Folio Vol. 40, Issue 7 by Folio Weekly

FOLIO STAFF:

KERRY

San Marco Goes Green: 4/20 Gets a

Carson Haines

Drumming for the Departed: A Tragic Loss Leads to this Musician’s Tribute

Ariana Alcantara

Home is Where the Heart Is, and My Heart Is With Angie’s Ambar Ramirez

The Death of the Dining Room

BEHIND THE COVER:

“Drumming for the Departed: A Tragic Loss Leads to this Musician’s Tribute” words by Ariana Alcantara

Photo by Samy El-Kamel

Subject: Don’t Adopt Europe’s Discriminatory Drug Pricing Against Individuals With Down Syndrome

As the father of a son with Down syndrome, I’m incredibly thankful that my baby was born in the United States, where he has access to top-notch medical care. Children with Down syndrome often face serious health challenges, such as congenital heart conditions and leukemia. Recent medical breakthroughs have immensely improved and often saved the lives of kids like my son Oskar.

In many other countries, individuals with Down syndrome are harmed when health care systems use discriminatory metrics that severely restrict which treatments are covered.

The health care systems in those countries heavily rely on cost-benefit assessments that rely on a metric known as the Quality-Adjusted Life Year, which seeks to quantify how much a treatment costs for each year of perfect health it offers.

Of course, people with certain disabilities and chronic conditions will never be in perfect health, so treatments geared towards these patient groups are essentially deemed less valuable. Analyses of therapies for conditions like Duchenne muscular dystrophy show the bias even more starkly: some QALY thresholds make no treatment for DMD appear cost-effective at all.

For individuals with disabilities, that assumption is more than offensive in the 21st century. It is dangerous. It tells people with disabilities that their lives are worth less, and it encodes that message directly into health policy.

In both the United Kingdom and Canada, patients often wait years for innovative drugs that are available immediately in the United States. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, the British agency that determines which medicines are available to patients, recently recommended against routine use of new Alzheimer’s disease drugs because they failed to meet rigid cost-per-QALY thresholds, making it harder for patients to access treatments proven to slow cognitive decline. This is important for adults with Down syndrome who have a 90% chance of getting Alzheimer’s in their lifetime.

Thankfully, in the United States, Medicare bans the use of QALYs, and lawmakers have introduced legislation to ban its use in all federal health programs.

It would be a tragic mistake for the U.S. to move forward with a well-intentioned but flawed plan to tie drug prices to European health systems where QALY based cost-effectiveness frameworks influence pricing and reimbursement decisions — effectively importing policies that restrict care and discriminate against those with disabilities.

Americans have spent decades fighting to make sure our health care system reflects the value of kids like my son. Adopting policies that treat individuals with disabilities as “less than” would undo decades of progress.

Hampus Hillerstrom

President of the National Down Syndrome Society.

BOUQS & BRICKS

BOUQUETS

To Douglas Anderson School of the Arts students Spencer Carnochan and Isaiah Newland for hitting all the right notes on a national stage. The saxophonist and drummer were selected for the elite Jazz Band of America, a distinction reserved for the country’s top high school talent and earned it the hard way — through a fiercely competitive audition process. Their musicianship, creativity and discipline didn’t just get them noticed: It also put Jacksonville on the map. Catch them next as they perform with the Jazz Band of America at Music For All’s National Festival. Bravo, gentlemen—take a bow, then take it up a notch.

To the Jacksonville City Council for doing something refreshingly old-school: asking hard questions and actually following the money. Launching a full investigatory probe into JEA over allegations of uncollected fees, toxic workplace conditions and potential misconduct isn’t glamorous, but it’s necessary. With millions in possible lost revenue and leadership under scrutiny, this is exactly the kind of oversight taxpayers expect but don’t always get. It may take 6 to 12 months, and it may get messy, but accountability usually does. For once, City Hall isn’t looking the other way — and that deserves a nod.

BRICKBATS

To President Donald Trump and Congress for once again turning dysfunction into a recurring headline — failing to pass legislation and leaving Homeland Security workers stuck doing critical jobs without pay. Border security, disaster response, aviation safety—these aren’t optional services, and the people who carry them out aren’t bargaining chips. Washington loves to talk tough about security, right up until it’s time to fund it. If this is leadership, it’s the kind that clocks out early and still expects a paycheck while starving out those who are reporting to work.

Words by Ambar Ramirez & Carmen Macri

March starts in a quiet haze, urging you to rest before your birthday season kicks off. The Total Lunar Eclipse on the 3rd hits your 6th House of health and routine, signaling a sudden need to drop a draining habit or work commitment — and that’s OK. Once the Sun enters your sign on the 20th, your vitality returns and new personal timelines officially begin.

Aries Taurus

Out with the old and in with the new, Taurus. It’s that time of year to get a head start on Spring cleaning. This could look as simple as getting rid of some clothes you haven’t worn in three years and are holding on to for “just in case.” Or this cleanse can be a bit more extreme, like maybe a project or relationship that has run its course. With the sun and Saturn in Aries until April 19th, Saturn is doing what it does best: helping you make edits.

Gemini

Your career takes center stage this month, Gemini. All your focus will be on climbing the corporate ladder, and if someone or something gets in your way, remember, it’s a speed bump, not a stop sign. With Mercury spinning in retrograde through your 10th house, expect a few “oops” moments in some professional emails. Just make sure you triple-check your spelling.

Cancer

You have the binoculars on and have your sights set on your future, Cancer. How you get there doesn’t really matter as long as you succeed in your goals…right? Not exactly, but the stars aren’t too concerned with semantics either. With the Sun and Saturn sitting in Aries right now, your 10th house of ambition and public reputation is in the spotlight, giving you just enough confidence to step up and own your authority. Sign up for the class, book the consultant and invest in yourself.

Leo

This month is all about give and take, Leo. It’s about pouring your energy into those who pour it right back into you. You tend to hoard relationships that no longer fit, much like that pair of jeans you swear you’ll fit back into. Sometimes it’s best to just let things go before they drag you down with them. Physically and metaphorically.

Virgo

April arrives with an invitation to expand your horizons, Virgo.

As Aries season illuminates your 8th house of investments and shared resources through mid-month, the celestial focus shifts toward long-term security and building your legacy. While this transit typically encourages practical moves like bolstering a savings account, there is a distinct call for a more experiential investment right now.

Relationships are your main focus this month, Libra. Forging them, nurturing them and even ending them. The lunar eclipse on the 3rd highlighted your 12th house of “the unconscious” bringing all your skeletons out of the closet and locking the door behind them. It’s time for you to finally face them head-on.

Romance and creativity are at an all-time high this month, though Mercury’s antics might bring an old flame back into your DMs. Use that creative energy for a clever way to tell them to F*** all the way off. After the 20th, your focus shifts back to “business,” making it a great time to tackle that growing to-do list.

You don’t have to carry the world alone, Sagittarius, and late

ly, your mind hasn’t been on financial dividends, but on the economy of the heart. Under this cosmic microscope, the focus shifts to the time and energy you’ve poured into your inner circle. Ask yourself: is the support system you’ve built showing up for you with the same intensity you offer them? Now is the season to reevaluate these emotional investments, and more importantly, to finally let people in.

Capricorn

Communication might feel like a game of telephone early on, so double-check your texts while Mercury is retrograde in your 3rd House of communication. The Lunar Eclipse on the 3rd strikes your 9th House of expansion and travel, which could mean a sudden change in travel plans or a major “aha!” moment regarding your beliefs. By the end of the month, a structured career breakthrough is likely as Saturn and the Sun align in Aries.

Levity returns after March 20 as the Sun begins its monthlong transit through Aries and your convivial 3rd house. The spring equinox restores a sense of equilibrium to your social bonds, and for the next four weeks, your voice regains its signature resonance. If you have a creative project gathering dust, this is the cosmic green light to revive it.

The flowers are blooming, the birds are chirping: Spring is here and you’re ready to accept its warmth, Pisces. With the Sun in Aries until April 19 and in your practical, sensory 2nd house, you’re tuned in to the beauty around you. It’s time to snap back into your orderly groove. Take those morning walks, start a windowsill garden and book a well-deserved massage.

Photo by Braden Burson on Unsplash

Words by Carson Haines

BEACHES GO GREEN HOSTS EARTH DAY COMMUNITY CLEAN-UP

During the month of April, we celebrate quite a few holidays: the notorious April Fool’s Day, occasional Easter and, of course, the birthday of our beautiful mother, Earth Day.

This eco-friendly holiday, created on April 22, 1970, was made to mark the birth of an up-and-coming environmental movement. At the time, the celebration was initiated by a large-scale protest of around 20 million Americans, leading to the start of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Now, it is quite common to hear of biodiversity conservation, climate action and clean-ups; these inspiring acts raise awareness of an impactful and destructive crisis we face known as pollution.

On April 18, Beaches Go Green (BGG), a local conservationist organization, will be holding an Earth Day Community Clean-up to relieve local areas of trash and plastic debris.

Morgan Eaton, programs director for BGG, has been working for the nonprofit for the past five years. “I’ve always cared about the environment and taking care of the planet. When I first met Anne Marie Moquin, the founder of BGG, I felt as if I was meant to be there,” she said. Since then, she has helped enlighten thousands of students in the Jacksonville community on saving the Earth and all of its wonders. At the moment, BGG serves 18 different student clubs with more than 1,000 active members. The majority of students are in high school, while some are in middle school and even elementary. “My job is to essentially put all of the information into bite-sized pieces, and then the students will use it to create presentations, social media posts, pop-up tables and more to teach other kids,” she said.

Started back in 2018, BGG “focused a lot on plastic pollution,” but recently, they’ve “started to make the conversation about how toxins impact the interconnection of both the planet’s health and personal health,” said Eaton. In hopes of increasing the overall awareness of the nonprofit, BGG intentionally encompasses a wide range of topics to grasp niche demographics and audiences.

This is not the first Earth Day Community Clean-up that BGG has held. The organization had nearly 1,000 volunteers last year across four locations. Numerous local businesses such as Jeff’s Bagel Run, Mayo Clinic, The Players, Publix and more, sponsor the event and provide food and drinks for volunteers. Prizes will also be awarded to those who find the strangest items or the most cigarette butts, which are later given to TamaCycle to repurpose.

The eco-friendly occasion is just one of the many events that BGG has to offer. “It’s always a great crowd. Last year, so many people that turned out were so helpful, and you can truly feel when a group of individuals strive to make change,” said Eaton. On top of this impact, the nonprofit has an abundance of events that are free and open to the public, including four Eco Cinema events a year, monthly Go Green Drinks Jax get-togethers, holiday gatherings and more. With outreach events like these and others, the organization is certainly making a positive impression in Jacksonville. “Our main goal is to raise environmental education as much as we can. You can’t make a change, if there isn’t a change to be made,” Eaton said.

