Folio Vol. 40, Issue 21 by Folio Weekly

10.3 0

2026

Thanks, But No Thanks

Hoe Phases, Pho and Blue October

November Around the Globe

Talk Turkey to the Hand

Your Guide To Entertainment In Northeast Florida

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CONTENTS

VOL. 40, ISSUE 21

CO LUM N S 6

FE AT U RE S 11

HOROSCOPES

Thanks But No Thanks

Ambar Ramirez and Carmen Macri

Teresa Spencer

Listening to Locally Ambar Ramirez

Datil Do!

SPECIAL EVENTS

Carmen Macri

Smashing Expectations: The Pumpkins Set Jacksonville Ablaze

TRIVIA, ETC.

Super Girl Takes Over Jacksonville Beach for a Free Weekend of Surf,

Sports and Music

SPORTS

November Around the Globe

Teresa Spencer

Neha Nidheesh

Carmen Macri

FOLIO WEED

Teresa Spencer

Hoe Phases, Pho and Blue October

Teresa Spencer

New Music Releases and Who We’re

Not Your Average Hotel Restaurant Ambar Ramirez and Carmen Macri

Carmen Macri

Teresa Spencer

The Ultimate Guys Gift Guide

THEATER & FILM

The Psychology of Rage Bait

Talk Turkey to the Hand

ART

Elliot Henry

COMEDY & MAGIC

CONCERTS

FOLIO STAFF:

FOLIO’S BEST BITES

JOHN PHILLIPS President

AARON BERKSHIRE Photographer

TERESA SPENCER General Manager

JEFF CARD Photographer

KERRY SPECKMAN Writer

MICHAEL TEAL Photographer

AMBAR RAMIREZ Creative Director

ELLIOT HENRY Writer & Designer

CARMEN MACRI Social Media Manager & Lead Writer

KALEB STOWELL Writer

ARIANA ALCANTARA Writer

NEHA NIDEESH Writer

Cover photo Courtesy of Blue October3

Letter from our General Manager Somewhere between putting away the Halloween decorations and wondering how Thanksgiving is already around the corner, it hits us. Another year is nearly behind us. The stores are filling with holiday decorations, calendars are becoming crowded with celebrations, and we’re beginning that familiar annual scramble to get everything done before December. Every year, the holidays seem to arrive a little faster, and every year, we promise ourselves we’re going to slow down and enjoy them a little more. But before the shopping lists, holiday parties and endless to-do lists take over, November gives us an opportunity to reflect on what matters most. Thanksgiving has always been one of my favorite reminders that the most valuable things in life rarely come wrapped in a box. They’re the people sitting around our tables, the friends who show up when we need them, the neighbors who look out for one another and the memories we’ve made along the way. Sometimes it’s the smallest things that deserve our greatest appreciation. Here in Northeast Florida, we have plenty to be thankful for. From our beautiful beaches and the St. Johns River to the historic streets of St. Augustine, the charm of Fernandina Beach and the neighborhoods that give Jacksonville its personality, there’s something special about this corner of the world. But what truly makes our region remarkable isn’t its geography. It’s the people who call it home. As we prepare for the holiday season, I hope we’ll remember how much these people and places contribute to our lives. When making your shopping list, consider spending a little of that money with a locally owned business. Plan a dinner at a neighborhood restaurant, buy tickets to a local performance or discover a shop you’ve driven past a hundred times but never entered. Supporting local businesses helps preserve the character of Northeast Florida and strengthens the community we all share. While the holidays are often portrayed as a season of picture-perfect families gathered around beautifully decorated tables, we should remember that this time of year isn’t joyful for everyone. Some families are struggling financially, while others are missing loved ones who once occupied a familiar chair at the dinner table. For those facing illness, loneliness or uncertainty, the holidays can be especially difficult. A phone call, an invitation to dinner or simply checking on someone can mean more than we realize.

I also believe gratitude shouldn’t require everything in our lives to be perfect. We can appreciate our community while recognizing what needs to change. We can disagree with our neighbors and still treat them with respect. Perhaps one of the greatest gifts we can give one another this holiday season is a little more patience, understanding and kindness. At Folio Weekly, we have our own reasons to be grateful. As we approach 40 years of independent journalism in Northeast Florida, I often think about the generations of writers, photographers, artists, advertisers, distributors and dedicated employees who have helped keep this publication alive. Since 1987, Folio has documented the people, places, controversies, celebrations and cultural moments that have shaped our region. Through changing times and an ever-evolving media landscape, our commitment to telling the stories of Northeast Florida remains. I’m especially thankful for the businesses that continue to advertise with us, the talented people who contribute to our pages and, of course, all of you who pick up Folio, visit our website, share our stories and remind us why independent local journalism matters. Your support allows us to continue giving this community a voice while celebrating everything that makes it unique. As we head into the busiest season of the year, I encourage everyone to make room for the things that really matter. Enjoy the traditions you’ve carried through the years, and maybe start a new one. Take the family to see the holiday lights. Make that recipe your grandmother used to make. Invite someone who might otherwise spend the holiday alone. Laugh a little louder, stay at the dinner table a little longer and don’t worry quite so much if everything isn’t perfect. Some of the best memories come from the moments that don’t go according to plan. And if you find yourself caught in the holiday madness, remember that the best gifts we give rarely come with a receipt. From all of us at Folio Weekly, thank you for allowing us to be part of your lives and your community. We wish you and your families good health, laughter, love and a little well-deserved peace.

Teresa Spencer, General Manager 4 Folio Weekly

CAN YOU SPOT A FAKE? Experience the unexpected tale of innovation, desire, and imitation. Forty-five stained glass treasures. One irresistible question. Genuine Tiffany, or dazzling Ti-phony? Look closer. Spotting a fake has never been this fun.

TIFFANY OR TI-PHONY? A STORY OF DESIRE OCTOBER 22 - JANUARY 10

Organized by The Neustadt Collection of Tiffany Glass, Queens, New York.

BOUQS & BRICKS BOUQUETS

To Feeding Northeast Florida and the volunteers, donors and community partners who work yearround to put food on the tables of families facing hunger. As Thanksgiving approaches, food drives and charitable giving take center stage, but food insecurity doesn’t disappear when the holiday decorations come down. From working families struggling with rising grocery bills to seniors stretching fixed incomes, the need for assistance extends far beyond November. Feeding Northeast Florida’s commitment to distributing nutritious food throughout our region is a reminder that generosity shouldn’t have an expiration date. Here’s to the people who understand that giving thanks means giving back, not just during the holidays, but every day of the year.

BRICKBATS

A hefty brickbat to the City of Jacksonville for the potholes, deteriorating pavement and neglected neighborhood streets that continue to frustrate motorists. Jacksonville residents pay taxes, vehicle registration fees and plenty at the gas pump, yet navigating some city streets can feel more like an off-road adventure than a daily commute. Beyond the inconvenience, poor road conditions can damage vehicles, create safety hazards for cyclists and motorcyclists, and leave residents wondering where infrastructure improvements fall on the city’s priority list.

Yell at us! team@folioweekly.com 5

Aries With Mercury and Venus finally moving past your eighth house of shared resources and deep contracts mid-month, that financial or collaborative pause button you’ve been hitting is finally releasing. You are getting the green light to seal the deal or restructure joint investments, but it demands total honesty about who is actually bringing value to the table. Once Mars hits Virgo late in the month, stop talking about the game plan and start executing the daily grind.

Taurus The full moon on Oct. 26 kickstarted a moment of personal freedom for you, Taurus. For the next two weeks, know that there are no limits to what you can accomplish. This is peak manifesting time.

Gemini The early-month Scorpio energy puts a heavy spotlight on your sixth house of daily routines, health and work environment — forcing you to audit what’s burning you out before you collapse. The real fireworks arrive on Nov. 24 with a full moon in your first house of self, sitting right next to unpredictable Uranus. Expect a sudden personal breakthrough or a total pivot in how you present yourself to the world; stop clinging to an old version of yourself just because it’s familiar.

Folio Weekly 66 Folio Weekly

Your Nov

Horosc Cancer It’s natural to want to handle everything on your own, but true strength lies in letting people in. No Crab is an island! With the Taurus full moon illuminating your 11th house of community over the next two weeks, connection is key. Keep the lines of communication open, stay actively involved in group projects, and resist the urge to retreat into your shell.

Leo Scorpio season forces a deep dive into your fourth house of home, roots and personal foundations, asking you to clear out domestic tension or emotional clutter that’s been quietly draining you. Meanwhile, Mars spending time in your first house (and teaming up with Jupiter) gives you a ridiculous amount of momentum and main-character presence to push creative projects forward. Just make sure you aren’t using high-octane public energy to run away from the quiet reset needed in your private life.

Virgo If creative stagnation has left you dreaming of burning it all down and starting over, take heart: change is on the horizon. A new path forward is opening up, but it doesn’t require a radical overhaul. Sometimes, the key to unlocking your inspiration is simply shifting your everyday rhythm.

vember

copes By Ambar Ramirez & Carmen Macri

Libra

You get the biggest cosmic sigh of relief this month when your ruler, Venus, goes direct right in your first house of identity on Nov. 13, instantly ending that foggy, low-energy rut. With the Scorpio transits also activating your second house of money and self-worth, financial clarity is finally returning after weeks of second-guessing your value or income potential. Use the back half of the month to refresh your personal aesthetic, re-establish your boundaries and step back into your room-clearing confidence.

Capricorn Scorpio season illuminates your 11th house of community, social networks and long-term goals, prompting you to ruthlessly edit your inner circle down to the people who actually earn a seat at your table. Money and practical commitments take center stage as the retrogrades clear, making it prime time to plug financial leaks, cancel sneaky recurring expenses and audit your budget. You’re building long-term security right now — don’t let lopsided friendships or cheap distractions waste your resources.

Aquarius Feeling restless, competitive and at odds with yourself? You have the power to shift that momentum, Aquarius. Turn that internal tension into creative drive by honing in on your vision. When you can clearly picture the change you want, you make it far easier to make it happen.

Scorpio This is your birth season, and with a new moon and Mercury stationing direct in your first house, the mic is officially handed back to you. You’re shedding old identities and cutting ties with anything draining your battery, paving the way for a complete personal reinvention. Just prepare for the full moon on Nov. 24 to shake up your eighth house of intimacy and shared assets, forcing an honest, cards-on-the-table moment about trust and boundaries.

While November usually brings a spirit of lightness and thanks, Pluto’s presence in your communication sector introduces a darker, more intense rhythm. Your natural optimism may feel dimmed under this influence, but Pluto’s depth is a gift in disguise. This is your moment to embrace uncomfortable truths and foster deep, transparent conversations.

Sagittarius

Pisces

Self-care isn’t selfish, especially with the holiday season fast approaching. As the first quarter moon in Leo enters your sixth house of wellness and organization on Nov. 1, the universe is asking you to treat yourself with the same loving care you offer everyone else. Setting healthy boundaries and routines now will define your energy for the rest of November.

g n i n e p p a h All things

in Ja ck so nv ill e

Click here for our events calendar 8 Folio Weekly

Special Events NOV. 1–30 Kids Free November Jacksonville Zoo and Botanical Gardens jacksonvillezoo.org NOV. 1 Sixth Annual Persimmon Festival Eat Your Yard Jax Farm eatyouryardjax.org NOV. 5 First Thursday Yoga at Friendship Fountain Friendship Fountain dtjax.com NOV. 5–15 Greater Jacksonville Agricultural Fair 13601 Normandy Blvd. jacksonvillefair.com NOV. 7 Porchfest Parks and porches of Historic Springfield jacksonvilleporchfest.org Uncorked: Jacksonville Wine Fest Jacksonville Zoo and Botanical Gardens uncorkedwinefestivals.com Right Whale Festival Main Beach Park, Fernandina Beach rightwhalefestival.com NOV. 7–8 Super Girl Surf Festival Jacksonville Beach supergirljax.com NOV. 13–15 Jacksonville Greek Festival St. John the Divine Greek Orthodox Church jaxgreekfest.com

NOV. 14 Lock & Key Singles Party Eclipse Bar & Nightclub lockandkeyevents.com NOV. 14–15 Shrek Rave at Decca Live Decca Live deccalive.com NOV. 15 JAX Fall Record Fair Liberty Building at Phoenix Arts & Innovation District facebook.com/modernmusicflorida 2026 Annual Fall Festival First UPC Jax firstupcjax.com NOV. 19 Sip & Stroll RiversEdge dtjax.com/sipandstroll NOV. 20–JAN. 3, 2027 ZOOlights Jacksonville Zoo and Botanical Gardens jacksonvillezoo.org NOV. 21–22 Jacksonville Chocolate and Coffee Festival The Prime F. Osborn III Convention Center jaxchocolateandcoffee.com

Lunaria Collection

NOV. 25–JAN. 1, 2027 Deck the Chairs Seawalk Pavilion deckthechairs.org NOV. 27–29 Christmas Made in the South! The Prime F. Osborn III Convention Center madeinthesouthshows.com NOV. 28 Jacksonville Light Boat Parade St. Johns River events.jacksonville.gov

‘The Americana Revolution’

ROOTS RADIO HAS LANDED ON THE SONIC PLANET

Listen at www.thesonicplanet.com

Thanks,BUT

NO THANKS A Thanksgiving tribute to everything we never asked for but apparently should appreciate Words by Teresa Spencer Thanksgiving is upon us, that magical time of year when Americans gather around tables overflowing with food, family and unsolicited opinions to express gratitude for all the wonderful things in their lives. We give thanks for our health, our loved ones, the roofs over our heads and the fact that stretchy pants have somehow become socially acceptable dinner attire. But this year, I thought we might take a slightly different approach to gratitude. After all, there are plenty of things in our everyday lives that we’re constantly told are improvements, conveniences or technological miracles. And while we’re expected to appreciate them, I think it’s time we acknowledge that some of these modern blessings deserve a heartfelt, enthusiastic, “Thanks, but no thanks.” Let’s start with self-checkout machines. What a remarkable advancement in retail technology. Somewhere along the way, grocery stores convinced us that performing the duties of a cashier, bagger and occasionally an IT technician was a privilege. We scan our own groceries, bag our own groceries, troubleshoot the machine when it insists there’s an “unexpected item in the bagging area,” and then wait for an employee to verify we’re old enough to purchase cooking wine. The machine thanks us for shopping, which is particularly touching considering we just worked an unpaid shift. Next year, perhaps they’ll let us unload the delivery trucks, too. And speaking of convenience, can we discuss the growing number of businesses that charge us a convenience fee? I’m not entirely sure when paying someone became inconvenient for the person receiving the money, but apparently we’ve reached that point in civilization. Want to purchase concert tickets? Convenience fee. Pay a bill online? Convenience fee. Make a reservation? Possibly another fee. At this rate, I’m expecting my electric company to charge me a breathing fee for using oxygen while paying my bill. Then there’s the glorious invention of automated customer service. Remember when you could call a business and a real person answered the tele-

phone? What primitive times those were. Now we’re greeted by a cheerful computerized voice assuring us that our call is very important, just before placing us into a technological maze designed by someone who clearly hates humanity. Press one for billing, two for technical support, three to hear these options again and four to question every decision you’ve ever made. And heaven forbid you say “representative” too many times. The machine will politely inform you that it didn’t understand your request before hanging up. Of course, here in Northeast Florida, we have our own special blessings to appreciate. Jacksonville traffic, for example, provides countless opportunities to practice patience, deep breathing and creative vocabulary. The Buckman Bridge alone has probably inspired more conversations with the Almighty than most Sunday services. And if you’re traveling I-295 during rush hour, congratulations. You’ve just signed up for an unscheduled meditation retreat, complete with brake lights and the occasional person who believes turn signals are optional equipment. Florida weather deserves recognition as well. Where else can you wake up to a beautiful fall morning, dress accordingly and find yourself sweating like a Thanksgiving turkey by noon? We don’t really have four seasons in Florida. We have summer, summer with decorations, hurricane season and three random days in January when everyone loses their minds because the temperature drops below 50 degrees. But at least our weather keeps us humble. And slightly damp. Meanwhile, technology continues to improve our lives in ways nobody actually requested. Refrigerators now have touchscreens, washing machines communicate with smartphones, and apparently some people need their ovens to send text messages. Personally, I miss the days when appliances simply did their jobs without requiring software updates. My grandmother’s refrigerator lasted longer than some marriages, and it never once needed to connect to the internet. 11

Restaurants have joined the technological revolution, too. Remember menus? Those wonderful laminated inventions that allowed you to look at food choices without unlocking your phone, locating a QR code and hoping you had enough battery life to order lunch? Apparently, they’re becoming endangered. Now we’re expected to scan a tiny square, navigate a website and enlarge the text until we can finally discover that a cheeseburger costs $19. And when we finish ordering, an iPad politely asks whether we’d like to leave a 20%, 25% or 30% tip. For what, exactly? The emotional support provided by the ordering screen?

