The Art of the Figure Workshop at MOCA
2026-01-03 12:00 - 15:00 (America/Indiana/Indianapolis) | MOCA Jacksonville, 333 North Laura St, Jacksonville, FL, United States
[Ages 18+] This life drawing series is designed for artists of all levels of experience. Learn and practice general proportions, along with key anatomical landmarks by studying a live nude model. A focus will be placed on creating dynamic figures, demonstration and practice of gesture drawings, and intentional consideration of different levels of finish. Materials are not provided for this class. Bring your own materials to draw. Newsprint and charcoal are recommended for gesture drawing, but any drawing medium is acceptable for longer poses.

Carmen
2026-01-04 14:00 - 17:00 | Lewis Auditorium at Flagler College, 14 Granada St., St. Augustine, FL, United States
Passion ignites this holiday season as First Coast Opera brings Bizet’s Carmen to life in its grandest production in 26 years. From the allure of the “Habanera” to the triumphant “Toreador Song,” the drama and unforgettable melodies have captivated audiences for generations.
General & Artistic Director Curtis Tucker conducts and Mark Freiman directs as more than 80 artists unite in this fully-staged production with orchestra, chorus, and children’s chorus.
Every performance pairs this timeless opera with the glow of St. Augustine’s Nights of Lights at Lewis Auditorium December 31 at 7:30 pm, and 2:00 pm matinees on January 2 and 4. On New Year’s Eve, operagoers are invited to enjoy complimentary champagne as part of the evening’s celebration.
With $20 student tickets and special group rates, this milestone production offers an experience for all to treasure long after the final curtain. Visit firstcoastopera.com or call 904-417-5555 for details.

January Art Walk at Southlight Gallery
2026-01-07 17:00 - 20:00 | Southlight Gallery, 201 North Hogan Street Suite 100, Jacksonville, FL, 32202, United States
Kick off the New Year at Southlight Gallery!
This January Art Walk, don’t miss Beneath the Surface by Alexander Diaz, acclaimed photographer and Associate Professor at University of North Florida.
Diaz’s stunning images dive into Florida’s natural springs, capturing the contrast between bustling summer crowds above and the serene, otherworldly beauty below. Experience a powerful visual journey that reveals Florida’s hidden tranquility and celebrates the fragile ecosystems that make our state unique. A must see exhibition to start your year with inspiration!

Gainesville Folk Festival
2026-01-10 13:00 - 22:00 | Heartwood Soundstage, 619 S. Main St, Gainesville, FL, 32601, United States
Gainesville Folk Festival
Join us for the first annual Gainesville Folk Festival!
Saturday Mainstage:
12 p.m. Doors
1:00-1:30 sunkxn
1:50-2:05 Kids’ Fiddling Showcase with Emilia Cook, Theodora Dickens, & Lucille Dickens
2:25-3:05 (V)owls
3:25-3:45 Cross Creek Cloggers
4:05-4:45 The Wire Birds
5:00-5:40 Mariee Siou
6:00-6:40 Short Stack
7:00-7:40 Wild Shiners
8:00-8:40 American Dream Survivors
Saturday Jam Room
2:30-3:20 Oldtime Jam with the Baldwins (Brent, Inslee, Lloyd,Scott and Akiko)
330-4:20 Songs in the round w/ Ang
4:30-5:20 Celtic & Shanty Jam with Jig to a Milestone
5:30-6:20 Irish Jam with Arthur
6:30-7:20 Old time Jam with Weaver
1:30-1:50 Smooth Flava Urban Line Dancing Class
Saturday Soundstage
2:30-2:50 Contra Dance Class
3:10-3:30 Gainesville International Dancers Class
4:10-4:30. English Country Dancing Class
Sunday Mainstage
12 p.m. Doors
1:00-1:30 Patchwork
1:50-2:20 Urban Line Dancing w/ Smooth Flava
2:40-3:10 Purple Hayseeds
3:30-4:10 English Country Dancing
4:30-5:00 Swinglewide
5:20-5:35 Gainesville International Folk Dancers
5:55-6:25 Uncle Mosie
6:45-7:30 Contra Dance with Ang DeCarlis & Wild Bill’s Traveling Circus
Sunday Jam Room
1:30-2:20 Protest songs & Singalongs with Larry Fowler
2:30-3:20 Harmony Singing Workshop with Patchwork
4:30-5:20 Oldtime Jam with Chuck Levy
5:30-6:20 Downtuned Swampcore Jam
Outdoor & Indoor Stages
Kids 12 & Under Are Free
Student & Group Discounts
Lawn Chairs Allowed As Space Permits
Sponsored in part by Accent Audiology, Gainesville’s premiere audiology and hearing aid provider.

