Folio Vol. 38, Issue 1 by Folio Weekly

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2023

YOUR GUIDE TO ENTERTAINMENT IN NORTHEAST FLORIDA 1

FEATURE STORY PG. 38

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O W N: A N A R T I S T

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H T Y R O

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H A STUDIO

CONTENTS

VOL. 38, ISSUE 1

COLUM N S 7

FE AT U RE S 9

Ambar Ramirez & Carmen Macri

Amy Love

Kelila Ritchie

Needs to Hear

HOROSCOPES

In The Name Of Love

SPORTS

Kerry Speckman

Community In Atlantic Beach

The Specktator

2023 Books In Review & 2024 Books To

Look Out For

THEATER/ DANCE

COMEDY

Amiyah Golden

Living Up To the Pressures of Your Life In

Food Review: Norikase

Travis Zittrauer

Kelila Ritchie

Through a Studio

Martin Luther King Jr.

Su Ertekin-Taner

Folio Staff

Lennon’ Exhibition

Margarita In Town

Folio Staff

Ambar Ramirez & Carmen Macri

Mallory Pace

Awful Human

Your Early 20s Is Fighting a Losing Battle ‘Give Peace a Chance: The Art of John

Mallory Pace

ART

‘Senseis, Bars and Scars’

SOUTHERN SOUNDS: Stephen Carey Carson Rich

Carson Rich

Postcards and Poems: Who Knew?

Future Threads: 2024 Fashion Trend

CONCERTS

Predictions

BITE BY BITE

The Hunt: Finding The Best Spicy

It’s A New Year... And You’re Still An Amiyah Golden

A Day at The Farm at Okefenokee

Ambar Ramirez

Ambar Ramirez & Carmen Macri

Harry Moore

Amiyah Golden

Film Review

Louise Freshman Brown: An Artist’s Story From the Archives April 15, 2017

Carmen Macri

Edge Control: The Project Everyone

Rally 904: How Dean Grant Serves Up

TRIVIA , E TC .

‘Renaissance: The Film’

New Music Releases

NIGHTLIFE ANGELA PHILLIPS Publisher

CARSON RICH Writer

BEHIND THE COVER:

FOLIO STAFF:

“A Day at The Farm at Okefenokee” TERESA SPENCER General Manager

AMIYAH GOLDEN Writer/Photographer

JOHN PHILLIPS Vice President

MALLORY PACE Writer

KERRY SPECKMAN Copy Editor/ Writer

KELILA RITCHIE Writer

AMBAR RAMIREZ Creative Director

HARRY MOORE Writer

CARMEN MACRI Multi-media Creative/ Social Media Manager/ Lead Writer

TRAVIS ZITTRAUER Writer

SHELTON HULL Writer SU ERTEKIN-TANER Writer

Photo by Ambar Ramirez

COURTNEY THOMASSEN Photographer & Contributor TIM JONES Cartoonist

I ask that our city to remove all monuments, bridge names, street names and anything else that honors the confederacy and the ideology of white supremacy. These should not be on tax payer properties in a city that claims it is not racist. Remove them change the name of the city and county and declare to the world we are not that Jim Crow city anymore. What a gift this would be to the chamber of commerce and the NFL if we did this. I think the name Timaqua Florida would give us a grand name for our city, very nice like many other cities in Florida. If some citizens want to honor or keep these confederate Jim Crow era monuments do it on your own private properties and you can still honor your racist heritage. Get them off tax payer properties. Bob Rutter Neptune Beach

THE

MAIL

BOUQS & BRICKS

BOUQUETS

BRICKBATS

lenges. The LJD Jewish Family & Community Services (JFCS) and The

ed States as a result of drunk driving related crashes. That’s 37 people a

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are working together to provide

day. And get this, Jacksonville is rated as one of the most dangerous cities

housing assistance to local individuals and families, including seniors. The

to drive ranking number 1 for deadly DUI’s according to a study done by the

Church recently donated funds to JFCS to support more than 80 house-

NHTSA in 2023.

holds in the Jacksonville area over the next year. The flexible funding will

in the U.S. according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

allow JFCS to provide personalized support per family – from rent to car re-

as well. Please be responsible, if you have even one drink, DO NOT DRIVE.

pairs to prescription assistance. The goal is to help these struggling families

If you see an impaired driver on the roadway, please contact law enforce-

maintain true housing stability.

ment. DIAL 911, Your actions could help save someone’s life.

To Interfaith Organizations joining forces to address local housing chal-

To drunk drivers. It’s a fact that every 39 minutes someone dies in the Unit-

People ages 21-24 have the most drunk driving accidents

To the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for choosing JFCS for its donation due to JFCS’s longstanding impact in Jacksonville. JFCS is committed to assisting individuals regardless of age, race, religion, sexual orientation, or background; learn more about available programs at JFCSJax. org.

HOROSCOPES ARIES

In 2024, the lunar north node guides collective evolution in Aries, emphasizing your groundbreaking ideas and individuality. Expect a personal transformation and talent redirection. Seek a mentor for guidance through this mysterious journey. The total solar eclipse on April 8 marks a pivotal moment, leading to profound realizations.

TAURUS

You’re in for a wild ride this year, Taurus. As the transformative planets Jupiter and Uranus enter your sign for the first half of 2024, you’ll be feeling reckless and more willing to take chances. This year is all about taking definitive steps toward your goals. And if you’re unsure of which path you want to take, this is the perfect time to experiment.

GEMINI

As 2024 kicks off, indulge in self-care and recharge emotionally. Brace yourself for exciting opportunities post-May 25 when Jupiter enters Gemini, marking the start of your yearlong Renaissance Tour — your ticket to a flurry of new experiences until June 9, 2025. With Saturn and Neptune in your career zone all year, master your craft or explore a new path worthy of your dedication. Seek support from your VIP network. A grand debut might be in the cards around the eclipses on Sept. 17 or October in the vibrant autumn.

CANCER

Happy new year, Cancer! This year will feel like a very long game of hide and seek for you. One second, you’ll be the life of the party and the next you’ll be stuck in bed re-watching your favorite rom-coms. And honestly, there’s nothing wrong with that. Actually, the stars want you to protect and honor your alone time this year. To be comfortable around others, you must first be comfortable with yourself.

LEO

Leo, take the lead this year and share your brilliant ideas with the world. A transformative travel opportunity awaits around the April 8 eclipse, boosting your knowledge. With Jupiter and Uranus in your prestige-focused tenth house, your visionary ideas gain traction. On May 25, Jupiter’s move into Gemini propels your popularity. Include others without sacrificing control, and by the Oct. 2 eclipse, celebrate a team victory.

LIBRA

Endings are usually unnerving for you, Libra, but when you shift the perspective and look at endings as new beginnings the opportunities become endless. You may be feeling confused and excited all in the same breath. This can be attributed to the lunar south node residing in Libra throughout the year. This celestial position is linked to collective shadow work and aligns with your sign only once every 18 to 20 years. Get ready for some big changes spiritually.

SCORPIO

Scorpio, embrace powerful partnerships as lucky Jupiter energizes your duo zones all year. Break down resistance and explore new connections, maintaining independence. Pluto, your cosmic ruler, transitions to your fourth house, deepening bonds with your inner circle. Real estate ventures may bring significant earnings. Stay open to unexpected travel opportunities, especially around the September 17 eclipse. Seize the moment.

SAGITTARIUS

Your spontaneity is one of the things we love most about you, Sagittarius, but even our most likable qualities aren’t always the most rewarding. This year, the stars are asking you to land the plane and unpack that suitcase indefinitely. It’s time to sit down and get a clear idea of what you want to do with your life.

CAPRICORN

Get ready for a liberating shift in 2024. Embrace simple routines and focus on work and passions. March 25 and Oct. 2 are key dates with Libra eclipses propelling your career forward. Be prepared to seize professional growth opportunities. Home life takes center stage as the lunar north node highlights domestic matters — strengthen bonds, host gatherings and consider living changes. After May 25, health goals intensify as Jupiter energizes your sixth house. It might be the year to train for a 5K or even run a marathon.

AQUARIUS

New year, new you? In short, the answer is yes. The stars are predicting that you won’t even recognize yourself by the end of the year. And honestly, are you surprised? Pluto makes its way into your circle on Jan. 20, a cycle that happens only every 250 years. Things you didn’t even know about yourself will come to light with this transformational planet. You’ll be experiencing a lot of firsts this year so get ready for a full-on renaissance.

PISCES

VIRGO

Pisces, in 2024, the spotlight is on your home turf. Uncover hid-

perfect is so last year and the stars want to see you mess up ev-

nurturing your social life. Expect growing pains, but lean into

This new year will be all about trial and error for you, Virgo. Being ery once in a while. Our most defining qualities and lessons are learned through the mistakes we make.

den gems like a yoga studio or a dream apartment. Prioritize time with friends and family for personal flourishing. Counteract the influence of stern Saturn in Pisces throughout the year by your resilience — every sacrifice contributes to your strength. With Neptune in Pisces, turn your inner evolution into magic. The lunar eclipse on Sept. 17 could bring a significant epiphany about your life’s next steps.

IN THE NAME OF

Love Words by Amy Love

Founder and Matchmaker of the Honey and Flame Matchmaking agency thehoneyandflame.com ANDIE AND ADAM FROM ST. JOHNS COUNTY ASKED: “HOW DO YOU HELP A PARTNER WHO MAY BE STRUGGLING WITH STICKING TO THEIR RESOLUTIONS, AND HOW CAN COUPLES MOTIVATE EACH OTHER THROUGHOUT THE YEAR?”

First, it’s essential to approach resolutions as a team effort. Instead of setting individual goals in isolation, identify areas where you can align your aspirations. For instance, if one partner aims to prioritize fitness, the other can join in for regular workouts or explore new healthy recipes together. This shared commitment not only enhances accountability but also transforms the journey into a shared adventure.

As we usher in a new year, many of us find ourselves contemplating resolutions and goals for the months ahead. For couples, this presents a unique

Communication is the cornerstone of overcoming resolution hurdles. If your

opportunity not only for personal growth but also for strengthening the bond

partner is facing challenges, engage in open and non-judgmental conversa-

that ties them together. Let’s explore the delightful realm of relationship ritu-

tions. Commit to active listening, empathetic understanding and expressing

als, the challenges of sticking to resolutions, and how couples can embark on

needs and desires openly. Explore the root causes of the struggle and col-

a journey of shared self-improvement for a fresh start.

laboratively brainstorm solutions. Attend communication workshops or read relationship-focused literature together to enhance these skills. Perhaps ad-

In the spirit of a fresh start, couples can engage in meaningful rituals that

justments to the goal are needed, or additional support from both partners

symbolize renewal and growth. One timeless tradition is creating a vision

can make the path more manageable.

board together. Gather magazines, scissors and a corkboard and spend an evening envisioning your goals and dreams as a couple. Whether it’s plan-

Celebrating small victories is another powerful motivator. Break down larg-

ning a dream vacation, starting a family or renovating your home, the act of

er goals into smaller, achievable milestones and acknowledge each other’s

visualizing your shared aspirations fosters connection and excitement for the

progress. Whether it’s a week of sticking to a workout routine or successfully

future. If this sounds ridiculous to you, consider meditation together, or just

managing stress, recognizing, and celebrating these accomplishments rein-

share your personal inspiration Pinterest board. Don’t give up. There are lots

forces the commitment to growth.

of ways to put out your desires for the new year. These aspirational thoughts will only help your person to be able to give you space to grow.

Cultivating shared hobbies or experiences is another avenue for self-improvement as a couple. Whether it’s learning a new language, taking dance

Another delightful ritual is crafting a “relationship time capsule.” Together,

classes or exploring a shared passion, the process of discovering and grow-

choose items that represent your current life stage and relationship dynam-

ing together fosters a deeper connection.

ics. This could include handwritten letters to each other, a small trinket from a memorable date or a snapshot capturing a cherished moment. Bury the time

In the realm of intimacy, consider setting goals that prioritize the emotion-

capsule in your backyard and set a date to unearth it in the future, reminiscing

al and physical connection between partners. This could involve scheduling

about your journey together.

regular date nights, experimenting with new experiences or simply dedicating time for heartfelt conversations that deepen emotional intimacy.

For those seeking a more immediate impact, consider a “relationship reset” weekend. Head to a serene location away from the hustle and bustle of daily

As we bid farewell to the old and welcome the new, let the spirit of a fresh

life, where you can disconnect from routine and focus on each other. Engage

start infuse your relationship with vitality and purpose. Whether through cher-

in activities that bring joy, whether it’s hiking, cooking together or simply star-

ished rituals, supporting each other’s resolutions or embarking on shared

gazing. Use this time to discuss your goals for the coming year and reaffirm

self-improvement goals, the journey of growth as a couple is a celebration

your commitment to each other.

in itself. Here’s to a year of love, laughter and the joy of building a stronger, more resilient bond. Cheers to new beginnings!

While the allure of New Year’s resolutions is undeniable, the challenge lies in sustaining the momentum throughout the year. Many folks find themselves struggling to adhere to their goals, and for couples, supporting each other through these ups and downs becomes crucial.

HAVING TROUBLE IN THE LOVE DEPARTMENT? EMAIL US YOUR CONCERNS AT LOVEADVICE@FOLIOWEEKLY.COM 9

THE SPEC

Words by Ke

It’s that time of year again! Time to make promises to yourself, proclaim them on social media, publicly swear you’re going to stick to them … only to give up by National Pizza Week*. My point here, dear friends, is not to lecture you about sticking to your goals or even make them in the first place. Instead, I wanted share the five most popular resolutions, as reported in a new Forbes Health survey, so you remember you are not alone in your endeavors. 1. Improved fitness 2. Improved finances 3. Improved mental health 4. Lose weight 5. Improved diet Or you could just be like me and continue to wear leggings, blow money on things you don’t need and eat like a college student away from home for the first time. Hey, at least I have a psychiatrist on call. * In case you’re not up on unnecessary food holidays, National Pizza Week is the second Sunday of January.

Speaking of resolutions, if you are someone looking to stop or limit your drinking of alcohol (which can also improve your finances, mental health and weight; see above), Hearts 4 Minds has released “Mocktails for Meaning,” a free e-book containing a variety of yummy, mocktail recipes to celebrate the season or all year-round. Each mocktail was created by a local restaurant, some of which are served in house as well. Among the alcohol-free treats are the Pomegranate Mule by Culhane’s Irish Pub, Libéluta Margarita (yes, there is a zero-proof tequila alternative) by Tepeyolot Cerveceria and Orange Dragon by Bistro X. Hearts 4 Minds, a local non-profit that aims to break the stigma for those with living with mental illness while refocusing on how mental health is perceived. H4M hopes to “encourage individuals to focus on their mental health” while still enjoying holiday celebrations — or any reason, for that matter. To get your free copy, visit hearts4minds.org/mocktails.

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CKTATOR

erry Speckman

The Wheel of Fortune LIVE!, hosted by former daytime “Wheel of Fortune” Bob Goen, was in town in mid-December where audience members competed for up to $10,000 and vacations to Paris or Hawaii. Unfortunately, no one won the big money or the trips, but the audience, including yours truly, had a WOnderFul time trying to guess the puzzles, then quietly mocking the contestants for not knowing the answers. (Don’t judge. You know you do the same thing watching it on TV.) The final prize round was especially painful when Dave, who had been killing it on the wheel, ran out of time before he could solve this “Thing”:

CAMERA __ A __ I won’t tell you what the guy behind me responded.

I know he moved to Austin, but future Grammy winner J. Dash was a Jacksonville resident when his song “WOP” (not to be confused with “WAP”!) was released in 2011. Over the years, the song and it’s accompanying dance went viral with fans doing their own versions, creating millions of view on YouTube and Instagram. Fast forward to 2023 and “WOP” is still killing it with 9 million streams on Spotify by 2.2 million listeners in 183 countries. And a new fan by the name of Paula Abdul. It’s a WOP-per indeed.

2023 Books in Review and

2024 Books To Look Out For Words by Carmen Macri

As we bid farewell to 2023, let’s reflect on the highlights we’ve experienced — be it blockbuster movies, emerging musical talents or, my personal favorite, the ever-expanding catalog of “New York Times” best-selling books. Achieving a coveted spot on the “New York Times” Best Sellers list requires an author to sell 5,000 or more copies of a book within a single week. Despite the common sight of every novel adorned with a golden “#1” sticker, the mystery behind so many claiming the top spot remains. Nonetheless, what is certain is that 2023 proved to be an exciting year for bookworms. Whether your cup of tea is mystery, romance, fantasy, or sci-fi, odds are, 2023 had a book for you. And if you have been living under a rock, don’t worry — here are your SparkNotes on what was hot this past year. You might be wondering, “Carmen, what are your credentials to give a 2023

After a betrayal leaves Sera and her love Nyktos (otherwise known as Shad-

year review in books?” Well, I am so glad you asked. From September to De-

ow Daddy, Daddy Nyktos and the love of my life) captive to the false King of

cember 2023, I read 38 books. I am pretty qualified in this field if no other.

the Gods, the only way to prevent a Shadowlands invasion and a War of Primals is to convince Kolis that Sera truly loves him, a challenging task given his

Let’s get right into it, shall we?

For Fantasy Lovers: “Fourth Wing” by Rebecca Yarros

erratic nature. The revelations about fate and the true creation of the realms complicate matters. Surviving Kolis is just the beginning. As Sera’s ascension deadline looms, Nyktos is determined to save her, even risking realm destruction in the process (if he wanted to, he would). Their destinies, however, may be beyond their control …

Across the board on “New York Times,” Good Reads, Amazon and Barnes and Noble, the highest-rated, highest-anticipated and highest-sold novel of 2023

Looking for a badass female lead who falls in love with a primal god of death?

was – drumroll please – “Fourth Wing” by Rebecca Yarros. Am I surprised?

You’re welcome.

No. This epic romantasy (romance fantasy) novel was the first in the Empyrean series — the second being “Iron Flame” which came out later in the year

“Powerless” by Lauren Roberts

(voted #2 on “NYT” and #7 on Good Reads).

This particular book is an unexpected discovery, a bonus edition that, while too recent to feature on prestigious book lists, is truly exceptional. This book

At Basgiath War College in the fictional country of Navarre, 20-year-old Violet

being as amazing as it is came as a surprise to me since I found author Lauren

Sorrengail, trained to be a scribe, is unexpectedly thrust into the dangerous

Roberts on TikTok with only a modest following. This young author wrote this

Dragon Rider Quadrant by her mother, the college’s commanding general. In

series when she was only 18 and self-published after dropping out of college

the cutthroat “Fourth Wing’’ section, Violet faces challenging tests, including

at 20 to pursue her dream, and thank GOD that she did because her debut

bonding with a dragon and training for the ongoing war. Her small stature

novel, “Powerless,” has me in a chokehold.

and her mother’s role make her a shining target, particularly for ruthless fellow first-year Jack Barlowe and the vengeful third-year squad leader, Xaden

“She is the very thing he’s spent his whole life hunting. He is the very thing

Riorson (the ultimate book boyfriend), who has a personal vendetta against

she’s spent her whole life pretending to be.” – I’m literally on the floor.

her mother. In the kingdom of Ilya, only the extraordinary thrive — the empowered Elites Interested in stories about enemies-turned-lovers with a morally gray male

gifted with special powers by the Plague. Ordinary people like Paedyn Gray

lead? Look no further.

are banished and executed when lacking an ability becomes a crime. Paedyn, surviving in the slums, poses as a psychic to stay alive. When she saves a

“A Fire in the Flesh” (Flesh and Fire #3) by Jennifer Armentrout

prince and unwittingly enters the Purging Trials, a competition showcasing

This next one has quite a soft spot in my heart and comes as no surprise that

Elites’ powers, Paedyn faces challenges. If the Trials or her feelings for the

it was voted #9 on Good Reads. The third book in the “Flesh and Fire” series

prince don’t pose a threat, her Ordinary status might.

is a prequel to the “Blood and Ash” series (my guilty pleasure book) and let me just say: Oh. My. God. For all my smut readers, this is the series for you.

