Folio Vol. 37, Issue 21

11.1

2023

YOUR GUIDE TO ENTERTAINMENT IN JACKSONVILLE 1

CONTENTS COLUM N S 7

VOL. 37, ISSUE 21

FE ATU RES 13

HOROSCOPES

Special Events

Ambar Ramirez & Carmen Macri

9

Amy Love

15

Ambar Ramirez

Podcast Picks

SPORTS

Su Ertekin-Taner

29

21

33

Carson Rich

Florida vs. Georgia

Pint-Sized Piledrivers Carmen Macri

COMEDY

Film Reviews

ART

Harry Moore

63

Palileo’s “Days Later, Down River”

Su Ertekin-Taner

Why “Third Places” Should Be A Priority

80

The Hunt: Finding The Best Ramen In Jacksonville

Amiyah Golden

Ambar Ramirez & Carmen Macri

53

82

Carson Rich

Jessica Walton

57

84

Amiyah Golden

Kelila Ritchie

60

90

Amiyah Golden

Pairing

Mallory Pace

73

Korean Food For The Soul

Passion For Profit

Common Threads

34

CONCERTS

72

New Music Releases

31

43

47

Sounds From the Jacksonville Fair

25

37

Kelila Ritchie

49

TRIVIA , E TC.

THEATER/ DANCE

Raising The Bar: Hardwicks

Ambar Ramirez

The Chaotic Art Of Tailgating:

70

Ambar Ramirez

The Immersive Visual Exhibit: Maia Cruz

19

23

Courtney Thompson

Prints

Kelila Ritchie

Kerry Speckman

Latitudes

Unveiling Tradition: Tattoos In Japanese

Inner Piece For Dummies

THE SPECKTATOR

Shelton Hull

Northern Attitude/ Southern

46

17

11

66

Sensorial Seduction

Welcome Aboard

IN THE NAME OF LOVE

38

Pesca Vilano

The Candy Mansion

Amateur’s Guide To A Wine and Chip Mallory Pace

BITE BY BITE

86

FOLIO STAFF:

NIGHTLIFE ANGELA PHILLIPS Publisher

SU ERTEKIN-TANER Writer

TERESA SPENCER General Manager

CARSON RICH Writer

JOHN PHILLIPS Vice President

AMIYAH GOLDEN Writer/Photographer

KERRY SPECKMAN Copy Editor/ Writer

MALLORY PACE Writer

AMBAR RAMIREZ Creative Director

KELILA RITCHIE Writer

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

HARRY MOORE Writer

SHELTON HULL Writer

COURTNEY THOMPSON Contributor

Behind the Cover: “Sensorial Seduction” Film Photo provided by Max Michaels

OCTOBER 6, 2023 RITZ JAZZ JAM SERIES RITZ THEATRE & MUSEUM

Pedrito Martinez SCAN TO PURCHASE TICKETS

MORE INFO VISIT RITZJACKSONVILLE.COM

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU! SUBMIT MAIL TO TEAM@FOLIOWEEKLY.COM THE

MAIL

BOUQS & BRICKS

BOUQUETS

BRICKBATS

great letter about his work and had to share:

Folio HQ being a total raging, mean Karen type. She was literally yelling

“Just wanted to say “Thank You” and “Well Done!” for the entertaining

at our GM to remove the Folio Box. When our GM politely asked why she

crossword puzzles in Folio Weekly lately!! For a while, there was an effort

wanted it removed… she said because “I own the building and it’s ugly.” That

to include local clues, which was a great idea – but the puzzles were very

box is like all others and has been there forever? No worries, we have many

straightforward, so easy, and rather boring. More recently, however, I’ve

other business partners that want a box, so guess what, it will be going right

noticed the puzzles have been more challenging and a whole lot more fun,

down the street Smoke City Karen.

To our very own Dale Ratermann who creates our puzzles. We got this

The owner of Smoke City building on 3rd street at the beach. She called

with smart and clever themes that are a delight to figure out, and they still maintain a local influence. It is a noticeable improvement that is much appreciated.

The 10-18-2023 puzzle with the anagram theme was terrific! I’d thank the author of the puzzle, but I don’t see anyone credited for it, so I’m sending this to the Folio Weekly team instead.

With appreciation, Margie Henning”

5

HOROSCOPES Mercury’s retrograde might try to trip you up, but remember,

ARIES

LIBRA

Aries: even the turkey stumbles on its way to the table. This

mixed cocktail, leaving everyone around you under your

month embrace the unexpected, and if in doubt, blame it

delightful spell. In the same sense, your social calendar

on the cranberry sauce. Your dynamic energy is your secret

will be off the charts. A little party never killed nobody

weapon, and as the days grow shorter, your charisma shines

but a whole lot of parties just might. Remember to pace

brighter.

yourself and hydrate.

TAURUS

Money, money, money must be funny in Taurus’ world. Busi-

SCORPIO

ness opportunities will be knocking on your door all month

do whatever you want whenever you want with absolutely

long and for good reason too. Your dedication and work ethic

no repercussions, doesn’t that sound nice? This month,

is putting you in the spotlight, making it hard for colleagues

your intuition will be your guide, and you’ll have an un-

and superiors not to notice you. That said, just because you

canny ability to see beneath the surface. However, be-

have a stable income, doesn’t mean you should go on a

ware of digging too deep; even a Scorpio can get lost

huge shopping spree. Treat yourself but within reason.

in the shadows. As the month progresses, your passions

Your charm this month will be as potent as a perfectly

It’s your month. You have waited all year for this. You can

will intensify, so channel that energy into positive outlets.

GEMINI

SAGITTARIUS

bigger than a pumpkin pie, you’re ready to tackle the month.

shaping up to be your wild, adventurous ride of the year.

As Mercury dances through the sky, your communication

Your wanderlust is ignited, and you’re ready to explore

With your wit sharper than a carving knife and your curiosity

skills are on point. This is a month for exploring new ideas, so don’t be afraid to stir the pot.

Get ready to saddle up, Sagittarius, because November is

new horizons with the enthusiasm of a toddler in a candy store. Whether it’s a spontaneous road trip or a last-minute plane ticket, your inner explorer is calling the shots.

CANCER

CAPRICORN

nitely be testing your patience this month. Sometimes the

to harness that energy for your goals. As the days grow

universe gives its toughest battles to its strongest soldiers

shorter, remember that it’s quality, not quantity, that

Patience is key, Cancer, and just know that the stars will defi-

and this battle concerns your emotions. Expect the unexpected.

Your determination is your greatest asset, and it’s time

counts. Mercury’s influence will help you communicate with precision, so be prepared for some significant discussions and strategic planning.

LEO

As the days grow shorter, your energy and enthusiasm know no bounds. Just be careful not to burn too brightly, Leo. When Mercury enters retrograde, don’t let it trip you up. You have been here before. You know when to hold ’em and when to fold ’em.

AQUARIUS

November is about striking a balance between your innate desire for innovation and your responsibilities, Aquarius. While you’ll be brimming with unique ideas, your everyday life will require your attention. Find ways to bring creativity into your everyday routine. Remember that sometimes the most groundbreaking changes can come from the littlest adjustments we make in our lives.

VIRGO

Your attention to detail will be on point, so don’t be sur-

PISCES

prised if you notice things that others miss — it’s your super-

fect time for you to dive into the depths of your imagina-

power this month. And there’s no harm in using your powers

tion. Your intuition will be your guiding star this month.

for selfish reasons …right?

While others are busy with holiday preparations, you’ll

As the leaves fall and the world grows quieter, it’s a per-

find solace in self-reflection and creative pursuits. Just be mindful not to get lost in the haze.

7

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

IN THE NAME OF

Love Words by Amy Love

Founder and Matchmaker of the Honey and Flame Matchmaking agency QUESTION FROM BOBBY G., ST. JOHNS: “What’s the difference be-

QUESTION FROM STELLA R., ST. AUGUSTINE: “How should you tell

tween being in love and loving someone? My girlfriend tells me there is a

someone you want out of a relationship because you are attracted to some-

difference and asks why I only say I love her but don’t tell her how much I’m

one else?”

‘in love’ with her. I am confused.”

Dear Stella, Dear Bobby,

Breaking up with someone because you want to date someone else is un-

The distinction between loving someone and being in love is a question that

doubtedly a tough and delicate situation. It’s crucial to remember that hones-

has puzzled hearts for centuries. It’s a fine line, and the answer often lies in

ty and empathy are the keys to ending the relationship while respecting the

the depth and complexity of your emotions. Here are a few pointers to help

other person’s feelings.

you navigate this romantic conundrum: First and foremost, have an open and honest conversation — it’s never an When you love someone, it’s about affection, care and fondness. You genu-

easy thing to do but just do it. Find the right time and place to sit down with

inely care for their well-being and happiness, and you enjoy their company.

your partner and express your feelings candidly. Begin by acknowledging the

However, being in love takes these feelings to a whole new level. It’s a pro-

value of the relationship you’ve shared and the genuine care you have for

found emotional connection that often involves intense passion, desire and

them. Then kindly explain that your feelings have changed, and you’ve devel-

infatuation. When you’re in love, their happiness becomes your top priority,

oped a connection with someone else. The way that you handle this situation

and you can’t imagine your life without them. However, it is most certainly a

directly reflects the type of person that you are or are aspiring to be. Even if

rather subjective topic.

you feel your current relationship isn’t far enough along to garner this type of gentle and conscientious ending — the point matters not because in the end

Being in love also often means that you see a future with that person and

it is, indeed, the right thing to do.

know where you are on your proverbial life path. You make plans, set goals together and are willing to work through challenges for a shared future. Love,

Avoid blame or pointing fingers. It’s not about making your current partner

while important, might not always entail the same level of commitment or

feel at fault; it’s about your evolving emotions. Allow them to express their

vision for the future.

feelings and concerns. Listen attentively and be empathetic.

Chemistry plays a significant role too. When you’re in love, there’s an unde-

Provide closure. Be clear about the end of the relationship and respect their

niable magnetic attraction, both physically and emotionally. It feels like an

need for space and time to process the situation. Ensure you part on good

irresistible force drawing you toward that person. Chemistry is not always

terms, leaving room for both of you to heal and move forward.

an instant feeling. It can grow with time. Indeed, my husband and I started as friends, and it almost snuck up on us — this feeling of I don’t want to live

In this situation, ghosting is never the right choice. Choosing transparency

without this person in my life — ever!

and kindness will help you both find the closure you need and maintain your integrity throughout the process. Remember, it’s never easy, but it’s essential

Ultimately, the distinction between love and being in love is deeply personal

to treat others as you would want to be treated, even in the challenging ter-

and can vary from person to person. What’s most important is to understand

rain of love and relationships.

and communicate your feelings with your partner and ensure you’re on the same page regarding your relationship’s dynamics and expectations.

In the end, whether you love someone or are in love, cherish the connection, and let your heart guide you in creating a fulfilling and loving relationship.

The key is to be honest with yourself and your partner about your feelings and expectations to ensure a healthy and fulfilling relationship. Love may evolve over time, and what starts as loving someone can grow into being in love.

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

THE SPECKTATOR Words by Kerry Speckman

If you thought you were in a Taylor Swift/Travis Kelce-free zone, you are mistaken as this Traylor Swelce tale involves little ol’ Jacksonville. Turns out Travis was shopping at a Kansas City boutique called Fetch looking for a vintage Kansas City Chiefs jacket for Tay-Tay and spied a prayer candle with her likeness … which just so happened to come from uber-popular boutique BobbyK based in Jax. Bobby Kelley, the owner of BobbyK and the candle’s creator (not to mention “Folio”’s Best Local Character in 2022), even got a mention himself (sort of) in The Cut by “New York Magazine.” When one of the Fetch employees was asked about the candles, she told the reporter they were “custom-made by a guy in Jacksonville.” In a related story, Florida Theatre is hosting a Taylor Swift Laser Party Nov. 26.

And speaking of locals getting national attention, did anyone notice Omarosa Manigault Newman (newsflash: she lives in Jacksonville) on the new reality show “House of Villains” on E! recently? No spoilers here, but I will say she made one contestant cry within five minutes of her arrival. Hey, she’s just living up to her title of “the absolute most iconic queen of reality television villainy,” according to castmate Johnny Bananas (of MTV’s “The Real World” and “The Challenge”). On a personal note, Omarosa challenged me to a game of corn hole at the mayor’s Inauguration Celebration at the Hyatt telling me she’d never played before … then proceeded to swish her first two throws.

Be warned.

Shout out to River City Pride and anyone and everyone who make Pride Month such a beautiful success. A personal highlight was seeing Mayor Donna Deegan serve as grand marshal of the Pride parade.

It should be a requirement for all future mayors.

Quite possibly my favorite local event of the year is PorchFest, which takes place Nov. 4. If you aren’t familiar, please allow me to enlighten you. The free, family-friendly and pet-friendly music festival is held on the front porches of homes in historic Springfield with more than 20 performers on the schedule. Festival goers can wander from home to home (yes, there’s a map) while also taking in vendor tents, food trucks, adult beverages and running into people they haven’t seen since 2020. If that doesn’t inspire you, check out this playlist curated

by PorchFest organizers of artists who will be performing. And if you

Dear Gate Station: You may know a lot about gasoline, coffee, lottery tickets and Takis, You may, however, want to brush up on your Jacksonville history since your massive brick “Welcome to Brooklyn” sign is actually in Riverside. Sincerely, Kerry

see a tall chick with pink hair who happens to be me, say hi!

11

S P E C I A L E V E N T S

THROUGH NOV. 16

NOV. 4

Right Whale Festival

Jacksonville Jewish Cultural Arts Festival

Jacksonville Porchfest

Main Beach Park, Fernandina Beach

Jewish Community Alliance (JCA)

Historic Springfield

rightwhalefestival.com

jcajax.org/cafest

jacksonvilleporchfest.org NOV. 5

THROUGH JAN. 6, 2024

Two Girls One Ghost Podcast

Third Annual Jacksonville Persimmon Festival

“Beyond King Tut,” NoCo Center

Ponte Vedra Concert Hall

Eat Your Yard Jax Farm

beyondkingtut.com

pvconcerthall.com

eatyouryardjax.org

THROUGH FEB. 12

Turkish Food Festival

NOV. 7

“The Animation Academy”

Istanbul Center

Pecha Kucha Volume 19: “Double Edged Sword”

Museum of Science and History

facebook.com/istanbulcenterjax

St. Augustine Amphitheatre

themosh.org

theamp.com Purpel Music and Fashion Event

NOV. 2-5

WJCT Studios

NOV. 8

Whiskey, Wine and Wildlife

eventbrite.com

Florida Forum Speaker Series: Mike Krzyzewski

Vilano Beach, St. Augustine whiskeywineandwildlife.com

Jacksonville Center for the Performing Arts “There’s No Place Like Home” benefiting the

womensboardwch.com

Guardian ad Litem Foundation NOV. 2-12

Garden Club of Jacksonville

Military Veterans Expo

Jacksonville Fair

galfoundation.org

University of North Florida–Adam W. Herbert Uni-

Jacksonville Fairgrounds jacksonvillefair.com

versity Center 6th Annual Beaches Tour of Homes

militaryveteransexpo.com

Atlantic Beach and Neptune Beach NOV. 3

beachestowncenter.com

Margarita J’ville benefiting Big Brothers

NOV. 9 Roaring Twenties Charity Poker Night

Big Sisters of Northeast Florida

NOV. 4-5

bestbet St. Augustine

Mavi Waterfront Bar & Grill

NAKAMACON 2023

eventbrite.com

bbbsnefl.org

Holiday Inn & Suites, Orange Park eventbrite.com

NOV. 18-JAN. 31, 2024 Nights of Lights Downtown Historic District, St. Augustine floridashistoriccoast.com/nights-lights NOV. 19 “Ancient Aliens LIVE: Project Earth” Florida Theatre floridatheatre.com 10th Annual Holiday Market in the South World Golf Village Renaissance St. Augustine Resort eventbrite.com NOV. 22 Barreltop Burlesque Burlock and Barrel burlockandbarrel.com NOV. 22-JAN. 1 Deck the Chairs Sea Walk Pavilion deckthechairs.org NOV. 24-26 Christmas Made in the South Prime Osborn Convention Center madeinthesouthshows.com

“Da Beach” By @adm.photos NOV. 10

Ponte Vedra Auto Show

Salute America!

Nocatee Station Field

Ponte Vedra Concert Hall

pvautoshow.com

pvconcerthall.com NOV. 17 Night Market at the Zoo

Oyster Roast

St. Augustine Alligator Farm

Garden Club of Jacksonville

alligatorfarm.com

​​s tjohnsriverkeeper.org

NOV. 10-11

NOV. 18

Native American Arts Festival

Super Scenic Garage Sale

Museum of Science and History

Scenic A1A

themosh.org

scenicA1A.org

NOV. 10-12

“Welcome to Night Vale”

HIstoric Lincolnville Festival

Ponte Vedra Concert Hall

Lincolnville Museum and Cultural Center

pvconcerthall.com

lhprs.org NOV. 18 NOV. 11

Jacksonville Holiday Market

St. Johns Town Center Holiday Spectacular

Adam W. Herbert University Center

St. Johns Town Center

eventbrite.com

simon.com/mall/st-johns-town-center 10th Annual Family Pet Fair & Blessing of the NOV. 12

Pets

William Shatner Live on Stage with “Star Trek II:

Fletcher Park

The Wrath of Khan”

spnanimalministry.org

Florida Theatre floridatheatre.com

NOV. 24-DEC. 29 Dazzling Nights Jacksonville Arboretum & Botanical Gardens jacksonvillearboretum.org NOV. 25 Light Boat Parade Northbank and Southbank Riverwalk bit.ly/LBparade GAAM Holiday Nerd Market Aloft Jacksonville– Tapestry Park eventbrite.com NOV. 25-26 San Marco Art Festival Balis Park sanmarcoartfestival.com NOV. 26 Taylor Swift Laser Party Florida Theatre floridatheatre.com NOV. 29 Duval Soil & Water Conservation District 70th Anniversary Gala Congaree and Penn eventbrite.com

13

WELCOME ABOARD

SHIPYARD SOCIAL TAKES THE CONCEPT OF A PARTY TO UNCHARTED WATERS. Words and photos by Ambar Ramirez plants and more. Now I meant what I said when I said “parties” because rather than this just being a onestage, one-performer kind of event, there were three stages with multiple performers cycling in throughout the night.

The main stage is situated toward the back of the boat, giving you a full view of Downtown’s skyline and the St. Johns River. It was at this stage we found some friends who happened to have a VIP table and a bottle, so sorry if my recollection of the rest of the night is a little blurry. Then with limited access to roam the ship, you walk through a hallway that leads to the second stage, also called the Groove stage. Situated right in the middle of the boat, the stage was a bit smaller than the others but that in no way took away from the big energy emanating from the crowd. Then the last stage was situated at the front of the ship: The “Danger Zone” gave us a full view of the river and starlit sky, the perfect backdrop for a dancefloor. Each stage was separated enough that the music from each didn’t interfere with the other, but not too far apart which made it difficult to navigate. And with various vendors situated throughout the ship, I couldn’t help but think that every party should be like this. Not just a party but an experience.