So this Thanksgiving, enjoy your family, appreciate your friends, eat an unreasonable amount of pie and remember that gratitude doesn’t require pretending everything is wonderful. Sometimes the healthiest response to life’s little inconveniences is a good laugh, a raised eyebrow and a perfectly timed dose of sarcasm.

And let’s not forget subscription services, the gifts that keep on taking. Once upon a time, we bought things and actually owned them. Now everything requires a monthly payment. Television, music, software, security cameras, exercise equipment and possibly, by next Tuesday, the right to open our garage doors. We have so many subscriptions that canceling them has practically become a part-time job. Somewhere, someone is probably developing a subscription service to help us manage our subscription services. Naturally, the premium version will cost extra.

Until then, thanks, but no thanks.

Social media also deserves a special place at our Thanksgiving table. Thanks to these wonderful platforms, we’re never more than three clicks away from someone explaining why everything we believe is wrong. We’ve got amateur meteorologists predicting hurricanes, medical experts diagnosing strangers from photographs and political analysts who apparently received their credentials by arguing with relatives online. Thanksgiving dinner used to be the one place where families could debate politics and ruin a perfectly good afternoon. Now we can do it year-round, from the comfort of our couches. Speaking of politics, thank you to every campaign commercial that interrupted our favorite television shows this election season. We truly appreciate being informed that every candidate is simultaneously the greatest threat to democracy and the only person capable of saving it. After months of dramatic music, ominous black-and-white photographs and accusations that sound like rejected movie trailers, I think we can all agree on one thing: The mute button may be the greatest political invention of our time. And while we’re expressing gratitude, let’s acknowledge the retail industry’s remarkable ability to rush us through the calendar. Halloween candy appears before Labor Day, Christmas decorations arrive while we’re still wearing flip-flops, and Thanksgiving somehow gets squeezed between plastic skeletons and inflatable Santas. By the time November rolls around, we’ve already been listening to Christmas music for six weeks and wondering whether it’s too early to start drinking eggnog. Apparently, we’re supposed to be grateful for the opportunity to celebrate three holidays simultaneously while paying off last year’s Christmas presents. Then there’s shrinkflation, the modern economic miracle that allows companies to charge us more for less while hoping we won’t notice. Potato chip bags contain enough air to inflate a bicycle tire, candy bars are approaching microscopic proportions, and a box labeled “family size” apparently assumes your family consists of two squirrels. But don’t worry. The packaging still says “NEW AND IMPROVED,” which is corporate language for “We removed four ounces and raised the price.” And finally, let’s give a special Thanksgiving shoutout to the group text message. Nothing brings people together quite like 37 relatives debating who is bringing the green bean casserole. By the time everyone has responded with thumbs-up emojis, unrelated photographs, accidental voice messages and the inevitable “Who is this?” we’ve accumulated 112 notifications and still don’t know who’s bringing the rolls. Despite all this, I suppose there really is something to be thankful for. These everyday absurdities give us something to laugh about, something to complain about and, occasionally, something to bond over. Because no matter how advanced our technology becomes or how complicated we make the simplest tasks, we’re all navigating the same ridiculous world. 12 Folio Weekly

And if anyone invents a self-cleaning kitchen that doesn’t require a subscription, a software update or a convenience fee, I’ll be the first to give thanks.

A Love-Hate Relationship What We’re Thankful For Our beautiful beaches — Miles of gorgeous coastline and spectacular sunrises. The St. Johns River — Our beautiful, historic waterway and the heart of Jacksonville. The Jacksonville Jaguars — Our hometown NFL team and the undeniable spirit of DUUUVAL! Jacksonville’s bridges — Connecting our neighborhoods across one magnificent river. Florida sunshine — Beautiful weather that makes the rest of the country jealous.

What We’re NOT So Thankful For Paying to park near the sand, hauling half the house to the beach and discovering there’s sand in places sand should never be. The occasional questionable aroma, pollution concerns and realizing we still haven’t figured out how to properly protect our greatest natural treasure. The emotional roller coaster of being a Jaguars fan. Supporting this team should qualify us for complimentary therapy. The Buckman Bridge during rush hour. Enough said. Humidity so thick you can practically spread it on toast.

Our incredible local restaurants — From Mayport shrimp to neighborhood favorites, we know how to eat.

Paying $18 for a sandwich and another $4 for fries that used to come with it.

Historic St. Augustine — Centuries of history, beautiful architecture and charming streets.

Trying to find parking while approximately 10,000 other people have the exact same idea.

Jacksonville’s growing arts scene — Talented artists, galleries, theaters and incredible local music.

People who say there’s nothing to do in Jacksonville while sitting on their couches scrolling through their phones.

Our local small businesses — The hardworking entrepreneurs who give our communities personality.

Watching another locally owned shop close while a national chain opens its 47th location.

Jacksonville International Airport — Convenient access to destinations around the country.

Paying more to park your car than you paid for the airline ticket. The leaves, pollen and branches that apparently have a personal vendetta against our vehicles.

Our beautiful oak trees — Majestic canopies that make our neighborhoods unforgettable. Florida’s wildlife — Dolphins, manatees, sea turtles and beautiful coastal birds.

Mosquitoes large enough to require clearance from air traffic control.

Our local festivals — Art walks, music festivals, seafood celebrations and community gatherings.

Festival parking, portable toilets and paying $12 for a lemonade that contains approximately 37 cents worth of ingredients.

Jacksonville’s sprawling neighborhoods — Riverside, San Marco, the Beaches, Mandarin, Arlington and beyond.

Living in a city where visiting a friend on the other side of town requires packing snacks and checking the gas tank.

Our first responders — The men and women who show up when the rest of us are running the other direction.

The fact that they have to deal with some of the things people do in the first place.

Our local musicians — Incredible talent playing everything from rock and blues to jazz and country.

People who complain about cover charges but have no problem spending $14 on a cocktail.

Florida’s lack of state income tax — One financial blessing we can genuinely appreciate.

Property insurance bills that make us wonder whether our houses are secretly made of gold.

Our community volunteers — People who donate their time, money and energy to make Northeast Florida better.

The fact that so many people need help in the first place.

Our independent local journalism — The freedom to question authority, celebrate our neighbors and tell stories that matter. Living in Northeast Florida — Beaches, rivers, history, culture, community and a whole lot of personality.

People who complain that nobody covers local news but won’t support the publications doing the work. The traffic, humidity, mosquitoes, construction cones and the occasional feeling that the entire city is one giant road project. 13

uide

G Trivia

? November is officially the season of giving thanks, eating too much and discovering that your smartest friend knows every Taylor Swift lyric but can’t name the capital of Vermont. Fortunately, Northeast Florida has plenty of places to put that otherwise questionable knowledge to work. Grab your smartest friends, brush up on your pop culture, history, sports and music knowledge, and prepare for another month of friendly competition. After all, nothing brings people together quite like arguing over an answer nobody actually knows. 14 Folio Weekly

Mondays Nov. 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Tuesdays Nov. 3, 10, 17 and 24

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

• •

• • • • • • • • •

Wednesdays Nov. 4, 11, 18 and 25 • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Thursdays Nov. 5, 12, 19 and 26 • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Fridays Nov. 6, 13, 20 and 27 • • •

Time Out Sports Grill — Southside | 6:30 p.m. Mariachiles Mexican Grill — Palatka | 6:30 p.m. MVP’s Sports Grille — Arlington | 7 p.m.

Saturdays Nov. 7, 14, 21 and 28 • •

Dick’s Wings & Grill — San Pablo | 7 p.m. Veterans United Craft Brewery — Southside | 7 and 8 p.m. | Second and fourth Saturdays, Nov. 14 and 28

Sundays Nov. 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29 • •

Posting House — San Marco | 6 p.m. Dart Bar — Riverside | 7 p.m.

16 Folio Weekly

Special Trivia Events Nov. 9

6:30–8:30 p.m.

Fernandina Beach

Free

Trivia at the Inkwell Art Bar

Gather your team for an evening of general-knowledge trivia at this Fernandina Beach neighborhood art bar. Food and beverages are available for purchase, and the venue welcomes larger teams. Nov. 4, 11 and 18

7–9 p.m.

Murray Hill

Free

Trivia Night at the Fridge

Hosted by IKNOWIT Trivia, these Wednesday night competitions offer prizes in the form of bar tabs for first-, second- and third-place teams. Bring your friends and put your knowledge to the test.

Nov. 4 and 18

6:30 p.m.

Fernandina Beach

Mocama Beer Company Trivia

Test your general knowledge during an evening of trivia at one of Amelia Island’s popular craft breweries. Gather a team and enjoy a little friendly competition. Nov. 5 and 19

6:30 p.m.

Fernandina Beach

Golf Pub Social Trivia

Enjoy an evening of trivia and friendly competition at Golf Pub Social. Whether you’re a trivia regular or just looking for something different to do, bring your team and see how much you really know.

Have a favorite trivia spot? Let us know! team@folioweekly.com

Datil Do! Words by Carmen Macri

While working on a previous story about the best burger in Jacksonville (shoutout to Carolina Jax), I sat down with the owner to talk through a few upcoming recipes. As we went back and forth on where they source their ingredients, he dropped a piece of local trivia that caught me completely off guard: The datil pepper is native to St. Augustine. As a Jacksonville native, I like to think I know my way around the local landscape — so color me surprised to learn that arguably the best pepper around has been growing right in my backyard all along.

The Caribbean Trade and Slave Trade Route: Botanists note that because Capsicum chinense thrives across the West Indies and South America, it’s very likely pepper cultivars moved along trade routes between Cuba, the Caribbean and North Florida throughout the 18th and 19th centuries via enslaved laborers or sailors.

The history is as follows:

Back in the late 19th century — long before refrigeration — St. Augustine’s Minorcan families relied on the pepper’s intense heat as a natural preservative for meat and fresh catches. Backyard datil plants quickly became prized heirlooms, with seeds passed down through generations like family secrets. Before long, the pepper became the heart and soul of First Coast comfort food, defining staple dishes like tomato-rich Minorcan clam chowder and slow-cooked pilau.

No one knows with 100% certainty who brought the datil pepper here originally, but scholars have concocted a believable enough hypothesis that it’s now taken as fact… mostly. But here are the top three contenders for the Datil Dynasty. The Minorcan Legend (1768): The most cherished story attributes the pepper to the Minorcan settlers. In 1768, more than 1,000 Mediterranean indentured laborers — mostly from the Spanish island of Menorca — were brought to New Smyrna by Scottish doctor Andrew Turnbull. After facing brutal conditions, the survivors fled north in 1777 and settled in St. Augustine. Local lore says they brought seeds with them, making the datil a cornerstone of Minorcan heritage. The Historical Catch: The datil is a Capsicum chinense (a species native to the Americas and Caribbean), and allegedly, there is no record of it ever growing natively on Menorca. The Chilean/Cuban Connection: The earliest documented reference to the pepper in historical records points to Esteban B. Valls, a jelly and fruit preserve maker from Chile (or via Cuba). According to a 1937 article in The St. Augustine Record, Valls brought seeds from Santiago, Cuba, to St. Augustine around 1880. They flourished in his garden, and he shared seeds with local families. 18 Folio Weekly

Regardless of who planted the very first seed, it was St. Augustine’s Minorcan community that turned the Datil into a culture.

For decades, the datil remained a best-kept secret strictly reserved for local backyards and neighborhood fish fries. It wasn’t until the late 20th century that the pepper finally broke into the commercial spotlight, thanks to regional purveyors bottling their own hot sauces, relishes and marinades. Today, it’s a point of serious local pride. While you can technically plant a datil seed anywhere, horticulturists point out that the unique coastal soil and humidity of Northeast Florida are what yield its signature mix of fiery heat and sweet, fruity flavor. From the annual Datil Pepper Fall Festival in St. Johns County to local spots slinging datil-glazed burgers, it’s officially earned its crown as the undisputed flavor profile of the First Coast.

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sG Sport

20 Folio Weekly

Photo courtesy of the Jacksonville Icemen / Facebook

Game On, Duuuval!

From the #1 rated NPR show, “Wait Wait...Don’t Tell Me!”

Football, hockey, basketball, soccer and more — Northeast Florida has plenty to cheer about this November. Jacksonville Jaguars

SCAN HERE

NFL Football | EverBank Stadium jaguars.com NOV. 1 Indianapolis Colts vs. Jacksonville Jaguars | HOME NOV. 5 Jacksonville Jaguars at Baltimore Ravens | AWAY NOV. 15 Jacksonville Jaguars at Tennessee Titans | AWAY NOV. 22 Jacksonville Jaguars at New York Giants | AWAY NOV. 29 Tennessee Titans vs. Jacksonville Jaguars | HOME The Jaguars have two home games in November, including an AFC South showdown with the Titans during Thanksgiving weekend.

Jacksonville Icemen

ECHL Hockey | VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena jacksonvilleicemen.com NOV. 3 Savannah Ghost Pirates | School Day Game NOV. 6 Florida Everblades NOV. 7 Florida Everblades | 10-Year Celebration NOV. 8 Florida Everblades | Family Funday NOV. 10 South Carolina Stingrays NOV. 13 Greenville Swamp Rabbits | Pucks & Paws NOV. 14 Savannah Ghost Pirates | Women in Sports Night NOV. 20 Orlando Solar Bears | Cars Night NOV. 21 At Orlando Solar Bears | AWAY NOV. 25 Greenville Swamp Rabbits | Gobble Wobble NOV. 28 At Atlanta Gladiators | AWAY NOV. 29 At Atlanta Gladiators | AWAY All games are home games unless otherwise indicated.