Clearly, I have a type … enemies to lovers … to enemies.

Like every other Jennifer Armentrout series, this book falls to the wayside of sex, sex, sex with a dash of dark mystery.

Disclaimer: I am an avid fantasy reader, leaving some to think it’s the only genre I read. But for the sake of this article, here are the other top books of 2023 that I might or might not have read.

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For Historic Fiction Readers:

For Mystery and Thrill Seekers:

“The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store” by James McBride

“The Housemaid’s Secret” by Freida McFadden

The bestselling, National Book Award-winning, Oprah Book Club-picked and

“The Housemaid’s Secret” is the sequel to the absolutely addictive psycho-

Barack Obama favorite, author James McBride, once again, breathes new life

logical thriller, “The Housemaid.” McFadden is a mastermind who personally

into murder mysteries.

enjoys shattering her readers’ minds. The plot twists and storytelling in her novels are something I have yet to come across in any other series.

In 1972, workers in Pottstown, Pennsylvania, unearth a skeleton while digging for a new development in Chicken Hill, a neighborhood where immigrant

This captivating story revolves around a hardworking housemaid determined

Jews and African-Americans tightly coexist. The intertwined stories of Moshe

to keep her mysterious past under wraps. The Garrick family, her current em-

and Chona Ludlow, residents of Chicken Hill, reveal the struggles of those on

ployers, becomes her anchor, providing a much-needed sense of normalcy

the margins of white, Christian America. As secrets unfold about the town’s

and stability. However, the facade shatters when she stumbles upon the dis-

past, McBride illustrates how love and community sustain even in dark times,

concerting sounds of crying and notices bloodstains on Mrs. Garrick’s night-

emphasizing the resilience of those living in the shadows.

gowns. This unexpected revelation sends shockwaves through her world, leading her down a path of unforeseen challenges.

For My Plain Jane Fiction Readers: “Yellowface” by R.F. Kuang Rated #1 for fiction on Good Reads, R.F. Kuang, author of the esteemed “Poppy War Series,” created yet another razor-sharp, highly addicting and timely novel. “Athena Liu is a literary darling, and June Hayward is literally nobody.” Following Athena’s sudden death, June seizes the chance to claim Athena’s unpublished manuscript as her own under the alias Juniper Song. As June revels in the stolen success, mounting evidence threatens her ill-gotten triumph, forcing her to grapple with ethical dilemmas and reconsider the lengths she’ll go to protect what she believes she deserves. Against a backdrop of intricate interpersonal dynamics, R.F. Kuang’s “Yellowface” delves into cultural appropriation, social media’s isolating impact, and complex questions of diversity and racism with a captivating first-person nar-

For You Sci-Fi Lovers: “Light Bringer” (Red Rising Saga #6) by Pierce Brown The Red Rising series has been on my TBR (to be read) list for quite some time. My boyfriend lives and dies by this series, and I feel as though I have already read it with his constant spoilers. That being said, the series as a whole has swept the nation and taken over my entire FYP (for you page). “Light Bringer” is the sixth in the series, and allegedly, the best, which follows the tale of miner Darrow as he infiltrates the ranks of the elite Golds. Darrow longs to return home after a devastating defeat on Mercury. Facing the threat of Lysander, who aims to restore Gold’s supremacy, Darrow needs the support of loved ones like Virginia, Cassius and Sevro to defend the Republic. His interplanetary journey home unfolds with reunions, new alliances and battlefield clashes.

rative.

new Primal of Life rises to challenge the False King of Gods will the primal My 2024 Popular Books to Look agods band together to save their realm or watch it burn? If you have read the Out for (a little biased, fantasy Blood and Ash series, you already know the answer to this but the suspense is still killing me. lover, remember?) “House of Flame and Shadow” (Crescent City #3) by my lord and savior,

“Knights of Wind and Truth” (The Stormlight Archive #5) by Brandon Sand-

Sarah J. Maas – JAN 30.

erson – DEC 6

There is no combination of words to accurately describe how excited, ner-

How Sarah J. Maas is for the girls, Brandon Sanderson is for the boys. (This is

vous and scared I am for Jan. 30. If you do not know about Sarah J. Maas and

a joke, obviously.) The Stormlight Archive saga is an epic fantasy series set in

the insanity that is the “Maas Universe” I don’t have enough magazine space

the world of Roshar. It explores the conflicts between nations, magical orders

to explain it to you. Long story short, the second Crescent City book, “House

and the consequences of wielding Surges — powerful magical forces.

of Sky and Breath,” ended with the cliffhanger of all cliffhangers, tying in her other two series (and 15 books). This has been the most anticipated book of

“Knights of Wind and Truth” picks up as Dalinar Kholin boldly confronts the

the century – and I am not exaggerating.

malevolent god Odium in a contest of champions, giving the Knights Radiant and the nations of Roshar just 10 days to brace for the impending threat. The

Bryce Quinlan never imagined leaving Midgard, but now stranded in an unfa-

destiny of the entire world and, indeed, the vast Cosmere teeters on a pre-

miliar world, she’s desperate to return. Her entire life, including family, friends

carious balance.

and her mate, is rooted in Midgard. Navigating trust issues, unfamiliar people and a new strange power, she must use her wits to find her way back while her mate, Hunt Athalar, and brother Rhun Danaan are rendered powerless under the Aestri’s control. “A Fate Inked in Blood” (Saga of the Unfated #1) by Danielle L. Jensen – FEB. 27 In this Norse-inspired fantasy romance, a shield maiden named Freya battles to unite a nation under a power-hungry king. Married against her will, Freya dreams of becoming a warrior and seeks revenge on her boorish husband. Betrayed to the chief by her husband, Freya faces a fight to the death against his son, Bjorn. To survive, she reveals her secret: a drop of a goddess’s blood, granting her magical powers. Prophesied to unite Skaland, Freya is bound by a blood oath, and tasked with training and controlling her magic. The greatest challenge, however, lies in resisting her forbidden attraction to Bjorn (Am I hearing enemies to lovers??). Succumbing risks not only her destiny but also the fate of the people she swore to protect. “Reckless” (The Powerless Trilogy #2) by Lauren Roberts – JULY 4 Another book I cannot wait for. Following the recent release of her debut novel “Powerless,” Roberts wasted no time jumping back into the kingdom of Ilya to give the girls what they want. In the chaotic kingdom of Ilya, Paedyn Gray survives the Purging Trials, kills the king, and sparks a resistance. Now hunted by Enforcer Kai Azer (my king), loyal to the new king, Paedyn runs from the one she once trusted. Kai pursues her across deadly Scorches and the hostile city of Dor. In a city without Elites, the balance shifts between hunter and hunted, and the clash between duty and desire becomes lethal. “Born of Blood and Ash” (Flesh and Fire #4) by Jennifer Armentrout – MAY 7 Armentrout brings her thrilling fantasy series to a conclusion with her final “Flesh and Fire” book. I don’t know what I am supposed to do after this, simply. The “Flesh and Fire” series is dark, thrilling, sexy and twisted. “Born of Blood and Ash’’ follows the almost cataclysmic events that occurred in “A Fire in the Flesh.” Sera and Nyktos escaped Kolis, but at what cost? Will it be enough to save the Shadowlands, Illesium and the mortal realms? When

14 Folio Weekly

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LIVING UP TO THE PRESSURES OF YOUR EARLY 20’S IS FIGHTING A LOSING BATTLE Words by Mallory Pace

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I just submitted the last assignment of my college career and I don’t feel any

can gauge certain outcomes and find a sense of what will make you happy,

different, except for the constant pit in my stomach caused by the fact that

but overwhelmingly, there’s no such thing as the “right” decision. I have found

each day I grow closer to graduation. I’m cynical and worrisome by nature, so

that simply making a decision and acting on it, is the right one. By putting

it’s no shock that graduating college has brought me more anxiety than ex-

yourself in the driver’s seat, you take control of where you’re going. If you’re

citement, but reality is creeping in faster than I anticipated. I always thought

too scared, someone or something else will do it for you until you’re left in

I’d have everything figured out by now, so I saved all my earlier problems for

the rearview mirror of your own life. So even if the decision is a scary one or a

later me. Well, it’s later and I still don’t know what my future holds, and that’s

seemingly life-changing one, do something. Make your calculations, sit down

a scary feeling. But the more I dwell on it, which seems to be a lot these days,

with yourself and then do something. Even if it turns out horribly, at the very

I come to the same conclusion: I’ll never have it all figured out.

least, it’s better than doing nothing.

I started college at the peak of COVID-19. I was the first high school class to

Everyone wants to be great. But I think what people, myself included, fail

not have a proper graduation and then the first freshman college class to be

to realize is that greatness is realized only after the moment has passed.

completely remote. I quickly understood why college was made for making

Everything feels like the end of the world in the moment, but once it pass-

mistakes because boy did I make a lot of them that first year. I slept in too

es, you find appreciation and often, longing for the past. So although this

much, took more care of my cat than myself and constantly cried myself to

next chapter feels scary and right now I feel like I’m doing everything wrong,

sleep over a combination of grieving my childhood and fearing adulthood. It

soon enough I’ll be looking back on this time with my eyes rolled and head

sounds dramatic, but it was my first time away from home and the last time

shaking, wishing I could tell myself it’s going to be OK. Or not. Anything can

I’d be considered a kid again, even if I still felt like one. As time does to

happen of course, but we’re manifesting positivity here, K? The more I try to

most things, I eventually pulled myself out of the whirlpool of self-pity, fingers

run from facing life after college, I’m only going to hit more walls and delay

pruned with doubt and insecurity, and I kept going. I started taking classes se-

the inevitability of life. Instead of hiding behind the comfort and structure of

riously, focused on being present and reminded myself to be grateful. Thank

college, I think it’s high time I start embracing the world as my oyster (I’m a

you, therapy.

sucker for clichés, so sue me).

Then I blinked. And suddenly three years went by before I could open my

I’ve always felt intimidated when people say, “You can do anything you put

eyes again.

your mind to” because it implies knowing what you want to put your mind to. And right now, I don’t know what I want to do, which makes sense because

We place so much pressure on the time period directly after college. For four

I haven’t done anything besides pass classes for four years. But for some

years I’ve tasted unlimited freedom and a break from the chains of societal

reason, I feel this pressure to know myself and what I like and don’t like.

expectations because when you’re in college, no one really expects anything

That’s crazy! I’ve barely met myself, let alone had enough time to be sure of

from you. College encourages you to try new things, step outside your com-

what interests me. I’m still discovering who I am as a person and how I want

fort zone and make a million mistakes along the way. Then one day you’re sit-

to carry myself in the world. I’m still trying new hobbies, throwing away old

ting in a Starbucks, hyper-caffeinated and underfed, and you press submit on

ones, making new friends and outgrowing others. I’m finding my own taste in

the final chapter of college. Just like that, it’s over. Now, the world tells you,

fashion, growing into a changing body and healing wounded parts of myself

get a job, make enough money to survive, contribute to society and prepare

I never knew existed.

to do it for the rest of your life. What?!?!? They say college is the best four years of your life, but I’m not so sure about And that brings us to now. Inching toward the infamous and horribly abstract

that. Maybe it was a good time to learn more about yourself, but maybe it’s

“real-world” while wondering where the time went. I will always cherish my

just the beginning of a long, long journey on the road to self-discovery. May-

college days, but I now have no choice but to keep moving forward. Quick

be it was just a taste — a trial run — of what it means to be somebody. But

question, though: where is forward and how do I get there? Can someone

maybe now, the time afterward, is when the real fun begins. Like they say,

drop a pin or send me directions?

better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all. I’d rather mess up, fall down and eat sh*t than never have tried at all. So here it goes, closing

Seriously though, what does life look like with no classes, research papers

the warm and cozy dorm room door and stepping into the cold, apparently

and tests? How will I measure my success without GPA or transcript? Plus, I

unforgiving “real world” of adulthood.

actually have to pay back these student loans?! The uncertainty of life after college is daunting and as I mentioned, abstract. I went from four years of

How bad could it be?

structure, rules and expectations, and now, poof, it’s gone. I know I’m not alone in these feelings, and while that does bring me comfort, it doesn’t lessen the load of living up to my own expectations. I want a life of security, prosperity, happiness and meaning, but how do I achieve it? Unfortunately, there is no one answer, but that might actually be the best answer I could ask for. I think the more I look for what a happy, fulfilling life should look like, the more I’ll reach dissatisfaction. I’m a chronic overthinker, which causes me to constantly worry if I’m making the wrong decisions in life. The irony in that is no one knows which decision is the right one until it’s made. Sure, you

18 Folio Weekly

Photo by Carmen Macri

JAN. 3

unfospreys.com

Jacksonville Icemen vs. Orlando Solar Bears Vystar Veterans Memorial Arena

JAN. 20

jacksonvilleicemen.com

JU Men’s Basketball vs. Kennesaw State Swisher Gymnasium

JAN. 4

judolphins.com

JU Women’s Basketball vs. Florida Gulf Coast Swisher Gymnasium

UNF Men’s Basketball vs. Queens University

judolphins.com

UNF Arena unfospreys.com

UNF Women’s Basketball vs. Stetson UNF Arena

UNF Women’s Basketball vs. Jacksonville University

unfospreys.com

UNF Arena unfospreys.com

JAN. 5 Jacksonville Icemen vs. Savannah Ghost Pirates

JAN. 25

Vystar Veterans Memorial Arena

JU Women’s Basketball vs. Eastern Kentucky

jacksonvilleicemen.com

Swisher Gymnasium judolphins.com

JAN. 6 Resolution Run 5K & 1 Mile Fun Run

UNF Women’s Basketball vs Bellarmine

Orange Park Kennel Club

UNF Arena

1stplacesports.com

unfospreys.com

New Year New You 5K Run Walk and Roll

JAN. 27

A. Philip Randolph Hertiage Park

Wolfson Children’s Challenge

runguides.com

Nocatee Station Field, Ponte Vedra Beach runsignup.com/wolfsonchildrenschallenge

JU Women’s Basketball vs. Stetson Swisher Gymnasium

Winter Beach Run

judolphins.com

Seawalk Pavilion 1stplacesports.com

UNF Women’s Basketball vs Florida Gulf Coast UNF Arena

Jacksonville Icemen vs. Savannah Ghost Pirates

unfospreys.com

Vystar Veterans Memorial Arena jacksonvilleicemen.com

JAN. 12 Jacksonville Icemen vs South Carolina Stingrays

JU Women’s Basketball vs. Bellarmine

Veterans Memorial Arena

Swisher Gymnasium

jacksonvilleicemen.com

judolphins.com

UNF Men’s Basketball vs. Jacksonville University

UNF Women’s Basketball vs. Eastern Kentucky

UNF Arena

unfospreys.com

JAN. 13

JAN. 31

Jacksonville Icemen vs. Greenville Swamp

Jacksonville Icemen vs. Florida Everblades

Rabbits

Vystar Veterans Memorial Arena

jacksonvilleicemen.com

jacksonvilleicemen.com JU Men’s Basketball vs Austin Peay JAN. 18

Swisher Gymnasium

JU Men’s Basketball vs. Queens University

judolphins.com

Swisher Gymnasium judolphins.com

UNF Men’s Basketball vs Lipscomb UNF Arena

UNF Men’s Basketball vs. Kennesaw State UNF Arena

unfosprey.com

‘SENSEIS, BARS AND SCARS’ The anarchic lifestyle of a patron boxing fighter Words by Carson Rich

In the realm of literature, there are certain works that not only entertain but

These men that stepped into the ring were not just looking for new reasons

also enlighten, offering readers a glimpse into the intricacies of human expe-

to fight someone, but for the addiction of the game itself. The patron boxing

rience. Such content is found in “Senseis, Bars and Scars: My Crazy Teenage

scene had a very unique sense of popularity, as people naturally filled the

Journey Through Florida’s Nightclub Boxing Scene,” written by Robert Ingram

seats out of their own curiosity and craving for new entertainment, which is

and Louis Martin. In the book, Ingram takes us through his early life in the

exactly what this presented.

Jacksonville patron boxing scene (aka nightclub boxing) and the chaotic nature of what he went through on a day-to-day basis.

In his book, Ingram also explains how everyone shared the same understanding of the unwritten rules of patron boxing. Everyone was up for grabs, no

Patron boxing can be described as an impromptu line-up of boxing match-

matter the size or experience that one might have. He details one story about

es that allows anyone to step into the ring at their own will. Multiple clubs

a very intoxicated individual who was just looking for a face to punch. After

around Jacksonville were in the mix, creating theme nights and generating

picking fights with everyone backstage and causing a giant scene, the in-

large crowds to come and watch locals battle it out for their own glory. Ingram

structors decided that they would let him prove himself in the ring to prevent

became involved himself around the age of 14 with his martial arts instructor

any actual harm or assault on people who were not fighters. I won’t spoil what

as the referee for all of the events. Ingram would usually help out with the

happens next, but just know that he got what he was looking for.

martial arts demonstrations, waiting for the time to come when he was able to step into the ring.

This compilation of short stories may come off as barbaric, but the fights were actually very organized for quite some time. It was not until later that

Demonstrations typically meant that the instructors and fighters would put

this would all change. After a few more freak accidents that even involved

on a show for the audience that included a martial arts routine — to show a

a death at another nightclub, the legislation on how patron boxing could be

variety of talents other than just hand to hand combat. One of these nights,

run was changed. New rules were set in place to diminish some of the harsh,

Ingram’s instructor was called to do a demonstration that used fire for part of

loose parts of the system that everyone loved to see. These new regulations

their theme night. In a horrific accident, some of the lighter fluid was spilled

set out to ensure that everything that was happening was safe, and in an

into the ring, setting part of it ablaze. While a few people came over to help

ethical manner for the sport of boxing. Beforehand, there were nightclubs

stomp out the flames, one of them knocked over a pan of kerosene onto In-

who did not pay much attention to the safety aspect of the fights, such as the

gram’s instructor, covering his whole body in bright heat that almost touched

sturdiness of the ring or even what it was made out of. There was also a lack

the ceiling. Doing fire demonstrations was not a common thing for everyone

of safety equipment used with the fighters that made it a lot more dangerous

at Club 5, as most included lights and nunchuck shows, but this was surely

for anyone signing up.

the last out of respect for the fluke accident that occurred that night. The legal system affected the patron boxing scene in a massive way, ridding it “I mean, we can talk about how much it was an accident, of course, it was, but

of the old habits and rules that used to be in place. Patron boxing is still alive

at the same time, you know, that kind of drills into you a little bit,” said Ingram.

today but on a much smaller scale and definitely not at the level or intensity that Robert Ingram was introduced to at such a young age. After 26 years of

A year after the incident, Ingram, 15 at the time, started involving himself

being involved in martial arts, Ingram is now taking the knowledge that he

in the ring, not only to help with everything, but as a fighter this time. After

gained at an early age to do good. Through his brand McDojo Life, he and

moving on from what happened previously, the clubs wanted to keep things

his team work to call out the frauds, conmen, pedophiles and cults that live

fresh and moving along, so they started two-on-two boxing matches for fight-

deep within the industry he was so much a part of. “Senseis, Bars and Scars”

ers who wanted more action. During this time, weight classes almost did not

takes a deep dive into his lifestyle and the vicious things he has laid eyes on,

exist. If two fighters decided that they wanted to sign up, they would let them.

making him the person he is today.

