Sam Rivers: The Heartbeat of Limp
Bizkit — and Jacksonville’s Own
Teresa Spencer
The War and Treaty Kicks Off Their American Soul Revival Tour at Ponte Vedra Concert Hall
Josie Keenan
Fluffy Forever: Gabriel Iglesias and the Gospel of Laughing While Round
Teresa Spencer
75
The Local Expands Its Flavor Frontier
Teresa Spencer
83
Community Events: San Marco’s Bar Hop
Ariana Alcantara
Teresa
The Jacksonville Immigrant Rights Alliance is deeply concerned by the Clay County Sheriff’s Office’s announcement of a driver’s license checkpoint. While the CCSO claims this is routine, their own statement admits it has been “quite some time” since they last conducted such an operation. The timing is suspicious, coming amid new federal funding that pays local police to enforce immigration laws. This creates a dangerous incentive for racial p rofiling.
We stand in solidarity with all people targeted by these immigration crackdowns and racial profiling. Such policies do not enhance public safety; they destroy the trust between law enforcement and our communities, making everyone less safe. A family on their way to work or school should not be treated as suspects because of their appearance.
For our community members, especially immigrants, who may be affected, we urge you to know your rights and have a plan:
1. You have the right to remain silent. You do not have to answer questions about your immigration status or place of birth. You can calmly state, “I am exercising my right to remain silent.”
2. Do not open your door to anyone unless they show a warrant signed by a judge. You have the right to see the warrant.
3. Have a safety plan. Memorize the phone number of a trusted friend, family member, or lawyer. Ensure someone knows where you are and can care for children or dependents if you are detained.
4. If you are driving, you must show your driver’s license, registration, and proof of insurance if asked. Beyond that, you are not required to answer other que stions.
JIRA will continue fighting these discriminatory policies and demand an immediate end to 287(g) agreements that turn local police into immigration enforcement.
Jaguars linebacker Devin Lloyd for being nominated for the 2025 Salute to Service Award presented by USAA. His exceptional efforts to honor and support military and veteran communities has made tremendous impact through visits to multiple military bases and hosting free youth football camps for military families.
Governor Ron DeSantis for handing Turning Point USA — the farright “Christian nationalist” group masquerading as a student movement — the keys to Florida’s public schools. TPUSA bragged online that their new state-backed partnership lets them launch chapters in every Florida high school. Translation: taxpayer-funded classrooms are becoming recruitment grounds for political ideology.
Let’s not forget—this comes hot on the heels of DeSantis’ 2023 law banning colleges from funding diversity, equity and inclusion programs. Separation of church and state? Apparently, that lesson got cut from the curriculum.
Happy Scorpio season, Aries. It’s time to go into hibernation … for your own good. Early November is smooth sailing. Your communication is the best it’s ever been, and your relationships will seemingly thrive. All that changes on the 18th during the Scorpio New Moon; it’s like you’ve entered a miscommunication contest and are a shoo-in for first place. Think before you speak and don’t believe everything you hear.
It’s not your party anymore, and crying won’t do you much good. Welcome to Scorpio season — a chaotic cocktail of high emotions, mixed signals and promised raises that never quite land. With the New Moon in Scorpio setting the stage, brace yourself for every cliché in the book to come true. Chief among them: it’s time to get brutally honest about where (and to whom) your energy goes. Energy vampires are out in full force this season, and if you’re not careful, you might find yourself drained before you even realize it.
Wolves won’t be the only ones howling at the moon on Nov. 5, Taurus. This full moon rises in your sign, illuminating your sense of self, identity and the start of something new. Under the influence of Scorpio season, you’re not only shedding old versions of yourself — you’re also beginning to weave a new story, one where “I” transforms into “we.”
November is the time to speak your mind, Gemini. When Mercury enters Sagittarius on Nov. 29, you will find yourself having a hard time not. For the first time in what feels like forever, you will find yourself being outspoken and unfiltered. On the same day, Mercury connects with Pluto, steering your mind into a deep state of introspection. Good luck!
Mercury retrograde this, Mercury retrograde that… This Scorpio season might just be your best season of the year, Cancer. With a total of three planets activating fortunate Jupiter in your sign, you’ll be feeling positive about life, and a dream opportunity is just around the corner. Of course, this doesn’t mean you can just sit back and let the stars do the work for you. Be intentional about the seeds you nurture; you wouldn’t want to accidentally grow a weed.
This month, Leo, your attention turns close to home — literally. With Scorpio season kicking things off and a New Moon in Scorpio stirring up emotions, you might find yourself deep in reflection mode. It’s the perfect time to release what’s been weighing you down and rethink what “home” really means to you. Whether that’s rearranging your space, mending family ties or just doing some emotional housekeeping, change is in the air.
Whoever said you had to feel guilty about pleasure? With the full moon glowing in fellow earth sign Taurus and Venus gracing your own, the cosmos is inviting you to reconnect with your sensual side — to slow down, savor, and truly be present with yourself. This awakening may stir up a few uncomfortable conversations or unexpected emotions, but lean in. What feels uncertain now could ultimately be liberating, illuminating parts of you long waiting to be seen.
Happy birthday, pretty! It’s your season, Scorpio, and the universe is practically begging you to hit the reset button. With the New Moon in your sign and a cocktail of retrogrades (Uranus, Neptune, Saturn — take your pick), everything buried is bubbling back up for review. Don’t fight it — this is your cue to shed what’s stale and step into something real. Transformation’s your trademark, so give in and let the old version of you burn.
Happy early birthday, Sagittarius! Even though there are a few weeks for the celebrations to begin, you’re already planning a full-blown three-day celebration. With your ruling planet Jupiter lounging close to home this season, a little rest and reflection could do you good. Just be mindful — starting Nov. 11, Jupiter begins its yearly retrograde, slowing the steady flow of growth you’ve been riding. Take it as a cue to pause and realign before your next adventure.
Capricorn, this month is a slow burn — one that forces you to pause and reassess what you’ve been grinding so hard for. With Scorpio season stirring your ambition and a New Moon lighting up your social and career zones, the universe is asking you to realign your goals with your purpose. Add in a few retrogrades for flavor, and you’ll find yourself rethinking your next big move. Don’t mistake stillness for stagnation — this is the recalibration before your next climb.
It’s Scorpio season, but this month the spotlight is on you, Aquarius. Ambition is high — career moves, personal projects and long-term goals are all gaining momentum. Some social drama may arise once Mars enters Sagittarius on Nov. 4, prompting tough conversations or a reality check about a frenemy. Take it in stride — this energy fuels your drive, helping you turn your visions into reality.
Pull out the planner, Pisces — this month is all about connection. The full moon in Taurus lights up your social life with warmth, comfort and a slow-burning energy. Unexpected invitations may arrive just when you’ve settled in, reminding you that joy often comes unplanned. Embrace the Taurus vibe: gather friends, share good food and let the conversations flow.
NOV. 1
Masquerade Ball
Woman’s Club of Fernandina Beach crescendoamelia.com
NOV. 1-2
A Night at the Opera
Viennese Masked Ball
Amelia Community Theatre, Fernandina Beach ameliacommunitytheatre.org
NOV. 6
Megyn Kelly Live with Ben Shapiro, Andrew Klavan & Michael Knowles
Jacksonville Center for the Performing Arts jaxevents.com
NOV. 6-16
Greater Jacksonville Agricultural Fair
Jacksonville Fairgrounds jacksonvillefair.com
NOV. 8
Royal Palm Grand Wine Tasting Festival
Riverside Liquors 904tix.com
Porchfest
Various locations in Springfield jacksonvilleporchfest.org
Combat Night
Prime Osborn Convention Center jaxevents.com
History That Doesn’t Suck with Professor
Greg Jackson
Ponte Vedra Concert Hall pvconcerthall.com
NOV. 8-9
Markets for Makers
Prime Osborn Convention Center jaxevents.com
NOV. 13
11th Annual DTJax Awards
The Lark dtjax.com/awards
NOV. 15
JWJ Park’s BREW & BBQ
James Weldon Johnson Park jamesweldonjohnsonpark.org
NOV. 21-23
Festival of Trees
Celebration Hall at St. Anastasia Catholic Church
floridashistoriccoast.com
NOV. 22
Riverside WineFest 2025
Riverside Liquors 904 tix
NOV. 23
The Land of the Sweets Nutcracker Tea
St. Francis yield, St. Augustine saintaugustineballet.org
NOV. 28
Springfield Holiday Tree Lighting & Lantern Parade
Sesquicentennial Park 904tix
NOV. 28
An Evening With Peter Billingsley with screening of “A Christmas Story” Florida Theatre floridatheatre.com
NOV. 29-30
San Marco Arts Festival
San Marco Square sanmarcoartfestival.com
Fortson
As temperatures cool across Northeast Florida, Jacksonville’s local markets transform into holiday shopping destinations filled with handmade gifts, local art, and seasonal charm. I’ve spent recent weekends wandering these markets, and they offer something you won’t find in any mall: a direct connection to the people who make what you’re buying.
Location: 715 Riverside Ave.
Schedule: Every Saturday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Located under the Fuller Warren Bridge, Riverside Arts Market becomes a holiday hub each December. The river breeze mixes with the smell of kettle corn and espresso as vendors sell handmade pottery, jewelry, local honey, soaps and original art that catches the morning light.
The market’s December weekends feature additional seasonal vendors specializing in glass ornaments and holiday gifts. Arrive early to beat crowds, grab a local latte and stay for the live performances.
Location: 2042 Park Ave.
Schedule: First and third Sunday of each month, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
This open-air market has a genuine neighborhood feel. Vendors swap cookies, kids chase bubbles, and everyone seems to know each other. Visitors will find booths lined with homemade fudge, candles poured in seashells and wind chimes made from recycled glass bottles.
Holiday offerings include hand-poured candles, homemade jams and stained glass pieces. Cash is accepted at most vendors, and the baked goods alone are worth the trip.
Location: Atlantic Blvd. and Seminole Road
Schedule: Every Sunday, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
By the time visitors reach the Atlantic Beach Market, the ocean breeze carries the smell of salt and cinnamon sugar. It’s smaller and more laidback than other markets—sand still clings to flip-flops, surfboards are strapped to nearby bikes.
Vendors offer fresh flowers, local art, beach-inspired glass jewelry, and décor made from recycled sea glass. I saw colorful blown-glass vases shimmering in the sun and recycled bottles turned into coastal lanterns. The whole place feels like the beach decided to throw a Christmas party.
Parking fills up quickly, so arrive early. Local coffee vendors provide warm drinks, and nearby cafés make it easy to combine shopping with brunch. The handmade jewelry makes perfect stocking stuffers.
Location: Prime Osborn Convention Center
Dates: November 28-30
In its 36th year, this expansive indoor event features artisans from across the South. More than 100 vendors sell hand-carved woodwork, fine jewelry, holiday décor and glasswork ranging from ornaments to fused-glass serving pieces. It remains one of the region’s largest seasonal craft shows. Wear comfortable shoes since you’ll be doing a lot of walking.
Location: Adam W. Herbert University Center, University of North Florida
Date: Dec. 13, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
Organized by Jacksonville Business Connections, this market features more than 70 local vendors selling art, jewelry, candles and handcrafted glass gifts. The focus here is squarely on supporting small businesses and local creators, the kind of people who pour their craft into every piece.
Location: Walter Jones Historical Park
Date: December 6
This family-oriented event combines a craft market with live music, pony rides, Santa visits and historic home tours. While less focused on intensive shopping than other markets, it offers a genuine community celebration with local artisan vendors. Perfect if you’re looking for the full holiday experience with kids in tow.
Jacksonville’s holiday markets aren’t just about shopping; they’re about slowing down. Every handmade item has a story. Every vendor has a craft they’ve perfected. And every purchase supports the artists who make this city a little more creative.
I’ve found that visiting these markets beats the crowded chain stores every time. You might walk away with gifts, sure, but you’ll also walk away with something better: conversations with makers, glimpses into their creative process, and a reminder that the best parts of the holidays are handmade and heartfelt.
So grab a cup of cocoa, bring your favorite tote bag and make a weekend of it. Jacksonville’s winter markets are more than worth your time.
