Urban Jacksonville

Tuesday April 1st there will be a philosophy slam at 9th and Main in Springfield. The slams are open mic discussions led by a moderator who argues for a controversial conclusion, then responds to input from the audience. The last philosophy slam started at 7:30, so I’m assuming this one will too.

This slam, titled “The Goldilocks Universe: How did the universe get to be ‘just right’ for us?” will ponder questions of design and cosmology suggested by contemporary physics with presenter Conrad Weihnacht.

On Sunday March 30th, RADO’s Neighborhood Watch will be having a street clean-up followed by a cookout. Following the broken window concept RADO is working to reduce crime in Riverside by cleaning trash and talking to neighbors.

Clean-up starts at 3:30pm. Cookout starts at 5:30pm. Meet at 703 Ralph Street. Cookout will be at 2630 Gilmore St. Bring family, friends, neighbors, dogs. All are welcome. RSVP by calling 381-0950.

Tags: 9th and Main, philosophy slam, RADO

The Riverside Avondale Preservation blog reported yesterday the new Riverside Trolley service is set to begin running Monday, May 5, 2008. When I read that I was like “Oh hell yeah! Public transportation for Riverside to Downtown commuters. Nice move COJ and JTA. Way to support public transportation.”

Then I read a little further and got to the operating hours:

Monday - Friday from 10:45 am to 2:30 pm

Huh? My first thought was “What about the people who live in Riverside and work Downtown and what about the weekends!” I was pretty angry thinking JTA is missing a great opportunity to encourage public transportation for people who live in Riverside and work downtown. Not to mention no weekend hours. Sheesh.

Then I realized JTA would seriously cannibalize their bus fares during those peak hours. With trolley rates at $0.50 per rider and bus fares at $1.00 they’d be losing $0.50 cent per rider.

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Tags: jta, public transportation, trolley

Head to 5 Points tonight and support local retail, music and art. Also check out Jaxscene’s events for Friday March 7th

Events and Promotions for tonight’s First Friday in 5 Points

• Live Music
• Come learn an art technique from Brittni Wood at VIOLET!
• Check out a FREE wine tasting at RIVERSIDE LIQUORS!
• SALE! Take 25% off all merchandise at NICOTINE!
• Don’t miss ‘Wee Forest Folk’ at ONE OF EACH GIFTS!
• Art throughout the street provided by BOGDA GALLERY!
• New spring styles are arriving at EDGE CITY!
• ALOHA PARADISE is offering flip flop specials all night!
• Get crafty at ANOMALY with a 5 minute craft and free libations.
• Grab a beer at RAGLANDS with over 20+ beers on tap!
• Take a bead class at BEAD HERE NOW!

While you’re down there check out the progress of Nest Living, a design studio opening in 5 Points that will stock furniture, bedding, lighting, wallpaper, ceramics, media players, etc.

Tags: first friday

There is an art show at the Lloyd Apartments tonight at 10th and Laura. Our pals at Urban Art Warfare posted some nice directions to the spot:

Come to The Lloyd Art Show in the Historic Springfield! 10 Talented Artists all around, 2 Musicians and one DJ. Short Films at Midnight. Friday, February 29th, 2007 at 7:00pm, 1951 N Laura Street Jacksonville, FL 32202. The Lloyd is located on the South East corner of Tenth and Laura in Historic Springfield. myspace.com/thelloydapartments

Don’t let the idea of an art show in an apartment scare you off. I went to a show at the Lloyd Apartments a couple of months ago and I was wowed! Here’s what I said back then and here are some photos.

If you missed this show you might have missed the best show of the weekend. Or the most surprising at least. I honestly didn’t know what to expect when I showed up at the Lloyd Apartments at 9th and Laura in Springfield. I thought it would be a bunch of kids showing art in a thrown together show. I expected a degree of professionalism, but I was blown away when I got to the show. The house, apartment, galley, whatever was immaculate. Clean, built in bookshelves, wood floors, high ceilings, nice trim etc. The art was awesome too. Unfortunately I didn’t get many pictures and I didn’t do any interviews.

There is also the 1st Annual Chili cookoff this weekend at 9th and Main.

Tasting tickets are $10 and include a 2-oz taste of each chili along with a variety of condiments. VIP tickets are also available for $25.00, and will include full table service, cornbread, dessert, and preferred seating.

