Monday, December 24, 2012

Artist Series Presents: Elvis Lives: — January 19th at the Times-Union Center's Moran Theater

Artist Series Presents
Elvis Lives
The Ultimate Elvis Tribut Artist Event


Saturday, January 19th at 8:00 PM at the Moran Theater

JACKSONVILLE, FL— The national hit Elvis Lives will be presented in Jacksonville at the Times-Union Center’s Moran Theater for one performance only on Saturday, January 19th at 8PM! Elvis Lives, which keeps on capturing the imaginations and interests of fans of all types including Broadway, concert and Elvis aficionados, is an unforgettable multi-media and live musical journey across Elvis' life featuring finalists from Elvis Presley Enterprises' annual worldwide Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest, each representing Elvis during different stages in his career. The Elvis tribute artists will be joined by a live band, back-up singers and dancers, along with an Ann-Margret tribute artist, as well as iconic imagery made available from the Graceland archives; which includes a new exhibit of life-size images of Elvis’ stage-wear that will be on display in the theater lobby.

The high energy show features Ultimate winner Bill Cherry, along with Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest top five finalists Kevin Mills, Leo Days and Ben Klein, as the principle cast for the winter/spring production of Elvis Lives, joined by the professional talent of Lorri Russo as Ann-Margret.


“We are very pleased that 'Elvis Lives' continues to delight audiences all over the nation and that Elvis fans in Jacksonville will be given the opportunity to see these talented entertainers. We hope to see finalists from the Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest starring in 'Elvis Lives' for years to come.”

—Kevin Kern
Director of Public Relations for EPE


“We are excited to be working with some of the most exceptional tribute artists in the world. These talented performers really capture the spirit of the King of Rock N’ Roll while evoking the sensation of being there with Elvis as he journeys through his musical career…Elvis Lives is truly a dynamic and family friendly production.”

—Barbara Cooley
Executive Producer for On Stage Touring


For more information on the show, visit www.elvislivestour.com.

Elvis Lives fans can also try their luck with the Elvis Lives—Norwegian Cruise Lines sweepstakes for a chance to win one of Norwegian’s seven-day cruises for two in an ocean view stateroom. More information on the contest can be found at www.elvislivestour.com.



How to Buy Tickets:

Tickets for Elvis Lives in Jacksonville begin at $37.00 and are available at (904) 442-BWAY (2929) or www.artistseriesjax.org. Discounts are available for groups of 10 or more at (904) 442-2947 or via e-mail at groupsales@fscj.edu.

To order by phone with Visa, MasterCard, American Express or Discover call The Artist Series Box Office at (904) 442-BWAY (2929) or toll-free (for outside of Jacksonville) at 1-888-860-BWAY.

Tickets are also available online with Instant Seat Selection by visiting the The Artist Series’ website.


The Artist Series has been recognized by the State of Florida as a Major Cultural Institution and receives funding from the State of Florida, through the Florida Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs and the Florida Arts Council.

Saturday, December 22, 2012

Artist Series Presents: Let's Go Science — January 19th at the Wilson Center for the Arts

Artist Series Presents
Let's Go Science
At the Wilson Center for the Arts at 11901 Beach Boulevard


SATURDAY, JANUARY 19th at 1:30 PM & 4:30PM

JACKSONVILLE, FLLet's Go Science plays at Jacksonville’s Wilson Center for the Arts for two performances only on Saturday, January 19th at 1:30PM & 4:30PM.

Let's Go Science is a fun family science show. The wacky and talented Professor Smart and Dr. Knowitall join forces for an educational, entertaining, exciting and experiential extravaganza. Professor Smart shrinks his head, has toilet paper flying, juggles and has peoples’ hair standing on end, all while demonstrating principals of physics. Researcher and comedic sidekick Dr. Knowitall keeps the facts straight.

Watch out a video preview of Let's Go Science

During Let's Go Science, kids learn science concepts through impressive and memorable demonstrations. They learn about air pressure, figure out flight, see awesome optical illusions, are shocked by static electricity, see experiments with falling masses, grasp gyroscopic properties, and get a handle on the scientific method.

Location:
The Wilson Center for the Arts is located on Florida State College at Jacksonville’s South Campus at 11901 Beach Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32246.



How to Buy Tickets:

Tickets are $16.00 ($8.50 for children 12 and under) and are available at (904) 442-BWAY (2929) or www.artistseriesjax.org. Discounts are available for groups of 10 or more at (904) 442-2947 or via e-mail at groupsales@fscj.edu.

To order by phone with Visa, MasterCard, American Express or Discover call The Artist Series Box Office at (904) 442-BWAY (2929) or toll-free (for outside of Jacksonville) at 1-888-860-BWAY.

Tickets are also available online with Instant Seat Selection by visiting the The Artist Series’ website.


The Artist Series has been recognized by the State of Florida as a Major Cultural Institution and receives funding from the State of Florida, through the Florida Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs and the Florida Arts Council.

Artist Series Presents: The State Ballet Theatre of Russia's Cinderella — January 12th at the Times-Union Center

THE STATE BALLET THEATRE OF RUSSIA
Cinderella

Presented by the Artist Series at the Times-Union Center's Moran Theater


SATURDAY, JANUARY 12th at 8PM

JACKSONVILLE, FLThe State Ballet Theatre of Russia—Cinderella comes to Jacksonville’s Times-Union Center’s Moran Theater for one performance only on Saturday, January 12th at 8PM!

Tickets for Cinderella begin at $42.00 (and at $21.00 for children under 12) and are available at www.artistseriesjax.org or (904) 442-BWAY (2929). Discounts are available for groups of 10 or more at (904) 442-2947 or by e-mailing groupsales@fscj.edu.

Hailed by the New York Times as a production “…full of enchantment’” with “lovely scenery” and “graceful costumes,”Cinderella is a ballet in three acts, with choreography and production by Vladimir Vasiliev and music by S. Prokofiev. Igor Nepomnyashchiy is the Artistic Director of the Theatre, and Lyudmila Sycheva is the Artistic Director of the Ballet. The State Ballet Theatre of Russia has toured with productions of traditional Russian classics throughout France, Germany, Holland and Czech Republic, as well as in India and throughout Africa. Among the company’s 65 dancers are many distinguished Russian artists and winners of international ballet competitions.

“Enchanting from start to finish, the State Ballet Theatre of Russia managed to bring a tear to my eye…The whole performance was executed with ultimate precision which saw not a step out of place, allowing the audience to suspend disbelief and be transported to fairyland.”

—Andrea Goddard, Chronicle & Echo Northhampton



How to Buy Tickets:
To order by phone with Visa, MasterCard, American Express or Discover call The Artist Series Box Office at (904) 442-BWAY (2929) or toll-free (for outside of Jacksonville) at 1-888-860-BWAY.

Tickets are also available online with Instant Seat Selection by visiting the The Artist Series’ website.


The Artist Series has been recognized by the State of Florida as a Major Cultural Institution and receives funding from the State of Florida, through the Florida Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs and the Florida Arts Council.

Tuesday, December 11, 2012

Artist Series PresentsRock of Ages: April 2—7, 2013 at the Times-Union Center

ARTIST SERIES PRESENTS
Rock of Ages

FIVE-TIME TONY AWARD® NOMINATED SMASH-HIT MUSICAL


Single Tickets on Sale This Friday, December 14th

JACKSONVILLE, FL—Tickets for Rock of Ages go on sale to the public this Friday, December 14th at 10:00AM! Rock of Ages will rock Jacksonville’s Times-Union Center for 8 performances only from April 2—7, 2013.

Tickets for Rock of Ages begin at $32.00 and are available at www.artistseriesjax.org or (904) 442-BWAY (2929). Discounts are available for groups of 10 or more at (904) 442-2947 or groupsales@fscj.edu. Rock of Ages contains some adult language. For more information, visit www.rockofagesontour.com.

In 1987 on the Sunset Strip, a small-town girl met a big-city dreamer—and in L.A.’s most legendary rock club, they fell in love to the greatest songs of the ‘80’s. It’s Rock of Ages, a hilarious, feel-good love story told through the hit songs of iconic rockers Journey, Styx, REO Speedwagon, Foreigner, Pat Benatar, Whitesnake, and many more. This 5 time Tony nominated musical is rockin' its way across the USA. Don't miss this awesomely good time about dreaming big, playing loud and partying on!