TEDx Jacksonville Conference On the Edge
2026-01-17 | Lazarra Performance Hall, University of North Florida
TEDxJacksonville returns on January 17, 2026, with a bold new speaker lineup for its annual conference, to be held at the Lazzara Performance Hall at the University of North Florida. This year’s theme, On the Edge, explores the transformative space where risk meets opportunity—and where the courage to challenge convention can ignite meaningful change.

Matt Pond PA w/ Bathtub Cig at the Blue Jay Listening Room 1/17
2026-01-17 19:00 - 23:00 | Blue Jay Listening Roon
It’s been 20 years since the release of Matt Pond PA’s Several Arrows Later, and the band is marking the occasion with select shows on the East Coast and Florida.

As a trio with strings, they will perform songs from their critically acclaimed album — including “Halloween,” “So Much Trouble,” and “Brooklyn Stars” — alongside other favorites from their catalog—beloved songs from their Polyvinyl Records era and beyond, including standout independent releases. They’re also marking the album’s 20th anniversary with a limited-edition release featuring demos and acoustic versions, available at all shows.

Several Arrows Later, beloved by mpPA fans, served as a kind of fulcrum in Matt’s musical life. He was hitting his stride as a songwriter—one who constantly mines the natural landscape, and that of the heart. The album resonated deeply with those who already followed his work, as well as new listeners, with whom his intentions seemed to click.

“When this album came out, that was when I really started seeing people singing along to the songs, and they were showing me tattoos of lyrics,” Matt says. “I wanted to start a modest movement where people believed in their imperfections. And humbly, I believe it worked.”

He says he wrote the album in a “small green room” in Brooklyn. “All my gear was stacked to the ceiling. There was a small path to the bed, and that’s where I’d sit with my notebook and tape recorder. I was invigorated by the good and the bad of it all. I was embracing how I didn’t fit in—how I will probably never fit in. To me, the album is a celebration of that realization.”

Opening Reception + Exhibition Walkthrough // Kendra Frorup: Roots, Return, and the Weight of Memory
2026-02-06 17:00 - 20:00 | Crisp-Ellert Art Museum, 48 Sevilla St., St. Augustine, FL, 32084, United States
We invite visitors to an opening reception in conjunction with the exhibition Kendra Frorup: Roots, Return, and the Weight of Memory, from 5:00 to 8:00pm. The artist will give a walkthrough at 6:00pm.
Frorup’s mixed-media assemblages and sculptures draw heavily on her Afro-Caribbean roots for inspiration. Her current work references The Bahamas, where she was born and raised, as well as her travels abroad, and incorporates materials such as coconut crowns, found objects, cast materials such as metal and concrete, as well as printmaking, all of which continue her longtime exploration of how culture influences artistic expression. Frorup describes how the work included in “Roots, Return, and the Weight of Memory” evokes “themes of home, migration, and the balance between leadership and care,” ideas central to the exhibition and her “ongoing exploration of Caribbean material culture and diasporic identity.”
Kendra Frorup has exhibited her work throughout the United States and at museums and institutions in the Caribbean, France, and Puerto Rico. In 2022, the National Gallery of the Bahamas hosted her mid-career retrospective, The Whimsical Collector. In 2025, Frorup was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship, partnering with the University of The Bahamas. She received her M.F.A. in sculpture from Syracuse University. Frorup is currently an Associate Professor of Art and Design at the University of Tampa, where she teaches sculpture, printmaking, and book arts courses.
ABOUT CRISP-ELLERT ART MUSEUM: CEAM programming is supported through grants from the Dr. JoAnn Crisp-Ellert Fund at The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida, and the St. Johns County Tourist Development Council administered through the St. Johns Cultural Council. Additional support is provided by Volkswagen of St. Augustine, VyStar Credit Union, and AC Hotel St. Augustine.