This was Shipyard Social’s second event and the next one is scheduled My weekend nightlife routine has consisted of going to

ter getting past security and walking through the wooden

the beach bars, Silent Disco at Rootdown or simply stay-

boardwalk that led to the main deck of the ship, I immedi-

ing in, so when I got an extended (and slightly vague)

ately knew that this wasn’t gonna be a typical night. As if

invite to a party on a ship, I have to admit I was intrigued.

(again) a party on a Navy ship wasn’t telling enough that

And not that it takes much to convince me to try some-

this wasn’t going to be a regular night out, the main deck

thing new, as I am an Aquarius after all, but when I

had some vendors set up, one selling vintage clothing

learned that this wasn’t just any ordinary party on a boat,

and another selling food. But this deck is not where the

but Shipyard Social — a Halloween-themed party on the

party is or should I say parties.

historic USS Orleck — I quickly RSVP’d and bought my tickets.

The description on the invite emphasized only one thing and that was to not wear heels. And when I saw the steep

Dressed up as Velma from Scooby Doo along with my

ladder that led to the upper deck, I understood why. Once

partner in crime dressed as Shaggy, we arrived at the

we made our way up the slightly scary but supervised

Navy ship docked on East Bay Street, ready to catch

ladder, we were met with loud music and colorful lights.

some monsters and see what all the rage was about. Af-

The ship was decked out in caution tape, disco balls,

for New Year’s Eve. I can’t imagine a better place to watch the fireworks.

Why confine ourselves to partying near the water when you could party on it, right? Of course, I have to add that this event is organized by Danielle Bass, entrepreneur and owner of Copper Closet, proving once again that women just do it better.

Tickets

can

Eventbrite.com

be and

purchased prices

on

range

from $30 for general admission up to $100 for a VIP booth.

15

“Lay

16 Folio Weekly

INNER PEACE GUIDE FOR DUMMIES Words by Kelila Ritchie Being human in 2023 has proven itself to be hard work and at

The common misconception here is that gratitude will take

times, incredibly stressful. Let’s just be honest: Life isn’t always

away the pain of life’s big hits like a sudden death in your fami-

rainbows and gumdrops. I don’t think this was something I was

ly. Be careful of trying to cover up pain with gratitude which can

prepared for going into the whole life thing either. Like, yes, of

lead to toxic positivity or the denial that not-so-happy things

course, people tell you the world is rough, but no one goes into

are going on. Painful emotions must be felt. Again, feeling is

specifics on how to handle those situations.

healing, and life is not always rainbows and gumdrops. And that’s OK!

Practicing mindfulness and gratitude is a healthy coping mechanism to get you through your basic day-to-day troubles that

MINDFULNESS

may arise. Gratitude allows you to take notice of the little

Mindfulness is making a conscious decision to be present in

things, the small blessings from moment to moment. It is the

the moment. To make this decision, you are deciding to not

intentional practice of noticing all of the small good things life

only let go of the past but to also not anticipate the future.

has to offer. Mindfulness allows you to go through trials and

Mindfulness is the mixture of acceptance and awareness. As a

tribulations with acceptance, grace and sometimes, surrender.

human, it’s almost natural for us to be controlled by our emo-

Reciprocal inhibition is a basic principle in psychology that

tions and letting that emotion determine how we spend our day

states humans cannot feel two contradicting states at once.

or what the outcome of our days are. Emotions have a way of

In this instance, how you want to feel can counteract how you

doing that; this is why paying attention to them and not judg-

actually feel in that moment.

ing them when they do arise is so important in the practice of mindfulness.

GRATITUDE It’s normal to feel an overwhelming sense of joy or gratitude

Mindfulness is training your mind to be still. The brain is con-

when the big good things happen. Think along the lines of

stantly doing its job of thinking and finding new things to think

getting that exciting, well-paying job you’ve been gunning for

about. (Hence why you and your best friend can have the same

since college, getting a new car or even winning the lottery.

conversation a million times but from different perspectives ev-

These are all things I’m sure you’d show an immense amount

ery two days.) Practicing mindfulness keeps you from letting a

of gratitude toward. But being intentional about showing grati-

situation devour you whole. According to “Mindful,” when you

tude extends to the smallest things in your everyday lives: your

practice mindfulness, you are aware of what you’re doing and

car keys being exactly where you left them, your neighborhood

where you are and you “are not overly reactive or overwhelmed

barista making your coffee perfectly, even being able to find

by what’s going on around you.”

matching socks amongst the pile of clothes you swore you’d put away when you did laundry last week. These are all things

John Kabat-Zinn developed the Mindfulness-Based Stress Re-

to be thankful for. Life is constantly throwing curveballs at us,

duction (MBSR) program at the University of Massachusetts

and it may seem that sometimes the universe is laughing at

Medical Center that explains the benefits of mindfulness. An

whatever plan you’ve set in place. Practicing gratitude can be-

increased sense of wellbeing, reduced stress, anxiety and de-

come increasingly difficult in the face of these troubles. Just

pression symptoms are some benefits of practicing mindful-

simply thinking, “I’m grateful” in the moment brings your atten-

ness. Some ways to practice mindfulness include meditation,

tion to what’s good in your life.

just taking a second to just breathe in the moment or even a quick prayer when you’re stressed. Whatever floats your boat.

On the other hand, there are people who choose to stay in whatever negativity they’re experiencing rather than process-

PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER

ing it and moving forward. Feeling is healing, people. But it’s

We unfortunately can’t tell the future or anticipate any of life’s

the feeling all the way through that we tend to miss out on. We

not-so-funny jokes. We just can’t. What we can change is how

feel whatever emotion a little bit and then dwell on that not-

we respond to life when things don’t go our way or how we

so-happy feeling rather than acknowledging, understanding

planned them to. We pair gratitude and mindfulness because

and letting go. For example, we spend all weekend dreading

it allows you to acknowledge your everyday blessings and be

the new week rather than being present and appreciating the

present in the moment, it keeps your perspectives balanced.

fact that it’s the weekend! When you practice gratitude, your

So here’s my question to you, what are you grateful for right

brain shifts from focusing on the negative to focusing on the

now, at this moment?

little blessings you may have overlooked. According to Psychcentral, the benefits of practicing gratitude include a reduced heart rate, reduced inflammation, improved sleep and a better mood.

y Down Fella” By @adm.photos

17

PODCAST PICKS These days everybody has a podcast, so we did some deep diving into the local podcast scene and found these two pearls.

Words by Su Ertekin-Taner THE TERRY JAYMES SHOW

REELISM THE PODCAST

“Welcome to The Terry Jaymes Show” reverberates with a familiar voice. An

Those of you avid movie-goers, cinema fanatics or shameless at-home movie

original rock-esque theme song created for the show shortly follows. The Ter-

streamers know that watching a film is only half of the movie experience. The

ry Jaymes — yes, the famed national radio co-host of Lex and Terry, podcast-

real insight, revelation, or even change of opinion comes in the moments

er, and comedian — then delivers a 20- to 30-minute monologue/rant/standup

after the watching and is often facilitated by extensive internet researching,

comedy act/audio column. Thinks the “Ask Amy” column for the “Washington

Reddit perusing and conversations with other movie watchers. “Reelism The

Post” column meets David Sedaris comedy piece.

Podcast” — its name a play on movie “reels” — makes this post-movie digesting entertaining.

Much like each installment of “Ask Amy” and each Sedaris composition, episodes of “The Terry Jaymes Show” are nothing if not diverse in content. In his

Hosted by Christian Spivey, “Reelism The Podcast” is engrossing because it is

weekly podcast episodes, Jaymes gives listeners advice on how to approach

a comprehensive resource for everything movie-related and movie adjacent:

mainstream, highly discussed topics like people-pleasing, shame, soulmates,

Spivey conducts full-bodied, 45-minute film reviews of both recent releases

finding a passion and negative self-talk. Yet our host certainly does not shy

and classics. These episodes summarize films, note significant scenes, con-

from those more niche worries like the rise of Elon Musk, stalkers and how to

sider casting and actor performances, grapple with the main themes and rate

change a smoke detector. Of course, this advice is frequently coupled with

a film — all in true film-review fashion. Occasionally, Spivey invites guests —

much needed mid-episode pep talks and witticisms.

film buffs and casual viewers alike — to contribute their personal takes on a movie or the general movie zeitgeist.

But the podcast surpasses the traditional rhetoric-heavy advice media in entertainment value. Each episode is imbued with the signature Terry Jaymes

But “Reelism The Podcast” also addresses topics on the margins of the mov-

charm. As a seasoned talker, Jaymes is an expert — like many advice givers

ie-watching experience. Spivey gives advice on how to resist film FOMO, an-

— at discussing the ideas and stories he has collected in his lifetime. His

alyzes directors’ contributions to the film industry, makes Oscars predictions,

experiences and insights add to the listeners’ wisdom. But this information

investigates Black cinema history and creates auditory listicles of movies

would hardly be digestible without Jaymes’ comedic flair, the aforementioned

centered around a given theme. Episodes on such topics vary in length; while

charm. And Jaymes certainly deploys his comedy at every opportunity — after

some episodes feel like quick pick-me-ups, others are thorough, post-mov-

his introduction, between stories, to close out the episode. This thought-pro-

ie ritual necessities. Regardless, Spivey’s advertised passion about “the film

voking, but also comedic content makes for an engaging listener experience.

world and all the universes within it” spills through the screen.

In the moments that a listener isn’t absorbing Jaymes’ insights, they’re laughing at his experiences and admittedly frequent “unsuccess” stories and vice

So, when those movie credits roll and the reel has come to its end, know that

versa.

“Reelism the Podcast” beckons. Spivey promises to scratch your post-movie research itch and keep your cinema fervor going.

Overall, while Terry Jaymes is the sole wielder of the podcast microphone with “The Terry James Show,” he never fails to single-handedly entertain his

Listen to “Reelism the Podcast” on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Buzzsprout, Pod-

devoted listeners with his vibrant personality. In this way, though, our host

bay, Bullhorn.fm, Listen Notes and Jax Podcasters United, among other lo-

mentions in episodes that he hopes to rename his podcast. But I find the

cations, or follow Reelism the Podcast on Instagram at @reelismthepodcast.

“The Terry Jaymes Show” to be adequately named. “The Terry Jaymes Show” embodies everything that Terry Jaymes is: relatable, hilarious and utterly, unforgivingly candid.

Listen to “The Terry Jaymes Show” on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Play, YouTube, Castro, iHeart, TuneIn, Audacy and terryjaymes.com among other locations.

19

THE CHAOTIC ART OF TAILGATING: FLORIDA VS. GEORGIA Words by Carson Rich The unhinged nature of tailgating before a sporting event is chaotic enough, but for Jacksonville, the month of October brings this event to the next level. The annual meeting of the Florida Gators and the Georgia Bulldogs is a timeless Southern tradition with a whole year of bragging rights on the line. The game itself is always a great time, but for fans and locals, it’s the atmosphere surrounding it that unleashes the mayhem.

The “Florida Georgia game” as most like to call it, is historically one of college football’s most heated rivalries, bringing about some of the most viciously entertaining games a sports fan could watch. From the glory days for the Gators carried by legendary QB Tim Tebow to today’s unstoppable force of the Bulldogs, this one game has always proven itself as a spectacle that is sure to have everyone on the edge of their seats. The location, EverBank Stadium, curates a gargantuan moshpit of red and blue, clashing into each other at a perfect meeting spot between the teams’ hometowns of Gainesville and Athens, Georgia..

The origins of tailgating are believed to have been during the Battle of Bull Run in 1861, where supportive Union members came to the battlefield with baskets of different foods to enjoy themselves before the fighting began. When college football games became popular, the tradition really “kicked off” with fans of the sport gathering food and friends to hang out using the tailgate of their truck as a catering table, hence the name. Since then, tailgating has been through a gradual evolution over the past century due to the rise in popularity of college partying. With major influence from college fraternities in the 2010s, it has grown into more of a private event, where there are now cover charges, hired DJs and performers and even brand sponsorships that play into it.

Photo by John Lawless

Tens of thousands of dollars are spent on the venues, alcohol, speakers, food and anything else that could bring a better turnout. Circling back to the Florida Georgia game, the amount of money being put into these tailgates have reached an excessive point to some people, with places having prices for admission rising to triple digits. Now most would hear that and think that makes it not worth it anymore, but as someone who has experienced this pandemonium, I would ask you to rethink your answer.

University of North Florida fraternities play into this every year, chauffeuring hundreds of students on buses from campus to rented out parking spaces

near the stadium. After purchasing an admission

Tailgating before a sporting event is not just about

band and a “liquor band,” there is an enormous

food and drinks, however, it is about rivalry and

amount of catered food and alcohol offered at no

camaraderie. As stated before, Florida-Georgia is

additional cost, music and a great time with loads

one of the biggest rivalries the game has seen, and

of people. Buses leave back right when the game

the fans bring it to life. Thousands of people are

is about to start, and everything is back to normal.

chomping and barking at one another, making new

At any other place, this would burn a substantial

friends and enemies along the way. At the end of

hole into your wallet, just on the drinks alone. But

the day, tailgating is what brings people together,

at “Florida Georgia”, you get a ride there and back,

no matter what colors they are wearing. So, when

as much food and drinks as you can fill your body

the Gators and Bulldogs face off in Jacksonville,

with, and hundreds of new faces to meet, all for

it’s not just a football game—it’s a masterpiece of

around $50-100. Sounds like a pretty good deal if

tradition, flavor and sportsmanship. It’s a living,

you ask me.

breathing work of art that captures the essence of the South and its undying love for the game.

21

Photo by Carmen Macri

22 Folio Weekly

NOV. 2

NOV. 10-12

Hog Jog

Jacksonville Armada FC Fan Fest

Air Force Super Girl Surf Pro

Ronnie Van Zant Park , Orange Park

Intuition Ale Bier Hall

Jacksonville Beach Pier and Sea Walk Pavilion

floridastriders.com

jacksonvillearmada.com

supergirlsurfpro.com Yulee Dugout Club Pickleball Tournament

Jacksonville Icemen vs. South Carolina Stingrays

NOV. 11

Central Park Pickleball Courts, Fernandina Beach

VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena

Jacksonville Icemen vs. Atlanta Gladiators

eventbrite.com

jacksonvilleicemen.com

VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena jacksonvilleicemen.com

Tee Off Against Addiction Golf Tournament

NOV. 19 Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Tennessee Titans

TPC Sawgrass, Ponte Vedra Beach

Salute to Veterans Run

EverBank Stadium

eventbrite.com

USS Orleck Jacksonville Naval Museum

jaguars.com

1stplacesports.com NOV. 3

NOV. 22

2023 Florida PAL State Boxing Championships

NOV. 12

Jacksonville Icemen vs. South Carolina Stingrays

Fred P. Green Gymnasium, Patlaka

Jacksonville Jaguars vs. San Francisco 49ers

VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena

eventbrite.com

EverBank Stadium

jacksonvilleicemen.com

jaguars.com NOV. 4

NOV. 23

Bailey’s Health and Fitness Mandarin Run

NOV. 15

Bailey’s Health and Fitness–Mandarin

Jacksonville Icemen vs. South Carolina Stingrays 1 Ocean Blvd., Atlantic

Tony’s Turkey Trot 5K

1stplacesports.com

VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena

1stplacesports.com

jacksonvilleicemen.com SEG Cares Charity Golf Scramble

Community First Thanksgiving Distance Classic

Windsor Parke Golf Club

NOV. 17

Pickwick Plaza

eventbrite.com

Jacksonville Icemen vs. Greenville Swamp

1stplacesports.com

Rabbits NOV. 6

VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena

NOV. 24

2nd Annual ICRI Sporting Clay Tournament

jacksonvilleicemen.com

Jacksonville Icemen vs. Florida Everblades

Jacksonville Clay Target Sports icri.org/events

VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena NOV. 18

jacksonvilleicemen.com

Jacksonville Icemen vs. Greenville Swamp NOV. 7

Rabbits

NOV. 25

Florida Sports Hall of Fame Enshrinement

VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena

Jacksonville Icemen vs. Savannah Ghost Pirates

Ceremony

jacksonvilleicemen.com

VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena

Florida Theatre flasportshof.org NOV. 8

jacksonvilleicemen.com McKenzie’s Run 5K TPC Sawgrass

NOV. 29

mckenziesrun.org

Jacksonville Icemen vs. Orlando Solar Bears

Jacksonville Icemen vs. Savannah Ghost Pirates

VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena

VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena

jacksonvilleicemen.com

jacksonvilleicemen.com

23

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PINT-SIZED PILEDRIVERS Words and photos by Carmen Macri This was undoubtedly the best night of my life.

Imagine this: It’s a Friday night in the beautiful city of Jacksonville, Florida.

You’ve endured a taxing workweek and all you crave is a weekend spent cocooned in your bed, binge-reading “Throne of Glass” until your eyes bleed. Your plan is foolproof until a text from your best friend disrupts your solitude: “Be ready in 10, I’m on my way.” In this type of friendship, questions are an endangered species. When they say be ready, you simply obey.

Ten minutes vanish in the blink of an eye, and suddenly, we are parking at The Bar at the Arena (albeit at the rather pricey Jacksonville Fairgrounds). Still going with the flow and avoiding inquiries, you start harboring doubts. Did she truly drag you out of bed to visit a sports dive bar Downtown? At that moment, you would’ve preferred your usual haunt (Pete’s, of course). But in her typical style, things are never what they seem, because on the side deck of the bar awaits a miniature wrestling ring.

Game. So game.

The crowd is exactly what you would expect for this spectacular event: a mixture of rowdy frat boys and seasoned gentlemen. Excitement fills the air as everyone eagerly anticipates the opening act, “Little Ozzy,” the renowned Ozzy Osbourne tribute singer (arguably the finest in the business). Although the show was slated to commence at 8:30, as we neared 9:30, the crowd grew both tipsier and more impatient, yearning for the micro wrestlers to kick off the show. A little unprofessional if you ask me (pun intended) but I am not here to comment on their shortcomings (pun also intended).

25

Once the show got rolling, there was nothing that could prepare me for what

seemingly lifeless body, but the match wasn’t over then, not even close. No,

I was about to witness. Micro wrestling, for those who don’t know, is a WWE-

because no matter how many times either opponent was on the floor on the

type event supported by an entire cast under 5 feet tall.

verge of a tap-out, they miraculously got out of it. It went on for about 20 minutes until Jamaican Joe finally landed the finishing kick, knocking Hot Rod on

Our starting wrestlers were Jamaican Joe coming in at 4 feet 4 inches tall and

his hot rod and being crowned the victor of the first round.

