There are plenty of events and shows to choose from in the upcoming year. To kick off your year, here are some of the interesting stage shows you’ll find in the First Coast area through March. Check out EU’s Spring Performing Arts guide later this year for a more thorough look at the rest of the year!
With 29-plus years and well over 5,000 performances under their collective cowboy belt, Riders in the Sky, the multi-Grammy Award winning Western music group whose music is firmly grounded in the rich American music traditions of such legendary cowboys singers as Gene Autry, Roy Rogers, and the Sons of the Pioneers—and whose fun-filled performances have enchanted audiences of all ages—are themselves the stuff of legend. Info: (904) 355-2787 Tickets: $25, $22.50 (Adult); $17.50, $15 (Children) Location: The Florida Theatre
Legendary filmmaker George Romero will come to the San Marco Theatre to provide commentary to the film that started it all, Night of the Living Dead. This king of the zombie film genre joins the ranks of those that have participated in past installments of San Marco’s original series THE TALKIES including John Waters and Herschel Gordon Lewis. Go to thetalkies.net to get your tickets now.
By grafting the plot and some of the text of Julius Caesar together with the story of Malcolm X’s murder, playwright Al Letson Jr. offers a classic demonstration of Shakespeare’s infinite adaptability. The Play explores how allies can become assassins and how the struggle for power can turn toxic. Info: playersbythesea.org
Presently on Broadway, this is a trend setting musical that follows our anti-hero on the night of his 35th birthday, confirmed bachelor Robert contemplates his unmarried state. In vignette after hilarious vignette, we are introduced to “those good and crazy people,” his married friends, as Robert weighs the pros and cons of married life. Info: (904) 641-1212 or 1-800-688-7469 Tickets: $39-46, includes dinner and show. Location: Alhambra Dinner Theatre
Winner of the 2005 Tony Award for Best Musical, Monty Python’s Spamalot is the outrageous new musical comedy lovingly ripped off from the film classic “Monty Python and the Holy Grail.” Spamalot tells the tale of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table as they embark on their quest for the Holy Grail. Flying cows, killer rabbits, taunting Frenchmen and show-stopping musical numbers are just a few of the reasons audiences everywhere are eating up Spamalot. Info: (904)632-3373 or artistseries.fccj.org. Location: Times-Union Center, Moran Theater
Here are a few notable bands or musical acts that will be breezing into town early in ’08 that you might want to watch for!
Although James Brown is no longer competing for the title, Willie Nelson has long been the hardest working man in showbiz. Constantly on tour, few people play as many dates around the globe as Willie Nelson, but even more impressive is his extensive catalog of hits. He’s been writing music as long as Elvis and he has put out so many albums it’s difficult to keep his discography straight. But Willie is “on the road again” bringing his canon of hits to the Florida Theatre. Info: (904) 355-2787 Tickets: $71, $61, $53.50. Location: The Florida Theatre
Jan 10 - The Gallows play their UK punk at Jack Rabbits
Jan 11 - Grammy winning blues legend Taj Mahal at the Florida Theatre
Jan 18 - Hee Haw’s Roy Clark with country prodigy Junior Brown at the Florida Theatre
Jan 20 - Chuck Ragan of Hot Water Music at Jack Rabbits
Jan 27 - Psychobilly legends Tiger Army at Freebird Live.
Jan 31 - Blues guitarist and singer Richie Havens plays the Alcazar inside of the Historic Lightner Museum in St. Augustine
What better way to celebrate Valentines Day than going to hear some heart-wrenching county ballads. Live at the Florida Theatre.
Tickets: $61, $51, $46 Info: floridatheatre.com
Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena. The legendary Van Halen has added Jacksonville to their tour. Info: jaxevents.com/jacksonvillearena
Feb 15 - The B-52’s turn the Florida Theatre into their Love Shack.
Feb 15 - Shangrala CD Release party with Johnathan Appleseed and Elevation at Jack Rabbits.
Feb 24 - Bayside and Straylight Run play emo-indie at Freebird.