February Story Slam at BABS'LAB
2026-02-13 20:00 - 2026-03-12 22:30 | Babs’Lab, 603 King St. Entance rear of building on Phyllis St, Jacksonville, FL, 32204, United States
Step into Jacksonville’s most intimate, high-energy storytelling space — BABS’LAB
Celebrating over 9 years of Monthly Story Slams
Join us for an evening of true stories, tasty treats, and good vibes, hosted by Babs Colaciello. Our February 13th Story Slam theme may flirt with Valentine’s Day, but RED goes beyond romance. It’s a pulse. A warning. A spark. Come share your five-minute true story, or settle in and listen.
FEATURED ARTIST SPOTLIGHT / ARTIST RECEPTION
To help set the tone for RED, we’re thrilled to partner with visionary artist Mere Mason, whose illuminating work will transform BABS’LAB through light, color, and form. Mere, a Jacksonville-based artist with a studio at Margaret Street Studios, transforms the ordinary into the extraordinary through sustainability, imagination, and thoughtful design. Her one-of-a-kind lighting fixtures will be on display and available for purchase.
ARTIST RECEPTION | 7:00 PMExperience a little RED magic before the slam. Installation developed in collaboration with Julia Ivanisova, BABS’LAB Curatorial Collaborator. ART + TREATS + Libations + Chit-Chat
❤️ Why not wear a little RED? ❤️Subtle or bold. Your call.
EVENT DETAILS
DATE: Friday, February 13, 2026TIME: Artist Reception 7:00 PM | Story Slam 8:00 PMWHERE: BABS’LAB, CoRK Arts District. NOTE: Entrance on Phyllis St. between the metal fence and palm tree, across from the Yellow House
WHAT’S A STORY SLAM?
• 10 people’s names are picked from the hat.
• Storytellers have 5 minutes each to tell a TRUE personal story based on a THEME.
• At the end of the evening the audience Votes for their favorite storyteller.
• Story must connect to the Theme.
• No notes. No props.
•Please no political ranting, no preaching.

Anna Tripp South Africa Series at Southlight Gallery
2026-03-04 17:00 - 20:00 | Southlight Gallery, 201 North Hogan Street Suite 100, Jacksonville, FL, 32202, United States
Get ready to be transported to the vibrant landscapes and culture of South Africa through Anna Tripp’s captivating series at Southlight!

Tripp, born in Quito, Ecuador, is a local marine scientist and visual artist. Her work primarily consists of capturing wildlife, landscapes, and people during high contrast light while traveling, working on conservation projects, or in her day-to-day life.
Tripp’s use of natural light to emphasize the subject is to highlight the beauty around us, encouraging viewers to step outside and become OneWithEarth™.
Make sure you catch this beautiful exhibition at next month’s Downtown Art Walk on March 4th!

Jacksonville Dance Theatre - In Here: Emerging Voices
2026-03-07 18:00 - 2026-03-08 19:30 | The Picinich-Byrd Theatre, 10131 Atlantic Blvd. Jacksonville, FL 32225, 10131 Atlantic Blvd., Jacksonville, 32225
This special fundraising performance showcases brand-new works choreographed by JDT company members, commissioned and developed under the artistic mentorship of Rebecca R. Levy. This intimate evening celebrates the creative voices within our company, offering audiences a first look at original, thought-provoking dance works crafted by the artists who know JDT from the inside out. Proceeds from these performances will directly support the company’s operations, including dancer salaries, production costs, and future commissions—ensuring JDT continues to thrive as a hub for professional dance in Northeast Florida. Join us for an inspiring night of innovation, artistry, and community support.

