Cummer Museum Gardens are full of blossoms this May

Here in JAX, we didn’t get a lot of rain in April, but the flowers have been watered and are blooming nicely at the Cummer Museum of Art & Garden.  Any day in May will be an intriguing adventure in entertainment, culture, art and beauty.  Grab your calendars and make plans to bring the family, or invite a guest, to one of these wonderful educational opportunities.

Florida Blue Free Tuesday – Each Tues. Evening from 4 to 9 p.m. | Free.  No registration required. Every Tues., enjoy free admission to the Cummer Museum and its historic Gardens, thanks to the generous support of Florida Blue. Guests can enjoy free admission to the Galleries and Gardens. Each Tuesday evening, the Cummer Café is open for Tapas Tuesday sponsored by VyStar Credit Union.

Tapas Tuesday – Each Tues. Evening from 5 to 7:30 p.m. | The Cummer Café Reservations recommended.  Tap into Tapas Tuesday sponsored by VyStar Credit Union at the Cummer Café, on the Cummer Café patio.  Take in the sunset while listening to local musicians as you also enjoy some beer, wine, or artfully inspired tapas for sale at the Café.  Reserve your table by calling (904) 899-6022.

Weaver First Saturday Free for All – Sat. May 6 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. | Free.  No registration required.  The first Sat. of each month at the Cummer Museum is FREE FOR ALL, thanks to the generous support of J. Wayne and Delores Barr Weaver. Guests can enjoy free admission, as well as art-making activities for all ages in the Cummer Gardens, live music, and a Docent-led tour at 2 p.m.

Bank of America And Merrill Lynch Museums on Us – Sun., May 7 from Noon to 4 p.m. | Free to Cardholders.  No registration required.  The Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens offers free admission on the first Sunday of the first full weekend of the month to all Bank of America or Merrill Lynch cardholders through the Museums on Us program. Each cardholder receives one free general admission to the Museum. For more information on the Museum's programming and events, please call 904.899.6038.

Lunching with The Ritz: A Lunchtime Chamber Concert – Wed., May 10 from 12:30 p.m. | Members Free, Non-Members Free with Paid Admission.  Registration required.  Make your lunch hour more enjoyable with a concert from the Ritz Chamber Players. Pre-order a box lunch from the Cummer Café (ordered separately for an additional fee) and enjoy a special performance. For further information or to register, please call (904) 899-6038.

David Ponsler Studio Visit – Thurs, May 11 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. | Members $15, Non-Members $20.  Registration required.  Address of westside studio to be provided upon registration.  You are invited to experience a behind-the-scenes look at the process behind the artwork. Enjoy beer, wine and light finger food as David Ponsler describes his progression from concept to final work of art. Participants will tour his historic studio workspace and observe an actual forging demonstration by the artist. For further information or to register, please call (904) 899-6038.

Ponce De León Society Opening Ink, Silk, and Gold: Islamic Treasures from the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston – Wed., May 17 from 6 to 8 p.m. | Free for Ponce de León Society Donors Only.  RSVP requested.  The Board of Trustees and the Chief Operating Officer & Chief Curator of the Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens invite you to be our guest at the private viewing of Ink, Silk, and Gold. Please join us for a reception with live music, cocktails, small bites, and remarks by Chief Operating Officer & Chief Curator Holly Keris. Please RSVP online or at (904) 899-6007.

Member & Community Opening Party Ink, Silk, and Gold: Islamic Treasures from the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston – Thurs., May 18 from 5 to 8 p.m. | Members Free, Non-Members $10.  Registration required.  Join the Museum for the opening celebration of Ink, Silk, and Gold. Get a sneak peek of the exhibition before it opens to the public, enjoy small bites, beer, and wine while listening to live music. Hear remarks from Associate Curator Nelda Damiano at 6:30 p.m. The exhibition will also be open from noon to 4 p.m. as a benefit to Museum Members. For further information or to register, please call (904) 899-6038.

Art Adventures: Printmaking! – Sat., May 20 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. | Members $10, Non-Members $15.  Registration required.  Join the museum on the third Saturday of each month for studio classes.  In this class students will view examples of printmaking in the Museum’s Permanent Collection and Heroes & Battlefields.  In the studio, students will learn basic printmaking techniques to create an original work of art. Open to children ages 6 through 12.  Class size is limited.  For further information, please email or call (904) 355-0630.