The clean-up will be held from 9-11 a.m., giving students, friends, and families various community service opportunities. Any needed materials such as gloves and bags will be provided by BGG; all you have to do is check in at the entrance. Located at the Seawalk Pavilion at Jacksonville Beach, and in front of St. Augustine landmark, the Dance Company, the event will give different communities the chance to get together while taking care of the planet at the same time. For more information, visit beachesgogreen.org.

All things happening

SPECIAL EVENTS

APRIL 2

Sneaker Ball The Jessie eventbrite.com

APRIL 2-12

Clay County Agricultural Fair Clay County Fairgrounds, Green Cove Springs claycountyfair.org

APRIL 9

Celebrity Chefs Tasting Luncheon Prime Osborn Center salvationarmyusa.org

APRIL 11

Greenscape Root Ball 2026 The River Club greendscapeofjax.org

APRIL 12

Taste of St. Augustine St. Augustine Amphitheatre theamp.com

Railyard BBQ Challenge

Myrtle Avenue Brewing theempoweredkitchen.com

APRIL 16

Dining Out for Life Various locations diningoutforlife.com

APRIL 17

Warehouse Jams Feeding Northeast Florida Warehouse feedingnefl.org

Birdies and Bounces The Yards bgcnf.org

APRIL 18

Wine Down in the Parks Whatley, Davis and Balis parks smpsjax.com

Bed Race Sawgrass Marriott, Ponte Vedra give.hungerfight.org

The CookOut: Unity on the Block James Weldon Johnson Park thecookoutjax.com

Under the African Sun Gala The Glass Factory aminahope.org

APRIL 25

River City Dancing With the Stars UNF– Lazzara Performance Hall rivercitydwts.com

McGala

Sawgrass Marriott Golf Resort & Spa rmhcjacksonville.org

APRIL 25-26

Springfield Tour of Homes and Gardens Various locations sparcouncil.org

APRIL 30

OneJax Humanitarian Awards Events Jacksonville Center for the Performing Arts jaxevents.com

SUN, SCARS & STYLE: SKATE TAKEOVER

Concrete gets hot, tempers get hotter, and the tricks? Absolutely unhinged.

Words by Teresa Spencer

Tucked into Jacksonville’s history like a well-worn deck, Kona Skatepark has been holding it down longer than most modern skate brands have even existed. And every summer, it proves that legacy still matters.

Early June brings a string of events that blur the line between contest and community gathering. You’ll find seasoned veterans who’ve been skating for decades, younger riders trying to make a name, and a crowd that reacts the same way whether it’s a simple line done right or something completely out of control. Find out for yourself by hitting up the Kona Anniversary Party, June 4. Followed by the Kona Summer Nationals June 5-7.

There’s a day every summer when the usual rules disappear: June 21 is the day the city becomes a skatepark.

Go Skateboarding Day doesn’t rely on big advertising or official schedules. It doesn’t have to. It’s built on momentum. Every skatepark, every stretch of smooth concrete, every overlooked curb suddenly becomes part of the same unspoken competition.

Someone brings a speaker. Someone starts a best trick battle. Someone lands something they’ve been chasing for months, and suddenly everyone there knows it mattered. Here are a few of our area parks to check out. Artist Walk Skatepark in Riverside, The South Beach Skatepark at Jacksonville Beach, Orange Park Skatepark, Flossie DIY Skatepark, Oceanside Rotary Skateboard Park in Atlantic Beach and Cuba Hunter Park to mention a few.

The truth about Jacksonville Skateboarding, the honest version:

Jacksonville isn’t overloaded with flashy contests every weekend. And that’s exactly why it works. What exists here is something a lot of bigger scenes have lost —real access to the action, a mix of generations pushing each other, and a culture that values style as much as difficulty. It’s not curated. It’s not filtered. It’s not trying to impress anyone. It just is.

And when summer hits, the pavement burns and the air sticks. And every once in a while, between the big competitions that come to town at times and the everyday grind, something happens. A trick, a line, a moment that reminds you why people fall in love with skateboarding in the first place. Not for the crowd. Not for the cameras. Not even for the win. Just for that one clean ride. And around here, that’s still enough.

SALTWATER THERAPY: OPEN-WATER SWIMMING AT THE JACKSONVILLE BEACHES

Before the beach umbrellas go up and before the surfers start scanning the horizon, another group has already claimed the Atlantic. They arrive quietly, usually around sunrise with brightly colored swim caps, neoprene buoys trailing behind them and a shared understanding that the ocean is both a playground and a proving ground. Welcome to the world of open-water swimming along the Jacksonville Beaches. While Jacksonville is often known for its surfers, anglers and boaters, a dedicated community of swimmers has been steadily building a culture of endurance swimming in the Atlantic Ocean. These athletes skip the tiled lanes of traditional pools and instead train in the unpredictable waters just beyond the breakers.

It’s not a casual dip. Open-water swimmers regularly log distances ranging from one to five miles in a single outing, navigating currents, tides and rolling surf. It’s part sport, part meditation and part adventure.

Anyone walking the beach early enough will eventually notice them. Groups of swimmers gather near Jacksonville Beach and Atlantic Beach, often meeting just after dawn. They check conditions, stretch on the sand and then head into the surf together, forming a loose line of bright caps moving steadily along the coastline.

Some of these swimmers belong to informal ocean swim groups that meet several times a week to train and explore longer distances. Others come from established swim organizations and triathlon clubs based throughout Jacksonville. What ties them together is a love for the ocean and the challenges it presents.

Unlike the controlled environment of a swimming pool, open water demands awareness. Swimmers must sight landmarks to stay on course, adapt to currents and remain mindful of marine life and changing weather. It requires patience, confidence and a healthy respect for the sea.

Photo by Don Livingston

Jacksonville’s strong swimming infrastructure has helped fuel interest in open-water training. Organizations like Swim Jax and the Beaches Aquatic Club have long trained competitive swimmers in Northeast Florida. Many athletes who grow up racing in pools eventually transition into ocean swimming or triathlon training.

Adult swimmers have found their place in masters swim programs and endurance groups, as well. Training sessions at aquatic centers such as the University of North Florida Aquatic Center attract triathletes and distance swimmers preparing for ocean races or long-distance challenges. For many swimmers, the pool is where technique is refined. The ocean is where those skills are tested.

Jacksonville’s coastline has also become a natural venue for open-water races. Throughout the year, organized swims invite competitors to tackle distances ranging from short one-kilometer sprints to multi-kilometer endurance events. These races bring together athletes from around the Southeast who are eager to test themselves in the Atlantic. Spectators often line the shore as swimmers emerge from the water after battling currents and surf. For many participants, simply finishing the distance is victory enough.

When I spoke with a few open-water swimmers from the group Duval Ocean Swimmers, I quickly realized they’re not just chasing fitness. They described the experience as a form of moving meditation. The rhythm of breathing, the endless horizon and the quiet beneath the waves literally creating a mental reset that’s hard to replicate anywhere else. Others spoke about being drawn to the camaraderie.

Ocean swimming can be demanding, and the friendships built during early morning training sessions tend to run deep, it seems.

And for some it is all about the simple thrill of adventure. Swimming alongside dolphins. Seeing pelicans gliding overhead. While every single person I spoke with noted the one thing that is feared by all of them are shark sightings.

Not many workouts come with that kind of scenery.

Photo by Don Livingston

Photo

Don Livingston

TRIVIA

MONDAYS

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

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

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

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

• Amici (music bingo), 7 p.m.

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

• Mellow Mushroom–Durbin Park, 7 p.m.

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

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

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

• Rain Dogs, 8 p.m.

• Treylor Park (pop culture), 9 p.m.

TUESDAYS

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

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

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

• V Pizza– St. Augustine, 6:30 p.m.

• The Back 40, 7 p.m.

• Bottlenose Brewing, 7 p.m.

• Dick’s Wings–Nocatee, 7 p.m.

• Dick’s Wings–San Pablo, 7 p.m.

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

• Harps American Grill, 7 p.m.

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

• Island Wing Company–Bartram, 7 p.m.

• Jax Craft Beer, 7 p.m.

• Jerry’s Sports Grille, 7 p.m.

• Miller’s Ale House–Deerwood, 7 p.m.

• My Tap Room (pop culture), 7 p.m.

• Players Grille, 7 p.m.

• Shantytown Pub, 7 p.m.

• Southern Grill, 7 p.m.

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

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

• VooSwar, 7 p.m.

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

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

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

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

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

• Monkey’s Uncle Tavern, 7:30 p.m.

• Time Out Sports Bar, 7:30 p.m.

• Tepeyolot Cerveceria, 7:30 p.m.

• Casbah Cafe, 8 p.m.

• Sahara Cafe, 8 p.m.

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

WEDNESDAYS

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

• V Pizza–Mandarin, 6:30 p.m.

• The Beacon, St. Augustine, 7 p.m.

• Bold City Brewery, 7 p.m.

• Cruisers Grill, 7 p.m.

• Dick’s Wings–Nocatee, 7 p.m.

• Dick’s Wings–Mandarin, 7 p.m.

• Firefly Bay, 7 p.m.

• Ink Factory Brewing, 7 p.m.

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

• Island Wing–Southside, 7 p.m.

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

• Mellow Mushroom–Avondale, 7 p.m.

• Miller’s Ale House–Hodges, 7 p.m.

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

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

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

• V Pizza–Fleming Island, 7 p.m.

• V Pizza–Fernandina, 7 p.m.

• V Pizza–Palm Valley, 7 p.m.

• Veterans United Craft Brewery, 7 p.m.

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

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

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

• Hoptinger–5 Points, 7:30 p.m.

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

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

• King Maker Brewing, 7:30 p.m.

• Time Out Sports Grill, 7:30 p.m

• Wicked Barley Brewing, 7:30 p.m.

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

• Root Down (music trivia), 9 p.m.

* all games are general knowledge unless stated otherwise

THURSDAYS

• Ann O’Malley’s Irish Pub, 7 p.m.

• Bold City Brewery, 7 p.m.

• Bottlenose Brewing, 7 p.m.

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

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

• Justice Pub (music bingo), 7 p.m.

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

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

• Miller’s Ale House–Avenues, 7 p.m.

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

• The Stout Snug, 7 p.m.

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

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

• Dick’s Wings– St. Aug, 7:30 p.m.

• Flask & Cannon / V Pizza, 7:30 p.m.

• V Pizza–San Marco, 7:30 p.m.

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

FRIDAYS

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

• Time Out Sports Grill, 6:30 p.m.

• Engine 15 Brewing, 7 p.m.

• MVP’s Sports Grille, 7 p.m.

• Tepeyolot Cerveceria, 7:30 p.m.

SATURDAYS

• Hamburger Mary’s (HamBingo), 2 p.m.

• VooSwar, 7 p.m.

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

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

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

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

ETC.