November 13 7:30PM | WJCT Soundstage For information, tickets, & more visit

WJCT.ORG/EVENTS This is a partnership of Florida Theatre on the Road & WJCT Public Media.

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University of North Florida Ospreys NCAA Basketball & Volleyball | UNF Arena unfospreys.com

Annabella suffered a meniscus tear but thanks to Injury Care Centers & our Biotarget Therapy she was back on the field in only 3 weeks.

NOV. 2 — Women’s Basketball vs. Florida Tech NOV. 6 — Women’s Volleyball vs. Bellarmine NOV. 7 — Women’s Volleyball vs. Lipscomb NOV. 10 — Women’s Basketball vs. Edward Waters NOV. 13 — Women’s Volleyball vs. Jacksonville University NOV. 14 — Men’s Basketball vs. The Citadel NOV. 17 — Men’s Basketball vs. University of Fort Lauderdale NOV. 21 — Men’s Basketball vs. Little Rock NOV. 23 — Men’s Basketball vs. Central Arkansas NOV. 25 — Men’s Basketball vs. Warner University NOV. 27 — Women’s Basketball vs. South Dakota NOV. 28 — Women’s Basketball vs. North Carolina A&T

TARGETED TREATMENTS RAPID RECOVERY

These are confirmed home events; the list does not include every away contest.

Jacksonville University Dolphins

Football Playoffs FHSAA Regional Championships | Various Locations

fhsaa.com NOV. 13 — Regional Quarterfinals | Classes 1A–6A NOV. 20 — Regional Semifinals | Classes 1A–6A NOV. 27 — Regional Finals | Classes 1A–6A Participating Northeast Florida teams, locations and kickoff times will be determined by playoff qualification and seeding.

Professional Wrestling

All Elite Wrestling | VyStar Veterans Memorial allelitewrestling.com NOV. 4 All Elite Wrestling: Dynamite — Blood & Guts Professional wrestling returns to Jacksonville with AEW’s Blood & Guts event

Sporting Jax

Women’s Professional Soccer | Hodges Stadium sportingjax.com NOV. 15 Sporting JAX vs. DC Power FC A November home matchup gives Northeast Florida soccer fans another opportunity to support professional women’s soccer.

22 Folio Weekly

904-549-5647 gobiotarget.com

Super Girl Takes Over Jacksonville Beach for a Free Weekend of Surf, Sports and Music Words by Teresa Spencer Jacksonville Beach is about to get a serious dose of girl power, and this one comes with waves, live music and more than 1,500 female athletes. The Super Girl Surf Festival presented by Jersey Mike’s returns Nov. 7–8, wrapping up the festival series’ 20th season with two days of professional surfing, sports competitions, concerts, fitness, art and entertainment. Now in its sixth year in Jacksonville Beach, the nationally televised event is free and open to the public, with activities stretching from the Jacksonville Beach Pier to SeaWalk Pavilion and Latham Plaza. At the center of the weekend is the return of professional women’s surfing. A World Surf League QS 2000 competition will bring some serious talent to the Jacksonville Beach Pier, with a field expected to include former Super Girl champions Eden Walla, Kirra Pinkerton, Leilani McGonagle and Sage Erickson, along with U.S. Olympian Bryce Wettstein, local standout Lanea Mons and some of Florida’s rising surfers. Competition is scheduled from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, giving spectators two full days to watch athletes do things on waves that most of us couldn’t manage on dry land. Surfing, however, is only part of what has become a sprawling celebration of women in sports and entertainment. Organizers expect more than 1,500 female athletes to participate across 12 sports during the weekend. New this year is professional freestyle trampolining hosted by the Freestyle Trampoline Association, adding another high-flying competition to a weekend already packed with athletic talent. Jacksonville Beach also serves as the finish line for the inaugural Quest for the Cape, a three-stop points competition spanning Super Girl events in Oceanside, California; Virginia Beach, Virginia; and Jacksonville Beach. Athletes who have competed throughout the series will arrive in Northeast Florida looking to finish the race and earn the coveted Super Girl cape. “After two successful stops on the West Coast and in the Mid-Atlantic, the excitement heading into Jacksonville Beach is at an all-time high,” said Rick Bratman, CEO of ASA Entertainment and founder of the Super Girl Festival Series. “The level of female talent coming together across surfing, sports and music is remarkable, and we can’t wait to bring that energy to Jacksonville as we close out an incredible 20th year celebration.” When the boards come out of the water, the music turns up. This year’s free concert series features 15 performances, with Switchfoot, Lupe Fiasco, B.o.B and Gym Class Heroes among the headliners. The lineup also puts plenty of female talent onstage, including Emily Zeck, ANORA, Hello Sister, Flailing Idiot, McKenzi Brooke, Annie Dukes, Grom & The Jacks, Kalani Rose 24 Folio Weekly

& The Vibe, Dove Bomb and Lucy Spotts. Yes, that means you can spend the day watching professional surfing and then catch some very recognizable names in music without buying a concert ticket. Beyond the competition and concerts, the Festival Village will offer 16 free fitness and wellness classes, leadership panels, youth mentorship programs, a female art exhibition, local food and beverage vendors and more than 50 interactive brand experiences. The village at SeaWalk Pavilion and Latham Plaza will be open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday. That mix is what has allowed Super Girl to grow into something much bigger than a surf competition during its two decades. The festival series was created to provide women in sports, music and entertainment with a larger platform while giving younger girls an opportunity to see women competing, performing and leading. There is something to be said for putting that kind of talent in one place and making it accessible to families without putting a price tag on admission. For Jacksonville Beach, it also means a November weekend when several very different worlds collide in one place. You can watch elite surfers battle it out beside the pier, catch a freestyle trampoline competition, take a fitness class, check out local art, grab something to eat and then walk over to a free concert without ever leaving the beach. It is exactly the kind of slightly chaotic combination Jacksonville Beach does particularly well. Admission to the festival and its activities is free, although advance online registration is required for concert access. Concert entry is first-come, first-served until capacity is reached, so this probably isn’t the weekend to make being fashionably late part of the plan. Premium VIP packages are also available for those looking for upgraded concert access, food and beverages, private bars, shaded and elevated seating, deluxe restrooms and private entry. The festival will also be livestreamed Nov. 7–8 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., with television coverage scheduled to air nationally and regionally beginning in January. But considering the whole thing is happening right here — and much of it is free — watching from the couch seems like missing the point. For Jacksonville, the final stop of Super Girl’s 20th season is shaping up to be much more than another weekend at the beach. It is two days devoted to putting female athletes, artists, musicians and young women front and center, mixed with a whole lot of surf, sound and Jacksonville Beach energy. And frankly, the Atlantic Ocean makes a pretty damn good backdrop.

Photo by Reed Naliboff / Unsplash 25

Highly Entertaining Folio Weed

Words by Teresa Spencer

How Cannabis Went From Hollywood’s Dirty Little Secret to a Pop Culture Icon

From jazz clubs and rock concerts to Hollywood blockbusters and celebrity business empires, marijuana has spent nearly a century entertaining America. And what a strange trip it’s been. One can certainly say that cannabis has had one of the longest and most controversial careers in entertainment history. It’s been blamed for corrupting America’s youth, inspiring musicians, destroying morality and making people laugh at things that probably aren’t funny. Hollywood once portrayed marijuana as a dangerous substance capable of turning innocent teenagers into violent criminals. Today, some of the entertainment industry’s biggest names have built entire business ventures around it. Somewhere between the moral panic and the multimillion-dollar marketing campaigns, cannabis went from Hollywood’s most notorious villain to one of its most recognizable supporting characters. Long before Snoop Dogg became practically synonymous with marijuana, cannabis was already making appearances in America’s music scene. During the jazz era of the 1920s and 1930s, musicians working in clubs across New Orleans, Chicago and New York encountered marijuana as part of the nightlife culture. Legendary trumpeter Louis Armstrong was famously open about his appreciation for cannabis, which he affectionately called “gage.” Armstrong even recorded a jazz composition titled “Muggles” in 1928, a slang term associated with marijuana at the time. His relationship with cannabis was hardly a secret, although the public conversation surrounding it would become increasingly hostile as prohibition efforts intensified. Armstrong’s musical genius certainly didn’t come from a plant, but his place in cannabis history demonstrates that the relationship between marijuana and American entertainment predates the hippies by several decades. Hollywood, however, had a very different interpretation of marijuana’s influence. In 1936, the now-infamous film “Reefer Madness,” originally produced under the title “Tell Your Children,” presented cannabis as a gateway to insanity, violence, sexual misconduct and practically every other social catastrophe imaginable. The movie followed supposedly innocent teenagers whose encounters with marijuana led to increasingly outrageous consequences.

Intended as a cautionary tale, the film eventually became one of the most unintentionally hilarious productions in American cinema. By the 1970s, audiences were attending midnight screenings to laugh at its exaggerated warnings. The very movie designed to frighten Americans away from marijuana had become a cult favorite among the counterculture it was meant to discourage. As American culture changed during the 1960s and 1970s, cannabis found itself sharing the spotlight with rock ‘n’ roll, antiwar demonstrations and a generation questioning traditional authority. Marijuana became closely associated with the counterculture, appearing in music, literature and films that challenged conventional ideas about freedom and personal expression. Artists including Bob Marley and Willie Nelson helped bring cannabis into public conversations through their music and personal advocacy. Marley connected marijuana with his Rastafarian faith and spiritual beliefs, while Nelson became one of country music’s most recognizable cannabis advocates. Their influence helped demonstrate that marijuana culture wasn’t confined to one musical genre, generation or political identity. Then came Cheech & Chong, the comedy duo who arguably did more to establish the modern stoner stereotype than anyone else in entertainment. Their 1978 film “Up in Smoke” introduced audiences to two perpetually confused marijuana enthusiasts stumbling through increasingly ridiculous situations. The movie helped establish an entirely new category of comedy, one built around cannabis culture, misunderstandings and the kind of conversations that make absolutely no sense to anyone who wasn’t there. Cheech Marin and Tommy Chong turned marijuana into a mainstream comedic subject, creating characters audiences recognized even if they had never touched the stuff themselves. Their success demonstrated something Hollywood couldn’t ignore: Cannabis wasn’t just controversial; it could also sell movie tickets. Throughout the following decades, marijuana became a recurring character in American entertainment. Films such as “Dazed and Confused,” “Friday,” “Half Baked” and “Pineapple Express” introduced new generations to cannabis-centered comedy.

Each reflected a different period in American culture, from the carefree nostalgia of the 1970s to the urban humor of the 1990s and the increasingly absurd adventures of the 2000s. Television followed a similar path, gradually moving beyond the stereotypical marijuana user portrayed as lazy, irresponsible or permanently attached to a couch. Cannabis references became more commonplace, and characters who consumed marijuana were increasingly depicted as ordinary people rather than cautionary examples. Music continued playing an equally important role in changing public perceptions. Hip-hop artists, particularly Snoop Dogg, brought cannabis references into mainstream popular culture with an openness that would have been almost unimaginable during the era of “Reefer Madness.” Snoop’s public persona became so closely connected with marijuana that cannabis eventually evolved from a recurring subject in his music into a major part of his commercial identity. Meanwhile, Willie Nelson continued advocating for legalization, demonstrating that cannabis culture could unite a country music legend and a West Coast rapper despite their vastly different audiences. Their friendship and shared advocacy helped reinforce an increasingly obvious reality: Marijuana consumption was never limited to one particular type of American. But somewhere along the way, the entertainment industry’s relationship with cannabis evolved from cultural rebellion into commercial opportunity. Celebrities who once risked damaging their reputations by discussing marijuana began attaching their names to cannabis products, lifestyle companies and branded merchandise. Seth Rogen, known for films including “Pineapple Express,” co-founded Houseplant, a cannabis and lifestyle brand. Snoop Dogg expanded his business interests into the cannabis marketplace, while Willie Nelson launched Willie’s Reserve. The transformation has been remarkable. What was once considered an endorsement liability became a branding opportunity, and the entertainers who helped normalize cannabis culture were suddenly positioned to profit from the industry they had spent decades discussing. Of course, the relationship between cannabis and entertainment raises another interesting question: Does marijuana actually make people more creative? Musicians, writers, comedians and filmmakers have long described cannabis as a source of inspiration, but scientific research offers a more complicated answer. A study published in the Journal of Applied Psychology in 2023 examined cannabis use and creativity, finding that marijuana did not significantly improve actual creative performance. Instead, cannabis users tended to evaluate creative ideas more favorably. In other words, marijuana might make someone believe they’ve just written the greatest screenplay in Hollywood history, even if the finished product is a three-hour movie about a guy searching for his television remote. Researchers have also explored the relationship between cannabis use, personality and creative thinking. Some studies suggest that cannabis users may score differently on certain creativity measures, but those differences can be explained partly by personality traits such as openness to new experiences. The science doesn’t support the idea that smoking marijuana automatically transforms someone into a musical genius, brilliant comedian or award-winning filmmaker. 28 Folio Weekly

Creativity remains a complicated combination of talent, experience, imagination and hard work. Cannabis may alter someone’s perception of an idea, but whether that idea is actually any good is another matter entirely. The cultural acceptance of cannabis has also created an interesting contradiction here in Florida. While marijuana has become a familiar part of mainstream entertainment, Florida continues to operate under a medical marijuana framework rather than a general adult-use recreational market. That means the cannabis products and celebrity brands promoted in other states aren’t necessarily available through Florida’s regulated medical marijuana system. For Northeast Florida residents, the contrast between cannabis as a celebrated entertainment commodity and cannabis as a tightly regulated substance is particularly noticeable. Americans can watch marijuana-centered movies, listen to songs celebrating cannabis and purchase merchandise featuring famous cannabis enthusiasts, but the legal ability to purchase and consume marijuana still depends heavily on where they live. Perhaps the most fascinating part of cannabis’s entertainment history is how dramatically its public image has changed. The same substance once portrayed as capable of destroying American civilization has become a familiar subject in television comedies, music festivals, celebrity interviews and Hollywood productions. That doesn’t mean marijuana is harmless or appropriate for everyone. Cannabis can impair judgment, memory and coordination, and frequent use carries legitimate health risks. But the entertainment industry’s evolving portrayal of marijuana demonstrates how cultural attitudes can change over time, sometimes long before laws and public institutions catch up. As Folio celebrates entertainment this November, cannabis deserves recognition for its unusual place in American pop culture. It has inspired songs, provided material for generations of comedians, helped launch movie franchises and created commercial opportunities for some of the world’s most recognizable entertainers. Its influence extends well beyond the stereotypical stoner comedy, touching everything from jazz history and reggae to contemporary marketing and celebrity entrepreneurship. Nearly 90 years after “Reefer Madness” warned Americans that marijuana would lead society toward catastrophe, cannabis has become a familiar fixture in the very entertainment industry that once helped spread those fears. Hollywood has rewritten the script, the musicians have changed the soundtrack, and the comedians have been laughing about it for decades. Whether someone supports legalization, opposes it or simply enjoys a good Cheech & Chong movie, there’s no denying that cannabis has secured a permanent place in entertainment history. And considering how much money Hollywood has made from marijuana jokes over the years, perhaps the biggest surprise is that nobody thought to give the plant its own agent.

