FOLIO Vol. 39, Issue 19

PG.10 HAUNTED ROADTRIP: NORTHEAST FLORIDA’S CREEPIEST ABANONED PLACES

PG.36 BEST HORROR FILMS OF 2025

FOLIO STAFF:

Haunted Road Trip: Northeast Florida’s Creepiest Abanoned Spots

Teresa Spencer

Travelling Is Better In Numbers

Avery Manfreda

Pumpkins, Potions & Palm Trees:

in Jax McKenna Oakley

Harry

Carmen

KERRY

AMBAR RAMIREZ

Ambar

KAILI

HARRY

The Era of Cover Bands

Carmen Macri

River City Gigging: The Life of a Young (and Slightly Hungry) Artist

McKenna Oakley

Los Andes: South American Fire in Jacksonville’s Belly

Teresa Spencer

Subject: Medical Marijuana and Hotel

I read this morning “folio weed: no joints on the pillow”.

My son and I rent a hotel room a couple times a year in Daytona Beach Shores at the Emerald Shores. We love this beach front hotel for many years. However, on occasion, as we sit by the pool, we smell the aroma of marijuana coming from a beachfront balcony.

My son knows it very quickly and as a person who is allergic to cigarette smoke and marijuana smoke,wel find it uncomfortable being around it. I am not opposed to anyone smoking in there home or on their property but outside where people like myself who have allergic reactions to smoke it can be disheartening. Just a thought. A long time reader of folio!

Darrell Cope

T H E MAIL

BOUQS & BRICKS

BOUQUETS

And a standing ovation … To Jimmy Kimmel , ABC and Disney (and huge standing ovation) for taking a stand for free speech. Their willingness to protect the integrity of open dialogue and defend the right to speak truth to power is more than entertainment; it’s a service to democracy.

BRICKBATS

To anyone who ignores the First Amendent, we have a special brick for you. (Those whose noses are covered in Cheetoh dust … we’re talking to you.)

This stand is bigger than one show or one personality. It signals that our cultural institutions can still value honesty, wit and courage over fear and silence. For that, audiences who believe in the power of free voices owe a heartfelt thank-you to them for proving that free speech is worth protecting, even when it’s inconvenient.

To the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp for winning the Triple-A national championship in Las Vegas Sept. 28. In the bottom of the ninth, third baseman Jacob Berry hit a two-run, walk-off home run for an 8-7 win over the Aviators.

To FCC Chairman Brendan Carr for his conduct that constitutes a serious breach of his ethical obligations as both a lawyer and a public official. His actions have been a major overreach of governmental power and a threat to constitutional freedoms.

To Jacksonville City Council as it seems they may have broken Sunshine Law rules. Remember council members: TRANSPARENCY is the key … and the law.

Words by Ambar Ramirez & Carmen Macri

Love is in the air, Aries! You might be finding yourself craving those deep, intimate connections with the people you love as the Sun moves through Libra. The full moon in your sign on Oct. 6 will have you desiring to shed old versions of yourself. Think of it as a hard reset to turn into the most authentic version of you.

Happy October, Taurus! The scariest thing haunting you right now isn’t ghosts or ghouls — it’s your overflowing schedule. With the sun lighting up Libra at the start of the month, you’re busier than ever, and the best way through is to get yourself organized. A trusty planner might just become your new best friend.

Aries Taurus Gemini

As the Sun moves through Libra, you find yourself connected to the present moment more than ever before. Have you noticed you stopped living in the past? No longer replaying old memories in your head, trying to change the long-passed outcome. Romance and creativity are lighting up this month — the perfect excuse to start experimenting in your sex life (wink-wink). Let’s retire from the vanilla, if only for a night.

Cancer

The stars are in your favor this month, Cancer — but don’t be surprised if things feel a little otherworldly. The full moon on October 6 shines a ghostly glow on your determined spirit, stirring up fresh ideas just waiting to be explored. This is your chance to shift personal dynamics, revisit a shadow from the past, or uncover an important truth.

Leo

It’s time to start speaking your desires into reality, Leo. Your voice is your superpower; use it. When Mercury enters Scorpio on Oct. 6, you will be craving privacy. Just remember not to isolate yourself — take the time you need to recharge and get back out there.

Virgo

With Venus drifting through your sign during the first half of the month, your natural elegance and grounded charm take center stage. Then, as Mercury slips into your investigative zone, the cosmic stage is set for your sharpest skills — researching, editing, crafting and refining. If there’s a project you’ve left gathering dust, consider this your haunting reminder: Now’s the time to bring it back to life.

Happy birthday, Libra! It’s your party, and you can cry if you want to. With the sun rotating in your sign for the majority of the month, your close friends will become your main focus. Sleep is not the only thing that can fill your cup, Libra; your friends can, too. With Mercury swinging into Scorpio at the beginning of the month, you might feel a wave of exhaustion as old issues start taking the forefront again. Revisit it with a pair of fresh eyes.

As Mercury enters your sign on October 6 and Pluto moves direct on Oct. 13, it is a month for profound personal changes and growth. And some of those changes might come from revisiting old relationships. There might be someone from your past that is worth reconnecting with. As Neptune re-enters Pisces, you are faced with embracing your sensuality.

Libra Scorpio Sagittarius

Sagittarius, it’s in your nature to give — and sometimes to give too much. This is a constant battle for you, Sagittarius, so how can we break the pattern? With Jupiter sitting in a sensitive sign, moods may run high, but October’s diplomatic energy offers you a way out of the cycle. This month is about striking a balance between being supportive and overextending.

Capricorn

Your personal and professional cups will be overflowing this month — and not in a bad way. You have a close-knit group that will support your professional endeavors, and a boss who is more than willing to give you a helping hand on new projects — all you have to do is ask. As Neptune begins its retrograde, you will face problems with communication. Just remember, seven seconds of silence is your best friend.

After months of reflection, you’re ready to step back into the spotlight, Aquarius. With Mercury sliding into Scorpio on Oct. 6, big conversations come calling — whether it’s confronting a friend, asking for a raise or finally voicing personal truths. It’s also prime time to push forward on long-term goals. You’ll be busy, yes, but take pride in your persistence.

October is serving up plenty of sweet social moments, but beware, Pisces — your boundaries could get a little ghostly. You might feel tempted to play the peacekeeper, but don’t lose yourself in the process. The real magic this month comes from knowing when to say yes, and when to vanish like mist. Protect your energy, and the right connections will glow even brighter.

THROUGH OCT. 26

Special Events

Pioneers & Pumpkins Fall Festival

Geiger Pioneer Fest Farm geigerpioneerfarm.com

THROUGH NOV. 8

13th Floor Haunted House

13th Floor Haunted House 13thfloorjacksonville.com

OCT. 1

“Master Chef All Stars” Live! Thrasher-Horne Center, Orange Park thcenter.org

OCT. 1-5

Fall Home + Patio Show

Prime Osborn Convention Center jacksonvillefallhomeshow.com

OCT. 1-31

Kegoween Keg and Coin kegandcoinjax.com

OCT. 3

Toast to the Animals

The Jessie Ball duPont Center jacksonvillehumanesociety.com

OCT. 3-NOV. 14

Fall Festival

Amazing Grace Farms, Green Cove Springs agcropmaze.com

OCT. 4

Island Hop Craft Beer and Spirits Fest

Central Park, Fernandina Beach fernandinamainstreet.com

OCT. 4-31

Spooktacular

Jacksonville Zoo & Botanical Gardens jacksonvillezoo.org

OCT. 8

The Psychology of Cults Florida Theatre floridatheatre.com

OCT. 10

Fanfare!

St. Anastasia Catholic Church, St. Augustine firstcoastopera.com

OCT. 10-11

Beaches Oktoberfest

Seawalk Pavilion beachesoktoberfest.com

OCT. 11

2025 Arlington Mod & More Home Tour Norman Studios oldarlington.org

250th Navy Birthday Ball

NAS Jax Base 904tix.com

2nd Annual Music Tour

Riverside Avondale riversideavondale.org

Punk Rock Flea Market

The Albatross thealbatrossjax.com

OCT. 11-12

WasabiCon

Prime Osborn Convention Center jax.wasabicon.com

OCT. 15

Rocky Horror Burlesque Picture Show

The Walrus eventbrite.com

OCT. 19

41st Annual Caring Chefs

Deerwood Castle chsfl.org

OCT. 20

Beach Bash

Atlantic Beach Country Club beacheshabitat.org

OCT. 23

Underground Freak Show & Oddities Fair

The Underground Events & Eatery eventbrite.com

OCT. 25

Murray Hill-O-Ween Edgewood Avenue murrayhilljax.com

Ship Fest Halloween Party

USS Orleck–Navy Pier 904tix.com

OCT. 25-26

Sea & Sky Air Show featuring the Blue Angels

Jacksonville Beach events.jacksonville.gov

OCT. 26

Disco Dolly Presents: House of Obsidian Runway Show

The Refinery eventbrite.com

Haunted Road Trip: Northeast Florida’s Creepiest Abandoned Spots

Words by Teresa Spencer

Route Overview

Jacksonville → Green Cove Springs → Jasper → Amelia Island → Mayport → back to Jacksonville A two-day adventure for thrill-seekers, ghost hunters, and history nerds with nerves of steel.

Stop 1: Annie Lytle Elementary School (Public School No. 4 – “The Devil’s School”)

Built: 1918, closed 1960

What’s Left: Crumbling brick shell, graffiti, broken windows, bad energy.

Legends: Principal turned cannibal, murdered students, satanic rituals in the boiler room. Most of it’s urban legend, but the building radiates menace.

Access: Don’t. Police patrol, and the structure is unsafe. The exterior is nightmare fuel enough.

Stop 2: Old Clay County Jail

Built: 1894, used until 1972

What’s Left: Original cells intact, weathered brick exterior.

Hauntings: Disembodied voices, footsteps in empty corridors, ghostly prisoners.

Access: Occasionally open for tours through the Clay County Historical Society. Check listings before you go.

Green Cove Springs

Stop 3: Old Hamilton County Jail

Built: 1893, operated until 1984

What’s Left: Looming fortress-like structure, rusting bars, broken glass. Hauntings: Reports of screams, slamming doors, and lingering shadows from the days of executions and suicides.

Access: Locked up most of the time, sometimes opened for historical tours. Creepy even from the street.

Stop 4: Fort Clinch

Built: Construction began in 1847, Civil War–era fort. What’s Left: Massive brick fortress, echoing tunnels, endless corridors. Hauntings: Phantom soldiers pacing guard, footsteps in empty casemates.

Access: Open daily as part of Fort Clinch State Park. Go late in the day for maximum eerie vibes.

Amelia Ilsand

Stop 5: King House

Built: Rebuilt 1907 after it originally burned. Once a boarding house for sailors.

Hauntings: Rocking chairs moving on their own, ghostly maid in the kitchen, a spectral “little butler” who opens doors.

Access: Sometimes used by local groups. You may not get inside, but the outside atmosphere is plenty chilling.

Suggested Schedule

• Day 1 Afternoon: Annie Lytle Elementary → Old Clay County Jail (catch one of their ghost tours if you’re lucky).

• Day 1 Night: Push west to Jasper. Park near the Old Hamilton County Jail for some late-night adrenaline.

• Overnight: Stay in Fernandina Beach. Haunted inns available if you really want to tempt fate.

• Day 2 Morning: Tour Fort Clinch, wander the dark brick halls.

• Day 2 Afternoon: Swing through Mayport, end at the King House.

Bonus: St. Augustine Detour

If you’ve got time, swing south 45 minutes to St. Augustine, America’s oldest city. Haunted pubs, ghost tours, and graveyards galore. Consider it dessert after your haunted main course.

And if you’re really feeling ready for some startling fun, check out the Sr. Horace Drew Mansion at 245 West third Street or look up the stories of the “Haunted Funeral Parlor” where 36 unburied bodies were discovered in 1988 at the Howell Morning Glory Chapel both in Jacksonville. CREEPY!

Safety Notes

• Many of these sites are private property or unsafe. Respect the law and your own bones.

• When in doubt, stick to the places that offer tours.

• Haunted or not, decayed buildings can hurt you. Ghosts aren’t the only things that bite.

Final Word

North Florida’s haunted spots are soaked in history, folklore and a heavy dose of human imagination. Whether you see ghosts or just feel the creep of time, these stops will make for one unforgettable road trip. Pack snacks, charge your phone and maybe bring some sage—just in case.

