RAD TIMES - December

Winter | @JAX_IS_RAD | jaxisrad.com

Welcome to the second edition of Rad Times, brought to you by JAX IS RAD. We hope this brings you holiday cheer this season, as well as tell you a little more about our community. Rad Times isn’t here to remind you of any of the curveballs that came out of 2020. This paper exists for you to get off the endless scroll of social media and give you a moment to see the good in the world / our RAD community.

We hope as this year wraps up your joy is rekindled. Here at JAX IS RAD, our mission is to shine a light on the unknown in our city and make things happen Mostly, we hope at the end of the day you know you are loved this holiday season and beyond.

-JAX IS RAD

blue jay jax | @bluejayjax

how to support live music at blue jay listening room? buy a blue jay giftcard use the qr code below to donate

For those of you who know, you know. For those who don’t, you’re missing out on this incredible little gem, a music venue called Blue Jay Listening Room. It’s tucked away, right here in Jacksonville Beach. It’s located right across the street from Bold Bean Coffee, in the building directly above Casa Maria. This cozy hangout was built from the ground-up, by the sole owner and operator, Cara Murphy. Murphy has a very keen eye for thrifting and customizing all upholstered furniture, including the ones you see in the venue. Integrating deep shades of blue creates a welcoming atmosphere for all. Blue Jay Listening Room has been standing strong at its current location for the past three years.

Murphy’s motivation for creating this establishment came from years of watching her friends play music at bars and restaurants. She noticed the crowds constantly talked over the music instead of enjoying the music at it’s full potential, which discouraged her friends to showcase their original work. Murphy took it upon herself to create a one-of-a-kind place where artists could be given a platform to be truly seen and heard.

Blue Jay is beautifully lit with candles, and the crowd is encouraged to silence their phones, and remain quiet for the duration of the show, allowing for the artists to share their music. This allows for a more intimate experience, shared by artists as well as the audience. Their mutual enjoyment gives fellow music-lovers an opportunity to connect through music. Performers often feel more comfortable, and share deeply personal stories from the stage, opening a window to inspirations, which are the backstory of their music. It’s unlike anything I’ve experienced before. If that’s not enough, Blue Jay Listening Room also serves domestic, import, and craft beer, as well as wine, and other interesting cocktails to sip on, while the show is in progress. The bar service is excellent and the staff carefully focuses on details in their drink-crafting.

Since opening, Cara has managed to pull in some very reputable names to play at Blue Jay, artists such as John Paul White from the Civil Wars, Nathaniel Rateliff of the Night Sweats, Bernard Purdie, members of the Allman Brothers family, Randell Bramblett, Brett Dennen, Kaleigh Baker, Corey Kilgannon and a whole host of other local artists just to name a few. As Murphy explains, “we have a seriously kick-ass music scene here in Jacksonville, right under our noses,” so the talent is consistently flowing through the doors. She doesn’t just have solo artists; every other Monday Blue Jay hosts a jam band called “3” with several members from the band Mo Fro. Every Tuesday some of the finest UNF jazz instructors host Jazz Jam, featuring the world-class musical gifts of UNF jazz students.

Blue Jay Listening Room may also be rented for special events. They are no strangers to wedding receptions, surprise parties, live stream parties, and video premieres. The venue’s versatile aesthetic classifies as a comfortable, visually pleasing, eclectic vibe. As the holidays are approaching, make sure you drop by and show some support for local businesses; you won’t regret it! 2020 has been an especially hard year for live music and live music venues. Gift cards and Blue Jay Listening Room merchandise are available for purchase on-site, and if you’re feeling extra generous this holiday season, scan the code below and donate to their gofundme webssite, to keep this amazing spot alive.

I met up with owner/operator Cara Murphy and asked a couple questions.

ANYONE UP FOR AN INTERNATIONAL TRIP?