Hot Rod standing tall at 4 feet 7 inches. Much like any WWE wrestling match, there is a “villain” and a “hero.” Hot Rod was quickly deemed the villain when

And the crowd went wild.

he entered the stage smack-talking our beautiful Jacksonville, heckling a few members of the audience and offering a few obscene gestures. After earning

And the crowd continued to go wild as we welcomed our next wrestlers: Zach

himself a plethora of “boos” from the crowd, he handed the mic back to the

Presley, “Elvis Presley’s little brother” (do I even have to say it?) and Disco

emcee who then passed it over to Jamaican Joe who, of course, wooed the

Dom. From my time in the crowd, I saw a few shirts with “Disco is not dead”

crowd with sweet nothings and a “Duuuval” chant.

and now I know why. Because Disco Dom was a force to be reckoned with standing at 4 feet 7 inches tall clad in skin-tight disco gear. Disco Dom was

But let’s get into what we have all been waiting for: the fighting.

our “hero” of the round since Presley came out antagonizing us and poor Micro Jackson. One thing I learned, you don’t mess with Micro Jackson. There

Jamaican Joe and Hot Rod wasted no time once Micro Jackson (the official

were even members of the audience (the drunk frat bros I previously men-

Michael Jackson impersonating referee, standing at 3 feet 7 inches) gave

tioned) trying to hop on stage chanting, “Pick on someone your own size!”

the thumbs up. And from there it was a blur of colors and body limbs flying

which, in hindsight, was f*cking hilarious.

about. At one point, Hot Rod did a backflip off the ropes onto Jamaican Joe’s

26 Folio Weekly

The dance remained unchanged; both sides engaged in a whirlwind of kicks,

A true heckler. He had a crowd member seeing red with how hard he was

punches, jumps, rolls and flips on the mat. There were more than a dozen

bashing on him — and for no good reason, either, but it was funny as hell.

instances where it appeared Disco Dom might emerge as the winner, only for

Once Micro Jackson seized the spotlight to announce the brawl, well, that’s

Presley to miraculously spring back to his feet. However, in contrast to the

when the chaos tap-danced into town. Lil Show didn’t target Baby Jesus, oh

initial round, the crowd’s beloved Disco Dom couldn’t keep his groove going

no, he had his sights set on Micro Jackson. And let me tell you, it was a spec-

and found himself down for the count, unable to rise again.

tacle. Baby Jesus, in the spirit of “we’re all God’s children,” took it as a personal affront. Fists were flying, folks were flying, and Micro Jackson’s glove

Just in time for a brief intermission.

even tried its hand at escaping the madness.

Also just in time for the comedy show being held at the Vystar Veterans Me-

The ruckus got so out of hand that Hot Rod, Jamaican Joe, Disco Dom, and

morial Arena to end. Now, I don’t know what was going through their heads

Zach Presley stampeded the stage. Honestly, I doubt they even knew who

when they turned the corner to see this interesting group of people, but a lot

they were supposed to be fighting for — Team Baby Jesus or Team Lil Show?

of them stayed. Luckily for them, the intermission was over and we quickly got

It was a free-for-all, a brawl buffet. At one point, Lil Show made a strategic

back into the action, welcoming two brothers to the stage for the final round.

retreat, resulting in disqualification. That meant Baby Jesus, despite being thoroughly bruised by his fellow castmates, walked away with the win.

Lil Show the Redneck Brawler (Lil Show) and Baby Jesus. Baby Jesus was a man of very few words, no words, actually. He calmly walked on stage and was ready to rumble. Lil Show on the other hand came out for blood.

27

MONDAYS •

•

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

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

WEDNESDAYS

•

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

Mr. Chubby’s Wings–Ponte Vedra (mu-

•

Donovan’s Irish Pub, St. Augustine,

sic bingo), 6:30 p.m.

7 p.m.

•

V Pizza–Mandarin (pop culture),

vard (music bingo), 7 p.m.

•

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

Hurricane Grill & Wings–Julington

•

Cruisers Grill, 7 p.m.

Creek (music bingo), 7 p.m.

•

Dick’s Wings–Mandarin, 7 p.m.

•

Mellow Mushroom–Avondale, 7 p.m.

•

Firefly Bay, 7 p.m.

•

Mellow Mushroom–Durbin Pavilion

•

Ink Factory Brewing, 7 p.m.

Drive, 7 p.m.

•

Island Wing Company–Southside Bou-

• •

Hurricane Grill & Wings–Atlantic Boule-

•

Mellow Mushroom–Fleming Island,

•

Mellow Mushroom–River City/

7 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

levard (music bingo), 7 p.m.

•

Mellow Mushroom–Jacksonville Beach, 7 p.m.

Northside, 7 p.m.

•

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

•

Mellow Mushroom–Tinseltown, 7 p.m.

•

Shaughnessy’s Sports Grill, St. Augus-

•

V Pizza–Fleming Island (music bingo), 7 p.m.

•

tine, 7 p.m.

•

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

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

TUESDAYS

•

Veterans United Craft Brewery, 7 p.m.

•

Mr. Chubby’s Wings–Fleming Island

•

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

(music bingo), 6:30 p.m.

•

Harps American Grill (pop culture),

•

Amici’s, St. Augustine, 7 p.m.

7:30 p.m.

•

The Back 40, 7 p.m.

•

Hoptinger–5 Points, 7:30 p.m.

•

Bottlenose Brewing, 7 p.m.

•

Hurricane Grill–Fleming Island,

•

Dick’s Wings–Nocatee, 7 p.m.

•

Dick’s Wings–San Pablo, 7 p.m.

•

King Maker Brewing, 7:30 p.m.

•

Harps American Grill, 7 p.m.

•

Time Out Sports Grill, 7:30 p.m

•

Hoptinger–5 Points (music bingo),

•

The Brix Taphouse (pop culture trivia),

7:30 p.m.

7 p.m.

•

Hurricane Grill & Wings–Atlantic Boule-

8 p.m.

•

vard, 7 p.m.

• • •

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

Hurricane Grill & Wings–Julington

•

Creek, 7 p.m.

THURSDAYS

Hurricane Grill & Wings–Neptune

•

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

Beach, 7 p.m.

•

Kava and Company–San Marco (every

Island Wing Company–Southside, 7 p.m.

Hoptinger–Jacksonville Beach, 9 p.m.

other Thursday), 7 p.m.

•

Mr. Chubby’s Wings–Ponte Vedra,

•

Jax Craft Beer, 7 p.m.

7 p.m.

•

Jerry’s Sports Grille, 7 p.m.

•

Whiskey Jax–Baymeadows, 7 p.m.

•

Players Grille, 7 p.m.

•

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

•

Raindogs, 7 p.m.

•

Sahara Cafe, 7 p.m.

•

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

•

Southern Grill, 7 p.m.

•

Dick’s Wings–St Augustine, 7:30 p.m.

•

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

•

Hoptinger–Jax Beach (music bingo),

•

Xtreme Wings Sports Bar and Grille,

2000s), 7:30 p.m.

9 p.m.

St. Johns, 7 p.m.

SATURDAYS

•

Culhane’s Irish Pub–Southside,

•

Hamburger Mary’s (HamBingo), 2 p.m.

7:30 p.m.

•

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

•

Flask & Cannon / V Pizza (pop culture),

•

Ink Factory Brewing (Name That Tune),

7:30 p.m.

• •

7 p.m.

King Maker Brewing (Name That Tune),

SUNDAYS

7:30 p.m.

•

Lynch’s Irish Pub (music bingo),

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

7:30 p.m.

•

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

29

LOVE IN VERONA

FILM REVIEWS Words by Harry Moore

“KILLERS OF THE FLOWER MOON” Martin Scorsese’s majestic epic is a soulful chronicle of one of America’s many great untold tragedies that works as a cumulative work from the masterful filmmaker as he reaches the twilight of his life and career. Based on David Grann’s acclaimed true crime book of the same name, “Killers of the Flower” takes place in Oklahoma during the 1920s when people in the Osage Nation struck oil on their land, bringing in great wealth, which was soon followed by greed, betrayal and death from those outside of their community as a grand conspiracy aiming to kill the Osage and steal their fortune takes place.

For the first time, Scorsese has united his two great on-screen muses, Leonardo DiCaprio and Robert De Niro, both of whom have given some of their best performances when collaborating with the director. And “Killers of the Flower Moon” is no different in that regard, but the heart and soul of this film rests firmly with Lily Gladstone in what is sure to be a career-making performance. The film is largely told from the perspective of Ernest Burkhart (DiCaprio), a recently returned veteran of World War I who goes to his wealthy uncle William “King” Hale (De Niro) in search of work. Hale poses as a benefactor for the local Osage community, learning their language and bringing the area into the modern world with renovated buildings and roads, all while acting as a shadowy crime lord, scheming to murder and steal away the native people’s riches. Hale pushes Ernest to get close to Mollie Kyle (Gladstone), an Osage woman whose family owns a large share of the oil, and the two soon form a romance as Hale plots to have Mollie’s family members killed one by one, as well as dozens of other members of the tribe.

There is little respite from the misery of this story. There are moments where Scorsese can squeeze in his trademark sense of pitch-dark humor but even those feel too morose to muster any real laughter. This is a methodical look at the final spasms of America’s original sin and the banal evil of the men who openly orchestrated these crimes over the course of several years with impunity, smiling in the face of the Osage people as they prepared to stab them in the back. Even when agents from the newly minted Bureau of Investigation led by Agent Tom White (Jesse Plemons) ride in to save the day it feels too late. The once-thriving Osage community has been decimated beyond repair, and Hale and his oil baron cronies have amassed too much wealth and power to be served any real level of justice.

Lily Gladstone and Leonardo DiCaprio in “Killers of the Flower Moon,” in theaters now.

Photo obtained from AppleTV Press

31

In Grann’s book, the investigation takes the front seat with the story running through the eyes of White and his team of agents — and we learn the truth as they do. While considered a more traditional, Hollywood approach to telling this story, Scorsese focuses on the perpetrators allowing us see how callous the whole conspiracy was, how it was run by arrogant morons and the film doesn’t fall prey to a white savior. It appeals to perhaps the most persistent theme through much of Scorsese’s career — that power in America is, and always has been, governed by greed, violence and our most immoral citizens — from the Wall Street high rises to the mean streets of our cities.

“Killers of the Flower Moon” features some best talents in their field, whom Scorsese guides like a symphonic maestro. Leonardo DiCaprio, who has grown into an actor worthy of his draw gives another stellar performance for the director who played a big role in elevating him above his “Titanic” teen heartthrob status and into the last true movie star. Playing a loathsome idiot in Ernest, DiCaprio shows once again that he holds no vanity as an actor, which may be his strongest asset as a performer. Robert De Niro reminds everyone what he is capable of producing on screen and has been sorely missing for this recent stretch of his career. De Niro was very good in “The Irishman,” his recent reunion with Scorsese, but he was largely outshined by Joe Pesci and Al Pacino in that picture. Here he sinks into Hale, who is possibly the most purely evil character the actor has ever played — which is saying something for someone who has portrayed multiple gangsters and the devil himself.

De Niro and Scorsese have been working together for 50 years and created one of the most fruitful actor-director partnerships in the history of cinema.

It is hard to imagine what either of their legacies would look like without one another. As mentioned before, Lily Gladstone gives a moving performance as Molly, in a turn that is sure to put her front and center this awards season.

A special mention should go to Thelma Schoonmaker, Scorsese’s long-time editor, most important collaborator and a master of her craft herself, who manages to walk a fine line of conveying the many long years that this tragedy unfolded over without sacrificing the film’s deliberate pacing that kept me engaged throughout the 200-minute runtime.

Detractors of Scorsese have criticized him for returning to the same well too many times, and while he may have his preferred themes to explore in great depth, the truth is there are few filmmakers who have cultivated as diverse a filmography as he has. And there are even fewer who are this vital and at the top of their game this late into their careers. How many directors would be able to consecutively make “Hugo,” “The Wolf of Wall Street,” “Silence” and “The Irishman”? How many could make those films in their 70s? The impact Martin Scorsese has had on cinema is hard to quantify. For as long as people are watching films, his work will be watched, and it is worth savoring however many stories he has left to tell.

32 Folio Weekly

THEATER/DANCE

THROUGH NOV. 5

NOV. 9-12

NOV. 17-18

“Legally Blonde: The Musical”

“It’s a Wonderful Life Radio Show”

Stage Aurora presents “The Little Mermaid Jr.”

Alhambra Theatre & Dining

Amelia Musical Playhouse

FSCJ Kent Campus—Auditorium

alhambrajax.com

ameliamusicalplayhouse.com

stageaurora.org

“The Addams Family”

NOVEMBER 10-11

NOV. 17-19

Players by the Sea

UNF Shakespeare presents “Othello”

UNF Opera Theater presents: “Hansel and

playersbythesea.org

Friday Musicale

Gretel”

fridaymusicale.com

University of North Florida–Andrew A. Robinson

NOV. 3

Theater

Jacksonville Dance Theatre presents “REVIVE”

NOV. 10-19

Florida Theatre

“Romeo and Juliet”

floridatheatre.com

The Island Theater, Fleming Island

NOV. 18

theislandtheater.com

The Land of Flow

NOV. 3-5

unf.edu

Ritz Theatre & Museum

“GODSPELL”

NOV. 10-26

The Waterworks, St. Augustine

“Escape to Margaritaville”

apextheatrejax.com

Players by the Sea Theatre

NOV. 19

abetjax.com

Cirque Dreams “Holidaze”

NOV. 3-19

ritzjacksonville.com

Jacksonville Center for the Performing Arts

“Just Desserts”

“Storefront Church”

jaxevents.com

Theatre Jacksonville

Limelight Theatre, St. Augustine

theatrejax.com

limelight-theatre.org

NOV. 9

NOV. 11

Jacksonville Center for the Performing Arts

“Encanto: The Sing Along Film Concert”

“Celebrating Billy Joel: America’s Piano Man”

fscjartistseries.org

Jacksonville Center for the Performing Arts

Florida Theatre

jaxevents.com

floridatheatre.com

NOV. 26 Peppa Pig’s Sing-Along Party!

NOV. 28 “Johnny Cash—The Official Concert Experience”

“Untold Stories: Fall”

NOV. 16-DEC. 24

Jacksonville Center for the Performing Arts

Florida Theatre

“Miracle on 24th Street”

fscjartistseries.org

floridatheatre.com

Alhambra Theatre & Dining alhambrajax.com

NOV. 9-11

ONGOING Fridays and Saturdays

Fall Dance Concert

NOV. 17

Magician Bill Abbott at the Magic Hideway

Jacksonville University–Swisher Theater

Jacksonville Symphony: “Home Alone”

Casa Monica Resort & Spa, St. Augustine

ju.edu/cfa

Jacksonville Center for the Performing Arts

magichideaway.com

jaxsymphony.oorg

33

WHY

“THIRD PLACES” SHOUL

Words by M

The gym in my apartment complex is, more often than not, completely empty. Aside from the “out of order” signs, a treadmill that is far too loud to run on and a window that is held together by a piece of cardboard and tape after a rock was thrown through it … there’s not much to look at. But every time I go, I run into the same woman. She is an older, small woman who is either riding the stationary bicycle or ashing her cigarette into a water bottle at the nearby pool. She also has the most inviting smile and contagious energy I have seen in a long time. After the first few times of seeing each other, exchanging friendly grins and nods, she began talking to me.

She talks to me like she’s known me her whole life and seems genuinely excited every time we meet again. I find myself anticipating our chats, even if they last only a minute. This new friendship, born in this new location, is why we need “third places.”

In American society, we spend our days in two places — the first place being where we live and the second place being where we work. We might swing by the grocery store or complete an errand in between our first and second places, but these two locations are primarily where we can be found.

A third place refers to somewhere people regularly meet, connect, exchange ideas, build relationships, etc. Author and sociologist Ray Oldenburg first coined the term in his 1989 book “The Great Good Place,” where he examines the importance of public places for people to gather and set aside concerns of their first and second places.

Unfortunately, third places are dying. The 2020 pandemic certainly didn’t help, and although communal gatherings are no longer safety concerns, we never quite got back to the way things were before. People still prefer to meet behind a screen via social media and still opt for drive-thrus or online orders for groceries. We seem to go out of our way just to avoid other people, which has invited a new age of isolation into our lives and communities. In May, the U.S. Surgeon General released a report titled “Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation,” which found that America faces trends of declining social connection and an increase in isolation.

From 2003 to 2020, social isolation, measured by the average time spent alone, increased from 142.5

hours per month to 166.5 — representing 24 more Further, in 2018 only 16% of Americans reported We need each other; we’re born needing each othhours per month. Meanwhile, social participation they felt very attached to their local community. er. We need strong communities and friendly faces. across different types of relationships has declined. Other findings from the study point to the numer- We need a social life outside of the office and bedous health risks associated with a lack of social room. According to a study from Gettysburg ColAccording to the report, the amount of time respon- connection. The report claims “loneliness and so- lege, the average person will spend 90,000 hours dents engaged with friends socially in-person de- cial isolation increase the risk for premature death at work over a lifetime — roughly a third of it. If we creased from 30 hours a month in 2003 to 10 hours by 26% and 29% respectively.” It also warns that must spend so much time working, we at least owe a month in 2020, representing a decrease of 20 poor or insufficient social connection is associated it to ourselves to use the other two-thirds wisely. hours each month spent engaging with friends. with increased risk of diseases, like heart disease Incorporating a third place into your life can help and risk of stroke.

34 Folio Weekly

ground you into a world that is constantly moving

LD BE YOUR FIRST PRIORITY

Mallory Pace

How to find your third place If you’re reading this and thinking, who the hell has the time and energy to spend somewhere other than their own bed? I get it. Third places might not be ideal for certain stages of life, and that’s fine. It’s hard enough trying to make friends as adults, but friendships or mere interaction with people is crucial to our well-being and quality of life. If you find yourself routinely rotting on the couch, or longing for someone to talk to who isn’t your parent or partner, it might be in your best interest to explore new connections. Author Annie Dillard once said, “How we spend our days, of course, is how we spend our lives.” So carpe diem! Your third place should be tailored to your interests and behavior, so consider what it is you like to do or something you might like to get into and start there. It should be somewhere you look forward to being and where conversation or socialization is the common theme.

“BDE” By @adm.photos and bring you a sense of community and belonging. you can unwind, destress and have a pleasant hu-

Common examples of third places • A gym or fitness classes • Running clubs, beginner sports leagues, sports lessons/clinics • Local coffee shops • Local breweries/dive bar vibes • Dog parks • Skate parks • Book clubs • Support groups • Nature reserves • Volunteer organizations • Libraries • Church or religious gatherings

man connection. Studies show friendships can in- You don’t have to go to your third place every day, A third place is meant to be more than visiting a crease your sense of belonging and purpose, im- of course, try starting to go once or twice a week new bar or coffee shop and calling it a day. Al- prove self-confidence, boost happiness and reduce to see how you feel. It might take some trial and er-

though those are great examples, these places are stress, according to Mayo Clinic. Creating connec- ror but there is a third place for everyone, you just supposed to be somewhere comfortable, inviting tions outside of our first and second places holds have to search for it. Breaking out of our comfort and familiar. Somewhere you’re able to meet new the potential to enhance our overall quality of life, zones is a hard thing to do, but it’s also healthy and important to our development. Find new friends, people or catch up with old friends. Somewhere the but where do I even start? workers know your name or you’re able to bond with others over a similar interest. Somewhere

new experiences and a new purpose at your third place — and tell ’em I sent you.

35

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COMEDY NOV. 1

NOV. 10

First Coast Comedy

River City Comedy Showcase

Ben Brainard

firstcoastcomedy.com

Comedy Zone

Cafe Eleven

comedyzone.com

originalcafe11.com

NOV. 22 Improv Night

Improv Night

NOV. 10-11

Colonial Oak Music Park, St. Augustine

Colonial Oak Music Park, St. Augustine

Shawn Wayans

thecolonialoakmusicpark.com

thecolonialoakmusicpark.com

Comedy Zone comedyzone.com

NOV. 24-25 The Main Event, 7:30 p.m.

NOV. 2 Skratch

The Main Event, 7:30 p.m.