MOCA Studio Practice: Layered Abstraction with Lily Kuonen
2026-03-14 12:00 - 14:00 | MOCA Jacksonville, 333 North Laura St, Jacksonville, FL, United States
Studio Practice is a monthly series of hands-on, practical art classes at the Museum of Contemporary Art Jacksonville where students of all levels learn to create in varying media with the instruction of a local artist. This month features a hands-on workshop where participants will explore drawing, painting, and collage as tools to deconstruct and reimagine visual space. This workshop encourages creative risk-taking and play while providing strategies for developing cohesive, compelling abstract artworks.

Gilbert & Sullivan's THE MIKADO
2026-03-20 19:30 - 22:00, 2026-03-21 16:00 - 18:30 | Lewis Auditorium at Flagler College, 14 Granada St., St. Augustine, FL, United States
“The flowers that bloom in the spring” will bring the beloved British operetta, The Mikado.

This timeless comedy features Sir William Gilbert’s witty lyrics and dialogue poking fun at England’s politics, while Sir Arthur Sullivan provides one hummable tune after another.
🪭 Fully-staged with orchestra and chorus
🪭 Sung in English with surtitles
🪭 $20 student tickets
🪭 Group rates available for 10 or more

The Mikado is on stage March 20-21 in Lewis Auditorium at Flagler College. Nelson Sheeley returns to direct with longtime company baritone Sean Stork leading the FCO Orchestra in his conducting debut

Mainstage newcomers Rachel Querreveld as Yum-Yum, Angela Smith as Katisha, John Tibbetts as Pish-Tush, and Victoria Isernia as Pitti-Sing, will perform with returning artists Jason Whitfield as The Mikado, Fran Daniel Laucerica as Nanki-Poo, Curtis Tucker as Ko-Ko, Anthony Offerle as Pooh-Bah, and Katherine Kincaid as Peep-Bo. The FCO Chorus will also be featured in this topsy-turvy favorite.

“After our surprisingly-cold winter, The Mikado is a perfect heart warmer and Springtime entertainment. It is a perfect introduction to light opera for all ages!” – Curtis Tucker, General and Artistic Director of First Coast Opera

Tickets and details are available at firstcoastopera.com or by calling the box office at 904-417-5555.
HISTORIC CITY. TIMELESS OPERA. LASTING MEMORIES.

America/250
2026-05-01 18:00 - 19:00 | Cathedral Basilica, 38 Cathedral Place, St. Augustine, FL, 32084, United States
Join the North Florida Women’s Chorale for America/250, a powerful spirng concert honoring the endurance and spirit of our nation through music.

Jacksonville Dance Theatre & Friends
2026-05-09 16:00 - 18:00 | The Florida Theatre, 128 East Forsyth Street, Jacksonville, FL, 32202, United States
A powerful split bill performance at the historic Florida Theatre, featuring the acclaimed Jon Lehrer Dance Company. This dynamic evening is produced in partnership with the Amelia Island Dance Festival and promises an unforgettable blend of bold athleticism, expressive storytelling, and refined contemporary technique. The synergy between JDT and JLDC lies in our shared commitment to emotionally resonant, physically charged movement—each company bringing a unique voice while speaking a common language of innovation and artistry. Together, our complementary styles offer audiences a rich and cohesive experience that celebrates the depth and diversity of modern dance.

Jacksonville Dance Theatre - At the Ballet
2026-05-22 11:00 - 13:00 | Jacksonville Center for the Performing Arts (formely Times Union), 300 Water Street, Jacksonville, 32202
Jacksonville Dance Theatre and The Florida Ballet return to Jacoby Symphony Hall for this highly anticipated annual collaboration with the Jacksonville Symphony. This dynamic program seamlessly blends the elegance of ballet with the energy of modern dance, creating a breathtaking fusion that will captivate and thrill. It’s a celebration of movement, music and artistry that you won’t want to miss.
