🎶‪”We Shall Overcome Someday...black and white together someday”.🎵 “How long-not long”-MLK

It looks like we take one step forward and are driven two steps back. I looked into the eyes of a white police officer the other day (while donning my mask 😷) and he looked the other way.  I’ve gotten use to being kind and waving to the police as a way of saying “thank you for your service”, yet now, I must be cautious for not being misunderstood.

I have white friends and wonder if they will be a little standoffish when we see or speak with each other because they can’t see my facial expression through my 😷 (and Yes, I will continue to protect you and me with my mask). It’s an uneasy situation. 

I am reminded of a story that I wrote years ago “ToTo - Where Are We? (http://ow.ly/TtMO30qKmls), things are not the same as it was before. This is a #NewAbnormal.

I haven’t been led to make a comment on this situation until today. I too have a grown Son, and I pray for his safety. I pray that he won’t be a wimp or a wuss, but that he has the wisdom & grace to stay alive if he is confronted by the law. 

Yes, we should be upset that all this racial negativity is happening during this COVID-19 pandemic, yet we need to realize that evil is still lurking on this earth and violence and looting are NOT the answer. Those who committed a crime should be punished by the full extent of the law. #DoTheRightThing #PrayForPeaceAndUnderstanding #LibertyAndJusticeForAll. #CautiousButNotCrazy, #WiseYetHarmless, #WashYourHands, 

#FactsNotFear, #PrayedUp, #StaySafe, #FaithOverFear, #FactsAndFaith,

#TBR (Trust,Believe, Receive - from God)

‘Little River Band’ and ‘Lords of 52nd Street’ coming

The Florida Theatre is pleased to announce the return of classic rock hit-makers “Little River Band” with special guest “Lords of 52nd Street” to the Theatre on Saturday, March 6, 2021.  Florida Theatre members at the Ensemble Level and above can order tickets today.  Members of the Florida Theatre E-Club can use their code word to order tickets.  Tickets for Little River Band with special guest Lords of 52nd Street are now on sale.

Founding member of The Eagles, the late Glenn Frey, dubbed Little River Band “the best singing band in the world.”  Through the 1970s and 1980s, Little River Band enjoyed huge chart success with multiplatinum albums and chart topping hits such as: “Reminiscing,” “Cool Change,” “Lonesome Loser,” “The Night Owls,” “Take It Easy on Me,” “Help Is on Its Way,” “Happy Anniversary,” “We Two,” “Man On Your Mind,” “The Other Guy,” and “It’s a Long Way There.”

Little River Band made their American radio debut on WAIV in Jacksonville in 1976.  WAIV programmer Bill Bartlett, who was a huge fan of Australian rock and roll, was the first to play their now-classic song “It’s A Long Way There” on American radio.

Little River Band’s worldwide album, CD sales and digital downloads now top 35 million, and they were the first band to have Top 10 hits for six consecutive years.  According to BMI, “Reminiscing” has garnered rare status with over 5 million airplays on American radio, and “Lady” is close behind with over 4 million airplays.

The Lords of 52nd Street are the Legendary Original bandmates who recorded and toured the world for many years with the “Piano Man,” Billy Joel.  They helped to create one of the most recognizable sounds in music, recording the sax, drum and guitar solos on over 150 million albums sold.  They’ve performed all over the world for decades with Joel, in addition to having successful personal careers.

Led by Richie Cannata on tenor saxophone, Liberty DeVitto on drums and percussion, and Russel Javors on rhythm guitar, Lords of 52nd Street created a sound that helped change the face of music.  They’ve worked individually with multi-platinum artists, lending their talents to some of the greatest musicians in the world.  After over 30 years apart, the band reunited in 2016 and haven’t missed a step with their awe-inspiring performances.

The historic, nonprofit Florida Theatre is sponsored by Community First Credit Union. For a complete list of upcoming events or to buy tickets visit the Florida Theatre’s official website.

°°°°°“Little River Band”
special guest “Lords of 52nd Street”
DATE: Sat., March 6, 2021
TIME: 8 p.m.
TICKETS: $79.50, $59.50 and $39.50

LOCATION: The Florida Theatre
      128 East Forsyth Street.
      Jacksonville, FL 32202
      (904) 355-2787

Virtual camp at the Cummer Museum starts soon

The Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens will debut a virtual summer camp experience for young artists, starting June 15, 2020.  Advance registration is required at cummermuseum.org/camp.

