‘Cirque Musica Holiday Spectacular’ in JAX before Christmas

The Florida Theatre is thrilled to announce the must-see holiday event of the season that will bring joy and excitement to our theater like never before. Cirque Musica Holiday Spectacular will be showing for one breathtaking performance on Wednesday, December 15, 2021

Cirque Musica Holiday Spectacular is an all-new production featuring some of the greatest holiday songs of all time performed with the world-renowned cast of Cirque Musica.

Audiences will be amazed by the acrobats, aerialists, hilarious hijinks and holiday cheer. The show blends the spellbinding grace and daredevil athleticism of today’s greatest circus performers with the holiday classics we all love.

Treat your family to a VIP Experience and enjoy a red-carpet entry where you will be greeted by several members of Cirque Musica, a keepsake photo, plus each VIP ticket includes a $30 credit toward any Cirque Musica merchandise and a special edition VIP lanyard.

Cirque Musica Holiday Spectacular is the perfect opportunity for the entire family to experience great holiday music while enjoying an edge of your seat circus experience. Create memories you will cherish forever at Cirque Musica Holiday Spectacular.

Cirque Musica is produced by TCG Entertainment. Visit their Website, Facebook, or Twitter for more information.

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 Theatre’s official website, floridatheatre.com.

 “Cirque Musica
Holiday Spectacular”

DATE: Wed., Dec. 15, 2021

TIME: 7:30 p.m.

TICKETS: $28.50 – $68.50

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

‘Legacy on Ashley Street’ needs you

Are you thinking about an end-of-the-year place to make a 2021 tax free donation? Please take a moment to consider giving to the “Clara White Mission” in Jacksonville, Florida.

From the desk of Ju’Coby Pitman (CEO Clara White Mission/City Councilwoman):
“This November will mark 119 years of service to the community. To celebrate this milestone the Clara White Mission will kick-off the Inaugural “Preserving the Legacy on Ashley Street” to benefit our programs serving the homeless, veterans and low-income families. Starting now through December 31, our goal is to raise $150,000. All proceeds and contributions from this campaign will allow the Clara White Mission to continue changing lives through our holistic sustainable initiatives.

We invite you to make visible difference and commit to a Legacy Gift. In the upcoming year, support from the campaign will provide 160,000 daily meals, snacks, vocational training, and safe secure housing to the homeless. The Clara White Mission is much more than a soup kitchen, it is a community development center that positively impacts lives. Our motto Food for today. Skills for life, represents our continuing transformation as a one-stop safety-net facility.

A yearly or monthly commitment will enable the Mission to continue outreach efforts that provide a hand up, not a hand out to homeless, veterans, and low-income members of our community. Can we count on you too for a Legacy Gift?

Ways to Give: Mail in Form; Online, or give them a call (904) 354-4162 ext.#1105

Since the inception of the Clara White Mission vocational program, over 1000 students have graduated and 65% of those were placed in employment. In the last four years from 2017-2020, graduates of the CWM program earnings have ranged from $10.00-$18.00 per hour, impacting our community economy by more than $1.7M.

Clara White Mission is the only non-profit in the state of Florida that offers transitional and permanent housing with supportive services, combined with on-site vocational training licensed by the Florida Department of Education. This program is a one-stop facility, demonstrating proven best practices and a successful track record.

Our goal is to raise $150,000. All proceeds and contributions from this campaign will allow the Clara White Mission to continue changing lives through our holistic sustainable initiatives. Join us in our efforts to Preserve the Legacy of Ashley Street by sending a gift that will make an immediate impact.”

LOCATION: Clara White Mission
       Ju’Coby Pittman/CEO
      613 West Ashley St.
      Jacksonville, Florida 32202
      Office: (904) 354-4162

'The Hip Hop Nutcracker' soars into The Florida Theatre

Everything old is new again. Tchaikovsky’s 129-year-old ballet is reimagined as a holiday dance spectacle in The Hip Hop Nutcracker,   arriving at The Florida Theatre on December 12, 2021 at 7 p.m.

The production features hip hop pioneer Kurtis “The Breaks” Blow, the first rapper to be signed by a major label in 1979. 42 years and a heart transplant later, this hip-hop founding father is still performing as MC of The Hip Hop Nutcracker. Kurtis Blow is the music pioneer who created “Christmas Rappin’” and “The Breaks” and he’s hitting the road this holiday season. Preview the action HERE.

