‘ZZ TOP’ will be in JAX before Christmas

WOW! It's ZZ Top in JAX

Can you believe that this iconic group will be in Jacksonville, Florida for one fun loving memorable night? The Florida Theatre is pleased to announce that rock legends “ZZ Top” will perform at the Florida Theatre on Sunday, November 14, 2021.

ZZ Top a/k/a “That Little Ol’ Band From Texas,” lay undisputed claim to being the longest running major rock band with original personnel intact and, in 2004, the Texas trio was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Of course, there are only three of them – Billy F Gibbons, Dusty Hill, Frank Beard -- but it’s still a remarkable achievement that they’re still very much together after almost 50 years of rock, blues, and boogie on the road and in the studio. “Yeah,” says Billy, guitarist extraordinaire, “we’re the same three guys, bashing out the same three chords.” With the release of each of their albums the band has explored new ground in terms of both their sonic approach and the material they’ve recorded. ZZ Top is the same but always changing.

It was in Houston in the waning days of 1969 that ZZ Top coalesced from the core of two rival bands, Billy’s Moving Sidewalks and Frank and Dusty’s American Blues. The new group went on to record the appropriately titled ZZ Top’s First Album and Rio Grande Mud that reflected their strong blues roots. Their third, 1973’s Tres Hombres, catapulted them to national attention with the hit “La Grange,” still one of the band’s signature pieces today. The song is unabashed elemental boogie, celebrating the institution that came to be known as “the best little whorehouse in Texas.” Their next hit was “Tush,” a song about, well, let’s just say the pursuit of “the good life” that was featured on their Fandango! album, released in 1975. The band’s momentum and success built during its first decade, culminating in the legendary “World Wide Texas Tour,” a production that included a longhorn steer, a buffalo, buzzards, rattlesnakes and a Texas-shaped stage.  As a touring unit, they’ve been without peer over the years, having performed before millions of fans through North America on numerous epochal tours as well as overseas where they’ve enthralled audiences from Slovenia to Argentina, from Australia to Sweden, from Russia to Japan and most points in between.  Their iconography – beards, cars, girls and that magic keychain – seems to transcend all bounds of geography and language.

ZZ Top’s music is always instantly recognizable, eminently powerful, profoundly soulful and 100% Texas American in derivation. The band’s support for the blues is unwavering both as interpreters of the music and preservers of its legacy. It was ZZ Top that celebrated “founding father” Muddy Waters by turning a piece of scrap timber than had fallen from his sharecropper’s shack into a beautiful guitar, dubbed the “Muddywood.” This totem was sent on tour as a fundraising focus for The Delta Blues Museum in Clarksdale, Mississippi, site of Robert Johnson’s famed “Crossroads” encounter with the devil. ZZ Top’s support and link to the blues remains as rock solid as the music they continue to play. They have sold millions of records over the course of their career, have been officially designated as Heroes of The State of Texas, have been referenced in countless cartoons and sitcoms and are true rock icons but, against all odds, they’re really just doing what they’ve always done. They’re real and they’re surreal and they’re ZZ Top.

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.

“ZZ Top”

DATE: Sun., Nov. 14, 2021
TIME: 8 p.m.
TICKETS: $49.50 – $125

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

‘Marty Stuart’ coming to The Florida Theatre

The Florida Theatre is pleased to announce that Grammy-winning country singer “Marty Stuart and His Fabulous Superlatives” will perform on Thursday, November 11, 2021

With legends like George Jones, Johnny Cash and Merle Haggard all passed on, country music purists often echo the question Jones himself asked: “Who’s going to fill their shoes?” The answer, in part, is Marty Stuart.

While he’s too gracious to admit it himself, the Grammy-winning singer, songwriter and musician is living, breathing country-music history. He’s played alongside the masters, from Cash to Lester Flatt, who discovered him; been a worldwide ambassador for Nashville, Bakersfield and points in between; and safeguarded country’s most valuable traditions and physical artifacts. Including its literal shoes: Stuart counts the brogan of Carter Family patriarch A.P. Carter and an assortment of Cash’s black boots among his vast collection of memorabilia.

But most importantly, Stuart continues to record and release keenly relevant music, records that honor country’s rich legacy while advancing it into the future. Way Out West, his 18th studio album, hits both of those marks. Produced by Mike Campbell (of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers), the album is a cinematic tour-de-force, an exhilarating musical journey through the California desert that solidifies Stuart as a truly visionary artist.