Photo by Emmy Gaddy on Unsplash

OCT. 3-5

Constellation FURYK & FRIENDS Timuquana Country Club ticketmaster.com

OCT. 4

Whistling Death 5K and 10K Military Museum of North Florida in Green Cove Springs 1stplacesports.com

OCT. 6 Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Kansas City Chiefs EverBank Stadium jaguars.com

OCT. 7

AEW Presents Dynamite Daily’s Place dailysplace.com

OCT. 8

AEW Presents Collision Daily’s Place dailysplace.com

OCT. 9

The Baldwin Group Corporate Run James Weldon Johnson Park 1stplacesports.com

OCT. 11

Donna 5K at TPC Sawgrass PLAYERS Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass thedonnafoundation.org

OCT. 12 Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Seattle Seahawks EverBank Stadium jaguars.com

Photo by Aaron Berkshire

Travelling is Better in Numbers

Words by Avery Manfreda

Travelling is not just about where you go, but who you get to share the experience with. That’s why travel groups have become popular. They offer specially crafted itineraries that bring together people with shared interests. For example, EF Educational Tours focuses on learning while abroad, Intrepid emphasizes creating meaningful connections with the places visited, and Under30Experiences makes travel more accessible for those ages 21–35.

Are Travel Groups Worth It? An Interview with a Recent Traveler

To get a first-hand point of view, I spoke with Mollie Caulfield, who recently returned from Croatia after traveling with ExplorerChick, a travel group empowering women through adventure.

Photo by Stephane Yaich on Unsplash

Folio: What is the group you travelled with? How did you find it?

Caulfield: ExplorerChick. We found it through my friend Chandra, who calls herself an expert at “Instagram University.” She’s found some really great travel trips through Instagram, and that’s how she found this one. The group is known for all-women’s adventures, so it’s very active. They have trips all over the United States and outside the U.S., with all kinds of activities, but they’re mostly known for women’s adventure travel.

Folio: What is the best thing about travelling with a group?

Caulfield: I would say the best thing about traveling with a group of women, in particular, is you feel very safe and secure, and very supported. There are no egos. It’s just very caring and thoughtful. Also, with ExplorerChick, I don’t have to do anything. Everything is planned for me. I just have to show up and immerse myself in the experience.

Folio:What advice do you have for people stepping out of their comfort zone to travel with a group?

Caulfield:I typically don’t travel and do what I would call “active” activities every day. What I would say is doing something different and outside of the box can be life-changing. It can really change your view about what you can do and who you are. That was the case for me.

Folio: Was every activity required? Was there ever a time you did not want to do something that was planned?

Caulfield: ExplorerChick rates their activity levels for each trip between one and five. The trip I went on to Croatia was a level 3. That means you need to be in fairly good physical shape, but it’s not extremely difficult. You can easily get in shape for it in a few months. You never have to do anything you feel uncomfortable with. Cliff jumping was something I was nervous to do. I jumped at the first cliff we went to, but we then went to a different location that seemed much higher and scarier, so I didn’t jump. There was absolutely no pressure to do that at all. It’s highly encouraged to try all the activities, but you’re never forced to do anything that makes you uncomfortable.

Folio:What was the highlight of your trip?

Caulfield: I don’t even know how I would pick one! What I loved about this trip is that I got to know a country in a way I don’t think I ever would have if I had just gone to a hotel and spa. This trip allowed me to see all kinds of different cities and really immerse myself in the culture.

Folio: Now that you have travelled solo and with a group, what are some pros and cons of each? Do you prefer one more than the other?

Caulfield: I don’t prefer one more than the other. I think both are equally satisfying. On a solo trip, you get to decide what you want to do and when you want to do it. There’s no schedule, and you don’t have to answer to anybody. The downside is you have to plan everything, and it can get kind of lonely. On a group trip, everything is planned for you. It’s really fun, you get to laugh, and I think I laughed more on this trip than I ever expected to. The camaraderie is amazing, and I didn’t have to plan a single thing.

Caulfield’s experience shows that group travel can be more than just a convenient way to see the world. Traveling with others creates opportunities for life-changing adventures and countless memories, while not even raising a finger planning the trip.

TRIVIA

MONDAYS

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

• V Pizza–Mandarin (music bingo), 6 p.m.

• Iguana on Park (cashpot bingo), 6:30 p.m.

• 9 Ball Heaven Sports Grill & Billiards, 7 p.m.

• Amici (music bingo), 7 p.m.

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

• Mellow Mushroom–Durbin Park, 7 p.m.

• Mellow Mushroom–Fleming Island, 7 p.m.

• Mellow Mushroom–River City/Northside, 7 p.m.

• Mellow Mushroom–Tinseltown, 7:30 p.m.

• Rain Dogs, 8 p.m.

• Treylor Park (pop culture), 9 p.m.

TUESDAYS

• St. Mary’s Seafood (music bingo) 6 p.m.

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

• Dick’s Wings–St. Augustine, 6:30 p.m.

• V Pizza– St. Augustine, 6:30 p.m.

• The Back 40, 7 p.m.

• Bottlenose Brewing, 7 p.m.

• Dick’s Wings–Nocatee, 7 p.m.

• Dick’s Wings–San Pablo, 7 p.m.

• Gator’s Dockside–Oakleaf, (music bingo), 7 p.m.

• Harps American Grill, 7 p.m.

• Hurricane Grill & Wings–Atlantic Boulevard, 7 p.m.

• Island Wing Company–Bartram, 7 p.m.

• Jax Craft Beer, 7 p.m.

• Jerry’s Sports Grille, 7 p.m.

• Miller’s Ale House–Deerwood, 7 p.m.

• My Tap Room (pop culture), 7 p.m.

• Players Grille, 7 p.m.

• Shantytown Pub, 7 p.m.

• Southern Grill, 7 p.m.

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

• V Pizza–Fernandina (music bingo), 7 p.m.

• VooSwar, 7 p.m.

• Xtreme Wings Sports Bar and Grille, St. Johns, 7 p.m.

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

• Flask & Cannon / V Pizza (pop culture), 7:30 p.m.

• King Maker Brewing (name that tune), 7:30 p.m.

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

• Monkey’s Uncle Tavern, 7:30 p.m.

• Time Out Sports Bar, 7:30 p.m.

• Tepeyolot Cerveceria, 7:30 p.m.

• Casbah Cafe, 8 p.m.

• Sahara Cafe, 8 p.m.

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

WEDNESDAYS

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

• V Pizza–Mandarin, 6:30 p.m.

• The Beacon, St. Augustine, 7 p.m.

• Bold City Brewery, 7 p.m.

• Cruisers Grill, 7 p.m.

• Dick’s Wings–Nocatee, 7 p.m.

• Dick’s Wings–Mandarin, 7 p.m.

• Firefly Bay, 7 p.m.

• Ink Factory Brewing, 7 p.m.

• Island Wing–Bartram (music bingo) 7 p.m.

• Island Wing–Southside, 7 p.m.

• Lola’s Burrito & Burger Joint, 7 p.m.

• Mellow Mushroom–Avondale, 7 p.m.

• Miller’s Ale House–Hodges, 7 p.m.

• Mellow Mushroom–Jacksonville Beach, 7 p.m.

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

• Shaughnessy’s Sports Grill, St. Augustine, 7 p.m.

• V Pizza–Fleming Island, 7 p.m.

• V Pizza–Fernandina, 7 p.m.

• V Pizza–Palm Valley, 7 p.m.

• Veterans United Craft Brewery, 7 p.m.

• Burrito Gallery–Town Center (pop culture), 7:30 p.m.

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

• Harps American Grill (pop culture), 7:30 p.m.

• Hoptinger–5 Points, 7:30 p.m.

• Hoptinger–Jacksonville Beach, 7:30 p.m.

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

• King Maker Brewing, 7:30 p.m.

• Time Out Sports Grill, 7:30 p.m

• Wicked Barley Brewing, 7:30 p.m.

• The Brix Taphouse (pop culture trivia), 8 p.m.

• Root Down (music trivia), 9 p.m.

* all games are general knowledge unless stated otherwise

THURSDAYS

• Ann O’Malley’s Irish Pub, 7 p.m.

• Bold City Brewery, 7 p.m.

• Bottlenose Brewing, 7 p.m.

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

• Dick’s Wings– Nocatee (name that tune), 7 p.m.

• Justice Pub (music bingo), 7 p.m.

• Island Wing Company–Southside (music bingo), 7 p.m.

• Kava and Company–San Marco (every other Thursday), 7 p.m.

• Miller’s Ale House–Avenues, 7 p.m.

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

• The Stout Snug, 7 p.m.

• V Pizza– Fernandina (what’s that song), 7 p.m.

• Burrito Gallery–Brooklyn (’80s, ’90s & 2000s), 7:30 p.m.

• Dick’s Wings– St. Aug, 7:30 p.m.

• Flask & Cannon / V Pizza, 7:30 p.m.

• V Pizza–San Marco, 7:30 p.m.

• Hoptinger–Jax Beach (music bingo), 8 p.m.

FRIDAYS

• Most Holy Redeemer Catholic Church, 6 p.m.

• Time Out Sports Grill, 6:30 p.m.

• Engine 15 Brewing, 7 p.m.

• MVP’s Sports Grille, 7 p.m.

• Tepeyolot Cerveceria, 7:30 p.m.

SATURDAYS

• Hamburger Mary’s (HamBingo), 2 p.m.

• VooSwar, 7 p.m.

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

• Dick’s Wings–San Pablo (pop culture), 7p.m.

• Ink Factory Brewing (name that tune), 7 p.m.

• Bottlenose Brewing (name that tune), 7:30 p.m.

ETC.

Pumpkins, Potions & Palm Trees: Spooky Season in Jax

Words by McKenna Oakley

Time to Stop and Smell the Spices, Jacksonville

After the summer hustle, the urge to hibernate isn’t just tempting — it’s primal. We all need a season of slowing down, especially after a high-energy Florida summer and before the holiday flurry of winter. At “Folio,” we can’t understand why people are in a rush to skip over the delicious holiday season right around the corner.

That’s right — we’re providing plenty of reasons to say “no” to elementary school fundraisers that are more Snooze Fest than Winter Wonderland. It’s time to relish in the comfort of cable knits, “Hocus Pocus” viewings and all things pumpkin. (It’s basic for a reason, and the reason is flavor.)

So how can you press pause this autumn and make the most of these next few months? Between the trick-ortreating, overeating and somehow never remembering to throw out those porch pumpkins before they start rotting, we’ve got you covered. Whether you’re looking for family fun, a good scare or a cozy latté, “Folio” has recommendations.

Photo by Kevin Escate on Unsplash

Photo by Priscilla Du Preez on Unsplash

If the kids in your family are anything like ours, they’ve been itching for pumpkin patches at the first hint of a breeze and sight of an amber leaf. Too small for haunted houses but too big to be content at home with some festive coloring pages, they’re probably asking you endless Halloween questions.

Fortunately, we have some suggestions to satisfy them.

If you’re looking for some wholesome nature fun this October, Amazing Grace Family Farms in nearby Green Cove Springs is a weekend must. They have festivities planned all month long, from pumpkin picking to photo ops to farm animals — and even whole days carved out for sunflowers! With the variety, it’s easy to keep everyone entertained.

Conner’s A-Maize-Ing Acres in Hilliard brings a similar charm, with dozens of planned fallthemed attractions, 10 acres of corn mazes and several thousand pumpkins spread across 125 acres of farmland. Your tots won’t know what to do with themselves. To be honest, we wouldn’t either.

Or, if you’re looking for something a little closer to home, the Mandarin United Methodist Church offers a pumpkin patch with purpose: proceeds support their community youth programs and service trips. And the fun is legit! The church hosts hayrides, movie nights, carnival attractions and even volunteer shifts for unloading their hauls of pumpkins. We’re not sure if we’ve ever heard of anything more adorable than that.

But Halloween is about more than some cutesy gourds, so we’ve found some other family-friendly options. The Spooktacular at the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens, for instance, is a hit with their jack-o-lantern-lit pathways, seasonal sweet treats and, of course, all the critters. A dose of zebra whimsy makes this the perfect environment for young families.

For something slightly more “grown-up” but still suitable for younger audiences, we recommend the Jacksonville Family Ghost Hunt, presented by Questo Outdoor Exploration Games & Tours. Designed with the spookier side of the season in mind, it’s still tame enough for older kids to stomach. Trust us — the scares are slight. No one wants to clean thrown-up candy corn.

But for the young grasshoppers who insist they’re ready, you can try the 13th Floor Haunted House. 13th Floor recommends guests be at least 12 years old given the graphic scenes and jump scares, so it’s an option ideal for older tweens and teens who are out to prove something.

Enough With the Cute Stuff — What If We’re Looking for a Thrill?

We’re getting to you! For those who can handle the horror heat, we’ve got some red chilis. In fact, we’re talking ghost pepper.

Prototype Escape Games, in particular, are thriller innovators, and this year’s theme is Cannibals in the Catacombs. Their extreme horror escape-room experience is so intense, they require guests to sign a waiver. Try it and tell us all about it. “Folio” has your back — but from a distance. Curiosity won’t kill this cat.

Another honorable mention is Haunt Nights at Adventure Landing. The Landing has two haunted houses onsite, one boasting the largest 3D haunt in the region. Then of course, there’s the beloved 13th Floor. Sure, some older kids might be able to handle it, but that doesn’t mean all adults can.

Some other spooky happenings include the Jacksonville Ghost and Murder n’ Mayhem tours, in case you’re wanting to get some steps in along with the scares. Jacksonville Ghost Tour is an extension of the U.S. Ghost Adventures franchise, and evenings with them explore real-life haunted houses offering a dose of the dark, obscure side of Jax history. Well, if you believe in that sort of thing. We’re skeptics, but send in proof if you have it.