A cast of a dozen all-star dancers, an on-stage DJ and an electric violinist turn the beloved score on its head. The 31-city tour kicks off in San Diego, California on November 6, 2021 before stops in Oakland, St. Louis, Miami, Atlanta, New York City, and Boston.

“Through the isolation of the pandemic and for me, personally, the gift of receiving a new heart, it is time to hope again,” says Kurtis Walker, known professionally as Kurtis Blow. “And the season of hope is Christmas.” On December 6, 2020, he had a heart transplant that has given him a new life.

Blow has paved the way for generations of hip-hop artists and fans after scoring the first certified gold record rap song in 1980, “The Breaks.” He was also the first rapper to sign to a major label. Blow is also responsible for “Christmas Rappin’, the perennial first rap holiday song.

“It’s incredible for me to meet fans, and their kids, and their kids’ kids who love hip hop music,” says Blow. “It reminds me of how The Nutcracker brings people of all ages together too. I hope everyone makes holiday memories for a lifetime when they come to our show.”

Just like the classic Nutcracker story, in The Hip Hop Nutcracker Maria-Clara and the Nutcracker prince go on a dream adventure battling a gang of mice, visiting the land of sweets and learning the lessons of the holiday season. Innovative digital graffiti and visuals transform the landscape of E.T.A. Hoffmann’s beloved story from traditional 19th Century Germany to the vibrant, diverse sights and sounds of a colorful and contemporary New York City. Through the modern, self-expressive gaze of hip-hop culture, the dynamic performers of The Hip Hop Nutcracker celebrate the magic of the entire holiday season on the most inclusive holiday of them all - New Year’s Eve, a time for new beginnings.

For more information about The Hip Hop Nutcracker, visit Website. Follow The Hip Hop Nutcracker on Facebook, Instagram (@hiphopnutcracker), and YouTube; #HipHopNutcracker.

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 Theatre’s official website, floridatheatre.com.

“Hip Hop Nutcracker”

DATE: Sun., Dec. 12, 2021

TIME: 7 p.m.

TICKETS: $37.50 – $59.50

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

Three Non-Profits, join forces for Christmas!

It happens tomorrow - Tuesday, December 22, 2020; 10 a.m., at 215 Bethel Baptist Street, Jacksonville, FL. The Bethel Church presents the “Christmas Food Giveaway” in partnership with the Clara White Mission and Farm Share. The three non-profits will host a “Holiday Drive-Thru Food Giveaway”, three days before Christmas, to ensure 1000 families are served.

 No walk ups will be allowed.

Together, this collaboration will assist families in need and will help alleviate hunger by distributing groceries and other non-perishable items to families, children, seniors and individuals.  During this urgent time of need, the safety-net of the church and community agencies are standing in the gap, to ensure that food and resources are available just in time for Christmas.

Jane Lynch and Friends Swingin’ Into JAX this Christmas Season

Tickets are available right NOW!  The Ritz Theatre and Museum is getting in the Christmas Spirit a little early this year! “A Swingin’ Little Christmas! Live in Concert starring Jane Lynch” and featuring Kate Flannery, Tim Davis, and The Tony Guerrero Quintet is coming to Jacksonville on Monday, December 17, 2018 at 7 p.m.  Want to see if the concert will be coming to a place near you?  Click HERE!

Join Emmy and Golden Globe award-winning singer, actress and comedian, Jane Lynch, as she rings in the holidays with songs from her unapologetically sentimental and nostalgic Christmas album A Swingin’ Little Christmas.  Recalling the classic Christmas albums of the 1950s and ‘60s, the performance is ripe with fresh takes on classic carols, nostalgia-inspired originals, clever jazz arrangements, and tight vocal harmonies.  From fun and lighthearted to deep and even serious musical moments, A Swingin’ Little Christmas! Live in Concert is sure to delight audiences with poignant and hilarious takes on holiday favorites!

