FOLIO STAFF:
ANGELA PHILLIPS Publisher
TERESA SPENCER General Manager
JOHN PHILLIPS Vice President
KERRY SPECKMAN Copy Editor/ Writer
AMBAR RAMIREZ Creative Director
CARMEN MACRI Multi-media Creative/ Social Media Manager/ Lead Writer
SHELTON HULL Writer
AMIYAH GOLDEN Writer/Photographer
KARA CARTER Writer
EMILY CHEYNE Writer
HARRY MOORE Writer
COURTNEY THOMASSEN Contributor
NICOLE CAROLE Contributor
QUINN GRAY Contributor
Ambar Ramirez interviewing skaters Parker Hammond & Quentin Clark for
Jacksonville’s
I appreciate your insight and the information you shared. While I don’t agree with everything I read, I still appreciate your point of view. It is my opinion that If you would really listen and not just accept the liberal agenda and talking points you might truly understand MAGA. Making America Great Again has absolutely nothing to do with slavery or women’s suffrage. It is about being a strong and respected nation. A nation where your dream and my dreams of safety, security and success can be attained. A nation where others can come (but come legally)and contribute to the same goals we share. A country where things you and I work to attain belong to us and it is not up to a government to determine what we can keep and what someone else should have. It is a belief that no matter where we are from or the color of our skin whether male or female, we all have the ability and opportunity to succeed.
With all due respect intended, I hope I shared a little of what MAGA means to me and many others that I know.
Hope you have an incredible day.
Roy Green
BOUQS & BRICKS
BOUQUETS
To visitjacksonville.com for being all-inclusive and promoting that Jacksonville is on the rise as one of the most welcoming LGBTQ-friendly Florida destinations.
BRICKBATS
To Florida residents, lawmakers and environmentalists for standing up to DeSantis and saying “NO” to commercializing our state parks.
To Visit Florida, one of Florida’s official tourism websites has quietly removed a page for the state’s LGBTQ-friendly travel destinations. Visit Florida is a public-private partnership funded primarily through the state legislature and private organizations. DeSantis appointed its current president and CEO, Dana Young in 2019. The current board consists of 31 members and the day-to-day operations are handled by executive staff. Young and DeSantis also get a brickbat for this obviously.
To Governor DeSantis and his administration for proposing golf courses, pickleball courts and hotels be built in our protected state parks. Even those who support him and his political party regularly are criticizing this horrible idea of commercializing our precious parks. DeSantis gets a second brickbat for the attempt at being sneaky about all of this by keeping a lid on the proposal. Apparently, it was kept out of Florida’s tradition of open government.
HOROSCOPES
Words by Ambar Ramirez & Carmen Macri
September is your lucky month, Aries. And by that, we mean you will be seeing an influx of cash soon. Whether you find a few hundred in an old jacket pocket or you get a big raise at work, money is coming your way. Mars, Venus and Jupiter will find themselves in your 6th house in mid-September which will kickstart your very green month.
Don’t worry, Taurus, most things don’t last forever, especially when it comes to the chaos that’s been surrounding you these past couple of weeks. Venus will roll into your zone of well-being and routine, bringing with it a sense of balance and neutrality. Along with Uranus going into retrograde, you’ll be able to actually focus on what’s important to you and do something about it.
ARIES TAURUS GEMINI
On Sept. 1, Uranus will enter retrograde until January 2025. This backward-spinning planet means you will start to realize what it is you truly need to prioritize — yourself. Just remember, change doesn’t happen overnight. Don’t be so hard on yourself.
CANCER
Your wallet has been feeling a bit light and your pockets a bit empty, Cancer, but all of that is about to change. The stars have noticed your money struggle and are lending out a helping hand. With Venus, the planet of love and abundance, making a pit stop in your sector, you’ll be able to rebuild that savings account and still have a little to spend on yourself.
LEO VIRGO
The new moon in early September will have you feeling like the best version of yourself. Like a cat, it seems like you have lived nine lives — and there is nothing wrong with that. Like clockwork, this fall will have you shedding your summer self and taking on a whole new personality with a better outlook on life. The grass is greener where you water it.
Mercury retrograde hasn’t been very kind toward you, Virgo, and it rarely is. But you’re in luck! This time of self-doubt and insecurity comes to a screeching halt this month and a new chapter of self-confidence and individuality begins. That said, in order to keep the ball rolling on this transformative phase, you’ll need to start putting your needs before others. It’s not your job to make others happy.
Happy Venus return, Libra! With your ruling planet making its way back home into your sign, this month will be all about strengthening relationships, creating a balanced routine and self-care. Just make sure that whatever practices or routines you implement this month, last longer than just these next four weeks.
With Pluto being your ruling planet, you will feel its return stronger than others. Highlighting your 3rd House — mind and communication — you might find yourself over thinking more than usual. Rather than partaking in your tried and true “closing off and shutting everyone out,” let’s try something new this month. It’s not a weakness to let people in.
Libra Scorpio Sagittarius
Hate to say this, Sagittarius, but it’s time to unpack and leave behind the vacation state of mind. It’s almost fall afterall and living out of your suitcase isn’t very practical. If you must, take a flight toward what inspires you most. With Mercury spinning its way out of retrograde, you’ll have a clearer vision of your goals and how to achieve them.
Capricorn
Pluto will return to your sign this month, Capricorn, and with that comes facing your insecurities head on. You come across as someone who is so sure of themselves, but deep down you have a heavy need for validation and appreciation. You are worth far more than others’ opinions of you. Use the grounding of Virgo season to keep you from falling into Pluto’s orbit.
Aquarius
Back in the day, nostalgia was considered a medical ailment and frankly, you’ve got a bad case of it, Aquarius. You’ve had the past couple of months on a mental replay, so much so that you’ve lost a grip on reality. But fear not, it’s not all a complete waste. Sometimes, one needs to take one step backward to get 10 steps forward. Learn from the past and move on: It’s time.
Pisces
For someone as fluid as you, Uranus retrograde might be a bit stifling. The need to get up and go may feel a bit overwhelming at times, but you need to hunker down. You cannot run from yourself forever. Start romanticizing your own life — not the made-up version you’ve conjured in your head.
Football Fiesta
Words by Ambar Ramirez
Sept. 15 marks the first day of Hispanic Heritage Month, a month dedicated to recognizing Hispanic culture’s contributions and influences on the United States. As fate would have it, Sept. 15 also marks the first Jaguars home game. So naturally, the Duuuval House is getting ready to throw the biggest Latin tailgate to date with Vince Caicedo and the Bryant Strong Foundation.
“I would say, you know, especially in the last five years we’ve seen tremendous growth where we have, you know, thousands of families moving here for many reasons. One of them is affordability, the other one I would say is opportunities,” Caicedo shared. “There’s a lot of families from South Florida that are moving here to the Northeast. But I think Jacksonville is now starting to be known as a great city for Hispanic families to live a good life.”
Caicedo, a mortgage professional and radio host at Latina 92.1 FM and Flow 105.3 FM, credits this growth within the Hispanic community not only to affordable housing but also to groups like his own that actively work to include the Hispanic community through events that celebrate their culture.
“You’re starting to see a lot of difference and a lot of folks really kind of step up in having the Hispanic voice heard a little bit more,” Caicedo said. “There’s more of an effort to include the Hispanic community in the city than there ever has been. So we are hosting a tailgate to raise funds for the Bryant Strong Foundation. And during the same game, we’re also hosting another tailgate with the Jaguars, and this is to bring [about] 250 families that have never had the opportunity to go to a Jaguars game.”
Last year, the Duuuval House teamed up with Caicedo for their inaugural Latin Tealgate, and it was such a hit that they’re bringing it back this year. However, the celebration won’t be confined to the teal house next to the stadium. Recognizing the success of last year’s Latin tailgate, Pablo Diaz de Sandi, Vice President of Voice of the Member at VyStar Credit Union, decided to extend the festivities right to the stadium itself.
“The Jaguars have shown a level of support and commitment to the Hispanic community that I have not seen from other organizations in Northeast Florida. This event is the first time we have included the community event aspect to bring 250 people from the community to the game with the help from the Jaguars,” Diaz de Sandi shared. “The event is a full fiesta’!’ We will have live music by a local Hispanic band called Baba Caiman. Local Hispanic businesses have come together to pitch in so that we can also provide food from Agave Azul and from Latin Creations for the attendees. VyStar is providing free parking and Jacksonville Transportation Authority will help with the transportation from the downtown garage to the stadium and back.”
With the Duuuval House teaming up with Caicedo to raise funds for the Bryant Strong Foundation, a nonprofit that supports families battling childhood cancer, and VyStar offering discounted tickets to Hispanic families who have never had the chance to attend a game, it promises to be a day to remember.
Photo by John Lawless
by Carmen
121 Financial Ballpark milb.com/jacksonville
SEPT. 2
Nocatee Station Field runsignup.com
SEPT. 15
Run Jax Labor Day 5K 1st Place Sports–Baymeadows 1stplacesports.com
SEPT. 7
Vestcor 5K Bridges Run Water Street at Prime Osborn Convention Center 1stplacesports.com
Pirate Race
Ed Austin Regional Park runsignup.com
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Cleveland Browns Everbank Stadium jaguars.com
SEPT. 17-22
Jumbo Shrimp vs. Gwinnett Stripers
121 Financial Ballpark milb.com/jacksonville
SEPT. 21
Dreams Come True 5K
University of North Florida 1stplacesports.com
SEPT. 28
Emerald Trail 5K Run/Walk and 10K Run VyStar Credit Union–North Lee Street 1stplacesports.com
SEPT. 30-OCT. 6
Constellation FURYK & FRIENDS
Timuquana Country Club constellationfurykandfriends.com
Photo
Macri
2024-2025 NFL Season Predictions
As the preseason concludes and NFL teams begin to shape for the upcoming season, let’s take a look at some key information for each team and predict the fates of all 32 NFL franchises for the 2024-2025 NFL season.
AFC North
*BALTIMORE RAVENS:
2023 record: 13-4
Projected 2024 record: 11-6
Notable additions: RB Derrick Henry, S Eddie Jackson, CB Nate Wiggins, OL Josh Jones
Notable departures: RB Gus Edwards, EDGE Jadeveon Clowney, WR Odell Beckham Jr., LB Patrick Queen, OL Kevin Zeitler, S Geno Stone, WR Devin Duvernay, OL John Simpson
The Ravens are coming off of a fantastic season that unfortunately did not culminate in a Super Bowl. Lamar Jackson captured his second MVP award and the team appeared to be firing on all cylinders until it all blew up in the AFC Championship against the Super Bowl-winning Chiefs. The team managed to retain key defensive lineman Justin Madubuike but lost multiple playmakers across the team. Derrick Henry will add serious star talent to an already strong run game. The defense figures to still be a strong unit despite the losses across it, but Ravens fans should not expect the incredible production, especially from the front seven, that characterized the group. Overall, the Ravens will continue to be a top team in the AFC.
^CINCINNATI BENGALS:
2023 record: 9-8
Projected 2024 record: 11-6
Notable additions: RB Zack Moss, S Geno Stone, OT Amarius Mims, DT Sheldon Rankins, S Vonn Bell, TE Mike Gesicki, OT Trent Brown
Notable departures : RB Joe Mixon, WR Tyler Boyd, CB Chidobe Awuzie, OT Jonah Williams, DT D.J. Reader, TE Irv Smith Jr.
An inconsistent, injury-plagued year for QB Joe Burrow was a key reason for the Bengals’ decline during the 2023 season. Should Burrow stay healthy, the Bengals should return to being a contender in the AFC. Longtime Bengal Joe Mixon was traded to the Houston Texans, signifying the team’s faith in 2023 Colts breakout Zack Moss and second year RB Chase Brown. The offensive line has nowhere to go but up after another subpar year, an issue that has plagued the team for years. The defense is filled with second- and third-year players with potential breakout seasons in front of them, such as Dax Hill, Myles Murphy, and DJ Turner, which could point to a resurgence for a unit that was weaker last year than the 2021 and 2022 seasons.
CLEVELAND BROWNS:
2023 record: 11-6
Projected 2024 record: 10-7
Notable additions: WR Jerry Jeudy, LB Jordan Hicks, LB Devin Bush, DT Quinton Jefferson, RB D’Onta Foreman, QB Jameis Winston
Notable departures: QB Joe Flacco, LB Anthony Walker Jr., LB Sione Takitaki
The Deshaun Watson era in Cleveland has been a strange one so far. Despite sub-par performances and statistics, Watson led the Browns to a 5-1 record before his season ended due to injuries. After a couple spins of the QB carousel, veteran Joe Flacco was signed, leading the Browns through the end of the season with a 4-1 record before losing to the Texans in the wild card round. The team around Watson has improved in some areas – Jerry Jeudy now slots in as Watson’s WR2 alongside veteran Amari Cooper, and second year WR Cedric Tillman has shown progress that suggests he could be a difference maker in Cleveland this year. Watson’s performances could make or break the offense’s performance. The defense figures to continue its dominance from last season. Cleveland’s defense headlined by DPOY Myles Garrett ranked highly in many areas among all 32 teams and shows no signs of slowing down.
PITTSBURGH STEELERS:
2023 record: 10-7
Projected 2024 record: 9-8
Notable additions: QB Russell Wilson, QB Justin Fields, LB Patrick Queen, CB Donte Jackson, OL Troy Fautanu, S DeShon Elliott
Notable departures: QB Kenny Pickett, WR Diontae Johnson, CB Patrick Peterson, WR Allen Robinson, OL Chukwuma Okorafor Kenny Pickett didn’t work out in Pittsburgh. Despite leading the Steelers to a 14-10 record under center, failure to score and an uninspiring offense led to the third year QB’s trade to Philadelphia. The Steelers aggressively reshaped their QB position, adding exiled Bronco Russell Wilson for veteran minimum due to his massive payout from the Broncos – a lucky break for the Steelers’ cap space. They also traded for former Bear Justin Fields, who was replaced by first overall pick Caleb Williams this offseason. The receiver room is shaky outside of George Pickens, with Van Jefferson currently slotting in as WR2. Fans should watch out for rookie Roman Wilson to make some noise in a very open battle for a starting spot. The offensive line has a handful of glaring issues, but the pieces are there to improve, with young talent on each end of the line. The linebacker corps remains a nightmare for offenses, with edge rushers TJ Watt and Alex Highsmith creating fear for any opposing QB. Mike Tomlin’s Steelers can never truly be counted out, and I expect them to have a winning record, yet narrowly miss the playoffs in a packed AFC North.
NFC North
*+DETROIT LIONS:
2023 record: 12-5
Projected 2024 record: 12-5
Notable additions: DT D.J. Reader, OL Kevin Zeitler, CB Carlton Davis, CB Terrion Arnold, CB Ennis Rakestraw Jr., DE Marcus Davenport
Notable departures: OL Jonah Jackson, DB C.J. Gardner-Johnson, WR Josh Reynolds, CB Cam Sutton, S Tracy Walker
After many difficult years in Detroit, the Lions finally made it to the playoffs last season, reaching the NFC Championship before falling to the 49ers. This year’s Lions team has managed to retain the majority of the talent that kept them competitive while also completely revamping their secondary, the only true weakness of the team last season. Running backs Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery should continue to be a deadly duo and word out of Lions camp is that thirdyear Jameson Williams figures to reach the sky-high potential that the Lions envisioned when drafting him. All signs point to the Lions being one of the best teams in the NFC and the league overall. I see them being a serious Super Bowl contender this year.
^GREEN BAY PACKERS:
2023 record: 9-8
Projected 2024 record: 11-6
Notable additions : RB Josh Jacobs, S Xavier McKinney, OL Jordan Morgan, S Javon Bullard
Notable departures: RB Aaron Jones, LB De’Vondre Campbell, OL David Bakhtiari, S Jonathan Owens, S Darnell Savage
Jordan Love’s first season as Green Bay’s starter was a great one –the young QB led his team to a convincing playoff win against Dallas and got paid handsomely in the offseason. The Packers went after two of the top players at their respective positions during the offseason in Jacobs and McKinney to provide an injection of serious star power on both sides of the ball. The team is filled with young talent, with the four top receivers entering their second or third season and five rookies drafted in the top 100 expected to make an early impact. Expect Jordan Love to continue his progress from last season and the Packers to be a legit contender in the NFC.
CHICAGO BEARS:
2023 record: 7-10
Projected 2024 record: 8-9
Notable additions: QB Caleb Williams, WR Rome Odunze, WR Keenan Allen, RB D’Andre Swift, S Kevin Byard, S Jonathan Owens, TE Gerald Everett
Notable departures: QB Justin Fields, S Eddie Jackson, WR Darnell Mooney, OL Cody Whitehair
The Bears have entered a new era with the drafting of first overall pick Caleb Williams to hopefully bring success to their historically lacking QB situation. The team aggressively put pieces around Williams by drafting Odunze in the first round, trading for Allen, and making Swift the first player signed in the offseason. I have concerns about corners not named Jaylon Johnson on the depth chart. Edge rusher Montez Sweat should be in store for a solid year, but the depth around him is somewhat questionable. Overall, the Bears are going to make a bigger jump than their predicted record would suggest. Teams led by rookie QBs typically get to a slow start (unless said rookie is CJ Stroud) but I expect the Bears to be serious contenders in a couple years as Williams progresses.