The 2020 camp schedule begins with elementary school camp (for students entering grades 1 through 6), which will run Monday through Friday, 8:15 a.m. to 3:15 p.m.  Campers can register for up to six themed weeks, which include:

• June 15 through 19: Rhythm, Pattern and Balance

• June 22 through 26: Land, Water and Sky

• July 6 through 10: Artful Animals

• July 13 through 17: Sculpt It

• July 20 through 24: Art Around the World

• July 27 through 31: Line, Shape and Color

A week-long middle school camp (for students entering grades 6 through 9) will be held July 27 through 31, focusing on printmaking and mixed media.

“This evolution of our popular camp programming provides a way for students to stay creative, while staying safe, this summer,” said Kim Kuta-Dring, Director of Education of the Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens.  “Young artists will have the opportunity to observe and explore artwork in the galleries and gardens through live online sessions, experiment with different art media and showcase their creations in a virtual open house each week.”

Each camp day will include two hours of virtual class, time for campers to work on projects alone, one-on-one and small group time with an instructor and a 45-minute concluding session each day.  All campers will need access to an internet connection and a computer (laptop or desktop), tablet or smartphone.  Class sizes will be limited to 20 campers per class, with campers grouped by grade range.

Registration fees are $100 per week for Museum members and $115 per week for non-members, which include camp art kits containing all necessary materials and supplies for the week’s activities.  A limited number of scholarships are available; details can be found at cummermuseum.org/camp.

Details about future educational programs and classes for children and adults will be released in the coming weeks, upon confirmation of the Museum’s reopening plans.

Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens
  829 Riverside Avenue
  Jacksonville, Florida 32204
  (904) 356-6857

Motown legends ‘The Temptations and The Four Tops’ coming to JAX

The Florida Theatre proudly welcomes the return of Motown legends, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame members and GRAMMY Lifetime Achievement Winners “The Temptations and The Four Tops” to the Theatre on Friday, January 22, 2021.  Florida Theatre members at the Ensemble Level and above can order tickets today.  Members of the Florida Theatre E-Club can use their code word to order tickets.  Tickets for The Temptations and The Four Tops are on sale now.

The Temptations, often referred to as “American Music Royalty,” are world-renowned superstars of entertainment, revered for their phenomenal catalog of music, and prolific career.  Named the “#1 R&B/Hip Hop Artists of All Time” and one of the “125 Greatest of All Time Artists” by Billboard Magazine, as well as one of the “100 Greatest Artists of All Time” by Rolling Stone Magazine, the group is truly a beloved “National Treasure.”

The Temptations are currently the subject of the smash hit Broadway musical, “Ain’t Too Proud,” which opened on March 21, 2019.  The musical won the Tony Award for Best Choreography at the 73rd Tony Awards at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on June 10, 2019 and has captivated thousands of theater-goers during sold-out performances.

The Temptations, throughout the group’s evolution, have produced 53 Billboard Hot 100 Hit singles, including four that became No. 1 Pop singles: “My Girl,” “I Can’t Get Next To You,” “Just My Imagination,” and “Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone.”  Additionally, they released 43 Top 10 R&B hit singles, 14 of which were No. 1 R&B hits, including timeless classics such as: “Ain’t Too Proud to Beg,” “Beauty Is Only Skin Deep,” “I Wish It Would Rain,” and songs influenced by their funk and psychedelic soul sound including: “Happy People,” and “Shakey Ground.”  The group also has 16 No. 1 R&B Albums.

The Temptations are the recipients of numerous awards and honors.  They have won four GRAMMY Awards, including being honored with the Recording Academy’s Lifetime Achievement GRAMMY Award in 2013.  The Temptations were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1989.  Blockbuster No. 1 hits “Just My Imagination,” “Papa was a Rollin’ Stone,” and “My Girl” are among the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s “500 Songs That Shaped Rock and Roll.”

The Four Tops, originally called the Four Aims, made their first single for Chess Records in 1956, and spent seven years on the road and in nightclubs, singing pop, blues, Broadway, but mostly jazz—four-part harmony jazz.  When Motown’s Berry Gordy Jr. found out they had hustled a national Tonight Show appearance, he signed them without an audition to be the marquee act for the company’s Workshop Jazz label.  That proved short-lived, and Stubbs’ powerhouse baritone lead and the exquisite harmonies of Fakir, Benson, and Payton started making one smash after another with the writing-producing trio Holland-Dozier-Holland.

