Jacksonville Magazine, October 2022

PUBLISHER’S NOTE

“W

e had a really good crowd today. They got loud on a couple of those defensive fourth down plays in the second half, and that was good for the guys out there. Listen, you get paid to win games, right. You win, the fans show up. I’m a fan. I want to go watch a winner, so I’ll pay money to watch a winner. We have to just win games.” These are just some of the comments shared by Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson following the team’s decisive victory over the Indianapolis Colts in September.

Jaguars’ fans, especially the die-hard ticket-buying ones, can identify and appreciate Pederson’s comments. For too long fans have hoped for the same thing—just win games. Mind you, we’re not greedy. Few of us are clamoring for a Super Bowl appearance, though that would be nice. In time, that will come. Most fans desire more modest goals, such as winning as many games as you lose, or attending games late in November and December that can deter mine a spot in the playoffs. Securing a high first round pick in next year’s NFL draft? We’ve been there, done that.

So, it’s not surprising to see the excitement that the team has gener ated early in the 2022 season. As I write this, the Jaguars have a record of two wins and one loss and stand in first place in their division. The franchise’s 23-year-old quarterback Trevor Lawrence was named the AFC’s Offensive Player of the Week following a decisive victory over the Los Angeles Chargers, a team many figured was one of the NFL’s best. That maybe so, but on one Sunday afternoon in September it was bested by a squad from Florida that had a long history of underachiev ing on trips to the West Coast.

Of course, the 17-week football season is just warming up. There are many games still to be played, which means there are numerous opportunities for elation and heart-break. But that’s what it means to be a fan, riding the ups and downs of any given season. It goes without saying that Jaguars fans are praying for many more ups than downs this year. It’s been a few years since we’ve been treated to that. As coach Pederson succinctly said, just win games. Do that, and the stadium will fill, teal will be worn and Monday mornings will be markedly happier across Northeast Florida. u

PHOTO BY JOSH KIRSHNER

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jax files

“

This is Indy. He’s about six years old. We got him at an adoption event here in Jax three years ago. He is the absolute sweetest and most cuddliest dog I have ever known. He smiles most of the time, which is adorable. He often sleeps in this position. We love this [Best in Pets] issue; it’s fun to learn about more dog-friendly places in Northeast Florida.

— Sarah Kelley

CALLING ALL PHOTOGRAPHERS: Do you have an image of Northeast Florida you’d like to share with our readers? Submit your photo and the story behind it to mail@jacksonvillemag.com for the opportunity to be featured on this page.

SMALL TALK

O Last month, Oprah hosted a three-day 50th birthday bash for her friend, Ava DuVer nay, at her home in Maui. Joining in on the fun—well, at least in the kitchen—was Jax chef Kenny Gilbert, proprietor of Silkie’s Chicken & Biscuits in Springfield and occasional per sonal chef for Ms. Winfrey. The final day of the birthday extravaganza featured a farm-to-ta ble brunch led by Gilbert, who treated the TV icon to a feast utilizing ingredients plucked from Oprah’s garden. Many of Gilbert’s bis cuits were consumed, according to those in attendance.

O Local football icon Tim Tebow is returning to football for one of his latest business ven tures. This time, the “football” is actually soccer, as Tebow is among the owners of a recently announced United Soccer League franchise to be established in town. JAXUSL says it plans to build a 15,000-capacity soccer stadium and field both women’s and men’s teams in 2025.

The ownership group is led by Ricky Caplan and, along with Tebow, includes Steve Living stone and Tony Allegretti. The USL Champion ship league presently includes 27 teams across the country.

O The housing market has been a little shaky of late. However, it turns out the River City is a good market in which to purchase a fixer-up per, so says Yardi.com. Using eleven indicators of real estate potential, Jax ranked as the sixthbest city for buying a home that needs work. Yardi determined that fixer-uppers here repre sent about 10% of all existing homes for sale and buying such a home shaves some $150,000 off the price of a turnkey home in the market.

O 2022 PLAYERS Championship winner Cameron Smith has left the PGA TOUR to join the fledgling LIV Tour. Doing so means he forfeit the perks that go with being a member of the Ponte Vedra-based golf tour. So, he can

not play and defend his title in the 2023 PLAY ERS. Also, he gives up his player’s rights at TPC Sawgrass, including his tournament winner’s parking space. Instead of his name on a sign outside the clubhouse, his old space is now re served for “Tour Players Only.” And not Cam, who lives only a chip shot away. “If they go to LIV they don’t have any of the TOUR privileg es at TPC properties,” TPC Sawgrass general manager Derek Sprague was quoted in a re cent Golfweek article.

O Used car prices shot through the roof in 2022. According to a recent iSeeCars.com survey, prices rose nearly 11 percent in July, mostly driven by microchip shortages in the auto industry. In Jax, prices have risen 6.8% or $2,032 over the last year. The largest hike in price is for a Mercedes-Benz GLE, which costs $22,441 more this summer than in 2021. In second place is the Nissan Versa, up 42% or an additional $4,998.

Field of Dreams

The Jaguars new Miller Electric Center, a 125,000-square-foot expansion to the team’s footprint around TIAA Bank field including practice fields, weight rooms and fan concessions, is rapidly taking shape. It was recently announced that public art will become part of the finished complex. Partnering with the Cultural Council of Greater Jacksonville, the team is looking to include four exterior murals, two freestanding sculptures and a pair of sculptural bike racks. And the public is invited to submit their artistic ideas. “I love art, in all of its forms,” says Jaguars owner Shad Khan. “I truly believe public art will be essential to ensuring our neighborhood has a unique cultural identity that reflects the pride of our fans, the pursuit of excellence by our football team and the soul of our city.” Artist submissions are due by October 28. Plans are that the installation of the finished works will be complete before the 2023 NFL season. u

FIVE THINGS WE LOVE RIGHT NOWMODERN ART

1Beyond Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience features over 300 works by the post-Impressionist master Vincent Van Gogh. More than a museum display, the traveling exhibition—making a stop at 119 W. Beaver Street through November 6—uses hi-tech projectors to trans form the legendary Dutchman’s paintings into three-dimensional spaces, allowing guest to walk into a very starry, starry night.

2Series Premier

Live from The Waterworks is a new, monthly concert series cele brating the legacy of Gamble Rogers, whose balladry and storytelling helped shape American folk music. Kicking off the series is Ruth Wyand opening for Doyle Dykes (pictured), October 22, in side the historic Waterworks building, 184 San Marco Ave. in St. Augustine. Presented by the St. Johns Cultural Council, shows start at $20.

4RIGHT HERE, RIGHT NOW

This year’s Right Whale Festival is set for November 5 and 6 on Amelia Island. Designed to highlight the criti cal state of North Atlantic right whales and local efforts to protect the species from extinction, the free family friendly event also celebrates the return of the whales to Northeast Florida coasts as calving season begins. Festival guests can enjoy ocean-themed activities and educational exhibits, live music, food trucks, art and crafts, and more while learning about the endangered mammals.

Local Hero

Jax native and former Florida State and Green Bay Packer safety LeRoy Butler, who was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame earlier this year, has been hon ored with his very own bobblehead, $44. The base reads “HOF Class of 2022” and “Leroy’s Leap.”

Only 2,022 will be made.

5Give Thanks

As we enter peak gift-giving season, Jax shoppers can buy local and support worthy causes at the same time. ReThreaded produces a collection of handmade jewelry that is both beautiful and sends a message to others, namely assisting women rebuilding their lives. Our favorites include The Seer up-cycled leather bracelet and the Wedge Drop necklace. u

Picture Pawfect

Charlotte and Lucy

Domestic Short Hairs, 4 years old Charlotte and Lucy have been together since they were tiny kittens at the Jacksonville Humane Society. Being cats, the pair possess independent streaks and are not afraid to let their curiosity lead them to grab ice out of a glass, tear open packages of mail, or steal a sheet of paper from the printer and run away with it. “Lucy used to jump in my fiancé’s lap every night at dinner,” says her owner Nathalie. “We decided to give her a spot at the table and, every night, she jumps into her seat to eat with us.”

Macy

Toy Schnauzer, 10 years old

This little girl is bilingual, just like her mama Elisa. Usually very well behaved, she does get into trouble when she plays with and eats the toiler paper roll in the bathroom. She was born in Baton Rouge but loves Jax, especially visiting places like Brewhound Dog Park. Her best trick? Waiting until Elisa says, “go!” to begin eating.

Byrdie Baker Brittany/Poodle Mix, 1 year old

Originally from Indiana farm country, today Byrdie has a full-time job as the therapy dog at St. Johns Country Day School. According to staff and students, she works hard at giving kisses and cuddles, particularly to those who need a little love. Her favorite toy is a stuffed leather squirrel and she almost never gets into trouble—except when she eats too many treats. u

WANT TO SEE YOUR BELOVED ANIMAL IN JAX MAG?

Nominations for Picture Pawfect pets can be made via our website, under the heading Reader Polls. Previously featured Picture Pawfect pets may be viewed there, too.

A Walk In The Park

BY FABRIZIO GOWDY

MUST SEE

Spotting Paynes Prairie’s bison is no guar antee, but if you are lucky enough to view some, it’ll make your day. Numbering about 50, the herd roams free and could be any where in the preserve. The Jackson Gap Trail provides the best chance of encountering bi son, according to the park’s website.

If you’re exceptionally lucky, you might just see them crossing US 441, which occured in 2018 when a fallen tree damaged a fence and allowed several bison to escape the preserve and hold up traffic. Even if you don’t spot any large bovines, there’s still a good chance you’ll see wild horses and gators. A 50-foot obser vation tower near the visitor center provides panoramic wildlife viewing opportunities.

What is Florida known for? Hundreds of miles of sandy beaches? Of course. Citrus groves teeming with oranges? For sure. Bison roaming a vast prairie? Not so much. But at Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park, that’s exactly what visitors find.

Located a few miles south of Gainesville, the 21,000-acre savannah is one of Florida’s most unusual natural places.

V Recreational activities at Paynes Prairie include hiking, running, biking, and horse back riding on the park’s 20-plus miles of trails. Most trails are sandy and require fat tires, but for those with road bikes, 16-mile Gainesville-Hawthorne State Trail is paved and connects Paynes Prairie to nearby Boulware Springs State Park and the town of Hawthorn.

V Paddling and fishing are popular ac tivities on Lake Wauburg, which is home to bass, bream, and speckled perch. Lake Wauburg can be accessed from a public boat ramp on the lake’s east shore.

V Bug spray, sunscreen, and close-toed shoes are recommended. Leashed dogs are welcome but are not permitted on the Bolen Bluff Trail, Cone’s Dike Trail and La Chua Trails due to potential conflicts with wildlife. Bison and dogs don’t mix. Some

trails are relatively shaded, while others are exposed, so consider visiting at a cool er time of day for a more pleasant expe rience. The prairie’s open landscape and numerous boardwalks and observation platforms make for great sunset views.

The Cowkeeper

Long before cowboys and herds of livestock roamed the wild West, Spanish colonists herd ed Andalusian cattle in Florida. When the Spanish abandoned their plans to settle Florida’s interior, Native Americans took control of the herds and lands the Spaniards left behind. Alachua chief Ahaya, known to European settlers as “the Cowkeeper,” took over modern-day Paynes Prairie Preserve and its herds of wild cows and founded the village of Cuscowilla on the southern edge of the Prairie. Coming across Cuscowilla during his travels through Florida, famed naturalist William Bartram is said to have smoked a pipe with the Cowkeep er before being led to the prairie, which an amazed Bartram dubbed the “Great Alachua Savannah” in his writings. Cuscowilla eventually became the town of Micanopy, which still exists today with its boutiques, antique shops, and small town charm. u

Location: Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park, Micanopy

Dream Streets

Exploring the Holy City on foot via king and Meeting

BY JOHN O’MARA

There are countless reasons to visit the areas in and around the city of Charles ton, South Carolina. There are the beau tiful beaches of Sullivan’s and Kiawah islands, as well as historic sites such as Fort Sumter National Monument and Boone Hall Plantation & Gardens. And the narrow peninsula upon which the old city sits is overflowing with mu seums, beautiful parks, galleries, boutiques, restaurants and watering holes of every variety. One could spend a week exploring and never have to return to the same place twice. How ever, or this visit, we’re keeping the wandering down to a minimum. In fact, we’re going to park the car (save some gas money) and not stray more than a few blocks beyond the boundar ies of King and Meeting streets.

King and Meeting form parallel lines that stretch from White Point Garden at the very tip of the peninsula all the way up through the heart of the historic district. The journey north up more than 30 city blocks has one passing numerous local landmarks including Wash ington Park, Gibbes Museum of Art, Marion

Square and the College of Charleston campus. Step a block or two off these two main arter ies through the Holy City (a nickname earned because of its abundance of churches and steeples) to visit grand mansions like the Ed mondston-Alston House, a Federal style home built in 1825 and now open for public tours. A few blocks away is the Hayward-Washing ton House, a restored 18th-century Georgian beauty that once belonged to a signer of the Declaration of Independence.

Historic names, houses and other buildings pepper the neighborhood, most of them still serving as private residences. There’s the Branford-Horry House (built in 1765), the 262-year-old Samuel Wainwright House, the elegant Poyas-Mordecai House and its trade mark Charleston second-floor side-porch perched high above Meeting Street. On they go, block after block of gorgeous homes and gardens, particularly south of Tradd Street. Historical markers are as plentiful as dollar weed in your neighbor’s front yard. Finding these markers and other hidden gems like

the Shamrock Garden along Legare Street or the little cemetery outside the Circular Con gregational Church are what make explor ing Charleston a true adventure. Each street seems prettier than the last, so go ahead, peek over the garden walls or through the gates for glimpses of what hides behind.

As for food and lodging—again, no need to venture far off King and Meeting. Upscale accommodations are plentiful and avail able at the Grand Bohemian and Charleston Place. The Mills house has a rooftop pool, an especially nice amenity in the summer.

Two Meeting Street Inn sits steps from the waterfront Battery and views of the Ash ley River and Fort Sumter. Hungry? You can hardly throw an oyster shell without hitting something delicious. The raw bar at The Dar ling is wonderful, as are the shrimp and grits at Tommy Condon’s Irish pub. The desserts and sandwiches at La Patisserie in the Hotel Bennett shouldn’t be missed. Don’t take out word for it. See where you feet lead you in this coastal gem of a city. u

Place

Autumn has arrived and the leaves are changing, particularly in plac es north of Northeast Florida. To see fall colors at their best, it’s best to head to places like Great Smokey Mountain National Park in North Carolina. The highest peak in the mountain range is Clingman’s Dome where a 54-foot observation tower at the very top allows for 360-de gree views of the surrounding wilderness. The Appalachian Trail skirts right past Clingman’s, marking the highest point along the trail’s nearly 2,200-mile path. The hike up is not for the feint of heart but the views are worth it. If you are up for the challenge, keep in mind the road to the trailhead is closed December through April.

Perched only a stone’s throw from the rambling waterfalls of the Reedy River in Greenville, South Carolina, the Kessler Collection debuted it’s latest boutique hotel earlier this summer. The Lodge Greenville, presents a rustic yet sophisticated setting with wood timbers and stone walls. Leather chairs, mounted deer tro phies, and a fireplace in the lobby add more upscale country charm. Of course, being a Kessler property, fine artwork is placed throughout the entire property. Both its signature restaurant, Between the Trees (helmed by Michelin Star chef Nicolas Abello), and Spirit & Bowers lounge offer outdoor seating overlooking the Reedy. Amenities include a wellness center, electric car charging stations and bike rentals.

Human Bondage

New Historical marker recalls a dark chapter in the story of Northeast Florida

BY TIM GILMORE

Why is it that a person can stand where a profound historical event occurred and not feel its after math there, its lingering presence? After all, some events seem so large, so overwhelm ing, so world-changing, that they should leave traces in the landscape, markings. Some things, it seems, should haunt.

So when you stand in Old Town Fernan dina and look out over the blue waters of the Amelia River, how can you not feel the suffering of the enslaved? For as a new marker commemorating the Middle Pas sage tells us, slaves once “comprised the predominant work force” of the area, which “became an important trade and smuggling region on the St. Johns and St. Marys Rivers, the border between the United States and Spanish Florida.”

The marker, dedicated by the Middle Pas sage Ceremonies and Port Markers Project on August 16th, acknowledges the identifi cation of Amelia Island by UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) as one of 43, and the last of five in Florida, “documented U.S. Middle Passage arrival locations from New Hamp shire to Texas.”

An estimated 1.8 million of the 12.5 million slaves, 26 generations, shipped from Africa to North America, died during the crossing. Amelia Island served as a landing site and supply based for slave traders in Florida, Georgia and South Carolina seeking to get around the 1808 Constitutional ban on im porting Africans. The marker names slave ships like the NS de Montserrat and the Jesus Nazareno, which “disembarked 351 slaves at the harbor located on this site.”

Such sites included several dramatically dis turbing indicators of the magnitude of human trafficking here, says Ann Chinn, executive di rector for the markers project. “One indicator of the volume of human commerce,” she says, “is the existence of quarantine places where unmarketable captives were disembarked prior to official delivery.” She names Staten Island in New York, Savannah’s Tybee Island, New Orleans’s Algiers Point, Charleston’s three locations (Sullivan’s, James and Morris Islands) and Amelia Island’s Misery Point.

The markers project began in 2011 in re sponse to writer Toni Morrison’s feeling “haunted by ancestors who had died during the Middle Passage,” Chinn says. “Simulta neously, Voyages: The Trans-Atlantic Slave

Trade Database was being developed. I sim ply began reviewing the data and realized that we could use it to acknowledge the history and encourage communities to com memorate these people who were for the most part unknown and forgotten.”

Morrison’s 1987 novel Beloved, which tells of a haunting that ensues after an enslaved mother kills her child, ranks high on any list of the greatest novels of the 20th century. In 1989, Morrison told The World Magazine that she wrote Beloved to address the lack of commemoration of slaves and their dif ficulties. “There is no suitable memorial, or plaque, or wreath or wall, or park or sky scraper lobby,” Morrison said. “There’s no 300-foot tower. There’s no small bench by the road.” Indeed, what memorial could be “suitable” to the enormity?

Morrison was ahead of most academics in dealing with the intersection of history and memory. “Places, places are still there,” says Sethe in Beloved. “If a house burns down, it’s gone, but the place—the picture of it—stays, and not just in rememory, but out there, in the world.” Sethe says, “Nothing ever dies.” You can be walking down the road and “bump into a rememory that belongs to someone else.”

Amelia Island

The dedication of a small bench beside the historical marker at Amelia Island is an example of history catching up with public memory, says Brittany Cohill, history profes sor at Jacksonville University, who steered the effort to bring a marker to Manhattan Beach in today’s Hanna Park. Until it was targeted by nearby real estate developers in the 1920s and ’30s, Manhattan Beach was the only strip of oceanfront in Jim Crow Flor ida that black people could visit legally.

“There’s this really interesting interplay,” says Cohill, “between the systematic study of his tory and public memory. It really boils down to whose collective memory is at the fore front, and the experience of the enslaved didn’t come into mainstream academic fo cus until the 1970s.” She refers to Yale histo rian David Blight, whose April 2002 article in Common Place, has become central to un derstanding the relationship between histo ry and public memory.

“Memory is often owned, history interpret ed,” Blight wrote. “Memory is passed down through generations; history is revised.” While the idea that the practice of histo ry gets “revised” gets dumbed down in the political rhetoric of the “culture wars,” Cohill explains, “These events certainly happened, but weren’t given a place of privilege in the discipline. Sometimes collective memory, when owned by a certain group, does place demands on the profession and vice versa. So historians shift focus, more documents

become available, and more people come to feel that their own heritage is important.”

Ann Chinn says that’s exactly what’s hap pened to enable the Middle Passage project to succeed. “Lately local historians, scholars and interested community residents have identified maritime records, personal jour nals, estate records and news articles that have fleshed out this history.”

The new availability of old sources has creat ed a demand for much new historical work, but the demand has brought an eagerness to do the work too. “It has required a deeper and committed dive into historical records,” Chinn says. “Now these researchers have a specific focus—Africans arriving, orders placed and descriptions of captive people. Much of this information previously was not considered important and in some cases was considered tarnishing to the reputations of businesses, nations and individuals.”

Chinn says most of the response has been positive. Acknowledging public memory, she says, “is empowerment, for sure, and that is considered by some, not all, a threat.” The markers project centers its work, not on slav ery itself, “but the traditional human practice of honoring ancestors,” Chinn continues. “We stress that we are commemorating and plac ing value on people who until now have been omitted, dismissed, considered inconse quential or unconnected to us—descendants, community and nation.” u

Sounds of Music

One of Jacksonville’s most historic neighborhoods is inviting everyone to come and sit a spell. Springfield Preservation and Revitalization hosts its eighth annual  Jacksonville Porchfest on Saturday, November 5. A roster of more than 25 bands—Junco Royals, Groove Coalition, Folk is People among others—and performing artists is slated for mu sical sets in Sesquicentennial Park (1527 Main Street), as well as several front porches in the surrounding neighborhood. In addition, there will be food trucks and dozens of arts and crafts vendors. The event runs from noon to 8 PM. Lawn chairs and picnic blankets are welcome. Admission is free.

Havin’ a Ball

More than just a game with a silly name, it’s pickleball

BY KARA POUND

Combining elements of tennis, bad minton and ping-pong, pickleball is more than just a fad sport with an odd name—it’s literally exploding in popularity. Ac cording to the Sports & Fitness Industry Asso ciation (SFIA), pickleball grew in 2021 to 4.8 mil lion players in the United States. That makes it the fastest-growing sport in America. And for good reason. Not only are there significant health benefits to playing the game (we’ll get to that later), it’s also highly accessible, easy to learn and less physically demanding than ten nis. Plus, it’s called pickleball—which is nearly impossible to say without smiling.

The game that’s played by hitting a hollow plastic wiffle ball with hard paddles over a net got its start in a Seattle backyard in 1965 when a couple of friends used an old badminton

court to invent a new game that their entire families could play. It wasn’t until 1984 that the first pickleball rulebook was published by the United States Amateur Pickleball Association, and by 1990, the sport was being played in all 50 states. But it wasn’t until 2005 that the USA Pickleball Association was established and later, in 2009, that the first USAPA National Tournament was held.

So why, if the sport has been around for nearly 60 years, is pickleball just starting to become a household name?

“Like many others, I picked up pickleball during the pandemic,” says Maria Nili, Direc tor of Pickleball for The Yards, a private club in Ponte Vedra Beach that offers golf, pickle ball, tennis and event facilities. Nili formerly

worked for the ATP Tour for a decade. “Like many other tennis players, I was a snob and thought, ‘I will never, ever even try it.’ Once I did try it, everything changed and I haven’t touched my tennis racket in a couple of years.”

Though The Yards is only open to members, there are dozens of places around Jackson ville and the surrounding areas to play, in cluding Boone Park in Avondale, Ron Parker Park in St. Augustine, Jarboe Park in Neptune Beach, Walter Anderson Memorial Park in Mandarin and many, many others. In fact, there’s a handy “Where To Play” page on the Jax Pickleball Store’s website (jaxpickleball store.com) if you’re looking for a court.

Among the reasons for pickleball’s popularity, says Nili, is the fact that virtually anyone can

play. “When you think about it, there is really no other sport that kids can play with parents and grandparents and everyone has fun. Un like other popular sports like tennis or golf, you don’t need an athletic background and thousands of hours of training before you can play at a satisfactory level. Most people need a short instruction before they can start playing the sport at a level they can enjoy and have fun. Nobody sucks at pickleball!”