Feb 27 - Blues legend Keb Mo brings his guitar to the Florida Theatre to play for you
Indie rock paragon Doug Martsch is back on the road with Built to Spill. They are sweeping through Florida for the first time in more than five years on their way to Langerado with the late Curt Cobain’s favorite Arizona band, the Meat Puppets. Catch them live at Freebird at Jacksonville Beach. Info: freebirdlive.com/
Mar 12 - Ani DiFranco plays her hard-edged folk at Freebird.
Mar 14 - They Might Be Giants brings their family-friendly polka rock to Freebird.
Some events in and around Jacksonville come in like the tide, but you might not be aware of them. Here’s a rundown of just some of the seasonal events you should be discovering this year. If you haven’t been to one of these and it looks interesting to you, mark it on your calendar!
Gates open at 9:00 a.m. The location for these Games is Clay County Fair Grounds on State Road 16, 2497 SR16 W Green Cove Springs. Tickets prices are $10 per person in advance or $12 at the gate. Kids 10 and under are free. No pets allowed.
The 6th year of this everglades music festival is bringing some of the biggest bands to swampy south Florida for three days of camping and music. From Beastie Boys and R.E.M. to Matisyahu and The Roots. Ani DiFranco, Built to Spill, Les Claypool, of Montreal, Minus the Bear and Pelican are just a few of the dozens of bands (more than 80) playing this music festival. Go to langerado.com for more details.
This 15K race, held along Jacksonville’s downtown roads and bridges is the largest 15 K run in the U.S. Info: gate-riverrun.com
Seafood, fried, boiled, grilled or blackened. Music for everyone. Arts & crafts, rides and games for the whole family.
Have your boat blessed for the upcoming navigational season! Arrive downtown at 1:30 pm and tune to VHF channels 16 and 72 for parade instructions. The parade will be blessed by Father Kamal Al-Rahil of the St. George Antiochian Church. Register your boat for the 2008 Blessing of the Fleet and receive a free gift. Northbank Riverfront, Downtown Jacksonville. Info: coj.net.
Springing The Blues is a free outdoor blues music festival designed to celebrate America’s indigenous musical form and promote support of the arts. The three-day oceanfront event features a number of renowned blues performers as well as numerous displays and activities geared for the entire family. It is held at Jacksonville Beach, Florida’s Oceanfront SeaWalk Pavilion on the 1st weekend of April each year. Info:springingtheblues.com
One of the largest such fests in the country, our Jazz Fest draws notable Jazz artists from around the country as well as local talent. You’ll find music, art and much more at this mega-fest. Info: coj.net
Tree Hill’s 7th Annual Butterfly Festival is scheduled for April 26 at Tree Hill’s 50 acre nature facility and nature park on Lone Star Road in Arlington where teaching, living and conserving green comes naturally. The butterfly festival will run from noon – 5pm with a mass butterfly release, live music, food, kids games and activities, and much more! This family oriented day is Tree Hill’s signature event and last year attracted over 4,000 people! Info: treehill.org
You know a city has arrived when it starts holding its own film fest. Last year’s fest featured workshops for filmmakers featuring world-class advice and instruction from award-winning filmmakers, parties every day of the festival, a terrific selection of fiction and documentary films, and loads of shorts. Info: jacksonvillefilmfestival.com
This maritime festival will highlight the essential roles the St. Johns River and the maritime community have played in the history of Jacksonville and will be anchored by the visit of several Tall Ships® to Jacksonville’s downtown riverfront. Info: coj.net
Downtown. Fireworks reflecting off the St. Johns River. The usual beautiful fanfare. Need we say more? Info: coj.net
The second annual Talleyrand Music and Arts Festival will bring dozens of big named bands to Met Park in an otherwise dead time of the year for live music. Look to talleyrandfestival.com for details as they become available.
Fun times for the little ones at the Jacksonville Zoo during Halloween! Trick or Treat, a maze and October fun come with zoo admission.
For more than 20 years, the Jacksonville Light Parade has illuminated the St. Johns River. Boats of every shape and size are imaginatively adorned with decorations that captivate senses and stimulate imaginations. The Light Parade is the perfect way to stay afloat after the Thanksgiving holiday. This enchanted night is topped off by an unbelievable fireworks display over the river, featuring the signature bridge “waterfalls.”
Northbank riverwalk- 7 pm Info: (904) 630-3690 or coj.net
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