Music, beer and BBQ at the Florida Theatre for a cause

The historic, nonprofit Florida Theatre will soon host its annual summer party, “Blues, Brews and BBQ”.   The annual event, presented by Publix Supermarket Charities, pairs some of Jacksonville’s favorite local craft beers with some of the city’s best locally- owned BBQ restaurants.  BBQ samples, sponsored by KPMG, will be located throughout the Theatre in both the main and mezzanine lobby areas. BBQ providers are Gilbert’s Social, Mojo Urban BBQ & Whiskey Kitchen No.4, Monroe’s Smokehouse, Wicked Barley Brewing Company, Atlantic Beach BBQ and BONO’s BBQ.

Throughout the evening, patrons can enjoy live continuous blues music by The Snacks Blues Band and Beale Street.  A robust silent auction, valued at more than $11,000, includes theme park tickets, hotel stays, dining packages and one-a-kind, signed Florida Theatre memorabilia.

“There is a natural alliance between the Florida Theatre, one of our city’s premier arts institutions, and the best crafts professionals working in our city’s culinary arts’ community,” said Florida Theatre President Numa Saisselin. “For $50.00 you get all the local craft beer you can drink and all the local BBQ you can eat, plus four hours of continuous live Blues music by two of our city’s best Blues bands… and it all benefits the historic, nonprofit Florida Theatre.”

Guests will enjoy unlimited craft beer provided by Wicked Barley Brewery, Bold City Brewery, Veterans United Brewery, 7 Bridges Grille & Brewery, Intuition Ale Works, and River City Brewing Company.  Brown & Brown Insurance and CK Direct are this year’s brew sponsors.  New this year, Nothing Bundt Cakes, will provide sweet treats for patrons to enjoy.

DATE: Thurs., Aug. 23, 2018
TIME: 5:30 p.m. until 7:30 p.m.

TICKETS: VIP tickets are $100.00, and include early access at 4:30pm to the Friends Lounge where ticketholders can sample unlimited BBQ and craft beer. VIP ticket holders can also enjoy a private cash bar and easy restroom access.  General admission tickets are $50.00 and include BBQ and craft beer sampling from 5:30pm – 7:30pm.  All ticket sales benefit the nonprofit Florida Theatre. Tickets can be purchased at floridatheatre.com.

“Florida Theatre”
 128 E. Forsyth St.
 Jacksonville, FL 32202
 (904) 355-2787

Fall gallery features three artists in Orange Park, FL

Thrasher-Horne Center announces it’s 2018 Fall Gallery Exhibit with three artists:  Cuban Renaissance artist Ciro Quintana, natural and landscape acrylic artist Sophie Dentist and local versatile photographer John Woods.  Each artist will have work featured in the Lee Adams Florida Artist Gallery from August 1 through October 19.  The Thrasher-Horne Center Galleries are open to the public Monday through Friday from 10 AM to 3 PM and during select events.  Private sales appointments are also available upon request.

New this season is Thursdays @ Thrasher a free event offering a fun-filled evening of artistic exploration, including question and answer sessions with each of the gallery featured artists, multiple creative vendors in the lobby, food, music and giveaways. Held three times a year, the first event will be held Thursday, August 23 from 5:30 PM to 8 PM.

Ciro Quintana has been a major figure in Cuban art over the last thirty years. His work is part of a legendary generation of artists that have emerged in Cuba during the early 1980s with the so-called Cuban Renaissance or New Cuban Art movement. Quintana is also founder of the Puré Group which revolutionized both Cuban Art and the most innovative art produced in Latin America during those years. His work depicts social facts and history through graphic novel, pulp art and scenes from old movies as paintings on canvas and in collages. His work is part of prestigious collections such as the National Museum of Fine art in Havana, Ludwig Forum for international Arts in Aachen, Germany, Peter Ludwig Collection in Cologne, Germany, the Museum of Leipzig, Germany, the Museum of Modern Art of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, the Museum of Pori Taiden, and Finland.  Since 1993, Quintana resides in Miami, Florida.

