“Air Supply” will be in JAX

For one night only, the Florida Theatre is thrilled to announce that world-renowned rock duo “Air Supply” will perform at the Florida Theatre on Saturday, January 30, 2022.

Air Supply is the Australian soft rock duo of Graham Russell and Russell Hitchcock. The duo formed in 1975 after meeting during the first day of rehearsals for Jesus Christ Superstar in Sydney, Australia; they became instant friends with their common love for The Beatles and, of course, singing.

American music industry executive Clive Davis heard their first record, Life Support, and immediately signed Air Supply to Arista Records in 1980. "Lost in Love" became the fastest selling single in the world, leaping to the top of all of the charts. The second single was "All Out of Love," and that went up the charts even quicker.

Seven top-five singles later, Air Supply at that time had equaled The Beatles' run of consecutive top five singles. The albums Lost in Love, The One That You Love, Now & Forever, and The Greatest Hits sold in excess of 20 million copies. "Lost in Love" was named Song of the Year in 1980, and, with the other singles, sold more than 10 million copies.

The trademark sound of Russell Hitchcock's soaring tenor voice and Graham Russell's simple yet majestic songs created a unique sound that would forever be known as Air Supply. "Lost in Love," "All Out of Love," "The One That You Love,” "Sweet Dreams," and "Making Love Out of Nothing at All" have each achieved multi-million plays on the radio.

In 2013, the duo was inducted into the Australian Recording Industry Association’s Hall of Fame. Air Supply celebrated their 40^th anniversary in 2015 and continue to delight audiences all over the world.

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.

“Air Supply”

DATE: Sun., Jan. 30, 2022

TIME: 7 p.m.

TICKETS: start at $39.50

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

‘Mannheim Steamroller Christmas’ has been missed

FSCJ Artist Series Broadway in Jacksonville presents the best-selling Christmas artist of all time; “Mannheim Steamroller Christmas” by Chip Davis is coming on November 18, 2021. This record-setting tour will be in Jacksonville, Florida at the Times Union Center for the Performing Arts for one night only.

Do you remember the first time you heard “Mannheim Steamroller Christmas”? Join the celebration as Mannheim Steamroller makes history again - Celebrating over 35 years of holiday magic as they bring their annual holiday tour to fans throughout the country.

Experience the performance of the #1 Christmas music artist in history and for the first time ever, hear the entire album that started it all, LIVE - "Mannheim Steamroller Christmas!"


While 2020 was the first year the group was unable to tour in 35 years, 2021 will reunite the #1 Christmas music artist in history with its legion of long-time fans. Experience the music that has become the hallmark of the holidays and a tradition for multi-generational families: Mannheim Steamroller Christmas live in concert in 2021!

“Now, over 35 years later, we are still going strong. I want to thank our fans for making us part of their holiday tradition. Today we often see multi-generational families join us during the holidays each year and we can’t wait to see them again in 2021,” said Davis.

This year’s show will feature all of your favorite original classic Christmas hits from the first Mannheim Steamroller Christmas album, along with multimedia effects in an intimate setting. Davis will direct and co-produce tour performances with MagicSpace Entertainment.

“Mannheim Steamroller Christmas”

DATE: Nov. 18, 2021
TIME: 7:30 p.m.

TICKETS: start at $52, plus applicable fees and may be purchased online 24/7

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

‘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)

‘James Taylor” and ‘Jackson Browne’ in JAX

Legendary singer/songwriter “James Taylor & His All-Star Band” with special guest Rock and Roll Hall of Famer “Jackson Browne and his band” are coming to Vystar Veterans Memorial Arena on  Saturday, November 13, 2021 for one intimate and memorable night!  Taylor and Bonnie Raitt were reported to be in JAX back in 2018, but Bonnie had to cancel.

As a recording and touring artist, James Taylor has touched people with his warm baritone voice and distinctive style of guitar-playing for more than 40 years, while setting a precedent to which countless young musicians have aspired.  Inducted into both the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame, the world-renowned artist has sold more than 100 million albums since he was first signed by The Beatles to their Apple Records label, won multiple Grammy Awards, and has earned multiple gold, platinum, or multi-platinum awards. His Greatest Hits album alone sold more than 10 million copies.  In 2015, James was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom.  In 2016, he was a recipient of the Kennedy Center Honor.

More than just a best-selling artist and legendary singer-songwriter, Jackson Browne has become an institution in American music selling over 18 million albums in the United States.

“James Taylor & His All-Star Band
       and
“Jackson Browne and his band”

DATE: Sat. Nov. 13, 2021

TIME: 8 p.m.

TICKETS: Vary

LOCATION: VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena
      300 A Philip Randolph Blvd.
      Jacksonville, FL 32202
      (904) 630-3900

‘Bono’s Pit Bar-B-Q’ continues corporate sponsorship

“Bono’s Pit Bar-B-Q”, a Corporate Partner of the Florida Theatre since 2019, has announced its renewed support of the Theatre.