Rock of Ages is a worldwide phenomenon with a smash hit production in London, and still rockin' on Broadway, featuring 28 classic rock tunes including Don't Stop Believin', We Built This City, The Final Countdown, Wanted Dead or Alive, Here I Go Again, Harden My Heart, Can't Fight this Feeling, Renegade and I Want To Know What Love Is.

Rock of Ages is directed by Tony Award Nominee Kristin Hanggi (Bare, Pussycat Dolls on the Sunset Strip) and choreographed by Kelly Devine (Jersey Boys—Associate Choreographer). With a book by Chris D’Arienzo (writer and director of the film Barry Munday), original arrangements by David Gibbs (Counting Crows, Film: That Thing You Do) and the Music Supervision, Arrangements & Orchestrations by Ethan Popp (Tarzan; Europe: We Will Rock You, Mamma Mia).

Rock of Ages features set design by Beowulf Boritt (Spelling Bee, LoveMusik), costume design by Tony Nominee Gregory Gale (Cyrano, The Wedding Singer), lighting design by Jason Lyons (The Threepenny Opera), sound design by Craig Cassidy (Phantom, Mamma Mia), and projection design is by Zachary Borovay (A Catered Affair). Rock of Ages is produced by PHOENIX ENTERTAINMENT.

Rock of Ages
Jacksonville Performance Schedule


Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
 
Sunday
 
April 2nd
April 3rd
April 4th
April 5th
April 6th
 
April 7th
 
7:30 PM
7:30 PM
7:30 PM
8:00 PM
2:00 PM
8:00 PM
1:30 PM
7:00 PM

Ticket Purchase Info
Tickets for Rock of Ages begin at $32.00 and are available at www.artistseriesjax.org or (904) 442-BWAY (2929). Discounts are available for groups of 10 or more at (904) 442-2947 or groupsales@fscj.edu. Rock of Ages contains some adult language. For more information, visit www.rockofagesontour.com.

Monday, December 3, 2012

Local Gallery GAAM (Games Art and Music) Announces Their First Charity Show for December 14, 2012

Jacksonville, FL—Local startup gallery GAAM has officially announced the first Games Art And Music Charity Show to take place December 14, 2012, at The Museum at 4160 Boulevard Center Dr, Jacksonville, FL.

Local artists, Edmund Dansart, Logan Zawacki, Derrick Nevado, and Ryan Paul Thompson have collaborated over the past year to create a local event that appreciates and celebrates the video game culture, and bring attention to the SouthEast.

This is a one night only event that has the support of many in the video game industry, including award winning game industry and hollywood composer Penka Kouneva, EA Games, Game designer and author Chris Solarski, and Square Enix (well known for Final Fantasy, Tomb Raider, and Dragon Quest).

The event will feature several art exhibitions, include a charity art auction where 100% of the proceeds will go to Child’s Play, a juried art show for other artists to showcase their work, a real world Super Mario Experiential Exhibit, famous cosplayer Candy Keane, DJ Nes, martial arts demonstrations by Nevado Karate Arts, and more.

About GAAM
GAAM stands for Games Arts And Music, and was formed in 2012 and is an art curation and creation company. They specialize in representing the gaming culture in it’s various forms and creating unique gaming events and experiences.

About Child’s Play
Child’s Play was founded in 2003 by Mike Krahulik and Jerry Holkins of the online comic strip Penny Arcade, which concerns itself with video games and gamer culture. In response to the media’s negative portrayal of gamers, the pair called for the gaming community to donate to Seattle Children’s Hospital during the holiday season.

The response was overwhelming—within weeks, they had a garage packed full of toys, games, and gifts to brighten the holiday of many sick kids. That year, they raised over $250,000; a number that has grown each year; up to nearly $10 million as of 2010. The gaming community comes together to raise millions of dollars, put together hundreds of community fundraisers, and change the lives of countless children.

Contact
To learn more about this event and GAAM please visit their website at http://www.gamesartandmusic.com or contact Ryan Paul Thompson at ryan@gamesartandmusic.com.

For more information regarding Child’s Play, please visit the website.

Thursday, November 29, 2012

HATS OFF TO THE NEW DERBY

At least once a month, or as best as we can arrange, my best mate and I have a man-date. We go to the movies, dinner, drinking, whatever we can find fun to do to get away from our regular lives and shoot the shit and usually laugh till it hurts. Its been getting a little more difficult as of late because he's soon getting married. But even then I've told his soon-to-be wife that I'm retaining custody one day a month. The other night we managed to free up some time from our equally busy schedules and got our night out. We decided to keep it simple and stick around the 5 Points area and grab dinner and some drinks. I've pretty much worn a path through just about every eatery in the neighborhood -- that's the open door for you haters to start chiming out the fat jokes -- so no place really came to mind that would be worth our company on our one night out this month.

We considered BLACK SHEEP, which I have been admittedly eager to try. But as we were walking my friend asked if I had been to the new Derby on Park since they opened. I hadn't, but I had my reservations. In an area I have grown up in, lived in, and experienced so much in, when an iconic landmark is replaced with something new and trendy, I tend to have to be dragged in kicking and screaming. It broke my heart to enter the old Club 5 for the first time when they gutted it for an event space. Oh the times we had in that building. Some so wild we didn't leave until the sun was up the following morning. Which we then spent recovering over plates of greasy breakfasts at the Derby House diner. Waitresses that had been there as long as the mortar that held the place together poured strong coffee into our cracked and stained cups as we wiped off some mysterious stain from our silverware and groaned and laughed about the insanity of the never ending night before. Those were the days. Was I ready to sully the memory of those times and try the now revamped and upscale Derby? Upscale Derby. It sounded wrong to even say. But my comrade had taken the plunge before me and raved about it. I trust his taste, how could I not, he chose to spend the evening with me, so obviously his taste is impeccable.

We passed by the windows and I peered into the new interior. Shiny surfaces, modern new furniture, sleek lighting. This was no Derby I knew. Where was the grease and the dank? Long gone. And with it the open air patio and former news stand. In its place a warm comfortable cafe patio and well stocked bar. The staff were welcoming and friendly, especially to a sour pussed grump like myself ready to be extra critical of the fancy pants new joint that had replaced one of my old haunts. On being seated I found the tables a bit close for comfort, having to pull my chair right up against the chair of the gentleman at the table next to us. I would normally attribute that to my fat ass, but my assessment vindicated when he (a much slimmer guy) rammed the back of his chair into the back of mine to get up from his seat. Not a deal breaker of course, just spacing issues. Then as I started looking over the menu, I realized my placement with the lighting was causing the shadow of my massive head to eclipse the menu. I leaned to one side, bringing the menu to the other so I could see. A waiter noticed me shifting around and offered to turn up the lighting, but I told them it was no issue since that actually would have made it worse. Still, no big deal. Aside from the strategic environmental issues, I was intrigued by the diversity and selection on the simple paper menu. My friend suggests the Fried Green Tomatoes to start, to which I agreed. He ordered the shrimp and grits and as with any new place I dine that offers it, I order the salmon. Not only my favorite fish, one I would happily bat out of a stream myself to eat, but how a place cooks a piece of salmon is also a good barometer as to how good any other dish there would be.

We got our appetizer, four slices of fried green tomatoes stacked a top one another with crumbled cheese sandwiched between each slice and drizzled in sauce. Neither of us are big fans of tomatoes, but these were delicious. We finished those off in short order. It took a bit more time and a few downed beers before the entrees finally arrived. His, some plump shrimp over a triangle shaped patty of grits. Something he had had before and come back for. My plate, the STONEWALL SALMON offered a well sized piece of salmon over spinach, grape tomatoes, and mixed grain brown rice. I took my first bite. It was incredible. The sauce was the star of the plate and really set off the salmon. However, the second time my fork went in for a bite of this fish, it came up with a very raw piece. Inspecting it further, the rest of this slice of delicious fish was raw throughout. Disappointing considering the long wait time for it to arrive to the table. I alerted the waiter who returned the plate to the kitchen for a do over. Meanwhile my friend and I nerded out about the recent Lucasfilm sale to Disney and the upcoming line up of Star Trek TNG stars who will be at next years MegaCon.