Aside from the accessibility and relative ease of starting, pickleball also has numer ous health benefits. According to Psychology Today, the sport offers high-intensity interval training (HIIT), which has been popularized as an efficient way to get the benefits of aerobic exercise in a short time, as well as keeping the mind sharp by offering visual fixation and increased neural activity.

“Most people’s perception of pickleball (it was mine, too) is that mobility and fitness are not that important,” says Nili. “But that is a huge misconception. Burning calories, building muscle strength, exercising hand-eye coor dination, it really is a complete workout. And when you add the social aspect into the equa tion, you get a perfect activity that makes you happy and keeps you in great shape.”

For Greg Goldstein, a St. Augustine resident and sales consultant for Progress Wine Group, playing pickleball is about spending time with friends and getting in some cardio. “A friend of mine bought a beginner’s pickleball set and asked a group of us to meet him at Treaty Park,” Goldstein recalls of first playing the sport this past spring. “We didn’t know the rules. We didn’t really know what we were doing. We were just having some fun. The older players were laughing at us. They had these profes sional paddles and were really into it. Later that night, all of us went home and ordered proper paddles and started playing regularly.”

Goldstein says that before the summer heat set in, his group of around 16 was playing al most every night. They set up a group chat and would put out a call to see who wanted to play each night—sometimes playing for three or four hours at a time. Sometimes going out for drinks afterwards. Unfortunately, a couple of months ago, Goldstein came down hard on the court and broke his ankle during a game. It’s been a slow road to recovery—nearly 11 weeks before he could play again. In fact, we caught up with him right after his first game back since the injury.

“The exercise aspect of pickleball becomes addictive,” he says. “Every time we play, we get better. It’s a fun game to learn, but hard to master.”

It’s also fun to say. Pickleball. u

Keeping the Beat

Heart failure, a condition in which the heart slowly weakens and is not able to adequately supply oxygen-rich blood, affects some 6.5 million Americans. HCA Florida Memorial Hospital in Jax is the first in the city to use a new, FDA-approved minimally invasive therapy to treat patients suffering from the condition. “ Cardiac Contractility Modula tion [CCM] therapy is a breakthrough option for heart failure patients to help them feel better, so they can start doing the things they love again,” says Dr. Robert Kim, electro physiologist who performed the procedure on the hospital’s first patient in late July. “Medications are not always enough to help slow the progression of heart failure and im prove the quality of life for these patients.” The innovative therapy is intended to improve the heart’s contraction, allowing more oxygen-rich blood to reach the body by delivering timed electrical pulses to the muscle.

CHILD’S PLAY

New works of art from a special group of young artists were recently unveiled at MOCA Jackson ville. Far from being nationally recognized painters or sculptors, these 16 artists are kids who have been treated at area hospitals. The exhibition What Lifts You Up is a partnership between the museum and Art With a Heart in Healthcare, a Jax-based non-profit group that uses fine art to enhance the healing process for patients and families. “In addition to the benefits each patient artist gleans from engaging in artistic exploration, they are able to build a sense of accomplish ment, pride, and meaning by having their artwork on display with a museum space,” says Christy Ponder, executive director and artist-in-residence for Art With a Heart. Michael Aubin, president of Wolfson Children’s Hospital, agrees with Ponder, adding, “For children in the hospital, art is so much more than a fun activity. It provides a distraction from pain, helps them express them selves during a stressful time, and is part of their healing process.” What Lifts You Up remains on display through January 8.

Making the Grade

Florida colleges and universities are increasingly difficult to earn admission

“A

ll information in the applicant’s file, academic and non-academic, is con sidered in relation to the size and strength of the applicant pool.” The Univer sity of Florida admissions office cuts straight to the point when addressing graduating high school students hoping to be accepted. “Few students are admitted purely on aca demic merit. While the potential for academ ic success is a primary consideration, UF’s comprehensive holistic application review also considers personal essays, academ ic awards, extracurricular activities, family background and home community.”

As one would expect at a highly regarded in stitution of higher-learning like UF, the path to entry is a challenge. And that challenge is becoming increasingly difficult at many Flor ida universities and colleges. The bar for ac ceptance is much higher than it used to be.

Long gone are the days when completing a bunch of forms and sending in a $30 check for the application fee was the hardest part of applying to a Sunshine State college. No, the University of Florida received more than 52,000 applications for admission into the class of 2025. Less than 30 percent of those who applied were accepted (In the year 2000, the acceptance rate was 63%). While it is more difficult to get in if a student is not a Florida resident, only about half of in-state hopefuls were admitted into the class of 2024. That same year, less than one-quarter of out-of-state applicants made the cut.

According to the UF, the demographics of the undergraduate student body is heavily tilted to Florida residents—88% are state na tives, 12% come from another state or coun try. Nearly half of the international students are from China. As for academics, among

first-year enrolled students, more than 80% ranked in the top 10% of their high school graduating class. The average GPA for a freshman in the class of 2025 was 3.88 un weighted (39% of students had a 4.0 GPA) and the mean SAT score was 1392. Outstand ing grades? Yep, you’re going to need them.

An exemplary high school academic record is now required at most Florida universities and not just the 2,000 acres that make up the campus in Gainesville. In addition, UF, like many other schools, considers a vari ety of factors when selecting incoming stu dents. According to its Common Data Set, evaluations also are based on things such as high school course rigor, extracurricular activities, the application essay and special talents and abilities.

Heading east on I-10 to Florida State Univer

sity, the office of admissions says its applica tion review process is selective and holistic, where no single criterion guarantees accep tance. In Tallahassee, the review process is centered on three core values—Vires, Artes, Mores (Latin for Strength, Skill and Charac ter). For Vires, the “focus in this area is rig or, grades, and courses taken while in high school. Each applicant is evaluated based upon the performance within the context of student’s academic environment.”

The second “torch,” say admissions officers, is Skill. “We want to see how students use their out-of-classroom time, whether through sports, clubs, organizations, family responsi bilities, employment or other achievements.”

When it comes to Mores, FSU sums up what its looking for this way. “We are taking the information students have shared with us to learn who they are, any formative experi ences they may have had, and what their life goals may be.” The school does this through consideration of the student’s application essay and overall resume. According to FSU, the summer 2022 admitted student profile featured a 4.0-4.4 academic core GPA, 12101310 SAT, and 25-29 ACT scores (Note: these marks represent the middle 50% of students).

So, how does the Florida higher-education landscape compare with other states? Data from the National Center for Education Sta tistics, a part of the Department of Educa

Dive Right In

tion, measures a large swath of information collected by bachelor’s degree-granting colleges and universities—including which schools are most difficult to get into in each state. Some have comparatively easy ad mission levels, others not. For example, the University of Alabama had an admission rate of 77% in 2021. The University of Arizona ac cepted some 85% of applicants. In California, the school with the highest acceptance stan dards was the California Institute of Technol ogy, where only 6.7% of applicants passed the test. Applying to Duke in North Caro lina? About 92% of applicants will receive a “thanks, but no thanks” letter.

Closer to home, those acceptance numbers get squeezed by the most sought after ad dresses. For the coming year, the University of South Florida in St. Petersburg is anticipating an acceptance rate of approximately 27%, with an SAT range for 1140-1280. The University of Miami and University of Central Florida come in at 33% and 45% acceptance, respectively.

Of course, getting into college is just the first step. Graduation is a long process full of freshman anxiety, late-night study sessions, intramural sports and spring break road trips. Attend for four years and the expenses will add up quick, perhaps only being bested in one’s personal finances by the cost of a home. Will it all be worth the price and effort? That all comes down to the school and the student. u

Jules Verne’s timeless novel 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea is nearly 150 years old. Despite being a classic work of literature, Verne’s themes of wonder and discovery are as relevant today as they were when he penned the fictional story in 1872. Using a collection of props, interactive settings, touch screens and other exhibits, the new traveling show at the Museum of Science & History (MOSH), Voyage to the Deep captures some of the undersea world and raises it to dry land. “Jacksonville is a coastal city with a rich nautical history,” says MOSH CEO Bruce Fafard. “Voyages to the Deep takes our guests on a journey to explore what lies beneath the ocean as close to home.” The exhibition is on display through January 8, 2023.

Numbers Game

What’s been selling lately. And for how much.

NEIGHBORHOOD ADDRESS SQ. FEET SELLER SALE PRICE

East Arlington 10903 Houndwell Way 2,124 Century 21 First Coast

Chimney Lakes 8120 Tuxford Ln. 1,844 Re/Max Unlimited

Southbank (Condo) 1478 Riverplace Blvd. 1,298 Round Table Realty

Bartram Park 7006 Bartram Preserve Pkwy. 2,088 Slate Real Estate

Avondale 1642 Canterbury St. 1,851 Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Florida Network Realty

PRIOR SALE PRICE DAYS ON MARKET

$500,000 $164,900 (2000) 80

$327,500 $160,600 (2004) 47

$341,500 $280,000 (2021) 18

$460,000 $293,000 (2019) 61

$650,000 $474,500 (2020) 62

Bent Creek Golf Community 5631 Coldstream Ct. 2,797 Florida Homes Realty & Mortgage $432,000 $310,000 (2018) 27

Jacksonville Beach 130 32nd Ave. S. 4,493 Coastal Advantage Realty

North Jacksonville 14676 Amelia View Dr. 3,546 Watson Realty Corp.

$1,925,000 $1,275,000 (2020) 69

$649,000 $385,000 (2010) 40

Mandarin 11870 Swooping Willow Rd. 1,887 Keller Williams $440,000 $240,000 (2018) 74

St. Augustine 1097 Trailmark Dr. 2,174 EXP Realty $610,000 $334,863 (2020) 70

Riverside (Condo) 1560 Lancaster Tr. 1,320 Edwin Bonneau, Broker $440,000 $329,000 (Apr 2022) 40

San Marco 1020 Oriental Gardens Rd. 5,286 Bass Professional Realty $1,430,000 $1,125,000 (2018) 42

Orange Park 1734 Papaya Dr. N. 1,420 Keller Williams $316,900 $185,000 (2018) 47

Nocatee 49 Shadow Ridge Trl. 2,251 Keller Williams $949,000 $510,956 (2019) 55

Fernandina Beach 1532 Coastal Oaks Dr. 1,900 Solano Real Estate $835,000 $483,500 (2019) 92

Middleburg 1863 Twin Peak Ct. 1,690 Coldwell Banker Vanguard Realty $330,000 $100,000 (1999) 27

Atlantic Beach 1722 Sea Oats Dr. 1,828 Compass Florida $1,150,000 $689,900 (2020) 33

Queens Harbour 767 Providence Island Ct. 2,484 Marsh Landing Country Club $750,000 $479,429 (2017) 36

Baymeadows 8166 Meadow Walk Ln. 2,532 Florida Homes Realty & Mortgage $459,900 $284,990 (2019) 45

St. Johns 1072 Durbin Parke Dr. 2,651 Momentum Realty

WHAT GOES UP...

e “It’s not fair to compare 2022 sales numbers to those from a year ago because 2021 was such a uniquely good year for the housing market, with the 30-year mortgage rates hovering near 3% the entire year,” says Brad O’Connor, chief economist for Florida Real tors. “This year’s high mortgage rates, combined with a continuation of last year’s rapid rise in home prices have really put the brakes on the number of completed transactions this summer.” According to Freddie Mac, the interest rate for a 30-year fixed-rate mort gage averaged 5.4% in July, a sizable increase over the 2.87% average during the same month a year earlier. Homes in the Sunshine State are still selling, just at a much slower pace than recently experienced. In July, closed sales of single-family homes statewide totaled 23,705 (about one-third of which were paid in cash), down nearly 23% year-overyear. However, the news isn’t all bad for home sellers. The statewide median sales price for single-family existing houses in July was $412,303, up 16% from the previous year. Buyers receiving their original asking price or even above asking was the norm. That said, higher interest rates are having a real effect on housing, in particular new home construction, which slowed significantly in many parts of the nation in June and July. u

$545,000 $379,900 (2020) 96

datebook

NAS JAX Air Show

OCTOBER 22-23 • Naval Air Station Jacksonville

Long before Tom Cruise, Top Gun and anyone feeling the need for speed, there were the Blue Angels, the pilots that make up US Navy’s death defying flight demonstration team. Strapped into their F/A-18 Super Hornet fighter jets, the Blue Angels will soar over their hometown as the finale to the two-day air and land spectacular. Formed in 1946 right here in the River City, the flight demonstration squadron is said to be second oldest aerobatic team in the world. Gates open each day at 9 AM. The first aerial shows take off at 11 AM, however, the Blue Angels won’t fly till later in the afternoon. Parking and admis sion are free. Expect lots of traffic along Hwy. 17 as you approach the base.

Plain White T’s

OCTOBER 15, 8 PM

Thrasher-Horne Center

“Hey there, Delilah.” A favorite early 2000s pop rock band returns! Since emerging in 1997, the Grammy-nominated Chica go quintet—Tom Higgenson, Tim Lopez, Mike Retondo, and De’Mar Hamilton—has amassed an enduring and enigmatic cat alog, spanning two gold-certified offer ings All That We Needed (2005) and Every Second Counts (2006) and unshakable anthems such as the double-platinum “1,2,3,4” and platinum “Rhythm of Love,” $39-$89

Halloween Doors & More

OCTOBER 15 • 2 PM

Jacksonville Fairgrounds Exhibition Hall

Experience a day of magical, superhe ro-themed family fun featuring candy, toys, food and live characters. Show off dance moves in the Fiesta Family Disco and visit the Bootiful Salon for a spooktacular makeover. Proceeds from the 18th annual fundraiser ben efit Community PedsCare, supporting children living with serious and life-limiting illness and their families, $60-$125.

Skip Marley

OCTOBER 18, 7 PM

Underbelly

The first Jamaican-born artist to ever hold the #1 spot on the Billboard R&B adult chart with his recent single, “Slow Dow,” Skip Marley is keeping his family legacy alive. The two-time Grammy nominee is the son of Cedella Marley and David Minto, and the grandson of reggae legend Bob Marley, $20-$40

Killer Queen: A Tribute to Queen

OCTOBER 18, 7:30 PM

Jacksonville Center for the Performing Arts

It takes real talent to play the music even remotely similar to the style of Queen, how ever, Killer Queen dresses the part as they go through the different eras of late vocalist Freddie Mercury. Led by charismatic Fred

die Mercury-look-and-soundalike Patrick Meyers, what started as a one-night thing has now spanned over 25 years and been welcomed the world over due to attention to detail, energetic performances and, of course, a brilliant catalog to draw upon, $27-$58

Josh Gates Live!

OCTOBER 22, 8 PM Florida Theatre

Adventurer, television personality and author Josh Gates is the of the hit Discovery series Expedition Unknown. The live show follows Gates as he sets out on a global journey to explore historical mysteries and scientific breakthroughs, $39-$125

John Jorgenson Bluegrass Band

OCTOBER 22, 8 PM Thrasher-Horne Center

J2B2 is an all-star bluegrass supergroup featuring four legendary, award-winning musicians—John Jorgenson on acoustic guitar, mandolin and vocals; Herb Pedersen on banjo, acoustic guitar and vocals; Mark Fain on bass; and Patrick Sauber on acoustic guitar and vocals. The four combine forces to form a spot-on union of musicianship, songwriting, incredible harmony vocals (a fresh twist combining bluegrass with elements of West Coast folk rock) and sea soned showmanship, $35

Mourning & Mortality: A Century of Death

THROUGH OCTOBER 30

Ximenez-Fatio House Museum

Brave guests are invited to join a spooky can dlelight tour through a 223-year-old historic house museum and learn about the ways that St. Augustine townsfolk of the 1800s practiced medicine and mourning rituals from Spanish-American last rites to Afro-Ca ribbean traditions. Tours are held Friday and Saturday, 5:30, 6:30 and 7:30 PM, $15.

Josh Gates

TEDx Jacksonville

OCTOBER 22, 11 AM

Jacksonville Center for the Performing Arts

In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TED created TEDx—a program of local, self-or ganized events that bring people together to share an experience. At the TEDxJack sonville event, TED Talks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group setting, $64-$125

Boney James

OCTOBER 27, 8 PM

Florida Theatre

Four-time Grammy nominee and multi-plat inum selling sax man James continues his artistic evolution with the release of his 17th album, Solid. In 2009, Billboard magazine named him as one of the Top 3 contempo rary jazz artists of the decade, behind only Kenny G and Norah Jones, $35-$65

Florida/Georgia Weekend

OCTOBER 27-29

Downtown Jacksonville

The cross-border college football rivalry is renewed for 2022 with the Gators and Dawgs rushing, passing and tackling inside TIAA Bank Field on Saturday afternoon. More than just a game, the multi-day spectacle includes RV City, Duuuval’s Bold City Bash, Georgia-Florida Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and Luncheon, and an exhibition baseball game between both universities.

Lauren Daigle

NOVEMBER 2-3, 7 PM

St. Augustine Amphitheater

Since the release of her platinum-certi fied album Look Up Child, Lauren Daigle has carved a place for herself as the most formidable artist in her genre. The exclusive shows will feature Daigle’s extensive catalog including the 5-times platinum “You Say”, “Hold On To Me,” and “How Can It Be” as well as some never-before-performed new music, $64-$1,313

Disney Princess: The Concert

NOVEMBER 3, 7 PM

Jacksonville Center for the Performing Arts

Your every dream comes true as larger than life animation and theatrical effects immerse the audience in pure Disney magic, while Broadway talent sing the music of Disney princesses and share their hilarious and heartfelt behind-the-scenes stories from their time on the stage and screen. Patrons are invited to dress up in favorite royal attire, $52-$292

Jacksonville Symphony: The Paul Simon Songbook

NOVEMBER 4-5, 11 AM & 7:30 PM

Jacksonville Center for the Performing Arts

The Jacksonville Symphony fills the Sounds of Silence with a resounding

Jazz on the River

OCTOBER 30, 4:30-8 PM • Riverfront Park, Palatka

The Let’s Ride Brass Band takes the stage for the second in a series of Sunday afternoon concerts overlooking the St. Johns River. The family friendly event also includes a variety of vendors, food trucks and VIP wine tasting experience. Lawn chairs and picnic blankets welcome, free-$15

tribute to Paul Simon, named by Time as one of the 100 People Who Shaped the World. Enjoy groundbreaking classics from his Simon and Garfunkel years, along with masterpieces from his solo albums including Graceland and Rhythm of the Saints . Sing along to songs like Mrs. Robinson, Cecilia, and 50 Ways to Leave Your Lover and fill your soul with inspira tion, $27-$81

Whiskey, Wine & Wildlife

NOVEMBER 4-6

Vilano Beach

This three-day foodie fest artfully com bines renowned beverage tastings and inspired cuisine from some of the South’s best chefs and local culinary superstars, with a chance to experience coastal wild life up-close, all in one weekend. Special events include master classes, a whis key-inspired pig picking, a grand tasting and Sunday jazz brunch.

Alabama

NOVEMBER 4-5, 7:30 PM

St. Augustine Amphitheater

It's been over 40 years since Randy, Jeff and Teddy left the cotton farms of Fort Payne, Alabama, to spend the summer playing in a Myrtle Beach, South Carolina bar called The Bowery. Word of mouth earned them the major label deal they'd been dreaming of. In 1980 the band broke through with their first Top 20 hit “My Home’s In Alabama,” $49-$336

Jacksonville PorchFest 2022

NOVEMBER 5, NOON-8 PM

Sesquicentennial Park

Support local talent at this family and dog friendly music festival held in Historic Springfield. Throughout the day, there will be over 25 performers on a variety of porches, including headliners Zach Person and Canel ita Sabrosa, as well as amazing talent from all over Northeast Florida including Mama Blue and Ramona + the Riot. Also, explore the popup market featuring over 70 vendors ranging from food trucks to fine art, free

Seen

Boys (& Girls) Night out

The rustic red brick interior of the old Glass Factory building played host the Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeast Florida’s annual Summer Nights soiree the evening of August 27. Patrons were treated to eats prepared by top local restaurants including Orsay, River & Post and Black Sheep. Craft cocktails and local brews kept guests spirits high as they danced to tunes from Bold City Classics and bid on items in the live and silent auctions. Artwork created by Club kids add ed a bright and color flair and helped remind guests of how their generous contributions benefit Jacksonville and the surrounding communities. u

UPCOMING:

The 38th annual Caring Chefs, the region’s largest food and wine-tasting fundraiser, brings together area chefs, sommeliers and brewers and patrons to benefit Children’s Home Society. This year’s event is set for October 23 at the Glass Factory. Tickets start at $80.

The St. Augustine Food and Wine Festival, October 21, features intimate dinner parties at several Oldest City restaurants that are serving five-course tasting menus, including a mystery course based on the specialty of each participating eatery. Benefitting the Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeast Florida.

Enjoy delish food and great music while supporting the local families who partner with Habitat for Humanity at the 2022 Beach Bash, set for 6 PM on October 24 at ABBQ in Atlantic Beach. Donations start at $20.

Market for Makers

NOVEMBER 5-6

The Glass Factory

Markets for Makers are known for bringing together independent artists specializing in home decor, fashion, art, design, food and more in a fun and inspiring environment that champions connections. This month’s mak ers market has a seasonal autumn theme, $7-$25

Jacksonville Jaguars

NOVEMBER 6 & 27

TIAA Bank Field

The Jaguars play two home games this month. The first sees the Big Cats taking on the Las Vegas Raiders. Then, later in the month, the hometown NFL franchise returns from their bye week to face the Bal timore Ravens. Both games start at 1 PM, $83-$1,683

Brian Culbertson

NOVEMBER 6, 7 PM

Florida Theater

Over the course of crafting a 25-album catalogue and architecting 40 Billboard No. 1 singles as a multi-instrumentalist, songwriter and producer, Brian Culbertson has charted his own course in music. An exuberant performer, Culbertson spends months in preproduction meticulously working to create stunning visuals—staging, lighting, wardrobe and effects. Featuring guests Marcus Anderson and Marqueal Jordan, $39-$60

Florida Forum: Jenna Bush Hager

NOVEMBER 8, 7 PM

Jacksonville Center for the Performing Arts

Since 1992, the Florida Forum has hosted renowned guest speakers, from monarchs to entertainers, helping to raise awareness and funds for Wolfson Children’s Hospi tal. November’s speaker is Jenna Bush Hager, best-selling author and co-host of NBC’s TODAY. Her newest book, Everything Beautiful in Its Time , shares moving, funny stories about her grandparents, George and Barbara Bush, and the wisdom they passed on that has helped shape Jenna’s life, $150 to $7,500

Adam Sandler

NOVEMBER 10, 7:30 PM

St. Augustine Amphitheater

After making his breakthrough as a cast member of Saturday Night Live , come dian, actor, and recording artist Adam Sandler became one of the most pop ular comedy stars of the late '90s with films such as Billy Madison , The Wedding Singer , and Big Daddy . He is also a musi cian whose first two albums— They’re All Gonna Laugh at You! (1993) and What the Hell Happened to Me? (1996)—were smash hits, $54-$204

PXG Women’s Match Play Championship

NOVEMBER 1-6 • Slammer & Squire Golf Course

More than 80 ascending future stars pursuing their dreams of playing on the LPGA Tour gather to battle on the links during a week-long golfing endur ance test that will combine stroke play and match play tournaments, all culminating just chip shot away from the World Golf Hall of Fame.

