurant & Lounge jazzysrestaurant.net

Josephine josephineavondale.com

Kickbacks Gastropub kickbacksgastropub.com

Kingmaker Brewing kingmakerbrewing.com

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

The Mossfire Grill mossfire.com

Nacho Taco nachotaco.net

Pattaya Thai Grill pattayathaijax.com

1937 1937sanmarco.com

Bar Molino barmolino.com

bb’s bbsrestaurant.com

The Bearded Pig thebeardedpigbbq.com

Bistro AIX Restaurant and Lounge bistrox.com

Chart House chart-house.com

European Street Cafe europeanstreet.com

Fla. Juice and Bowl flajuiceandbowl.com

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

Fuji Sushi jacksonvillefujisushi.com

The Local thelocaljax.com

Pizza Cave facebook.com/pizzacave5pts

Restaurant Orsay restaurantorsay.com River & Post riverandpostjax.com

Sake House sakehousejax.com

Southern Grounds southerngrounds.com

S & R Dim Sum srdimsumjax.com

Sushi Cafe sushicafejax.com

Sweet Theory Baking Company sweettheorybakingco.com

Taqueria Cinco taqueria5points.com

Matthew’s Restaurant matthewsrestaurant.com

The Metro Diner metrodiner.com

The Olive Tree Mediterranean Grille theolivetreemediterraneangrille.com

Peterbrooke peterbrooke.com/pages/san-marco

Pink Salt Restaurant + Wine Bar pinksaltrestaurant.com

Rue Saint-Marc ruesaintmarc.com

Southern Grounds southerngrounds.com

Taverna taverna.restaurant

Town Hall townhalljax.com

V Pizza vpizza.com

SPRINGFIELD SOUTHSIDE

1748 Bakehouse 1748bakehouse.com

Caribbean Sunrise Bakery & Restaurant caribbeansunrisebakery.com

Crispy’s Springfield Gallery facebook.com/CrispysSpringfieldGallery

Flavva flavvajacksonville.com

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

Tha Soulfood Smagicians facebook.com/thasmagicians

The Dreamette dreametteicecream.com

III Forks 3forks.com/location/jacksonville

4 Rivers Smokehouse 4rsmokehouse.com

Amazing Thai Restaurant amazingthaijax.com

Bazille at Nordstrom nordstrom.com

Blaze Pizza blazepizza.com

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

Culhane’s Irish Pub culhanesirishpub.com

The French Pantry thefrenchpantryfl.com

Banana Leaf Asian Bistro facebook.com/bananaleafasianbistro

Cross Creek Steakhouse and Ribs crosscreeksteakhouse.com

The District thedistrictspr.com

Hola Mexican Restaurant holajax.com

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

Strings Sport Brewery stringssportsbrewery.com

Silkie’s Chicken & Champagne Bar meetatsilkies.com

Uptown Kitchen and Bar uptownkitchenjax.com

Waafa and Mike’s Cafe facebook.com/waafaandmikes

Galaxy Burger galaxyburgersjax.com

Mr. Potato Spread mrpotatospread.com

Midtown Table midtowntable.medurebrothers.com

Prati Italia pratiitalia.com

Seasons 52 seasons52.com

Taste of Thai tasteofthaijax.com

Texas de Brazil texasdebrazil.com Mesa mesajax.com

The Metro Diner metrodiner.com

WESTSIDE

Ellianos Coffee ellianos.com

The Juicy Crab thejuicycrabjax.com

La Perla Mexican Restaurant orderlaperlamexicanrestaurant.com

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

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

Puerto Plata Restaurant puertoplatarestaurant.com

Sushi Bear sushibearjax.com

Trent’s Seafood jltrents.com

TABLE F ORONE

In my current period of life I often find myself thinking about how quickly the world is moving around us. Days turn into weeks and weeks turn into months before we can even process the first second. Every moment sprints to the next, and it’s not always pretty. Many times life moves like a kindergarten relay race; lots of falling, stumbling and occasionally going in the wrong direction entirely. This kind of chaos can also define a dining experience, sometimes with disastrous results. I could share a story of disaster, but instead I choose a story of triumph and good fortune. A story of bad timing but great luck that defined a memorable and quite enjoyable meal at La Cena Ristorante.