NOV. 1
Florida Gators vs. Georgia Bulldogs EverBank Stadium flgajax.com
NOV. 7
Jacksonville Icemen vs. Atlanta Gladiators
Vystar Veterans Memorial Arena jacksonvilleicemen.com
NOV. 8
Chuze Fitness Mandarin Run
Chuze Fitness 1stplacesports.com
Jacksonville Icemen vs. South Carolina Stingrays
Veterans Memorial Arena jacksonvilleicemen.com
NOV. 13
Jacksonville Icemen vs. Orlando Solar Bears
Veterans Memorial Arena jacksonvilleicemen.com
NOV. 15
Light Up the House 5K and Block Party
Ronald McDonald House Jacksonville rmhcjacksonville.org
Jacksonville Icemen vs. Atlanta Gladiators
Veterans Memorial Arena jacksonvilleicemen.com
Armed Forces Run 10K Tri Bridge Challenge/Veterans 5K USS Orleck Naval Museum 1stplacesports.com
NOV. 16
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Los Angeles Chargers EverBank Stadium jaguars.com
Florida Gators vs. Miami Hurricanes Veterans Memorial Arena ticketmaster.com
NOV. 22
Nemours Children’s Health Run & Walk
Nemours Children’s Health secure.qgiv.com
Jacksonville Icemen vs. Orlando Solar Bears
Veterans Memorial Arena jacksonvilleicemen.com
NOV. 26
Jacksonville Icemen vs. Florida Everblades
Veterans Memorial Arena jacksonvilleicemen.com
NOV. 27
Community First Thanksgiving Distance Classic Pickwick Plaza 1stplacesports.com
UF Health Jacksonville Turkey Trot 5K 10 Ocean Blvd. Atlantic Beach 1stplacesports.com
NOV. 29
Jacksonville Icemen vs. Greensboro Gargoyles
Veterans Memorial Arena jacksonvilleicemen.com
Words by Ariana Alcantara
A sure marker of the holiday season is popular culture media in the form of television and movies. Indulging in cheesy Hallmark Channel movies was a staple in my household, as well as tuning in every week to our favorite shows’ streaming holiday episodes. There is a specificity to the nature of a holiday-themed episode, though, as it highlights the often chaotic, messy, and altogether realistic side of celebrating Thanksgiving and Christmas.
The shows which championed the family- oriented elements of the holidays are sitcoms; television centered around the “situational comedy” of everyday life. Their episodes are comforting to watch, and their format relies heavily on the twenty-two-episode season structure, which allows for multitudes of plot lines that poke fun at the ridiculousness that is the human experience.
Streaming services have reshaped the film and television industry, but is it for the better? Before the influx of streaming channels overhauled television viewing habits, there were culturally impactful shows, which most viewers were tuned into due to the lack of variety in shows. Episodes of “Friends,” “Seinfeld” and “The Office” were significant in their reach as opposed to the current oversaturation of shows; leading to a strange phenomenon where a show can have thousands of viewers but fly under the radar for thousands of others. Now, the niche nature of the streaming, which values variety in genre and less emphasis on being relatable or accessible to the average nuclear household, has separated the culture into spheres, creating a void in the holiday season.
The popularity of shows like “Stranger Things” seems to have given way to a new method of shows. Before, there were 20 or more episodes a season, but the influence of Netflix’s eight-episode season has eliminated the exposition of the plots to allow for filler episodes like holiday specials. The new system heavily focuses on the content of each minute of an episode being integral to moving forward a plot. There is no room in the short-season structure to play with off-beat storylines or revel in the spirit of Christmas.
Though there is a lack of full-fledged shows now, a few are still holding true to the importance of fully developed seasons like “Abbott Elementary.” This show is singlehandedly upholding the essence of television, highlighting the need for more episodes to not only grant viewers the joy of Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas indulgence, but to fight back at the ever-disintegrating human attention span.
Holiday episodes may be a dwindling art, but an upside of streaming services is the availability of old holiday episodes at the press of a button. Moreso, platforms like Hulu and Disney+ will group holiday episodes into categories by the seasonal demand. So, although the larger cultural impact of holiday episodes is waning, gathering families to watch beloved classics is here to stay.
Words by Teresa Spencer
Thanksgiving used to be about turkey, parades and that one uncle who insists football counts as a family activity. But in 2025, the real feast is on the big screen. This year’s holiday lineup isn’t all pumpkin pie and warm fuzzies — it’s a buffet of blockbuster spectacle, dark humor and bold storytelling. From emerald witches to corporate conspiracies, here’s what everyone will be watching between bites of stuffing.
Hollywood is betting big on a fairytale finish. The second part of the smash-hit Broadway adaptation, “Wicked: For Good,” swoops into theaters just before Thanksgiving — and yes, the broom’s fully loaded. Directed by Jon M. Chu, the film reunites Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba and Ariana Grande as Glinda for the grand finale of Oz’s untold story.
Expect stunning set pieces, powerhouse vocals and more glitter than a Kardashian Christmas. It’s lush, loud, and unapologetically theatrical — the perfect excuse to drag your entire family out of the house and into a two-hour technicolor dream. If you only see one movie this holiday, this is the showstopper.
For those who prefer their holiday sides with a dash of existential dread, “Bugonia” is your main course. Director Yorgos Lanthimos (“The Favourite,” “Poor Things”) serves up a darkly comic sci-fi satire starring Emma Stone and Jesse Plemons as conspiracy nuts who kidnap a corporate CEO they believe is an alien. Naturally, things spiral into the absurd.
It’s cerebral, biting and unapologetically weird — exactly the kind of film that sparks a heated post-dinner debate at the grown-ups’ table. Grandma might not “get it,” but your cousin with the philosophy degree will call it “brilliant.” Either way, it’s a bold, brainy counterpoint to the feel-good fluff clogging most screens this time of year.
Available for digital purchase Oct. 21, 2025
Olivia Colman and Benedict Cumberbatch star in “The Roses,” a dark comedy remake of “The War of the Roses” that feels perfectly timed for the family chaos season. It’s a brutal, witty dissection of love, ego, and marriage — like watching a relationship slow-cook to destruction while you refill your wine glass.
Streaming around Thanksgiving, this one’s tailor-made for a quiet night in after you’ve survived the relatives. Colman and Cumberbatch go toe-to-toe with venomous charm, and the film walks that delicious line between tragedy and comedy — the same one most family holidays stumble across.
• St. Augustine Fish Company & Oyster House, 6 p.m
• V Pizza–Mandarin (music bingo), 6 p.m.
• Iguana on Park (cashpot bingo), 6:30 p.m.
• 9 Ball Heaven Sports Grill & Billiards, 7 p.m.
• Amici (music bingo), 7 p.m.
• Donovan’s Irish Pub, St. Augustine, 7 p.m.
• Mellow Mushroom–Durbin Park, 7 p.m.
• Mellow Mushroom–Fleming Island, 7 p.m.
• Mellow Mushroom–River City/Northside, 7 p.m.
• Mellow Mushroom–Tinseltown, 7:30 p.m.
• Rain Dogs, 8 p.m.
• Treylor Park (pop culture), 9 p.m.
TUESDAYS
• St. Mary’s Seafood (music bingo) 6 p.m.
• Mr. Chubby’s Wings–Fleming Island (music bingo), 6:30 p.m.
• Dick’s Wings–St. Augustine, 6:30 p.m.
• V Pizza– St. Augustine, 6:30 p.m.
• The Back 40, 7 p.m.
• Bottlenose Brewing, 7 p.m.
• Dick’s Wings–Nocatee, 7 p.m.
• Dick’s Wings–San Pablo, 7 p.m.
• Gator’s Dockside–Oakleaf, (music bingo), 7 p.m.
• Harps American Grill, 7 p.m.
• Hurricane Grill & Wings–Atlantic Boulevard, 7 p.m.
• Island Wing Company–Bartram, 7 p.m.
• Jax Craft Beer, 7 p.m.
• Jerry’s Sports Grille, 7 p.m.
• Miller’s Ale House–Deerwood, 7 p.m.
• My Tap Room (pop culture), 7 p.m.
• Players Grille, 7 p.m.
• Shantytown Pub, 7 p.m.
• Southern Grill, 7 p.m.
• Surfside Kitchen, St. Augustine, 7 p.m.
• V Pizza–Fernandina (music bingo), 7 p.m.
• VooSwar, 7 p.m.
• Xtreme Wings Sports Bar and Grille, St. Johns, 7 p.m.
• Culhane’s Irish Pub–Southside, 7:30 p.m.
• Flask & Cannon / V Pizza (pop culture), 7:30 p.m.
• King Maker Brewing (name that tune), 7:30 p.m.
• Lynch’s Irish Pub (music bingo), 7:30 p.m.
• Monkey’s Uncle Tavern, 7:30 p.m.
• Time Out Sports Bar, 7:30 p.m.
• Tepeyolot Cerveceria, 7:30 p.m.
• Casbah Cafe, 8 p.m.
• Sahara Cafe, 8 p.m.
• Surfer the Bar (pop culture trivia), 9:30 p.m.
WEDNESDAYS
• Mr. Chubby’s Wings–Ponte Vedra (music bingo), 6:30 p.m.
• V Pizza–Mandarin, 6:30 p.m.
• The Beacon, St. Augustine, 7 p.m.
• Bold City Brewery, 7 p.m.
• Cruisers Grill, 7 p.m.
• Dick’s Wings–Nocatee, 7 p.m.
• Dick’s Wings–Mandarin, 7 p.m.
• Firefly Bay, 7 p.m.
• Ink Factory Brewing, 7 p.m.
• Island Wing–Bartram (music bingo) 7 p.m.
• Island Wing–Southside, 7 p.m.
• Lola’s Burrito & Burger Joint, 7 p.m.
• Mellow Mushroom–Avondale, 7 p.m.
• Miller’s Ale House–Hodges, 7 p.m.
• Mellow Mushroom–Jacksonville Beach, 7 p.m.
• Scarlett O’ Hara’s, St. Augustine, 7 p.m.
• Shaughnessy’s Sports Grill, St. Augustine, 7 p.m.
• V Pizza–Fleming Island, 7 p.m.
• V Pizza–Fernandina, 7 p.m.
• V Pizza–Palm Valley, 7 p.m.
• Veterans United Craft Brewery, 7 p.m.
• Burrito Gallery–Town Center (pop culture), 7:30 p.m.
• Dick’s Wings–Fleming Island, 7:30 p.m.
• Harps American Grill (pop culture), 7:30 p.m.
• Hoptinger–5 Points, 7:30 p.m.
• Hoptinger–Jacksonville Beach, 7:30 p.m.
• Hurricane Grill–Fleming Island, 7:30 p.m.
• King Maker Brewing, 7:30 p.m.
• Time Out Sports Grill, 7:30 p.m
• Wicked Barley Brewing, 7:30 p.m.
• The Brix Taphouse (pop culture trivia), 8 p.m.
• Root Down (music trivia), 9 p.m.
* all games are general knowledge unless stated otherwise
THURSDAYS
• Ann O’Malley’s Irish Pub, 7 p.m.
• Bold City Brewery, 7 p.m.
• Bottlenose Brewing, 7 p.m.
• Dick’s Wings–Atlantic Boulevard, 7 p.m.
• Dick’s Wings– Nocatee (name that tune), 7 p.m.
• Justice Pub (music bingo), 7 p.m.
• Island Wing Company–Southside (music bingo), 7 p.m.
• Kava and Company–San Marco (every other Thursday), 7 p.m.
• Miller’s Ale House–Avenues, 7 p.m.
• Mr. Chubby’s Wings–Ponte Vedra, 7 p.m.
• The Stout Snug, 7 p.m.
• V Pizza– Fernandina (what’s that song), 7 p.m.
• Burrito Gallery–Brooklyn (’80s, ’90s & 2000s), 7:30 p.m.
• Dick’s Wings– St. Aug, 7:30 p.m.
• Flask & Cannon / V Pizza, 7:30 p.m.
• V Pizza–San Marco, 7:30 p.m.
• Hoptinger–Jax Beach (music bingo), 8 p.m.
FRIDAYS
• Most Holy Redeemer Catholic Church, 6 p.m.
• Time Out Sports Grill, 6:30 p.m.
• Engine 15 Brewing, 7 p.m.
• MVP’s Sports Grille, 7 p.m.
• Tepeyolot Cerveceria, 7:30 p.m.
SATURDAYS
• Hamburger Mary’s (HamBingo), 2 p.m.
• VooSwar, 7 p.m.
• Dick’s Wings–Atlantic Boulevard, 7 p.m.
• Dick’s Wings–San Pablo (pop culture), 7p.m.
• Ink Factory Brewing (name that tune), 7 p.m.
• Bottlenose Brewing (name that tune), 7:30 p.m.
Words by Shelton Hull
This story begins with the late Phyllis Jordan, who died on December 27, 2018. It was just a few months later, in March 2019, that her grandson began the process of putting his feelings on paper. Those first fleeting efforts eventually became a finished script, and that script will eventually become his debut feature film, “Baby Tooth,” which he plans to film right here in his adopted hometown of Jacksonville.
“Baby Tooth” is a coming-of-age tale with themes of family, masculinity and dislocation. “This is a Florida story that I’m telling,” says Brown, via Zoom from downtown Los Angeles, where he and his partner moved from Brooklyn about a year ago. It’s also 70% autobiographical. “I say that it’s about the last three days that my grandmother was alive.”
