What can you do at the ‘Cummer Museum’ this March?

You missed a lot at the Cummer in February.  Why loose out on all the fine arts, education and entertainment that the Museum has to offer?  Grab your calendar and make plans to visit the Cummer Museum of Arts & Garden this month.

Yoga in the Gardens with Casita Yoga Studio: March 7, 2020 from 11 a.m. to Noon.  Free | No registration required.

Literarture with Art Lecturer Cindy Edelman and Author Stacey Goldring: March 11, 2020 from 12 to 1 p.m.  Searching for Identity: Part three of four that explores the universality of the arts.  $25 Members, $30 Non-Members | Registration required.

Garden Concert with The Chris Thomas Band: March 14, 2020 from 7 to 9 p.m.  $25 Members, $40 Non-Member, $500 Reserved Tables | Registration required.

Family Open Studio: March 15, 2020 from 1 to 3 p.m.  Free drop-in art-making activity for all ages.  Free with admission | No registration required.

Pop-Up Art Building: March 15, 2020 from 1 to 3 p.m.  Free pop-up construction, art, and architecture activities.  What ideas will you build?  Free with admission | No registration required.

Striking Up: Conversation, Performance, and Art with Phase Eight Theater Company: March 20, 6 to 7 p.m. | March 22, 1 to 2 p.m.  In partnership with Phase Eight Theater Company, a one-act meditation on the nature of iconoclasm.  $20 Members, $30 Non-Members | Registration required.

Gallery Talk: March 25, 2020 from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. with Eugène Louis Charvot.  $5 Members, $10 Non-Members | Registration required.  Painting several small works gives students the opportunity to learn color mixing, composition, painting techniques, and work on a variety of subjects such as landscapes, floral, or still life.  Reference material will be provided, and each student will complete four or more original paintings. Participants can sign up for one or both sessions.  Click here to learn more and review the required supply list.
Session 1: March 14 & 15
Session 2: March 21 & 22
Noon to 4 p.m.
Single Two-Day Session: Members $105, Non-Members $140 | Ages 18+ Discounts available when registering for both sessions | Registration required.  Cultivate your child's creativity in the Cummer’s summer camp.  Young artists will observe and explore artwork in the galleries and gardens, experiment with different art media in the studio, and create and show–off their artwork in an open house each week.

Elementary School Camp
Students grades 1 through 6 | 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. | Extended hours available.  Members $200, Non-Members $230 (scholarships available).
Week 1: Line, Shape, and Color – June 8 through 12
Week 2: Rhythm, Pattern, and Balance – June 15 through 19
Week 3: Land, Water, and Sky – June 22 through 26
Week 4: Artful Animals – July 6 through 10
Week 5: Sculpt It – July 13 through 17
Week 6: Art Around the World – July 20 through 24

Middle School Camp
Students entering grades 6 through 9 | 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Members $200, Non-Members $230 (scholarships available)
Printmaking and Mixed Media – July 27 through 31
Registration for ALL is required.

Eclectic Ecology: Landscape Perspectives From Ponce De León To Florida Man: December 20, 2019 through December 31, 2020.  Florida conjures visions of a lush tropical paradise, with vast natural resources and endless opportunities for those most daring to try.

Striking Power: Iconoclasm in Ancient Egypt: January 31 through April 26, 2020.  Striking Power explores the history of iconoclasm in relation to ancient Egyptian art through forty masterpieces on loan from the Brooklyn Museum of Art.  Striking Power is organized by the Brooklyn Museum of Art in collaboration with the Pulitzer Arts Foundation.

Eugène Louis Charvot: February 11, 2020 through September 28, 2020.  The accompanying exhibition will be designed to highlight and celebrate the Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens’ extensive holdings of Eugène Louis Charvot, the largest collection of Charvot works in the world.

Buddha and Shiva, Lotus and Dragon: Masterworks from the Mr. and Mrs. John D. Rockefeller 3rd Collection at Asia Society: June 30, 2020 through October 18, 2020.  This exhibition will present 67 masterpieces collected by John D. Rockefeller III (1906–1978) and his wife Blanchette Hooker Rockefeller (1909–1992), illuminating the cultures and history of Asia.

Hamilton: How The Musical Remixes History - An Evening With Historian, Dr. Richard Bell: April 1-2, 2020 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.  $30 Members, $40 Non-Members | Registration required.

VyStar Credit Union Free Tuesdays — Free admission from 4 to 9 p.m.
PNC Bank Free Fridays — Free admission from 4 to 9 p.m.
Weaver First Saturday Free for All — Free admission the first Saturday of the month.
Florida Blue Free Third Saturday — Free admission the third Saturday of the month.

