Neighborhoods

Cheba Hut recently opened their first East Coast location in . I was invited out to meet with the owner Dusty and try the food. Having zero knowledge of the brand before they contacted me, I was intrigued by their business once I read that they are a “Marijuana Themed Sandwich Shop.” What did that mean? I needed to know. So I dug into the business a little bit and realized that the theme is just that, a theme. As much as some of you might want it to be, the food is not marijuana infused. The menu items are …

Cocktails at Hawkers Hawkers has some new fall cocktails available and I was one of the lucky few invited out for a cocktail making class to celebrate. Our class was held at the location, but the new cocktails can also be ordered at their location, which was recently expanded to add a wraparound bar and a few extra tables.   We started the night by making 2 of their new cocktails: G-N-TEA: Smoky and herbal. Chai-infused Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish gin, apple cider simple tonic, smoked cinnamon. Jingle Juice: Light and festive. RumHaven, REÀL coconut, pineapple juice, house sake, prosecco This was such …

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 …

Interview with A Magical Cirque Christmas vocalist Therese Curatolo There’s nothing magical about traveling during the holidays, especially when the caravan includes two tour buses for cast and crew and two semi-trucks full of lights, rigs and various other pieces of stage equipment. The cast of A Magical Cirque Christmas endures the hectic schedule to share the delightful family show with audiences across the country. “With this show, it’s very gratifying,” says vocalist Therese Curatolo. “It makes it all worthwhile.” Presented by the producers of Broadway’s smash hit “The Illusionists,” A Magical Cirque Christmas brings together the world’s greatest entertainers for …

Cultural Council of Greater Jacksonville comes to the St. Johns Town Center Looking for gorgeous, original, and one-of-a-kind creations for your home, office, or to add to your collection? Then, you’re in luck – find them now at the unique pop-up shop spanning two large storefronts at in the Town Center. The Cultural Council of Greater Jacksonville’s ARTSee & Shop is between Kirkland’s & Versona. Take time and bring a gang to shop. Stay for a performance or artist demonstration. “In my new role as Coordinator of Programming and Public Engagement, I am thrilled to be part of ARTSee & …

A Dual Critics Review St. Augustine’s Limelight Theatre is staging the wildly entertaining “Every Christmas Story Ever Told (and then some)” during November 22 – December 22, 2019 in the Koger-Gamache Black Box Theatre. The play, written by Michael Carleton, James FitzGerald and John K. Alvarez, was initially staged in New Jersey in 2003 and has become a popular holiday choice for venues throughout the country.  Limelight’s version is directed by , and features , Cameron Hodges, and , who portray three actors planning a Christmas show. Craig is well known at Limelight for past roles which have included “Heathers: …

Comedian built a solid career as an observational comic with a razor-sharp wit and enviable improv skills. She reads a room, and when she senses the slightest vapor of a bite, she rides the comet. She’s established herself as a force to be reckoned with on stage. As with many artists of longevity, it’s a challenge to find a new stone to turn, yet Poundstone always manages to approach topics with a fresh perspective. During a recent interview with EU Jacksonville, I decided to follow her lead by going off-script. Like her act, I prepared a loose outline to follow, …

Interview with Ardy Sarraf performs as Paul McCartney in the Fab Four Beatlemania is coming to Jacksonville! Presented in partnership with Emporium Presents, the Fab Four takes audiences on a magical mystery ride through the years Nov. 22 at the Ponte Vedra Concert Hall (www.pvconcerthall.com). Billed as the ultimate Beatles tribute band, the Fab Four performs uncanny, note-for-note renditions of Beatles classics such as “Can’t Buy Me Love,” “Yesterday,” “A Day in The Life,” “Twist and Shout” and “Here Comes the Sun.” The incredible stage performance includes three costume changes from the early, clean-cut years to the psychedelic period throughout …

Q& A with Jeremy Nix, The Balance King First off, thank you for letting me feature you! After doing even cursory research on The Balance King it is obvious that you’re in the midst of a very active and exciting chapter of life. You have so many great projects in the works, congrats! Thank you, Amanda, it’s an honor to be featured by you for the EU! What you observe is the periphery of verdant foliage, which could not thrive without the loving support of family and friends, and being a member of a superlative team – in a word, …

Interview with Touring Broadway Actress Allison Bailey It has the bones of the classic of good vs. evil, but, at its core, Wicked is the story of an unlikely friendship between Elphaba and Glinda, long before Dorothy dropped in to the magical Land of Oz. The musical sensation opens the 2019-20 Broadway Series November 20-December 1 at the Times-Union Center for the Performing Arts. You can purchase tickets at www.artistseriesjax.com. EU Jacksonville caught up with Allison Bailey, who stars in her “dream role” as Glinda the Good Witch. The Pensacola native is thrilled for the homecoming of sorts and excitedly …