“The arts play such a pivotal role in the direction Jacksonville is headed,” said Josh Martino, President of Bono’s Pit Bar-B-Q. “Anything from music and concerts to the arts, Florida Theatre keeps giving to this community year after year.”

"The historic Florida Theatre is pleased to play its part in providing Northeast Florida with the music, dance and theatre programs that are part of what gives Jacksonville the unique character that we have all come to appreciate, and expect, as residents of a great city,” said Florida Theatre President, Numa Saisselin. “The Theatre earns 85% of its annual budget from its business activities, and support from the business community, like our returning Corporate Partner Bono’s Pit Bar-B-Q, helps to close that small budget gap every year and keep the Florida Theatre and its programs something special for our community.”

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 web site floridatheatre.com.

About Florida Theatre: Located in downtown Jacksonville, Florida, the historic Florida Theatre first opened its doors in 1926, and is famous for a series of six Elvis Presley performances in 1956 covered by Life magazine. Restored and reopened in 1983 as a nonprofit performing arts center, today the Florida Theatre is recognized as one of the Top 10 most attended theatres in the US under 2,000 seats according to Pollstar magazine, and the #1 most attended sports and entertainment venue in the State of Florida under 2,000 seats according to VenuesNow magazine. The theatre is managed by The Florida Theatre Performing Arts Center, Inc., a nonprofit corporation, and is an active promoter of its own programing. 175-200 music, dance, theatre, comedy and arts education performances take the Florida Theatre stage every year. In recent years the theatre has been seen on Showtime (Larry Wilmore), AXS TV (Lynyrd Skynyrd) and Netflix (Katt Williams), and heard on NPR (Whad’ya Know?).

‘The Rocky Horror Picture Show’ is back in JAX

The Florida Theatre is pleased to announce the return of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” with New Digital Picture and Sound on October 30, 2021.

The ultimate Halloween movie, The Rocky Horror Picture Show is now a cult classic, preserved by the Library of Congress! This 1975 musical is a tribute to the science fiction “B Movies” of the 40’s and 50’s. Its amazing cast included then-young actors Tim Curry as mad scientist Dr. Frank N. Furter, Susan Sarandon and Barry Bostwick as our heroine and hero, Meat Loaf, Jonathan Adams, and Charles Gray.

Back by popular demand, this annual event is hosted by Karissa Wade and features live music by 4Play. Bring your costumes, bring your props (no meat, please), and come early for the live music!

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.

“The Rocky Horror Picture Show”
 (New Digital Picture and Sound)
DATE: Sat., Oct. 30, 2021
TIME: 8 p.m.
TICKETS: $15

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

Comedian ‘Bert Kreischer’ announces ‘The Berty Boy Relapse Tour’

Coming off of his hugely successful outdoor run, the Hot Summer Nights Tour 2020, as the first-ever stand-up comedian to embark on a drive-in comedy tour, renowned comedian, podcast host, and author Bert Kreischer announced today The Berty Boy Relapse Tour which kicks off in Atlantic City, NJ and stops at the Florida Theatre on Thursday, October 28, 2021. In addition to his rescheduled shows from 2020 that were moved due to the pandemic, Kreischer has added 18 new markets plus 10 added shows to his tour itinerary.

Kreischer is known for his unique brand of comedy, which interweaves party-boy antics with humorous anecdotes about family and fatherhood. Currently, Kreischer is filming Legendary Entertainment’s movie, The Machine, alongside Star Wars actor, Mark Hamill - an adaptation of the viral story Bert told onstage about getting involved with the Russian mob while studying abroad in College, which has been viewed more than 85 million times online. Most recently, he hosted the Go-Big Show on TBS Network, an extreme talent show with celebrity judges Snoop Dogg, Rosario Dawson, Jennifer Nettles, and Cody Rhodes, which premiered this past January. In October 2020, Bert released his hit 5-episode Netflix mini series, The Cabin with Bert Kreischer, which featured cameos from a star-studded cast of: Anthony Anderson, Caitlyn Jenner, Tom Segura, Joey Diaz, Nikki Glaser, Fortune Feimster, Bobby Lee, Donnell Rawlings, Kaley Cuoco, Joel McHale, Ms. Pat, Deon Cole, Big Jay Oakerson, and LeeAnn Kreischer. He also released his second Netflix Original stand-up comedy special Bert Kreischer: Hey Big Boy in March 2020. The special earned rave reviews from critics and fans alike.

Additionally, Kreischer is one of the most prominent comedians in the podcasting landscape. He is the producer and host of Bertcast, a weekly comedy podcast on the All Things Comedy Network. He also co-hosts the 2 Bears 1 Cave podcast with Tom Segura, and the Bill and Bert podcast with Bill Burr.