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

“Jeff Dunham: Seriously!?” tour comes to JAX in March

JEFF DUNHAM & Friends

For the past twelve years, comedian Jeff Dunham and his somewhat-inappropriate-proteges, Peanut, Walter, José Jalapeño, Bubba J. and Achmed the Dead Terrorist, have filled arenas across the U.S. and the world with their multiple, blockbuster tours.  Last year Dunham and his cohorts set out on their brand-new international tour, “Jeff Dunham: Seriously!?”  Dunham and his guys will be hitting cities, crisscrossing North America, including a stop at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Florida March 5, 2020, as well as Canada, and, not long after that... the world!

In addition to Dunham’s new tour, the world-renowned performer’s new Netflix Originals stand-up special entitled “Jeff Dunham: Beside Himself” premiered last September.  This is Dunham’s second Netflix Originals special, and the eighth in his string of record-breaking stand-up television events.  The impressive event was shot in front of 16,000 fans at the American Airlines Center in his hometown of Dallas, Texas, where Dunham introduced his new character, “Larry”, the personal advisor to the President, who has now earned his spot with the troop on the tour.

Dunham has built an entertainment empire over 30-plus years of non-stop touring and performance innovation.  With 10 million followers on Facebook and 2 million YouTube subscribers, amassing well over a billion views, the comedian/ventriloquist has carved out his own unique space in the comedy world.  His accomplishments have led to record-breaking viewership with his standup specials on Netflix, NBC, and Comedy Central.  His astonishing arena packing power puts him on par with major music acts like Luke Bryan and Metallica.  Take a look HERE and get your laugh on!
“Jeff Dunham:
 Seriously”

DATE: Thursday, March 5, 2020
TIME: 7 p.m.

TICKETS: Buy tickets from the VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena box office, online or at www.jeffdunham.com.  Prices range from $48 – $64.

LOCATION: Times Union Center Performing Arts
      Moran Theater
      300 West Water St.
      Jacksonville, FL 32202

‘Celtic Woman’ visits JAX during 15th Anniversary tour

Grammy-nominated, multi-platinum international music group “CELTIC WOMAN” is the most successful all-female group in Irish history with one billion online streams, over four million tickets sold, 12 consecutive Billboard number ones, and 10 million albums sold.  They will be performing at the Times – Union Center on March 5, 2020.  Celebration – The 15th Anniversary Tour.  Celtic Woman Celebration will visit nearly 90 North American cities in 2020, kicking off February 27 at the RP Funding Center in Lakeland, Florida.

The four fantastic CELTIC WOMAN soloists – Tara McNeill on fiddle and Irish harp who weaves her magic around the spine-tingling voices of Mairéad Carlin, Éabha McMahon and Megan Walsh – touch the hearts of a global audience with the centuries-old Irish tradition of telling stories through song: stories of the land, stories of love, and stories of dancing that bring a piece of Ireland to audiences everywhere.

It has been reported that Chloë Agnew is re-joining Celtic Woman as Special Guest Artist for Celebration 15th Anniversary North American Tour!  As you may recall, Chloë was one of the original performers joining the group when she was just 15 years old for their first ever PBS Special, and toured with them around the world for nearly a decade.  She returns to celebrate a very special milestone, sharing the stage with Mairéad, Tara, and Megan as they bring 15 years of song and story-telling to their North American audiences.  According to their website, Éabha McMahon will be taking leave from the group to pursue her own projects.

Joined by a stunning band of two pipers, two drummers, traditional step-dancers, and backing vocalists, CELTIC WOMAN celebrates Ireland’s rich musical and cultural heritage and combines the finest musical talent with epic stage productions to present a unique, inspiring live experience.

The band, favorites on PBS stations, transports audiences to Ireland with the siren call of Orinoco Flow, the playful energy of Teir Abhaile Riu, the power of the uplifting anthem You Raise me Up, the soaring harmonies of Danny Boy, and a bagpiper-led Amazing Grace. This magical evening underscores why CELTIC WOMAN has been described as being “Riverdance for the voice.”

  “Celtic Woman”
15th. Anniversary Tour

DATE: Thursday, March 5, 2020
TIME: 8 p.m.

LOCATION: Times Union Center Performing Arts
      Moran Theater
      300 West Water St.
      Jacksonville, FL 32202

TICKETS: for Celtic Woman start at $54.90 and can be purchased at their box office from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, by calling (904) 632-5000, or online 24/7 at fscjartistseries.org. Discounts for groups of 10+ may be available by calling (904) 632-5050.