Cummer Museum 60th Anniversary Party

NOVEMBER 10, 6-9 PM

Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens

As the Cummer’s 60th Anniversary year comes to a close, the cultural institution invites patrons to come together for a gala dinner party. So, dust off your party dresses and dinner jackets and join in as guests raise a glass to the museum’s Diamond celebra tion, $125-$250

T.J. Miller

NOVEMBER 10, 7:30 PM

The Comedy Zone

Miller is driven by the altruistic mission statement that life is fundamentally tragic and the best thing he can do is provide an ephemeral escapism from that tragedy by doing comedy. He has been performing his absurdist observational standup act, which has been described as a “one man philosophy circus”, worldwide, $27

Veterans Day Parade

NOVEMBER 11, 11 AM

Downtown Jacksonville

Celebrate our nation’s heroes with a festive morning Downtown highlighted by a patri otic parade features grand marshals, senior military officials, active-duty and retired military, veterans groups, local high school marching bands, decorative floats, giant balloons, JROTC units and more, free

Zane Lamprey

NOVEMBER 11, 6:30 PM

Intuition Ale Works

Zane Lamprey, award-winning travel show host and comedian, performs his new stand-up comedy show, Lager than Life, which covers crazy stories about being a professional drinker and experiences while shooting his television shows Three Sheets, Drinking Made Easy, Chug and Four Sheets The show is 21+, $29-$44

Celebrating Billy Joel

NOVEMBER 11, 8 PM

Florida Theater

“This is the time…” to pay tribute to Amer ica’s Piano Man. This show celebrates the songs and the style of Joel, evoking the energy and passion of live performances in his 1970s and ‘80s pomp. Playing smash hits such as ‘Just The Way You Are’, ‘New York State of Mind’, ‘Uptown Girl’, ‘Piano Man’ and many, many more; a superb group of multi-instrumentalists featuring renowned vocalists and piano players Rob Stringer and Alex Dee, $35-$59

Jacksonville Symphony: Brahms’ German Requiem

NOVEMBER 11-12, 7:30 PM

Jacksonville Center for the Performing Arts German Romantics wore their hearts on their sleeves and left behind a legacy of lush and tender melodies. The traveling journeyman in Mahler's Songs of a Wayfarer

The Rocky Horror Picture Show

OCTOBER 29, 8 PM • Florida Theatre

The ultimate Halloween movie, Rocky Horror, is now a cult classic. The 1975 musical is a tribute to the science fiction “B Movies” of the 1940s and ‘50s. Its stellar cast includes Tim Curry as Dr. Frank N. Furter, as well as Barry Bostwick, Susan Sarandon, and Meatloaf. Costumes and props welcome (no meat, please) and arrive early for the live music, $15

Florida Chamber Music Project: Haydn & Tchaikovsky

NOVEMBER 20, 3 PM

Beaches Museum Chapel

Float away on the perfect notes of two string quartets, performed by passionate, professional artists. The Florida Cham ber Music Project presents this musical masterpiece as part of its mission to spread awareness and enjoyment of classical music across North Florida, $27

Cirque Dreams Holidaze

NOVEMBER 20, 6 PM

Jacksonville Center for the Performing Arts

This annual tradition wraps a Broadwaystyle production around an infusion of con temporary circus arts. As lights dim and the music swells, audiences will have visions of sugarplums dancing in their heads as a fan tastical cast of holiday storybook characters come to life on stage, $39-$106

Christmas Made in the South

NOVEMBER 25-27

Prime Osborn Convention Center

As Christmas time approaches, what better way to get ready for the holiday season than to stroll the aisles for gifts at this year's 33rd annual Christmas Made in the South featur ing more than 300 unique makers, outstand ing art, gourmet food, diverse entertainment and handmade crafts that populate the booths that fill the Prime Osborn, $8 for adults, free for children 12 and under.

904 Pop Up at the Light Boat Parade

sings of love's various stages with sounds of sparkling birdcalls and furious storms from the orchestra. Feel the emotional power of each piece as they move you with messages that ring as fresh and wise today as when they were first written, $27-$81

Irving Berlin’s White Christmas

NOVEMBER 17-DECEMBER 24

Alhambra Theatre and Dining

Based on the beloved 1954 film, this heartwarming musical adaptation is sure to spark your Christmas spirit. Veterans Bob Wallace and Phil Davis have a suc cessful song-and-dance act after World War II. With romance in mind, the two follow a duo of beautiful singing sisters en route to their Christmas show at a Vermont lodge, which just happens to be owned by Bob and Phil's former army commander, $66-$73

Cole Swindell

NOVEMBER 17, 6:30 PM

St. Augustine Amphitheater

Multi-Platinum selling superstar Swindell recently released his new album Stereo type has already charted two back-to-back multi-week No. 1 hits including “Single Saturday Night,” which has already logged over 250 million global streams. His mas

sive hit “Break Up In The End” was named the NSAI Song of the Year (2019). With spe cial guests Ashley Cooke & Dylan Marlowe, $44-$54

The Marshall Tucker Band

NOVEMBER 18, 8 PM

Thrasher-Horne Center for the Arts

Southern rockers The Marhsall Tucker Band land in Jacksonville for their 50th anniversary tour. Originating in Spartanburg, South Caro lina, they helped shape the unique Southern rock genre, building an impressive catalog consisting of more than 20 studio albums and a score of live releases, $39-$89

Rocky in Concert

NOVEMBER 18-19, 7 PM

Jacksonville Center for the Performing Arts

Enter the boxing ring and take a jab at the World Heavyweight Championship with the original film classic. Watch as Rocky goes from rags to riches in an empowering and musical story of the American Dream. As the Jacksonville Symphony performs Bill Conti’s legendary score, you’ll feel in spired, motivated, and ready to overcome any obstacles, $28-$80

NOVEMBER 26. 4-9 PM Downtown Jacksonville Jacksonville's Largest Small Business Saturday event is back at Riverfront Plaza Downtown. This event is family and pet friendly. Shop local while watching the Light Boat Parade and end the night with fireworks over the St. Johns. Up to 200 vendors will be on hand, free

San Marco Art Festival

NOVEMBER 26-27, 10 AM-5 PM San Marco Square

The 24th annual San Marco Art Festival is returning with local artists, from printmakers to potters. Peruse the booths of handmade jewelry, paintings, prints, photographs, glass work, and more. You may even run into Santa and Mrs. Claus! Afterward, take advantage of the restaurants that circle the square, free

Winter Design Show

DECEMBER 2-4

Prime Osborn Convention Center

The Winter Design Show reimagines the longtime Art & Antiques Show by featuring the work of top designers and artists, as well as current trends in home decor. Returning to the annual fundraiser are favorites such as the black-tie gala, lectures by renowned designers, and upscale antiques dealers, $15-$3,000 u

Jacksonville Dance Theatre

NOVEMBER 12 • 8 PM

Wilson Center for the Arts

The city’s own critically acclaimed professional modern dance company will stage three newly branded concerts for its upcoming season, starting with a performance of “InSight,” a concert of cur rent and new choreography celebrating women in the arts, $20-$40

Two of a Kind

PHOTOS BY LAURA JOBE

A Beaches couple and their pair of pups move into their dream dwelling, a new home that drew design inspiration from Florida history and their many travels.

A

LLISON AND MICHAEL MARCO have a great fondness for the natural beauty of the Florida coast. Michael was born and raised in Atlantic Beach; Allison grew up in Central Florida. The couple’s favorite evening activity is biking with their two dogs for dinner at one of the nearby restaurants. Both have a love for the outdoors and the native landscape of the Sunshine

State. Their affinity for Florida is exhibited throughout their home, which was completed just last year.

“When designing our home, we took inspiration from the many places in the Southeast to which we have traveled,” say the own ers. “Our main influences were of Central Florida ranch/cracker

houses and clean coastal elements. For example, the heart pine walls, oyster shell-imbedded counter tops and 1800s glass doors. We wanted a fresh white canvas with warm woods throughout so that we could decorate with a style that suited our love for the outdoors. We specifically included large doors to enjoy the fresh air and inviting patios to spend lots of time outside.” Plus, they

have a pair of rambunctious dogs who need room to run and roam.

Completed in the spring of 2021, the couple’s favorite things about the 15th Street house, just a short walk from the beach, are the memories they see in the decor. For example, most of the furniture, keepsakes and art were purchased during their travels or commissioned to

remind them of a specific adventure. Much of the art was painted by Allison, her mother or grandfather.

“We love Atlantic Beach because it’s a bike-friendly area, the quiet beaches and the amazing selection of food and activities at the Beaches Town Center,” the couple says “The dogs seem to love it, too.” u

Resources:

Builder: Mathieu Builders

Architect: Harleston Parkes, Architect

Interior Design: McQuiston McCarthy Interiors

THE MARCO RESIDENCE IS A FEATURED STOP ON THE FIFTH ANNUAL BEACHES TOUR OF HOMES TAKING PLACE LATER THIS FALL. The fundraising event features nearly a dozen private homes in Atlantic and Neptune Beach that open their doors to guests November 5, 9 AM-5 PM. The program for the event is included in the new edition of Jacksonville Magazine’s Home, a supplement publication that was mailed to subscribers with this issue. Additional copies of Home will be provided to each Home Tour patron. Tickets range from $30 to $100. Proceeds benefit the Beaches Town Center community improvement projects. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit 904TIX.com.

CULTURAL CALENDAR

seasonal guide to more than 300 Northeast Florida concerts, theatre performances, special events, gallery shows and more!

There is no better way to celebrate and enjoy the arrival of autumn and the com ing holiday season than attending the First Coast’s many artistic performances and productions—from choir recitals to stand-up comedians, there’s plenty of entertainment options scheduled over the next six months. We have the dates, times and locations listed here to prove it. So, feel free to join in the fun and see a show, applaud the performers and experience the culture and creativity of Northeast Florida.

Note: Dates and times of events are subject to change. Please confirm all information before making plans to attend. All phone numbers are in the 904 area code, unless otherwise listed.

Alhambra Theatre & Dining 12000 Beach Blvd. 641-1212 alhmabrajax.com

Beaches Fine Arts Series St. Paul’s by the Sea Episcopal Church 1150 N. 5th St., Jacksonville Beach 270-1771 beachefinearts.org

The Bolles School 7400 San Jose Blvd. 733-9292 boles.org

Charleston Literary Festival (843) 619-3000 charlestonliteraryfestival.com

Douglas Anderson School of the Arts 2445 San Diego Rd. 346-5620 duvalschools.org/anderson

Episcopal School of Jacksonville 4455 Atlantic Blvd. 396-5751 esj.org

The Florida Theatre 218 E. Forsyth St. 355-2787 floridatheatre.com

Friends of James Weldon Johnson Park 135 W. Monroe St. 515-5098 jamesweldonjohnsonpark.org

FSCJ Artist Series 501 W. State St. 632-5000 FSCJartistseries.org

Jacksonville Children’s Chorus 10131 Atlantic Blvd. 353-1636 jaxchildrenschorus.org

Jacksonville Symphony 300 Water St. 354-5547 jax symphony.org

Jacksonville University College of Fine Arts 2800 University Blvd. 256-8000 ju.edu

Lightner Museum 75 King St., St. Augustine 824-2874 lightnermuseum.org

MWR Mayport Mayport Naval Station 270-5228 navymwrmayport.com

St. Augustine Art Association 22 Marine St., St. Augustine 824-2310 staaa.org

St. Johns Cultural Council 184 San Marco Ave., St. Augustine 808-7330 stjohnsculture.com

Ghost The Musical

September 29—November 6

This musical, based on the hit movie, follows Sam and Molly, a young couple with their whole life ahead of them. When Sam dies suddenly, he finds himself trapped between the land of the living and the dead, not willing to let Molly go, $66-$73

White Christmas

November 17—December 24

When two WWII GI’s discover the secret their General has been keeping from his family, they use their musical talents to help him out. Don’t miss this Christmas classic full of timeless holi day songs including “White Christmas,” $66-$73

A Closer Walk with Patsy Cline

January 6—8 & January 17—February 5

The only Patsy Cline show to be endorsed by her estate as the most authentic Patsy story ever told. Gail Bliss traces Patsy's career with the help of a talented co-star and a live band that features Grammy award-winning musicians, $66-$73

The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas

February 9—March 12

Inspired by the real-life Chicken Ranch in Texas, this story follows Mona Stangley, the madam of the famous house of ill repute. While the madam is on good terms with the local sheriff, a new crusading reporter is bound and determined to expose the illegal activity and shut it down. This show has been rated PG-13, $45-$78

Arsenic and Old Lace

March 23—April 26

Mortimer Brewster, a newly married man, goes to visit his sweet maiden aunts and eccentric broth er Teddy. Unbeknownst to him, he is about to uncover their dark and hysterical secrets. Adapted to film starring Cary Grant in 1943, this play is one of the funniest dark comedies to date, $45-$78

Jersey Boys

April 27—May 28

This Tony and Grammy Award-winning show is a jukebox musical that tells the story of the leg endary group, The Four Seasons. Songs include Big Girls Don't Cry, Sherry, Walk Like A Man, Who Loves You, and Rag Doll, along with many others! This show has been rated PG-13, $45-$78

as one of the finest organists of his generation, Da vid’s extensive repertoire spans five centuries, free

Soweto Gospel Choir

December 16 – 7:30 pm

St. Paul’s by the Sea Episcopal Church

With its rich vocal textures and driving rhythms, the charismatic Soweto Gospel Choir returns to Beaches Fine Arts Series with a special program celebrating South African and American artists associated with the struggle for civil rights and social justice. This inspiring concert features South African freedom songs that inspired the Rainbow Nation, and heartfelt renditions of the music of the civil rights movement with works by Billie Holiday, James Brown, Harry Belafonte, and Mahalia Jackson, free

Marcus Roberts Trio

February 5 – 4 pm

St. Paul’s by the Sea Episcopal Church

The Marcus Roberts Trio is a long-term musical partnership between pianist, Marcus Roberts, the phenomenal drummer Jason Marsalis, and gifted bassist Rodney Jordan. The Trio is known for its virtuosic style and entirely new approach to jazz trio performance. While most jazz trios have the piano front and center, all members of the Marcus Roberts Trio share equally in shaping the direction of the music by changing its tempo, mood, texture, or form at any time. Also featuring a showcase of the works of visual artist Debbie Pounders, free

Laredo, Robinson, Polonsky & Pajaro-van de Stadt

February 24 – 7:30 pm

St. Paul’s by the Sea Episcopal Church Enjoy an evening of piano quartets in memory of American classical pianist Joseph Kalichstein. Performing for over six decades before audiences across the globe, Jaime Laredo has excelled in the multiple roles of soloist, conductor, recitalist, pedagogue, and chamber musician. Joining him are award-winning cellist Sharon Robinson, piano soloist and chamber musician Anna Polonsky, and acclaimed violist Milena Pajaro-van de Stadt. Also featuring a showcase of works by visual artist Elena Ohlander, free

Chanticleer

March 5 – 4 pm

Pablo Ziegler Trio

October 9 – 4 pm

St. Paul’s by the Sea Episcopal Church

For decades, Buenos Aires-born, GRAMMY-win ning pianist, composer and arranger Pablo Ziegler has been one of the most important figures in Argentine New Tango, the vibrant musical hybrid of traditional tango, American jazz, and European art music. Ziegler’s most recent release, 2017’s Jazz Tango won the 60th GRAMMY Award for Best Latin Jazz Album with his trio, Hector Del Curto and Claudio Ragazzi, who join him for this performance. Also featuring a showcase of works by the visual artist Dawn Montgomery, free

David Briggs

November 13 – 4 pm

St. John’s Cathedral, Downtown David Briggs is an internationally renowned organist whose performances are acclaimed for their musicality, virtuosity, and ability to excite and engage audiences of all ages. Consistently ranked

St. Paul’s by the Sea Episcopal Church Named for the “clear-singing” rooster in Geoffrey Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales, this GRAMMY® Award-winning vocal ensemble has been hailed as “the world’s reigning male chorus” by The New Yorker and is known around the world as “an orchestra of voices” for its wide-ranging repertoire and dazzling virtuosity. Chanticleer’s repertoire is rooted in the renaissance and has continued to ex pand to include a wide range of classical, gospel, jazz, popular music. Also featuring a showcase of the works of visual artist Vanessa Withun, free Alon Goldstein

March 24 – 7:30 pm

St. Paul’s by the Sea Episcopal Church Classical pianist Alon Goldstein is one of the most original and sensitive artists of his generation, admired for his musical intelligence and dynamic personality. His artistic vision and innovative programming have made him a favorite with audiences and critics alike throughout the United States, Europe, and Israel. Also featuring a show case of the works of visual artist Jessica Hall, free

Italian Saxophone Quartet

April 16 – 4 pm

St. Paul’s by the Sea Episcopal Church

The Italian Saxophone Quartet was founded in

The Bolles School

1982 by four saxophone soloists, close friends determined to join together to perform chamber music for saxophone at the very highest artistic level. Now nearing the thirty-year mark as a group, they have played to wide acclaim in more than 500 concerts in Italy (including the most important concert institutions), France, Germany, Spain, Greece, Japan, USA, Sweden, Lebanon, Bermuda and Russia. Also featuring a showcase of the works of visual artist Scott Blake, free American Brass Quintet

May 7 – 4 pm

St. Paul’s by the Sea Episcopal Church

Hailed by Newsweek as “the high priests of brass,” the American Brass Quintet is internationally rec ognized as one of the era’s premier chamber mu sic ensembles. “The most distinguished” of brass quintets (American Record Guide), the group has earned its stellar reputation through its celebrat ed performances and ongoing commitment to the education of generations of musicians. Also featuring a showcase of the works of visual artist Marisa Yow, free

Jacksonville Symphony May 26 – 7:30 pm

St. Paul’s by the Sea Episcopal Church

The Jacksonville Symphony is one of Northeast Florida’s most important cultural institutions.

Founded in 1949, the Symphony now enjoys a national reputation, regularly heard on more than 250 public radio stations across the country on Performance Today. Also featuring a showcase of the works of visual artist Lisa Lofton, free

THE BOLLES SCHOOL

Middle School Play

September 30 and October 1 – 7 pm

Middle School Bartram Campus, Parker Auditorium

Upper/Middle Schools Concert Bands Fall Concert

October 26 – 7 pm

Middle School Bartram Campus, Parker Auditorium

US Fall Play, Murder on the Orient Express

November 10, 12, 14

Middle School Bartram Campus, Parker Auditorium

Middle and Upper School Chorus Concert

November 15 - 7 pm

Middle School Bartram Campus, Parker Auditorium

Upper and Middle School Student Choreography Concert

December 2 - 7 pm

Middle School Bartram Campus, Parker Auditorium

Upper School Drama Showcase

December 7 - 7 pm

Upper School San Jose Campus, McGehee Auditorium

Upper/Middle School Bands Winter Concert

December 8 - 7 pm

Middle School Bartram Campus, Parker Auditorium

The Middle and Upper Schools Honors Music Recital

February 8 - 7 pm

Upper School San Jose Campus, McGehee Auditorium

Middle School Musical, Once Upon a Mattress

February 24, 25 - 7 pm

Middle School Bartram Campus, Parker Auditorium

Upper School Spring Play TBA

March 23-25 - 7 pm

Upper School San Jose Campus, McGehee Auditorium

Upper School Bands Concert

April 13 - 7 pm

Middle School Bartram Campus, Parker Auditorium

Upper and Middle School Dance Concert

April 20-21 - 7 pm

Middle School Bartram Campus, Parker Auditorium

Upper and Middle School Chorus Concert

April 26 - 7 pm

Middle School Bartram Campus, Parker Auditorium

Production Class Play

April 27-28 - 7 pm

Upper School San Jose Campus, Lynch Theater

Upper School Drama Showcase

May 3 - 7 pm

Upper School San Jose Campus, McGehee Auditorium

Middle School Bands Concert

May 4 - 7 pm

Middle School Bartram Campus, Parker Auditorium

CHARLESTON LITERARY FESTIVAL

November 4-13

Charleston, South Carolina

Exploring relevant issues through inspiring con versations with novelists, journalists, historians, scientists, poets, biographers and performers, in a convivial setting where all are welcome, is the essence of the Charleston Literary Festival. Let this year's stunning roster of speakers inspire you with transformative conversations on and off the Festival stages. With settings as historic as the Cir cular Congregational Church and the Dock Street Theatre, and book signings after most sessions, this is sure to be a must-see cultural event of the South this fall. A roster of nearly 30 authors/ speakers highlight the multi-day festival, including Tina Brown (The Palace Papers), Marie Brenner (The Desperate Hours), Eddie S. Glaude Jr. (Begin Again) and Tiya Miles (All That She Carried). Discussions and readings range from $10 to $25. The Festival Opening Party is Saturday, November 5 at River Green at the College of Charleston, $175. All event access passes are $525-$700.

Episcopal Schoolof Jacksonville Into the Woods

SCHOOL OF THE

Musical - Chicago

November 9-13 - 7:30 pm and 2 pm

Dubow Theater

Piano Odyssey

November 15 - 7 pm

Proton Therapy Institute

Fall Dance Concert

November 17-18 - 7:30 pm

Dubow Theater

Fall Jazz Night

November 29 - 7 pm

Dubow Theater

Winter Band Concert

December 5 - 7:30 pm

Dubow Theater

Winter Orchestra Concert

December 9 - 7 pm

Dubow Theater

Winter Percussion Concert

December 9 - 7 pm

Dubow Theater

Vocal Tech Recital

December 13 - 7 pm

Recital Hall

Jazz Combo Concert

December 15 - 7 pm

Recital Hall

Vocal Choral Concert

December 15 - 7:30 pm

Church of the Good Shepherd

Pops With the Jacksonville Symphony

December 16-18

Jacksonville Center for the Performing Arts

Student Choreography Concert

January 12-13 - 7 pm

Dubow Theater Black Arts Showcase January 19-20 - 7 pm Dubow Theatre Sonata Marathon January 25 - 4 pm

Recital Hall

Extravaganza

February 10 - 7 pm

Jacksonville Center for the Performing Arts

Great Guitar Gathering February 24 - 7 pm

Dubow Theater

Theatrical Performance of Indecent

March 1-10 - 7 pm & 2 pm

Black Box Theatre

Orchestra Senior Recital

March 7 - 7 pm

Dubow Theater

Children’s Dance Concert

March 9-10 - 7 pm

Dubow Theater

Jazz Combo Concert

March 23 - 7 pm

Dubow Theater

Upper School Musical, "Big Fish"

November 10-12

Munnerlyn Center for Worship and Fine Arts

Christmas Concerts

December 2 – 4 pm and 7 pm

St. John's Cathedral

Spring Dance Concert

February 9-10 – 7 pm

Munnerlyn Center for Worship and Fine Arts

Middle School Play

February 22-24 – 6 pm

Sikes Theatre

Spring Band Concert

March 30 – 7 pm

Munnerlyn Center for Worship and Fine Arts

Upper School Play

TBD April 13-15

Spring Chorus Concert

April 27 - 7 pm

Location TBD

Ortega River Run

February 23

Episcopal School of Jacksonville, St. Mark’s Campus

For the past 44 years, the St. Mark’s Campus has been home to the Ortega River Run. Pro ceeds benefit the financial aid and scholarship program at the school. Choose between 1-mile or 5-mile distance. Complimentary T-shirts will be available for pre-race pickup for all runners, along with a gourmet pasta dinner. All registered One Mile and Five Mile finishers will receive a medal as they cross the finish line, along with merit-based awards given to top runners. A street fair on campus with giveaways and special guests rounds out the event. Registration opens November 2022, $25-$50

Tacos & Tequila

March 26 – 6:30-10 pm

Acosta-Schmidt House Lawn

This year's Bash, Tacos & Tequila, will be a festive and relaxing evening on the Acosta-Schmidt House lawn open to the Episcopal community. We invite you to visit with fellow parents, make new friends, and enjoy a variety of food and cocktails while listening to great music at this casual event which supports our school. A silent auction featuring trips, luxury items, and "All Things Episcopal," will be part of the evening. Tickets go on sale January 14, 2023.