Trendy or Timeless:

Q1 of

2026

at a Glance

Words by Carson Haines

For those who are chronically online, I think it’s safe to say that there has been an abundance of new trends and niches since the start of the new year. With constant consumption of media daily, it’s quite normal to forget something you have watched, even if you saw it a couple of minutes ago.

Remember when Emerald Fennell’s “Wuthering Heights” first hit theaters? Or when 2016 styles and songs made a reappearance? Whatever the trend may be, each one can rapidly disappear in the blink of an eye. But what about those timeless staples that truly never seem to leave? I, for one, am personally loving the comeback of polkadots … and may have just bought a new top.

To learn more about the current trends, I decided to gather some research from my Gen Z peers, and their responses were very interesting.

This article will discuss the first three months of 2026, what trends are here to stay, and some that need to say “bye bye.” The term “Trendy or Timeless” is a phrase that has recently made an uprise online. The analysis indicates the difference between in the moment crazes and wonderfully ageless styles, songs, lifestyles and more.

Since the start of 2026, various trends have caught the eye of Gen Z and millennials. With the Winter Olympics grasping a whole lot of TVs, Alysa Liu, a 20-year-old gold medalist for ice skating and a complete badass, has surged the new raccoon hairstyle. This look is certainly unique, and with her inspiring life mottos, younger generations are choosing to follow in her footsteps. Speaking of sports, Super Bowl LX had the most viewed half time show ever, starring the iconic Bad Bunny. The singer’s representation of humanity, equality and love, led to the stream increase of his discography (my favorite at the moment is “BAILE INoLVIDABLE”).

While these topics are being discussed globally, some smaller niches are being represented online, mainly on apps like TikTok and Instagram.

As a 2026 bride, I can confirm that wedding trends are shining through on my algorithm. Whether it is burgundy and chartreuse, flowing bouquets, mix-and-match bridesmaids dresses, wedding season is in full swing on the internet. Some of my favorite wedding videos that I’ve seen are shot on film, which is certainly making a comeback nowadays. Our generation is also circling back to physical media, such as film reels, DVDs, CDs and corded headphones.

Another timeless wave encapsulating environmentalism includes thrifting, minimalism and underconsumption. The popular trend Project Pan is a movement that forces individuals to use all of their current cosmetic products before buying new items. In a world where marketing and advertising is the norm, choosing to fight the consumerism battle is very important.

The rise of ads online is continuing to increase, and as TikTok shop encapsulates almost every video, popular perfumes, hair accessories, helpful gadgets, and items you think you “need” are being purchased at a rapid rate. I truly hope to never see a Labubu or Dubai chocolate on my feed again, but I do think “67” will always be relevant in our lives (which I luckily still find comedic and lighthearted).

As the first quarter of 2026 comes to a close, it’s always fun to reminisce on these popular (and maybe not so popular) topics. Are there any trends you wish to keep afloat? What about something that has never been done before? It’s never too late to make your mark, post a video, you never know… you might go viral.

THEATER DANCE FILM

THROUGH APRIL 5

“Damn Yankees” Alhambra Theatre & Dining alhambrajax.com

THROUGH APRIL 12

“Every Brilliant Thing” Players by the Sea playersbythesea.org

APRIL 3-4

“Whispers the Vines” Blue Fire Theatre, Yulee bluefiretheatre.org

APRIL 1

“What’s Up Doc?” Screening WJCT Studios wjct.org

APRIL 1-19

“Godspell”

Limelight Theatre, St. Augustine limelight-theatre.org

APRIL 2

World Ballet Company’s “Swan Lake” Florida Theatre floridatheatre.com

APRIL 9-25

“Bye Bye Birdie” Amelia Community Theatre, Fernandina Beach ameliacommunitytheatre.org

APRIL 9-MAY 10

“Morning After Grace” Alhambra Theatre & Dining alhambrajax.com

APRIL 10

Story Slam: Divine Disruptions BABS’ LAB barbaracolaciello.com

“Kimberly Akimbo”–A Staged Reading A Classic Theatre, St. Augustine aclassictheatre.org

Finger Mullet Film Fest Flagler College–Crisp-Ellert Art Museum, St. Augustine flagler.edu

APRIL 10-11

“The Thorn” Jacksonville Center for the Performing Arts jaxevents.com

APRIL 10-18

“Body Awareness” The 5 & Dime the5anddime.org

APRIL 10

“All the King’s Women” Amelia Musical Playhouse, Fernandina Beach ameliamusicalplayhouse.com

APRIL 11

Night on Broadway

The Island Theater, Fleming Island theislandtheater.com

Photo by Liam McGarry on Unsplash

April 13

“Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!” The Musical! Florida Theatre floridatheatre.com

APRIL 14-19

“A Beautiful Noise” Jacksonville Center for the Performing Arts fscjartistseries.org

APRIL 16

Peppa Pig Florida Theatre floridatheatre.com

Movie Night at the Ritz Theatre Ritz Theatre & Museum ritzjacksonville.com

APRIL 17

“Doktor Kaboom Look Out! Science is Coming!” Florida Theatre floridatheatre.com

APRIL 17-26

“Harvey” Orange Park Community Theatre opct.info

APRIL 20

“The Boy Who Grew Flowers” Florida Theatre floridatheatre.com

APRIL 23

Sesame Street Live!: “Elmo’s Got the Moves” Florida Theatre floridatheatre.com

APRIL 23-MAY 9

“The Pillowman” Lumen Repertory Theatre lumenrep.org

APRIL 24-MAY 9

“Anne of Green Gables” Artist Connection Theatre artistconnectiontheatre.org

APRIL 25

“Handyman Hal Comes To Town” Florida Theatre floridatheatre.com

Photo by Jonathan Olley

Review of ‘Project Hail Mary’

Words by Harry Straussman

With a logline of “Interstellar” meets “E.T.,” Andy Weir’s sci-fi novel was practically ordained to be a Hollywood blockbuster from the moment it was published. The story follows a science teacher who is stranded in space and on a mission to save humanity with the help of an unexpected friend in this thrilling, funny and surprisingly touching cosmic journey. A “Castaway”-style one-man show, as “Project Hail Mary” is, requires a lot of star power to fuel it along. And fortunately, Ryan Gosling is on hand to flex every movie star muscle he has. Despite spending a significant amount of the runtime floating alone, the full spectrum of Gosling as a performer is on display here, from his attuned comic timing that has been a key facet of his game since “Crazy Stupid Love” and “The Nice Guys” to bringing back “The Notebook” era knack for playing heartstrings like a Gameboy. He is as crucial an ingredient to “Project Hail Mary” as flour is to cake; to the extent that if you’re not usually charmed by Gosling, then this probably isn’t the space adventure for you.

The rest of “Project Hail Mary” is also top shelf. Weir’s dense, fan-favorite novel was deftly adapted to the screen by veteran writer Drew Goddard, who worked with Weir’s science-laden prose after bringing “The Martian” to the screen to much critical and audience acclaim.

And while “Project Hail Mary” shares plenty of DNA with that Ridley Scott film, it is definitely its own, unique creature, thanks to the assured direction from the duo Phil Lord and Chris Miller, who helm their first film in over a decade — without missing a beat. Lord and Miller, whose background is largely in comedy and animation, having previously directed “21 Jump Street” and “The Lego Movie,” bring their comedic sensibility to this project while also delivering their most mature film yet, which is both crowd-pleasing and thematically rich in a way that spectacle films often lack.

“Project Hail Mary” is a showcase for practical sets and special effects, which are too often underutilized in modern blockbuster movie-making in favor of often weightless digital effects. The spaceship feels lived in and tactile, while puppeteering is seamlessly integrated to create one of the most affecting special effects in recent memory.

It has often been said that Ryan Gosling could have chemistry with a rock, and in “Project Hail Mary,” he proves that beyond a shadow of doubt with a performance that utilizes all of his versatility to great effect, in a film that cements him as a generational leading man capable of holding the screen on his own — mostly. “Project Hail Mary” is an affirming adventure about the importance of collaboration and the first great movie of the year that kicks off the ever-expanding summer season, arriving just at the moment that cinema — and the public — needed it most.

The Great Florida Escape: 10

State Park Day Trips from Jacksonville (Springs Included, Sanity Restored)

Words by Teresa Spencer

There’s a certain kind of burnout that only Florida can fix. Not with a spa day or a fancy brunch, but with tannin-stained water, salt air and the kind of quiet that makes your phone feel unnecessary.

Within a few hours of Jacksonville sits a lineup of state parks and springs that remind you what this place looked like before we paved half of it and put the other half on Instagram.

Here are 10 day trips worth your gas money and your time.

Photo by Brooke Balentine on Unsplash

Fort Clinch State Park — History That Doesn’t Bore You 2

A Civil War fort you can roam, trails shaded by massive oaks, and a beach that never feels crowded. It’s the rare triple threat: educational, relaxing and actually fun.

Why go: You get a full day’s worth of experiences without traveling to a second location.

1 Big Talbot Island State Park — The Beautiful Misfit

This is Florida with the makeup off. Twisted driftwood litters the shoreline like modern art, and the whole place feels a little eerie in a good way.

Walk Boneyard Beach, let the wind do its thing, and remember what “unspoiled” actually means.

Why go: Because it doesn’t look like anywhere else in Florida.

Anastasia State Park — The Reliable Classic 3

If Florida had a greatest hits album, this park would be track one. Beaches, dunes, wildlife and calm water for paddling … it just works.

Why go: It’s the easiest way to have a perfect Florida day.

Little Talbot Island State Park —

The Quiet Twin

Right next to Big Talbot, Little Talbot is less dramatic but more peaceful. Think long, empty beaches and trails that disappear into maritime forest.

Why go: When you want solitude without driving halfway across the state.

On one side: manicured gardens that look like they belong in a Southern novel. On the other: a rocky shoreline made of coquina formations—something you almost never see in Florida.

Why go: It’s equal parts wild and refined.

Just outside Keystone Heights, this park flips the script. Ravines, rolling terrain and dense forest make it feel more like Georgia than Florida.

Why go: You’ll forget you’re in Florida. And that’s kind of the point.

Silver Springs State Park — Old Florida, Still Kicking

Yes, the glass-bottom boats are still here, and they’re still cool. The water is impossibly clear, the wildlife is everywhere, and if you paddle far enough, you might even spot the infamous monkeys.

Why go: It’s Florida history that hasn’t lost its charm.

Ichetucknee Springs State Park — The Float Trip That Never Gets Old

There’s a reason people keep coming back. Tubing down the Ichetucknee is basically a rite of passage—cold, clear water and a slow drift under a canopy of trees.

Why go: Because floating down a spring-fed river is about as close to perfect as it gets.

Join the Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens for a spectacular fundraising event inspired by our current exhibition Art in Bloom. This enchanting evening will feature live music, interactive art experiences, and delectable bites and libations under the stars and among our gardens.

Rainbow Springs State Park — The Showstopper 10

Water so clear it looks fake, small waterfalls (yes, waterfalls—in Florida) and lush gardens that make the whole place feel like a hidden oasis.