The Cummer Museum throws the BEST Parties

If you missed the Warhol Dinner Party or the Egyptian Dinner Party, you must see, from the videos, that you need to be at the next gala evening (“The Art of Nature: A Glamping Dinner Party”) at the Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens.  These Dinner Parties are a wonderful way to help the Cummer while you enjoy an evening of wining and dining, culture and fine entertainment.

Glamping is where nature meets luxury, and the perfect spot to glamp is the Cummer Gardens.  Connect with the outdoors in style during this fancy, bohemian fete amidst the Cummer Oak and historic gardens.  Wander the Olmsted, Italian and English Gardens and experience a unique culinary feature at every turn, whether in one of our garden tents or charming outdoor lounges. This will be a garden party like no other – a true celebration of glamour entwined with nature!

All Dinner Party guests will enjoy beer, wine, hors d’oeuvres, themed music, artful experiences, and dinner.  VIP guests will enjoy a private art tour with selections chosen to complement each event, along with a signature cocktail prior to the start of the evening, from 5:30 to 6 p.m.

VIP | $250 (includes a private tour from 5:30 – 6 p.m.)
General | Members $150, Non-Members $175
Young Professionals (40 and under) | Members $100, Non-Members $125

Don’t be left out of the next party.  REGISTER HERE!

    Dinner Party:
“The Art of Nature: A Glamping”

DATE: Thurs. May 14, 2020
TIME: 6 to 9 p.m..

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

‘Diana Ross’ is back in JAX for one night

The last time that this reporter saw Ms. Diana Ross was on February 14, 2015 at the Forrest Theatre and since then she appeared at Daily’s Place in June of 2017; well, the enchanting songstress is coming back to town at The Times-Union Center for the Performing Arts – Moran Theater.

Diana Ross is considered one of the most successful recording artists and entertainers of all time.  From her landmark solo career to the early days as the leader of The Supremes, Ross helped shape the sound of popular music, changing the landscape and paving the way for contemporary music.

Ross’ international achievements were acknowledged by the prestigious Kennedy Center Honors in Washington DC (2007), celebrating her lustrous career of excellence in music, film, television and theatre, as well as her cultural influences, humanitarian work and her contributions to American culture.  The National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences celebrated her remarkable career with its highest honor, The GRAMMY® Lifetime Achievement Award in 2012. In 2016, Ross received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the most prestigious civilian award given to a U.S. citizen.

You still have time to purchase your tickets to see and hear this iconic legendary singer in Jacksonville, Florida.

“Diana Ross”
Live In Concert

DATE: Wednesday, March 4, 2020
TIME: 8 p.m.

TICKETS: Buy tickets from the VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena box office, or online at Ticketmaster.  Prices range from $38 – $125.

LOCATION: Times Union Center Performing Arts
      Moran Theater
      300 West Water St.
      Jacksonville, FL 32202

MTV and Nick Cannon coming to JAX for one night

Multi-hyphenate entertainer Nick Cannon announced his wildly popular MTV Wild ‘N Out Live tour will return with dates all over the U.S. kicking off March 2020.  Fans can expect stand-up routines by their favorite Wild ‘N Out cast members including: DC Young Fly, Karlous Miller, Emmanuel Hudson, Justina Valentine, Hit Man, Conceited, DJ D-Wreck and Pretty Vee (lineup varies by city), as well as live music performances from some of today’s hottest artists including: platinum “My Type” and “Icy Grl” entertainer Saweetie.  Additional special guests will be announced.  Each night Nick Cannon and the cast will also invite members of the audience to join them for Wild 'N Out’s most popular games.  The tour will bring together a comedy, variety and game show all in one to fans of the improv/competition show on each stop.

Produced by Live Nation and Laugh Out Loud, the expansive 27-city arena tour will kick off March 3rd in Jacksonville, FL and make stops in Atlanta, Chicago, Brooklyn, Los Angeles and more, before wrapping April 11th in Anaheim, CA.  Tickets are on sale to the general public at www.LiveNation.com .

   ‟Nick Cannon presents
MTV Wild ‘N Out Live 2020 U.S. Tour”

DATE: Tues., Mar. 3, 2020
TIME: 8:30 p.m.
CITY: Jacksonville, FL.
VENUE: VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena

TICKETS: Vary

ASM Global was formed in October 2019 from the merger of AEG Facilities, the global innovator in live entertainment venues, and SMG, the gold standard in event management.  ASM Global is a venue management powerhouse that spans five continents, 14 countries and more than 300 of the world’s most prestigious arenas, stadiums, convention and exhibit centers, and performing arts venues.  As the world’s most trusted venue manager, ASM Global provides venue strategy and management, sales, marketing, event booking and programming, construction and design consulting, and pre-opening services.  Among the venues in our portfolio are landmark facilities such as McCormick Place & Soldier Field in Chicago, the Los Angeles Convention Center, Tele2 Arena in Stockholm, the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans and the Shenzhen World Exhibition and Conference Centre in Shenzhen, China.  ASM Global also offers food and beverage operations through its concessions and catering companies.

