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]