When it comes to transforming country songs into tangible experience, Stuart has a secret weapon: the Fabulous Superlatives. Made up of guitarist Kenny Vaughan, drummer Harry Stinson and new member, bassist Chris Scruggs, the Superlatives are an extension of Stuart himself.

“The Superlatives are missionaries, they’re fighting partners. They’re my Buckaroos, my Tennessee Three, my Strangers. They’re my legacy band and have been since Day One,” says Stuart.

Along with the playing of Mike Campbell, who contributed guitar, B-3 organ and piano, the Fabulous Superlatives are all over Way Out West and ensure that the mystical detours Stuart explores always remain of the moment.

As Stuart himself will tell you, he often ventures off the reservation – in a way, his entire career has been “way out west.” While other artists chased popular trends in the name of radio play, he formed complete bodies of work, not unlike the greats he idolized. Way Out West is just the latest embodiment of that creative mission.

“I would play this record for Hank Williams, Merle Haggard or Ernest Hemingway and never bat an eye,” says Stuart. “There’s something in there that would entertain each of them.”

But Stuart also made Way Out West for those who come after. As he sees it, there is no greater responsibility in music than to share what you’ve learned.

“Lester Flatt saw something in me and gave me his wisdom, wit and music. Johnny Cash was my best friend. But all of that doesn’t come for free. The job is to pass it along,” says Stuart, stretching out his arms. “That’s the way it’s supposed to be in country music.”

  “Marty Stuart &
His Fabulous Superlatives”

DATE: Thurs., Nov. 11, 2021
TIME: 8 p.m.
TICKETS: $39.50 - $55

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

Florida Theatre prepares to reopen with New Seating

The Florida Theatre is pleased to announce that the theatre’s famous “Ghost Seat” has returned safely home after being refurbished as part of the theatre’s current seating renovation. The Florida Theatre “Ghost Seat” was discovered in 2010 when the CW17 show Local Haunts conducted a paranormal investigation of the theatre, and captured images of a ghostly apparition of a man sitting in the balcony, in Section 500, Row E, Seat 2. Steve Christian, who led the team, called it, “The Holy Grail of paranormal investigation.”

This attracted the interest of the SyFy Channel show Fact or Faked, who conducted their own paranormal investigation. Using Infrared cameras, thermal imaging, and EVP recorders, they heard noises and discovered heat signatures in two places in the orchestra section, and in the very balcony seat where Steve Christian’s apparition appeared. Their conclusion? They found “zero proof” that the Local Haunts video was faked.

Psychics routinely report a presence in the balcony. Jill Cook-Richards, a psychic consultant to a 1997 WJCT Public Television production claimed that a male ghost spoke to her, and said he wanted to be called “J” for Joy, which is what he felt for the theatre. “He said he didn’t need a name from his past, that he wanted a name for his future,” said Cook-Richards. She also reported that J, or perhaps Jay, was there to protect Joe Collier, then the building’s maintenance manager. This has led some to speculate that Jay was a former building manager himself.

This fall, as the Theatre moved forward with plans to install brand new, historically-accurate seating, it was decided that the “Ghost Seat” and its companion seat (Section 500, Row E, Seat 1) would be the only seats in the Theatre to be restored, refurbished and reinstalled. “We did not want our ghost to be homeless if his or her seat went away permanently. They are the only two seats being restored. Every other seat is being replaced,” said Florida Theatre President Numa Saisselin.

The “Ghost Seat’ and its companion seat were refurbished in Grand Rapids, Michigan by Irwin Seating Company, a world leader in the design and manufacture of theatre seating. These special seats returned to the Theatre this week and will be reinstalled just in time for the Theatre’s long-awaited reopening this December.

The Florida Theatre’s first event in December is Big Bad Voodoo Daddy’s Wild and Swingin’ Holiday Party on Wednesday, December 9 at 8:00 p.m. Tickets can be purchased by visiting floridatheatre.com or by calling the box office at 904-355-ARTS (2787). All of the December events at the Florida Theatre will be limited-capacity, with public health measures in place. Patrons can visit online for the most up to date information on The Florida Theatre’s safety protocols and general updates.