MINNESOTA VIKINGS:
2023 record: 7-10
Projected 2024 record: 5-12
Notable additions: CB Stephon Gilmore, RB Aaron Jones, EDGE Dallas Turner, EDGE Jonathan Greenard, LB Andrew Van Ginkel, LB Blake Cashman, QB Sam Darnold
Notable departures: QB Kirk Cousins, EDGE Danielle Hunter, LB Jordan Hicks, EDGE DJ Wonnum, WR KJ Osborn, RB Alexander Mattison It has been a tough offseason in Minnesota. Rookie QB JJ McCarthy is out for the season, multiple starting DBs went down for the year, and Sam Darnold is the team’s starting QB. The linebackers and edge rushers are impressive, with the team prioritizing the position during free agency and the draft. I’m a fan of the RB duo of Jones and Ty Chandler and the WR duo of Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison. Other than that, this team doesn’t inspire too much confidence. Minnesota will endure a tough first season post-Kirk Cousins, reload in the draft, and look towards 2025.
Key:
AFC south
*HOUSTON TEXANS:
2023 record: 10-7
Projected 2024 record: 10-7
Notable additions: WR Stefon Diggs, RB Joe Mixon, EDGE Danielle Hunter, LB Azeez Al-Shaair, DL Denico Autry, CB Jeff Okudah, CB Kamari Lassiter, DL Foley Fatukasi
Notable departures: EDGE Jonathan Greenard, DT Sheldon Rankins, LB Blake Cashman, RB Devin Singletary, CB Steven Nelson, LB Denzel Perryman, OL George Fant
The Texans made the jump from worst to first in the AFC South last season spearheaded by QB CJ Stroud and head coach DeMeco Ryans. I expect this success to continue. The Texans’ offense looks lethal with the addition of Mixon and the receiver trio of Nico Collins, Tank Dell, and Diggs. I don’t expect Diggs to have the massive impact that some anticipate, but he should be a valuable piece of the offense. The defense had a couple key losses, but Ryans can be trusted to get the most out of his players. Expect another big year from Stroud and the rest of this Texans team.
^JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS:
2023 record: 9-8
Projected 2024 record: 10-7
Notable additions: DL Arik Armstead, WR Gabe Davis, WR Brian Thomas Jr., S Darnell Savage, OL Mitch Morse, CB Ronald Darby, WR Devin Duvernay, S Tashaun Gipson, QB Mac Jones
Notable departures: WR Calvin Ridley, WR Zay Jones, CB Darious Williams, S Rayshawn Jenkins, DL Foley Fatukasi, DL Dawuane Smoot, WR Jamal Agnew
After narrowly missing the playoffs last season, the Jaguars made major improvements across the board. Trevor Lawrence got a massive extension (five years, 275 million dollars) to make him the highest paid NFL player (tied with the Bengals’ Joe Burrow and the Packers’ Jordan Love). The team also extended and re-signed other star players – Josh Hines-Allen, Tyson Campbell, and Foye Oluokun among others, while also adding and reloading at other key positions. The inconsistent Ridley is now Tennessee’s problem, and the Jaguars are appearing to have found a hit in Thomas in addition to the deep threat capabilities of Davis to replace Ridley and Zay Jones’ production. Armstead will complete a fearsome pass-rushing duo with Hines-Allen and Travon Walker. There are some concerns with the corner depth outside of Campbell, but with many young players waiting in the wings, it’s likely that at least one will develop into a capable starter. The Jags, while projected to have the same record as the Texans, are still a couple steps behind their AFC South rival. Despite that, expect a bounce-back in Duval.
Key:
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS:
2023 record: 9-8
Projected 2024 record: 9-8
Notable additions: EDGE Laiatu Latu, WR Adonai Mitchell, DT Raekwon Davis, QB Joe Flacco
Notable departures: QB Gardner Minshew II, RB Zack Moss
This offseason for the Colts was solid. Chris Ballard kept it simple, re-signing the majority of the team’s free agents, staying quiet on the open market, and adding the last few positions of need through the draft. This season will rely on the health and development of QB Anthony Richardson. Thankfully for the Colts, their small dose of Minshew Magic was enough to keep them competitive in the AFC South until the very end. This year, they have signed Joe Flacco to back up Richardson, the man who brought his own magic to Cleveland last season. Similar to last season, I expect the Colts to just barely miss the playoffs. Although Indy will be competitive once again, the AFC South has improved around them enough to keep them out of the offseason.
TENNESSEE TITANS:
2023 record: 6-11
Projected 2024 record: 6-11
Notable additions: CB L’Jarius Sneed, CB Chidobe Awuzie, RB Tony Pollard, WR Calvin Ridley, WR Tyler Boyd, OL JC Latham, S Quandre Diggs, S Jamal Adams, OL Lloyd Cushenberry, LB Kenneth Murray Jr. Notable departures: RB Derrick Henry, DL Denico Autry, LB Azeez Al-Shaair, OL Aaron Brewer, CB Sean-Murphy Bunting, QB Ryan Tannehill, CB Kristian Fulton
The Titans’ roster has had some serious turnover, yet it doesn’t seem to really be moving forward very much. The biggest mistake of the Titans’ offseason was firing Mike Vrabel and replacing him with former Bengals OC Brian Callahan. Vrabel consistently squeezed talent out of injured, depleted Titans rosters and kept his teams competitive (besides last season). The Titans signed a concerning amount of past-their-prime players this offseason. The players they lost were key contributors, most notably Henry, the focal point of the Titans offense for years. This season will determine whether Will Levis becomes the future of the Titans or whether they will be looking for their next signal-caller in the draft. At least they got L’Jarius Sneed.
nFC south
*ATLANTA FALCONS:
2023 record: 7-10
Projected 2024 record: 11-6
Notable additions: QB Kirk Cousins, EDGE Matthew Judon, S Justin Simmons, WR Darnell Mooney, TE Charlie Woerner, QB Michael Penix Jr.
Notable departures: DL Calais Campbell, TE Jonnu Smith, CB Jeff Okudah, WR/RB/RS Cordarrelle Patterson, QB Desmond Ridder
The Falcons made a big splash early in free agency by bringing in the veteran QB Cousins to provide stability to a position that has been a carousel since the exit of Falcons legend Matt Ryan. The defense is looking fantastic this year. Jessie Bates and Justin Simmons is a dream safety duo, and adding Judon to the defensive line should help add the sack production that it lacked last year. The corner depth is concerning behind AJ Terrell and the WR room drops off after Drake London and Mooney. The run game with Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier will continue to be a major strength of the team and the offensive line remains fully intact from last season. The Falcons are back.
^TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS:
2023 record: 9-8
Projected 2024 record: 9-8
Notable additions: OL Graham Barton, OL Ben Bredeson, S Jordan Whitehead, WR Jalen McMillan
Notable departures: CB Carlton Davis, EDGE Shaq Barrett, C Ryan Jensen, LB Devin White
The Buccaneers were faced with a tough task last season: replace the greatest player in the history of the NFL. They did just fine. QB Baker Mayfield saw a complete career resurgence in Tampa, earning himself a lucrative three-year extension. The Bucs managed to keep many other key players in need of extensions and new contracts around, and their core players remain with the team. The offensive line looks great, with rookie center Graham Barton adding juice to the unit. Provided Mayfield continues what he was doing last season and the young players throughout this roster make the steps expected of them, I anticipate the Bucs will return to the postseason.
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS:
2023 record: 9-8
Projected 2024 record: 6-11
Notable additions: OL Taliese Fuaga, DL Chase Young, LB Willie Gay, WR Cedrick Wilson, OL Lucas Patrick
Notable departures: OL James Hurst, OL Andrus Peat, OT Ryan Ramczyk (out for season), WR Michael Thomas, LB Zack Baun, S Marcus Maye
The Saints have put together an uninspiring team for the 2024 season. Their free agency was uneventful besides the signing of Chase Young, which was unfortunate for a team in need of a spark after a mediocre 2023. Derek Carr is a decent QB with a below average offensive line and solid weapons. The defense still has many of its starters from last season, but some key players are getting up there in years and other positions are filled by inconsistent or inexperienced players. This team should be good for a handful of division wins and will scrape through some other low-scoring contests, but don’t expect much in New Orleans this season.
CAROLINA PANTHERS:
2023 record: 2-15
Projected 2024 record: 5-12
Notable additions: WR Diontae Johnson, OL Robert Hunt, OL Damien Lewis, LB Josey Jewell, EDGE DJ Wonnum, WR Xavier Legette, DL A’Shawn Robinson, S Jordan Fuller, EDGE Jadeveon Clowney
Notable departures: EDGE Brian Burns, LB Frankie Luvu, CB Donte Jackson, OL Bradley Bozeman, TE Hayden Hurst, WR DJ Chark, S Vonn Bell, EDGE Yetur Gross-Matos, S Jeremy Chinn
The Panthers were dismal in 2023, and to make matters worse, they didn’t get to use the first overall pick due to trading it to Chicago in the Bryce Young deal. This roster underwent a complete overhaul during the offseason. HC Dave Canales was brought in to hopefully fix Bryce Young’s issues the way he did Geno Smith and Baker Mayfield in Seattle and Tampa Bay respectively. The Panthers aggressively upgraded the offensive line, adding Hunt and Lewis to give Young a chance to stay upright longer than two seconds. That said, the team’s best two defensive players (Burns and Luvu) are gone, and this roster is still full of hole. Things are trending up for the Panthers, but they’ll have to endure another tough season. Maybe they should hang onto their first rounder this time.
Key:
AFC east
*NEW YORK JETS:
2023 record : 7-10
Projected 2024 record: 11-6
Notable additions: OL Tyron Smith, WR Mike Williams, EDGE Haason Reddick (?), OL Morgan Moses, DL Javon Kinlaw, OL John Simpson, OL Olu Fashanu, QB Tyrod Taylor
Notable departures: EDGE Bryce Huff, S Jordan Whitehead, QB Zach Wilson, OL Mekhi Becton
An Achilles tear four snaps into the season to future Hall of Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers ended the Jets’ bid for the playoffs in 2023. This offseason, the Jets did everything in their power to avoid Rodgers suffering the same fate this year, investing heavily into the offensive line in both free agency and the draft. The defense will continue to be elite, with stars across every level of the unit. Unfortunately for the Jets, the offseason has been marred by the contract situation with trade acquisition Haason Reddick, who has held out in a quest for an extension. Rodgers’ weapons are looking better than ever as well, with third-year running back Breece Hall poised for a big year and the receiver corps getting a boost with former Charger Mike Williams signing on in free agency. Even if Rodgers is not still an MVP-level player following the injury, it’s doubtful he’ll play worse than any of the guys the Jets sent out last year. This year, the Jets will finally make it to the postseason.
^MIAMI DOLPHINS:
2023 record: 11-6
Projected 2024 record: 10-7
Notable additions: S Jordan Poyer, TE Jonnu Smith, DL Calais Campbell, LB Jordyn Brooks, CB Kendall Fuller, OL Aaron Brewer, EDGE Chop Robinson, LB Anthony Walker Jr, WR Odell Beckham Jr, S Marcus Maye
Notable departures : DL Christian Wilkins, OL Robert Hunt, LB Andrew Van Ginkel, CB Xavien Howard, LB Jerome Baker, S Brandon Jones, DT Raekwon Davis, S DeShon Elliott, OL Connor Williams, WR Cedrick Wilson
This 2024 Dolphins team is going to look a lot different from last year. Tua Tagovailoa got his big extension this offseason, keeping him in Miami for the next five seasons. The skill positions look great, with the duo of Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle headlining the receiving corps. Raheem Mostert is returning, featuring alongside the highly efficient De’Von Achane. Jonnu Smith is a great addition at TE, and his usage in preseason indicates a big year could be incoming for the veteran. The offensive line continues to be an issue. The defense is still looking good despite the many changes across it. Despite the major loss of Christian Wilkins, the defensive line should remain solid, with Jaguars legend and Miami hometown hero Calais Campbell signing on in free agency to bolster the unit. The secondary looks nice with a great safety duo in Poyer and Jevon Holland and perennial Pro Bowler Jalen Ramsey locking it down. It’s likely the Dolphins could lose a step with the major changes from last season, but expect another trip to the postseason in Miami.
Key:
BUFFALO BILLS:
2023 record: 11-6
Projected 2024 record: 9-8
Notable additions: WR Curtis Samuel, WR Keon Coleman, WR Mack Hollins, LB Nicholas Morrow, DL Dawuane Smoot, S Mike Edwards
Notable departures: WR Stefon Diggs, WR Gabe Davis, CB Tre’Davious White, S Jordan Poyer, EDGE Leonard Floyd, S Siran Neal, C Mitch Morse, S Micah Hyde, CB Dane Jackson
The Bills got into a cap situation this offseason and had to make a lot of difficult moves. The WR room took a sizeable hit, but WR1 Khalil Shakir has proven that he can lead this group after leading all receivers in catch percentage last season. Additionally, the Bills’ TE room is headlined by the duo of Dalton Kincaid and Dawson Knox, which can make up for the lack of depth at WR. The Bills will lean into the run game more than they previously did, and fans can expect a big year from James Cook, who will also be very involved in the passing attack. It’s tough to doubt the Bills’ gunslinging QB Josh Allen, who will be able to find ways to succeed on the ground despite the pass-catching situation. The defense could prove to be an issue, with many starters gone and inexperienced players filling in for them. Bills fans should be prepared for a season without playoffs, but never count Buffalo out.
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS:
2023 record: 4-13
Projected 2024 record: 4-13
Notable additions: QB Drake Maye, QB Jacoby Brissett, WR KJ Osborn, WR Ja’Lynn Polk, RB Antonio Gibson, OL Chukwuma Okorafor, LB Sione Takitaki, TE Austin Hooper
Notable departures : HC Bill Belichick, EDGE Matthew Judon, QB Mac Jones, WR DeVante Parker, LB Mack Wilson, TE Mike Gesicki, DB Jalen Mills, OL Trent Brown, DB Myles Bryant, DL Lawrence Guy
The Bill Belichick era is over in New England, with his pupil and former Patriots linebacker Jerod Mayo taking over as head coach. First round rookie QB Drake Maye will compete with the veteran Brissett for the starting job in the Patriots’ offense. The entire roster doesn’t inspire much hope and it’s clear that the rebuild will not be a one year fix. Matthew Judon’s trade to Atlanta is a significant loss to a defense that lacks major playmakers. There is hope for the unit, with younger players such as Christian Gonzalez and Keion White getting a chance to make some noise this year. Overall, it’s going to be another tough year in Foxborough.
nFC east
*PHILADELPHIA EAGLES:
2023 record: 11-6
Projected 2024 record: 11-6
Notable additions: RB Saquon Barkley, EDGE Bryce Huff, LB Devin White, WR Jahan Dotson, S CJ Gardner-Johnson, CB Quinyon Mitchell, WR Parris Campbell, LB Zack Baun, OL Mekhi Becton
Notable departures: C Jason Kelce, DL Fletcher Cox, EDGE Haason
Reddick, S Kevin Byard, RB D’Andre Swift, LB Nicholas Morrow
Last season, the Eagles followed up their Super Bowl appearance by going 3-6 after the bye week and losing in the wild card round. After being plagued by issues in the secondary, the team aggressively tried to fix the unit, investing high draft picks at the corner position and bringing back CJ Gardner-Johnson in free agency. The offensive line will continue to be one of the best in football, but the loss of Jason Kelce will likely be felt. A Jalen Hurts-Saquon Barkley backfield will feed families in Philadelphia, but prior years indicate that the system allows for “plug-and-play” running backs with the success of D’Andre Swift and Miles Sanders. Philly’s starting receivers are looking very nice with the addition of Dotson, rounding out an overall fantastic group of skill position players. I have doubts about the inside linebackers, as a duo of Devin White and Zack Baun doesn’t inspire much confidence. That said, I prefer what Philadelphia has done this offseason over what Dallas has done (and the NFC East hasn’t had repeat champs since 2004), so Philly takes the division.
DALLAS COWBOYS:
2023 record: 12-5
Projected 2024 record: 9-8
Notable additions : OL Tyler Guyton, RB Ezekiel Elliott, LB Eric Kendricks, DL Carl Lawson, OL Cooper Beebe
Notable departures: OL Tyron Smith, RB Tony Pollard, CB Stephon Gilmore, DL Dorance Armstrong, OL Tyler Biadasz, DL Dante Fowler, DL Johnathan Hankins, LB Leighton Vander Esch, WR Michael Gallup Jerry Jones claimed the Cowboys would be “All-in!” before losing multiple key free agents on both sides of the ball and having the most noteworthy move of the offseason be a reunion with Ezekiel Elliott. Despite all these departures, the Cowboys still don’t have a contract extension ready for CeeDee Lamb, Micah Parsons, or Dak Prescott. Rico Dowdle is a potential breakout in an otherwise disappointing RB room. Prescott’s top receiving option (Lamb) is refusing to report to training camp and the depth behind him is weak, leaving a door open for a competition for the WR3/4 spots between players such as Ryan Flournoy, Jalen Tolbert, and KaVontae Turpin. Multiple star players remain on the defense, but the loss of talent will be felt and there is a lot of pressure on rookies and second year players to perform. This year is not the Cowboys’ year.