Murder n’ Mayhem also features some ghost tales, but their tours recount true crime stories as well. Beginning at The Volstead in Downtown, these are perfect for documentary junkies, someone wanting cocktails with their chills or anyone looking for some more gritty, real-life thrills. (No offense to our readers who are Casper defenders.)

Because autumn ambience lingers beyond the last Spirit Halloween closing up, we have more in store, starting with some seasonal sips. Plenty of local spots are already serving these it-factor flavors, or are soon to release them.

Bold City, Fishweir and Wicked Barley are brewhubs that always make great stops for seasonal craft beer, including some must-have Oktoberfests, which will be on the menu in mere moments if not already there. For a caffeine or pastry fix, try The Greenhouse Bar, Round Bird Coffee Shop, Brew Five Points and Sweet Theory Baking. ’Tis the season for cavities.

And while tastebuds may rule the roost, we’ve got recommendations beyond sugar and spices. For a scenic walk, visit Pumpkin Hill Creek Preserve State Park. They have several trails, river bluffs and even launch points for canoes and kayaks.

For the bookworms, we know that fall is an especially enticing time to curl up with a novel. If you’re sick of raving about seasonal reads to friends who haven’t picked up a book since high school, there are several clubs around the River City where your musings will be more than welcome. Some page-worthy mentions are Jacksonville Public Library and Happy Medium Books Café, which both regularly hold genre-themed discussions.

And let’s not forget the markets. The Beaches Green Market, Atlantic Beach Farmers Market and Riverside Arts Market offer seasonal produce and other artisanal goods every weekend. For something a bit more special, the Orange Park Fall Festival will host more than 200 artists and vendors this October just south of Jacksonville. In November, the Markets for Makers and Diamonds in the Rust Market will offer even more curations of jewelry, home décor, antiques and similar unique finds. At least in our opinion, you can never have enough festival rings.

That’s All For Now — Don’t Be Spooked, and Get Out There!

Hopefully, by now, we’ve shown that fall vibes have a festive home in our nook of the Sunshine State. Whether you like the adrenaline rush of being chased with a plastic chainsaw or sitting in the corner of a calm coffee shop to people watch, Jacksonville has something for you to enjoy this autumn. Make some time for these seasonal delights amongst the rush and routines we so often fall prey to in the latter half of the year. Rent a scary movie, eat some Reese’s and critique the trick-or-treaters like it’s “America’s Next Top Model.” That’s what we’re doing here at “Folio.”

Trick or Treating: Then vs Now

Words by Sophia Ster

Photo by Nils Huenerfuerst on Unsplash

Trick or treating has been a staple in Halloween celebrations since it gained popularity in 1920s America. But the tradition is rooted in ancient Celtic celebrations that have been around for over 2,000 years. Obviously, a lot has changed since then.

Nowadays, Halloween is a yearly tradition full of candy and costumes. Whether it’s celebrated in a blow-up dinosaur costume or a pair of sweatpants, Halloween is beloved by children and adults of all ages.

But despite its charm, the way families approach trick-or-treating has shifted. Parents are more cautious than ever — for a multitude of reasons.

For starters, Halloween night is known for its inebriated drivers, and that’s a real turn-off for hesitant parents. Statistics back that up: child pedestrian fatalities are more than twice as likely to occur on Oct. 31 compared to other nights. These statistics are scary, and not the kind of scary you want to witness on Halloween night.

Then there’s the fading sense of community. One of my neighbors put it perfectly: “People feel less familiar with their neighbors these days.” That old-fashioned, open-door trust — where everyone knew everyone and kids could run house-to-house — feels rare. Many parents would rather keep their children close than send them off into a neighborhood that feels more like a collection of strangers.

Though not everyone’s top concern, inflation is also something to consider. Decorations and candy grow more expensive each year, not to mention the insane prices of storebought costumes.

On top of that, some families avoid Halloween altogether for religious reasons, believing the holiday glorifies dark or harmful traditions. And even though the infamous “razor blade in the candy” stories are mostly urban legends, they still linger in parents’ minds, adding yet another layer of worry.

Due to these concerns, the way kids celebrate Halloween is changing. Instead of having their kids run around unsupervised on Halloween night, parents are opting for community gatherings—safer, more controlled, and often just as fun.

One of these is “trunk-or-treating.” If you aren’t aware of the phenomenon, just know it was a true staple of my childhood.

Every year Christ Church on Solana Road decks out their parking garage, and lines it with the community’s cars.

Everyone goes all out decorating their trunks, and dressing up in costume to match their theme. Speakers blast “Monster Mash” and other spooky classics, and parents are able to keep an eye on their kids from a safe distance.

This event holds so many great memories for me and my family, not to mention the amazing community effort to make it a great night. I especially recommend trunk-or-treating if you have younger kids.

Other options for trunk-or-treating are hosted by corporations like JaxParks and the Duval Car Club Cancer Awareness Inc. A great place to find more community events is sites like funforfirstcoatkids.com and jacksonvillemom.com.

Another sweet alternative is “boo-ing” your neighbors. The idea is simple: anonymously drop off a bag of goodies at someone’s doorstep with a note that says, “You’ve Been Booed!” The note includes instructions to pass it on, creating a ripple effect of surprises throughout the neighborhood. It’s thoughtful, fun, and a nice way for kids to practice giving, not just receiving, on Halloween.

Additionally, Halloween events are another great alternative to trick or treating. The Jacksonville Zoo hosts a Spooktacular every year, taking place this year Oct. 4-31 (Friday-Sunday). The night includes carnival games and treat stations, not to mention tons of fun for your little ones.

For the older kids — or anyone who loves a good scare — Adventure Landing’s Haunt Nights are a must. Haunted houses, themed attractions and enough jump scares to keep everyone on edge all October long.

So while trick-or-treating might not look the same as it did decades ago, Halloween spirit is far from fading. Whether you’re wandering through a decorated parking lot, boo-ing your neighbors or braving a haunted house, there are plenty of ways to keep the magic alive. And who knows—these “new traditions” may become the ones your kids look back on most fondly.

THEATER/DANCE/FILM

Photo by Kazuo Ota on Unsplash

THROUGH OCT. 4

“Harlan & Bronna Jump Out of the Window”

Good Shepherd Episcopal Church lumenrep.org

THROUGH OCT. 5

“Come From Away” Alhambra Theatre & Dining alhambrajax.com

THROUGH OCT. 9

“The Glass Menagerie” Apex Theatre Studio apextheatrejax.com

“Nunsense”

Limelight Theatre, St. Augustine limelight-theatre.org

OCT. 3

“Blippi” Florida Theatre floridatheatre.com

OCT. 3-4

Jimmy Buffett /Yacht Rock Revue Amelia Musical Playhouse, Fernandina Beach ameliamusicalplayhouse.com

OCT. 3-5

“Blithe Spirit” Act II Players actiiplayers.org

OCT. 3-12

“Home, I’m Darling” A Classic Theatre aclassictheatre.org

Disney’s “High School Musical” on Stage!

Island Theater, Fleming Island theislandtheater.com

OCT. 4-5

“French Fair”

The Florida Ballet floridaballet.org

OCT. 9

“Gabby’s Dollhouse” Live! Jacksonville Performing Arts Center jaxevents.com

The Witcher in Concert Florida Theatre floridatheatre.com

OCT. 9-19

“A Moon for the Misbegotten” WJCT Studios abetjax.com

Story Slam–Maps & Detours

BABS’ LAB barbaracolaciello.com

OCT. 10-19

“RipCord” Players by the Sea playersbythesea.org

OCT. 10-25

“Dracula” Amelia Community Theatre, Fernandina Beach ameliacommunitytheatre.org

OCT. 10-26

“Emma” Artist Connection Theatre artistconnectiontheatre.org

OCT. 14

“Rocky Horror Show Live” featuring Barry Bostwick Jacksonville Center for the Performing Arts fscjartistseries.org

The Vampire Circus Florida Theatre floridatheatre.com

OCT. 15

“Twilight” in Concert Jacksonville Center for the Performing Arts fscjartistseries.org

OCT. 18

“Circo del Pantano”

Nathan H. Wilson Center for the Arts jacksonvilledancetheatre.org

OCT. 21

World Ballet Company: “Cinderella” Thrasher-Horne Center, Orange Park thcenter.org

OCT. 23-NOV. 1

“The Rocky Horror Picture Show: Live” Alhambra Theatre & Dining alhambrajax.com

OCT. 24

Australia’s Thunder From Down Under Florida Theatre floridatheatre.com

OCT. 25

“The Rocky Horror Picture Show” Florida Theatre floridatheatre.com

OCT. 26

“The Sunshine Boys” Amelia Musical Playhouse ameliamusicalplayhouse.com

OCT. 29

The Florida Ballet: “Dracula” Florida Theatre floridatheatre.com

OCT. 30

“The Addams Family: A Musical Comedy” Thrasher-Horne Center thcenter.org

Photo by Billy Aboulkheir on Unsplash

2025 will go down as a banner year for horror. Scary movies, both small and large, have had a hold on audiences with both returning franchises and auteur passion projects capturing our collective attention throughout the year.

Ryan Coogler’s sexy Mississippi-set sensation “Sinners” effortlessly blended genres as vampires crash an already compelling Jim Crow era gangster drama. The latest collaboration between Coogler and Michael B. Jordan, who leads the excellent cast in a dual role as twins, was a hit with both critics and audiences, continuing the ascent of an acclaimed director still in the first act of his career. This summer also saw the release of “Weapons,” the sophomore work from another exciting talent of this generation of filmmakers, in the form of sketch comedian turned horror auteur Zach Cregger. The film centers on a community in shock after a classroom of elementary school students all run away into the night, leaving no trace of where they went.

Cregger’s debut “Barbarian” was a gnarly rollercoaster of a film, but here he strives for something far more ambitious. Cregger has pitched “Weapons” as a cross between “Magnolia” and “Hereditary,” a description that shows the writer-director’s ambition with the film and a lofty target for quality that the film often manages to reach. Similarly to Paul Thomas Anderson’s wide-ranging San Fernando drama, “Weapons” unfolds through a mosaic-like structure of intertwined vignettes, each following the perspective of a different community member who has been impacted by the children’s disappearance and will play a role in unraveling the mystery. Much like “Hereditary” — and too many other modern horror films (like ... Jamie Lee Curtis was never going through something beyond being chased by a guy in a mask), the film’s thematic roots stem from the effects of grief and trauma. With his film Cregger evokes the communal trauma that can happen in the wake of a calamitous tragedy, which is alluded to with the central horror surrounding a disappearing classroom of children. (Not seen in the film is a piece of shit podcaster calling the victims crisis actors, that’d be too disturbing even for a horror movie.) “Weapons” is a film that doesn’t entirely hinge on its reveal. The journey taken with this ensemble of characters is thrilling and engrossing in itself, but when the cause of this witchery is finally unveiled, it is a satisfying and unexpected revelation during the first viewing, yet expertly telegraphed on revisit. With an impeccable cast, an original and surprising script, Cregger’s film is an ambitious triumph that reinforces him as one of the brightest emerging talents working in Hollywood and confirms that “Barbarian” was no one-off.

If you’ve ever wondered what it looks like when someone bites down on a sharp knife, then I have the film for you this Halloween. “Bring Her Back” is the Philippou Brothers’ distressing follow-up to their similarly disturbing “Talk to Me.”

The Australian siblings have shown how adept they are as filmmakers and that they aren’t afraid to go the extra mile when pushing the gore envelope. But where “Talk to Me” successfully straddled the line between fun and grimy, “Bring Her Back” was just too grim to be any fun. The story follows two recently orphaned teenagers who are put into the care of a foster who may or may not (she is) be up to something demonic. While effective and well-made, the film is just too unrelenting and punishing to be recommended to most people. It’s the kind of scary movie where you feel like you need an ice cream and some sunshine afterward to level yourself out.

But when it comes to bloody fun, look no further than “Final Destination: Bloodlines,” the latest and greatest of the almost death-defying franchise. After a long hiatus, it was a welcome return for the inevitable Rube Goldbergian death trap set pieces, which this time are haunting the descendants of a survivor of a decades-old disaster. “Bloodlines” doesn’t reinvent the wheel for “Final Destination”; it is simply a perfect execution of all hallmarks that have come to be expected of the series. The great British director Danny Boyle returned to the big screen with “28 Years Later,” his long-awaited sequel to the apocalyptic classic “28 Days Later.” Set decades after a zombie-like outbreak has a quarantine of the British Isles, Boyle’s film is a tender coming-of-age story about a young boy coming to terms with the weight of adulthood. It is a bold swing from the Oscar-winning filmmaker who tells a touching and often moving story set against the backdrop of a country overrun by rage-filled monsters. Then there are the two latest Stephen King adaptations in “The Long Walk” and “The Monkey,” both serviceable works, but neither would go down amongst the best of authors’ adaptations. “The Long Walk” is an example of where adaptation to the screen can go astray, with characters professing their motivations through long-winded dialogue exchanges, which may read well in a novel but work less well in a visual medium. It also confirms that walking is not exactly cinematic. As for “The Monkey,” which is pitched toward being a horror comedy, it never fully succeeds in either mode. Unfortunately, the film can never rise above its miscast lead in Theo James (the guy who sleeps with his friend’s wife in “The White Lotus”), a perfectly fine actor who just doesn’t seem to have the comedic instinct to make his role work. They should have paid Adam Scott more money to star in the lead beyond the opening scene; he could have done it well. I’m pretty sure that Adam Scott can do pretty much anything — he was in “Step Brothers.”