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

Jackie Knight’s Comedy Club, St. Augustine

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

First Coast Comedy

jackieknightscomedyclub.com

First Coast Comedy

firstcoastcomedy.com

firstcoastcomedy.com NOV. 29

NOV. 3 Colin Quinn: Small Talk

NOV. 12

Improv Night

Ponte Vedra Concert Hall

The Magic of Eric Eaton

Colonial Oak Music Park, St. Augustine

pvconcerthall.com

Comedy Zone

thecolonialoakmusicpark.com

comedyzone.com NOV. 30-DEC. 2

Phatt Katz Comedy presents Saseddrick Lauren’s Seafood, Blues & Jazz

Kat Timpf: You Can’t Joke About That

Funny Marco

phattkatz.com

Jacksonville Center for the Performing Arts

Comedy Zone

jaxevents.com

comedyzone.com

NOV. 3-4 Becky Robinson

NOV. 14

Comedy Zone

Chris Tucker: The Legend Tour 2023

comedyzone.com

Jacksonville Center for the Performing Arts jaxevents.com

OPEN MIC COMEDY NIGHTS Mondays Kava and Company–San Marco

The Main Event, 7:30 p.m.

kavaandcompany.com

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

NOV. 15

First Coast Comedy

Improv Night

firstcoastcomedy.com

Colonial Oak Music Park, St. Augustine

Rain Dogs

thecolonialoakmusicpark.com

facebook.com/raindogsjax

Dane Cook: The Perfectly Shattered Tour

NOV. 17

Tuesdays

Jacksonville Center for the Performing Arts

Anthony Jeselnik

Voo Swar Restaurant & Lounge

jaxevents.com

Florida Theatre

instagram.com/vooswar

NOV. 5

floridatheatre.com Wednesdays

Bored Teachers: We Can’t Make This Stuff Up! Tour

The Main Event, 7:30 p.m.

Comedy Zone–Lobby Bar

Florida Theatre

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

comedyzone.com

floridatheatre.com

First Coast Comedy firstcoastcomedy.com

Live Bar facebook.com/livebarclubjax

Justin Whitehead Comedy Zone

NOV. 17-18

comedyzone.com

B Simone

The Walrus

Comedy Zone

thewalrusjax.com

NOV. 8

comedyzone.com Thursdays

Improv Night Colonial Oak Music Park, St. Augustine

NOV. 18

King Maker Brewing

thecolonialoakmusicpark.com

The Main Event, 7:30 p.m.

kingmakerbrewing.com

Full Disclosure (21+ only), 10 p.m.

37

SENSORIAL SEDUCTION

NIGHTLIFE LEGEND BRUCE CHAMBERS & CO. CELEBRATED IN NEW MAX MICHAELS BOOK Words by Shelton Hull and photos provided by Max Michaels

38 Folio Weekly

The 5 Points neighborhood has been the epicenter of alternative culture in Northeast Florida for decades, long before that term gained global prominence in the early 1990s. The strip and its surrounding streets were very different back then, a virtual oasis of record stores, hip boutiques and all the usual accoutrements that one would expect of that area and countless more in pretty much every city in America. At its core, in that era, was Club 5, which began life as a movie theater in March 1927. It stayed that way until 1982, when the building entered an extended period of stasis, a decade of distress and disrepair prior to its rebirth as Club 5.

From 1991 through 2004, Club 5 was the site of countless magic moments in the life of the community, as well as in my own life and many, many others. One of the most important aspects of that scene back then was Saturday Night Seduction, which reigned as the place to be for several years, a movable feast, featuring a number of people who would go on to play significant roles in local culture well into the 21st century. Out of all those legends, the one person who never got to be part of all this was arguably the most important of them all: the late Bruce Chambers, impresario of Seduction, whose death remains one of the most infamous crimes this city has ever seen. Now, over 20 years later, this period is being revisited now in a new book of photos and text by one of its creators Max Michaels.

“Our crowds were diverse, from hard-core fetish lifestyle to everyday people. As the ‘Times-Union’ noted, our crowds were the “young, hip and trendy” who were looking for a spectacle and experience, which we gave week after week from the stage of Club 5.”

“Seduction: A 25th Anniversary Tribute to the Landmark Event at the Center of the Golden Age of Jacksonville Nightlife” is a brisk and stimulating read, about 32 pages with about 159 photos of the crowds, the personalities and some of what went on there, although the pictures included are still fairly tame — in comparison to real life. (Some of the other photos are provided by Leo D. Franklin, Jessica Kallio, John Shippee and Nathan Thorin.)

The reproductions of old flyers and press clippings are an extra treat; the whole thing is like a little time capsule, a curiosity to new readers and essential reading for those of us who were there, sometimes.

Reading through the book (which is only $15 online) brings forth a rapid rush of memories in the minds of those of us who were there. And it will likely stoke the flames of curiosity for the average reader to whom all this was long before their time.

You may have heard a mix of myth and legend about those nights, laced with no shortage of rumor. Much of what you’ve heard was true, but the most interesting stuff was probably the stuff you have never heard of at all. Had Seduction existed in the age of social media, it’s highly unlikely that it would’ve lasted as long as it did, frankly.

Michaels, a co-founder of Seduction, was also

and his partners reopened it as The Marquee The-

the former editor and publisher of the seminal

atre, where we continued to do the annual Valen-

“Movement Magazine,” which was a major inde-

tine and Black & Blue reunion parties, along with

pendent music publication that covered the area

other events in other venues whenever possible

from Atlanta through Tampa but was rooted firmly

and a venue was available through our 10 year

in Jacksonville. (It was also the first place I ever

anniversary party in 2008, when the original main

published, back in the summer of 1995.) The

cast retired and those that remained formed FAC-

magazine and the event ran on basically parallel

TOR-X and continued to perform at the Goth night

tracks in their heyday, making him and Chambers

FACTORY until around 2015, and finally our Club

and their broader circles some of Northeast Flori-

5 reunion party in 2018 celebrating the 20th anni-

da’s original influencers. He currently runs Collec-

versary of SEDUCTION.

tive Con, as well as Ancient City Con. He recently spoke with “Folio.”

What was a typical crowd like?

Our crowds were diverse, from hard-core fetish

How many Seduction events did you have there?

lifestyle to everyday people. As the ‘Times-Union’

The show ran every Saturday night from 1998-

noted, our crowds were the “young, hip and

2000 at the original Club 5. We then moved to

trendy” who were looking for a spectacle and ex-

618/DV8 (former Milk Bar owners) every Friday,

perience, which we gave week after week from

doing similar shows. Shortly after, we stopped do-

the stage of Club 5. On the week nights, I believe

ing the larger weekly events and did a Valentine

attendance was often around the 2,000 mark

reunion party back at Club 5 in early 2001, just

throughout the night.

before Bruce Chambers sold the club and Tim Hall

39

Which crowd was your biggest ever?

entertainment community. SEDUCTION, if produced on the large scale that

I think it would have been the first PASSION reunion after we had left Club 5.

we did back then, with the technology we have today, would be a destination

It was our first time back to that stage and the crowds had really missed the

spot just like it was in its heyday.

shows. It was one of the most packed nights I’d seen at Club 5 over all my years with that venue.

If Bruce were still alive, where do you think he would be, and what would he be doing?

Did you ever have any celebrities, local or otherwise, make appearances

I’d like to think he’d still be at the helm of the largest venue in the city, bring-

there?

ing in the biggest and best talent, and giving the masses world class en-

We had a VIP area to the side of the stage that had some form of celebrity in it

tertainment on a grand scale that we haven’t seen since that golden era of

every weekend. Be it local radio personalities from our sponsor Planet Radio,

nightlife in Jax when he was owner of Club 5.

football players from the Jags or actors or rock stars in town for a show, like Andy Dick, they could be seen nightly.

How and where did Bruce Chambers die? Why has that always been such a subject of speculation?

That case is still unsolved, but from my understanding from talking to friends and family close to the situation, he was involved in a random altercation with some drunk guys over a cab somewhere at the beach. It led to Bruce getting punched by one of the guys which knocked him out. As he fell to the ground unconscious, his head hit the sidewalk and caused a lot of damage. Though quickly hospitalized, he did not recover. The drunks who assaulted him had the cab driver flee the scene and drop them off at some random spot. Though there was an investigation, no one was ever charged with his murder.

In today’s environment, with social media and the internet such a big deal, how do you think Bruce and Seduction, in general, would have done in the modern era?

Bruce was the definition of a maverick. He knew how to walk into a situation and shake it up in all the right ways to make it as exciting and enticing as it could be, and he empowered the right people to make it all happen. Given the greater ease of communication and promotion these days, I have no doubt if he were still with us, that he would be making a seismic impact on the

40 Folio Weekly

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ART THE ART CENTER COOPERATIVE

CUMMER MUSEUM OF ART & GARDENS

• “Glimpses: Paul Lanier,” through Nov. 3

• “Fake News & Lying Pictures,” Nov. 11-April 29

• “Patterns,” Nov. 6-Dec. 8

• “Outside: In,” through Nov. 30

tacjacksonville.org

• “Maia Cruz Palileo: Days Later Down River,” through Dec. 30 • Tattoos in Japanese Prints, through Jan. 14, 2024

BEACHES MUSEUM

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

• “American Dream: Steps Toward Abstraction | Caitlin Flynn,” through Nov.

cummermuseum.org

5 beachesmuseum.org

FEMART GALLERY • “The Garden,” through Nov. 30

BUTTERFIELD GARAGE ART GALLERY

femartgallery.org

• Works by Amy Hemphill Dove, Nancy Hamlin–Vogle, Sydney McKenna, Jan Miller, Debra Mixon Holliday, Paula Pascucci, Ron Vellucci and Cindy

FIRST COAST CULTURAL CENTER

Wilson

firstcoastculturalcenter.org

butterfieldgarage.com FLAGLER COLLEGE CORK ARTS DISTRICT

• “In the Spirit of Lincolnville,” Nov. 3, Crisp-Ellert Art Museum

• Open Studios Event, Nov. 18-19

• Fall Artist Residency: Laia Estruch, through Nov. 4, Crisp-Ellert Art

corkartsdistrict.com

Museum flagler.edu

THE CORNER GALLERY AT THE JESSIE • “Lillian Blades: Fragmental Reflections,” through Nov. 1

FLORIDA STATE COLLEGE AT JACKSONVILLE

• “Hiromi Moneyhun: Shibani,” through Nov. 11-Feb. 7

• ” Hearth & Hyena; Service & Surly,” Imagined Replies by Tiffany Leach and

facebook.com/movingthemargins

Madeleine Peck Wagner, through Nov. 14, Kent Gallery • “Full Circle,” A Retrospective Exhibit by Elaine Austin, through Nov. 30, North Gallery

43

• “Invented Realities: Works by Dimelza Broche,

MOCA JACKSONVILLE

unf.edu/gallery

through Nov. 30, The Gallery at Deerwood Cen-

• “Contemporary Cartographies,”through

ter

Nov. 26

THE VAULT AT 330

• “No Constraints: A Juried Print Exhibit,”

• “Facets: Contemporary Ceramic Sculpture,”

• Featured artists include Susan Astleford, Marge-

through Nov. 30, South Gallery

through Nov. 26

na Burnett, Ellen Diamond, Ed Hall, Dolf James,

fscj.edu/art-galleries

• Brennan Wojtyla: “Cathedral of Labor,” through

Harry McCormick and Denise Murphy

Dec. 17

thevaultat1930.com

GALLERY 725

• “Art With a Heart in Healthcare: Daydream-

• The Art of Chad Smith, virtual exhibition

ers,” through Jan. 14, 2024

YELLOW HOUSE

gallery725.com

• Project Atrium: Rowland Ricketts, through Jan.

• “Sit in Stand Up,” virtual exhibition

28, 2024

• “Still Not About a Hotdog and a Coke,” virtual

mocajacksonville.unf.edu

exhibition

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

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

• “Painting St. Augustine: Selections from the

PASTA FINE ART GALLERY

Motherhood,” virtual exhibition

Samuel H. and Roberta T. Vickers Collection,”

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

yellowhouseart.org

ongoing

Hawkins, Tracy Lavely, Ginny LeJeune, Rafael

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

Pasarell, Marlene Zullig and others

ONGOING

tual exhibition

pastagalleryart.com

Art Walk: Nov. 1

staugustine.ufl.edu

Downtown Jacksonville lights up the first WednesRITZ THEATRE & MUSEUM

day of the month with art by local artists at hubs

HASKELL GALLERY AT JACKSONVILLE INTER-

• Teresa Cook: “See Jacksonville: Past and Pres-

in James Weldon Johnson Park, The Jessie and

NATIONAL AIRPORT

ent,” through Jan. 5, 2024

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

jaxairportarts.com

• “Lift Ev’ry Voice,” permanent collection

itors can also enjoy live music, food trucks, street

ritzjacksonville.com

performers, free admission to MOCA and compli-

HILLARY WHITAKER GALLERY

mentary rides on JTA’s Skyway.

Works by Erin Gregory, Jennifer JL Jones, Lau-

SOUTHLIGHT GALLERY

ra Lacambra Shubert and Marissa Vogl, through

• Featuring works by Will Dickey, Koo Hon, Paul

Nov. 30

Karabinis, Pablo Rivera, Enzo Torcoletti, Pam

Fernandina Beach Arts Market: Nov. 11 and 25

​​h whitakergallery.com

Zambetti and more

Amelia Island’s premier arts and crafts market

southlightgallery.com

comes alive the second and fourth Saturday of ev-

JACKSONVILLE UNIVERSITY

dtjax.org

ery month from 9 a.m.–1 p.m.

• Annual Student Juried Exhibition, through Nov.

ST. AUGUSTINE ART ASSOCIATION

15, Alexander Brest Gallery

• “Fantastic Florida,” Nov. 3-Dec. 31

• Faculty Biennial Exhibition, Nov. 30-Jan. 25, Al-

staaa.org

exander Brest Gallery

fernandinabeachartsmarket.com Riverside Arts Market: Nov. 4, 11, 18 and 25 Artists, artisans and makers display their original

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

STELLERS GALLERY

paintings, jewelry, photographs, prints and other

exhibition

• Works by Eileen Corse, Jim Draper, MacTruque,

handcrafted items every Saturday — rain or shine

• “Kristin Skees: Close Knit,” virtual exhibition

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

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

ju.edu/cfa

Foxworthy (yes, that Jeff Foxworthy) and more

neath the canopy of the Fuller Warren Bridge.

stellersgallery.com

riversideartsmarket.com

THRASHER-HORNE CENTER GALLERY

St. Augustine First Friday Artwalk: Nov. 3

JENNA ALEXANDER STUDIO jenna-alexander.com

• Works by Thomas H. Nagata, Yamel Molerio

On the first Friday of every month (hence the clev-

THE LIGHTNER MUSEUM

and John Gerstner, ongoing

er name), more than 30 galleries around the Oldest

• “The Triumph of Nature: Art Nouveau from the

thcenter.org

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

Chrysler Museum of Art,” Nov. 17-March 15

browse exhibits and interact with artists. A com-

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

TOUCHÉ GALLERY

plimentary trolley service provides transportation

28, 2024

touchegallery.com

between downtown venues.

• “75 for 75: Lightner Museum Diamond Anni-

staaa.org

versary Exhibition,” ongoing

UNIVERSITY OF NORTH FLORIDA

• “Illuminate: Lightner Museum’s Stained Glass

• “Forms of Knowing: Part 2, We Remember,”

Vilano Beach Artisan Market: Nov. 18

Rediscovered,” ongoing

through Nov. 9, Lufrano Intercultural Gallery

Part beach party, part arts market, this monthly

• “St. Augustine Through the Lens of William

• 2023 Annual UNF Art and Design Faculty Exhi-

event includes works by local artists and local-

Henry Jackson,” ongoing

bition, through Nov. 17, UNF Gallery of Art

ly-made products, as well as live music. The market

lightnermuseum.org

• “Combat Paper,” Nov. 16-24, Lufrano Intercul-

takes place on the third Saturday of every month

tural Gallery

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

• Fall 2023 Senior Showcase, Nov. 30-Jan. 5,

facebook.com/vilanobeachofficial

2024 UNF Gallery of Art

44 Folio Weekly

NEW CUMMER MUSEUM OF ARTS & GARDENS FALL ART EXHIBITS 45

UNVEILING TRADITION: TATTOOS IN JAPANESE PRINTS Words and photos by Ambar Ramirez Contrary to what some may believe, tattoos became mainstream well before

And then there was quite a boom in them, especially after the artist [Utagawa]

the 21st century. And no, I am not referring to the 1970s when tattoos started

Kuniyoshi started putting out his series of Chinese heroes with many of whom

to become socially acceptable and a fashionable trend. I’m talking about the

had tattoos.”

18th and 19th centuries in Edo (known today as Tokyo) where there exists visual evidence of tattoos and tattoo motifs.

Interestingly, tattoo artists of this Edo period took huge inspiration from color woodblock prints known as ukiyo-e, and the tattoo patterns, like the ukiyo-e,

Last month, the Cummer Museum of Arts & Gardens unveiled one of its new

were based on a number of motifs such as mythology, religion, plants and

fall exhibitions to the public. Curated by Sarah Thompson, curator of Japa-

animals. And even though most of the visual evidence from this exhibit is from

nese Art, “Tattoos In Japanese Prints from the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston”

the 18th and 19th centuries, it is believed that tattooing in Japan dates back to

takes viewers back in time. To a time when tattoos were slowly becoming

the prehistoric period. It wasn’t until Kuniyoshi designed a series of prints in

fashionable in Japanese culture.

the late 1820s that portrayed Chinese martial arts heroes with highly detailed pieces that tattooing and tattoo designs took a positive transformation toward

In a dimly lit space with navy-painted walls, Japanese prints boldly stood out

becoming something highly fashionable. Kuniyoshi’s prints influenced tattoo

within their unadorned black frames. The exhibit’s minimalist design serves to

artists of that time and continue to influence tattoo artists in our modern day.

accentuate the timeless allure of tattoos during Japan’s Edo period and how their influence continues to echo in 21st century tattoo culture. As someone

Even though the Japanese government banned tattooing on citizens in the

who has only recently begun their journey into the world of tattoos, it was

1870s and as a result, omitted tattoo designs from the woodblock prints, the

intriguing to explore the roots of this tradition and understand that tattoo art

tattoo patterns continued to be used in decorative art, including textiles,

is more than just ink on skin.

books and more.

“The tattoos that people were getting voluntarily were just very simple ones

The exhibit is open to the public from Oct. 27 through Jan. 14 and is definitely

with, you know, someone’s name or sometimes it was a religious thing with

worth the visit. As CEO of the Cummer Museum, Andrea Barnwell Brownlee

the name of the deity that you worship,” Thompson explained. “There were

put it, “This exhibition captures perfectly how art can transcend time and cul-

also involuntary tattoos that were put on to criminals at some point. And it’s

ture while retaining its power to inspire.”

kind of hazy when and where this started, but at some point in the 1820s, the bigger pictorial tattoos became more common and became fashionable.

46 Folio Weekly

Palileo started paying attention to the gaps in the history of the archival collection, as well as things that were very clearly intentionally omitted. As a way to fill those gaps and portray what is unspoken, Palileo created the paintings seen in the exhibit. And within a history that is bleak, Palileo added color.

“When I was making the work, I was sort of thinking about it as like I was taking a trip into this mountain,” Palileo shared.