“I became a filmmaker by way of music,” said Brown, a trained percussionist who taught music at Nease, Middleburg and Orange Park high schools before pivoting to film full-time. His music background has certainly influenced his sense of rhythm and pacing. “I cannot write if I do not have music playing,” says Brown. “Take It Easy” by Devon Welsh was playing when he was inspired spontaneously to write his first scene for the script, which is the scene that forms the emotional climax. Even now, having heard the song literally hundreds of times, his voice audibly cracks as he reads the lyrics; despite the low resolution of our Zoom chat, I can see a tear in the corner of his eye. (I’m listening to it right now, as I’m writing this.)
Drew Brown has been a friend of mine for many a moon. I first met him when he was working in conjunction with Keagan Anfuso, another iconic local filmmaker. They met in 2014, shortly after Brown won a Student Oscar. Anfuso and Brown won a $15,000 grant through One Spark in 2015 for “The Grey Area,” a critically-acclaimed documentary that became an instant classic in LGBTQIA cinema upon its release in 2021. It’s gotten nearly 400,000 views on YouTube since being uploaded in January 2024. Between cast and crew, over 300 locals were involved in its production. “You’ll do anything to get your story told,” he said.
(Side note:I recently worked with Anfuso’s company, Kinnetic Productions, on “A Short History of Jacksonville”, which she made in tandem with Visit Jax and the Jacksonville Historical Society. It’s a lot of fun, and I’m fantastic in it. Highly recommended!)
Brown is a very effective salesman for his own work, but he’s just as passionate about his colleagues in and around the local scene.
“There are wildly talented filmmakers in Northeast Florida who are doing excellent work,” said Brown. “Like Alexa Wint, Jaron Wallace and Michael Carter: the three most recent winners of the city’s Fostering Filmmakers grant who are making feature films in Duval County. I also really admire the work of Ithiell Yisrael, Justen Mann, Franklin Ritch, Bailee Ingersoll, and Zane Hall who are all contributing to Jacksonville’s independent film landscape.”
“I think the industry has always been an industry of gatekeepers and an industry of lack of access,” said Brown. Costs of filming in New York and California have always been outsized, in contrast to other regions, including ours. Recent, broader shifts in the economy have impacted that sector just as much as every other, if not more, but the investments made in local film and TV production have an impact that transcends economics. “Man, I think the case has been made,” says Brown. “I think FilmJax has been working really hard to raise awareness of this, in Jacksonville and in Tallahassee.”
Brown’s enthusiasm for FilmJax is fully mutual, according to Adam Madrid, film production coordinator for the City of Jacksonville’s Film and Television Office.
“In 2018, I got to meet Drew Lewis Brown when he submitted for the LOL JAX Film Festival, a local JAX comedy film festival that stands for “Love Our Locals” while “Laughing Out Loud,” he said. “He submitted ‘Lemoncurd,’ and it won for Best Film.” (Episodes of that can be found on YouTube.) “His work, whether it’s comedy or dramatic, leaves an impact with the audience. Drew is such an amazing talent that never forgets where home is. He believes in this film community, and that is why the people in our city champion him.”
Even insiders may be surprised to hear that over 60 film and TV productions took place in Jacksonville, but that just barely scratches the surface. “In the past 10 years, the Film & Television Office has permitted and assisted more than 611 productions that generated $39.6 million in direct local economic impact and created 10,633 jobs,” said Madrid. “Last year we had 44 assisted and permitted productions, 565 hirings, 12,440 Hotel Room Nights, and a multiplier impact of $6 million dollars.”
The budget for “Baby Tooth” is set at $1 million with $700,000 of that going toward the actual shooting, which is slated to take three to five weeks. Brown expects the shoot to create around 100 jobs for cast, crew, catering, clothes, cosmetics, etc. Many of these jobs are set aside specifically for new and emerging creators, particularly students at local schools with digital arts ambitions. That sum is just a drop in the bucket for the big Hollywood studios, but for indie creators, $700,000 means as much to them as it would to you and me.
To this end, Brown has partnered with Film Independent and Film Jax to launch a fundraising campaign for “Baby Tooth.” This collab offers Brown much wider access to resources than he’d be able to obtain working alone, but for fans it means that our donations to the production are fully tax-deductible. “Folio” readers are the first to hear about this, but Brown is officially launching the project with an event on Nov. 6, at the WJCT Soundstage–which, incidentally, has been one of the best investments in local arts and music since CoRK. (You can RSVP at babytooth@eventbrite.com.)
The event will include Brown, Madrid, Anfuso and several freshly cast colleagues whose names were still embargoed at this writing. Also on hand will be two-time Tony winner Judith Ivey, as well as actress Tenea Intriago, a graduate of Orange Park High who’s since become a key creator in the New Orleans scene. Intriago most recently gained national fame as a guest star on the F/X show “Dave,” in which she shared the screen with star David Burd (aka rap legend Lil’ Dicky) and guest star William Bradley Pitt (aka Brad Pitt). Beyond that, the audience should be as interesting as the actual panel. Such events make for prime networking opportunities.
It’s always cool when someone goes out, far beyond this place, and achieves great things, and then they come back to pay it forward. But it’s not just that Brown wants to make this movie in Jacksonville — he needs to make this movie in Jacksonville. “The reason that I left Jacksonville in 2019 was not because I wanted to leave Jacksonville,” he said. “I saw that there were opportunities and resources outside of Jacksonville that were not available here, so I wanted to go get them and bring them back here for everyone else.” And that’s exactly what he’s doing.
No matter where he goes, Brown keeps the First Coast in focus in perpetuity. He’s very passionate about the region’s theater and filmmaking scene, a community whose support has already helped raise him to national prominence. We’ve all heard the old catchphrase, “What can brown do for you?” Well, the entire community is about to find out what Drew Brown can do for us, and the man is READY.
THROUGH NOV. 16
“The Mystery of Edwin Drood” Alhambra Theatre & Dining alhambrajax.com
NOV. 1
“The Flying Ace” Norman Studios normanstudios.com
NOV. 2
The Golden Nutcracker Florida Theatre floridatheatre.com
NOV. 6-16
“Sister Act: The Musical” Players by the Sea playersbythesea.org
NOV. 7-8
Porgy and Bess FSCJ Kent Campus Auditorium stageaurora.org
NOV. 7-9
“A Time to Kill” Artist Connection Theatre artistconnectiontheatre.org
NOV 7-15
“Puffs” The 5 & Dime the5anddime.org
“The Sponge Bob Musical” Blue Fire Theatre,Yulee bluefiretheatre.org
NOV. 7-23
“Barefoot in the Park”
Theatre Jacksonville theatrejax.com
NOV. 9
“The Stamp Thief” Limelight Theatre, St. Augustine limelight-theatre.org
NOV. 10
“Warren Miller’s Sno-Ciety” Alhambra Theatre & Dining alhambrajax.com
NOV. 13
NUTCRACKER! Magical Christmas Ballet Florida Theatre floridatheatre.com
NOV. 14
“The Shark is Broken” The Island Theater, Fleming Island theislandtheater.com
NOV. 14-23
“The Wizard of Oz” Amelia Musical Playhouse ameliamusicalplayhouse.com
NOV. 15
“A Charlie Brown Christmas” Thrasher-Horne Center thcenter.org
NOV. 18
“The Life & Music of George Michael” Florida Theatre floridatheatre.com
NOV. 18-23
Clue
Jacksonville Center for the Performing Arts
NOV. 20
A Magical Cirque Christmas Thrasher-Horne Center thcenter.org/events
NOV. 20-DEC. 24
“Elf” Alhambra Theatre & Dining alhambrajax.com
NOV. 21
“What the Constitution Means to Me”: A Staged Reading Center for Spiritual Living, St. Augustine aclassictheatre.org
NOV. 22
“Joseph’s POV”: The Nativity in GEN Z Style Ritz Theatre theritz.com
NOV. 26
“Moana”: Live-To-Film Concert Florida Theatre floridatheatre.com
NOV. 29-DEC. 14
“Little Women, The Musical” Amelia Community Theatre, Fernandina Beach ameliacommunitytheatre.org
NOV. 30
“Ordinary Days” Limelight Theatre, St. Augustine limelight-theatre.org
Words by Kaili Cochran
Imagine an event hall buzzing with energy, filled with dancers expressing themselves through every stomp, jump and swing. The room feels alive with dancers of all levels and styles, and they’re expressing themselves together through the art of dance.
That’s what The Exile is about.
Founded in 2015 by choreographers Amari Marshall and Shirley Murray, The Exile started as a way to bring dancers together through passion, storytelling and a shared love for creativity. What began in Jacksonville quickly grew to include dancers from other major cities like Los Angeles and New York City.
Back in December 2014, Marshall and Murray created a Facebook group and an Instagram page to spread the word. It didn’t take long for the community to take off. Scrolling through the early posts, you can see how excited people were as they were tagging friends, hyping each other up and even “calling out” who they wanted to battle. Dancers from all over were booking flights and finding local places to stay for that first event.
By May 2015, the anticipation turned real. The first Exile event took place at Holly Oaks Event Hall in Jacksonville. Every battle was “blind,” meaning no one knew who they were facing until it was announced. This event was focused on Krump dancing, which is a dance style that is improvised in the moment to spontaneous songs that play. Krump usually consists of stomps, jabs, chest pops, hops and arm swings; each dance felt like its own story being told through the motions. (You can watch the very first event here.)
Since then, The Exile has evolved and expanded. In June 2024, the event returned to Jacksonville with its “All Styles Edition” at The Florida Ballet that opened up to dance styles beyond Krump. Dancers from different genres, anything from hip-hop, popping and contemporary, came together to celebrate connection through movement. This edition also raised the stakes, offering a $500 grand prize with three judges to determine the winner.
Leading up to its 10th anniversary, The Exile is hosting a PopUp Class Series, offering hip-hop sessions with Marshall and all-styles sessions with Murray, extending the event’s community reach and allowing dancers to train directly with the founders.
Coming up on Nov. 15, The Exile is holding its biggest celebration yet at the Jacksonville Center of the Arts. Proceeds from the event will support local performing arts schools, continuing The Exile’s focus on community and creative growth.
Nearly 10 years later, The Exile has evolved into a platform that connects dancers across the country and continues to shape Jacksonville’s dance community.
Adam Madrid is the film production coordinator for the City of Jacksonville’s Film and Television Office, a position he’s held since April 2024. He moved here with his parents from Hanford, California (just outside of Fresno) in 1990. Madrid is also an independent filmmaker himself; his debut feature, “Let Me Be Corey,” was filmed here in Jacksonville and Orange Park, and is currently seeking distribution. He spoke via email with “Folio” about the film scene in Jacksonville.
Words by Shelton Hull
How many employees does your office have?
The Jacksonville Film and Television Office only has two employees. I’m a part-time employee, but I’m looking forward to being full-time. I will say it would be beneficial to have two full-time employees in the film office. There is so much that goes on behind the scenes, whether it’s answering calls and emails about film production inquiries, filling out permit requests, having meetings, running social media. To have just one person in that office is a large task when you see other film offices, in different cities have 3-4 employees and you can see the impact it has when getting more productions there. With just us two there, you are seeing the rise in productions and local revenue.
How many licensed film and TV productions have been made in Jacksonville in the past year, 5 years, 10 years?
In the past year alone, we’ve had over 60 productions in the city. For the past 10 years, without state incentives, it has become a challenge for a lot of productions to come to Florida, but as we continue to get louder on what is happening in our city, including the many independent feature films that were done, each year the number of productions continues to climb. With the new city incentives that took place last summer, we’ve gained more attention with more productions looking at Jacksonville to film. We are one of only three regions in Florida with a local city film and television incentive program.
What are the other regions with incentive programs, and how successful have they been?
You’re looking at three regions in Florida (Jacksonville, Tampa and South Florida). Many independent productions have taken advantage of those city incentives. I do know the Tampa area is doing a good job securing independent productions, including several Hallmark movies.
How have those numbers trended historically, and what factors would you attribute those trends to?
Jacksonville has been known to be a great location for television, commercial and feature films. We are known as “A World of Locations in One City.” We had a lot of great films come through Jacksonville from the early days of Norman Studios with “The Flying Ace” to the sequel of “Creature from The Black Lagoon: Revenge of the Creature” to the influx of major studio films like “The Manchurian Candidate,” “Devil’s Advocate,” “G.I. Jane,” “Basic,” “First Time Felon,” “Lonely Hearts” and many others.
In 2016, the Florida film incentive program expired and productions were leaving and headed to other states with incentives. The way Jacksonville stepped up shows its true grit that we can still make movies here. The rise of independent films took shape where we saw many feature films from local filmmakers Franklin Ritch, Samuel Farmer, Carlos Smith, Chad Hendricks, Durden Godfrey, among many others step to the plate and show what Jacksonville is all about.
What is the current overall economic impact of film and TV production in Jacksonville, and what kind of ROI does that represent, in terms of the current investment being made by the public and private sector?
