Festivals

by ERIN THURSBY The Riverside Arts Market is more than just a market; it’s part of our community. Vendors serve the community, and they are the community. This month we’re profiling Down to Earth Farm, an all organic, family-run farm that has been with RAM since its inception five years ago. You’ll find them in the produce section of RAM each week. You can also expect to see them at One Spark as one of the entries. Brian and Kristin Lapinski and their family tend their plot to bring us fresh, delish veggies and eggs. EU: How do you choose …

One Spark is coming to town! The world’s crowdfunding festival celebrates its inaugural five-day event this month, bringing creative people with ideas from Jacksonville and around the world to showcase their projects and get funding to bring them to life. Since One Spark is a new event, the likes of which have never been attempted before, we’ve assembled the following, unofficial guide to the key elements that make One Spark tick. CREATORS One Spark is all about the Creators. But showcasing at One Spark is about more than just winning some prize money. “One Spark is really providing you with …

by JACK TWATCHMAN This April, Downtown Jacksonville will be overrun by Creators in art, music, science, technology and more from around the world. For five days, they will showcase their projects and ideas in order to collect public votes that translate into funding to take their ideas to the next level. One Spark 2013 is the world’s crowdfunding festival and the first of its kind. Think of a mix between SXSW and a real-life version of Kickstarter. The concept for this ambitious, game-changing event was conceived here locally as a means to connect people with ideas to the resources required …

by Regina Heffinton – The Jax Brew-Bitch Who doesn’t look forward to spring? Shaking the effects of historically chilly months from your limbs, you are ready to get out and enjoy the weather–take in a festival or two–and maybe dance and sing, if you are so inclined or talented. Heck, even the animal kingdom has “springing heifers”–signifying that time right before a female cow births her first calf. The owners of these heifers excitedly anticipate this time, most often in the spring, all giddy with finding out whether their herd has been increased by another bull or heifer. This season, …

by Rebecca Austin You know the saying “ You should have been there” which is always followed by “ I wish I would have gone.” On Wednesday night the 23rd of January the beginning of something beautiful and beneficial to the people of Jacksonville. Much like a secret code that fuels an army, the group of individuals that attended this meeting will be able to say “ I was there at the beginning”. One Spark is an arts and innovation based festival with the goal of connecting creators, innovators and investors that will be held on April 17 to 21 …

After Setbacks, Art in Public Places Program Announces Mural Project BY ADELAIDE COREY-DISCH The Art in Public Places (APP) program is the outcome of an ordinance created in 1997 by Jacksonville’s City Council and Mayor, and is responsible for bringing numerous public art projects to the city during the program’s 15 years. Lately the APP has been off the radar, quietly building a dynamic committee while continuing to maintain and conserve Jacksonville’s existing public art. But by the end of the year the Art in Public Places program was back in the spotlight, announcing new projects. In December the APP …

by ERIN THURSBY Despite not knowing what’s going to happen with the evening, the names involved are enough to give the Legend Series a certain cachet: Cari Sanchez-Potter, co-founder & producer (general manager of Intuition Ale works), Chef Scott Schwartz, co-founder and chef (29 South Restaurant, Chef Sam Efron (Taverna), Chef Guy Ferri (Black Sheep), Chef Tom Gray (Bistro Aix), Brian Siebenschuh (Orsay), Chef Mike Ramsey (Jacksonville Golf & country Club) and Chef Caitlin Schneder-Franz (Jacksonville Golf & Country Club). Past dinners at the Legend Series have included Opera at the Florida Theater with the diners seated onstage, in the …

by Alexandra McClain Before there was Dreamgirls , there was Sparkle. The original movie was inspired by girl groups of the time like the Supremes and directed by Sam O’Steen. Surely by now we all know the plot; a group of young girls who are talented singers looking to make their big break and get out of the ghetto. Along the way they discover how quickly you can become swept up in the fast paced lifestyle the music industry has to offer. The typical melodrama we’ve all come to know. If you’ve seen the original film then you might be …