Brutal battles of mayhem flooded these clubs as four strangers were trying to come out on top with bragging rights for the night.

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T R I V I A

MONDAYS •

Surfer the Bar (pop culture trivia), 9:30 p.m.

St. Augustine Fish Company & Oyster House, 6:30 p.m.

WEDNESDAYS

•

The Brix Taphouse (music bingo), 7 p.m.

•

Donovan’s Irish Pub, St. Augustine, 7 p.m.

•

Hurricane Grill & Wings–Atlantic Boulevard

•

V Pizza–Mandarin (pop culture), 6:30 p.m.

(music bingo), 7 p.m.

•

The Beacon, St. Augustine, 7 p.m.

Hurricane Grill & Wings–Julington Creek

•

Bold City Brewery, 7 p.m.

(music bingo), 7 p.m.

•

Cruisers Grill, 7 p.m.

•

Mellow Mushroom–Avondale, 7 p.m.

•

Dick’s Wings–Mandarin, 7 p.m.

•

Mellow Mushroom–Durbin Pavilion Drive,

•

Firefly Bay, 7 p.m.

7 p.m.

•

Ink Factory Brewing, 7 p.m.

•

Mellow Mushroom–Fleming Island, 7 p.m.

•

Island Wing Company–Southside Boule-

•

Mellow Mushroom–River City/Northside,

•

Mellow Mushroom–Tinseltown, 7 p.m.

•

V Pizza–Fleming Island (music bingo),

•

Scarlett O’ Hara’s, St. Augustine, 7 p.m.

7 p.m.

•

Shaughnessy’s Sports Grill, St. Augustine,

•

7 p.m.

•

Jekyll Brewing, 7:30 p.m.

•

Rain Dogs, 8:30 p.m.

•

Treylor Park (pop culture trivia), 9 p.m.

Mr. Chubby’s Wings–Ponte Vedra (music bingo), 6:30 p.m.

vard (music bingo), 7 p.m. •

Mellow Mushroom–Jacksonville Beach, 7 p.m.

7 p.m. •

V Pizza–Fleming Island (pop culture trivia), 7 p.m.

•

Veterans United Craft Brewery, 7 p.m.

TUESDAYS

•

Dick’s Wings–Fleming Island, 7:30 p.m.

•

Harps American Grill (pop culture),

Mr. Chubby’s Wings–Fleming Island (music bingo), 6:30 p.m.

7:30 p.m.

•

Amici’s, St. Augustine, 7 p.m.

•

Hoptinger–5 Points, 7:30 p.m.

•

The Back 40, 7 p.m.

•

Hurricane Grill–Fleming Island, 7:30 p.m.

•

Bold City Brewery (Name That Tune),

•

King Maker Brewing, 7:30 p.m.

7 p.m.

•

Time Out Sports Grill, 7:30 p.m

•

Bottlenose Brewing, 7 p.m.

•

The Brix Taphouse (pop culture trivia),

•

Dick’s Wings–Nocatee, 7 p.m.

•

Dick’s Wings–San Pablo, 7 p.m.

•

Hamburger Mary’s (drag bingo, 21+), 8 p.m.

•

Harps American Grill, 7 p.m.

•

Hoptinger–Jacksonville Beach, 9 p.m.

•

Hoptinger–5 Points (music bingo), 7 p.m.

•

Hurricane Grill & Wings–Atlantic Boule-

THURSDAYS

vard, 7 p.m.

•

Bold City Brewery, 7 p.m.

Hurricane Grill & Wings–Julington Creek,

•

Dick’s Wings–Atlantic Boulevard, 7 p.m.

7 p.m.

•

Justice Pub (music bingo), 7 p.m.

Hurricane Grill & Wings–Neptune Beach,

•

Kava and Company–San Marco (every oth-

•

E T C

•

8 p.m.

7 p.m.

er Thursday), 7 p.m.

•

Island Wing Company–Southside, 7 p.m.

•

Mr. Chubby’s Wings–Ponte Vedra, 7 p.m.

•

Jax Craft Beer, 7 p.m.

•

Whiskey Jax–Baymeadows, 7 p.m.

•

Jerry’s Sports Grille, 7 p.m.

•

Burrito Gallery–Brooklyn (’80s, ’90s &

•

Players Grille, 7 p.m.

•

Raindogs, 7 p.m.

•

Flask & Cannon / V Pizza, 7:30 p.m.

•

Sahara Cafe, 7 p.m.

•

Dick’s Wings–St Augustine, 7:30 p.m.

•

Southern Grill, 7 p.m.

•

Hoptinger–Jax Beach (music bingo), 9 p.m.

•

Surfside Kitchen, St. Augustine, 7 p.m.

•

Xtreme Wings Sports Bar and Grille, St.

SATURDAYS

Johns, 7 p.m.

•

Hamburger Mary’s (HamBingo), 2 p.m.

•

Culhane’s Irish Pub–Southside, 7:30 p.m.

•

Dick’s Wings–Atlantic Boulevard, 7 p.m.

•

Flask & Cannon / V Pizza (pop culture),

•

Ink Factory Brewing (Name That Tune),

2000s), 7:30 p.m.

7:30 p.m. •

7 p.m.

King Maker Brewing (Name That Tune), 7:30 p.m.

SUNDAYS

•

Lynch’s Irish Pub (music bingo), 7:30 p.m.

•

Time Out Sports Bar, 7:30 p.m.

•

Shantytown Pub, 8:30 p.m.

Ann O’Malley’s Irish Pub, 8 p.m. (first and third Sunday)

•

Rain Dogs (B-movie bingo), 7 p.m.

FUTURE THREADS: 2024 FASHION TREND PREDICTIONS Words by Ambar Ramirez

Now, I wouldn’t say I’m an expert when it comes to fashion. In any way. I would, however, like to take this moment to brag about winning my high school superlative for best dressed and am often complimented on my outfits. That said, to be able to predict fashion trends for the next 12 months of the new year, is no easy feat. Even for a best dressed award winner like me. But I’ve done the research (some research). And where does one go to get credible news regarding fashion? That’s right, “Vogue.” But what you won’t find in “Vogue” are my personal predictions. So with that, here’s what I

gathered from “Vogue,” along with my personal psychicness: eight fashion trends we may be seeing in 2024.

CAPRI PANTS

I’m expecting to see a lot of funky silhouettes and non-traditional jumpsuits.

Hear me out. We entered the 2000s embracing the trend of super short,

Why? Because we’re lazy and why stress over putting an outfit together when

high-waisted daisy dukes. However, as the years have progressed, longer

you can just put on a jumpsuit.

shorts and low-rise pants have gained popularity, particularly in the past year.

That’s why I predict 2024 will mark the resurgence of capri pants — trousers

RIBBONS EVERYWHERE

that stop just above the knee or right below it. This forecast is supported by

Do I even need to explain this one? If you’ve been on TikTok or other forms

the recent revival of the iconic TV show “Sex and the City,” where the main

of social media you may have seen the rise of the ribbon trend. People are

character, Carrie Bradshaw, is celebrated for her unique sense of style and

adding ribbons everywhere, including Christmas trees and pets. I think the

delusional mindset. Bradshaw wears a lot of capri pants with kitten heels,

cute ribbon trend will stick around well into 2024. It’s a simple accessory that

which has also become very popular this last year.

can quickly vamp up a boring outfit.

MIXED PATTERNS THAT DON’T MAKE SENSE Every time we enter a new year, I believe there is always an overwhelming

GRANDMA’S KNITWEAR People are turning their hobbies into businesses, and one hobby we’ve seen

sense among people that things need to be different. New year, new you,

a rise in is knitting and crocheting. For that, I’m predicting we are going to

right? Well, the same goes for fashion. And taking what I’ve seen a lot on

see a lot of knitwear clothing in 2024. Again, its going to come up funky

social media this past year and the whole idea of trying new things, I think we

ways. One business that is a perfect example of what I’m trying to portray is

are going to see a lot of experimentation when it comes to mixing patterns.

the brand Verconiik. People are really going to be leaning into sustainable

And while that sounds pretty chaotic, if done right, it can actually make for a

clothing brands and handmade stuff!

really interesting outfit. It can be as simple as adding different patterns with

accessories or as crazy as incorporating different textures within an outfit. FRINGE IS BACK BABY Now this may only apply to the Summer 2024 season, but we are already

’90S GRUNGE/ROCK STAR VIBES Fashion has a charming way of cycling through eras. We’ve witnessed a widespread resurgence of trends from the ’60s, ’70s, ’90s and early 2000s, but I genuinely believe that a significant revival of ’90s grunge/punk fashion

starting to see fringe make its way back into mainstream fashion. But unlike

trends is on the horizon. Think Vivienne Westwood, the designer responsible

before, this fringe resurgence will be more subtle, with finer strands of fringe

for bringing modern punk and new wave fashion into the mainstream.

as seen on the spring/summer runway for Gucci, Bottega and other big fash-

ion houses. The finer fringe will allow it to be more wearable and, hence,

LOW-RISE/BAGGY JEANS

more popular.

Never thought I would say this, but high-waisted pants are out and low-rise is

JUMPSUITS

in. I don’t make the rules, I just follow them.

Jumpsuits have really become popular within the last couple of months in 2023, and I think they’re going to become even more popular in 2024.

FILM REVIEW Words by Harry Moore WONKA The early years of Roald Dahl’s whimsical chocolatier are brought to life in this sweet musical from “Paddington” director Paul King. Timothée Chalamet stars as Willy Wonka, a wide-eyed young man with a love for chocolate and a dream to share his delicious creations with the world. He, unfortunately, finds out that the sweets industry is run by a cabal of greedy and corrupt businessmen (played by Patterson Joseph, Matt Lucas and Matthew Baynton) known as the Chocolate Cartel who bribe the chief of police (Keegan Michael Key) to prevent any upcoming chocolatiers from growing their business. Willy soon finds himself in servitude to launderette owner Mrs. Scrubbit (Olivia Colman) and quickly forms a bond with the other misfortunate people forced to work there. Willy and his new friends devise a scheme to escape Mrs. Scrubbit and earn enough money to open their own chocolate shop. King has earned a name for himself in spinning charming, family-friendly fantasies thanks to his widely acclaimed Paddington Bear movies, and his streak continues with “Wonka,” a wonderfully reimagined interpretation of the famous character, memorably played once by Gene Wilder and less memorably by Johnny Depp. Chalamet manages to break away from any preconceived notions of the character and presents his own, friendlier and markedly less traumatizing version of Willy Wonka. The film marks an impressive career milestone for Chalamet, as the young movie star continues to show his range with this impressive musical turn, revealing a lighter side that have been absent in some of his other projects. He also demonstrates that he is capable of leading a tent pole film without having a supporting cast of A-listers assisting him. That isn’t to diminish the work’s ensemble of quality character actors, all of whom understand the parts they were given and feel as if they had stepped directly out of one of Dahl’s pages. The musical numbers themselves are pretty hitand-miss but enjoy a better average than the majority of other modern movie musicals, and they are all elaborately staged, choreographed, and shot by King and his team. The costumes and production designs are all delectably rendered and serve toward the storybook brought to life vision that is at the center of the film. With “Wonka,” King, Chalamet and the rest of the cast and crew have crafted a charming fantasy that can delight the whole family.

COMING SOON IN 2024 With 2023 behind us, it’s time to take a look at what’s coming around the corner. Here are 10 of the most anticipated movies coming out in 2024. DUNE: PART TWO Release date: March 1 The second chapter of Denis Villeneuve’s telling of Frank Herbert’s classic science fiction epic follows Paul Atreidis (Timothée Chalamet) as he seeks revenge against the conspirators who destroyed his family. Featuring show stopping action spectacles and a cast of exciting up-and-coming stars, such as Zendaya, Florence Pugh and Austin Butler, “Dune: Part Two” promises to

Butler and Tom Hardy, the film will be amongst the most prominent adult dramas released this year. DEADPOOL 3 Release date: July 26 Ryan Reynolds returns as the loud-mouthed killer, Deadpool, and brings Hugh Jackman out of retirement as Wolverine. The violent comedy is set to be the only Marvel film released in 2024 and should serve as something of an irreverent palette cleanser after the recent few entries in the series. GLADIATOR 2

be the cinematic epic of the year.

Release date: Nov. 22

MICKEY 17

ning epic. Paul Mescal stars as the adult Lucius, the nephew of Commodus

Release date: March 29 Bong Joon-Ho follows up his award-winning Parasite with his second English language outing “Mickey 17.” The original sci-fi stars Robert Pattinson as a disposable who is sent on a human expedition to colonize the ice world Niflheim. But when he accidentally dies, he is regenerated in a new body with most of his memories intact. Mark Ruffalo, Steven Yeun and Toni Collette co-star in the film that is sure to be quite the head trip. CIVIL WAR Release date: April 26 The most ambitious production yet from indie film studio A24 depicts a divided and hostile America in the throes of a modern civil war. The thriller from writer/director Alex Garland is certain to be provocative and boasts an impressive ensemble cast that includes Kirsten Dunst, Nick Offerman and Jesse Plemmons. THE FALL GUY Release date: May 3 Ryan Gosling follows up his “Barbie” high with this action comedy from the director of “Bullet Train.” Based on the 1980s TV show starring Lee Majors, Gosling plays as a stuntman who is pulled into a grand conspiracy when the star of his latest movie goes missing. Emily Blunt, Stephanie Hsu and Aaron Taylor-Johnson round out the cast. FURIOSA: A MAD MAX SAGA Release date: May 24 Director George Miller returns to his post-apocalyptic hellscape for the first time since his 2015 masterpiece “Mad Max: Fury Road” with the spinoff origin of that movie’s heroine Furiosa, played here by the always magnetic Anya Taylor-Joy. Chris Hemsworth joins the chaos as Miller’s explosively deranged imagination, lighting up the screen. INSIDE OUT 2 Release date: June 14 The sequel to 2015’s “Inside Out” sees Riley’s emotions having to deal with the arrival of Anxiety (Maya Hawke). Amy Poehler returns as Joy in Pixar’s big release of the year. THE BIKERIDERS Release date: June 21 Pitched as “‘Goodfellas’ on motorbikes,” Jeff Nichols’ “The Bikeriders” follows the rise of a fictional motorcycle gang over the course of the tumultuous 1960s. Featuring an exciting cast that includes Jodie Comer, Austin

28 Folio Weekly

Ridley Scott takes us back to ancient Rome for a sequel to his Oscar-winwho was played by Joaquin Phoenix in the original. Denzel Washington and Pedro Pascal co-star in this sequel that has a lot to live up to. NOSFERATU Release date: Dec. 25 Horror maestro Robert Eggers gives his take on the classic vampire tale. Starring Lily-Rose Depp and Nicholas Hoult, “Nosferatu” will be a gothic, visual feast upon its arrival.

THEATER/DANCE

THROUGH JAN. 7

JAN. 12-14

Mutts Gone Nuts Unleashed

Beyond King Tut

“Becoming Dr. Ruth”

Florida Theatre

NoCo Center

Amelia Music Playhouse, Fernandina Beach

floridtheatre.com

beyondkingtut.com

ameliamusicalplayhouse.com JAN. 21

JAN. 1

JAN. 12-28

“Batman” in Concert” film screening with live

Vernardos Circle

“Disenchanted!”

symphony orchestra

St. Augustine Amphitheatre

Players by the Sea Theatre

Florida Theatre

theamp.com

abetjax.com

floridtheatre.com

JAN. 5-14

“El Phantismo”

JAN. 26

“Twelfth Night”

Orange Park Community Theatre

“The Princess Bride: An Inconceivable Evening

The Island Theatre, Fleming Island

opct.info

with Cary Elwes”

theislandtheater.com

Florida Theatre JAN. 14

floridatheatre.com

JAN. 6

REZA: Edge of Illusion

Naughty or Nice Film Festival

Jacksonville Center for the Performing Artist

JAN. 28

The Jessie

fscjartistseries.org

“Super Scientific Circus”

creativeveins.com/naughty-or-nice

Nathan H. Wilson Center for the Arts ERTH’S “Dinosaur Zoo Live!”