In the past 10 years, the Film & Television Office has permitted and assisted more than 611 productions that generated $39.6 million in direct local economic impact and created 10,633 jobs. Last year, we had 44 assisted and permitted productions, 565 hirings, 12,440 Hotel Room nights and a multiplier impact of $6 million. With the new city film incentives, we are projecting a larger impact.
From the current levels of: a) funding and b) production activity, how much growth do you think is possible in a best-case scenario? And what would it take, from the public and private sector to help facilitate such an outcome?
Best case scenario: The highest numbers we have seen in a long time. With more productions leaving major cities, they are looking to spend less and find locations and film offices that are easy to work with. Jacksonville has all of that.
The more you keep hearing about productions coming to Jacksonville or productions happening currently in Jacksonville, the more people outside of our city are taking notice. That is what is happening now.
We need more people locally to embrace films and filmmakers in our city. We would love to see the private sector invest more into the local film community. Who doesn’t get excited that movies can be filmed in your backyard?
What are the major obstacles to continued growth, and how can they be addressed?
Hearing that local filmmakers aren’t appreciated in their own city. We don’t want to be one of those cities. We must show that the City of Jacksonville Film and Television Office is here for them and can guide them to getting their production going. It’s on us to market the city
and show why Jacksonville is the place to make movies, TV shows, music videos, commercials. Excuses build bridges to nowhere. We must build within. We lost Hollywood once, and it’s our time to take it back. What is great is hearing how easy it was to work with the Jacksonville Film Office and telling them to talk about our city when they go out to other locations outside of here. Everyone should be proud that their production is here in Jax.
To what extent do the film and TV liaison offices in neighboring cities view each other as being in competition or as working together? In other words, how important are personal relationships to executing the kinds of goals that you all have?
Personal relationships are key. We have great communications with other Florida film offices. Yes, we are wanting productions to come to our cities, but the more productions Florida brings shows that Florida is still an attraction. Florida’s goal is to get back in the game for film incentives.
1blackfrend • Annie Dukes • Babe Honey Blood, Sweat and Whiskey • Blossomin’ Bone
Dizzlephunk & CreativAngel
Inspection 12 • Kalani Rose & The Vibe
Kenzie’s Place • Küf Knotz & Christine Elise
LPT • Melissa Case Live • Purplespace
Queens of Tulua, ft. The Lady Visaya
rickoLus • Sauce Pocket • Taylor Roberts
Tori Nance Band • Kirk Whalen
Plus Student Bands: Douglas Anderson Guitar Ensemble
JAMS Jazz Combo • School of Rock Mandarin House Band
The Art Center Cooperative tacjacksonville.org
Beaches Museum beachesmuseum.org
Butterfield Garage Art Gallery butterfieldgarage.com
Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens cummermuseum.org
FemArt Gallery femartgallery.org
First Coast Cultural Center firstcoastculturalcenter.org
Flagler College–Crisp Ellert Museum flagler.edu
Florida Community College at Jacksonville fscj.edu
Florida Mining Gallery floridamininggallery.com
Gallery 725 gallery725.com
Governor’s House Cultural Center and Museum, St. Augustine staugustine.ufl.edu
Haskell Gallery at Jacksonville International Airport jaxairportarts.com
Hillary Whitaker Gallery hwhitakergallery.com
Jacksonville Main Library tacjacksonville.org
Jacksonville University ju.edu/cfa
The Lightner Museum lightnermuseum.org
MOCA Jacksonville mocajacksonville.unf.edu
PAStA Fine Art Gallery pastagalleryart.com
Ritz Theatre & Museum ritzjacksonville.com
Southlight Gallery southlightgallery.com
St. Augustine Art Association staaa.org
Stellers Gallery stellersgallery.com
Thrasher-Horne Center Gallery thcenter.org
Touché Gallery touchegallery.com
The Unicat instagram.com/the_unicat_jax
University of North Florida unf.edu/gallery
The Vault at 330 thevaultat1930.com
Yellow House yellowhouseart.org
ONGOING
Art Walk
Downtown Jacksonville lights up the first Wednesday of the month with art by local artists at hubs in James Weldon Johnson Park, The Jessie and Vagabond Flea at VyStar Tower from 5–9 p.m. Visitors can also en joy live music, food trucks, street performers, free admission to MOCA and complimentary rides on JTA’s Skyway. dtjax.org
Fernandina Beach Arts Market
Amelia Island’s premier arts and crafts market comes alive the second and fourth Saturday of every month from 9 a.m.–1 p.m. fernandinabeachartsmarket.com
Riverside Arts Market
Artists, artisans and makers display their original paintings, jewelry, photographs, prints and other handcrafted items every Saturday — rain or shine — from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. on Riverside Avenue underneath the can opy of the Fuller Warren Bridge. riversideartsmarket.com
BENISE & PAVLO | JANUARY 15, 2026
at the WJCT Soundstage
JESSE COOK | January 23, 2026
Words by Teresa Spencer
Because sometimes you don’t have two hours to commit — or enough brain cells left after work to follow “The Ballad of Wallis Island.” Here’s your lightning round of what else is making audiences snort-laugh in theaters and on the couch this year.
Reynolds plays a guy who can see everyone’s forgotten imaginary friends — including a giant purple fuzzball that looks like Grimace’s spiritual cousin. It’s half Pixar, half midlife crisis and entirely too wholesome for someone with that jawline.
Verdict: Sweet, funny and surprisingly emotional — like a Hallmark card with abs.
This Netflix spy-action comedy marks Diaz’s return to Hollywood after a decade-long hiatus, and she hasn’t missed a beat. She and Foxx bicker, flirt and blow stuff up like it’s 2005 again. It’s popcorn fun, not Oscar bait — and that’s exactly the point.
Verdict: If you miss oldschool buddy comedies, this is your comfort food.
When a group of childhood pals invent a fake friend to get out of obligations, they accidentally hire John Cena to play him. Chaos, crude jokes, and pure Cena charisma follow.
Verdict: Dumb in all the right ways. Bring beer, not expectations.
Two professional fixers accidentally take the same job and spend two hours trying to out-alpha each other while cleaning up a crime scene. Slick, sharp and effortlessly charming — basically “Ocean’s Eleven” with less crime and more comedy.
Verdict: The kind of movie your dad will love and your mom will pretend she didn’t.
Gru’s back, the kids are older, and the minions are somehow even dumber. The plot? Irrelevant. The laughs? Still surprisingly consistent.
Verdict: The cinematic equivalent of comfort mac and cheese — no surprises, but you’ll smile anyway.
It’s one of those “existential dramedies” that pretends it’s not trying to make you cry, then totally does. But along the way, there are enough awkward laughs to make it worth the emotional damage.
Verdict: Painful, yes. But in that cathartic, “Folio”-approved way.
Celebrating the completion of the City of Jacksonville’s history-making milestone, the first-ever piloted Individual Artist Grant Program. This strategic allocation of operating dollars demonstrated the undeniable value of supporting creative entrepreneurs directly, fueling the Northeast Florida workforce, strengthening Jacksonville’s ability to retain and attract top talent , and enhancing small creative businesses.
This pilot program demonstrates real impact into the City of Jacksonville’s economic bottom line and real incentive for private funders to partner in elevating the creative workforce through ongoing professional development opportunities, optimizing financial literacy, and matchmaking innovation with destination builders.
60 ARTISTS
$10,000 EACH
Words by Teresa Spencer
MTV — once the raging heartbeat of youth culture, rebellion, and eyeliner — is officially pulling the plug. The network that made Madonna a religion and turned flannel into a movement is fading to black by the end of the year across Europe, the UK and beyond.
Parent company Paramount Global confirmed that five of its channels — MTV Music, MTV 80s, MTV 90s, Club MTV and MTV Live will go silent after Dec. 31, 2025. The famous block-letter logo might still flicker in the U.S., but the “M” may as well stand for “Memory.”
This isn’t a sudden collapse. It’s been a slow fade — one that started the moment YouTube uploaded its first video. MTV stopped being about “Music Television” years ago, swapping guitars and drum kits for spray tans and reality brawls.
When MTV launched in 1981, it was revolutionary, a 24-hour visual jukebox that didn’t just play music, it reshaped it. The network turned rebellion into fashion and fashion into currency. For those of us who grew up glued to that flickering glow, it wasn’t just a channel — it was a cultural education.
I still remember 1982’s “Hungry Like the Wolf” by Duran Duran — a cinematic fever dream of primal desire and adventure, filmed in the jungles of Sri Lanka. It was wild, exotic, a little dangerous — and it meant something. The video went on to win the first-ever Grammy for Best Short Form Music Video in 1984, proof that MTV had fused art and pop into one unforgettable medium.
But fast-forward four decades, and the same restless innovation that fueled MTV’s rise ended up killing it. Viewers left the airwaves for the algorithm. Why wait for a VJ to play your song when your phone already knows what you want to hear?
Paramount blames “cost-cutting,” but let’s be honest — linear television is a dinosaur, and MTV is one of its last fossils. The company insists the brand will live on digitally, which is the modern media version of saying your childhood pet “went to live on a farm.”
The U.S. flagship will keep churning out unscripted hits like “The Real World,” “The Challenge” and “Teen Mom,” but the soul of MTV — that shared, electric moment of a generation waiting to see what came next — is gone. What’s left is a brand that outlived its body.
Maybe that’s just evolution. MTV always reflected youth culture, and today’s youth culture lives online — remixing, stitching and streaming at the speed of thought. But it’s hard not to mourn the loss of that collective pulse, when the world watched the same screen and gasped at the same beat.
MTV’s exit isn’t just another corporate downsizing. It’s the quiet funeral of the cable era. The “mass moment” has been replaced by the micro-moment. The playlist killed the program.
For those who remember seeing “Thriller” premiere like it was the moon landing, this feels like the lights going out in a neon cathedral. For everyone else, it’s just another app to scroll past.
Still, MTV’s DNA is everywhere — in influencers, viral clips and the idea that visuals and sound are inseparable. The network built the bridge between image and identity, and the world now lives entirely on the other side.
MTV isn’t really dead — it’s just dispersed. A ghost in the algorithm, haunting the platforms it inspired. The revolution didn’t end; it evolved. The kids who once stayed up late to watch a world premiere are now the ones creating the next one.
And maybe that’s fitting. MTV taught us to look. And the world never stopped watching.
NOV. 1
First Coast Comedy First Coast Comedy firstcoastcomedy.com
NOV. 1-2
DL Hughley Comedy Zone comedyzone.com
NOV. 4
Doug Stanhope & Andy Andrist Comedy Zone comedyzone.com
NOV. 5
Stand-Up Comedy Showcase Mason’s Famous Lobster Rolls, Fernandina Beach eventbrite.com
NOV. 6
River City Comedy Buchner’s Bierhalle eventbrite.com
NOV. 6-9
Aries Spears Comedy Zone comedyzone.com
NOV. 7
NOV. 7-8
First Coast Comedy First Coast Comedy firstcoastcomedy.com
NOV. 8
River City Comedy
Southern Swells Brewing Co rivercitycomedy.com
Dish Rack Comedy Show
Third Space Improv, St. Augustine 3rdspaceimprov.com
NOV. 12
Led Varela Comedy Zone comedyzone.com
NOV. 13
Jamie Lissow Jacksonville Center for the Performing Arts jaxevents.com
NOV. 13-15
First Coast Comedy Festival
First Coast Comedy firstcoastcomedy.com
The Magic of Eric Eaton Comedy Zone comedyzone.com
NOV. 14
Gabriel Iglesias Veterans Memorial Arena jaxevents.com
Gabriel Rutledge Ponte Vedra Concert Hall pvconcerthall.com
River City Comedy Burlock and Barrel Distillery rivercitycomedy.com
NOV. 14
Stand Up Community Comedy Night
Third Space Improv, St. Augustine 3rdspaceimprov.com
NOV. 15
Don’t Tell Comedy
Somewhere in Arlington (even if we knew, we wouldn’t tell) donttellcomedy.com
Jimmy McCartney Comedy Show Green Room Brewing eventbrite.com
Sam Salem
Cafe Eleven, St. Augustine originalcafe11.com
Holiday Hootenanny
Third Space Improv, St. Augustine 3rdspaceimprov.com
Zane Lamprey Mocama Beer Company, Fernandina Beach eventbrite.com
NOV. 16
Stroke Talk 2: Recovery Mode Comedy Special Comedy Zone comedyzone.com
NOV. 19
Kerwin Claiborne Comedy Zone comedyzone.com
NOV. 20
Noel Miller Ponte Vedra Concert Hall pvconcerthall.com
River City Comedy Voodoo Brewing Co. eventbrite.com
NOV. 21
Katt Williams Veterans Memorial Arena jaxevents.com
Drag Bingo With a Comedy Twist
Third Space Improv, St. Augustine 3rdspaceimprov.com
NOV. 21-22
Tip “T.I.” Harris featuring the Haha Mafia Comedy Zone comedyzone.com
First Coast Comedy
First Coast Comedy firstcoastcomedy.com
NOV. 22
Josue “Soy Un Papá” Fresita Murray Hill Theatre murrayhilltheatre.com
Rooftop Comedy Show Southbank Hotel Jacksonville Riverwalk eventbrite.com
NOV. 23
Michael Blaustein Florida Theatre floridatheatre.com
First Coast Comedy
First Coast Comedy firstcoastcomedy.com
NOV. 28
First Coast Comedy
First Coast Comedy firstcoastcomedy.com
River City Comedy
Southern Swells Brewing Co, eventbrite.com
Magic Mic
Third Space Improv, St. Augustine 3rdspaceimprov.com
NOV. 30
Chris D’Elia Florida Theatre floridatheatre.com
Words by Carmen Macri
Did they really leave, though? Or did they just fall off the mainstream and back into the “need to know” space, where they truly belong?
