The Alhambra Theatre and Dining stands proudly as one of the
few remaining dinner theaters dotting North America. “The
Alhambra Theatre & Dining: 50 years of Memories” is a commemorative
book that was released this week, to celebrate the Alhambra’s half-a-century anniversary. Three generations of Alhambra owners (original
owner Johnson, most recent owner, Tod Booth and current owner Craig Smith),
will gather for a photo and be available to sign copies of this keepsake
book. Joining them for a complimentary light appetizers & desserts
gala will be author, Charles Day.
Written by Jacksonville biographer and former University of North Florida
professor, Charles Day, the Alhambra
Theatre & Dining: 50 Years of Memories, features more than 175 pages of
archival photos, biographies of actors and behind the scenes stories as the
book chronicles the rise, fall and rebirth of America’s longest running
professional dinner theater. Mr. Day
wrote the book over the course of 18 months, interviewing prior and current
owners, guest stars, culinary staff, members of the press and patrons of the
Alhambra. The book is handsomely
designed by David Parrish as a coffee table book.
The book is broken into three chapters, appropriately-referred to as “Acts,”
each highlighting a different era in Alhambra lore. From interviews with Ballis and Johnson to
current owner, Craig Smith and tales from prior owner and long-term Director
Tod Booth, the Alhambra’s story traces a remarkable history. Weaved among several hundred photos,
newspaper clippings and historical ads, are sidebars called, “Celebrity
Showcase,” which call out the remarkable and seemingly endless list of talent
who graced the Alhambra’s stage.
The Alhambra has hosted legends such as Imogen
Coca, Bob Crane, Lee Meredith, Dawn Wells, Mickey Rooney, Tony Curtis, Claude
Aiken, Sid Cesar, Cesar Romero, and, recently the likes of Loretta Swit, Barry
Williams, Jamie Farr, Sally Struthers, Joyce DeWitt, Michael Learned, Barbara
Eden, Lisa Whelchel and Mike Farrell. The Alhambra is also home to former Miss
America, Orange Park (FL) native Leanza Cornett, who started at the Alhambra
when she was 15. Current owner Craig
Smith often credits Swit for saving the Alhambra in 2010, and the book tells
the story in detail. A full page is dedicated to Betty Grable’s 1973 role in “Born
Yesterday.” The show opened in
early January and was scheduled for three weeks. She was so
popular that the show was held over for two weeks. Grable died of cancer in July of the same
year. “Remarkably, despite her illness she never missed a show” — George
Ballis.
"The Alhambra
Theatre & Dining:
50 Years of Memories" Event
DATE: Tues., Dec. 13, 2016
TIME: 4 - 5 p.m. (3 - 4 p.m. for
Season Partners only!)
BOOK PRICE: $39.99
LOCATION: Alhambra Theater & Dining
12000 Beach Blvd.
Jacksonville, Florida
32246
CALL: (904) 641-1212 to reserve your spot
and a commemorative book.
Women Artists: from the Renaissance to Abstract Expressionism – Tues., Dec. 6
from 1:30 to 3 p.m. | Members Free, Non-Members $10 (includes admission) Registration
required.
The last lecture in this series addresses the 20th century, when art education
became available to women. For major artists from Georgia O’Keeffe to Helen
Frankenthaler, a new question emerged: “to be an artist or a woman artist?”
Space is limited. For further information, please email or
call (904) 355-0630.
Champagne & Shopping At The Cummer Shop
Dates: Thurs., Dec. 8 & Fri., Dec. 9, 2016
Times: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. both days | Free. Additional 20% off
Enjoy complimentary champagne and appetizers while shopping expanded Shop
inventory and special artisan merchandise brought in just for this two-day
event.
Folk Art: Mixed Media Class – Thurs., Dec. 8 from 6 to 8 p.m. | Members $30,
Non-Members $40. Registration required. Create
a work of art that is yours to keep with instruction by mixed media artist
Sharla Valeski. All supplies, wine,
beer, and light nibbles are included. For further information or to register,
please call (904) 899-6038.
Art for Two: City On The Water! – Sat., Dec. 10 from 10:30 a.m. to Noon |
Members $15 per pair, Non-Members $20 per pair. Registration required. Students will look at artwork in the
Permanent Collection, then explore the different techniques of watercolor
painting to create a city silhouette on the water. Projects will be completed
within one class. Open to children ages 3 through 5 and their favorite adult.
Class size is limited. For further information, please email or
call (904) 355-0630.
Talks & Tea: David Ponsler – Wed., Dec. 14 from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. | Members
and Non-Members $6. Registration required. You are invited to the Museum to
enjoy an insightful talk over a cup of tea and a sweet treat. Enjoy a
discussion by the featured Sculpture Garden artist David Ponsler, as he gives
you an in-depth look at his art. For further information or to register, please
call (904) 899-6038.
Art Adventures: Clay Hand-Building! – Sat., Dec. 17 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30
p.m. | Members $10, Non-Members $15. Registration required. This class will explore the works of
sculpture in the Permanent Collection before returning to the studio to
experiment with various clay tools and hand-building techniques. Projects will
be completed within one class. Open to children ages 6 through 12. Class size
is limited. For further information, please email
or call (904) 355-0630.
Cummer Museum of Art
& Gardens
829 Riverside Avenue
Jacksonville, Florida 32204
(904) 356-6857
Hours of Operation & Admission
You may have already put the tickets in the
stockings or under the tree, but now it’s time to get them out for an evening
with Ebenezer Scrooge. The Nebraska
Theatre Caravan’s national tour returns to Jacksonville with its delightful
stage production of Charles Dickens’ holiday classic A Christmas Carol. The
show will be at the spacious Moran Theater for one night only!
This fully staged musical version of Charles Dickens’ classic tale has become a
Yuletide tradition. The story was adapted for the stage by Charles Jones.
The Caravan has been touring this adaptation of A Christmas Carol
since 1979. It is one of the most widely viewed productions of the
Dickens tale in the nation, annually performing for over 100,000 people in over
60 cities across the country.
A Christmas Carol features a spirited ensemble of 23 performers
who bring Dickens’ fable of redemption to life on a magical set created by
noted designer James Othuse. A full array of timeless carols such as “God
Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen,” “Away In a Manager” and “Here We Come A-Wassailing”
are interwoven within the classic story of a tight-fisted, middle-class
merchant Ebenezer Scrooge and all the beloved characters from
Dickens' 1843 novel.
The heartwarming tale depicts Scrooge, whose values are focused exclusively on
profit and his conflicts with the struggling Cratchit family, whose tragic
problems typified the working class during the Industrial Revolution in
Victorian England. The touching climax is based on Dickens' belief that
the ills of a greedy world can be healed by brotherhood and unselfishness.
The colorful scenery and elaborate costumes faithfully recreate the Victorian
period. Exceptional voices, lively dancing and dazzling special effects
like the mysterious spinning bed combine to create a spectacular holiday treat
for the entire family.
“A Christmas Carol”
DATE: Saturday December 19, 2016
TIME: 7:30 p.m.
LOCATION: Times Union Center Performing Arts
Moran Theater
300 West Water St.
Jacksonville, FL 32202
TICKETS: start at $23.50 for adults
and $14.25 for children, plus applicable fees, and are available for purchase online
at FSCJ Artist Series,
sponsored by Chase (the official presenter of the Jacksonville show), or by calling (904) 442-BWAY (2929) between 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.,
Monday – Friday. Discounts are available
for groups of 10+ by calling (904) 442-2947 or emailing groupsales@fscj.edu.