Talks & Tea An American In Venice – Wed., May 24 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 lecture over a cup of tea and a sweet treat. Enjoy a talk on An American in Venice: James McNeill Whistler and His Legacy led by Associate Curator Nelda Damiano. For further information or to register, please call (904) 899-6038.

Spring Nights Art Class: Collage – Tues., May 30 from 6 to 8 p.m. | Members $30, Non-Members $40.  Registration required.  Join the Cummer for a two-hour collage workshop taught by local artist Anna Patterson. This all-levels program includes supplies, wine, beer, and light nibbles. 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

Florida Theatre lists class acts for May 2017

School is almost over, the flowers are in bloom and it’s time to take a little social break to enjoy some quality entertainment.  The Florida Theatre is one venue that has some outstanding acts for you during this 2017 May season.  Remember that theater tickets make great Graduation gifts, Birthday presents, Anniversary celebrations, and ‘Just Because’ rewards.  Take a look at the selections below, and make your ticket-wish-list for you and that favorite person you know.  Click HERE for a sample of the upcoming “Julianne and Derek Hough: Move- Beyond Live on Tour”.

May 2017 Schedule:
May 3 - Artwalk
May 5 - Ben Harper and The Innocent Criminals
May 6 - Callahan Dance Academy
May 11 - First Coast Apartment Association COE Awards
May 12 - Julianne and Derek Hough: Move- Beyond Live on Tour
May 16 - Theatreworks- Mammoth Follies
May 17 - The Head and The Heart
May 20 - Rock The 1920s Gala
May 21 - George Thorogood and The Destroyers
May 22 - Todd Rundgren
May 25 - Jacksonville Jazz Piano Competition
May 26 - Brit Floyd
May 27 - Virginia Dell Dance Recital

George Thorogood and The Destroyers

May 5 -8 p.m. — Ben Harper and The Innocent Criminals
Grammy- winning singer and songwriter Ben Harper formed The Innocent Criminals to act as a supporting band for his 1999 release “Burn to Shine.”  More than seven years later, they are reuniting in support of their newest release “Call It What It Is.”

May 12 – 8 p.m.— Julianne and Derek Hough Move-Beyond Live On Tour
Fan favorite ‘Dancing with the Stars’ siblings (Julianne and Derek Hough), return to the Florida Theatre with their all-new stage show “Move – Beyond- Live On Tour.”  They will be joined by the Move Company Dancers for group performances in styles ranging from ballroom, tap, salsa, hip-hop and everything in between.

May 17- 8pm — The Head and The Heart
Their hit songs: “Lost In My Mind,” “Rivers and Roads,” and “Down In The Valley” helped indie folk rockers, The Head and The Heart, go from playing open mic nights to selling out concert venues across the U.S. They are touring in support of their third studio release Signs of Light.

May 21- 8 p.m. — George Thorogood and The Destroyers
The high-energy boogie blues of George Thorogood and The Destroyers has produced the classic hits: “Who Do You Love,” “I Drink Alone,” “One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer,” “Move It On Over,” and “Bad To The Bone.”

May 22 – 8 p.m. — Todd Rundgren: White Knight- The Chiva Rock Tour
Todd Rundgren’s four-decade career as a singer / songwriter has produced such classic songs as: “Hello It’s Me,” “I Saw the Light,” “Can We Still Be Friends” and “Love is the Answer.”  He is touring in support of his latest release “White Knight.”

May 25- 7:30 p.m. — Jacksonville Jazz Fest Piano Competition
Five finalists will compete for the title of 2017 Jacksonville Jazz Piano Competition winner. The winner receives a cash prize and the chance to perform on the Main Stage during the 2017 Jacksonville Jazz Festival.

May 26- 8 p.m. — Brit Floyd - Immersion World Tour 2017
As well as performing the favorite moments from The Dark Side of the Moon, Wish You Were Here, The Wall and The Division Bell, Brit Floyd will pay special tribute to the Animals album, with a show stopping rendition of “Dogs.”

“Florida Theatre May 2017 events”
LOCATION: Florida Theatre
      128 E. Forsyth St.
      Jacksonville, FL 32202

TICKETS: Vary with each show and seat preference.  Order online or call the box office (904) 355-2787, Monday — Friday from 9 a.m. –5 p.m.
What a great time of the year to go downtown, see some of your favorite musical groups/celebrities here in JAX and get some culture too.