I grew up watching those coming-of-age movies where every house party somehow turned into a full-blown concert — guitars plugged into kitchen outlets, kids crowd-surfing over couches and someone inevitably knocking over a family heirloom lamp. It was the ultimate high school fantasy, one that, sadly, never made it off the screen. Well… not in my generation, anyway. Maybe those moments were happening somewhere — just not in my circle of Friday night pizza rolls and movie marathons.
I can still picture it: me, sprawled on the couch, eyes glued to those ’80s, ’90s and early 2000s flicks, wishing, hoping, dreaming that one day I’d stumble into a real house show — one I’d tell my kids about someday, starting with, “You had to be there.” A few years back, I found myself scrolling through TikTok, watching my favorite up-andcoming bands perform in someone’s dimly lit living room, thinking, “God, what I would’ve done to be there.” Little did I know, I wouldn’t have to wait much longer.
Anyway, to make a long story short, house shows are so back.
There’s something almost electric about watching a band perform up close — not on a stage under blinding lights, but in a room small enough that you can feel the bass in your chest and see the sweat on their foreheads. It’s not a performance so much as a shared moment, a secret between friends. Forget the arena chaos — the overpriced drinks, the shoulder-to-shoulder crowds, the tickets that cost a week’s paycheck. This is something different. Something raw. Some bands are bringing that feeling back, reviving the intimacy and nostalgia that made us fall in love with live music in the first place.
And while this might sound like a national trend — cough All-American Rejects — we’ll get there in a minute — it’s also happening right here in our own backyards… literally.
Now, for the sake of not getting anyone evicted or on their landlord’s bad side, I won’t be dropping any names or addresses. You’ll just have to take my word for it, yeah?
Last summer, I was a few drinks deep at my go-to haunt — Pete’s Bar (if you’ve read my stuff before, you probably saw that one coming) — when I ran into an old friend. Between rounds, he mentioned something about hosting a house show with a band I “wouldn’t want to miss.” The whole thing was weirdly secretive, borderline cinematic and left me more confused than intrigued. No band name, no address, no details, just a vague promise and a grin. I figured he was just making small talk, trying to bridge the gap of years with a little shared nostalgia over music.
Then, a few days later, I got a text from an unknown number — short, cryptic, and the kind that makes your stomach drop in the best possible way.
“Carmen, *redacted* here. We used to hang out, and now we don’t. Very sad, but I have an offer you can’t refuse. You’ll want to be at our house tomorrow night for something big. I believe you’d be a fan.”
Once again, no real details — just enough mystery to keep me hooked. We went back and forth a few times, each reply dripping with that “I
could tell you, but then I’d have to kill you” energy. A couple of cryptic hints here, a few “It’s very secretive. Can’t tell anybody” texts there, and suddenly, I was all in.
And somehow, fate (or maybe just dumb luck) landed me front and center in my friend’s gutted living room, watching the impossible unfold: my favorite band playing a full-blown set in someone’s house. No stage, no security, no overpriced drinks — just raw, unfiltered late ’90s magic. And the band? None other than flipturn.
That night felt like it was ripped straight from one of those movies I used to obsess over as a teenager. The kind where the walls shake, the air’s thick and everyone knows every lyric by heart. The room was packed with sweaty, euphoric chaos, voices rising in unison while the band played like they were feeding off every ounce of it. Not to mention, I may have bumped right into our star quarterback while grabbing a refill in the kitchen.
And that was just the beginning. Since that night, I’ve somehow stumbled into two more of these underground gems — first Winyah, then Supertaste — both just as electric, both just as unforgettable.
Simultaneously, the All-American Rejects were carving out their own version of the movement. Instead of headlining massive arenas, they took to social media with what they dubbed the “House Party Tour” — a cross-country run of pop-up shows in house parties, bowling alleys, backyards and other non-traditional venues announced last-minute and hosted by fans themselves. Fans and homeowners can apply to host, submitting their space for a chance to have the band play. Some stops have drawn hundreds of people, like a recent backyard show in Columbia, Missouri, near the University of Missouri. Frontman Tyson Ritter has said the goal isn’t to sell expensive festival tickets but to bring fans back to songs they grew up with, recreating the intimacy and DIY energy of a real house show.
The tour taps into nostalgia, offering a stripped-down, personal experience far from the polished spectacle of arenas. It also addresses the cost and exclusivity of modern concerts, making live music more accessible while generating viral moments on TikTok and Instagram to re-engage the fan base. Hosts submit their spaces online, and the details of the show are revealed shortly before the performance to maintain a spontaneous, pop-up feel. Though the venues are small, they still require careful planning for equipment, staging, crowd control and permits. Even so, the format can bring challenges, like noise complaints or overcrowding — one Columbia, Missouri, show was shut down mid-performance by police (so punk), and a leaked location once drew over 16,000 RSVPs.
The viral nature of these events can push them beyond the intimate, underground vibe they aim for. Even then, it put the band back on the map. Prior to this, I can’t recall the last time I heard about the All-American Rejects, so clearly, it’s working.
But then it raises the concern, since this movement is now bordering on mainstream, how many other artists and big labels are going to mimic it, not for the sake of music, but for the sake of relevance? To get a few viral videos on the algorithm to push them back into the spotlight.
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14 THRU MONDAY, NOVEMBER 17
16 PLAYERS — $500 ENTRY FEE — SINGLE ELIMINATION — SEMIS & FINALS ON MONDAY, 11/17 AT 2,5, & 8
Formerly Peter Burrows’ American 14.1 Straight Pool Championship
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14 THRU TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 18
42 PLAYERS — $400 ENTRY FEE — ROUND ROBIN — SEMIS & FINALS ON TUESDAY, 11/18 AT 12, 3, & 7:30
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14 THRU WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 19
150 PLAYERS $200 ENTRY FEE SINGLE ELIMINATION $100 BUY-BACK — SEMIS & FINALS ON WED, 11/19
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 18 THRU SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 22
192 PLAYERS — $125 ENTRY FEE, $25 REGISTRATION, — SINGLE ELIMINATION. — $50 BUY-BACK — 650 FARGO
FINALS ON SATURDAY, 11/22 AT 10AM
Made For You By Ambar Ramirez
New Zealand-born and Los Angeles-based singer, songwriter and producer BENEE is a multi-platinum, alt-pop visionary known for her dreamy melodies, inventive production and vivid storytelling. With her signature blend of experimental sounds and emotional depth, BENEE continues to redefine the alt-pop landscape.
The Australian group first took the world — and the hearts of preteens everywhere — by storm with their self-titled debut in 2014. If you were a One Direction fan, chances are you were instantly drawn to the slightly edgier, pop punk-infused sound of 5SOS. Now, a decade later, everyone’s favorite boy band, 5 Seconds of Summer, is back with their sixth studio album, “EVERYONE’S A STAR!”
“CHASING
Del Water Gap is the indie pop project of Brooklyn-based songwriter and producer S. Holden Jaffe. Known for his breakout hit “Ode to a Conversation Stuck in Your Throat,” Jaffe crafts intimate, cinematic songs inspired by fleeting romances and late-night reflections. With his signature blend of raw emotion, lush production, and poetic lyricism, Del Water Gap captures the beautiful chaos of modern connection.
Tahliah Debrett Barnett, better known as FKA Twigs, is a visionary artist whose diverse background shines through in her boundary-pushing sound. Celebrated for her genre-defying approach to pop, Twigs blends music, movement and visual storytelling into an immersive art form. With her roots in dance, she uses her body as both instrument and muse, exploring the intersections of sound, emotion, and physical expression while continuously redefining what pop music can be.
Of Mice & Men is a Southern California metalcore band known for their explosive sound and emotionally charged songwriting. Since their formation in 2009, the group has evolved from raw, breakdown-heavy aggression to a more melodic and cinematic approach—all while staying true to their core themes of resilience, struggle, and strength. With thunderous riffs, soaring choruses, and unflinching vulnerability, Of Mice & Men continue to push the boundaries of modern metal, solidifying their place as one of the genre’s most enduring forces.
The Beatles — the most influential band in music history — return to captivate fans once again with “Anthology 4,” a continuation of their beloved archival series. This long-awaited release dives even deeper into the band’s creative vault, featuring never-before-heard demos, alternate takes and rare recordings that trace the evolution of their sound.
“PLAY!”
South Arcade is a rising alt-pop band known for their infectious energy, bold style and unapologetically youthful spirit. With their debut album “PLAY!,” the group invites listeners into a world of vibrant soundscapes and emotional honesty. Blending pop hooks with rock grit and a touch of 2000s nostalgia, they capture the chaos and thrill of growing up, falling in love and finding yourself in the noise.
“It’s the 20th anniversary of our debut album, when else would we do it?”
When we last spoke with Damien Starkey — lead singer of Burn Season, frontman of Society Red and former bassist for Puddle of Mudd — he had traded the stage for the studio, focusing on his work as a producer. About nine months later, Starkey reached back out to “Folio” with some exciting news: Burn Season was getting back together for a show.
And this isn’t just any show — it’s a full-blown celebration marking 20 years since their self-titled debut first hit the scene and changed the game.
Since the band split back in 2007, they’ve had a few short-lived reunions here and there — sporadic bursts of creative energy that led to a couple of songs, an album, maybe a show or two. But it was never quite the original lineup. Over the years, Brad Stewart of Shinedown and Sam Rivers of Limp Bizkit filled in on bass, keeping the flame alive while some of the core members drifted in and out. That is, until today — well, Dec. 19 to be exact — because for the first time in over 15 years, the original lineup — Damien Starkey on vocals, Bobby Amaru on drums, Adam Silk on bass and Kevin Renwick on guitar — is back for one night (maybe?) to give back to the fans.
And this night is, without question, for the fans. As Starkey put it, “It’s one thing to say it’s for the fans — and another to act on it.” Instead of asking their supporters to buy tickets, the band flipped the script: They bought out the entire venue themselves, turning the show into a free, open invitation. The goal wasn’t spectacle — it was connection. They wanted the night to feel close and genuine, the kind where you can lean against the stage, swap stories between sets, and share a beer with the very people who’ve carried them this far.
“We wanted to be in control of this experience for our fans,” Starkey expressed.
Along with the free admission, Starkey shared that they are bringing back some of the original merch, including the infamous “9 out of 10 people hate Burn Season” t-shirt. And for those wanting to take the night up a notch, VIP packs will be available, offering a more elevated experience without losing the down-to-earth spirit that makes this show feel like a homecoming.
This 20th anniversary show might not have happened at all if it weren’t for the late Sam Rivers. A driving force behind Burn Season’s early success, Rivers played a pivotal role in bringing their debut album to life. When the band’s original label folded, he stepped in — opening up his home studio and helping them re-record more than half the record. Rivers wasn’t just a friend; he was instrumental in shaping Burn Season’s sound and story. In light of his recent passing, Starkey says this milestone show will double as a heartfelt tribute to his brother.
“It’s our 20th anniversary reunion show, but we couldn’t — wouldn’t — have had any of this without Sam,” Starkey said.
The reunion show is set to be held on Dec. 19 at Decca Live.
Paul Vranesh and Mason Bonner met more than a decade ago, bound by mutual friends and a shared love for all things analog — neon lights, cassettes, the clunky charm of floppy disks and the unshakable pull of the ’80s. With that kind of chemistry, it was almost inevitable that the two would eventually form Limo Scene.
It was December 2020 when Vranesh got the call that would reroute his musical path. Rain Dogs needed a performer. Without hesitation, he said yes. The only problem? Rain Dogs wanted a band, and Vranesh didn’t have one.
“What I’ve learned is you just say yes,” Vranesh said.
So he did. Within a week, he and Bonner were on stage performing Tom Petty covers at the now-closed Rain Dogs — a spur-ofthe-moment gig that would spark something lasting. What began as a one-off show grew into a fully realized creative project, blending analog nostalgia with a dark, futuristic edge. From that night forward, Limo Scene was born—a darkwave duo crafting music that feels both retro and ahead of its time.