Using actual images from the University of Michigan’s archive, along with the materials borrowed from Palileo’s family, detailed collages were crafted. These collages served as essential references, enabling the exhibition to vividly illustrate historical gaps while reinforcing the notion that time is not a strictly linear concept. Within this detailed exhibit, visitors will find themselves delving into what feels like its own archival collection of a culture filled with hidden figures and dense, untamed forests — that was on the verge of extinction.

THE IMMERSIVE VISUAL EXHIBIT: MAIA CRUZ PALILEO’S “DAYS LATER, DOWN RIVER” Words and photos by Ambar Ramirez Upon walking through the glass doors of the exhibit, I was met with large, vibrant canvases that depicted unfamiliar landscapes of fauna, flora and people, filling me with a sense of calm yet overwhelming curiosity. Open now until Dec. 31, Maia Cruz Palileo’s “Days Later, Down River” invites art enthusiasts and museum-goers on a visual trip through the lush rainforests of the pre-colonial Philippines.

Palileo, a multi-disciplinary artist based in Brooklyn, was conducting their studies at the University of Michigan when they stumbled upon a significant archive containing photos and documents from pre-colonial Philippines. Given Palileo’s strong connection to their Philippine heritage and their profound family history of immigration to the United States, this discovery held immense personal significance. Combining this newfound archive with their own family’s collection of documents, photographs and narratives, Palileo found inspiration to delve into a complex historical narrative often overshadowed by myths and Western interpretations. The result: “Days Later, Down River.”

47

PASSSION FOR PROFIT Words by Amiyah Golden and photos Corey Kolb The idea of humanity is truly a beautiful thing when it’s completely stripped to its bare bones: People existing, living and loving.

When I see people living in their true authenticity, it always sends me down this rabbit hole that forces me to inquire about their lives: What do they do?

What are their hobbies? Do they have children? Are they happy? And I promise these intrusive thoughts aren’t there to place judgment but to ponder because oftentimes who we see on the exterior cannot confirm the initial biases that we place on people from a first glance. So many people have unique stories full of triumph, happiness, defeat, perseverance and peace. And while we often belittle people due to our own knee-jerk reactions, we don’t take time to examine the root of the beautiful people that surround us.

My personal favorite place to people watch is Jacksonville’s Art Walk. Hosted on the first Wednesday of each month, it is a space organized for local artists and vendors to showcase their products, rappers to freestyle, dogs to wander, fire performers to amaze, etc. (every month truly is something different.)

It is the one place I go where I can see a range of individuals who feel so safe expressing themselves. Anytime I get tired of the mundane day-to-day fashions, I stand on the sidewalk watching people, strutting their way through the crowds with unique adornments and outfits that have been thought out to make that individual feel their very best, and you can tell just by the way their energy shines on the outside.

You see non-nuclear families embracing each other and couples expressing sincere love while listening to the talent of the night. And you can also see those who may be less fortunate enjoying themselves — having a moment of relief because no one stops to pass judgment. Everyone is co-existing in this beautiful moment of time, and it’s a moment that is worth capturing.

While many photographers can capture these moments, one photographer in particular stood out to me the last time I visited October’s monthly affair.

In the middle of the street stood a vintage camera, two red chairs, a couple humans and Corey Kolb.

As soon as I saw the beauty before my eyes, a Graflex Crown Graphic camera, I began to “nerd” out. Pretty sure everyone in my radius heard me yapping on-and-on about how I couldn’t believe it. I instantly made my way toward Kolb and the camera, ready to empty out my pockets for a picture but Kolb said it was free.

I was perplexed because he had so much opportunity to make so much money giving people an experience with a film camera invented a century ago. I offered again, and Kolb reassured me it was no cost. I sat down in the red seat (feeling a bit bad) and was greeted by a lens, an iPhone, and instructions to sit still. I offered my best smile and waited for the photo to develop. My friend

to measure his lighting. Lighting is important in all photography but especially when using film.

I plopped back up on the red chair and gave an even wider smile; posture adjusted, braces on display — and FLASH — Kolb had attached a flash bulb as the night sky covered us. And now we waited once more. The photo was perfect. Capturing a moment in time where strangers gathered to watch me

who accompanied me that night went next.

pose — inciting a slight moment of uncomfortability — but also serving as a

The photo was developed but turned out quite dark. I wasn’t surprised be-

old alike.

cause of the mechanics behind film cameras — lighting can be tricky, especially with being outside. We are so spoiled with our smartphones and DSLR cameras that for the average person this would feel like a defeatist moment, but film photography is a process that involves patience and limited expec-

constant reminder of the night where I met so many beautiful souls new and

I couldn’t keep the photo Kolb took, but I took a picture of it and will cherish that moment forever. But don’t fret, my picture is not just floating in the abyss but is safe with Kolb who keeps all the photos he took, a personal project

tations.

that, I think, serves as an authentic archive on the interesting humans who

Kolb was prepared, so we simply tried again. That iPhone I mentioned earlier

So if you weren’t there, you can still see the many faces who frequented his

served as a light sensor with the app Image Junkie on his phone, being used

reside in this city. He scans the film and shares the images to his Instagram. camera.

49

Kolb’s love for film sparked from his daughter who had an Instax II. He was curious — and a bit jealous — and purchased a NONS SL645 camera. This camera allowed him to explore film, which thrust him into a deep collection of even more cameras with each having a specific “pro” to them.

“I really like the Polaroid Big Shot just for taking portraits,” said Kolb. “And I enjoy the SLR Instax mini for physical prints.”

Kolb also refurbishes cameras including a couple Graflex Crown Graphics he plans to sell. As a one-man show, he can also develop his own film — which is a meticulous process in itself — and illustrates his work using digital media such as his iPad. He takes inspiration from “Wall Street Journal illustrator” Noli Novak who creates “hedcut” illustrations, a technique that involves pen and ink, developed originally by artists who worked at the WSJ. You can also check out Kolb’s illustrations on his Instagram.

But in all this Kolb does not profit financially. It is all driven by pure interest and fondness for photography and art which is such a beautiful thing to witness.

With an eye that is so talented and a degree in graphic design and visual media from the University of North Florida, Kolb has all the power to truly turn this into a career but is adamant on keeping the two separate — which is understandable. I am truly a fan of Kolb’s photography and if he ever decides to start selling his work, I’ll be the first in line. But for now you can admire his photography on his Instagram.

Make sure you catch him at the next ArtWalk and if you are a photography enthusiast like I am or if you have a blossoming interest in photography, Kolb would be a great source to talk to. For now I will continue to enjoy the work Kolb is doing, by sharing the beautiful outtakes in this city we call home from his very own perspective.

To see Kolb’s work, check out his Instagram: @corey_kolb.

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SOUNDS FROM THE JACKSONVILLE FAIR Words by Carson Rich and photos taken from Jacksonvillefair.com

The 2023 Greater Jacksonville Agricultural Fair is right around the corner, taking place from Nov. 2-12. This year’s lineup for their annual concert series is stacked with great artists that will blow you away. Anticipation is high for all performers looking to take the stage, so to further your excitement, here are some thoughts shared by some of the performers taking the stage.

53

DALTON DOVER

STEPHEN CAREY

After blowing up in the way that you have throughout the past few years,

What does it mean to you to be performing at such an event as the Jack-

how does it feel when you are able to go back to the community level, per-

sonville Fair, an event that locals look forward to every year?

forming at local events such as the Jacksonville Fair?

“I was so excited when I got the ask for this! It means a lot to me to get to play

“Playing shows on a community level is where I really got my start, so it al-

a hometown show like this after living in Nashville the last nine years. Two of

ways feels like home to me when I get to perform at local events.”

the other guys in the band, Ian Christian and Josh Ivey, are Jax natives as well so we’re all super stoked.”

Do fairs/festivals hold any memories for you in your lifetime, and if so, how does that correlate with your feelings on being able to perform here?

Do fairs/festivals hold any memories for you in your lifetime, and if so how

“My hometown has been so supportive of me from the very beginning, and it

does that correlate with your feelings on being able to perform here?

allowed me to perform at local fairs and festivals in my home state of Georgia.

“I went to the Jax fair every year as a kid. It always lands right around my

Having that kind of support has shown me how so many of our communities

birthday/Halloween which has always been my favorite time of year. If you

enjoy coming together, and I can’t wait to see Jacksonville celebrate their

told 6-year-old me at the fair, sticky hands from a caramel apple, powdered

agricultural community.”

sugar all over my sweatshirt, that I would be a headlining country artist when I grew up, I think my little Scorpio brain might’ve exploded. Ha ha.”

What do you enjoy most about playing at community events like this?

“I think people tend to be more enthusiastic when it’s a localized show — it

What do you enjoy most about playing at community events like this?

feels more exclusive and special to the area, so the crowd is always pumped

“Easily the fact that it’s all ages. I have a ton of friends and family from age 3

to be there.”

to 80+ attending. It’s not allowed or as welcoming at a club or venue I would normally play for that age range. It’s just awesome that literally everyone can

What does the process of creating a setlist for the Jacksonville Fair look

come enjoy it.”

like for you? Do you try to play songs that would be familiar to the audience, or do you try to stick to your own style, trying to get your music out

What does the process of creating a setlist for the Jacksonville Fair look

there more?

like for you? Do you try to play songs that would be familiar to the audi-

“We’ve been on the road quite a bit this year so we’ve had the chance to

ence, or do you try to stick to your own style?

road-test a lot of songs, and I think we’ve struck a good balance. We play

“It’s been really fun putting this set together. I’m still a young artist in terms

some of my earlier songs alongside some of my newest songs from my EP

of releases so I have to play all of those. The fun part is figuring out which

“Never Giving Up On That,” including a cover of “If I Ain’t Got You” by Alicia

unreleased songs and cover songs to include. All I can say is there will be

Keys — that one always gets a crowd singalong going.”

some fun surprises.”

What unique or special elements are you bringing to the table for an audi-

What unique or special elements are you bringing to the table for an audi-

ence that contains such a wide variety of people?

ence that contains such a wide variety of people?

“That’s the best part about country music: It’s universal because of the stories

“With it being all ages and Veterans Day, I knew I wanted to make sure there

shared in the songs!”

was something for everyone and there definitely is. Whether you’re my biggest fan, my Mom … LOL … or you’ve never heard of me, this will be a really fun and entertaining show.”

54 Folio Weekly

JASON EVANS BAND

KADEN AND THE MEEKS

What does it mean to you to be performing at such an event as the Jack-

What does it mean to you to be performing at such an event as the Jack-

sonville Fair, a place that locals look forward to every year?

sonville Fair, a place that locals look forward to every year?

“It is amazing to have the opportunity to play the Jacksonville Fair in 2023.

“Frankly, this means the world to me. To be able to share my music with my

I was born and raised in Jacksonville and have been attending the fair for at

community is always a pleasure, but to be able to do it at an event that is so

least 40 years. Getting to play this event is a check off the ol’ bucket list.

near and dear is truly a blessing.”

Do fairs/festivals hold any memories for you in your lifetime, and if so how

Do fairs/festivals hold any memories for you in your lifetime, and if so how

does that correlate with your feelings on being able to perform here?

does that correlate with your feelings on being able to perform here?

“Fairs/festivals both hold great memories for me. As a child, my dad, Doug Ev-

“I’m a West Virginia native, and where I’m from, nobody misses the county

ans, was the frontman and right hand for a local bluegrass band called Heart

fair. I’ve grown up going to events like this and being enamored and inspired

of Dixie so we were always going from one bluegrass festival to another. At 6

by the artists I was able to see perform. It’s a great feeling to be in a position

yrs old, I was sharing the stage with bluegrass pioneers like Chubby Wise and

to possibly pass on that inspiration to others.”

Vassar Clements. So excited to play this great event at the Jacksonville Fair.”

What do you enjoy most about playing at community events like this?

What do you enjoy most about playing at community events like this?

“Definitely seeing the community join together and have some fun. The world

“What I love about playing events like the Jacksonville Fair is that we are

can be a hectic place, so to see the whole community rally together and have

able to reach people with our music that may not have heard us before. I like

a good time is pretty special.”

the structure of it all. The process! I really like playing stages where we have enough room to actually move around and entertain.”

What does the process of creating a setlist for the Jacksonville Fair look like for you? Do you try to play songs that would be familiar to the audi-

What does the process of creating a setlist for the Jacksonville Fair look

ence, or do you try to stick to your own style?

like for you? Do you try to play songs that would be familiar to the audi-

“Generally, I think it’s important to do a fair mix. Familiar songs are always

ence, or do you try to stick to your own style?

important. With that being said, I think I speak for all my bandmates when I

“When creating a set list for an event like the Jacksonville Fair, for me, it is all

say we like to stick to our style. As far as I’m concerned, a song left unsung

about energy. The way one song may flow into the next. Even the key of the

never has the chance to become familiar.”

song matters. For instance, I wouldn’t put a song in the key of E next to a song in the key of E minor. We do try to play songs that the crowd will know, but we

What unique or special elements are you bringing to the table for an audi-

also have original music we will throw into a set as well.

ence that contains such a wide variety of people?

“My entire band is made up of musicians that come from completely differ-

What unique or special elements are you bringing to the table for an audi-

ent backgrounds, and it brings a diversity to our style of country music that

ence that contains such a wide variety of people?

is completely unique to us. My bandmates are not only incredible musicians

“The Jason Evans Band always brings the heat! Regardless if there are 20

but good hard working people. They have so much passion for what they do

people or 200 people our energy level is always high, and we leave it all

that it adds its own unique element. We’ve been looking forward to playing

on the stage. The biggest compliment I get, and it happens every night we

this event for months now, and we truly can’t wait to get out there and jam!”

play, is when the metal guy at the back of the room all night staring me down comes up and says, ‘I don’t listen to country music, but you guys are bad ass.’

Those are the moments I live for! For me, getting to sing on this stage with my 18-year-old-son beside me, in front of a diverse Jacksonville, Florida crowd is a huge blessing! Thank you for asking us to play this event! The Jason Evans Band will not disappoint. Trust in God, support our troops, and stomp those boots!”

55

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NEW MUSIC RELEASES Made For You By Amiyah Golden The “Boy’s a liar,” but not this British pop star. Pink Pantheress has announced the release of her debut

NOV 10

album, “Heaven Knows.” With the 22-year-old rising to fame through the power of social media with her hit singles, “Boy’s a liar Pt. 2” featuring rapper Ice Spice and the song “Passion.” I think we can expect a refreshing sound with her breakthrough into the world of “hyper-pop.” With Pink Pantheress curating a sound that’s inspired by electronic beats, soul, pop and real-life experience, it is the perfect accom-

“HEAVEN KNOWS”

paniment soundtrack for those coming-of-age or who simply want to dance with their hands above

PINK PANTHERESS their heads and close their eyes to the imagery of strobe lights and sweaty bodies while they’re making

I know some people love to make the hate they have for country music their entire personality, but I beg you to open your mind up a bit (especially for this singer/songwriter.) With a voice that can soothe a

“HIGHER”

dinner.

baby or make a grown man cry, Chris Stapleton is an artist that deserves more recognition.

His newest album, “Higher,” will include 14 songs that solely highlight the singers’ insane range. With

NOV 13

no features (not that he needs any), we can expect a raw sound with beautiful storytelling. His ability to transport listeners is truly a skill of its own, and I can’t wait to be shifted into whatever realm Stapleton

CHRIS STAPLETON

decides to take me.

What a sweet surprise! Dolly Parton is releasing a 30-track album titled “Rockstar.” With numerous fea-

NOV 17

tures including, Miley Cyrus, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Lizzo, Sting and so many others, the 77-year-old phenomenon has eliminated the stereotypes surrounding age and womanhood.

Many of the tracks consist of original songs covered by the artist, and I’m so excited to see Parton’s “ROCKSTAR”

unique spin on some classic hits.

One of my favorite underrated gems is James Vincent III. He makes music that is so sonically masterful and paints a picture for memories that may not even come from your memory bank but will inspire the longing for a life that is peaceful and filled with organic love.

The Ohio native is releasing his third album, “Songs For The Canyon,” this month, and it’s definitely one

“SONGS FOR THE CANYON”

DOLLY PARTON

JAMES VINCENT III

to look out for.

57

Lil Wayne AND Two Chainz on one album? My ears are open and ready to receive. The two rappers come together to follow-up their initial joint album, “ColleGroove,” released in 2016 with “Welcome 2 ColleGroove.” The title pays homage to both of their respective hometowns: Two Chainz from College Park, Georgia, and Lil Wayne from Hollygroove in New Orleans.

With their first collaboration being critiqued heavily, the pair made sure to leave it all on the floor with the project consisting of a total of 21 tracks. With the release of their single “Presha,” which will be featured on the album, I can say that the song highlights the ability of both artists well.

“WELCOME 2 COLLEGROOVE”

LIL WAYNE & TWO CHAINZ

Their hit single “Hey There Delilah” still has a strong chokehold on me to this day, so I was so excited to hear the band that has given me so many nostalgic sounds will be releasing their self-titled album “SELF TITLED”

this month. This comes 18 years after the release of one of my favorites of their albums, “All That We Needed” (wow, I feel so old).

PLAIN WHITE T’S

“PINK FRIDAY 2”

NIKI MINAJ

Gear up, Barbz. Nicki Minaj will be releasing the sequel to her 2010 album, “Pink Friday,” with “Pink Friday 2.”

With the original Pink Friday still having a strong influence till this day — 13 years later — I can’t wait to hear what the rapper has been preparing. This project also comes with the promise of a tour — with many fans on social media expressing their excitement about the tour and the lengths they will go to for a ticket. Minaj’s last tour began in 2019, and her last studio album was released in 2018, so fans are more than ready.

58 Folio Weekly

COMMON THREADS Words by Amiyah Golden and photo by Jody McFarland With the emergence of new sounds being birthed from the inspiration of mu-

The pair recruited bass guitarist Joey Zimmerman and drummer Donald Kil-

sical innovators every day, it would be a disservice to not pay homage to

patrick.

the artists who have paved the way by experimenting with and tinkering the sounds we appreciate today.

Now a solidified band, the group was determined to break through into the world of music.

Jacksonville is the birthplace of so many reputable names in the music industry but one band in particular has escaped much of the mainstream recogni-

By the following year, Common Thread had enough music to record, and with

tion they deserve. So I decided to “throw-it-back” for this month’s Local Artist

the help of aspiring engineer Scott Whitter, the band made it happen resulting

Spotlight and feature the ’90s band, Common Thread, who originally hail from

in the birth of their album, “Six Marbles and a Bowl of Mud.” Whitter is also

Orange Park.

credited for engineering and helping produce their praised project, “Fountain,” which will soon be available on vinyl and all streaming platforms.

Common Thread was formed by two friends, Joe Parker and Travis Taylor. The two skateboarders found an interest in guitar — on their own, originally — but

I inquired about the song-making process for the band and Parker shared that

one day, Taylor suggested the two come together to form a band.

much of it sparked from the organic jam sessions between himself and Taylor.

With one of the two usually sharing a new guitar riff that may be accompanied

“It seemed far-fetched to me that anyone would be willing to play with us as

with cool lyrics, it served as the first layer to the final production of a song.

neither of us demonstrated a tremendous facility for the instrument,” said

Parker shared with me some of the inspiration for his writing in particular: “If

Parker, “We had enthusiasm and tastes, though, that proved to be enough to

I liked a turn of phrase. If I wanted to relay a shred of a dream. If I wanted to

get the ball rolling.”

take a shot at someone, If I wanted to seduce a love, I did it there as well as I could.”