Sophie Dare is a UGA trained artist, textile designer, and business development consultant.  Her varied background in the 90’s includes special needs parenting, homeschooling, while creating a business as a muralist in Ponte Vedra Beach – a prolific experience of capturing exotic gardens, foliage and wildlife aesthetics to transform a home with hand-painted art.  After a traumatic loss in 2002, of their oldest son (8), Joshua, her art was purposed in healing and she began to get invitations to speak, sharing her art, and message of comfort at over 20 women’s conferences.  She was featured in NE Florida galleries and Press from 2006-2010, with most of her works aligned with charitable causes.  After several years in and out of the corporate world, she began her at-home studio in 2015 and became licensed with Art Trends-Prestige, via the Furniture Market for many of her “Back Home” Farmhouse and Coastal works.  She now balances her time between working part-time with Mercy Support Services – a charity that focuses on displaced and homeless families, and challenging herself in the creative process with her Art Business.  Her current art focuses on the organic beauty of nature and slow life in the south.

John Woods is local a professional photographer and teacher.  In recent years, Woods has gone back to traditional film photography using large format cameras and developing prints in a darkroom.  His goal is to capture on film the simple things in life we take for granted so that others may enjoy. Wood’s passion for photography began at the age of 13 when he acquired a 35mm German camera. His love for photography has been lifelong and he has worked in multiple aspects of it including portraiture, wedding, commercial, events, and art. “I truly love being able to capture images of timeless beauty of a subject.”

LOCATION: The Thasher-Horne Ctr.
      St. Johns River State College
      283 College Drive
             Orange Park, FL 32065

‘PAW Patrol Live!’ where X Barks the Spot in JAX

All paws on deck! Nickelodeon and VStar Entertainment Group present PAW Patrol Live! “The Great Pirate Adventure,” an action-packed, music-filled production. The heroic pups from the top-rated animated preschool series PAW Patrol, produced by Spin Master Entertainment, embark on a pirate-themed adventure to uncover hidden treasure during the hit live stage show, playing at the Times-Union Center for the Performing Arts.

In PAW Patrol Live! “The Great Pirate Adventure,” Mayor Goodway is getting everything shipshape for a big Pirate Day celebration in Adventure Bay.  When Cap’n Turbot falls into a dark and mysterious cavern, it’s PAW Patrol to the rescue! Chase, Marshall, Rubble, Skye, Rocky and Zuma save Cap'n Turbot and discover a secret pirate treasure map that leads them on an epic adventure. Over land and on the high seas, the pups set out to find the treasure for Mayor Goodway so the celebration can go on.  Things get ruff when Mayor Humdinger wants to find the treasure first for Foggy Bottom.  The pups need all paws on deck for this pirate adventure, including help from the newest pup who’s all ears…Tracker! Using their heroic rescue skills, problem solving and teamwork, the pups set sail to save the day. No job is too big, no pirate pup is too small!

PAW Patrol Live! “The Great Pirate Adventure” follows the first live show PAW Patrol Live! “Race to the Rescue,” now in its third season. PAW Patrol Live! “The Great Pirate Adventure” includes two acts and an intermission, and incorporates an innovative costume approach to help bring the pups to life on stage. The performance is interactive, encouraging audiences to learn pirate catchphrases, dance the pirate boogie and help the pups follow the treasure map and solve picture puzzles during their mission!

  “PAW Patrol Live!”
“The Great Pirate Adventure”

DATES:       TIMES:
Sat., Aug. 11, 2018  10 a.m. & 2 p.m.
Sun. Aug. 12     10 a.m. & 2 p.m.

LOCATION: Times Union Center Performing Arts
      Moran Theater
      300 West Water St.
      Jacksonville, FL 32202

TICKETS: $22.58, $26.58 and $37.58. A limited number of $53.58 Gold Circle and $127.58 V.I.P. (Very Important Pup) Packages* are also available. Ticket prices include a $2.58 facility fee. Additional fees and special offers may apply. Tickets are available at the Times Union Center for the Performing Arts Box Office, by phone at 800-745-3000, or at any of the Tom Bush Family of Dealerships Box Office.
*V.I.P. Package features premium show seating, a commemorative lanyard, and an after-show Meet & Greet with PAW Patrol Live! walk-around characters.

About the venues: SMG Jacksonville manage seven sports, entertainment, and convention venues on behalf of the City of Jacksonville. Their beautiful venues include: TIAA Bank Field, home of the Jacksonville Jaguars, Florida-Georgia, the TaxSlayer Bowl and Monster Jam.  Daily’s Place, a 5,500-seat amphitheater with concert programming year-round and an indoor practice facility for the Jacksonville Jaguars.  The Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena, showplace of such entertainment greats as Kenny Chesney and Jimmy Buffett and home to the Arena Bowl XXIV Champions Jacksonville Sharks, the ABA Jacksonville.