Vda. Primavera, Palocabildo,Tolima, Colombia

Check out the full interview at jaxisrad.com or click the QR code below.

presale available from 12/01 until 12/27 photo by: marc Mangra

“Rec ordin gs ar e

@lazulivane

pain ting s of on a soun canv d as o f sil ence ”

Patrick Taylor… Lazuli Vane… Let those two names sink in for a bit…

Taylor is truly gifted as a guitarist and exceptionally talented behind the mic. He is deeply driven by his unconscious state of mind, always concocting some groovy psychedelic tune to bless our ears. Twenty years ago, at the age of nine, he began playing guitar over and has recently brought his astounding talent to Jacksonville from Atlanta. His reasons for making the trek down here: his friends, the beach, the sense of freedom, and the happiness he gained from past visits. Taylor’s stage name, “Lazuli Vane,” is emotionally charged and wellthought out, with sentimental aspects. The name “Vane” comes from the main character in George Macdonald’s 1895 novel called “Lilith,” a book which gave Taylor courage in exploring new doorways in the deep mind early in life. The name “Lazuli” comes from a blue stone called Lapis Lazuli that evokes the qualities of regality, truth, wisdom, spirit and vision. Seeing as Patrick loves the color blue, matching his eye color, the name Lazuli was icing on the cake, which was why he put Lazuli with Vane, for a one-of-a-kind stage name.

Lazuli Vane’s debut album, “The Orphic Right of the Cult of Sedna,” takes you on a journey like no other. His creative process is very unique. He taps into the unconscious state of mind through dreams, meditation, and all kinds of experimentation, in order to invoke the content of his creations. Once, as he dove deep into the well of his unconscious mind, he began his creative expression with an improvisational approach. Riding each creative wave, speaking freely without much self-analysis or criticism, riffing, writing free verse, even just doodling or sketching. While riffing or “riding the creative wave,” Taylor plays until he hits something beyond his conscious realm and captures it. He then takes those recordings and works on them until they make an effect on his conscious mind. As Vane’s said, “find the invisible fruits.” His fruits for the first album were primarily focused on the dark, shadowy underworld of his own mind that he voluntarily accessed in order to create deep patterns of being. Taylor states “The dark underworld of the mind and the darker times in our lives aren’t necessarily all bad. They’re natural parts of transformation, dissolving old thought processes and patterns in order for new ones to arise. It’s similar to the circle of life: with death comes rebirth, only it’s within one’s mind, within all of our minds."”

Lazuli Vane always has a creative masterpiece in the works. For his newest project, he is taking new gifts and values he’s retrieved from delving into the underworld and shedding light on them, incorporating them into everyday life. Vane underwent a beautiful eye-opening adventure, camping through Colorado, New Mexico, Texas, and many other states. After this he settled down at Snaggy Mountain Farm, during the month of October. This farm is a music and arts retreat, north of Asheville, NC. Through this experience, he had an insightful confirmation of his path in life. While this new album is still untitled, it will be almost the polar opposite of his previous work, depicting ways to find and create heaven on earth, the emotional experience of being in love, and living life to the fulllest. It compliments his first album, showing the other end of the circle of life: rebirth.

I personally cannot wait until this new album reaches our eyes and it’s sound waves bless our ears, with this new-found perspective of happiness. The future is bright for Lazuli Vane.

I was able to sit down with Lazuli vane and ask a few questions.

Full interview will be on jaxisrad.com for your viewing pleasure.

R When I was a/an

kid, I loved going to the

mall at Christmas time.

ADJECTIVE

ADJECTIVE

My parents would dress me and my

in our cutest holiday outfits.

PLURAL NOUN

Then, we’d all cram into the family

and drive to the mall to sit on

CELEBRITY

NOUN

As we

in the long line for Santa’s

NOUN

VERB (PAST TENSE)

we looked around at all of the

ADJECTIVE

drink hot

, lights strung around the

, and sing

NOUN

,

carols.

ADJECTIVE

TYPE OF LIQUID

Then, the

- shop,

moment would arrive - We’d finally get to meet Santa,

ADJECTIVE

and tell him what we wanted to find under the

on Christmas morning.

NOUN

Of course, now that I’m older, I avoid the mall at all

.

PLURAL NOUN

It’s so crowded, and all the

push into one another.

PLURAL NOUN

You can’t even catch a glimpse of Santa and his

.

PLURAL NOUN Watch the video with this QR code

These days, I buy all of my

online.