“Both of us played music and then it was just kind of natural from there for us to eventually start trying to do the same thing together, because we just had similar tastes. A lot of flair for the ’80s aesthetic and, you know, ’80s soundscapes, that sort of thing,” Bonner shared. “At some point we were like, we should just go ahead and do this.”
Before Limo Scene, Vranesh frequented acoustic sets and Bonner played in metal industrial bands. In the middle, they found a blend of New Wave, post-disco, synth-wave, electro, vaporwave and post-punk.
“There’s an interesting overlap in techno music where there’s a lot of, you know, aggression and energy, but there’s not a lot of room for levity. But synthwave kind of merges those two emotional states really nicely. You can kind of go back and forth between both of them without being pigeonholed into this really stressed agitation that, like metal, seems to really focus on,” Bonner added. “There’s the angst. But then also the dance ability and optimism.”
The name “Limo Scene” came about after weeks of tossing around ideas that captured the band’s vaporwave, ’80s-inspired aesthetic. One day, while Vranesh was picking out paint colors at Lowe’s, he noticed how striking and nostalgic some of the swatch names
sounded. He started sending photos of them to Bonner as a joke, and the two went back and forth laughing about it.
“Maybe 3 or 4 days after that Mason texted me, and he’s like, dude, I can’t stop thinking about Limo Scene,” Vranesh laughed.
The name stuck. But Limo Scene is more than just an ’80s aesthetic duo riding the synthwave resurgence or a deep metallic color swatch from a home improvement store. They are a bridge between digital and analog media.
“It took a long time to figure out how to get to where we are now. It’s very easy to sit down at a computer workstation and just, you know, start writing MIDI notes out and then running it through different synthesizers. But somewhere in the process of interacting with the computer, you’re not actually creating art. You’re interacting with a computer,” Bonner said. “The analog equipment actually gives you the opportunity to manipulate something in an imperfect way that demands that you have, I guess, control over your technique of its usage.”
Their interest in synthwave or as they have dubbed themselves, “synth-dark-chill-newvapor-retro-wave,” grew out of a fascination with the unique sound and technology of the 1980s — an era that, as they put it, is nearly impossible to replicate. The music from that time carried not just a distinct tone but an entire visual and emotional aesthetic that naturally lent itself to the kind of immersive, audio-visual experience they wanted to create. They were also genuinely drawn to the tools and textures of that period — vintage computers, early synthesizers and the rise of industrial and experimental soundscapes. For them, diving into this genre wasn’t just a stylistic choice; it was an extension of their love for the hardware, the atmosphere and the creative spirit of that decade.
“There was a moment like in the late ’70s and early ’80s, too, where it felt like all the technology was new to them and it kind of opened up all these doors, but they were still boxed in with the limitations of the technology,” Vranesh added.
“We kind of imposed the limitations on ourselves, but it forces us to think a little bit differently about how we do it. And it’s a little more challenging and also incredibly risky because, [for example] we use cassette tapes in this like old cassette player for our backing tracks at our live shows, and we played a show on Saturday night where one of the tapes was starting to go haywire, and I was like, oh my God, if this eats the tape, we don’t have a show. So there’s an element of danger and it makes it more exciting.”
Limo Scene is, at its core, about performance. They’ve been hailed by multiple outlets as one of the most unique bands in Jacksonville — and for good reason. Their sound continues to evolve and defy expectations, from their debut EP “Low Cost Cobra” to their most recent single “Mixed Reception.” But it’s on stage where they truly come alive.
Their shows are a full-sensory experience: Bonner crafts immersive visuals on his computer, manipulating them in real time with synthesizers and MIDI controllers, while Vranesh steps into character wearing pieces from his vintage wardrobe. Every element — sound, light, fashion — is part of a carefully constructed world that feels both nostalgic and futuristic. Even the way they release their music reflects that offbeat spirit.
“I guess we’re trying to have as few people listen to our music as possible. So the more difficult we make the listening experience for the user, the better,” Bonner joked. “We’ve flirted with putting things out on mini discs and eight-tracks, and, you know, HitClips and piano rolls — trying to think of the most obscure formats we could release as possible. I think ultimately, though, we’re more of a band that you go and see than a band you necessarily sit in your living room and listen to. It’s more of a live show experience. Granted, we definitely want to have more stuff out there for people to listen to, but I think that’s what we enjoy doing a little bit more than just recording a whole bunch of stuff and putting it on the internet.”
Do you think your sound is more about reviving the past or reimagining it for a digital generation?
Bonner: I don’t think it’s about reviving the past. I honestly think we are just trying to have a good time. This happens to be what we like more than something we’re focused on creating. Not this new resurgence of the 80s and the 2020s, but just kind of looking at, I guess, what we both perceive as the peak of American culture being in the 80s, when you had so much diversity of influential media. We have this rich heritage to draw from and we love it, you know, let’s play around with the tools that they just didn’t have at the time.
Vranesh: You know, I think that there was a lot of freedom of expression and risk-taking in that time period that we, you know, from a fashion perspective, from a style perspective, I think that it’s a great well to draw from for inspiration. What instruments or equipment are central to your sound?
Vranesh: My Epiphone Explorer.
Bonner: My Sequential Circuits Pro three. It’s a mono synthesizer and the bass is just so thick and buttery on it. You don’t hear it, you feel it in your chest, you feel it in your nose. You know, when you hit that filter, sweep it, it just does things that other instruments that I’ve played can’t do.
Favorite song you guys have released?
Bonner: I like Angelic Three of our material.
Vranesh: I always come back to Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, a lot. It’s like a weird slow disco jam and it felt almost like a throwaway but then we hired a guy to play live saxophone on it, and it was like, oh, my God, this is so ridiculous and amazing at the same time. That’s my personal favorite.
How do you guys come up with titles for your songs?
Bonner: Begrudgingly. At the very end we are like it has to be called something other than, you know, untitled five.
Vranesh: Yeah or like something, something final. A lot of them are just like placeholders that we just leave there. Some of them are a setting on a synthesizer, and we’re just like, we’ll just call it that now.
Any pre-show rituals?
Vranesh: We always get a coffee beforehand. It doesn’t matter what time it is, we could be going on at 11:00 at night and we’ll have a coffee.
Bonner: I always take a picture of the stage when nobody’s on it, with all the equipment set up on it. And I’ve got this collection ranging from poorly set up, crammed in a corner, you know, PAs on the floor kind of thing, like all the way to some of the larger venues that we play in, the larger being you know, a crowd of 20 people plus the bartender kind of deal.
What’s the weirdest or most unexpected source of inspiration that’s made its way into a song?
Vranesh: Our friend Alex still doesn’t believe that this is true, but one of our songs is 100% about Debbie Harry from Blondie’s husband who had this debilitating skin disease. And the whole song is about that. What would be the title of Limo Scene’s all-tell memoir in 20 years?
Bonner: Will there ever be a rainbow?
NOV. 1
Unity in the Community
Murray Hill Theatre murrayhilltheatre.com
Drake Milligan FIVE fivejax.com
AC Slater DECCA
deccalive.com
NOV. 2
Hayes Carll
Ponte Vedra Concert Hall pvconcerthall.com
NOV. 4
Strangelove: The Depeche Mode Experience Florida Theatre floridatheatre.com
NOV. 5
Blank Space: The Unofficial Taylor Swift Tribute Florida Theatre floridatheatre.com
Steel Panther FIVE fivejax.com
Eli Young DECCA deccalive.com
NOV. 6
Hotel California: A Salute To The Eagles Florida Theatre floridatheatre.com
Balu Brigada FIVE fivejax.com
NOV. 7
The Record Company
Ponte Vedra Concert Hall pvconcerthall.com
Peabo Bryson
Ritz Theatre & Museum ritzjacksonville.com
NOV. 7-8
“Appalachian Spring”
Jacksonville Center for the Performing Arts jaxevents.com
NOV. 8
Lynyrd Skynrd Daily’s Place dailysplace.com
Stephen Wilson Jr. Florida Theatre floridatheatre.com
Starlito x Don Trip FIVE fivejax.com
NOV. 8-9
Super Girl Surf and Music Festival Seawalk Pavilion supergirljax.com
NOV. 9
SF9
Jacksonville Center for the Performing Arts jaxevents.com
Stardew Valley Florida Theatre floridatheatre.com
Live Dead & Brothers
Ponte Vedra Concert Hall pvconcerthall.com
Greensky Bluegrass FIVE fivejax.com
NOV. 11
The Wallflowers Ponte Vedra Concert Hall pvconcerthall.com
Sting Daily’s Place dailysplace.com
NOV. 12
Bowling For Soup FIVE fivejax.com
NOV. 13
Evil Dead in Concert Ponte Vedra Concert Hall pvconcerthall.com
Pouya FIVE fivejax.com
NOV. 14
An Evening with Emerson, Lake & Palmer Florida Theatre floridatheatre.com
Jake Shimabukuro WJCT Soundstage floridatheatre.com
Marc Rebillet FIVE fivejax.com
Ryan Montgomery DECCA deccalive.com
NOV. 15
The Dirty Dozen Brass Band Ponte Vedra Concert Hall pvconcerthall.com
Holiday Brass, Organ, Percussion
Jacksonville Center for the Performing Arts jaxsymphony.org
The Chi-Lites and Friends
Jacksonville Center for the Performing Arts jaxevents.com
Rhett Walker
Murray Hill Theatre murrayhilltheatre.com
Planet Perreo
DECCA Live deccalive.com
NOV. 16
Del McCoury Band Ponte Vedra Concert Hall pvconcerthall.com
America In Concert
Jacksonville Center for the Performing Arts jaxsymphony.org
NOV. 18
Crystal Gayle Ponte Vedra Concert Hall pvconcerthall.com
NOV. 19
Blackberry Smoke Florida Theatre floridatheatre.com
NOV. 20
RAIN: A Beatles Christmas Tribute Florida Theatre floridatheatre.com
Treaty Oak Revival St. Augustine Amphitheatre theamp.com
NOV. 21
Hudson Westbrook St. Augustine Amphitheatre theamp.com
Floyd Nation Florida Theatre floridatheatre.com
Big Gigantic Decca Live deccalive.com
NOV. 22
Kings of The South Florida Theatre floridatheatre.com
Ben Folds & a Piano Ponte Vedra Concert Hall pvconcerthall.com
Boogie T DECA LIVE deccalive.com
Ole 60 FIVE fivejax.com
NOV. 23
Acoustic Alchemy Ponte Vedra Concert Hall pvconcerthall.com
NOV. 28
Queensrÿche Ponte Vedra Concert Hall pvconcerthall.com
Allen Stone and Ripe FIVE fivejax.com
NOV. 29
Molly Hatchet Ponte Vedra Concert Hall pvconcerthall.com
Great Joy! Ritz Voices Ritz Theatre ritzjacksonville.com
NOV. 29
Lindsey Stirling Jacksonville Center for the Performing Arts jaxevents.com
Words by Teresa Spencer
The universe just got a little quieter. Ace Frehley, the original lead guitarist and cosmic wild card of Kiss has left the stage for good. He was 74.
To the world, he was the “Spaceman,” a Bronx kid who strapped on a Les Paul and launched himself into rock immortality. To the faithful, he was the soul of Kiss’s sound, the smoke, the swagger, the danger, the flash of light that made millions believe in the power of loud guitars and larger-than-life dreams.
Born Paul Daniel Frehley in 1951, Frehley didn’t come from money or connections — he came from grit. He taught himself guitar, hung around record stores and devoured everything from Hendrix to Cream. In 1972, fate answered when he replied to an ad in the “Village Voice” seeking a lead guitarist for a new rock group.
That group, rounded out by Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons, and Peter Criss became Kiss. The makeup, the fire, the pyrotechnics, all that came later. What Ace brought from day one was electricity. His riffs didn’t just fill space; they created galaxies.
He was also the one who came up with the iconic lightning-bolt “SS” in the Kiss logo. A simple design tweak that helped define one of the most recognizable brands in music history.
Frehley wasn’t the loudest talker in the band, but his guitar did plenty of speaking for him. Songs like “Cold Gin,” “Parasite” and “Shock Me” carried his fingerprints. Swaggering, sharp and unmistakably Ace.
“Shock Me,” written after he nearly electrocuted himself onstage, became his anthem. His solos felt alive. Literally like a mix of technical finesse and pure attitude. He’d make guitars smoke with custom effects and a mischievous grin that said: Yeah, I know this looks insane — that’s the point.
By the late ’70s, the Kiss empire was bursting at the seams, and each member released a solo record in 1978. But the ’80s weren’t kind to Kiss — or to Frehley. Creative clashes and burnout led to his departure in 1982. He launched Frehley’s Comet, dove into solo projects and wrestled with the same demons that have shadowed so many rock legends. Through it all, he kept playing. Kept creating. Kept believing in rock’s raw magic.
