Family

For two weekends each year, the clear blast of trumpets mingles with the laughter of children as the kingdom of Hoggetowne opens its gates. Performers in period garb sing and dance in the streets, while knights joust on horseback and magicians captivate the crowds. Tucked away in the enchanted forest of the Alachua County Fairgrounds in Gainesville, Fl., this medieval marketplace will come to life Jan. 30-31 and Feb. 5-7. Hoggetowne is home to more than 160 talented artisans from across the country who journey to the Faire to sell and demonstrate their wares, offering medieval crafts such as weaving, …

It’s a feast for the senses with stunning visual displays of dance, food, and elements of Asian culture. Night of Asia brings the city’s Asian community together at the Times-Union Center for the Performing Arts on December 12th. Events will include Chinese folk dancing, martial arts demonstrations, acrobatics, traditional costumes, music, and dance. Night of Asia was established to empower our unified Asian-American community to enrich the diversity and quality of life by building awareness of Asian culture, providing support, and fostering strong relationships within Northeast Florida. As the largest Asian festival in Jacksonville, Night of Asia was organized by leaders …

ECO – events brought to you by TREE HILL NATURE CENTER The Guana Tolomato Matanzas Natural Estuarine Research Reserve has a calendar chock full of activities. Every Saturday they have a different hike, beach exploration, or event for those that want to explore the First Coast’s rich eco-heritage. Most are free. See their website for a full calendar and more info at gtmnerr.org. Dec 5 Orchid Potting Clinic Presented by the Jacksonville Orchid Society, 10am-1pm. Bring questions for members and/or orchids for repotting. Repeats every month on the first Saturday. Hagan Ace Hardware, 12501 San Jose Blvd, 772-7404. Dec 10 …

Give the gift of experience! Tickets are the gift that keeps on giving and create a lasting memory whether it’s a season pass to a museum or theatre or tickets to a concert or family-friendly event. There are plenty of options for every budget and every age. It’s a perfect alternative for that hard-to-buy-for person. There’s the upside of treating yourself, perhaps, as well as the kid who’s primed for an introduction to the symphony or the gift of spending more time with someone special. And there’s the joy of delayed gratification counting down the days until that outing rolls …

FSCJ ARTIST SERIES THEATRE REVIEW Dick Kerekes & Leisla Sansom [email protected] The , now celebrating its 50 anniversary, opened the musical “,” which is based on a children’s story written by , for a six-day run during December 1 – 6, 2015. The musical, a Broadway in Jacksonville presentation, is on stage in the , in Jacksonville, Florida. For tickets and additional information, call (904) 442-2929 or visit artistseriesjax.org. Dr. Seuss first told the story of the Grinch in an illustrated children’s book published in 1957, which was an immediate success. In 1966, it was made into an animated television …

Have you ever wondered what it’s like to stand inside a roaring tornado or how an underwater earthquake can trigger a deadly tsunami? The ’s newest traveling exhibit, , explores natural disasters through stunning displays, state-of-the-art animations, poignant, large-scale images and cultural artifacts that reveal the dynamic relationship we have with the Earth. The exhibit is on display through Jan 10, 2016. This month, is partnering with to offer the Kids Free November program, providing free admission for children ages 3 – 12 at participating cultural locations. “It’s a really wonderful opportunity that we are proud to be a part …

The Elements have been throwing some of the most unique parties this city has ever seen lately thanks to their access to the coolest venue in town, the Museum of Science and History. Past events have included such highlights as Super Smash Bros tournies in the Planetarium, up close and personal encounters with dinosaurs, liquid nitrogen ice cream and more. Always one to outdo themselves, the gang is now putting to use some of the museum’s best assets and bringing in some talented and innovative musicians to provide and audio-visual experience unlike anything you’ve ever seen! At Science of Sound …

  What’s the difference between a carnival and a fair? A carnival is just about the rides and games. The provides entertainment through agriculture and horticulture, showcasing Florida crops, livestock, and descriptions of the animals throughout the exhibition halls to create an educational experience for the entire family. This year marks the 60th year of the Greater Jacksonville Fair. The fair is held November 4-15 in downtown Jacksonville adjacent to EverBank Field. They’ve got live music, carnival games, the best in fair cuisine from turkey legs to funnel cakes, and enough rides to lose them all on the midway. It …

  By name alone, PorchFest conjures images of jug bands, old men in rocking chairs alongside their old hound dogs, and one hell of a hootenanny once the hooch sets in. It’s entirely possible that one or all of those things may be found on November 7th during  in Springfield. However, I don’t want to misrepresent the event or lead you completely astray—this is a family friendly event. PorchFests are held annually across the United States and Canada. They were started in Ithaca, New York, in 2007. The underlying idea was to bring local musicians and neighborhoods together to create …

Hello young Whos of Jacksonville, I suppose you are all starting to think about that holiday coming up with blinking lights, buckets of cheer, and lots of noise, noise, NOISE. Christmas (or as I like to call it, Grinch-mas) is upon us and you are in for a Grinchy treat! I hope you heard that I am coming to town December 1 (and if you haven’t, SURPRISE! I’m coming to town!) to share my secrets of how I stole Christmas. I will be staying at the Times-Union Center with my trusty canine Max the Dog until Sunday, December 6. By …