May 15-21 Happenings Calendar

EVENTS

GIRLS’ RIGHTS WEEK

Girls Inc. of Jacksonville honors local girls 6 p.m. May 16 at a reception at the Haskell Building, 111 Riverside Ave., Riverside. Tickets are $25. 731-9933. girlsincjax.org

COMMUNITY LECTURE SERIES

The series, “The Hotel Ponce de Leon Deconstructed: Building the Future for Modern America,” features Prof. Leslee Keys, 10 a.m. May 17 in Flagler College’s Flagler Room, 74 King St, St. Augustine. Keys discusses “The Modern Wonder of the Ancient City: The Myth and the Marvel of the Hotel Ponce de Leon.” $5. Reservations are required. 819-6282.

WILD AMELIA NATURE FESTIVAL

The seventh annual festival, held May 17-19 throughout Fernandina Beach, Ft. Clinch, Amelia Island and Ft. George, features Segway tours, kayak ecotours, sailing ecotours, a sea turtle release, kids’ activities, paddleboard tours, nature hikes, birding and bike ecotours. Zoo photo classes, a sunset shoot and dinner and a zoo tour are also featured. Fees vary per event. 251-0016. wildamelia.com

RIDING INTO HISTORY

The 14th annual Riding Into History is held May 17-18 at World Golf Village, 500 South Legacy Trail, St. Augustine. Vintage motorcycles, the Concours d’Elegance charity ride, cycle celebrities and a Grand Marshal’s dinner are featured. Proceeds benefit Wounded Warrior Project. Ticket prices vary. 677-9760. ridingintohistory.org

MIRACLE ON ASHLEY STREET

The annual fundraiser is held 11 a.m.-1 p.m. May 17 at the Clara White Mission, 613 W. Ashley St., Downtown. Celebrity chefs and servers are featured. $25. 354-4162. clarawhitemission.org

ST. BALDRICK’S

Volunteers shave their heads in solidarity for kids with cancer, 11 a.m. May 18 at Whisky River, 4850 Big Island Drive, St. Johns Town Center. Proceeds benefit childhood cancer research. (888) 899-BALD.

TASTE & TOAST

Nassau Humane Society fundraiser pairs food with wine or beer, 7-9 p.m. May 18 Florida House Inn’s courtyard, 22 S. Third St., Fernandina Beach. A silent and live auction and music by Dan Voll and Michele Bid are featured. Tickets are $50. nassauhumanesociety.com

RIPPLES ON THE RIVER

The sixth annual event is held 11 a.m.-2 p.m. May 18 at Jacksonville University’s Marine Science Research Institute on the riverfront. The first 200 kids get a free rod and reel. Live music, Capt. Don Dingman’s fishing clinic, tours of the new Gentry Boardwalk & Nature Preserve, seafood, hot dogs, Sweetwater Beer samples, a Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission critter touch tank and MSRI tours are featured. $10 adults; kids free. 256-7095. ju.edu/msri

BOOTLEGGER’S BALL

Riverside Avondale Preservation holds its second annual fundraiser 7 p.m. May 18 – the site is a secret, revealed when you buy a ticket. The 1920s-themed, speakeasy-styled party features cocktails, live music by The 77ds, and a silent auction. $60. 389-3449. riversideavondale.org

FLORIDA NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY CONFERENCE

The Society’s 33rd annual conference is held May 16-19 at University of North Florida’s University Center, 21000 Alumni Drive, Southside. Themed “Celebrating La Florida; the Land of Flowers,” the conference logo features local artist Jim Draper’s “Large Passion” (oil on canvas, 48”x60”), depicting a native plant. Field trips, workshops, speakers, a native plant sale, social events, book signings, silent auction and raffles are featured. To register, go to fnps.org

A SAVORY TASTE

The second annual fundraiser is held 4:30-7:30 p.m. May 18 at Woman’s Club, 201 Jean LaFitte Ave., Fernandina Beach. Food, beer and wine and music from Gabriel Arnold are featured. Tickets are $40; proceeds benefit Micah’s Place Domestic Violence Center. 491-6364 ext. 204. micahsplace.org