Jane Lynch is an Emmy and Golden Globe winner for her portrayal of Sue Sylvester on Glee and she is currently the two-time Emmy Award-winning host of NBC's Hollywood Game Night. Film credits include Wreck-It Ralph, Julie & Julia, Christopher Guest’s For Your Consideration, A Mighty Wind, and Best In Show, as well as Walk Hard Talladega Nights, The 40 Year Old Virgin and so many more!  In 2015, Jane embarked on her own live concert tour, See Jane Sing with Kate Flannery, Tim Davis and The Tony Guerrero Quintet.  Their holiday album, A Swingin' Little Christmas is available from iTunes, Amazon and other outlets.

Kate Flannery is best known for her nine seasons as Meredith the drunk, on NBC’s The Office. Recent TV appearances include New Girl, American Housewife, Another Period and Brooklyn Nine Nine.  Kate is currently Jane Lynch’s sidekick in her anti-cabaret act, See Jane Sing having played the Kennedy Center, Joe’s Pub and 30 cities across the country.  Her original cult comedy lounge act, the Lampshades regularly plays comedy festivals and in and around Hollywood.

Tim Davis has been singing and touring for the past three years in See Jane Sing.  Tim’s music producing and singing credits include: all six seasons of Glee, ABC’s Boy Band, the feature film Love Is Afoot, Lady Gaga’s Super Bowl 2017 halftime show, Pentatonix Christmas, Barbra Streisand’s 2017 concert tour, Jane Lynch’s Swingin’ Little Christmas, The People’s Choice Awards, Josh Groban’s Stages, Childish Gambino, the feature film Beauty and The Beast, TV's The Americans, and The Goldbergs.

The Tony Guerrero Quintet has been a staple of the Southern California jazz scene for many years.  Featuring Tony Guerrero (trumpet and piano), Matt Johnson (drums), Mark Visher (woodwinds), Dave Siebels (keyboards) and David Miller (stand-up bass), they are currently touring the country with See Jane Sing with Jane Lynch, Kate Flannery and Tim Davis.  This past Christmas they released their holiday album A Swingin' Little Christmas that landed a spot in the top twenty of the Billboard charts.  The single Winter's Never Cold (an original Tony Guerrero composition) went to #8 on the Billboard charts. The album is available on iTunes.

     Jane Lynch presents:
“A Swingin’ Little Christmas! Live in Concert”

Date: Monday December 17, 2018
Time: 7 p.m.

Tickets: Vary from $34 (General Admission), to $54 (VIP meet and greet) and may be purchased HERE

Location:
    The Ritz Theater
    829 N Davis St.
    Jacksonville, FL 32202
    (904) 807-2010

'Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens' presents ‘Champagne & Shopping’

The Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens presents its annual Champagne & Shopping event from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursday and Friday, December 7 and 8 at the Cummer Shop.  Guests will enjoy holiday music, complimentary champagne, and appetizers, as well as 20% discounts on every purchase, in addition to regular member discounts.  Champagne & Shopping offers a unique opportunity to purchase holiday gifts while also supporting the mission of the Museum.

This year the Cummer Shop is excited to host brands such as: Amelia Toffee Company, Not your Grandma's toffee; Brackish: Original feather bow ties; Italianissimo: Very Italian modern design jewelry; Los Angeles Trading Co: Lifestyle branded items; Melissa & Doug: Toys to ignite the imagination; Mierco: Fine European linens; Museum Coffee House: Brew your next masterpiece; Oberon: Adornments by Lynn Soloway; Tourance: Lush & lavish personal accessories; Wolf & Cub: Cool curiosities; and much, much more!

For further information, please contact the Cummer Shop at shop@cummermuseum.org, call (904) 899-6035 or follow #ShopTheSeason on Facebook and Instagram for previews of exciting merchandise and details!  Purchases made during the event will support the Cummer Museum’s ongoing mission to engage and inspire through the arts, gardens, and education.

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

Thrasher-Horne Center has Holiday Shows for the entire family

Having a difficult time getting ready for Christmas?  Want some Stocking Stuffer ideas for your Christmas list?  The Thrasher-Horne Center is featuring two shows set to put Northeast Florida in the holiday spirit.  “A Garfield Christmas” takes the stage first on Friday, December 8th with a school time matinee at 10:30 a.m. and a family performance at 7 p.m.  To keep the spirit flowing, on Sunday, December 10 at 3 p.m., “3 Redneck Tenors Christmas Spec-tac-YULE-ar” guarantees silly laughs and favorite Christmas tunes.

