Events at the Cummer for the month of April 2019

It’s Springtime, but it still may feel like Autumn (not cold enough to call it Winter, nonetheless, you will be comfortable as the guest in or outside of the Cummer Museum this month.  There is so much going on and you and your family will have a lot to do.  Get your calendar and list the activities that interest you.

Florida Blue Free Tuesday - Each Tuesday Evening from 4 to 9 p.m. | Free | No registration required.  Every Tuesday, 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. Each Tuesday evening, the Cummer Café is also open for Tapas Tuesday sponsored by Vystar Credit Union.

Tapas Tuesday - Each Tues. Evening from 5 to 8 p.m. | The Cummer Café | Reservations recommended.  Take in the sunset while listening to local musicians with beer, wine, or artfully inspired tapas for sale at the Café. Reserve your table by calling 904.899.6022.

The Harlem Renaissance: Lecture & Book Signing with Wil Haygood - Tues., Apr 2 | 6:30 to 8 p.m. | Members $30, Non-Members $40 | Registration required.
Schedule of evening:
6:30 to 7:30 p.m. - Lecture and Q&A
7:30 to 8 p.m. - Book Signing

Weaver First Saturday Free For All - Sat., Apr. 6 | 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. | Free | No registration required.  The first Saturday 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.  For further information, please call 904.899.6038.

Augusta Savage: Renaissance Woman Closing Celebration - Sat, Apr 6 | 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. | Free | No registration required (with the exception of lectures).  Join the museum for a free, family-friendly, closing celebration for Augusta Savage: Renaissance Woman with live music, a lecture and book signing with New York Times bestselling Author Vashti Harrison, with an original spoken word performance directed by Yvette Angelique Hyater-Adams. Dr. Jeffreen Hayes, the Curator of Augusta Savage: Renaissance Woman, will be at the Museum during the closing celebration for one last look before the exhibition leaves for its next venue.  For further information, please call 904.899.6038.

Little Leaders: Bold Women In Black History - A Lecture And Book Signing With Vashti Harrison - Sat., Apr. 6 | 11 a.m. to Noon OR 2 to 3 p.m. | Free | Registration required.  Vashti Harrison will host a free lecture and book signing for her “New York Times” bestselling children’s book “Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History”.  Based on her popular Instagram posts from Black History Month 2017, the book features 40 biographies of African-American women who helped shape history, including Augusta Savage.  A collection of Harrison’s illustrations from the book are currently on display in the Bank of America Concourse at the Museum.  The lecture will be held in the Hixon Auditorium, followed by the book signing in the Cummer Museum Lobby.  Books are available for purchase from the Cummer Shop.  For further information, please call 904.899.6038.

Bank Of America And Merrill Lynch Museums On Us - Sun., Apr. 7 | 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 further information, please call 904.899.6038.

Free Tuesday: Experience The Crime Of Art - Tues., Apr. 9 | 4 to 9 p.m. | Free | No registration required.  Enjoy themed items in the Café and visit the Cummer Shop to find gifts for your favorite partner in crime.
6 p.m. - Take a family-friendly interactive tour of Kota Ezawa: The Crime of Art through fun activities that incorporate close observation and group conversation.  The tour will start at the entrance of the exhibition.
7 p.m. – Our evening guided tour will be on Kota Ezawa: The Crime of Art. The tour will start at the entrance of the exhibition.

Family Tour - Kota Ezawa: The Crime Of Art - Tues., Apr. 9 | 6 p.m. | Free | No registration required.  Since crime does not pay, we are hosting a Night of Crime Evening on our Free Tuesday!  Enjoy themed items in the Café and visit the Cummer Shop to find gifts for your favorite partner in crime.  At 6 p.m., take a family-friendly interactive tour of Kota Ezawa: The Crime of Art through fun activities that incorporate close observation and group conversation. The tour will start at the entrance of the exhibition.

Captivating Caper: A Mystery Dinner Party - Thurs., Apr. 11 | 6 to 9 p.m. | Registration required.
Single Dinner:
VIP | $250
General | Members $150, Non-Members $175
Young Professionals (40 and under) | Members $100, Non-Members $125
Captivating Caper/Soirée Bohème Bundle:
VIP | $450
General | Members $275, Non-Members $325
Young Professionals (40 and under) | Members $185, Non-Members $235

Take a step into a world of intrigue while experiencing Kota Ezawa: The Crime of Art.  Whether you come dressed as a dapper detective or a busy burglar, this festive fête is sure to delight.  There will be thrilling melodies and eats, and a tantalizing case to solve. Hats, monocles, and (non-smoking!) pipes encouraged.  An evening filled with so much fun it’s almost criminal!  For further information or to register, please call 904.899.6038.