I left my place of work with a good mood but an empty stomach. It was about half past nine so I knew my options were limited. I decided on a certain bierhalle in the Murray Hill area, and after a 20-minute drive, I was in the door. After a brief exchange of salutations, I order a glass of wine and check the menu. As my hungry thoughts consider fine German cuisine, I am met with devastating news. The kitchen was closed. I did my best to maintain composure, but my stomach chose violence, and it was directed towards me. This was not acceptable, and I needed to work fast. As I’m scrolling through my phone for another option something catches my eye. La Cena (one of my favorite spots) is open for another hour, and it’s less than a mile away. I phone the restaurant and plead my case with hope of an open table. The man answers, “C’mon in, we’ll feed ya.”

Now for those who have never been to La Cena you should know that it does its best to elude you. There are no signs or anything that would lead you to believe that an eatery exists at their location, just a modest yellow building. Whether or not you’ve been there before there is a good chance you’ve driven right by it, turned around to look for it and turned around once again because you missed it twice. At least that’s how I get there, the dizziness helps my appetite. As I enter the front room I am greeted by the nice man I spoke to on the phone and he leads me to a table. A cozy, upper end Italian bistro with white table cloths and warm lighting surrounds me. Lovely paintings of varied but appropriate styles line the walls, evenly spaced for proper enjoyment. Each table has plates and goblets set with intention and poise. Comfort and class coming together to set the tone for a lovely experience.

As I’m taking in the restaurant, the waitress comes by and greets me with a smile. It is not our first meeting nor will it be our last. After catching up briefly, she asks for my order.

While I normally take my time to place an order, this time I came with a plan. I ordered the Sette Colli with chicken and a glass of their Ripasso. With a nod she walks away taking care of two other tables on her way to the kitchen. The front of house at La Cena works as a team, and an excellent one at that. All of their moves are coordinated but casual, as most of them have been there for a while. As busy as it can get they never seem like they’re in any sort of hurry, which keeps the atmosphere calm and comfortable.

Across the room a glass of red appears in the graceful hands of the other waitress, teasing me from afar. She almost floats as she walks over and sets the glass down. I test the nose and take a sip, and it is exactly as remembered. The Ripasso is an interesting wine being that it has two stages of fermentation; the first has the grapes ferment normally before pressing, and the second has the skins of an Amarone wine added for two to three weeks. It creates a very acidic and aromatic wine that is quite enjoyable but lower in body. After a couple more sips, I put the wine aside as I can see my original waitress on the way over, and she has a plate in hand.

Up to this point my stomach had been quiet, biding its time to attack me after my initial blunder. It was time to tame the beast. The Sette Colli would do so and then some. A butterflied and pounded chicken breast lay before me. Beautifully sauteed and fork-tender, the chicken was accompanied by a sherry sauce, peas, mushrooms, tomato and prosciutto. A lovely mix of fattiness and acid play together with each bite with a light fruitiness in the background from the sherry. The mushroom adds some meaty texture with a pop of earthiness from the peas adding more complexity to the mix. Halfway through the dish my appetite was slain, but I planned to take no survivors. I finished the dish in record time and returned to my wine, as if it were waiting for me after I had gone off to war.

With the wine gone and my belly appeased it was time to go. I paid my bill and walked out into the brisk night air. As I got in my car I reflected upon the night on my way back to the bierhalle. I was a lucky person to be able to enjoy such a fine meal on what was supposed to be a regular night, especially somewhere that almost solely requires reservations. Had the night gone how it was supposed to, there probably wouldn’t be any story to tell. Sometimes the chaos of the world around us puts everything in just the right place for something special and delicious.