PLURAL NOUN

With just the click of a/an

, Christmas NOUN

ing is so much easier!

VERB ENDING IN “ING”

‘s lap.

COOKING WITH WHITE CHAD PEPPERMINT CHOCOLATE COOKIES Muralist, Artist, Designer.

Chad has his very own cooking show with special guest Tianna Disalvo.

JAX IS RAD because of creatives like, Maiya Elane, Who is an insanly

2 cups all-purpose flour

talented artist. We interviewed her for our RADCAST early this year.

1 teaspoon cornstarch

Since then she has not only grown even more as an artist, but has been

1 teaspoon baking soda

killing it in the creative scene of JAX. Here is a recap of what Maiya has

1/2 teasoon salt

been working on:“

3/4 cup unsalted butter

1/2 cup granulated sugar 1 large egg 1 & 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract

Remove cookie dough from the refrigerator and allow to sit at room temperature for 10 minutes, then preheat oven to 350°F. Line 2 large baking sheets with parchment paper. Set aside.

Once chilled, the dough will be slightly crumbly, but will come together as you work the dough with your hands. Roll about 1.5 tablespoons of dough into balls.

Bake for 12 mins.

1 & 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Melt the chopped white chocolate in the microwave in 20 second increments, stirring after every 20 minutes, until completely melted. Drizzle over cooled cookies.

3/4 cup white chocolate chips 1/2 cup crushed candy cane

cooking show

4 oz. White chocolate chopped

jaxisrad/cookingwithchad

In the future, I plan to work on more mural projects, including one, with the new art initiative, “The Black Mural Map”, which aims to highlight works by African-American artists as well as bring artwork to different parts of the Jacksonville community. This being their first project, I’ll be featured alongside Jacksonville’s favorites, Chris Clark and Tatiana Phoenix, at a mural located along Blanding Boulevard. I also have an upcoming workshop, in collaboration with MOCA in January of 2021. I will be giving instruction on my artistic creation process.

This will be my first workshop, so I’m quite excited for the experience of sharing my knowledge of the arts. Other than that, I’m still keeping my eyes peeled for future opportunities to expand my craft.’’

In a large bowl, beat the butter for 1 minute until completely smooth and creamy. Add the brown sugar and granulated sugar and mix on medium speed until fluffy and light in color. Mix in egg, vanilla extract, and peppermint extract. Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl as needed.

On low speed, slowly mix the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until combined. The cookie dough will be quite thick.

Add the white chocolate chips and crushed candy cane, then mix for about 5 seconds until combined. Cover dough tightly with aluminum foil or plastic wrap and chill for at least 2 hours and up to 3 days.

1/2 cup packed light brown sugar

Watch chad’s

“These last few months, I’ve been largely focused on refining the vision of my work. Luckily quarantine has given me plenty of time to to explore new ideas. I’ve completed two new murals, one located on a private residence along Trout River Boulevard, and another inside of the wedding room at The Jacksonville Flower Market off of Beach Blvd. These two projects have allowed me to reach new heights in creating large scale pieces. I’ve also been working on a series of smaller pieces, in order to capture small moments that help grow to larger, more detailed works, essentially working as a map to larger concepts. This fall I was also the host, and acted as Art Curtor for the TedxFCSJ event “Not the Enemy”, where we discussed the idea of hyphenated identities and stereotypes that effect the world that we live in. Also we plan on coming up with ways to reach common ground, by improving not only our communities, but also the rest of the world.

Whisk flour, cornstarch, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl.

chad @chadcraddock

use the qr code to listen to Maiya’s radcast interview:

body piecing

Follow Maiya @maiyaelaine

jewelery

literature

pureimaginationarts.com @pureimaginationarts 469 alantic blvd. suite #11, Alantic beach, fl 904.853.6269

art

H

the perfect logo for the

A

olympics of 2020.