About the Florida Theatre: From ballet and opera to contemporary pop, jazz, rock, country and blues the nonprofit Florida Theatre offers 200 cultural and entertainment events annually for every taste and age. More than just an entertainment center, Florida Theatre is also home to graduations, awards ceremonies, lectures, business meetings and charity events that support the community's schools, churches, hospitals and civic groups. As an anchor to downtown development along the beautiful St. Johns River, Florida Theatre draws 250,000 people to Jacksonville's center each year. The magnificently restored Florida Theatre is recognized as one of the finest concert venues in the Southeast. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Florida Theatre holds special memories for four generations. From the Vaudeville acts and silent films of its earliest days to today's blend of performances of all kinds, the Florida Theatre has served as Jacksonville's premier entertainment center since 1927.

“Big Bad Voodoo Daddy’s
Wild & Swingin’ Holiday Party”
DATE: Wed., Dec. 9, 2020
TIME: 8 p.m.
TICKETS: $49.50 - $59.50

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

ABBA MANIA return to the Florida Theatre

As Governor DeSantis reopens concert halls in the state of Florida, the Florida Theatre is among the establishments that will comply to government guidelines.  The Florida Theatre is pleased to announce the return of the world’s number one touring ABBA tribute concert, “ABBA MANIA”, on Thursday, February 25, 2021.

ABBA MANIA returns to perform the group’s biggest hits: "Dancing Queen," "Waterloo," "Mamma Mia,” "The Winner Takes it All," "Super Trouper,” “Fernando,” ‘‘Take A Chance On Me” and many more in this special live concert.

ABBA MANIA formed in 1999 and the show has been selling out theatres and concert halls internationally ever since.  This show has toured the world in its quest to bring the music of the Swedish supergroup to their millions of fans, old and new.

ABBA’s timeless songs were written to be enjoyed live and ABBA MANIA gives you exactly that.  Two hours of uplifting, dance inducing and sometimes heart-breaking songs, fully live with fantastic staging, lighting and effects.  ABBA MANIA is the perfect concert for lifelong, die-hard ABBA fans as well as the new generation of fans who never had the opportunity to see ABBA live.

Agnetha, Bjorn, Benny and Anni-Frid, collectively known as ABBA, dominated the charts for nearly ten years and enjoyed nine UK number 1 hits.  At their height they became Sweden’s highest export earners, amazingly, outselling Volvo cars.  ABBA Gold was continuously in the album Charts throughout the nineties and is one of the biggest selling albums ever.

“Beware of imitations…this is the real musical tribute!” – Polly Graham, Sunday Mirror

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.

“ABBA Mania”
DATE: Thurs. Feb. 25, 2021
TIME: 8 p.m.
TICKETS:  $29 - $50

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

The Florida Theatre update during COVID-19

The next scheduled Florida Theatre show is The Orchestra: An Evening of ELO’s Greatest Hits, on July 11.  If that changes, it will be announced directly to the audience in a timely manner.  Their guiding principle is that the Florida Theatre will be open again when it is safe for the artists and audiences to do so.  They’re paying close attention to the best thinking in the sports, arts and entertainment industries on how to do this, and following guidance from the Centers for Disease control, the State of Florida, and the City of Jacksonville.  They are specifically working closely with the City of Jacksonville, who understand the importance of returning the arts and entertainment to the life of our city, but our mutual goal is to do it safely.  When they have more information about when, and any new protocols that the audiences should expect, we will share it publicly.

Due to the current global health crisis, these events have been rescheduled and current purchased tickets will be honored on the new show dates.

• Brit Floyd on May 26, 2020 | New Date May 24, 2021
• *Rainbow Kitten Surprise on May 12, 2020 | New Date coming
• Nate Bargatze on April 25, 2020 | New Date February 12, 2021
• #IMOMSOHARD on June 18, 2020 | New Date September 19, 2020
• America on March 25, 2020, postponed | New Date March 18, 2021
• Straight Up with Stassi Live! on April 5 postponed | New Date January 30, 2021
• *Mandy Moore postponed April 7 | New Date coming
• Neil DeGrasse Tyon on April 8 postponed | New Date February 4, 2021
• Piff The Magic Dragon on April 11 postponed | New Date December 4, 2020
• Chris Botti on April 15 postponed | New Date March 17, 2021
• *Brittany Howard on April 23 cancelled
• Brian Culbertson on April 26 postponed | New Date April 25, 2021
• One Night of Queen on May 1 postponed | New Date July 27, 2020
• Jonny Lang on May 3 postponed | New Date October 18, 2021
• Gary Allan on May 7 postponed | New Date August 28, 2020
• The Happy Together Tour on June 4 postponed | New Date September 10, 2020
• Bill Maher on June 28 postponed | New Date to June 13, 2021
• *The Bachelor Live on May 10 postponed | New Date coming
• POCO, Firefall and Pure Prairie League postponed | New Date October 3, 2020
  

*The Florida Theatre will continue to update their website and social media platforms (Around Town With Ms. “V”) as new information becomes available.