JAN. 7

Florida Theatre

Matt Fraser: America’s Top Psychic Medium

floridtheatre.com

Florida Theatre floridtheatre.com

fscjartistseries.org Jan. 30-31 Shen Yun 2024

JAN. 16

Jacksonville Center for the Performing Arts

Shen Yun

jaxevents.com

“Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” Ballet

Thrasher-Horne Center

Jacksonville Center for the Performing Arts

thcenter-org

fscjartistseries.org

ONGOING JAN. 19-21

Fridays and Saturdays

JAN. 9

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey presents

Magician Bill Abbott at the Magic Hideway

“The Cher Show”

The Greatest Show On Earth

Casa Monica Resort & Spa, St. Augustine

Jacksonville Center for the Performing Arts

VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena

magichideaway.com

fscjartistseries.org

jaxevents.com

JAN. 11-FEB.18

JAN. 19-FEB. 4

“Million Dollar Quartet”

“Beautiful: The Carole King Musical”

Alhambra Theatre & Dining

Players by the Sea Theatre

alhambrajax.com

playersbythesea.org

JAN. 12

JAN. 20

“Salon de Paris” Staged Reading

Shanghai Circus

The Center for Spiritual Living

Jacksonville Center for the Performing Arts

aclassictheatre.org

fscjartistseries.org

“Renaissance.” The word we keep seeing, thanks to Beyoncé. The tour that single handedly brought silver and chrome back to life. The album that gave birth to a completely different understanding of what love and unity could look like. This was an album created to get the people moving after such a stagnant point in all of our lives during COVID-19. The impact of this tour left concert goers feeling more than liberated, unique, one of one, number one. For those who could not make it (or if you’re like me and went to a show and wanted to relive that moment), “Renaissance: The Film” gives you the show, flaws and all, so you can also experience the art that is a Beyoncé concert. Queen Bey is one of those artists people love to hate. She knows this as well. In “Heated,” a hit song off of her newest album, she addresses this saying, “Monday I’m overrated, Tuesday on my d***.” Beyoncé is someone who is very private about her life which makes her seem like a machine of sorts to the world. Inhuman. This film made Beyoncé relatable. It spoke to her motherly side, her childhood, her just being human. She opens the film with a monologue showing extensive gratitude to not only her fans but to her journey. This set the tone for the entire film, might I say. A real tear jerker. We see the thousands of fans outside her show, queer bodies being proud of who they are and flaunting their different styles and just everyone being so excited to be a part of something so special. “Renaissance: The Film” gives audiences a first look into Beyoncé’s brain and the process she had to go through while creating an entirely different world for her fans: four years of work that we didn’t even know she was putting in, literally. “‘Renaissance’ gave me a new respect for Beyoncé,” wrote a reviewer from Rotten Tomatoes. This is a very real thing for many people who have seen the film. Let’s get into the why. The film is beyond fascinating, for starters. Beyoncé herself stated that her goal was to create a safe space for everyone to just be who they are and that is exactly what she did. She ranges from cool, calm and collected to screaming in the microphone to laughing and just feeling every emotion and encourages the crowd to do the same. Just have fun, whatever that means to them at that moment. Beyoncé has entered the era of simply not caring what people think after being a “serial people pleaser.” She has nothing to prove, and this is very apparent throughout the film in how she carries herself and how she performs. She channels the energy that she receives from the sold-out crowd and uses it to her advantage every time. Seeing it on film is completely inspiring because she gives the same energy (and then some) right back to her audience. It is a constant flow of energy. Photo provided by Aahkilah Cornelius’s Manager

30 Folio Weekly

“Renaissance: The Film” Words by Kelila Ritchie

Rio de Janeiro, Brasil, may 19th 2023 Throughout the film, Beyoncé highlights the issues she has run into while put-

“Taking the steps once I figured out my passion, it didn’t feel like a press.

ting the tour together from lighting and camera angles to her pregame well-

When you are actually aligned with your purpose, your dreams are so much

ness shots accompanied by a sandwich (so wish I had the recipe because it

more attainable,” Cornelius said.

looked delicious, but I digress). She walks us through her recovery from knee surgery and how she struggled with bronchitis as a result of smoke inhalation

Cornelius’ childhood was full of dancing around the house but also flipping

throughout the tour. This stopped nothing.

around the house. She spent a lot of her childhood enrolled in gymnastics, which she shows off so gracefully in her ballroom routine on the Renaissance

A huge change seen in “Renaissance” was Beyoncé’s focus on using her

tour.

God-given instrument that is her voice versus her dancing which is something we saw a lot of on past tours. She took it easy at first because, really, who is

“I always loved floor. Floor routines are where I really shine. The flipping,

rehearsing and performing for three hours after knee surgery? Nonetheless,

and the dance routines were always my favorite event,” she said.“Quitting

this allowed the audience a chance to really appreciate amazing singing. The

gymnastics was a very pivotal point for me. Even though I was excelling in

mic was on, honey! Beyoncé also turns 42 in the film which is celebrated with

gymnastics, I had to make a choice. I knew dance would be a better path for

the one and only, Diana Ross. Iconic. Beyoncé emphasizes her appreciation

me, and it was more aligned with my passion.”

for the legends who have “opened the doors for her.” It’s just all so real. That passion and trusting her gut has landed her in amazing places. Cornelius The editing of the film alone is enough to garner an entirely different per-

has been in multiple music videos, commercials and movies alongside some

spective of Beyoncé and her team. It showed their dedication to creating a

of the biggest stars.

film that gives you everything. The transitions during the shows, showcasing different costumes are literally seamless. The use of black and white scenes

It is more than inspiring seeing someone from Jacksonville doing such huge

made the film feel more personal. It is a real treat.

things. For me, seeing Aahkilah dance in some of the biggest stadiums in the world was surreal. It’s one of those moments that makes you want to dream

Most important, Beyoncé made sure to highlight her team: from stage hands

big, and it proves you can do anything you put your mind and heart to. The

to dancers. I had the amazing opportunity to interview the most enticing

representation of it all was just so beautiful, not to mention seeing so many

dancer in my opinion, Aahkilah Cornelius, who is Jacksonville raised, one of

Black women in one film being a part of something so huge and monumental.

our own! It is beyond inspiring having had one Jaxson on the Renaissance

In her film, Beyoncé says she has never seen so many women as stage crew

World Tour, so imagine having two: Amari Marshall, one of Beyoncé’s dance

in her career. That’s not only really surprising but is something that should be

captains, is also from Jacksonville. And neither is quiet about this and rep

celebrated.

their city any chance they get! “Renaissance” was such a liberating album. The tour allowed Beyoncé’s Cornelius knew who she was at a young age. It seems as if she was born with

fans to have a party with her, to join her in celebrating us. This was a tour

a burning passion for dance.

that showcased and emphasized ballroom dancing and paid homage to the LGBTQ+ community. The world will not forget this moment!

“Let’s see how far I can take this,” she said, referring to her realizing dance was what she wanted to do.

Renaissance, we are the visuals baby!

GIRO d’ITALIA RIDE LIKE A PRO USA RAGAZZI FUN RIDE & GRAN FONDO RACE

LET’S RIDE! RACE CENTRAL

World Golf Village Renaissance St. Augustine Resort A Marriott Bonvoy™

January 13-14, 2024

Cyclists and Their Families are Invited To a Fun-Filled Italian Weekend! St. Augustine, Florida

Give the family a weekend thrill in St. Augustine and enjoy cycling in the Ragazzi Fun Ride! Cyclists and families are invited to pedal together through the beautiful World Golf Village during a weekend of cycling fun at the Giro d’Italia Ride Like A Pro-USA™. Register for the Ragazzi Fun Ride with four distances to choose from, including the 4 Mile Kids Quattro, then check out the Tour of Italy Expo Village and Italian Luncheon at the Piazza. Ask your neighbors and friends to join you for this funfilled Italian festival weekend! It’s a great way to start 2024! SATURDAY, January 13th – Ragazzi Fun Ride Designed for all skill levels, catch the Italian spirit in our authentic Italian atmosphere and register for this non-competitive ride today. Make a memory that’ll last forever! SUNDAY, January 14th – Gran Fondo Race Come as a fan and bring your friends to watch and cheer for the cyclists during this exciting world-class race. This is a great chance to mingle with other cycling enthusiasts!

To join us on the ride sign up by using the QR code or at GiroRideLikeAPro-USA.com info@GiroRideLikeAPro-USA.com | 352-637-2475

LOVE IN VERONA

JAN. 4-6

JAN. 19-20

Benji Brown

The Main Event, 7:30 p.m.

Comedy Zone

The Blue Show (21+ only), 10 p.m.

comedyzone.com

First Coast Comedy firstcoastcomedy.com

COMEDY

JAN. 5-6 The Main Event, 7:30 p.m.

JAN. 20

The Blue Show (21+ only), 10 p.m.

Pat McGann

First Coast Comedy

Ponte Vedra Concert Hall

firstcoastcomedy.com

pvconcerthall.com

JAN. 10

JAN. 24

Brad Upton

David Nihill

Cafe Eleven, St. Augustine

Comedy Zone

originalcafe11.com

comedyzone.com

Jackie Knight’s Comedy Club, St. Augustine

Comedy Night Presented by River City Comedy

jackieknightscomedyclub.com

Disco Witch Brewing, Yulee discowitchbrewing.com

JAN. 12 Nick Simmons

JAN. 25

Cafe Eleven, St. Augustine

If Only for One Night Comedy Show

originalcafe11.com

Embassy Suites by Hilton–Baymeadows eventbrite.com

JAN 12-13 The Main Event, 7:30 p.m.

Donnie Stoppa and Adam Snair

The Blue Show (21+ only), 10 p.m.

Jackie Knight’s Comedy Club, St. Augustine

First Coast Comedy

jackieknightscomedyclub.com

firstcoastcomedy.com JAN. 25-27 JAN. 12-14

Tony Rock

Nephew Tommy

Comedy Zone

comedyzone.com

comedyzone.com JAN. 26 JAN. 13

Henry Cho

Jacksonville Comedy Festival ft. Lavell Crawford and Gary Owen

Murray Hill Theatre

Jacksonville Center for the Performing Arts

murrayhilltheatre.com

jaxevents.com The Main Event, 7:30 p.m. Mark Normand

Dubious Advice (21+ only), 10 p.m.

Florida Theatre

First Coast Comedy

floridatheatre.com

firstcoastcomedy.com

JAN. 17

JAN. 27

Tyler Fischer

The Main Event, 7:30 p.m.

Comedy Zone

The Blue Show (21+ only), 10 p.m.

comedyzone.com

First Coast Comedy firstcoastcomedy.com

JAN. 18 Heather McMahan

JAN. 31

Florida Theatre

Poker Face Comedy Show

floridatheatre.com

Live Bar Seafood facebook.com/livebardowntownjax

JAN. 18-19 Leanne Morgan Jacksonville Center for the Performing Arts jaxevents.com

34 Folio Weekly

Rally 904: How Dean Grant Serves up Community in Atlantic Beach Words & photos by Travis Zittrauer

While the last few months have brought families together around the dinner

out different techniques on this unsuspecting 20-something.

table, Dean Grant has been working hard to bring the Jacksonville community around a different kind of table: a table that is 9 feet long and 5 feet wide.

Slices, backspins, loops, smashes. On the last play of the game (the score

Rally 904, which opened in October, is a ping pong bar located off Mayport

was sitting comfortably at 10-0), he tossed the ball into the air, watched it fall

Road in Atlantic Beach. What used to be Grant’s mixed martial arts gym once

to the table, and, at the last second, swung his paddle around his back, hitting

lined wall-to-wall with training mats has transformed into a space lined with

the ball from below his opposite waist, sending it rocketing over the net and

tables and dedicated to the art and sport of ping pong.

whizzing past me as I stood stunned. He was a wild west sharpshooter with a rubber paddle. When I asked how long he had been playing, he responded

The transition from an MMA gym to a ping pong bar represents a personal

simply: “Longer than you’ve been around.”

change for Grant and a desire to keep his mind and body sharp as he gets older. The former MMA fighter has been looking for a way to simulate the

Kai Dumandan, a nursing student who works the bar at Rally 904, has experi-

high-speed action of his fighting career: “You gotta be fast, you gotta be

enced firsthand the thrill of playing night after night. When he isn’t serving up

reactive.”

IPAs, seltzers and Red Stripes, Dumandan gets to serve against some of the best players who frequent the bar.

Grant found the overlap between the two sports while playing casual ping pong. “I’d go home, and my brain would be lit up. I would be tired mentally,”

“It was really fun getting beat, honestly,” he said, “getting to see how many

he said. “I really loved that feeling. It simulates boxing, but I’m not getting

different skill levels there are to ping pong.” Dumandan, like many who en-

punched in the head!”

ter into the world of ping pong, quickly became hooked. He comes in on days off to work on his technique and has invested in his own paddle. This

Rally 904 is located between Grant’s Beaches Rock Gym and a local skate-

overlap between new and experienced players is what makes ping pong so

park. The ping pong bar has become a kind of cool-down for folks from both

appealing. No matter your skill level, there is something enticing about play-

spots looking to grab a drink and have some casual back-and-forth. It is also

ing, even getting absolutely destroyed, that keeps you coming back over and

a home for the more experienced players looking to challenge themselves

over again. Maybe it is the hope of learning a new trick or mastering a serve,

against strangers. What becomes apparent in this warehouse — echoing with

or maybe it’s just the nostalgia of playing as a child. When people come in,

the sound of plastic hitting rubber — is that ping pong knows no age limit.

Grant hopes that “they’ll think of a story of a garage ping pong table that their

Teens, parents, guys getting off work, couples on dates, die-hards and nov-

dad taught them on.”

ices can all can find a spot around a ping pong table, which is exactly how Grant wants it. “The goal is to improve community,” he said. “Kids can play

The space can be rented out for private events and tournaments. As the

this, adults can play this, older people can play this. Or it can be a competitive

business grows, Grant is looking to expand Rally 904’s reach to after-school

sport where people sweat and change shirts and hurt themselves.”

programs and homeschooling organizations, offering kids a community that others have quickly found. He also hopes to expand the existing bar, which

I had the opportunity to play ping pong alongside some of the more compet-

currently sells canned and bottled beverages, to offer a wider beverage se-

itive players during a tournament held at Rally 904. One of the few games I

lection, as well as serving food, like pizza, hot dogs and other quick bites,

played was against an older man, maybe in his 60s. He was quiet, probably

optimal for getting in some quick calories between heated games.

the oldest in the tournament. I thought I might have a chance against him. Yet, with each new serve came its own healthy dosage of humility as he dished

For more information on Rally 904, visit rally904.com.

LOUISE FRESHMAN BROWN: AN A THROUGH A STUDIO

Words by Su Ertekin-Taner & photos by Amiyah G

36 Folio Weekly

ARTIST’S STORY O

Multimedia artist Louise Freshman Brown makes her art in the studio tacked

Golden

ed to be able to get from my car to my studio easily,” Freshman Brown says.

onto her garage. She describes the studio’s location as a choice of convenience, an architectural choice also that would be brought to fruition by her architect sister: “My sister designed my house. She was the architect. I want-

Unlike the rest of her home, though, the studio isn’t meant to be a cuddly, comfortable space. Rather, Freshman Brown tells me “it’s like a kitchen.” By this she means it’s a space where work, not relaxation happens. When she sends me the studio pictures I’ve requested, I see what she means. In the pictures, I first see utensils — magazines, glue, tape, paint brushes, utility clips, mattifier, lined paper — splayed out on tables and cabinets. The cabinets hold whatever is not currently in use for a project. A utility sink sits on the right side of the room for post-project rinsing. Toward the back of the room are two easels which, like plates, display a day’s or more worth of measuring, combining and creating. A large table is the centerpiece of the room and where Freshman Brown has placed most of her project-ready utensils. This is a space where work is waiting to happen or, perhaps, has happened. Perhaps most important to Freshman Brown in this kitchen-studio — most important in that she mentions this detail a couple of times during the interview — is the array of photographs and images that are haphazardly secured onto walls; they are like pictures that might line the walls of a lived-in kitchen. In some areas the pictures stretch from floor to ceiling, in others they’re folded into spaces that the cabinets will allow for. They’re Polaroids of her, pictures of her family (like her daughter and son) and reference images snipped from magazines. Some, she tells me, are her mother’s paintings. *** Freshman Brown’s childhood Oneida, New York home was full of the artistically inclined. Her mother, who graduated from Carnegie Tech, was an artist, primarily a portrait painter. Her middle sister would become a painter and ceramist, and her older sister would become an architect. Her father, a pediatrician, was the odd one out in the household and doubly supportive because of it: “I was very lucky. I had wonderful parents,” she said, later elaborating, “It was a very easy childhood.” With all this familial support (and Freshman Brown’s indifference to the academic world because “I really didn’t love that much about school”), the aspiring artist had the freedom to think, dream and play art. In her early childhood, she frequently indulged in fantasies about art with her best friend and music-loving counterpart Alice Lee: “We’d go to the library, and she’d get books to read and I’d get the books with the pictures in them. We had school in my attic. We had the first school of the arts, and I taught art. She taught music and then we’d switch rooms. This was in my attic, and we had stuffed animals as our students. We did this for years.” It was during these attic lessons that Freshman Brown became familiar with her innate ability to draw: “I didn’t know how I knew how to draw, but I did.” During conversations with the adult Lee, she discovered that Lee taught her own children to draw in the instinctive way that her attic companion drew, a fact which Freshman Brown remarks is “very funny” to her. Very funny, she says, because she is now a distinguished Professor of Art at the University of North Florida and teaches many students to draw and create art as a whole with that same artistic instinctiveness. ***

38 Folio Weekly

I ask about the photographs on her studio’s wall a couple of times because they’re an unintentional collage in a multimedia artist’s already artistic space. There are the more saturated recent pictures of Freshman Brown’s family and some of her standing next to her pieces. Though there are also some older photographs and Polaroids from her childhood and college life that have transient, muddy hues and a graininess characteristic of their age. There’s one image she finds and shows me of her at Syracuse University, her alma mater. In the black and white photo, she is wearing a one piece artist’s smock over a black turtleneck. Freshman Brown’s body is angled away from the image, so only her side profile is visible. She’s in thought, swept up in studio life, or posing or both. A canvas atop an easel sits in the foreground of the image. *** Freshman Brown remembers her undergraduate years and graduate years pursuing painting and printmaking at Syracuse fondly. The university was just an hour away from her Oneida home, and her artistry was unlimited by the school’s programs and faculty: “It was a great experience. I could just paint all day and draw all night, and it was a great program.” In her time there, the artist tailored her campus experience to revolve around art. Naturally, she holed herself up in studio spaces creating. A young Freshman Brown also used all the university’s institutions to draw her closer to art, even if it meant thwarting the purpose of said institutions: “I actually joined a sorority not to be in the sorority but because it was closer on campus to all the art facilities which sounds crazy. Actually, it’s practical.” Though unhindered in her artistic pursuits, painting as a woman came with some limitations, namely lack of recognition: a senior at Syracuse, Freshman Brown geared up to win the school’s painting award, only to discover one of her male classmates would be receiving the accolade instead: “The dean of the college, of the art program, told me that a guy was getting the award because I would get married and taken care of, but he had to support a family. And this was classic.” Despite being written off as a homemaker, not an artist and her painting professor’s protests to the dean’s decision, Freshman Brown accepted the defeat: “I wasn’t going to fight it, that someone said that to me. I guess I wouldn’t fight it today because idiots are idiots. What are you gonna do?” This Syracuse snub would be the first of many comments invalidating her career as a woman artist. She tells me, most recently a man commented on one of her MOCA-displayed art pieces, claiming that a man could have done it, that is created art, better than any woman. But for the artist whose works have been featured in galleries internationally, she said, “Those things roll off because I know who I am. But I’ve had a lot of comments like that, yes.” *** Finally, my eyes settle on the paint covered easels lined up next to windows at the back of the studio. It is on these easels, in addition to some of her more bare counters, that Freshman Brown completes most of her artistic process. In fact, the artist builds much of her artistic process around the condition of the easels. There is a pre-easel thinking and imagery storing process, for example.

During this stage which she amicably calls the “heavy mind stuff” stage, Freshman Brown reads and researches for upcoming pieces. She also might collect reference images, prints, and photographs — called “grounds.” There is an intra-easel creation process — usually from Friday to Monday, afternoon to early evening — during which she begins a piece using all collected “grounds.” By this point, she’s set in her artistic ritual, wearing her timeless working outfit — jeans and a black shirt — and far from distractors like social events and other art. She’s only focused on the composition of the present piece. “I submerge myself in whatever I’m doing … I’m out of my daily self but I’m into my inner self,” she said. During this creating stage, Freshman Brown also practices leaving the studio and coming back to regard her pieces again: this time as separate from the artistic process that precipitated them. “If I walk out and walk back in and they’re holding up, they’re done,” she said. Of course, the two stages are not sequential and often, meld into one. For example, she might scrap a piece mid-creation process and reassemble it into a reference image for another project. She also admits to accidentally falling into the art-creating process on a whim though she shouldn’t. “Sometimes, I go in there [studio] to just do some sorting and then I’ll start making art. I’m not trying to make art because I have other things to do, but I can’t control myself,” she explained. Today, she has displayed her most recent collection, “ARMOR,” on these easels. The primarily collage-based collection was influenced by the history and artistic composition of the Middle Ages and the 20th century Dada movement. Freshman Brown overlays moments of history atop one another, intensely interested in showcasing this “armor,” or uniform, that identifies and protects both historical figures and us.