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THROUGH NOV. 7 “Carrie: The Musical” The 5 & Dime the5anddime.org THROUGH NOV. 8 “Meet Me in St. Louis” Alhambra Theatre & Dining alhambrajax.com

NOV. 6–15 “Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike” A Classic Theatre, St. Augustine aclassictheatre.org NOV. 7 “Waiting to Exhale”: In Concert Florida Theatre floridatheatre.com

“A Charlie Brown Christmas” Thrasher-Horne Center, Orange Park thcenter.org NOV. 13–15 “Mega Stars of Country” Alhambra Theatre & Dining alhambrajax.com

“The Addams Family” Artist Connection Theatre artistconnectiontheatre.org

“Until Divorce Do Us Part” Ritz Theatre theritz.jaxevents.com

NOV. 13–22 “12 Angry Jurors” Island Theater, Fleming Island theislandtheater.com

NOV. 4 “A Sad and Beautiful World” (film) WJCT Studios wjct.org/film

NOV. 7–22 “Come From Away” Theatre Jacksonville theatrejax.com

NOV. 14 A Celtic Christmas Jacksonville Center for the Performing Arts jaxevents.com

NOV. 5 danceWORKS Student Choreography Concert Nathan H. Wilson Center for the Arts fscjartistseries.org

NOV. 8 Brian Kilmeade Florida Theatre floridatheatre.com

“The Day the Internet Died” Island Theater, Fleming Island theislandtheater.com

NOV. 5–22 “Frozen” Amelia Musical Playhouse, Fernandina Beach ameliamusicalplayhouse.com

NOV. 10 “Little Shop of Horrors” (film) Florida Theatre floridatheatre.com

NOV. 15 “The Screwtape Letters” Jacksonville Center for the Performing Arts jaxevents.com

NOV. 11 Jim Henson’s “Labyrinth”: In Concert Florida Theatre floridatheatre.com

NOV. 17 American Ballet Theatre Florida Theatre floridatheatre.com

“American Pride: The Statler Brothers Tribute” Alhambra Theatre & Dining alhambrajax.com

NOV. 18 “Frosty”: A Musical Adventure Florida Theatre floridatheatre.com

NOV. 12 “The Farm at Okefenokee” (film) Jacksonville Center for the Performing Arts jaxevents.com

“Smoke Signals” (film) MOCA Jacksonville mocajacksonville.unf.edu

Theater & Film

NOV. 6 BABS’LAB Story Slam CoRK Arts District North barbaracolaciello.com NOV. 6–7 “A Night at the Sock-Hopera” Amelia Community Theatre, Fernandina Beach ameliacommunitytheatre.org NOV. 6–8 “Schoolhouse Rock Jr.” Greenlight Theatre greenlighttheatreco.com NOV. 6–14 “Always... Patsy Cline” Blue Fire Theatre, Yulee bluefiretheatre.org 30 Folio Weekly

“Get Closer! A Tribute to Linda Ronstadt” Alhambra Theatre & Dining alhambrajax.com

“Sorry, Wrong Number” (film) WJCT Studios wjct.org/film

NOV. 19 “Blade Runner”: In Concert Florida Theatre floridatheatre.com NOV. 19–22 “Miracle on 34th Street: Radio Show” Nathan H. Wilson Center for the Arts fscjartistseries.org NOV. 19–DEC. 24 “A Christmas Carol” Alhambra Theatre & Dining alhambrajax.com NOV. 20 “Rocky”: In Concert Florida Theatre floridatheatre.com “High Fidelity” (film) with John Cusack Ponte Vedra Concert Hall pvconcerthall.com NOV. 20–DEC. 13 “Ragtime” Players by the Sea playersbythesea.org NOV. 22 Cirque Dreams Holidaze Jacksonville Center for the Performing Arts fscjartistseries.org “Forgiving the Nightmare” (film) Murray Hill Theatre murrayhilltheatre.com NOV. 23 Derek Hough: Dance for the Holidays Florida Theatre floridatheatre.com NOV. 24 Video Ghosts Cinema Club Presents “Begotten” The Albatross thealbatrossjax.com NOV. 27 “Hallmark(ish)” Florida Theatre floridatheatre.com NOV. 28–DEC. 13 “My Three Angels” Amelia Community Theatre, Fernandina Beach ameliacommunitytheatre.org 31

32 Folio Weekly

Poster Inspired by “Life is a Cabaret” Designed and illustrated by Elliot Henry

Words by Neha Nidheesh

DÍA DE LOS MUERTOS: A PLACE FOR THOSE WE CARRY WITH US

ST ANDREW’S DAY: A SONG BEFORE THE MONTH ENDS

DIWALI: A FESTIVAL OF LIGHT AND HOMECOMING

LIFE ON THE ICE: A DIFFERENT KIND OF NOVEMBER

November Around the Globe Thirty days, one long walk around the world, and a welcome waiting at every stop.

ovember has a way of making the world look familiar. The weather changes, the holidays approach, and the year begins its slow countdown to December. But while some of us are planning Thanksgiving dinners or reaching for our winter clothes, the rest of the world is busy doing things we might never imagine.

Rivers become stages for glowing celebrations. Streets come alive with music, color and centuries-old traditions. Families gather to honor their ancestors, celebrate new beginnings or keep stories alive that have traveled through generations. November isn’t just a month on the calendar. It’s a window into how differently people celebrate life, remember their past and come together. And some of the most fascinating celebrations happen far beyond the traditions we already know. 33

NOV. 1–2 | MEXICO DÍA DE LOS MUERTOS: A PLACE FOR THOSE WE CARRY WITH US For Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, many Mexican families prepare a welcome for loved ones who have died. The preparations might begin with a photograph taken from a drawer, a favorite recipe brought out again or flowers chosen for a place of remembrance. At home, families may create an ofrenda, an altar arranged with photographs, candles, flowers, food and treasured belongings. Orange marigolds, known as cempasúchil, are closely associated with the occasion. Bakeries prepare pan de muerto, a special bread made for the season, while families may include the foods and personal objects that remind them of those they miss. The observance brings together Indigenous traditions and Catholic influences, with customs that differ across regions and families. No two altars need to look alike. One might hold a grandfather’s favorite sweet, another a child’s toy, and another a photograph beside a cup of coffee prepared just as someone once liked it. UNESCO inscribed the Indigenous festivity dedicated to the dead in Mexico on its Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2008. Its significance lies in the knowledge, rituals and family traditions that continue to be passed down, not simply in the colorful displays for which the occasion is known. Children may learn about relatives they never had the chance to meet. An aunt’s story is told again. A familiar dish brings back a grandmother’s kitchen. Someone remembers a laugh so clearly that the whole family begins laughing, too. The people being remembered are not reduced to photographs or stories. They remain part of the family’s understanding of itself through the habits, recipes, memories and affection that continue across generations. There is no single way to remember someone. For many Mexican families, these days offer a special opportunity to do so together.. NOV. 1–2 | BOLIVIA TODOS SANTOS AND DÍA DE LOS DIFUNTOS: THE TABLE IS READY As November begins, many Bolivian households prepare for Todos Santos and Día de los Difuntos, observances that honor the departed through traditions shaped by Andean beliefs and Catholic practice. In some communities, families arrange a mesa, a table with flowers, candles, photographs, drinks, favorite foods and special breads. Among the best known are t’antawawas, breads shaped like small human figures. Other breads may represent ladders or horses, although their forms and meanings vary by region. For many families, Nov. 1 is associated with welcoming the souls of loved ones, while Nov. 2 brings visits to cemeteries and prayers for the departed. The ways these days are observed differ across communities, and families may follow their own customs. The preparations can take hours. Bread is made, flowers are arranged, and each item is placed with care. Older relatives explain the significance of the food and symbols to younger family members, who learn the tradition by helping to prepare it. In some places, families share food with people who stop to pray at the table or cemetery. Such gestures reflect the hospitality associated with certain local observances, although they are not universal. What stands out is the care given to remembering. A table is not prepared in a hurry. The person being honored has a history, a place in the family and details worth recalling. Someone remembers what they liked to eat; someone else remembers a story that has not been told for a while. Here, remembrance is expressed through the work of preparing, the act of gathering and the stories that are told along the way. 34 Folio Weekly

Photo by Caleb Herna

andez / Unsplash

Melbourne Cup / Getty Images

NOV. 3 | AUSTRALIA MELBOURNE CUP DAY: A RACE BRINGS PEOPLE TOGETHER On the first Tuesday of November, attention turns to Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne for the Melbourne Cup, one of Australia’s bestknown horse races. First run in 1861, the Cup covers 3,200 meters and has become a major event in Australia’s sporting and social calendar. Melbourne Cup Day is a public holiday across Victoria, although some non-metropolitan councils arrange an alternative local holiday. For some, the day is about following the racing. For others, it is an occasion to dress up, share lunch with colleagues or gather with friends. Even people who rarely follow horse racing may find themselves drawn into a conversation about which horse someone has chosen. The Cup also brings serious discussion about horse welfare and the responsibilities of the racing industry. Those concerns are an important part of the event’s contemporary story and deserve consideration alongside its sporting history. Not everyone celebrates the day, and its significance varies across the country. Yet the event remains a familiar fixture in Australia’s November calendar, bringing people together in settings that range from the racecourse to the workplace. There is something recognizable about the anticipation surrounding a shared event. People make predictions, exchange opinions and watch the same few minutes unfold. For some, the memory that lasts is the race itself. For others, it is the people they spent the afternoon with.

Liberian Meal / Unsplash

NOV. 5 | LIBERIA NATIONAL THANKSGIVING DAY: A DAY FOR GRATITUDE Liberia observes National Thanksgiving Day on the first Thursday of November. In 2026, it falls on Nov. 5. Established by legislation in 1883, the observance is associated with prayer, worship and reflection. Families and religious communities mark the day in different ways. Some attend services, while others spend time with relatives or gather for a meal. For many, it is an opportunity to give thanks for life, faith, family and the support of their community. Liberia’s history includes the arrival of settlers from the United States in the 19th century, as well as the much longer histories of the Indigenous peoples whose lives and cultures are rooted in the land. The country’s story encompasses different experiences of belonging, identity and faith. Its Thanksgiving observance is part of that history, though no single day can represent the beliefs or experiences of every Liberian. Gratitude does not always require a grand occasion. It can be a prayer for someone who has been unwell, a visit to a relative or a quiet recognition of the people who offered help when it was needed. A national day of thanksgiving gives people time to pause and reflect on what sustains them. The meaning may be personal, shared with a family or expressed through a place of worship. 35

NOV. 5 | UNITED KINGDOM BONFIRE NIGHT: AN EVENING BENEATH A BRIGHT SKY On the same date, communities across parts of the United Kingdom gather for Bonfire Night, also known as Guy Fawkes Night. The occasion recalls the Gunpowder Plot of 1605, a failed conspiracy to destroy the Houses of Parliament and kill King James I. Guy Fawkes was discovered guarding explosives beneath the building, and his name became closely associated with the event. The plot unfolded during a period of religious tension and discrimination against Catholics. Parliament established a day of thanksgiving for the plot’s failure in 1606. The Nov. 5 observance continued long after the original legislation was repealed in 1859. Today, many people mark the evening with organized fireworks displays, bonfires and community gatherings. Children watch the sky, friends meet outdoors, and warm drinks help take the edge off the November air. People relate to the history in different ways, and not everyone celebrates. For those who attend a local display, however, the evening may be a familiar part of the season. Neighbors stand together in coats and scarves, faces turned upward as fireworks briefly light the sky. A public celebration can create a meeting place for people who might otherwise pass one another without speaking. For an evening, they share the same patch of ground and the same view. NOV. 8 | INDIA DIWALI: A FESTIVAL OF LIGHT AND HOMECOMING In India, the days around Diwali bring preparations that often begin well before the first lamps are lit. Homes are cleaned, sweets are made, flowers are chosen, and doorways may be decorated with rangoli, patterns created with colored powders, rice flour or flower petals. In 2026, the main day of Diwali falls on Sunday, Nov. 8, in India. The wider festival period includes other observances, though dates and customs vary by region and religious calendar. Diwali, also known as Deepavali, is celebrated by many Hindus, Jains and Sikhs, with distinct meanings within each tradition. Many Hindu families associate the festival with Rama’s return to Ayodhya or worship Lakshmi, who is associated with prosperity and good fortune. Jain communities connect the occasion with Mahavira’s attainment of liberation. Sikhs observe Bandi Chhor Divas, remembering Guru Hargobind’s release from imprisonment alongside other prisoners. Its date often coincides with Diwali, but it has its own history and significance. The celebrations differ from home to home. Clay lamps called diyas may be placed along windowsills and doorways. Families offer prayers, exchange sweets and visit relatives. In some households, preparations fill the day; in others, the celebration is quieter. Often, it is the smallest details that stay with people. A child carefully placing a lamp where a parent has shown them. A plate of sweets carried to a neighbor. A recipe that appears once a year and tastes exactly as it did in childhood. For families living far from relatives, the occasion can be a chance to reconnect. For others, it is a time for prayer, reflection or welcoming a fresh beginning. There is no single experience that captures every family’s Diwali. As the lamps begin to glow, familiar rooms take on a different appearance. Light gathers around doorways and courtyards, and the people who have spent the day preparing can finally sit together. The festival’s meaning is carried not only by the lights themselves, but by the faith, memories and relationships that give them a place in the home. Photo by Alexis Fauvet / Unsplash

36 Folio Weekly

NOV. 8 | UNITED KINGDOM REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY: TWO MINUTES TO REMEMBER On the second Sunday of November, Remembrance Sunday is observed across the United Kingdom. In 2026, it falls on Nov. 8. At war memorials throughout the country, people gather to honor those who served and those who died in the two world wars and later conflicts. The national service takes place at the Cenotaph on Whitehall in London. At 11 a.m., a two-minute silence is observed, and red poppies are widely worn as a symbol of remembrance. For some families, the day brings a particular person to mind: a relative whose story was passed down, a photograph kept for decades or a life changed by war. Others gather to remember people they never knew but whose experiences shaped the world they inherited. Remembrance Sunday is distinct from Armistice Day on Nov. 11, which marks the 1918 armistice that ended fighting on the Western Front in the First World War. A further silence is observed at 11 a.m. on Armistice Day. The ceremonies are public, but remembrance is often deeply personal. A name on a memorial may mean little to a passerby and everything to a family. A poppy may represent a personal memory, an act of respect or a connection to someone else’s story. For two minutes, people set aside their conversations and daily tasks. The silence does not make the history of war simple, but it gives people a moment to recognize the lives behind it.

