Coastal Companion

Your ultimate guide to the coast

Jacksonville Beer Festival 2009

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If you like beer, and want to learn more about beers and brewing, come to the 2009 Jacksonville Craft and Import Beer Festival. Here you have the opportunity to sample over 30 different breweries with over 200 beers to taste. There’s also great food to go along with your beverages. Local restaurants are serving up great dishes. There will also be live music, a silent auction and other prize give-aways. Proceeds from the festival are going to the Southside Businessmen’s.

VIP members are treated to beer and brewology school as well as a food pairing and judging classes. There’s also a special, private selection of beer samples not available with general admission. So for the true beer enthusiast, this is definitely the ticket to get. You will get a peek at the beer industry from the inside.

The festival is a one day event, Friday June 19th at the Jacksonville Municipal Stadium, Crown Royal Touchdown Club East. VIP starts at 5pm and general admission starts at 7pm, going until 10pm.
There are two type of tickets, General Admission for $25 and VIP for $40.

For tickets and more information, visit www.beerfestjax.com
Beer

Free Family Film Festival at Regal Cinemas

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During the summer you can take your whole gang to the cinema for selected free screenings at Regal Cinema. Regal Entertainment Group has a nine week long Free Family Festival going on at selected theatres, now for the 19th year.

Participated theatres show G and PG rated movies for free on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings at 10 am. Examples of movies include; Hotel for Dogs, Kung Fu Panda, Madagascar Escape 2 Africa, and Shrek the Third.
Check local theatre listing for film selection, call the theatre or visit the website for schedule updates.

Below you’ll find a list of some of the participating theatres:

FLORIDA

Beach Blvd. Stadium 18
14051 Beach Boulevard
Jacksonville ,FL 32250
904-992-4394

06/09/2009-06/10/2009
Everyone’s Hero (G)
Kung Fu Panda (PG)

06/16/2009-06/17/2009
Charlotte’s Web (G)
Shrek The Third (PG)

06/23/2009-06/24/2009
The Tale Of Despereaux (G)
Bee Movie (PG)

06/30/2009-07/01/2009
Space Chimps (G)
Alvin And The Chipmunks (PG)

07/07/2009-07/08/2009
Horton Hears A Who (G)
Nim’s Island (PG)

07/14/2009-07/15/2009
Curious George (G)
Spiderwick Chronicles (PG)

07/21/2009-07/22/2009
Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium (G)
Water Horse: Legend Of The Deep (PG)

07/28/2009-07/29/2009
Mr. Bean’s Holiday (G)
Madagascar 2: Escape To Africa (PG)

08/04/2009-08/05/2009
Arctic Tale (G)
Igor (PG)

The Avenues Stadium 20
9525 Phillips Highway
Jacksonville ,FL 32256
904-538-3892

06/09/2009-06/11/2009
Charlotte’s Web (G)
Shrek The Third (PG)

06/16/2009-06/18/2009
The Tale Of Despereaux (G)
Bee Movie (PG)

06/23/2009-06/25/2009
Space Chimps (G)
Alvin And The Chipmunks (PG)

06/30/2009-07/02/2009
Horton Hears A Who (G)
Nim’s Island (PG)

07/07/2009-07/09/2009
Curious George (G)
Spiderwick Chronicles (PG)

07/14/2009-07/16/2009
Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium (G)
Water Horse: Legend Of The Deep (PG)

07/21/2009-07/23/2009
Mr. Bean’s Holiday (G)
Madagascar 2: Escape To Africa (PG)

07/28/2009-07/30/2009 Arctic Tale (G)
Igor (PG)

08/04/2009-08/06/2009
Everyone’s Hero (G)
Kung Fu Panda (PG)

GEORGIA

Savannah Stadium 10
1132-34 Shawnee Street
Savannah ,GA 31419
912-961-1535

06/16/2009-06/18/2009
Horton Hears A Who (G)
Journey To The Center Of The Earth (PG)

06/23/2009-06/25/2009 Space Chimps (G)
Star Wars: Clone Wars (PG)

06/30/2009-07/03/2009 P
irates Who Don’t Do Anything: Veggie Tale Movie (G)

06/30/2009-07/02/2009
Spiderwick Chronicles (PG)

07/07/2009-07/09/2009 M
r. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium (G)
Nim’s Island (PG)