‘Riders In The Sky’ comes to JAX through Thrasher-Horne

For more than forty years, Riders In The Sky have been keepers of the flame passed on by the Sons of the Pioneers, Gene Autry and Roy Rogers. While remaining true to the integrity of Western music, they have become modern-day icons by branding the genre with their own legendary wacky humor and way-out Western wit, along with encouraging buckaroos and buckarettes to live life “The Cowboy Way!”

Riders have performed in all 50 states and 10 countries!  Their cowboy charisma and comedic flair made them naturals for TV, and landed them their own weekly show on TNN and CBS.  In addition to penning award-winning songs for their own albums, they wrote the score for Pixar Animation’s 2002 Academy Award-winning short “For the Birds”.  But the animated character that history will link to Riders In The Sky is the loveable cowboy Woody, as Riders performed “Woody’s Round Up” in “Toy Story 2”, with the album of the same name garnering Riders their first Grammy Awards in 2001 for “Best Musical Album for Children.”  Two years later, Riders roped their second Grammy in the same category, for “Monsters, Inc.- Scream Factory Favorites,” the companion CD to Pixar’s award-winning movie.  Winners of two Grammys, they stand “hats & shoulders” above the rest of the purveyors of “Comedy & Western!”

“Riders In The Sky”
DATE: Sun. Mar. 1, 2020
TIME: 2 p.m..

TICKETS: are on sale at Thrasher-Horne Center.  Prices range from $19-$59 with all fees included.  Tickets and more information can be found at (904) 276-6815 ext. 1 or online.

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

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.

Donation to the Cummer Museum offer support

The Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens announces that long-time supporters J. Wayne and Delores Barr Weaver have made a $3 million gift through the Weaver Family Foundation Fund to endow the Chief Curator position.

The newly endowed position will be known as the Cummer Museum’s J. Wayne and Delores Barr Weaver Chief Curator.  The position ensures that the Museum will attract top talent into this role in perpetuity, but it also acknowledges the major contributions that Holly Keris, Chief Curator, has made to the institution over her 17 years with the Museum.

“The core of an art museum is its artistic program — it is this content that engages diverse audiences, that provides the stimulus for educational programming, and, at our institution, that connects gardens and galleries,” said Pam D. Paul, chair of the Cummer Museum’s Board of Trustees.  “The work of developing this program belongs first and foremost to the Chief Curator, and Delores and Wayne’s thoughtful gift guarantees quality in this role into the future — ensuring both the Cummer Museum’s sustainability, as well as its continued relevance to Jacksonville and Northeast Florida.”

The Chief Curator is a member of the Museum’s executive team, shaping the institution’s vision and mission, while leading its artistic program.  The position oversees efforts to build, present and conserve the Museum’s permanent collection, and also directs the presentation of exhibitions.

“Through our longstanding association with Holly Keris and the Cummer, we have come to appreciate the tremendous value and profound influence of a Chief Curator,” noted Delores Barr Weaver.  “We are particularly grateful for Holly’s extended efforts as both Chief Curator and interim director for nearly two years, during a challenging period when the Gardens were ravaged by Hurricane Irma and the Women’s Club building had to be razed because of termites.”  She continued, “Our gift is meant to ensure that the Cummer’s Chief Curator continues to be a leading voice in our cultural community for generations to come.”

The Weavers’ decades of generosity to and leadership at the Cummer Museum began in 1997 and has included important initiatives such as Weaver First Saturday Free for All – free admission for all visitors the first Saturday of each month.  Their Weaver Family Foundation Fund at The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida also has provided long-term support for Art Connections, the Museum’s interactive learning center for children and adolescents, as well as Cummer in the Classroom, a comprehensive art education program for Title 1 elementary school children.

Because of their inspiring generosity to provide access and meaningful connections with art and nature, the Weavers encourage and advance Ninah Cummer’s vision for the Museum as a 'center of beauty and culture for all of Jacksonville.’