Although doubt factored into Parker’s mind initially it didn’t stop the duo from expanding to a full-fledged group by Christmas of 1989.

60 Folio Weekly

With the two perfecting their songs by sorting out the structure and arrangement, it was a necessary process that resulted in the stellar songs they created.

The band prioritized their practice sessions with the group practicing two to three times a week to allow their songs to feel like “second nature” They wanted to be well-equipped to share their original music.

I was curious about how their new band got along with more established groups at the time, but Parker assured me that so many other local bands like Lysergic Garage Party, Crowsdell, Rein Sanction shared their support. Common Thread played beside many fellow bands at venues such as Einstein A Go-Go, Metropolis and Dockside.

“The music scene was small but vital,” said Parker, “And wildly varied. None of the bands sounded alike.”

With music from the ’90s still having so much influence today, many bands bridged into their very own sound with the subgenre of “shoegaze” music rising at the time and now having its full circle moment today with its new found popularity, many people credit Common Thread for contributing a big part to the sound.

While Common Thread serves as inspiration today, they also credit bands such as,The Smiths, Echo & the Bunnymen, Sonic Youth, Nirvana and Screaming Trees, as examples of inspiration. The band reside in their own unique sound, but the variances of musical tastes and inspiration served as a “weird blend that we reflected weirdly,” as Parker put it.

James Tritten of Fort Lowell Records — an online forum documenting music — serves as a great example of the impact that Common Thread has had on listeners.

With Tritten knowing Parker and Taylor personally before they embarked on a music career, he can speak to them as people, as well as musicians.

A musician himself, Tritten was a part of the band Sella, recalling their very first show being with Common Thread at the Doctors Inlet Civic Center in Orange Park.

LISTEN HERE

Tritten recognizes Common Thread as being an inspiration in the past, as well as in the present for him as well as his wife, Tracy, who is also a part of Fort

bandmates Zimmerman and Kilpatrick, who unfortunately passed away.

Lowell Records.

Tritten reflects on the memories he had with the two: “They introduced me to new sounds and textures I had never experienced before, which led me down a path to learn about the musicians and bands

“I loved going to watch [Joey] race his car up at Jax Raceways, or just talk

who were influencing Common Thread,” Tritten said. They also helped me

about cars in general. I remember his laid-back style and approach to skate-

discover new instruments, effects or musical techniques to use myself as a

boarding, always with a cigarette hanging off his lips barely holding on, and

musician. They pushed boundaries and opened doors I was unaware of.”

with his blond hair always covering his face just like when he played bass guitar; how the heck could he see the ramp?” recalled Tritten. “Unfortunately for

With Lowell being a huge supporter of the band, as well as the 30th anniver-

me, I never had the opportunity to get to know Donald to the same degree. I

sary of Common Thread’s album,”‘Fountain,” it became his mission to make

always thought Donald was an excellent drummer, and glad his contributions

the project available for everyone to hear.

were documented on ‘Six Marbles and a Bowl of Mud.’ [But] Donald and Joey will always hold a very special place in our hearts.”

“To hear people who were not even born in 1993 have the same reaction to them that we had ourselves 30 years ago is beyond awesome, and it’s why

While we might not be able to see Common Thread in person, we now have

we are doing this,” he added.

the ability to listen to the band on various subscription-based streaming sites.

And if you’re like me and love collecting vinyl, you have the ability to do so

With apps like TikTok and Instagram being a great way to share music, Trit-

as well. So go check out “Fountain” and become transported into the sound-

ten beams at the ability to use Common Thread’s songs like “Lydia Elle” and

waves or grab inspiration for your next project. Whatever you choose to do,

“Smoldering Black” on these platforms that did not even exist 30 years ago. It

enjoy the legacy of Common Thread.

feels very full circle and is the perfect way to carry on the memory of former

61

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NOV. 1 The Dollyrots Jack Rabbits

CONCERTS

jaxlive.com NOV. 2 Jethro Tull’s Martin Barre Florida Theatre floridatheatre.com Here Come The Mummies Ponte Vedra Concert Hall pvconcerthall.com An Evening with Mia x Ally Jack Rabbits jaxlive.com JU Jazz Combos and Jazz Orchestra in Concert Jacksonville University–Phillips Fine Arts Building ju.edu UNF Music Tech Ensemble Concert University of North Florida–Andrew A. Robinson Theater unf.edu/coas NOV. 3 That Girl Lay Lay & Friends: Live in Concert Jacksonville Center for the Performing Arts jaxevents.com The Front Bottoms with special guest Slothrust St. Augustine Amphitheatre theamp.com Warrant Thrasher-Horne Center, Orange Park thcenter.org An Evening with The Arcadian Wild Murray Hill Theatre murrayhilltheatre.com Rebirth Brass Band The Bier Hall at Intuition Ale Works intuitionaleworks.com Neave Trio Friday Musicale fridaymusicale.com

Photo by Courtney Thomassen

63

Grant Peeples

First Coast Wind Symphony—Small Groups

NOV. 10

Cafe Eleven, St. Augustine

Concert

Blackberry Smoke

originalcafe11.com

Friday Musicale

St. Augustine Amphitheatre

fridaymusicale.com

theamp.com

Deaton, piano

Armor for Sleep with The Early November

The SteelDrivers

University of North Florida-Fine Arts Center Recit-

Underbelly

Florida Theatre

al Hall

underbellyjax.com

floridatheatre.com

NOV. 6

Radkey

UNF Chamber Music Series

Zeeceekeely & The Rise

Jack Rabbits

University of North Florida–Fine Arts Center

Jack Rabbits

jaxlive.com

Recital Hall

jaxlive.com

Jordan Rutter-Covatto, countertenor and Tyson

unf.edu/coas

unf.edu

Plini with Strawberry Girls NOV. 7

Underbelly

Roosevelt Collier and Electric Kif

Brian Culbertson

underbellyjax.com

Underbelly

Florida Theatre

underbellyjax.com

floridatheatre.com

NOV. 3-4

NOV. 8

Jacksonville Center for the Performing Arts

Star Wars & More—The Music of John Williams

Austin Lucas

jaxsymphony.org

Jacksonville Center for the Performing Arts

Jack Rabbits

jaxsymphony.org

jaxlive.com

NOV. 10-11 Mahler’s “Symphony for Alma”

Second Annual Jazz Choir Festival ft. Rob Dietz Jacksonville University–Terry Concert Hall

Unhinged Minifest

Fortune Child Tour Kick-Off

Jack Rabbits

Underbelly

jaxlive.com

underbellyjax.com

ju.edu NOV. 11 Zauntee

NOV. 4

NOV. 9

Murray Hill Theatre

Fantasia with Special Guest Joe

Chris Young with special guest Kameron

murrayhilltheatre.com

VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena

Marlowe

jaxevents.com

St. Augustine Amphitheatre

Yael ZaZa Flamenca: Soirée á Paris

theamp.com

The Waterworks, St. Augustine

Steep Canyon Rangers

romanzafestivale.com

Florida Theatre

Keiko Matsui

floridatheatre.com

Ponte Vedra Concert Hall

Kristy Lee

pvconcert hall.com

Cafe Eleven, St. Augustine

Papercutt 20th Anniversary Show with special

originalcafe11.com

guest Chillula

The Dirty Grass Players & Shadowgrass

St. Augustine Amphitheatre

Cafe Eleven, St. Augustine

NOV. 12

theamp.com

originalcafe11.com

Tinsely Ellis and Marcia Ball: Acoustic Soungs & Stories

The Doo Wop Project

Palatka Fall Bluegrass Festival ft. Lee

Jack Rabbits

Jacksonville Center for the Performing Arts

Greenwood

jaxlive.com

jaxevents.com

Rodeheaver Boys Ranch, Palatka rbr.org

The Cold Stares

The Grass Is Dead Cafe Eleven, St. Augustine

Cafe Eleven, St. Augustine

Cochise

originalcafe11.com

Jack Rabbits jaxlive.com

NOV. 5

originalcafe11.com NOV. 14 Baked Shrimp

Pam Tillis

Ordinary Boys (Smiths and Morrissey Tribute)

Jack Rabbits

Ponte Vedra Concert Hall

and Lovesong (The Cure Tribute)

jaxlive.com

pvconcerthall.com

Underbelly underbellyjax.com

Popa Chubby

Rob Leines

Cafe Eleven, St. Augustine

Jack Rabbits

originalcafe11.com

jaxlive.com

64 Folio Weekly

NOV. 15

Jordan Tice with Noan Partly

Shaun Cassidy

Straight No Chaser: “Sleighin’ It Tour”

The Waterworks, St. Augustine

Ponte Vedra Concert Hall

Florida Theatre

visitstaugustine.com

pvconcerthall.com

Mishka with Sailor Jane

The Hip Abduction with Sierra Lane and Coyote

Black Kids with Luci Lind

Cafe Eleven, St. Augustine

Island

The Bier Hall at Intuition Ale Works

originalcafe11.com

The Bier Hall at Intuition Ale Works

floridatheatre.com

intuitionaleworks.com

intuitionaleworks.com Piolo Pasqual

UNF Wind Symphony and Concert Band present:

Thrasher-Horne Center, Orange Park

NOV. 26

A Carnival of Animals

thcenter.org

Robert Jon & The Wreck

University of North Florida–Lazzara Performance

Underbelly

Hall

jemFest ft. Nick Photinos

unf.edu

Univeristy of North Florida–Fine Arts Center Recit-

Joe Samba with Joey Harkum

al Hall

NOV. 28

unf.edu

Manchester Orchestra

Underbelly underbellyjax.com

underbellyjax.com

Florida Theatre NOV. 19

floridatheatre.com

An Evening With Bruce Hornsby NOV. 16

Ponte Vedra Concert Hall

NOV. 29

Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons

pvconcerthall.com

The Fab Four–The Beatles Tribute Band

Florida Theatre floridatheatre.com

Ponte Vedra Concert Hall Big Band Feature: “East to West”

pvconcerthall.com

Jacksonville Center for the Performing Arts Vanessa Collier

jaxsymphony.org

Cafe Eleven, St. Augustine originalcafe11.com

Christopher Alan Yates Jack Rabbits

Dave Matthews Tribute Band

jaxlive.com

Jack Rabbits NOV. 17

jaxlive.com

Dwight Yoakam

Underbelly

St. Augustine Amphitheatre

NOV. 20

theamp.com

Popa Chubby

In This Moment & Ice Nine Kills: Kiss of Death

Sunsquabi underbellyjax.com

Cafe Eleven, St. Augustine

NOV. 30

originalcafe11.com

Dave Koz and Friends Christmas Tour 2023 ft.

Tour

Jonathan Butler

Daily’s Place

NOV. 21

Florida Theatre

dailysplace.com

Mannheim Steamroller Christmas by Chip Davis

floridatheatre.com

Jacksonville Center for the Performing Arts Paul Taylor

fscjartistseries.org

Ritz Theatre & Museum ritzjacksonville.com Jonny Craig

36th Annual Great American Jazz Series presents: Swing into the Holidays!

Rumours of Fleetwood Mac

University of North Florida–Lazzara Performance

Florida Theatre

Hall

floridatheatre.com

unf.edu

Jack Rabbits jaxlive.com

NOV. 24 Theory Of A Deadman & Skillet: Rock Resurrec-

Griffin House

tion Tour

Cafe Eleven, St. Augustine

Daily’s Place

originalcafe11.com

dailysplace.com

NOV. 18

Jason Carter & Friends: Lowdown Hoedown Tour

Floyd Nation

Jack Rabbits

Florida Theatre

jaxlive.com

floridatheatre.com NOV. 25 RED

Croce Plays Croce 50th Anniversary Show

Murray Hill Theatre

Florida Theatre

murrayhilltheatre.com

floridatheatre.com

65

NORTHERN ATTITUDES/SOUTHERN LATITUDES Words and photos by Courtney Thomassenn

66 Folio Weekly

Autumn, that beautiful time of year when the leaves change color and start to fall and the perfect backdrop for Noah Kahan’s Stick Season tour. There’s just one problem - we’re in Florida. While most Jacksonville residents can wholly relate to the idea of “masochistic” weather, it’s probably not for the same reasons the Vermont singer-songwriter was imagining when writing his song “Homesick.” After what felt like an especially brutal summer, it was as if Mother Nature herself was on Kahan’s payroll when the first cold front of the season blew in the very weekend before the show, providing much needed relief from the grueling heat and letting the locals pretend they were in New England for a little while. Temperatures that dropped below 60 on the night of the show had the line that formed outside of VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena looking like a sea of boots and flannel.

After the impressive release of his 2022 album Stick Season and the highly acclaimed deluxe reissue “Stick Season (We’ll All Be Here Forever)” in June of 2023, Kahan’s summer tour was extended. New date after new date was added as the original shows continued to sell out and, eventually, Florida was added to the list with a Jacksonville stop scheduled at Daily’s Place. Once demand was recalculated during pre-sale, the venue was upgraded to the higher capacity VyStar Arena. Even though the move doubled the available tickets, the show sold out.

67

Over 11,000 concertgoers packed VyStar when the doors opened at 6:30PM. Following the sole opening act by fellow singer-songwriter Samia, the floor was buzzing with positive energy as fans laughed and traded friendship bracelets while they waited for the headliner to take the stage. On either side of the stage, large screens displayed the text “Take action to support mental health” between sets. The message, with accompanying QR code, was in connection with The Busyhead Project, a fund started by Kahan that aims to increase awareness surrounding mental health.

Once showtime neared, the screens and venue faded to black. Warm lights shining through the drum and piano risers cast an orange glow to reveal the silhouettes of each band member, followed by Kahan, as they took their places. “Northern Attitude,” the popular opening track from “Stick Season,” also took first position on the set. Kahan took multiple pauses between songs to talk to the crowd, thanking them for their support and even taking a moment to accept a few friendship bracelets thrown to him from the pit. Jacksonville, the singer explained, was a milestone for him. Not only was it the hometown show for most of his band, it was his first headlining show in Florida.

The setlist continued on, consisting almost entirely of tracks from the titular album. The majority of the deluxe album would be played by the time the show was through. “False Confidence” from Kahan’s 2019 debut album “Busyhead” was the only track not on Stick Season to make the set. While some of Kahan’s music is somewhat upbeat with catchy choruses like that of “False Confidence,” the majority of Stick Season has been described as depressing. After the lighter 2019 track, Kahan pulled out all of the stops to hit the audience with some of his saddest songs back to back. “Call Your Mom” and “You’re Gonna Go Far” were already getting some tears flowing in the crowd, but arguably the most emotional of the album came next with “Orange Juice.” The narrative track introduces two characters who have grown apart following trauma caused by an accident. As one wrestles with apparent guilt and anger over the situation while on the road to sobriety, the other struggles with loss as they grieve the person they once knew. As the first few words rang out over the crowd, orange lights flickered on throughout the entire arena. A fan organized project distributed small slips of colored paper that could be placed over a phone flashlight to create the effect. The unity of the crowd in that moment compounded the already heavy lyrics, creating an emotional peak, or more appropriately valley, for the evening.

Right after throwing the crowd into the metaphorical trenches, Kahan yanked them back out with fan favorite “Dial Drunk” to close the regular set. After affectionately referring to him as Folk Malone, fans everywhere were ecstatic when a version of “Dial Drunk” featuring Post Malone was released earlier this year. Since then the track has only grown in popularity and was a fitting final song. Calls for an encore were met with three more songs to follow, including “The View Between Villages,” “Homesick,” and the extremely popular titular track “Stick Season.”

When asked in an interview with Genius about the album Stick Season, Kahan previously expressed feelings that the songs may not resonate with those who grew up outside of New England. Even though references to the harsh winters and the literal stick season experienced by those up north may not be so relevant to the rest of us, the overarching themes explored throughout the album have clearly struck chords in people across the country. Even in Florida, the American antithesis to Vermont, Noah Kahan sold out an arena to over 11,000 fans who came out to scream along to every word.

68 Folio Weekly

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MADE IN THE U.S.A.

“REFRESHING, WELCOMING AND DIFFERENT.” The bar also just announced their new drag series called Hardwick’s Hotspot Heroines every Thursday night featuring performers from Hamburger Mary’s.

As aesthetically pleasing as Hardwick’s may be, the drinks are even better.

Personally, I am much more of a “just a shot for me” type of girl and they were generous with the pour, I will say! The drink menu is extensive and “That Thique” really stole my heart (I am a huge fan of puns plus extra cool points for the Beyonce reference.) On the more classic side, my best friend ordered the margarita which also did not disappoint.

As a Jacksonville native, I am so excited to see what events Hardwicks pulls out of their bag of tricks to bring more life to Jacksonville. So far, they have been booked and busy with Pride events and even fundraising for Hamburger Mary’s. I think it is incredibly important, especially in today’s society, that the LGBTQ+ community has a space that feels secure to them. A space where they don’t have to act how society wants them to act but just be authentically themselves: a safe space. As soon as you walk in, it just feels like a big hug of sorts. P.S. There’s just something so real and comforting about hearing the whole club sing along to “Time After Time” by Cyndi Lauper. You just had to

RAISING THE BAR: HARDWICKS Words and photos by Kelila Ritchie “Refreshing, welcoming and different.”

These are three words Sarah Merritt used to describe her new gig as a bartender at Hardwicks Bar. Located in the Elbow District Downtown (in the old London Bridge space), Hardwicks is the perfect place to go if you want to feel like you’re in an ’80s film with disco balls and strobe lights. And with a full liquor bar, beer, wine, seltzer, cocktails and shots are all on the menu.

My favorite thing, for sure, about this establishment is the freedom it holds.

It’s a place where people who identify as a part of the LGBTQ+ community are able to just be themselves in a space 100% free of judgment. It was beautiful seeing men dance together and sing together and just be, which is something that I don’t see often! I feel like in almost every direction I looked, there were people hugging and embracing each other. It was truly just full of love.

I asked Sarah, what is your favorite thing about working at Hardwicks?

“The people that I’ve met. It’s definitely a family already. We have great customers already, regulars coming in. It has been a very refreshing experience and everyone is really excited to be here,” she replied.

The first major LGBTQIA+ bar to open in Jacksonville in two decades, Hardwicks does not disappoint. The ambiance is so lowkey but fun. In addition to the disco ball, strobe lights and disco music making you feel like you’re in your own little world, there is a dancefloor/stage area where drag nights take place featuring some of Jacksonville’s favorite queens.

70 Folio Weekly

be there!

This new bar has been nothing short of a great time every time I visit. If this hasn’t been on your go-to bar list, write it down now. I promise you won’t regret it! Stop by and get a handcrafted Old Fashioned (Sarah’s favorite drink to make) during their happy hour and make some new friends!

KOREAN FOOD FOR THE SOUL Words and photos by Su Ertekin-Taner

When I search for spaces to occupy, I search for untrodden spaces. That is

Finally, the restaurant’s signature Korean corn dog, a dog of fried cheese that

not to say I don’t traverse or find myself in well-trafficked places, I just pre-

can be coated with various goodies like hot Cheetos, sweet and spicy Gochu-

fer those less-trafficked. Spaces uncharted or else well-charted but hidden.

jang paste, and even ramen, enthralls me.

