Festivals

EU’s Jack Diablo stays on top of the Jacksonville music scene so you don’t have to! Check in every month for album reviews, show recommendations, and local music news. Upcoming Shows May 10 Froth, The Coogs, Queen Beef at Shanghai Nobby’s I made the regrettable mistake of turning down a booking request for the Growlers a few years ago that I’m still kicking myself for. Suffice it to say: if that bums you out too, Froth is probably the next best thing. They are playing Psych Fest this year after all. The Coogs though are totally awesome! They’ve been around …

Call your significant other NOW! May is National Date Your Mate Month. Deciding exactly where to go may be a little daunting. The Greater Jacksonville area has a lot going on and plenty of places to take your mate during this month. May 13 Brewer’s Pizza (Orange Park) Barrel-aged beers and Kentucky Bourbon Stout Release – 5 pm to close May 14 Engine 15 Brewing Company (Jax Beach) He’brew, the Chosen Beer Pint Night – 4 to 7pm May 16 Zeta (Jax Beach) Pint Night – 6 to 9 pm May 26 Engine 15 Brewing Company (Jax Beach) New Brewery …

In jazz music, timing is the nucleus of a song and without it, the music loses its shape. As half of one of Jacksonville’s musical power couples, jazz vocalist  understands the value of perfect timing. Kelly has been an instrumental force in Jacksonville’s jazz scene for the better part of two decades. During that time, she and her husband, trumpeter , created a name for themselves as part of the city’s cultural elite as players, teachers, and mentors. It was that spirit of fostering fresh, new talent that initially prompted Kelly to help cultivate an improvisational jazz jam session at …

John Coltrane once said that you’ve got to look back at the old things and see them in a new light. The  has a long and storied past from its humble beginnings in the  fishing village to a sprawling, three-day celebration of the many genres of jazz that are important elements to our nation’s musical history. After more 30 years, the Jacksonville Jazz Festival is hitting all the right notes. From May 22nd-25th, the heart of downtown Jacksonville will be transformed into a vibrant festival setting as local, regional, and national jazz artists gather on multiple stages to showcase their …

If our homes and workplaces are our first two social environments, a third place is anywhere else we go to socialize. Coined by urban sociologist Ray Oldenburg, third places are everyday gathering places that are the anchors of community life. They are easily accessible – often walkable, are welcoming and comfortable with a set of “regulars,” and usually include food or drinks as a key part of the experience. These are the places where we go to make our own entertainment. Great Downtowns have great third places. Urban living means trading in backyards for a variety of walkable hangouts. From …

For a new artist with an eye on the prize, the anticipation of success can cause tunnel vision when it comes to the fine print, leaving them blind to the harsh inequities of the entertainment business. Local entertainment attorney Carolyn Herman hopes to shed some light into the darker corners of the industry with a new endeavor that will offer legal and business services to the region’s artistic community. Herman announced her plans to launch the Entertainment and Arts Collaborative of Northeast Florida, Inc., last month at a press event for the 24th annual George’s Music Springing the Blues Festival. …

The third annual River City Eco Fest & Challenge hosted by the River City Eco Foundation returns on May 17, and the River City Eco Foundation organizers are expecting upwards of 3,000 attendees. Plus, you are invited to the event’s Music Fest and Outdoor Recreation and Wellness Expo at Metropolitan Park in Downtown Jacksonville. Online registration is now open for the Challenge and for the 8am Alicia’s Run – register right now! “River City Eco Fest was created by a group of passionate individuals from all walks of life, sharing one common goal: create a self-sustaining, free eco/music festival to …

The Dual Critics of EU Jacksonville attended the final week of the annual Humana Festival 2014 at Actors Theatre of Louisville, in Kentucky, which began February 26th and ended April 6th. This was the 38th consecutive year for the festival, which has introduced almost 450 new plays to American and international audiences, and has been made possible by a generous grant from the Humana Foundation. This year was extra special for a couple of reasons. First, it marks the 50th anniversary of the theatre’s presence as the foremost theatre in Louisville. In addition, the festival hosted the 2014 conference of …