Southern Soiree

March 18 – 6-9 pm

Beaches Campus McCormick Hall

Episcopal School of Jacksonville, Beaches Campus will hold its annual parent social with a Southern Soiree theme next spring. Parents are invited to enjoy a casual night of southern chic

cocktails, succulent southern cuisine, live music, and online auction bidding. Bidding for the virtual auction opens Tuesday, March 15, 2022. Bidding will take place virtually, and will be open through Friday, March 18, 2022. Tickets available starting January 5.

A Vision for Art April 21-25

Episcopal School of Jacksonville, St. Mark’s Campus

A Vision for Art is the premier art exhibition in the southeast for both avid art collectors and casual buyers. The Opening Night celebration will include early access to purchase artwork from over 40 cu rated artists, an open bar, catered hors d'oeuvres, an elegant, tented dinner, and a meet and greet with the artists. The following four-day public art exhibition will be open to the general public free of charge during the shopping days. Tickets for Opening Night go on sale February 2, 2023.

THE FLORIDA THEATRE

Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story

October 20 – 8 pm

Buddy — The Buddy Holly Story tells the true story of Buddy’s meteoric rise to fame, from the moment in 1957 when “That’ll Be The Day” hit the airwaves until his tragic death less than two years later on “The Day the Music Died,” $39.50-$49.50

38 Special

October 21 – 8 pm

With sales above 20 million, most associate the band with their arena-rock pop smashes, “Hold On Loosely,” “Rockin’ Into the Night,” “Caught Up in You,” “Fantasy Girl,” “Chain Lightnin’,” “Second Chance,” and more–timeless hits that remain a staple at radio, immediately recognizable from the first opening chord, and paving the way to their present-day touring regimen, $42.50-$75

Pablo Cruise

October 23 – 8 pm

Ruling the adult contemporary charts with its sunny, tropical pop sound in the 1970s, Pablo Cruise reached the top 10 with mega hits “What cha Gonna Do When She Says Goodbye?” and “Love Will Find A Way,” $49.50-$79.50

Amos Lee

October 25 – 7:30 pm

Philadelphia born singer/songwriter Amos Lee came up in the industry supporting the likes of Paul Simon, Dave Matthews, and Elvis Costello. His new found “Blue Eyed Soul” garnishes rave reviews worldwide. Amos is best known for his hits “Windows Are Rolled Down”, Keep it Loose, Keep it tight” and “Colors”. Slimdan will open, $39.50-$89.50

Daniel Howell

October 26 – 7:30 pm

Daniel Howell is one of the world’s most successful, stressed and depressed entertainers. Known for his savagely self-deprecating and sarcastic humour, Dan fairly skewers everything that’s wrong with the world as much as he does himself, $29.50-$59.50

Rumors of Fleetwood Mac

October 30 – 8 pm

Rumors of Fleetwood Mac, the world’s finest tribute to Fleetwood Mac encompasses nearly

five decades of legendary music and channeling the spirit of the band at their very best. Personally endorsed by Mick Fleetwood, Rumors of Fleet wood Mac is the ultimate tribute to one of rock and roll’s most remarkable groups, $35-$59

Untold Stories: Building Bridges

November 3 – 7:30 pm

Honoring the tradition of oral storytelling in a modern context, Untold Stories is an oral storytelling series performed in front of a live audience, featuring tales written by and told by natives and residents of Northeast Florida about life in Northeast Florida, $25-$35

Steep Canyon Rangers

November 4 – 7 pm

Steep Canyon Rangers released three albums in 2020, all on Yep Roc Records. The Gram my-Nominated North Carolina Songbook is a recording of their live 2019 performance at Merlefest in Wilkesboro, North Carolina, in which they performed a selection of songs by North Carolina songwriters (Ola Belle Reed, Doc Wat son, James Taylor, Ben E. King, and others). Their most recent release of all original music, Arm In Arm came out in October, $54.50-$64.50

Floyd Nation: Experience Pink Floyd

November 4 – 8 pm

Floyd Nation is a U.S.-based Pink Floyd Tribute Band that performs all of your favorite hits from the vast collection of Pink Floyd albums such as The Wall, Dark Side of the Moon, Wish You Were Here, and The Division Bell. Guests are immersed in sound, lights, and lasers as they take an epic journey through some of the most iconic music ever produced. $35-$55

Brian Culbertson

November 6 – 7 pm

Possessing style, panache and a savvy business mind capable of moving the needle in music and beyond, Culbertson founded and curates the annual Napa Valley and Chicago Jazz Getaways, which have attracted guests from all over the globe to experience his premier events, $39.50-$59.50

Celebrating Billy Joel

November 11 – 8 pm

This show celebrates the songs and the style of Billy Joel, evoking the energy and passion of live performances in his 70s/80s pomp. Playing international smash hits such as ‘Just The Way You Are’, ‘New York State of Mind’, ‘Uptown Girl’, ‘Vienna’, ‘Scenes from an Italian Restaurant’, ‘Piano Man’ and many more, $35-$59

Disney Junior Live on Tour

November 17 – 6 pm

This show brings beloved Disney Junior characters and favorite Marvel Super Heroes together live on stage for a jam-packed, concert-style show with singing, dancing, acrobatics, and more. It will fea ture favorite songs from hit Disney Junior series, as well as new original music, $35-$75

Cat & Nat Unfiltered Live

November 18 – 8 pm

Cat & Nat, the mom duo most well known for their viral #MOMTRUTHS videos and hilarious weekly Facebook Live Shows are hitting the road. On their first Live North American Tour they are taking a Girls Night Out to a whole new level. These ladies are notoriously known for talking about all the things moms are thinking but never saying, $39.50-$99.50

Paul Reiser

November 19 – 8 pm

Comedian Paul Reiser is best known as the creator, writer and star of the sitcom Mad About You, and star of the acclaimed movie Diner. Coming off his role in the Golden Globe win ning and Oscar Nominate film Whiplash, Paul brings his national comedy tour to Jacksonville, $39.50-$57.50

Pipes of Praise: Christmas Benefit

Concert Starring Emmet Cahill

November 26 – 7:30 pm

Emmet, along with his accompanist Seamus Brett, will provide an evening of Christmas clas sics like O Holy Night in anticipation of the Christ mas season …but a concert with Emmet would not be complete without a few hymns and Irish favorites, along with a surprise or two, $33-$53

Allman Family Revival

November 30 – 8 pm

The Allman Family Revival is a happy and healing cosmic experience celebrating the life, spirit, and indelible musical legacy of Gregg Allman. Featuring The Devon Allman Project, Duane Bet ts, Donavon Frankenreiter, Maggie Rose, Jimmy Hall, Larry McCray, Alex Orbison and the River Kittens, $44.50-$79.50

Dave Koz & Friends 25th Anniversary Christmas Tour

December 1 – 8 pm Jazz saxophonist Dave Koz presents Dave Koz and Friends 2th Anniversary Christmas Tour with Special Guests Rick Braun, Peter White, Keiko Matsui, and Rebecca Jade. Over two decades ago, Grammy nominee Dave Koz launched his first-ever Christmas tour. Now, fans and families

across the country await his arrival with the kind of anticipation formerly reserved for St. Nick himself, earning the saxophonist extraordinaire the nickname “Santa Koz,” $45-$87.50

Sal Vulcano

December 2 – 7 pm

Sal Vulcano is best known for creating and starring in truTV’s long-running hidden-camera prank show hit Impractical Jokers. He and his pals in the Tenderloins comedy troupe also star in the TBS game show The Misery Index. In his own words, “We are not actors doing pranks, we’re legitimately four best friends who are doing what we’ve always done, but with camer as.”18 years or older suggested to attend, $39.75-$59.75

Paula Poundstone

December 3 – 7 pm

A Comedy Hall of Fame inductee and American Comedy Award winner for Best Female Stand-Up Comic, she was the first woman to win a Cable ACE Award and perform at the White House Correspondents Dinner. She is currently a regular on the Peabody Award winning weekly news quiz show, Wait Wait… Don’t Tell Me!, $59.50

Tab Benoit and the Dirty Dozen Brass Band

December 3 – 8 pm

Celebrating over 40 years since their founding in 1977, New Orle ans-based Dirty Dozen Brass Band has taken the traditional foundation of brass band music and incorporated it into a blend of genres including Bebop Jazz, Funk and R&B/Soul, $34.50-$74.50

Black Violin

December 4 – 7 pm

To most people, jazz, hip-hop, funk, and classical are musical genres. But to revolutionary music group Black Violin, they’re nothing but ingredi ents. Combining a daunting array of musical styles and influences to produce a signature sound, the two classically trained violinists Kev and Wil alongside their DJ are redefining the music world-one string at a time, $42.50-$65

The 31st Annual Community Nutcracker

December 9-10

This highly sophisticated production is built purely upon a passion for art and selfless will for an emotionally stirring result. Every performance exudes imagination and creativity. Dancers gracefully twirl and twist in Clara’s winter wonderland, pulling the audience into the jubilant scenes. The performing company is made up of local talent with more than 200 dancers ranging in age from 9 to adult, $35-$59.50

Eric Gales

December 11 – 8 pm

Eric Gales is a blues rock firebrand. Over 30 years and 18 albums, his passion for the music and his boundless desire to keep it vital has never waned, even when his own light dimmed due to his substance struggles, $39-$125

The Hip Hop Nutcracker

December 12 – 7 pm

A holiday mash-up for the whole family, The Hip Hop Nutcracker re-imagines

Tchaikovsky’s classic score through explosive hip hop choreography. A doz en all-star dancers, on-stage DJ and an electric violinist bring the traditional Nutcracker story to life in contemporary New York City, $39.50-$69.50

Mindi Abair

December 14 – 8 pm

Join Mindi Abair and friends, Vincent Ingala, Adam Hawley and Lindsey Webster, for a magical night of Christmas classics and all their smooth jazz hits. A popular Christmastime on the road tradition that began with Mindi’s 2003 jaunt with Peter White and led to over 15 years of sold out holiday shows around the U.S., $55-$99.50

Cirque Musica Holiday Wonderland

December 16 – 7 pm

Cirque Musica Holiday Wonderland brings the joy and excitement of the holiday season to your theater like never before. Experience the chills, thrills, and excitement of the best Cirque performers from around the world performing to your holiday favorites, $29.50-$55

Debbie Gibson

December 17 – 8 pm

A music prodigy, Gibson burst on the Billboard Pop Charts at the tender age of 16 with the self-penned “Only In My Dreams.” The “Original Pop Princess” quickly became the youngest artist ever to write, produce and perform a No. 1 hit song, “Foolish Beat,” on the Billboard Hot 100 and entered the Guinness Book of World Records, $69-$89

Ron Perlman

December 18 – 8 pm

Join actor Ron Perlman for a live discussion and audience Q&A following a screening of the 2004 superhero film Hellboy. Ron will be telling behind-the-scenes stories and answering your questions in-person following the screening of the film, $39.50-$150

Nutcracker! Magical Christmas Ballet

December 21 – 4 pm

Gather friends and family to re-live your fondest childhood dreams, overflowing with largerthan-life puppets, breathtaking acrobatics and dazzling costumes. Experience the exquisite artistry of the international cast, featuring stars of Ukraine ballet, performing at the highest level of classical technique.$33.50-$83.50

Elvis Birthday Bash

January 6 – 7 pm

World-class Elvis impersonators Mike Albert and Scot Bruce along with the Big E Band return to the Florida Theatre to celebrate Elvis’ 88th Birthday Bash! From his sexy sneer to his gyrating guitar playing, Scot Bruce is one of the world’s finest “Young Elvis” impersonators, while Mike Albert presents a respectful portrayal of the latter-day “Vegas” Elvis, $29.50-$39.50

Neil deGrasse Tyson

January 10 – 7:30 pm

There is no view of the world as emotionally po tent as the one granted by a cosmic perspective. It sees Earth as a planet in a vast empty universe. It profoundly influences what we think and feel about science, culture, politics, and life. Join Tyson, award winning-astrophysicist, author, Director of the Hayden Planetarium, and host of FOX’s COSMOS, for an evening of engaging conversation on science, exploration, and the world as we know it, $50-$250

Untold Stories: Lightning Strikes

January 12 – 7:30 pm

Honoring the tradition of oral storytelling in a modern context, Untold Stories is an oral storytelling series performed in front of a live audience, featuring tales written by and told by natives and residents of Northeast Florida about life in Northeast Florida, $25-$35

The New York Bee Gees

January 13 – 8 pm

The New York Bee Gees offer all their name sake’s classic 70s hits while embracing their early work as well. The New York Bee Gees deliver songs from every decade of the group’s catalog with a stunning production, powerful vocals, and the professional stage presence to fill any club or casino, $29.50-$59.50

Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons

January 14 – 7 pm

With the release of their first album, Sherry & 11 Others, the original Jersey boy Frankie Valli, and his band, The Four Seasons, became one of the most popular pop rock groups in the world. Throughout the years they have topped the charts with their hit singles “Big Girls Don’t Cry,” “Walk Like A Man,” “Rag Doll,” “Who Loves You” and so many more, $69.50-$100

America

January 20 – 8 pm

The Grammy Award winners’ widely renowned singles–including “Horse With No Name,” “Sister Golden Hair,” “I Need You,’ “Ventura Highway,”

“Tin Man,” and “Lonely People”–were considered cornerstones of the 1970’s Top 40 and FM rock radio, $49.50-$89.50

Chris Botti

January 21 – 8 pm

Grammy Award winning Jazz Trumpeter Chris Botti fuses his Jazz roots with a pop music flare. Chris was originally a member of Sting’s touring band before he went solo. He was the music di rector for The Caroline Rhea show and has been a constant touring artist for 15 years, $37.50-$75

Terrance Sims & the Zydeco Experience

January 26 – 7 pm

For nearly 40 years, two-time Grammy award-win ning Terrance Simien and 8th generation Louisiana Creole has been shattering the myths and often misinformation about what his indigenous Zydeco roots music is, $29.50-$39.50

Air Supply

January 27 – 8 pm

Air Supply is the Australian soft rock duo of Graham Russell and Russell Hitchcock. They had worldwide success with the major hits “All Out of Love”, “Making Love Out of Nothing At All”, “Lost In Love”, “The One That You Love” and many more, $39.50-$79.50

Judy Collins

January 31 – 8 pm

Judy Collins has long inspired audiences with sublime vocals, boldly vulnerable songwriting, personal life triumphs, and a firm commitment to social activism. In the 1960s, she evoked both the idealism and steely determination of a gen eration united against social and environmental injustices, $45-$59.50

Winnie the Pooh

February 4 – 1 pm & 4 pm Disney’s iconic Winnie the Pooh, Christopher Robin and their best friends Piglet, Eeyore, Kan ga, Roo, Rabbit, and Owl (oh… and don’t forget Tigger too!) have come to life in a beautifully crafted musical stage adaptation, $20-$100

Kenny Wayne Shepherd

February 8 – 8 pm

The Louisiana born axe man and songsmith has sold millions of albums while throwing singles into the Top 10, shining a light on the rich blues of the past and forging ahead with his own modern twist on a classic sound he has em bodied since his teens. Kenny will be playing his album Trouble Is… in its entirety, $49.50-$100

Step Afrika!

February 9 – 7 pm

Step Afrika! expands the aesthetic possibilities of stepping by creating works that combine danc ing with live music, technology, and storytelling. The Company’s collaborations with arts and non-arts partners have engaged Americans in all 50 states and global friends in more than 40 countries, $29.50-$39.50

The Temptations & The Four Tops

February 16 – 8 pm

It’s a Motown, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and Grammy Lifetime Achievement double header featuring The Temptations (“My Girl,” “Just My Imagination”), and The Four Tops (“I Can’t Help Myself, ” “It’s the Same Old Song). The Tempta tions include original member Otis Williams. The Four Tops include original member Abdul “Duke” Fakir, $47.50-$87.50

The Eletric Light Orchestra Experience

February 21 – 8 pm

Picking up where the Beatles left off in 1970,

ELO expanded the concept of great melodies, epic song structures and grand orchestrations where cellos coexisted with guitars, and where classically tinged progressive rock intersected with hook-filled, radio-friendly pop songs includ ing “Evil Woman,” “Mr. Blue Sky,” and “Don’t Bring Me Down,” $45-$55

Mania: The ABBA Tribute

February 24 – 8 pm

Dig out those platforms, dust down those flares, join in and enjoy all of your favorites, including: ‘Mamma Mia’, ‘Voulez Vous’, ‘Dancing Queen’, ‘Winner Takes It All’, ‘Super Trouper’ and many more, $29-$50

Justin Willman

February 25 – 7 pm

He’s best known as the star and creator of the hit Netflix series Magic For Humans. But you may recognize him from one of his many televi sion appearances (The Tonight Show, The Today Show, Ellen, and Conan). Or maybe you know his work as a host (Cupcake Wars; Halloween Wars and Win, Lose or Draw), $35-$45

The Lords of 52nd Street: Legends of the Billy Joel Band

March 10 – 8 pm

It wasn’t until their induction into the Long Island Music Hall of Fame that Billy Joel’s band decided to reunite after a 30-year separation. After their 2014 induction, The Lords of 52nd Street picked up their instruments again. Fans declared that Richie Cannata, Liberty DeVitto, and Russell Javors live performances sound like the original recordings with Billy Joel, $35-$45

Gordon Lightfoot

March 19 – 7 pm

Known as Canada’s greatest songwriter he has been credited for defining the folk-pop sounds of the 60’s/70’s. He is best known for his hits “Sundown,” “Carefree Highway,” and “The Wreck of The Edmund Fitzgerald,” $35-$89.50

Untold Stories: Winds of Change

March 30 – 7:30 pm

Honoring the tradition of oral storytelling in a modern context, Untold Stories is an oral storytelling series performed in front of a live audience, featuring tales written by and told by natives and residents of Northeast Florida about life in Northeast Florida, $25-$35

Our Planet Live in Concert

March 31 – 8 pm

The landmark Emmy Award®-winning Netflix series that took the world by storm is now a live concert event! Our Planet Live In Concert combines breathtaking HD cinematography with all-new orchestrations by Oscar-winning com poser Steven Price, performed by a live onstage orchestra, $45-$65

FSCJ ARTIST SERIES

David Sedaris

October 26 – 7:30 pm

Author of the previous bestsellers Calypso, Na ked, Me Talk Pretty One Day, Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim, and regular National Public Radio contributor, David Sedaris will be appearing for one night only at the Terry The ater, following the release of his newest books Carnival of Snackery and Happy-Go-Lucky. As always, Sedaris will be offering a selection of all-new readings and recollections, as well as a Q&A session and book signing. Books will be available for sale at the event courtesy of San Marco Books and More, $101

Disney Princess—The Concert

November 3 – 7 pm

Your every dream will come true as larger than life animation and theatrical effects immerse the audience in pure Disney magic, while acclaimed Broadway stars sing the music of every Disney Princess and share their exclusive, hilarious and heartfelt behind-the-scenes stories from their time on the stage and screen. Dress up in your favorite royal attire, $42-$241

Dirty Dancing in Concert

November 8 – 8 pm

Enjoy the digitally remastered hit film like never before on a full-size cinema screen, with a live band and singers performing the film’s iconic songs. Directly following the film, the band and singers will throw an encore party that will surely take you back to the time of your life as you sing and dance along to your favorite Dirty Dancing songs. Immerse yourself in the timeless romance and experience one of the most mem orable movies of the past 35 years, $53-$96

Cirque Dreams Holidaze

November 20 – 6 pm

This annual tradition wraps a Broadway-style production around an infusion of contemporary circus arts. As lights dim and the music swells, audiences will have visions of sugarplums danc ing in their heads as a fantastical cast of holiday storybook characters come to life on stage. With an original music score, twists on holiday classics sung live, and with new sets, scenery, and storylines, the show is a holiday gift for the whole family, $39-$106

ELF The Musical

December 6—11

ELF The Musical is the hilarious tale of Buddy, a young orphan child who mistakenly crawls into Santa’s bag of gifts and is transported back to the North Pole. Unaware that he is actually hu man, Buddy’s enormous size and poor toy-mak ing abilities cause him to face the truth. With Santa’s permission, Buddy embarks on a journey to New York City to find his birth father, discover his true identity, and help New York remember the true meaning of Christmas, $40-$92

Sleeping Beauty Ballet

January 8 – 3 pm

The State Ballet Theatre of Ukraine presents a captivating performance. The evil fairy Cara bosse curses Princess Aurora for 100 years of sleep with a single finger prick on her 16th birthday. Doomed by fate, only a sweet kiss from the prince can break the spell and wake up the sleeping beauty. Visually stunning with lavish sets and elaborate costumes by Konstantin Pin chuk, this superb classical production features Tchaikovsky's delightful music performed by the Dnipro Philharmonic Orchestra, $18-$90

Disney’s Aladdin

January 10—15

From the producer of The Lion King comes the timeless story of ALADDIN, a thrilling new pro duction filled with unforgettable beauty, magic, comedy and breathtaking spectacle. It’s an ex traordinary theatrical event where one lamp and three wishes make the possibilities infinite.

Shanghai Circus

January 14 – 2 pm

Nathan H. Wilson Center for the Arts Shanghai Circus is a top performance troupe famous for delivering performers with excellent skills, dare-devil acts and a harmonious combi nation of various kinds of performing arts. Since 1998, Shanghai Circus presents the most thrill ing, colorful and energetic show experiences and for decades. The show begins by honoring the essence of the old historic Shanghai Culture and transports you to current Shanghai through the dynamic artists’ dazzling performances which include mystifying acts of strength, color ful dance and breathtaking acrobatics.

Let’s Go Science

January 21 – 2 pm

The Let’s Go Science Show is a wacky look at “how things work” with Professor Smart and Ms. Knowitall. This fun-filled production teaches physics concepts through theatrically based experiments and demonstrations. Plus, there’s lots of audience interaction with these two leg ends of the circus, great scenery and awesome lighting and illusions.

The Greatest Love of All: A Tribute to Whitney Houston

January 21 – 8 pm

Audiences are routinely stunned by the breath taking vocals of Belinda Davids, a chart-topping artist in her home country of South Africa. With the accompaniment of a live band, backing vo calists and choreographed dancers, plus stateof-the-art sound, lighting, vision and theatrical effects, this is a beautifully crafted tribute to one of the world’s most revered singers, $44-$112

Riverdance

January 24-25

A powerful and stirring reinvention of this be loved favorite, celebrated the world over for its Grammy award-winning score and the thrilling energy and passion of its Irish and international dance. Composer Bill Whelan has rerecorded his mesmerizing soundtrack while producer Moya Doherty and director John McColgan have completely reimagined the ground-breaking show with innovative and spectacular lighting, projection, stage and costume designs.

The Kat & Dave Show

January 29 – 7 pm

16-time Grammy award-winning musician, song writer, and producer David Foster and acclaimed singer, television and Broadway star, Katharine Mcphee are bringing their viral Instagram show on the road. Coming directly from the Living Room to the stage, this intimate show with the powerhouse duo will be packed with David’s hits from Chicago, Whitney Houston, Celine Dion, Josh Groban, and Michael Buble, and Kat’s big gest songs from Smash and Waitress. $60-$137

Madama Butterfly

February 1 – 7:30 pm

A full scale traditional Italian production of Puccini's Madama Butterfly. Performed in the original Italian with English supertitles. With a full orchestra and featuring beautiful sets, costumes and lighting designs by Giorgio Lalov.

STOMP!