07/14/2009-07/16/2009
Everyone’s Hero (G)
Madagascar 2: Escape To Africa (PG)

07/21/2009-07/23/2009
Mr. Bean’s Holiday (G)
Kung Fu Panda (PG)

07/28/2009-07/30/2009
Kit Kittredge: American Girl (G)
Shrek The Third (PG)

08/04/2009-08/06/2009
The Tale Of Despereaux (G)
Alvin And The Chipmunks (PG)

08/11/2009-08/13/2009
Charlotte’s Web (G)
Surf’s Up (PG)

SOUTH CAROLINA

Palmetto Grande Stadium 16
1319 Theatre Drive
Mount Pleasant ,SC 29464
843-216-8150

06/16/2009-06/18/2009
Charlotte’s Web (G)
Surf’s Up (PG)

06/23/2009-06/25/2009
Horton Hears A Who (G)
Journey To The Center Of The Earth (PG)

06/30/2009-07/02/2009
Space Chimps (G)
Star Wars: Clone Wars (PG)

07/07/2009-07/09/2009
Pirates Who Don’t Do Anything: Veggie Tale Movie (G)
Spiderwick Chronicles (PG)

07/14/2009-07/16/2009
Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium (G)
Nim’s Island (PG)

07/21/2009-07/23/2009
Everyone’s Hero (G)
Madagascar 2: Escape To Africa (PG)

07/28/2009-07/30/2009
Mr. Bean’s Holiday (G)
Kung Fu Panda (PG)

08/04/2009-08/06/2009
Kit Kittredge: American Girl (G)
Shrek The Third (PG)

08/11/2009-08/13/2009
The Tale Of Despereaux (G)
Alvin And The Chipmunks (PG)

Charles Towne Stadium 18
2401 Mall Drive
North Charleston ,SC 29406
843-554-6120

06/16/2009-06/18/2009
Charlotte’s Web (G)
Surf’s Up (PG)

06/23/2009-06/25/2009
Horton Hears A Who (G)
Journey To The Center Of The Earth (PG)

06/30/2009-07/02/2009
Space Chimps (G)
Star Wars: Clone Wars (PG)

07/07/2009-07/09/2009
Pirates Who Don’t Do Anything: Veggie Tale Movie (G)
Spiderwick Chronicles (PG)

07/14/2009-07/16/2009
Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium (G)
Nim’s Island (PG)

07/21/2009-07/23/2009
Everyone’s Hero (G)
Madagascar 2: Escape To Africa (PG)

07/28/2009-07/30/2009
Mr. Bean’s Holiday (G)
Kung Fu Panda (PG)

08/04/2009-08/06/2009
Kit Kittredge: American Girl (G)
Shrek The Third (PG)

08/11/2009-08/13/2009
The Tale Of Despereaux (G)
Alvin And The Chipmunks (PG)

Azalea Square Stadium 16
215 Azalea Square Blvd
Summerville ,SC 29483
843-821-1554

06/09/2009-06/11/2009
Everyone’s Hero (G)
Madagascar 2: Escape To Africa (PG)

06/16/2009-06/18/2009
Mr. Bean’s Holiday (G)
Kung Fu Panda (PG)

06/23/2009-06/25/2009
Kit Kittredge: American Girl (G)
Shrek The Third (PG)

06/30/2009-07/02/2009
The Tale Of Despereaux (G)
Alvin And The Chipmunks (PG)

07/07/2009-07/09/2009
Charlotte’s Web (G)
Surf’s Up (PG)

07/14/2009-07/16/2009
Horton Hears A Who (G)
Journey To The Center Of The Earth (PG)

07/21/2009-07/23/2009
Space Chimps (G)
Star Wars: Clone Wars (PG)

07/28/2009-07/30/2009
Pirates Who Don’t Do Anything: Veggie Tale Movie (G)
Spiderwick Chronicles (PG)

08/04/2009-08/06/2009
Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium (G)
Nim’s Island (PG)
film reel

First Wednesday Art Walk – Jacksonville, June 3th, 2009

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Visit downtown Jacksonville for the monthly art walk on Wednesday June 3th, 2009. This event takes place the first Wednesday of the month from 5 pm – 9 pm, rain or shine.

Several venues downtown serve as galleries during the art walk event. Start your self-guided tour at  Art Walk Headquarters with Fogle Fine Art’s exhibition inside the Jacksonville bank at 100 W. Laura St.