THE HUNT: The Best Espresso Martini in Town

Words

It is the perfect pick-me-up. The best dessert drink. Pairs incredibly with just about anything. If you’re like us, one is never enough.

and photos by Ambar Ramirez & Carmen Macri

THE HUNT: The Best

THE VOLSTEAD: JOSEPHINE:

Tucked away on Adams Street between a row of businesses is the moody speakeasy Volstead. Walking through what looks like an old barber shop and red velvet curtains, we were met with a dimly lit and surprisingly full bar. The lovely Alexandra greeted us and as soon as we mentioned we needed two espresso martinis, she said we were in for a treat as she won first place at an espresso martini competition at Birdies.

Once we sat down, we quickly got to business. Alexandra was confident in her espresso martini-making capabilities, and so were we. She place two not-so-full coupe glasses, saying something about there needing to be a head in the glass. At first sip, we thought we found a winner (and the fact this was our first stop). The Caffé Borghetti went down smoothly since there was no real bitter espresso taste. And she threw in a few extra espresso beans, which was appreciated. Anyway, let’s get to the ratings.

Flavor: 3/5

Smoothness: 5/5

Sipability: Chuggable 5/5

Balance: 4.5/5

After driving around aimlessly for what felt like 20 minutes, we successfully found a parking spot in the charming Avondale neighborhood and made our way over to Josephine. This semi-new, Italian-American neighborhood restaurant pays homage to the owner’s grandmother, who inspired the overall warm atmosphere and delicious, innovative menu. But we weren’t there for the food, though, I will say the pizza rolls were to die for.

We grabbed our seats at the rounded bar and quickly ordered two espresso martinis. While I was boasting about how Carmen and I would make great food critics, we weren’t very good at the whole undercover thing as I spilled the beans (haha) to our bartender Katie about our real reason for being there. We were on the hunt for the best espresso martini in Jacksonville, and Katie casually shared that they already won that title. And while we aren’t food critics, we are journalists, and we aren’t going to disservice our readers by believing everything our bartenders say.

The espresso martinis were filled to the brim, and it wasn’t just foam filling the coupe glass. At first sip, it was sweeter than expected but not too overpowering. Katie shared that they add brown sugar to the Titos, brandy, Borghetti and Biscotti liqueur concoction and top it all off with coffee beans.

Flavor: 4/5

Smoothness: 3/5

Sipability: 3/5

Balance: 4/5

Atmosphere: 3/5

Atmosphere: 5/5

Overall: 4/5

Overall: 4.5/5

SALUMERIA 104: THE TINI MARTINI BAR:

Set on the corner of Atlantic and First Street, walking into Salumeria 104 is like walking straight into Italy (we can only assume, we’ve never been). Bottles of Aperol lined the full bar while the restaurant was almost busting at the seams. Salumeria 104 is a rustic, trattoria-style restaurant serving signature salumi dishes and traditional Italian classics, including traditional espresso martinis.

We only went in for the martinis but got roped into sitting at a table. Obviously, we had to order bread service and then one thing led to another and our table was filled with gnocchi and cavatelli. That’s beside the point. We had a mission and that was to find the best espresso martini in Jacksonville, and boy, did we find it. Served in traditional martini coupe glasses filled to the point of overflowing, we were pleasantly surprised to find these martinis were not only made with Borghetti but real espresso. Cha-ching. Classically topped with three espresso beans, it was like drinking sunshine if sunshine tasted like spiked coffee. (I assume it does).

Flavor: 5/5

Smoothness: 5/5

Of course, this hunt for the best espresso martini wouldn’t be complete if we didn’t go to the martini bar in St. Augustine. Situated in the Casablanca Inn, the Tini Martini Bar sits overlooks Matanzas Bay and is engulfed by palm trees and dazzling lights at night.

Sitting on the veranda, we ordered one espresso martini (each), but do not fret it is always a two-for-one special when you order a martini at this establishment. They provide you with an empty glass and a full jigger. And they do not hold back on the liquor or on the chocolate drizzle, making this espresso martini taste more like spiked chocolate milk. Not that I’m complaining ’cause it gets the job done.