Y

ST LI

RAD

O

DAY PL I L

the question is ... what else have we lost? here is what we came up with:

Kissing a girl this year Kissing a boy this year envelope licking jobs Finally leaving America spotify: rad holiday playlist

COLOR in what you think he is taking a picture of...

he is taking a picture of.

by: @mfslayton

SUPPORT LOCAL CREATORS THIS HOLIDAY 9 1

JACKSONVILLE Airpoirt

5

Riverside/ Murray hill

2

DOWnTOWN JAX SAN Marco

MAYPORT

the Beaches

Townies - @towniesgohome

4

orange Park

Ana Clay Co - @ana.clay.co

SOuthside

Jeremy Designs - @jerm_designs

Ponte vedra

7

6

10 FRUIT COVE

VILANO St. Augustine

8

3

Nixy Designs - @nixyness

The Wandering Jew - @thewanderingjew_co Jenny C Digital Arts - @jennyseacreates Paulette Zouein - @xopaulette Kristina Hoover - @kristinahooverfineart Hand Poured Jax - @handpouredjax Elena Ohlander - @elena_ohlander Dustin Harewood - @dustinharewood Palm and Clay - @palm_and_clay Mera Maps - @meramaps Bike Plates - @bikepl8s Allison Illustrates - @allisonillustratedlife Cyanature - @cyanature Michael Slayton - @mfslayton Dead Peoples Closet - @deadpeoplescloset Devoe - @devoeofficial Mover and Shaker Co - @moverandshakerco Main Made Studios - @main_made Desperando Goods - @desperandogoods Near Modern Disaster - @moderndisaster Wolf and Cub - @wolfandcubjax Bailey Bee Creations - @baileybeecreations Crystal Floyd - @crzzlmakesthings Dusty Nomad - @dustynomad_ Ansley Randall - @ansleyrandall Pixel Ken - @pixelken Green Rae Co - @greenraeco

1. Why did you become a personal trainer?

an interview with

cody

thompson pro-surfer and owner of Thompson Performance

photos by: Connor Cornell & Jesse Brantman

thompson-performance.com

Cody: After years of struggling with my fitness and performance as a professional surfer, I formed a relationship with a personal trainer named Randy at the local Bailey’s Gym in Jax Beach. Through Randy, I learned a whole new side of performance training that was missing from my routine. I took what I learned and wanted to expand on that knowledge. I got certified in 2016 and immediately discovered a passion for helping others with their fitness and performance goals.

2. How do you maintain a workout routine over the busy holidays?

Cody: This is a challenge for most of us, even without a busy holiday schedule. During the holiday season, stress levels can be elevated and time feels like a limited resource. Mix that in with a few extra cocktails, sweet treats, and holiday parties, it’s easy to understand why people let their health/fitness slip away a bit during these months. The goal is to control what you can, without sacrificing the joy of the holidays. A few cookies and a slice of pumpkin pie isn’t going to totally derail your progress. Use the extra calories as energy for a morning walk or run, or even fuel for a heavy lifting session. Plan your exercise in the mornings so when your friends or family spring last-minute dinner or cocktail plans on you, you won’t be sacrificing your workouts to spend time with them.

3. What’s your favorite unhealthy thing to eat?

Don’t let your mom tell you what to wear (I don’t care which aunt is coming over)

Cody: I love Mexican food! I don’t necessarily think Mexican food is unhealthy but it can be very caloriedense. I usually save these meals for days when I’ve done a lot of surfing or other intense exercise. Frozen yogurt is in my weekly rotation as well. No regrets!

4. Favorite healthy places to eat in Jax?

Go to a thrift store and shop before venturing into the corona-hole of JaX (aka the towncenter) To avoid the masses entirely, try shopping on Depop for festive vintage items Get in the spirit and wear whatever the hell you want!

Cody: Homespun Kitchen has a ton of great options for healthy lunches and snacks. With that being said, you can put together a relatively healthy and balanced meal at almost any restaurant in Jax. Start with a grilled protein like chicken, steak or fish, then add something green like a side of veggies or side salad. If you’re relatively active then I would recommend adding a starchy carbohydrate like potatoes or rice. I add sweet potato fries to almost every dinner.

5. Which is more important to you:

If you’re in the market for an ugly sweater, hit your local Goodwill/Salvation Army or go crazy and google how to make one... could be cool

physical fitness or nutrition?