Places not at the center or the crossroads but in the peripheries. I search for the somewhat inconvenient places because there is little reward in the

I had lost myself in this one-sided conversation — the foods spoke and I lis-

convenient.

tened — when my meal arrived. The bowl that was placed in front of me was the comprehensive meal it claimed to be: strips of katsu chicken coated with

I approach my restaurant search process in this way, trying to find a recess

chipotle mayo sauce, sesame seeds and scallions lying on a bed of rice and

from large food outlets and plazas that become congested with patrons. This

glass noodles. The broccoli, carrots, cauliflower and kimchi intermingled with

Monday my search for a culinary nook led me to K-Bop Korean Kitchen off of

the chicken strips, and the mandu adorned the top of the dish. Though de-

Southside Boulevard, the 2022-established restaurant version of the epon-

ceivingly small-looking, the bowl was deep. The meal, I knew, would be filling.

ymous food truck. In contrast to the populated Southside outlet across the street with its sizable Tinseltown and chain restaurants, the outlet that houses

The meal was more than filling: It was full-flavored, imbued with delicious

K-Bop Korean Kitchen is smaller, tree-encircled and hidden — so much so that

taste. I tackled the dish according to its presentation — top to bottom. First,

I miss the outlet’s entrance on my first try.

the katsu chicken. I bit through the crunchy panko fried crust and into the tender chicken, appropriately moistened and permeated with spice by the

When I eventually arrive in this alcove of sorts, my eyes immediately find

chipotle mayo zig zagged onto the plate. The colorful veggies, tangy-spicy

K-Bop Korean Kitchen. The Korean kitchen is the largest establishment in this

kimchi, and pork and veggie-filled mandu provided some respite from the

strip mall, and I recognize the same identifying symbol — a smiling, animated

protein-heavy top of the dish. Then, I approached the carbs. By this point,

bowl of rice — on the exterior that appeared on the website. I walk in, my

I had abandoned the top to bottom approach, mining the rice and slippery

taste buds already primed by this image. On the right wall, I notice a fitting

noodles from the bottom at times to accompany a mouthful of protein.

picture of a teeming Korean street at night, saturated with the colorful lights of signs. On the left, a neon light-up sign of a maneki-neko (or Japanese

A lover of salt, I coated the rice in soy sauce. The noodles needed no such

“beckoning cat”) is framed by a wall of fake greenery. Directly across from the

flavoring, however. The perfectly stir-fried noodles were coated in a salty-sa-

door is a podium and host who reminds me I am here not only to pore over my

vory sesame oil and soy sauce mixture. I accepted them dutifully and grate-

environment but also my impending food.

fully into my mouth. Though I became full at the halfway point of finishing the meal, I did not cease eating until I found the bottom of the bowl.

I have walked in at 2:02 p.m., past lunch special time (11 a.m.-2 p.m.). I ramble some incoherent series of sentences about my said lateness to the host as if

I finally finished. Having completed a lunch of protein, veggies and carbs, I

justifying my tardiness to an employer. I caught a wave of traffic. I missed the

felt balanced. In this sublime state, I didn’t want to leave my booth of one. I

exit. I was trying to park well. The host assures me I can still have the lunch

wanted to stay with my empty plate, to sit in the tastes I had experienced for

special. I’ve decided on the katsu bop, a meal served with panko fried chick-

longer, to not muddle the experience I had just undergone with the separate

en, rice, glass noodles, mandu (Korean dumplings), vegetables and kimchi. I

sensory experience of the outside. So I sat a little in my sphere of silence, in

choose the katsu bop because it is a comprehensive dish, incorporating items

my nook.

that appear elsewhere on the menu — the mandu and kimchi appear in the bites section along with japchae, a dish of sweet potato starch glass noodles,

I left a little while after that, thanking the host on my way out. I was again

for example. I take a number and sit at a booth. It will be a table for one today.

surrounded by trees and small establishments, the untrodden land. Yet today, I had made the untrodden trodden and thankfully so; I would not forget

Even so, I hardly feel alone. I am in the presence of other patrons who have

about the balance of the meal, the comprehensiveness of it. I would not for-

chosen K-Bop Korean Kitchen for their lunch break meal. And I keep company

get about my table of one. Though, I thought as I drove out of the small outlet,

with other items on the menu; they are in the process of wooing me now:

K-Bop Korean Kitchen is at the periphery of a populated area, the restaurant and its rich cuisine felt absolutely central now.

The bites section of the menu, rife with authentic Korean dishes like kimbap, a beef and veggie roll, japchae, kimchi fries and the Korean fried chicken appetizer, all charm me thoroughly. The kimchi ramen dishes of various proteins — chicken, shrimp, and pork chashu — also attempt to win me over.

72 Folio Weekly

Cliff’s Bar & Grill

Rice + Noodles Korean Restaurant

Fancy Sushi & Grill Japanese Restaurant

Seven Wonders Restaurant

The Good Place Nutrition

Southern Coast Seafood

Grinders American Diner

Tabouleh Cafe

La Palmerita

Thai & Lao Bistro

ABBQ

Kamiya 86

Anejo

Lone Wolf Co.

Angie’s Subs

Marker 32

Aqua Grill

Mezzaluna

Azurea at One Ocean

Mojo Kitchen

Barbara Jean’s on the Water

Nona Blue Modern Tavern

Caffe Andiamo

North Beach Fish Camp

Cantina Louie

Oaxaca Club

Coop 303

O-Ku

Eleven South

Palm Valley Fish Camp

Engine 15 Brewing Company

Poe’s Tavern

The Fish Company Restaurant and Oyster Bar

Ragtime Tavern

Flying Iguana Taqueria & Tequila Bar

Safe Harbor Seafood Market and Restaurant

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

Salt Life Food Shack

Hawkers

Salumeria 104 Atlantic Beach

JJ’s Liberty Bistro

Singleton’s Seafood Shack

cliffsbarandgrill.com

A R LIN GT O N

BITE

fancysushiandgrill.com

facebook.com/thegoodplacenutrition

grindersamdiner.com

orderlapalmerita.com abbqmeatdrink.com

anejococinamexicana.com

facebook.com/angiessubs

azurearestaurant.com

barbarajeansonthewater.com

caffeandiamo.com

cantinalouie.com

In tr a co a st a l

We s t

coop303.com

BE A CH E S/

BITE

BY

aquagrill.net

elevensouth.com

engine15.com

thefishcojax.com

flyingiguana.com

thegoatjax.com

eathawkers.com

jjbistro.com/ponte-vedra

riceandnoodles.net

7wondersbakery.com

southerncoastseafood.com

taboulehcafe.com

thaiandlaobistro.com kamiya86fl.com

lonewolfjax.com

marker32.com

mezzalunajax.com

mojobbq.com/mojo-kitchen

nonablue.com

thenorthbeachfishcamp.com

theoaxacaclub.com

o-kusushi.com

palmvalleyfishcamp.com

poestavern.com

ragtimetavern.com

safeharbor-seafood.com

saltlifefoodshack.com

salumeria104.com

singletonsseafood.com

73

Sliders Oyster Bar

Two Dudes Seafood Restaurant

Southern Grounds

Valley Smoke BBQ

TacoLu

Vicious Biscuit

Bellweather

Juliette’s Bistro at Marriott Jacksonville Downtown

bellwetherjax.com

marriott.com

The Bread and Board

Morton’s The Steakhouse

thebreadandboard.com

mortons.com

The Brick Coffee House

Ocean Street Tacos

brickcoffeehouse.com

oceanstreettacos.com

Burrito Gallery

On The Fly Sandwiches & Stuff (food truck)

burritogallery.com

ontheflyjax.com

Cowford Chophouse

The River Club

cowfordchophouse.com

jaxriverclub.com

Casa Dora Italian Cafe

Spliff’s Gastropub

facebook.com/casadorajax

spliffsgastropub.com

De Real Ting Cafe

Super Food & Brew

facebook.com/derealtingcafe

superfoodandbrew.com

Estrella Cocina

Sweet Pete’s

estrellajax.com

sweetpetescandy.com

The Happy Grilled Cheese

Tavern at the Hyatt Regency

slidersoysterbar.com

southerngrounds.com

D O WNT O WN

tacolu.com

thehappygrilledchees.wixsite.com/grilledcheese

viciousbiscuit.com

hyatt.com

indochinejax.com Berndt Ends BBQ

Mandola’s Italian Kitchen

Blue Bamboo Canton Bistro

Masala Indian Cuisine

ChopHouse Thirteen

One Night Taco Stand

Enza’s Italian Restaurant

Picasso’s Pizzeria

ISO ISO Ramen

Rosy’s Restaurant

Julington Creek Fish Camp

Taziki’s Mediterranean Cafe

Kazu Japanese Restaurant

Umami Japanese Curry & Ramen

Le Petit Paris French Cafe

Wicked Barley Brewing Company

bluebamboojacksonville.com

chophouse13.com

enzas.net

isoisoramen.com MA ND A R I N

valleysmoke.com

Indochine

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74 Folio Weekly

twodudesrestaurant.com

julingtoncreekfishcamp.com

kazujapaneserestaurant.com

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mandolas.com

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jaxpicassos.wixsite.com/jaxpicassos

rosys-restaurant.business.site

tazikis.com

umamijax.com

wickedbarley.com

Bold Birds Nashville Hot Chicken

Moon River Pizza

Buchner’s Bierhall

Murray Hillbilly

The Dreamette

Solazo Taqueria

El Jefe Tex Mex

The Stout Snug

Fired Up Pizza

Vagabond Coffee Co.

Maple Street Biscuit Company

The Walrus

Fuji Yama

Nagasaki Japanese Restaurant

boldbirdshotchicken.com

buchnersbierhalle.com

M UR R A Y

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woodfireduppizza.com

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NO R T H S IDE

Joseph’s Pizza

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

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moonriverpizza.net

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solazofl.business.site

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thewalrusjax.com

nagasakisushirestaurant.com

New Berlin Fish House & Oyster Bar newberlinfishhouse.com

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

sushizenfl.kwickmenu.com Terry’s Grill

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Masala Mantra

masalamantrajax.com 13 Gypsies

Bold Bean

904 Tacos

Brew Five Points

Ale Pie House

Carmines Pie House

Arepa Please

Cool Moose Cafe

Bagel Love

Corner Taco

Biggie’s Pizza

Cuisine 76 & Bar

Biscottis

European Street Cafe

The Blue Fish

The Fox Restaurant

Blue Buddha

Hawkers

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R I VE R SI D E

&

AV O ND A L E

alepiehousefl.com

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bluefishjax.com

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cornertaco.com

cuisine76andbar.com

europeanstreet.com

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eathawkers.com

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Homespun Kitchen

Pizza Cave

Iguana on Park

Restaurant Orsay

Jazzy’s Restaurant & Lounge

River & Post

Josephine

Sake House

Kickbacks Gastropub

Southern Grounds

Kingmaker Brewing

S & R Dim Sum

MOJO No. 4 Urban BBQ & Whiskey Bar

Sushi Cafe

The Mossfire Grill

Sweet Theory Baking Company

Nacho Taco

Taqueria Cinco

homespunkitchen.com

iguanaonpark.com

jazzysrestaurant.net

josephineavondale.com

kickbacksgastropub.com

kingmakerbrewing.com

mojobbq.com/mojo-no-4

mossfire.com

nachotaco.net

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riverandpostjax.com

sakehousejax.com

southerngrounds.com

srdimsumjax.com

sushicafejax.com

sweettheorybakingco.com

taqueria5points.com

Pattaya Thai Grill

pattayathaijax.com 1937

Matthew’s Restaurant

Bar Molino

The Metro Diner

bb’s

The Olive Tree Mediterranean Grille

The Bearded Pig

Peterbrooke

Bistro AIX Restaurant and Lounge

Pink Salt Restaurant + Wine Bar

Chart House

Rue Saint-Marc

European Street Cafe

Southern Grounds

Fla. Juice and Bowl

Taverna

Flavors of Thai

Town Hall

Fuji Sushi

V Pizza

1937sanmarco.com

barmolino.com

bbsrestaurant.com

thebeardedpigbbq.com

bistrox.com

chart-house.com

europeanstreet.com

S AN

M A RC O

flajuiceandbowl.com

76 Folio Weekly

flavors-of-thai.business.site

jacksonvillefujisushi.com The Local

thelocaljax.com

matthewsrestaurant.com

metrodiner.com

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peterbrooke.com/pages/san-marco

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southerngrounds.com

taverna.restaurant

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vpizza.com

1748 Bakehouse

The District

Caribbean Sunrise Bakery & Restaurant

Hola Mexican Restaurant

Crispy’s Springfield Gallery

Social Grounds Coffee Roasters

Flavva

Strings Sport Brewery

Island Tropics Restaurant

Silkie’s Chicken & Champagne Bar

Tha Soulfood Smagicians

Uptown Kitchen and Bar

The Dreamette

Waafa and Mike’s Cafe

III Forks

Galaxy Burger

4 Rivers Smokehouse

Mr. Potato Spread

Amazing Thai Restaurant

Midtown Table

Bazille at Nordstrom

Prati Italia

Blaze Pizza

Seasons 52

Catullo’s Italian

Taste of Thai

Culhane’s Irish Pub

Texas de Brazil

1748bakehouse.com

caribbeansunrisebakery.com

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3forks.com/location/jacksonville

4rsmokehouse.com

amazingthaijax.com

nordstrom.com

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blazepizza.com

catullos.hrpos.heartland.us/menu

culhanesirishpub.com

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holajax.com

social-grounds-coffee.myshopify.com

stringssportsbrewery.com

meetatsilkies.com

uptownkitchenjax.com

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mrpotatospread.com

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pratiitalia.com

seasons52.com

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texasdebrazil.com

The French Pantry

thefrenchpantryfl.com Banana Leaf Asian Bistro

Mesa

Cross Creek Steakhouse and Ribs

The Metro Diner

Ellianos Coffee

The Potter’s House Soul Food and Bistro

The Juicy Crab

Puerto Plata Restaurant

La Perla Mexican Restaurant

Sushi Bear

Lewey’s Seafood and Wings

Trent’s Seafood

WE S TS I D E

facebook.com/bananaleafasianbistro

crosscreeksteakhouse.com

ellianos.com

thejuicycrabjax.com

orderlaperlamexicanrestaurant.com

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mesajax.com

metrodiner.com

thesoulfoodbistro.com

puertoplatarestaurant.com

sushibearjax.com

jltrents.com

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FROM THE ARCHIVES

78 Folio Weekly

FROM THE ARCHIVES

79

Words by Ambar Ramirez & Carmen Macri

THE HUNT: FINDING THE BEST RAMEN IN JACKSONVILLE

4/5 KYURAMEN

4/5 DOMU

Tucked away on the corner of Old Baymeadows and Southside, walking into Kyuramen is like walking straight into Tokyo. It is likely one of the only authentic feeling ramen shops in Jacksonville. The skin of the restaurant does little to show the gem that is hidden inside, however.

Located on the busy Town Center Parkway, near the even more hectic Town Center is the homey neighborhood restaurant and bar Domu. Chef/owner Sean “Sonny” Nguyen wanted to create a space that combined traditional Japanese techniques with modern-day methods. And with its modern, yet colorful restaurant design and diverse menu, it’s safe to say that he succeeded.

It’s precisely what you’d envision in a classic Japanese ramen establishment. To achieve the utmost authenticity, the owner made multiple trips to Japan to refine his business. The interior features private booths with curtains, is adorned with traditional red lanterns and has an open kitchen with bar seating.

SPICY KYUSHU TONKOTSU Served with pork chashu, bamboo shoot, wakame (don’t know), half-marinated egg (that I gave to Ambar), nori, corn (my favorite part) and scallions in a perfectly made pork broth. You could buy this dish solely for the broth with how creamy and delicious it is. The noodles are house-made to perfection, and there are levels to the spiciness if you can’t stomach the heat. I prefer hot since I have a death wish. Even then, the flavors are too good to deny.

TONKATSU CURRY RAMEN Served in a creamy pork broth, the Tonkatsu Curry Ramen comes with Tonkatsu (obviously), which is a deep-fried pork cutlet, half marinated egg, bamboo shoots, corn, wakame, scallions and nori.

I have to admit that my knowledge of ramen only goes as far as Top Ramen and those silver packets and housemade knock-offs, so when I took my first bite of this slightly intimidating and overwhelming bowl, I was pleasantly surprised. The egg was perfectly cooked and marinated and the broth was a perfect mix of savory and spicy.

I will say, despite the ramen noodles being housemade, it had a similar texture to that of ramen packets I know all too well.

ATMOSPHERE: 5/5 FOOD: 4/5 OVERALL: 4/5 Perfect for people who like to eat in private and hate wandering eyes. Perfect for a third date and diners who are seeking a true cultural experience.

SPICY TONKOTSU RAMEN The broth tasted like water that was set next to pork broth, only a whisper of flavor. The noodles are the only reason this dish did not get a 0/5. There was no flavor to the spices that made the dish “spicy,” just a waft of spiciness every now and then.

TOKYO RAMEN First of all, wow. This was by far my favorite ramen. The Shoyu chicken broth was extremely savory and extremely chuggable, to the point that if I had just a cup of the broth I would be happy. Aside from the addictive broth and freshly made noodles, the Tokyo ramen is served with fried chicken thigh, Ajitama Brulee (I don’t know don’t ask me), kikurage (once again, don’t ask me), seared garlic chives, infused duck fat and garlic scallion confit. Are you drooling? ’cause I was.

ATMOSPHERE: 5/5 FOOD: 3/5 OVERALL: 4/5 Perfect for first dates and people who enjoy screaming their conversations.

5/5TOKYO RAMEN 3/5 KARAI RAMEN A true hole-in-the-wall establishment set in the Seminole Shoppes, it could easily be overlooked by those who don’t know what lies inside. Walking in, it doesn’t seem like much, set with only a handful of tables, but the true magic is in the food.

Located next to the gargantuan Eleven 22 warehouse, I mean, church, Karai Ramen is another hole-in-the-wall establishment. And it truly fits the term “hole in the wall” with the very, very dim lighting and few tables.

Tokyo Ramen prides itself on serving true traditional Asian cuisine. What it lacks in physical appearance, it makes up for in dishes served. Since it is rather small, the space fills up quickly. It is a restaurant made for getting in and getting out (with a happy tummy).

There is little to note on the atmosphere and even littler (not a word) to note on the ramen. The dark dining area might allude to the dark feelings that resonate when eating their ramen.

CHASHU RAMEN The perfect ramen bowl. Packed high with chashu pork, ginger, corn (again, my favorite), seaweed, egg (again, gave it to Ambar), fish cake, green onion, bean sprouts and menma (I don’t know) in a delicious tonkotsu broth. There might be some bias here since this is my go-to ramen shop, but it is worth the hype. Everything blended together so perfectly. The pork was so tender it felt like it was melting in my mouth, every time.

TONKOTSU At this point, we have had ramen for lunch and dinner for four days in a row so, sorry if this review isn’t an accurate portrayal of the establishment and their food. Frankly, there was nothing good nor bad about this ramen. Or rather, nothing stood out. The broth was extremely oily and the noodles were a bit stiff for our liking. That said, the pork was cooked to perfection and basically melted in our mouths.