Flavor: 3/5

Smoothness: 3/5

Sipability: 5/5

Sipability: 5/5

Balance: 5/5

Atmosphere: 5/5

Balance: 3/5

Atmosphere: 5/5

Overall: 5/5

Overall: 3.5/5

ARLINGTON

Cliff’s Bar and Grill cliffsbarandgrill.com

Club Heaven clubheavenjax.com

BEACHES/PONTE VEDRA

Blue Jay Listening Room bluejayjax.com

The Brix Taphouse jacksonvillebeachbar.com

Culhane’s culhanesirishpub.com

Flask & Cannon facebook.com/flaskandcannon

Fly’s Tie Irish Pub facebook.com/flystieirishpub

Green Room Brewing greenroombrewing.com

Grey Matter Distillery greymatterdistillery.com

Gusto gustojax.com

Hoptinger Bier Garden + Sausage House hoptinger.com

NIGHTLIFE

Ink Factory Brewing inkfactorybrewing.com

Island Girl Cigar Bar islandgirlcigarbar.com

Julep Palm Valley facebook.com/juleppalmvalley

Lemon Bar & Grille lemonbarjax.com

Lynch’s Irish Pub lynchsirishpub.com

Mango’s mangosjaxbeach.com

Mavi’s Waterfront Bar & Grill mavijax.com

Monkey’s Uncle Tavern monkeysuncletavern.com

Palm Valley Outdoors Bar and Grill palmvalleyoutdoors.com

Penthouse Lounge at Casa Marina Hotel casamarinahotel.com

Ragtime Tavern ragtimetavern.com

Refinery Jax Beach refineryjaxbeach.com

Reve Brewing revebrewing.com

The Ritz Lounge theritzlounge.com

The Shim Sham Room shimshamroom.com

Southern Swells Brewing Company southernswells.com

Surfer The Bar surferthebar.com

Voo Swar Restaurant & Lounge instagram.com/vooswar

DOWNTOWN

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

Bold City Brewery boldcitybrewery.com Dos Gatos dosgatosjax.com

Element Bistro Bar & Lounge elementjax.com

Intuition Aleworks intuitionaleworks.com

Island Girl Cigar Bar islandgirlcigarbar.com

Justice Pub facebook.com/thejusticepub

The Lark thelarkjax.com

Live Bar facebook.com/livebarclubjax

Manifest Distilling manifestdistilling.com

Ruby Beach Brewing rubybeachbrewing.com

Underbelly underbellyjax.com

The Volstead thevolsteadjax.com

FLEMING ISLAND Island Girl Cigar Bar islandgirlcigarbar.com/fleming-island

Mercury Moon facebook.com/mercury-moon

Mr. Chubby’s Wings mrchubbyswings.com

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

Whitey’s Fish Camp whiteysfishcamp.com

INTRACOASTAL WEST 9 Zero Pour 9zeropour.com

MVP’s Sports Grille facebook.com/mvpssportsgrille

The Spot Hookah Lounge thespothookahloungejax.com

Time Out Sports Grill timeoutsportsgrill.com

MANDARIN/JULINGTON CREEK/ FRUIT COVE

2nd Bay Brewing 2ndbaybrewing.com

Comedy Zone comedyzone.com

Iggy’s Grill and Bar facebook.com/IggysGrill

Kava & Company kavaandcompany.com

Legacy Ale Works legacyaleworks.com

Monkey’s Uncle Tavern facebook.com/monkeysunclemandarin1

Rack’em Up Sports Bar facebook.com/rackemupsportsbar

Time Out Sports Grill timeoutsportsgrill.com

MURRAY HILL Buchner’s Bierhalle buchnersbierhalle.com

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

Fishweir Brewing Company fishweirbrewing.com

The Flamingo theflamingojax.com

Perfect Rack Billiards perfectrackbilliards.com

Silver Cow silvercowjax.com

The Stout Snug thestoutsnug.com

The Walrus thewalrusjax.com

NORTHSIDE Coppertop Bar and Restaurant coppertopbarandrestaurant.com

Four Fathers Distillery fourfathersdistillery.com

ORANGE PARK/MIDDLEBURG 57 Heaven facebook.com/57heavenop

Big Dawgs Sports Restaurant bigdawgsrestaurant.com