Most of what we think we know about cults comes straight from Netflix binges and Hollywood thrillers, and it’s easy to take that at face value without ever digging into the reality. The truth is, cult psychology runs a lot deeper — and a lot stranger — than the stereotypes. Some of the sharpest, most capable people end up getting pulled in. And a cult doesn’t always look like robed figures on a mountaintop screaming about the end of days. Sometimes it’s subtler. Sometimes it’s in your school, your office or even your neighbor’s backyard.

For Ashlen Hilliard, growing up in Utah, where culture, religion and history collide, is what sparked an early fascination with belief and influence. That curiosity eventually pulled her back after college, where she took on the tough job of helping people leave Mormon Fundamentalist polygamous communities across the West. The work was intense, sometimes dangerous, but it forged her into a fierce advocate for survivors.

In 2022, Hilliard launched People Leave Cults, a resource hub for survivors and the loved ones trying to help them. As one of the few Cult Intervention Specialists in the country, she works with a team of experts to design personalized strategies for families dealing with everything from cults and gangs to trafficking, domestic violence and violent extremism.

Her path here is backed by serious credentials. Hilliard earned her MSc in the Psychology of Coercive Control, and her published research, “Understanding Reproductive Coercion in Cults and Destructive Group Settings,” broke ground as the first exploratory study of its kind. Before founding People Leave Cults, she also served as director of events for the International Cultic Studies Association (ICSA), where she organized workshops, conferences and support programs for people affected by cults and psychological manipulation.

And now, she is bringing her studies to the stage for a live show where she takes audiences deep inside the world of cults — how they start, why people get pulled in and what it really takes to break free. From notorious groups like Jonestown, Heaven’s Gate, and NXIVM to lesser-known but just as dangerous organizations, she unpacks the psychology, the manipulation and the subtle tactics cults use to keep control.

We had the opportunity to sit down with Hilliard before her show at the Florida Theatre on Oct. 8 to get an exclusive look at what to expect during her show.

The Psychology

Of Cults

Words by Carmen Macri

Carmen: What inspired you to turn your work into a live show?

Hilliard: Oh, I love that question. Thank you for asking that. I, you know, I’ve been working with cult survivors now for seven years, and next year will be my eighth year working with survivors of high-control and cultic groups. And what I have found is that one of the most important aspects of prevention that can help keep people from falling into these systems is education. And it’s something that I do with people who’ve left cults who are like, “I can’t believe I got into this thing, and I want to better understand what happened to me.” And I think similarly, people want to know how to protect themselves. We have really great documentaries that are out about cults and survivor stories, and how all this can look. But I think there’s still a large percentage of people who think this could never happen to them. And I really wanted to show people how this can, in fact, happen to anyone. People aren’t immune, and I want to equip them with tools and knowledge and understanding about the psychology of cults, so that people can better protect themselves and also learn how to help survivors who’ve been in groups.

Carmen: I am so invested [in your work], it has always been a huge interest of mine. You mentioned you’ve worked closely with survivors. So what do you think is the most misunderstood aspect of cult involvement?

Hilliard: I think people can see a group on TV or see what leads someone into a cult, and I think, unfortunately, there’s this misconception of, like, only stupid people end up in these groups, that they were just gullible. But cults actually recruit the best and the brightest among us, because if you think about it, not everyone can hang with the demands of being in a high-control system. The amount it takes out of you. And intelligent people are really good at playing with ideas. You know, we all have a set of understanding fundamental assumptions about how the world works, and some people never really want to go beyond their fundamental assumptions to deviate from that. But people who are really intelligent like to sort of play with ideas and sort of think about what a new religious group has to offer the world. And so I think it’s important for people to realize you are not dumb or stupid if you end up in a cult. They recruit the best and the brightest.

Photo by Sivani Bandaru on Unsplash

Carmen: That is so interesting. I guess I’ve kind of always thought very similarly to that, because I know I’ve watched hundreds of documentaries, and I know that a lot of people just join it because they’re like, “Oh, I just want to see what it’s like.” And then they get so wrapped up in this world, enveloped in it, so they stay.

Hilliard: Right.

Carmen: Can you share a moment from your career that profoundly changed your understanding of cult dynamics and coercive control?

Hilliard: I would say during my work in Utah, when I was a case manager working in Salt Lake City, Utah Valley, helping women, children and young men who were leaving fundamentalist Mormon polygamist populations all across the western U.S. One of those groups was people who were leaving the FLDS. Many of us had heard about the FLDS. We’ve seen and heard news footage about Warren Jeffs, their leader, who’s now in jail, and the community still continues on. Culturally, I mean, this is a group that is solely for people born and raised in the group. Very rarely do people convert in. And something that I found to be really impactful was that there was this one time where I was helping a family who had a son who was in his teens, and the dad, you know, had probably three to four other wives — was living the lifestyle down in southern Utah — and the son wanted to run away.

He didn’t want to live that lifestyle, and he was starting to act out and cause a lot of trouble for the family, and the dad did this really amazing thing of being like, “OK, I think I need to contact an agency for help because I don’t essentially want my son to resent me, like I want to do what’s best for him. And even though I would wish for him to stay in the group, I would much rather give power of attorney to a family who I know could provide for him, take care of him.” And that was a really special moment because I felt like that rarely happened. And I remember driving down to southern Utah and meeting with this father, and he just signed over power of attorney, and he just looked at me, and he said, “I just want you to know how much I love my son.” And I said, “I can tell.” And just because he’s signing over power of attorney, I think a lot of people would assume that he’s given up on his kid or he doesn’t care, but he knew the constraints of the lifestyle of that high-control group.

And he also knew that his son was so ready to be free of that environment, so he wanted to be a source of support for him long term. And the best way to do that was to support him being integrated into a family outside of the community. I think we have this vision of men or women who are in this lifestyle, and maybe people don’t know what to expect or how to interact with folks who are in really isolated communities. And I just found the encounter just so moving.

Carmen: Wow. You were explaining how some would think it’s him giving up, but that’s the exact opposite. That’s him showing up for his son. That’s incredible. It’s very moving.

You have mentioned that coercion can happen not just in cults, but also in workplaces, relationships and wellness communities. Can you talk more about that?

Hilliard: What I can say is maybe not everyone has been involved in a quote-unquote cult. And under the show, I explore what cult means because I think even that is a definitional term that can be confusing for people. But we have all experienced manipulation. We’ve all been influenced, but I’d say all of us have been scammed at some point in our lifetime. We have all experienced the feeling of “this isn’t what I thought it was,” right? And coercive control is a little bit more sinister than just a controlling act or behavior. Coercive control is a repeated intentional pattern of making someone feel abused, humiliated and isolated. And the sole purpose of control is to remove someone’s autonomy. And coercive control happens over a very slow period of time, where it starts with things that may seem a little bit benign, and then it ramps up into much more extreme acts.

And it’s hard for people once they’re in a coercive, controlling relationship to leave because it confuses the brain. It creates what I like to call a double bind. That person who you thought was once safe, or that wellness community or the workplace. has now turned into your greatest source of threat and has sort of isolated you from people on the outside. And so once you sort of realize what’s going on, it creates a double bind for the brain because you have this reference point of, “Oh, they weren’t always that way. They used to make me feel really good.” And you have been conditioned over time to only come to them if you need something. And so it creates a real psychological, I guess, conundrum for folks. These relationships exist in all these different domains. I mean, it could be a club, sports team, an abusive coach, an abusive boyfriend or girlfriend relationship. Parents can be abusive. I mean, there’s just a whole range.

Carmen: What can your audience expect from this experience that they wouldn’t find in a podcast or streaming series?

Hilliard: I’m really excited to, I guess, bring a degree of really digestible, understandable knowledge for people because the psychology of cults can be very academic at times with how it’s presented. And I’m really excited to distill it down in a way that people can not only get, but also understand how this could happen to them, and also how to protect themselves, what to look out for. And if you have a loved one in a group, maybe how to help someone, how to better understand the experience of someone in a cult. And I’m really excited about the Q&A at the end of the show. We’re going to have a live audience Q&A. You have the chance to scan a QR code, submit your question, and I am really looking forward to answering people’s questions. That sort of level of interaction is not something that you could typically get out of listening to a podcast. So I’m really lucky and I’m really excited to hit the road to meet people.

Costumes styled by Ambar Ramirez & Gracie Bilger

Simple, cute and cottage-core, my favorite combination. Really all you need for this costume is a nature-inspired fit and a cone party hat wrapped in red felt fabric to capture the classic lawn decor.

Complete the look:Red cone hat! (made this using red contruction paper, staples, tape and red ribbon.

Costume:Think Cottage-core and nature tones.

Superman (Clark Kent)

An obvious classic, but especially fitting this year with James Gunn’s fresh take on the hero. You can rock this costume solo or make it a duo — one person as Clark Kent and the other as Superman in red cape and all (because yes, they’re totally different people).

Complete the look: Clark Kent’s hypno glasses.

Costume:White button down,black bottoms, and ofcourse, a Superman T-Shirt.

“Severance”: Helly R. & Mark S.

Hello, Lumon lovers. This costume is niche and a statement, and the statement is obvious: You have impeccable taste.

Complete the look: Lumon ID cards.

Costume: Cool toned monochromatic office look (and baby bangs) for Helly

Costume: A crisp suit for Mark.

Complete the look: Aviators glasses...obviously.

Costume: A vintage pilots jumpsuit (if you’re lucky) or dark army green pants and a white t-shirt.

“American Psycho”

This Halloween costume forecast wouldn’t be complete without a look that thrives in fake blood. Enter “American Psycho” — sharp suits meet transparent raincoat for a power-dressing that’s equal parts Wall Street and horror show.

Complete the look: A Melee fake weapon of choice (axe, chainsaw, knife, etc.) covered in fake blood.

Costume: A black suit, white button down and red tie. Finished with a transparent red coat covered in fake blood.

Costume: For the truck driver you’ll stick to the classics. Denim, white t-shirt and a trucker hat.

Complete the look: Grab some black eyeshadow and create tire tracks across your face, or stomach if you decide to show some skin, using a paper cutout stencil.

Costume: For the roadkill costume just throw on anything animal print or furry — a jacket, skirt, belt, even a purse will do.

Beanie Baby

I bet I just unlocked a deep childhood memory. With the big theme of nostalgia this year and labubus (also not a bad costume idea), I have an inkling that many will be showing up to Halloween parties as their favorite childhood teddy bear. Bonus points if you still have a Beanie Baby and can base your costume around it.

Costume: Anything monochromatic and neutral.

Complete the look: Don’t forget the “ty” heart tag.

The Art Center Cooperative tacjacksonville.org

Beaches Museum beachesmuseum.org

Butterfield Garage Art Gallery butterfieldgarage.com

Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens cummermuseum.org

FemArt Gallery femartgallery.org

First Coast Cultural Center firstcoastculturalcenter.org

Flagler College–Crisp Ellert Museum flagler.edu

Florida Community College at Jacksonville fscj.edu

Florida Mining Gallery floridamininggallery.com

Gallery 725 gallery725.com

Governor’s House Cultural Center and Museum, St. Augustine staugustine.ufl.edu

Haskell Gallery at Jacksonville International Airport

jaxairportarts.com

Hillary Whitaker Gallery hwhitakergallery.com

Jacksonville Main Library tacjacksonville.org

Jacksonville University ju.edu/cfa

The Lightner Museum lightnermuseum.org

MOCA Jacksonville mocajacksonville.unf.edu

PAStA Fine Art Gallery pastagalleryart.com

Ritz Theatre & Museum ritzjacksonville.com

Southlight Gallery southlightgallery.com

St. Augustine Art Association staaa.org

Stellers Gallery stellersgallery.com

Thrasher-Horne Center Gallery thcenter.org

Touché Gallery touchegallery.com

The Unicat instagram.com/the_unicat_jax

University of North Florida unf.edu/gallery

The Vault at 330 thevaultat1930.com

Yellow House yellowhouseart.org

ONGOING

Art Walk

Downtown Jacksonville lights up the first Wednesday of the month with art by local artists at hubs in James Weldon Johnson Park, The Jessie and Vagabond Flea at VyStar Tower from 5–9 p.m. Visitors can also en joy live music, food trucks, street performers, free admission to MOCA and complimentary rides on JTA’s Skyway. dtjax.org

Fernandina Beach Arts Market

Amelia Island’s premier arts and crafts market comes alive the second and fourth Saturday of every month from 9 a.m.–1 p.m. fernandinabeachartsmarket.com

Riverside Arts Market

Artists, artisans and makers display their original paintings, jewelry, photographs, prints and other handcrafted items every Saturday — rain or shine — from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. on Riverside Avenue underneath the can opy of the Fuller Warren Bridge. riversideartsmarket.com

BENISE & PAVLO | JANUARY 15, 2026

at the WJCT Soundstage

JESSE COOK | January 23, 2026

Algorithms: Creativity’s Enemy

Words by Ariana Alcantara

Creativity is a practice of inspiration — being inspired by others’ art, simple interactions, and overall, the world grants the creation of new art. As an interactive species, one which is inspired by one another, always borrowing from each other, innovative ideas are a limited commodity. Mark Twain claimed, “There is no such thing as a new idea. It is impossible. We simply take a lot of old ideas and put them into a sort of mental kaleidoscope,” highlighting the human tendency to be motivated by the work of one another. But what happens when everyone is exposed to the same work?