WASHINGTON COMMANDERS:
2023 record: 4-13
Projected 2024 record: 6-11
Notable additions: QB Jayden Daniels, LB Frankie Luvu, OL Tyler Biadasz, LB Bobby Wagner, RB Austin Ekeler, S Jeremy Chinn, DL Dorance Armstrong, DL Dante Fowler, TE Zach Ertz, CB Michael Davis
Notable departures: QB Sam Howell, S Kamren Curl, WR Jahan Dotson, WR Curtis Samuel, CB Kendall Fuller, QB Jacoby Brissett, RB Antonio Gibson
A new era has begun in DC as the Sam Howell experiment failed, landing the Commanders the second overall pick in the draft and former LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels. New head coach Dan Quinn brought his old Dallas and Seattle buddies along to hopefully bring Washington back to relevancy. Like Dallas, the wide receiver room besides Terry McLaurin lacks true playmakers, with players like Luke McCaffrey, Olamide Zaccheaus, and Dyami Brown competing for starting spots. The offensive line is a mess, and the Commanders should be very glad that their new QB’s mobility is a major strength. The defense should be noticeably improved from last season, with Quinn bringing in notable players on all three levels to bolster the unit. The Commanders are still in a rebuild, but it’s clear that progress has been made.
NEW YORK GIANTS:
2023 record: 6-11
Projected 2024 record: 4-13
Notable additions: EDGE Brian Burns, WR Malik Nabers, RB Devin Singletary, OL Jon Runyan, OL Jermaine Eluemunor, QB Drew Lock, S Tyler Nubin
Notable departures: RB Saquon Barkley, S Xavier McKinney, DL A’Shawn Robinson, QB Tyrod Taylor, WR Parris Campbell, EDGE Jihad Ward, CB Adoree’ Jackson, OL Ben Bredeson
The Daniel Jones contract is looking worse by the day. Who would’ve guessed that giving a low-level starter 40 million a year would be a bad choice? Saquon Barkley jumped ship to the rival Eagles after failed contract negotiations this offseason, leaving the Giants without their top playmaker on offense. Devin Singletary is a fine replacement and Tyrone Tracy is looking to be a great RB2, but neither is a game-changer like Barkley. Rookie Malik Nabers will be in for a rude awakening in the NFL after going from the Heisman-winner at QB to Jones, but he should have a nice season as the clear-cut first option and the future of Giants football. The offensive line is somewhat of a safety hazard for whichever quarterback gets thrown out to “lead” this team. The defense has solid players interspersed within the group, but it won’t be enough to allow them to rely on the unit. I am a fan of the Burns-Thibodeaux-Lawrence trio, and I believe Bobby Okereke and Jason Pinnock are in for big seasons, but it’s an otherwise below-average defense. Carson Beck, welcome to New York (well, New Jersey)!
Key:
AFC west
*+KANSAS CITY CHIEFS:
2023 record: 11-6
Projected 2024 record: 12-5
Notable additions: WR Marquise Brown, WR Xavier Worthy, OL Kingsley Suamataia
Notable departures: CB L’Jarius Sneed, LB Willie Gay, S Mike Edwards, WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling
Patrick Mahomes’ Chiefs captured another Lombardi trophy last season in a close one against San Francisco. The Chiefs had a major need at wideout, with inconsistencies leading to close games being lost due to drop problems (most from a certain former Giants firstround pick). First-round pick Worthy has had a nice preseason, and Brown will provide a needed boost to the team after returning from his injury sustained this offseason. The rest of the offense remains about the same aside from a change at left tackle to the rookie Suamataia. The Chiefs’ defense has become a major strength for them as GM Brett Veach manages to consistently find studs late in the draft. Despite losing Sneed in a tag-and-trade to the Titans, the secondary looks solid, with All-Pro corner Trent McDuffie in for a big year. The linebacker corps is fantastic with Nick Bolton leading the group and the defensive line remains intact after the team signed Chris Jones to a massive extension. It’s likely we see Kansas City back in the Super Bowl this year.
LAS VEGAS RAIDERS:
2023 record: 8-9
Projected 2024 record: 7-10
Notable additions: DL Christian Wilkins, TE Brock Bowers, QB Gardner Minshew II, TE Harrison Bryant, RB Alexander Mattison, OL Cody Whitehair
Notable departures: RB Josh Jacobs, DL Bilal Nichols, OL Jermaine Eluemunor, CB Amik Robertson, TE Austin Hooper, WR Hunter Renfrow, DL Jerry Tillery, QB Jimmy Garoppolo
The Raiders scraped wins out last season after head coach Josh McDaniels was fired and Jimmy Garoppolo was benched, leading to a better record to end the season than most anticipated. It’s unlikely this same success continues. The QB situation has not looked good in preseason, but if anyone could outperform expectations, it’s Gardner Minshew. Zamir White showed breakout potential last season, but it remains to be seen if he is capable of being a workhorse. The offensive line is below average, but the Raiders’ WR duo of Davante Adams and Jakobi Meyers will be crucial to the success of the offense. Rookie TE Brock Bowers figures to be a major part of the offense as well after featuring all around the field this preseason. The defense looks as good as it did last season, and the duo of Maxx Crosby and Christian Wilkins on the D-line should be elite. The secondary is a concern, as the Raiders didn’t do much to improve it this offseason despite being filled with lower-tier starters. Expect a decent season for the silver and black, but one that doesn’t involve a trip to the postseason.
LOS ANGELES CHARGERS:
2023 record: 5-12
Projected 2024 record: 6-11
Notable additions: OL Joe Alt, WR Ladd McConkey, WR DJ Chark, RB Gus Edwards, RB JK Dobbins, CB Kristian Fulton, LB Denzel Perryman, OL Bradley Bozeman, DL Poona Ford, TE Hayden Hurst, TE Will Dissly,
Notable departures : WR Mike Williams, WR Keenan Allen, LB Eric Kendricks, RB Austin Ekeler, CB Michael Davis, LB Kenneth Murray, TE Gerald Everett
After the 2023 season went completely down the drain for the Chargers due to injuries and a horrible passing defense, the Chargers cleaned out the coaching staff, opting for Michigan’s Jim Harbaugh to right the ship in LA. Justin Herbert’s weapons are completely different from last season – Allen and Williams were released to get the Chargers out of salary cap issues and Ekeler was allowed to walk after a disappointing, inefficient season. Joe Alt will provide a much-needed boost to the offensive line, providing Herbert with elite bookends to the line with Rashawn Slater opposite him at left tackle. The defense looks better than last season, but the development of younger players across all levels will determine whether the unit progresses from last year. The Chargers will be slightly better than last year despite my projection for them to have the same record, but it’s clear the team still hasn’t fully recovered from the 2022 AFC Wild Card game.
DENVER BRONCOS:
2023 record: 8-9
Projected 2024 record: 5-12
Notable additions: QB Bo Nix, S Brandon Jones, WR Josh Reynolds, DL Malcolm Roach, LB Cody Barton
Notable departures: QB Russell Wilson, S Justin Simmons, WR Jerry Jeudy, OL Lloyd Cushenberry, LB Josey Jewell
The Broncos are paying Russell Wilson 39 million dollars this year to not play for them, cementing the trade for the former Seahawk as one of the most lopsided trades in NFL history. This Broncos team already seems like one of the weakest rosters this season, and should not be expected to make any noise. The biggest strength is the offensive line, which should still be solid despite the loss of Cushenberry. The skill positions are some of the worst units in the league, and despite rookie Bo Nix showing flashes of brilliance this preseason, it will be hard to succeed with the team around him. The defense is one of the worst in the league, with its issues likely to become increasingly glaring with the loss of Simmons and Jewell. Patrick Surtain is the lone bright spot in the group, but he cannot carry the rest of this middling unit to success. The Broncos’ rebuild will take time, and the effects of the Wilson trade will be felt for years.
nFC west
*SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS:
2023 record: 12-5
Projected 2024 record: 12-5
Notable additions: DL Leonard Floyd, LB De’Vondre Campbell, DL Maliek Collins, EDGE Yetur Gross-Matos, DL Jordan Elliott, CB Rock Ya-Sin, WR Ricky Pearsall
Notable departures: DL Arik Armstead, DL Chase Young, DL Javon Kinlaw, TE Charlie Woerner, CB Isaiah Oliver, S Tashaun Gipson
In Brock Purdy’s first full season as the 49ers’ starting QB, “Mr. Relevant” led San Francisco to the Super Bowl, coming up short against the Kansas City Chiefs. This offseason has been marred with controversy over Brandon Aiyuk’s extension status, as the wideout has been thrown around in trade rumors for months. At the time of writing this article, Aiyuk remains a 49er, which is likely to remain the case. Purdy’s weapons remain among the best in the league, including reigning OPOY Christian McCaffrey (who some believe had a case for MVP) and the beloved George Kittle. The offensive line remains unchanged from last season despite being a below-average unit outside of mauler Trent Williams. The defense is still mostly intact besides some notable losses across the defensive line, which the 49ers mostly addressed in the offseason. It’s likely that star LB Dre Greenlaw will not be able to start the season, but De’Vondre Campbell is a capable replacement for him. The 49ers should be seen as a Super Bowl contender once again.
^LOS ANGELES RAMS:
2023 record: 10-7
Projected 2024 record: 10-7
Notable additions : S Kamren Curl, OL Jonah Jackson, CB Tre’Davious White, CB Darious Williams, EDGE Jared Verse
Notable departures : DL Aaron Donald, CB Ahkello Witherspoon, CB Jordan Fuller
Opposing offensive lines, quarterbacks, and running backs can rejoice now that Aaron Donald has called it a career, walking away from the NFL after 10 unstoppable seasons. The Rams beefed up the offensive line in free agency, bringing in former Lion Jonah Jackson to pair with 2023 breakout Kevin Dotson on the interior. The duo of late round steal Puka Nacua and former All-Pro Cooper Kupp will be a dangerous WR duo when the two are on the field together. In the second most shocking moment of the Rams offseason, the team used a first round pick (their first since selecting Jared Goff in 2016) on Verse, adding strength to the pass rush, a unit that will need a new leader with the loss of Donald. The secondary is much improved, with the Kamren Curl signing is one of my favorite moves of the offseason and Darious Williams returning to pick up where he left off in LA. The Rams are in for another good year.
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS:
2023 record: 9-8
Projected 2024 record: 8-9
Notable additions : S Rayshawn Jenkins, DL Byron Murphy II, LB Jerome Baker, OL Connor Williams, LB Tyrel Dodson, QB Sam Howell, OL Laken Tomlinson, OL George Fant
Notable departures: LB Bobby Wagner, OL Damien Lewis, S Quandre Diggs, LB Jordyn Brooks, S Jamal Adams, RB DeeJay Dallas, TE Will Dissly, LB Devin Bush
Pete Carroll decided to call it a career this offseason after 14 years with Seattle, leading the Seahawks to hire former Ravens defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald and subsequently cleaning house on defense. The linebacker corps is completely reshaped, with former Dolphins standout Jerome Baker now leading the group alongside 2023 Bills breakout Tyrel Dodson. Second year corner Devon Witherspoon is coming off a fantastic rookie year and should continue to develop alongside Riq Woolen, who hopes to return to his 2022 form. The offense is very similar to last year’s aside from some major changes on the offensive line, which looks noticeably worse than the 2023 unit and could be an issue. Seattle is in for another decent year, albeit behind other NFC teams.
ARIZONA CARDINALS:
2023 record: 4-13
Projected 2024 record: 6-11
Notable additions: WR Marvin Harrison Jr., WR Zay Jones, DL Bilal Nichols, DL Justin Jones, LB Mack Wilson, DL Darius Robinson, CB Sean Murphy-Bunting, OL Jonah Williams, OL Evan Brown, QB Desmond Ridder
Notable departures: WR Marquise Brown, OL DJ Humphries, WR Rondale Moore, DL Leki Fotu
The Cardinals had a relatively low-risk offseason, bringing in an array of veterans to fill the major holes on defense. The offense got a major boost with rookie WR Marvin Harrison Jr. instantly slotting in as Kyler Murray’s number one option. The offensive line has received some help but remains a below-average unit. The defense looks better across the board, and if Jonathan Gannon is truly worthy of being a head coach, he should be able to squeeze talent out of the unit. The corner room will rely on rookie Max Melton and second year Garrett Williams to be impact players, but the safety duo of Budda Baker and Jalen Thompson should continue to be successful and possibly minimize the growing pains of the corners. Despite improvement, the Cardinals are still clearly rebuilding, and their record reflects that.
Key:
HOW BRIAN SEXTON
FOUND HIS FREQUENCY
Words by Nicole Carole
In a private home in Nassau County, Brian Sexton walked up to the front of the room getting ready to address the crowd. It wasn’t his common platform. He is used to being on the football field in his Jacksonville Jaguar gear covering the game of the day.
This stage was different. It was a room full of politicians, former NFL players, residents and family members. He wasn’t on a big screen broadcasting to millions as he has done for years. He was on a new mission, and it wasn’t an overnight change. Sexton took several years to get here and his story of change and how he got here is as follows.
Sexton realized in 2023 that his vision of where he wanted to be stopped growing in his 50s. He had worked as the voice of the Jaguars for over 30 years, and one day with new management, his role changed. That change dramatically affected Sexton. It was his thought he would be the voice of the Jaguars until he retired. He did not know anything else nor did he have a Plan B.
As many others, he was complacent in his life and was in a stage of shock due to a sudden unexpected change. A lot of us do not have a contingent plan. That’s where Sexton found himself: 55 years old and a shattered professional existence.
He retracted for years and focused on being a father. He was there to take his children to school, to sports, go grocery shopping, etc. because his wife had a very successful career. That all caught up to him one day. He realized he had to make a change. He couldn’t hide anymore and had to come up with his plan B, but he had no idea what that would be. His very existence and all he knew how to do was to be a sports broadcaster.
“Thoughts, feelings, actions and results.” Those are the four words to analyze your life. Sexton’s friend told him he did not want to change, he wanted to remain stuck because he wasn’t doing what he needed to do to move forward. His friend asked him, “Who are you? Who do you want to be and what are you willing to do to get there.”
He was told to invest hours of time and think his way through.
What would it take to be 1% happier this time tomorrow? That was Sexton’s turning point. The time he realized he needed to make a change and to craft his vision of what his tomorrow would look like to make him happier that day.
Sexton stated, ““The critical numbers for me were 25, 45 and 55,” he said. “I got the job of my dreams at 25, lost it at 45 and at 55 found myself at a crossroads. My youngest was graduating, and I wasn’t the Scoutmaster or football coach any longer. I needed to let go of the past and embrace a new vision, a new frequency for the future. Once I did, I found a new purpose on the other side of what I couldn’t seem to let go of, and it’s exciting to share the possibilities with others if they’re ready to find their own frequency.”
During his time alone in focus and in his thoughts, Sexton came up with his mission statement and ran with it. His life mission began to change.
He dug deep into his NFL experience and thought of what he was taught by the greats of the game about the game. Football is all about focus and coming up with a new strategy because Plan A doesn’t always work on the field. As a player, you have to know how to pivot. You have to keep your focus, and you are trained to change your mindset and your strategy. It is all about winning in the end regardless of the way you got there, but that path is not a straight one. It come with tackles, injuries, rain delays and touchdowns.
Sexton understood from his reflections, he wanted to become a motivational speaker. He wanted to help others not hit the same road block he did and that’s what he started doing in 2024. Sexton’s audience changed but he dialed into his passion and his frequency. His frequency is: motivating and helping others.
AV IIRTMONDAYS
• St. Augustine Fish Company & Oyster House, 6 p.m
• V Pizza–Mandarin (music bingo), 6 p.m.
• Iguana on Park (cashpot bingo), 6:30 p.m.
• 9 Ball Heaven Sports Grill & Billiards, 7 p.m.
• Amici (music bingo), 7 p.m.
• Donovan’s Irish Pub, St. Augustine, 7 p.m.
• Mellow Mushroom–Durbin Park, 7 p.m.
• Mellow Mushroom–Fleming Island, 7 p.m.
• Mellow Mushroom–River City/ Northside, 7 p.m.
• Mellow Mushroom–Tinseltown, 7:30 p.m.
• Rain Dogs, 8 p.m.
• Treylor Park (pop culture), 9 p.m.
TUESDAYS
• St. Mary’s Seafood (music bingo) 6 p.m.
• Mr. Chubby’s Wings–Fleming Island (music bingo), 6:30 p.m.
• Dick’s Wings–St. Aug, 6:30 p.m.
• V Pizza– St. Augustine, 6:30 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.
• Gator’s Dockside–Oakleaf, (music bingo), 7 p.m.
• Harps American Grill, 7 p.m.
• Hurricane Grill & Wings–Atlantic Boulevard, 7 p.m.
• Island Wing Company–Bartram, 7 p.m.
• Jax Craft Beer, 7 p.m.
• Jerry’s Sports Grille, 7 p.m.
• Miller’s Ale House–Deerwood, 7 p.m.
• My Tap Room (pop culture), 7 p.m.
• Players Grille, 7 p.m.
• Southern Grill, 7 p.m.
• VooSwar, 7 p.m.
• Surfside Kitchen, St. Augustine, 7 p.m.
• V Pizza–Fernandina (music bingo), 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.
• Monkey’s Uncle Tavern, 7:30 p.m.
• Time Out Sports Bar, 7:30 p.m.
• Tepeyolot Cerveceria, 7:30 p.m.
• Casbah Cafe, 8 p.m.
• Sahara Cafe, 8 p.m.
• Shantytown Pub, 8:30 p.m.
• Surfer the Bar (pop culture trivia), 9:30 p.m.
WEDNESDAYS
• Mr. Chubby’s Wings–Ponte Vedra (music bingo), 6:30 p.m.
• V Pizza–Mandarin, 6:30 p.m.