February 4 – 3 pm & 8 pm

STOMP is explosive, inventive, provocative, witty, and utterly unique—an unforgettable experience for audiences of all ages. The international percussion sensation has garnered armfuls of awards and rave reviews. The eight-member troupe uses everything but conventional percus sion instruments—matchboxes, wooden poles, brooms, garbage cans, Zippo lighters, hubcaps— to fill the stage with rhythms

Mutts Gone Nuts

February 4 – 1:30 pm & 5:30 pm

Nathan H. Wilson Center for the Arts

Expect the unexpected, as canines and comedy collide in a smash hit performance, that’s leaving audiences everywhere howling for more. From shelters to showbiz, these amazing mutts unleash havoc and hilarity in a breathtaking, action-packed, comedy dog spectacular, featuring some of the world’s most talented 4-legged performers.

Pretty Woman

February 15-19

Brought to the stage by lead producer Paula Wagner, PRETTY WOMAN: THE MUSICAL features an original score by Grammy winner Bryan Adams and Jim Vallance (“Summer of ’69”, “Heaven”), and a book by the movie’s legendary director Garry Marshall and screenwriter J. F. Lawton.

Ailey II

February 21 – 7:30 pm

Founded by Alvin Ailey, the company embodies his pioneering mission to establish an extended cultur al community that provides dance performances, training, and community programs for all people. Since its 1974 inception, Ailey II has flourished into one of the most popular modern dance compa nies, combining a rigorous touring schedule with extensive community outreach programs.

Celtic Woman

March 2 – 7:30 pm

Celtic Woman celebrates the rich musical and cultural heritage of Ireland; taking audiences on a journey of story and song from across the Emerald Isle. Embrace an evening of angelic voices, breath-taking harmonies and instrumen tal virtuosity, transporting you from your theatre seat to the lush landscapes of Ireland.

Jesus Christ Superstar

March 21-26

With lyrics and music by Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony winners Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber, Jesus Christ Superstar is set against the backdrop of an extraordinary series of events during the final weeks in the life of Jesus Christ as seen through the eyes of Judas. Reflecting the rock roots that defined a generation, the legendary score includes "I Don’t Know How to Love Him” and “Superstar.”

JACKSONVILLE CHILDREN’S CHORUS

Poker Tournament to benefit Jacksonville Children's Chorus

October 6 - 8:00pm bestbet Jacksonville

First Coast Honors Choir Festival Performance

October 22 - 4:30 pm Deermeadows Baptist Church

The Jacksonville Children’s Chorus hosts the one-day event to honor students across

Northeast Florida who have been recognized by their music educators for their singing ability, musical aptitude, and strong work ethic. The singers spend the day rehearsing with a nationally recognized clinician and conductor. The event culminates in a performance by the newly formed Honors Choir.

The Cool Side of Yuletide: Holiday Concert

December 17 - 2 pm

Hendricks Avenue Baptist Church

It’s that time of year again! The Chorus is excited to present the 14th annual The Cool Side of Yuletide Concert. Come out to celebrate the season and enjoy Holiday favorites in an exciting fashion. The concert will feature various holiday favorites and sing-alongs performed by the Jacksonville Children’s Chorus, Voices of Jack sonville, and a special guest performer.

14th Annual Martin Luther King, Jr's "Lift Ev'ry Voice & Sing" Concert

February 25 - 2 pm

Hendricks Avenue Baptist Church

Join in the celebration of Black History Month and the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. All proceeds and donations from the concert will benefit The Jacksonville Children's Chorus' ongoing programming and scholarship funds. Black History Month is celebrated all throughout the month of February. “Lift Ev’ry Voice & Sing” was written in Jacksonville by James Weldon Johnson. It was first performed by a choir of Jacksonville children on February 12, 1900, in honor of Abraham Lincoln's birthday.

River City Dancing With The Stars

April 15 - 6:30 pm

UNF Lazzara Performance Hall

Are you ready to dance? Local celebrity dancers are partnering with professional ballroom instruc tors to learn to dance, compete for the mirror ball trophy and to be named River City’s favorite dancer. Much like Dancing with the Stars event, this stage show extravaganza is always a crowd-pleaser.

World Beat Concert

May 13 - 6 pm

Riverside Park United Methodist Church

Symphony in 60 Series

October 27, February 9, March 9 - 6:30 pm

Seasoned listeners and those new to sym phonic music will be equally entertained by the Symphony in 60 Series. Enjoy a casual and fun cocktail hour before the 60-minute concert, introductions to the music by the conductor, and a chance to make new friends. This series provides an exceptional experience for all.

The Coffee Series

November 4, December 9, January 13, February 10, March 10 and 24 - 11 am

Mix and mingle with your favorite warm bever age and even more stirring music in our Coffee Series. Feel energized with excitement by hear ing a wide variety of performances from each series like The Paul Simon Songbook, Holiday Pops, and featured classical concerts as they illuminate the stage in the daytime, $23-$42

The Paul Simon Songbook

November 4 & 5

The Jacksonville Symphony fills the Sounds of Silence with a resounding tribute to Paul Simon, named by Time as one of the 100 People Who Shaped the World. Immerse yourself in ground breaking classics from his Simon and Garfunkel years, along with the masterpieces from his solo albums including Graceland and Rhythm of the Saints, $27-$81

Brahms’ German Requiem

November 11 & 12

German Romantics wore their hearts on their sleeves and left behind a legacy of lush and tender melodies. The traveling journeyman in Mahler’s Songs of a Wayfarer sings of love’s vari ous stages with sounds of sparkling birdcalls and furious storms from the orchestra. A German Requiem also paints devotion using rich and towering choral tones, $27-$81

Symphonic Nights at the Movies: Rocky November 18 & 19

Enter the boxing ring and take a jab at the World Heavyweight Championship with the original Rocky. Watch as the boxer goes from rags to riches in an empowering and musical story of the American Dream, $34-$80

Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto

December 2 & 3

Cirque de la Symphonie: Spooktacular!

October 15

Cirque de la Symphonie returns to Jacoby Sym phony Hall with a spooky twist. Rope aerialists, acrobats, and jugglers transform into goblins swinging on blood-red ropes for this perfor mance filled to the brim with tricks and treats. Witches soar through the air and skeletons perform death-defying acts, $27-$81

Bach, Beethoven, & Brahms

October 21 & 22

Bach, Beethoven and Brahms—each one of the greatest to ever compose classical works. You’ve heard "Air on the G String" in Bach’s Third Orchestral Suite and Beethoven’s Overture from The Consecration of the House at weddings and celebrations across the globe. Now hear them in their original glory with award-winning pianist Alessio Bax and the exceptional strings of the Jacksonville Symphony, $27-$81

Nathan Aspinall returns to Jacksonville to share a program that is filled to the brim with symphonic gifts. Hear the mesmerizing, ethereal opening flute solo in Debussy’s Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun and Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto, perfectly suited for Timothy Chooi. Bask in the sounds of nature as Sibelius’ Second Symphony uses the orchestra to embody bubbling sounds of a natural spring and cheerful birdcalls, $27-$81

Holiday Pops

December 8-11

The Jacksonville Symphony, the Symphony Chorus, dancers from Douglas Anderson School for the Arts, and other shining talent bring you the gift of the holiday season’s most festive classics. Carol along with your family and friends in this cherished tradition, $27-$81

First Coast Nutcracker

December 16-18

Watch as your favorite winter fairy tale casts its magic with ballet dancers, an enchanting set design, and the entire Symphony in full splendor. You’ll be showered in a firework performance that bursts with colorful melodies and holiday joy, $25-$60

Handel’s Messiah

December 17 & 18

Star guest soloists, the Jacksonville Symphony, and more than 100 voices from the Jacksonville Symphony Chorus come together on stage to deliver the most powerful and inspirational mes sage of faith this holiday season, $27-$81

Copland’s Rodeo

January 6 & 7

Join Musical America’s 2019 Conductor of the Year, Carlos Miguel Prieto, as he traverses through music of the Wild West, the South, and Latin America. Revel in the excellence of Flor ence Price, the first female, African-American composer to have a symphony performed by an American orchestra, and the sounds of spirituals in her Symphony No. 3, $27-$81

Duke Ellington & Billy Strayhorn

January 13-14

This concert combines the energy of Ellington and the sophistication of Strayhorn. Hear the orchestra transform as the velvety sounds of jazz are expressed through singing strings and the smooth vocals of captivating tenor Bernard Holcomb, $27-$81

Jurassic Park

January 20 & 21

Featuring visually stunning imagery and ground breaking special effects, the action-packed adventure of Jurassic Park pits man against prehistoric predators in the ultimate battle for survival. Experience it now, projected in HD with a full symphony orchestra performing John Williams’ iconic score live to picture, $34-$80

Rachmaninoff’s Rhapsody

January 27 & 28

Few composers demand a pianist full of fire and passion like Rachmaninoff, which is what makes Natasha Paremski so perfectly suited for his concertos. Rachmaninoff’s Rhapsody explores every imaginable emotion (the climactic 18th Variation was plucked for the love theme be tween Christopher Reeves and Jane Seymour in Somewhere in Time), $27-$81

Country Legends: Dolly, Kenny & More!

February 3 & 4

Grab your boots and join the hoedown as the or chestra and guest vocalists perform classics featur ing the Queen and King of country: Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers. This enthralling show tips a hat to Parton’s grand and bubbly stage persona and commemorates Rogers’ soulful style, $27-$81

The Concert Organ Series

February 11 – 7:30 pm

Take a journey to the heart of Jacoby Symphony Hall and discover a true historical monument: the Symphony's Bryan Concert organ. Find yourself immersed in wonder with three riveting performances, each designed to highlight the organ's versatile musical power. Hear its mel odies transform from intimate and colorful to grand and thunderous, $25-$55

1,001 Nights: Scheherazade

February 17 & 18

One of the greatest fantasies ever told entirely through music, Scheherazade is a storybook world of vivid colors and heroic characters. It tells the tale of a strong and savvy woman who foils her wicked husband, the Tsar Sultan. Her voice sings from the shimmering strings of our vibrant concertmaster, world-renowned Adelya Nartadjieva, while phenom Chloé van Soeter stède conducts the Symphony, $27-$81

The Queens of Rock & Soul: Tina Turner & Aretha Franklin

February 24 & 25

The Queens of Rock, Roll, and Soul rule the night in this empowering and emotional per formance. Tina Turner and Aretha Franklin are two dynamos that put the spirit in Soul and R&B music. Three exciting Broadway vocalists bring classics to the stage like Respect, Natu ral Woman, Proud Mary, and so many others. Join the Jacksonville Symphony to celebrate the anthems of the reigning divas who created the golden ages of their genres, $27-$81

Stories for Kids by Kids

March 12 – 3 pm

Childrens’ imaginations take flight with the wondrous melodies of the Jacksonville Sym phony. In a contest where students submitted original, creative stories, several were selected to have their compositions paired with music, $8-$10

Bruckner’s Brilliance

March 17 & 18

Anton Bruckner’s Fifth Symphony is a must for your symphonic journey. Join Music Director Courtney Lewis and the Symphony to indulge in the musical genius and unparalleled styles of a legendary composer, $27-$81

Sondheim, Webber & Friends: Songs of the Great White Way

March 24 & 25

Relive your favorite Broadway shows as Kelli Rabke and Kerry O'Malley transport you back to the stage with the best of Stephen Sondheim, Andrew Lloyd Webber, and other virtuosos of American theatre, $27-$81

Beethoven’s Fifth

March 31 & April 1

Join the Symphony and guest conductor Giordano Bellincampi for three classical masterpieces including the magic of Men delssohn’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream and its famous “Wedding March.” In a grand con clusion, Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony will steal you away with its emotional resonance and leave you purely triumphant, $27-$81

JACKSONVILLE UNIVERSITY

Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration and Concert

October 14 - 7:30 pm

Terry Concert Hall

The Hispanic Latino Student Association and the Student Government Association collabo rate with the Linda Berry Stein College of Fine Arts & Humanities in a musical celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month.

Jacksonville University Wind Ensemble

October 15 - 7:30 pm

Terry Concert Hall

Hear the music of former U.S. Coast Guard Band Director Lewis Buckley conducted by the composer, with Jacksonville University professor and featured soloist Kimberly Beasley.

The Kinne Trio

October 18 - 7:30 pm

Terry Concert Hall

Johannes Brahms is the featured composer in this concert of romantic chamber music as the Kinne Trio (Dr. Marguerite Richardson, violin; Dr. Shannon Lockwood, cello; Dr. Scott

Watkins, piano) presents the German compos er’s epic Trio in C Major, Op. 87. Brahms’ Trio for Clarinet, Cello, and Piano in A Minor opens the program, followed by music for violin and piano by Schumann and Brahms.

Annual Student Juried Exhibition

October 20-November 9

Alexander Brest Gallery

Always a favorite among participants and viewers, this juried showcase features undergraduate stu dent work that reflects art’s contemporary pulse 0f art-making in Northeast Florida. The eclectic exhibition consists of a variety of media, including animation, ceramics, computer generated images, drawings, film, glass art, graphic design, paintings, photographs, prints, and sculpture.

Oh! That Cello

October 23 - 7:30 pm

Terry Concert Hall

The cello studio of Dr. Shannon Lockwood presents a program of works featuring the cello in non-classical or crossover genres, including music by Charlie Chaplin, George Gershwin, Mark Summer, and more.

Pianist Jessica Welsh

October 25 - 7:30 pm

Terry Concert Hall

Jessica Welsh holds a DMA in Piano Pedagogy from Texas Christian University where she studied pedagogy under the direction of Dr. Ann Gipson, and both a Master of Music degree in Piano Per formance and Pedagogy and a Master of Music in Piano Performance from Meadows School of the Arts at Southern Methodist University.

Violinist Anastasiya Petryshak

October 27 - 7:30 pm

Terry Concert Hall

The Linda Berry Stein College of Fine Arts & Humanities is pleased to welcome acclaimed Ukrainian violinist Anastasiya Petryshak to Jacksonville for a two-day residency. Join us for an unforgettable evening of music for violin and piano featuring Ravel, Sonata No. 2 in G Major and Corigliano, Sonata for Violin and Piano with other works.

Halloween Spooktacular

October 31 - 7:30 pm

Terry Concert Hall

A new addition to the holiday season, join the Jacksonville University Orchestra as it explores the spookier side of orchestral music! Put on that costume and get ready to hear music by Mussorgsky, Dukas, John Williams and, more!

Student Fall Jazz Concert

November 1 - 7:30 pm

Terry Concert Hall

Featuring the Jacksonville University jazz com bos and Jacksonville University Jazz Orchestra (JUJO), this annual event highlights works from traditional to modern, and in dedication to the jazz heritage of the American standard song.

Philosophy Slam

November 2 - 7:30 pm

River House

“Free Speech Has a Stopping Point” is the theme of discussion by Dr. Phillips, who will use his personal battle over censorship to explain how today’s free speech controversies stem from decades-long battles over school desegregation, immigration, and panic over the nation’s rapidly changing racial demographics.

Fall Dance Concert

November 3-5 - 7:30 pm

Swisher Theater

As part of the Stein College commitment to original programming, this annual eclectic dance concert will feature faculty and inter nationally recognized guest artists of chore ography from a global perspective. Join us for exciting new dance works that challenge and invigorate both performers and audiences alike.

Kirby Shaw & the RiverTones

November 4-5

Terry Concert Hall

The Linda Berry Stein College of Fine Arts & Humanities presents the inaugural Vocal Jazz Choral Festival with world-renowned guest conductor Dr. Kirby Shaw. The RiverTones and choirs from across Florida close the festival with performances of vocal jazz, contemporary a cappella and popular song.

Nothing Left Unsung

November 11 - 7:30 pm

Terry Concert Hall

Infinitus presents an evening of new and innova tive choral music. In this one-of-a-kind ensem ble, student conductors, composers, and singers work collaboratively to perform the music of our time. We focus on works by local composers and those not widely published or performed.

Jacksonville University Wind Ensemble

November 12 - 3 pm

Terry Concert Hall

Percy Aldridge Grainger’s iconic Children’s March and Carter Pann’s Hold This Boy and Lis ten will be featured in the Jacksonville University Wind Ensemble performance will explore the many facets of childhood and adolescence.

Sitting Down Together

January 12-March 6

Alexander Brest Gallery

The exhibition is a place for visual dialogue where sitting down together becomes the responsive focus. Artist Andrew Decaen finds himself looking with curiosity at the space, time, and manner in which we eat, prepare, and acquire our meals. Melissa Haviland is inspired by the economics of the objects and materials that build our everyday lives, evaluating them as totems and commod ities. Janet Ballweg addresses expectations and psychological tensions that exist within human relationships through everyday objects.

Contralto Classics

January 13 - 7:30 pm

Terry Concert Hall

Come see professor Dina Barone, contralto and Sachiko Frampton, collaborative pianist, perform classics such as from Handel’s Semele, Verdi’s Un ballo in maschera, Wagner’s Das Rein gold and Elgar’s Sea Pictures.

Black History Month Concert and Celebration

February 3 - 7:30 pm

Terry Concert Hall

The Jacksonville University Student Government Association partners with the Linda Berry Stein College of Fine Arts & Humanities in a celebra tion of Black History Month.

Philosophy Slam

February 7 - 7:30 pm

River House

Join UF professor Dr. Arina Pismenny to discuss the nature of romantic love and its relation to gender. It is often said that men and wom en love differently. According to some this

difference is due to biology–the reproductive strategies of males and females. Others attribute it to the socialization of boys and girls. Can love transcend gender? Does it?

Sixth Annual Walter Visiting Writer Series

February 9 - 6 pm

Terry Concert Hall

Through the generosity of the Ralph and Anina Walter, the Department of Literature, Language, and Culture is able to invite a nationally re nowned author to visit Jacksonville University’s campus each year. This year’s visiting writer will present a reading and book talk. All members of the JU community are invited to attend an open ing reception, the Walter Visiting Writer talk, and a meet-and-greet with book signings afterwards.

Cabaret

February 17-18 - 7:30 pm, February 19 - 2 pm

Phillips Fine Arts, Studio North

Based on the famous novel, I am Camera, this musical is set on the eve of the Nazi takeover of Germany. It frames this tumultuous time in glob al history at a nightclub, where its various players explore love, life, and loss. Directed by Erik DeCicco with choreography by Prof. Yidi Lin.

Spring Concert

March 7 - 7:30 pm

Terry Concert Hall

The Jacksonville Orchestra presents a concert of orchestral classics as well as the debut per formance of a new work by Delius Composition Award Winner Nicholas Moseley.

Nothing Left Unsung Choral Concert

March 9 - 7:30 pm

Terry Concert Hall

Due to a variety of social biases, many compos ers throughout history have struggled to find audiences for their otherwise beautiful music. In this concert, we will amplify the voices of mar ginalized artists and share our favorite hidden gems, both ancient and contemporary.

Women’s History Month Concert and Celebration

March 21 - 7:30 pm

Terry Concert Hall

This concert and awards ceremony culminates Women’s History Month celebrations at Jack sonville University. Join us as students from the performing arts offer work to accompany the awards for Student of the Year, Graduate Stu dent of the Year, and Faculty Woman of the Year.

Nine, the Musical

March 23-25 - 7:30 pm, March 26 - 3 pm

Swisher Theater

Celebrated but impetuous film director Guido Contini, succumbing to the pressures of filming his latest film epic (a musical version of the Casanova story), suffers a midlife crisis. One by one, women from his past and present—includ ing his mother, his wife, his mistress, and his leading lady—haunt, instruct, scold, seduce and encourage him until he finally learns to grow up.

Jacksonville University Jazz Festival

April 1 - 9 am-6 pm

Terry Concert Hall

The 4th annual middle and high school jazz festival has grown to become a highlight of the Jacksonville University Jazz Week. A great opportunity for area and regional jazz bands to perform and spend quality time with clinicians, the festival will also feature Jacksonville Univer sity Jazz Combo I, the JU Jazz Orchestra and special guest artists.

LIGHTNER MUSEUM

Handstitched Worlds: The Cartography of Quilts

October 7 - January 15, 2023

Handstitched Worlds is an invitation to read quilts as maps, tracing the paths of individual stories and experiences that illuminate larger historic events and cultural trends. Spanning the 19th to the 21st centuries, this exhibition brings together quilts from the collection of the American Folk Art Museum, representing a range of materials, motifs, and techniques from traditional early American quilts to con temporary sculptural assemblages.

Contemporary Chronicles of St. Augustine

October 7 - September 30, 2023

Contemporary Chronicles of St. Augustine ex plores the urban fabric of St. Augustine through large-format photographs, hand drawn maps, and photographic flip books. Visitors to the exhibition will uncover the overlooked aspects of everyday life in America’s oldest city.

Community Open House

October 7 - 5:30-7:30 pm

The Lightner hosts a Community Open House for a first look at two new exhibitions, Hand stitched Worlds: The Cartography of Quilts and Contemporary Chronicles of St. Augus tine. Explore these exciting new exhibitions, enjoy live music by Raisin Cake Orchestra, visit the Museum Store, and spend time in the Radzinski Family Garden at this free evening.

After Hours in the Garden

November 22 - 6-8 pm

Join the Lightner Museum in the Radzinski Family Garden as it celebrate the beginning of St. Augustine’s Nights of Lights, a nighttime extravaganza that sees more than a million lights twinkling and glowing throughout the Historic District.

Ocean Breeze Conferenceand Catering Center

Breakfast With Santa

Holiday Market

December 8 - 5-8 pm

Shop for holiday gifts from a selection of local artisans and small businesses.

75th Anniversary New Year’s Eve Gala

December 31 – 7 pm-12:30 am

The historic museum hosts an all-inclusive New Year’s celebration in downtown St. Augustine as cultural landmark kicks off its 75th Diamond Anni versary. Enjoy food by Chef’s Garden, live music and dancing by Ramona + the Riot, a balloon drop and midnight champagne toast.

St. Augustine Through the Lens of William Henry Jackson Opens December 31, 2022

In the decades following the Civil War, the pho tographer William Henry Jackson (1843-1942) played a major role in shaping public percep tion of the American landscape. In the 1890s, Jackson was commissioned by Henry Flagler’s East Coast Railroad to produce a set of images to promote St. Augustine as a tourist destination. Today, Jackson’s photographs remain a remark able record of turn-of-the century life in this historic city, offering a striking portrait of Gilded Age St. Augustine.

OCEAN BREEZE CONFERENCE AND CATERING CENTER

Cucina Italiana

October 20 – 6-9 pm

Enjoy an Italian-inspired meal next to the Atlantic Ocean. Children’s meals available upon request. Get your MWR Card to attend at NavyMWR Mayport.com/MWRCard. Call to RSVP (904) 270-5313, $25

80's Murder Mystery Night

November 4 – 6-9 pm

Break out the leg warmers and neon to help solve this gnarly murder mystery while enjoying a scrumptious meal. Get your MWR Card to attend at NavyMWRMayport.com/MWRCard. Call to RSVP (904) 270-5313, $35, 18+

Holiday Speakeasy

December 8 - 6:30-9 pm

Put on your best roaring 1920s attire and enjoy hors d'oeuvres, gaming tables and our live jazz band. Get your MWR Card to attend at NavyM WRMayport.com/MWRCard. Call to RSVP (904) 270-5313, $30, 21+

Breakfast with Santa

December 10 – 9-10:30 am

Join us for a festive breakfast with jolly ole' St. Nick! We'll have a breakfast spread, crafts, holiday games and, of course, photo opportuni ties with Santa! Get your MWR Card to attend at NavyMWRMayport.com/MWRCard. Call to RSVP (904) 270-5313, $12

Bridal Expo

February 18 – 10 am-2 pm

Get everything you need for your special day, all in one spot! Plus, walk away with lots of free goodies from our wedding vendors. Get your MWR Card to attend at NavyMWRMayport.com/ MWRCard. Sign up starting January 1, 2023 at NavyMWRMayport.com/Bridal, free

ST. AUGUSTINE ART ASSOCIATION

First Friday Art Walk

November 4 and December 2

Art Galleries of St. Augustine

The Art Galleries of St. Augustine open their doors for new exhibits, lively receptions, and special programs. Start the Art Walk at any of the galleries–most are within close walking distance of each other, some a short trolley ride away.