Click here for more details about the First Wednesday Art Walk Jacksonville

art walk

Container Gardens and Summer Heat – Jacksonville

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Here in the south it’s hot, and as you know, not all plants do well in our climate, especially plants in containers. Now you can get tips and tricks about what plants can do well so that you can let your inspiration flourish for your container garden.

The first Summer Garden Tour of 2009 will take place on Saturday, June 6th, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens. Take a look at the Zoo’s selection of heat-busting plants to find out what plants will look the best in containers. Guests are to pre-register online at www.jacksonvillezoo.org, and meet outside the Zoo’s ticket booths at 8:45 a.m.

“Not all plants work well in containers, and not all container plants do well through our hot Florida summers,” said Bob Chabot, Director of Horticulture for Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens. “Join us and we will show you what we have discovered through our experience that works well for us here at the zoo.”

The cost is $10 for Zoo members and $20 for non-members (Zoo admission is included). Pre-registration is required and tour size is limited. To register, please visit The Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens

Flower

Jacksonville Jazz Festival 2009 Bigger and Better

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This year the Jazz Festival offers free performances from renowned artists Roberta Flack, The Dave Brubeck Quartet, Chris Botti, Boney James, Stanley Clarke Trio, Jazz Attack, Joe Sample & Patti Austin, Jimmy Cobb, Guitars & Saxes, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Latin Jazz All Stars, Mindi Abair, Dr. John & the Lower 911, Bill Frisell’s 858 Quartet and many more!

Art in the Heart of Downtown
But this festival offers more than great jazz music. There’s also “Arts in the Heart of Downtown”, where you can enjoy art while listening to jazz music. The art event is open all festival days.

Wine Down
For those of us who enjoy wine tasting, there’s a special event during the Jazz Festival.
It’s called Wine Down and takes place in Hemming Plaza on Saturday May 23 as well. Taste Tickets are $15, and you’ll get to sample eight wines and receive a complimentary glass. Jazz and wine tasting, not a bad combo!

Young Jazz Musicians Competition
Come watch a live competition. Young jazz musicians will showcase their talents for the chance to win a music scholarship. Jazz talents between the ages of 7-21 auditioned for the competition to be held during the Jacksonville Jazz Festival. The winner will receive a $1,000 scholarship to be used to further his or her music education.

Location: Breezin’ Stage (The Jacksonville Landing Courtyard)
Saturday, May 23
First Round 1:30 p.m.- Finals 5:30 p.m.
Free admission

CHOPS, A Documentary
This award-winning documentary film tells the story of a group of young, talented musicians who learn to make the most of their gifts in an acclaimed jazz program at Douglas Anderson School of the Arts in Jacksonville, Florida. We follow their musical journey to New York City where they compete at the prestigious Essentially Ellington Festival against the top high school jazz bands in the nation. Win or lose, the experience puts them at the threshold of their dream and reveals their incredible personal and musical growth.

CHOPS – watch the trailer!

Saturday, May 23
Doors open 1:30 p.m. Showtimes: 2 p.m. & 7 p.m.
Location: Times-Union Center for the Performing Arts (Jacoby Symphony Hall). Free Admission

Jazz Parade
Saturday, May 23 at 3 p.m.
No festival is complete without a parade. This is of course a special jazz parade down Laura Street from Hemming Plaza to The Jacksonville Landing. The parade is led by the St. Johns River City Dixieland Band. Everyone is encouraged to bring their instruments and parasols. What about jazz hands?

Jacksonville florida

Jazz Juniors
Saturday, May 23 & Sunday, May 24
Bring the kids to Jacksonville Landing for jazz fun. Jazz Juniors is a variety of fun, learning activities to introduce young hearts and minds to the world of jazz.
There’s even an instrument “Petting Zoo” where children are introduced to each family of instruments and can play them.
In front of The Jacksonville Landing – (on Water St./Independent Drive). Free Admission

Jazz Giants: The Photography of Herman Leonard
Experience the life of great jazz musicians in this photo exhibit by award-winning jazz photographer Herman Leonard. The exhibit includes framed prints of jazz greats including signature performances and candid moments of Billie Holiday, Tony Bennett, Duke Ellington, Miles Davis, Ella Fitzgerald, Dizzy Gillespie and more.