About the man: Bert Kreischer is an American stand-up comedian, actor, writer and host who performs to sold-out crowds across the country. His brand-new stand up special “Hey Big Boy”, as well as “Secret Time” and “The Machine” are currently streaming globally on NETFLIX. Bert recently debuted his new Netflix docu-series “The Cabin,” which shot straight to the top 10 within 24 hours and was the most-watched unscripted series on the platform the week it premiered. Bert Kreischer hosts Go-Big Show (picked up for Season 2 by TBS) with celebrity judges Snoop Dogg, Rosario Dawson, Jennifer Nettles and Cody Rhodes.

Described as having a “rare and incredible talent” (Interrobang), Bert has evolved from being named Rolling Stone’s 1997 "Number One Partier in the Nation" to one of the top names in comedy. Between his four stand-up specials, his three podcasts: “Bertcast,” “2 Bears 1 Cave,” and “BillBert,” his YouTube cooking show: “Something’s Burning,” his book Life of the Party: Stories of a Perpetual Man-Child (2014), Bert has succeeded in finding the elusive blend of “being a cringe comedian with real insight” (Interrobang).  Lauded as one of the best storytellers of his generation, Bert seamlessly and sincerely shares anecdotes about his family and fatherhood while showing his ability to prove “that there’s a way to take his [party-boy] antics into middle-age,” (Forbes). His infamous story about robbing a train with the Russian Mafia was recently optioned by Legendary (the studio behind The Hangover Series, Jurassic World, and Straight Outta Compton) to be turned into a movie. After the successful debut of The Body Shots World Tour in 2019, where he quickly sold out theaters and added shows in almost every market, Bert performed 59 shows of his “Hot Summer Nights” a socially-distanced outdoor tour spanning 35+ cities across 18 states and reaching 80,000+ individuals. He then launched a brand-new tour in 2020, The Berty Boy Tour -- now, The Berty Boy Relapse Tour -- which includes shows in even larger venues across the country. Tickets can be found at BertBertBert.com.

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.

   “Bert Kreischer”
The Berty Boy Relapse Tour
DATE: Thurs., Oct., 28, 2021
TIME: 7 p.m.
TICKETS: $39.75 - $59.75

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

Comedian ‘Taylor Tomlinson’ coming to The Florida Theatre

The Florida Theatre is pleased to welcome comedian "Taylor Tomlinson" whose perspective possesses a degree of wisdom that’s typically earned with age. Named to Forbes’ 2021 class of 30 Under 30, fans got a healthy dose of that wisdom when her first-ever, hour-long special, “Quarter-Life Crisis,” debuted on Netflix last March just as the world entered into a once-in-a-century pandemic. The special went on to earn unanimous critical praise with the Washington Post calling her “your favorite quarantine-watch” and Newsweek opining she is “undeniably hilarious” and “wise beyond her years.”

Focusing exclusively on Taylor’s old-soul clarity is tempting, but what makes the woman Mashable calls "whip-smart and spectacularly cynical," stand out isn’t just that she seems too young to understand youth so well. It’s that she combines that vision with on-the-nose immediacy that can only come with still living in the moments being lampooned.

“I think that’s what comedians do: We’re funny in the moment,” Taylor says. “We’re just so self-reflective and narcissistic.” She laughs, then adds, “But I’ve always felt older than I am. That virus joke is similar to a lot of material in my first Netflix special. It’s me being frustrated that I’m in a period of my life that everybody talks about like—"Ooof, yeah, that was hard. It was fun! But I wouldn’t go back for anything.”

Performances on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, CONAN, Comedy Central's Adam Devine's House Party, and Netflix’s The Comedy Lineup, as well as a top-ten finish in season 9 of NBC’s Last Comic Standing, have all endeared Taylor to a national audience. Variety Magazine named her one of the Top 10 Comics to Watch at the Just for Laughs Festival, and she’s a regular on What Just Happened??! with Fred Savage.

Taylor spent much of 2019 filling clubs across the country on her own headlining tour and in 2020 despite the COVID-19 pandemic continued to grow her fan base with the seven-city, 19 show The Codependent Tour, her first co-headlining tour with fellow comedian Whitney Cummings. The socially distanced, outdoor performances kicked off in Philadelphia in Sept. with 5 shows and that initial success led to the addition of 14 more shows in six different cities.

Taylor is in her mid-twenties, but she’s honed her craft for more than a decade. The California native began doing standup at 16 after taking a class with her dad––and she never stopped. Churches, schools, and fundraisers were her first stages. When Taylor turned 18, she played every club in San Diego that she could. “When I started doing standup, it was the first time I felt comfortable with myself,” Taylor says. “I think people I went to school with were surprised––I was kind of quiet and introverted.”