He came back to Kiss for their 1996 reunion tour, reuniting the original lineup in full makeup and proving the chemistry hadn’t aged a day. Even if the members had. When he left again a few years later, it was clear: Ace Frehley didn’t belong to Kiss. He belonged to the stars.
In later years, Frehley cleaned up, toured solo, and wrote “No Regrets: A Rock ’n’ Roll Memoir,” a brutally honest account of his wild ride through fame, failure and rebirth. He kept releasing music and performing up until 2025, when health issues forced him to cancel shows.
He passed away surrounded by family after a fall that caused serious injuries. Though tributes poured in from across the rock world, perhaps the most fitting came not in words, but in volume — fans everywhere blasting “Shock Me” and “New York Groove” at full tilt, guitars screaming into the night sky.
Frehley once said that his favorite thing about being on stage was the split second before hitting the first chord, that moment of silence before the explosion.
So tonight, wherever you are, turn the volume up until the walls shake. Rest in Power, Space Ace. The stars are louder because of you.
Our Top 12 wines feature nothing but award winners and 5-star favorites. Enjoy them all plus two bonus California Cabs and a pair of Dartington Crystal stemless glasses—for only $69.99 (plus $19.99 shipping & tax) as your special introduction to the WSJ Wine Discovery Club.
Words by Teresa Spencer
Before the fame, the platinum records and the chaos of worldwide tours, Sam Rivers was just another Jacksonville kid chasing sound. Born and raised in Northeast Florida, Rivers’ story wasn’t one of overnight success — it was a long grind from garage jams to global stages, fueled by sweat, talent and a fair bit of Florida grit.
Long before he was shaking arenas with those chest-thumping basslines, Rivers was a quiet, lanky teen lugging a tuba around Arlington Middle School. It wasn’t glamorous, but it built his foundation. That early sense of rhythm and discipline would evolve into the distinctive groove that became Limp Bizkit’s secret weapon. By high school, Rivers had ditched the brass for bass, trading marching band uniforms for ripped jeans and heavy riffs.
In the early ’90s, Jacksonville wasn’t exactly known as a rock capital. But that’s part of what made Rivers’ rise so impressive. Alongside frontman Fred Durst and guitarist Wes Borland, he helped turn a scrappy local act into one of the defining sounds of a generation. The city’s rough edges — the humidity, the sprawl, the blue-collar attitude — bled right into their music. Limp Bizkit wasn’t polished; it was loud, raw, and honest. Just like the town that birthed it.
Even after global fame hit, Rivers stayed loyal to his roots.
Between tours, he’d return home to work with local musicians, mentor younger players and quietly pour energy back into Jacksonville’s music scene. He wasn’t just a rock star; he was a hometown guy who never forgot where the story started.
Rivers’ journey wasn’t without scars. Years of hard living took their toll, and he stepped away from the spotlight for a time to focus on his health. But when he came back, he did so with the same quiet intensity that had always defined him — a reminder that real artists never lose their pulse.
When Sam Rivers passed away in Oct. 18, 2025 at 48, the loss rippled far beyond the nü-metal faithful. In Jacksonville, it hit especially deep. This city has produced its share of legends, but few captured its spirit the way Rivers did — humble, hardworking and unapologetically himself.
He leaves behind more than music. He leaves behind proof that greatness can come from anywhere, even a Florida kid with a tuba, a dream and the nerve to turn it into noise the whole world could feel. Rest easy, Sam. The groove doesn’t fade — it just echoes on.
Kicks Off Their American Soul Revival Tour at Ponte Vedra Concert Hall
If I had to describe this show in one word it would simply be this: VOCALS. I’m talking vocals that make your nose scrunch as if there’s a stench in the room. Vocals that you only hear on singing competitions like “American Idol” or “The Voice” (literally). The War and Treaty kicked off their fall tour right here in Northeast Florida with a night of soul, country and talent you couldn’t believe.
The night began with an artist who truly will be the next big thing (I know… how cliche to say). Thunderstorm Artis blew the crowd away with just a guitar and his love for music. The young artist has competed on both “The Voice” and “American Idol,” and recently performed in the grand finale with The War and Treaty. He reminded me of Leon Bridges with more raspiness in his voice and the power to make a full room go completely silent. Left and right, people were asking who this artist was, so I recommend everyone to start streaming Thunderstorm Artis immediately.
The War and Treaty duo took the stage, starting with some powerful soul to get the crowd going. I had seen the couple open for Zach Bryan a year earlier and was impressed then, so I was eager to see what they had in store for a headline show.
“We’re gonna bring you to church,” sang Tanya Trotter, wife to Michael Trotter Jr. Even in a seated venue, people were dancing, clapping, and singing back every word the couple praised. From Michael’s riffs to Tanya’s insane range, I truly was blown away by their talent.
What really blew me away was their backstory. In the middle of the show, the couple walked offstage and a voiceover began playing talking about the effects of PTSD and what music means to them. Michael served in the U.S. Army in Iraq and Germany. During his deployment, his unit stayed at a private palace of Saddam Hussein. It was at this time he learned how to play the piano, and when music changed his life. His first performances were at the services of fallen soldiers, and ever since he has pursued music with his wife as a duo.
The couple had such a moving way of singing to each other at times — not breaking eye contact, smiling to each other, truly in love with each other and music. There were times when they performed the whole song without looking at the audience, as if in that moment they only had each other against the world.
I’ll admit, the only song I knew was “Hey Driver,” a collaboration with Zach Bryan. But even with only knowing the one song, I slowly felt myself becoming more and more of a diehard fan. Their energy. Their passion. And I’ll say it again… their vocals! What a way to kick off their tour.
Crisp, golden pretzels shaped like cheerful Christmas trees are dipped in smooth, creamy white confectioner’s coating, then sprinkled with merry red and green accents for a treat as beautiful as it is delicious. Presented in our exclusive Pittman & Davis holiday tin, these festive sweets are perfect for sharing, gifting, or brightening up your holiday table.
• Pretzels covered in creamy white confectioner’s coating
• Decorated with festive red-and-green sprinkles
• Just the right balance of salty and sweet flavors
• Presented in a Pittman & Davis exclusive citrus holiday tin
Words by Teresa Spencer
If laughter really is the best medicine, then Gabriel Iglesias is a walking CVS—minus the judgmental receipt length. The man known as Fluffy has been healing America’s collective anxiety with one joke, one sound effect, and one buffet plate at a time. He’s not just a comedian anymore—he’s an experience. Like a human churro. Warm, sweet, and just the right amount of bad for you.
Before he was selling out Dodgers Stadium and landing Netflix specials like free samples at Costco, Iglesias was just another California kid cracking jokes and eating his feelings. Then—poof—he turned those snacks into a career.
He once said he got fired from his day job for being “too funny at work.” If that’s a fireable offense, half of Jacksonville Beach would be unemployed—especially the bartenders who think they’re doing a stand-up set when you just ordered a Tito’s and soda.
Now, Fluffy’s living large—literally and figuratively. He’s the first comedian ever to sell out Dodgers Stadium. His comedy isn’t edgy for the sake of it. It’s observational, warm, and grounded in the kind of everyday chaos that everyone relates to—like having a mom who yells in Spanish or realizing your diet lasted shorter than a Publix sub line at noon.
Between gigs, Iglesias collects cars like some people collect bad decisions. His garage looks like the Fast & Furious franchise threw up, but in a wholesome, corgi-filled way. That’s right—he’s obsessed with corgis. Meanwhile, in Jacksonville, our version of luxury pets are the lizards sunbathing on the dashboard.
Gabriel Iglesias has this supernatural ability to make everyone laugh without offending anyone—which, in 2025, is like finding parking in Riverside on a Friday night. He doesn’t pick sides or punch down; he just reminds us that we’re all weird, hungry, and a little too attached to our air fryers.
Gabriel Iglesias stands out by being… nice. Funny. Human. Real. The dude’s a national treasure—one that, frankly, Jacksonville should adopt as an honorary resident. He’s got the personality of a Riverside bartender, the warmth of a beach sunset, and the appetite of a guy who just discovered the Metro Diner waffle.
So here’s to Gabriel Iglesias—proof that you don’t need abs, a scandal, or a TikTok dance to make America laugh. You just need heart, humor, and the confidence to say, “Yeah, I’m Fluffy… and proud of it.”
Catch him performing live on Nov. 14 at Veterans Memorial Arena.
Words by Teresa Spencer
There’s a reason a restaurant like The Local earns its name — it’s built for the neighborhood. And now, Ponte Vedra Beach finally gets a taste of that magic. The third jewel in a growing crown of community-minded kitchens, The Local’s new spot on Solana Road moves into the old Woody’s Bar-B-Q space and promptly erases all memory of pulled pork and paper napkins.
This is a space that hums — big wraparound patio, a polished 29-seat bar that glows like a well-kept secret and a steady stream of regulars already calling it their “spot.” It’s upscale without the ego, friendly without the fake, and it smells like butter, sear and promise.
The Local is the brainchild of Roost Restaurants, owned by Ted Stein and J.C. Demetree, two guys who seem to understand that good food and good design don’t need to scream to get attention. They already proved their chops with The Local’s Miramar and Neptune Beach locations, both favorites for diners who want the quality of fine dining without the starched-shirt stiffness. Ponte Vedra’s edition feels like the grown-up cousin — still approachable, but with a little more polish and a tighter pour.
Let’s talk food because that’s where this place flexes. I started with the oysters — their version of Rockefeller, but lighter, livelier. Each shell carried a perfectly crisped parmesan crust that shattered like glass and gave way to briny, buttery bliss underneath. If you’re the sort who usually skips oysters, don’t. These aren’t an acquired taste — they’re a conversion.
Then came the NY Strip with brown butter potatoes — the kind of plate that stops conversation. The steak? Melt-inyour-mouth perfection, seared with that deep, caramelized crust that only happens when a chef knows their pan like an old friend. The brown butter potatoes were sinful — golden, nutty, and soft enough to make you forget table manners.
But the sleeper hit of the night was the Ginger Wasabi Crusted Salmon. Perfectly cooked, delightfully flavorful, with a smooth finish that somehow felt both coastal and cosmopolitan. It’s a dish that tells you exactly who The Local is — rooted in the region, but not afraid to borrow from the world.
The cocktail program deserves its own standing ovation. My Cranberry Spritz was an art form in a glass — tart, crisp, just sweet enough to make you think about ordering another before the ice melts. “Off the charts yummy” doesn’t even cut it. You can tell whoever’s behind the bar actually cares about balance — not just buzz.
The rest of the menu reads like a world traveler’s postcard — Green Goddess Hummus, Korean Short Rib Fries, Wild Mushroom Rigatoni. There’s creativity here, but it’s disciplined. Every dish earns its spot on the list. I hear that the brunch menu is simple but also offers decadence for those inclined. Not your typical “Steak and Eggs” for sure.
And that’s the real genius of The Local: It feels like home, but it eats like a trip.
Whether you’re in Miramar, Neptune Beach or now Ponte Vedra, you walk out thinking the same thing — this place gets it right. They’ve managed to blend neighborhood charm with serious culinary chops, the kind of balance most restaurants try for and miss by a mile.
Anthony Bourdain once said, “Good food is very often, even most often, simple food.” The Local seems to live by that. They just happen to do it with a craft cocktail in one hand and a fork full of brown butter smashed potatoes in the other.