About the Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens: For almost 60 years, the Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens has been committed to engaging and inspiring through the arts, gardens, and education.  A permanent collection of more than 5,000 objects and historic gardens on a riverfront campus offers nearly 140,000 annual visitors a truly unique experience on the First Coast. Nationally recognized education programs serve adults and children of all abilities.  For further information, including hours, visit their website.

Classic drama ‘Romeo and Juliet’ shakes up at PBTS

“Romeo and Juliet” appears on the Main Stage for one weekend only at Players By The Sea.  The show will retain the classic plot that follows star-crossed forbidden lovers.  The all-female cast will be utilizing real swords and daggers in their stage choreography, created by “Violence and Intimacy Designer”, Dr. Kate Busselle.

Dr. Busselle is new to the theatre scene here in Jacksonville but brings with her an extensive educational and professional background.  She is quoted to say: “I am so excited to bring safe theatrical violence work to Players by the Sea.  This cast has been working tirelessly learning all of the moves I've thrown at them, and I am thrilled that the Jacksonville community gets to see these talented fighters in their element. Don't miss this show!”

Busselle is an Actor Combatant with the Society of American Fight Directors (SAFD) with certifications in unarmed combat, rapier & dagger, quarterstaff, single sword, broadsword, broadsword and shield, knife, and theatrical firearms safety.  She recently completed her Ph.D. in Theatre and Performance Studies at the University of Missouri.  Her dissertation, “Killing Women: Gender and Violence in Selected Works by Sheila Callaghan and Marisa Wegrzyn,” examined how performances of violence committed by the characters within these plays challenge our ideas of gender.

For Romeo and Juliet, Busselle is working both onstage and off to make the show a success.  Onstage, she is portraying Mercutio, Romeo's witty, hot-tempered friend.  Offstage, Kate is staging all of the acts of violence that occur within the show.  Her expertise allows for all of the acts of violence to be staged realistically and safely.

About the Show: The Montague's and Capulet's are at war with one another for reasons unknown.  Two forbidden lovers meet and the rest is history.  Together with swords fights, passionate feelings, and meaningful representations, this version of the Shakespeare classic is presented with a modern twist -- an all-female cast.  Join PBTS on a journey to fair Verona for the timeless tale we all know and love but with new, engaging surprises around every scene.

About Players by the Sea: For over fifty-three years, Players by the Sea has brought quality creative and classic theatre to the Jacksonville community.  Players mission is to enrich the community through excellence in theatre.  The nonprofit community theatre welcomes all creative artists to participate in making the magic of theatre come to life, whether on stage, through advocacy or assisting backstage.

“Romeo and Juliet”
DATES:     TIMES
Fri., Feb. 21, 2020  8 p.m.
Sat., Feb. 22    8 p.m.
Sun., Feb. 23    2 p.m.

TICKETS: are on sale now online or by calling the Box Office at 904.249.0289. General admission is $25.

LOCATION: Players By The Sea Theatre
      106 6th Street North
      Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250
      (904) 249-0289

‘Bandstand’ is a must-see if you are in the area

Orchestra Pit for 'Bandstand'

The Tony Award^®-winning Broadway musical, “Bandstand”, is in Jacksonville, FL for only seven more performances at the Times Union Center Moran Theater.  If you know anything about life after the military, or the comradery of soldiers who share their talents, heartaches, promises, mental demons, injustice and dreams of a future life and how that life use to be; then you need to see this heartwarming musical.  The storyline is easy to follow and might transport you back to the Viet-Nam era, or any post-wartimes experiences that you might have endured.

The choreography is wonderful and the songs throughout the musical are very well done.  Kudos to the marvelous singing done by Jennifer Elizabeth Smith (what a powerful voice).  Accolades to the orchestra in the pit: (Miles Plant, Brian Victor, Michael Brinzer, Ross Kratter and Brian Ganch); and to the cast/band members on stage (Rob Clove, Benjamin Powell, Scott Bell, Louis Jannuzzi III, Zack Zaromatidis & Jonmichael Tarleton) who played along.  The show moves along smoothly and is well worth your investment of time and money.
“Bandstand”
DATES:   &   TIMES
Wed., Feb. 19    7:30 p.m.
Thurs., Feb. 20    7:30 p.m.
Fri., Feb. 21     8 p.m.
Sat., Feb. 22     2 & 8 p.m.
Sun., Feb. 23    1:30 & 7 p.m.

TICKETS: start at $49.50, plus applicable fees. Tickets can be purchased at our box office from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, by calling (904) 632-5000, or online 24/7 at fscjartistseries.org.

LOCATION: Times Union Center Performing Arts
      Moran Theater
      300 West Water St.
      Jacksonville, FL 32202