• The Beacon, St. Augustine, 7 p.m.
• Bold City Brewery, 7 p.m.
• Cruisers Grill, 7 p.m.
• Dick’s Wings–Nocatee, 7 p.m.
• Dick’s Wings–Mandarin, 7 p.m.
• Firefly Bay, 7 p.m.
• Ink Factory Brewing, 7 p.m.
• Island Wing–Bartram (music bingo) 7 p.m.
• Island Wing–Southside, 7 p.m.
• Mellow Mushroom–Avondale, 7 p.m.
• Miller’s Ale House–Hodges, 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, 7 p.m.
• V Pizza–Fernandina, 7 p.m.
• V Pizza–Palm Valley, 7 p.m.
• Veterans United Craft Brewery, 7 p.m.
• Burrito Gallery–Town Center (pop culture), 7:30 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.
• Hoptinger–Jacksonville Beach, 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
• Wicked Barley Brewing, 7:30 p.m.
• The Brix Taphouse (pop culture trivia), 8 p.m.
• Hamburger Mary’s (drag bingo, 21+), 8 p.m.
THURSDAYS
• Ann O’Malley’s Irish Pub, 7 p.m.
• Bold City Brewery, 7 p.m.
• Bottlenose Brewing, 7 p.m.
• Dick’s Wings–Atlantic Boulevard, 7 p.m.
• Dick’s Wings– Nocatee (name that tune), 7 p.m.
• Justice Pub (music bingo), 7 p.m.
• Island Wing Company–Southside (music bingo), 7 p.m.
• Kava and Company–San Marco (every other Thursday), 7 p.m.
• Miller’s Ale House–Avenues, 7 p.m.
• Mr. Chubby’s Wings–Ponte Vedra, 7 p.m.
• The Stout Snug, 7 p.m.
• V Pizza– Fernandina (what’s that song), 7 p.m.
• Burrito Gallery–Brooklyn (’80s, ’90s & 2000s), 7:30 p.m.
• Dick’s Wings– St. Aug, 7:30 p.m.
• Flask & Cannon / V Pizza, 7:30 p.m.
• V Pizza–San Marco, 7:30 p.m.
• Hoptinger–Jax Beach (music bingo), 8 p.m.
FRIDAYS
• Most Holy Redeemer Catholic Church, 6 p.m.
• Time Out Sports Grill, 6:30 p.m.
• Engine 15 Brewing, 7 p.m.
• MVP’s Sports Grille, 7 p.m.
• Tepeyolot Cerveceria, 7:30 p.m.
SATURDAYS
• Hamburger Mary’s (HamBingo), 2 p.m.
• VooSwar, 7 p.m.
• Dick’s Wings–Atlantic Boulevard, 7 p.m.
• Dick’s Wings–San Pablo (pop culture), 7p.m.
• Ink Factory Brewing (name that tune), 7 p.m.
• Bottlenose Brewing (name that tune), 7:30 p.m.
FILMS OF THE SUMMER
PART 2
DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE
At long last, Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman finally unite as their unkillable mutant personas while the remnants of 20th Century Fox are put out to pasture. Marvel’s multiverse folds in on itself once again for nonsensical superheroic purposes, forcing Deadpool (Reynolds) and Wolverine (Jackman) to work together to save their world from erasure.
It is an expectation that a Deadpool movie will come with an abundance of self-referential in-jokes about everything from comic book movie cliches, the machinations of movie studios and the tabloid gossip about the actors starring in the film, but here the meta-nature is pushed to breaking point as the winky jabs go beyond just being the character’s sense of humor to being key elements of the plot. With “Deadpool & Wolverine,” it isn’t just important to be caught up with the latest on-screen events in the Marvel universe, but it is just as crucial that you know the general ins and outs of Disney’s acquisition of 20th Century Fox in order to follow along with Deadpool’s quest to join the MCU. It is also necessary to remember long-forgotten characters from superhero fare of a bygone era as cameos are paraded across the screen as a kind of victory lap after years of irrelevance. Do you remember Jennifer Garner’s Elektra? Well, she’s back in nostalgia form. “Deadpool & Wolverine” isn’t so much “Inside Baseball” as it is “inside intellectual property portfolios,” in what ultimately resembles an action figure collection being smashed together.
A briefly fun exercise that is ultimately messy and needlessly chaotic. Directed by Hollywood journeyman Shawn Levy, “Deadpool & Wolverine” has little style or visual flair, often looking more like a commercial than cinematic.
What the film does have going for it is Hugh Jackman returning yet again to the role that may well go down as the definitive superhero portrayal. For over 20 years and 10 movies of wildly varying quality, Jackman’s turn as Wolverine has been a near-constant benchmark-setter through every phase of Hollywood’s love affair with spandex. It is a bit of a surprise to see Jackman wield the claws again after letting Wolverine ride off into the sunset in James Mangold’s “Logan,” but he steps back into the role with ease, offering both genuine pathos to the character and being the straight man foil to Reynolds’ chattering. Jackman’s Wolverine is the rare figure in fandom culture to have universal approval. Jackman can return to this character as many times as he wants, and it will always be a pleasure to see his work. Deadpool, on the other hand, appears to have run out of tricks, with what was once a kind of daring breath of fresh air into a genre that has seemingly been running on fumes indefinitely, is now tiring and rudderless. “Deadpool & Wolverine” is emblematic of a lot of Hollywood’s modern output, another entry to another endless franchise that is overly reverential toward past films that were never thought highly of to begin with.
ALIEN: ROMULUS
Horror director Fede Alvarez brings his dark and gory sensibility to the world of xenomorphs and face-huggers with “Alien: Romulus” which opens on a remote mining colony with a group of long-time friends believing they have found their ticket off of the rock through an abandoned space station nearby. Only they soon learn that there is a reason the station has been abandoned. The “Alien” franchise has traditionally been a series that is unafraid to take big swings with each of its entries since its first sequel where James Cameron blew up Ridley Scott’s space-set haunted house into an action extravaganza. Alvarez is a competent horror filmmaker, but he takes no such swings with “Romulus” and instead does what many modern sequels do and act with complete fealty to the original with what ultimately feels like the best-made and well-funded fan film you have ever seen. “Romulus” is successful in what it sets out to do; the creature effects and sets are unanimously strong, and the cast are all committed even if their characters are little more than fodder for the aliens to dispatch. But it’s just a little disheartening that the film never reaches out for something just a little more bold. As a monster movie “Alien: Romulus” is an enjoyable time with many tension-filled sequences and creative visuals but as an “Alien” movie, it leaves something to be desired.
Photo courtesy of 20th Century Studios. © 2024 20th Century Studios.
TWISTERS
A crew of storm chasers drive into the heart of tornado country in this disaster movie sequel from Lee Isaac Chung. There is something very satisfying about the simplicity of Twisters. The film hardly reinvents the wheel, but it hits all the notes of a blockbuster disaster movie to perfection. Chung, director of the acclaimed drama “Minari,” shows great awareness of how to structure an event spectacle — from legibly portraying the twister-made destruction to shooting his actors so they look like big screen stars — it is an impeccable introduction to the big leagues for the ascendent director (it also brings a greater contrast to how poorly made “Deadpool & Wolverine” was). As for the cast, Daisy Edgar-Jones is charming and reliable enough to be the film’s protagonist, while actors like Anthony Ramos and our new Superman David Corenswet, among others, provide a lot of color in the supporting ensemble. But once again this summer, this is the Glen Powell show as the burgeoning movie star lights up the screen whenever he is on it and does a great job of imitating his former co-star and mentor Tom Cruise. “Twisters” feels less indebted directly to its ’90s predecessor than it does toward the general event films of that era, relying more on an engaging story, charismatic actors and showstopping effects than on lore and famous characters. “Twisters” succeeds more than it has any need to.
TRAP
The latest thriller from M. Night Shyamalan follows Cooper (Josh Hartnett), a father who is taking his teenage daughter Riley (Ariel Donoghue) to a concert by her favorite pop star, Lady Raven (Saleka Night Shyamalan). However, after seeing an excessive police presence, it is revealed that the concert is doubling as a sting operation to capture an elusive serial killer known as “The Butcher” who we soon learn is Cooper. Shyamalan’s film then plays out in real time as Cooper calculates his escape from the trap set before him without letting his daughter in on his dark secret. Shyamalan has had a unique career arc, arguably a victim of his own early success, he was heralded as the second coming of Spielberg after making a run of hits in his 20s with “The Sixth Sense” and “Signs.” But then came the fall with “The Happening” and “The Last Airbender,” and Shyamalan’s name became more synonymous with self-indulgent nonsense. But like many movies, Shyamalan’s career is a story told in three acts, as with his last few projects he has gone smaller with subversive thrillers like “Split” and “Old” and managed to reignite some of that spark that made him such an exciting talent over 20 years ago. “Trap” continues with this trend and might be the strongest entry of his newly-found groove. “Trap” plays like a cat-and-mouse thriller crossed with an escape room or a level from the Hitman game series as we see Cooper’s every move to try and evade his would-be captors. Shyamalan puts a lot of trust in his leading man who delivers a multi-faceted performance by believably balancing between being a dorky dad and a cold-blooded killer. Hartnett, who has also weathered a challenging career trajectory, demonstrates why he was once touted as a potential movie star with this strong turn that will likely put him back on casting agents’ shortlists. “Trap” is an inventive thriller that feels both classical in form and modern in setting, and signals an exciting new phase for both its star and director.
© 2024 Universal Pictures. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
BRINGING FIRE
TO THE BOLD CITY
Fire breathing, dancing and fire manipulation all come into play when Tokyo is in her element. If you have ever dined at Norikase on a Friday night, you have probably been enamored with her performance. She encompasses the flames with ease and grace like no other.
Words & photos by Kara Carter
“The more you burn, the more you can get burned”
Tokyo Moreno is a fire dancer based in Jacksonville, Florida. Each movement Moreno makes by wielding a flame puts the onlooking crowd in awe. Her glowing smile and precision with each fiery movement is what keeps the audience captivated in her performance. Each motion exemplifies her strength, fluidity and charm.
Graduating from the University of Florida summa cum laude with a degree in marketing, Moreno found herself a little lost with her purpose in life. She wanted to find something that “didn’t put me in a box.”
She started aerial dancing that suspends her on the silks high into the air. She can twist, turn and flip all while being suspended. She also turned to pole dance for the purpose of building strength, flexibility and confidence.
During the 2020 pandemic, Moreno reflected and realized she wanted more out of life. “If I die tomorrow, will I be happy with everything I have done?” Moreno asked herself. Thus began the journey through fire dancing.
Moreno flew to Las Vegas in hopes of being taught by one of the best fire breathers in the world that goes by the name Joker. She messaged him on Instagram in hopes that he offered private classes, and he did. She said she was going to turn her car around when she was driving to his house for the private lesson, doubting her own safety.
She pulled up to a non conspicuous looking house, and the Joker met her in his garage. Her heart was pounding from anxiety, excitement and fear.
“The class was two hundred dollars, if I die, it was only for two hundred dollars” Moreno laughed.
She said she was filled with anxiety, her heart pounding before eating the fire in fear of burning her face and eyelashes. Joker did not give her a countdown to do it, he just told her to do it. She put the fiery torch in her mouth without hesitation and then exclaimed, “Whoa! That was easy! Let’s do it again!” She says that 80%of fire breathing is a mental block for the performer.
The artist has to unlearn everything, set instinctual behaviors aside and just go for it.
Since that first lesson with Joker, Moreno has been enamored with the fire dancing world. She says the community is tight knit, and trust within each other while performing together is key. She emphasizes that safety is always the number one priority. Each performance she has a set of safety precautions that includes another person there to assist, a safety blanket (in case something does catch on fire) and water. Understanding the potential risks is what comes with the territory of fire dancing.
“The more you burn, the more you can get burned” Tokyo said.
Though there have been some hiccups in the past, Tokyo is still passionate about what she does. She says that she feeds off of the crowd’s energy when she is performing. When people are cheering or making noise, it gives her the confidence boost and validation needed for the electrifying performance.
One of the most rewarding things about the art is the connections she gets to make with different people. Seeing their expressions, hearing their stories and meeting them all makes it worthwhile. She even had a little girl tell her that she was going to take her job one day.
“My heart was on the floor,” Moreno said.
Smiling from ear to ear, she said she is happy that she is able to inspire people to follow their dreams. She encourages people to come up to her after her performances if they would like to meet, as she appreciates the art of human connection.
You can find Tokyo performing at Norikase on Friday evenings and Cataluna on Saturday evenings. She also does event bookings at floridafireflow.com. You can also find her on Instagram @TokyoMoreno if you want to see more of her artistry.
THEATER/DANCE
THROUGH SEPT. 8
“Annie Get Your Gun” Orange Park Community Theatre opct.info
THROUGH SEPT. 29
“Gypsy” Alhambra Theatre & Dining alhambrajax.com
SEPT. 5-8
Amelia Island Dance Festival Various locations, Fernandina Beach ameliacommunitytheatre.com
SEPT. 5-22
“Cabaret”
Amelia Musical Playhouse ameliamusicalplayhouse.com
SEPT. 7
“The Donna Summer Experience” Florida Theatre floridatheatre.com
“Shakesbeer: A Brewery Tour” King Maker Brewing lumenrep.org
SEPT. 8
“Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse” — Live In Concert Jacksonville Center for the Performing Arts jaxevents.com
SEPT. 12
“Shakesbeer: A Brewery Tour” Intuition Bier Hall lumenrep.org
SEPT. 13
“Sesame Street” Live! Florida Theatre floridatheatre.com
SEPT. 13-22
“Boeing Boeing” The Island Theatre, Fleming Island theislandtheater.com
SEPT. 13-29
“Broadway Bash” Players by the Sea Theatre abetjax.com
“The Revolutionists” Players by the Sea playersbythesea.org
SEPT. 18
Here Comes Tomorrow: Cinema of the Last Century Film Series Museum of Contemporary Art mocajacksonville.unf.edu
SEPT. 19-22
“ABBAFAB”
Alhambra Theatre & Dining alhambrajax.com
SEPT. 20-OCT. 6
“Beauty and the Beast” Artist Connection Theatre artistconnectiontheatre.org
SEPT. 21
“Shakesbeer: A Brewery Tour” King Maker Brewing lumenrep.org
SEPT. 26
Hispanic History Month Concert Jacksonville University–Terry Concert Hall ju.edu
“ShakesBeer: A Brewery Tour” Ruby Beach Brewing lumenrep.org
SEPT. 27-29
“Eurydice” by Sarah Ruhl Thrasher-Horne Center, Orange Park thcenter.org
SEPT. 27-OCT. 20
Bright Star
Limelight Theatre, St. Augustine limelight-theatre.org
INK & BARLEY
Where tattoos and brews flow
As you stroll through the bustling streets of Downtown St. Augustine, it’s easy for certain spots to fade into the background, overshadowed by the grandeur of old Spanish architecture and the looming fort. But for those who slow down and take a closer look, there’s a white brick building tucked away at the corner of San Marco Avenue and Joiner Street. And in my opinion, it’s one of St. Augustine’s finer hidden gems – Ink & Barley Tattoos and Brews.
Two things that usually don’t go together, at least not simultaneously that is. But for Jenna and Jarrod Boyter, no two things made more sense, like salt and pepper, peanut butter and jelly, and now … tattoos and brews.
Jenna has been a tattoo artist for over nine years, previously setting up shop at Electric Chair Tattoo in St. Augustine before she eventually left to start her own private studio. By then, she had built a loyal clientele, and her business quickly expanded beyond what she had expected. After a few years, she decided it was time to find a bigger shop to accommodate her growth. During the same time, Jarrod, who was working in the service industry, was interested in opening his own beer shop. The two jokingly brought up how much easier it would be to find a place together — and thus the idea was born.
Apparently, it’s not easier finding a zoning spot in Historic St. Augustine that would allow both a brewery and a tattoo shop under the same roof, that is until they found the tucked-away white brick building that screamed home.
“Our biggest struggle was finding a space that would allow it, and then finding a landlord that would not think it was a wild idea to have a tattoo shop in a bar,” Jenna shared. “Then we found the space, and it’s been perfect. We love uptown, and we really feel like it’s a nice community to be a part of.”
Walking into Ink and Barley, I was immediately met with the friendly face of Jarrod Boyter standing behind the busy bar sporting a graphic t-shirt of what can be assumed is his dog “Hunky.” The deep red-brown hues of the wooden bar top mesh perfectly with the lush greenery surrounding it — and Jarrod’s bright smile. Behind him are the eight beer taps that stay on a constant rotation, though they admit to always keeping at least one “pickle beer” on draft. Jarrod likes to keep the brews local, though Jenna did admit that if Jarrod sees something unique from out of town, he will try to get his hands on it.
Past the bar to the left is where Jenna and her four colleagues work their magic. Due to conflicting schedules, I was not able to see the tattoo shop in all her glory as the team was currently breaking down their stations to head to the Jacksonville Tattoo Convention for the weekend. But looking at the bare bones of the studio was enough to know they cherish their aesthetic. Just beyond the studio, you’ll find a cozy, dimly lit lounge adorned with tapestries and tattoo art, offering a perfect spot for customers to unwind with friends. Two long bar tables stretch along the left side of the forest-green room, right next to a TV strictly playing Taylor Swift’s “The Tortured Poets Department,” while a sofa is nestled against the back wall. They also boast a spacious back patio, often the scene of live music and lively events.