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

“HTSIBWRT” is a Laugh-out-loud experience

The show “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying” will be in town until March 22, 2020, at the Alhambra Theater & Dining.  This is a musical/comedy that will keep you “Laughing-Out-Loud” all afternoon or evening.  The Alhambra’s adaptation of the original movie, and 1995 Broadway production will keep your interest especially under the direction of Tod Booth*, Choreography from Shain Stroff*, Musical direction led by Cathy Murphy Giddens & the wonderful set designs of Ian Black and David Dionne.

All the “HTSIBWRT” actors are very entertaining with their singing, acting, dancing and quirky mannerisms.  Ricky Cona* plays the wonderfully funny character Bud Frump, whose voice you will love to hear and gladly wait for his next line in the show.  Christopher Lewis stars as J. Piertrepont Finch, who delightfully freezes in place when the narrations from the book that he references often, comes to life.  Kudos also go out to Maddie Bryan who plays J.B.'s cutie-pie, ex-night-club cigarette girl Hedy La Rue.
*Actors’ Equity Association

The meal that Executive Chef DeJuan Roy prepared for this stage presentation will satisfy your appetite, so come ready for a great meal and show.

First Course (Both are very tasty, filling - Ms. “V”
Choice of One
Spinach Salad with chopped egg, red onions, shredded carrots, croutons, warm bacon vinaigrette *GF* without croutons.
Country Bean Soup with ham, kale and tomato.
Second Course (Pork Ribeye melts in your mouth & the Cornflake Crusted Mahi is uniquely delicious - Ms. “V”)
Choice of One
Chicken Alfredo with fettuccine, broccolini, garlic crustino.
Pork Ribeye with buttermilk mashed potatoes, roasted heirloom carrots, rosemary and onion gravy *GF* without gravy.
Cornflake Crusted Mahi with coconut rice, sauteed zucchini and yellow squash, vanilla Beurre Blanc.
Whole Roasted Petite Cauliflower with Parmesan crust, roasted heirloom carrots, Swiss chard, roasted red peppers, vegan Hollandaise sauce, garlic crostino.
Third Course - Flourless Chocolate Cake reminds you of a delectable chocolate brownie - Ms. “V”
Choice of One
Flourless Chocolate Cake with cherries jubilee sauce, whipped cream, shaved chocolate.
Buttery Bread Pudding with caramel sauce. Menu subject to change.  (*GF*  - Gluten-Free and sugar-free desserts available upon request)

“How to Succeed in Business
  Without Really Trying”

DATES: February 20 — March 22, 2020

SHOW TIMES: Evening shows Tuesday through Friday 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 12:30 p.m.  Sunday Matinees are at 1:50 p.m.  Doors open at 12 p.m. and the meal is server until 1:50 p.m.

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

TICKETS: Prices start at just $40 per person.  Ticket prices include: a plated three-course meal that changes for each show, and is served directly to your table; a Broadway-style performance and complimentary parking.  Tickets may be purchases on line, or by calling (904) 641-1212.
     **Prices do NOT include gratuity, professional photos, nor orders from the bar**

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

The 'Experience Hendrix Tour' returns to JAX

The “Experience Hendrix Tour”, the critically acclaimed multi-artist celebration of Jimi Hendrix's musical genius, returns the historic, nonprofit Florida Theatre.  This latest edition of the much-anticipated tour once again emphasizes the influence Hendrix has made on a diverse group of artists.  The concerts will bring together artists as disparate as guitar wizard Joe Satriani, blues great Taj Mahal, Ernie Isley and Dweezil Zappa.  Megadeath's Dave Mustaine will make his Experience Hendrix Tour debut while mainstays such as Billy Cox, Jonny Lang, and Eric Johnson will also be on board for the expedition.  The Experience Hendrix Tour offers fans a rare opportunity to see many highly regarded players performing together in a unique setting.