The replacement dish finally made it to the table shortly after he had finished his shrimp and grits, which normally would have been a doomed review for any eatery, but dammed if the second try at the salmon wasn't spot on. Perfectly cooked and so delicious the only thing left on the plate just moments later was a small bit of garnish. The management were good enough to right their kitchens error and make up for our wait by comping the meal and apologizing. Customer service like that goes a long way with me.

Overall, despite the small seating arrangement and lighting issue -- likely exclusive to my particular seat on the patio -- my first new experience at my old haunt cleared out some cobwebs from the past and made way for the potential for all new experiences at this landmark location in 5 Points. I tip my hat to the new owners and the good job they did re-envisioning the space and bringing a new flavor to the district. I look forward to many more fulfilling times at the new Derby on Park.

- Max Michaels

DERBY on PARK 
1068 Park Street 
Historic 5 Points 
Jacksonville, Florida 32204 
Phone (904) 379-3343 
Website http://www.derbyonpark.net

Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Artist Series Presents A Christmas Carol — Friday December 21

Artist Series Presents: A Christmas Carol

Friday, December 21 at 8 PM at the Times-Union Center's Moran Theater


JACKSONVILLE, FL: A Christmas Carol plays Jacksonville’s Times-Union Center’s Moran Theater for one performance only on Friday, December 21, 2012 at 8:00PM, and great seats are still available! Tickets start at $26.50 (and at $13.25 for children 12 and under). Tickets for A Christmas Carol are available at www.artistseriesjax.org or (904) 442-BWAY (2929). Discounts are available for groups of 10 or more; call (904) 442-2947 or email groupsales@fscj.edu.

When Charles Dickens wrote his “ghostly little tale” in 1843, he couldn’t know that A Christmas Carol was destined to become one of the most beloved holiday traditions of all time. The Nebraska Theatre Caravan has been touring Charles Jones’ delightful adaptation of A Christmas Carol since 1979. The Caravan’s Carol is probably the most widely produced production of Dickens’ in the nation, annually performing for more than 100,000 people in more than 60 cities across the country. Twenty-eight performers bring Dickens’ fable of redemption to life on a magical set created by noted designer James Othuse. This Victorian version of Christmas magic is presented with a full array of traditional Christmas carols interwoven with the well-known story. The songs themselves are traditional, but musical arrangements courtesy of John Bennett are contemporary and exquisitely beautiful. The colorful scenery and elaborate costumes faithfully recreate the Victorian period. Exceptional voices, lively dancing and dazzling special effects like the mysterious spinning bed combine to create a spectacular holiday treat for the entire family!

The heartwarming tale of A Christmas Carol depicts Ebenezer Scrooge, whose values are focused exclusively on profit, and his conflicts with the struggling Cratchit family, whose tragic problems typified the working class during the Industrial Revolution in Victorian England. The touching climax is based on Dickens' belief that the ills of a greedy world can be healed by brotherhood and unselfishness.

Ticket Info:
Tickets for A Christmas Carol start at $26.50 (and at $13.25 for children 12 and under) and are available at www.artistseriesjax.org or (904) 442-BWAY (2929). Discounts are available for groups of 10 or more; call (904) 442-2947 or email groupsales@fscj.edu.

To order by phone with Visa, MasterCard, American Express or Discover call The Artist Series Box Office at (904) 442-BWAY (2929) (toll-free outside of Jacksonville 1-888-860-BWAY).

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Artist Series Presents: Golden Dragon Acrobats — Saturday, December 1st

ARTIST SERIES PRESENTS:
Golden Dragon Acrobats
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 1 at 2PM @ THE WILSON CENTER FOR THE ARTS


JACKSONVILLE, FL—The Golden Dragon Acrobats play at Jacksonville’s Wilson Center for the Arts for one performance only next Saturday afternoon, December 1st, at 2PM! The Golden Dragon Acrobats represent the best of a time honored tradition that began more than 25 centuries ago. The reputation of the company is solidly rooted in a commitment to the highest of production values and an attention to artistic details that is unparalleled in the art form. The Golden Dragons are recognized throughout the United States and abroad as the premiere Chinese acrobatic touring company of today.

World-renowned impresario Danny Chang and choreographer Angela Chang combine award-winning acrobatics, traditional dance, spectacular costumes, ancient and contemporary music and theatrical techniques to present a show of breathtaking skill and spellbinding beauty.


Check out a video preview of the Golden Dragon Acrobats show:



Ticket & Location Information
Tickets are $34.50 ($15.25 for children 12 and under) and are available at (904) 442-BWAY (2929) or ArtistSeriesJax.org. Discounts are available for groups of 10 or more at (904) 442-2947 or via e-mail. The Wilson Center for the Arts is located on Florida State College at Jacksonville’s South campus at 11901 Beach Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32246.

To order by phone with Visa, MasterCard, American Express or Discover call:
The Artist Series Box Office at (904) 442-BWAY (2929), or toll-free outside of Jacksonville 1-888-860-BWAY (2929). Tickets are also available online with Instant Seat Selection by visiting the Artist Series’ website.

Thursday, November 15, 2012

Cirque Du Soleil: Worlds Away — Advance Tickets On Sale Now

Get Your Tickets Early for the Holiday Movie
Event of the Year with Advance Tickets for
Cirque Du Soleil: Worlds Away — On Sale Now!

HOLLYWOOD, CA (November 14, 2012)—Tickets for Paramount’s Pictures’ 3D film “CIRQUE DU SOLEIL: WORLDS AWAY” are on sale now for select showtimes across the U.S. and Canada. The advance tickets can be purchased online or at participating box offices for special showings at 12:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. December 21st through December 24th. Beginning December 25th, “CIRQUE DU SOLEIL: WORLDS AWAY” will extend its theatrical engagement with regular showtimes in North America.

The film, which Variety has called “A bona fide high-wire act…delivering towering thrills,” and The Hollywood Reporter has called a "3D spectacular", opened in Japan on November 9th and earned $1.5 million in its opening weekend, making it the #1 U.S. release for the weekend, following the film’s opening of the Tokyo International Film Festival. It makes its North American theatrical debut in Montreal, the home town of Cirque Du Soleil’s world famous productions, on December 7th.

From the big top to the big screen, visionary Academy Award®-winning filmmaker James Cameron and director Andrew Adamson (“Shrek,” “The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe”) invite you and your family on an all new 3D adventure: “CIRQUE DU SOLEIL: WORLDS AWAY.” A young couple who is separated must journey through the astonishing and dreamlike worlds of Cirque du Soleil to find each other as audiences experience the immersive 3D technology that will allow them to leap, soar, swim and dance with the performers. Written and directed by Andrew Adamson and executive produced by James Cameron, Jacques Méthé, Cary Granat and Ed Jones. The film was produced by Cirque’s Martin Bolduc, Andrew Adamson and Aron Warner. Vincent Pace oversaw the 3D stereo production aspect of the film.

For additional information about the film, please visit worldsaway3d.com.

West Side Story LIVE at the Moran Theater 12/4—12/9

ARTIST SERIES PRESENTS:

West Side Story

December 4 – 9, 2012, at the Times-Union Center's Moran Theater


The tour of the smash hit Broadway revival of WEST SIDE STORY is coming to Jacksonville! WEST SIDE STORY opens at the Times-Union Center’s Moran Theater on Tuesday, December 4th and runs through Sunday, December 9th for 8 performances only! Tony Award-winning librettist Arthur Laurents’ Broadway direction is recreated for the tour by David Saint, the Associate Director on Broadway. The original Jerome Robbins choreography is reproduced by Tony Award-nominee Joey McKneely (The Boy from Oz, The Life).

Tickets for West Side Story begin at $37.00 and are available at the Artist Series Box Office at (904) 632-3373 or online at artistseriesjax.org. Discounts are available for groups of 10 or more by calling (904) 632-3228 or e-mailing groupsales@fscj.edu.