Why go: It’s the closest thing Florida has to a tropical dream sequence.

Blue Spring State Park — Manatee Territory 9

In winter, it’s packed with manatees. In warmer months, it’s one of the best swimming spots in the state. Either way, it’s worth the drive.

Why go: Wildlife meets postcard-worthy water.

The Takeaway

You don’t need to leave the state or even wake up that early to find something worth remembering. Just bring yourself, some friends or family and hit the road. Preferably with a cooler, a full tank and no real plan beyond “staying a little longer than you meant to.”

A Spring Day at the Cummer Museum of Arts & Gardens

Words & photos by Ambar Ramirez

The light in Jacksonville has a specific, gold-leaf quality when it finally decides to be Spring. It’s the same air that greeted me six years ago, and today, it serves as the perfect excuse for a solo date. I find myself returning to the Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens not for the familiar, but for the shift. The cycling galleries and fresh exhibitions act as a rhythmic pulse against the monotony of the everyday.

Usually, on my visits, I go straight to the permanent collections, but today I take a different route. I bank right past the gift shop and step into the Tudor Room. The air feels stilled, held in place by dark, carved wood and the history of the 1903 estate that once stood on this very soil. Tall, narrow windows slice the afternoon sun into lean columns of light, illuminating the portraits of Arthur and Ninah Cummer. Between them, a long dining table holds a massive, sprawling bouquet. A living tribute to a woman who moved from Michigan to these riverbanks to plant a legacy of art.

It is here, in this architectural exhale, that Holly Keris, the J. Wayne & Delores Barr Weaver chief curator, suggests every journey through the museum should begin.

“Ninah was very generous when she decided to create the museum foundation in her will. And she gave her first board of directors carte blanche to figure out how to make a museum and create a museum out of her collection, her home, her gardens and her funds,” Keris shared. “Even though they decided to tear that home down, they salvaged parts of the parlor and installed it here in the museum. So that’s a great intro zone for someone who is on their first visit.”

I’m, of course, not on my first visit, nor am I here entirely for fun, though as a journalist, the line between work and fun blurs easily, especially when the assignment is visiting the museum to see what they’ve got going on this Spring season.

Following Keris out of the Tudor Room’s dark wood embrace, we loop through the permanent collections in a swift, practiced rhythm. The museum is closing soon, but I can’t help but spot canvases in new locations that I know all too well or stop to look at a piece of art I’m convinced I’ve never seen before, only for Keris to laugh and say they just painted the wall a different color or moved it to be a part of another collection.

But as we continue through the collections, we make it to the spot that I’ve been holding my breath to see: the gardens. While the museum is a year-round refuge, there is no debate regarding its peak. In the Spring, beneath the sprawling, heavy canopy of ancient live oaks, the gardens erupt. Reflected in the still surfaces of the pools, the landscape becomes a moving canvas of vivid, saturated color. A full, unapologetic bloom.

It’s no surprise that this museum’s permanent collection, one of nature’s greatest works, inspired their current larger featured exhibition Art in Bloom running now through Sept. 30.

“Art In Bloom pairs some of the more traditional still life paintings from our permanent collection, things that people may automatically think of when they think of still life paintings, you know, things from the European 1800s and 1900s. But it pairs those works with works by contemporary artists because being inspired by plants and flowers was not a fad,” Keris explained. “It is something that artists have continued to be inspired by. And so it’s great to be able to show some of these more contemporary artists next to some of these more historic and very traditional plant and flower-based paintings. So visitors can really start to see not only that juxtaposition, but that continuity across centuries.”

Two pieces in the gallery highlight this juxtaposition with startling clarity, their placement marking one of Keris’s favorite moments in the collection. On one side hangs a traditional, disciplined still life by an Austrian artist; directly beside it sits the work of contemporary artist Ori Gersht. Gersht constructs floral arrangements that mimic the classical paintings we know by heart, but then he freeze-dries them, detonates them, and captures the violent, beautiful explosion on high-speed film.

“They’re immediately next to each other. And so it is literally taking the idea of the hundreds of years of popular painted still lifes. And it’s bringing it into the late 20th and 21st century,” Keris expressed.

While Art in Bloom is a familiar concept for many museums, the Cummer has made it distinctly their own by filtering traditional still life themes through unexpected mediums, moving from oil on canvas to paper, metal, photography and fabric.

Where the common refrain is “out with the old and in with the new,” the Cummer redefines that sentiment, choosing instead to marry the two.

It’s a theme that ironically keeps coming up in our conversation as we walk the grounds and the galleries. And it comes up as I point out a piece in the Art in Bloom exhibition that Keris shares is a piece that was actually in the Tudor room, a part of their permanent collection that they moved to carry this exhibition’s message. Sometimes, a change in light or a fresh coat of paint on a gallery wall is enough to make a masterpiece feel brand new. But more often, it isn’t the placement that has changed — it’s us. Like the flowers that go dormant in the cold and bloom in the warmth, we are in a state of constant flux. I realized that I might have been at a completely different emotional frequency the last time I stood before this painting; today, I see it through an entirely different lens.

“I think that one of the things that is so special about art is that the viewer is in conversation with it, right? Someone is coming in with their own experiences. And the experiences that they’ve had in the last hour might be different and probably are different than the experiences they had the hour prior to their last visit. So not only are they coming in with their own perspectives, but they’re coming in with kind of their own emotional or intellectual needs at any moment in time,” Keris said. “And I think it’s easy to assume that if you’ve been to the museum before that you’ve seen all the things before. I’ll just go to the special exhibition, and I’ll just go out to the gardens, I’ll go see what’s new. But because you are new at the time of your visit, you’re going to see things differently than you may have seen them before.”

After Art in Bloom we take a walk through the Bank of America concourse shop. The shop is a rotating spotlight for Northeast Florida talent, evolving alongside the museum’s main exhibitions to feature local artists and makers. Beyond the aesthetic connection, the shop serves a vital purpose: demystifying art ownership and supporting the local creative economy.

Before wrapping up our day at the museum we stop at the Cummer Cafe for some iced tea. It’s here that we reflect on all we’ve absorbed on our tour and talk about what’s next for the Cummer.

Looking ahead, the museum’s next major headline is “A Moment in Time: A Legacy of Photographs,” drawn from the Bank of America corporate collection. One of the luxuries of the Cummer’s expansive permanent collection is the freedom it gives the curatorial team to pivot across eras and subjects in their temporary shows. For Keris, bringing a photography exhibition into the rotation every few years is essential. This particular collection traces the medium’s evolution from its origins as a rigid, kind of scientific documentary tool to the mid-20th century, where it finally broke free into an era of play, experimentation and art form all in its own right.

“This exhibition has that really great through line between these different opinions and ideas about the process of photography and to go along with both that and as it happens, Art in Bloom. We’ve selected Ashley Woodson Bailey as our concourse artist. And Ashley is a photographer who largely works in flowers. So it brings that whole narrative together,” Keris explained. “And again, it’s showcasing the work of someone who lives here, creates here and also has, you know, a larger national presence as well.”

We finish our iced teas and exchange goodbyes, the afternoon light finally beginning to stretch across the gardens. But as I’ve learned today, and as this museum continues to prove, every return is a first visit. I’ll be back soon, knowing that while the canvases and the blooms may stay the same, the lens I see them through will have shifted once again.

ART

The Art Center Cooperative tacjacksonville.org

Beaches Museum beachesmuseum.org

Butterfield Garage Art Gallery butterfieldgarage.com

Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens cummermuseum.org

FemArt Gallery femartgallery.org

First Coast Cultural Center firstcoastculturalcenter.org

Flagler College–Crisp Ellert Museum flagler.edu

Florida Community College at Jacksonville fscj.edu

Florida Mining Gallery floridamininggallery.com

Gallery 725 gallery725.com

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

Haskell Gallery at Jacksonville International Airport jaxairportarts.com

Hillary Whitaker Gallery hwhitakergallery.com

Jacksonville Main Library tacjacksonville.org

Jacksonville University ju.edu/cfa

The Lightner Museum lightnermuseum.org

MOCA Jacksonville mocajacksonville.unf.edu

PAStA Fine Art Gallery pastagalleryart.com

Ritz Theatre & Museum ritzjacksonville.com

Southlight Gallery southlightgallery.com

St. Augustine Art Association staaa.org

Stellers Gallery stellersgallery.com

Thrasher-Horne Center Gallery thcenter.org

Touché Gallery touchegallery.com

The Art of the Melt

How Burnt Glasswork turns fire into fine art

Words & photos by Carmen Macri

The heavy metal furnace opens its molten maw, an angry, incandescent orange snarls for attention, drawing the eye and demanding a total surrender of your senses. Glowing bright and pushing out 2150 degrees of heat, it sits patiently — waiting to swallow the thin metal pike tipped with a gob of honey-thick glass before it can comfortably clamp its jaws shut around it.

There is a primal instinct to flinch, the same way you’d back away from a predator in the wild. Constantly aware of the fire burning deep inside and promptly keeping one eye on the beast while being assured, many times, that it doesn’t bite, and I can stand closer if I want to get an unobstructed view of the magic happening just beyond the metaphorical teeth.

There is a certain peace in being a spectator here, fading into the background, content to just be a fly on the wall while Andy and Jessica Peters begin their dance. They move around one another with a haunting, wordless efficiency — no shouted instructions, no frantic pointing. It’s a psychic kind of choreography, an inherent knowing of exactly where to stand and when to reach out to ensure the glass stays alive. Watching them, you realize that in this heat, conversation is a luxury they don’t need; they speak through the rhythmic slide of the bench and the steady hand on the pipe. The kind of flow that comes from years of working side by side.

Before there was Burnt Glassworks, there was high school Andy, taking a glassblowing class at Jacksonville University. It was a nudge from his mother, who hoped to channel his energy into something a little more social. As it turned out, she didn’t need to push; a self-described “pyromaniac” in his younger years, Andy found that the transition from playing with fire to using it as a precision tool was less of a career choice and more of a natural evolution, turning a childhood fascination with the flame into a lifelong pursuit of the craft.

“As you’ve seen today, it’s a mesmerizing, captivating process,” Andy expressed. “So even if you don’t fall in love with the material, you’re going to fall into interest with it. I’ve always been attracted to the creative process of art and fire. Might have been a pyromaniac as a child — we’re not going to talk about that. But, yeah, it was a good combination for those creative interests. So I stuck with it.”

That childhood spark never really went out; it just got a job. But watching Andy work, you realize this isn’t just “playing with fire” — it’s a high-stakes negotiation with a material that wants to freeze or shatter the moment you stop paying attention.

“It’s often a conversation with a material,” Andy said, his eyes never leaving the glowing orb at the end of his pike. He’s watching the way the glass slumps and breathes, gauging its temperature to decide if this piece wants to be a wide-rimmed bowl or a tapering vase.