Their first Motown hit, “Baby I Need Your Loving” in 1964, made them stars and their sixties track record on the label is indispensable to any retrospective of the decade.  Their songs, soulful and bittersweet, were across-the-board successes.  “I Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch),” a No. 1 R&B and Pop smash in 1965, is one of Motown’s longest-running chart toppers; it was quickly followed by a longtime favorite, “It’s The Same Old Song”.  Their commercial peak was highlighted by a romantic trilogy: No. 1 “Reach Out I’ll Be There,” “Standing In The Shadows Of Love” and “Bernadette” —an extraordinary run of instant classics.  Other Tops hits from the decade included: “Ask The Lonely,” “Shake Me, Wake Me (When It’s Over),” “Something About You,” “You Keep Running Away,” “7-Rooms Of Gloom” and their covers of “Walk Away Renee” and “If I Were A Carpenter.”

In 1990, with 24 Top 40 pop hits to their credit, the Four Tops were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame.  For Rolling Stone’s 2004 article “The Immortals – The Greatest Artists Of All Time,” Smokey Robinson remembered: “They were the best in my neighborhood in Detroit when I was growing up (and) the Four Tops will always be one of the biggest and the best groups ever.  Their music is forever.”

The historic, nonprofit Florida Theatre is sponsored by Community First Credit Union.  For a complete list of upcoming events or to buy tickets visit the Florida Theatre’s official website.

“The Temptations &
°°°°The Four Tops”
DATE: Fri., Jan. 22, 2021
TIME: 8 p.m.
TICKETS: $87.50, $67.50 and $47.50

LOCATION: The Florida Theatre
      128 East Forsyth Street.
      Jacksonville, FL 32202
      (904) 355-2787

Cummer Museum of Arts and Gardens COVID-19 update

The Coronavirus is taking a toll on everyone all over the world and the Cummer Museum has been affected as everyone, nonetheless, they are preparing for your safety and your next visit.  Let’s read what’s in store for you when you visit once again.

Hello Museum Members and Friends!

“The Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens is working hard on reopening plans to welcome you back soon. Our goal is to create the safest and best visitor experience that is centered around the highest quality works of art and historic gardens that are accessible and fun for everyone.  As we continue to work toward finalizing a timeline for when we can safely reopen our doors, please be assured that we have been developing an extensive plan which implements the highest-level health and safety protocols to greet you. Our reopening phases will include the Gardens, followed by a full campus reopening.

• We are reviewing guidance from government and public health officials on a daily basis and are also in contact with other museums throughout the country. 
• We have produced a detailed analysis of each space within the Museum and Gardens, indicating the appropriate capacities based on social distancing guidelines.
• We have secured services from a renowned local healthcare provider to perform healthcare monitoring for our employees for the pre-opening phase and beyond. 
• We have ordered a multitude of Personal Protection Equipment to include face masks for staff and visitors, hand sanitizer stations, plexiglass guards for the lobby area, and more.
• We have expanded our daily cleaning and sanitation policies for all common areas and surfaces according to CDC and OSHA guidelines.
• We are adapting our onsite summer camp to a virtual camp to ensure a safe, fun, and engaging experience for all campers that is consistent with local and federal health guidelines. Click here to learn more.

·         We will continue to share updates on our plans as they are finalized and look forward to announcing our opening date. In the meantime, we encourage you to explore our digital resources and online experiences at cummermuseum.org/engage.

Stay tuned, and we look forward to seeing you at the Museum soon!”

Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens
   829 Riverside Avenue
   Jacksonville, Florida 32204
   (904) 356-6857
   

Get out or stay in with Alhambra dining

Join the iconic Alhambra Theater for dinner while enjoying live piano music from their Baby Grand Piano.  You'll enjoy the romantic and quiet ambiance only the Alhambra can provide while enjoying the amazing cuisine of their award-winning Executive Chef, DeJuan Roy.  Come dine-in this Fri., May 29 – Sun., May 31, 2020 from 4 - 7 p.m.; Just $28 per person.
Check out their menu below, and book your reservations today.