Over the past few years there was an introduction of a new part of the creative process– algorithms, a set of rules which, in social media, determine how content is filtered and exposed. Apps use algorithms to keep users engaged by constantly showing them content they want to see, anticipating the users’ desires before they do. Websites understood to have strong algorithms are Instagram, Pinterest, TikTok and Spotify because they have access to a large amount of user data, allowing them to recommend relevant content, though these same websites are also hubs for creatives to share their work, introducing a need for virality to get exposure, therefore affecting the creative process.

Artists spend their lives trying to get audiences engaged with their work, so adhering to the current trends could potentially help them reach this goal. When a piece of art like a song or film style is engaging to enough people, it will be marketed to more people as a result. This feeds into the cycle which is always searching for a piece of content that can stimulate the most views.

It is only natural that when a piece of work goes viral for its high quality, it will inspire other artists. This is just the human condition — to be influenced by each other. The issue only arises from the scale of inspiration, since one post can reach millions of artists, then their creations will have a basis of similarity.

Now, more than ever most people are engaging with the same stimuli. There are trends for more than just fashion now. Trends take over music, movies, books and art. An art form that is highly affected by the algorithm-creativity problem is fashion. In late 2024 a trend emerged for women to wear bright red tights with their skirts opposed to the classic black or nude style, a uniquely artistic look at its core. A cluster of images went viral on Pinterest of girls in stylish red tights, introducing the once-niche fashion choice to millions of users. In this moment, the artistic styling of a handful of girls transformed into a trend, killing the unique quality in the process. This cycle is affecting every corner of art now, not just fashion, unintentionally injecting music, visual art and film with an essence of trendiness.

More than the exposure to the same content, the easy access of the internet limits the exploration to find inspiration. There are fewer occurrences of happenstance where you go searching externally and find a genuine niche topic of your liking. Instead of searching for music at a local record store, apps like Spotify reward users not only with convenience but by being introduced to new artists “you might like.” Not only does this destroy any chance of human engagement, which you would get on a trip to the store, but it ensures this artist’s introduction is based on an algorithm. So anyone else who shares your current taste in music is being introduced to this same “fresh” new artist. By doing the work to search, not giving in to convenience, the options for coming across a true gem of an artist is vast.

On YouTube there is a trend called “things I find incredibly chic.” If you take the time to watch a handful of these videos, you will find that many of them are regurgitating the same “niche” items: ballet flats, signature scents, bangle stacks and, of course, statement red tights. There is a pitfall of genuine interest because people are being told what to like, and the cycle continues for art, music and film.

If everyone is being told what to like, what to wear, what to watch and what to listen to, this bleeds into what is being created. The act of creation is made up of parts: part consumption and part creation. You express your interpretation of the world around you. Thus, if everyone is pigeonholing into a viral experience of the world, with little room for diversity in thought, the consumers of art are left to engage with the same works, re-imagined, repeatedly.

Creativity is driven by the pulse of genuine interest, while the algorithm is driven by numbers. The paradox of algorithms then presents itself as the need to log off to create work true to oneself, and the need to log on for a chance of engagement with an audience. The difference with the new means of inspiration is the lack of perspective. We need examination and questioning of our senses. Is a book genuinely engaging or did TikTok recommend it? What music is hiding in some obscure local record store, unavailable on Spotify, invisible if not looked for?

From Victorian Secrets to Jacksonville Streets:

Authors in Conversation

Words & photos by Kaili Cochran

SSheila Athens, a local and accomplished author who has several published works, was at The BookMark, a locally owned bookstore in the Beaches Town Center, for a book signing and discussion last month.

Sitting beside her was international best-selling author Madeline Martin. These two authors couldn’t be more different in their writing styles, yet the messages they convey throughout their books are remarkably similar.

Martin is known for writing about researched historical fiction, while Athens writes about contemporary fiction rooted in local landscapes. But both leave a message of resilience in their writing. Resilience, especially in the face of societal pressures.

During this event, multiple groups of friends and family gathered around to listen to the authors in conversation about their most recent individual publications.

Martin spoke to the audience with the kind of vivid detail that makes her books so immersive, explaining the quirks of Victorian society that caught her attention during her research for her latest book, “The Secret Book Society,” which takes place during that time.

“We have hatpin fighting. And I’ve had so many people that are like, hatpin fighting, was this a real thing? Oh, my gosh, yes, it was,” Martin said.

She went on to explain that women would have these very large, elaborate hats and the way that they would secure them onto their heads was with a hatpin, which could be up to a foot long. They were very sharp and long with beaded ends and could be used as a sword for self-defense.

Martin also went into “floriography,” which was a Victorian-era means of communication in which various flowers and floral arrangements were used to send coded messages.

“Every flower and plant that is mentioned in the book has actually been done with purpose,” Martin said. “If you wanted to go on a literary scavenger hunt with this, you could and you could find out why every flower and plant has been placed there, either based on the character or the mood or whatever’s happening in the scene.”

In contrast, Athens brings her readers to places they recognize. Her latest novel, “Mae Van Doren’s Perfect Storm,” takes place in a combination of Jacksonville Beach and Ponte Vedra.

“The BookMark even makes an appearance on page 125 and you’ll recognize some local restaurants as well,” Athens said.

Her novel focuses on a 32-year-old woman whose life blows up, and she’s forced to move to Jax Beach to live with a brother who she hasn’t seen in 10 years. She goes to work for a minister, a founder of a mega church who may not be quite as Christian as he should be, but the people kind of in his orbit teach her that there is good in humanity, which is something that she needs to learn because she has lost trust that there is any.

Though these authors are separated by genre and style, both Athens and Martin left the audience with a message that literature, whether set in Victorian England or Jacksonville Beach, carries the power to reveal resilience. And for one evening at The BookMark, those stories lived side by side, reminding readers that the past and present aren’t so far apart.

Could Jacksonville Lead Florida in Cannabis-Friendly Venues?

Words by JAX420

Walk through Riverside on a Saturday, and you’ll pass art markets, coffee shops, breweries and music spilling out of neighborhood bars. Jacksonville has a culture of gathering, of turning ordinary spaces into hubs where people feel part of something bigger. But there’s one kind of venue you won’t find here — and not because there isn’t demand. Cannabis-friendly spaces, the kind of lounges and event halls that have popped up in other U.S. cities, remain off-limits in Florida.

The state’s medical program is clear: consumption is private, not public. Light up at a festival, on the beach or even in a concert parking lot, and you’re outside the law. But that doesn’t mean the conversation is idle. Around the country, states with recreational markets have started to experiment with consumption lounges. Denver has them. Vegas has them. Even some smaller towns in Michigan and California do. Each city has taken its own spin, from sleek coffeehouse-style lounges to members-only clubs that feel more like jazz bars.

So the question for Jacksonville isn’t just “if,” but “how.”

A City Built on Venues

Jax already has the blueprint. Our arts and music scene thrives on flexible spaces. The Riverside Arts Market shows how a simple riverside stretch can transform into a full-fledged cultural hub every Saturday. Breweries like Intuition Ale Works and Tabula Rasa have proven that craft culture pulls people in. Local festivals like Springing the Blues and PorchFest show that our community knows how to celebrate together. Imagine weaving safe, regulated cannabis consumption into that existing patchwork.

Economic Fuel

Other cities’ experience points to a ripple effect. Lounges aren’t just about lighting up; they sell food, host art shows, and book live music. They bring people together and keep them around longer — which means dollars spent in neighborhoods that need anchors. Jacksonville’s sprawling geography could actually be an advantage here. From the Beaches to Downtown to the Westside, pockets of underused real estate could find new life as wellness-forward venues.

Community Questions

Of course, it’s not as simple as unlocking the doors. Zoning, safety, and stigma remain big hurdles. Some fear that lounges normalize use too much or bring unwelcome crowds. Others argue that not providing safe spaces leaves patients and consumers in limbo, stuck between legality and practicality. Florida law hasn’t budged yet, but as conversations around legalization return to the ballot, the idea of public spaces will return too.

Beyond The Lounge

Why Jacksonville Could Lead

Here’s the thing: Jacksonville has a knack for doing things its own way. We don’t copy Orlando’s theme-park culture or Miami’s nightlife. Instead, we blend rivers, beaches, art and grit into something distinct. If cannabis lounges ever come to Florida, Jax is positio ned to be a testing ground for a model that’s more community-driven — less Vegas glitz, more neighborhood heartbeat. Picture a consumption-friendly wing at a Riverside Arts Market. A members’ lounge next to a live-music hall. A space that looks less like a dispensary extension and more like a cultural institution.

Looking Ahead

Right now, the law says “no.” But the conversations are already happening — in homes, in dispensary waiting rooms, in whispers at art markets. The gap is obvious: people want spaces to gather, legally and safely, around plant-based wellness. If the laws shift, Jacksonville could be the city that shows Florida how to do it right: blending culture, commerce and community into venues that feel like us.

Because if there’s one thing Jacksonville has proven, it’s that we don’t just follow trends — we bend them until they fit the River City.

OCT.

Comedy

OCT. 3

Friday Night Live

Third Space Improv, St. Augustine 3rdspaceimprov.com

OCT. 3-4

First Coast Comedy First Coast Comedy firstcoastcomedy.com

OCT. 4

Chris Buck

Murray Hill Theatre murrayhilltheatre.com

River City Comedy Presents Southern Swells Brewing Co, eventbrite.com

Comedy Carousel

Third Space

Kevin Farley

Cafe Eleven, St. Augustine originalcafe11.com

OCT. 9-10

Peter Antoniou

Cafe Eleven, St. Augustine originalcafe11.com

OCT.

OCT. 25

Jeff Allen Murray Hill Theatre murrayhilltheatre.com

OCT. 26

Bo Johnson Cafe Eleven, St. Augustine originalcafe11.com

OCT. 30 Bert Kreischer Veterans Memorial Arena jaxevents.com

Knock Knock Comedy ShowcaseThe Spooky Edition The Emerald Vine Room instagram.com/theemeraldvineroom

OCT. 31

First Coast Comedy First Coast Comedy firstcoastcomedy.com

Pete

Finding the St. Johns Town Center Clown

Words by Ambar Ramirez

Remember when random people thought it was peak comedy to throw on a clown costume and spook entire neighborhoods on Ring cameras? Yeah, that wasn’t last night — it was 2014. And honestly, good riddance. Or so I thought.

Fast-forward to Sept. 11, when TikTok user Bilyana Garland dropped a clip that felt ripped straight out of a fever dream. The location? None other than St. Johns Town Center. The subject? Not your everyday lost shopper or “cute missed connection.” No, this guy was in full clown glam—think white face paint, smeared colors, and the pièce de résistance: a Burger King paper crown perched on his head. And he was casually holding a sign that literally read “Blank Sign,” while fake blood dripped dramatically across his crisp white shirt. Because, of course.

Naturally, being the hard-hitting investigative journalist that I am (kidding… mostly), I decided it was my personal duty to track down this mystery St. Johns Town Center clown that had Jacksonville’s local FYP in a chokehold.

Step one was obvious: go back to the source. I scrolled through what felt like 200 comments under Garland’s TikTok, hoping for some breadcrumb trail. Instead? Nothing. Just a mix of locals swearing they saw him that same day in other parts of town, and a handful of thirsty commenters hoping to shoot their shot with him.

So like any seasoned internet sleuth, I turned to Reddit. Because if there’s a kernel of truth floating around, you know it’s buried somewhere in a Reddit thread. And yet again, disappointment. The top comments were things like, “I’m once again asking if he is single,” and “That’s Billy Napier with his play-calling sheet,” which, while funny, got me absolutely nowhere. Maybe this clown was just a one-nightonly act. One TikTok user even swore she’s lived near the Town Center for three years and has never seen him once.

But then there was the timing. This clown sighting happened the very day after Charlie Kirk’s death was announced. And, allegedly—again, according to TikTok comments—whenever cars honked at him, he’d sprint up to the window and hold up another, larger sign that read, “Charlie Kirk is dead.” Performance art? Prank? Unhinged social commentary? Who’s to say.

