Thursday, June 17, 2021

FREE Juneteenth celebration at the Cummer Museum

Courtesy: Stevenson, Cape Town/Johannesburg
 & Yancey Richardson, NY

The Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens and Florida Blue will offer free admission for all guests on Juneteenth (Saturday, June 19, 2021) as part of the ongoing “Florida Blue Free Third Saturday” program.

Admission will include access to the Museum’s current featured exhibition, ZaneleMuholi: Somnyama Ngonyama, Hail the Dark Lioness, as well as the beautiful riverfront gardens and permanent galleries. Complimentary art kits will also be available for guests to create their own works, while supplies last.

Guests are encouraged to reserve tickets in advance. For the health and safety of the community, staff and visitors, masks are encouraged and all guests are asked to observe guidelines designed for their safety.

DATE: Sat., June 19th (Juneteenth)

TIME: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.


Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens
   829 Riverside Avenue

   Jacksonville, Florida 32204
   (904) 356-6857

   Hours of Operation & Admission

Wednesday, June 16, 2021

Meet 'Robert Poller'

Poller is the Atlanta Hawks In-Arena Barber Who's a Philly Native and Huge 76ers Fan. Yes, you read that right, the Atlanta Hawks have in-arena barbers that cut in a full-scale barber shop located inside the stadium. Created in partnership with artist Killer Mike and the Hawks, the "Swag Shop" is where fans can get a fresh cut, trim their beard or get a clean shave all while hearing their barber rave about the Sixers.  Robert Poller, who was born and raised in North Philly (26th & Diamond), is now an Atlanta transplant and has been flourishing in the barber scene.

After leaving the Air Force in 99' Poller headed south to the A and his talents were quickly noticed. “It’s an interesting journey that got me to working in the Hawks arena. In 2004 I was working in College Park on the south side of Atlanta at a shop called Celebrities Only Phase II. I was introduced to Big Boi from OutKast’s younger brother Marcus and his cousin Ricky by our mutual friend Borna who worked in the record store a few doors down from the shop. I had been cutting their hair for a few weeks when Marcus said his older brother Twan wanted me to come to his house and cut his hair. When I got to his home I thought to myself “Ok this cat obviously has some money!” It wasn’t til I got in the house and seen the Grammy’s & read them I realized who I was about to cut. I guess I did a pretty good job cause he began to refer his people to me. That’s how I met Killer Mike and we got cool and been friends since. Fast forward years of hard work to Killer and the Hawks building a barber shop in the arena. He had told me when he opened it he would like me to come work there.”

So how has life been working in enemy territory especially during a heated playoff matchup? “I’m Philadelphia sports til death. My people know it so whenever the Eagles or the 76ers come through I’m always ready for the trash talk! I must say it’s different here. It’s sophisticated trash talk that usually ends up in a drink and a “see y’all next game!” We know how we get down in Philadelphia though! The trash talk might go left at any moment. I just want my Sixers to knock off these next two games and go take care of Nets!”

How long have you been cutting? How did you get into it? “Since 1999 after I got out of the Air Force. I was going to apply for a resource management position at Grady Memorial Hospital, it was what my job was in the military. The hospital said I would have to start first in the morgue. Why? I have no idea but needless to say that was the end of my career in the medical field. The shop where I would get my hair cut when I would visit ATL was hiring so that was the beginning of my barbering career. I was an apprentice under Master Barber Ireal Guy.”

What made you move to ATL? “I came to ATL the year before I got out of the military for the wedding of one of the guys I was stationed with. He was from here. I was so impressed how well Black people were living here and how many positions of power they held that I decided that I was going to step out on faith & when I got out Atlanta would be my new home.”

How did you get hooked up with the Hawks? “It’s an interesting journey that got me to working in the Hawks arena. In 2004 I was working in College Park on the south side of Atlanta at a shop called Celebrities Only Phase II. I was introduced to Big Boi from OutKast’s younger brother Marcus and his cousin Ricky by our mutual friend Borna who worked in the record store a few doors down from the shop. I had been cutting their hair for a few weeks when Marcus said his older brother Twan wanted me to come to his house and cut his hair. When I got to his home I thought to myself “Ok this cat obviously has some money!” It wasn’t til I got in the house and seen the Grammy’s & read them I realized who I was about to cut. I guess I did a pretty good job cause he began to refer his people to me. That’s how I met Killer Mike and we got cool and been friends since. Fast forward years of hard work to Killer and the Hawks building a barber shop in the arena. He had told me when he opened it he would like me to come work there”.