Sports Complex Parking and Traffic Alert for Games

On Thursday, August 9, 2018 high attendance is anticipated in and around the Downtown Sports Complex due to coinciding Jacksonville Jaguars and Jumbo Shrimp games.  Please plan routes accordingly and allow extra time for travel and parking, remembering work day traffic can contribute to additional delays. Specific shuttle and parking information is available below.

Please note that the Main Street and Acosta Bridges will have lane closures starting at 8 p.m. Thursday night, potentially causing egress delays.

GAME DETAILS
New Orleans Saints vs. Jacksonville Jaguars Pre-Season Game at 7 p.m. (All gates open at 5 p.m.)
Mississippi Braves vs. Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp at 7:05 p.m. (Gates open at 6 p.m.)

JTA SHUTTLES
Anyone coming to the Sports Complex Thursday night is encouraged to use the JTA Gameday Xpress Shuttle, operating from two downtown locations and two suburban locations. Service begins two hours before kickoff and operates one hour after the game ends. The JTA also offers continuous shuttle service during the game to and from the Convention Center Lot only. Season pass and single game shuttle tickets are available now. For more information about riding JTA, please contact the JTA’s customer service line at (904) 630-3100, Florida Relay at 800-955-8771, or visit www.jtafla.com .

PARKING
Jacksonville Jaguars
All regular game day lots are open and operational, except for the Old St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church Lot.
Please ensure your hangtags are visible when entering the complex.
Jumbo Shrimp
The Jumbo Shrimp have communicated directly with any parking pass holders that are being relocated on Thursday night. Please ensure your passes are visible when entering the complex.
For the general public, cash sales parking is available throughout the complex at the Fairgrounds, Maxwell House, Historical Society, Tailgaters Parking, Arena and Sports Complex garages, and other open-air lots.

‘Kiss Me-Kate’ has familiar cast

Photos Courtesy: Jamie Iames

The music of Cole Porter is a little bit too old and dated for this Bogger, yet Christopher Sanders* (Fred Graham & Petruchio) brought appreciation for the evening with his sultry baritone voice.  If you’re a regular attender of the Alhambra Theatre & Dining, you may remember him from famed shows such as: “Man of La Mancha,” “South Pacific,” & “Annie Get Your Gun.”  You might also have purchased one of his CD’s from a prior show.

Another actor who brought the musical “Kiss Me, Kate” to life was Darryl Reuben Hall* (Paul) who brought his high kicks, unmistakable singing (“Too Darn HOT”) and dancing flare to the stage.  You may also recall recently seeing Darryl in “Five Guys Named Moe,” & “The WIZ.”  

Two actors who added comedy to the performance were the First and Second Gangsters, Joshua McKinney and Joey Swift.  These guys were hilarious.
* Denotes Actors Equity Association Member

About My Menu Choices:
First Course Chilled cucumber bisque with shrimp & dill; Caprese salad with diced tomatoes, mini mozzarella balls, pesto, balsamic glaze.  Both ar very delicious and very appetizing.
Second Course: Southern Style Pepper Steak with rice, gravy, and vegetables. The steak was tender and only needed a little addition of condiments.  House made rolls with slightly salted butter is always a favorite.
Third Course: Key Lime Pie.

We will be looking forward to the fall showing of “Do Patent Leather Shoes Really Reflect Up?”  Order your tickets today and we’ll see you on Gala Night .

“Kiss Me, Kate”
DATES: August 1 — September 9, 2018

SUMMER SHOW TIMES: Evening shows Tuesday through Sunday start at 7:50 p.m.  Doors open at 6 p.m., and dinner is served until 7:30 p.m.  Saturday Matinees begin at 1:15 p.m.  Doors open at 11 a.m. and the brunch served until 12:50 p.m.  Sunday Matinees are at 1:50 p.m.  Doors open at 12 p.m. and the meal is server until 1:30 p.m.

DRESS: “Business Casual” or “Sunday Best”.

TICKETS: Prices range from $38 – $64.  Ticket prices include: a plated dinner served to your table, a Broadway-style performance and prime parking.  Group sales of 20 + are available upon request.
    **Price does NOT include gratuity, professional photos, or orders from the bar**

LOCATION: Alhambra Theater & Dining
       12000 Beach Blvd.
       Jacksonville, Florida 32246
       (904) 641-1212