The moment the glass leaves the furnace, the clock starts. You can almost feel the air in the shop thicken as the molten glob begins to cool, transitioning from a liquid sun to a stubborn solid. Andy’s hands are a blur of constant motion, spinning the pike with a rhythmic flick of the wrist that keeps gravity at bay. Beside him, Jessica is the silent engine of the operation — sliding doors, grabbing paddles, and anticipating his next move before he even makes it.

To begin the piece, Andy presses the molten gather into a bed of crushed glass, the tiny colored beads clinging to the heat like static. As he rolls the soft glass, a kaleidoscopic pattern begins to take shape — a thumbprint of color that can never be exactly replicated. “This is why no two things can ever be the same,” he explains softly, his voice barely rising above the low roar of the studio. “See how many random chances there are for a difference?”

During my impromptu Tuesday morning visit, it was just the duo floating around the studio, gently walking me through each intricate step as if I were a star pupil beginning an apprenticeship, pivoting me to get the best view while offering up bits and pieces of information to help understand the process better. But on a normal Thursday or Friday, the studio would be bustling with other glassblowers.

“We have two different types of education and classes that we focus on here. One is what is open to the general public, most often called our workshops, which are sort of a hands-on guided tour of the process. And you work one-on-one with an artist, or you come in with a group, we take turns and take each person through their ornament, their starfish, their bowl,” he said. “Literally every single second that we’re working with you, we’re telling you either what is happening now or what is about to happen and preparing you for those things.

And then the other type of class we offer is our full-on beginners or intermediate classes, where we’re not just trying to give you the experience of the class, but we’re trying to build glassblowers, and they’re a lot of the same thing. We’re talking process. We’re telling you what’s about to happen, but we’re doing it with a little more care to prep you for eventually being able to do it yourself. So it’s a different type of instruction and coaching because we’re trying to teach you how to move around safely and what every single tool does.

So they’re two completely different goals. One takes 30 minutes and the other three hours.”

Once the decision is made for the molten mass to become a flared bowl, the chemistry of the workshop takes over. Layering colors isn’t the intuitive process you’d expect; it’s less like a painter’s palette and more like a science experiment. In the world of glass, red and white don’t simply shake hands to make pink. Instead, the chemical components act as separate entities with minds of their own.

“It’s not like mixing paints,” Andy explained, as he maneuvered the pipe. “You might get a chemical interaction between the red and the white layer that turns into an interesting purple or gray — or even green.”

He gestured toward a wall in the studio that looked less like an art supply store and more like a library of rare books. On the shelves sit hundreds, if not thousands, of color options, each one a distinct chemical entity that behaves differently under the heat than the one sitting next to it.

“Each one will behave differently from every other one,” Andy said, “so we experiment a lot... trying to figure out what goes with what.” Settling on a coastal palette of deep blues, cool greens and frothy whites, Andy began the delicate work of inflation. This is where the physical conversation with the material becomes most intimate. He delivers short, measured puffs of air into the pipe, his eyes never leaving the glowing mass as it begins to yield.

It’s a finicky, high-wire act: too much breath and the walls of the glass thin out until they lose their structure and collapse. Not enough, and the material cools into a stubborn, solid lump before the bubble can even take hold.

“You’re looking for that sweet spot,” Andy explained, his hands in constant motion to keep the molten weight centered. Without that perfect pocket of air, there’s no way to expand the piece into the flared, functional beauty it’s meant to be.

Completely mesmerized by the rhythm of it — the constant, but never frantic travel between the furnace’s glowing jaws and the workbench. Andy’s hands are a blur, but it’s Jessica’s movement that catches my eye. She’s drenching a thick stack of old newspapers in cool water, prepping what looks like a ridiculously low-tech tool for such a high-stakes job.

Without hesitating, Andy grabs the sodden mass of newsprint with his bare hands. He presses the glowing sphere directly into the wet paper, twisting the pipe with a practiced flick of the wrist.

Immediately, the air is filled with the sharp scent of charred ink and a violent hiss of steam. Orange sparks dance off his palms as the water hits the heat, creating a temporary cushion of vapor that allows him to do the impossible: touch the sun.

“This is about as close as we can get to actually holding the piece while it’s this hot,” Andy explains, his voice steady despite the near fire just inches from his skin. The wet paper acts as a sacrificial barrier, a steam-powered glove that lets him coax the glass into its almost final, symmetrical form.

As the heat begins to dissipate, the final transformation happens in a heartbeat. What started as a glowing, stubborn sphere is suddenly hoisted out of the furnace and into the air. Andy holds the pike upside down, letting the molten weight pull toward the floor, and begins quickly spinning.

For seven breathless seconds, gravitational pull becomes the lead artist.

Under the pressure of the rotation, the glass surrenders, blooming outward like a time-lapse of a flower reaching for the sun. And just like that, the bowl was finished. Blink and you would miss the rounded “fishbowl” shape flair open, stretching the deep blues and greens into their final, permanent positions.

“The spontaneity of the art is one of the nicest things,” Andy shared. “There are some shops that are sticklers for perfection. And if there’s a bubble in it or a little stone or a fissure, it’s unsellable. They’ll break it, they’ll throw it in the dump. Maybe they’ll try to recycle parts of it. I have a little more permissive view of what should exist in the world.”

To catch a live demonstration or to book your own session at the furnace, visit Burnt Glassworks at burntglass.com.

APRIL

APRIL 7

Grits & Eggs Podcast Comedy Zone comedyzone.com

APRIL 8

Anthony Robustiano Comedy Zone comedyzone.com

APRIL 9-11

Adele Givens Comedy Zone comedyzone.com

APRIL 10 River City Comedy Burlock and Barrel rivercitycomedy.com

Charlie Mac Beirut Restaurant eventbrite.com

APRIL 10-11

First Coast Comedy First Coast Comedy firstcoastcomedy.com

Friday Night Live

Third Space Improv, St. Augustine 3rdspaceimprov.com

APRIL 11

Whitney Cummings Jacksonville Center for the Performing Arts jaxevents.com

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

APRIL 12

Ed Larson

VyStar Ballpark eventbrite.com

Martin Moreno Comedy Zone comedyzone.com

APRIL 14-15

First Coast Comedy First Coast Comedy firstcoastcomedy.com

APRIL 17

Drag-a-Palooza Third Space Improv 3rdspaceimprov.com

APRIL 17-18

Damon Darling Comedy Zone comedyzone.com

First Coast Comedy First Coast Comedy firstcoastcomedy.com

APRIL 18

Don’t Tell Comedy

Somewhere in Mandarin (even if we knew we wouldn’t tell) donttellcomedy.com

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

APRIL 19

Kelly Kellz Comedy Zone comedyzone.com

APRIL 23

Jeff Foxworthy Thrasher-Horne Center thcenter.org

APRIL 23-25

Duncan Trussell Comedy Zone comedyzone.com

APRIL 24

Third Space Improv Third Space Improv 3rdspaceimprov.com

APRIL 25

Don’t Tell Comedy

Somewhere in Springfield (even if we knew we wouldn’t tell) donttellcomedy.com

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

APRIL 26

Trey Kennedy Florida Theatre floridatheatre.com

Sammy Obeid Comedy Zone comedyzone.com

APRIL 30

Anthony Rodia Comedy Zone comedyzone.com

& Magic

NIGHTS AT 7PM

ON WJCT NEWS 89.9

THE NEIGHBORHOOD

Saturdays | 8PM

The Neighborhood is a sonic journey through new and classic hip-hop and R&B, soul, funk, jazz and more. It is hosted by Duval- based hip-hop artist Mr. Al Pete.

BOP CITY

Saturdays | 9PM

Tune in for Bop City with Daniel Stark. Acclaimed jazz saxophonist and director of Jacksonville’s historic Friday Musicale, Stark celebrates the revolutionary legacy of bebop—the bold, improvisational style born in 1940s Harlem and carried forward by artists like Charlie Parker, Thelonious Monk, and Dizzy Gillespie.

ELECTRO LOUNGE

Saturdays | 10PM

WJCT Public Media’s station manager David Luckin returns with Electro Lounge, carrying listeners into the late night with eclectic, downtempo sounds.

BLUES HORIZON

Sundays | 12AM

On Blues Horizon, WJCT Public Media’s Andrew Wiechman celebrates the best in classic and modern blues and showcases the musical genre that has inspired and inﬂuenced many other genres, including rock 'n' roll, jazz and modern popular music.

JME Saturday Nights airs weekly on WJCT News 89.9. Listen on the radio, on the WJCT app, or stream at wjct.org.

Tiny Desk Radio takes you behind the scenes of one of the most beloved live music platforms in the world.

San Marco Goes Green: 4/20 Gets a 420 Glow-Up

Words by Teresa Spencer

San Marco has always been Jacksonville’s version of “put-together cool.” It’s where you go when you want a cocktail that isn’t embarrassing, a dinner that didn’t come from a drive-thru and a night out that feels like you made at least one good decision that day.

So naturally, this is where you will find the Ultimate 420 Experience. On April 20, from 3:30 to 7:30 p.m., San Marco will host a cannabis-centered event at Citri San Marco on Kings Avenue, organized by Affordable Marijuana License, a name that’s been quietly reshaping how Jacksonville looks at medical cannabis.

Let’s get one thing out of the way: This is not a haze-filled, tie-dyed, chaotic free-for-all or someone playing the same Bob Marley song on repeat. That version of cannabis culture will certainly be around, but what’s happening here is something far more structured: a community-focused, semi-educational, social event built around the modern reality of cannabis in Florida. Think: A casual happy hour meets a wellness-forward gathering.

People will be there to socialize, sure — but also to learn, ask questions and maybe rethink what cannabis actually looks like in 2026. There will be music by DJ Dr. Doom. There will be a variety of cannabis friendly vendors. There will be that unmistakable “everyone’s a little more relaxed than usual” energy floating through the air. Games, food and a cash bar too. But the backbone of the event is information and even onsite physician evaluations.

Affordable Marijuana License has built its reputation on making cannabis accessible and understandable — less mystique, more clarity. Expect conversations around: Who qualifies for medical cannabis in Florida? How does the process works (legally, not hypothetically)? What are the difference between products — because no, they’re not all the same.

This isn’t about pushing anything. It’s about explaining everything. The crowd might surprise you. The people showing up won’t fit the outdated stereotype. You’ll see: Professionals coming straight from work. Patients already using medical cannabis. Curious newcomers who’ve been on the fence. Industry folks and local vendors. The best part; it’s free entry.

In other words, the same cross-section of Jacksonville you’d see anywhere else in San Marco — just a little more open-minded for the evening.

Cannabis isn’t lurking in the background anymore. It’s stepping into well-lit spaces, having normal conversations, and — perhaps, most importantly — losing the stigma that kept it boxed in for decades. And somehow, it’s doing it without disrupting the vibe but actually enhancing it.