WEST SIDE STORY tells the story of star-crossed lovers Tony and Maria as they struggle to rise above the hatred and intolerance that surrounds them. WEST SIDE STORY soars as the greatest love story of all time and remains as powerful, poignant and timely as ever. The Bernstein and Sondheim score is considered to be one of Broadway’s finest and features such classics of the American musical theatre as Something’s Coming, Tonight, America, I Feel Pretty and Somewhere.


The cast features Addison Reid Coe as Tony, MaryJoanna Grisso as Maria, Michelle Alves as Anita, Theo Lencicki as Riff and Andrés Acosta as Bernardo.

Also featured are Amber Ardolino as a Shark, Yesenia Ayala as a Shark, Lauren Cannon as Graziella, Konrad Case as Lt. Schrank, Blue Cervini as a Jet, Max Chucker as A-rab, Mark Deler as a Shark, Erika Hebron as a Swing, Dan Higgins as Diesel, Matthew Krob as Glad Hand, Greg London as Doc, Guy Mandia Jr as Action, Thomas Mothershed as Officer Krupke, Louie Napoleon as a Swing, Thaddeus Pearson as a Shark, Josh Pins as Baby John, Anthony Raimondi as a Swing, J. Nycole Ralph as Consuela, Tory Ramirez as a Shark, Bridget Riley as Anybodys, Ricardo Rique-Sanchez as Pepe, Arianna Rosario as a Shark, Carolina Sanchez as Rosalia, Michael Shultz as Big Deal, Jeff M. Smith as Snowboy, Tony Thomas as a Shark, Juan Torres-Falcon as Chino and Laura Volpacchio as a Swing.


What Critics Are Saying About the Show
The Associated Press says WEST SIDE STORY “remains Broadway’s best dance-driven musical. Five decades have not dimmed the extraordinary choreography or the score that pulsates throughout.” Variety says, “The true stars of WEST SIDE STORY are Jerome Robbins' graceful, endlessly expressive choreography and Leonard Bernstein's score, which still sounds bracingly modern a half-century after it was first heard. The music is a primal force.” WEST SIDE STORY is written by three theatrical luminaries: two-time Tony Award winner Arthur Laurents (book) and multiple Tony and Grammy Award winners Leonard Bernstein (music) and Stephen Sondheim (lyrics) in his Broadway debut. WEST SIDE STORY features scenic designs by James Youmans, costumes by Tony Award nominee David C. Woolard, lighting by Tony Award winner Howell Binkley and sound design by Peter McBoyle.

West Side Story Performance Schedule:


  • Tuesday, December 4th at 7:30PM
  • Wednesday, December 5th at 7:30PM
  • Thursday, December 6th at 7:30PM
  • Friday, December 7th at 8:00PM
  • Saturday, December 8th at 2:00PM and 8:00PM
  • Sunday, December 9th at 1:30PM and 7:00PM

Cirque Du Soleil, MGM Resorts International & The Light Group Present LIGHT, Las Vegas

Cirque Du Soleil, MGM Resorts International &
The Light Group Present… LIGHT, Las Vegas

A NIGHTCLUB…AN EXPERIENCE…AFTER DARK…THERE IS LIGHT

Returning to its roots with an eponymous nightlife venue known for revolutionizing the Las Vegas nightlife experience more than 10 years ago, The Light Group—in collaboration with Cirque du Soleil and MGM Resorts International—will introduce LIGHT at Mandalay Bay in March 2013. View the trailer below:

LIGHT, the first-ever nightclub turned on by Cirque du Soleil, will merge cutting-edge creativity with incredible music to produce a new kind of nightlife experience. The chic, fashion-forward 38,000-square-foot venue featuring state-of-the-art production, theatrics, and, of course world-renowned DJs and performers will turn on a new kind of passion and creativity, redefining a “night out” and creating a unique, memorable event each night.

“The nightclub will serve as a laboratory, very much like our special events and projects have done in the past, for different and new artistic possibilities”

Guy Laliberté, Founder (Cirque du Soleil)

Designed as an experience to play with your senses, LIGHT—turned on by Cirque du Soleil—will offer far more than the traditional nightclub. Upon arriving at LIGHT, guests enter the realm of the unknown, as everyone in the club is part of the show. Headlining DJs and performers will lead the charge, coupled with exclusively built performance elements and visuals provided by revolutionary video mapping, lighting, sound and special effects experts Moment Factory, as well as avant-garde costumes and unique choreography. At LIGHT no two nights out will be the same. The spectacle and feeling forever engrained in the mind of guests beg the ultimate question: Have You Seen The Light?

Light by Cirque Du Soleil

Spearheading LIGHT at Mandalay Bay is The Light Group founder Andrew Sasson who has been intimately involved with each detail of the venture. Often credited with establishing and cultivating nightlife on the Las Vegas Strip, Sasson is no stranger to worldwide entertainment, having also launched venues throughout Europe, New York and Miami. Longtime music-industry executive Amy Thomson, manager of global artists including Swedish House Mafia, also worked on the development, music and marketing of LIGHT.

Andrew Sasson said, “This partnership and the projects we are working on will be unlike anything the world has ever seen before–the ultimate theatrical nightlife venue. Cirque du Soleil has built a brand with worldwide recognition and their creativity, attention to detail and passion for their work perfectly complement The Light Group and everything we stand for.”

Daniel Lamarre, President and CEO of Cirque du Soleil, said “This new creative challenge is exciting for us. We have the opportunity to re-think the nightclub experience and apply our creative and artistic signature to different audiences and live experiences.”

Amy Thomson said, “I rarely get to work on production outside of a festival space or arenas and the chance to work with Cirque du Soleil, putting their creativity alongside the music I love, was not something I could pass up. The DJs and performers who have come to work with us all have such high artistic aspirations, and to be able to try this in a space as iconic as Mandalay Bay I hope will be the beginning of many adventures with Cirque du Soleil and The Light Group. It will be a melting pot of ideas and the focus is equally spread across music, the experience and the crowd. Each one relying on the other, like an emotional ecosystem set up to cultivate and grow a magical night out.”

The list of DJs and performers already on board rivals some of the world’s biggest festival line-ups and will be announced soon at HaveYouSeenTheLight.com and the LIGHT social networks:

Facebook Twitter YouTube Instagram

Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Drumline LIVE in Jacksonville: Presented by the Artist Series at the Moran Theater on 11/17

drumline live in jacksonville


Jacksonville, FL: DRUMLINE LIVE plays Jacksonville’s Times-Union Center’s Moran Theater for one performance only on Saturday, November 17th at 8PM! Tickets begin at $32.00 and are on sale online now or (904) 442-BWAY (2929).

DRUMLINE LIVE’s energetic cast has honed its precision and energy with years of training in marching band programs across the southern United States. This versatile group of musicians and dancers brings an explosive energy and athleticism to an eclectic mix of sounds. Equally at home with the hottest contemporary hip hop, R&emp;B, classic Motown tunes, and the rousing sounds of the great brass tradition, DRUMLINE LIVE is thrilled to share the American Marching Band experience with a wider audience.

With riveting rhythms, bold beats and ear-grabbing energy, the staged show will be a synchronized musical showcase. Incorporating original compositions and soul-infused interpretations of top 40 hits, group performances will range from colorful, choreographed routines to heavy doses of drum riffs and cadences.

“We’ve taken the excitement of an HBCU football game halftime show, increased the intensity by a thousand watts, and created a musical journey that will touch every emotion,” says Don P. Roberts, Creator and Director of DRUMLINE LIVE. As the Executive Band Consultant for the Twentieth Century Fox hit movie, Drumline, Roberts was responsible for training the actors, writing the precision drills, and rehearsing the band. As the chief band consultant, he played a vital role in the making of Drumline and its success. The movie received national and international acclaim.

DRUMLINE LIVE kicks off its fourth US tour in the 2012-2013 season following its extremely successful tours in 2008-2009, 2010-2011, and 2011-2012.

Discounts are available for groups of 10 or more at (904) 442-2947 or via e-mail.