TASTE OF THE BEACH

Area restaurants offer samples at the eighth annual Taste of the Beach noon-5 p.m. May 19 at Pier & Pavilion, 350 A1A Beach Blvd., St. Augustine Beach. Taste tickets are $1. Kenyon Dye performs. Proceeds benefit Betty Griffin House. 347-8007, 471-1686. thecivicassociation.org

BEACHES FINE ARTS SERIES TRIATHLON

The first triathlon is held 7 a.m. May 18 at Naval Station Mayport. Each race features a quarter-mile swim, 16.8-mile bike race and 3.4-mile run. Proceeds benefit BFAS programs. 270-1771. bfasracing.org

COSMIC CONCERTS

Laser shows are iPop 7 p.m., Laseropolis 8 p.m., Laser Retro 9 p.m. and Laser Vinyl 10 p.m. May 17 in Bryan-Gooding Planetarium, Museum of Science & History, 1025 Museum Circle, Jacksonville. Online tickets are $5. 396-7062. moshplanetarium.org

 

POLITICS, ACTIVISM & BUSINESS

JACKSONVILLE JOURNEY

The oversight committee of this crime-fighting initiative meets at 4 p.m. May 16 in the Eighth Floor Conference Room 851, Ball Building, 214 N. Hogan St., Jacksonville. 630-7306. coj.net

JACKSONVILLE YOUNG DEMOCRATS

The politically engaged young professional and student group meets 7 p.m. May 22 and every fourth Wed. at Northstar Substation, 119 E. Bay St., Downtown. facebook.com/jaxyoungdems

PONTE VEDRA DEMOCRATIC CLUB

The club meets at 6:30 p.m. every first Wed. of the month at the library, 101 Library Blvd., Ponte Vedra. 473-5479. [email protected]

 

BOOKS & WRITING

MEET THE AUTHORS

FWA Clay County Writers presents local authors Kathleen Walls, “Finding Florida’s Phantoms,” Melanie Pronia, “Journey of Souls” and Linda Schilling Mitchell, “Dear Miss Schneider, Please Excuse Walter…” 6:30 p.m. May 21 at Black Horse Winery, 420 Kingsley Ave., Orange Park. 644-8480.

 

COMEDY

REX NAVARETTE

The Filipino-American comedian appears 7 p.m. May 19 at Maharlika Hall & Sports Grill, 14255 Beach Blvd., Southside. Tickets are $25. 699-0759.

JIM NORTON

Comedy Showcase is 8 p.m. May 15. Norton appears 8 p.m. May 16, and 10 p.m. May 17-18 at The Comedy Zone, 3130 Hartley Road (in Ramada Inn), Mandarin. Tickets are $20 and $25. 292-4242. comedyzone.com

COMEDY CLUB OF JACKSONVILLE

Al Jackson appears 8:04 p.m. May 16, 8:34 p.m. May 17 and 8:04 and 10:18 p.m. May 18 at the new club, 11000 Beach Blvd., Ste. 8, Southside. Tickets range from $6-$25. 646-4277. jacksonvillecomedy.com

THE GYPSY COMEDY CLUB

Joby Saad and Josh DiDonato appear 8:30 p.m. May 17-18 at 828 Anastasia Blvd., St. Augustine. Tickets are $10 and $12. 461-8843.

MAD COWFORD

Mad Cowford Improv performs 8:15 p.m. every Fri. and Sat. at Northstar Substation, 119 E. Bay St., Downtown. Admission is $5. 860-5451.

THREE LAYERS COFFEEHOUSE

Brian Foley hosts various comedians 7-8 p.m. every Sun. at Three Layers Café, 1602 Walnut St., Springfield. 355-9791.

 

NATURE, SPORTS, OUTDOORS

TALBOT ISLANDS

A park ranger leads a nature hike, 2 p.m. May 18 at Ribault Club, Ft. George Island Cultural State Park, 11241 Ft. George Road. Free. 251-2320. floridastateparks.org/littletalbotisland

JACKSONVILLE SHARKS

The successful hometown football team takes on the San Jose Sabre Cats 7 p.m. May 18 (Military Appreciation Night) at Veterans Memorial Arena, 300 Randolph Blvd., Jacksonville. Tickets range from $11-$133. 630-3900.