For more information, visit amljax.com

NEW MUSIC RELEASES

Made For You By Ambar Ramirez

THUNDERCAT “DISTRACTED”

From the slap-bass brilliance of the viral anthem “Them Changes” to his recent mind-bending collaboration with Tame Impala, Thundercat has become a cornerstone of contemporary cool. The multi-Grammy winner is back with “Distracted,” an album poised to take his signature blend of interstellar funk and soulful precision to the top of the charts.

ELLA LANGLEY “DANDELION”

You don’t need a crystal ball to see that Ella Langley is currently country music’s fastest-rising star. Following the massive breakout success of her debut album and the gold-certified hit “You Look Like You Love Me,” Langley is doubling down on her signature brand of outlaw-inflected country. “Dandelion” marks a highly anticipated second chapter for an artist who has mastered the art of “breaking through the noise.”

GRETEL

Steeped in the dark romanticism of Nick Cave from a young age, London-based singer-songwriter Gretel crafts a sound that sits at the intersection of gothic allure and raw alternative rock. By fusing the grit of Nirvana with the cinematic indie-pop of Wolf Alice, “Squish” delivers a compelling blend of heavy grunge and haunting ballads that feels both nostalgic and entirely her own.

MAGDALENA BAY “NICE DAY: A

COLLECTION OF SINGLES”

Unafraid to experiment within a genre they’ve effectively reinvented, Magdalena Bay continues to be one of the most exciting duos in the synth-pop landscape. This new collection of singles is a masterclass in their signature world-building — offering a high-energy, ethereal escape that refuses to play by the traditional rules of pop.

“KONNAKOL”

Calling all Zayn fans: the king of falsetto is back. While every member of One Direction has found their own lane, Zayn’s path remains the most sonically adventurous. With “Konnakol,” he proves once again that his vocals are the true engine of his music, delivering the kind of soul-stirring performance that keeps him at the forefront of modern R&B.

ZAYN

KEHLANI “KEHLANI”

In a single breath, Kehlani can shift from a biting critique to an intimate confession. Her music lives in that space where honesty meets attitude, creating a sound that is as melodic as it is confrontational. With this latest release, she leans further into the “no-nonsense” storytelling that has made her one of the most relatable voices in modern R&B.

MEGHAN TRAINOR

“TOY WITH ME”

From the iconic “All About That Bass” to her recent viral resurgence, Meghan Trainor has mastered the art of the infectious pop hook. With a title like “Toy With Me,” the question isn’t if it will be catchy, but what flavor of fun she’s serving next. Will we see a cheekier, more subver

sive side to the pop star or a return to the vibrant, “Barbie-core” aesthetics she wears so well?

Photo by Samy El-Kamel

Drumming for the Departed:

A Tragic Loss Leads to this

Musician’s Tribute

Julian Rodriguez is a living, breathing testament that the hardcore music culture is alive and well. The 24-year-old drummer grew up in the mosh pit, and it shows in the explosive energy he brings to the kit. After being handed drumsticks at just 4 years old he knew there was no other path in life for him. It has been a long road from his first mini-tour supporting Knife Wound to opening up for one of his favorite bands, Terror, but Rodriguez’s respect for music and hard work is paving his way.

When other kids were watching Disney Channel, Rodriguez found himself elsewhere. He recalled,“I literally grew up watching Blink-182 music videos, like all the time, all I did was watch Travis [Barker] play the drums for as long as I can remember.” Along with these early memories of watching music videos, Rodriguez recalls his early interest in playing music, “I’ve never stopped playing the drums, and I never really questioned if that’s what I want. I even gave up my favorite sport for it. I gave it all up for drums”

Photo by Samy El-Kamel

Travis Barker, drummer for Blink-182, was his idol. Out of all the drummers though, what was it about him specifically that resonated with Rodriguez? He responded, “Oh, my gosh, the definition of punk rock is Travis Barker, cut off tank tops and whatever shorts he wanted to wear with a mohawk that reached the sky. And he would wear that everywhere. I remember seeing him pull up to the Grammys, and everybody was in a suit, and he was just in his clothing brand in a cut-off shirt and shorts, then he played on stage shirtless. I was like, ‘This guy doesn’t give a damn about anybody. This is coolest guy ever.’”

This style he speaks of is a prominent part of what makes this genre of music and this community so appealing. The sound embodies rebellion and raw self-expression permeating through punk forms of art, creating more than sonic appreciation. It lends itself to people who go against the grain, allowing for the marginalized and misunderstood to find space.

Further than the fashion and social parts of the hardcore scene, Rodriguez found a sense of belonging through his art, forming an identity as a drummer through his inspirations. He named a few of these inspirations as, “definitely Danny Carey, who drums for Tool. Eloy Casagrande is probably also another drummer that I would say that I mimic a lot. I’ve never seen a drummer hit the kit as hard as him, so I try to mimic that and always play as hard as I’ve seen him play.” There are bits and pieces of each of these idols in Rodriguez, from the way he walks with his chin up like Barker to his wild fills like, well, Barker.

As his dedication to drums and music grew, so did his learning in the school of hardcore; a student of the culture surrounding him. His dad was touring Europe with the scene, so this was the sound that raised him. He recalls, “I mean, I think my mom used to play some type of instrument in a band. I think it was like the clarinet, like Squidward, I think that’s why I make fun of her but my dad, like, before I was born, my dad was on tour.” It was with his dad that he formed the early connections with other members of the scene, finding a sense of belonging with metal-heads and punk rockers.

He describes the hardcore community with admiration and respect, “I love how interactive it is, like how I get to watch my favorite artists invite people up on stage and invite people to have a good time with them. I don’t see that at any other shows ever, so I feel like that’s cool.”

It was this environment that led him to meet Kyle Smith, a fellow drummer and a beloved member of the community. Smith played drums in bands such as I Am Endseeker, Young Ghosts, Never Enough, Back From Exile, Rise and Shine. About their meeting Rodriguez said, “[Kyle] was at like every hardcore show. He’s huge in hardcore, so he was friends with my dad originally, but I’ve known him since I was a kid.” Unfortunately, Smith passed away in a car accident February 12, 2025, devastating Rodriguez and the many members of the community. Rodriguez recalls one of the last times he was with Smith, “We were dancing to Terror in Orlando and then that was the last time I saw him, but then after that, we talked about jamming because he could also play the guitar, so we were gonna do something. So I would say that we got closer, sadly, towards the end of his life, but I did not know that was gonna be the end of his life.”

Like fate, it would be Smith that led Rodriguez to open up for Terror, the band they bonded over just before Smith passed. It was at Smith’s wake that Rodriguez connected with the band Uphold, recalling, “We were all at Underbelly, reminiscing about Kyle. I was just talking with the guys in the band and we were just, you know, making a connection about Kyle.” According to Rodriguez, Smith was set to play drums in Uphold just before his accident. He continued, “I already knew the bassist in our band Tony, he’s like a family friend of ours, so he asked me if I wanted to come play at one of their practices. Ever since the first practice, they just said I was a part of the band. So Uphold is actually kind of special to me just because I get to fulfill one of my good friend’s shoes.”

Last month, Uphold opened for Terror at The Albatross, drawing a massive crowd. Along with playing in Uphold, Rodriguez has more plans for his career. He is set on forming his own band so he can write and tour with a group. Though he loves being a part of Uphold, being the youngest lends itself to challenges as his bandmates have familial responsibilities.

Rodriquez noted, “I would love to tour, but everyone in Uphold is older, so there’s only really one guy that might want a tour. Everybody else has kids and is married, but as much as I would love to tour with Uphold, it’s like they’ve gotta put their family first.”

For Rodriguez and many others, the hardcore community is a space where, through grief, hard times and all uncertainty, people find support through music, the kind that reflects the intensity of real life. This is a space that celebrates physical expression in the form of moshing, while enforcing mutual respect when someone gets hurt. It creates a judgement-free zone for the kids who want to rock an all-too-high mohawk and invites the crowd to be a part of the music, not just a passive viewer. Where many see chaos, others see catharsis. Rodriguez found family in the wake of grief through the hardcore scene, a testament to the music that has supported him since he was handed drumsticks all those years ago.

Photo by Samy El-Kamel

CONCERTS

Photo by Marcel Kovacic on Unsplash

APRIL 1

SQWERV

Jack Rabbits jaxlive.com

APRIL 2

Leonid & Friends Florida Theatre floridatheatre.com

Porch Roots

Jack Rabbits jaxlive.com

APRIL 2-4

Billy Strings St. Augustine Amphitheatre theamp.com

APRIL 4

Cyrille Aimee Ritz Theatre & Museum jaxevents.com

The Sneaky Heat Missiles Jack Rabbits jaxlive.com

Porch Roots

The Albatross albatrossjax.com

Bresh DECCA Live deccalive.com

APRIL 5

Jed Harrelson Jack Rabbits jaxlive.com

April 7

Santana St. Augustine Amphitheatre theamp.com

The Devil Wears Prada FIVE fivejax.com

APRIL 8

The Band Perry Ponte Vedra Concert Hall pvconcerthall.com

Barnes Courtney Jack Rabbits jaxlive.com

APRIL 9

Dwight Yoakam St. Augustine Amphitheatre theamp.com

Jimmie Vaughan Ponte Vedra Concert Hall pvconcerthall.com

The Broken View

The Albatross albatrossjax.com

Dexter and the Moonrocks DECCA Live deccalive.com

APRIL 10 “Tosca” Jacksonville Center for the Performing Arts jaxsyphony.org

Joanna Shaw Taylor Ponte Vedra Concert Hall pvconcerthall.com

The Surfrajettes Jack Rabbits jaxlive.com

Sports

The Albatross albatrossjax.com

San Holo DECCA Live deccalive.com

APRIL 10-12

Gamble Rogers Folk Festival St. Johns County Fairgrounds gamblerogersfest.org

APRIL 11

Samantha Fish & Tab Benoit Florida Theatre floridatheatre.com

Mt. Joy

St. Augustine Amphitheatre

Daniel Donato’s Cosmic Country Ponte Vedra Concert Hall pvconcerthall.com

Come Bach to Earth: Tribute to Mac Miller Jack Rabbits jaxlive.com

Chronically Online

The Albatross albatrossjax.com

Danny Avila DECCA Live deccalive.com

APRIL 12

Eric Church

VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena jaxevents.com

“Tosca”

Jacksonville Center for the Performing Arts jaxsyphony.org

Taj Mahal & The Phantom Blues Band Florida Theatre floridatheatre.com

Sons of Legion FIVE fivejax.com

Tigers Jaw

The Albatross albatrossjax.com

Selias Jack Rabbits jaxlive.com

APRIL 13

Lukas Nelson St. Augustine Amphitheatre theamp.com

APRIL 14

The Fabulous Thunderbirds Ponte Vedra Concert Hall pvconcerthall.com

Steely Dead Jack Rabbits jaxlive.com

Hail the Sun

FIVE fivejax.com

APRIL 15

Kenny Wayne Shepherd Florida Theatre floridatheatre.com

The Happy Fits FIVE fivejax.com

Adult.