NOV. 9 | FIJI DIWALI: A LIGHT CARRIED ACROSS GENERATIONS In Fiji, Diwali is a public holiday observed on Monday, Nov. 9, 2026, following the festival on Sunday, Nov. 8. The celebration has a particular place in the lives of many Indo-Fijian families. Its history in Fiji is connected with the arrival of Indian indentured laborers under British colonial rule. The first ship carrying indentured workers, the Leonidas, arrived in 1879. Over the following decades, tens of thousands of people traveled from India under labor agreements known as girmit. The term girmitiya is associated with those who lived through the system and their descendants. The history of indenture includes hardship and unequal conditions. It is also part of the story of families and communities that grew across generations. Indo-Fijian communities have contributed to Fiji’s cultural life, including its food, languages, music and religious traditions. For many families celebrating Diwali, the familiar preparations include lights, prayers, sweets and visits with loved ones. The details vary, and each household has its own ways of marking the occasion. A tradition can travel with people and take root in a new place. A recipe is passed down, a prayer is taught to a child, and a familiar celebration becomes part of the home the next generation knows. The landscape may be different from the one remembered by a grandparent, but the act of gathering can still carry a sense of continuity. In Fiji, Diwali is part of a living cultural story, shaped by the people who observe it and the communities among whom they live. AROUND NOVEMBER 15 | JAPAN Shichi-Go-San: The years that seem to pass overnight In Japan, Shichi-Go-San is a traditional celebration honoring children at the ages of three, five and seven. Its name means “sevenfive-three,” referring to the ages marked by the occasion. Families often visit Shinto shrines to give thanks for their children’s growth and pray for their continued health and well-being. Children may wear formal clothing, including kimono, and families often take photographs to remember the day. Although Nov. 15 is the traditional date, many families arrange visits on nearby days that fit their schedules. One of the best-known treats associated with the celebration is chitose ame, or “thousand-year candy.” The long, thin sweets are traditionally linked with wishes for a long and healthy life. They are often presented in decorated bags featuring auspicious symbols such as cranes and turtles. The observance is a chance to recognize how much a child has grown. A little one who once needed help with every step may now walk into the shrine holding a parent’s hand. A child who once hid behind a familiar face may stand proudly for a photograph. Families celebrate in different ways, but the wishes at the heart of the occasion are familiar: health, happiness and many years ahead. Years later, those photographs may be brought out again. The clothes will look small, the expressions will seem wonderfully serious, and someone will remember the effort it took to get everyone ready. Shichi-Go-San marks a moment in childhood, but it also holds a place for the family members who have watched over that child. The photographs help preserve one particular stage of a life that is still unfolding.

Photo by Eea Ikeda / Unsplash

Foliode Weekly Dia38 Nacional Zumbi e da Consciência Negra / Unsplash

NOV. 20 | BRAZIL DIA NACIONAL DE ZUMBI E DA CONSCIÊNCIA NEGRA: REMEMBERING A HISTORY THAT CONTINUES TO SHAPE THE PRESENT Brazil observes Nov. 20 as the Dia Nacional de Zumbi e da Consciência Negra, or National Day of Zumbi and Black Consciousness. The date honors Zumbi dos Palmares, a leader remembered for resisting slavery. Zumbi was associated with Palmares, a network of communities known as quilombos. These communities were formed by people who escaped enslavement, alongside others, and became important places of community life and resistance. Palmares was located in what is now the state of Alagoas, and Zumbi died on Nov. 20, 1695. The date is an opportunity to recognize the history and contributions of Black Brazilians. Their influence can be found throughout Brazil’s music, literature, food, faith, art and public life. It is also a time to reflect on the continuing effects of slavery and racism. Brazil formally abolished slavery in 1888. In December 2023, federal law established Nov. 20 as a national public holiday, first observed under that law in 2024. Events may include performances, educational programs, discussions and community gatherings. The ways people mark the day differ, but its place in the national calendar recognizes histories and achievements that deserve attention throughout the year. To remember Zumbi and Palmares is to remember people who sought freedom and built communities under difficult circumstances. It is also to recognize the Black Brazilians who continue to shape the country’s future. A country’s history becomes more complete when more of its people are heard. The stories passed down through families, the culture created by artists and communities, and the work of those building a more equal future all belong to that history. NOV. 24 | THAILAND LOY KRATHONG: A LITTLE BOAT ON THE WATER On the evening of Loy Krathong, people across Thailand gather beside rivers, canals, ponds and lakes with small decorated floats called krathong. The word loy means to float. A traditional krathong may be made from banana leaves and other natural materials, with flowers, a candle and incense arranged on top. The festival follows the full moon of the 12th month in the traditional Thai lunar calendar. In 2026, Loy Krathong is expected to fall on Nov. 24. The meanings associated with Loy Krathong differ across communities. Some people express gratitude to water, while others make wishes, offer prayers or use the moment to symbolically let go of worries. Preparing a krathong can be a careful process. Leaves are folded, flowers are arranged, and a candle is placed in the center. As evening falls, families and friends make their way to the water and set their floats adrift. In northern Thailand, Yi Peng takes place around the same period and belongs to the region’s Lanna cultural traditions. It is associated with lantern displays. The two observances may coincide, but they are distinct traditions with their own histories and meanings. Communities increasingly encourage biodegradable materials and responsible clean-up to protect waterways after the festivities. It is a practical consideration that sits naturally beside the celebration’s connection with water. A river may be part of everyday life, carrying boats, reflecting the sky and sustaining the communities beside it. On Loy Krathong, people pause to acknowledge that relationship. A little float carries a wish into the night, and the water remains part of the story long after the candle disappears from view.

NOV. 26 | UNITED STATES THANKSGIVING: A PLACE AT THE TABLE Thanksgiving falls on the fourth Thursday of November. In 2026, it arrives on Nov. 26. For many Americans, the day begins with familiar preparations. A family recipe is brought out, someone asks what they should bring, and chairs are arranged for relatives traveling from near and far. Others share a meal with friends, volunteer to serve food or spend the day quietly. The holiday is often linked to a harvest gathering at Plymouth in 1621 involving English colonists and Wampanoag people. That gathering was one event in a much longer history. Indigenous nations had their own traditions of giving thanks long before the arrival of European settlers, and colonization brought profound changes, dispossession and loss to Native communities. In 1863, during the Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed a national day of thanksgiving for the last Thursday of November. The federal holiday is now observed on the fourth Thursday. People mark Thanksgiving in many ways. For some, it is a treasured family gathering. For others, it means sharing food with friends, helping a community organization or calling someone who cannot be there in person. Native American experiences and perspectives also differ. Since 1970, the United American Indians of New England have gathered in Plymouth on Thanksgiving for the National Day of Mourning, drawing attention to Indigenous histories and continuing concerns.

ALL MONTH | ANTARCTICA LIFE ON THE ICE: A DIFFERENT KIND OF NOVEMBER

A respectful account of Thanksgiving has room for gratitude and for an honest understanding of the past. The two can exist together.

November falls within the Austral spring. Daylight is increasing, and research activity grows at stations across the continent. Scientists and support teams prepare for fieldwork shaped by the weather, the landscape and the needs of each research program. Depending on the location, they may study ice, oceans, wildlife, atmospheric conditions or wider environmental change.

At a table, people may bring different memories and different understandings of the day. Listening to those stories can make a gathering more meaningful. The food may be familiar, but the people around it each carry a history of their own. NOV. 30 | SCOTLAND ST ANDREW’S DAY: A SONG BEFORE THE MONTH ENDS November closes in Scotland with St. Andrew’s Day, a celebration associated with the country’s patron saint and Scottish culture. St. Andrew has long been revered in Scotland, and the saltire, the white diagonal cross on a blue field, is associated with him. St. Andrew’s Day became the subject of a statutory bank holiday under legislation passed in 2007, although whether workplaces close depends on local arrangements and employers. The day may be marked with traditional food, music, cultural events and gatherings. A ceilidh, a social gathering often involving traditional music and dancing, can bring people onto the floor while a caller helps everyone follow the steps. Families may share a meal, visit heritage sites or join community celebrations. Scottish communities abroad mark the occasion, too. There is no single way to express Scottish identity. For some, it is tied to a town, a family history or a language. For others, it lives in a song learned in childhood, a dish prepared for a special occasion or a story shared by an older relative. Traditions are kept alive by people who continue to make room for them. A song is taught to a child, a recipe is passed along, and a dance brings strangers into the same circle. Each generation inherits something, then adds its own memories. By the last day of November, the year is beginning to look toward December. But there is still time for one more gathering, one more tune and one more meal shared among people who have made the journey to be together. 40 Folio Weekly

Antarctica offers a different story. It has no permanent civilian population or Indigenous communities with a shared traditional November holiday calendar, and there is no continent-wide November festival comparable to those observed elsewhere.

People living temporarily at research stations may mark birthdays, national holidays or personal milestones together. These are individual or station-based occasions rather than a single Antarctic tradition shared by everyone. Far from home, a small celebration can be meaningful. A cake prepared with the supplies available, a favorite song played in a shared room or a message from family can bring a familiar feeling into an unfamiliar place. The Antarctic Treaty, signed in 1959 and in force since 1961, provides a framework for peaceful use and international scientific cooperation on the continent. Research there depends on the efforts of people from many countries, working in demanding conditions to understand a place that affects the wider planet. Antarctica reminds us that not every November story begins with a festival. Sometimes it is about the people working together, looking after one another and sharing the discoveries that come from patient observation. A WORLD OF TRADITIONS, A SHARED HUMANITY Across the world, November brings moments that mean something special to someone. A photograph is placed beside a candle. A lamp is lit at home. A family gathers in prayer. A nation pauses to remember. A community honors the people and stories that helped shape its history. The traditions may be different, but each holds something precious: a memory, a belief, a story or a connection passed from one generation to the next. We may not know every tradition, but we can always make room to learn about it. And sometimes, the world feels a little closer simply because we took the time to understand. Different places. Different stories. So much to discover.

Art Guid

THROUGH NOV. 5 “Horizons” Group Show This creative group exhibition challenges participating artists to incorporate a horizon into their artwork, regardless of medium or size. Carol Winner Art Gallery, Fernandina Beach carolwinner.art THROUGH NOV. 7 “Rebel Waters / Aguas Rebeldes” Moving-image artist Nicole Antebi explores the interconnected histories, landscapes and cultures of El Paso, Texas, and Ciudad Juárez, Mexico. Admission is free. Crisp-Ellert Art Museum, St. Augustine flagler.edu NOV. 4 “Appreciating Art Through Books” This monthly program explores Blake Gopnik’s “The Maverick’s Museum: Albert Barnes and His American Dream.” Presenters Janet Brendel and Susan Ziel discuss the extraordinary collection and the man behind it. Scheduled for 2–3 p.m. Admission is free; reservations required. Story & Song Centre for Arts and Culture, Fernandina Beach ameliaisland.com NOV. 6–29 “Perspectives” Artists explore different viewpoints through paintings, photography, sculpture and mixed-media works. An opening reception takes place Nov. 6 from 5–8 p.m. during St. Augustine’s First Friday Art Walk. Admission is free. St. Augustine Art Association staaa.org NOV. 7 Coffee With a Curator: Cara Romero A curator-led discussion exploring Cara Romero’s “Panûpünüwügai (Living Light)” exhibition and the artist’s contemporary photographic interpretations of Indigenous identity, culture and storytelling. MOCA Jacksonville mocajacksonville.unf.edu THROUGH NOV. 16 PAStA Gallery Showcase Presented through St. Johns County’s Art in Public Spaces program, this exhibition features paintings, photography, pottery, glass and other works celebrating the history, culture and landscapes of St. Augustine. St. Johns County Administration Building pastagalleryart.com

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NOV. 19–FEB. 2027 “Historic Impressions on a Modern Canvas” Original plein air paintings celebrate St. Augustine’s historic architecture, scenic landscapes and coastal beauty. The exhibition captures the nation’s oldest city’s character through contemporary artistic interpretations. Admission is free. St. Augustine Art Association staaa.org THROUGHOUT NOVEMBER Cara Romero: “Panûpünüwügai (Living Light)” Contemporary photographer Cara Romero explores Indigenous identity, traditions and cultural storytelling through imaginative, richly detailed photographic compositions. MOCA Jacksonville mocajacksonville.unf.edu MJ Torrecampo: “Cut the Fruit” Contemporary artist MJ Torrecampo presents an exhibition exploring personal expression and visual storytelling through contemporary art. MOCA Jacksonville mocajacksonville.unf.edu Ryan Rasmussen: “Glitch: Architecture Undone” This large-scale Project Atrium installation explores architecture, structure and perception, transforming familiar architectural concepts into an immersive contemporary art experience. MOCA Jacksonville mocajacksonville.unf.edu “The American Century” Featuring selected works from MOCA Jacksonville’s permanent collection, this exhibition examines artistic developments and creative expression in American art. MOCA Jacksonville mocajacksonville.unf.edu Art with a Heart in Healthcare: “From the Heart” An exhibition highlighting the creativity and artistic expression of young patients participating in the Art with a Heart in Healthcare program. MOCA Jacksonville mocajacksonville.unf.edu

ONGOING ART WALKS Downtown Jacksonville Art Walk Wednesday, Nov. 4 | 5–9 p.m. | Free Downtown Jacksonville transforms into an open-air celebration of local creativity during the monthly First Wednesday Art Walk, produced by Downtown Vision Inc. The self-guided event spreads throughout Downtown’s Northbank, with artists, gallery exhibitions, vendors, live music, food trucks and pop-up experiences centered around James Weldon Johnson Park and Laura Street. dtjax.com St. Augustine First Friday Art Walk Friday, Nov. 6 | 5–9 p.m. | Free St. Augustine turns its historic streets into one sprawling gallery on the first Friday of each month. Participating galleries and art spaces throughout Historic Downtown, Aviles Street, King Street, St. George Street, Uptown, Anastasia Island and the San Sebastian District welcome visitors for an evening of art appreciation. Galleries often unveil new exhibitions and host artist receptions, demonstrations, refreshments and live music. visitstaugustine.com Fernandina Beach Second Saturday Art Walk Saturday, Nov. 14 | 5–7 p.m. | Free Held on the second Saturday of each month, this Art Walk invites visitors to explore Downtown Fernandina Beach galleries and studios for an evening of local artwork, featured artists, receptions and opportunities to meet the creative minds behind the work. ameliaisland.com MOCA Jacksonville Free Museum Nights Wednesdays, Nov. 4 and 18 | 5–9 p.m. | Free The Museum of Contemporary Art Jacksonville offers complimentary evening admission on the first and third Wednesdays of the month. Visitors can explore contemporary exhibitions, discover emerging artists and experience one of Downtown Jacksonville’s cultural landmarks. mocajacksonville.unf.edu

JACKSONVILLE MOCA Jacksonville mocajacksonville.unf.edu Cummer Museum of Art & Garden cummermuseum.org Yellow House Art Gallery yellowhouseart.org The Art Center Cooperative tacjacksonville.org Stellers Gallery stellersgallery.com Gallery725 gallery725.com ST. AUGUSTINE St. Augustine Art Association staaa.org 44 Folio Weekly

Butterfield Garage Art Gallery butterfieldgarage.com Cutter & Cutter Fine Art cutterandcutter.com James Coleman Signature Gallery jamescoleman.com High Tide Gallery hightidegallery.com Lightner Museum lightnermuseum.org D.R. Abbott Gallery drabbottgallery.com Crisp-Ellert Art Museum at Flagler College crispellert.flagler.edu

AMELIA ISLAND & FERNANDINA BEACH Island Art Association Gallery islandart.org Blue Door Artists bluedoorartists.com Fringe Fine Art Gallery fringefineart.com Art Amelia artamelia.com Plantation Artists' Guild & Gallery paggart.com

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The Psychology of the Rage Bait. Words by Carmen Macri

The kitchen counter is wiped clean, leftovers are packed away, and the dog has had his final run through the yard. You’re under the covers, winding down, and decide to give yourself 10 innocent minutes of scrolling before turning out the lights. Before you know it, it’s well past 1 a.m., and you are lying awake in the dark, white-knuckling your phone, genuinely incensed by a complete stranger’s opinion on a topic you didn’t even know existed 20 minutes ago. This type of content is deliberately designed to have this exact effect on a person by being frustratingly outrageous, offensive or provocative — and it has become so pervasive that Oxford University Press named “rage bait” its Word of the Year for 2025, finding that the use of the word tripled in just twelve months. So why? Why do we all fall victim to rage bait when we know it’s exactly that? It’s a take on a subject designed for clickbait and keyboard warriors. Even knowing this, we still partake. We still send the video to our friends and discuss it during brunch with steam pouring out of our ears. The mechanism is as old as time, and science explains it through a phenomenon called negativity bias — a cognitive tendency where the human brain gives more weight, attention and memory to negative experiences, information or feedback than to positive ones of equal intensity. Evolution conditioned us to treat collective anger as an urgent threat-assessment system. Outrage was an evolutionary siren signaling immediate trouble, while contentment was simply the rare permission to relax.