And if that wasn’t enough to do you can check out the art show at Bogda Saturday March 1st or the show at Uncommon Grounds on Sunday. Here are details on those shows from Jacksonville Confidential

You certainly will not find a shortage of events taking place this weekend. First things first, “Clockwork Orange” is playing at San Marco Theatre Friday and Saturday at midnight; 11:55 to be precise. This is my favorite movie (next to the Godfather) and I can’t think of a better place to view it. Best part, for 5 dollars you can purchase the poster above. How rad would it be to have that in your possession in 20 years?

Casiotone for the Painfully Alone is the solo project of Owen Ashworth. It’s fun music characterized by electronically-produced beats. Think cheap keyboards. Check ‘em out at TSI with Sunbears.

More music tonight hosted by Are ‘Friends’ Electric Live, but from what I gather it’s out at Jax Beach. Still, you can see a really great band, Airport Factory, with Our Name is Legion and Ysuge.

Saturday-day make your way to the Jacksonville Fairgrounds for Junior League’s 17th Annual Whale of a Sale. It’s a community garage sale in which proceeds benefit community projects. The sale is from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Cost is 1 dollar per person and afterward you can grab some breakfast or brunch at a new place you haven’t tried yet. My recommendations: The Fox or the Brick in Avondale and Cool Moose in Riverside.

Saturday night it’s all about TSI and the Fluoro Party. Having been in a sorority (true story) I can’t say I’ve never been to one and I can’t say they’re not incredibly fun. Wear lots of neon! It’s your chance to rock that hot pink fanny pack you use at Disney World.

That wraps up my knowledge of what’s happening this weekend. I’m sure there’s a lot more going on, so feel free to lay it down in the comments. I hope to see you all around!

First things first, First Fridays in Five Points is tonight!  I haven’t heard about any major artwork being displayed or a movie being shown, but as usual, the stores will be open late.  Plus, you can get some delicious food at one of the many restaurants in the area.  Outside seating is delightful.

Heads up for a new store coming to Riverside.  Nest Living is a design studio opening in 5 Points in March that will stock furniture, bedding, lighting, wallpaper, ceramics, media players, etc.  The picture above shows the type of furniture the store will sell.  Some of the furniture will be on display tonight at First Fridays.  Check it out while you’re making your way around town.

Saturday is the More Than Wallpaper show at Bogda.  The poster really says it all, but it’s from 8-11 p.m. at 1253 McDuff Ave. S.  Maybe Jacksonville’s called-upon ‘art critic’ will make an appearance.  We’ll see.

Lastly, if you don’t have a hot lunch date Saturday, you should probably head over to the Springfield Community Garden (located on Main Street between 1st and 2nd) for clean up day.  Bring gloves, water, snacks, trash bags and/or hand tools.   Hey, bring your date, too!  It starts at noon.

 See you guys out and about.

UPDATE: Here is a fun, informal podcast with interviews and comments at the 3rd annual Jacksonville Tangerine Festival.

The third annual Tangerine Festival is going on this Saturday at Memorial Park in Riverside. This is possibly the most blogged about event all week! Don’t miss it.

The festival is coming, the festival is you, the festival is me, the festival is citrusy, the festival is food, is fun, is farmers, is friends, is joy, is daytime, is winter, is Saturday the 26th! is rain or shine, is Riverside (but more importantly, Jacksonville), is dogs and cats, is soccer and bikes, is SCA, is drum circle, is yours and mine and theirs and his and hers and ours.

Deets
Saturday, January 26, 2008
10:00am - 8:00pm
Memorial Park (Riverside Avenue @ 5points)

Other Activities of Note

• Alleycat bike race at 1:00
• 3-on-3 soccer tournament
• Potato sack races, frisbee matches, hoola hoop competitions
• Handmade goods for sale
• About 6 local bands
• Jax Bike Co-op will also be hosting a repair clinic, bike show and a tall bike joust.
• A local farmer’s market and garden swap.

If you do have a Facebook account check out the Tangerine Festival on Facebook (login required). It has the most information on the event.

More Festival Related Posts
JaxScene post on Tangerine Festival
Inertia post on Tangerine Festival
Urban Core post on Tangerine Festival and again
RADO post on Tangerine Festival