Cheers Park Avenue cheersparkave.com

The Daq Shack thedaqshack904.com

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

The Fresh Spot Lounge thefreshspotlounge.com

LeaderBoard Arcade leaderboardarcade.com

Locals Pub localspub.co

Nakama Anime Bar nakamabar.com

Park Avenue Billiards parkavenuebilliards.com

Pinglehead Brewing Company pinglehead.com

Southern Social Whiskey Bar & Lounge southernsocialbar.com

RIVERSIDE/AVONDALE

Birdies

facebook.com/birdiesfivepoints

Bold City Brewery boldcitybrewery.com

Brick Restaurant brickofavondale.com

Burlock & Barrel burlockandbarrel.com

Casbah Cafe thecasbahcafe.com

Dart Bar & Games facebook.com/dartbarjax

Eclipse Bar & Nightclub facebook.com/eclipsebarjax

The Garage garagejax.com

The Green House thegreenhousebar.com

Hoptinger Bier Garden + Sausage House hoptinger.com

Incahoots incahootsnightclub.com

Kanine Social Taproom kaninesocial.com

Keg & Coin kegandcoinjax.com

Kingmaker Brewing kingmakerbrewing.com

Lemonstreet Brewing Company lemonstreetbrewing.com

The Loft loftjax.com

Myrtle Avenue Brewing facebook.com/myrtleavebrewing

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

Rain Dogs instagram.com/raindogs5points River & Post riverandpostjax.com

Rogue Bar facebook.com/rogue.bar.1

Root Down facebook.com/rootdownjax Wildcrafters facebook.com/wildcraftersjax

SAN MARCO/ST. NICHOLAS Aardwolf Brewing Company aardwolfbrewing.com

Bar Molino barmolino.com

Breezy Jazz House breezyjazzhouse.com

Cuba Libre Ultra Lounge cubalibrebar.com

Fore Score Golf Tavern forescoregolf.com

The Grape & Grain Exchange grapeandgrainexchange.com

Hamburger Mary’s hamburgermarys.com/jax

Kava & Company kavaandcompany.com

The Mudville Grill themudvillegrill.com

The Players Grille playersgrille.com

Posting House posting.house Sidecar instagram.com/sidecarjax

SOUTHSIDE/ST. JOHNS TOWN CENTER Austin Karaoke facebook.com/austinkaraoke

Bottlenose Brewing bottlenosebrewing.com

Culhane’s culhanesirishpub.com

Dior Restaurant and Lounge instagram.com/diorrestaurantlounge.jax

Island Girl Cigar Bar islandgirlcigarbar.com

Jax Craft Beer jaxcraftbeer.com

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

Secret Tiki Temple secrettikitemple.com

Seven Bridges Grille & Brewery 7bridgesgrille.com

Trio Lounge triohookahlounge.com

Veterans United Craft Brewery vubrew.com

Wicked Barley Brewing Company wickedbarley.com

WXYZ Bar at Aloft Hotel aloftjacksonvilletapestrypark.com

SPRINGFIELD

Crispy’s Springfield Gallery crispysspringfieldgallery.com

The District thedistrictspr.com

Historically Hoppy Brewing Company historicallyhoppy.com

Hyperion Brewing hyperionbrewing.com

Shantytown Pub facebook.com/shantytownjax

Strings Sports Brewery stringssportsbrewery.com

ST. AUGUSTINE

Ancient City Brewing ancientcitybrewing.com

Arnold’s Lounge arnoldslounge.com

Beacon Listening Room beaconstaug.com

Cellar Upstairs Bar at San Sebastian Winery sansebastianwinery.com

Dog Rose Brewing dogrosebrewing.com

The Original Café Eleven originalcafe11.com

Prohibition Kitchen pkstaug.com

Tradewinds Lounge tradewindslounge.com

WESTSIDE Lillian’s lillianssportsgrill.com

The Phoenix Bar & Bowling facebook.com/thephoenixjax

“South Bank Riverwalk” By Lisa Widrig

WHAT’S HAPPENING, JACKSONVILLE?