*** Freshman Brown’s studio is certainly like a kitchen, a messy kitchen at that, and she’s glad about it. “Some people’s studios are so tidy it scares me. It’s like who would want to work in there?” she commented. “When I’m actually working, my studio is like a disaster, like a bomb hit it.” Like a messy kitchen — its disorder the only reminder of an already eaten cuisine — Freshman Brown’s studio, in all its untidiness, is a reminder of the elapsed (and maybe still-to-elapse) landmarks of her artistic career. Paintings, pictures, easels, drawers, cabinets all silently perform as tokens of childhood, college and adult memory. Also like a messy kitchen, Freshman Brown’s studio is a space in which she will keep creating — at least until 7 p.m. on most days, when she’ll turn off the lights of the studio and decide to re-regard the space and the art housed in it again the next day.

40 Folio Weekly

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THE FINE JEWELRY BRACELET FOR YOUR APPLE WATCH ®️

ART THE ART CENTER COOPERATIVE

THE CORNER GALLERY AT THE JESSIE

tacjacksonville.org

• “Hiromi Moneyhun: Shibani,” through Feb. 7 facebook.com/movingthemargins

BEACHES MUSEUM beachesmuseum.org

CUMMER MUSEUM OF ART & GARDENS • Tattoos in Japanese Prints, through Jan. 14, 2024

BUTTERFIELD GARAGE ART GALLERY

• Jacksonville’s Norman Studios, through Jan. 31, 2024

• Works by Amy Hemphill Dove, Nancy Hamlin–Vogle, Sydney McKenna, Jan

• “Fake News & Lying Pictures,” through April 29, 2004

Miller, Debra Mixon Holliday, Paula Pascucci, Ron Vellucci and Cindy Wilson

cummermuseum.org

butterfieldgarage.com

42 Folio Weekly

FEMART GALLERY

• Project Atrium: Rowland Ricketts, through Jan.

• “Through the Lens,” through Jan. 27

28, 2024

femartgallery.org

mocajacksonville.unf.edu

First Coast Cultural Center

ONGOING Art Walk: Jan. 3 Downtown Jacksonville lights up the first Wednes-

firstcoastculturalcenter.org

PASTA FINE ART GALLERY

day of the month with art by local artists at hubs

• Works by David Fain, Pam Geiger, Linda F. Haw-

in James Weldon Johnson Park, The Jessie and

GALLERY 725

kins, Tracy Lavely, Ginny LeJeune, Rafael Pasarell,

Vagabond Flea at VyStar Tower from 5–9 p.m.

• “Give Peace a Chance — The Art of John Len-

Marlene Zullig and others

Visitors can also enjoy live music, food trucks,

non,” Jan. 12-22

pastagalleryart.com

street performers, free admission to MOCA and

• The Art of Chad Smith, virtual exhibition gallery725.com

complimentary rides on JTA’s Skyway. RITZ THEATRE & MUSEUM

dtjax.org

• Teresa Cook: “See Jacksonville: Past and PresGOVERNOR’S

HOUSE

CULTURAL

CENTER

ent,” through Jan. 5, 2024

Fernandina Beach Arts Market: Jan. 13 and 27

AND MUSEUM, ST. AUGUSTINE

• “Lift Ev’ry Voice,” permanent collection

Amelia Island’s premier arts and crafts market

• “Painting St. Augustine: Selections from the

ritzjacksonville.com

comes alive the second and fourth Saturday of

Samuel H. and Roberta T. Vickers Collection,” on-

every month from 9 a.m.–1 p.m.

going

SOUTHLIGHT GALLERY

• “Freedom Is Not Free: Ax Handle Saturday,” vir-

• Featuring works by Will Dickey, Koo Hon, Paul

tual exhibition

Karabinis, Pablo Rivera, Enzo Torcoletti, Pam Zam-

Riverside Arts Market: Jan. 6, 13, 20 and 27

staugustine.ufl.edu

betti and more

Artists, artisans and makers display their original

southlightgallery.com

paintings, jewelry, photographs, prints and other

HASKELL GALLERY AT JACKSONVILLE INTER-

fernandinabeachartsmarket.com

handcrafted items every Saturday — rain or shine

NATIONAL AIRPORT

ST. AUGUSTINE ART ASSOCIATION

— from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. on Riverside Avenue un-

jaxairportarts.com

staaa.org

derneath the canopy of the Fuller Warren Bridge. riversideartsmarket.com

HILLARY WHITAKER GALLERY

STELLERS GALLERY

h whitakergallery.com

• Works by Eileen Corse, Jim Draper, MacTruque,

St. Augustine First Friday Artwalk: Jan. 5

Fallon Pepper, C. Ford Riley, Alice Williams, Jeff

On the first Friday of every month (hence the

JACKSONVILLE UNIVERSITY

Foxworthy (yes, that Jeff Foxworthy) and more

clever name), more than 30 galleries around the

• Faculty Biennial Exhibition, through Jan. 25, Al-

stellersgallery.com

Oldest City open their doors from 5–9 p.m. for

exander Brest Gallery

visitors to browse exhibits and interact with art-

• ”Bill Davis: No Dark in Sight,” virtual exhibition

THRASHER-HORNE CENTER GALLERY

ists. A complimentary trolley service provides

• “Kristin Skees: Close Knit,” virtual exhibition

• Works by Thomas H. Nagata, Yamel Molerio and

transportation between downtown venues.

ju.edu/cfa

John Gerstner, ongoing

staaa.org

thcenter.org THE LIGHTNER MUSEUM

Vilano Beach Artisan Market: Jan. 30

• “DESCENT ≈ An Atlas of Relation,” through Jan.

TOUCHÉ GALLERY

Part beach party, part arts market, this month-

touchegallery.com

ly event includes works by local artists and lo-

• “The Triumph of Nature: Art Nouveau from the

cally-made products, as well as live music. The

Chrysler Museum of Art,” through March 15

University of North Florida

market takes place on the third Saturday of every

• “75 for 75: Lightner Museum Diamond Anniver-

• Fall 2023 Senior Showcase, through Jan. 5, UNF

month from 4-8 p.m. on A1A and Vilano Road.

sary Exhibition,” ongoing

Gallery of Art

facebook.com/vilanobeachofficial

• “Illuminate: Lightner Museum’s Stained Glass

unf.edu/gallery

Rediscovered,” ongoing • “St. Augustine Through the Lens of William Hen-

THE VAULT AT 330

ry Jackson,” ongoing

• Featured artists include Susan Astleford, Marge-

lightnermuseum.org

na Burnett, Ellen Diamond, Ed Hall, Dolf James, Harry McCormick and Denise Murphy

MAIN LIBRARY

thevaultat1930.com

TAC presents “Winter in the South,” through Jan. 26

YELLOW HOUSE

tacjacksonville.org

• “Sit in Stand Up,” virtual exhibition • “Still Not About a Hotdog and a Coke,” virtual ex-

MOCA JACKSONVILLE

hibition

• “Art + Politics: Grounding Dialog,” through Jan. 7

• “Magic, Mirth, and Mortality: Musings on Black

• “A Walk on the Wild Side,” through June 30

Motherhood,” virtual exhibition

• “Art With a Heart in Healthcare: Daydreamers,”

yellowhouseart.org

through Jan. 14, 2024

‘GIVE PEACE A CHANCE: THE ART OF JOHN LENNON’ EXHIBITION

Images Courtesy of Yoko Ono © Yoko Ono Experience a compelling journey through the artistic legacy of John Lennon at the not-to-be-missed exhibition, “Give Peace a Chance - The Art of John Lennon.” Open to the public from January 12th to January 22nd at Gallery 725, this curated showcase delves into the captivating history of Lennon’s visionary art, spanning from his early childhood to his untimely passing in 1980.

44 Folio Weekly

POSTCARDS AND POEMS: WHO KNEW?

Words by Mallory Pace & photos provided by Clark Lunberry The year is 2020 and Clark Lunberry has been sitting around his house for

Around the same time, Lunberry was working on a different project for the

far too long. The pandemic is just beginning to put the world on pause as

UNF Art Gallery where he shredded various papers, including a copy of Mar-

Lunberry yearns for his life of teaching and traveling back. He stares at buck-

cel Proust’s 3,200-page Remembrance of Things Past, which left him with

ets of shredded paper from his favorite book and a box of postcards his late

buckets of tiny scrap paper. Some pieces were too shredded to make words

father left behind, over 750 that is. And almost by accident, he recalls, the two

out on, but others remained touched with one or two words, some incoherent,

fell together, perfectly in place. An accident that is now a published book of

some mysteriously beautiful. The combination of the two was accidental at

remarkable visual poetry — Seeking Frozen Sound.

first, but then became intentional as Lunberry started to see a vision for what it could become.

Before becoming an english professor at the University of North Florida 19 years ago, Lunberry spent years living and traveling around the world, cre-

“I had the postcards and I had the piles of shreddings… and it almost feels like

ating art, writing books and teaching English, all of which he still continues

it was an accident that one of the shreddings fell onto the postcard,” Lunber-

to do. After completing his undergraduate degree from Kansas University,

ry recalled. “And I thought oh, that’s kind of interesting. It was like a kind of

he spent time in Europe, then in New York City until he settled into Japan for

caption on a photograph, but inside of the photograph.”

eight years, where he taught English. He finds inspiration from becoming a part of other cultures, meeting new people and stumbling across a few happy

The excitement and satisfaction of finding the perfect words to fit on the right

accidents along the way. His most recent book, Seeking Frozen Sound, is a

photo was enough for him to keep going. But Rome wasn’t built in a day, and

product of one of those accident-turned-inspiration moments.

Lunberry knew this wasn’t a project meant to be rushed through. Instead, he would thumb through the postcards until he found one that was especially in-

Growing up in Kansas, Lunberry’s father was a small town jeweler, watchmak-

triguing in some way. He would leave the card on his desk, not so much just to

er and avid collector. He traveled to many places over his lifetime, collecting

look at, but to become part of his environment, Lunberry said. He quoted one

postcards along the way. They were all very connected to the places he went,

of his favorite critics, Susan Sontag, who once said, “If you wait long enough,

Lunberry said, but he didn’t really know what to do with them just sitting in a

every photograph becomes interesting.” The objective was to use singular

box. Until boredom struck one day and Lunberry began seeing the postcards

words or put together phrases to accompany the photograph and work along-

less as souvenirs and more as beautiful photography.

side it, rather than trying to dominate the image with words.

46 Folio Weekly

SEEKING FROZEN SOUND ON HEARING THE LANGUAGE OF GRACE

“It’s the ambiguity of what 1,000 things?” Lunberry said. “In the photograph, there are 1,000 things — there’s the people, the cars, the signs, there’s everything there. But to imagine all of those things in the photograph as thinking was suddenly very interesting to me.” He chose to place the words on top of the stop sign, as if it was almost nailed to it. He said it felt like the words respected the photograph and integrated right in, adding to the beauty of the image without overwhelming or distracting from its original meaning. While some postcard poems seem to click right away or with time, some never do at all. Lunberry described one postcard of a beautiful scenic river in rural France, an area where he once lived for a year. It has such a personal connection, but everything he has tried with it never felt right; it didn’t add anything, only took away, he said. Other times, it’s as if a puzzle is filled with its missing piece. Just recently, after a year and a half of staring at one particular postcard, something mysteriously clicked in Lunberry’s head and he knew exactly what to do with it. He described the feeling of completing a postcard poem as gratifying, giving him an “enormous amount of irrational, ridiculous pleasure.” That’s what keeps him going.

This postcard inspired the title of Lunberry’s book and is set inside the Notre-Dame in Paris.

Living in different parts of the world has given Lunberry more than a stamp on a passport. During his time in Japan, he became further infatuated with the English language. He often says that it

A THOUSAND THINGS ARE THINKING

was only by living in Japan did he even realize he spoke English, comparing it to breathing and how much we take it for granted. It came as a revelation, he recalled, to fully realize that the languages being exchanged sounded very strange to each other, yet were completely normal to the individual. Lunberry even found inspiration in his interactions with the students and their “poor” English. In an article published by the Kyoto Journal titled, ‘Deviant English and the Para-Poetic,’ Lunberry compiled the writings of his Japanese students and presented it as accidental poetry. These sentences, phrases and short stories, seemingly written in “broken” English, turned into something poetic and full of curiosity. “It feels kind of accidental, especially when I talk it through,” Lunberry said. “But I’ve always wanted to remain open to chance and accidents. They’ve been for me often a revelation. So instead of being terrified of accidents, see them as possibilities for discovery.” Seeking Frozen Sound was published with over 60 visual postcard poems, with another on the way. Next year, Lunberry will be returning to Kyoto for a sabbatical project about the intersection of photography and writing. While in Asia, he also has plans to speak at a conference in Hong Kong about Proust, author of

Lunberry was inspired by the complex nature of this postcard from the streets of New Orleans. He paired it with fragments of paper that wrote out, “a thousand things are thinking.” He knew immediately that he liked them together, although he couldn’t explain why at first.

Remembrance of Things Past and other French writers focusing on memory and fragmentation. He feels excited about what’s to come next year and curiously hopeful he might stumble upon another happy accident.

A DAY AT THE FARM AT OKEFENOKEE Words by Ambar Ramirez & Carmen Macri Photos by Ambar Ramirez It was a crisp Thursday morning. The sun was beaming, but the breeze was cooling. In our opinion, it was the best day to tour the self-sustainable community that Doug Davis and Jeff Meyer are creating at The Farm at Okefenokee, located just outside Folkston, Georgia. “Jeff and I worked together probably about 20 years ago, and he has an extensive background in agriculture, alternative energies and everything else. And my background is conservation-based development,” Davis shared. “And so he had bought this farm probably 10 or 15 years ago and he called me a few years ago and just said, ‘Hey, Doug, I want you to come take a look at my farm and see what you think.’ So I came up here and fell in love with the place.” The Farm at Okefenokee is a 705acre piece of land that is being developed to create an experience that evokes what it was like to live on a farm 150 years ago. The land invites visitors and residents to completely detach from the hectic modern life. It operates entirely with a focus on sustainability and conservation. While Davis is on the farm, lives entirely off the land.

“All of the things that we grow out here come from heirloom seeds. So I’ve been rediscovering what it’s like to eat the varieties that haven’t been available, maybe anywhere around here,” he said. “And so even my palate is rediscovering what a tomato should taste like and what greens should taste like, what lettuce should taste like because we’re so used to eating foods that have been genetically modified. Everything that we drink, everything that we eat, punches you in the face with sugar and so a lot of the things that we grow out here aren’t sugar forward in the palate. So it’s been a lot of fun for me to redevelop what it means to eat. Someone may go, ‘Well, why are you making that so hard on yourself? You can go to the store and you can buy canned tomatoes, right?’ And there’s nothing wrong with that. I’m not against that at all. But then again, I mentioned this a few minutes ago, too, to really experience a fulfillment, you kind of have had to walk through the struggle,” he added.

The Meishan pigs are just one of the many heritage breeds found at the farm and are actually a threatened species. The Farm at Okefenokee is one of the first farms to reintroduce this species in over 100 years. All breeds are registered with the Livestock Conservancy’s Conservation Priority List. All of the animals on the farm play a huge role in the farm’s overall ecosystem. Other than providing food for the farm, the Meishan pigs provide nutrient-rich manure that is used for the farm’s composting system, as well as allow the farm to practice the ageold technique of “plowing with pigs.” The pigs work just as well (or even better) than a rototiller!

The Farm at Okefenokee is set up into roughly six thematic phases. Each “small village,” as Davis called them, is centered around a certain type of experience that residents will gain in those specific areas. For instance, The Meadow is dedicated to vegetative farming, providing residents the flexibility to engage in farm work according to their preferences. Another upcoming phase focuses on water ecosystems, offering opportunities for residents and visitors to enjoy activities such as fishing, canoeing and more. Each “small village” will feature around 20-25 cabins to accommodate the community. “We started that process roughly two years ago. We started construction about 18 months ago and, you know, it’ll probably take us another five years to get it finished up,” Davis said. “But it’s been an amazing journey. I mean, each day has its own challenges, but the rewards far outstrip the challenges.”

50 Folio Weekly

Lo and behold, the standing garden meadows. The Farm at Okefenokee is revolutionizing the field of agriculture. In today’s world, global soil degradation is a pressing issue, primarily attributed to practices like tilling, the overuse of fertilizers and erosion. The Farm is taking on the challenge of addressing these detrimental practices and is actively engaged in combating climate change through the implementation of regenerative farming methods.

As long as you don’t overgraze the cattle, then, you know, the cows are pooping and they’re stomping in it and creating organics in the soil. And then you run the chickens and the hogs through it. So you’ve just got this natural cycle that would have always happened in nature. And we’re replicating that here on the farm instead of putting in the fertilizers and pesticides and everything else.

Davis explains: “Regenerative agriculture is so cool. I mean, you’re going to fall in love with it. The idea is rather than using inputs like fertilizers and pesticides and everything else, I mean, you already know about organic, right? Regenerative takes it a step further.

So at a very high level, that’s kind of what regenerative farming is, it’s using nature in lieu of manmade inputs. And so we’ve been kind of perfecting that. And I use that word lightly because you don’t perfect anything in farming. But we’ve been working on our process here at the farm lab, and now we’re perpetuating that all through the 700 acres that we’ve got here, which we call The Farm at Okefenokee.”

You’re using the natural life cycles that would have existed in nature, and you’re replicating those through livestock and through cover crops. And so you’re armoring the soil and improving the soils by growing a diversity of different types of legumes and radishes and all kinds of grasses. And so they become the food for the livestock, but they also become this thing that sequesters carbon from the atmosphere, grows down in the ground, creates additional porosity in the soil so that you can actually take the rain. And instead of washing our topsoil away, it goes into the ground, and it stays so you don’t have to irrigate as much. So you get this virtuous cycle that begins to happen by doing these things. And then as the livestock moves through, it’s eating the grass, causing the roots to go deeper, increasing the durability and also the performance of the grasses so that they work harder and they exude more carbon into the soils.

Fresh Winter greens ready for harvesting. Davis mentioned one of his favorite things to do while living on the farm is waking up and walking out to the standing garden to pick fresh vegetables for his breakfast and lunch – including homemade olive oil from their olive orchard and protein from their hens’ eggs.

Along with regenerative farming, The Farm at Okefenokee is implementing what is called “guilds,” which involves planting support species around each tree to reduce competition, create biomass and nutrients and provide natural shelter. It also helps attract pollinators.

52 Folio Weekly

No GMO seeds are found at the Okefenokee farm. The result? No chemicals, healthier soil, healthier people, authentic taste and plant diversity.

Fun fact: Those flowers that the butterfly is having a snack on are actually broccoli.