ECO GEEK SERIES

Learn about technology used in environmental research 3-4 p.m. May 15 at GTM Research Reserve’s Environmental Education Center, 505 Guana River Rd., South Ponte Vedra. Free with paid entrance. 823-4500. gtmnerrecogeek.eventbrite.com. A guided beach exploration is held 8:30-10 a.m. May 18 at Guana South, part of Beaches 101. $3 parking fee. 823-4500. gtmnerrbeachexploration.eventbrite.com

JACKSONVILLE SUNS

The Suns begin a homestand against the Birmingham Barons, 7:05 p.m. May 23 (Elvis Himselvis, Thursday Throwdown), at newly renamed Bragan Field, 301 Randolph Blvd., Jacksonville. Games continue 7:05 p.m. May 24 (Faith Night, Fireworks), May 25 (European Street wieners and sandwiches, AYCD draft beer, soda water, Miracle League pre-game Baseball), and May 26 (Military Salute) and 1:05 p.m. May 27 (Kids Run the Bases). Come on out and cheer for your hometown team! Tickets are $7.50-$25.50. 358-2846. jaxsuns.com

DINOTREK

New exhibits are open at Jacksonville Zoo & Gardens, 370 Zoo Parkway. Lifelike animatronic “dinosaur” creatures are featured. Admission is $3 for members, $3.50 for nonmembers, plus Zoo admission. Zoo hours are extended until 6 p.m. weekends and holidays through Labor Day. 757-4463. jacksonvillezoo.org

 

UPCOMING

ST. JOHNS SUP RUSH

June 8, Rudder Club of Jacksonville

KEVIN JAMES

June 9, The Florida Theatre

DREW CAREY

July 12-13, The Comedy Zone

 

KIDS

JACKSONVILLE SUNS BASEBALL CAMP

The camp is held 9 a.m.-1 p.m. July 11-12 for kids ages 7-12 at Bragan Field, Baseball Grounds, 301 Randolph Blvd., Jacksonville. Camp fee of $90.95 includes lunch both days, a T-shirt, ball cap and ticket to a game. 358-2846.

RAMONA QUIMBY

TheatreWorks presents this kids’ production 10 a.m. and noon May 16 at The Florida Theatre, 128 E. Forsyth St., Downtown, 353-3500. Tickets are $7.50 in advance; $8 at the door. 353-3550 for reservations. theatreworksjax.com

 

COMMUNITY EVENTS

FRIDAY NIGHT DRUM CIRCLE

A drum circle is held 5:30 p.m. every Friday all summer at 18th Avenue North, Jax Beach, on the beach. meetup.com/jaxdrumcircle

LGBT WORSHIP SERVICES

Services are held 10:30 a.m. every Sun. at First Coast Metropolitan Community Church, 2915 C.R. 214, St. Augustine. 824-2802.

LGBT WORSHIP SERVICES

Services are held 10 a.m. every Sun., Chatnchew Bible study 6:30 p.m. every Thur., at Living Witness Family Worship Center, 8716 Lone Star Rd., Arlington. 348-0721.

 

CLASSES & GROUPS

FREETHOUGHT SOCIETY

The group meets 6:30 p.m. May 20 at Unitarian Universalist Church, 7405 Arlington Expressway, Jacksonville. David Jaffee, University of North Florida sociology professor, discusses “Understanding the Economic Crisis: A Neo-Marxist Perspective.” 419-8826. firstcoastfreethoughtsociety.org

SENIORS DANCE

Seniors dance to a 3-piece band 7:30 p.m. every Mon. at Orange Park Senior Citizens Center, 414 Stowe Ave., Orange Park. $5 donation. 260-8061.

YOUNG SURVIVORS

Young Survivors Group (those diagnosed with cancer at a young age) meets 7-8:30 p.m. on the first and third Mon. each month at the Women’s Center of Jacksonville, 5644 Colcord Ave. 722-3000 ext. 224 or email [email protected]