15-time Grammy Award nominee Joe Satriani will make his long-awaited return when the tour kicks off March 3 kickoff in Pompano Beach, FL.  Notable for being the biggest-selling instrumental rock guitarist of all time, Satriani came to the forefront with the release of his 1987 solo album Surfing with the Alien.  He has worked with Mick Jagger, Deep Purple, Alice Cooper, Blue Oyster Cult and the fabled Spinal Tap and is a member of rock super group Chickenfoot.  In keeping with the spirit of the Experience Hendrix Tour, Satriani has formed an all- star trio especially for the occasion, calling upon bassist and vocalist dUg Pinnick from King's X, and prolific sideman Kenny Aronoff on drums to serve as his rhythm section.

Satriani commented, "The Experience Hendrix Tours are always so much fun.  The camaraderie between all the musicians on the show is magical.  I'm so excited to play some deep Hendrix tracks in a power trio setting with dUg Pinnick and Kenny Aronoff!!!"

Originally the lead guitarist for Metallica, Dave Mustaine next founded Megadeth in 1983 and the group has earned a loyal, worldwide following.  The Southern California native can be considered an architect of the speed metal movement, which is one of many branches on the family tree of heavy, guitar-based music that can be traced back to Jimi Hendrix.  With five platinum albums and one multi-platinum album under his belt, Mustaine and his sound are institutions in the rock world.  The 2019 Experience Hendrix Tour will be his first.

Also hitting the road this time around will be Billy Cox, bassist for both Jimi Hendrix's Band of Gypsys and the Jimi Hendrix Experience.  Cox has been the backbone of the tour since its inception, providing a spiritual connection between the past and present.  Two other artists who enjoyed friendships with Hendrix will also take part.  Blues legend Taj Mahal and guitar Ernie Isley each make a welcome return to the tour, as does the dynamic guitar and vocalist Jonny Lang, the legendary Eric Johnson, Cesar Rosas & David Hidalgo of Los Lobos, drummer and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee Chris Layton of Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble fame as well as Calvin Cooke and Chuck Campbell, the "Sacred Steel" slide guitar masters known as The Slide Brothers, Mato Nanji of Indigenous and Henri Brown.

The 2019 Experience Hendrix tour dovetails with the release last November 9th release of the Deluxe Edition box set of Electric Ladyland from Experience Hendrix, L.L.C. and Legacy Recordings in celebration of the 50th anniversary of Hendrix's masterpiece.  It will be available as either a 3CD/1 Blu-ray set or a 6LP/1 Blu-ray set, remastered by Bernie Grundman and including Electric Ladyland: The Early Takes, which presents demos and studio outtakes from this period in Hendrix's career, plus a new 5.1 surround sound mix of the entire original album by Hendrix's original engineer Eddie Kramer.  Also included is Jimi Hendrix Experience: Live At the Hollywood Bowl 9/14/68 well as the feature length documentary At Last? The Beginning: The Making of Electric Ladyland.

“Experience Hendrix Tour”
DATE: Wed. March 6, 2019
TIME:      7:30 p.m.

TICKETS: range from $63 — $103.  Everyone is invited to purchase their tickets by calling the box office at (904) 355-2787(ARTS), or at floridatheatre.com, the official site for Florida Theatre event tickets.

LOCATION: Florida Theatre
      128 E. Forsyth St.
      Jacksonville, FL 32202
      (904) 355-2787 (ARTS)

‘Comedian Jo Koy - Break The Mold Tour’ adds another date

JoKoy two shows in JAX

After successfully selling out two shows at the historic, nonprofit Florida Theatre in 2017, comedian Jo Koy announced he will bring his Break The Mold World Tour to the Theatre on Thurs., February 14, 2019 at 8 p.m., and a second show on Sun., Feb.17, 2019 at 7:30 p.m.

Jo Koy has come a long way from his modest beginnings performing at a Las Vegas coffee house.  As one of today’s premiere stand-up comedians, Koy sells-out theaters and arenas across the world with his infectious and explosive energy onstage.  The comedian pulls inspiration from his family, specifically his son, with material that has universal appeal.