Where do you normally cut? “I still split time working at Infamous Kutz barber shop owned by my guy Frank (Nitti) Johnson and Killer Mike's other shop The Swag Shop on Edgewood ave. I’m only at the arena when there are games.”

Do you have celebrity clients? “Big & Killer are my celebrity clients I cut weekly but I’ve been blessed to cut actor Reno Wilson and a few other people but were talking maybe once or twice not enough times to say I’m their barber. Gods been blessing so it could be anyone tomorrow.”

How is it working in an arena vs your shop? (how many barbers are working at any given time)? “I love all three shops I’m in because each one is different and the crew and customers are all different because of the areas. The arena though is its own beast because I’m dealing with many different races from different place who want different styles and it lets me showcase my talent on a grander scale. We have a staff of 4 barbers and the arena.”

Do your customers give you a hard time rooting for the Sixers? “Of course! That’s what they’re supposed to do! I love it cause I’m Philadelphia sports til death. My people know it so whenever the Eagles or the 76ers come through I’m always ready for the trash talk! I must say it’s different here. It’s sophisticated trash talk that usually ends up in a drink and a “see y’all next game!” We know how we get down in Philadelphia though! The trash talk might go left at any moment. I just want my Sixers to knock off these next two games and go take care of Nets!”

Do you see the Sixers going all the way? Your predictions? “You’re not a fan if you DON’T see your teamuuuyygoing all the way! We have the pieces! We have the coaching but most of all we have the heart!!! Predicting Sixers & Suns in the finals! Sixers in 7! The Eagles bought one home a few years ago now it’s the Sixers time for some hardware!!!”

How is it cheering for the home team at ATL's arena? Do you find other Sixers fans you cheer with? “It’s all fun! I can hear the other fans in the building & that’s enough for me cause I’d do it dolo if there wasn’t anyone else! IDGAF Me Against the World!!!”

  Best Regards,
  Hector Nuñez, Founder – President Wooderice.com

Updates on some JAX Broadway shows


FSCJ Artist Series Broadway in Jacksonville 55th Anniversary Season has rescheduled their Performance Dates.

The FSCJ Artist Series has exciting news! Broadway is coming back to the Times-Union Center and it was worth the wait. They have been able to reschedule four of the five Broadway season package shows originally announced for the current season.

“Fiddler on the Roof”, “Come From Away”, “Dear Evan Hansen”, “Cats”, and a season special “Hamilton”, are rescheduled to new dates and are joined by the long-awaited show “Anastasia”. They hope to reschedule “Mean Girls” for a future season.

FSCJ Artist Series thanks you for your patience and they’re excited to welcome you back this September for this incredible season of shows.

“I am pleased to announce it is our 55th season of presenting outstanding Broadway entertainment on the First Coast,” said Dr. Milt Russos, executive director of the FSCJ Artist Series, Broadway in Jacksonville. We have an incredible season scheduled that begins in September with the eagerly anticipated Hamilton. We can’t thank our subscribers enough, for their continued patience and support. The 55th season promises to be a memorable one.”

Programming Changes:
Hamilton - September 1-12, 2021 (Season Special)
Fiddler on the Roof - November 2-7, 2021
Come From Away - December 7-12, 2021
Dear Evan Hansen - January 25-30, 2022
Cats - February 22-27, 2022
Anastasia - March 29 - April 3, 2022

Ticket Link: fscjartistseries.org.

For information about the Safety Protocols at the Times-Union Center, please click this link: FSCJ Artistseries/Safety-And-Security-Protocols.

LOCATION: Times Union Center Performing Arts
      
Moran Theater
      300 West Water St.
      Jacksonville, FL 32202
      (904) 632-5000


‘The Price is Right Live’ comes back to the Times Union

The show was last in JAX back in March of 2017. The Times-Union Center will play host once again toThe Price is Right Live™ stage show.

The Price Is Right Live™ is a sellout interactive stage show that gives eligible individuals the chance to "Come On Down" and play classic games made famous by the iconic network television show, The Price is Right™. Contestants can win cash, sought-after appliances, epic vacations and, of course, a brand-new car by playing favorites like Plinko™, Cliffhangers™, The Big Wheel™ and the fantastic Showcase!

Showing to sold-out audiences for more than a decade and counting, The Price Is Right Live™ has given away over 12 million dollars in cash and prizes to lucky audience members all across North America.