“And so it’s become like a cute little family of people that hang out here,” Jenna shared. “Sometimes it can feel really intimidating walking into a tattoo shop. But here you can come in without getting a tattoo. You could order DoorDash, get a beer, sit back here, get a feel for the vibe, meet the artists and hang out.”
As an artist, Jenna is always seeking growth and new challenges. In this career, she believes there’s always something to learn, whether through guest spots at other shops, attending seminars or conventions. As a female artist in a field once dominated by men, she feels it’s essential not only to stay inspired but also to inspire other female tattoo artists, both aspiring and established.
“It’s been a funny thing because my husband is like a heavily tattooed guy. So whenever he’s in the shop, people will walk in and immediately think he’s the owner or he’s the tattooer,” Jenna explained. “So it’s something I’ve always dealt with, but we’re really lucky here in town that Ms. Deborah (owner of Ms. Deborah’s Fountain of Youth Tattoo & Body Piercing) kind of paved the way. So it’s really cool to have her as an inspiration. Sailor Cher’s [Tattoo and Body Piercing] been here in town forever, so we have really cool women role models to look up to.”
The Boyters’ unique shop has been gracing the streets of St Augustine for almost two years now with whispers along the grapevine that they may be expanding their business once more (wink, wink). With two popular businesses under one roof, it seems likely that one might overpower the other, but Jenna reassures that the two work in perfect harmony.
“We’re both equally passionate about both things and support each other. When someone’s getting tattooed, I’ll talk to them about what kind of beers they’re excited about. And while he’s serving people, he talks about what tattoo artists we have,” Jenna shared. “It works well together without overpowering the other. And we do have a lot of people who come in, and maybe they just want to sit and have a beer so you don’t have to do everything, you know, you can just enjoy bits and pieces of it too.”
And “no” to answer the question I know you’re all wondering: no beers before a tattoo appointment. Seems like common sense, but it’s worth mentioning. To keep things running smoothly, the Boyters have to follow a set of rules and regulations. No heavy drinking, no alcohol for clients (until after their session) and the two businesses must stay separate. So, no booze inside the tattoo studio. If you’re visiting a friend getting inked, you can wave hello through the plexiglass window next to the bar if you cannot set your drink down for a few minutes.
Be sure to check out their Instagram page for brew updates and booking info at @inkandbarley.
Photo by Evergold Photography
COMEDY
SEPT. 5
Blue Jay Comedy Night
Blue Jay Listening Room bluejayjax.com
SEPT. 5-7
Jon Reep Comedy Zone comedyzone.com
SEPT. 6-7
First Coast Comedy
The Main Event, 7:30 p.m.
Adult Show (21+ only), 10 p.m. First Coast Comedy firstcoastcomedy.com
SEPT. 7
Jimmy Dore Jacksonville Center for the Performing Arts jaxevents.com
Clean Comedy Series ft. Rahn Hortman
Murray Hill Theatre murrayhilltheatre.com
The Mullet Comedy Show
Third Spot Improv, St. Augustine 3rdspaceimprov.com
SEPT. 8
Justin Whitehead Comedy Zone comedyzone.com
SEPT. 12-15
DeRay Davis Comedy Zone comedyzone.com
SEPT. 13
Chris Kattan
Cafe eleven originalcafe11.com
SEPT. 13-14
First Coast Comedy
The Main Event, 7:30 p.m.
Adult Show (21+ only), 10 p.m. First Coast Comedy firstcoastcomedy.com
SEPT. 14
Danae Hays
Jacksonville Center for the Performing Arts jaxevents.com
The Mullet Comedy Show
Third Spot Improv, St. Augustine 3rdspaceimprov.com
SEPT. 15
Claude Stuart
The Lark eventbrite.com
SEPT. 19-21
Chico Bean Comedy Zone comedyzone.com
SEPT. 20
Gary Gulman
Jacksonville Center for the Performing Arts jaxevents.com
Phatt Kattz Comedy Thang ft. Big Mo Dixon Breezy Jazz House phattkatz.com
SEPT. 20-21
First Coast Comedy
The Main Event, 7:30 p.m.
Adult Show (21+ only), 10 p.m. First Coast Comedy firstcoastcomedy.com
SEPT. 21
The Mullet Comedy Show
Third Spot Improv, St. Augustine 3rdspaceimprov.com
SEPT. 26
Marlon Wayans Florida Theatre floridatheatre.com
SEPT. 26-28
David Landau Comedy Zone comedyzone.com
SEPT. 27
Steve Treviño Florida Theatre floridatheatre.com
SEPT. 27-28
First Coast Comedy
The Main Event, 7:30 p.m.
Adult Show (21+ only), 10 p.m.
First Coast Comedy firstcoastcomedy.com
SEPT. 28
The Mullet Comedy Show
Third Spot Improv, St. Augustine 3rdspaceimprov.com
SEP. 29
John Crist Florida Theatre floridatheatre.com
INNER CLARITY: LOCAL SOUND BATHS
As I get older, I have begun to observe my interests beginning to shift. The desire to engage in activities that not only stress my body — but my mind — don’t seem to intrigue me anymore. It never truly did but the “people-pleaser” in me felt a strong need to engage in pastimes that didn’t contribute to my overall well-being; and there’s no reason that at the blossoming age of 22 I should feel like I’m entering into my mid-life crisis… (yikes!) While it’s deeply linked to the lacerations left from a Gemini, it doesn’t overshadow the desire to strive for peace — if anything it has caused an urgency to explore the avenues that may lead to Zen.
Words & photos by Amiyah Golden
I’m no stranger to various wellness practices such as yoga or connecting with nature, as they have served me well as a mediating outlet to transfer my stored energies — providing me with mental relief and the ability to reset but within the realm of ancient practices is an even more expansive world.
R&B singer Jhené Aiko served as my first introduction to the domain of sound baths, a practice that uses sound to meditate, relax and relieve stress.
Some people such as Aiko use the frequencies of sound to tap into the chakras — recognized as the energy center of the body.
Aiko introduced sound baths as a segment to her live performances on her recent tour but started implementing the use of sound bowls years prior on her album “Chilombo.” The project went triple platinum, but I wasn’t aware of the full intentionality behind the project. With Aiko noting that certain songs were recorded using distinct notes such as the D note to target the sex organs or the key of F sharp to specifically speak to the heart chakra.
While the use of sound bowls is gaining more mainstream attention, its history has always been vast and rich, existing way before the inventions of recordings or perfectly constructed spaces to embrace the praxis.
The curiosity has peaked into our local community, as many people desire to experience the benefits of sound, with two local sound facilitators making it accessible in the Jacksonville and St. Augustine area.
Diana Vasquez, founder of Jax Sound Bath, and Brandee Lee, founder of Zen Vida Alchemy, have penetrated the holistic scene after their own attestation of the life-changing benefits of sound baths.
I was fortunate to attend one of Lee’s recent community sound baths that she holds at Eneray Essential Energy Spa – the fourth Saturday of each month – in St. Augustine, Florida.
I was welcomed by the sweetest lady and was guided to a dim room full of reclined seats with ambient lighting illuminating the walls, with screens stacked on top of each other projecting a mirage of colors. Several sound bowls and instruments laid in a crescent shape directly in the middle of the floor and as I made my way to my seat, I noticed a couple of participants lying horizontally on the ground on top of a mat. Eyes were closed as music filled with affirmations played softly in the background.
Although this was my first time partaking in such an experience, the energy in the room instantly felt free, clear and safe.
Lee began by welcoming everyone and encouraged us to reframe our minds. The next 45 minutes were spent entranced under a timbre that ranged in frequency, pitch and tempo. Lee used various vessels to generate the modulations such as a 432 Hz quartz bowl.
“The singing bowl is often referred to as the ‘natural frequency of the universe.’ It is believed to resonate with the Earth’s heartbeat,” Lee shares, “creating a sense of harmony and grounding.”
In addition to the 432 Hz quartz bowl — which is Lee’s preference — she also has a 528 Hz quartz bowl and a 440 Hz quartz bowl. Both serve unique roles.
“A 528 Hz quartz crystal singing bowl [is] designed to emit a specific frequen -
cy of sound when played. A pitch often referred to as the ‘Love Frequency’ or ‘Miracle Tone,” Lee explained.
While a 528 Hz quartz bowl is used to promote “harmony and balance within the body and mind,” a 440 Hz quartz bowl is, “often perceived as more mentally stimulating.” Lee describes the feeling as often associated with agitation instead of cerebral serenity in comparison to the others.
Vasquez also expressed her love for quartz singing bowls, as she has the ability to create “different tones with one set” but she has an inclination for the gong as she encapsulates it as a “transformative instrument.” Other instruments often used include tuning forks, chimes, drums and rain sticks.
And before I knew it, the session was finished. Lee guided us out of our own state of abstraction with the reintroduction of music and with reminders of gratitude.
“I’m grateful I woke up.”
“I’m grateful to see the sun.”
The energy remained halcyon as the bodies in the room began to open their eyes, remove their blankets and contort their bodies back upright from the zero gravity chairs – or from off the floor.
The experience was serene due to the absence of cellular devices, ferment and chastisement. I’ve heard many testify to the “healing” properties they experience during and after but, Lee believes that the word healing can often be misleading.
“The term healing often implies that there is something wrong or broken that needs to be fixed. This can be disempowering as it suggests that individuals are inherently flawed or damaged,” she explained. “Many people who seek out sound baths are simply looking for ways to enhance their well-being, not because they feel broken.”
Although, this isn’t a mutual view in the holistic community — with Vasquez upholding the use of the word “healing” to embrace her vantage point — it doesn’t negate the shared endorsement of the tradition.
“Sound healing is a therapeutic practice to promote physical, emotional and mental well-being. The vibrations from instruments help release energy blockages, balance the body’s energy centers (chakras) and promote deep relaxation,” said Vasquez. “Additionally, sound healing can aid in emotional healing by helping release suppressed emotions and fostering a sense of inner peace. It’s a holistic approach that supports overall health and well-being.”
Despite the hour separation due to some pesky traffic, Lee and Vasquez are huge advocates for each other, as well as others who share the same goal which is to ultimately help others. With that in mind Vasquez started the Sound Healers Collective, a group of six sound healers —with more than 80 instruments — who host large-scale events several times a year to share the power of sound and vibration with members of the community.
Lee is also a part of The Circle of Light Movement, another initiative created to “bring conscious creators and contributors together in a collective space to connect with like-hearted individuals on a spiritual journey.”
Both had a yearning to proffer the same success they received through sound baths.
Now, Vasquez hosts her Oceanside Full Moon Soundbaths in Jacksonville Beach with various walks of life coming together under one sky and one sound to release. What initially started in 2019 as an intimate affair among a few friends has now turned into a sought-out event with over 200 people attending on multiple occasions.
“I noticed that Jacksonville was lacking in sound healing offerings,” said Vasquez. “As I traveled across the states, I decided I wanted to bring this beautiful modality to our community on a larger scale than it had been. I wanted to show others how easy it is to reset and find inner clarity.”
The St. Augustine community has also embodied Lee’s contributions. “Clients and community members frequently share that their experiences transcend mere relaxation and stress relief,” she said. “Many find that a soundbath helps them navigate and release heavy emotions, while others report vivid encounters with colors and messages from loved ones who have passed on. Some even experience out-of-body sensations that leave them feeling profoundly connected to something greater.”
As I gathered my things to leave Lee’s event, I can attest to someone remarking about their own experience with envisioning colors during the session.
So to those who are inquisitive about the path untread, I would encourage you to give it a chance.
Life can often feel cumbersome and while we as a society prioritize hustle culture and approval, we often forget to focus on ourselves and our well-being.
Vasquez’s and Lee’s own voyages to harmony within the body and mind is fascinating with extensive depth but the overarching commonality between the two was harnessing their power and tapping into the root of the mind using sound.
Vasquez shared with me that she always struggled to meditate due to her own struggle with ADHD, and Lee echoed her own undertaking to focus.
“For years, I struggled to meditate for longer than five minutes. My mind would wander, and meditation felt more like an arduous task than a serene practice,” stated Lee. “And I was often left feeling frustrated and disheartened.”
“I was just looking for a way to quiet my own mind,” Vasquez chimed in.
Both credit the introduction of sound in pivoting their relationship with meditating.
Their testimonies warrant a separate article but it’s truly inspiring and something to try at least once.
If you’re interested in attending a soundbath event or booking a session with Vasquez or Lee you can find them at @soundbathjax and @zenvidaalchemy respectively.
THREaDs Of INspIRatION: aLICIa Kay
Words by Teresa Spencer & Photos submitted by Alicia Kay
Based out of Jacksonville, artist Alicia Kay’s work features bright colors and diverse textures that gives the viewer a unique experience, particularly her work in mixed media art and string art. Her work has been featured in local galleries and boutiques all throughout NE Florida. She has been selling her art online worldwide since 2014.
What makes her art special? Kay says that each piece is made with love and healing energy. “I attempt to fill the world with more color and joy.” Not a day goes by that she isn’t busy chasing her childhood dream of being an artist full time and does so in the memory of her mom who always believed in her ability to do so.
You can find her work on all social media platforms as @aliciakayartsandcrafts.
THE ART CENTER COOPERATIVE
• “View From My Window,” through Sept. 14 tacjacksonville.org
BEACHES MUSEUM
• “Exalted Shores: The Work of Clint Burbridge and Tom Schifnella,” through Sept. 29 beachesmuseum.org
BUTTERFIELD GARAGE ART GALLERY butterfieldgarage.com
THE CORNER GALLERY AT THE JESSIE
• “Marcus Williams: Un-American Gods,” Sept. 7-Feb.12 movingthemargins.org
CUMMER MUSEUM OF ART & GARDENS
• “Fabric of a Nation: American Quilt Stories from the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston,” through Sept. 29
• Works on Paper from the Cummer Museum’s Collection, through Sept. 30
• “Mick Namarari Tjapaltjarri: Mysteries that Remain,” through Jan. 12, 2025 cummermuseum.org
FEMART GALLERY
• “Unbound,” through Oct. 26 femartgallery.org
FIRST COAST CULTURAL CENTER
• Teresa Graham: “Day by Day: Abstract Collections,” through Sept. 19 firstcoastculturalcenter.org
GALLERY 725 gallery725.com
MOCA JACKSONVILLE
• “Elysa Adams: Voices of Moncrief,” through Sept. 8
GOVERNOR’S HOUSE CULTURAL CENTER AND MUSEUM, ST. AUGUSTINE
• “Painting St. Augustine: Selections from the Samuel H. and Roberta T. Vickers Collection,” ongoing
• “Freedom Is Not Free: Ax Handle Saturday,” virtual exhibition staugustine.ufl.edu
HASKELL GALLERY AT JACKSONVILLE
INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT jaxairportarts.com
HILLARY WHITAKER GALLERY hwhitakergallery.com
JACKSONVILLE MAIN LIBRARY
• “Pack Your Bags,” through Oct. 28 tacjacksonville.org
JACKSONVILLE UNIVERSITY
• ”Bill Davis: No Dark in Sight,” virtual exhibition
• “Kristin Skees: Close Knit,” virtual exhibition ju.edu/cfa
THE LIGHTNER MUSEUM
• “75 for 75: Lightner Museum Diamond Anniversary Exhibition,” ongoing
• “Illuminate: Lightner Museum’s Stained Glass Rediscovered,” ongoing
• “St. Augustine Through the Lens of William Henry Jackson,” ongoing lightnermuseum.org
• “Project Atrium: Frank Stella,” through Nov. 3
• “Emil Alzamora: Starship Abundance,” through Feb. 2, 2025
• “Fill My Heart With Hope,” through March 23, 2025 mocajacksonville.unf.edu
PAS t A FINE ART GALLERY pastagalleryart.com
RITZ THEATRE & MUSEUM
• “Coastlines,” through Sept. 6
• “Lift Ev’ry Voice,” permanent collection ritzjacksonville.com
SOUTHLIGHT GALLERY southlightgallery.com
ST. AUGUSTINE ART ASSOCIATION staaa.org
STELLERS GALLERY stellersgallery.com
THRASHER-HORNE CENTER GALLERY
• Works by Thomas H. Nagata, Yamel Molerio and John Gerstner, ongoing thcenter.org
TOUCHÉ GALLERY touchegallery.com
UNIVERSITY OF NORTH FLORIDA unf.edu/gallery
THE VAULT AT 330 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: Sept. 4
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: Sept. 13 and 27
Amelia Island’s premier arts and crafts market comes alive the second and fourth Saturday of every month from 9 a.m.–1 p.m. fernandinabeachartsmarket.com
Riverside Arts Market: Sept. 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: Sept. 7
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: Sept. 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
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Words & photos by Amiyah Golden
Bubbly and full of jubilance, Erica Reese instantly brightened up the dimly lit “Folio” studio with her presence – summoned by me – after I stumbled upon her Instagram, curated as such by her own handL the tiny squares filled with her memories and music. Her quirky feed and unapologetic portrayal intrigued me, but her music ultimately kept me.
A self-described “sad song songstress,” Reese makes music for the ones who empathize with experience — the good, the bad and the unfortunate of it all (life and love.)
Her journey to Jacksonville came with its own set of challenges, as acclimating to a new city is always intimidating.
“The first couple of years here were really lonely,” noted Reese. “I don’t know if it was because I was going to the wrong places or if it’s harder to find the creative people here from the outside.”