St. Augustine Camera Club

Members Show

October 7-30

Emerging and professional photographers are showcased in this annual exhibit by the St. Augustine Camera Club.

Tactile Art Show

October 7-30

Touch the art! October is National Sensory Processing Awareness Month, and the St. Augustine Art Association is once again hosting the Tactile Art Show with the Florida DeafBlind Association and sponsored by Nissan of St. Augustine. Not only is the art fun to look at, but for the blind and visually impaired, it’s engaging and interactive. The artists, including members of the deaf/blind community, push the limits of conventional visual art to create sculptures, reliefs, paintings, mixed media, ceramics, and fiber art that can be enjoyed and experienced by everyone.

Fantastic Florida

November 4-December 30

The Sunshine State shines here! From the plants and animals to the wilderness and waterways, to the people and places, this vivid display explores a wide range of artistic interpretations and scenes of Florida.

Mix It Up

January 6-29

In this non-traditional exhibit, artists push the boundaries of norm. Works reflect non-tradi tional subjects–or perhaps a new perspective on traditional subjects–a variety of mediums and experiments with mediums, 2D and 3D.

Faces & Figures

February 3-26

Expressions of the human form bring personality to this exhibit. Drawing studies, formal portraits, everyday life subjects and other figures are presented in 2D & 3D media.

Miniature Marvels

March 3 – April 2

A close look at these marvels reveals a range of subjects, materials, and technical precision. It’s an exhibit of small works (12 inches or less) that pack a big punch!

17th Annual St. Johns All-County High School Art Show

March 3 – April 2

A community outreach partnership with St. Johns County Schools, the High School Art Show offers an eye-popping array of over 150 works of art by students in grades nine through twelve. Sponsored by LeShane CPA.

St. Augustine Art Association Spring Members Show

April 7-30

This bi-annual exhibit of St. Augustine Art Asso ciation members features a variety of works by emerging, seasoned and professional artists. The artworks encompass a variety of styles, medi ums and subjects and represent the vast talent of visual artists in northeast Florida.

JAMES WELDON JOHNSON PARK

Viva La Fiesta

October 15 – 4-9 pm

Northeast Florida's largest Latinx festival returns to the park for the 4th annual event featuring live mu sic, dancing, food trucks, art vendors and more. Produced in conjunction with Yaya Productions.

Sunflower Sunday

October 16 – 1-5 pm

Arts, crafts and music celebrating the famed artist Vincent Van Gogh and the Beyond Van Gogh Exhibit.

Friday Night Vibes

December 7 – 5-9 pm

Mr. Al Pete will spin a "Glossery" of local Hip Hop artists, past, present and future.

JAMES WELDON JOHNSON PARK

Holiday Pop Up Market

December 11 – 10 am-4 pm

Local vendors, music, food trucks and Santa Claus!

Totally Lit! Hanukkah Party

December 20 – 4:30-7:30 pm

Traditional food, drinks, music and, of course, Dreidel games!

JWJ Hip Hop Festival

February 18 – 10 am-5 pm

The 2nd annual festival breaks down the ele ments of Hip Hop Culture with local perfor mances and panel discussions. This positive energy festival is family friendly.

Art In The Park

March 25 – 12-5 pm

Yaya Productions and Friends of JWJ Park will host the 2nd Annual Chalk Drawing Competition. It is the only one of its kind in Northeast Florida.

Picnic In The Park with 904Picnic Co.

April 14 – 2-5 pm

Jazz, Rose wine tasting and gourmet picnics in the heart of Downtown Jax.

James Weldon Johnson Birthday Celebration

June 17

Celebrate James Weldon Johnson's Birthday with a writing competition for kids of all ages. Plus, music, crafts and more!

ST. JOHNS CULTURAL COUNCIL

Ponte Vedra Auto Show

November 12-13 Nocatee

The Ponte Vedra Auto Show has been embraced by the community as one of the premier auto motive events in North Florida. The event takes place in a family friendly environment that allows the automotive hobby to be taught and passed to the younger generations of enthusiasts.

Live from The Waterworks

November 19 - 7 pm

The Waterworks

The St. Johns Cultural Council and Gamble Rog ers Music Festival host a performance in honor of the legendary Gamble Rogers featuring Jim Car rick and Charlie Simmons with Charley Robertson.

Colonial Night Watch

December 1-4

Downtown St. Augustine

Join Historic Florida Militia for activities depicting 18th Century combines Spanish, British, French, colonial militia and Native American military arts, culture and lifestyles throughout the day at the Oldest House Museum Complex.

Holiday Shoppes

December 2-3

First Coast Cultural Center

Holiday Shoppes showcases nearly two dozen vendors, featuring one-of-a-kind gift items. Pro ceeds from sales directly benefit children’s arts education programs.

SEA Community Gullah Geechee Heritage Festival

December 3 - noon-7 pm

Armstrong Park, Elton Enjoy performances by the Geechie Gullah Ring

Shouters, Na Nkama Pan African Dancers and Drum Ensemble, Amy Alysia and Soul Operation at this family-friendly event celebrating 450 years of West African cultural influences in St. Johns County.

Holiday Hallelujah

December 3-4

Lewis Auditorium, Flagler College

Limelight Theatre is partnering up with Jeff Dodd to present a holiday concert that is sure to get patrons in the Holiday spirit!

St. Augustine Bed & Breakfast

Holiday Tour

December 10-12

Downtown St. Augustine

Tour 22 historic Bed & Breakfasts, enjoy food and beverage tastings, plus experience five House Museums, an Art Gallery, a History Muse um, and the Lightner Museum. This walking tour is self-guided with our printed and online maps, so you can begin at any of the inns on their des ignated day. Limited complimentary transporta tion is provided by the Old Town Trolley.

Holiday Pops with

the Gainesville Orchestra

December 14 - 7 pm

Flagler College Auditorium

An EMMA Concert Association holiday tradition, The Gainesville Orchestra performs favorite holiday music. The orchestra is led by Maestro Evans Haile, who is celebrating 21 years as musical director and conductor. Guests to this traditional holiday pops concert are invited to sing along to well-loved tunes.

Live from The Waterworks

December 17 - 7 pm

The Waterworks

The series of concerts taking place inside the newly restored and renovated Waterworks building continues with a show by Michael Reno Harrel with Bob Patterson.

14th Annual Nutcracker

December 17-18 - 1:30, 2 & 7 pm

Flagler College Auditorium

The Sugar Plum Fairy, Clara, the Mouse King and the mice, Bon Bons and all the Nutcracker char acters will return to the St. Augustine stage this holiday season. Saint Augustine Ballet presents the 14th Annual Nutcracker to the communi ty—a timeless classic featuring professional ballet dancers and more than 50 dance students from St. Augustine and surrounding areas, $35-50

First Coast Opera December 31-January 1

Flagler College Auditorium Ring in the New Year with this full-staged orchestra production of Johann Strauss Jr’s classic 19th Century Viennese Operetta, Die Fledermaus (The Bat). Performed in English with complimentary champagne at intermission.

Live from The Waterworks

January 21 - 7 pm

The Waterworks

The historic Waterworks building showcases three more live music shows to conclude its debut season, including Verlon Thompson with Asyln and Naysayers on January 21, followed by Acoustic Eidolon with Marianne Lerbs (February 18) and Mary Flower with Mr. Aullie (March 18).

Flight to Freedom February 2-4

Fort Mose Historical Site

As you step onto the wooded Freedom Trail, you enter the year 1738. You’re drawn into a danger

St. Johns Cultural Council

ous world where men, women and children flee from enslavement on British plantations, and toward the free Black community of Fort Mose. Share the Freedom Seekers’ hopes, fears and sac rifices. Experience their perilous journey of over 300 miles through unknown swamps, forests and waterways—traveling by night to avoid capture.

St. Augustine Spanish Food & Wine Festival February 23-25

Downtown St. Augustine

The St. Augustine Spanish Food and Wine Festi val has a distinguished reputation for benefiting local charities. Since the festival began, more than $380,000 has been donated. This year’s local organization is Flagler College’s Hospitality and Tourism Management Program.

First Coast Opera February 26

The Waterworks

Opera Mystique: Opera and the supernatural combine in FCO’s inaugural production at The Waterworks in Saint Augustine. This other-world ly program features staged performances, with orchestra, of Menotti’s séance-fille The Medium and Holst’s Savitri, based on an episode from the Sanskrit epic Mahabharata.

St. Augustine Celtic Music & Heritage Festival

March 10-12

Downtown St. Augustine

St. Augustine is America’s Oldest Celtic City and it hosts the annual multi-award winning St. Augus tine Celtic Music & Heritage Festival. Experience top international and Centic bands, highland games, a parade, whiskey tasting, workshops, lectures, Irish foods, and much-more.

St. Augustine St. Patrick Parade

March 11

Downtown St. Augustine

The St. Patrick Day Parade is an annual celebra tion of St. Augustine’s Celtic heritage and the Emerald Isle’s most revered saint. Thousands of spectators, lads, and lasses converge upon the Ancient City each year, donning their tartans and green attire. With over 1,000 participants and more than 50 units including Clans and athletes from the Highland Games, the parade travels throughout the Historic District. u

JAX MAG FACES2022

Vedra

Ponte Vedra Plastic Surgery

Cayce Rumsey III, MD • Robert Burk, MD • Erez Sternberg, MD • Hollie Hickman, DO • Christopher Bates, MD Akash Chandawarkar, MD • Ellen Hancock, MD

At Ponte Vedra Plastic Surgery, we strive for excellence in the care that we provide and in the results that we achieve. Our primary mission is to empower our patients on their journey to becoming their most confident self. Offering numerous cosmetic surgeries, along with non-surgical procedures, our talented surgeons and team are able to provide patients with superior results.

Established in 1993, Ponte Vedra Plastic Surgery has been pro viding our community with life-changing aesthetic procedures for nearly three decades. In that time, we have grown, pro gressed, and evolved into five locations, seven Plastic Surgeons, eight Advanced Aesthetic Practitioners in addition to seven Skin Health Specialists. This presence enables us to provide optimal patient care while crafting the most beautiful “you.”

We are a leading provider for surgical and non-surgical cosmet ic procedures in Northeast Florida.

Offering a state-of-the-art 12,000 square foot, multiple operat ing room, Ambulatory Surgical Center with Anesthesiologists and Registered Nurses on staff to allow our surgeons the ability to provide patients with first-class care in a safe environment.

If you are new to the idea of cosmetic surgery then you may

be more comfortable with our non-surgical abilities. From Bo tox, Fillers, Skincare and Laser Resurfacing treatments to Hair Restoration and Feminine Tightening. Convenient and able to achieve remarkable results, our non-surgical procedures at PVPS can be truly transformative and life-changing, without the extensive nature of a surgery.

Not all plastic surgeons are created equal, you want to be sure you are selecting the best surgeon for you and your personal needs. Our ultimate goal at PVPS is to provide Northeast Florida with first-class surgery in a safe and welcoming environment while enhancing your natural beauty. We invite you to learn more about us, visit our website: WWW.PVPS.COM.

PONTE VEDRA

209 Ponte Vedra Park Dr.

Vedra Beach, FL 32082

GATE PARKWAY

Lake Mead Ave., #513

FL 32256

NOCATEE

Town Plaza Ave., #150

Vedra, FL 32081

AMELIA ISLAND

1st Coast Hwy.,

Beach, FL 32034

ST. JOHNS

Ashourian Ave.,

Augustine, FL 32092

Dr. Dhanjal knew she wanted to become a physician at the young age of six years. “I had uncles who were physicians and I wanted to be just like them,” Dr. Dhanjal says.

Dr. Dhanjal went on to pursue her lifelong dream by enrolling in medical school at Lady Harding Medical College in India. She then pursued her internal medicine residency and cardiology fellowship at Marshall University, West Virginia.

Dr. Dhanjal loves what she does, however, being a woman in the field has not been without its challenges. While she admits that she has had a few patients that have challenged her or had a hard time accepting a female cardiologist, she believes being a woman has allowed her to provide better patient care. “Being a woman, I feel like my family caregiver responsibilities carry over to patient care; because patients become almost like family to me” she says.

Dr. Dhanjal is passionate about preventing heart disease in women. As a wife and mother of two young girls, Dr. Dhanjal knows personally how hard it can be to balance home life while also taking care of yourself. For the last eight years, she has been actively involved in the “Go Red for Women” campaign in collaboration with the American Heart Association to raise

awareness around heart disease in women. She also served as the cardiologist for the Razorbacks in Northwest Arkansas.

Over the years, Dr. Dhanjal has treated thousands of patients. Each patient has their own story. Dr. Dhanjal recalls a young man who was an alcoholic. He had congestive heart failure, multiple organ failure, and was very sick. After a long stay in the hospital, he turned his life around. He quit drinking, lost 50 pounds, and has not been to the hospital since. “He always reminds me that no matter how bad it gets, with determination, you can always turn your life around,” Dr. Dhanjal says.

At the end of every day, Dr. Dhanjal looks forward to coming home to her two beautiful daughters. Their smiles and stories are her ultimate de-stressor.

Dr. Mubbasher Syed

Throughout Dr. Syed’s childhood, his moth er instilled the belief that a human’s worth

best measured by their ability to help those around him. In honor of this belief and his love and adoration for his mother, Dr. Syed chose to work in the medical field.

As Dr. Syed advanced his education in car diology, his residency at Fairview Hospital in Cleveland, Ohio inspired his career as an in terventional cardiologist. On a night call as a new intern, Dr. Syed witnessed an intervention al cardiologist wire and balloon a completely occluded left anterior descending artery. Dr. Syed was mesmerized as he watched the inter ventionist perform this procedure, “I could not fathom a more potent and elegant way of be ing helpful to my patients. The immediate and tangible sense of reward was nothing like I had seen in any other subspecialty. I knew in that moment that I had found my calling and have never looked back,” recalls Dr. Syed.

Dr. Syed is a huge advocate for prevention. He believes prevention is the best management for any ailment. As a practicing physician at FCCI, he hopes to help our patients with life style changes, counseling, screening, and medication management, to effectively pre empt an emergency room visit.

Along with preventative healthcare, Dr. Syed is also passionate about innovation in endovas cular procedures. He states, “We owe it to the pioneers of this field and to our patients, to con tinually evolve, innovate, and simplify minimal ly invasive therapeutic options,” says Dr. Syed.

The biggest inspiration in Dr. Syed’s life is his four-year-old daughter, Sakeena. Sakeena has inspired her dad to be a better human and role model, “Sakeena lives up to her name, which means peace and tranquility. Like all daughters, she is the purest and most affectionate of blessings a man can have. She inspires me to re-imagine myself in a manner I never would have thought possible before her,” says Dr. Syed.

The Jacksonville Center for Prosthodontics & Implant Dentistry

Prosthodontics & Implant Dentistry

As a Prosthodontist, Dr. Rodriguez is uniquely qualified to pro vide highly skilled, customized, and expert dental restoration services. Prosthodontists are dental specialists who focus on the restoration and replacement of teeth, helping their pa tients to obtain optimum appearance and function to their smiles. After dental school, Dr Rodriguez received four years of additional specialized training in Advanced Dentistry and Prosthodontics, to focus in major dental problems.

With over 30 years of experience in Prosthodontic Science, The Jacksonville Center for Prosthodontics & Implant Dentist ry continues to be the number one option for prosthetic and implant restorations. Dr. Rodriguez and his experienced staff are highly respected members of the dental community. This is why dentists refer their most challenging cases to them.

Being one of the first Prosthodontists in the nation to be trained to use Advanced Dental Imaging Technology at the Naval Postgraduate Dental School in Bethesda, Maryland, Dr. Rodriguez knows how important it is to have the best equip ment and technology in his practice. This is why he prepared the Jacksonville Center for Prosthodontics & Implant Dentist ry with the best technology to provide advanced services to our patients. The technology at the Jacksonville Center for Prosthodontics & Implant Dentistry is the leading edge in sur gical implant placement planning and restorative treatment.

Bartram Spa & Salon

Soothe Both Mind & Body in Perfect Surroundings

The Bartram Spa and Salon is truly the fountain of youth of this time. Owner Jenean Bullard has defined her career by serving over 30 years in the hair and skincare industry. She leads a team of highly skilled professionals whose mission it is to make ev ery client's experience not only tranquil but educational. The ability and demand to have constant training and education for all employees of The Bartram Spa and Salon is a top mission for Jenean. The Bartram Spa and Salon has a board certified plastic surgeon as the medical director, Dr. David Mobley, who supports education and training for all medical professionals providing treatments at the spa.

Jenean has designed her spa to offer treatments that support good health, aging gracefully and living your best life. Pro viding personalized anti-aging experiences, The Bartram Spa and Salon offers the newest advancements in injectables, skincare treatments, chemical peels, PRP, lasers and energy devices. The spa also offers hair treatments, massage treat ments, microblading, body treatments and nail services.

Guests are delighted with an aesthetically pleasing environ ment once you step foot into this 9,000 square foot paradise. Peaceful surroundings and relaxing sounds welcome you to the spa. Unwind in our serene relaxation room while you wait on your services to begin. The women’s lounge offers access to a steam room and sauna for our clients to use before or after their services.

“Our goal is to provide a world-class spa experience for both our clients and our staff; a place where beauty, comfort, knowledge and personalized attention combine to create a totally memorable and rejuvenating experience,” said Jenean Bullard. “We want to build enduring and rewarding relation ships with our clients and the community through superior service and an experience at our spa that is unforgettable.”

Pure Harmony Med Spa

Dr.

Pure Harmony Med Spa, nestled in Jacksonville Beach, offers minimally invasive treatments tai lored to client needs. While Dr. Bryce Tiller and his team of providers do offer botox and fillers, they also use a variety of other advanced techniques to help you become the best version of yourself. They listen. They evaluate. They plan. They treat. And their innovative treatments can result in an instantaneous transformation. Here are some of Pure Harmony’s most requested treatments:

PDO THREADS

For a fraction of the price of surgical face and butt lifts, Pure Harmony offers PDO lifting threads, a non surgical in-office lift that gives amazing results. The results are so exceptional that Dr. Bryce travels the country to train others on his techniques. They can transform your jowls, brows, neck, knees, abdo men, and butt by lifting and firming sagging tissue.

WHOLE BODY

Pure Harmony has an entire suite dedicated to body transformation through it’s Ambassadorship with EMsculpt, the industry leader in body sculpt ing. EMsculpt Neo is the only non-invasive body shaping procedure that provides simultaneous fat elimination and muscle building in 30 minutes. It can be used for the thighs, abdomen, buttocks, and arms. Neo is a rapid way to uncover the body that is hidden under a fat layer. It’s private, pain less, proven and has no downtime.

The problem is cellulite. The solution is EMtone. This proven technology melts away fat and breaks up dimples to create a smooth, natural look. EM tone is non-surgical, quick, and painless—all with absolutely no downtime.

EMsella helps men and women with issues such as incontinence, difficult orgasm, erectile dysfunction, premature ejaculation and confidence. EMsella is a non-invasive, non-surgical treatment that helps strengthen the pelvic floor—which decreases in continence and enhances sexual function. It con tracts kegel (pelvic floor) muscles 12,000 times in only 30 minutes. More than 95% of patients report an enhanced quality of life after treatment.

“We have a wide variety of treatments for any need,” explains Dr. Bryce. “Please visit for a free consultation. We will develop an individual plan to meet your goals.”

PHOTO COURTESY OF JACKSONVILLE SYMPHONY

Music Director Courtney Lewis

Musical Notes

Little is left to chance leading up to a performance of a symphony orchestra. There are countless moving parts to align, both on stage and behind the scenes.

PHOTOS BY CORINNA HOFFMAN

“

Professional orchestras have so little rehearsal time before a concert that there’s no time to feel them as a chore,” says Jacksonville Sympho ny Music Director Courtney Lewis. “The adrenaline at rehearsals isn’t that different from a performance. Everyone is expected to be completely on top of everything from the very beginning. So, I might experiment a little, but, really, you have to have made all those kinds of interpretative decisions before the rehearsals begin. There is so much to communicate, explain and adjust in rehearsal that it requires a kind of physical and mental focus that is unique in my life—nothing else, not even performances, require so much of your brain and body in combination. It’s a lot of fun.”

The Symphony’s Associate Conductor Kevin Fitzgerald is of like mind with Lewis. Where some professionals view practice with a level of disdain, the two conductors greatly enjoy rehearsing. “It’s the laboratory of music-mak ing. That being said, in comparison to performing, it is drastically more difficult. Knowing when to stop, what to say, how to say it, and all the think ing on your feet that comes with the rehearsal process takes a lot of brain energy,” says Fitzgerald.

This combination of physical and mental exertion and fun is something few audiences ever see. A performance by an orchestra is the embodiment of a team effort, a group that extends well beyond the musicians on stage. In addition, the hours required to stage a successful concert are numerous. Everything from the sheet music being ready to the lights being in focus will be checked again and again. Throw in a piece of music that’s 200 years old and the chance of something out of tune occurring is always present. So, the rule is practice, practice, practice.

”Every piece usually has a few tricky spots that will require more rehearsal,” Lewis says. “I usually begin rehearsals by playing the piece the whole way through. That gives everyone in the orchestra a sense of my tempi (the speed I’m conducting the music), and a sense of the overall shape of the piece. Then we work on difficult spots. Sometimes those difficult places are a surprise, and I’ll only focus on them because of what happened in the play-through, other times, I’ve known the spots would be difficult from past experience.

“I do most of my preparation for the season in the summer holiday,” he continues. “The Jacksonville Symphony takes a break during July, August and most of September, so I have plenty of time to study in depth. I’ll listen to a lot of recordings at the start of the process, especially if it’s the first time I’m pre paring a piece. Then there’s a lot of score study at my desk. It’s hard to describe how much of this there is. From then on, it’s a question of getting to know the music deeply over time, going back to a piece over the weeks, getting to know its intricacies slowly.”

As Music Director, the Northern Ireland native Lewis is the face of the Jacksonville Symphony. With con ductor’s baton in his hand and attired in a tuxedo, his position in front of the orchestra is paramount. The direction of the season and the quality of music pre sented at any one show will bear his mark. Yet, he’s just one in a small army of people needed for each concert. Many in this army toil in anonymity.

For example, few members of the audience will ever see, let alone recognize his name or face, but among the many people backstage ensuring each perfor mance comes together as planned is Orchestra Per sonnel Manager Jim Neglia. A New Jersey transplant with more than 30 years in show biz, Neglia is the go-to man for myriad questions and problems. And those questions and problems never stop coming. A series of live events that requires dozens of talent ed artistic individuals to work in unison is fraught with opportunities for distraction and disagree ment. Also, the musicians are part of a union, as are the backstage crew members, and each has very defined sets of workplace rules, can-do and can’tdos. It’s Neglia’s role to see that all obligations are met without stepping out of bounds with what the unions allow.

If a musician wants a day off, he talks to Jim, the guy who tracks all “service” hours and payroll. Show up late for rehearsals? Softly, but with firm intent, Jim is going to tell you to leave home earlier to get to the concert hall on time. Your locker backstage keeps getting stuck closed? Jim might have a can of WD40 handy. A violinist has a personal problem with a French horn player? The mediator is going to be found in Jim’s small, windowless office across the hall from the wall of musicians’ mailboxes. A diva guest performer requires sparkling water and the air-con ditioning temperature in the dressing room set to a specific temperature? Leave it to Jim to ensure the exacting requests are fulfilled.