'Kaleidoscope of Dance' and a piano concert at 2017 Romanza Festivale

Celebrate the art of dance during the Romanza Festivale of the Arts. Kaleidoscope of Dance will be on stage at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 9 in Lewis Auditorium at Flagler College, 14 Granada St., downtown St. Augustine.  Kaleidoscope Of Dance will perform along with other local dance groups: Noise Complaint; Flamenco Perspective; 3'N Motion; Blue World Dance Company; Dancing with Victoria; Pedro Menendez High School; Sara Camacho; SJCCA Dance at St. Augustine High School; Freddick Bratcher and Company; Honey Burton and Stephen Mahood; St. Augustine Dance Conservatory; Ancient City Sirens; and Florida School of the Arts.

Approximately 175 dancers, representing age ranges from middle school through senior citizen, will perform 18 dance numbers.  Genres include ballet, tap, ballroom, belly dance, jazz, hip hop and contemporary.  Tickets are $15 for adults, $5 for students, and free for children under 12. Tickets can be purchased in advance. Tickets also will be available at the door prior to the performance.

Marina Lomazov and Joseph Rackers will present a varied program of music for piano four hands and solo piano. Praised as a "diva of the piano" (Salt Lake City Tribune), Marina Lomazov has performed throughout the US, Europe, South America and China. She was the first pianist to be awarded the Artist Diploma at the Eastman School of Music in nearly two decades.

The piano concert will being at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, May 11 in the Cathedral Basilica, 38 Cathedral Place, downtown St. Augustin. Tickets are $25 for adults, and $10 for students. Tickets can be purchased in advance.

Praised for his "unflappable virtuosity," Joseph Rackers has performed throughout the US, Bulgaria, Canada, China, France, Germany and Spain.  Each hold the Doctor of Musical Arts Degree in Piano Performance from the Eastman School of Music and both serve on the piano faculty of the University of South Carolina School of Music.

The program spans many musical styles and expressions.  The evening will begin with a performance of the Mozart Sonata in C Major and close with three movements from Petrushka composed by Stravinsky for piano four hands.  Each artist will present a solo section which includes works by Rachmaninoff, Scriabin and Kapustin.  After the intermission, the program will continue with the “Fantasie in F minor” by Schubert and the “Dolly Suite” by Faure'.

Tamela and David Mann coming to JAX for one night only

Grammy® Award Winner and Gospel music's "IT" Girl, Tamela Mann and husband, comedian/actor David Mann, joined by the rest of the talented Mann family, bring the Mann's World Family Tour to Potters House in Jacksonville, FL.  There are many other venues across the US and there may be a location near you!

You may have seen Tamela's show-stopping performance on the 2017 Grammy® stage, or watched her receive her first Grammy® Award and second NAACP Image Award.  Fans can now join Tamela along with her husband David and the Mann Family for the year's best concert and comedy show ALL IN ONE NIGHT!

Tamela's chart-topping album, One Way is her fourth solo project and is executively produced by Tamela, husband David Mann and son David Mann Jr. In addition to David Mann, One Way is produced by the acclaimed Myron Butler.  The album's all-star guest producer credits include: Eric Dawkins, Kirk Franklin, King Logan, Shaun Martin and Timbaland.  "God Provides," written and produced by Franklin, is the sophomore single from Tamela's Billboard multi-week chart-topping No. 1 Album One Way, and held the No. 1 slot on the Billboard Gospel Radio chart for more than 13 weeks.  Her new single, "Change Me," is the highest chart debut among all her singles.

Tamela and David have been an acting duo in film, on TV and on stage for many years.  From starring in the No. 1 TV and film franchise, Tyler Perry's “Meet The Browns”, to their current television hits, the couple continues to make audiences laugh with their wholesome brand of comedy.  They currently star together in the TV One docu-series “The Manns” and Bounce TV's comedy “Mann & Wife.”

Follow the Manns on FaceBook, Twitter (@DavidandTamela) and Instagram (@DavidandTamela) or their website and make plans to see them in person.

Mann's World Family Tour JAX
Tamela and David Mann, and Family

DATE: Friday May 19, 2017
TIME: 7 p.m.

LOCATION:  Potters House
      5119 Normandy Blvd.
      Jacksonville, FL 32205

TICKETS:  General Admission start at $25 — $30 + $2 fee.  Group sales of 10 or more are, and may be purchased HERE online. ***Tickets are available online here (Best Way), At the Door, The Day of Show ($5 more) or By Phone ($1.50 additional phone processing fee) (407) 490-2547 / Mon. - Fri. (9 a.m. - 6 p.m. EST)  ***Please Allow 1 Full-Minute for the Payment to process after clicking ‘submit’ via PayPal.