Not only was this an adjustment from her home state of Ohio, but it was also a stark contrast from her prior adventures from living in the Outback. Parallel to the experience of most of us – due to the global epidemic – her plans to wander Australia were cut short and in 2020, Reese joined her family in Atlantic Beach, Florida where she has planted her roots and explored her sound.
Thankfully her move caused her path to cross with Parker Dixon, the other half of her collaborative project, Coastal Creatures – a “Floridian indie pop” duo.
THE ERICA REESE
REESE SHOW
It was a benign connection that was contrary to some of the interactions Reese had experienced.
“With queer culture and anything that’s a little outside of the box, sometimes I feel like Jacksonville, as a society in general, can make you feel weird,” said Reese. “Once you find your bubble of people that think like you and have the same ideologies and morals as you, you’re safe in that bubble. But when you’re new here and you don’t know anyone and you don’t have that bubble… you’re just out here with hairy armpits telling people you make pop music and people are just like ‘who are you?’”
This didn’t stop the aching desire to create and share her music.
“I didn’t think this was plausible to actually do until my life got flipped around during COVID. I had been working on some music, and something just changed inside of me that was like, ‘If you don’t do this now, you’re never going to do it, and you might as well try.’”
Her leap of faith has worked in her favor as she has amassed her tribe of fellow creatives and budding friendships, as well as, producing music that speaks true to the current state of her artistry.
“How I [describe] my sound [now] I would’ve probably said something completely different one year ago or two years ago. The music doesn’t sound too different, but it’s just about homing in on what you want to be as an artist and finding that niche.”
Her self-proclaimed declaration as an artist that embodies a “dark pop” sound rings true to her present production and lyricism.
“I really love using the tonalities of pop music. I like the bright shimmery guitar sounds, and I really like the heavy synthesizers and dreamy sounds… but most of the context is a little more serious and a little more emotional than most pop,” she explained.
Reese took a moment to reflect on the maturation of her music.
“In the past it would be journal entry lyrics like, ‘f*ck this, everything sucks!” but now it’s… let’s ‘Lana Del Ray this sh*t,’” exclaimed Reese. “Like what soda are we drinking… what does our lip gloss taste like? I feel like right now I’m writing about things that happened years ago. but it’s a mix of new experiences and figuring out a way that I can paint the picture that I want with my words and using that more strategically than I have in the past.”
Artists such as Lana Del Ray do a great job at encapsulating that “dark pop” sound while embracing the art of illustrating the scenes of personal experience — whether that be about tragedy, heartbreak or sensuality.
While, on the topic of chanteuses, I inquired about Reese’s familiarity with singer Ethel Cain who delivers a congruent chilling sound enveloped in that indie-pop soundscape.
“I love Ethel Cain!!” Reese proclaimed. “I was feeling so uninspired for a minute, and I found her music and it was like a breath of fresh air. It’s haunting but it’s also dreamy. You can listen to American Teenager 100 times, and you’re like this is a pop banger and then you actually process what she’s saying and then you’re crying.”
The 1975 also serves as a big inspiration for Reese.
“Especially guitar wise, how I like the guitar sounds to be,” she said. “They have inspired that heavily.”
Chappel Roan, Courtney Barnett and The Japanese House also served as inspirations.
Her openness to various artists with differing sounds has molded her expanding dexterity.
She also has immense love for the locals that share their music – attributing found inspiration to a plethora of the acts in Jacksonville.
“I listen to local music just as much as I listen to anything else.”
Reese’s support doesn’t stop at simply “upping” their Spotify streams but also materializes as Lady Luck Presents, a “fem-centric collective” started by Reese and her friend Cassidy with the pair booking shows for mostly female and queer artists.
“I felt like there was a little discrepancy in the booking scene in Jacksonville,” she added.
Reese champions womanhood as she can attest to the discrimination that many face.
“I would love to produce music for other women. I think women are pushed out of that scene a lot because everyone is condescending,” said Reese. “If you need someone to explain something to you about technology — that is needed for production — instead of trying to help you half of the time, they’re trying to confuse you, so you just give up.”
That hasn’t halted Reese’s ambitions as the means to uplift the marginalized music scene has reconfirmed Reese’s belonging.
“We’ve been putting on these shows,” she said, “and I feel that’s what made my love for Jacksonville blossom and make me feel at home here.”
With Reese establishing her aims as a creative it has allowed her to produce some of her favorite songs thus far — “Breakfast for Dinner” and “Good Girls” — two songs she created with Patrick Taylor from the group Trash Panda.
“I’ve never worked with anyone so awesome in my life,” Reese added. “Pat is so talented and nice and patient which are not the qualities of many producers I know.”
‘“Breakfast for Dinner,” Reese said, highlights the reality of “hating your service industry job and questioning what you want to do with your life,” while ‘Good Girls’ is a little more scandalous. Both embodying a different sound — one with an ’80s pop sound and the other dark pop.
Reese — so sure of her sound and identity — is preparing to take listeners for a journey that is unalloyed.
To keep up with Erica Reese and her endeavors you can follow her through her social platforms at @theericareeseshow, @ladyluckpresents and @coastalcreatures.
Skating into riverside
Jacksonville’s
New Artist Walk
Skatepark
Words by Ambar Ramirez
Photos by Ambar Ramirez & Matt Oistacher
With a vision to connect historic Riverside and Brooklyn neighborhoods, the city partnered with leading skatepark builders — California Skateparks — to make that dream a reality. With a cost of $8 million and many months (and delays) later, the long-awaited Artist Walk Skate Park officially opened to the public on Aug. 8.
Open 24 hours, the six-acre public skatepark boasts a variety of creative obstacles and ramps, welcoming skaters of all skill levels to practice and play. At the entrance, three ramps spell out “JAX,” a vibrant tribute to the skatepark’s home, painted in bold blue, yellow and red — a burst of color echoed throughout the park. But this new space isn’t just for skaters. Surrounding the skateable area is a multi-use trail, dotted with patches of grass that offer spots for observers, walkers, runners and anyone looking for a place to simply hang out.
I arrived at the Artist Walk Skatepark, tucked beneath the towering Fuller Warren Bridge, on a sun-drenched late summer day. Unsure of where to park, I ended up taking a five-minute detour on foot, the sun beating down relentlessly even as I approached the shaded area beneath the overpass. The thick, humid air clung to my skin, leaving me sticky with sweat. But I wasn’t alone. Skaters from every corner of our Bold City—and even from other states—were already there, shredding the freshly installed ramps with relentless energy.
Darius Sibley has been skating for about 15 years now and before the Artist Walk Skatepark opened would frequent spots like a skatepark at Jacksonville Beach. Sibley noted how this newly installed skatepark is connecting communities not just within Jacksonville, but skaters from other cities and states. But what exactly sets this park apart from others?
“Just the energy that the skate park gives off, all the obstacles. There are endless things to skate for,” Sibley shared.
The excitement and energy at the public skatepark were palpable. Families made use of the paved walkway, some with scooters, others with strollers. Groups of friends lounged on the grassy patches, chatting over shared lunches while watching skaters try out new tricks. The only common complaint among skaters was the absence of bathrooms on sight.
Sitting on one of the many benches scattered throughout the park were local skaters Parker Hammond and Quentin Clark. Hammond has been skateboarding for about 14 years, Clark for 16, needless to say, both are familiar with the local skating scene. Since the grand opening of the skatepark, both shared that they hadn’t visited their usual skating spots (Jacksonville Beach and the streets).
“It’s just kind of, like, vastly different than anything we’ve ever had, especially here in Jacksonville. Considering it’s under the bridge, it stays completely dry and the lights are on for 24 hours. So you can literally skate it whenever you want,” Hammond said. “And it keeps us away from the heat too.”
“And it keeps you away from the rain,” Clark added.
On Aug. 10, the Artist Walk Skatepark hosted its inaugural event that promoted skaters to come show off their best tricks for a $2,000+ cash prize to kick off the opening of the park. And every third Sunday of the month, Lady Skate Day with Go Skate Jax will be at the park, continuing their project of promoting inclusivity and confidence among women in the skating community. Along with being an extension of RAM, the skatepark is planned to be home to many more events for the community.
“This park is a lot different than a normal skate park, I guess, because not only is it visually pleasing which makes the obstacles different, but it lets you be more creative with your skating,” Hammond shared.
“I think since it’s a new place to skate, it’s going to bring a lot of people that used to skate back in the day around. And also, it’s a good place for the young children to learn how to skate,” Clark added.
Photo by Marco Marino // @marcophotoz
Photo by Marco Marino // @marcophotoz
Miracle Collective Festival
Words by Emily Cheyne
The Miracle Collective, a collection of the Jacksonville DIY music scene, is producing the first ever Miracle Collective festival. This full day festival hosted at the Underbelly will include 20 bands within the hardcore and metal adjacent scene in the Southeast, along with some bigger names.
Featuring Florida bands like Morning Again, Seed of Pain, Domain, and Cruel Hand from Maine, the event will begin around noon on Sept. 7. Keith and Alex, the event coordinators, hope to inspire new people to get into the scene, as well as represent the bands within it. They encourage those not already in the scene to give it a try because you never know what you might find.
The duo has been booking shows for around two years now, bringing exciting new talent to the area. This festival is the biggest one they have done yet and are hopeful it will continue to expand the DIY entertainment scene in Jacksonville.
The desire and energy for shows in the city is constantly growing and The Miracle Collective hopes to share that with this festival. Those attending can expect a full day of music, merch tables and local vegan food from Marigold. Sponsors Tiger Records and MYOH will also be in attendance.
A preshow to the festival will take place Sept. 6. Tickets are available now at
NEW MUSIC RELEASES
Made For You By Amiyah Golden
Toro y Moi (also known as Chaz Bear) is releasing his project “Hole Erth” this September. Bear has established a loyal fan base, and listeners are anticipating a project full of ‘bangers.’
His album also has features from other noteworthy artists such as Kevin Abstract, Don Toliver, Porches, Duckwrth, and more!
My discovery of Aaron Maine, the voice and mind behind “Porches,” came a few years prior. His two songs, “Now the Water” and “Mood” instantly captivated me, and they are still in heavy rotation for me to this day.
Maine’s newest album, “Shirt,” according to Domino Music’s website, is “part angsty fantasy, part confessional melodrama … that oscillates between reality and make-believe…”
Alongside his sixth studio album, Maine has also announced a North American tour, as well as a UK and European leg.
The Scottish band are no strangers to fame with their hit song, “Chasing Cars” that with every listen (even almost a decade later) still provides me with the dopamine rush I experienced when I first heard it.
Queen of the Stone Age’s (another notable band) Troy Van Leeuwen was also a part of the songwriting for this project.
“This album took us on many uncharted routes, with sometimes weird and wonderful turns, and so it’s hard not to think of the start of this album as a new beginning,” the band shared with Billboard.com. “But while we honor the past, we also want to cherish the present and look to the future. So, this is the beginning of something, and we are so excited to share it with you all.” (billboard,com)
Snow Patrol has also announced a United Kingdom and European tour scheduled for the beginning of 2025.
“THE
FOREST IS THE PATH” SNOW PATROL
“HOLE ERTH”
TORO Y MOI
“SHIRT”
PORCHES
“The new album sounds like Fuzzybrain but with more caffeine and a fully developed pre-frontal cortex,” Sloan Strubble (a.k.a Dayglow) shared via his Instagram story. As a fan myself, my excitement for the release skyrocketed even more.
Making indie style music that correlates to sunshine for me, Dayglow has curated a sound that is resemblant of his persona. His new self-titled album features 10 tracks, and I can’t wait to hear what he’s created, especially with the confirmation of a close association to his previous project Fuzzybrain.
Truckloads of country music releases are anticipated this September with country singer, Miranda Lambert, releasing her album, “Postcards from Texas” this month — her first album under a new label –Republic Records.
Billboard.com called it “a blend of tender ballads, steel guitar-laden tracks and acoustic renderings, as well as amped-up rock-tinged tunes.”
“POSTCARDS FROM TEXAS”
“Flood,” the new album from the indie band Hippo Campus, is a personal listen that I can’t wait to dive into. An underrated vessel of a dreamy collective sound, the group from St. Paul, Minnesota has made their stamp on the indie scene (although I think they deserve way more praise.)
Their latest project features 13 songs with the early release of four singles, “Forget It”, “Paranoid”, “Tooth Fairy” and “Everything At Once,” giving fans a tease at the sound they can expect from the full album.
This particular album feels a bit different from their typical sound — while I can’t speak to the band’s inspiration, I definitely hear notes similar to the band, The 1975.
MIRANDA LAMBERT
“SINK
YOUR TEETH”
NEON TREES
The alternative rock collective, Neon Trees, best known for their 2012 hit single, “Everybody Talks,” is releasing their fifth studio album, “Sink Your Teeth.”
The project is composed of 12 tracks and comes after a four-year hiatus following the release of their last album, “I Can Feel You Forgetting Me,” in 2020.
Infamously known as the yodeling cowboy in Walmart from a viral video in 2018, the Mason Ramsey, 12 years old at the time, received recognition from millions of viewers, as well as Ellen DeGeneres when he graced her show.
Today, he is still on his journey as an artist with the recent announcement of a North American tour, including a stop in Jacksonville with special guest Halle Kearns. His debut album, “I’ll See You In My Dreams,” features 14 songs and is produced by Dan Fernandez.
Ramsey has already earned a Gold-certified single and is continuing to push for more accolades as he’s only 17-years-old with a lifetime still ahead of him
after four years with his newest album, “High.”
When asked about the inspiration behind his latest album, Urban stated, “I’ve always been drawn toward the subject of living in the moment because it’s all there is, and it’s hard to do. And these days with so much ‘content’ flying at us, it can feel like drinking from a fire hose.”
With multiple hit songs – past and present – Urban is expected to wow fans with his new music.
Country singer, Keith Urban, hailing from Australia has spent decades making his mark on the American country scene and beyond. Urban Is back
“HIGH” KEITH URBAN
Pop icon Katy Perry releases her sixth album,“143,” four years after the release of her last project, “Smile.”
In a statement Perry shared the project is, “a sexy, fearless return to form.”
While her single, “Woman’s World,” received much criticism online, listeners still have plenty of other unreleased tracks to look forward to and the features listed are honestly worthy of a chance of redemption. Artists listed include rappers 21 Savage and JID, as well as Doechii and Kim Petras.
“7”
NELLY FURTADO
Seven years after her last album, “The Ride,” the Grammy-winner (and arguably, the “it” girl of the 2000s) will release “7” this month.
During an interview with the TODAY show, Furtado expressed the experience for this specific project when recording this album. “This time was different. It was like, complete freedom, complete liberation in (the studio) — just trying anything I wanted.”
Furtado also shared that the 14 tracks that are on the album were chosen from a whopping 500 different songs that she wrote over the last several years.
The project also includes features from Tove Lo, SG Lewis, Charlotte Day Wilson and many more!
KATY PERRY
“143”
CONCERTS
SEPT. 3
Fea Jack Rabbits jaxlive.com
SEPT. 6
Cody Jinks
St. Augustine Amphitheatre theamp.com
Candlelight: A Tribute to Queen and More Friday Musicale feverup.com
Jeff Beadle, Jordan Burchel & Jacob Hudson
Blue Jay Listening Room bluejayjax.com
Nahko Jack Rabbits jaxlive.com
The Portrait
Kona Clubhouse konaskatepark.com
SEPT. 6-7
Jacksonville Symphony Sneak Peak Jacksonville Center for the Performing Arts jaxsymphony.org
SEPT. 7
Cedric Burnside
Ritz Theatre & Museum ritzjacksonville.com
Swamptooth with Tina & Her Pony
Blue Jay Listening Room bluejayjax.com
Cowgirl Clue
Jack Rabbits jaxlive.com
Miracle Collective I Underbelly underbellyjax.com
Homegrown Losers
Kona Clubhouse konaskatepark.com
SEPT. 8
Florida Chamber Music Project Opening Concert: Haydn & Bartok
Beaches Museum Chapel flchambermusic.org
Heart Strings: An All Female Songwriters
Showcase
Blue Jay Listening Room bluejayjax.com
Dion Lunadon
Kona Clubhouse konaskatepark.com
SEPT. 11
Caiola with Elijah Johnston
Blue Jay Listening Room bluejayjax.com
Bug Hunter and The Narcissist Cookbook
Underbelly underbellyjax.com
SEPT. 12
“1964: When the Beatles Rocked Florida”
Ritz Theatre & Museum ritzjacksonville.com
Cinema Stereo
Jack Rabbits jaxlive.com
SEPT. 13
Guttermouth Kona Clubhouse konaskatepark.com
SEPT. 13-14
Parrots + Palms: The Songs of Buffett & Fins Jacksonville Center for the Performing Arts jaxsymphony.org
SEPT. 14
The Almas Jack Rabbits jaxlive.com
Sueca Underbelly underbellyjax.com
Albert Castiglia
Cafe Eleven, St. Augustine Beach originalcafe11.com
SEPT. 16
My Morning Jacket Daily’s Place dailysplace.com
Torture Underbelly underbellyjax.com
SEPT. 17
Augustana
Jack Rabbits jaxlive.com
SEPT. 18
Michael McDermott
Cafe Eleven, St. Augustine Beach originalcafe11.com
SEPT. 19
Trampled By Turtles
St. Augustine Amphitheatre theamp.com
Tyler Braden
Jack Rabbits jaxlive.com
Amigo the Devil
Bier Hall at Intuition Ale Works intuitionaleworks.com
Kris Allen
Cafe Eleven, St. Augustine Beach originalcafe11.com
SEPT. 20
6arely Human
Jack Rabbits jaxlive.com
Hoods Kona Clubhouse konaskatepark.com
The Buttertones
Underbelly underbellyjax.com
SEPT. 21
Mahler’s Symphony No. 2, “Resurrection” Jacksonville Center for the Performing Arts jaxsymphony.org
Jon B.