Dating, friendships, our evolving relationship with technology and reality––Taylor skewers modern twenty-something life with self-deprecating precision. Raised in a conservative home, Taylor also prods Christianity and privilege with that same blend of distanced awareness and personal familiarity that defines her jokes about her age. “I’m a perfectionist. I’m not really a risk-taker––being a standup comic to me is already risky enough,” she says. “I don’t drink. I don’t party, and I never have. My mom died pretty young. I think when that happens when you’re a kid, you realize sooner than other people that you aren’t in a bubble. You lose that self-perceived invincibility a lot of young people have.”

Taylor’s Netflix special was the culmination of years of writing and performing, and it showed. The set was a masterful display of deft timing, crowd connection, physicality, and smarts. The material changed over the months that passed from pitch to performance, reflecting shifts in Taylor’s own life. “A lot happened over the summer of 2019,” Taylor says. “I ended up breaking off my engagement. It was a lot of growth in a very short period of time. It changed the hour a lot from what I had submitted back in February––and I think made it better.” For filming the special, Taylor chose the Aladdin in Portland, Oregon.

“I found out I got the special and enjoyed it for about 20 minutes, then I got really stressed and was pretty laser focused,” Taylor says, laughing a little. “You think you’ll take a break after you film it, but then you realize, ‘Oh shoot. I need a whole new hour of material––I can’t take a break!”

The special went on to be named “Best of 2020” by New York Times, Decider, Paste and more. And Vulture’s “comedian you should and will know” is just getting started! She has already developed a whole new hour of material and can’t wait to get back on the road later this year when safe to do so and share her observations and self-discovery from quarantine with the world. “I just don’t think there’s anything better than having a room full of people laugh at something you said. All I really want to do is be really good at standup––and continue to get better at it,” she says. “Saying ‘that’s all I really want’ feels insane because it’s so much to want.”

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.

“Taylor Tomlinson”
DATE: Friday, October 22, 2021
TIME: 7 p.m.
TICKETS: $29.75 - $39.75

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

'Clay Walker’ will be in JAX for one night

The Florida Theatre is pleased to announce Multi-Platinum country music artist Clay Walker for one evening only! Can Clay Walker deliver? That's the question, and he's not afraid of it. In fact, he's positioned himself to answer it squarely – one way or another – this year. With new creative and business teams and a deep well of hard-earned wisdom, Walker relishes the challenge. "I've prepared myself for this moment in my career – mentally, physically and artistically," he says. "I've never been more ready."

In a sense, the question is absurd for a recording artist, songwriter and entertainer with 31 charted singles, a dozen No. 1s, four platinum albums and decades of performances to his credit. Titles spanning 15 years and still receiving strong airplay include: “Live Until I Die,” "Dreaming With My Eyes Open," “This Woman And This Man,” "Hypnotize The Moon," "Rumor Has It," “Then What,” “The Chain Of Love," "I Can't Sleep" and "She Won't Be Lonely Long."

Can Clay Walker deliver? Is he afraid of the question? Hardly. "If I had to lay out my ambition, it's to become a master at what I do," he says. "I'm a long ways from it, but that's exciting as well because there's a lot of road left."

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.

“Clay Walker”
DATE: Thurs., Oct.,14, 2021
TIME: 8 p.m.
TICKETS: Start at $35

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

Comedian ‘Jim Jefferies’ comes to JAX and near you

“Jim Jefferies” (Legit, FX; The Jim Jefferies Show, Comedy Central) announces his new The Moist Tour and he will be appearing at the Florida Theatre in downtown Jacksonville, Florida for one hilarious evening.

This Sydney native is one of the most popular and respected comedians of his generation, entertaining audiences across the globe with his provocative, belief-challenging, and thought-provoking comedy. Jim was honored as Stand-Up Comedian of the Year at the Just for Laughs Festival in summer 2019. At the end of 2019, he started his Oblivious Tour and toured all around Europe and North America. Jim’s ninth stand up special Intolerant came out on Netflix last year. He currently hosts his own podcast I Don’t Know About That with Jim Jefferies and releases new episodes on Tuesdays with video available on Jim's YouTube channel and audio available everywhere you get podcasts.