A typical rehearsal might last two-and-a-half hours. And each specific performance has a limited num ber of rehearsals, usually three or four. The hours re hearsing are closely tabulated by the musicians, their union and Neglia. Following a rehearsal or perfor mance the musicians are free to pursue other artistic endeavors. Many work second jobs as music instruc tors, or perform in other musical groups or work as freelancers, hired for part-time gigs. However, the roughly nine-month season as set by the JSO is the schedule that all must pay particular attention. That

“We are aiming not only for accuracy, but also for a detailed and unified concept of “how” we are going to play the notes. This is what makes performances unique and moving.”

—Kevin Fitzgerald

Stage Manager Ray Klasse

“If things aren’t working it’s up to me to find a way of inspiring everyone to overcome the technical challenges.”

—Courtney Lewis

schedule drives countless dates and requirements throughout the year, not the least of which is will the players have music.

Bart Dunn is the JSO’s principal librarian. He’s not collecting and sorting overdue books. No, instead, his role is to ensure each musician has the proper and complete set of sheet music for any given perfor mance. The symphony itself owns some sheet music, typically for shows it may play each year such as holi day songs. Some music is considered public domain, meaning it is open for anyone to make copies for per formance. However, a significant portion of the orga nization’s annual budget goes to securing the rights to play certain scores in concert.

Most concert sheet music is owned by a small num ber of publishers. In order to play music from their catalogs, it must be purchased, usually a rental agree ment based on the size and length of the order. For the JSO, that order could range from 60 to 90 sets of sheet music. Those sheets will come as hard copies, as music publishers prefer not to send their copy right-protected materials as digital files. It’s Dunn’s responsibility to see that the adequate number of copies are duplicated and distributed to the musi cians for rehearsals and performances.

The centerpiece of his work space is a frequently humming copier. Walls are stacked with blank white pages and industrial strength filing cabinets. Outside in the hall is a head-high wooden rack. Tagged with the names of each instrument, musicians collect their new music here.

In total, the JSO staff numbers approximately 140, including front office, crew and players. For each per formance there will be a minimum of four backstage crew members, perhaps up to seven for some shows. Paying close attention to the goings-on long before patrons arrive is Stage Manager Ray Klasse. A proper rehearsal will have the stage set exactly as it would be for a house full of paying guests. This pre-show set-up includes everything from the position of the chairs, music stands, stage risers and larger musical instruments like a timpani, harp or the Symphony’s $250,000 Steinway grand piano.

During a performance one is likely to find Klasse near a backstage console controlling the house lights and video recording equipment. For most shows the lighting design has two primary missions. First, can the audience see the performers? Next, and equal ly important, can the players see the sheet music? Shadows can add drama but can also make reading a score more difficult. Works such as Prokofiev’s Third Piano Concerto and Rachmaninoff's Rhapsody are difficult enough without having to squint.

Working through those difficulties during rehears als is a crucial part of a conductor’s job, particularly for Lewis and the Jacksonville Symphony. “I think the music director has a unique role here. More than any other conductor who works with the Jacksonville Symphony, it’s my job to set the expectation of how

well we should play,” he says. “That means be ing very receptive to the energy in the room. Sometimes we’ll get stuck with something, and that’s when it’s a good time to take a quick break, or play something else for a while. When we come back to the tricky place everyone will have fresh energy to figure out the problem.”

“Navigating these moments diplomatically

is essential for any conductor, but especially when you are new to the organization,” adds Fitzgerald, who conducted his first official rehearsal with the Jax symphony in Septem ber. “When issues arise, I can be supportive, provide solutions and new ways of thinking about the problem, or ask a question to clar ify a musician's understanding. One of my fa vorite authors Brené Brown says, ‘You cannot

shame anyone into greatness,' and I couldn't agree more. Sometimes the best coaching is in what you don't say to the orchestra—how you adjust your gesture or say something neutral can point to the issue without anyone getting singled out.

“When you have an orchestra as good as the Jacksonville Symphony, about 75-85% of the

PHOTO COURTESY OF JACKSONVILLE SYMPHONY

program will be no problem,” Fitzgerald con tinues. “As you study and prepare, you start to realize where the trickier corners of the piece are. However, there are surprises. A passage you planned to work on could go very well, and something you thought would never be an issue can somehow present a challenge. Beyond timing, there are always musical con siderations for every single bar of music, no

matter how technically challenging. We are aiming not only for accuracy, but also for a detailed and unified concept of "how" we are going to play the notes.”

When the players and conductor are work ing as one, magic can happen. Even during a rehearsal. “That doesn’t happen very often— we’re usually traveling towards a destination

but the arrival point isn’t always clear,” says Lewis. “Sometimes when the orchestra plays something really well, I’ll say, “Okay, great. Push save!”

Save it they will. At least for a brief moment. Another concert is likely already scheduled. The practice for that one will begin in a mat ter for days. The rehearsing starts anew. u

“Even when things are difficult it’s very important to remember what an incredibly talented and accomplished group of musicians we have here in Jacksonville.”

—Courtney Lewis

GAME

GAME

off a season that fans would just as soon forget, few gave the Jaguars much of a chance to make waves during the

NFL season. Some dominant performances early have led many to ask, maybe this is the year?

BY JOSH KIRSHNER

“S

o what, now what?”

It’s a phrase those who play for Jaguars Head Coach Doug Pederson have heard more than once. The NFL season is long and filled with highs and lows, victories and losses. How a team navigates the league’s bone-crushing gauntlet for four months will separate the winners from the losers. Winning is not something the Jaguars have enjoyed much over the course of the last few years. This season, at least very early on, change appears to be coming.

After losing to the Washington Commanders in the season opener, the Jaguars returned to TIAA Bank Field in week two, where they soundly defeated the Colts 24 to 0, the team’s eighth consecutive victory against their AFC South Division rivals. It was the first shutout win in four years. So convincing was the victory, the home team possessed the ball on offense for nearly twice as much time as the Colts. The Jags recorded 21 first downs, the Colts nine.

“Wins are great, and they’re hard to come by in this league, and we like them, but again, it’s my job to make sure that the goals and ambitions and things we’re trying to get done stay in front of the football team. Keep pushing them to get better,” said Pederson following the team’s first win of 2022.

“It’s something he talks about all the time,” said quarterback Trevor Lawrence. “That’s how football is. That’s how this league is. You have a 17-game regular season, this is the second game of that season, whether we won or lost that game, we still have a game this week, and a huge one at that.”

The head coach and much of Duval are resting hopes on the team’s 23-year-old, second-year quarterback. Standing six-foot, six-inches, Lawrence seems to have shoulders broad enough to carry the load. “I’m pumped to be back home. These are the ones to really look for ward to, to be be back in our stadium, have our crowd here. It’s going to be awesome,” he said in the week leading up to the second game. “First one of the season, especially a division game, too. It’s a big one.

Anytime we play the Colts or anyone in the division, it’s a big game. So, it’s going to be really exciting.”

Exciting it was. And the thrills continued a week later, as the home victory was followed by a surprising 38 to 10 drubbing of the Los Angeles Chargers inside Southern California’s SOFI Stadium. The victory marked only the team’s third road win by 28 points or more in franchise history and first by 28-or-more points since 2001.

Against the Chargers, considered to be one of the NFL’s better squads, the Jaguars defense allowed zero rushing touchdowns, mark ing only the fourth time in team history and first time since 2002 that the Jags did not allow a rushing touchdown through the first three

games of the season. In addition, the offensive line allowed zero sacks. The game in LA was the first time since the 2007 season that the Jags allowed zero sacks in back-to-back games. Like they did in the Colts game, the team dominated time of possession, keep the ball on offense for more than 38 minutes of the one-hour contest.

“To be able to have a win like this on the road is awesome,” said Lawrence following the victory. “You have to keep building on it. We’ve shown that when we have the lead, just keep the foot on the gas and finish the game, which is huge against a good team. The next challenge is when the game is down to the wire, going down and being able to finish that. Every week there is a possibility of that. We keep preparing for that because, obviously, our preparation is paying off for us.”

Lawrence, who rarely lost a game while playing in high school in Georgia and at Clemson University, wasn’t used to losing with such frequency. In fact, Lawrence lost his first nine road game starts since being the top overall pick in the 2021 draft. Coincidentally, Hall of Famer Peyton Manning also lost his first nine road starts before winning in Week 3 of his second season in 1999. The Jags’ 28-point win was the franchise’s largest on the road since a 33-3 rout of the Minnesota Vikings in 2001. Lawrence was two years old when that game was played.

“It’s awesome. Two weeks in a row,” said Lawrence. “I think that’s the coolest thing, a big win last week, and to see that same focus and intensi ty, and preparation this week, I think that’s the sign that we are headed in the right direction.”

The quarterback’s enthusiasm was echoed by his head coach, though tem pered by the understanding that as long as the season continues, the game is never over. “This was a great win against a really good football team. This was a playoff caliber team. Again, we just trust our process and do the little things right. We’re still young and we’re still learning how to win and to do all that stuff. I think this was a great step in that direction,” said Pederson. “You can enjoy it [winning] for 24 hours, and you’re on to the next [game]. It’s short-lived in this league, and it’s unfortunate, but we’re definitely going to enjoy this on the four-hour ride home and get some sleep and turn around and do it again.”

Always looking forward, Pederson doesn’t dwell on what happened the day before. Nor is he overly surprised by the team’s success, even if it’s a team flush with players in their early twenties who have little to no expe rience in the NFL. So far, the chances taken on rookies and second-year players—linebackers Devin Lloyd and Travon Walker, cornerback Tyson Campbell, running back Travis Etienne among others—are paying off.

“That’s what you want when you draft first, second, even third round guys. You want them to make an impact right away; they have to make an impact. It’s a credit to Trent [general manager Trent Baalke] and the per sonnel staff for all they do leading up to the draft then being able to be in a position to draft these guys and add tremendous talent to your football team,” Pederson says.

There’s no doubt that the players have bought into their head coach’s style of leadership and his “what-have-you-done-for-me-lately” attitude towards winning. Pederson, an ex-NFL quarterback himself, knows beating other franchises handily is a rare occurrence. His team knows that, as well, and presented him with a game ball following the win versus the Colts.

“We really expected to win. We really expected to do our job and come out with a victory. It was a division win and we were at home, we wanted to protect our house,” said Tight End Evan Engram. “The biggest thing is we expected to go out there and get a victory. That’s a big part of winning in this league—every Sunday is a battle.”

Battle the team has, especially on the defensive side of the ball. Fumbles and interceptions have an oversized impact on an NFL game. Lose the ball and the chances of winning are greatly reduced. Take it away from the other team? While not guaranteed, a winning path is significantly easier to find. The 2022 Jaguars are creating turnovers at an enviable rate, some thing players say isn’t a fluke.

“We have that type of personnel. Everyone’s background is takeaways, from front to back—Josh Allen (outside linebacker) is sack, fumbles. Devin Lloyd (linebacker) who has ball skills,” said Safety Andre Cisco. “We have

a bunch of guys like that, so we expect it to happen. That’s part of our identity, kind of how we see ourselves as a defense that takes the ball away and that can rely on that. Like if you have some bleed ing on the field where you get a drive going, we can end it right away with a takeaway, and I think that’s what we’re looking forward to doing and how we’re molding ourselves.”

It’s not a surprise that those inside the locker room believe in them selves. What is new and unusual about the start of the Jaguars sea son thus far is that even others far outside of Northeast Florida have noticed that this isn’t the Jags to which we’ve grown accustomed.

“The Jaguars’ plus-46 point differential is the second-best in the NFL through three games this season, and their 2-1 record puts them all alone in first place in the AFC South,” wrote sportswriter Michael David Smith on the NBC Sports blog Pro Football Talk “It will take a lot more than two wins to erase all the doubts about the Jaguars, but this looks like a very different team than we’ve seen in Jacksonville the last couple of years.”

Smith was not alone in his praise of the team. “With every passing week the NFL’s group of legitimate playoff contenders becomes a little more clear. After a second straight blowout win, this time on the road, it might be time to add the Jaguars to that group,” said Dan

Gartland at SI.com. “Anything would have been an improvement over last year’s debacle that started under Urban Meyer, but it’s a little jar ring to see how quickly the Jags have turned the corner. Going on the road and beating what was supposed to be one of the premier teams in the AFC by four touchdowns is impressive (even if Justin Herbert was hampered by an injury). Doing it after notching a shutout win the week before indicates that it’s not a fluke.”

So, why such a noticeable improvement in performance on the field? Ask the coach and he’ll defer to the actions of the players. “I think the number one thing is this is a different team, honest ly,” he says. “We have different faces, different guys in the lock er room, brought in a level of experienced veterans to this team that have won where they have been and know how to do that and educate and teach. Same way with myself and some of the staff to be able to coach up. It’s a different group.

“I’m just so proud of these guys,” Pederson continued. “The way they work during the week, they’re beginning to see just what it takes to win in this league. It takes hard work and preparation. They’re starting to come together as a football team and that’s all I can ask for.”

For many years, Jaguars fans have been asking for the same thing, coach. u

hot seats

Jacksonville Magazine offers a select list of area restaurants as a service to its readers. The directory does not include every restaurant in town. It does, however, feature many of the magazine’s Top 50 choices of must-try eateries, as well as a sampling of other notable Northeast Florida dining establishments.

Suggestions are welcome. Please contact us at mail@jacksonvillemag.com.

1928 Cuban Bistro

Family-run establishment specializes in authen tic Cuban cuisine, baked goods and cafe con leche. House specialties include guava and cheese pastries, chicken, beef and ham and cheese empanadas, and congri bowls made with white rice and black beans topped with

choice of braised chicken or roasted pork. Of course, the Cuban sandwich (roast pork, ham, Swiss cheese, pickles and mustard on warm bread) is top seller. Flan, churros and tres leches for dessert. 3928 Baymeadows Rd., Baymeadows (683-8104); 160 Shops Blvd., St. Johns (2095162); 6331 Roosevelt Blvd., 6331 Roosevelt Blvd., Ortega 1928bistro.com. B ,L, $$.

Alhambra Theatre & Dining

Alhambra serves up dinner and a show inside its performance hall. Formerly a buffet service, the Alhambra is becoming known as much for its culinary experience as it is for its Broadway-cal iber productions. The nation’s oldest continu ously operating dinner theater showcases fa mous plays such as The Best Little Whorehouse

excluding drinks,

Some restaurant entrée prices do not include à la carte sides or salad. All phone numbers are in the (904) area code. Cafeterias, fast food joints and primarily take-out restaurants are not eligible for inclusion.

Taco

in Texas (February 9-March 12) and Jersey Boys (April 27-May 28). 12000 Beach Blvd., Southside (641-1212; alhambrajax.com). L, D, SB, $$$.

Al’s Pizza

This home-grown string of pizza joints offers a wide selection of appetizers and New York-style pizza, alongside traditional Italian dishes, Al’s menu includes unexpected items like mussels in wine and garlic butter sauce to satisfy the adventurous foodies out there. They also offer delivery for those in the area of their restaurants. Four locations including 8060 Philips Hwy., South side (731-4300; alspizza.com), L, D, $.

Aqua Grill

Aqua Grill has a contemporary, eclectic menu with a coastal flair made from local ingredients. The Ponte Vedra eatery is known for its top of the line service and has been featured on both Jax Mag’s Top 50 Restaurants and Best in Jax lists for many years. 395 Front St., Ponte Vedra Beach (285-3017; aquagrill.net). L, D, $$$.

bb’s Restaurant & Bar

Bb’s specializes in New American fare and treats, giving comfort food an upscale presentation. Menu items include yellowfin tuna tartare and ancho-spiced rotisserie turkey. They also boast an international cheese selection and top-notch desserts. 1019 Hendricks Ave., San Marco (3060100; bbsrestaurant.com). L, D, SB, $$.

The Bearded Pig

This casual San Marco barbecue spot and bar (complete with an oversized chalkboard wall for kids and plenty of TVs) serves turkey, chicken, brisket, pulled pork and the like, counter-style. Owners Chad Munsey and Michael Schmidt both have fine dining backgrounds, so even the standard fare is a bit more grown up than what you might expect at a “Q” joint. And though it’s a meat-fest, there’s truly something for everyone: all of the sides (slaw, collards, mac-n-cheese) are vegetarian. 1224 Kings Ave., San Marco (6192247); 1700 3rd St., Jacksonville Beach (518-3915) thebeardedpigbbq.com. L, D $$.

Biscottis

This neighborhood landmark for more than two decades specializes in innovative updates on old favorites, like meatloaf served with apricot marinara sauce and duck confit pizza (dinner specials change daily). The dessert case is legendary. Casual. 3556 St. Johns Ave., Avondale (387-2060; biscottis.net). B, L, D, SB, $$.

Black Sheep Restaurant

Situated in Five Points, Black Sheep’s menu ranges from delicate dishes like smoked trout rillettes to staples of the American South like their gluten-free wild Georgia shrimp & grits. Black Sheep boasts one of the best rooftop bars in the city, making sipping a cocktail at sunset a must. 1534 Oak St., Five Points, Riverside (3803091, blacksheep5points.com). L, D, SB, $$.

Blue Bamboo

This restaurant (relocated from the Southside) serves hip, Asian cuisine with a wine lounge and patio dining. Menu items include miso-marinat ed salmon, Cantonese orange duck, Ahi tuna salad and Mandarin orange cake. 10110 San Jose Blvd., Mandarin (646-1478; bluebamboojackson ville.com). L, D, $$.

Blue Orchid

Blue Orchid Thai serves authentic Asian fare made with traditional ingredients like Thai basil,

palm sugar, and kaffir lime leaves. Their pad Thai and dynamite chicken are house favorites. 13475 Atlantic Blvd., Jacksonville (723-1300; blueorchid.menu). L, D, $$.

Bono’s Pit Bar-B-Q

Meat is the draw at Bono’s Pit Bar-B-Q, which has been pit-smoking everything from turkey to pork since 1949. Try the Slawpy Pig, a heaping pile of pulled pork topped with coleslaw and served with sides such as fried corn on the cob, collard greens, or Brunswick stew. Multiple loca tions (880-8310; bonosbarbq.com). L, D, $.

Caffé Andiamo

A copper pizza oven highlights this stylish eatery specializing in frutti di mare, pollo paisano, von gole Positano, and homemade Italian sausage. Caffe Andiamo compliments their Italian fare with a vast wine selection and exudes a modern and relaxing vibe. 225 Village Main St., Ponte Ve dra Beach (280-2299; caffeandiamo-pvb.com).

L, D, $$.

Casa Reina Taqueria & Tequila

Located just steps from the historic Bridge of Lions in the heart of Downtown St. Augustine, the new upscale Mexican/Florida Coastal eaterie speciallizes in street tacos and enchiladas as well as short rib, chiles rellenos and tequila lime grouper. Nearly 100 tequilas on offer. 1 Anderson Cir., St. Augustine (295-3847; casareinastaug.com). L, D, $$.

ChopHouse Thirteen

Formerly The Tree Steakhouse, this restaurant offers a sleek, chic dining room. Along with their grilled steaks of 100% Angus beef, they also serve seafood and feature a conditioned wine room with ample variety. 11362 San Jose Blvd., Mandarin (262-0006; chophouse13.com). L,D, $$$.

Coastal Wine Market & Tasting Room

A standout in Nocatee’s growing collection of dining spots and shops, the interior is dressed in warm woods, hightop tables and more bottles of reds, whites and sparkling wines than one could count. Happy Hour, Tuesday thru Satur day, 4 pm-6 pm featuring $3 off wine pours and $2 off craft beer. Taste new menu additions, in cluding Eggplant Rollatini, Fig and Goat Cheese Crostini, Maine Lobster Flatbread and Petite Filet. Wines sold by the glass, bottle and three-tasting flight. 641 Crosswater Pkwy., Suite B, Nocatee Town Center (395-3520, coastalwinemarket.com). D, $$.

Coop 303

Coop 303 is known for its regional cuisine featuring smoked heritage pork belly, beef short ribs and grilled pork chop. But the Beaches Town Center restaurant also features local seafood dishes and is home to the Impossible Burger. Coop also has plenty of spots to hang out and sip their signature cocktails: community tables; alcove booths; a front porch; a rooftop garden; and an upstairs parlor. 303 Atlantic Blvd., Atlantic Beach (372-4507; coop303.com). L, D, $$.

Costa Brava

Situated in the heart of St. Augustine’s historic district, Costa Brava is the signature restau rant of the Casa Monica Resort and Spa. An extensive menu covers much culinary terri tory, with an emphasis on seafood and local ingredients. Dinner starters include items such as Florida little neck clams and Georgia peach salad. Entrées are highlighted by crab-crust ed red snapper, grilled beef tenderloin, and

peppercorn-crusted short ribs. Save room for the spiced chocolate cake. Be sure to enjoy cocktails in the Cobalt Lounge. Private dining room available. 95 Cordova St., St. Augustine (819-6018, KesslerCollection.com/costa-bra va-restaurant). B, L, D, $$.

Cruisers Grill

For more than 20 years, beachgoers have looked to Cruisers Grill for their signature burger and cheese fries served with ranch dressing.

Grilled chicken, country fried steak, turkey and melted swiss—the sandwich lineup is tops. They offer all the classics, plus newer options like a house-made fried bologna sandwich. 319 23rd Ave. S., Jacksonville Beach (270-0356). L, D, $.

Culhane’s Irish Pubs & Restaurants

Straight from Limerick, Ireland, the four sisters who operate the city’s two Culhane’s pubs draw legions of regulars with classics such as Scotch Eggs and Guinness Beef Stew. Bangers N’ Mash, Corned Beef N’ Cabbage, Shepherd’s Pie, Irish Cheese-Crusted Cod—the flavors of the Emerald Isle live here. Full bar. 967 Atlantic Blvd., Atlantic Beach (249-9595); 9720 Deer Lake Ct., Southside (619-3177), culhanesirish pub.com. L, D, SB, $$

Eleven South Bistro

This upscale eatery features an extensive wine list, mesquite wood grill and outdoor patio. Seafood martini, lobster mac and cheese, mi so-glazed Chilean sea bass and mesquite-grilled certified Angus beef tenderloin highlight the menu. 216 11th Ave. S., Jacksonville Beach (241-1112;elevensouth.com). L, D, $$$$.

Ember & Iron

An 8-foot oak-burning grill is the heart of the kitchen, searing and smoking house special ties such as lemon and herb roasted fish, ribeyes and seared salmon. Brunch favorites include buttermilk chicken, cast iron French toast and steak and eggs benedict. 60 Shops Blvd., #80., St. Johns (531-5185; emberandiron. com). D, SB, $$$.

The Fish Company

With a crowded raw bar and a wide variety of locally caught seafood, The Fish Co. offers a little something for everyone. Chef Bill Pinner’s menu combines signature items like fried Mayport shrimp with favorite small plate dishes, changing weekly. The restaurant offers several specials throughout the week. 725-12 Atlantic Blvd., Atlantic Beach (246-0123; thefishcojax.com). L, D. $$$.

Flying Iguana Taqueria & Tequila Bar

As a tequila bar and grill located in Neptune Beach (and now in Avondale), the Flying Igua na represents one of the liveliest dining op tions in Duval. Specializing in Latin-American cuisine and expansive cocktail possibilities, the restaurant also hosts live music and has only one rule: Good Vibes Only. 207 Atlantic Blvd., Neptune Beach (853-5680, flyingiguana.com); Iguana on Park, 3638 Park St., Avondale (8348383, iguanaonpark.com). L, D, SB, $$

Harry’s Seafood Bar & Grille

There are a handful of Harry’s peppered around Florida, including a waterfront location in St. Augustine across from the Bridge of Lions. The eatery brings Louisiana flavor to the regional seafood scene, serving up Cajun and Creole dishes. 46 Avenida Menendez, St. Augustine (824-7765; hookedonharrys.com). L, D, $$.