Ritz Theatre & Museum ritzjacksonville.com
Matthew Fowler, Jordan Foley & Kyle Keller
Blue Jay Listening Room bluejayjax.com
SEPT. 23
Lamont Landers
Jack Rabbits jaxlive.com
SEPT. 25
Creed Daily’s Place dailysplace.com
SEPT. 26
The Sisters of Mercy St. Augustine Amphitheatre theamp.com
Mason Ramsey Underbelly underbellyjax.com
SEPT. 27
Hootie & the Blowfish VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena jaxevents.com
Jewel + Melissa Etheridge St. Augustine Amphitheatre theamp.com
The HVNZ/Within Our Nature Jack Rabbits jaxlive.com
Jonathan & Abigail Peyton Cafe Eleven, St. Augustine Beach originalcafe11.com
SEPT. 27-28
Rachmaninoff’s Second Concerto Jacksonville Center for the Performing Arts jaxsymphony.com
SEPT. 28
The 2nd Annual Jax City Blues Festival Jacksonville Center for the Performing Arts jaxevents.com
Ritz Voices: Back Together Again Reunion Concert
Ritz Theatre & Museum ritzjacksonville.com
Jazz in the Park
Philip Randolph Heritage Park melanincollaborativegroup.org
Midland
St. Augustine Amphitheatre theamp.com
Sam Bush Band
Bier Hall at Intuition Ale Works intuitionaleworks.com
El Fantasma Jacksonville Equestrian Center bandsintown.com
Quarters of Change Jack Rabbits jaxlive.com
SEPT. 28
Coles Whalen Blue Jay Listening Room bluejayjax.com
SEPT. 29
Violent Femmes St. Augustine Amphitheatre theamp.com
Goatwhore Jack Rabbits jaxlive.com
Slaughter Beach
Bier Hall at Intuition Ale Works intuitionaleworks.com
SEPT. 29-OCT. 6
Amelia Island Jazz Festival Various locations, Fernandina Beach
ameliaislandjazzfestival.com
Wallows At Cadence Bank Amp
Words & photos by Courtney Thomassen
Earlier this summer indie rock trio Wallows hit the road to promote the release of Model, their third studio album. Although slated as a world tour with dates as far away as Australia later this year, the Model tour neglected to include any stops in Florida, leaving Jacksonville fans to make the somewhat reasonable trip to Atlanta if they wanted to experience the show live.
Nestled in the heart of Fulton County’s Chastain Park is Cadence Bank Amphitheatre, an outdoor venue seating just under seven thousand and the venue for tonight’s show. For a Floridian an uncovered outdoor concert in the middle of summer might induce stress, but mild temperatures and skies clear of seasonal thunderstorms left concertgoers free to enjoy the fresh air. And if just being outside didn’t already scream ‘mini vacation,’ the steep hike down to Gate 1 would - had it been in the Sunshine State it probably would’ve cracked the top ten for highest hill.
Shows with entirely reserved seating tend to be more relaxed since all advantage to early arrival is moot, but when doors opened at 6:30PM a long line had formed of fans who could not wait to get in. One by one guests shuffled in and slowly the seats filled until BENEE took the stage for her 7:30PM opening set. It didn’t take long for the Auckland singer songwriter to win the crowd over with her infectious energy and upbeat alt-pop sound. As the sun set, casting a warm glow over the amphitheater, BENEE performed ten songs including “Find An Island,” “Green Honda,” and fan favorite “Beach Boy,” only stopping between tracks to interact with fans and read homemade signs. By the time her set ended with “Supalonely,” everyone was up and dancing along. The 2019 hit single, which gained popularity largely through social media app TikTok, left fans with a high that carried them straight into the main event.
A curtain bearing large, white block letters spelling “WALLOWS” unraveled to cover the stage as the set changeover began, prompting near blood curdling screams from the pit. Dusk had turned to night when a white light shone onto the curtain until it fell away, revealing a second white sheet behind it. A spotlight backlit singer Dylan Minnette, casting a silhouette on the curtain as the opening notes to “Do Not Wait” rang out across the venue. The rolling melody of the Nothing Happens closing track played in time with additional lights, turning on and off to reveal silhouettes of each band member before strobing wildly for the final curtain drop.
The opening riff of Model’s lead single “Your Apartment” sent the crowd into a frenzy, screaming and singing along with the now visible band. After “Anytime, Always” and older favorite “Scrawny,” Guitarist Braeden Lemasters took over the mic for “Don’t You Think It’s Strange?” The trio, which consists of Minnette, Lemasters, and drummer Cole Preston, are unconventionally loose when it comes to positions within the group. While most of the songs feature lead vocals from Minnette, a significant portion of Wallows’ discography is sung by Lemasters and a few tracks even see Preston take over. A staple of recent Wallows setlists has been “Quarterback,” during which Preston sings and Minnette has a turn at the drums. The set continued with a healthy mix of songs new and old, including “Bad Dream,” “You (Show Me Where My Days Went),” and “A Warning” from the recent release alongside classics “These Days” and “Just Like a Movie.” The intimate size of Cadence Bank Amphitheatre was remarked upon multiple times throughout the evening, with Minnette pointing out how the front seats were only a few feet away. During “She’s An Actress,” the front row ceased to be the best seats in the house as the singer exited the stage to walk through the crowd to a platform set up behind the pit. Fans jumped from their seats and flooded to the nearest open aisle hoping to catch a glimpse as he passed, eventually migrating to the barricade around B stage once Braeden and Cole caught up. For three songs, including fan choice “1980’s Horror Film,” the trio stripped back to an intimate, acoustic performance. Preston and Minnette made their way back to the main stage, this time leaving Lemasters to spend some time in the crowd as he sang “Worlds Apart.” As the set neared its end, it was clear the boys were not pulling any punches for the big finale. Debut single and appropriately titled “Pleaser” was just that - a huge crowd pleaser, and when the opening notes of “Remember When” were recognized the venue erupted. The music of Tell Me That It’s Over lead single “I Don’t Want To Talk” faded away, replaced with unrelenting cheers and calls for an encore from all sections of the venue. The silence from stage was short lived as Minnette, Lemasters and Preston reappeared. “Give us everything you have for these last songs,” Minnette asked, and the crowd delivered. “Are You Bored Yet?” and Model closing track “Only Ecstasy” brought the night to an official end, but the band stayed to throw setlists, picks and drumsticks to lucky fans waiting on the floor. For fans of their music or even the casual concertgoer, seeing Wallows live is a must. While it was well worth the trip for those who were able, here’s to hoping the next tour will stop a little closer to home.
Photo courtesy of John Legend’s team
GETTING TO KNOW JOHN LEGEND
On stage we’ve seen him in his nicest suits, angled in perfect lighting with buttery vocals and charming smiles. John Legend has made a name for himself in the limelight, but when the lights dim and the venue empties, who is John Legend?
Sure, there’s social media, offering that surface-level connection—and Legend, nor his wife Chrissy Teigen, doesn’t shy away from it. But it’s rare for a celebrity to openly share the hardships and triumphs they’ve faced in a life so publicly consumed by fans. Legend, however, knows how to set himself apart.
Despite being a father, a husband, a judge on “The Voice” and managing over five businesses and creative projects, Legend pours his heart into every performance. Yet, as I sit at my desk at my one job, I can’t help but wonder how Legend manages it all while staying grounded.
AMBAR: Thank you so much for taking the time to speak with me today. I know you’re on a busy schedule with touring and everything, so this is really awesome.
LEGEND: My pleasure.
AMBAR: So as an artist with a long career and a devoted fan base, how do you navigate the balance between staying true to your sound and your artistic vision while also meeting the expectations of your audience during this tour?
LEGEND: Well, this tour is really different and fun for me and is really kind of sobering and revelatory for me too because I spend a lot of time talking about my story and about all the experiences that made me who I am. Some of the ups and some of the downs, as well as some of the struggles we had in my family. But all of it made me who I am. It feels very cathartic in a way, and therapeutic in a way. But also it makes me feel like I’m getting closer to my audience. And I think most of them really appreciate it. They feel closer to me and the show. I think a lot of people don’t know what they’re getting into when it comes to the show because it’s not a traditional concert where I’m just kind of going from song to song. I’m really talking a lot and telling my story a lot. And even though it’s different than most constantly go to, I think people love that about it and people come away from it saying, you know, this is one of their favorite shows they’ve ever been to. And I don’t think it’s because I’m so special, but I think it’s because the type of show it is is really different from anything people normally see in a concert.
AMBAR: Yeah, that sounds really personal and intimate as well. How do you take these personal stories and intertwine it with your music? Or how do you decide which songs you’re going to perform?
LEGEND: Well, a lot of it revolves around my story, so I want the song choice to be woven together with the storytelling. I want it to make sense as a complete experience. And so I put a lot of thought really into the setlist and coordinating it with the storytelling. So it all kind of works together.
AMBAR: Do you have a favorite song you like to perform or a favorite portion of the set specifically to this concert that you really enjoy?
LEGEND: Some of my favorite parts are the talking parts where I’m telling stories that people really didn’t know about me. Some of it’s really funny, some of it’s really revelatory, and it’s this stuff people didn’t realize about me, and so some of my favorites are in the story, and I’ll let people come into the show to kind of experience it for the first time. But people learn a lot of behind-the-scenes stuff about me, even though I’ve been at it for 20 years. And song-wise, you know, I love doing the classics like “Ordinary People” and “All of Me,” but I also do some cool covers in the show by artists who have inspired me over the years.
AMBAR: That’s so sweet. I love that. So I know touring or I can only imagine that touring is very tiring both physically and mentally. What are some common practices that you employ to stay creatively energized during your tour?
LEGEND: I get my rest before every show, and I think that’s the key for me because singing is practically an athletic thing to do because it’s so much related to how you feel and making sure your body is healthy and prepared to do what you need to do. And so I’m always making sure my body is rested and hydrated and I’m warmed up properly so that I can give people my best every night.
AMBAR: Do you have any, like, pre-show rituals or mantras that you do right before getting on stage?
LEGEND: I do a like a 35-minute warm up vocally, [and] I do some stretches and I eat the same meal every show. Roasted chicken and vegetables.
AMBAR: Classic. Can’t go wrong with that. It seems like your family is a very big part of your life and touring often requires time away from your family. How do you navigate maybe some of the sacrifices that come with that, and what are the rewards that make it worthwhile?
Legend: Well, I always miss them when I’m gone. And I’m always looking forward to getting back to them. But, you know, I love making music, I love performing. And this is the path I chose in life that I love. And hopefully, I’ve been good at creating a balance between all of that, trying to be the best father I can be and the best husband I can be, but also being the best artist I can be at the same time.
AMBAR: Yeah, absolutely. And kind of in the same breath, how has your parenthood shifted your perspective on music, specifically with your upcoming album?
LEGEND: Yeah, well, of course, I made an entire album that is inspired by me being a parent to small children and the new album called “My Favorite Dream,” is inspired by all the stories I like to tell our kids and the passages we like to tell our kids. And it’s inspired by all the conversations we have with them. I just sat there and kind of brainstormed ideas based on the messages that we give them all the time and some songs around it.
AMBAR : Beautiful. I think that’s really sweet and there is a good callback to, you know, the foundation you’ve built. Oh, sorry, my cats are going crazy right now.
LEGEND: How many cats do you have?
AMBAR: I have two cats.
LEGEND: We have two and four dogs.
AMBAR: Oh that’s a full house!
LEGEND: Yeah, Yeah.
AMBAR: And I know you recently came out with that brand that’s centered around dogs.
LEGEND: Kismet is a pet food brand for dogs only right now. But hopefully cats in the future.
AMBAR: Yeah, they need some love as well haha. Well, on that topic, you have, so many businesses and creative projects and you’re a judge on “The Voice” as well. And I mean, you’re an artist yourself, and you’re also a father and a husband. How do you balance all of that? And what’s a good piece of advice you would want to tell people about balancing all these aspects of your life?
LEGEND: Well, I think part of it is really about making sure you hire talented people who you trust that you can delegate a lot to because, you know, with all these businesses, they’re being run by people who are great at what they do. And we’re very involved in a lot of creative decisions. But there’s a lot that goes into running a business that doesn’t require our steady input. And so the fact that we have people we trust running those businesses, people who have great experience and great intelligence and savvy in their respective fields, that’s really what makes it possible for us to do all these things. So we’re able to contribute creatively and with our platform but also allow people who are really good at running a business to run the business.
AMBAR : Yeah, it’s always important to have a really strong team.
LEGEND : Yeah, I think my whole career has been caught on collaborating with awesome people who are better than me and things so I know I’m good at certain things, but the key is finding people who are better or smarter than you at other things so that they can compliment you and help you make you better.
AMBAR: Absolutely, and challenge you as well.
LEGEND: Absolutely.
AMBAR: All right. So my last question I had for you, or actually before we get to that, if you weren’t a musician, what do you think you would have been?
LEGEND: Well, I’m very into justice, and a lot of my philanthropic work has been around justice and reforming, defending people’s rights. So I probably would have gone to law school and fought for justice in one way or another, which is kind of what I do on the side now using the platform that music has given me
AMBAR: That’s super cool! And then being that your last name is Legend, it seems only fitting that I ask, what kind of legacy do you hope to leave, both professionally and personally?
LEGEND: Well, the easy answer is you want to leave music behind, [music] stands the test of time. And that’s the amazing thing about being an artist is that we’re able to create things that outlive us. And you want the memory of your career and the work and the art that you’ve created to be meaningful to people beyond your own life. And so that’s one part of the legacy. And then, of course, we have four beautiful kids who we are pouring so much love and advice and energy into, and they’re obviously going to be a big part of our legacy, too.
Words by Ambar Ramirez & Carmen Macri
You know them, and you love them. We’ve said it once, and we will say it again: The potato is the most versatile food. It could be a group of its own on the food pyramid. You have mashed potatoes, baked potatoes, sweet potatoes, roasted potatoes, hash browns, over 20 different styles of fries and for this month’s hunt, tater tots (Ambar’s favorite version). This isn’t child’s play, though, we aren’t finding the best plain Jane tater tot, no, we found the best loaded tater tots… and boy, was it satisfying.
So, without further ado …
4/5
GRAFFITI BURGER
If you live at the beach, you know all about Graffiti Burger and their buffalo chicken tater tots. It was a no-brainer to include them on the list. Always sporting a golden brown crunchy exterior with a warm fluffy inside — the loaded tots were no different.
Topped with crispy chicken tossed in a mild buffalo sauce, bacon bits and house-made queso, it felt like fireworks were going off in our mouths in the very best way. The gooey-rich queso was battling the heat from the buffalo sauce for full control with the tots riding along in the passenger seat. Despite the many combating flavors, the bowl was well-balanced and satisfied both our spicy and savory cravings.
5/5
CLARKE BRO’S SUBS
Unassuming from the outside, this Riverside sub and sandwich shop knows how to pack a flavorful punch, especially when it comes to their homemade stuffed tater tots. That’s right. Stuffed. With their golden, crisp exterior and a gooey cheese and bacon center, they are one of those ingenious creations you wish you’d thought of first.
These taters are exactly what you would imagine a savory gusher to taste like. Actually, it was better than anything our puny brains could ever conjure. With all the perks of a loaded tater tot bowl without all the mess, there’s no going back. With a crunchy bite that will have any ASMR lover swooning and a filling that melted in our mouths, we fear that we will never be the same.
TAVERNA OCEANA 2/5
Looks may be deceiving and taste may also be deceiving. We were recommended to check out this spot because of its unique take on a loaded tater tot. That being said, we will tell you what makes them so … loaded. Topped with sour cream, chives and salmon roe. Yep. You heard that right. Salmon eggs. Caviar if you want to get fancy with it. We were hesitant, as many would be, because who in their right mind would think of putting salmon eggs on top of a pile of crispy crunchy drops of heaven… Taverna Oceana would.
At first, we hated them. It made no sense in our brains. The two flavors should not be together, point blank. But after a few bites, we still hated them. We are assuming this is an acquired taste that we just did not have. The tater tots were the perfect golden brown and of course, the sour cream and chive did exactly what it was supposed to, but we could not get past the salmon roe, and maybe that is on us, our palates should be more refined. But unfortunately, they’re not.
TOTS: 4/5
TOPPINGS: 4/5
OVERALL: 4/5
Perfect for people who enjoy getting their fingers dirty
TOTS: 5/5
TOPPINGS: It’s what’s on the inside that counts
OVERALL: 5/5
Perfect for people who prefer Twinkies over toaster strudels.
TOTS: 4/5
TOPPINGS: 2/5
OVERALL: 2/5
Perfect for pretentious people who are too ashamed to swing through a Sonic for a basket of tater tots.
