I would like to preface this blog with two simple words. If you were here at our venue last night you would understand the preface of this blog without any further explanation. You would read the words, nod your head with approval and utter the words, “So true.” If you were not, shame. Shame on you. Here goes: JONNY LANG Enough said. Moving on. So, I was at the theatre this past Wednesday taking in a little more Classic Albums Live as they presented Who’s Next, the fifth album released by British rockers The Who. First of all, what an awesome album—Bargain, Behind Blue Eyes, Baba O’Reilly and all the rest. I bet there are so many people in my generation that have no idea that Bargain isn’t just a commercial jingle, Behind Blue Eyes was not written by Limp Bizkit and Baba O’Reilly is the actual title to that song, not Teenage Wasteland. Had these people come, they would have received a little musical lesson, but for the sake of this blog, that is neither here nor there. But what struck me besides...

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Round One After enjoying pizza and some beers, I sat through chick flick number one- He’s Just Not That Into You. Yes, I was that girl that went right out and bought the book when it came out and yes felt like- oh I know it all now! But not even the book could prepare me for the way this movie portrayed dating and relationships- so very true. Mind you, my opinion is quite jaded- considering I don’t have too much to go on as far as “the good side” of a relationship.  I actually felt disturbed by the movie because it seemed so spot on, but really what it did was focus on all the negative ways relationships can work.  Not really restoring my faith, but enlightening me on what could happen someday- the good. Round Two Next, Confessions of a Shopaholic, which was unfortunately, horrible. I have read this entire series and would recommend the books to any and everyone. The story of Rebecca Bloomwood and her crazy shopping addiction always put me at ease about my own spending habits. I had high expectations for this one, and was so very disappointed.  I actually found myself bored, when I was just assumed I would be laughing so hard I’d be crying.  I think if you haven’t read the books, it may be just a cute flick and would still enjoy it. One positive- the soundtrack, it was upbeat and poppy, which I am a fan of for my 6am work outs. Of course another positive would be the diet coke, pop corn, Melissa and Vancey....

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24 This isn’t about that hit television show on FOX. I’m not about to blog about Jack Bauer. I actually stopped watching that show after one full night of watching the first season back to back on DVD a few years ago. It was so intense and gave me such anxiety that I figured I didn’t need that kind of stress from a t.v. show.  I stopped watching E.R. for the same reasons also. No, this isn’t about a t.v. show, but most definitely about the fact that I just turned 24. Last Thursday, I stepped over that one year line, one more time. Now I’m *this* close to being one-quarter of a century old and the thought of that made me a bit nervous. I, like many people, have a list of sorts of things I would like to accomplish, and many of those things are things that fit just within this year—before I am 25. Now, in the spirit of sharing and companionship, I would like to include you (as in my readers) in this list as well. So, here it goes…the 24 Things You and I Will Accomplish before January 29, 2010. 1.      ...

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Okay, so there was some hype, a lot of hype about the American Idol auditions right here in our own town of Jacksonville. My roommates and I even hosted a few of our friends over to watch and see who knew, who sucked, and of course to see if they used the footage of the theatre that they shot. Well to say we were disappointed would be a major understatement. First, the interesting editing they did w/ the Veteran’s Memorial shots vs. Amelia Island footage. Jacksonville was represented as if we hosted the 4 judges in a cabin deep in the forest. It was just odd. Next, the episode was not entertaining at all. The contests were weird and virtually no talent was represented. Our representation consisted of a girl who brought her dog, a bearded kid who bobbled his head an awful lot and an extremely emotional guitarist. No one was outstanding or really even stood out. Very disappointing. The best part, when the song “Life is Highway” was played and the shot of the Florida Theatre marquee and front sign were featured!...

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This week, I might have officially gone insane.