DINE IN MENU:
Fri., May 29: First Course: Chopped Salad with tomatoes, red onions, cucumbers, cheddar cheese, bacon bits, thousand island dressing.  Second Course: (Choice of One) Seafood Cakes with shrimp, fish, and camp, lemon aioli, rice pilaf, roasted asparagus. OR Shepherd's Pie with ground beef and lamb, brown gravy, mashed potatoes, green peas. OR Old-Fashioned Chicken & Dumplings, OR Potato Gnocchi with spring peas, roasted vegetables, heirloom tomatoes, pesto, parmesan cheese.  Third Course: German Chocolate Cake.

Sat., May 30: First Course: Chopped Salad with tomatoes, red onions, cucumbers, cheddar cheese, bacon bits, thousand island dressing.  Second Course: (Choice of One) Medallions of Pork Tenderloin with pork gravy, duchess potatoes, succotash, OR Chicken Parmesan with spaghetti, broccolini, garlic bread, OR Old-Fashioned Chicken & Dumplings OR Potato Gnocchi with spring peas, roasted vegetables, heirloom tomatoes, pesto, parmesan cheese.  Third Course: Dreamsicle Crème Brûlée.

Sun., May 31: First Course: Chopped Salad with tomatoes, red onions, cucumbers, cheddar cheese, bacon bits, thousand island dressing.  Second Course: (Choice of One) Fried Catfish with baked cheese grits, coleslaw OR Slow-Roasted Leg of Lamb with demi-glace, roasted potatoes, Brussels sprout slaw OR Old-Fashioned Chicken & Dumplings OR Potato Gnocchi with spring peas, roasted vegetables, heirloom tomatoes, pesto, parmesan cheese.  Third Course: Strawberry Cream Cheesecake.

Call the box office at (904) 641-1212 to make your reservations today.  Hurry - for your safety, seats are limited!  Price does not include taxes or gratuity.  Reservations may be made in the box office only until Noon Friday - Sunday, or based on availability.

TAKE OUT MENU:
Family-Style Meal. 
Fri., May 29 – Sun., May 31 (4 servings).  Old-Fashioned Chicken & Dumplings with dessert of apple cranberry walnut pie.  $55.

Entrée Options for Fri., May 29 (1 serving/each).  Seafood Cakes with shrimp, fish, and crab, lemon aioli, rice pilaf, and roasted asparagus, with dessert of German Chocolate Cake OR Shepherd’s Pie with ground beef and lamb, gravy, mashed potatoes, and green peas, with dessert of German Chocolate Cake OR Potato Gnocchi, spring peas, roasted vegetables, heirloom tomato, pesto, parmesan cheese, with dessert of German Chocolate Cake.  $20 each.

Entrée Options for Sat., May 30 (1 serving/each).  Medallions of Pork Tenderloin with gravy, duchess potatoes, succotash, with dessert of Dreamsicle Crème Brûlée OR Chicken Parmesan, spaghetti, broccolini, garlic bread, with dessert of Dreamsicle Crème Brûlée OR Potato Gnocchi, spring peas, roasted vegetables, heirloom tomato, pesto, parmesan cheese, with dessert of Dreamsicle Crème Brûlée.  $20 each.

Entrée Options for Sun., May 31 (1 serving/each).  Fried Catfish, baked cheese grits, coleslaw, with dessert of Strawberry Cream Cheesecake OR Slow-Roasted Leg of Lamb with demi-glace, roasted potatoes, Brussels sprouts, with dessert of Strawberry Cream Cheesecake OR Potato Gnocchi, spring peas, roasted vegetables, heirloom tomato, pesto, parmesan cheese, with dessert of Strawberry Cream Cheesecake.  $20 each.

One more round of Quarantunes!  Celebrate what looks like it might be the end of Quarantine with one more round of the Alhambra’s special presentation of previous shows, they’ve lovingly (and cleverly) called Quarantunes!  Sit back and take one more little break from all that's going on in the world and enjoy this week's video.  Click here for more Quarantunes!

Placing Your Order: The Alhambra invites you to call-in or place your order online.  Orders may be placed any time prior to Noon on the day of pickup.  Curbside service continues next week Friday and Saturday from 3:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. and Sunday from 12 - 5 p.m.  When you arrive to pick up your order using the drive-through drop off area in front of the theater, a service member will deliver your food straight to your car - fresh, hot and ready to go!  Their service staff appreciates any gratuity offered.

To place your order, CLICK HERE or call the Box Office at (904) 641–1212 to order.

Separate orders required for each day. Menu subject to change, based on availability.  Photos are not exact representation of meal.  Question?  Please give them a call! They are there to help.

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