In A Garfield Christmas, everyone’s favorite feline is a few gifts short of true Christmas spirit. But with the help of Jon, Odie, the Audience, and his new holiday friends, Garfield gets an enlightening lesson.  This lively holiday musical features timeless Christmas favorites such as “Jingle Bells", “We Wish You a Merry Christmas”, “Deck the Halls", plus four original songs.  Sing along as Garfield’s new friends including: Nutcracker, Rag Doll, Teddy Bear, and even Angel from the top of the Christmas tree all work together to bring light to Garfield’s Christmas. A Garfield Christmas comes alive with a talented cast and crew gathered from across the country.

The 3 Redneck Tenors are packing their festive mullets and dashing through the snow just in time for some down-home Christmas cheer! These real-life Broadway and Opera stars are ready to rock Northeast Florida with a deep-fried feast of musical delights. Beginning in the trailer park and ending on a Broadway stage, the audience will be treated to familiar Christmas classics including “Sleigh Ride,” “White Christmas,” “I’ll Be Home for Christmas,” “Santa Baby,” “Santa Claus is Coming to Town,” “Blue Christmas,” “O! Holy Night,” “Winter Wonderland,” “Jingle Bells,” and “Silent Night.”  Plus Christmas spoofs like: “Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer,” “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus” – and a few other great surprises, too!

“A Garfield Christmas” &
“3 Redneck Tenors Christmas Spec-tac-YULE-ar”
DATES: Fri. Dec.8, 2017 & Sun. Dec. 10

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

TICKETS: for A Garfield Christmas range in price from $19 to $39 for the 7 PM show and are available online at THcenter.org. Family 4-Packs of tickets are also available.  Tickets for the school time matinee must be reserved through the Box Office at (904) 276-6815 ext. 1.

TICKETS: for the 3 Redneck Tenors Christmas Spec-tac-YULE-ar range in price from $29 to $69 and are available now through the Thrasher-Horne Center Box Office, by phone at (904) 276-6815 or online at THcenter.org.

The Thrasher-Horne Center is a performing arts venue and conference center owned and operated by St. Johns River State College.  It is located on the Orange Park campus at 283 College Drive in Orange Park, Florida.

Clara White Mission assists those in need during Christmas

Clara White Mission, Radio Station V101.5/93.3, The McGowan Chiropractors, Councilman Reggie Brown, Jacksonville Brotherhood of Firefighters, along with over 200 local Greek Sororities and Fraternities, will host the “21st annual December to Remember Christmas Party”, dedicated to lifting the spirits of 5 deserving families.  This year over 60 applications were submitted to the Clara White Mission for consideration, by local schools and community organizations.

Recently, five deserving families were selected for the 21st December to Remember and their heart felt compelling stories are being read and shared with V101.5/93.3 radio listeners for two weeks.  The caring people listed above will celebrate the five families with a special luncheon prepared by Ashley Street Catering.  Each family will be provided with their Christmas “Wish List” items, their own personal Santa Claus, a limo ride to the event courtesy of Susie’s Limo, entertainment by recording artists, Alja’ Kamillion, and an afternoon filled with holiday cheer.  In addition, there will be a surprise gift presented to each family by McGowan Chiropractors.

One of the Stories from last year: “I was missed diagnosed and found out, on last December that I had stage 4 cancer.  For the past 11 months, my life and financial situation has been unstable.  After chemo, I am weak and in pain most of the time.  My 5-year-old doesn’t understand what has happen to me. All she knows is that we can’t play like we use to.  My health has caused many medical bills that I can never afford.  It’s Christmas and there’s no money to live on - I’m broke.   It saddens me a lot that I can’t buy household supplies when I need them.  I have to decide, if I’m going to pay the electric bill or do the laundry.  Life is not supposed to be this difficult.  I will be glad to see another Christmas to be with my daughter, I just wish I can purchase the things to make her happy this holiday season.”

21st December to Remember
DATE: Sunday, December 18, 2016
TIME: 1 – 3 p.m.

LOCATION: The Legend Community Center
      5130 Soutel Drive
       Jacksonville, FL  32208

     Clara White Mission
       Ju’Coby Pittman/CEO
      (904) 354-4162 (for more information)

Card or no card - it’s still Christmas

 This isn’t a new subject, but traditions have changed in our household after time.  Usually I try to Christmas cards ready to send out on Thanksgiving Day.  As the years have pass, fewer people reciprocate and send cards to our home.  Could it be the cost of stamps?  Could it be that people are too busy?  Could it be that people really don’t want to communicate?  Whatever the reason, remember that Jesus always was and always will be the reason for this Holiday Season.