CHICKEN KATSU After having Domu’s ramen, despite Carmen’s experience, I was afraid that no other ramen place would be able to do it better. Naturally, I spoke too soon. The chicken katsu at Tokyo Ramen was, dare I say, chef’s kiss. All the flavors in this creamy tonkotsu broth were very well-balanced and delicious. I especially liked the deep-fried chicken katsu that was served on the side, keeping the crispiness intact. Plus, this ramen bowl came with fish cakes, and if you know anything about ramen, you know that fish cakes are the telling sign that it’s the real deal.

ATMOSPHERE: 5/5 FOOD: 5/5 OVERALL: 5/5 Perfect for diners seeking a quick Asian dinner that will leave them more than satisfied.

ATMOSPHERE: 2/5 FOOD: 3/5 OVERALL: 3/5 Perfect for dungeon dwellers. Or churchgoers.

81

PESCA VILANO Words by Jessica Walton

The latest addition to North Florida’s fine dining landscape is a feast for the eyes as well as the belly. Located inside the modern, beachside Hyatt Place St. Augustine/Vilano Beach, Pesca Vilano focuses on “globally inspired coastal cuisine with bold Latin flavors and fresh from Florida ingredients.” Chef Michael Lugo combines his Puerto Rican heritage and love of seafood (“pesca” is Spanish for “fishing”) in a gorgeous space with an almost 360-degree view of St. Augustine and Vilano Beach. Not surprising, the menu is heavy on seafood with entrees including whole roasted snapper, Chilean sea bass and the Pesca Platter with oysters, clams, poached lobster, cocktail snow crab claws (add that caviar while you’re at it!) but also includes turf entries like roasted chicken beast, heritage pork tenderloin and beef filet. Eat in the main dining room or enjoy a lighter bite at the downstairs or rooftop bar where hand-crafted cocktails vary from Pesca-fied versions of the Moscow mule, old fashioned and espresso martini to the original Vilano Vixen, Filipino Fling and more are served.

And you can’t beat the view!

For more information on Pesca Vilano, visit pescavilano.com.

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THE CANDY MANSION Words and photos by Kelila Ritchie

Fall is by far my favorite time of year for so many reasons. The cinnamon

During my time spent at Sweet Pete’s, the one common misconceptions those

brooms I keep in the nooks of my home, the cool breeze that might call for

of us taking the class had was that Sweet Pete’s was: a) only a children’s en-

a light jacket and the openings of local Spirit Halloweens. It keeps me going

tertainment center of sorts; b) that there are only two floors. Contrary to pop-

throughout the year knowing I have the fall to look forward to.

ular belief (or maybe just the six of us in the class), Sweet Pete’s whimsical approach to the world of treats puts a smile on everyone’s faces regardless

Growing up, my family and I were avid fall lovers and fall festival goers.

of age. When you walk in, so much catches your attention in the best way

Though I have never really been one for the whole buy a pumpkin, create

possible. You quite literally are walking into a monster’s mouth into an Alice

a huge mess, carving and gnats thing, I love, love, love a good fall activity.

in Wonderland sort of illusion. Honorable mention to the ghoul in the paint-

Since becoming a real adult, I have been on the hunt for fun, hands-on ac-

ing above the cashier’s register that’s holding a gummy worm-filled martini

tivities to get into with my other real adult friends that don’t require all the

glass. Even more intriguing, on your left there is an entire restaurant with a

mess and bugs. And I found the perfect event: Sweet Pete’s Sugar Skulls and

full menu (something I was not expecting)! Up the yellow brick road (to the

Tequila class.

nonbelievers of magic, stairs), there’s an ice cream parlor and a fully stocked candy store. Also on the second floor, you can watch how they make different

This honestly was such a cute and laid back experience I would 100% recom-

types of candy and other desserts from above which is super cool. The third

mend for date night, girls night or even as a cute solo date. I was greeted with

floor is where the Skulls and Tequila class took place which is also an event

an option, “margarita, paloma or just a shot?” The amazing Jeff Woodard did

space, great for hosting parties.

a phenomenal job at not only explaining the process with enough enthusiasm to keep everyone entertained and eager to want to know more but he also

In addition, the classes offered by Sweet Pete’s do vary. The classes also

creates fun little cocktails to enjoy while you create (because who doesn’t

change with the seasons! For instance, the Sugar Skulls and Tequila class

love a fun, themed drink?) The history of sugar skulls comes from the Mexican

turns into the Hard Candy Candy Cane Class beginning Nov. 17 which you will

holiday and traditions of Dia De Los Muertos or “Day of the Dead.” The sugar

likely see me at.

skulls represent a soul that has departed. Learning the history of the project made this experience all the more fun in my opinion. Sugar skulls are brightly

I’m a sucker for fun, seasonal decorations especially when everyone partic-

decorated and placed on altars or graves to honor the return of a loved one’s

ipates. Sweet Pete’s is nothing short of fun and fantastical and should be on

spirit. This holiday is celebrated Oct. 31 to Nov. 2 and is known to be uplifting

your fall bucket list! Whether you’re looking for something cute to do during

and energizing hence the use of bright colors on sugar skulls.

the holiday seasons or just in the mood to tap into your inner child, this is the perfect spot.

84 Folio Weekly

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N I GHTL I FE

ARLINGTON

Ink Factory Brewing

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Cliff’s Bar and Grill

inkfactorybrewing.com

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Island Girl Cigar Bar

The Ritz Lounge

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Lynch’s Irish Pub

Surfer The Bar

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Grey Matter Distillery greymatterdistillery.com

dosgatosjax.com casamarinahotel.com Ragtime Tavern

Hoptinger Bier Garden + Sausage House

Hardwicks hardwicksbarjax.com

Refinery Jax Beach refineryjaxbeach.com

86 Folio Weekly

Element Bistro Bar & Lounge elementjax.com

ragtimetavern.com hoptinger.com

Dos Gatos

Penthouse Lounge at Casa Marina Hotel

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Bold City Brewery

Intuition Aleworks

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Island Girl Cigar Bar

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islandgirlcigarbar.com Comedy Zone Justice Pub

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Kava & Company

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Monkey’s Uncle Tavern

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Manifestdistilling.com The RL Lounge

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Rack’em Up Sports Bar

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Time Out Sports Grill

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Buchner’s Bierhalle

5 5 7 9 10 11 12

buchnersbierhalle.com FLEMING ISLAND Island Girl Cigar Bar

The Boot Rack Saloon

islandgirlcigarbar.com/fleming-is-

boot-rack-saloon.business.site

land Fishweir Brewing Company Mercury Moon

fishweirbrewing.com

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

theflamingojax.com Perfect Rack Billiards perfectrackbilliards.com

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

silvercowjax.com

whiteysfishcamp.com The Stout Snug INTRACOASTAL WEST

thestoutsnug.com

9 Zero Pour 9zeropour.com

The Walrus thewalrusjax.com

MVP’s Sports Grille facebook.com/mvpssportsgrille

16 17 18 19

PONTE VEDRA CONCERT HALL

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JACKSONVILLE DANCE THEATRE COLIN QUINN

6

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STEEP CANYON RANGERS BORED TEACHERS PAM TILLIS

NORTHSIDE

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CINDERELLA’S TOM KEIFER 19 THE NEW YORK BEE GEES 20 MUTTS GONE NUTS UNLEASHED 20 PAT MCGANN

MICHAEL CARBONARO DESI BANKS WHOSE LIVE ANYWAY? WITH RYAN STILES, GREG PONTE VEDRA CONCERT HALL PROOPS, JEFF B. 21 BATMAN IN CONCERT DAVIS & JOEL 35TH ANNIVERSARY MURRAY WITH LIVE SYMPHONY A PETER WHITE ORCHESTRA CHRISTMAS FEAT: 23 YACHT ROCK REVUE MINDI ABAIR AND 24 CHARLOTTE’S WEB VINCENT INGALA PONTE VEDRA CONCERT HALL

26 8-9 COMMUNITY NUTCRACKER 10 NURSE BLAKE PONTE VEDRA CONCERT HALL 11 ANN WILSON OF HEART & TRIPSITTER BRIAN CULBERTSON 26 12 A CHARLIE BROWN UNTOLD STORIES CHRISTMAS: LIVE THE STEELDRIVERS ON STAGE CELEBRATING BILLY 1 13 ALLMAN BETTS JOEL FAMILY REVIVAL 2 WILLIAM SHATNER 15 LEWIS BLACK 3 LIVE ON STAGE 16 TONY HINCHCLIFFE 4 WITH STAR TREK II: THE WRATH OF 18 IL DIVO KHAN 10 20 CIRQUE MUSICA STRAIGHT NO HOLIDAY 13 CHASER WONDERLAND 15 FRANKIE VALLI AND 20 WHEEL OF FORTUNE 16 THE FOUR SEASONS LIVE! 20 JACKSONVILLE CENTER FOR ANTHONY JESELNIK

FLOYD NATION ANCIENT ALIENS LIVE 20 THE VELVETEEN RABBIT

22 27

FOR SCHOOLS

mrchubbyswings.com Sunset Tiki Bar

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FOR SCHOOLS

DECEMBER

THE PERFORMING ARTS

FOR SCHOOLS

THE PRINCESS BRIDE: AN INCONCEIVABLE EVENING WITH CARY ELWES JIM BREUER

FEBRUARY GRACE POTTER TERRI CLARK SASHA VELOUR PINK FLOYD LASER SPECTACULAR MIKE BIRBIGLIA GLADYS KNIGHT UNTOLD STORIES JOHN WAITE THE FROG PRINCE FOR SCHOOLS

21 NICKEL CREEK LIL POPPA & NARDO WICK 22 NAPOLEON DYNAMITE LIVE! NUTCRACKER! 20TH ANNIVERSARY MAGICAL CELEBRATION CHRISTMAS BALLET 23 CHRIS BOTTI A DRAG QUEEN CHRISTMAS 23 THE GIBSON 18+ ONLY BROTHERS PONTE VEDRA CONCERT HALL MATT MATHEWS FORTUNE FEIMSTER

28 20 HENRY ROLLINS 21 RUMOURS OF FLEETWOOD MAC 29 25 CROCE PLAYS 30 CROCE: 50TH ANNIVERSARY SHOW 26 TAYLOR SWIFT 4 ELVIS BIRTHDAY LASER PARTY BASH 27 FROSTY: A 6 38 SPECIAL W/ THE MUSICAL CURT TOWNE BAND ADVENTURE 10 JESSE COOK FOR SCHOOLS

JANUARY

28 MANCHESTER 12 ORCHESTRA 13 30 DAVE KOZ AND FRIENDS CHRISTMAS 14 TOUR 2023

WJCT SOUNDSTAGE

KANSAS MARK NORMAND ERTH’S DINOSAUR ZOO LIVE! ON STAGE

Coppertop Bar and Restaurant The Spot Hookah Lounge

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

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

ORANGE PARK/MIDDLEBURG

The Green House

Breezy Jazz House

57 Heaven

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Hoptinger Bier Garden + Sausage House

Cuba Libre Ultra Lounge

hoptinger.com

cubalibrebar.com

Incahoots

Fore Score Golf Tavern

incahootsnightclub.com

forescoregolf.com

Kanine Social Taproom

The Grape & Grain Exchange

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Keg & Coin

Hamburger Mary’s

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Kingmaker Brewing

Kava & Company

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Lemonstreet Brewing Company

The Mudville Grill

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The Loft

The Players Grille

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Rain Dogs

SOUTHSIDE/ST. JOHNS TOWN CENTER

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Austin Karaoke

facebook.com/57heavenop Big Dawgs Sports Restaurant bigdawgsrestaurant.com Cheers Park Avenue cheersparkave.com The Daq Shack thedaqshack904.com Dee’s Music Bar and Grill facebook.com/musicbarandgrill The Fresh Spot Lounge thefreshspotlounge.com LeaderBoard Arcade leaderboardarcade.com Locals Pub localspub.co Nakama Anime Bar nakamabar.com Park Avenue Billiards parkavenuebilliards.com Pinglehead Brewing Company pinglehead.com

facebook.com/austinkaraoke River & Post

Southern Social Whiskey Bar & Lounge

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Bottlenose Brewing bottlenosebrewing.com

Riverside Liquors RIVERSIDE/AVONDALE

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Birdies facebook.com/birdiesfivepoints

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

Bold City Brewery boldcitybrewery.com

instagram.com/diorrestaurantlounge.jax

Brick Restaurant

islandgirlcigarbar.com instagram.com/shoresliquoravondale

jaxcraftbeer.com

Casbah Cafe

Dart Bar & Games

Jax Craft Beer

Wildcrafters facebook.com/wildcraftersjax

thecasbahcafe.com

Island Girl Cigar Bar

Shores Liquor and Bar

Burlock & Barrel burlockandbarrel.com

Dior Restaurant and Lounge

Root Down facebook.com/rootdownjax

brickofavondale.com

Culhane’s

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

SAN MARCO/ST. NICHOLAS 1937 Spirits & Eatery

Secret Tiki Temple

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secrettikitemple.com

Aardwolf Brewing Company

Seven Bridges Grille & Brewery

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Bar Molino

Trio Lounge

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triohookahlounge.com

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

88 Folio Weekly

Veterans United Craft Brewery vubrew.com Wicked Barley Brewing Company

JME PRESENTS

wickedbarley.com WXYZ Bar at Aloft Hotel aloftjacksonvilletapestrypark.com SPRINGFIELD Crispy’s Springfield Gallery crispysspringfieldgallery.com The District thedistrictspr.com Historically Hoppy Brewing Company historicallyhoppy.com

WJCT

LIVE ON THE

JAN 12 7PM

Hyperion Brewing hyperionbrewing.com Shantytown Pub facebook.com/shantytownjax Strings Sports Brewery stringssportsbrewery.com ST. AUGUSTINE Ancient City Brewing ancientcitybrewing.com

MORE INFO & TICKETS AT

JAXMUSIC.ORG

Arnold’s Lounge arnoldslounge.com Beacon Listening Room beaconstaug.com Cellar Upstairs Bar at San Sebastian Winery sansebastianwinery.com

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

Dog Rose Brewing dogrosebrewing.com The Original Café Eleven

"Thrilling."

- NPR Music

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"An ascendent voice in roots music."

-The New Yorker

Prohibition Kitchen pkstaug.com Tradewinds Lounge

WESTSIDE Lillian’s lillianssportsgrill.com

SCAN HERE

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The Phoenix Bar & Bowling facebook.com/thephoenixjax In partnership with

PUBLIC MEDIA

THE AMATEUR’S GUIDE TO A WINE AND CHIP PAIRING Words by Mallory Pace Another TikTok trend has infiltrated my mind and bank account. But this one

I could appreciate as I chased bits of vinegar down my throat. But again, the

especially piqued my interest because it involves my two favorite things in

lack of a strong chip flavor ultimately gave way to the taste of the wine and

the whole world. You’ve heard of cheese and wine. You’ve heard of meat and

a soggy chip floating among it. Shockingly, Carmen enjoyed this one enough

wine. I’d like to introduce a new snack to add to your charcuterie board and

to rate it a 7/10, while Ambar said she would give it a negative number if she

wine nights … chips. I personally love nothing more than a glass of chilled

could.. I have to side with Ambar on this one, but I’m glad Carmen found a

chardonnay and a good chip. Truly nothing. So when I discovered certain

pairing she didn’t want to spit out.

chips pair especially well with certain wines, I was hooked. Therefore, the next step was to recruit the lovely ladies of “Combined Minds,” Ambar and

JALAPEÑO AND WHITE ZINFANDEL

Carmen, to help me investigate this phenomenon. Here’s what we gathered: This is where things begin to look up. On its own, the chip certainly could To preface, the wines and chips purchased for this experiment were not high-

have benefited from a spicier kick, but it did the job. The White Zinfandel was

end, so to speak. I visited the trusted, reasonably-priced Aldi’s where a bottle

described as having subtle flavors of cranberry and watermelon with notes of

of wine is $3.50 and a bag of chips is even cheaper. You simply cannot beat

fresh strawberry and cherry. At this point, we began to ponder on the differ-

Aldi’s. That being said, this factor may or may not have contributed to certain

ence between “subtle flavors” and “notes” as ways to describe wine. It was

results, but regardless, we tried to remain unbiased and open-minded. As

also around this point that Carmen decided she hates wine people and their

much as we could.

silly, vague words like “aromas” and “hints.”

Another preface, we are by no means wine connoisseurs. In fact, Carmen

“What do you mean it alludes to something? Either it tastes like it or it doesn’t,”

claims to hate every type of wine, so take our ratings and descriptions with a

she remarked.

hefty mound of salt.

Fair point. However, we were actually pleasantly surprised at this combinaBARBECUE CHIPS AND MERLOT

tion and started to think this TikTok trend might be onto something. On their own, the chips and wine were OK. Together? The flavor pallet changed all

I was hopeful for this pairing. I love barbecue chips and am neutral about red

together, into something much more delicious. The committee rated this a

wine, but I thought they would complement each other well. If you ask me, I

7.5./10 across the board.

stand by this statement. If you were to ask my co-investigators, they would not agree so much. The wine and chips, on their own, were subpar. The wine

SOUR CREAM & ONION AND CHARDONNAY

was described as having subtle flavors of black cherry, mixed berries and a hint of vanilla. I have a newfound fascination with wine experts because how

The moment I had been waiting for was finally here, and it did not disappoint.

they tasted this wine and came up with those findings is beyond me. I thought

These chips were a different brand than the rest, resulting in a bolder flavor

the sweetness of the chip cut through the bitterness of the Merlot, creating

profile, which we agreed contributed to a higher rating. Either way, we all

a balance of flavors. The combination of the two danced together beautiful-

enjoyed this pairing as the saltiness and tang of the chips were well balanced

ly inside my mouth, making it a 7/10 for me. Ambar liked it enough, but just

with the not-too-sweet wine. It also might have been that we were at the end

enough to rate it a 4/10, while Carmen gave it a generous 3/10.

of our line of tastings and the warmth of the last four wines had made their way to our heads … but who’s to say? This combo averaged an 8.5/10 among

ORIGINAL AND PROSECCO

the three (very intelligent, expert-level) judges.

Again, I was excited for this pairing, but this time I was met with disappoint-

If this review somehow compelled you to try these interesting combinations,

ment. We all agreed that the chip tasted like … nothing. It didn’t have the

I highly suggest you try them yourself. It opened our taste buds and hearts

same saltiness that you would expect an original potato chip to have, so the

to the complex world of wine (or shut them down, for some). But it certainly

flavor combination was skewed. The Prosecco was sweet and fruitful, which

made for a fun afternoon filled with laughs and confused facial expressions.

I think would have been a lot better with a saltier counterpart. Instead, it was

This tasting would make for a great date night, girls night, what have you.

just a sweet champagne mixed with a soggy, bland chip. It wasn’t disgusting

You can mix up the combinations or substitute to your liking — have fun with

by any means; more so, it lacked any distinguished flavors or elements of

it! At least by the end of it, you’ll be too buzzed to remember the horrible

surprise. This pairing received a 1.5/10 across the board.

aftertastes.

SALT & VINEGAR AND SAUVIGNON BLANC I’ll never understand the appeal of vinegar-flavored food, but to each their own. Because of this, I was not thrilled at this combination, but it helped that the chips lacked a strong vinegar … or salt flavor, for that matter. The Sauvignon Blanc was described as having notes of citrus, lemon and apple, which

WATCH THE FULL VIDEO HERE 90 Folio Weekly

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