Cajun Crab Juice Seafood & Bar Jax cajuncrabjax.com
Cliff’s Bar & Grill cliffsbarandgrill.com
El Fogón de Munchies facebook.com/elfogonMunchiesBoricuas
Fancy Sushi & Grill Japanese Restaurant fancysushiandgrill.com
Fuji Sushi fujisushi-fl.com
The Good Place Nutrition facebook.com/thegoodplacenutrition
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
European Street Cafe europeanstreet.com
The Fish Company Restaurant and Oyster Bar thefishcojax.com
Flying Iguana Taqueria & Tequila Bar flyingiguana.com
The G.O.A.T. Tapas & Bar thegoatjax.com
Grinders American Diner grindersamdiner.com
Lauren’s Jazz, Blues & Seafood facebook.com/laurensseafoodbluesjazz
La Palmerita orderlapalmerita.com
Pupuseria El Paraíso pupuseriaelparaisojax.com
Rice + Noodles Korean Restaurant riceandnoodles.net
Seven Wonders Restaurant 7wondersbakery.com
GROM
facebook.com/Grom904
Hawkers eathawkers.com
JJ’s Liberty Bistro jjbistro.com/ponte-vedra
Kamiya 86 kamiya86fl.com
Lone Wolf Co. lonewolfjax.com
Marker 32 marker32.com
Mezzaluna mezzalunajax.com
Mojo Kitchen mojobbq.com/mojo-kitchen
Nona Blue Modern Tavern nonablue.com
North Beach Fish Camp thenorthbeachfishcamp.com
Oaxaca Club theoaxacaclub.com
O-Ku o-kusushi.com
Palm Valley Fish Camp palmvalleyfishcamp.com
Poe’s Tavern poestavern.com
Ragtime Tavern ragtimetavern.com
Southern Coast Seafood southerncoastseafood.com
Tabouleh Cafe taboulehcafe.com
Thai & Lao Bistro thaiandlaobistro.com
Zen Dumpling zendumplings.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
Talkin’ Tacos talkintacos.net
Two Dudes Seafood Restaurant twodudesrestaurant.com
Valley Smoke BBQ valleysmoke.com
Vicious Biscuit viciousbiscuit.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
Bella Vista bellavistaitalian.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
Bold Birds Nashville Hot Chicken boldbirdshotchicken.com
Buchner’s Bierhall buchnersbierhalle.com
The Butt Hutt Smokehouse butthuttjax.com
Chancho King chanchoking.com
The Dreamette dreametteicecream.com
Estrella Cocina estrellajax.com
The Happy Grilled Cheese thehappygrilledchees.wixsite.com/grilledcheese
Indochine indochinejax.com
Juliette’s Bistro at Marriott Jacksonville Downtown marriott.com
Morton’s The Steakhouse mortons.com
Ocean Street Tacos oceanstreettacos.com
Kazu Japanese Restaurant kazujapaneserestaurant.com
Le Petit Paris French Cafe lepetitparisjax.com
Mandola’s Italian Kitchen mandolas.com
Masala Indian Cuisine jaxmasala.com
Nudo Vietnam Cuisine nudoinjax.com
One Night Taco Stand onenightjax.com
Picasso’s Pizzeria jaxpicassos.wixsite.com/jaxpicassos
El Jefe Tex Mex eljefejax.com
Fired Up Pizza woodfireduppizza.com
La Cena Ristorante No website. Google it!
Maple Street Biscuit Company maplestreetbiscuits.com/murray-hill
Moon River Pizza moonriverpizza.net
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
Rosy’s Restaurant rosys-restaurant.business.site
Salento Steakhouse salentosteakhouse.com
Taziki’s Mediterranean Cafe tazikis.com
Umami Japanese Curry & Ramen umamijax.com
Wicked Barley Brewing Company wickedbarley.com
Murray Hillbilly murrayhillbilly.com
Solazo Taqueria solazofl.business.site
The Stout Snug thestoutsnug.com
Vagabond Coffee Co. vagabondcoffee.com
The Walrus thewalrusjax.com
Aloha Waffle Bar alohawafflebar.com
Celestia’s Coastal Cuisine celestiascoastalcuisine.com
Epik epikeats.com
Fuji Yama fujiyamajax.com
Galaxy Burger galaxyburgersjax.com
13 Gypsies 13gypsies.com
904 Tacos facebook.com/904tacosfivepoints
Ale Pie House alepiehousefl.com
Arepa Please arepaplease.com
Bagel Love bagel-love.ueniweb.com
Biggie’s Pizza biggiespizzajax.com
Biscottis biscottis.net
The Blue Fish Restaurant & Oyster Bar bluefishjax.com
Blue Buddha bluebuddhaspecialty.com
Blue Orchid Thai Cuisine blueorchidthai.com
Bold Bean boldbeancoffee.com
Brew Five Points brewfivepoints.co
Carolina Jax carolinajax.com
Carmines Pie House carminespiehouse.com
Cool Moose Cafe coolmoosecafe.net
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
Corner Taco cornertaco.com
Cuisine 76 & Bar cuisine76andbar.com
European Street Cafe europeanstreet.com
The Fox Restaurant facebook.com/thefoxrestaurant
The Greenhouse and Bar thegreenhousebar.com
Hawkers eathawkers.com
Homespun Kitchen homespunkitchen.com
Iguana on Park iguanaonpark.com
Josephine josephineavondale.com
Kickbacks Gastropub kickbacksgastropub.com
Kingmaker Brewing kingmakerbrewing.com
MOJO No. 4 Urban BBQ & Whiskey Bar mojobbq.com/mojo-no-4
The Mossfire Grill mossfire.com
Nacho Taco nachotaco.net
Pattaya Thai Grill pattayathaijax.com
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
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
1937 1937sanmarco.com
Bar Molino barmolino.com
bb’s bbsrestaurant.com
The Bearded Pig thebeardedpigbbq.com
Bistro X Restaurant and Lounge bistrox.com
Chart House chart-house.com
European Street Cafe europeanstreet.com
Fla. Juice and Bowl flajuiceandbowl.com
1748 Bakehouse 1748bakehouse.com
Bold City Downtown boldcitybrewery.com
Dainty Cheesecake Company daintycheesecake.com
Dos Vatos Tacos dosvatostacosfl.com
Casa Dora Italian Cafe casadoraitaliancusinepizzeria.com
Caribbean Sunrise Bakery & Restaurant caribbeansunrisebakery.com
Crispy’s Springfield Gallery facebook.com/CrispysSpringfieldGallery
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
Flavors of Thai flavors-of-thai.business.site
Fuji Sushi jacksonvillefujisushi.com
The Local thelocaljax.com
Matthew’s Restaurant matthewsrestaurant.com
The Metro Diner metrodiner.com
Oceana oceana.restaurant
The Olive Tree Mediterranean Grille theolivetreemediterraneangrille.com
Peterbrooke peterbrooke.com/pages/san-marco
Flavva flavvajacksonville.com
Island Tropics Restaurant facebook.com/Island-Tropics-Restaurant-Lounge
Tha Soulfood Smagicians facebook.com/thasmagicians
The Dreamette dreametteicecream.com
The District thedistrictspr.com
Hola Mexican Restaurant holajax.com
Catullo’s Italian catullos.hrpos.heartland.us/menu
Cataluna Jax catalunajax.com
Culhane’s Irish Pub culhanesirishpub.com
The French Pantry thefrenchpantryfl.com
Fresh Mex & Co. freshmexjax.com
Pink Salt Restaurant + Wine Bar pinksaltrestaurant.com
Rue Saint-Marc ruesaintmarc.com
Sake House 2 sakehousejax2.com
Southern Grounds southerngrounds.com
Taverna taverna.restaurant
Town Hall townhalljax.com
Indulgence Southern Bistro indulgencesouthernbistro.com
Social Grounds Coffee Roasters social-grounds-coffee.myshopify.com
Strings Sport Brewery stringssportsbrewery.com
Silkie’s Chicken & Champagne Bar meetatsilkies.com
Tulua Bistro instagram.com/tuluabistro
Uptown Kitchen and Bar uptownkitchenjax.com
Waafa and Mike’s Cafe facebook.com/waafaandmikes
V Pizza vpizza.com Galaxy Burger galaxyburgersjax.com
Just Jerk justjerkbbq1.com
Marianas Grinds facebook.com/marianasgrinds
Mr. Potato Spread mrpotatospread.com
Midtown Table midtowntable.medurebrothers.com
Norikase norikase.com
Prati Italia pratiitalia.com
Purple Roots purplerootsjacksonville.com
Ahadu Ethiopian Restaurant ahadu-ethiopian-restaurant.business.site
Aspendos Italian Cuisine aspendositaliancuisine.com
Banana Leaf Asian Bistro facebook.com/bananaleafasianbistro
Cross Creek Steakhouse and Ribs crosscreeksteakhouse.com
Ellianos Coffee ellianos.com
The Juicy Crab thejuicycrabjax.com
1928 Cuban Bistro-Fleming Island 1928cubanistro.com
Akaya Grill & Sushi Restaurant akayaonline.com
Bangin Burgers banginburgurs.com
Black Creek Cafe black-creek-cafe-middleburg.com
Corky Bell’s Seafood & Steaks corkybellsseafood.com
El Palermo Puerto Rican Kitchen palermopuertoricankitchen.com
El Pegao Restaurant facebook.com/eloegaorestaurant
Holey Moley Bagel Bar NYC facebook.com/HoleyMoleyBagelBar
King Kabob eatkingkabob.com
La Catrina Tacos & Tequila Bar lacatrinalovers.com
Leaderboard Arcade Bar & Pizzeria leaderboardarcade.com
Seasons 52 seasons52.com
Sweet Mama’s Southern Homestyle Cooking sweetmamasjacksonville.com
Taste of Thai tasteofthaijax.com
La Perla Mexican Restaurant orderlaperlamexicanrestaurant.com
Lewey’s Seafood and Wings leweys-seafood-wings.business.site
Mesa mesajax.com
The Metro Diner metrodiner.com
The Potter’s House Soul Food and Bistro thesoulfoodbistro.com
Puerto Plata Restaurant puertoplatarestaurant.com
Legacy Restaurant & Bar instagram.com/legacyloungejax
Mackey’s Munchies mackeysmunchies.com
Mr. Potato Spread mrpotatospread.com
Natural Kitchen naturalkitchenusa.com
OP Fish House & Oyster Bar opfishhouse.com
Ten Zushi tenzushionline.com
Two Sisters and A Deviled Crab 2sistersjax.com
Vito’s Pizza vitosorangepark.com
Whitey’s Fish Camp whiteysfishcamp.com
Texas de Brazil texasdebrazil.com
Sushi Bear sushibearjax.com
Trent’s Seafood jltrents.com
Tsaocaa Oakleaf tsaocaatea.com
BITE
ARLINGTON
Cliff’s Bar and Grill cliffsbarandgrill.com
Club Heaven clubheavenjax.com
BEACHES/PONTE VEDRA Beach Bowl beachbowljax.com
Blue Jay Listening Room bluejayjax.com
The Brix Taphouse jacksonvillebeachbar.com
Casa Marina casamarinahotel.com
Culhane’s culhanesirishpub.com
Flask & Cannon facebook.com/flaskandcannon
Fly’s Tie Irish Pub facebook.com/flystieirishpub
Green Room Brewing greenroombrewing.com
Grey Matter Distillery greymatterdistillery.com
Gusto gustojax.com
NIGHTLIFE
Hoptinger Bier Garden + Sausage House hoptinger.com
Ink Factory Brewing inkfactorybrewing.com
Island Girl Cigar Bar islandgirlcigarbar.com
Jax Beach Kava Bar kavajacksonville.com
Jekyll Brewing jekyllbrewing.com
Julep Palm Valley facebook.com/juleppalmvalley
Lemon Bar & Grille lemonbarjax.com
Living Room Lounge instagram.com/thelivingroomab
Lynch’s Irish Pub lynchsirishpub.com
Mango’s mangosjaxbeach.com
Mavi’s Waterfront Bar & Grill mavijax.com
Mayport Brewing Company maportbrewing.com
Mayport Garden Club mayportgardenclub.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
VooSwar Restaurant & Lounge instagram.com/vooswar
DOWNTOWN
The Bier Hall at Intuition Ale Works intuitionaleworks.com/bierhall
Bold City Brewery boldcitybrewery.com
De Real Ting Cafe facebook.com/derealtingcafe
Dos Gatos dosgatosjax.com
Element Bistro Bar & Lounge elementjax.com Hardwicks hardwicksbarjax.com
Intuition Aleworks intuitionaleworks.com
Island Girl Cigar Bar islandgirlcigarbar.com
Justice Pub facebook.com/thejusticepub
The Lark thelarkjax.com
Live Bar facebook.com/livebarclubjax
Manifest Distilling manifestdistilling.com
Ocean Street Tequila instagram.com/oceanstreettacosandtequila
The RL Lounge therlloungejax.com
Ruby Beach Brewing rubybeachbrewing.com
Underbelly underbellyjax.com
The Volstead thevolsteadjax.com
FLEMING ISLAND
Island Girl Cigar Bar
islandgirlcigarbar.com/fleming-island
Mercury Moon facebook.com/mercury-moon
Mr. Chubby’s Wings mrchubbyswings.com
Sunset Tiki Bar the-sunset-tiki-bar.business. site
Whitey’s Fish Camp whiteysfishcamp.com
INTRACOASTAL WEST
9 Zero Pour 9zeropour.com
MVP’s Sports Grille facebook.com/mvpssportsgrille
The Spot Hookah Lounge thespothookahloungejax.com
Time Out Sports Grill timeoutsportsgrill.com
MANDARIN/JULINGTON
CREEK/FRUIT COVE
2nd Bay Brewing 2ndbaybrewing.com
Comedy Zone comedyzone.com
Iggy’s Grill and Bar facebook.com/iggysgrill
Kava & Company kavaandcompany.com
Legacy Ale Works legacyaleworks.com
Monkey’s Uncle Tavern monkeysunclemandarin.com
Rack’em Up Sports Bar facebook.com/rackemupsportsbar
Time Out Sports Grill timeoutsportsgrill.com
MURRAY HILL Axe Champs axechamps.com
NOVEMBER
DECEMBER
Buchner’s Bierhalle buchnersbierhalle.com
The Boot Rack Saloon boot-rack-saloon.business.site
Fishweir Brewing Company fishweirbrewing.com
The Flamingo theflamingojax.com
Mustang Bar & Grill facebook.com/themustangjax
Perfect Rack Billiards perfectrackbilliards.com
Silver Cow silvercowjax.com
Spruce sprucejax.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
Dart Bar & Games facebook.com/dartbarjax
Eclipse Bar & Nightclub facebook.com/eclipsebarjax
The Garage garagejax.com
The Green House thegreenhousebar.com
Hoptinger Bier Garden + Sausage House hoptinger.com
Incahoots incahootsnightclub.com
Kanine Social Taproom kaninesocial.com
Keg & Coin kegandcoinjax.com
Kingmaker Brewing kingmakerbrewing.com
Lemonstreet Brewing Company lemonstreetbrewing.com
The Loft loftjax.com
Mickie’s Irish Pub facebook.com/mickiesjax
Myrtle Avenue Brewing facebook.com/myrtleavebrewing
Park Place Lounge park-place-lounge.business.site
Rain Dogs instagram.com/raindogs5points
River & Post riverandpostjax.com
Riverside Liquors riversideliquors.biz
Rogue Bar facebook.com/rogue.bar.1
Root Down facebook.com/rootdownjax
Shores Liquor and Bar instagram.com/shoresliquoravondale
Wildcrafters facebook.com/wildcraftersjax
SAN MARCO/ST. NICHOLAS 1937 Spirits & Eatery 1937sanmarco.com
Aardwolf Brewing Company aardwolfbrewing.com
Bar Molino barmolino.com
Breezy Jazz House breezyjazzhouse.com
Cuba Libre Ultra Lounge cubalibrebar.com
Fore Score Golf Tavern forescoregolf.com
The Grape & Grain Exchange grapeandgrainexchange.com
Kava & Company kavaandcompany.com
The Mudville Grill themudvillegrill.com
The Players Grille playersgrille.com
Posting House posting.house
Sidecar instagram.com/sidecarjax
SOUTHSIDE/ST. JOHNS TOWN CENTER
Austin Karaoke facebook.com/austinkaraoke
Bottlenose Brewing bottlenosebrewing.com
Cataluna Jax catalunajax.com
Culhane’s culhanesirishpub.com
Island Girl Cigar Bar islandgirlcigarbar.com
Jax Craft Beer jaxcraftbeer.com
Medusa Restaurant and Hookah Lounge facebook.com/medusa-loungejacksonville
Secret Tiki Temple secrettikitemple.com
Seven Bridges Grille & Brewery 7bridgesgrille.com
Trio Lounge triohookahlounge.com
Veterans United Craft Brewery vubrew.com
Wicked Barley Brewing Company wickedbarley.com
WXYZ Bar at Aloft Hotel aloftjacksonvilletapestrypark.com
SPRINGFIELD
Crispy’s Springfield Gallery crispysspringfieldgallery.com
The District thedistrictspr.com
Historically Hoppy Brewing Company historicallyhoppy.com
Shantytown Pub facebook.com/shantytownjax
Strings Sports Brewery stringssportsbrewery.com
Stumpy’s Hatchet House stumpyshh.com
Tulua Bistro instagram.com/tuluabistro
ST. AUGUSTINE Ancient City Brewing ancientcitybrewing.com
Arnold’s Lounge arnoldslounge.com
Beacon Listening Room beaconstaug.com
Cellar Upstairs Bar at San Sebastian Winery sansebastianwinery.com
Dog Rose Brewing dogrosebrewing.com
The Original Café Eleven originalcafe11.com
Prohibition Kitchen pkstaug.com
Tradewinds Lounge tradewindslounge.com
WESTSIDE Elevation Lounge elevationjax.com
Chris Mark