Through December 21st, The Artist Series is hosting a Food Drive to support Second Harvest North Florida. The most requested items are canned fruit, vegetables, and beans (preferably low sodium), canned meat/protein-tuna, canned chicken, peanut butter, pasta, soups, Mac n cheese, cereal, instant potatoes, granola, rice, grits, snacks, and breakfast bars. To avoid damage, everything should be plastic, bag, or can. Sponsored by Publix, the Food Drive is held at every Artist Series show through December 21st at the Times-Union Center.

drumline live in jacksonville

Order tickets by phone:
Local: 904.442.BWAY (2929) | Toll Free: 1.888.860.BWAY

Order tickets by online:
Artist Series website at ArtistSeriesJax.org

Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover accepted.

Florida Mining Gallery Presents Jim Draper: The Highway Gallery


Clear Channel Outdoor in collaboration with Florida Mining Gallery presents the Highway Gallery—a city-wide public art campaign that displays art along with advertising. Continuing throughout November 2012, digital billboards throughout the city will feature work by Jacksonville artist, Jim Draper, momentarily transforming space typically used for commerce while giving the public a chance to experience the magic of art.

The Clear Channel Outdoor digital billboards will be seen thousands of times by visitors and residents alike, reaching people of all ages and backgrounds.

Jim Draper has been working on Feast of Flowers—a multi-disciplinary project that critically investigates news ways of understanding Florida's history, environmental aesthetics, and our place within the natural order.

Learn more: The Highway Gallery

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

'The Phlunk' by Lou Rhodes


'The Phlunk' by Lou Rhodes & Tori Elliott published 3 Dec 2012

LAMB are thrilled to announce that Lou has written her first children's book - The Phlunk. Published in hardback on 3 Dec 2012, The Phlunk has a gentle rhyme penned by Lou and beautiful illustrations by Tori Elliott. The Phlunk is perfect for children aged 2-7 but we hope it will also appeal to people of all ages with a lively and open imagination.

Pre-release signed copies of The Phlunk are available in the Lamb store during Nov 2012 only for £7.99 plus postage. The Phlunk can also be pre-ordered from Amazon UK and other online UK retailers, or from any UK bookseller (ISBN: 9780957369009 | Strata Books).

A paperback edition will be published in March 2013 and the musically-inspired follow-up, The Phlunk's Worldwide Symphony, will be published in September 2013.

http://lambofficial.com/
http://www.facebook.com/LambOfficial

Friday, November 2, 2012

TRANSFORMERS: The Ride 3-D Coming to Universal Orlando Resort in Summer 2013

THE BATTLE CONTINUES…IN ORLANDO
JUST ANNOUNCED: BLOCKBUSTER MEGA-ATTRACTION “TRANSFORMERS: THE RIDE – 3D” COMING TO UNIVERSAL ORLANDO RESORT IN SUMMER 2013


Hugely-Successful Attraction Will Now Be Featured at Three Universal Parks Worldwide
Guests Will Be Fully-Immersed in a TRANSFORMERS Adventure with Their Favorite Characters and Nemeses from the Popular Film Series


ORLANDO, Fla. (November 2, 2012) – Get ready – it’s time to prepare for battle…
Universal Orlando Resort announced today that its next blockbuster attraction will be the widely-popular TRANSFORMERS: The Ride – 3D. The groundbreaking ride – created under license from Hasbro, Inc. and based on its iconic TRANSFORMERS brand – will bring the intergalactic battle between the Autobots and the Decepticons to Universal Studios Florida in summer 2013.
Already a “must-see” at Universal Studios Singapore and Universal Studios Hollywood, TRANSFORMERS: The Ride – 3D is a mind-blowing, action-packed ride experience that you have to see to believe. You will come face to face with Megatron. You will dodge explosions and attacks by the Decepticons. You will fight to save mankind alongside Optimus Prime and the Autobots. It will be the greatest battle you’ll ever ride.

Click here to see an important message from Optimus Prime, leader of the Autobots.

Universal worked closely with Michael Bay, the award-wining director of the “TRANSFORMERS” film series and the ride’s creative consultant, to create an authentic experience that brings the non-stop action of the films to life. The attraction combines the larger-than-life TRANSFORMERS characters and an exciting storyline with life-like HD CGI media, state-of-the-art 3-D technology and amazing special effects to place riders right in the middle of an epic battle between good and evil.
“We broke the mold and have taken this ride to a new technological level in terms of blending seamless 3-D,” said Michael Bay, director of the “TRANSFORMERS” films.

“TRANSFORMERS: The Ride – 3D is the perfect addition to Universal Orlando’s thrilling theme park experiences,” said Mark Woodbury, president of Universal Creative. “The ride has already proven to be a hit at our Hollywood and Singapore parks, and we’re excited that Universal Orlando guests will soon be able to join the Autobots in the fight to save the world.”

TRANSFORMERS films, television shows and merchandise have captivated millions of people all over the world. To date, three blockbuster films have been released – “TRANSFORMERS” (2007), “TRANSFORMERS: REVENGE OF THE FALLEN” (2009) and “TRANSFORMERS: DARK OF THE MOON” (2011) – grossing more than $2 billion combined worldwide at the box office. The three films were directed by Michael Bay, executive produced by Steven Spielberg and released by Paramount Pictures.

TRANSFORMERS: The Ride – 3D is slated to open in summer 2013 at Universal Orlando. The attraction will have one of the shortest build times in Universal history – making it one of Universal’s most ambitious projects ever. For more information about TRANSFORMERS: The Ride – 3D, visit www.prepareforbattle.com.

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

AN EVENING WITH ANTHONY BOURDAIN!

THE ARTIST SERIES PRESENTS
 





APRIL 25th AT THE TIMES-UNION CENTER
TICKETS ON SALE THIS FRIDAY NOVEMBER 2nd


JACKSONVILLE, FL – Anthony Bourdain will bring his Guts & Glory tour to Jacksonville this spring, and tickets go on sale this Friday, November 2nd at 10AM through the Artist Series!  The internationally renowned chef, author, and television host will visit the Times-Union Center’s Moran Theater for one night only, Thursday, April 25th at 7:30PM.  Bourdain will spend the evening sharing candid, often hysterical, insights about his life’s work and travels, including an open question and answer session with the audience.

Tickets for AN EVENING WITH ANTHONY BOURDAIN begin at $38.00 and are available at www.artistseriesjax.org or (904) 442-BWAY (2929).  Discounts are available for groups of 10 or more at (904) 442-2947 or groupsales@fscj.edu.  A limited number of VIP tickets are available, which include premier seating, a limited edition tour poster and VIP laminate, and exclusive access to a post-show Meet and Greet Reception featuring complimentary hors d’oeuvres and photo and signing opportunities with Anthony Bourdain.  Jacksonville’s acclaimed San Marco Dining District is proud to be recognized as the Official Restaurant Sponsor of the evening, and they will be providing an innovative selection of appetizers for VIP reception attendees.  Copies of Bourdain’s books will be available for purchase on-site from The BookMark, the show’s Official Bookstore Sponsor.  The Omni Jacksonville Hotel is the show’s Official Hotel Sponsor.

Bourdain, chef-at-large at New York’s famed Brasserie Les Halles, is the author of bestselling titles Kitchen Confidential and Medium Raw – both hilariously blunt and sometimes shocking portraits of life in restaurant kitchens.  His latest project Get JIRO!, a culinary-themed graphic novel, was released on July 3 and has already reached the #1 spot on the New York Times bestseller list.  His 2001 travel journal A Cook’s Tour was also a bestseller in the US and UK.

A contributing authority for Food Arts magazine, Bourdain’s work has also appeared in The New Yorker, The New York Times, The Times of London, Bon Appetit, Gourmet, and many other publications.  He has been profiled by CBS Sunday Morning and Nightline, and has been a guest on The Late Show with David Letterman, Morning Joe, Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, The Daily Show, Charlie Rose, The Colbert Report, and Real Time with Bill Maher.  In addition to hosting Travel Channel’s Emmy Award-winning No Reservations and The Layover, Bourdain will serve as host for two new television shows premiering in 2013: The Taste, a cooking competition series for ABC, and a docu-series for CNN, expanding the network’s coverage of travel, culture and cuisine.

Tickets for AN EVENING WITH ANTHONY BOURDAIN go on sale to the general public this Friday, November 2nd, at 10AM!  Tickets begin at $38.00 and are available at www.artistseriesjax.org or (904) 442-BWAY (2929).  Discounts are available for groups of 10 or more at (904) 442-2947 or groupsales@fscj.edu.  A limited number of VIP tickets are also available.  For more information on the show, visit www.AnthonyBourdainonTour.com.