Koy is one of the few acts to successfully sell out two shows at the historic, nonprofit Florida Theatre.  He returns this year as part of his new Break the Mold World Tour.  In November 2017, Koy broke a record for the most tickets sold by a single artist at The Neal S. Blaisdell Concert Hall in Honolulu with 11 sold-out shows and over 23,000 tickets sold. Celebrating this accomplishment, the mayor’s office in Honolulu proclaimed November 24th as “Jo Koy Day.”

Koy is also the only comedian to sell out six shows at The Warfield in San Francisco, he broke the attendance record at Club Regent Event Centre in Winnipeg with four sold-out shows, and is one of the few acts to sell-out two shows at the Florida Theatre. In July 2018, Koy was given the prestigious “Comedian Of The Year” award at the Just For Laughs Comedy Festival in Montreal.

In 2005, Koy had the opportunity of a lifetime when he performed on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.  He became one of a select few comics to receive a standing ovation on the show.  Since then, Koy has had two highly rated and successful comedy specials on Comedy Central, Don’t Make Him Angry and Lights Out.  In 2017, Koy released his third stand-up special, Jo Koy: Live from Seattle as a Netflix original.

Koy has appeared on more than 140 episodes of Chelsea Lately as a season regular roundtable guest. Other appearances include: The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, @Midnight with Chris Hardwick, Spike TV’s Adam Carolla & Friends Build Stuff Live, Celebrity Page TV, VH1, World’s Funniest Fails, Sean In The Wild, Jimmy Kimmel Live and Last Call with Carson Daly.

Later this year, Koy is confirmed to film his second Netflix original stand-up special at the Blaisdell Arena in Honolulu, and will also be seen co-starring alongside Brandon Routh and Donna Murphy as “Vladimir Lenin” in the upcoming live-action film Anastasia.

Jo Coy can be heard as a weekly guest on the popular podcast, The Adam Carolla Show.  He also hosts the weekly podcast The Koy Pond with Jo Koy on Podcast One.  Additionally, Koy can be seen on Kevin Hart’s LaughOutLoud as the host of Inglorious Pranksters.  For more info on the podcast and tour dates, visit: Jokoy.com.

“Jo Koy”
Break the Mold Tour
DATES:          TIMES:
Thurs. Feb. 14, 2019     8 p.m.
Sun. Feb. 17, 2019      7:30 p.m.

TICKETS: start at$38.50 and are on sale NOW.  Everyone is invited to purchase their tickets by calling the box office at (904) 355-2787(ARTS), or at floridatheatre.com, the official site for Florida Theatre event tickets.

LOCATION: Florida Theatre
      128 E. Forsyth St.
      Jacksonville, FL 32202
      (904) 355-2787 (ARTS)

‘Legacy Poster Design’ competition hosted by The Florida Theatre

1920 Inspired Theme

To celebrate the rich history of entertainment and special events that have taken place on the stage at the historic, nonprofit Florida Theatre, the theatre is inviting local artists and creatives to compete in designing its first-ever legacy poster.

The theatre will begin accepting legacy poster submissions on Thursday, Feb. 7, 2019.  The competition is open to local artists within the Jacksonville area.  This first design will focus on Mardi Gras.  Deadline for art submissions is Feb. 18 at 8:30 a.m. All submissions should be emailed to sean@floridatheatre.com.

The winner will be announced on Tuesday, Feb.26, and will receive a prize package valued at $500.  For complete guidelines and contest restrictions visit floridatheatre.com/legacyposters

The historic, nonprofit Florida Theatre is sponsored by Community First Credit Union.

Florida Theatre : From ballet to contemporary dance, jazz, rock, country and blues the nonprofit Florida Theatre offers 175 to 200 cultural and entertainment events annually for every taste and age.  More than just an entertainment center, The Florida Theatre is also home to graduations, awards ceremonies, lectures, business meetings and charity events that support the community’s schools, churches, hospitals and civic groups.  As an anchor to downtown development along the beautiful St. Johns River, The Florida Theatre draws 175,000 to 200,000 people to Jacksonville’s center each year.  The magnificently restored Florida Theatre is recognized as one of the finest concert venues in the Southeast. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.  The Florida Theatre holds special memories for four generations.  From the Vaudeville acts and silent films of its earliest days to today’s blend of performances of all kinds, The Florida Theatre has served as Jacksonville’s premier entertainment center since 1927.