The Price is Right™ remains network television’s #1 daytime series and the longest-running game show in television history. As a beloved piece of American pop culture, Price and its games are cherished by generations of viewers. This live travelling stage show version offers fans the chance to make dreams come true and relive feelings of nostalgia, while experiencing the same thrilling excitement of winning big, up close, locally and in-person.

For more information, follow The Price Is Right Live™ on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram.

*The safety of our guests, cast and crew remains paramount. In addition to any state, local and venue-specific protocols, The Price Is Right Live™ will have its own COVID-19 protocols in place.

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Open to US & Canada legal residents, 18+ (Residents of PR & Quebec ineligible to participate as contestants). For complete rules & regulations, including eligibility requirements & free method of entry, visit or call the box office. Sponsored by Good Games Live, Inc. Void where prohibited. Price is Right: ®/© FremantleMedia Netherlands. 2021.  All Rights Reserved.

The Price Is Right LIVE!
DATE: Oct. 23, 2021
TIME: 8 p.m.

TICKETS: can be purchased online 24/7. Price is Right special VIP packages; Spin the Big Wheel and Super Fan Packages are SOLD OUT

LOCATION: Times Union Center Performing Arts
      
Moran Theater
      300 West Water St.
      Jacksonville, FL 32202
      (904) 632-5000

‘ASM’ expands partnerships


ASM Global, the world’s leading producer of entertainment experiences, today announced an extension of their agreement with Ticketmaster to continue serving industry-leading digital ticketing technologies to many of ASM’s premiere North American stadiums, arenas, convention centers and performing arts facilities.

ASM’s venues produce a vast array of events with partners ranging from professional sports to family entertainment and premier concerts with the world’s top promoters including AEG and Live Nation. ASM Global is also expanding its relationship with Ticketmaster by enabling the company to conduct ticket sales for Live Nation-promoted shows at other ASM Global venues throughout North America.

The partnership will give the more than 8 million fans that come to ASM’s venues each year easy access to the most sought-after live experiences in the U.S. and Canada. Ticketmaster is focused on creating solutions that help venues and event operators make the event-going experience easier for fans. With digital tickets, fans receive the benefits of state-of-the-art venue access with contactless entry, mobile box office support, instant transfer when sending a ticket to a friend or selling it to another fan, as well as anti-counterfeiting features, which eliminate ticket fraud by using an encrypted barcode that refreshes automatically every few seconds. Ticketmaster’s foundation of digital ticketing enables the rollout of regular upgrades and innovations.

ASM Global President and CEO Ron Bension said, “With amazing content in all of our venues as a powerful foundation, we continue to discover imaginative new methods that leverage breakthrough technologies to create unparalleled consumer journeys including innovative food and beverage and premium VIP treatment for fans. Aligning with industry leaders like Ticketmaster is a critical component in providing millions of people with the most seamless and secure live experiences.”

“ASM is our largest partner in North America, and we are proud to grow our great work together,” said Michael Rapino, president and CEO, Live Nation Entertainment. “We are committed to supporting ASM’s efforts to provide fans with best-in-class ticketing and fan-engagement now and into the future."

Ticketmaster’s Live Analytics dashboard will enable ASM to build stronger relationships with its fans. The analytics platform will provide ASM with insights and tools for better fan engagement across events of all kinds.

“We are committed to helping ASM deliver world-class events where the ticketing process elevates the entire fan experience,” said Mark Yovich, president, Ticketmaster. “Like Ticketmaster, ASM cares deeply about the customer journey and the value of building strong relationships with fans from the moment they purchase a ticket to well after the event ends.”

About Ticketmaster: Ticketmaster is the world’s largest ticket marketplace and the global market leader in live event ticketing products and services. Through official partnerships with thousands of venues, artists, sports teams, festivals, performing arts centers and theaters, Ticketmaster typically processes more than half a billion tickets per year across more than 30 different countries. Ticketmaster’s headquarters are based in Hollywood, California, and is a part of Live Nation Entertainment (NYSE: LYV).

About ASM Global: ASM Global is the world’s leading producer of entertainment experiences. The company was formed by the combination of AEG Facilities and SMG, global leaders in venue and event strategy and management. The company’s elite venue network spans five continents with a portfolio of more than 300 of the world’s most prestigious arenas, stadiums, convention and exhibition centers, and performing arts venues. From Aberdeen to Anchorage and Sydney to Stockholm, its venues fuel live entertainment worldwide.