Things have changed over the years and I get more joy by putting together an album of the Christmas photos that people from our past send to us.  Of course, there doesn’t have to be a picture enclosed in Christmas cards, but it’s so nice to see how other families grow.  Come to think about it, I use to add a Christmas letter in my cards, but that ceased years ago.

Whatever you decide to do, keep praying for your friends (past, present and future); as you remember that Jesus is the true reason for this holy holiday season.  Merry Christmas to you and your family and God Bless Us Everyone!

Christmas card – why?

Why send Christmas cards?

To read more – get the book: “Bent But Not Broken” by Ms. "V" (Victoria Thomas Poller)

If you like Ms. “V”s Blog, come read her weekly columns on The Examiner.com: Christian Living and Events pages.

NEW!  Top 5 Google Areas to Ms. "V"s Website for Nov. 30 – Dec. 15, 2015 are:

   • Moscow, Russia

   • Republic of Bashkortostan, Russia

   • Jacksonville Beach, Florida

   • Yulee, Florida

   • Arcata, California

Ms. “V” WELCOMES ALL the new countries to her site.

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Happy Holiday, What happened to Merry Christmas?

 It’s time to go shopping once again, and this is a conversation that you might  hear one day:

“Good afternoon, I’d like to buy a Happy Holiday gift.”

“For what occasion Sir?”

“It’s a Happy Holiday gift for my wife.”

“Do you want a Valentine, Birthday, Anniversary, St. Patrick’s or a New Year’s day gift; or are you looking for an Easter, Mothers, Cinco de Mayo, Independence day, Labor day, Columbus, Thanksgiving, Halloween, Daylight Savings, Veterans, Hanukkah or a Kwanza gift?”

“No, none of those - I want a Happy Holiday gift.  People use to call it, uh, Christmas, yeah, that’s it – Christmas.  I want a Happy Holiday/Christmas Gift.”

Are we coming toward this type of department store conversation in the future?  Is there soon to be a day when we’ll have a separate departments in stores that run all year long, contains nativity sets, heart shaped boxed chocolates, shamrocks, bunnies, crosses, specialty foods, menorahs, turkeys, flags, pumpkins and fire crackers.  It would be the largest department in the entire store, well-stocked and well-staffed establishment; open all year long and available for your Happy Holiday needs.

If you’ve noticed, some of the above mentioned holiday names have been changed (and not to protect the innocent).  Why do we “mess with a good thing”?  Christmas is understood in many different languages.  Many websites would have to change their domain names if we were to replace Christmas with Holiday.  Are we to replace popular Christmas movies and Christmas songs with the words “Happy Holiday”?  Try it.  It doesn’t work.

Well, Merry Christmas and remember to keep CHRIST in the masses.

The Gift

It wasn’t given to you on Christmas, because we don’t wait to express ourselves on just one day; and besides that — it’s Jesus’ birthday and not yours.

It wasn’t given on Valentine’s Day, because we love you all year long.

It wasn’t given on St. Patrick’s Day, because we, as Christians, don’t believe in ‘luck’.

It wasn’t given on your Birthday, because we’re glad that God had a purpose just for you on that day; you were born and that was special enough.

It was given because of the love that God instills in us to be obedient when He calls us to bestow blessings to someone, and to give that ‘gift’ whenever He asks us to bless someone.

(Excerpt – “Where Did That Come From?-Revised” by Ms. “V”

To read more – get the book: “Bent But Not Broken” by Ms. "V" (Victoria Thomas Poller)

If you like Ms. “V”s Blog, come read her weekly columns on The Examiner.com: Christian Living and Events pages.

NEW!  Top 5 Google Areas to Ms. "V"s Website for Nov. 17 – Nov. 30, 2015 are:

   • Moscow, Russia

   • Stavropol Krai, Russia

   • Clarksville, Tennessee

   • Altamonte Springs, Florida

   • Yaroslavl Oblast, Russia

Ms. “V” WELCOMES ALL the new countries to her site.

***To be notified of biweekly highlights, click the “Join This Site” button above***