Cody: I hate separating the two because you’ll never fully realize one without the other. Consistent training will help you increase physical fitness. However, good nutrition will aid in recovery and help fuel your workouts for a greater return. It’s a cycle. However, neither has to be perfect to achieve results, but both have to be decent in order to achieve progress. If you eat like crap for a weekend or skip a few workouts, just pick up where you left off and forget about it. Fitness is not a destination. Just keep going.

Wher

Florida Sun Printing

y? ud

SPECIAL THANKS TO:

e’sTr

Dead People’s Closet Chad Craddock It’s like Where’s Waldo, but better because she’s a Guinea Pig and really cute.

Nick Gatta (Rad Boyfriend) Coffee Grace Randall (Little sis)

Help us find our friend trudy.

She loves her best friend Nala,

If you would like to be part of the next issue of rad times, reach out to us at

an 8 year old pitbull. she loves to eat hayand talk a lot! Her

jaxisrad904@gmail.com

__________________________

owner thought she died a few months ago, Trudy was frozen in

Designed by

her cage...But three hours later

ansley randall | @ansleyrandall

she came back to life.

from your younger brother ben. “because you know you want it”

For advice, email jaxisrad904@gmail.com What is the best way to learn how to surf in Jax?

travis Wagner | @traviswaagner Michael Slayton | @MFSLAYTON

Find our friend Trudy,

Words by

the Guinea pig.

Garett Mantle | @frigg_newtons Ben Young | @ben_meets__world

thank you, stay rad.

x x

BEN: The best way to learn to surf is to engage with the community here in Jax Beach. Here in the 904, there is a very loving and encouraging surfing fraternity. I have surfed at least 3 times in my life and each time I have felt the love of these salty souls flow over me. There is an old expression in local lore that surfers share with those who are new to the community. It changes a bit every time, but it’s somewhere along the lines of “Do not come near me and my waves again or I will drag you out of the water and shove your face in the sand and make you eat the shells." This is such a wonderful expression that has helped me become a better and more empowered surfer. This is why you need to shadow these experienced surfers in the water. You need to be as close as possible to get these great nuggets of wisdom. Not only are these verbal attacks a test to see if you care about being a part of their cool water club, but they are also thinly veiled metaphors for how we need to respect the ocean, or else we will be chewed up and tossed out by the all-powerful

Atlantic Ocean.

What do I do when my boss is an idiot/ doing his or her job wrong?

There are indeed some bosses that just do not belong in the position of power that they have. Some would say that you just need to be patient and communicate with them in order for you to succeed, but that is a coward’s way of dealing with the issue. The moment your boss shows any ineptitude, take note of what you are feeling at that moment, remember that feeling, and harbor it, and definitely do not do anything about it...not immediately. At this point, I would make an effort to get close with my boss and earn their trust. This

BEN:

#giftwithpurpose farahandfarah.com/rethreaded jacksonville

way they feel comfortable and might trust you enough to confide in you about all their stress and confess they are bad at their job. Ideally, this genuine human interaction does not soften the feeling you have toward them, because now you have the ammunition you need to set their career back at least 5-7 years. Take the evidence that they gave you right to their boss and present to them the evidence of your boss’s lack of capability. The sweetest part will be knowing that the reason for their demise was because they trusted you.

How do I tell my kids where babies come from?

BEN: This is one of life’s greatest questions, and everyone has a different opinion on it. Luckily my opinion is the only one that matters. I believe the best way to explain this beautiful part of the circle of life is through an interpretive dance. The dance should include a lot of props and the two people that conceived the child. Now if you are like me, then you know choreography is everything when doing an interpretive dance, so I would hire a professional to map out the dance for you. Be sure to know your limitations as a dancer, if you have not stretched your dancing muscles since you were a kid, do not try to be a hero, just stick with a simple step and let the props do the work. One mistake that parents make when they do this dance is that they are far too graphic and literal. The trick is to keep it as cryptic and aesthetically pleasing as possible. The performance is far more important than the actual lesson that your kid is learning. The effort put forth will leave a long-lasting impact on the young impressionable minds of your offspring.