Coastal Companion

Your ultimate guide to the coast

Things To Do in Jacksonville – April 2011

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April is the perfect time for outdoor festivals, and this month there is no shortage of fun things to do in Jacksonville.

George’s Music Annual Springing the Blues
April 1-3, 2011
This popular three-day oceanfront music festival is free and features a number of renowned blues performers, held every spring in Jacksonville Beach. Click here for more information about Springing the Blues.

Cosmic Concerts
April 1, 8, 15, 22
Experience total-sensory entertainment as laser lights, high-def images and digital sound collide to create a Cosmic Concert! Each concert costs $5 per person; $1 for laser glasses. Tickets are available online at www.moshplanetarium.org or at the door.

  • April 1: Laseropolis at 5 p.m., The Beatles at 6 p.m., Laser Vinyl at 7 p.m., and Laser Retro at 8 p.m.
  • April 8: Laseropolis at 5 p.m., Led Zeppelin at 6 p.m., Pink Floyd: Dark Side of the Moon at 7 p.m., and Pink Floyd: The Wall at 8 p.m.
  • April 15: Laseropolis at 5 p.m., Laser Retro at 6 p.m., Laser X at 7 p.m., and Metallica at 8 p.m.
  • April 22: Laseropolis at 5 p.m., Laser Vinyl at 6 p.m., Laser Retro at 7 p.m., and Metallica at 8 p.m.

First Wednesday Art Walk
April 6 2011
Downtown Jacksonville turns into an art adventure every first Wednesday of the month. The event is a free, self-guided tour that combines astounding visual and live art, engaging events and more. It’s a downtown happening you have to try at least once. Read more about the event here.

Movies in the Park
April 8, 15 and 26
Downtown Jacksonville’s series is returning to historic Treaty Oak Park Fridays in the spring. Hosted by Downtown Vision, Inc. and JaxParks, the series features four family-friendly movies shown under the stars, each beginning at dusk (around 8 p.m.). Bring family and friends, blankets to sit on or lawn chairs and a picnic. Music and kids lawn games will keep moviegoers busy before each show.

Starry Nights
April 9, 2011
The City of Jacksonville presents Starry Nights, an event that combines the sounds of the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra with a national performer. Concert is held at Metropolitan Park, along the St. Johns River. www.makeascenedowntown.com

starry nights

Earth Day at MOSH
April 16, 2011 
Come to MOSH in Jacksonville for Earth Day activities from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 16. Visitors will work to together to paint a masterpiece on a working rain barrel, make crafts from recycled items and more.

Beaches Sandcastle Contest & Parade
April 23-24
The beaches officially welcome visitors as temperatures become warmer and families head for a day in the sun. A sandcastle contest kicks off the weekend with prizes in several categories. On Sunday, a lively parade marches through Jacksonville Beach.

Mandarin Art Festival & Egg Hunt
April 23-24
Every Easter holiday art is celebrated at this two-day event in Mandarin. More than 100 artists are expected to participate this year. Paintings, jewelry, pottery, photography and more. There’s also a Kids Art Show and an egg hunt for the younger ones. You can read more about the Mandarin Art Festival & Egg Hunt here.

World of Nations Celebration
April 28 – May 1
Each spring, Jacksonville celebrates its cultural diversity with the World of Nations Celebration, presented by the City of Jacksonville. Metropolitan Park transforms into a multi-ethnic marketplace of cuisine, crafts and entertainment of people from around the world. Read more about World of Nations in Jacksonville here.

Music Under the Stars
April 28, 2011
Learn about the stars that shine over Jacksonville while enjoying a live musical performance under the stars of the Bryan-Gooding Planetarium. Event is from 6 to 10 p.m.. The music presentation begins at 7 p.m. and rooftop stargazing is from 8 to 9 p.m. Admission, which includes museum access, one beer or glass of wine, music presentation, star show, and rooftop stargazing, is $10 for the public and $5 for MOSH Members. Music provided by arrangement with Friday Musicale. Call 396.MOSH (6674), ext. 230 for required reservations.

Frosty the Snowman and Elf – Savannah, GA

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SCAD Presents Second Annual Holiday Matinee

The Savannah College of Art and Design invites the local community to the second annual SCAD Holiday Matinee, a family-friendly celebration of holiday spirit, Saturday, Dec. 19, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Free Movies at the Trustees Theater

The free event, open to the public and held at SCAD’s historic Trustees Theater, 216 E. Broughton St., will feature screenings of the animated classics “Frosty the Snowman” and “Frosty Returns” beginning at 11 a.m. and the holiday comedy “Elf” at 2 p.m.

Frosty’s adventures in “Frosty the Snowman” are well known to children worldwide. Frosty comes to life to weather the dastardly plans of an evil magician before he finds safety and happiness at the North Pole. His adventures continue in “Frosty Returns,” when Twitchell invents “Summer Wheeze,” a spray-can that instantly removes snow and slush. It falls to Frosty’s friend Holly to keep Frosty from melting and convince everyone that snow is a good thing.

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"Frosty the Snowman" at the Trustees Theater Savannah presented by SCAD

Elf with Will Ferrell and James Caan

In “Elf,” starring Will Ferrell and James Caan, Ferrell’s character Buddy stows away in Santa’s toy bag and ends up at the North Pole. The elves raise him as one of their own, but when he begins to notice how different he is from the other elves, he travels to New York City to find his birth father.

Guests at SCAD Holiday Matinee also may enjoy complimentary refreshments, sing-alongs of favorite holiday classics and more.

For more information, contact the SCAD box office at 912.525.5050. Media inquiries may be directed to 912.525.5225.

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elf

Movies in the Park – Jacksonville

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Enjoy the nice weather with a free movie under the stars. This time it’s the funny family-friendly flick “Beetlejuice” from 1988 with Michael Keaton. This movie was directed by Tim Burton.

Movies in the ParkBring your own picnic blankets or chair to Treaty Oak Park for a night out with the family. Create your own dinner and a movie night. Show up early and enjoy your picnic while the radio station 96.9 The Eagle supplies the music. Lawn games are available before the movie to keep kids busy.

Free parking available in the Suddath garage on Flagler Street across from the Hampton Inn. Garage gates will open at 5:30 p.m. and stay open until 1:00 a.m. For more information, call 451-3344.

Click here for the listing in our events calendar about the
movie at Treaty Oak Park in our events calendar.