Still, I wasn’t ready to throw in the towel. Not yet (spoiler alert: I should have). I slid into Garland’s DMs — the original poster and, at this point, my only lead — hoping she might have gotten a secret message from someone who knew more about our clown in question.

Shockingly (or not), my DM was met with radio silence. So as a lastditch attempt, I did what any clown-chaser would do — I drove out to Town Center myself. Part of me was hoping he’d be there, waving down cars with his “Blank Sign” antics, but the other part of me (the part with a lifelong fear of clowns) was praying I wouldn’t actually run into him. In the end, no dice. Either he was long gone, or maybe—just maybe—he ditched the greasepaint and Burger King crown for street clothes. Which means the real question is… have you already walked past him without even knowing?

Sierra Ferrell

by

At The Amp

NEW MUSIC RELEASES

Made For You By Ambar Ramirez

LOVEJOY

“ONE SIMPLE TRICK”

LoveJoy — the self-proclaimed only indie rock band with a double kick drum — are gearing up to release their long-awaited debut album, four years after forming in 2021. Through their singles and EPs, they’ve carved out a distinct identity while still drawing echoes of bands like Wallows. Their sound straddles the line between punk energy and pop sensibility, setting the stage for what’s to come.

KHALID

“AFTER THE SUN GOES DOWN”

The non-traditional R&B artist who had summer 2016 in a chokehold with his breakout hit “Location” — Khalid — is back. Known for his heartfelt delivery and his ability to capture emotions we can’t always put into words, Khalid has built a steady climb to the top while keeping his music timelessly relevant. Now, with “after the sun goes down,” he’s poised to deliver what feels like the next go-to soundtrack for late nights and unforgettable parties.

TAYLOR SWIFT

“THE LIFE OF A SHOWGIRL”

We know her, and we love her. Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Taylor Swift is back with her 12th studio album, “The Life of a Showgirl,” and as expected, anticipation is sky-high. True to form, Swift continues to surprise her fans — no matter how much of her life plays out in the public eye, her music always reveals something new. Fans are eager to see how this record blends her storytelling genius with the bold theatrical flair its title promises.

LANY “SOFT”

LANY—short for “Los Angeles New York”— have become known for crafting music that feels like intimate love letters and nostalgic odes to the places that shaped their rise. Since their early days, they’ve built a devoted following drawn to their dreamy pop-rock sound and heartfelt storytelling. With their upcoming album, fans are eager to see how the band continues to evolve while staying true to the sincerity that first put them on the map.

YELLOWCARD “BETTER DAYS”

Jacksonville’s own Yellowcard are gearing up to release their 12th full-length album, proving that their comeback is more than just a one-time return. After breaking their silence with a new record last year, the band seems firmly back on track — ready to deliver the anthemic sound and emotional punch their fans have been craving.

ALL TIME LOW “EVERYONE’S TALKING!”

All Time Low—the melodic pop-punk mainstays of the Warped Tour—are back with a brand-new album, proving once again that this year is all about garage and punk bands returning with more than just nostalgia. Their latest release promises the catchy hooks and high-energy anthems fans have come to love, and for anyone still riding the pop-punk wave, it’s impossible not to get excited. Count me in!

THE LAST DINNER PARTY “FROM THE PYRE”

The Last Dinner Party, the British indie rock girl band that made waves with their striking debut “Prelude to Ecstasy” last year, are back with their highly anticipated follow-up, From the Pyre. Their music has always felt like a Victorian storybook—full of stormy ballads and haunting love songs—and this new album promises to carry that same raw, earthy energy while exploring a darker, more intense twist.

ALICE PHOEBE LOU

“OBLIVION”

Best known for her song “Witches,” which went viral on TikTok, Alice Phoebe Lou is far from a onehit wonder. With her upcoming album “Oblivion,” the South African singer-songwriter continues to showcase her hauntingly beautiful vocals and introspective songwriting. Fans can expect a journey through ethereal soundscapes, intimate storytelling and the kind of emotional depth that has made Lou one of indie music’s most compelling voices.

FLORENCE + THE MACHINE

“EVERYBODY

SCREAM”

Saved the best for last. I—and I think most of you would agree—believe Miss Florence is a real-life witch, and I mean that as the highest compliment. She’s unfiltered, pure and raw magic, all flowing through her enchanting vocals and powerful lyrics. And don’t even ask me what I’ll be doing on the 31st… it’s obvious.

The Era of Cover Bands

Words by Carmen Macri

Photo by Markus Spiske on Unsplash

We get it — there’s nothing like belting out a song you already know by heart. Especially when it’s pushing last call and the band slides into “Closing Time” to nudge everyone toward the door.

But here’s the real question: why does it feel like cover and tribute bands have taken over? Everywhere you turn, it’s another group polishing someone else’s greatest hits instead of fresh talent pushing their own sound. Have we traded discovery for déjà vu? And even then, we aren’t that mad about it.

The thought hit when yet another press release for a Pink Floyd tribute band landed in our inbox. Don’t get us wrong — we’ve got love for a good tribute act. But when it’s the fifth one rolling through town with the same setlist and the same laser-heavy light show, the novelty starts to wear thin. We get the appeal — nostalgia is powerful, and hearing songs live from artists who no longer tour scratches a certain itch. Still, when the calendar is stacked with tribute after tribute to the same handful of legendary bands, it starts to feel less like homage and more like oversaturation.

Believe it or not, the answer is simple: money (duh).

Tribute bands are cheaper to hire than the real deal (yes, that part is obvious), and ticket prices reflect that — far lower than catching the original artist would cost. That combo (lower booking fee + affordable tickets) means organizers can fill more seats, rake in more sales and still make a decent profit. And that’s not just theory: the economics of tribute shows are stacked in favor of efficient revenue, which helps explain why we’re seeing so many of them.

Here in Jacksonville, tribute acts aren’t just background noise at the neighborhood bar — they’re a full-blown industry. The going rate to book a tribute band in town averages around $2,250, according to booking sites, which is a far cry from the $750 you might pay for a local cover band at a smaller gig. And audiences are buying in.

Tickets for an Earth, Wind & Fire tribute show in Jacksonville started at about $60 — not exactly pocket change, and not far off from what you’d pay to see a touring national act at a mid-sized venue.

One of Jacksonville’s current darlings, Julia Gulia, actually cut their teeth as a cover band. Night after night, they’ve been lighting up the city’s favorite bars, turning familiar songs into must-see performances. But while they’re now creating and releasing original music, their rise didn’t start with their own tracks — it started with the covers that got everyone talking in the first place.

“When we started Julia Gulia, we never really thought it would become what it is today. I chose to go after it using a certain business model, if you will. Build a following by playing everywhere, all of the time, playing covers,” Julia Gulia’s lead singer, Andrew Jones, shared. “Once we played out enough, built enough of a solid fan base, then started incorporating our original music. So now, we are at the point where we try to play as many of our originals at shows as we can.”

Julia Gulia isn’t the first cover band to make that leap, not by a long shot. Some of the most legendary bands— the ones our parents love to brag about seeing back in the day, and the same ones spawning endless tribute acts now—started out the same way: crammed into a local pub, grinding through other people’s songs until they found their own sound.

And they’re in good company. The Beatles cut their teeth on Chuck Berry and Motown covers during their marathon sets in Hamburg. The Rolling Stones were basically a blues cover band before they found their swagger. Van Halen packed L.A. clubs by ripping through The Kinks and ZZ Top long before “Jump” hit the airwaves. Even Nirvana was running through Led Zeppelin and CCR songs before carving out grunge. The list goes on— Aerosmith, No Doubt, Green Day—all started out playing somebody else’s greatest hits before they became the bands with tribute acts of their own.

CONCERTS

OCT. 1

Marc Broussard

Ponte Vedra Concert Hall pvconcerthall.com

Two Piece

The Albatross thealbatrossjax.com

Orlando Mendez Jack Rabbits jaxlive.com

OCT. 2

Lyle Lovett and his Acoustic Group

Ponte Vedra Concert Hall pvconcerthall.com

Undefeated Jack Rabbits jaxlive.com

Eric Johanson

Cafe Eleven, St. Augustine originalcafe11.com

OCT. 3

Steep Canyon Rangers Ponte Vedra Concert Hall pvconcerthall.com

Colt Ford DECCA LIVE deccajax.com

Buckcherry & Nashville Pussy FIVE fivejax.com

Dylan Cotrone Jack Rabbits jaxlive.com

Grant Peeples

Cafe Eleven, St. Augustine originalcafe11.com

OCT. 3-4 The Billy Joel Songbook Jacksonville

jaxsymphony.org

OCTOBER

NOVEMBER

photo by Stayce Koegler

OCT. 4

Gavin Adcock

St. Augustine Amphitheatre theamp.com

Oceano

The Albatross thealbatrossjax.com

Sheba Sam DECCA Live deccalive.com

Panchiko FIVE fivejax.com

Whitey Morgan

Jack Rabbits jaxlive.com

OCT. 5

Billy Bob Thornton and The Boxmasters Florida Theatre floridatheatre.com

Adam Calhoun

DECCA Live deccalive.com

SICI

Jack Rabbits jaxlive.com

Florida Chamber Music Project: Musical Storytelling Beaches Museum Chapel flchambermusic.org

OCT. 7

Tee Grizzly DECCA Live deccalive.com

Sweet Lizzy Project Jack Rabbits jaxlive.com

Kevin Burt & Big Medicine

Cafe Eleven, St. Augustine originalcafe11.com

OCT. 8

Lynyrd Skynyrd Daily’s Place daily’splace.com

The Thing With Feathers

Jack Rabbits jaxlive.com

MIchael McDermott

Cafe Eleven, St. Augustine originalcafe11.com

OCT. 9

The Archers

The Albatross thealbatrossjax.com Company

DECCA Live deccalive.com

Graham Barham

Jack Rabbits jaxlive.com

OCT. 10

NBA Young Boy Veterans Memorial Arena jaxevents.com

Roman Street Ritz Theatre & Museum jaxevents.com

1964 The Tribute Thrasher-Horne Center, Orange Park thcenter.org

Marianas Trench FIVE fivejax.com

Nahko Jack Rabbits jaxlive.com

OCT. 10-11

Einstein A Go-Go 40th Reunion The Albatross thealbatrossjax.com

OCT. 11

Jon Batiste St. Augustine Amphitheatre theamp.com

Sting Daily’s Place dailysplace.com

“Dolly Parton’s Threads: My Songs in Symphony” Jacksonville Center for the Performing Arts jaxsymphony.org

Nura En Pure

DECCA Live deccalive.com

The Band Feel Jack Rabbits jaxlive.com

OCT. 12

Everclear

Ponte Vedra Concert Hall pvconcerthall.com

Oak Ridge Boys

Thrasher-Horne Center, Orange Park thcenter.org

Mind’s Eye Jack Rabbits jaxlive.com

OCT. 13

Joss Stone Ponte Vedra Concert Hall pvconcerthall.com

OCT. 14

Daikaiju Jack Rabbits jaxlive.com

The Steepwater Band Cafe Eleven. St. Augustine originalcafe11.com

OCT. 15

Jesus “Aguaje” Ramos & The Buena Vista Orchestra Florida Theatre floridatheatre.com

Bitter Static Jack Rabbits jaxlive.com

OCT. 16

Billy Joel Legends Live! Florida Theatre floridatheatre.com

The War and Treaty

Ponte Vedra Concert Hall pvconcerthall.com

Bonafide

The Albatross thealbatrossjax.com

Hobo Johnson and the Lovemakers

Jack Rabbits jaxlive.com

OCT. 17

Leela James Jacksonville Center for the Performing Arts jaxevents.com

Sons of Mystro Florida Theatre floridatheatre.com

Trace Adkins

Thrasher-Horne Center, Orange Park thcenter.org

What Lies Below

Jack Rabbits jaxlive.com

Selwyn Birchwood

Cafe Eleven, St. Augustine originalcafe11.com

OCT. 17-18

Mozart & Tchaikovsky Jacksonville Center for the Performing Arts jaxsymphony.org

OCT. 18

Brandon Lake Veterans Memorial Arena jaxevents.com

Ryan Bingham and The Texas Gentlemen

St. Augustine Amphitheatre theamp.com

Trampled by Turtles

Ponte Vedra Concert Hall pvconcerthall.com

Conjuring CVNT

The Albatross thealbatrossjax.com

Flux Pavilion

DECCA Live deccalive.com

Parmalee FIVE fivejax.com

Petra Murray Hill Theatre murrayhilltheatre.com

“Triumph and Fury” St. Paul’s by-the-Sea Episcopal Church civicorchestrajax.org

Tinsley Ellis

Cafe Eleven, St. Augustine originalcafe11.com

The New 76ers

The Waterworks, St. Augustine gamblerogersfest.org

OCT. 19

Abducted by the ’80s Florida Theatre floridatheatre.com

Green Jello

Jack Rabbits jaxlive.com

Coco Montoya

Cafe Eleven, St. Augustine originalcafe11.com

OCT. 20

Phantogram Ponte Vedra Concert Hall pvconcerthall.com

OCT. 21

Johnnyswim Florida Theatre floridatheatre.com

Lawrence FIVE fivejax.com

Be Your Own Pet

Jack Rabbits jaxlive.com

“Triumph and Fury”

St. John’s Cathedral civicorchestrajax.org

OCT. 22

Fight From Within

The Albatross thealbatrossjax.com

Spouky Kids

Jack Rabbits jaxlive.com

TREEHOUSE!