Meet Dan “The Mule-Man” Wilson. Wilson has spent his entire life surrounded by animals and was the perfect candidate to train and strengthen The Farm’s pulling mules. These two lovely ladies are a crossbreed between a Belgian mare and a Mammoth Jackstock donkey — an ode to George Washington as he was a major influence on the breeding between the two species. Wilson has been working closely with the pair since their arrival at the farm in early March. The trio quickly became family as Wilson explained there is nothing coming between them, going as far as to say the farm could fire him (they wouldn’t), and he would still come around to help, as he loves the farm and everyone around. But if they tried to come between him and his mules, there would be a hefty custody battle.

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The mules provide the power for the wagons used across the farm.

This original pulling wagon is over 100 years old. They recently repainted and reupholstered it, but the body remains the same. We were lucky enough to be the first to ride on this historic piece.

Lucy and Ethel hard at work.

56 Folio Weekly

The poultry at the farm are all raised on the land with a free-roaming lifestyle where they, just like the residents, live off the land.

The king of the coop.

The new greenhouse is where vegetation and flowers begin blooming for this season.

Cooling fans for those hot summer days to keep the vegetation acclimated.

58 Folio Weekly

Pineywoods cattle are one of the oldest breeds of cattle found in the United States. Just like all the animals on the farm, the Pineywoods cattle are beneficial to the overall prosperity of the farm and ecosystem. Plus they’re cute.

It was at this point that we started playing some instrumental jazz music in hopes of grabbing the cows’ attention. And though we can’t say for sure that this theory is approved, Honey (cow pictured above who we named ourselves) was definitely curious and came closer after hearing the calming tunes.

Views from our future home. To learn more about the Farm at Okefenokee visit okefarm.com or follow them on Instagram @the_farm_at_okefenokee.

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SOUTHERN SOUNDS A CONVERSATION WITH

WHAT MESSAGE DO YOU WANT FANS TO WALK AWAY WITH AFTER

STEPHEN CAREY

tion or can take your mind off of the weight of the world for a few minutes.

Words by Carson Rich

CHARACTER. DO YOU WRITE THIS WAY BECAUSE IT REPRESENTS WHO

HOW DID YOU GET STARTED PLAYING MUSIC? I got my first guitar for my 11th birthday, and within about a year, I was playing along with Green Day and Blink-182 songs. Girls were impressed by this so I stuck with it. My parents have been supportive from day one and always let me choose music over everything. Music is a community and having been a part of it the majority of my life, I’ve learned everything I know from trial, error, and collaboration within that community.

WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO WRITE COUNTRY MUSIC RATHER THAN ANY OTHER GENRE? Country music is what gave me a voice as an artist. I grew up playing guitar, bass and drums in tons of bands and loved writing rock, hardcore, pop punk/ emo songs with all my best friends, but the storytelling of country music drew me in as a singer for the first time. It inspired me to write songs for me and say what I wanted to say, and I’d never really done that before. I’d never gotten goosebumps when the hook of the first chorus lands with any other genre. It felt like a more personal level of songwriting, and I fell in love with it. IF YOU HAD TO PICK I WANT TO SEE WHO ARE ONE OR TWO OF YOUR BIGGEST MUSICAL INFLUENCES WHEN CREATING NEW MUSIC? My parents raised me on classic rock, pop, hair metal and Southern rock so I didn’t discover country music until later on, on my own. My high school and college years were very much a part of the Warped Tour era of music, which made a very deep impression on me. Lately, I’ve been listening to a lot of synthwave and indie pop. The Midnight was my #1 artist on my Spotify Wrapped this year, and I have two new songs that I’m really excited about that were heavily influenced by them. I haven’t heard anything like that in country, which is exciting. It feels fresh. WHAT IS SOMETHING YOU WANT TO TRY AND DO DIFFERENTLY FROM OTHER ARTISTS TODAY? For me, it’s always been about entertaining. My passion for music comes from a place of connectivity and joy in a moment. I’ve always tried to focus on the audience experience and create unique ways to connect. I’ve also always

HEARING YOUR MUSIC? I want people that hear my music to feel like they belong, like they’re welcome. I try to write relatable and engaging songs that either tap into an emo-

YOUR SONGS TYPICALLY BRING OUT A FUN, LAID-BACK TYPE OF YOU ARE OR IS THERE ANOTHER REASON? Look, I love an emotional tearjerker in the right setting, but for the most part, I enjoy music as an escape and as a way to enhance an experience. No one wants to hear a soft-spoken sad bastard, plucking through a ballad when you’re crushing seltzers with your friends on a pontoon. I apply that way of thinking to my writing most of the time because I want people to have fun at my shows. I want it to feel like a party where you can laugh and cry and drink and dance together, and you never get bored. WHAT HAS BEEN THE MOST MEMORABLE MOMENT OF YOUR JOURNEY IN THE MUSIC INDUSTRY SO FAR? I’ve had quite a few pinch me moments, but the coolest thing I think was when my song “Summer Cool” was on the Viral 50 chart on Spotify right next to Keith Urban and Justin Timberlake. WHERE DO YOU SEE YOURSELF IN THE FUTURE? Down the road I see myself doing exactly what I’m doing right now at a higher level. I want to continue to write the best songs possible and release and perform them in a compelling way. WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO SOMEONE STARTING OUT IN THEIR MUSIC CAREER BASED ON YOUR EXPERIENCE SO FAR? Depending on the genre, it could be a different place but you have to be where what you want to do is happening. For me it’s Nashville. For someone else it could be New York or LA or Austin or Atlanta. It’s a different experience, and you can create more impactful opportunities more often when you’re part of the community you want to be in. CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT ANY UPCOMING PROJECTS OR RELEASES THAT YOU’RE WORKING ON OR HAVE SHARED RECENTLY? I have a new song called RIP coming out on Jan. 12. I also have a music video and an acoustic version of “My Favorite” set to release in February. I have another four songs in different stages of production that I would like to release throughout next year as well.

tried to innovate within the genre and continue to make it fun for me to create and perform. I’m still such a huge fan of music, whether it’s connecting with a lyric personally or screaming all the words with a room full of strangers at shows. My favorite shows are the ones where it feels like you’re part of something and not just watching someone play songs.

NEW MUSIC RELEASES Kanye West is back at it in collaboration with Ty Dolla Sign with their joint project, “Vultures.” The pair have been promoting their project with pop-up “rave” listening parties with appearances by Chris Brown, Kodak Black and Lil Durk, who are all featured on the album. West’s 10-year-old daughter, North, was also present and excitedly shared the song she is featured on that comes with the catchy hook, “It’s Your Bestie, Ms. Westie,” that’s been going viral all over social media.

“VULTURES”

KANYE WEST & TY DOLLA SIGN

The album spans beyond the traditional sounds that West has produced in the past, feeling experimental while still keeping roots in hip-hop and rap. “ORQUIDEAS”

NEW YEARS EVE

Made For You By Amiyah Golden

Singer Kali Uchis is releasing an album that will be fully in Spanish. With hit songs such as “After the Storm,” featuring rapper Tyler the Creator and “telepatia,” the Virginia native will grace our ears with a

JAN 10

project that is a tribute to her Colombian culture. With Uchis’ beautiful voice, I think she has the power to entice fans who don’t speak Spanish to still

KALI UCHIS

blast her songs from her upcoming album, Orquideas,” this January.

JAN 19

Greenday is giving us a new album titled, “Saviors.” Having already made their mark on the music world (and Broadway), the band is not finished yet releasing fresh new tunes and touring the U.S. and Europe. The band decided to spoil us even more with the U.S. leg of the tour featuring the Smashing Pumpkins, Rancid and the Linda Lindas beginning in August “SAVIORS”

2024.

“Everybody Can’t Go” is the latest album by rapper Benny Butcher and his first with Def Jam Records. Originally slated for release in August, Benny admitted on Twitter he wasn’t as ready but reassured

“EVERYBODY CAN’T GO”

GREEN DAY

hearing all year.” With a gritty sound that pays homage to the sounds from the ’90s, it transports you directly into his realm of storytelling. With producer credits from The Alchemist and Hit-Boy, I predict that this album will be a hit-classic.

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BENNY THE BUTCHER

JAN 26

fans, “Just know when you hear my [work], it’s gonna be better than all this other [stuff] you’ve been

Through my discovery of the New York City band through a random TikTok a year ago, I have been obsessed with the rock quartet ever since. Producing a sound that feels like a riff off of classic rock and pop, Quarters of Change have been a game changer to my playlists in 2023. The band releases their second studio album titled, “Portraits,” but you can catch a preview with “Blue Cooper” and/or “Kiwi” to get a taste of the talent before it drops.

“PORTRAITS”

QUARTERS OF CHANGE

This project comes from the mind of director Cole Bennett aka Lyrical Lemonade. Bennett is best known for producing music videos for various rap stars but is now taking on the task of curating an album that features a slew of rappers such as Kid Cudi, Jack Harlow, Lil Tecca, the late Juice WRLD and many other household names. TBA

Each song is accompanied by a music video directed by Bennett. This project has been in the works for months with the first song and music video being released last June.

LYRICAL LEMONADE

TBD

“I AM MUSIC”

PLAYBOI CARTI

While rumors swirl of the rapper Playboi Carti coming out with a new project Jan. 5, it has not been officially confirmed by Carti himself. Best known for his alternative spin on rap and has a massive fan base. The artist has shared hints of a new album with him posting the phrase, “I AM MUSIC,” accompanied with a logo and changing his profile picture to such. Carti has also released some new music with “Different Day” and “2024.”

CONCERTS

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JAN. 3

JAN. 9

JAN. 13

The Steel Crows

Paul Thorn

Jwadi

Jack Rabbits

Bier Hall at Intuition Ale Works

Jack Rabbits

jaxlive.com

intuitionaleworks.com

jaxlive.com

JAN. 4

JAN. 10

Carver Commodore with Colourway

Donna the Buffalo

Jesse Cook

Murray Hill Theatre

Ponte Vedra Concert Hall

WJCT Soundstage

murrayhilltheatre.com

pvconcerthall.com

floridatheatre.com JAN. 14

3 Exits to Hattiesburg

The Grass is Dead

Tophouse

Jack Rabbits

Underbelly

Cafe Eleven

jaxlive.com

underbellyjax.com

originalcafe11.com

JAN. 5

JAN. 11

JAN. 15

Edwin McCain

Karla Bonoff

The Doobie Others Band: The Doobie Brothers

Ponte Vedra Concert Hall

Tribute

pvconcerthall.com

Alhambra Theatre & Dining

Elvis Birthday Bash

Greensky Bluegrass

Florida Theatre

JAN. 16

floridatheatre.com

Cinderella’s Tom Keifer Band

Davis Loose

Possessed by Paul James

Cafe Eleven

Jack Rabbits

originalcafe11.com

jaxlive.com

JAN. 5-6

JAN. 11-FEB.18

“Rhapsody in Blue” & Rachmaninoff

“Million Dollar Quartet”

Jacksonville Center for the Performing Arts

Alhambra Theatre & Dining

Kyle Smith

jaxsymphony.org

alhambrajax.com

Underbelly

alhambrajax.com

Florida Theatre floridatheatre.com D’Marvin Band Jack Rabbits jaxlive.com

underbellyjax.com Jack Fortune

JAN. 12

Blue Jay Listening Room

Kansas: 50th Anniversary Tour

JAN. 17

bluejayjax.com

Florida Theatre

Eric Lindell and Alice Drinks The Koolaid

floridatheatre.com

Underbelly

JAN. 6

underbellyjax.com

38 Special

Mason Jennings

Florida Theatre

Ponte Vedra Concert Hall

The Last Revel

floridtheatre.com

pvconcerthall.com

Cafe Eleven originalcafe11.com

Quit the Industry

Direct from Sweden: The Music of ABBA

Jack Rabbits

Jacksonville Center for the Performing Arts

JAN. 18

jaxlive.com

fscjartistseries.org

Moon Hooch Jack Rabbits

JAN. 7

The Greatest Piano Men

Blake Christiana & Andrew Trongone

Thrasher-Horne Center, Orange Park

Blue Jay Listening Room

thcenter.org

bluejayjax.com

Dexter and The Moonrocks Underbelly

Marvel Years w/ Phyphr, SideTrakd, Brother Bear JAN. 8

Underbelly

Anton Laplume Farewell Show

underbellyjax.com

Blue Jay Listening Room bluejayjax.com

jaxlive.com

underbellyjax.com Bonnie Prince Billy Bier Hall at Intuition Ale Works

JAN. 12-13

intuitionaleworks.com

Women Rock! Jacksonville Center for the Performing Arts

Dan Navarro

jaxsymphony.org

Cafe Eleven originalcafe11.com

JAN. 19

JAN. 26-27

Judy Collins

Marc Broussard with special guest

Ponte Vedra Concert Hall

Seth Walker

pvconcerthall.com

Ponte Vedra Concert Hall pvconcerthall.com

The New York Bee Gees Florida Theatre

Mozart, Vivaldi & Handel

floridatheatre.com

Jacksonvile Center for the Performing Arts

Easy Honey/Happy Landing

jaxsymphony.org

Jack Rabbits jaxlive.com

Flagship Romance Blue Jay Listening Room

May Gauthier

bluejayjax.com

Cafe Eleven originalcafe11.com

JAN. 27 Messer Chups and guests

JAN. 20

Jack Rabbits

Magnolia Bouevard

jaxlive.com

Cafe Eleven originalcafe11.com

Set Free ft. WHATUPRG Murray Hill Theatre

JAN. 21

murrayhilltheatre.com

Mid-Century Modern Combo Jacksonvile Center for the Performing

JAN. 28

Arts

That 1 Guy and guests

jaxsymphony.org

Jack Rabbits jaxlive.com

Southern Culture on the Skids Underbelly

JAN. 29

underbellyjax.com

Tanya Tucker Florida Theatre

JAN 23

Floridatheatre.com

Yacht Rock Revue Florida Theatre

Tanner Usrey

floridatheatre.com

Jack Rabbits jaxlive.com

The Glenn Miller Orchestra Jacksonvile Center for the Performing

JAN. 31

Arts

An Evening with Lucinda Williams

jaxevents.com

Ponte Vedra Concert Hall pvconcerthall.com

JAN. 24 Puddles Pity Party

Artikal Sound System

Ponte Vedra Concert Hall

Underbelly

pvconcerthall.com

underbellyjax.com

JAN. 25 Bowling for Soup Ponte Vedra Concert Hall pvconcerthall.com Jory Lyle Jack Rabbits jaxlive.com

66 Folio Weekly

EDGE CONTROL:

THE PROJECT EVERYONE NEEDS TO HEAR Words by Amiyah Golden & photos by @photosbycloudz As a huge proponent of the arts in this city, I find myself frequenting many

they oozed. I knew we were going to be fed by them, but it did not prepare

local showcases, bars and album releases — wherever art resides I follow

me for the meal Ebonique brought to the table.

— and it’s always a treat to experience some of the purest forms of talent … especially when it’s by accident.

With a full band and backup singers to accompany her stellar vocals, she commanded the stage and the audience with ease.

Anyone can sing, anyone can write, and anyone can produce. But not every-

My ears perked up to the embrace of a familiar sound that exuded soul but

one can perform and own the stage like local artist, Ebonique.

also a distinct uniqueness in her lyricism from her project Edge Control.

I remember visiting the monthly installment of the former talent showcase,

I was impressed, to say the least — as I always am when it comes to the talent

The Potluck, that highlighted numerous local artists. With each performer

that inhabits this city — but Ebonique’s style was effortless and was needed

bringing something to the table — hence, the name — they each shared their

that night — from Black women to Black women.

own dish of original music, acting as the appetizer to the main course — and on this particular Sunday, it was Ebonique.

With Ebonique performing various songs from her EP, “Edge Control,” it was a performance that resonated with me. With the songs from this project serving

I had known a few of the openers prior, so I was already aware of the talent

68 Folio Weekly

as a double entendre regarding the Black women’s experience, it gave space

for authentic expression in the realm of struggle, power, and grace as a Black

from the singer. Ebonique shared with me her aspirations to produce a rap al-

woman.

bum and merge her sound into the genre of soft-rock. Ebonique is also fluent in French, and I am anticipating a song or an album in French (this is a person-

“In a world where people are always trying to tell Black women who we can

al request), but there is truly nothing stopping her from being a powerhouse!

be and who we can’t be, I feel like our hair is the first thing that we can take control over,” said Ebonique. “If we want a change, we’re going to cut it. If

Make sure you check out Ebonique and her project, Edge Control. You will not

we want to do our edges, we can. When it looks good, we feel good. It sym-

be disappointed and that’s a promise!

bolized a lot for me. I feel like my mission is to translate the Black women’s experience through my eyes. Let me talk about what we go through as Black

To keep up with Ebonique, visit her website at eboniquebrooksmusic.com.

women and what I am going through, and let’s use Black hair to make it palatable.” Ebonique’s mission was complete that night with men, women, Black and white alike, nodding their heads to the rhythm along with receiving lyrical narration on behalf of Ebonique and her ensemble. It was a performance that stuck with me for months. I was finally able to sit down with the singer and dive into her story and her artistry. Ebonique’s musical journey began in the church as she grew up singing in the choir. It was the introduction to music she needed as it pushed her into becoming a singer — along with many nights spent downtown at the Ritz Theatre, as her sister was the winner of the very first Amateur Nights at the Ritz. As an alumna of Florida State University, Ebonique’s musical journey did not end when college began. This is where she picked up songwriting and wrote her first single, “Back and Forth,” inspired by recent events in her own college experience. With college serving as the place of discovery for her ability to write songs, it was another added bonus to her skillset as a multi-faceted artist.

program director for the local non-profit, Jacksonville Music and Arts School (JAMS.) With the joy of pouring into the youth, Ebonique delights in her job as a teacher, working with children ranging from elementary school to high school students. Although Ebonique hopes to pursue music full time, her gift as an educator will always remain.

