Holidays

Nestled between the famously haunted cities of Savannah and St. Augustine, Jacksonville is not well known as a spooky destination. Yet our city has plenty of its own ghost stories and urban legends. If you’re looking for a scare this October, here are the top 10 haunted hangouts on the First Coast: The Florida Theatre 128 East Forsyth Street, Suite 300, Jacksonville, 32202 Since it opened its doors in 1927, Jacksonville’s Florida Theatre has hosted thousands of performances. The theater draws about 250,000 guests annually and Elvis Presley famously wowed the crowds here in 1956. Performances are so epic, some …

In 1987, Folio Weekly made its debut—and Northeast Florida hasn’t been the same since. The “alternative newsweekly” brought a fresh, no holds barred approach to local journalism and served it up with a generous side of sarcasm and sass. No subject was off limits, and the staff were eager to explore them all, the good, the bad and the WTF. Fast forward to 2020 (speaking of WTF!), and Folio Weekly became its own story. More than 30 years after the paper’s publisher Sam Taylor announced Folio was ceasing publication due to economic issues related to the pandemic. But that wasn’t …

It’s February, the month of romance. When chocolate hearts and teddy bears take over as the representation of love. Flowers are bought, and dinner plans are reserved. But for some, it’s the time to take that next step in the relationship. To ask that question for forever. But what comes after the “Yes!”?  The planning. This includes the dress, venue, color scheme, everything that creates someone’s dream wedding. But how long does a couple have? For some, a wedding can be created in a month, that’s if you want a casual wedding or an elopement. But for those that have …

Jacksonville’s fabulous closed out 2019, a year filled with many outstanding sold-out productions, which included their traditional New Year’s Eve Gala. Suggested attire included formal wear and 1920’s flapper era garb, and we saw many many ladies in beautiful dresses this year. The party began around 6:00 pm in the lobby and library with wait staff offering champagne flutes and fine appetizers (best-ever appetizer: Classic Oysters Rockefeller). Seating followed at 6:30. Dinner included Lobster Bisque or Caesar Salad and four entrée choices: the most popular was Filet & Maine Lobster with mashed potatoes and asparagus. Other choices included deviled crab, …

It’s the holiday season and options are abundant in the Jacksonville community but one familiar classic has landed in Fleming Island and shouldn’t be missed. A Christmas Story at The Island Theater is a beautiful presentation of the beloved movie live on stage. Directed by Shelley Finn, the production is the play version of the hit movie and brings to life all the iconic scenes in an immersive atmosphere that guarantees you’ll feel like you are sitting right in the Parker’s living room. Audience members can sit near the infamous flagpole or sit at the front of the class with …