MOCA Jacksonville, (Museum of Contemporary Art)
Free admission (to the exhibit only)
All festival days

Q&A sessions
Take part in question and answer sessions featuring jazz performers, educators, festival stakeholders and supporters.All Festival Days. Free admission

Wednesday, May 20
Mike Tolbert, Jacksonville Jazz Festival pioneer
Noon at Snyder Memorial Church
Festival pioneer and Jacksonville Jazz Festival Hall of Famer Mike Tolbert will discuss the beginnings of the festival and why Jacksonville is so passionate about jazz.

Friday May, 22
Contemporary keyboardist Lao Tizer
8 p.m. at Main Library (inside the former Shelby’s Coffee)
Lao Tizer will discuss his performance style, influences and experiences.

Saturday, May 23
CHOPS: Behind The Scenes
4 p.m. at Times-Union Center (Jacoby Hall)
Former Douglas Anderson School of the Arts band members, band director Ace Martin and documentary director Bruce Broder will discuss their preparation for and experience at the Essentially Ellington Competition.

Need a map?

Click here to get a Printable map for the 2009 Jacksonville Jazz Festival

Parking During the Jazz Festival
Click here to get a printable map for parking for Jacksonville Jazz Festival 2009

Skyway is Free for the Festival
Compliments of JTA, the Skyway will be FREE for the Jacksonville Jazz Festival. The Skyway is the easiest way to get to the Jacksonville Jazz Festival from the Northbank and Southbank of the St. Johns River – and it’s fun too. The Hemming Plaza station will drop fans in the middle of the action at the Groovin’ Stage in Hemming Plaza and the Laura Street Corridor.

The Central Station will drop festival fans just a block away from the Breezin’ Stage inside The Jacksonville Landing, near the Jazz Juniors area and the Laura Street Corridor. This stop is also located just behind the Omni Jacksonville Hotel where the ‘Round Midnight Jazz Jam will be held on the Saturday night of the festival.

Skyway Hours
Friday, May 22, 6 a.m.-2 a.m.
Saturday, May 23, 10 a.m.-2 a.m.
Sunday, May 24, 11 a.m.-7 p.m.

Northbank Stations

* Hemming Plaza Station (Monroe and Hogan streets)
* Central Station (Bay and Pearl streets)
* Rosa L. Parks/FCCJ Station (Hogan and State streets)
* Convention Center Station (Bay and Johnson Streets)

Southbank Stations

* San Marco Station (San Marco Boulevard and Mary Street)
* Kings Avenue Station (Prudential Drive and Kings Avenue)

For more information, call (904) 630-3100 or visit www.jtafla.com.

JTA Parking
JTA Parking locations include the Prime Osborn Convention Cener lot on the Northbank and the Kings Avenue Garage on the Southbank. Park at these locations for $5 per vehicle.

Bike Valet by Bike Jax
Bike Valets are not like car valets, it’s  more like a coat check. The good thing is your bicycle will be safe while you’re having fun. You leave your bike and get  a numbered ticket and the Bike Jax staff guards your bike and accessories in a secure enclosure until you are ready leave the event. The idea behind Bike Jax valet is to promote bicycling. Many bicyclists are afraid of getting their bicycles stolen, the bike valet will help – and get more people to ride bikes. Great idea!

Friday – Sunday during festival hours
Locations:

  • Hemming Plaza (in front of City Hall St. James on Duval St.)
  • Hogan St. (between The Jacksonville Landing and the Times-Union Center

Water Taxis

Water taxis will provide service from both sides of the river during the Jacksonville Jazz Festival.

Hours of Operation
Thursday, May 21, 11 a.m.-9 p.m.
Friday, May 22, 11 a.m.-11 p.m.
Saturday, May 23, 11 a.m.-7 p.m.
Sunday, May 24, 11 a.m.-9 p.m.

Northbank Stops

* Metropolitan Park (Jacksonville Municipal Marina)
* The Jacksonville Landing

Southbank Stops

* Friendship Fountain Park
* Crowne Plaza Jacksonville Riverfront
* Wyndham Jacksonville Riverwalk

Fares

Metropolitan Park (Jacksonville Municipal Marina) $4 one-way. All other downtown locations $3 one-way
For more information including stop locations and group discounts, call (904) 733-3382 or e-mail ssmarinetaxi@comcast.net.

Read Coastal Companion’s previous post about The Jacksonville Jazz Festival 2009

Read Coastal Companion’s Event Calendar post about The Jacksonville Jazz Festival 2009 event