I have decided, along with a few of my coworkers, to run the 2009 Gate River Run on March 14. Now it is necessary to disclose that never have I run the River Run before. I’ve never actually ran that long in one fell swoop before. To be honest, I’m pretty proud of myself when I can get through one full mile on the treadmill without stopping. It’s really sad, I know.

As lofty as it sounds, I really do have my heart set on accomplishing this. The responses from friends and family have been quite interesting I will say. Some are very supportive—usually because they are running it as well or have done it in the past. And from others, the response is less supportive and more based on previous knowledge about my relationship with running. They answer with things like, “Yeah and I’m going to cross the Arctic.”

So let me give some background.

It all stems from my elementary school days and the dreaded Presidential Physical Fitness...

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  Last Friday my new roommate Shannon and I decided to go out for a night of drinks and dancing.  We are big fans of the downtown scene, but really were interested to check out the new buzz- Destination Downtown. Downtown Jacksonville is a really important part of our community and is often overlooked as a place to come to and stick around.  Destination Downtown has now made a reason to stay! Mavericks, Twisted Martini, The Ivy, North Star Pizza, Mark’s and Dive all lifted their cover charges and offered great drink specials.  I am a personal fan of moving around from one bar to another, so this event even offers a car service (Designated Driver Inc.) to help you get from the Landing to Bay street free of charge- genius! Another reason some don’t choose to come downtown would be parking- but during Destination Downtown, you can park in a centrally located garage for just $1! The night also offers a chance to win prizes, bar tabs and even Florida Theatre tickets. Not that I need those, but you know what I mean!...

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I have rediscovered Jamie Cullum. After a few years of shelving his album “Catching Tales” for a while, it has now become my favorite album for the moment. I remember seeing him about two and half years ago at the theatre right about the time I was getting into the groove of working here. The rather vertically challenged British jazz singer/songwriter and musician was all over that piano like a kid on a very expensive, very pretty jungle gym. I had never heard of him before that night but literally fell in love with the little rascal.  His energy was infectious, his talent—phenomenal. His fingers would manipulate over those keys every which way like a perfectly chaotic choreographed dance. It was incredible. And I was most definitely sold. There is one very funny part about the whole thing. I’ve never liked jazz. Call me an uneducated jazz listener but I’ve always felt that it was too all over the place. Too wacky. Wild saxophones flailing notes left and right. Someone tinkering with the drum set in...

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Following in the keystrokes of my fellow K-girl, I would like to take this final 2008 blogging opportunity to relive some of my most memorable events from this past year. I can’t say that I will do them in any sort of chronological order… if I can even recall when they exactly happened at all, unless I can find some post-it note with that information on it somewhere on my desk. Needless to say I should probably bump up that ginkgo biloba dosage, if I could remember to take them. There have been many an opportunity to break out old dance costumes this year, notably my get-up at this years ADDY Awards. It won me the “Best Expression” award that now sits next to my “Amazing Author” award I won my senior year in yearbook—two very prestigious acknowledgments of my many talents. Speaking of the ADDY Awards, some of the AAFJAX crew and I supported our district and national ADDY awards in Tampa and Atlanta, respectively. There is really never a dull moment at functions that involve all the wacky creative people that...

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One of our new year’s resolutions last December was to revive our blog and keep it updated once a week. I am happy to report we have been successful! Now we want to hear more from you- so take to time to comment and give us some feedback, we’d love to hear from you. So this being my last blog of 2008 I thought I’d do a year in review, some of it is personal to me and some personal to the theatre. January Florida Theatre staff takes over the Big Apple! The year was off to a great start, 4 of us from the office traveled to NYC to participate and have a ton of fun at the Association of Performing Arts Presenters conference.  Our days were packed with seminars, samplings and wandering 3 floors of talent in a trade show form. Our nights were just as full with shows, concerts, good food and good drinks! A trip none of us will ever forget!   February I am NEVER a huge fan of Valentine’s Day, but this year had a great twist. Country star Trisha Yearwood was here to sing all of her great hits on the 14th...

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