Art Fundamentals: Acrylic Painting - Wed., Apr. 17 through May 29 (except May 1) | 1 to 4:30 p.m. | Members $180, Non-Members $210 | Registration required.  Ages 18 and up.  Instructor Allison Watson introduces painting to beginning students and strengthens the skills of intermediate painters. Learn composition for landscape and still life, color theory, and techniques in acrylic.  Participants may sign up for multiple sessions.  Supplies are not included.  For further information, please email or call 904.355.0630.

Talks & Tea: Permanent Collection - Wed., Apr. 17 | 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. | Members Free, Non-Members $10 | Registration required.  You are invited to the Museum to enjoy an insightful talk on works of art from our permanent collection over a cup of tea and a sweet treat.  For further information or to register, please call 904.899.6038.

Art Adventures: Printmaking - Sat., Apr. 20 | 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. | Members $10, Non-Members $15 | Registration required.  Ages 6 through 12.  Join the museum on the third Saturday of each month for studio classes.  In this class students will explore the art of printmaking and how it can be utilized to create multiple, identical works of art.  Students will view diverse examples in the galleries and employ printmaking techniques in the studio.  Class size is limited.  For further information, please email or call 904.355.0630.

Family Open Studio: Spring Has Sprung - Sun., Apr. 21 | 1 to 3 p.m. | Free with admission | No registration required.  Free art-making activity in the Art Connections studios for all ages!  Visitors will create cards inspired by spring using a variety of different mediums.  For further information, please email or call 904.355.0630.

Art For Tots: Spring In The Garden - Sat., Apr. 27 | 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. | Members $10 per pair, Non-Members $15 per pair | Registration required.  Ages 2 & 3 with an adult.  Join the Cummer for this monthly program that helps develop a child’s sensory and motor skills through art, movement, music, and storytelling.  In this class children will explore the gardens and look at the different shapes and colors in the natural world. In the studio, children will use nature to create unique pictures.  Entry is through Art Connections.  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

Alhambra 50-year commemorative book available

Charles Day

If you’ve ever wanted to see what the Alhambra Theater & Dining was/and is all about, you now have the opportunity to see pictures, read stories and browse beyond the iconic walls of this historic dinner theatre.  Just in time for the Christmas holidays, this colorful “Alhambra Theatre and Dining, 50 Years of Memories” hardback coffee table book, will be a wonderful addition to any home.

Ted Johnson and Craig Smith

On Tuesday December 13, 2016, writer/author Charles Day was on hand, at the Alhambra, to autograph copies of his commemorative book.  It was truly amazing how people would come up and ask him if he recalled a moment in time, when that particular person made history doing something funny or was one of the original servers at the establishment.  Charles knew exactly where in the book, that the incident had been recorded, and he was able to point each story out to those random individuals.

Chef DeJuan Roy and Tod Booth

The next person who was there for the celebration was founder and visionary - Ted Johnson.  In late July of 1967, Mr. Johnson shared his insight with partner, George Ballis.  It took the two men only 152 days to bring their dream into fruition.  Johnson is such a go-getter that he decided to go skydiving to celebrate his 80th birthday over an October 2015 weekend.

Ms. "V and her book

Also present was another owner/actor and current producer/director - Tod Booth.  Tod has overseen the growth of the theater and remains devoted to the Alhambra.  Booth’s ultimate dream was to establish a new Alhambra that could seat 600 persons in the dining and banquet facility.  He has overseen many famous actors/actresses and developed many newcomers to the art of theatre.  Tod even found his bride, Lisa Valdini, who continues to grace the stage in some presentations.

It wouldn’t be a Dinner Theater without an Executive Chef and in 2011, Chef DeJuan Roy brought delectable dishes, service delivered to your table, and meals that never need any additional condiments.  He added gluten-free selections to every show, as he expounded on each show’s theme.  Gone is the cafeteria, self-serve style,  as elegance and variety has been added.

Tod, Ms. "V" and Craig

Current Managing Partner/Owner, who took over in 2009, is now the backbone of the Alhambra Theater and Dining.  He had first gone to the Alhambra as a teenager, an occasion worthy of family photographs (still made available for your memorable pleasure) that become keepsakes.  That’s how big a deal that a night at the theater use to be, and Smith wanted it to be a big deal again; and it truly is a big deal today.

Last, but not least is the many people who make things happen behind the scenes.  When you get the book, you’ll be reminded that it takes a village to make a prosperous dinner theater.  So many beautiful pictures, so many stories and so much history, you’ll be drawn into the pages of this memorable escapade from fifty years and the journey continues.