Spoken Word

The Cultural Council Virtual Arts Awards Will Include Violin Virtuoso Phillip Pan, a Caribbean Vacation and One-of-a-Kind Glass Wave Awards Cultural events are at a standstill but the 44th annual Cultural Council Awards is live-streaming ahead! A virtual fete re-imagined event will be showcased Sept. 2 at 7pm on the Cultural Council, WJCT, and Downtown Vision’s Facebook page and the Jesse Ball DuPont Center website. The theme of this year’s Arts Awards is “Bridges: Connecting Arts, Business, and Community” which highlights the inter-connectivity between the arts, business and community. Organizers shifted programming to a virtual format ahead of the pandemic …

It’s thought-provoking and inspiring, emotional and raw, connecting us all through the power of the written word. In celebration of National Poetry Month, Hope at Hand presents the 4th Annual Jax Poetry Fest with free community workshops and presentations by a collection of local poets, writers and spoken-word artists in . Jax Poetry Fest is an annual event produced by the North Florida nonprofit every April during National Poetry Month to inspire community-based poetry projects and engage the community. The inaugural Poetry Fest was held in 2016. Now in its fourth year, the festival has grown in terms of both …

PHASE EIGHT THEATER COMPANY REVIEW A DUAL CRITICS REVIEW BY DICK KEREKES & LEISLA SANSOM The new presented the World Premiere of “On Purpose” during April 7 – 9, 2017 on the stage at WJCT’s studio in downtown Jacksonville. This two-act production filled with original monologues was created, written, and performed by . She is a versatile actress, with a fantastic smile, a polished mastery of accents, and a fearless stage presence. Ms. Payne-English is a literary artist, performer, and educator and the author of “Secrets of Ma’at,” a prize-winning poetry collection (currently available on Amazon). Additionally, she has recorded …

When she first conceived the idea for the Kesha exhibit, Arts and Culture Developer, Shawana Brooks recalls asking herself, “What would it take to showcase artists that lived here in Jacksonville and resource their abilities back to the community? What would it take to execute creative and collaborative art exhibitions that had a strong position on learning in all dimensions?” Through her curation of 14 black female artists, Brooks developed Kesha as a representation of the black female experience attached to one female name. She strives to explore society’s consistent erasure of the black female through “high quality contemporary work …

With the 50th season underway, has recently named as new artistic director. Akers says he hopes to strengthen community relations and extend the reach of the theatre’s educational programming to incorporate theatre for the young. Players by the Sea will also unveil an artistic statement that connects patrons, artists, and community groups with the work they do. “As a community theatre, it’s our duty to reflect what’s happening in the community and tell the best stories by the best storytellers.” “As a community theatre, it’s our duty to reflect what’s happening in the community and tell the best stories by …

Hal Holbrook, at an impressive 91 years of age, continues his 62 year tour performing his legendary impression of Mark Twain and interpretation of the 19th Century American author’s work. I had the exquisite pleasure of attending his performance at the Thrasher Horne Center for the Arts. The lighting and acoustics in this gem of a theater provided the perfect venue to showcase one of America’s most famous touring actors. While Mr. Holbrook can not be pinned down to a specific program for the audience to follow along to since he says that it would stifle his inspiration, he does …

is serious about her role as the keeper of priceless memories. She takes great care to preserve these reflections, even if they don’t belong to her. Known as the , Caputo delivers messages from spirits who have “crossed over.” She can’t really explain it, she refuses to defend it and has long since come to terms with her task as a vessel for these souls to communicate with their loves ones. It’s part of life and she wouldn’t trade it for the world. Whether in an individual reading or a group setting, Caputo serves as the mouthpiece with a message, …

829 N. Davis Street, 807-2010, www.ritzjacksonville.com Feb 7 SYL JOHNSON IN CONCERT Born Sylvester Thompson he migrated to his family to Chicago in 1950’s, blues guitarist son and played with blues artists Magic Sam, Billy Boy Arnold and Junior Wells to mention a few.  Billboard R & B charts in 1069 for “Is it Because I’m Black. Feb 15 REIGNITING THE REVOLUTION: THE GIANTS WHOSE SHOULDERS WE STAND UPON A historical journey through the Civil Right’s movement. See excerpts of the first African-American Marines that fought our country to fight for our country winning WWII. Feb 20 REBIRTH BRASS BAND …