Cafe Eleven, St. Augustine originalcafe11.com

OCT. 23

Lacrae

Ponte Vedra Concert Hall pvconcerthall.com

Glazed Sports

The Albatross thealbatrossjax.com

Hayden James DECCA Live deccalive.com

Ace Monroe

Jack Rabbits jaxlive.com

Korn Again

Cafe Eleven, St. Augustine originalcafe11.com

OCT. 24

Earth, Wind & Fire Tribute Band Jacksonville Center for the Performing Arts fscjartistseries.org

Adventure Club

DECCA Live deccalive.com

Mean Mary

Cafe Eleven, St. Augustine originalcafe11.com

OCT. 24-25

Tedeschi Trucks Band

St. Augustine Amphitheatre theamp.com

Bewitched Broadway

Jacksonville Center for the Performing Arts jaxsymphony.org

OCT. 24-26

Saint Benedict’s Blues Festival

Saint Benedict the Moor, St. Augustine stbensbluesfest.com

OCT. 25

Bryan Martin

Ponte Vedra Concert Hall pvconcerthall.com

Lupe Fiasco DECCA Live deccalive.com

Craig Morgan Thrasher-Horne Center, Orange Park thcenter.org

The Rock Orchestra By Candlelight Jacksonville Center for the Performing Arts jaxevents.com

Aly & AJ FIVE fivejax.com

The Infinity Cinema

Jack Rabbits jaxlive.com

Davis Loose

Cafe Eleven, St. Augustine originalcafe11.com

OCT. 26

Cole Swindell

The St. Augustine Amphitheatre theamp.com

Eric Roberson

Ritz Theatre & Museum jaxevents.com

Tristan Tritt

Jack Rabbits jaxlive.com

OCT. 27

Matisyahu

Ponte Vedra Concert Hall pvconcerthall.com

OCT. 28

John Legend

St. Augustine Amphitheatre theamp.com

Neuroglobin

The Albatross thealbatrossjax.com

OCT. 29

Peter Frampton St. Augustine Amphitheatre theamp.com

Big Bad Voodoo Daddy

Ponte Vedra Concert Hall pvconcerthall.com

OCT. 30

Less Than Zero

The Albatross thealbatrossjax.com

Bebe Deluxe

Jack Rabbits jaxlive.com

OCT. 31

Brian Culbertson Florida Theatre floridatheatre.com

Folk Is People Jack Rabbits jaxlive.com

The Life of a Young (and Slightly Hungry) Artist

So… What’s It Really Like?

When we imagine walking a day in a musician’s moccasins, it’s always something grand — whether in terms of glamor or, let’s be honest, epic failure. Whether you’re dreaming big or navel gazing, the point is, we all have a concrete image in our minds. We’ve seen the MTV clips, the concert films and the viral slip-ups. (Cough cough, Mariah Carey’s New Year’s Eve lip sync.)

Truthfully, these visions are warped by what screenwriters can sell, what popular culture deems spotlight-worthy and what the Internet finds laughable. Few of us have actual experience performing live music, let alone the guts to start a band. Most of us can’t even stick with the creative hobbies we picked up during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Here at “Folio,” we think it’s time to give credit where it’s due. What’s it really like to jam on a sidewalk or take the mic — especially here in Jacksonville? Our Bold City is blessed with countless venues, and it’s about time we consider the perspectives behind the music we casually enjoy.

Behind every startup band, there’s a story filled with courage, artistry and dedication. One local musician who helped us paint this portrait is Andrew Warade, the 21-year-old finance major at Florida State University — a.k.a. lead electric guitarist and contributing vocalist for Fernandina-based rock band Freehand.

The Backstage Grind & Glimmer

Under the Lights

Folio: What does a typical gig day look like for you? We want the whole scoop — hauling gear, setting up, pre-show nerves and postshow rest rituals, don’t spare details.

Warade: Usually, our shows start around 5:30 p.m. The day kicks off pretty normal with the band agreeing to get to the venue about an hour and a half before showtime. From there, we help haul the gear, wire the equipment and work with our soundman with a soundcheck. Once it’s showtime, we usually perform for about an hour and a half, take a 20-minute break, then do a second set to close out the night. After the show, people come up to us to congratulate us while we’re packing up our gear. Then the band will head to our drummer’s house to hang in the garage and discuss how the night went.

Folio: What’s your favorite song to play live? Does it line up with the crowd’s favorite? How much do you factor audience engagement into your setlists?

Warade: Probably “Freebird,” “Sweet Child O’ Mine” or “Hotel California,” though there are plenty of others. They’re big crowd pleasers — everyone knows them, and it resonates with how much fun these songs are to play on stage. We usually pick our songs based on what we want to play, but our setlist order is intentional for audience engagement. We do our best to slot slower songs in the middle, with more powerful songs at the beginning and end.

The “Starving Artist”: Myth or Legit?

Folio: A lot of people imagine gig musicians — especially younger ones — as “starving” for the chance to play. What’s the reality of pay at your gig level so far?

Warade: The pay — at least on Amelia Island — is actually pretty solid. But that doesn’t mean I don’t agree with the term “starving” musician. The real hunger comes from trying to get booked, since so many venues schedule months in advance. As a student who wants to have

time to travel and focus on career and education opportunities, it’s tough. Sometimes it doesn’t feel possible to know where you’ll be six months down the road.

Folio: Following up on that, when you hear the phrase “starving artist,” how does it make you feel? Have you ever felt stereotyped because you’re a musician?

Warade: Not at all. I feel like this term might even be positive — it emphasizes how much musicians want to be out there playing. While there are people like promoters and booking managers who may be out to take advantage of this eagerness, they’re easy to spot. I have no interest in giving them my time and energy.

Folio: Are there hidden costs of being a gigging musician that you think people often overlook or underestimate?

Warade: I think mostly when it comes to pay, a lot of venues think they’re just paying for the three or four hours we’re on stage. But the truth is, that pay also covers setup, teardown, traveling to get equipment for the show and practicing beforehand. There’s way more behind a gig than people realize, even if some people still think the pay rate is unreasonable.

Folio: What has been the most validating part of your music career thus far?

Warade: In high school, I had the opportunity to play in front of 7,000 people at a music festival in upstate New York with my band at the time. I hit the opening riff of “Voodoo Child” by Jimi Hendrix and immediately just heard a massive roar from the crowd. That feeling is something many people — even a lot of musicians — will never experience, and I’m incredibly grateful I did.

When It’s Not All Rock n’ Roll

Folio: You’re also a full-time student at Florida State University. How do you balance those commitments with Freehand?

Warade: I’m a finance major. I’m involved in my fraternity and the Finance Society on campus, and I work as an event technician for an A/V production company in Tallahassee. Freehand mostly slows down when I’m at school, but the band has come out to play fundraising events at FSU. We make sure to book gigs when I’m back during Thanksgiving, Christmas and spring breaks.

Full-Time Musician… or Part-Time Chef?

Folio: What would you say is your main goal right now as a musician? Do you feel that goal aligns with your bandmates?

Warade: I honestly don’t know if I’ll make music my main career after college. As I grow older, I’ve kind of grown to understand and appreciate that uncertainty.

Warade: However, music will remain a part of my life for the rest of my life. Ideally, if I don’t make enough as a musician as I would with a normal career, I will continue performing at night and working a job during the day. I feel like as much as my bandmates would like to take this seriously as a career, they are on the same page. I have also considered opening a recording studio or indie record label after college.

From Sapling to Sunflower: Blossoming on Stage

Folio: Looking back at when you first started, what’s changed the most about your approach to gigs?

Warade: When I started gigging, it was mostly about staying true to myself. Now, as someone who mostly plays cover music, it’s based heavily on what people want to hear. Venues want to see their customers satisfied. However, I’m hoping if I do begin taking music more seriously, I’ll return to sticking to my own tastes regardless of how a crowd reacts to it.

Folio: From your experience gigging, what’s been the biggest takeaway for life in general?

Warade: Everyone is a business owner, even if they don’t technically own a business. You have to represent and manage yourself if you want to monetize your skills. Even if you work for someone else, your name and reputation are your brand — and you can build that up as much or as little as you want.

Folio: This one’s just for fun — who would be your dream act to open for, and what’s the first thing you’d splurge on if you woke up tomorrow a worldwide hit?

Warade: In terms of musicians still touring today, definitely Cage the Elephant. If I woke up tomorrow and was a worldwide hit, I’d have to buy a nice house on a huge piece of land, maybe with a lake and a farm attached to it. Just a nice spot where I feel like I’m away.

An Encore and Just One Last Chord

First, some props to that last answer — because who can’t relate to that. Where’s our gorgeous home with waterfront views and acreage to keep out obnoxious neighbors?

Anyway — if we had some flowers here at “Folio,” we’d be tossing them Warade’s way. Through the eyes of a bona fide breakout, we’ve seen the grit, the risks and the dreams on the line when it comes to live music. First Coast and beyond, musicians sacrifice so much to share their talent with us. We can sit back and sip our IPAs at Wicked Barley while someone gives a glimpse of their craft honed by countless hours of practice. Nothing is handed to you in the life of a creative — every opportunity is earned fair and square through hustle, and yes, sometimes tears.

Next time we get the privilege of being the audience for live music, we’ll think of incredible people like Warade and Freehand — the artistry that we’re grateful to have in the Jax community. Who doesn’t enjoy music? Who doesn’t root for someone giving everything they’ve got to something they love? (If not, maybe talk that out with a therapist.)

Thank you to Andrew Warade, thank you to Freehand and thank you to all our local musicians who keep Jacksonville jamming.

Oh yeah, and follow Freehand on Instagram at @ freehand904 for more information on upcoming performances.

Words by Teresa Spencer

Los Andes:

South American Fire in Jacksonville’s Belly

Jacksonville loves to play it safe. We’ll line up for another cookie-cutter chain, pretend a half-decent burger is a revelation, and call it a night. That’s why stumbling into Los Andes feels like opening a side door into another country. With two locations both hidden away in a modest strip on Baymeadows Road, and the other also in a strip at Marsh Landing Parkway, it doesn’t look like much from the outside— but inside, you’re suddenly not in Jacksonville anymore. You’re somewhere between Buenos Aires and Lima, and you’re hungry.

This is not “Latinx-inspired” fast casual with a trendy mural slapped on the wall. Serving up Peruvian-Argentinian fusion, Los Andes is the real deal: family-run, food cooked with pride, recipes that feel lived-in. The dining room buzzes with warmth, but the real action is on the plate.

Start with the empanadas. Golden and blistered, the kind of pastry that crackles under your fingers, giving way to fillings so rich and comforting you instantly regret not ordering six.

The Lomo Saltado? A Peruvian masterpiece: strips of steak, onions, and peppers stir-fried to the edge of chaos, doused in a sauce that seeps into the fries underneath until you’re chasing every last bite. And then the ceviche, bright with lime, kissed with heat, bracingly fresh, it’s like tasting the ocean for the first time.

The crowd is a mix: Latin families catching up over shared plates, curious locals clutching their forks like passports, and regulars who already know this is one of Jacksonville’s bestkept secrets. The staff doesn’t sell you anything: They just deliver it straight, confident you’ll get it once it hits your tongue.

What makes Los Andes different is that it’s not trying to be anything. No gimmicks, no Instagram theatrics, no watered-down flavors to coddle the timid. Just South American food the way it’s meant to be. Bold, soulful and proud of where it comes from.

In a city drowning in mediocrity, Los Andes is a rebellion. And if you’re tired of playing it safe, it’s time to sit down, order deep and let the flavors of Argentina and Peru set fire to your idea of what Jacksonville dining can be.

What to Order (According

to Me, Because You’ll Thank Me Later)

• Empanadas: Absolute amazeballs. My personal addiction is the beef, but chicken with rice and salad runs a close second.

• Black Beans & Sweet Plantains: Simple sides, but here they’re magic—comfort food turned into delicious poetry.

• Arroz Chaufa de Pollo: Peruvian wok-fried rice laced with Asian sauces—smoky, savory and straight-up addictive.

• Picanha Brazilian Grilled Steak: Meat cooked with soul and fire. A must for anyone who respects steak.

• Mexican Glass-Bottle Coca-Cola: Because nothing else cuts through these flavors with the same icy, nostalgic bite.

• Dessert: Don’t even think about leaving without the flan (silky perfection) or the tres leches (sweet, decadent, and worth the guilt).

