Seen

Downtown’s Best

Late last year, the winners of Downtown Vision’s 2022 #DT Jax Award Winners were named and honored at a reception. The annual honors are held to recognize businesses and individuals who work to help create a vibrant Downtown, and do so by supporting economic revitalization efforts, creating jobs and operating popular commercial enterprises. Among the year’s honorees was Dos Gatos, a 13-year-old bar that was named Small Business of the Year. Ruby Beach Brewing was also recognized for opening an event space and bar in a renovated 100-year-old building. And restaurateur/entrepreneur Jason Hunnicut, co-owner of 1904 Music Hall and Ocean Street Tacos, was named “Downtowner of the Year.” Here’s to all the new things coming to the city’s urban core in 2023. u

UPCOMING:

The Florida Theatre Ball: Big Easy Style will feature New Orleans-inspired cuisine, one-of-a-kind auction items, and music by The Big Easy Band on Saturday, May 20, 6 PM, inside the historic concert venue; tickets start at $150.

Two-time Super Bowlwinning coach Tom Coughlin hosts his foundation’s annual celebration of terrific food and wine, the Jay Fund Wine Tasting Gala, on March 3, 6:30 PM, at the 841 Prudential Building on the Southbank.

Since forming her band, the Blackhearts in 1979, Jett has had eight platinum and gold albums and nine Top 40 singles, including the classics “Bad Reputation,” “I Love Rock’ N’ Roll,” and “I Hate Myself For Loving You,” $69.50-$115

Reba McEntire

MARCH 9, 6:30

VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena

Dubbed the “Queen of Country,” multimedia mogul Reba McEntire has built a successful career through music, film, theater, and retail. Reba’s success spans five decades and she’s recorded a number of hits like “Fancy” and “The Night The Lights Went Out In Georgia.” With an impressive 35 #1 singles to her name, the Oklahoma native is among the most-celebrated country artists in America, $46.75-$271.75

Third Eye Blind

MARCH 16, 8 PM

Florida Theatre

Since 1997, San Francisco’s Third Eye Blind has recorded five best-selling albums and assembled one career retrospective. Led by Stephan Jenkins, the band has earned worldwide success during a tumultuous group of years when the major-label recording industry was finally losing its grip on an enterprise that, for decades, it had dominated with steely efficiency, $45

Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra

MARCH 17-18, 7:30 PM

Jacksonville Center for the Performing Arts

Join Music Director Courtney Lewis and the Symphony for a performance of Anton Bruckner’s Fifth Symphony. Bruckner has been called a musical genius, a composer who keeps listeners tantalized and rewards them with some of the purest and spiritually uplifting music ever produced, $27-$81

Dance Alive National Ballet

MARCH 18, 7:30 PM

Lewis Auditorium, St. Augustine

EMMA Concert Association presents Dance Alive performing “Loveland,” a dance program highlighted by a romantic repertoire inspired by the “Sonnets from the Portuguese” by Elizabeth Barrett Browning, $50

Widespread Panic

MARCH 24-26

St. Augustine Amphitheater

Known for never playing the same show twice, fans of Widespread Panic will be treated to three consecutive shows in the Oldest City. Widespread Panic is often praised as one of America’s best live bands and blends Southern rock, jazz, and blues, $57.50-$77.50

The Eagles

MARCH 25, 8 PM

VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena

The Eagles are touring the country and each show features the band’s landmark album “Hotel California” played in its entirety from start to finish, accompanied by a full orchestra and choir. After an intermission, Don Henley, Joe Walsh and bandmates return to the stage to perform a set of their greatest hits.

Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra:

Beethoven’s Fifth

MARCH 31 & APRIL 1, 7:30 PM

Jacksonville Center for the Performing Arts

Listen to the Jacksonville Symphony and guest conductor Giordano Bellincampi for three classical masterpieces including the magic of Mendelssohn’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream and its famous “Wedding March.” In a grand conclusion, Beethoven’s Fifth will steal the audience away with its emotional resonance and power, $27-$81 u

Art in the Park

MARCH 25, NOON-5 PM • James Weldon Johnson Park

During Northeast Florida’s only chalk-drawing competition, artists of all ages have up to six hours to create a work of art in its entirety using their imagination and, of course, chalk. The theme for this year is “Mythical Creatures” and once time is up, a panel of judges will vote for their favorites and award prizes in three categories.