According to an experiment on emotional contagion conducted by the British Psychological Society, anger spreads automatically, even when you’re trying to ignore it. When subjects observed facial expressions morphing from neutral into anger or joy, scientists monitored how mental workload affected emotional spread. Happiness, it turned out, was a luxury that demanded idle attention. Anger was an override — it propagated with equal force whether a person’s mind was empty or overwhelmed. Rationality provides no firewall against emotional transmission. Try as you might to stay composed, knowledge alone cannot insulate you from catching another person’s fury. Online anger always seems bigger than it truly is. In experiments matching how social media users described their own emotional state against how their posts were interpreted, readers regularly projected heightened levels of anger onto the text. This overperception, follow-up data revealed, led people to view opposing political factions as dangerously hostile and uncompromising. We are presented with a digital crowd that is louder and angrier than the real one, and our biological instinct is to match its temperature. Recognizing the bait doesn’t shield you from the knee-jerk reaction; it simply grants you the agency to decide whether to react. We all know the rule: Algorithms prioritize outrage over ease. Feeds amplify whatever generates traffic, and inflammatory takes are uniquely built to harvest likes, shares and replies. The bitter irony is that your furious response doesn’t defeat the bait; it just funds its reach.

While digital networks are recent arrivals, our fundamental human framework for interpreting reality hasn’t changed in millennia. 47

Ultimate

Guys Gift Guide By Elliot Henry

You may be thinking right now, “Why would FOLIO release a gift guide catered specifically to men so early into the holiday season?” Well, our sources have indicated that Google searches for “Christmas Gift Husband” spiked noticeably earlier than searches for “Christmas Gift Wife.” So, taking that into account, our editorial board decided to provide you with our expert opinion on what men are eyeing this holiday season!

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07. WHISKEY TASTING at Burlock & Barrel

02. CHARCUTERIE From Grater Goods

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08. GTA VI

03. 40LB TUNGSTEN Alloy Cube

10. A HOUSE 3563 Herschel St. Jacksonville, FL 32205

04. THE BATHROOM CODE for the starbucks located at 1650 Margaret Street

11. JACK Met him at Barnes and Noble

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Magic omedy &

NOV. 1 Capitol Fools Thrasher-Horne Center for the Performing Arts, Orange Park thcenter.com Moon Rocks and Mayhem Third Space Improv, St. Augustine 3rdspaceimprov.com NOV. 3 Carlos Sanchez (in Spanish) The Comedy Zone comedyzone.com Stand-up Showcase VooSwar rivercitycomedy.com NOV. 4 Dustin Nickerson The Comedy Zone comedyzone.com Kick’n Ash Comedy The Pillars Club eventbrite.com NOV. 5–7 Ben Bankas The Comedy Zone comedyzone.com NOV. 6 Don’t Tell Comedy Somewhere in Murray Hill (even if we knew, we wouldn’t tell) donttellcomedy.com Stand-up Showcase Burlock & Barrel rivercitycomedy.com The Main Event (7 p.m.) & Spotlight: A Showcase of Comedy Talent (9:30 p.m.) First Coast Comedy firstcoastcomedy.com Zak Toscani Treehouse Art Space eventbrite.com

Laughing Lace Comedy & Burlesque Showcase Third Space Improv, St. Augustine 3rdspaceimprov.com

NOV. 13 Paula Poundstone WJCT Soundstage floridatheatre.com

NOV. 7 Don’t Tell Comedy Somewhere in Murray Hill (even if we knew, we wouldn’t tell) donttellcomedy.com

Stand-up Showcase Burlock & Barrel rivercitycomedy.com

Ha Ha Happy Hour (4 p.m.), The Main Event (7 p.m.) & Full Disclosure ft. Jimmy O’Connor (9:30 p.m.) First Coast Comedy firstcoastcomedy.com Stand-up Showcase Ink Factory Brewing rivercitycomedy.com X-tra Funny Saturdayz X Lounge eventbrite.com Magic Hideaway With Bill Abbott Casa Marina Resort & Spa, St. Augustine magichideaway.com The Dish Rack Comedy Show Third Space Improv, St. Augustine 3rdspaceimprov.com NOV. 8 Ryan Goodcase The Comedy Zone comedyzone.com NOV. 10 Stand-up Showcase VooSwar rivercitycomedy.com NOV. 12 Tony Dabas The Comedy Zone comedyzone.com Kenny vs. Spenny The Albatross thealbatrossjax.com NOV. 12–15 First Coast Comedy Festival First Coast Comedy firstcoastcomedy.com

Zak Toscani Treehouse Art Space eventbrite.com Classic Comedy Night Third Space Improv, St. Augustine 3rdspaceimprov.com NOV. 13–14 Dustin Ybarra The Comedy Zone comedyzone.com NOV. 14 Eddie B. Florida Theatre floridatheatre.com Don’t Tell Comedy Somewhere in Murray Hill (even if we knew, we wouldn’t tell) donttellcomedy.com Stand-up Showcase Buchner’s Bierhalle rivercitycomedy.com Stand-up Showcase Ink Factory Brewing rivercitycomedy.com Jason Salmon Cafe Eleven, St. Augustine originalcafe11.com Magic Hideaway With Bill Abbott Casa Marina Resort & Spa, St. Augustine magichideaway.com NOV. 15 Kel Perez The Comedy Zone comedyzone.com NOV. 17 Stand-up Showcase VooSwar rivercitycomedy.com 51

NOV. 18–19 Danny Gonzalez and Friends The Comedy Zone comedyzone.com NOV. 19 Kristin Key Jacksonville Center for the Performing Arts jaxevents.com Hardtime: A Stand Up Comedy Showcase Flamingo Coffee eventbrite.com NOV. 20 Stand-up Showcase Burlock & Barrel rivercitycomedy.com The Main Event (7 p.m.) & The Blue Show (9:30 p.m.) First Coast Comedy firstcoastcomedy.com

The Big Sofa No Classic Comedy Show WJCT Studios universe.com

Stand-up Showcase Ink Factory Brewing rivercitycomedy.com

Magic Hideaway With Bill Abbott Casa Marina Resort & Spa, St. Augustine magichideaway.com

Stand-up Showcase Juice Wine Bar rivercitycomedy.com

Friday Night Live Third Space Improv, St. Augustine 3rdspaceimprov.com

Trap House Comedy Trap House Chicken eventbrite.com

NOV. 20–21 Josh Wolf The Comedy Zone comedyzone.com

Holiday Hootenanny Third Space Improv, St. Augustine 3rdspaceimprov.com

NOV. 21 Don’t Tell Comedy Somewhere in Riverside (even if we knew, we wouldn’t tell) donttellcomedy.com

Jeff Allen

Ha Ha Happy Hour (4 p.m.), The Main Event (7 p.m.) & Showgrrrl Showdown (9:30 p.m.)

Murray Hill Theatre murrayhilltheatre.com

First Coast Comedy firstcoastcomedy.com

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NOV. 24 Bobby Brown Jr. & Friends The Block Jax eventbrite.com Stand-up Showcase VooSwar rivercitycomedy.com

NOV. 26 Baystreet Comedy Show Refinery Jax Beach eventbrite.com NOV. 27 Comedy Night Beirut Restaurant eventbrite.com Stand-up Showcase Burlock & Barrel rivercitycomedy.com The Main Event (7 p.m.) & Big Names (9:30 p.m.) First Coast Comedy firstcoastcomedy.com Stand-up Showcase VooSwar rivercitycomedy.com Smart People Doing Comedy Third Space Improv, St. Augustine 3rdspaceimprov.com Josh Farley: Magic Across America Tour Limelight Theatre, St. Augustine limelight-theatre.org NOV. 27–28 Shaun Jones The Comedy Zone comedyzone.com NOV. 28 Ha Ha Happy Hour (4 p.m.) & The Main Event (7 p.m.) First Coast Comedy firstcoastcomedy.com Stand-up Showcase Ink Factory Brewing rivercitycomedy.com Magic Hideaway With Bill Abbott Casa Marina Resort & Spa, St. Augustine magichideaway.com

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Dove Cameron “FINAL GIRL” Whether you know Dove Cameron from her Disney Channel days or her high-profile relationship with Måneskin frontman Damiano David, one thing is certain: She has a brand-new album on the horizon. If you’re a fan of pop with a darker, moodier, goth-pop edge, her latest music is definitely worth a listen.

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.6 NOV Rex Orange County “Dream Fatigue”

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To say Rex Orange County stopped making music would be an overstatement. A two-year hiatus doesn’t mean someone is completely out of the picture, especially an artist who used to be one of my absolute favorites. Although his break was marked by severe legal trouble, the six sexual assault charges against him were dropped due to definitive evidence. Now, with those allegations behind him, he’s back with a brand-new album.

c Releases Made For You

irez

By Ambar Ram

Who We’re to Listening Locally Babe Honey

NOV. 6 Alanis Morissette “Good Weather for Immaculate Conception” Alanis Morissette needs no introduction. Nor does this new album. It’s her Christmas album, if you couldn’t tell by the title. And that’s all I have to say on that.

Currently based in Jacksonville, indie-folk artist Babe Honey brings a soulful, vintage flair to the local music scene. Four years ago, singer-songwriter Destiny Lopez took a leap of faith, quitting her 9-to5 to pursue music full-time — a decision she hasn’t regretted for a second. Deeply inspired by her time living on the road in a van, her music captures authentic stories of adventure, connection and the open road.

Honey Hounds Funkadelic blues-rock powerhouses Honey Hounds are currently tearing up the road on tour, but they’re heading back home for a huge milestone! Catch them Nov. 21 at the Ponte Vedra Concert Hall for their special 10th anniversary “No Sleep” show, celebrating a decade since their powerhouse debut album hit the scene.

.6 NOV Balexdotmp3

Kings of Leon “O My Beloved”

A fresh voice on the local scene, indie-rock artist Balexdotmp3 (or just Balex) recently dropped their debut album, “King of Wallflowers,” on July 31. When not working on solo material, Balex plays with local band Bobcats, and you can catch them taking the stage for a special Friday the 13th show at Trap House Chicken.

Kings of Leon, another group that needs no introduction. Their song “Sex on Fire” says everything you need to know about them and their music.

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Photo by MarkWeekly Fallon 58 Folio

Review

SMASHING EXPECTATIONS:

Concert

THE PUMPKINS SET JACKSONVILLE ABLAZE Billy Corgan brings the legendary sound, Kiki Wong brings the fire and a spectacular light show takes it over the top. Words by Teresa Spencer Jacksonville got a serious dose of alternative rock royalty Oct. 17 when The Smashing Pumpkins took the stage and delivered a performance that reminded everyone exactly why this band has remained a force in rock music for more than three decades. From the first notes to the final moments, Billy Corgan and company brought the kind of energy, musicianship and visual spectacle that makes live music worth every penny of admission. Corgan, the band’s unmistakable frontman, did not disappoint. His distinctive vocals, commanding stage presence and signature guitar sound were everything fans could have hoped for. There is something remarkable about watching an artist who helped define an entire era of music continue to perform with such intensity. The Smashing Pumpkins have never been a band that simply follows the rules, and this performance was a reminder that their ability to blend alternative rock, grunge, psychedelia and pure guitar-driven power remains as impressive as ever. But while Corgan was certainly the man of the hour, I have to admit that someone else nearly stole the show for me. Touring guitarist Kiki Wong was an absolute powerhouse. For those unfamiliar with Wong’s story, she joined The Smashing Pumpkins’ touring lineup in 2024 after the band launched an open search for a new guitarist. Rather than quietly filling a position behind one of rock’s most recognizable frontmen, Wong stepped into the spotlight and proved she belonged there. And judging by what I witnessed in Jacksonville, the band made one heck of a choice. She absolutely shreds. Her guitar work was fierce, technically impressive and loaded with personality. Every time she stepped forward, the energy seemed to climb another notch. There was something infectious about her enthusiasm, and she brought a fresh dynamic to a band already known for its massive guitar sound. Watching her play was one of the highlights of the evening. She wasn’t simply keeping up with the legendary musicians surrounding her; she was adding her own fire to the performance. It’s not every day that you walk into a concert expecting to be captivated by one of alternative rock’s most iconic frontmen and walk out talking just as much about the touring guitarist. And then there was the light show. Good grief, the light show. I’ve attended plenty of concerts over the years, and I can tell you that lighting can either complement a performance or become an unnecessary distraction. The Smashing Pumpkins clearly understand the difference. Their lighting production was nothing short of spectacular, with an incredible combination of colors, movement and perfectly timed effects that transformed the stage into a visual experience all its own. What made it particularly impressive was the choreography. Every lighting change seemed deliberately synchronized with the music, creating dramatic moments that amplified the power of the performance. The transitions were seamless, the effects were bold without becoming overwhelming, and the

entire production felt meticulously planned. It was the kind of show where you occasionally found yourself looking around in amazement, wondering how the production team managed to pull everything together so flawlessly. Of course, none of that visual wizardry would have mattered without the musicianship to back it up, and The Smashing Pumpkins delivered on that front as well. The band’s chemistry was evident throughout the evening, with the layered guitars, driving rhythms and unmistakable sound that have made their music a staple of alternative rock for generations. There was an undeniable connection between the musicians, and the performance never felt like a group simply going through the motions of another tour stop. What I particularly appreciated was that the show felt like a genuine rock concert rather than a carefully packaged nostalgia act. Yes, The Smashing Pumpkins have a remarkable catalog and a legacy that few bands can match, but they are clearly not interested in becoming a musical museum exhibit. There was plenty of fire left in this performance, and the addition of Wong only reinforced that sense of excitement. For longtime fans, seeing Corgan command the stage is a reminder of the influence The Smashing Pumpkins have had on modern rock. For newer audiences, the band’s live performance offers a crash course in why their music has endured. And for those of us who simply appreciate talented musicians giving everything they’ve got onstage, Jacksonville’s Oct. 17 show delivered exactly what a great concert should. Between Corgan’s unmistakable presence, the band’s outstanding musicianship, Wong’s electrifying guitar work and a lighting production that deserves its own round of applause, The Smashing Pumpkins gave Jacksonville an exceptional night of live music. And Kiki Wong? Keep shredding, girl. You were phenomenal.