In addition to her own personal musical endeavors, Ebonique also serves as a

With aspirations to maybe one day start her own label or teach a master class, the spirit of educating others will always remain. The power of teaching serves as a personal testament to Ebonique, as she takes much inspiration from one of her mentors, Deborah McDuffie, who serves as the creative director at the Ritz Theatre and was also her former chorus teacher. Ebonique credits McDuffie for influencing her to become a vocal instructor. McDuffie also serves as a local legend for many musicians and is credited for helping singer Luther Vandross rise to fame. Along with McDuffie, Ebonique draws inspiration from artists such as Jill Scott, Ari Lennox, and Anita Baker. “I pay attention to what artists are doing beyond the music. That’s why I’m inspired by artists like Jill Scott, Pharrell and Queen Latifah.” Ebonique truly has the ability to reach into the same spaces of those she esteems. With many projects and ideas in the works, we may hear a change of sound

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70 Folio Weekly

FOOD REVIEW: NORIKASE Words & photos by Kelila Ritchie

Nestled in a little corner beside Tinseltown, Norikase creates an entirely different world from the one outside its doors from the food options to the ambiance. The decor of the restaurant resembles a speakeasy of sorts. It is very modern, very classy and the lights dimmed just enough. I had the amazing opportunity of experiencing this restaurant for the first time alone before dragging along my fake food critic of a friend literally the next day (yes, I went twice in a row but it was genuinely just that good, trust me). Norikase literally had us both too stunned to speak at first taste. The first thing to catch my eye was the gorgeous bar beautifully accented by pink bar stools. The dark and light complement each other amazingly and add to the overall vibe of the restaurant. Maybe it’s just me, but lighting makes all the difference when having a good meal. Norikase’s use of light — or rather their lack thereof during their dinner service — adds a little bit of intimacy to the experience. Everything is just very sleek and modern. They hit every mark as far as atmosphere setting goes. I could not have been more pleased. OK, OK. I know this is a food review, and I haven’t spoken much to that side of things but I had to paint the picture for you guys! Hands down, Norikase has the best sushi I have ever had in my life. I am a huge fan of all things sushi, and I love trying new things. The extensive menu Norikase offers allows everyone to indulge in a little bit of everything. There is quite literally something for everyone ranging from a surf and turf roll to pan-seared duck which is amazing by the way. Going into this I wasn’t really sure what my vibe was as far as sushi. I settled on the Aburi Sake roll which was one of the best decisions I could have ended the year with if I do say so myself! Believe me when I say, this sushi appeared in my dreams and had me wrapped around its finger for an entire 24 hours until I was able to have it again. Norikase also has an amazing selection of sides to choose from. I landed on the Brussels sprouts and edamame which were cooked to perfection. Moreover, the customer service was phenomenal and allowed for a very easy, relaxed dinner. The food was served timely, and the staff really knew what they were talking about which I love. Sushi can be intimidating sometimes not knowing what everything is and experimenting with different flavors. The bartenders made this experience seamless. There were jokes shared, questions asked and answered, and just a great time to be had. Speaking of bartenders, let’s get into the drinks! I’m an espresso martini girl, and if you drink espresso martinis, you know a good one is hard to come by. I was nervous about this one because it is not traditionally made, but thank God it wasn’t. This drink was one of my favorite martinis so far. It is perfectly sweet with just the right amount of Japanese vodka. I say all of this to say, if you have not visited Norikase in all of its glory, please do so! You will not regret it. This is the perfect solo date and an even better date night. Thank me later.

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Cliff’s Bar & Grill

Rice + Noodles Korean Restaurant

Fancy Sushi & Grill Japanese Restaurant

Seven Wonders Restaurant

Fuji Sushi

Southern Coast Seafood

The Good Place Nutrition

Tabouleh Cafe

Grinders American Diner

Thai & Lao Bistro

cliffsbarandgrill.com

A R LIN GT O N

fujisushi-fl.com

facebook.com/thegoodplacenutrition

grindersamdiner.com

southerncoastseafood.com

taboulehcafe.com

thaiandlaobistro.com

orderlapalmerita.com ABBQ

JJ’s Liberty Bistro

Anejo

Kamiya 86

Angie’s Subs

Lone Wolf Co.

Aqua Grill

Marker 32

Azurea at One Ocean

Mezzaluna

Barbara Jean’s on the Water

Mojo Kitchen

Caffe Andiamo

Nona Blue Modern Tavern

Cantina Louie

North Beach Fish Camp

Coop 303

Oaxaca Club

Eleven South

O-Ku

Engine 15 Brewing Company

Palm Valley Fish Camp

European Street Cafe

Poe’s Tavern

The Fish Company Restaurant and Oyster Bar

Ragtime Tavern

Flying Iguana Taqueria & Tequila Bar

Safe Harbor Seafood Market and Restaurant

The G.O.A.T. Tapas & Bar

Salt Life Food Shack

Hawkers

Salumeria 104 Atlantic Beach

abbqmeatdrink.com

anejococinamexicana.com

facebook.com/angiessubs

aquagrill.net

azurearestaurant.com

barbarajeansonthewater.com

caffeandiamo.com

BE A CH E S/

In tr a co a st a l

We s t

cantinalouie.com

BITE

7wondersbakery.com

La Palmerita

BITE

fancysushiandgrill.com

riceandnoodles.net

coop303.com

elevensouth.com

engine15.com

europeanstreet.com

thefishcojax.com

flyingiguana.com

thegoatjax.com

eathawkers.com

jjbistro.com/ponte-vedra

kamiya86fl.com

lonewolfjax.com

marker32.com

mezzalunajax.com

mojobbq.com/mojo-kitchen

nonablue.com

thenorthbeachfishcamp.com

theoaxacaclub.com

o-kusushi.com

palmvalleyfishcamp.com

poestavern.com

ragtimetavern.com

safeharbor-seafood.com

saltlifefoodshack.com

salumeria104.com

Singleton’s Seafood Shack

Two Dudes Seafood Restaurant

Sliders Oyster Bar

Valley Smoke BBQ

Southern Grounds

Vicious Biscuit

singletonsseafood.com

slidersoysterbar.com

southerngrounds.com

twodudesrestaurant.com

valleysmoke.com

viciousbiscuit.com

TacoLu

tacolu.com Bellweather

Juliette’s Bistro at Marriott Jacksonville Downtown

The Bread and Board

Morton’s The Steakhouse

The Brick Coffee House

Ocean Street Tacos

Burrito Gallery

On The Fly Sandwiches & Stuff (food truck)

Cowford Chophouse

The River Club

Casa Dora Italian Cafe

Spliff’s Gastropub

De Real Ting Cafe

Super Food & Brew

Estrella Cocina

Sweet Pete’s

The Happy Grilled Cheese

Tavern at the Hyatt Regency

bellwetherjax.com

thebreadandboard.com

brickcoffeehouse.com

burritogallery.com

cowfordchophouse.com

D O WNT O WN

facebook.com/casadorajax

facebook.com/derealtingcafe

estrellajax.com

thehappygrilledchees.wixsite.com/grilledcheese

marriott.com

mortons.com

oceanstreettacos.com

ontheflyjax.com

jaxriverclub.com

spliffsgastropub.com

superfoodandbrew.com

sweetpetescandy.com

hyatt.com

Indochine

indochinejax.com Berndt Ends BBQ

Mandola’s Italian Kitchen

Blue Bamboo Canton Bistro

Masala Indian Cuisine

ChopHouse Thirteen

One Night Taco Stand

Enza’s Italian Restaurant

Picasso’s Pizzeria

ISO ISO Ramen

Rosy’s Restaurant

Julington Creek Fish Camp

Taziki’s Mediterranean Cafe

Kazu Japanese Restaurant

Umami Japanese Curry & Ramen

Le Petit Paris French Cafe

Wicked Barley Brewing Company

facebook.com/berndtendsbbq

bluebamboojacksonville.com

chophouse13.com

enzas.net

isoisoramen.com

julingtoncreekfishcamp.com

kazujapaneserestaurant.com

74 Folio Weekly

lepetitparisjax.com

mandolas.com

jaxmasala.com

onenightjax.com

jaxpicassos.wixsite.com/jaxpicassos

rosys-restaurant.business.site

tazikis.com

umamijax.com

wickedbarley.com

HILL M UR R A Y

Bold Birds Nashville Hot Chicken

Moon River Pizza

boldbirdshotchicken.com

moonriverpizza.net

Buchner’s Bierhall

Murray Hillbilly

buchnersbierhalle.com

murrayhillbilly.com

The Dreamette

Solazo Taqueria

dreametteicecream.com

solazofl.business.site

El Jefe Tex Mex

The Stout Snug

eljefejax.com

thestoutsnug.com

Fired Up Pizza

Vagabond Coffee Co.

woodfireduppizza.com

vagabondcoffee.com

Maple Street Biscuit Company

The Walrus

maplestreetbiscuits.com/murray-hill

thewalrusjax.com

Fuji Yama

Nagasaki Japanese Restaurant

fujiyamajax.com Green Papaya Pan Asian Cuisine greenpapayaus.com

NO R T H S IDE

Joseph’s Pizza

josephspizza.com/northside-full-menu The Jungle Bowl

facebook.com/thejunglebowl Junior’s Seafood Restaurant

juniorsseafoodrestaurant.com/north-jacksonville

nagasakisushirestaurant.com

New Berlin Fish House & Oyster Bar newberlinfishhouse.com

Ship 2 Shore Seafood & Steak ship2shoreseafood.com Sushi Zen Jax

sushizenfl.kwickmenu.com Terry’s Grill

facebook.com/terrysgrill

Masala Mantra

masalamantrajax.com 13 Gypsies

Bold Bean

904 Tacos

Brew Five Points

Ale Pie House

Carolina Jax

Arepa Please

Carmines Pie House

Bagel Love

Cool Moose Cafe

Biggie’s Pizza

Cuisine 76 & Bar

Biscottis

European Street Cafe

The Blue Fish

The Fox Restaurant

Blue Buddha

Hawkers

13gypsies.com

facebook.com/904tacosfivepoints

R I VE R SI D E

AV O ND A L E

alepiehousefl.com

arepaplease.com

bagel-love.ueniweb.com

biggiespizzajax.com

biscottis.net

bluefishjax.com

bluebuddhaspecialty.com Blue Orchid Thai Cuisine blueorchidthai.com

boldbeancoffee.com

brewfivepoints.co

carolinajax.com

carminespiehouse.com

coolmoosecafe.net

cuisine76andbar.com

europeanstreet.com

facebook.com/thefoxrestaurant

eathawkers.com

Homespun Kitchen

homespunkitchen.com Iguana on Park

iguanaonpark.com Josephine

josephineavondale.com Kickbacks Gastropub

kickbacksgastropub.com Kingmaker Brewing

kingmakerbrewing.com MOJO No. 4 Urban BBQ & Whiskey Bar mojobbq.com/mojo-no-4 The Mossfire Grill mossfire.com Nacho Taco

nachotaco.net Pattaya Thai Grill

pattayathaijax.com

facebook.com/pizzacave5pts Restaurant Orsay

restaurantorsay.com River & Post

riverandpostjax.com Sake House

sakehousejax.com Southern Grounds

southerngrounds.com S & R Dim Sum

srdimsumjax.com Sushi Cafe

sushicafejax.com Sweet Theory Baking Company sweettheorybakingco.com Taqueria Cinco

taqueria5points.com

1937

Matthew’s Restaurant

Bar Molino

The Metro Diner

bb’s

The Olive Tree Mediterranean Grille

The Bearded Pig

Peterbrooke

Bistro X Restaurant and Lounge

Pink Salt Restaurant + Wine Bar

Chart House

Rue Saint-Marc

European Street Cafe

Southern Grounds

Fla. Juice and Bowl

Taverna

Flavors of Thai

Town Hall

Fuji Sushi

V Pizza

1937sanmarco.com

barmolino.com

bbsrestaurant.com

thebeardedpigbbq.com

bistrox.com

chart-house.com

europeanstreet.com

flajuiceandbowl.com

flavors-of-thai.business.site

jacksonvillefujisushi.com The Local

thelocaljax.com

76 Folio Weekly

Pizza Cave

matthewsrestaurant.com

metrodiner.com

theolivetreemediterraneangrille.com

peterbrooke.com/pages/san-marco

pinksaltrestaurant.com

ruesaintmarc.com

southerngrounds.com

taverna.restaurant

townhalljax.com

vpizza.com

1748 Bakehouse

The District

Caribbean Sunrise Bakery & Restaurant

Hola Mexican Restaurant

Crispy’s Springfield Gallery

Social Grounds Coffee Roasters

Flavva

Strings Sport Brewery

Island Tropics Restaurant

Silkie’s Chicken & Champagne Bar

Tha Soulfood Smagicians

Uptown Kitchen and Bar

The Dreamette

Waafa and Mike’s Cafe

III Forks

Galaxy Burger

4 Rivers Smokehouse

Mr. Potato Spread

Amazing Thai Restaurant

Midtown Table

Bazille at Nordstrom

Prati Italia

Blaze Pizza

Seasons 52

Catullo’s Italian

Taste of Thai

Culhane’s Irish Pub

Texas de Brazil

1748bakehouse.com

caribbeansunrisebakery.com

facebook.com/CrispysSpringfieldGallery

S P R IN GF IE LD

flavvajacksonville.com

facebook.com/Island-Tropics-Restaurant-Lounge

facebook.com/thasmagicians

dreametteicecream.com

3forks.com/location/jacksonville

4rsmokehouse.com

amazingthaijax.com

nordstrom.com

S OU T HS ID E

blazepizza.com

catullos.hrpos.heartland.us/menu

culhanesirishpub.com

holajax.com

social-grounds-coffee.myshopify.com

stringssportsbrewery.com

meetatsilkies.com

uptownkitchenjax.com

facebook.com/waafaandmikes

galaxyburgersjax.com

mrpotatospread.com

midtowntable.medurebrothers.com

pratiitalia.com

seasons52.com

tasteofthaijax.com

texasdebrazil.com

The French Pantry

thefrenchpantryfl.com Ahadu Ethiopian Restaurant

Mesa

Banana Leaf Asian Bistro

The Metro Diner

Cross Creek Steakhouse and Ribs

The Potter’s House Soul Food and Bistro

Ellianos Coffee

Puerto Plata Restaurant

The Juicy Crab

Sushi Bear

La Perla Mexican Restaurant

Trent’s Seafood

ahadu-ethiopian-restaurant.business.site

facebook.com/bananaleafasianbistro

WE S TS I D E

thedistrictspr.com

crosscreeksteakhouse.com

ellianos.com

thejuicycrabjax.com

orderlaperlamexicanrestaurant.com Lewey’s Seafood and Wings

leweys-seafood-wings.business.site

mesajax.com

metrodiner.com

thesoulfoodbistro.com

puertoplatarestaurant.com

sushibearjax.com

jltrents.com

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Bite by Bite Recommendations

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Email teresa@folioweekly.com or call us at 904-239-5736

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From the archives April l5, 2017

MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. Words by Folio Staff

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy is celebrated far and wide. A prominent figure of the Civil Rights movement, his “I Have a Dream” speech is one of the most famous orations of all time. Today, some locals still fondly recall how King’s dream brought him all the way to Northeast Florida. In the early 1960s, local Civil Rights activists asked King and members of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) to come to St. Augustine. At the time, many were worried the Civil Rights Bill wouldn’t pass; they wanted to take a stand for the bill and for racial injustice in their community. During several trips to St. Augustine in ’64, King taught his method of nonviolent protest, gathering supporters and speaking at churches in the area. He was also arrested and spent some time in the old jail, which is now the St. Johns County Detention Center Annex building. Sheriff David Shoar told the St. Augustine Record in 2011 that the cell that housed King had since been converted to an office. On June 11, 1964, King was one of the activists arrested on trespassing charges when they attempted to eat in one of St. Augustine’s fancier eateries, the now-closed Monson Motor Lodge restaurant. King was later transported to Jacksonville as a safety precaution. Later that year, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Civil Rights Bill, integrating all public places and facilities. Also later that year, at age 35, King became the youngest person to win the Nobel Peace Prize, a record now held by Pakistani activist Malala Yousafzai, who was just 17 when she won. Learn more at Lincolnville Museum & Cultural Center, 102 Martin Luther King Ave., St. Augustine. •

Ways to celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day in Jacksonville:

•

Jan 12: 37th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Breakfast, Prime Osborn Convention Center

•

Jan. 15: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Parade, Peck Center, Fernandina Beach

•

Jan. 15: MLK Holiday Grand Parade, Downtown Jacksonville

•

Jan. 15: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration, St. Augustine

Art by Hope McMath for MOCA 79

FROM THE ARCHIVES

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FROM THE ARCHIVES

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FROM THE ARCHIVES

84 Folio Weekly

Words by Ambar Ramirez & Carmen Macri

THE HUNT: FINDING THE BEST SPICY MARGARITA IN TOWN

4.5/5

FLYING IGUANA

Located in the heart of the busy Beaches Town Center is Flying Iguana, a taqueria and tequila bar that has won “Best Margarita” in the “Folio” Best of Jax contest. And while we are all for taking Jacksonville’s advice (and votes) to heart, it would have been a disservice not to include this “Good Vibes Only” restaurant in our hunt for the best spicy margarita in Jacksonville. It would also be a disservice to lie to you all reading this and say that this was our first time having the spicy margarita at Flying Iguana because frankly, we’ve had it many, many times. But any excuse to have a margarita is good enough for us. The Spice of Life margarita is a lovely combination of spicy pepper-infused Cazadores Tequila Blanco, triple sec, organic agave nectar and housemade sour mix. Flying Iguana always has a great presentation when it comes to their plates and cocktails, but what is more important is the flavor. And low and behold, the flavor did not disappoint. The Spice of Life is definitely on the spicy side, but paired with the organic agave nectar the drink was well-balanced. Sweet and salty is out, spicy and sweet is in. Still, it’s not a drink we could consume heavily. One sip left our mouths’ burning for the next … which, we guess, is the point.

ATMOSPHERE: 4/5 MARGARITA: 5/5 OVERALL: 4.5/5 Perfect for people who frequent the beach bars and enjoy crowded spaces.

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3.5/5

ANEJO COCINA MEXICANA

Located in Brooklyn, Anejo Cocina Mexicana is on the fancier side of Mexican restaurants in Jacksonville. This family-owned and operated restaurant specializes in traditional meals with a modern twist. The restaurant itself offers great views with its full floor-to-ceiling windows that wrap around the space and well-decorated interior. But, of course, we weren’t there for the atmosphere (though they definitely are getting some bonus points for that): We were there for their spicy margaritas. To add some variety to our palettes, we ordered the Cucumber Jalapeño Margarita. This margarita is a concoction of 21 Seeds Tequila Blanco, lime, agave and, naturally, cucumber. The only difference between the spicy cucumber marg and their regular spicy marg is that the spicy marg uses Monte Alban Respasado (and has no cucumbers). Now, we thought the cucumber would act as a great desensitizer to the jalapeño, but one sip had my mouth burning to the point that I could barely taste the cucumber. Usually, I can down a spicy marg in just a few minutes, but when I say we were at the restaurant for over an hour, lightly sipping these spicy margs, I mean it. Granted, one cocktail had us feeling a little bit more than buzzed but for $13.25, we’re not quite sure if the pain brought us any gain.

ATMOSPHERE: 4/5 MARGARITA: 3/5 OVERALL: 3.5/5 Perfect for people who have just made a lot of money at work and want to spend it.

5/5

TAQUERIA CINCO

5/5

Disclaimer, we may be a little biased with this review because Taqueria Cinco is one of our favorite taco spots in Riverside. Despite it being a bit small for a restaurant, this spot always seems to have a table available, great food and amazing service. Owners Eddy Escriba and Matt Kemper opened up Taqueria Cinco with the goal of creating a space that feels like you are having dinner with family. And needless to say, with the tightly packed tables that feel more like a long dinner table, they did just that. But back to the point of our visit. The Margarita Picante consists of jalapeño-infused El Guitarron, triple orange, lime agave with a salt rim. Yum, right? This spicy margarita felt the most balanced out of those we tried. The flavor of the margarita itself was delicious and then the little kick of spice after each sip kept us going back for more. To be completely honest, we CHUGGED this margarita. One second it was there, the next it wasn’t. As it should be.