JIM JEFFERIES: THE MOIST TOUR:
Fri., Oct. 8, 2021    Fort Myers, FL   Barbara B. Mann Ctr.
Sat., Oct. 9, 2021    Fort Lauderdale, FL    Broward Center
Sun., Oct. 10, 2021   Jacksonville, FL    Florida Theatre
Thurs., Oct. 21, 2021 New Orleans, LA   Saenger Theatre
Fri., Oct. 22, 2021   Austin, TXººº Bass Concert Hall
Sat., Oct. 23, 2021ºººDallas, TX Majestic Theatre
Sun., Oct. 24, 2021   Oklahoma City, OK  The Criterion
Sat., Nov. 6, 2021   Los Angeles, CA The Theatre at Ace Hotel
Thurs., Nov. 18, 2021   Omaha, NEººOrheum Theater
Fri., Nov. 19, 2021   Milwaukee, WI   Riverside Theater
Sat., Nov. 20, 2021   Minneapolis, MN   State Theatre
Thurs., Dec, 2, 2021   Buffalo, NYºººKleinhans Music Hall
Fri., Dec. 3, 2021   Philadelphia, PA   The Met
Sat., Dec. 4, 2021  ºNorfolk, VAºººChrysler Hall
Fri., Dec. 17, 2021   Phoenix, AZ   Celebrity Theatre
Sat., Dec. 18, 2021   San Francisco, CA   The Warfield

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.

“Jim Jefferies” – The Moist Tour
DATE: Sun., Oct. 10, 2021
TIME: 7 p.m.
TICKETS: $59.75 – $79.75. For more information and tickets for your area, visit jimjefferies.com.

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

‘Benise’ will be in JAX for one night only!

“Benise”, The Prince of Spanish Guitar brings his 20th. Anniversary, Emmy Award Winning Production of Guitar and Dance to The Florida Theatre on Thursday on October 7, 2021.

It’s one hot night as Benise, “The Prince of Spanish Guitar,” and his Emmy Award winning production come to town. Benise unveils his 5th Special Strings of Hope on PBS and celebrates 20 years of taking audiences on a musical journey through Spanish Flamenco, Cuban Salsa, Brazilian Samba, Parisian Waltz, exotic drumming, and more!

For Benise, music has always been a journey. From his humble beginnings as a street performer, to being featured on the #1 rated show in the USA – Dancing With The Stars, and performing around the world. “I wanted to push the boundaries of Nuevo Flamenco/Spanish guitar while combining the elements of dance and theater. This show is a celebration of all the shows we’ve done over the last 20 years,” comments guitarist and creative force behind the event, Benise.

The Emmy Award-winning composer along with an international cast of musicians and dancers will entertain audiences with a two-hour show that “is an escape from all their problems,” Benise says. “Much like the recent PBS special Strings of Hope, with this show I want to take the audience on an escape…to a beautiful Spanish courtyard filled with Flamenco dancers, stunning costumes, and fiery Spanish guitars.  Beyond the new material, BENISE says “the live show will incorporate some fan favorites from my street performing days and rock classics like Led Zeppelin’s “Kashmir” and AC/DC’s “Thunderstruck.”

The Theatrical World Music and Dance spectacle that has been called “The Latin Riverdance”.

This will be a socially-distanced event with health and safety protocols in place. Patrons can visit floridatheatre.com/home/breaking-news for the most up to date information on The Florida Theatre’s safety protocols and general updates. Additionally, ticket purchasers will be notified by email of specific safety requirements prior to the event.

    “BENISE”
20th. Anniversary Spectacular
DATE: Thurs., Oct.,7, 2021
TIME: 8 p.m.
TICKETS: $35 – $95

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

Leonid and Friends brings the Music of Chicago to JAX

The Florida Theatre is pleased to announce the return of “Leonid and Friends performing the music of Chicago” on Sunday, October 3, 202. With multiple sold-out U.S. tours under its belt and hundreds of thousands of fans around the world, Leonid & Friends continues to astound its global audience with its unique ability in capturing the spirit, musicality, and fire of American supergroup Chicago.

And what is even more stunning is that Leonid & Friends, comprised of 11 of the finest musicians in Russia, Ukraine, Moldova, and Belarus, haven't seen Chicago perform live, yet replicates the band’s complex arrangements amazingly note for note.

Chicago has never been in Russia, and none of us have attended their concerts," said Leonid Vorobyev, a multi-instrumentalist who is the band’s leader. "We have only recordings and videos (to help us learn Chicago songs)."

Ironically, Vorobyev wasn’t always a fan of horn bands, and as a teenager gravitated to the hard-driving guitar-based sounds of the Beatles, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Deep Purple, and Grand Funk Railroad.

"In the early 1970s in the USSR, electric guitars, amplifiers, and drums were rare to find so at school we were playing self-made instruments," Vorobyev explained. "We were allowed to rehearse in the same room with a horns band. Those musicians almost always were drunk and quite often tried to play with us our rock songs. It was a nightmare, and I hated them all!"

But that all changed when Vorobyev heard Chicago. He became an instant fan. "I loved so much the brilliant mixture of rock guitars, drums, and jazz horns with bright vocal harmonies," he said.

In 2014, Vorobyev decided to indulge his love for the band by gathering a few fellow musicians in a studio to record a video of them playing his favorite Chicago tune, Brand New Love Affair.