Concert

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Photo by Oleg Lekhnitsky / Unsplash

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Hoe Phases, Pho and Blue October Words by Carmen Macri

s a lifelong product of the emo scene — because, let’s be real, it was never just a phase — news of sadboy trailblazers Blue October coming to FIVE on Nov. 19 for the 20th anniversary of “Foiled” had me instantly sold. I locked in an interview with frontman Justin Furstenfeld to trace the journey that led them here. That, and I had to personally thank the man who gave us “Into the Ocean.”

“So now here we are 20 years later, and we’re going for it. So when we go up there, I’m no longer this guy regurgitating all this pain. I’m this guy who’s like, hey, your life’s pretty f*cking good, but check out these songs I wrote.”

Here’s the wild part: Despite “Foiled” going platinum, the band actually never toured the album. Between life throwing its usual chaos and, as Furstenfeld so beautifully put it, “Justin’s emergencies,” the timing was just never on their side. They kept churning out new records, life moved on, and the tour that should’ve been slipped away. That’s what makes this 20th-anniversary show feel less like a nostalgic victory lap and more like dynamic history finally getting its rewrite.

When it came to writing the album, and those that followed, Furstenfeld traces his signature sound back to a childhood fueled by dark, melancholic influences — from the gloom-rock of The Cure and The Smiths to the nostalgic blues of Chet Baker. As a self-described “hopeless romantic” in middle school, he was drawn to atmospheric, dramatic imagery: walking down an alley in the rain, kissing a beautiful woman in the dark. As he grew up, that romanticism merged with personal hardship. He explains that depression and romance become remarkably easy to write about because it completely consumes your existence, leaving room for nothing else. For Furstenfeld, blending that all-encompassing sadness with deep romance creates a space that feels almost heavenly.

“We never toured for them back then because I was always in some crisis. So we put out this huge album. It went platinum. I had some sort of personal stuff going on, either drugs or mental hospital, or broke my leg or some sort of weird anxiety thing. We always had to cancel these tours because of Justin’s emergencies,” Furstenfeld shared.

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Without further ado, let’s get to know Justin Furstenfeld.

Photo Courtesy of Blue October / Facebook

“

I love the fact that people go, about cockroaches in his b So now, when I got sober like 14 years ago, I was like, oh, what do I do now? What do I write about? This is crazy. But I realized that I just joined the rest of the world. And what’s called reality, because I’d been living in this crazy world. And I started to realize things like getting the chills and thinking Santa Claus is real. When winter comes, and you can smell it, or first kisses and getting nervous, getting butterflies in your stomach. These are all feelings that I was masking my whole life with drugs and being a crazy man. So now when I write, I try to encompass so much more than just that gloom. Because for 35 years of my life, I wrote about sadness. And now I’m 50. It’s crazy. Photo by Abel Longoria

CARMEN: Your earlier catalog gained, obviously, a massive, loyal following because of how raw and heavy the emotional stakes were, as we kind of discussed. So now, writing from a place of growth, healing and clarity, how has your source of creativity shifted? FURSTENFELD: I always say that I grew up on bands like The Cure and The Smiths, and they were very sad, and they were very despair and gloom rock, right? And I loved it. I also loved Chet Baker and old sad jazz. I guess I just like nostalgic romantic music. There was nothing better than just walking down an alleyway with a beautiful woman and kissing her in the rain. Depression was so much easier to write about because when you’re depressed, it encompasses your entire world. It’s just like writing about it. So it’s very easy for me to write about depression and sadness and gloom and romance because that consumes you as well. 68 Folio Weekly

CARMEN: You look great.

FURSTENFELD: Ha ha, thank you. Now I’m 50, and I write about things like confidence, peace, intimacy, connection, listening, happiness, joy, freedom. And these are all things I never knew existed. Like I said, first kisses could probably be one of the most powerful things that we ever experience as humans. Intimacy and connection. What the hell? I just learned about these things. So I’m like, feed me, feed me, feed me. And I write about those things with more passion because I’m more excited about it than writing about that sad shit. CARMEN: So looking back at an iconic album like “Foiled,” how has your relationship with these songs changed over time? When you play hits like “Hate Me” or “Into the Ocean” today, do they feel like stepping back in time, or have they kind of evolved into something else?

“

, oh, you’re that dude that talked brain and like, yeah, that’s me. FURSTENFELD: I would say I’m glad that “Hate Me” and “Into the Ocean” were our singles, because they’re very mature and they’re very classy, they’re very poetic, and I’m glad I took that much time. So when someone says, ‘Oh, are those your singles?’ I’ll be like, ‘Oh, yes, they are. Those are my singles.’ And they’re not like some just blasphemous single that somebody wrote to make hits. I love the fact that people go, oh, you’re that dude that talked about cockroaches in his brain and like, yeah, that’s me. Or you’re that guy that wanted to kill himself in the ocean, and then you swim to shore, good job. You know, I love that. Now I see these songs as a piece of furniture in the room. So it’s like “Hate Me” is like an old Victrola. So when I play it, I’m like, look, it’s beautiful. I polish it, and I clean it, and it even works. Watch when I turn it on; everybody listen to how pretty it sounds. You know what I’m saying? CARMEN: I get it. I get what you’re saying. FURSTENFELD: “Into the Ocean” is like a stained-glass window that you’re just like, oh, look, when the sun hits it right. You know what I’m saying? Because I’m not there anymore. I’m not struggling with drugs. I’m not struggling with depression. I’m healthy, and I love my life. And I love the people in my life. I have three kids; I’m like a single dad, and I adore it. If you were to tell me, ‘You’re going to be alone with your kids, in your house, with no wife at age 50,’ as a high school kid, I would have been like, what do you mean? But now, that’s good. Like, I’m good with it. CARMEN: You’re living your best life right now, and I love this for you. Your lyricism is known, obviously, for being brutally honest. Has there ever been a line or a song idea where you paused and thought, “Is this too personal, even for me?” FURSTENFELD: Yeah. There was an album called “Any Man in America” that I did, and it was during the height of my first divorce custody thing, and oh my God. Have you ever met an oversharer? CARMEN: Oh yeah.

Photo Courtesy of Blue October / Facebook

FURSTENFELD: He goes, ‘No, it’s not. This is the only case pending.’ Yeah, stupid sh*t like that. But usually it comes from ego, and ego will ruin you. Ego will destroy you. Ego will ruin relationships. It’ll ruin partnerships. Ego will ruin your faith. It’ll ruin your spirit. Ego is the work of the devil. And it’s the worst thing when I see young artists, and they have the ego because I’m just like, oh my God, just shut up. Just shut up. If you just do good and shut the f*ck up and be kind to people and be loving to people, you attract more with kindness than you do bragging. If you’ve got to tell people your accomplishments, it’s so cringe. And I was really cringe on “Any Man in America.”

FURSTENFELD: That album was an overshare. If you listen to it, you’ll be like, oh, that should have stayed in the vault. There’s no coolness at all about it. I was constantly going to court because I was in trouble a lot, and there’s a line in it that says, “fuck that judge.” And I was still needing that judge to be on my side. So I mean, ‘oh, he’s so hardcore. Look at him talking shit.’ And then you go to the judge, and the judge is like, ‘Hey, what’s this? Really? What? What’s this?’ I’m like, oh…

CARMEN: I feel like that was the time. It was the time to be cringey on a record and to wear black skinny jeans and, you know, have dyed black hair. It was the era.

CARMEN: Oh, it was a different judge.

CARMEN: No. Because in 2010 and in the early 2010s, you were getting like, Pierce the Veil, Sleeping with Sirens, and they were wearing skinny jeans and being emo and sad on stage.

FURSTENFELD: Hey, I appreciate that. You’re full of sh*t. You’re so full of sh*t because in 2006, it was good. In 2010, when I put out that cringey album… That’s when it started changing, and MGMT was good, and Daft Punk was good, and I was just over here crying still.

“If you just do good and shut the CARMEN: I accept your apology. Okay, so we’re on this world tour f*ck up and be kind to people right now, and touring is grueling. Every band has their specific ritual for surviving long stretches on the bus. What is the most non-negoand be loving to people, you attiable item, snack, or ritual currently keeping sanity? tract more with kindness than FURSTENFELD: I have to have Vietnamese soup. Oh, it’s my favorite food in the world. And as a singer and as somebody very healthy, I you do bragging.” eat Vietnamese pho. It’s like the best thing to have before a show FURSTENFELD: You’re right. I’m sorry, I’m sorry.

because it gives you energy with the noodles, and then the broth keeps your throat feeling really good. And I don’t talk a lot; the only time I talk during the day is during interviews. Otherwise, I just shut up. And it’s really nice to be mute. Have you ever tried to be mute for, like, a week? CARMEN: Couldn’t. Hey, no, I’m a talker. FURSTENFELD: I’m like that. I’m talking so much, and then my heart’s racing, and I’m like, did I just say that? I have three children, right. One of them is in college. She’s 19. She’s good, you know, she’s good. But my other two, they go to private school, and I talk to the teachers, and the teachers, like, ‘Are you in that band?’ And I’m like, ‘Oh, yes, yes. Do you want tickets? Do you want tickets with me? It’s me. My kid has behavior problems, but just call me. You know, we’ll be besties.’ I’m sure when they leave, they’re like, ‘motherf*cker. Oh, my God, he can talk.’ I can, and I have a hard time not drinking coffee. I love coffee. CARMEN: Why would you not drink coffee? FURSTENFELD: I drink a lot of it, okay? CARMEN: I can see how that might become an issue. You’ve kept the traditional concept-album spirit alive in an era dominated by quick single releases. What draws you back to telling larger, multipart stories through full-length records? FURSTENFELD: I write so much. I bought this 6 acres in the Hill Country, and I live in this big studio, and it’s just a creative space. Whenever I’m at home, I’m always creating. I’ll sample jazz records and then make beats behind them. So there’s always jazz playing. And then over here in this room, I make perfume. I get all these raw materials from around the world, like vetiver and patchouli and rose and all these things. And then I mix, and I make perfume because I think perfume is like one of the most beautiful things in the world. 70 Folio Weekly

And then over here I have the band studio, and then I have the drum room. And so it’s very vibey. And when I’m at home, I’m constantly writing, just constantly creating. So if I’m going to write 80 songs in six months, I’m going to put out as many as I can whenever I can, and I own the record label, so I can do what I want. So I’m going to put out three albums if I feel like it, you know, why not? As long as it’s good. Because you can’t tell Nike to put 10 shoes out if they’re going to suck; they gotta be good shoes. And you have to have good music. CARMEN: If a movie director came up to you tomorrow and said, ‘We want Blue October to score an entire feature film soundtrack,’ what kind of movie do you think it would be? FURSTENFELD: Oh my God. I want to say it would be like “Longlegs.” True crime, but dark as f*ck. CARMEN: Okay. Like “Nightcrawler,” kind of? FURSTENFELD: Yeah. Yeah. But it has to have a sense of loss in it too — someone has to die, or someone has to love and then lose. It’s got to be some sort of psychological thriller. Like, you’re gonna have your heart broken, and you’re going to be pretty stressed. CARMEN: Perfect. I feel like that just really encompasses Blue October — to be so stressed out. FURSTENFELD: You’ll be so f*cking sad. CARMEN: You’re gonna be sad. Maybe stressed, but it’s gonna be okay in the end. FURSTENFELD: Just like in middle school. Because of that f*cking band, Blue October.

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Photo by Paige Allsup

Folio Eats

Castillo Craft Bar & Kitchen

Not Your Average Hotel Restaurant Words by Ambar Ramirez & Carmen Macri

Let’s play a quick game of two truths and a lie: Castillo Craft Bar & Kitchen is housed inside the iconic stone walls of St. Augustine’s fort, they make a steak frites that will ruin all other steak frites for you and the service is effortlessly topnotch. If you haven’t already caught on, Castillo isn’t actually tucked inside the Castillo de San Marcos. Instead, it sits right next to the historic Renaissance St. Augustine Historic Downtown Hotel. But while it might look like a standard hotel amenity at first glance, it quickly proves to be far more than just a convenient stop for overnight guests — it’s a bona fide dining destination in its own right. It was one of those Sundays where the last thing you want to do is hop in the car and drive an hour away in the pouring rain. Having never been to Castillo’s before, we didn’t know what was waiting for us on the other side, so morale was exceedingly low up until we walked through the front doors. The exterior screams historic St. Augustine with vibrant red paint and a wrap-around porch, but the inside ditches the vintage aesthetic for a more modern approach with sleek dark wood and metal accents. Upon walking in, we were immediately met with the smell of the birria slow- braised short rib that followed us to our table, though we didn’t know what it was at the time. All we knew was something smelled delicious, and we were desperate Photo by Ashley Jones / Adventures with Ashley to know what. Eager as we were to dive into the main courses, we took a moment to appreciate the meticulously curated menu before starting with drinks. 78 Folio Weekly

it’s a bona fide dining destin in its own right.

Naturally, we opted for two standout choices: Castillo’s Espresso Martini and the Blood Moon Fizz. When Castillo claims their martini uses real, fresh espresso, they mean it. The moment it hit the table, its rich, velvety dark color practically guaranteed it was going to be top-tier — and after trying countless versions over the years, this one might just be our absolute favorite. The Blood Moon Fizz shined on its own merits. Smoky, crisp and surprisingly refreshing, pairing two notes you wouldn’t normally expect to work so well together. Next up was the appetizer — fried Brussels sprouts. But not just any run-of-the-mill Brussels sprouts; these were flash-fried, tossed in bacon jam, fried pickled Fresno, and topped with fried banana peppers. We didn’t even wait for our waitress to set the bowl on the table before we dove in. It was the perfect mix of sweet and savory with a little kick now and then. Had we not had our wits about us, we would’ve happily devoured the entire plate, forgoing our main entrees.

Photo by Paige Allsup

The moment the birria slow-braised short rib arrived on its bed of creamy street corn risotto, we realized that was the intoxicating aroma that had drawn us to our table. As soon as a fork slid effortlessly through the tender meat, I swear we heard angels sing. But somehow, the short rib wasn’t even the star of the show. That honor belonged to the street corn risotto. It was so velvety and rich, I was genuinely tempted to march up to the kitchen and beg the chef for the recipe. Balanced, comforting and deeply satisfying, it was the kind of dish that demanded we slow down and savor every single bite. We’ve never claimed to be culinary experts, but the moment that medium-rare filet landed with its side of crispy golden fries and vibrant chimichurri, our credentials didn’t matter. It was hands-down the best steak we’ve ever tasted. The knife glided through it effortlessly, and each bite was so tender it practically melted. Perfectly cooked, expertly seasoned, and finished with a sauce we’ll be dreaming about for days. All this to say, we definitely asked for the chef’s name who cooked this steak. His name is Dennis. Dennis, we love you.