Folio’s Top Picks:

Arlington Catullo’s Italian facebook.com/catullositalian

Galaxy Burgers Bar & Grill galaxyburgersjax.com

Just Kitchen Jax justkitchenjax.com

Spices Caribbean Restaurant spicesjax.com

Tabouleh Mediterranean Cafe taboulehjax.com

Jax Beaches

Dockside Seafood Restaurant docksideseafoodrestaurant.com

Oaxaca Club theoaxacaclub.com

O-Ku

o-kusushi.com

RP’s Fine Food & Drink rpsjaxbeach.com

Sizemore’s Coastal Kitchen sizemorescoastalkitchen.com

Neptune/Atlantic Beach Arepa Please arepaplease.com

Coop 303 coop303.com

North Beach Fish Camp thenorthbeachfishcamp.com

Mamasamas mamasamas.com

Salumeria 104 salumeria104.com

The Local thelocaljax.com

Mayport Egg Boy eggboybreakfast.com

The Juicy Seafood Mayport thejuicycofl.com

La Casa Leon lacasaleonfl.com

Sub Cultured subculturedsubs.com

Downtown Bellwether bellwetherjax.com

Cowford Chophouse cowfordchophouse.com

Dorothy’s Downtown dorothysdowntown.com

Indochine Downtown indochinejax.com

Murray Hill Buchner’s Bierhalle buchnersbierhalle.com

Chancho King chanchoking.square.site

Community Loaves communityloavesjax.com

Solazo Taqueria solazofl.com

Northside & Airport Green Papaya greenpapayaus.com

Eleon Pizza & Pastry eleonpastry.com

Flying Fish Taphouse flyingfishtaphouse.com

New Berlin Fish House & Oyster Bar newberlinfishhouse.com

Mandarin Cooper’s Hawk Winery and Restaurant chwinery.com

Julington Creek Fish Camp julingtoncreekfishcamp.com

Enza’s Italian Restaurant enzas.net

Salento Colombian Steakhouse salentosteakhouse.com

Riverside and Avondale Bartaco bartaco.com

Carolina Jax carolinajax.com

Hawkers eathawkers.com

Josephine josephineavondale.com

Taqueria Cinco taqueria5points.com

San Marco The Bearded Pig thebeardedpigbbq.com

Taverna taverna.restaurant

Tepeyolot Cerveceria tepeys.com

Maple Street Biscuit Company maplestreetbiscuits.com

Springfield Crispy’s Springfield Gallery crispysspringfield.com

Othello othellospringfield.com

Tulua Bistro Springfield tuluabistro.com

1748 Bakehouse 1748bakehouse.com

Southside Purple Roots purplerootsjacksonville.com

Rustic 21 Bistro rustic21.com

RH Rooftop Restaurant rh.com/us/en/jacksonville/restaurant

Zen Dumpling zendumplings.com

Orange Park/Fleming Island/Middleburg Grumpy’s Restaurant grumpysrestaurantco.com

Kyodai Sushi Rock facebook.com /KyodaiSushiRock

Palermo Puerto Rican Kitchen palermopuertoricankitchen.com

The Toasted Yolk Cafe thetoastedyolk.com

Ponte Vedra/Vilano Anejo Cocina anejococinamexicana.com

Barbara Jean’s barbarajeansonthewater.com

Nona Blue Modern Tavern nonablue.com

Trasca & Co Eatery trascaandco.com

1912 Ocean Bar & Rooftop 1912oceanbarandrooftop.com

Vilano Beach

Aunt Kate’s aunt-kates.com

Cap’s On The Water capsonthewater.com

Pesca Vilano pescavilano.com

The Reef thereefstaugustine.com

Surfside Kitchen surfside.kitchen

NIGHTLIFE

ARLINGTON

Atlantis Lounge instagram.com/theatlantis_jax

Cliff’s Bar and Grill cliffsbarandgrill.com

Club Heaven clubheavenjax.com

BEACHES/PONTE VEDRA

Beach Bowl beachbowljax.com

Bedlam bedlamlive.com

Blue Jay Listening Room bluejayjax.com

The Brix Taphouse jacksonvillebeachbar.com

Casa Marina casamarinahotel.com

Culhane’s culhanesirishpub.com

Flask & Cannon facebook.com/flaskandcannon

Fly’s Tie Irish Pub facebook.com/flystieirishpub

Green Room Brewing greenroombrewing.com

Grey Matter Distillery greymatterdistillery.com Gusto gustojax.com

Hoptinger Bier Garden + Sausage House hoptinger.com

Ink Factory Brewing inkfactorybrewing.com

Island Girl Cigar Bar islandgirlcigarbar.com

Jax Beach Kava Bar kavajacksonville.com

Jekyll Brewing jekyllbrewing.com

Julep Palm Valley facebook.com/juleppalmvalley

Lemon Bar & Grille lemonbarjax.com

Living Room Lounge instagram.com/thelivingroomab

Lucky’s Bar instagram.com/luckysjaxbch

Lynch’s Irish Pub lynchsirishpub.com

Mango’s mangosjaxbeach.com

Mavi’s Waterfront Bar & Grill mavijax.com

Mayport Brewing Company maportbrewing.com

Mayport Garden Club mayportgardenclub.com

Monkey’s Uncle Tavern monkeysuncletavern.com

Palm Valley Outdoors Bar and Grill palmvalleyoutdoors.com

Penthouse Lounge at Casa Marina Hotel casamarinahotel.com

Refinery Jax Beach refineryjaxbeach.com

Reve Brewing revebrewing.com

The Ritz Lounge theritzlounge.com

Serenity Restaurant & Hookah Lounge serenityjaxbeach.com

Southern Swells Brewing Company southernswells.com

Surfer The Bar surferthebar.com

VooSwar Restaurant & Lounge instagram.com/vooswar

DOWNTOWN

The Albatross thealbatrossjax.com

The Bier Hall at Intuition Ale Works intuitionaleworks.com/bierhall

Bold City Brewery boldcitybrewery.com

The Circuit Arcade Bar instagram.com/thecircuitbarcade

De Real Ting Cafe facebook.com/derealtingcafe

Decca Live deccalive.com

Dos Gatos dosgatosjax.com

Element Bistro Bar & Lounge elementjax.com

Hardwicks hardwicksbarjax.com

Intuition Aleworks intuitionaleworks.com

Island Girl Cigar Bar islandgirlcigarbar.com

Justice Pub facebook.com/thejusticepub

Live Bar facebook.com/livebarclubjax

Manifest Distilling manifestdistilling.com

Myth Nightclub & Bar mythexperience.com

Ocean Street Tequila instagram.com/oceanstreettacosandtequila

Pour Taproom jaxpourtaproom.com

Ruby Beach Brewing rubybeachbrewing.com

SIP Cocktail bar sipontheroof.com

Spliff’s Gastropub spliffsgastropub.com

That Bar At The Arena facebook.com/ThatBarattheArena

The Volstead thevolsteadjax.com

Fleming Island Island Girl Cigar Bar islandgirlcigarbar.com/fleming-island

Mercury Moon facebook.com/mercury-moon

Mr. Chubby’s Wings mrchubbyswings.com

Sunset Tiki Bar the-sunset-tiki-bar.business.site

Whitey’s Fish Camp whiteysfishcamp.com

Intracoastal West 9 Zero Pour 9zeropour.com

Brew and Barrel Tavern bbtjax.com

MVP’s Sports Grille facebook.com/mvpssportsgrille

The Spot Hookah Lounge thespothookahloungejax.com

Time Out Sports Grill timeoutsportsgrill.com

MANDARIN/JULINGTON CREEK/ FRUIT COVE

2nd Bay Brewing 2ndbaybrewing.com

Comedy Zone comedyzone.com

Iggy’s Grill and Bar facebook.com/iggysgrill

Kava & Company kavaandcompany.com

Legacy Ale Works legacyaleworks.com

Monkey’s Uncle Tavern monkeysunclemandarin.com

Rack’em Up Sports Bar facebook.com/rackemupsportsbar

Time Out Sports Grill timeoutsportsgrill.com

MURRAY HILL

Axe Champs axechamps.com

Buchner’s Bierhalle buchnersbierhalle.com

The Boot Rack Saloon boot-rack-saloon.business.site

Fishweir Brewing Company fishweirbrewing.com

The Flamingo theflamingojax.com

Perfect Rack Billiards perfectrackbilliards.com

Silver Cow silvercowjax.com

Spruce sprucejax.com

The Walrus thewalrusjax.com

NORTHSIDE

Coppertop Bar and Restaurant coppertopbarandrestaurant.com

Four Fathers Distillery fourfathersdistillery.com

ORANGE PARK/MIDDLEBURG 57 Heaven facebook.com/57heavenop

Big Dawgs Sports Restaurant bigdawgsrestaurant.com

Cheers Park Avenue cheersparkave.com

The Daq Shack thedaqshack904.com

Dee’s Music Bar and Grill facebook.com/musicbarandgrill

The Fresh Spot Lounge thefreshspotlounge.com

LeaderBoard Arcade leaderboardarcade.com

Locals Pub localspub.co

Nakama Anime Bar nakamabar.com

Park Avenue Billiards parkavenuebilliards.com

Pinglehead Brewing Company pinglehead.com

Southern Social Whiskey Bar & Lounge southernsocialbar.com

RIVERSIDE/AVONDALE

Bartaco bartaco.com

Birdies facebook.com/birdiesfivepoints

Bold City Brewery boldcitybrewery.com

Brick Restaurant brickofavondale.com

Burlock & Barrel burlockandbarrel.com

Dart Bar & Games facebook.com/dartbarjax

Eclipse Bar & Nightclub facebook.com/eclipsebarjax

The Garage garagejax.com

The Green House thegreenhousebar.com

Hoptinger Bier Garden + Sausage House hoptinger.com

Incahoots incahootsnightclub.com

Kanine Social Taproom kaninesocial.com

Keg & Coin kegandcoinjax.com

Kingmaker Brewing kingmakerbrewing.com

Lemonstreet Brewing Company lemonstreetbrewing.com

The Loft loftjax.com

Mickie’s Irish Pub facebook.com/mickiesjax

Myrtle Avenue Brewing facebook.com/myrtleavebrewing

Park Place Lounge park-place-lounge.business.site

River & Post riverandpostjax.com

Riverside Liquors riversideliquors.biz

Rogue Bar facebook.com/rogue.bar.1

Root Down facebook.com/rootdownjax

Shores Liquor and Bar instagram.com/shoresliquoravondale

SAN MARCO/ST. NICHOLAS

1937 Spirits & Eatery 1937sanmarco.com

Aardwolf Brewing Company aardwolfbrewing.com

Bar Molino barmolino.com

Breezy Jazz House breezyjazzhouse.com

Cuba Libre Ultra Lounge cubalibrebar.com

Fore Score Golf Tavern forescoregolf.com

The Grape & Grain Exchange grapeandgrainexchange.com

Kava & Company kavaandcompany.com

The Mudville Grill themudvillegrill.com

The Players Grille playersgrille.com

Posting House posting.house

Sherwoods sherwoodsbar.com

Sidecar instagram.com/sidecarjax

Voodoo Brewing instagram.com/voodoojax

SOUTHSIDE/ST. JOHNS TOWN CEN -

TER

Austin Karaoke facebook.com/austinkaraoke

Bottlenose Brewing bottlenosebrewing.com

Cataluna Jax catalunajax.com

Culhane’s culhanesirishpub.com

Island Girl Cigar Bar islandgirlcigarbar.com

Jax Craft Beer jaxcraftbeer.com

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

Rio Restaurant and Lounge instagram.com/riorestauraunt.jax

Seven Bridges Grille & Brewery 7bridgesgrille.com

Sugar Factory instagram.com/sugarfactoryjacksonville

Trio Lounge triohookahlounge.com

Veterans United Craft Brewery vubrew.com

Wicked Barley Brewing Company wickedbarley.com

WXYZ Bar at Aloft Hotel aloftjacksonvilletapestrypark.com

SPRINGFIELD

Crispy’s Springfield Gallery crispysspringfieldgallery.com

The District thedistrictspr.com

Historically Hoppy Brewing Company historicallyhoppy.com

Shantytown Pub facebook.com/shantytownjax

Strings Sports Brewery stringssportsbrewery.com

Stumpy’s Hatchet House stumpyshh.com

Tulua Bistro instagram.com/tuluabistro

ST. AUGUSTINE

Ancient City Brewing ancientcitybrewing.com

Arnold’s Lounge arnoldslounge.com

Beacon Listening Room beaconstaug.com

Cellar Upstairs Bar at San Sebastian Winery sansebastianwinery.com

Dog Rose Brewing dogrosebrewing.com

Odd Birds Cocktail Lounge and Kitchen instagram.com/odd_birds

The Original Café Eleven originalcafe11.com

Prohibition Kitchen pkstaug.com

Shanghai Nobby’s nobbysfl.weebly.com

Tradewinds Lounge tradewindslounge.com

Westside Elevation Lounge elevationjax.com

Lillian’s lillianssportsgrill.com

The Phoenix Bar & Bowling facebook.com/thephoenixjax

photo by Jalen Hines (@photosbyjwh on IG)