Jack Rabbits jaxlive.com

APRIL 16

Trace Adkins

Ponte Vedra Concert Hall pvconcerthall.com

Melrose Avenue

The Albatross albatrossjax.com

APRIL 17

Foreigner

St. Augustine Amphitheatre theamp.com

Mountain Grass Unit

Ponte Vedra Concert Hall pvconcerthall.com

Two Friends

DECCA Live deccalive.com

APRIL 17-18

Twist & Shout: Music of the Beatles

Jacksonville Center for Performing Arts jaxsymphony.com

APRIL 18

Crystal Gayle

Ponte Vedra Concert Hall pvconcerthall.com

The R&B Lovers Tour

Vystar Veterans Memorial Arena jaxevents.com

Canaan Cox

Jack Rabbits jaxlive.com

Jigitz

DECCA Live deccalive.com

APRIL 18-19

Goose

St. Augustine Amphitheatre theamp.com

APRIL 19

Bill Murray & His Blood Brothers Florida Theatre floridatheatre.com

Miles Davis at 100

Jacksonville Center for Performing Arts jaxsymphony.org

Kitty Craft

Jack Rabbits jaxlive.com

APRIL 21

The Rush Tribute Project Florida Theatre floridatheatre.com

Bruce Hornsby & The Noisemakers Ponte Vedra Concert Hall pvconcerthall.com

Kids That Fly

Jack Rabbits jaxlive.com

APRIL 22

Seven Teller

Jack Rabbits jaxlive.com

APRIL 23

Hardy

Jacksonville Center for the Performing Arts jaxevents.com

Justin Hayward

Ponte Vedra Concert Hall pvconcerthall.com

MJT

Jack Rabbits jaxlive.com

Morones–Tribute to the Ramones

The Albatross albatrossjax.com

Ramirez FIVE fivejax.com

APRIL 24

Phil Wickham

VyStar Veterans Memorial Coliseum jaxevents.com

Russell Dickerson

St. Augustine Amphitheatre theamp.com

Tripping Daisy

Ponte Vedra Concert Hall pvconcerthall.com

Nailbite

The Albatross albatrossjax.com

Allele

Duval Hall duvalhall.com

APRIL 24-25

Beethoven’s Fifth Jacksonville Center for the Performing Arts jaxevents.com

APRIL 25

SatchVai Band

St. Augustine Amphitheatre theamp.com

Taylorville Jacksonville Center for the Performing Arts jaxevents.com

Mixtape

Jack Rabbits jaxlive.com

APRIL 26

Alabama Shakes

St. Augustine Amphitheatre theamp.com

Ottmar Liebert & Luna Negra

Ponte Vedra Concert Hall pvconcerthall.com

The Chameleons

Jack Rabbits jaxlive.com

APRIL 27

Barry Manilow

VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena jaxevents.com

APRIL 27-28

Maren Morris

Ponte Vedra Concert Hall pvconcerthall.com

APRIL 29

One Night of Queen: Performed by Gary Mullen & The Works Florida Theatre floridatheatre.com

APRIL 30

Boney James Florida Theatre floridatheare.com

Under the Black Sky Jack Rabbits jaxlive.com

HOME IS WHERE THE HEART IS, AND MY HEART IS AT ANGIE’S

When the news broke that an Angie’s was opening just a few blocks from my front door, I made it my life’s mission to become a regular.

You’d think living within walking distance would make it easy, right? Not quite. When you’re grinding a 9-to-5 on the other side of town all week, catching that specific “hot summer afternoon” sub craving is a race against the clock. But now that the Florida heat is settling in, I’ve officially lost count of how many times I’ve made the trek.

Angie’s isn’t the new kid on the block; it’s the block itself. If you grew up in Jax, you know this place is a cornerstone of beach culture. They’ve built a legacy on three pillars: fresh subs, their famous locally made Peruvian sauce, and their award-winning house-made “schweet tea.”

There is truly nothing on this menu that misses the mark. You can order blindly and still win.

My “Go-To” Order

While the subs are the namesake, my heart belongs to the Samoan Wrap. It’s a glorious, savory combo of:

• Crispy fried chicken fingers

• Golden fries (inside the wrap!)

• Signature homemade fry sauce

• Melted Mexican cheese

Pair that with a massive Schweet Tea loaded with extra lemons, and you have the quintessential Atlantic Beach meal. It’s the kind of food that tastes like a Saturday afternoon, and I’ll never get tired of it.

The Death of the Dining Room

Words by Emily Cannon

Think back to when you were a child. You would get picked up from school, and your parents didn’t feel like cooking that night. First stop on the way home, McDonald’s. You saw the neon golden arches and the play place packed enough you were sure you were going to leave with a broken arm or concussion from throwing yourself off the slide while you smelled fresh French fries and hamburgers. Neon plastic booths, bright red trays, cartoon mascots on the walls, and the constant hum of families, it wasn’t just a place to eat. It was an experience.

Today, that experience feels like it’s quietly disappearing.

Walk into many fast food chains now, and the difference is immediate. The colors are muted grays, blacks, maybe a touch of beige. The lighting is softer, almost café-like. Touchscreen kiosks replace the chatter of ordering at the counter. And more often than not, the dining room itself feels like an afterthought, if it’s even open at all. The message is subtle but clear: this space isn’t really meant for you to stay.

This shift didn’t happen overnight. Over the past decade, fast food companies have been slowly reimagining their spaces to keep up with changing habits. People are busier. Convenience matters more than ever. Apps, online ordering and delivery services have reshaped how customers interact with restaurants. Why invest in a lively dining room when most people never leave their cars?

Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash

For many, fast food restaurants were a core part of childhood. They were places where birthday parties happened, where kids ran wild in play areas, where families lingered over meals instead of rushing out the door. The interiors reflected that energy, bold colors, playful shapes, even a little bit of chaos. They didn’t just serve food — they created memories.

From a business standpoint, it’s brilliant. Drive-thru lanes move faster and generate higher volume. Digital ordering reduces labor costs and human error. Smaller dining areas mean less overhead. In a competitive market, efficiency isn’t just an advantage; it’s survival, But in optimizing for speed, something else has quietly been left behind. Atmosphere.

The old fast food spaces were designed for people, especially families. They were built to hold noise, laughter and mess. They expected you to stay a while. The new spaces are designed for movement. In and out. Order and go. Even the seating arrangements reflect this shift, often less comfortable, less inviting, subtly discouraging you from lingering.

The transformation also reflects a change in target audiences. Where fast food once leaned heavily into childlike wonder, bright colors, toys and mascots, it now leans toward a more “mature” aesthetic. The goal is to appeal to adults who want something quick but still feel like they’re in a modern, polished environment. It’s fast food trying to look like fast casual, like somewhere just a little more elevated.

Even the way we order has changed, and with it, a small but meaningful piece of human interaction. The front counter, once the heart of the restaurant, is no longer the focal point. Instead, glowing kiosks line the entrance. Customers stand silently, tapping through menus, customizing their orders with a few swipes. It’s efficient, yes. But it’s also isolating. The casual back-and-forth with a cashier asking“What can I get for you?” and “Anything else?” has been replaced by a screen that doesn’t rush you but also doesn’t see you.

A growing number of fast food meals never even make it to a table inside or otherwise.

They’re packed into bags, handed to drivers, and eaten at home, in bedrooms, on couches, in front of screens. The restaurant becomes less of a place and more of a node in a much larger system of convenience.

Public, casual gathering spaces are becoming rarer. Places where you can simply exist without expectation, without needing to spend a lot of money or move along quickly are slowly disappearing. Fast food restaurants used to fill that role, at least in a small way. They were accessible.

Now they feel more transactional.

This isn’t to say the past was flawless. The old spaces could be overwhelming, messy, even a little chaotic for parents just trying to get through a meal. The modernization has brought cleaner environments, faster service and more control over the ordering experience. For many people, that’s a clear improvement. Nostalgia lingers for a reason.

It’s not just about the colors or the play areas or the birthday parties, it’s about how those spaces made people feel. There was an energy to them, a sense that something small but meaningful was happening. That even a simple meal could be a shared experience.

Today, fast food still feeds millions of people every day. It’s faster, more efficient, more technologically advanced than ever before. But it’s also quieter. More contained. More forgettable.

The doors to the dining room are still there. The tables are still set. But the invitation feels different now.

You can come inside if you want.

Just don’t expect to stay.

Photo by Batu Gezer on Unsplash

Folio’s Top Picks:

Arlington Catullo’s Italian facebook.com/catullositalian

Galaxy Burgers Bar & Grill galaxyburgersjax.com

Just Kitchen Jax justkitchenjax.com

Spices Caribbean Restaurant spicesjax.com

Tabouleh Mediterranean Cafe taboulehjax.com

Jax Beaches

Dockside Seafood Restaurant docksideseafoodrestaurant.com

Oaxaca Club theoaxacaclub.com

O-Ku

o-kusushi.com

RP’s Fine Food & Drink rpsjaxbeach.com

Sizemore’s Coastal Kitchen sizemorescoastalkitchen.com

Neptune/Atlantic Beach Arepa Please arepaplease.com

Coop 303 coop303.com

North Beach Fish Camp thenorthbeachfishcamp.com

Mamasamas mamasamas.com

Salumeria 104 salumeria104.com

The Local thelocaljax.com

Mayport Egg Boy eggboybreakfast.com

The Juicy Seafood Mayport thejuicycofl.com

La Casa Leon lacasaleonfl.com

Sub Cultured subculturedsubs.com

Downtown Bellwether bellwetherjax.com

Cowford Chophouse cowfordchophouse.com

Dorothy’s Downtown dorothysdowntown.com

Indochine Downtown indochinejax.com

Murray Hill Buchner’s Bierhalle buchnersbierhalle.com

Chancho King chanchoking.square.site

Community Loaves communityloavesjax.com

Solazo Taqueria solazofl.com

Northside & Airport Green Papaya greenpapayaus.com

Eleon Pizza & Pastry eleonpastry.com

Flying Fish Taphouse flyingfishtaphouse.com

New Berlin Fish House & Oyster Bar newberlinfishhouse.com

Mandarin Cooper’s Hawk Winery and Restaurant chwinery.com

Julington Creek Fish Camp julingtoncreekfishcamp.com

Enza’s Italian Restaurant enzas.net

Salento Colombian Steakhouse salentosteakhouse.com

Riverside and Avondale Bartaco bartaco.com

Carolina Jax carolinajax.com

Hawkers eathawkers.com

Josephine josephineavondale.com

Taqueria Cinco taqueria5points.com

San Marco The Bearded Pig thebeardedpigbbq.com

Taverna taverna.restaurant

Tepeyolot Cerveceria tepeys.com

Maple Street Biscuit Company maplestreetbiscuits.com

Springfield Crispy’s Springfield Gallery crispysspringfield.com

Othello othellospringfield.com

Tulua Bistro Springfield tuluabistro.com

1748 Bakehouse 1748bakehouse.com

Southside Purple Roots purplerootsjacksonville.com

Rustic 21 Bistro rustic21.com

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

Zen Dumpling zendumplings.com

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

Kyodai Sushi Rock facebook.com/KyodaiSushiRock

Palermo Puerto Rican Kitchen palermopuertoricankitchen.com

The Toasted Yolk Cafe thetoastedyolk.com

Ponte Vedra/Vilano Anejo Cocina anejococinamexicana.com

Barbara Jean’s barbarajeansonthewater.com

Nona Blue Modern Tavern nonablue.com

Trasca & Co Eatery trascaandco.com

1912 Ocean Bar & Rooftop 1912oceanbarandrooftop.com

Vilano Beach

Aunt Kate’s aunt-kates.com

Cap’s On The Water capsonthewater.com

Pesca Vilano pescavilano.com

The Reef thereefstaugustine.com

Surfside Kitchen surfside.kitchen

NIGHTLIFE

ARLINGTON

Atlantis Lounge instagram.com/theatlantis_jax

Cliff’s Bar and Grill cliffsbarandgrill.com

Club Heaven clubheavenjax.com

BEACHES/PONTE VEDRA

Beach Bowl beachbowljax.com

Bedlam bedlamlive.com

Blue Jay Listening Room bluejayjax.com

The Brix Taphouse jacksonvillebeachbar.com

Casa Marina casamarinahotel.com

Culhane’s culhanesirishpub.com

Flask & Cannon facebook.com/flaskandcannon

Green Room Brewing greenroombrewing.com

Grey Matter Distillery greymatterdistillery.com

Gusto gustojax.com

Hoptinger Bier Garden + Sausage House hoptinger.com

Ink Factory Brewing inkfactorybrewing.com

Island Girl Cigar Bar islandgirlcigarbar.com

Jax Beach Kava Bar kavajacksonville.com

Jekyll Brewing jekyllbrewing.com

Julep Palm Valley facebook.com/juleppalmvalley

Kicker’s Country Bar kickersjax.com

Lemon Bar & Grille lemonbarjax.com

Living Room Lounge instagram.com/thelivingroomab

Lucky’s Bar instagram.com/luckysjaxbch

Lynch’s Irish Pub lynchsirishpub.com

Mango’s mangosjaxbeach.com

Mavi’s Waterfront Bar & Grill mavijax.com

Mayport Brewing Company maportbrewing.com

Mayport Garden Club mayportgardenclub.com

Monkey’s Uncle Tavern monkeysuncletavern.com

Palm Valley Outdoors Bar and Grill palmvalleyoutdoors.com

Penthouse Lounge at Casa Marina Hotel casamarinahotel.com

Refinery Jax Beach refineryjaxbeach.com

Reve Brewing revebrewing.com

The Ritz Lounge theritzlounge.com

Serenity Restaurant & Hookah Lounge serenityjaxbeach.com

Southern Swells Brewing Company southernswells.com

Surfer The Bar surferthebar.com

Element Bistro Bar & Lounge elementjax.com

Hardwicks hardwicksbarjax.com

Intuition Aleworks intuitionaleworks.com

Island Girl Cigar Bar islandgirlcigarbar.com

Justice Pub facebook.com/thejusticepub

Live Bar facebook.com/livebarclubjax

Manifest Distilling manifestdistilling.com

Myth Nightclub & Bar mythexperience.com

Ocean Street Tequila instagram.com/oceanstreettacosandtequila

Pour Taproom jaxpourtaproom.com

VooSwar Restaurant & Lounge instagram.com/vooswar

DOWNTOWN

Albatross thealbatrossjax.com

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

Bold City Brewery boldcitybrewery.com

The Circuit Arcade Bar instagram.com/thecircuitbarcade

De Real Ting Cafe facebook.com/derealtingcafe

Decca Live deccalive.com

Dos Gatos dosgatosjax.com

Ruby Beach Brewing rubybeachbrewing.com

SIP Cocktail bar sipontheroof.com

Spliff’s Gastropub spliffsgastropub.com

That Bar At The Arena facebook.com/ThatBarattheArena

The Volstead thevolsteadjax.com

FLEMING ISLAND

Island Girl Cigar Bar islandgirlcigarbar.com/fleming-island

Mercury Moon facebook.com/mercury-moon

Mr. Chubby’s Wings mrchubbyswings.com

Sunset Tiki Bar

the-sunset-tiki-bar.business. site

Whitey’s Fish Camp whiteysfishcamp.com

Intracoastal West 9 Zero Pour 9zeropour.com

Brew and Barrel Tavern bbtjax.com

MVP’s Sports Grille facebook.com/mvpssportsgrille

The Spot Hookah Lounge thespothookahloungejax.com

Time Out Sports Grill timeoutsportsgrill.com

MANDARIN/JULINGTON CREEK/FRUIT COVE

2nd Bay Brewing 2ndbaybrewing.com

Comedy Zone comedyzone.com

Iggy’s Grill and Bar facebook.com/iggysgrill

Kava & Company kavaandcompany.com

Legacy Ale Works legacyaleworks.com

Monkey’s Uncle Tavern monkeysunclemandarin.com

Rack’em Up Sports Bar facebook.com/rackemupsportsbar

Time Out Sports Grill timeoutsportsgrill.com

MURRAY HILL

Axe Champs axechamps.com

Buchner’s Bierhalle buchnersbierhalle.com

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

Emerald Vine Room theemeraldvineroom.weebly. com

Fishweir Brewing Company fishweirbrewing.com

The Flamingo theflamingojax.com

Perfect Rack Billiards perfectrackbilliards.com

Silver Cow silvercowjax.com

Spruce sprucejax.com

The Walrus thewalrusjax.com

NORTHSIDE

Coppertop Bar and Restaurant coppertopbarandrestaurant.

com

Four Fathers Distillery fourfathersdistillery.com

ORANGE PARK/ MIDDLEBURG

57 Heaven facebook.com/57heavenop

Big Dawgs Sports Restaurant bigdawgsrestaurant.com

Cheers Park Avenue cheersparkave.com

The Daq Shack thedaqshack904.com

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

The Fresh Spot Lounge thefreshspotlounge.com

LeaderBoard Arcade leaderboardarcade.com

Locals Pub localspub.co

Nakama Anime Bar nakamabar.com

Park Avenue Billiards parkavenuebilliards.com

Pinglehead Brewing Company pinglehead.com

Southern Social Whiskey Bar & Lounge southernsocialbar.com

RIVERSIDE/AVONDALE

Bartaco bartaco.com

Birdies facebook.com/birdiesfivepoints

Bold City Brewery boldcitybrewery.com

Brick Restaurant brickofavondale.com

Burlock & Barrel burlockandbarrel.com

Dart Bar & Games facebook.com/dartbarjax

Eclipse Bar & Nightclub facebook.com/eclipsebarjax

The Garage garagejax.com

The Green House thegreenhousebar.com

Hoptinger Bier Garden + Sausage House hoptinger.com

Incahoots incahootsnightclub.com

Kanine Social Taproom kaninesocial.com

Keg & Coin kegandcoinjax.com

Kingmaker Brewing kingmakerbrewing.com

Lemonstreet Brewing Company lemonstreetbrewing.com

The Loft loftjax.com

Myrtle Avenue Brewing instagram.com/myrtleavebrewing

Night Lights facebook.com/nightlightsjax

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

River & Post riverandpostjax.com

Riverside Liquors riversideliquors.biz

Rogue Bar facebook.com/rogue.bar.1

Root Down facebook.com/rootdownjax

Shores Liquor and Bar instagram.com/shoresliquoravondale

SAN MARCO/ST. NICHOLAS

1937 Spirits & Eatery 1937sanmarco.com

Aardwolf Brewing Company aardwolfbrewing.com

Bar Molino barmolino.com

Breezy Jazz House breezyjazzhouse.com

Cuba Libre Ultra Lounge cubalibrebar.com

Fore Score Golf Tavern forescoregolf.com

The Grape & Grain Exchange grapeandgrainexchange.com

Kava & Company kavaandcompany.com

The Mudville Grill themudvillegrill.com

The Players Grille playersgrille.com

Posting House posting.house Sherwoods sherwoodsbar.com

Sidecar instagram.com/sidecarjax

Voodoo Brewing instagram.com/voodoojax

SOUTHSIDE/ST. JOHNS TOWN CENTER

Austin Karaoke facebook.com/austinkaraoke

Bottlenose Brewing bottlenosebrewing.com

Cataluna Jax catalunajax.com

Culhane’s culhanesirishpub.com

Island Girl Cigar Bar islandgirlcigarbar.com

Jax Craft Beer jaxcraftbeer.com

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

Rio Restaurant and Lounge instagram.com/riorestauraunt.jax

Seven Bridges Grille & Brewery 7bridgesgrille.com

Sugar Factory instagram.com/sugarfactoryjacksonville

Trio Lounge triohookahlounge.com

Veterans United Craft Brewery vubrew.com

Wicked Barley Brewing Company wickedbarley.com

WXYZ Bar at Aloft Hotel aloftjacksonvilletapestrypark. com

SPRINGFIELD

Crispy’s crispysspringfieldgallery.com

The District thedistrictspr.com

Historically Hoppy Brewing Company historicallyhoppy.com

Juice Wine Bar juicewinebar.com

Shantytown Pub facebook.com/shantytownjax

Strings Sports Brewery stringssportsbrewery.com

Stumpy’s Hatchet House stumpyshh.com

Tulua Bistro instagram.com/tuluabistro

ST. AUGUSTINE

Ancient City Brewing ancientcitybrewing.com

Arnold’s Lounge arnoldslounge.com

Beacon Listening Room beaconstaug.com

Bin 39

bin39.wine

Boat Drinks boatdrinksbar.com

Cellar Upstairs Bar at San Sebastian Winery sansebastianwinery.com

Dog Rose Brewing dogrosebrewing.com

Odd Birds Cocktail Lounge and Kitchen instagram.com/odd_birds

The Original Café Eleven originalcafe11.com

Prohibition Kitchen pkstaug.com

Shanghai Nobby’s nobbysfl.weebly.com

Tradewinds Lounge tradewindslounge.com

Westside Elevation Lounge elevationjax.com

Lillian’s lillianssportsgrill.com

The Phoenix Bar & Bowling facebook.com/thephoenixjax

The Bar with No Name instagram.com/nonamebarstaug

Tini Martini tini-martini-bar.com

photo by Jalen Hines (@photosbyjwh

“Jacksonville Moderately Sized Crustaceans” 1970’s 105mm manual focus prime. f2.8 1/500th iso400. Hunter Anderson (@Got.Visual)

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