Photo by Paige Allsup

ation

After how incredible everything had been up to this point, we decided to test our luck and finish things off with their seasonal dessert: cranberry bread pudding with a bourbon glaze. If you haven’t caught on to the trend, it was divine. It was warm and decadent. The perfect ending to a perfect dinner. 79

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10 Thanksgiving Main Dishes That Aren’t Turkey

Talk Turkey to the Hand

Because sometimes the bird just isn’t worth the drama. Words by Teresa Spencer Thanksgiving is a wonderful holiday filled with family, gratitude, delicious food and the annual tradition of pretending everyone actually likes turkey. Sure, the big bird has been the centerpiece of American Thanksgiving tables for generations. It’s practically a national mascot for overeating. But somewhere along the way, we decided that spending five hours roasting a 20-pound bird, only to cover it in gravy because it’s dry, was an essential part of giving thanks. And don’t even get us started on the price of butter, the logistics of thawing a frozen turkey or the relative who insists on explaining how much better it would have tasted if you’d deep-fried it. This year, we’re proposing something radical: Let the turkey live. Whether you’re tired of the same old holiday menu, cooking for a smaller crowd or simply ready to shake things up, here are 10 Thanksgiving main dishes that might just convince your family to pardon the turkey permanently. 81

Perfect for: Families who believe Thanksgiving deserves a little luxury.

1. PRIME RIB: THE THANKSGIVING UPGRADE If turkey is the reliable family sedan of holiday dinners, prime rib is the luxury convertible with heated seats. A beautifully roasted prime rib, seasoned with garlic, rosemary, thyme and plenty of butter, brings serious holiday elegance to the table. Serve it with creamy horseradish sauce, roasted potatoes and Yorkshire pudding, and suddenly nobody remembers why you were supposed to buy a turkey. Yes, prime rib costs more. But consider the money you’ll save on the three gallons of gravy required to make dry turkey edible.

2. HONEY-GLAZED HAM: THE SWEET TALKER

Perfect for: Big families, easy entertaining and people who appreciate leftovers that actually taste good.

Ham has been quietly waiting in turkey’s shadow for decades, and frankly, it’s time someone acknowledged its contributions. A spiral-cut ham glazed with brown sugar, honey, Dijon mustard and a splash of pineapple juice delivers that irresistible combination of sweet, salty and savory. It’s easy to prepare, feeds a crowd and makes fantastic leftovers. Unlike turkey, ham doesn’t require an engineering degree to carve, and you don’t have to spend the entire meal wondering whether the thickest part reached 165 degrees.

Perfect for: Smaller gatherings, ambitious home cooks and anyone who enjoys hearing, “Wait, you MADE that?”

3. BEEF WELLINGTON: THE SHOWOFF Want to make your Thanksgiving guests think you’ve secretly attended culinary school? Enter Beef Wellington. This impressive dish features tender beef tenderloin coated with mushroom duxelles, wrapped in prosciutto and golden puff pastry. When sliced, it reveals layers of deliciousness that look like something straight out of a fancy restaurant. Fair warning: This isn’t a dish you casually throw together while watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. It requires patience, preparation and a willingness to accept that puff pastry occasionally has its own agenda. 82 Folio Weekly

4. SEAFOOD BOIL: A VERY FLORIDA THANKSGIVING

Perfect for: Coastal families, casual gatherings and anyone who thinks Thanksgiving should involve more butter and fewer dishes.

Who says Thanksgiving has to involve feathers when we live surrounded by water? A Northeast Florida-style seafood boil featuring shrimp, crab legs, smoked sausage, corn on the cob, red potatoes and plenty of Old Bay seasoning might be the most delicious rebellion against tradition imaginable. Spread newspaper or butcher paper across the table, dump everything in the middle and let everyone dig in. No carving knives, no formal place settings and absolutely no arguments about who gets the drumstick. Add melted garlic butter, cocktail sauce and a few cold beverages, and you’ve got a Thanksgiving feast worthy of the First Coast.

5. LASAGNA: THE ITALIAN FAMILY PEACEMAKER Some families already know what the rest of America is slowly discovering: A giant pan of homemade lasagna can solve almost anything.

Perfect for: Large families, make-ahead meals and households where cheese is considered a food group.

Layers of pasta, rich meat sauce, creamy ricotta, mozzarella and Parmesan baked until golden and bubbling create the ultimate comfort-food centerpiece. Make it the day before, refrigerate it overnight and pop it into the oven on Thanksgiving. You’ll spend less time cooking and more time enjoying your family. Or avoiding them. We don’t judge. Throw in garlic bread, a big salad and a bottle of red wine, and you’ve officially created a holiday meal that nobody will complain about. Well, almost nobody. There’s always that one person.

Perfect for: Smaller gatherings and adventurous eaters who want a holiday bird with attitude.

6. ROASTED DUCK: TURKEY’S SOPHISTICATED COUSIN If you’re not quite ready to abandon poultry but want something with a little more personality, roasted duck is your answer. With crispy golden skin, rich flavorful meat and a beautiful orange or cherry glaze, duck offers everything turkey wishes it had. It’s also smaller, making it ideal for intimate Thanksgiving dinners. The natural fat helps keep the meat moist while creating gloriously crispy skin. The downside? You’ll need more than one duck for a large gathering, and the roasting process requires a little attention. But that’s a small price to pay for poultry that doesn’t need a swimming pool of gravy. 83

Perfect for: Barbecue lovers, outdoor cooks and anyone who believes smoke is a legitimate seasoning.

7. SMOKED BRISKET: THANKSGIVING, TEXAS STYLE There’s something deeply satisfying about replacing a traditional turkey with a massive slab of slow-smoked beef. Brisket, seasoned with salt, pepper, garlic and your favorite barbecue rub, becomes unbelievably tender after hours in the smoker. The smoky crust, juicy interior and rich beef flavor make it an unforgettable holiday centerpiece. And let’s face it, Northeast Florida knows its way around a smoker. Serve brisket alongside macaroni and cheese, baked beans, cornbread and collard greens, and you’ve created a Thanksgiving meal that feels more like a backyard celebration than a formal family obligation. Just remember: Brisket takes time. A lot of time. You’ll need to start planning before the guests arrive, not when somebody asks what’s for dinner.

8. STUFFED ACORN SQUASH: THE VEGETARIAN HERO

Perfect for: Vegetarians, health-conscious guests and anyone looking to add a colorful centerpiece to the table.

Before the meat lovers start rolling their eyes, hear us out. Roasted acorn squash filled with wild rice, mushrooms, cranberries, pecans, caramelized onions and fresh herbs is beautiful, satisfying and surprisingly festive. The natural sweetness of the squash pairs perfectly with savory stuffing, creating a dish that looks just as impressive as anything else on the holiday table. It’s also a thoughtful option for vegetarian guests who are tired of being told they can just eat the mashed potatoes. And unlike the mysterious plant-based turkey substitutes that occasionally resemble oversized pencil erasers, this dish proudly embraces what it is.

Perfect for: Couples, intimate gatherings and anyone who believes life’s too short to save lobster for special occasions. Thanksgiving qualifies.

9. LOBSTER TAILS: BECAUSE WHY NOT? Thanksgiving is supposed to be about gratitude, right? Well, we’re extremely grateful for lobster and melted butter. Broiled lobster tails brushed with garlic butter, lemon and fresh parsley make an elegant alternative to turkey, especially for smaller gatherings. Pair them with creamy risotto, roasted asparagus or buttery mashed potatoes, and you’ve got a holiday dinner that feels like a five-star restaurant experience. Is it traditional? Absolutely not. Is it delicious? Absolutely. Will your guests suddenly volunteer to come to your house every Thanksgiving? Unfortunately, probably.

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Perfect for: Southern families, budget-conscious cooks and anyone who believes comfort food should actually be comforting.

YOU’RE ALREADY HERE, 10. CHICKEN AND DUMPLINGS: SOUTHERN COMFORT AT ITS FINEST Not every Thanksgiving meal needs to look like it belongs on the cover of a gourmet magazine. Sometimes the best holiday centerpiece is a giant pot of homemade chicken and dumplings.

SO ARE POTENTIAL CUSTOMERS.

Tender chicken simmered in a rich, savory broth with vegetables and soft, pillowy dumplings delivers the kind of comfort that makes people loosen their belts before dessert. It’s warm, filling, affordable and practically designed for family gatherings. Plus, there’s something wonderfully nostalgic about serving a dish that tastes like Grandma made it, even if your grandmother’s culinary specialty was ordering takeout.

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

The Great Thanksgiving Rebellion Here’s the thing about Thanksgiving: The holiday isn’t really about turkey. It’s about gathering with people you love, appreciating what you have and sharing a meal that brings everyone together. Somewhere along the way, we became convinced that Thanksgiving required a very specific menu. Turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, cranberry sauce and at least one questionable dish involving miniature marshmallows. But traditions evolve. Families change. Tastes change. And sometimes the person responsible for cooking Thanksgiving dinner simply decides they’ve had enough of wrestling a frozen bird into the kitchen sink. So this year, consider breaking a few culinary rules. Serve seafood. Smoke a brisket. Bake a lasagna. Splurge on prime rib. Or make a giant pot of chicken and dumplings and call it a day. Keep the mashed potatoes. Keep the pumpkin pie. Keep that strange green bean casserole your aunt insists on bringing every year. Just remember that the best Thanksgiving meal isn’t necessarily the most traditional one. It’s the one everyone enjoys together. And if somebody complains that Thanksgiving isn’t Thanksgiving without turkey, hand them a sandwich and remind them that grocery stores are open before the holiday. Happy Thanksgiving, Northeast Florida. May your plates be full, your company be pleasant and your meat thermometer never let you down.

“Thanksgiving with Rita Hayworth” /Columbia Pictures / The Kobal Collection

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The Perfect Sidekick Because Even a Thanksgiving Rebel Needs Good Sides You may have kicked turkey off the Thanksgiving menu, but that doesn't mean the mashed potatoes, casseroles and cranberry sauce have to go with it. Some traditions deserve to survive, especially the ones involving butter. Here are our favorite pairings for each alternative Thanksgiving centerpiece.

The Main Event

THE PERFECT SIDEKICKS

Prime Rib

Garlic mashed potatoes, roasted Brussels sprouts and Yorkshire pudding

Honey-Glazed Ham

Sweet potato casserole, Southern green beans and pineapple stuffing

Beef Wellington

Creamy potato gratin, glazed carrots and roasted asparagus

Seafood Boil

Hush puppies, coleslaw, garlic bread and plenty of melted butter

Lasagna

Caesar salad, garlic knots and roasted vegetables

Roasted Duck

Wild rice pilaf, cranberry-orange relish and roasted root vegetables

Smoked Brisket

Baked macaroni and cheese, collard greens, cornbread and baked beans

Stuffed Acorn Squash

Maple-roasted carrots, green bean almondine and cranberry salad

Lobster Tails

Parmesan risotto, lemon asparagus and warm dinner rolls

Chicken and Dumplings

Southern green beans, glazed carrots and homemade biscuits

THE SIDES THAT REFUSE TO RETIRE No matter what you’re serving, a few Thanksgiving classics have earned permanent invitations to the table. Mashed potatoes, macaroni and cheese, sweet potato casserole, green beans/green bean casserole and cranberry sauce work with nearly anything. And dessert? That’s where we draw the line on rebellion. Pumpkin pie, pecan pie and apple pie are staying. Some traditions are sacred. FOLIO’S FINAL WORD: The main dish may get all the attention, but everybody knows Thanksgiving leftovers are really about the sides. Nobody has ever snuck into the refrigerator at midnight for a second helping of plain turkey when there’s an entire pan of macaroni and cheese sitting next to it. 87

Folio’s Top Picks: Jax Beaches Dockside Seafood Restaurant docksideseafoodrestaurant.com

Arlington Catullo’s Italian facebook.com/catullositalian

Gregory Paul’s gregorypauls.com

Galaxy Burgers Bar & Grill galaxyburgersjax.com

O-Ku o-kusushi.com

Just Kitchen Jax justkitchenjax.com

RP’s Fine Food & Drink rpsjaxbeach.com

Spices Caribbean Restaurant spicesjax.com

Sizemore’s Coastal Kitchen sizemorescoastalkitchen.com

Tabouleh Mediterranean Cafe taboulehjax.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 Downtown Bellwether bellwetherjax.com Cowford Chophouse cowfordchophouse.com Mayport Egg Boy eggboybreakfast.com The Juicy Seafood Mayport thejuicycofl.com La Casa Leon lacasaleonfl.com Sub Cultured subculturedsubs.com 88 Folio Weekly

Dorothy’s Downtown dorothysdowntown.com Indochine Downtown indochinejax.com

Best Bites Murray Hill Buchner’s Bierhalle buchnersbierhalle.com Chancho King chanchoking.square.site Community Loaves communityloavesjax.com Solazo Taqueria solazofl.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

Northside & Airport Green Papaya greenpapayaus.com Eleon Pizza & Pastry eleonpastry.com Flying Fish Taphouse flyingfishtaphouse.com New Berlin Fish House & Oyster Bar newberlinfishhouse.com

Jacksonville 89

Folio’s Top Picks:

San Marco The Bearded Pig thebeardedpigbbq.com Taverna taverna.restaurant Tepeyolot Cerveceria tepeys.com Maple Street Biscuit Company maplestreetbiscuits.com

Riverside and Avondale Bartaco bartaco.com

Carolina Jax carolinajax.com Hawkers eathawkers.com Josephine josephineavondale.com Taqueria Cinco taqueria5points.com Springfield Crispy’s Springfield Gallery crispysspringfield.com Othello othellospringfield.com Tulua Bistro Springfield tuluabistro.com 1748 Bakehouse 1748bakehouse.com

90 Folio Weekly

Best Bites

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

Jacksonville 91

Folio’s Top Picks:

Butler Beach & Crescent Beach Back 40 A1A back40a1a.com Paladar Cuban Eatery + Bakery paladarcubaneatery.com Violas eatviolas.com Anastasia Island Beachcomber St. Augustine beachcomberstaugustine.com Nalu’s nalus904.com Terra & Acqua terraacquarestaurant.com Santiago’s Florida Kitchen & Craft Bar santiagosfloridakitchen.com Downtown/Old Town Casa Reina Taqueria & Tequila casareinastaug.com Forgotten Tonic forgottentonic.com Prohibition Kitchen pkstaug.com River & Fort riverandfort.com The Scarlett House thescarletthousestaug.com

92 Folio Weekly

Best Bites 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 St. Augustine 93

94 Folio Weekly

“Eye see you” / George Gilleo SUBMIT TO THE PUBLIC PHOTO GALLERY

HERE 95

96 Folio Weekly