Anti-Bullying Play ‘CHALK’ at the Florida Theatre

Community arts organizations, The Florida Theatre in partnership BABS’ LAB will present a special school - time presentation of Al Letson’s critically acclaimed anti-bullying play “CHALK” on Feb. 5 at 10 a.m.

“Not only is this an awesome opportunity for our students to see other artist at work in their craft, but this is also a chance to address an extremely significant topic in which many students are faced with every day – bullying,” said Chelvert J. Wellington, Principal Fort Caroline Middle School.  “There was no hesitation in my response. This production is so groundbreaking that we are offering the experience to ALL of our students.”

Written by Al Letson, a nationally known poet and award-winning host of the NPR radio broadcast, Reveal (heard weekly on WJCT 89.9), CHALK centers around a group of kids making the transition to middle school.  Through poetic monologues, CHALK reveals the inner voices of kids who are trapped in a society where bullying is tolerated in schools and on social media.

“Through the experience of witnessing this powerful piece of theatre, students, educators, parents, and the wider community will examine the complexities of how verbal abuse and bullying can be addressed and transformed.  Letson’s poetic language moves us to a deeper level of thinking about aggressive interaction giving us a vocabulary for our feelings,” said Barbara Colaciello, Artistic Director of BABS’LAB.  “Everyone knows the Florida Theatre as one of Northeast Florida’s best venues, but what they may not realize is that the theatre is managed and operated by a nonprofit corporation.”

Our partnership with BABS’LAB is a terrific example of why that operating model matters,” said Florida Theatre President Numa Saisselin.  “As a nonprofit theatre, we are thrilled to help secure funding from PNC Bank, and we’re excited to provide the performance space, and we’re thrilled to host hundreds of students for free who might otherwise not see this show, or maybe any show this school year.”

“CHALK”
DATE: Tues., February 5, 2019
TIME: 10 a.m.

TICKETS: A PNC Bank Arts Alive grant will make it possible for students at Fort Caroline Middle School, a Title One school, to attend CHALK for free.  Additionally, discounted $5.00 tickets are available for students at non-Title One schools. A limited number of general public tickets are available for purchase for $10.00.  Everyone is invited to purchase their tickets by calling the box office at (904) 355-2787(ARTS), or at floridatheatre.com, the official site for Florida Theatre event tickets.  The historic, nonprofit Florida Theatre is sponsored by Community First Credit Union.

LOCATION: Florida Theatre
      128 E. Forsyth St.
      Jacksonville, FL 32202
      (904) 355-2787 (ARTS)

Florida Theatre extends furlough free ticket offer

The Florida Theatre announced today it will continue to offer FREE TICKETS for upcoming select shows to government employees on furlough.  This is in conjunction with the FREE ticket offer that the theatre offered to those individuals who desire to get away for some fine entertainment.  This is one way that the Florida Theatre would like to thank you for your service, and ease some of the tension that you may be feeling.

With a valid, government employee ID, employees can receive one free ticket to:

•Sara Evans on Sunday, January 27 at 7:30 p.m.
•Pink Martini on Monday, January 28 at 8 p.m.
•Sinbad on Saturday, February 2 at 8 p.m.

This offer is valid only in person at the Florida Theatre Box Office located at 128 E. Forsyth Street.  The historic, nonprofit, Florida Theatre is sponsored by Community First Credit Union.

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

The Florida Theatre: From ballet and opera to contemporary pop, jazz, rock, country and blues the nonprofit Florida Theatre offers 200 cultural and entertainment events annually for every taste and age.  More than just an entertainment center, The Florida Theatre is also home to graduations, awards ceremonies, lectures, business meetings and charity events that support the community’s schools, churches, hospitals and civic groups.  As an anchor to downtown development along the beautiful St. Johns River, The Florida Theatre draws 250,000 people to Jacksonville’s center each year.  The magnificently restored Florida Theatre is recognized as one of the finest concert venues in the Southeast.  It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.  The Florida Theatre holds special memories for four generations.  From the Vaudeville acts and silent films of its earliest days to today’s blend of performances of all kinds, The Florida Theatre has served as Jacksonville’s premier entertainment center since 1927.

DCappella coming to JAX’s Florida Theatre

Disney’s DCAPPELLA features 7 world- class vocalists performing modern a cappella versions of songs from Disney movies Beauty and the Beast, The Lion King, Aladdin and new favorites like Moana’s “How Far I’ll Go,” and Coco’s “The World Es Mi Familia,” as well as a mash-up of tunes from The Little Mermaid.