Be My Neighbor

Every truly great place to live has at least one or two restaurants that fit the idea of a neighborhood gathering spot, an estab lishment where those living within a few miles frequent, and do so at morning, noon and night. Jax is blessed to have plenty such joints in San Marco, Avondale, Atlantic Beach and other de sirable zip codes. Right where busy Hendricks Avenue merges to become San Jose Boule vard sits The Local, a casual eatery that checks all the neighborhood hangout boxes.

For starters, it serves breakfast and brunch. In 2022, having the doors open from morning to night is a luxury and one that’s welcomed by hungry diners whose schedules aren’t what they used to be two years ago. In need of a latte on the way into work on Monday? They can do that. How about grilled New York strip with rosemary potatoes and two eggs on a lazy Sunday morning? Sure, that order will be up shortly.

The interior is crisp and clutter-free, dressed

casually in white subway tiles and weath ered woods and brick. Diners dressed ca sually are the norm, too. The Local is equal parts coffee shop, watering hole and restau rant with patrons jumping back and forth from an Aardwolf draught brew to a plate of grilled lemon caper chicken with roast ed red peppers. The variety of offerings is among its top allures. There’s a lot to peruse on the menu here.

Sandwichs, salads, burgers, soups, pasta, chick en nuggets and fries—all the standards are of fered. Standard, yes. But not ordinary. For morn ings, there’s the waffle with whipped cream and maple syrup and a generous handful of Fruity Pebbles on top. The “Wandering Cajun” is a hearty melange of home fries, spicy shrimp étouffée and pair of sunny-side up eggs.

Stick around for lunch and order the grilled portobello mushroom melt with caramelized onions and provolone on a ciabatta bun. Or maybe the grilled salmon sandwich with aru

gula, tomato and basil on toasted brioche is more to your liking. Either way, spend a little more for a side of sweet potato fries.

Come nightfall, the menu covers even more edible ground. Appetizers include chickpea hummus, tahini, lemon, garlic and toasted crostini for dipping and house-made potato chips dripping in bleu cheese and a tangy bal samic glaze. The cauliflower shrimp pad Thai is a bowlful of sticky rice drenched in soy-pea nut sauce with thin-sliced carrots, pickled red chilies, basil, scallions and crushed peanuts. More classical pasta dishes are offered, too, in cluding fettuccine swimming in a pesto cream sauce with parmesan. Again, the flavors are all over the map, in a very good way.

Two locations: 4578 San Jose Blvd., Miramar (683-8063), breakfast, lunch and dinner daily; 301 Atlantic Blvd., Neptune Beach (372-9791), lunch and dinner daily. Live music at the Mira mar location Wednesdays, 6-8 PM.

ALMOST FAMOUS

Don’t expect frills of any kind at Famous Sandwiches. To-go bags are plain brown paper and self-serve fountain drinks are poured into white styrofoam cups. No self-promoting lo gos and such to be found. Even the straws are old-school plastic. But, when you’ve been serving breakfast and lunch for nearly 40 years, it’s obvious customers don’t mind one bit.

Established in 1986, there are three Famous location in town, one each on San Juan Avenue, Lem Turner Road and Cassat Avenue. A fourth is in Orange Park. All are west of the St. Johns River. And, while each is slightly different in appearance, the menu remains consistent across the city.

The “Breakfast-in-a-Sack” is the morning classic. Two eggs with a choice of bacon, country ham, sausage, steak or turkey are stuffed inside pita bread. The sandwich will set you back from $5 to $8, a few dollars more for a hash brown patty on the side and a cold drink. They also serve omelettes, pancakes and biscuit sandwiches.

The story goes that the camel rider is a Jacksonville creation, dating back to the 1960s. At Famous, the sandwich ($10 for a combo order) is a menu staple. A half-pita is packed full of cold deli meats, cheese, onion, lettuce, tomato and mayo and doused with Italian dressing. Adding banana peppers give an extra pop of heat. Be sure to ask for the house seasoning to be sprinkled on the fries.

Famous sidesteps the sandwich selections with other options including salads, burgers, pork chops and fried chicken wings, shrimp and chicken tenders. Everything can be had for under $14. As good as they are, the pita bread sandwiches are what Famous… well, is famous for. u

JJ’s Bistro de Paris

With delicious French food, a handpainted French mural, and a replica of the Eiffel Tower, customers feel as if they are relaxing at a bistro in Paris. With a separate, yet just as talented pastry chef, you will find yourself indulging in the finest French desserts and pastries such as eclairs and fruit tarts. This one-of-a-kind restaurant offers the best of France in food, wine, and desserts. 7643 Gate Pkwy., Jacksonville (996-7557; jjbistro.com/gateparkway). L, D, $$$.

JJ’s Liberty Bistro

Open since 1994, JJ’s Liberty Bistro is a familyrun establishment offering one of the largest selections of wine in Jacksonville. The restaurant hosts frequent wine dinners featuring some of the largest wine producers around the world, including Chateau L’Angelus, Veuve Clicquot, and Plumpjack. You’ll find hundreds of different bottles in the retail store, as well as the finest cheeses, caviars, and homemade desserts. Stop by the ice cream and chocolate/macaron shop located just next door. 330 A1A N., Suite 209, Ponte Vedra (273-7980; jjbistro.com/ ponte-vedra). L, D, $$$.

Le Petit Paris Café

A little slice of France in the River City, the chefowned establishment specializes in toasted croissants, quiches and baguette sandwiches. Le Parisien is a classic French hand-held with ham, Swiss and salted butter. The Le Flore salad is a must-try with smoked salmon, tzatiziki cream, cucumber, sun-dried tomatoes, dill and mixed greens. Sweets include fresh pastries, macaron and pound cakes. Don’t overlook the espresso or cappuccino. Market offers imported foods, condiments and beverages. Pet-friendly patio. 9965 San Jose Blvd., Suite 46, San Jose (512-7777, lepetitparisjax.com). B, L, $.

M Shack

Specializing in burgers made from hormone-free, freshly ground beef, M Shack has been voted best “Gourmet Burger” in our Best In Jax issue. Their menu also includes burger joint favorites such as all-beef hot dogs, fries, sweet potato tots, and handspun shakes. St. Johns Town Center (642-5000; mshackburgers.com); Nocatee (3953575). L, D, $.

Matthew’s Restaurant

A fine-dining experience in historic San Marco. The menu is comprised of French and Medi terranean dishes crafted by Chef Alex Yim and also possesses a vast wine selection. Menu items include venison carpaccio, Maine diver scallops, and Osetra caviar. 2107 Hen dricks Ave., San Marco (396-9922; matthewsrestaurant.com). D, $$$$.

Restaurant Medure

This restaurant features high-end favorites like escargot and caviar, while also making room for classics like meatloaf. Their menu features global cuisine with a local influence, ranging from handcrafted pasta to duck leg confit poutine. 818 A1A N., Ponte Vedra Beach (5433797; restaurantmedure.com). D, $$$.

Mellow Mushroom

With more than 200 locations around the country, Mellow Mushroom has garnered a loyal following for its stone-baked pizza flavor combinations and for offering up craft beer, premium imports and local favorites. Whether you’re looking for a local brew like the Aardwolf

PINEAPPLE NU

Ó

C CHÂ

M

BY CHEF MICHAEL LUGO OF PESCA COASTAL

Nu'ó'c châ'm is a common name for a variety of Vietnamese dipping sauces that are often served as condiments. It is commonly sweet, sour, salty, savory and/or spicy. The fusion of flavors in this sauce makes it a perfect condiment for a crispy Florida snapper with plantain tostones and fresh herbs salad.

INGREDIENTS

2 tbsp lime juice

2 tbsp coconut vinegar

2 tbsp fish sauce

2 tbsp fresh garlic minced

3 tbsp diced grilled pineapple

3 red chilies thinly sliced

2 tbsp Florida cane sugar

½ cup water

PREPARATION

Combine the sugar, water, and garlic in a small sauce pot and bring to a simmer. Remove from heat as you dissolve sugar. Let cool to room tempera ture, and add remaining ingredients. Mix well and pour into a jar for safe keeping. Enjoy. u

Nonchalant or the Ancient City Augustine’s Or ange Amber Ale or prefer to branch out to other areas of the good ol’ USA, this pizza palace has a beer to fit everyone’s taste. Menu features baked chicken wings, spinach artichoke dip and a dozen house speciality pizzas. Multiple area locations: Avondale, Fleming Island, Southside, River City, Jacksonville Beach (mellowmushroom. com). L, D, $$.

Mezza Luna Ristorante

Mezza Luna’s menu focuses on seafood and Italian dishes. Located in the heart of the Beach es Town Center, this long-time neighborhood favorite offers seating on their covered patio, formal dining room, and lounge that often hosts live music. 110 1st St., Neptune Beach (249-5573; mezzalunajax.com). D, $$$.

Midtown Table

A culinary concept from the Medure Broth ers, this Gate Parkway eatery specializes in all-things Italian. That means appetizers run the gamut from seasonal burrata to meatballs with house-made bread. Entrées include fresh pastas, Neapolitan pizza, and heartier fare (like pork marsala and salt-baked zucchini). 5016 Gate Pkwy., Jacksonville (503.4122; midtowntable. medurebrothers.com). L, D, $$.

Mojo Bar-B-Que

This regional chain showcases Southern barbecue styles like Texas and North Carolina, including everything from burnt ends to pulled pork. Their restaurants celebrate blues, with their Avondale location boasting one of the city’s most expansive whiskey selections and their Jacksonville Beach location featuring live music. 1607 University Blvd. W., Lakewood (7327200, mojobbq.com); 1500 Beach Blvd., Jack sonville Beach (247-6636); 1810 Town Center Blvd., Fleming Island (264-0636); 3572 St. Johns Ave., Avondale (381-6670); 5 Cordova St., St. Augustine (342-5264). L, D, $$.

Nineteen

Located inside the clubhouse at TPC Saw grass, this fine-dining restaurant matches the high quality you would expect for a place that hosts The Players Championship. The menu is dominated by seafood and local fare, like lime pepper-crusted tuna and ribeye steak. The broad back patio overlooks the golf course. Sawgrass Clubhouse, Ponte Vedra Beach (273-3238; tpc sawgrass.com). B, L, D, $$.

Ocean 60

Ocean 60 provides upscale seafood dining just yards from the ocean. The Beaches mainstay is known for their award-winning cocktails served in the Martini Room, which offers a relaxed atmosphere and live music. 60 Ocean Blvd., Atlantic Beach (247-0060; ocean60.com). D, $$$$.

O-Ku Sushi

O-Ku offers upscale Japanese cuisine, a rooftop bar and patio and seafood from fish markets in Tokyo, Hawaii and here locally. Check out the chef specialties and small plates like tuna crudo, Agedashi tofu and O-Ku rock shrimp or just go straight for the rolls including Neptune’s Beard (shrimp tempura, avocado, spicy tuna, salmon, spicy aioli, sweet soy, chive) and the Firecracker (crispy panko fried roll with spicy salmon, avocado, cucumber, goat cheese mousse, sweet soy). 502 1st St. N., Jacksonville Beach (694-2770, o-kusushi.com). D, $$$.

Restaurant Orsay

An upscale French bistro with local, South ern flavor, meals at Restaurant Orsay are the epitome of a high-end dining experience. The chef-owned restaurant offers an extensive drink selection and some of the best oysters in the city, having won Best in Jax multiple times. 3630 Park St., Avondale (381-0909; restaurantorsay. com). D, SB, $$$$.

Peony Asian Bistro

Known for their modern interpretations of classic Chinese dishes, their strip mall location belies the quality of their Cantonese-style plates and inviting atmosphere. Peony offers dine-in, takeout, and delivery. A must order is the peking duck. 10586 Old St. Augustine Rd., Mandarin (2683889). L, D, $$.

Philly’s Finest

When you call yourself Philly’s Finest, you better bring the Cheesesteak magic. For the love of Pat’s and Geno’s, they’ve been doing just that for two decades at the Jax Beach sandwich institution. American, mozzarella, and provolone cheeses, sautéed onions, mushrooms, pickles, sweet peppers, black olives, Cheese Whiz—each order can be cus tomized to one’s liking for about $15. Order a side of the Old Bay fries, too. 1527 3rd St. N., Jacksonville Beach (241-7188, phillys-finest. com). L, D, $$.

Poe’s Tavern

Located at the end of Atlantic Blvd. in the heart of the Beaches lies a gourmet burger joint where you can experience an ample beer selec tion and the cool breeze of the ocean from their outside seating area. Each menu item is named after one of Edgar Allan Poe’s famous stories, including the Tell-Tale Heart, a half-pound bacon and cheddar burger topped off with a fried egg. 363 Atlantic Blvd., Atlantic Beach (241-7637; poestavern.com). L,D, $.

Ragtime Tavern

Open for more than 20 years, Ragtime is North-east Florida’s oldest microbrewery. The

menu is loaded with items like shrimp brus chetta, Louisiana crawfish and sautéed mussels. Try the bistro filet and crab-stuffed shrimp, Ca jun fettuccine or the sesame tuna. 207 Atlantic Blvd., Atlantic Beach (241-7877; ragtimetavern. com). L, D, SB, $$.

The Raintree

Located in historic St. Augustine inside a Victo rian house, complete with a fireplace and koi pond, The Raintree offers upscale dining with an eclectic menu comprising American, Mediterra nean, and Asian dishes. Don’t miss the decadent dessert bar with made-to-order crepes, adult ice cream cocktails, cookies and cake. 102 San Marco Ave, St. Augustine (824-7211; raintreer estaurant.com). D, SB, $$$.

River & Post

Rooftop bars are popping up all over North east Florida. Arguably one of the best can be enjoyed at River & Post. The restaurant specializes in upscale American fare—seared hanger steak, shrimp and grits, grilled salmon almondine. Small plates, charcuterie, sushi rolls and flatbreads are available on the roof top. 1000 Riverside Ave., Riverside (575-2366; riverandpostjax.com). L, D, SB, $$$.

RP’s Fine Food & Drink

RP’s serves local fish and fresh produce inside a casual beach setting. The menu features items such as conch fritters, a crab cake BLT, and Shrimp 308—sautéed local shrimp doused in spicy cajun butter over rice with hushpuppies. 1183 Beach Blvd, Jacksonville Beach (853-5094; rpsjaxbeach.com). B, L, D, SB, $$.

Rue Saint-Marc

Led by executive chef Scott Alters, Rue SaintMarc strikes a balance between sophistication and comfort by serving decadent menu items like halibut meunière while maintaining excep tional service and a quaint atmosphere, all just steps from the heart of San Marco Square. 2103 San Marco Blvd., San Marco (619-0861; ruesaint marc.com). B, L, D, SB, $$.

Coastal Wine Market

Food For Thought

Tabitha Brown isn’t a stickler for precise measurements. She prefers it when cooks take the training wheels off and get creative in the kitchen, letting the heart and spirit take over when trying new recipes. The best-sell ing cookbook author, actress and vegan food lover swings through Jax on a speaking tour October 11 at the Florida Theatre. During her show, Brown discusses her personal journey of becoming a vegan, a road that be gan as she searched for solutions to soothe the chronic pain she endured for years. Her first book, Feeding the Soul, was a New York Times bestseller. Tickets range from $45 to $85. Each guest receives a copy of her lat est cookbook, Cooking From The Spirit (HarperCollins, $30), and VIP tickets include a post-show photo oppor tunity and a gift bag.

DINING ROOM

Dining in San Marco will receive a boost of flavors soon. Sam and Kiley Efron, the husband-and-wife team behind the Square’s favorite Taverna, are expanding in early 2023. Taverna Oceana is a new raw bar and seafood-focused concept that will be located adjacent to their existing restaurant. Plans call for the 80-seat dining room to be more intimate than its next-door neighbor, while also featuring an exposed oyster and champagne bar with front-row seating at the shucking station. The two restaurants will be connected via an open passageway between concepts. Chef Sam says the menu, which draws influences from Asian, Latin America and the Mediterranean, will include a variety of fresh fish and shellfish, as well as items for non-seafood lovers.

SAY, CHEERS!

For a few years now, ready-to-drink hard seltzers have been squeezing onto more refrigerated shelves at grocery stores and mini-marts. Hoping to capitalize on the growing beverage trend, Jax-based Manifest Distilling recently launched its own line of canned seltzers made from its craft spirits. Recipes for the new adult beverages were created in-house by the team at the six-year-old distillery.

“As cocktail purists, it was important for us to formulate recipes that respect what a cocktail should be. We had to reframe that conventional thinking,” says Manifest president David Cohn. “We took what customers loved about something they’d get in the Cocktail Room, and transformed it into something you can grab out of your fridge when headed out for a day at the beach or on the boat.” Manifest’s new line includes three flavors—Classic Daiquiri, Vodka Mule, and Vodka Spritz. All three flavors are made with a touch of cane sugar and finished with sparkling water. Four-packs ($11.99) are available in retail outlets across Northeast Florida. u

Safe Harbor Seafood

Fresh, locally caught seafood is the calling card for Safe Harbor. That’s not surprising, as custom ers can practically see the shrimp boats of May port from the restaurant’s front door. It’s easy to see why hungry diners have been drifting here for years. Sure, the menu is laden with clams, oysters, crab cakes and other seafood standards, but sometimes a basket of fried shrimp, slaw, fries and hush puppies is a little slice of heaven. 4378 Ocean St., Mayport (246 4911, safehar bor-seafood.com). L, D, $$.

Salt Life Food Shack

“Salt Life” is a ubiquitous phrase in Northeast Florida, and for many represents a lifestyle of relaxing fun and, above all, love for our adjacent ocean. This restaurant channels that vibe in a dining experience and seafood-heavy menu designed to appeal to all locals and beach-lovers who enter, ranging from tuna poke bowls to Boca-style grouper. 1018 3rd St. N., Jacksonville Beach (372-4456; saltlifefoodshack.com); 321 A1A Beach Blvd., St. Augustine Beach. L, D, $$.

Sliders Oyster Bar

With its open-air bar and broad covered patio, Sliders oozes beaches vibes and charm. A sister restaurant of Safe Harbor Seafood, diners rest assured the fish, shrimp, and shellfish are going to be the freshest around. The raw bar serves all the seafood staples like steamed clams, peel and eat shrimp and oysters on the half-shell. The oysters Rockefeller is baked with spinach, parmesan, provolone and breadcrumbs. The oysters “Godzilla” are served raw with seaweed

salad, cucumber wasabi and the house “pirate” sauce. 218 1st St., Neptune Beach (246-0881, slidersoysterbar.com). L, D, $$.

TacoLu

In a style described as Baja Mexicana, this uber popular restaurant serves nachos, quesadillas, enchiladas, and about any kind of taco you desire, with fish tacos being their specialty. TacoLu fulfills their niche well, and it’s what earned them the designation of “Best Tacos” in the city in our Best In Jax reader’s poll. Oh, and they have over 100 types of tequila and mezcal. 1712 Beach Blvd., Jacksonville Beach (249-TACO; tacolu.com). L, D, SB, $.

Taqueria Cinco

Located in funky Five Points, this restaurant focuses on providing top-notch hospitality while serving authentic Mexican eats. If you come on a Friday or Saturday, be sure to try their Al Pas tor. Happy hour food and drink specials available Mon.-Fri. from 3-6:30. Closed Sundays. 809 Lomax St., Riverside (312-9113; taqueria5points. com). L, D, $$.

Taverna

Taverna offers authentic Italian dishes with a modern twist. Its focused menu brings out the best in Mediterranean flavors, producing dishes like antipasto and orecchiette. All of their pasta and mozzarella are house-made, and the pizzas are cooked in a wood oven at the back of the dining room. 1986 San Marco Blvd., San Marco (398-3005; taverna.restaurant). L, D, SB, $$.

Town Hall

Sourcing produce from local farms, Town Hall brings American fare with a West Coast influence to Florida. They encourage a sense of community in their dining experience, emphasized by comfy couches, warmly hued artwork, and thoughtful design touches such as outlets in the bar area. 2012 San Marco Blvd., San Marco (398-0726; townhalljax.com). D, SB, $$$.

Vernon’s First Coast Kitchen & Bar

Located at the Sawgrass Marriott Golf Resort & Spa, this restaurant uses fresh, local ingredients and seafood, and provides an exceptional wine list. Sunday brunch features farm-to-table clas sics like chicken and waffles and biscuits with gravy. 1000 PGA Tour Blvd., Ponte Vedra Beach (285-7777). B, D, $$$.

Whitey’s Fish Camp

Not many restaurants double as an RV park. That hospitality, combined with homespun ultra casual décor produces a Southern atmo sphere at Whitey’s Fish Camp that is, above all, authentic. The seafood is fresh and specialities include beer-battered fried grouper, north-ofthe-border steamed snow crab legs, a shrimp boil, and all-you-can-eat catfish. Check out the deck, tiki bar and dock, where you can even arrive by boat. 2032 C.R. 220, Orange Park (269-4198; whiteysfish-camp.com). L, D, $$. u

Send food and restaurant news, ideas or ques tions to mail@jacksonvillemag.com.

CORINNA HOFFMAN PHOTOGRAPHY

Only in Florida

Strange, But True Stories from Across the Sunshine State

In July, Eric Merda, 43, from Sarasota, says he became lost in the swamp while visiting Lake Manatee Fish Camp in Myakka. Not knowing where to go, he attempted to swim across a lake—something he later admit ted was “not the smartest decision a Florida boy can make.” Waiting in the lake was a large alligator, who grabbed Merda’s right arm and attempted to drag him underwater. Merda fought back, eventually escaping from the gator, but not before losing much of his arm. He says he survived three days in the swamp before being rescued. “I said a gator got me arm,” Merda was quoted upon his discovery. “Holy smokes, man!” his res cuer responded. At the hospital, his right arm was amputated.

“That wasn’t good?” So asked Amy Harrington, 38, of Madeira Beach, following a traffic stop earlier this year. Harrington reportedly rear-end ed a car while driving not far from her home. Responding officers stat ed she showed several signs of inebriation and requested she undergo a sobriety test, including walking a straight line. Walking proved not easy, so Harrington transitioned into an impromptu dance routine. The police report stated that she began to stumble but recovered by per forming “multiple ballet and Irish folk dance moves.” The sobriety test didn’t improve, despite her dancing, which was captured on police body-cams, and Harrington was arrested after refusing to take a blood alcohol content test and charged with driving under the influence, property damage and refusal to submit to testing.

A $3.9 million waterfront home built in 1982 and designed for the members of Swedish super group ABBA went up for sale in August in Tierra Verda, a small island community near Tampa. It is believed bandmates and former married couples Agnetha Faltskog and Bjorn Ulvaeus, Anni-Frid Lyngstad and Benny Anderson lived in the home during the early 1980s. The house was designed in a Swedish long house style and comes complete with a pristine stereo system, and recording equipment, and even cassette tapes and memorabilia be longing to the quartet. “The layout of the home is pretty special and just makes for a great house for somebody who likes to entertain or has a big family,” said listing agent Lisa Farmer of Premier Sotheby’s International Realty.

“He is naked, yelling at people in the parking lot.” The comment was part of a conversation between police officers in pursuit of Brandon Wright in August. Reportedly, Wright was picking berries in the woods near Deland, when he happened upon a surveyor at work. Wright sud denly grew angry and demanded the surveyor give him his clothes, wallet and phone. Then he proceeded to throw some of his collected berries and a large machete-style knife at the man. Fortunately, the handle of the knife hit the surveyor and bounced off his chest. Wright, 34, was quickly arrested and charged with attempted robbery with a deadly weapon and aggravated assault and battery. u