No charts or scores of the song existed so Vorobyev transcribed the tune by ear. The result was a YouTube video that quickly went viral. Since then, Leonid & Friends has recorded videos of other Chicago hits including: Make Me Smile, 25 or 6 to 4, and Saturday In The Park.

All total the videos have received more than 50 million views. Also, Leonid & Friends has recorded two albums showcasing its tribute to Chicago.

The process of getting each tune just right is a painstaking labor of love. In addition to scoring and arranging, Vorobyev oversees mixing and mastering of each song. However, he credits his highly skilled bandmates for making each tune sing. "All of my musician friends are highly professional," he said.

However, Leonid & Friends hasn’t been satisfied with merely connecting with fans through videos and recordings. In early 2019, the band embarked on its first tour outside of Russia that had fans dancing in the aisles at sold-out shows in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Florida. Two other scorching coast-to-coast U.S. tours followed that same year.

“The fans were so eager to see us that some traveled from as far as Hawaii and the Philippines not mentioning flying across the U.S.and driving for hours to attend our shows,” Vorobyev said. “I was expecting a warm greeting but I didn't expect such a warm reception and with so much love and gratitude for us.”

In Los Angeles, the band met its musical heroes, founding members of Chicago, keyboardist Robert Lamm, and drummer Danny Seraphine as well as Michelle Kath Sinclair, daughter of late, great Chicago guitarist Terry Kath.

“We were so thrilled that Robert, Danny, and Michelle took the time to visit with us,” Vorobyev said. “It was an experience that we will cherish and remember forever.”

When Leonid & Friends isn’t touring, band members are in the studio in Moscow immersing themselves in Chicago’s storied catalog of hits and deep tracks while preparing for the next tour.

In September of 2018, the band recorded its first song from legendary supergroup Earth, Wind, & Fire and also paid tribute to the band Blood, Sweat & Tears as well.

Borrowing a line from one of Chicago's biggest hits, "it's only the beginning" of great things from Leonid & Friends.

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.

   “Leonid & Friends
Performing the Music of Chicago”
DATE: Sun., Oct., 3, 2021
TIME: 7 p.m.
TICKETS: $29.50 – $49.50

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

Alan Parsons show is postponed at the Florida Theatre

Alan Parsons Live Project featuring special guest Carl Palmer’s ELP Legacy at the Florida Theatre on September 11, 2021 has been postponed. We’re working with Alan to reschedule the show. Please see below for the official statement from Alan’s team:

“It is with regret the Alan Parsons Live Project announces the postponement of the US leg of their highly anticipated tour scheduled to occur in August and September.

While Alan and the band have been looking forward to performing for their fans throughout the United States, they extend their love and appreciation to all that were planning to come to these shows, and they cannot wait to see you all again when things are more predictable regarding the ongoing pandemic.

Please hang on to your tickets, they will be honored at the new rescheduled date, which will be announced shortly.”

Tickets to the original show dates (March 24, 2020 and September 11, 2021) will be honored at the new date.

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

Carl Palmer’s ELP Legacy, performs the Music of Emerson, Lake & Palmer

8/25/21 Update:
Alan Parsons Live Project featuring special guest Carl Palmer’s ELP Legacy at the Florida Theatre on September 11, 2021 has been postponed. We’re working with Alan to reschedule the show. Please see below for the official statement from Alan’s team:

“It is with regret the Alan Parsons Live Project announces the postponement of the US leg of their highly anticipated tour scheduled to occur in August and September.

While Alan and the band have been looking forward to performing for their fans throughout the United States, they extend their love and appreciation to all that were planning to come to these shows, and they cannot wait to see you all again when things are more predictable regarding the ongoing pandemic.

Please hang on to your tickets, they will be honored at the new rescheduled date, which will be announced shortly.”

Tickets to the original show dates (March 24, 2020 and September 11, 2021) will be honored at the new date.

The Florida Theatre is pleased to announce that "Carl Palmer’s ELP Legacy" has been added as a special guest for the Alan Parsons Live Project show at the Florida Theatre. Carl Palmer is among the most renowned drummers in rock history and a founding member of both Emerson, Lake and Palmer and Asia. Palmer will present bold, new arrangements of the best-loved instrumental music of ELP, and other composers. Carl Palmer’s ELP Legacy is a red-hot power trio that features Palmer on drums and percussion; guitarist Paul Bielatowicz and bassist Simon Fitzpatrick.

Rock and Roll’s audacious, virtuosic progressive rock icons Emerson, Lake and Palmer were best known for classic songs like “Lucky Man,” “The Barbarian,” “Tarkus,” “Hoedown,” “Trilogy,” “Karn Evil 9” and more.