Arlington Catullo’s Italian facebook.com/catullositalian
Galaxy Burgers Bar & Grill galaxyburgersjax.com
Just Kitchen Jax justkitchenjax.com
Spices Caribbean Restaurant spicesjax.com
Tabouleh Mediterranean Cafe taboulehjax.com
Jax Beaches
Dockside Seafood Restaurant docksideseafoodrestaurant.com
Oaxaca Club theoaxacaclub.com
O-Ku
o-kusushi.com
RP’s Fine Food & Drink rpsjaxbeach.com
Sizemore’s Coastal Kitchen sizemorescoastalkitchen.com
Neptune/Atlantic Beach Arepa Please arepaplease.com
Coop 303 coop303.com
North Beach Fish Camp thenorthbeachfishcamp.com
Mamasamas mamasamas.com
Salumeria 104 salumeria104.com
The Local thelocaljax.com
Mayport Egg Boy eggboybreakfast.com
The Juicy Seafood Mayport thejuicycofl.com
La Casa Leon lacasaleonfl.com
Sub Cultured subculturedsubs.com
Downtown Bellwether bellwetherjax.com
Cowford Chophouse cowfordchophouse.com
Dorothy’s Downtown dorothysdowntown.com
Indochine Downtown indochinejax.com
Murray Hill Buchner’s Bierhalle buchnersbierhalle.com
Chancho King chanchoking.square.site
Community Loaves communityloavesjax.com
Solazo Taqueria solazofl.com
Northside & Airport Green Papaya greenpapayaus.com
Eleon Pizza & Pastry eleonpastry.com
Flying Fish Taphouse flyingfishtaphouse.com
New Berlin Fish House & Oyster Bar newberlinfishhouse.com
Mandarin Cooper’s Hawk Winery and Restaurant chwinery.com
Julington Creek Fish Camp julingtoncreekfishcamp.com
Enza’s Italian Restaurant enzas.net
Salento Colombian Steakhouse salentosteakhouse.com
Riverside and Avondale Bartaco bartaco.com
Carolina Jax carolinajax.com
Hawkers eathawkers.com
Josephine josephineavondale.com
Taqueria Cinco taqueria5points.com
San Marco The Bearded Pig thebeardedpigbbq.com
Taverna taverna.restaurant
Tepeyolot Cerveceria tepeys.com
Maple Street Biscuit Company maplestreetbiscuits.com
Springfield Crispy’s Springfield Gallery crispysspringfield.com
Othello othellospringfield.com
Tulua Bistro Springfield tuluabistro.com
1748 Bakehouse 1748bakehouse.com
Southside Purple Roots purplerootsjacksonville.com
Rustic 21 Bistro rustic21.com
RH Rooftop Restaurant rh.com/us/en/jacksonville/restaurant
Zen Dumpling zendumplings.com
Orange Park/Fleming Island/Middleburg Grumpy’s Restaurant grumpysrestaurantco.com
Kyodai Sushi Rock facebook.com /KyodaiSushiRock
Palermo Puerto Rican Kitchen palermopuertoricankitchen.com
The Toasted Yolk Cafe thetoastedyolk.com
Ponte Vedra/Vilano Anejo Cocina anejococinamexicana.com
Barbara Jean’s barbarajeansonthewater.com
Nona Blue Modern Tavern nonablue.com
Trasca & Co Eatery trascaandco.com
1912 Ocean Bar & Rooftop 1912oceanbarandrooftop.com
Vilano Beach
Aunt Kate’s aunt-kates.com
Cap’s On The Water capsonthewater.com
Pesca Vilano pescavilano.com
The Reef thereefstaugustine.com
Surfside Kitchen surfside.kitchen
Words by Ariana Alcantara
San Marco is a historic neighborhood in Jacksonville, home to many of the mosst popular bars, restaurants and small businesses in the city. On Oct. 18, an event brought many people to the neighborhood for a recurring bar hop called “Sip-In San Marco.”
This event was brought to fruition by Elle Bar Marketing, a company that specializes in helping brands grow social media platforms and create engagement for event organizations. This is not the only Jacksonville happening thrown by this company; they have a similar day-long activity in Avondale called “All Out Avondale.”
Amidst the many fall-themed community events revolving around the kiddos, this day-long fest brought out some seasonal fun for the adults to enjoy. The event was a fun-filled excursion from noon-7 p.m., which included deals on drinks, food and shopping experiences. Tickets sold for both general and VIP admission, granting levels to the bar-hopping extravaganza.
Many of the establishments in San Marco participated in the event, granting benefits like free drink tokens, free tastings, exclusive deals and live entertainment. The participating establishments were:
Fore Score Golf Tavern
The Grape & Grain Exchange
Beer:30 - San Marco
Gemma Fish + Oyster
Voodoo Brewing Co.
Tepeyolot Cerveceria
Hurricane Grill & Wings - San Marco
Sherwood’s
Kava & Company - San Marco
Lilly Grace Boutique
Bitty & Beau’s Coffee
Yoga Den San Marco
Foxtail Coffee Co & Kelly’s Ice Cream - San Marco
For more information on upcoming events and to stay updated on the next Sip-In San Marco, keep an eye on Elle Bar Marketing Instagram or their website.
ARLINGTON
Atlantis Lounge instagram.com/theatlantis_jax
Cliff’s Bar and Grill cliffsbarandgrill.com
Club Heaven clubheavenjax.com
BEACHES/PONTE VEDRA
Beach Bowl beachbowljax.com
Bedlam bedlamlive.com
Blue Jay Listening Room bluejayjax.com
The Brix Taphouse jacksonvillebeachbar.com
Casa Marina casamarinahotel.com
Culhane’s culhanesirishpub.com
Flask & Cannon facebook.com/flaskandcannon
Fly’s Tie Irish Pub facebook.com/flystieirishpub
Green Room Brewing greenroombrewing.com
Grey Matter Distillery greymatterdistillery.com Gusto gustojax.com
Hoptinger Bier Garden + Sausage House hoptinger.com
Ink Factory Brewing inkfactorybrewing.com
Island Girl Cigar Bar islandgirlcigarbar.com
Jax Beach Kava Bar kavajacksonville.com
Jekyll Brewing jekyllbrewing.com
Julep Palm Valley facebook.com/juleppalmvalley
Lemon Bar & Grille lemonbarjax.com
Living Room Lounge instagram.com/thelivingroomab
Lucky’s Bar instagram.com/luckysjaxbch
Lynch’s Irish Pub lynchsirishpub.com
Mango’s mangosjaxbeach.com
Mavi’s Waterfront Bar & Grill mavijax.com
Mayport Brewing Company maportbrewing.com
Mayport Garden Club mayportgardenclub.com
Monkey’s Uncle Tavern monkeysuncletavern.com
Palm Valley Outdoors Bar and Grill palmvalleyoutdoors.com
Penthouse Lounge at Casa Marina Hotel casamarinahotel.com
Refinery Jax Beach refineryjaxbeach.com
Reve Brewing revebrewing.com
The Ritz Lounge theritzlounge.com
Serenity Restaurant & Hookah Lounge serenityjaxbeach.com
Southern Swells Brewing Company southernswells.com
Surfer The Bar surferthebar.com
VooSwar Restaurant & Lounge instagram.com/vooswar
The Albatross thealbatrossjax.com
The Bier Hall at Intuition Ale Works intuitionaleworks.com/bierhall
Bold City Brewery boldcitybrewery.com
The Circuit Arcade Bar instagram.com/thecircuitbarcade
De Real Ting Cafe facebook.com/derealtingcafe
Decca Live deccalive.com
Dos Gatos dosgatosjax.com
Element Bistro Bar & Lounge elementjax.com
Hardwicks hardwicksbarjax.com
Intuition Aleworks intuitionaleworks.com
Island Girl Cigar Bar islandgirlcigarbar.com
Justice Pub facebook.com/thejusticepub
Live Bar facebook.com/livebarclubjax
Manifest Distilling manifestdistilling.com
Myth Nightclub & Bar mythexperience.com
Ocean Street Tequila instagram.com/oceanstreettacosandtequila
Pour Taproom jaxpourtaproom.com
Ruby Beach Brewing rubybeachbrewing.com
SIP Cocktail bar sipontheroof.com
Spliff’s Gastropub spliffsgastropub.com
That Bar At The Arena facebook.com/ThatBarattheArena
The Volstead thevolsteadjax.com
Fleming Island Island Girl Cigar Bar islandgirlcigarbar.com/fleming-island
Mercury Moon facebook.com/mercury-moon
Mr. Chubby’s Wings mrchubbyswings.com
Sunset Tiki Bar the-sunset-tiki-bar.business.site
Whitey’s Fish Camp whiteysfishcamp.com
Intracoastal West 9 Zero Pour 9zeropour.com
Brew and Barrel Tavern bbtjax.com
MVP’s Sports Grille facebook.com/mvpssportsgrille
The Spot Hookah Lounge thespothookahloungejax.com
Time Out Sports Grill timeoutsportsgrill.com
MANDARIN/JULINGTON CREEK/ FRUIT COVE
2nd Bay Brewing 2ndbaybrewing.com
Comedy Zone comedyzone.com
Iggy’s Grill and Bar facebook.com/iggysgrill
Kava & Company kavaandcompany.com
Legacy Ale Works legacyaleworks.com
Monkey’s Uncle Tavern monkeysunclemandarin.com
Rack’em Up Sports Bar facebook.com/rackemupsportsbar
Time Out Sports Grill timeoutsportsgrill.com
MURRAY HILL
Axe Champs axechamps.com
Buchner’s Bierhalle buchnersbierhalle.com
The Boot Rack Saloon boot-rack-saloon.business.site
Fishweir Brewing Company fishweirbrewing.com
The Flamingo theflamingojax.com
Perfect Rack Billiards perfectrackbilliards.com
Silver Cow silvercowjax.com
Spruce sprucejax.com
The Walrus thewalrusjax.com
NORTHSIDE
Coppertop Bar and Restaurant coppertopbarandrestaurant.com
Four Fathers Distillery fourfathersdistillery.com
ORANGE PARK/MIDDLEBURG 57 Heaven facebook.com/57heavenop
Big Dawgs Sports Restaurant bigdawgsrestaurant.com
Cheers Park Avenue cheersparkave.com
The Daq Shack thedaqshack904.com
Dee’s Music Bar and Grill facebook.com/musicbarandgrill
The Fresh Spot Lounge thefreshspotlounge.com
LeaderBoard Arcade leaderboardarcade.com
Locals Pub localspub.co
Nakama Anime Bar nakamabar.com
Park Avenue Billiards parkavenuebilliards.com
Pinglehead Brewing Company pinglehead.com
Southern Social Whiskey Bar & Lounge southernsocialbar.com
Bartaco bartaco.com
Birdies facebook.com/birdiesfivepoints
Bold City Brewery boldcitybrewery.com
Brick Restaurant brickofavondale.com
Burlock & Barrel burlockandbarrel.com
Dart Bar & Games facebook.com/dartbarjax
Eclipse Bar & Nightclub facebook.com/eclipsebarjax
The Garage garagejax.com
The Green House thegreenhousebar.com
Hoptinger Bier Garden + Sausage House hoptinger.com
Incahoots incahootsnightclub.com
Kanine Social Taproom kaninesocial.com
Keg & Coin kegandcoinjax.com
Kingmaker Brewing kingmakerbrewing.com
Lemonstreet Brewing Company lemonstreetbrewing.com
The Loft loftjax.com
Mickie’s Irish Pub facebook.com/mickiesjax
Myrtle Avenue Brewing facebook.com/myrtleavebrewing
Park Place Lounge park-place-lounge.business.site
River & Post riverandpostjax.com
Riverside Liquors riversideliquors.biz
Rogue Bar facebook.com/rogue.bar.1
Root Down facebook.com/rootdownjax
Shores Liquor and Bar instagram.com/shoresliquoravondale
SAN MARCO/ST. NICHOLAS
1937 Spirits & Eatery 1937sanmarco.com
Aardwolf Brewing Company aardwolfbrewing.com
Bar Molino barmolino.com
Breezy Jazz House breezyjazzhouse.com
Cuba Libre Ultra Lounge cubalibrebar.com
Fore Score Golf Tavern forescoregolf.com
The Grape & Grain Exchange grapeandgrainexchange.com
Kava & Company kavaandcompany.com
The Mudville Grill themudvillegrill.com
The Players Grille playersgrille.com
Posting House posting.house
Sherwoods sherwoodsbar.com
Sidecar instagram.com/sidecarjax
Voodoo Brewing instagram.com/voodoojax
Austin Karaoke facebook.com/austinkaraoke
Bottlenose Brewing bottlenosebrewing.com
Cataluna Jax catalunajax.com
Culhane’s culhanesirishpub.com
Island Girl Cigar Bar islandgirlcigarbar.com
Jax Craft Beer jaxcraftbeer.com
Medusa Restaurant and Hookah Lounge facebook.com/medusa-loungejacksonville
Rio Restaurant and Lounge instagram.com/riorestauraunt.jax
Seven Bridges Grille & Brewery 7bridgesgrille.com
Sugar Factory instagram.com/sugarfactoryjacksonville
Trio Lounge triohookahlounge.com
Veterans United Craft Brewery vubrew.com
Wicked Barley Brewing Company wickedbarley.com
WXYZ Bar at Aloft Hotel aloftjacksonvilletapestrypark.com
SPRINGFIELD
Crispy’s Springfield Gallery crispysspringfieldgallery.com
The District thedistrictspr.com
Historically Hoppy Brewing Company historicallyhoppy.com
Shantytown Pub facebook.com/shantytownjax
Strings Sports Brewery stringssportsbrewery.com
Stumpy’s Hatchet House stumpyshh.com
Tulua Bistro instagram.com/tuluabistro
ST. AUGUSTINE
Ancient City Brewing ancientcitybrewing.com
Arnold’s Lounge arnoldslounge.com
Beacon Listening Room beaconstaug.com
Cellar Upstairs Bar at San Sebastian Winery sansebastianwinery.com
Dog Rose Brewing dogrosebrewing.com
Odd Birds Cocktail Lounge and Kitchen instagram.com/odd_birds
The Original Café Eleven originalcafe11.com
Prohibition Kitchen pkstaug.com
Shanghai Nobby’s nobbysfl.weebly.com
Tradewinds Lounge tradewindslounge.com
Westside Elevation Lounge elevationjax.com
Lillian’s lillianssportsgrill.com
The Phoenix Bar & Bowling facebook.com/thephoenixjax