To order by phone with Visa, MasterCard, American Express or Discover call
The Artist Series Box Office at
(904) 442-BWAY (2929)
(toll-free outside of Jacksonville 1-888-860-BWAY)
Tickets are also available online with Instant Seat Selection by visiting the
The Artist Series’ website: www.artistseriesjax.org

Friday, October 26, 2012

Three New Shows Added to The Artist Series Season

THE ARTIST SERIES PRESENTS
• GIRLS NIGHT: THE MUSICAL
• ELVIS LIVES!
• AMERICA’S GOT TALENT LIVE: ALL STARS 
AT JACKSONVILLE’S TIMES-UNION CENTER
 
 JACKSONVILLE, FL – Three new shows have been added to The Artist Series’ 2012-2013 Season.  GIRLS NIGHT: THE MUSICAL (January 17th-20th), ELVIS LIVES! (January 19th), and AMERICA’S GOT TALENT LIVE: ALL STARS (March 23rd) will all play Jacksonville’s Times-Union Center as part of The Artist Series’ 47th Season.
 
 Tickets are on sale now for all three shows.  To purchase tickets, call (904) 442-BWAY (2929) or visit www.artistseriesjax.org.  Discounts are available for groups of 10 or more at (904) 442-2947 or groupsales@fscj.edu.



GIRLS NIGHT: THE MUSICAL plays the Times-Union Center’s Terry Theater for 5 performances only: Thursday, January 17th at 7:30PM, Friday, January 18th at 8PM, Saturday, January 19th at 2PM & 8PM, and Sunday, January 20th at 2PM.  Hilarious and touching, GIRLS NIGHT: THE MUSICAL follows 5 friends in their 30s and 40s during a wild and outrageous girls’ night out at a karaoke bar.  Friends since their teens, they have all had their fair share of heartache and tragedy, joy and success.  Together, they reminisce about their younger days, celebrate their current lives and look to the future, all the while belting out an array of classic anthems such as “I Will Survive,” “Lady Marmalade,” “It’s Raining Men,” “Man I Feel Like a Woman,” and “Girls Just Want to Have Fun.”  Tickets are $49.50 and on sale now!



ELVIS LIVES! plays the Times-Union Center’s Moran Theater for 1 performance only: Saturday, January 19th at 8PM.  ELVIS LIVES! is an unforgettable multi-media and live musical journey across Elvis’ life.  His iconic style, embraced by many of today’s artists, continues to intrigue audiences of all generations.  Featuring finalists from Elvis Presley Enterprises’ worldwide Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest, as well as a tribute to Ann-Margret, audiences “Can’t Help Falling In Love”® with this phenomenal theatrical concert experience.  Tickets start at $37.00 and are on sale now!
 

AMERICA’S GOT TALENT LIVE: ALL STARS plays the Times-Union Center’s Moran Theater for 1 performance only: Saturday, March 23rd at 8PM.  The one-and-only Jerry Springer will host this live show, which features a lineup of fan favorites, including 2011’s Season 6 Winner, Landau Eugene Murphy Jr., this summer's favorite magicians, Jarrett and Raja, Season 6 sweetheart, Anna Graceman, Season 7 father-and-daughter singing duo, Maurice and Shanice, Season 7 mind reading sensation, Eric Dittelman, and many more yet to be announced!  Tickets start at $32.00, and a limited number of VIP tickets (which include a meet and greet) are available for $92.00.  Tickets for AMERICA’S GOT TALENT LIVE: ALL STARS are on sale now!
 
 To purchase tickets to GIRLS NIGHT: THE MUSICAL (January 17th-20th), ELVIS LIVES! (January 19th), and AMERICA’S GOT TALENT LIVE: ALL STARS (March 23rd), call The Artist Series’ Box Office at (904) 442-BWAY (2929) or visit www.artistseriesjax.org.  Discounts are available for groups of 10 or more at (904) 442-2947 or groupsales@fscj.edu.

 To order by phone with Visa, MasterCard, American Express or Discover call
 The Artist Series Box Office at
 (904) 442-BWAY (2929)
 (toll-free outside of Jacksonville 1-888-860-BWAY)
 
 Tickets are also available online with Instant Seat Selection by visiting the
 The Artist Series’ website: www.artistseriesjax.org

Wednesday, October 17, 2012

World-Renowned Surrealist VINCENT CASTIGLIA Scheduled to Appear on Today at 4pm ET on The Jay Thomas Show on Sirius XM Channel 104


Brooklyn-born and world-renowned surrealist VINCENT CASTIGLIA is scheduled to appear on Sirius XM satellite radio today at 4pm as part of The Jay Thomas Show, which airs on Channel 104 “Stars Too”. Vincent and Jay will discuss VINCENT CASTIGLIA’s solo art exhibition, entitled ‘Resurrection’, which is open now at Sacred Gallery NYC, as well as Vincent’s artistic process. See www.jaythomas.com and www.siriusxm.com/siriusxmstarstoo for more information and a replay schedule.

Hundreds of intrigued visitors have visited Sacred Gallery NYC to view Vincent’s striking paintings. Not only are the gallery visitors impressed by his paintings,which are created exclusively in his own human blood, but several press outlets that have since taken notice to the remarkable collection. Since September, VINCENT CASTIGLIA’s work has been covered by the likes of CNBC, FOX News, BBC, The Huffington Post, New York Daily News, Art Business News and more.

‘Resurrection’ encompasses all of Vincent’s available work from the beginning of his career and aims to examine the congruency of life and death. The gallery will continue to be open for free to the public at Sacred Gallery NYC through October 31, 2012.

VINCENT CASTIGLIA is the first American artist to receive a solo exhibition invitation from Oscar Award-winning artist H.R. Giger in the history of the H. R. Giger Museum Gallery. Vincent’s art has been praised by fellow artists, musicians, and other notables throughout his career.

“With such precise technique, his depiction of human musculature is nothing short of outstanding.”
– Paul Booth / World-renowned Tattooist, Artist, Gallery Owner, Fanatical Nihilist

“If the body is the temple, then the heart is the altar and the blood is the sacred flame that enlightens the shrine. Vincent is painting with holy light.” – Martin Eric Ain / Musician, Celtic Frost

“The ominous truth that his art confronts, along with the exquisiteness in which it is portrayed, provides a timeless revelation into human existence.” – Joe Sopkowics, Forensic Photographer

VINCENT CASTIGLIA’s impressive work has seen many sides of the entertainment world, as well. MTV New Media's Horror-Slasher Film, Savage County, featured his art as its official movie poster, depicting the three murderers in the film. Prior to the film, Vincent painted album art for heavy metal band Triptykon's 2010 debut release, Eparistera Daimones. Triptykon is founded by former Hellhammer / Celtic Frost singer and guitarist Tom Gabriel Fischer.

His work has been featured on New York 1 News, Spike TV, as well as the television series, Miami Ink. His work has been explored by countless art and culture, and media publications, in the US and internationally, including the New York Post, New York Daily News, and the recently released, Lexikon Der Phantastischen Künstler “The international encyclopedia of fantastic, surrealistic, symbolist, & visionary artists”.

His work hangs in many distinguished international collections; one of his most celebrated works of 2006, “Gravity” was recently acquired by Rock legend Gregg Allman. Vincent’s paintings have been exhibited at museums and galleries in the US, and internationally, including CoproGallery, (Santa Monica, California), Last Rites Gallery (New York) The Museum of Sex (New York), The Museum Of Porn In Art, (Switzerland), The HR Giger Museum Gallery, (Switzerland), , The Mall Gallery (London, England) Canvas Los Angeles (Los Angeles California), Fuse Gallery (New York), Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center (Ft. Myers, Florida), Art @ Large Gallery (New York) Gallery Lombardi (Austin Texas), L’imagerie Gallery (Hollywood, California), Museo De La Cuidad De Mexico, (Mexico), C-Pop Gallery (Detroit, Michigan), Shooting Gallery (San Francisco, CA), Seed Gallery (Newark, New Jersey), The 7th Annual Dirty Show (Detroit, Michigan), as well as The Congregation Gallery (Hollywood, California).