“I will deeply miss Keith and Greg, both of whom the world lost in 2016,” said Palmer. “It is now down to me to carry on flying the ELP banner and I will be playing that great music with my band for many years to come. The outpouring of support from ELP’s fans has been astounding, so, I felt I owed it to them to continue the music we made as a group.”

Headlining the show is Grammy award-winner Alan Parsons, who worked as assistant sound engineer on the last two albums by The Beatles. His band, The Alan Parsons Project, garnered commercial and critical acclaim for such certified Billboard Top 40 hit singles as "Eye in the Sky," “Time” and "Don't Answer Me", and “I Wouldn’t Want to Be Like You”, among other successes. It was Alan Parsons’ genius as a sound engineer for Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon that brought him to the attention of the music world but he has gone on to enjoy success as a producer, songwriter and performer.

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. Please read about COVID-19 precautions HERE!

“Alan Parsons Live Project
°°°featuring special guest
°Carl Palmer’s ELP Legacy”
DATE: Sat., Sept. 11, 2021
TIME: 7:30 p.m.
TICKETS: $49.50 - $99.50 **All tickets for the original performance on March 24, 2020 will be honored on the new date of September 11, 2021 so patrons should hold on to their tickets.**

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

‘Michael Bublé’ tours rescheduled

Michael Bublé is rescheduling his hugely successful “An Evening With Michael Bublé” Tour to late summer 2021 with an opening night in Jacksonville, Fl. on Friday, August 13th. A complete list of dates is below.

Tickets for previously scheduled dates will be honored.

Due to the popularity of the artist and/or the event, this show is being posted early on “Around Town With Ms. “V” so that patrons may purchase tickets and guarantee their seats. COVID protocol may change by the time this event is scheduled to take place.

AN EVENING WITH MICHAEL BUBLÉ 2021 TOUR DATES:
Aug. 13, 2021 – JAX – VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena
Aug. 14, – Greenville – Bon Secour Wellness Arena
Aug. 17 – Charlotte – Spectrum Center
Aug. 18 – Raleigh – PNC Arena
Aug. 20 – Cincinnati – Heritage Bank Center
Aug. 21 – Cleveland – Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse
Aug. 24 – Boston – TD Garden
Aug. 25 – Albany – Times Union Center
Aug. 27 – Uniondale – Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum
Aug. 28 – Atlantic City – Boardwalk Hall
Sept. 9 – Allentown – PPL Center
Sept. 11 – Louisville– KFC Yum! Center
Sept. 13 – Grand Rapids– Van Andel Arena
Sept. 14 – Milwaukee – Fiserv Forum
Sept. 16 – Moline – TaxSlayer Center
Sept. 17 – Des Moines – Wells Fargo Arena
Sept. 19 – Oklahoma City – Chesapeake Energy Arena
Sept. 20 – Austin– Frank Erwin Center
Sept. 21 – Ft Worth – Dickies Arena
Sept. 24 – Las Vegas – T- Mobile Arena
Sept. 25 – Anaheim – Honda Center
Sept. 28 – Fresno – Save Mart Center
Sept. 29 – San Francisco –Chase Center
Oct. 1, 2021 – Salt Lake City –Vivint Arena

An Evening With
º“Michael Bublé”

DATE: Fri., Aug. 13, 2021
TIME: 8 p.m.

TICKETS: Vary from $65 – $142

LOCATION: VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena
      300 A Philip Randolph Blvd., Downtown
      Jacksonville, FL 32202
      (904) 630-3900

The Cummer Museum and Gardens are awaiting your return

It may be hot outside but inside the Cummer Museum and outside in the cool luscious Gardens near the St. John’s River it’s cool, inviting and just lovely. Grab a friend, relative or come by yourself and enjoy what’s in store for you this month at the museum.

Events & Programs for June 2021:

Yoga in the historic gardens: Thursday, June 10 starting at 10 a.m. Enjoy a Mindful Yoga hour in the historic gardens. Members $10, Non-Members $15 | Registration required.

Queer: Exploring art and artists in the Museum's collection: Tuesday, June 15  & Saturday, June 19. Explore various works, along with themes of LGBT+ initiatives, with one of our Visitor Experience Associates. Free | Registration required.

Donte Palmer, Founder of Squat for Change: Thursday, June 17 starting at 7 p.m. (Virtual lecture) Free | Registration required. Sponsored by Northern Trust.

Zanele Muholi in Conversation: Friday, June 18 starting at 2 p.m. (Virtual program) Free | Registration required.

Friday Night Picnics: Friday Nights in June from 5 to 9 p.m. Prices vary | Registration required.

EDUCATION: Slow Art Wednesdays: Virtual Talks. Wednesday, June 9 and Wednesday, June 23 starting at 12 p.m. Take a fun and mindful break. Topics vary; second and fourth Wednesdays of the month. Free | Registration required.

