Agenda Looking for

Welcome (back) to the jungle. Eighties hairmetal legends Guns N’ Roses return to Jack sonville this month, bringing with them nearly 35 years of music and meltdowns thanks to lead singer Axl Rose’s notorious temper. A night of head banging, classics— “Sweet Child of Mine,” and “Paradise City,” among others. October 1, Vystar Veterans Memorial Arena Every Rose Has Its Thorns

TO DO LIST

10/1 Peppa Pig Live! Following the release of her critically acclaimed debut album, Nick Jr. staple Peppa Pig and her entourage of animal friends cross the pond to the Florida Theatre for a live theatrical performance.

10/3 Scott Stapp The former frontman for Christian metal band Creed—and Florida native— brings new tunes from his third solo album to the Florida Theatre.

10/3 12th Planet The drum and bass DJ wunderkind—who’s influenced the likes of contemporary dubstep forces Skrillex, Rusko, and Skream—raises the roof at River City Brewing Company. q q

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10/3 Jacksonville Lemon Ball This benefit is presented by Alex’s Lemonade Stand, a cancer initiative that has raised over $1 million for research to date. The Lemon Ball tradition includes an evening of cocktail-attire philanthropy and music. Tickets are $100. 6 PM, WJCT Studios 10/11 Bridging the Gaps Hart Felt Ministries hosts its ninth annual event to shine a light on an often forgotten population: seniors in need in the local community. The evening includes dinner and a live and silent auction. Tickets are $125. 6-9 PM, TPC Sawgrass Clubhouse 10/26 The Golden Age of Hollywood Take a step back in time at the Junior Service League of St. Augustine’s 37th annual gala, featuring dinner, dancing, a silent auction and music. All proceeds benefit the Junior Service League and its charities. Old Hollywood attire is encouraged. Tickets are $125. 6-11 PM, The Tringali Barn, St. Augustine u

700 MPH That’s the approximate top speed of a Navy F/A-18 Hornet, six of which star as part of the U.S. Navy’s flight demonstration squadron, the Blue Angels. This month, the squadron takes part in the Sea and Sky Airshow high above Jacksonville Beach. The free event features an over-the-ocean air show highlighted by military and civilian flight teams, along with a street festival featuring static displays of aircraft and military vehicles, simulators, recruitment booths, and a kids zone. October 26-27, Jacksonville Beach

DRAMA DISTRICT Northeast Florida

Annie Get Your Gun This musical—with lyrics and music by Irving Berlin—offers a fictionalized retelling of the life of sharpshooter Annie Oakley and her romance with Frank E. Butler. Sept. 20-Oct. 20, Limelight Theatre, St. Augustine Guys & Dolls Based on the colorful short stories of Damon Runyon, Guys and Dolls tells the story of con-man Nathan Detroit, who makes a bet whether Sky Masterson, a gambler, can score a date with the uptight missionary Sarah Brown in order to get the money he needs to hide his famous craps game from the police. Oct. 17-20, Douglas Anderson School of the Arts u

SPIRITS & SPIRITS ST. AUGUSTINE HISTORIC DISTRICT OCTOBER 5

10/4 Thomas Rhett Part-time country crooner and full-time heartthrob Thomas Rhett brings his guitar and trademark swagger to Vystar Veterans Memorial Arena.

10/10 Chris Stapleton The prolific country-bluegrass songwriter and collaborator (best remembered as the force behind Kenny Chesney’s “Never Wanted Nothing More”) pulls up his boots and plays until the cows come home at Vystar Veterans Memorial Arena.

10/5 Lil Duval Jacksonville comedian and host of MTV’s Ain’t That America comes back to his old stomping grounds to deliver laughs at the Florida Theatre. q q

LAGERS & LIONS CATTY SHACK RANCH WILDLIFE SANCTUARY NOVEMBER 3

ADVENTURE AWAITS! Be a part of Jacksonville Magazine’s Explorers Club as we venture across the region for exclusive group outings featuring delicious eats, cool libations and fun explorations to must-see sites right here in our own backyard. Join us for a “spirited” guided tour of haunted sites peppered throughout downtown St. Augustine or get up close to the king of the savannah and other exotic cats during an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour.

A limited number of spots are available for each excursion. Tasty food and drinks included! Sign up today!

10/13 New Orleans Saints vs. Jaguars When our boys in teal faced off against the New Orleans Saints last year, they missed out on a win by a mere four points. A year later, they meet again on the Jags’ home turf. TIAA Bank Field q q

10/17-10/20 Southern Women’s Show Browse dozens of jewelry and fashion boutiques, watch fashion shows, and mingle with celebrity guests such as “Southern Medium” Tamara Caulder Richardson. Prime Osborn Convention Center

Rap It Up Have you ever thought about challenging someone to a rap battle? Specifically, one in which the winner takes home $500? The Stuntsonville Classic showcases food trucks, vendors, a live DJ, and trickedout cars—but it’s the rap battle (in which a Rap King and Queen of Florida are throned) that draws the largest crowd. October 19, 10 AM-6 PM, Regency Square Mall

CULINARY Calendar of Northeast Florida

TIX Cheese 101 OCTOBER 8: Learn about the seven categories of cheese—and how to pair them—at this informative workshop. Grater Goods, 6:30-7:30 PM 904tix.com

TIX Whiskey Blending Class OCTOBER 9: Dive into the effects of aging spirits in different styles of casks and climates, the chemistry behind the maturation process, and the art of blending whiskey to create a balanced, flavorful product. Includes a cocktail and hands-on instruction. Manifest Distilling, 5-7 PM 904tix.com

TIX Slow Food Fish Dinner OCTOBER 12: Riverside Avondale Preservation and Slow Food First Coast presents a Night Under the Stars at the Riverside home of Wayne Wood and Lana Shuttleworth. Chefs from restaurants including Orsay, Biscottis and Black Sheep prepare a seafood-themed meal comprised of local and sustainable ingredients. 6-8 PM 904tix.com

Seafood Soul Festival OCTOBER 19: Soul food, seafood and a side of live entertainment are the draws here. Guests can peruse the wares of local vendors and sample hundreds of bites at the event benefitting the Edith Marie Foundation, an organization that supports those battling breast cancer in Jacksonville . The first 300 tickets are free to the public. Morocco Shrine Center, noon-5 PM

10/17 Zac Brown Band Best known for their smash-hit “Country Fried,” the Zac Brown Band stops in Jacksonville with cold beers on a Thursday night and a pair of jeans that fit just right. Daily’s Place. q q

10/20 Carrie Underwood Jesus take the wheel: it’s hard to believe it’s been 14 years since Carrie Underwood won American Idol, blessing American audiences with vengeful girl-power anthem “Before He Cheats.” This month, the countrypop powerhouse tours in support of her latest release, Cry Pretty. VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena q q

Whiskey Blending Class Wednesday, October 9

TIX

TICKETS ON SALE NOW AT 904TIX.COM

10/28 Nikki Haley The former United Nations Ambassador and Governor of South Carolina—and rumored Vice Presidential contender, though she’s been eager to shoot those rumors down— speaks at the Times-Union Center for the Performing Arts. u q q