Created by Disney, and contemporary a cappella legend Deke Sharon (Pitch Perfect and The Sing Off ), DCappella made its national debut on the hit ABC music competition series, American Idol. Recently, they released their first digital single “Immortals,” from Disney’s Big Hero 6.

Created by Disney, and contemporary a cappella legend Deke Sharon (Pitch Perfect and The Sing Off ), DCAPPELLA made its national debut on the hit ABC music competition series, American Idol.

Recently, they released their first digital single “Immortals,” from Disney’s Big Hero 6.  See DCappella - “Immortals” (Official Video)

“DCappella”
DATE: Tuesday Jan.,22, 2019
TIME: 7 p.m.

TICKETS: $29 - $59 and are on sale NOW.  Everyone is invited to purchase their tickets by calling the box office at (904) 355-2787(ARTS), or at floridatheatre.com, the official site for Florida Theatre event tickets.

LOCATION: Florida Theatre
      128 E. Forsyth St.
      Jacksonville, FL 32202
      (904) 355-2787 (ARTS)

Former member of ‘Grateful Dead' coming to JAX

To fill in the touring and creative gaps till the next Dead and Company tour, Bob Weir will be exploring songs of the Grateful Dead and more in a trio setting.  Bob Weir and Wolf Bros featuring Bob Weir, Don Was and Jay Lane will come to the historic, nonprofit Florida Theatre on March 27 at 8 p.m.

Bob Weir, rhythm and lead guitarist for the Grateful Dead, Dead & Company and Ratdog; famed bassist Don Was, founder of the ‘80s funk-rock band Was (Not Was) and known for the hits: “Walk The Dinosaur” and “Spy In The House Of Love”; and Ratdog drummer Jay Lane form this new trio that will perform songs by the Grateful Dead like: “Cassidy,” “Touch of Grey,” “Jack Straw,” “Friend of The Devil” and others.

As one of the founding members of the legendary Grateful Dead, which received a GRAMMY Lifetime Achievement Award in 2007, Weir has become one of rock’s finest and most first album of solo material in more than 10 years and his first album of entirely original material in more than 30 years.  Weir is currently a member of Dead & Company which features Grateful Dead members Mickey Hart and Bill Kreutzmann along with John Mayer, Oteil Burbridge and Jeff Chimenti.

Weir says, “Wolf Bros is something that really took its roots back in the spring of 2015 when Don Was came up to TRI and helped us piece together Dead & Company. For a while now I’ve been itchin’ to explore our songs in a trio setting. An upright bass, my acoustic or electric guitar and a drummer. We did some rehearsals this past spring and it was big fun—and that’s the whole idea. We were kickin’ around Dead songs as well as tunes from my back pages. I’m pretty sure we’re gonna have a big adventure with this…”

Florida Theatre: From ballet and opera to contemporary pop, jazz, rock, country and blues the nonprofit Florida Theatre offers 200 cultural and entertainment events annually for every taste and age. More than just an entertainment center, The Florida Theatre is also home to graduations, awards ceremonies, lectures, business meetings and charity events that support the community’s schools, churches, hospitals and civic groups. As an anchor to downtown development along the beautiful St. Johns River, The Florida Theatre draws 250,000 people to Jacksonville’s center each year. The magnificently restored Florida Theatre is recognized as one of the finest concert venues in the Southeast. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Florida Theatre holds special memories for four generations. From the Vaudeville acts and silent films of its earliest days to today’s blend of performances of all kinds, The Florida Theatre has served as Jacksonville’s premier entertainment center since 1927.

“Bob Weir of ‘Grateful Dead’ & Wolf Bros”
DATE: Wednesday March 27, 2019
TIME: 7 p.m.

TICKETS: range from $59.50 - $98.50.  Florida Theatre members at the Ensemble level and above can buy tickets now.  Eclud members can use their pre-sale code word on Thursday, January 17 at 9 a.m.  Tickets go on sale Friday, January 18 at 10 a.m.  Everyone is invited to purchase their tickets by calling the box office at (904) 355- ARTS (2787), email, or come to the Florida Theatre box office, the official site for Florida Theatre event tickets.

LOCATION: Florida Theatre
      128 E. Forsyth St.
      Jacksonville, FL 32202
      (904) 355-2787 (ARTS)