Family Experience: Interactive Virtual Tour: Friday, June 18 starting at 6 p.m. Imprisoned but Empowered: Cheyenne Warrior Artists Free | Registration required.

Studio on the Go: Drop-in Art Making Activity: Sunday, June 20 from 2 to 4 p.m. Imprisoned but Empowered: Cheyenne Warrior Artists Free with Museum admission.

GARDEN CONCERT:
Two options for a socially distanced experience. Attend one or both! Saturday, June 26
First concert: 4:30 p.m. Doors open. 5 to 5:30 p.m. “Let’s Ride Brass Band”. 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. “The Groove Coalition”. Prices vary | Registration required.

Second concert: 7 p.m. Doors Open 7:30 to 8 p.m. “Let’s Ride Brass Band”. 8 to 9 p.m. “The Groove Coalition”. Sponsored by Joan & Jim Van Vleck.

New Exhibition: Imprisoned but Empowered: Cheyenne Warrior Artists at Fort Marion. Now on view. In 1875, following the Red River War, the United States government ordered the arrest of 72 Cheyenne, Kiowa, Comanche, Caddo, and Arapaho warriors. Taken from their families, they arrived at Ft. Marion in St. Augustine, their home for the next three years. For nearly 100 years, this narrative was told and retold by historians and government agents.  However, the Cheyenne have their own story to tell: a story highlighting the journey east, as well as the life they left behind. A story told in art. Click here to learn more.

Cummer Shop: Visit the Museum store in person, or from the comfort of home through their online shop.

Recommended Reading! One of the museum’s new favorites - Art from Fort Marion: The Silberman Collection. Striking color images depict traditional lifeways and the pain of imprisonment by artists who graphically recorded their responses to incarceration in drawings that conveyed both their present reality and their nostalgic memories.

In order to prioritize the health of our guests and our staff, and to minimize touch points and onsite capacity, all visitors must reserve a timed ticket for entry. Timed tickets are available Tuesday and Friday, 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. or 4 to 9 p.m., Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.; and Sunday, 12 to 4 p.m. RESERVE YOUR ADMISSION TICKET NOW Facial Masks are strongly recommended!

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

Justin Bieber concert coming to JAX 2022

Due to the popularity of the artist and the event, this show is being posted early on “Around Town With Ms. “V” so that patrons may purchase tickets and guarantee their seats. COVID protocol may change by the time this event is scheduled to take place.

Grammy Award®-winning global superstar Justin Bieber recently announced added shows including VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Florida on Thursday, April 7, 2022 as part of the “Justice World Tour 2022”.

Justin returns to the road with his Justice World Tour 2022 with 52 shows on the heels of the global #1 album Justice, his eighth album to debut at #1 on the Billboard 200. Bieber made history as the first male solo artist to debut at #1 on both the Billboard 200 album chart and Billboard Hot 100 singles chart with his certified-platinum smash hit “Peaches.” With over 75 billion career streams and over 70 million albums sold worldwide, Justin continues to reign as one of the biggest artists in the world. Bieber is the #1 artist on YouTube with over 60 million subscribers worldwide and is the #1 artist on Spotify global with over 75 million monthly listeners. Justice has garnered over four and a half billion streams worldwide since its release in March.

The tour, promoted by AEG Presents, kicks off in San Diego at Pechanga Arena on Friday, February 18, 2022 and wraps up in North America in Milwaukee at Milwaukee Summerfest on Friday, June 24, 2022. New arena stops include Austin, Jacksonville and Indianapolis. The tour will also hit New York City, Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, Toronto and many more.

“We’re working hard to make this tour the best one yet,” said Justin Bieber. “I’m excited to get out there and engage with my fans again.”

As the official wireless partner for the Justice World Tour, T-Mobile and Justin Bieber continue their successful partnership, forged in 2017 with their #UnlimitedMoves Super Bowl campaign. T-Mobile customers can get access to stage-front tickets at every U.S. tour stop, even the sold-out shows! Un-carrier customers can snag their Reserved Tickets starting 30 days prior to each show at first day prices – just another way T-Mobile thanks its customers simply for being customers.

Tickets went on sale to the general public Monday, May 24 at 10am local time. Get tickets at www.justinbiebermusic.com .

A limited number of exclusive VIP Packages are also available. These exceptional offers can include an amazing selection of reserved seated tickets, custom merchandise and much more.

Additionally, $1.00 from each ticket purchased will be donated to the Bieber Foundation which is committed to supporting causes that embody justice in action.

 “Justin Bieber”
ºJustice World Tour

DATE: Thursday, April 7, 2022
TIME: 7:30 p.m.

JAX TICKETS: Vary from $59 – $199

LOCATION: VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena
      300 A Philip Randolph Blvd., Downtown
      Jacksonville, FL 32202
      (904) 630-3900