For more information on VINCENT CASTIGLIA, please visit www.vincentcastigliaart.com.

The Artist Series Presents TAP DOGS November 10


TAP DOGS plays Jacksonville’s Times-Union Center’s Moran Theater for one performance only on Saturday, November 10th at 8PM! Tickets begin at $27.00 and are on sale now at www.artistseriesjax.org or (904) 442-BWAY (2929).

TAP DOGS is taking the world by storm, having performed in 330 cities worldwide with 12 million seats sold. Created by two-time Olivier Award-winning choreographer DEIN PERRY, with a construction site set by eclectic designer/director NIGEL TRIFFITT and a driving score by composer ANDREW WILKIE, TAP DOGS, a rocking theatrical entertainment – part theatre, part dance, part rock concert, – is a rough, tough and rocking reinvention of tap.

Australian DEIN PERRY, creator and choreographer of TAP DOGS, has come a long way from the make-shift dance school in Newcastle, a steel town north of Sydney, where, as young boys, he and the future dogs learned how to tap. At the age of 17, with no opportunities in sight for a dancing career, he earned his union papers and worked as an industrial machinist for six years. He then moved to Sydney where he tried to break into show business. Small chorus parts in Broadway-style musicals led to Dein’s big break when he was cast in the long-running Sydney production of 42nd Street. When it closed, Dein decided to create a contemporary show around the themes of his industrial experience with his Newcastle tap dancing mates.

With a small government grant, Dein contacted his old friends, who had also taken up various “real” jobs by this time, and formed Tap Brothers, an early incarnation of TAP DOGS. From this, Dein was offered the chance to choreograph the West End musical, Hot Shoe Shuffle, which brought the group to London and earned Dein his Olivier Award in 1995. A subsequent offer from the Sydney Theatre Company led to the collaboration with designer and director NIGEL TRIFFITT; which resulted in the creation of TAP DOGS.

TAP DOGS was the instant hit of the Sydney Theatre Festival, where it had its world premiere in January 1995, and caused an equal sensation at the Edinburgh Festival later that year. TAP DOGS then played to standing room only at London’s Sadler’s Wells, return tours of Australia, and a second West End engagement. TAP DOGS made their North American debut at Montreal’s “Just For Laughs” festival in August 1996. The show then played to critical acclaim on a limited North American tour prior to an engagement in New York City, where Dein Perry earned a 1997 Drama Desk nomination for “Best Choreography” and the show received a 1997 Obie Award. TAP DOGS went on to be immortalized in the movie Bootmen, directed by Dein Perry and inspired by his Tap Dog experiences. Since its debut, TAP DOGShas toured extensively throughout North America, Europe, Australia, the Far East and South Africa. The international sensation is now back and ready to leave dents on stages across North America. The 2012 North American touring company includes: James Doubtfire, Mackenzie Greenwell, Donovan Helma, Anthony LoCascio, Dominic Mortezedah, Chaise Rossiello, Anthony Russo, and Matt Saffron.

TAP DOGS will be at Jacksonville’s Times-Union Center’s Moran Theater for one performance only on Saturday, November 10th at 8PM! Tickets for TAP DOGS begin at $27.00 and are available at www.artistseriesjax.org or (904) 442-BWAY (2929). Discounts are available for groups of 10 or more at (904) 442-2947 or groupsales@fscj.edu. For more information on the show, visit www.tapdogs.com.

Through December 21st, The Artist Series is hosting a Food Drive to support Second Harvest North Florida. The most requested items arecanned fruit, vegetables, and beans (preferably low sodium), canned meat/protein-tuna, canned chicken, peanut butter, pasta, soups, Mac n cheese, cereal, instant potatoes, granola, rice, grits, snacks, and breakfast bars. To avoid damage, everything should be plastic, bag, or can. Sponsored by Publix, the Food Drive is held at every Artist Series show through December 21st at the Times-Union Center.

To order by phone with Visa, MasterCard, American Express or Discover call
The Artist Series Box Office at
(904) 442-BWAY (2929)
(toll-free outside of Jacksonville 1-888-860-BWAY)

Tickets are also available online with Instant Seat Selection by visiting the
The Artist Series’ website: www.artistseriesjax.org

Friday, October 12, 2012

World-Renowned Surrealist VINCENT CASTIGLIA Draws Hundreds to 'Resurrection' Retrospective Art Exhibition Opening at Sacred Gallery NYC


Photos by Steve Prue

Brooklyn-born and world-renowned surrealist VINCENT CASTIGLIA’s solo art exhibition, entitled ‘Resurrection’, kicked off to a stellar opening night on October 4th at Sacred Gallery NYC. Hundreds of intrigued visitors perused the gallery of Vincent’s striking paintings. His paintings, which are created exclusively in his own human blood, not only impressed the attendees, but several press outlets that have since taken notice to the remarkable collection.
  
“The response has been absolutely overwhelming,” states VINCENT CASTIGLIA. “The opening took in several hundred attendants over the course of the night, and the media interest has been incredible. My paintings and interviews have aired on almost every major news network in the U.S. and internationally already. I'm very pleased that my work is finally being recognized by a broader audience, it's been a lifetime in the making.”

VINCENT CASTIGLIA’s work has now been covered by the likes of CNBCFOX NewsBBCThe Huffington PostNew York Daily NewsArt Business News and more.

‘Resurrection’ encompasses all of Vincent’s available work from the beginning of his career and aims to examine the congruency of life and death. The gallery will continue to be open for free to the public at Sacred Gallery NYC through October 31, 2012.



VINCENT CASTIGLIA is the first American artist to receive a solo exhibition invitation from Oscar Award-winning artist H.R. Giger in the history of the H. R. Giger Museum Gallery. Vincent’s art has been praised by fellow artists, musicians, and other notables throughout his career.

“With such precise technique, his depiction of human musculature is nothing short of outstanding.”  
– Paul Booth / World-renowned Tattooist, Artist, Gallery Owner, Fanatical Nihilist

“If the body is the temple, then the heart is the altar and the blood is the sacred flame that enlightens the shrine. Vincent is painting with holy light.” – Martin Eric Ain / Musician, Celtic Frost

“The ominous truth that his art confronts, along with the exquisiteness in which it is portrayed, provides a timeless revelation into human existence.” – Joe Sopkowics, Forensic Photographer

VINCENT CASTIGLIA’s impressive work has seen many sides of the entertainment world, as well. MTV New Media's Horror-Slasher Film, Savage County, featured his art as its official movie poster, depicting the three murderers in the film. Prior to the film, Vincent painted album art for heavy metal band Triptykon's 2010 debut release, Eparistera Daimones. Triptykon is founded by former Hellhammer / Celtic Frost singer and guitarist Tom Gabriel Fischer.

His work has been featured on New York 1 News, Spike TV, as well as the television series, Miami Ink. His work has been explored by countless art and culture, and media publications, in the US and internationallyincluding the New York Post, New York Daily News, and the recently released, Lexikon Der Phantastischen Künstler “The international encyclopedia of fantastic, surrealistic, symbolist, & visionary artists”.


His work hangs in many distinguished international collections; one of his most celebrated works of 2006, “Gravity” was recently acquired by Rock legend Gregg Allman.  Vincent’s paintings have been exhibited at museums and galleries in the US, and internationally, including CoproGallery, (Santa Monica, California), Last Rites Gallery (New York) The Museum of Sex (New York), The Museum Of Porn In Art, (Switzerland), The HR Giger Museum Gallery, (Switzerland), , The Mall Gallery (London, England) Canvas Los Angeles (Los Angeles California), Fuse Gallery (New York), Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center (Ft. Myers, Florida), Art @ Large Gallery (New York) Gallery Lombardi (Austin Texas), L’imagerie Gallery (Hollywood, California), Museo De La Cuidad De Mexico, (Mexico), C-Pop Gallery (Detroit, Michigan), Shooting Gallery (San Francisco, CA), Seed Gallery (Newark, New Jersey), The 7th Annual Dirty Show (Detroit, Michigan),  as well as The Congregation Gallery (Hollywood, California).