ATMOSPHERE: 5/5 MARGARITA: 5/5 OVERALL: 5/5 Perfect for people who don’t like personal space and want to feel like they are sitting at a large dinner table with friends.

LOLA’S BURGER & BURRITO JOINT

We don’t know what it is about Riverside, but it seems to be a hotspot for Mexican restaurants. Not that we are complaining, just stating a fact. And of course, there are many Mexican joints situated throughout Jacksonville, but for the sake of our livers and gas, our final stop in this hunt for the best spicy margarita in town is Lola’s Burger and Burrito Joint. This is one of the first restaurants I [Ambar] ate at when visiting Jacksonville and something about their eclectic decorations and flavorful menu keeps bringing me back. Oh, also, the fact that their margaritas only cost (roughly) $8. Now, here is where things got exciting. Lola’s has not one, but two options for a spicy margarita. So being the method journalists we are, we ordered one of each. Carmen went with the Jalapeño-ville and I ordered the Pablo Cucumbian. The Jalapeño-ville consists of tequila, jalapeño vodka, lemon-lime juice, sour mix, a dash of Tabasco and salt rim, garnished with pickled jalapeños. The Pablo Cucumbian is similar to the Jalapeño-ville but consists of tequila, lemon-lime juice, a splash of sour, dash of Tabasco, garnished with fresh cucumbers and topped with a classic salt rim. Both of these were surprisingly really good! The “dash” of tabasco was a bit intimidating but offered a level of spice that was comfortable and familiar (as this is both of our go-to hot sauces). The additional ingredients, though, were a bit overwhelming. It was more of an experimental cocktail than an actual spicy margarita. Overall, we left with a more than satisfied buzz.

ATMOSPHERE: 5/5 MARGARITA: 4.5/5 OVERALL: 5/5 Perfect for people who frequent dive bars and like to become friends with the bartender.

88 Folio Weekly

IT’S A NEW YEAR…..

AND YOU’RE STILL AN AWFUL HUMAN Words & photos by Amiyah Golden 2024 is finally here, and I’m not going to lie: I’m a bit disappointed. I expect-

Various studies vouch for the long-term effects of emotional/physical trauma

ed to see flying cars or time travel by now, but all I’m met with are the same

on a person, often commonly displayed as anger, shame, denial and anxiety.

proclamations of “New Year, New Me” littering my Instagram feed; and every time I have to chuckle, knowing this is all to feed into the annual ego boost

While mental health still remains a taboo topic in many cultures and societies

for many.

today, it is beginning to emerge as a permissible icebreaker in various circles that I have been in. Many stress the responsibility of the upkeep of your mind

The New Year always has been the time for people to write out their list of

and the impacts it has on relationships.

resolutions out of compulsion right before 11:59 p.m. on New Year’s Eve: Now, I know this can come off as a privilege as many don’t have access to “I vow to go to the gym this year.”

affordable mental health resources but, the Jacksonville area has many great

“I’m going to be better with my money.”

resources available such as: Here Tomorrow, Mental Health Resource Cen-

“I’m not partying any longer.”

ter, Women’s Center of Jacksonville and National Alliance of Mental Illness (NAMI) Jacksonville.

And while these are great declarations and goals, it doesn’t magically manifest into you becoming this 2.0 version of yourself because, let’s face it, most

If traditional therapy isn’t for you, I get it. There are other outlets that you can

of us don’t even hold ourselves accountable to our own resolutions.

try such as journaling, connecting with nature, practicing mindfulness techniques and tapping into your inner child. Whatever you need to do to stop

Yes, getting that revenge body is great, not spending your life savings on

projecting onto others, do it! Living is stressful enough as it is; don’t be the

take-out is also fantastic, and maybe slowing down on the partying every

person who adds to the woes of life for somebody else.

single weekend will do loads of justice for your liver. But when your overall aim is metamorphosing into this new self-proclaimed being, you have to go

I stress the importance of emotional wellness as I think about the metaphor

beyond the physical and the obligatory lists of “I’ll do” and really dig deep

that while you can fix up a broken home and slap the freshest coat of paint on

into revolutionizing your inner being!

the exterior to make it beautiful, it ultimately won’t change the leaking ceiling in the basement or the rotting drywall under the shiplap. No change will come

And you’re probably like what does that look like (I already added that I’ll give

unless you take on the task of healing yourself!

money to the homeless this year on my list). Take it from me, someone who bought the beautiful fixer-upper but was met Well, for starters, it starts with you admitting to yourself that you’re not the

with innumerable problems with the foundation. I was left to fix the damage

Mother Teresa that you think you are and you’re honestly probably an awful

I did not create.

human … Don’t be that person, don’t be that home! Inspect your list of resolutions and Your pride may not want to admit to such a “revelation,” but your friends, fam-

make sure that it not only profits you but the people around you! Get that

ily, coworkers and partner (current and past) all can attest that you have a lot

dream body but also create your dream mind. Not only will others benefit

of baggage to sort through.

from your new and improved presence, but you will ultimately be the main beneficiary!

You’re quick to anger. You’re insecure.

So unfortunately I won’t experience beating Jacksonville traffic in my flying

You yell at service workers.

car this year, but I do hope to encounter more good people who: don’t cut

You have a tendency to gaslight others.

me off in traffic, gaslight me or just aren’t overall horrendous human beings (that was so last year). Make sure you prioritize your power this 2024 by in-

The list can go on and on.

trospecting your actions, intentions and mind!

Ultimately attesting to the hypothesis that you lack self-love and emotional regulation — which won’t be magically fixed by you trying to throw out your back lifting heavy weights this January. It starts with acknowledging that maybe you’re dealing with a lot of unresolved trauma. A conviction that can be scary to accept! No one wants to take their mind back to places you’ve worked so hard trying to escape. But disregarding your own emotions can reflect back onto others.

NI G HTL I FE

ARLINGTON

Ink Factory Brewing

Reve Brewing

Cliff’s Bar and Grill

inkfactorybrewing.com

revebrewing.com

Island Girl Cigar Bar

The Ritz Lounge

islandgirlcigarbar.com

theritzlounge.com

Julep Palm Valley

The Shim Sham Room

facebook.com/juleppalmvalley

shimshamroom.com

Lemon Bar & Grille

Southern Swells Brewing Company

lemonbarjax.com

southernswells.com

Lynch’s Irish Pub

Surfer The Bar

lynchsirishpub.com

surferthebar.com

Mango’s

Voo Swar Restaurant & Lounge

mangosjaxbeach.com

instagram.com/vooswar

Mavi’s Waterfront Bar & Grill

DOWNTOWN

mavijax.com

The Bier Hall at Intuition Ale Works

cliffsbarandgrill.com Club Heaven clubheavenjax.com BEACHES/PONTE VEDRA Blue Jay Listening Room bluejayjax.com The Brix Taphouse jacksonvillebeachbar.com Culhane’s culhanesirishpub.com Flask & Cannon facebook.com/flaskandcannon Fly’s Tie Irish Pub facebook.com/flystieirishpub

intuitionaleworks.com/bierhall Monkey’s Uncle Tavern monkeysuncletavern.com

Green Room Brewing greenroombrewing.com

boldcitybrewery.com Palm Valley Outdoors Bar and Grill palmvalleyoutdoors.com

Grey Matter Distillery greymatterdistillery.com

dosgatosjax.com casamarinahotel.com Ragtime Tavern

Hoptinger Bier Garden + Sausage House

Hardwicks hardwicksbarjax.com

Refinery Jax Beach refineryjaxbeach.com

90 Folio Weekly

Element Bistro Bar & Lounge elementjax.com

ragtimetavern.com hoptinger.com

Dos Gatos

Penthouse Lounge at Casa Marina Hotel

Gusto gustojax.com

Bold City Brewery

Intuition Aleworks

MANDARIN/JULINGTON CREEK/

intuitionaleworks.com

FRUIT COVE

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

2nd Bay Brewing Island Girl Cigar Bar

2ndbaybrewing.com

TICKETS ON SALE NOW

islandgirlcigarbar.com Comedy Zone Justice Pub

comedyzone.com

JANUARY

facebook.com/thejusticepub Iggy’s Grill and Bar The Lark

facebook.com/IggysGrill

thelarkjax.com Kava & Company Live Bar

kavaandcompany.com

facebook.com/livebarclubjax Legacy Ale Works Manifest Distilling

legacyaleworks.com

Manifestdistilling.com Monkey’s Uncle Tavern The RL Lounge

facebook.com/monkeysuncleman-

therlloungejax.com

darin1

Ruby Beach Brewing

Rack’em Up Sports Bar

rubybeachbrewing.com

facebook.com/rackemupsportsbar

Underbelly

Time Out Sports Grill

underbellyjax.com

timeoutsportsgrill.com

The Volstead

MURRAY HILL

thevolsteadjax.com

Buchner’s Bierhalle buchnersbierhalle.com

FLEMING ISLAND Island Girl Cigar Bar

The Boot Rack Saloon

islandgirlcigarbar.com/fleming-is-

boot-rack-saloon.business.site

land Fishweir Brewing Company Mercury Moon

fishweirbrewing.com

facebook.com/mercury-moon The Flamingo Mr. Chubby’s Wings

theflamingojax.com

mrchubbyswings.com Perfect Rack Billiards Sunset Tiki Bar

perfectrackbilliards.com

the-sunset-tiki-bar.business.site Silver Cow Whitey’s Fish Camp

silvercowjax.com

whiteysfishcamp.com The Stout Snug INTRACOASTAL WEST

thestoutsnug.com

9 Zero Pour 9zeropour.com

The Walrus thewalrusjax.com

MVP’s Sports Grille facebook.com/mvpssportsgrille

NORTHSIDE

23 THE GIBSON BROTHERS

PONTE VEDRA CONCERT HALL

ELVIS BIRTHDAY 24 MANIA-THE ABBA BASH TRIBUTE 6 38 SPECIAL W/ THE CURT TOWNE BAND 25 DREW AND ELLIE HOLCOMB 7 MATT FRASER 27 ONES: #1 BEATLES 10 JESSE COOK HITS WJCT SOUNDSTAGE 28 GEOFF TATE & 11 GREENSKY ADRIAN BLUEGRASS VANDENBERG 12 KANSAS 29 BLIPPI 13 MARK NORMAND 14 ERTH’S DINOSAUR ZOO LIVE! ON STAGE STEVE HACKETT 16 CINDERELLA’S TOM 1 2 GRUPO NICHE KEIFER 3 BRAD WILLIAMS 18 HEATHER MCMAHAN 5 ZZ TOP 19 THE NEW YORK BEE 6 PINK MARTINI GEES 7 HARRIET TUBMAN 20 MUTTS GONE NUTS AND THE UNLEASHED UNDERGROUND RAILROAD 20 PAT MCGANN

MARCH

PONTE VEDRA CONCERT HALL

21 BATMAN IN CONCERT 8 35TH ANNIVERSARY WITH LIVE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA 23 YACHT ROCK REVUE 24 CHARLOTTE’S WEB FOR SCHOOLS

26 THE PRINCESS BRIDE: AN INCONCEIVABLE EVENING WITH CARY ELWES 29 TANYA TUCKER

FEBRUARY 1 2 3 4

GRACE POTTER TERRI CLARK SASHA VELOUR PINK FLOYD LASER SPECTACULAR 7 OCTOBER LONDON 9 FLORIDA BALLET 10 MIKE BIRBIGLIA 13 GLADYS KNIGHT 15 UNTOLD STORIES 16 JOHN WAITE 20 THE FROG PRINCE FOR SCHOOLS

21 NICKEL CREEK 22 NAPOLEON DYNAMITE LIVE! 20TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION 23 CHRIS BOTTI

FOR SCHOOLS

LEGENDS OF THE BILLY JOEL BAND – THE LORDS OF 52ND STREET - RICHIE CANNATA, LIBERTY DEVITTO & RUSSELL JAVORS 9 ZACH WILLIAMS 10 EXTREME WITH SPECIAL GUEST LIVING COLOUR 11 GINO VANNELLI 12 THE TEMPTATIONS & THE FOUR TOPS 15 GET THE LED OUT 16 KOUNTRY WAYNE 21 AIR SUPPLY 22 TOM PAPA PONTE VEDRA CONCERT HALL

28 NEIL DIAMOND CELEBRATION

APRIL

THE JUNGLE BOOK

3 4 5

ASHLEY MCBRYDE SWAN LAKE SCOTT BRADLEE’S POSTMODERN JUKEBOX ORCHESTRA NOIR THE CLASSIC ROCK SHOW THE ROCK ORCHESTRA BY CANDLELIGHT THE GUESS WHO ETTA MAY AND THE SOUTHERN FRIED CHICKS ROSIE REVERE, ENGINEER & FRIENDS

6 7 10 11 12 15 16 17 18

19 20 21 22 24 27

22 LITTLE RIVER BAND 3 WITH THE JACKSONVILLE ROCK SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA 23 HOTEL CALIFORNIA: A SALUTE TO THE EAGLES 24 DANIEL TIGER’S NEIGHBORHOOD LIVE – KING FOR A DAY 25 LORD OF THE DANCE 25TH ANNIVERSARY 26 JOE SATRIANI & STEVE VAI

FOR SCHOOLS

BRIT FLOYD RODRIGO Y GABRIELA DON FELDER FORMERLY OF THE EAGLES WITH SPECIAL GUEST PABLO CRUISE & FIREFALL JEREMY CAMP THE FLAMING LIPS AMY GRANT LEONID & FRIENDS THE PSYCHOLOGY OF SERIAL KILLERS YELLOW BRICK ROAD – A TRIBUTE TO ELTON JOHN

MAY CAT KID COMIC CLUB FOR SCHOOLS

Coppertop Bar and Restaurant The Spot Hookah Lounge

coppertopbarandrestaurant.com

thespothookahloungejax.com Four Fathers Distillery Time Out Sports Grill timeoutsportsgrill.com

fourfathersdistillery.com

BUY TICKETS ONLY AT THE FLORIDA THEATRE BOX OFFICE AT Floridatheatre.co m 904-355-2 787 128 E . Forsy th St. Jac kso nville, FL 32 2 02

ORANGE PARK/MIDDLEBURG

The Green House

Breezy Jazz House

57 Heaven

thegreenhousebar.com

breezyjazzhouse.com

Hoptinger Bier Garden + Sausage House

Cuba Libre Ultra Lounge

hoptinger.com

cubalibrebar.com

Incahoots

Fore Score Golf Tavern

incahootsnightclub.com

forescoregolf.com

Kanine Social Taproom

The Grape & Grain Exchange

kaninesocial.com

grapeandgrainexchange.com

Keg & Coin

Hamburger Mary’s

kegandcoinjax.com

hamburgermarys.com/jax

Kingmaker Brewing

Kava & Company

kingmakerbrewing.com

kavaandcompany.com

Lemonstreet Brewing Company

The Mudville Grill

lemonstreetbrewing.com

themudvillegrill.com

The Loft

The Players Grille

loftjax.com

playersgrille.com

Myrtle Avenue Brewing

Posting House

facebook.com/myrtleavebrewing

posting.house

Park Place Lounge

Sidecar

park-place-lounge.business.site

instagram.com/sidecarjax

Rain Dogs

SOUTHSIDE/ST. JOHNS TOWN CENTER

instagram.com/raindogs5points

Austin Karaoke

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

facebook.com/austinkaraoke River & Post

Southern Social Whiskey Bar & Lounge

riverandpostjax.com

southernsocialbar.com

Bottlenose Brewing bottlenosebrewing.com

Riverside Liquors RIVERSIDE/AVONDALE

riversideliquors.biz

Birdies facebook.com/birdiesfivepoints

culhanesirishpub.com Rogue Bar facebook.com/rogue.bar.1

Bold City Brewery boldcitybrewery.com

instagram.com/diorrestaurantlounge.jax facebook.com/rootdownjax Shores Liquor and Bar

Burlock & Barrel

jaxcraftbeer.com facebook.com/wildcraftersjax

Dart Bar & Games

Jax Craft Beer

Wildcrafters

Casbah Cafe thecasbahcafe.com

Island Girl Cigar Bar islandgirlcigarbar.com

instagram.com/shoresliquoravondale burlockandbarrel.com

Dior Restaurant and Lounge

Root Down

Brick Restaurant brickofavondale.com

Culhane’s

Medusa Restaurant and Hookah Lounge facebook.com/medusa-loungejacksonville

SAN MARCO/ST. NICHOLAS 1937 Spirits & Eatery

Secret Tiki Temple

1937sanmarco.com

secrettikitemple.com

Aardwolf Brewing Company

Seven Bridges Grille & Brewery

aardwolfbrewing.com

7bridgesgrille.com

Bar Molino

Trio Lounge

barmolino.com

triohookahlounge.com

facebook.com/dartbarjax Eclipse Bar & Nightclub facebook.com/eclipsebarjax The Garage garagejax.com

92 Folio Weekly

Veterans United Craft Brewery vubrew.com

JME PRESENTS

Wicked Barley Brewing Company wickedbarley.com WXYZ Bar at Aloft Hotel aloftjacksonvilletapestrypark.com

WJCT

SPRINGFIELD Crispy’s Springfield Gallery crispysspringfieldgallery.com The District thedistrictspr.com Historically Hoppy Brewing Company

JAN 12 7PM

LIVE ON THE

"Best Album of 2023" - Rolling Stone, Spin, Mojo

"Thrilling." - NPR Music

historicallyhoppy.com Hyperion Brewing

Shantytown Pub facebook.com/shantytownjax Strings Sports Brewery

SCAN HERE

hyperionbrewing.com

stringssportsbrewery.com ST. AUGUSTINE Ancient City Brewing ancientcitybrewing.com

In partnership with

PUBLIC MEDIA

Arnold’s Lounge arnoldslounge.com Beacon Listening Room beaconstaug.com Cellar Upstairs Bar at San Sebastian Winery sansebastianwinery.com Dog Rose Brewing dogrosebrewing.com The Original Café Eleven

Prohibition Kitchen pkstaug.com Tradewinds Lounge tradewindslounge.com

SCAN HERE

originalcafe11.com

FEB 15 | 7PM

“A joyful, supportive celebration of Black artists.” - NPR Music

WESTSIDE Lillian’s lillianssportsgrill.com The Phoenix Bar & Bowling facebook.com/thephoenixjax

MORE INFO & TICKETS AT

JAXMUSIC.ORG 93

“Main Street Blues” By H.C Riding shotgun on the bridge

SUBMIT TO THE PUBLIC PHOTO GALLERY

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Folio Vol. 38, Issue 1

Articles inside

It's a New Year...And You're Still an Awful Human

The Hunt: Finding the Best Spicy Margarita in Town

Food Review: Norikase

Edge Control: The Project Everyone Needs to Hear

Postcards and Poems: Who Knew?

Louise Freshman Brown: An Artist's Story Through a Studio

Rally 904: How Dean Grant Serves up Community in Atlantic Beach

'Renaissance: The Film'

Film Review

Future Threads: 2024 Fashion Trend Predictions

'Senseis, Bars and Scars'

Living up to the Pressures of Your Early 20's is Fighting a Losing Battle

2023 Books in Review and 2024 Books to Look Out For

A Day at the Farm at Okefenokee