Along the A1A Ocean Islands Trail Jacksonville’s Beaches | Mayport | Broward House | Kingsley Plantation | Big Talbot | Downtown Fernandina Marlin & Barrel Distillery in Fernandina | The Pétanque Courts of Fernandina | American Beach: Under the Blue Bottle Tree with Marsha Dean Phelts | Amelia Island Culinary Academy | Amelia Island Downtown Tasting Tour | The First Coast’s Only AAA Five Diamond Restaurant: Salt at Ritz-Carlton Amelia Island Every place has a story, stitched together with humble beginnings and historic figures to create a living narrative. In very few places can you travel along a timeline of a region’s history as it unfolds before you. The …
Read More »FOOTLOOSE AT THE ALHAMBRA
“Footloose” opened at the Alhambra Dinner Theatre on October 22 and will remain on stage through November 22, 2020. The Dual Critics of EU Jacksonville – Dick Kerekes & Leisla Sansom – did not review the opening of this production, which was sold out before it even opened! Looks like the “Grease” crowd wanted to see it and turned out in force. We’ve seen productions in other venues and loved them: the plot revolves around a teenager facing the challenge of life in a small town that has outlawed dancing. If you want to see it, you can try calling …
Read More »LOVE, SEX AND THE I.R.S at the ALHAMBRA
ALHAMBRA THEATRE AND DINING REVIEW The Alhambra Dinner Theatre is staging “Love, Sex and the IRS,” a farce that plays out at whirlwind speed. It opened on September 30, 2020 and will remain through October 18, to be followed by “Footloose” and “It’s a Wonderful Life.” The play, written by Billy Van Zandt and Jane Milmore, debuted in 1979, delivers non-stop laughs for two hours, and remains one of the comic greats. The setting is a large two-story apartment in New York, which at today’s prices would probably cost at least $3,000 dollars a month to rent. Two struggling musicians …
Read More »Fishing in Northeast Florida: Jacksonville is a Fisherman’s Paradise
Numerous fish species, unbeatable weather, and a healthy fishing infrastructure make the First Coast a fisherman’s paradise. Our state offers 2,276 miles of tidal shoreline, 10,550 miles of rivers, 7,700 lakes, and countless ponds. The First Coast offers a multitude of options. From offshore saltwater fishing, surf fishing, bridge fishing, river fishing and plenty of freshwater ponds or lakes around, there are options far and wide. Inspiration That Lasts a Lifetime Former Jacksonville Beach Councilman and Mayor Rick Hale has been a fisherman in Florida’s waters for close to 70 years. The native’s passion for fishing was largely influenced by …
Read More »Love Letters: A Booth Family Affair at the Alhambra Theatre & Dining
Love Letters: A DUAL CRITICS REVIEW Jacksonville Florida’s opened “Love Letters” on January 9th, 2020, which remains on stage through February 9th, and is the first of nine golden oldies in the Alhambra’s 2020 season. The play, written by A.R. Gurney, premiered in New York in 1988 and was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize. Casting is easy as the play has only two characters: Melissa Gardner and Andrew Makepeace Ladd III. Throughout the play, they sit at separate tables on opposite sides of the stage and read cards, notes and letters they have sent to each other over the …
Read More »New Year’s Eve Gala was a Roar at Alhambra Theatre & Dining
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, …
Read More »Song, Dance, Comedy, and a Holiday Feast: “Elf – The Musical” at the Alhambra
A DUAL CRITICS REVIEW: Elf – The Musical The opened its annual Christmas holiday show with the return of “Elf – The Musical” on November 29, which remains on stage through December 24, 2019. Last year’s production of this holiday classic filled with Christmas cheer was sold out in August, and played to full houses throughout the run. Managing Partner, , decided to reschedule the play this year so theatergoers who were disappointed that they couldn’t get tickets last year could see it. The current production also sold out in August, and Craig says it’s their “fastest-selling show ever.” So …
Read More »‘Jekyll & Hyde’ at Alhambra is a Chilling Unforgettable Tale
Alhambra Theatre & Dining Dual Critics Review The Alhambra Theatre, Jacksonville’s only dinner theatre, opened “Jekyll & Hyde” on October 23, 2019, which runs through November 24, 2019. The theatre is located at 12000 Beach Boulevard in Jacksonville, Florida. Visit alhambrajax.com or call 904-641-1212 for reservations. The musical is based on a novella by Robert Louis Stevenson first published in 1886. Book and lyrics are by Leslie Bricusse, with music by . This mesmerizing production of ‘Jekyll & Hyde’ is directed by Alhambra’s , who directed the same show on this stage eighteen years ago. Dr. Henry Jekyll is a …
Read More »Documentary Honoring a Generous Supporter: The Legacy of Joseph A. Strasser
For , life is a numbers game. The successful financier and philanthropist budgeted many years of his life to building a career in finance and public administration. He’s now the subject of a 13-minute documentary that details and preserves the legacy of an unusual life well-lived. Directed by Ana Paula Habib and Isaac Brown, “The Legacy of Joseph A. Strasser” recounts his story, beginning with his escape from the Holocaust and immigration to the United States as a small child. The film will be screened October 24 at the . The event will honor his life, surviving the hardship of …
Read More »Karai Ramen Bistro: Chef Levi Broadwell Working Hard to Get Each Recipe Right
Those in search of Jacksonville’s best Ramen should head towards a strip mall near the intracoastal. That’s where you’ll find Karai Ramen Bistro. Chef and Owner Levi Broadwell has been perfecting his recipes all around Jacksonville for the past six years. His career started in Central Florida when he was just 15 years old. For years his mother worked in a Chinese restaurant, and from the age of nine he would frequently visit her there. Levi would beg the chef to teach him about cooking but would always get told he was too young. Undeterred, he would spend his time …
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