For more information on VINCENT CASTIGLIA, please visit www.vincentcastigliaart.com.                                      

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

MARY POPPINS On Sale Next Friday October 19


Tickets for MARY POPPINS go on sale to the public next Friday, October 19th at 10:00AM!  This eagerly awaited stage production will run for 8 performances at the Times-Union Center’s Moran Theater from Tuesday, January 22nd through Sunday, January 27th.  Tickets for MARY POPPINS begin a$37.00 and are available at www.artistseriesjax.org or (904) 442-BWAY (2929).  Discounts are available for groups of 10 or more at (904) 442-2947 or groupsales@fscj.edu.
  
With four productions currently running on three continents, MARY POPPINS is one of the biggest stage musical successes to emerge from London or New York in recent years.  Worldwide to date, the show has grossed over $644 million and welcomed 9.3 million guests.  The musical is the winner of 44 major theatre awards around the globe, including Tony®, Olivier, Helpmann and Evening Standard awards.   

The entire original creative team has reunited to bring this magical story of the world’s most famous nanny to audiences around North America.  The MARY POPPINS North American Tour began performances on March 25, 2009 and has played to two million delighted theatergoers in 34 cities to date.

MARY POPPINS, a co-production of Disney and Cameron Mackintosh, opened on Broadway on November 16, 2006.  Based on P.L. Travers' cherished stories and the classic 1964 Walt Disney film, MARY POPPINS the stage play features the Academy Award®-winning music and lyrics of Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman.  The stage production has been created, in collaboration with Cameron Mackintosh, by Academy Award®-
winning screenwriter Julian Fellowes, who has written the book, and the Olivier Award-winning team of George Stiles and Anthony Drewe, who have composed new songs and additional music and lyrics.

Olivier Award-winning director Richard Eyre leads the award-winning creative team, with co-direction and choreography by Tony® and Olivier Award winner Matthew Bourne.  MARY POPPINS features set and costume design by TonyÒ Award winner Bob Crowley, co-choreography by Olivier Award winner Stephen Mear, lighting design by Howard Harrison, orchestrations by William David Brohn, and music supervision by David Caddick.  The tour’s creative team includes Tour Director Anthony Lyn, Associate Choreographer Geoffrey Garrett, and Music Director Daniel Bowling. 

MARY POPPINS received its worldwide premiere at the Prince Edward Theatre in the West End in December 2004.  Following its successful three-year London run, the production launched an acclaimed U.K. tour.  The Broadway production of MARY POPPINS officially opened at the New Amsterdam Theatre on November 16, 2006, recouping its initial Broadway investment within 52 weeks of its premiere.  MARY POPPINS is the only show from the 2006-2007 theatrical season still in performance.  The MARY POPPINS North American tour has garnered continuous critical praise and achieved box office success since its launch in Chicago in March 2009.  MARY POPPINS can also be seen Sydney, Australia (at the Capitol Theatre).  Productions of MARY POPPINS have also been mounted in Finland, Denmark and the Czech Republic.            

MARY POPPINS’ JACKSONVILLE PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE
Tuesday, January 22nd at 7:30PM
Wednesday, January 23rd at 7:30PM
Thursday, January 24th at 7:30PM
Friday, January 25th at 8:00PM
Saturday, January 26th at 2:00PM and 8:00PM
Sunday, January 27th at 1:30PM and 7:00PM

Season tickets are currently available for the 2012-2013 Broadway in Jacksonville Season, with 4-show packages starting at $121.50!  The upcoming Broadway Season features WEST SIDE STORY (December 4 – 9), MARY POPPINS (January 22 - 27), BILLY ELLIOT THE MUSICAL (February 26 - March 3), and ROCK OF AGES (April 2 - 7).  Call (904) 442-BWAY (2929) or 1-888-860-BWAY, Monday through Friday, 10:00am to 5:00pm. 

Tickets for MARY POPPINS begin at $37.00 and are available at www.artistseriesjax.org or (904) 442-BWAY (2929).  Discounts are available for groups of 10 or more at (904) 442-2947 or groupsales@fscj.edu.  For more information on the show, visit MaryPoppins.com.

Opening Night of MARY POPPINS is Family Night on Broadway!  Enjoy special activities preshow and during intermission.  Buy one Adult ticket, get the Child’s ticket free with passcode: CHILD.  Restrictions apply; please inquire.

To order by phone with Visa, MasterCard, American Express or Discover call
The Artist Series Box Office at
(904) 442-BWAY (2929)

(toll-free outside of Jacksonville 1-888-860-BWAY)
Tickets are also available online with Instant Seat Selection by visiting the
The Artist Series’ website: www.artistseriesjax.org

MYTHBUSTERS: BUSTING JAX


"MYTHBUSTERS: BEHIND THE MYTHS" PLAYING JACKSONVILLE’S TIMES-UNION CENTER’S MORAN THEATER FOR ONE PERFORMANCE ONLY ON SUNDAY, OCTOBER 14th at 7PM

JACKSONVILLE, FL – The all-new live show “MythBusters: Behind the Myths,” starring Jamie Hyneman and Adam Savage, co-hosts of the Emmy-nominated Discovery series "MythBusters,” will debut at the Times-Union Center’s Moran Theater for one performance only on Sunday, October 14th at 7PM.  Tickets are on sale now and available at www.artistseriesjax.org.

“MythBusters: Behind the Myths,” presents a fantastical evening of on-stage experiments, audience participation, rocking video and behind-the-scenes stories.  With this show, for the first time, fans join Jamie and Adam on stage and assist in their mind-blowing and mind-twisting approach to science.  "MythBusters: Behind the Myths" brings you face-to-face with the curious world of Jamie and Adam as the duo matches wits on stage with each other and members of the audience.

Last winter and spring, the show performed 28-city national tour playing sold out performances all over the country.

One of the Discovery Channel’s most highly regarded and watched series, “MythBusters” is now in its tenth season.  Co-hosted by Hyneman and Savage, “MythBusters” mixes scientific method with gleeful curiosity and plain old-fashioned ingenuity to create its own signature style of explosive experimentation – and the supporting or de-bunking of urban myths that we live with day to day.

Adam and Jamie have become spokespersons at large for applying science to real life – most recently as hosts of the Discovery Channel special “"iGenius: How Steve Jobs Changed the World,” and have appeared on numerous shows including “Late Show with David Letterman,” “Good Morning America,” “The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson,” “The Colbert Report,” NPR’s “All Things Considered” and “Morning Edition,” “Countdown with Keith Olberman,” and many more.  They were invited to participate in Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert’s Rally to Restore Fear And/Or Sanity and have received the Young Artist Award for inspiring young people in the interest of science.  “MythBusters” has been invited to participate on a panel at Comic-Con, where their appearances have sold-out four years running.

Adam and Jamie serve as guest editors for Popular Mechanics and were featured on the cover of the September 2009 issue.  That same year, they were inducted as honorary members into Sigma Xi, the Scientific Research Society.  They are Honorary Lifetime Members of the California Science Teachers Association and were named Honorary Engineers and Honorary Members of the Francis Crowe Society at the University of Maine.  Both Hyneman and Savage were given honorary Doctorates at the University of Twente in the Netherlands for their efforts at popularization of science.

Adam and Jamie produced and starred in an H1N1 Public Service Announcement for the White House, and were chosen by the President to retest the Archimedes legend using 500 schoolchildren as surrogate soldiers.

They appeared as themselves in the movie Darwin Awards and have made several cameos on other TV shows, including CSI.  And In 2010, Hyneman and Savage received the Outstanding Lifetime Achievement Award in Cultural Humanism from the Harvard Secular Society.



About Jamie Hyneman and Adam Savage

Jamie Hyneman is the owner of M5 Industries, an effects company specializing in problematic custom builds. Besides serving as headquarters of “MythBusters,” M5 continues to work on various research & development projects for private clients.  After trying his hand at careers as various as librarian at the United Nations in Geneva to running a diving and sailing charter business in the Caribbean, Hyneman began his career in show business as special effects shop assistant in New York and later in San Francisco as a crew member on films including “Robocop,” “Arachnophobia” and “Naked Lunch.”

While managing Colossal Pictures’ model shop in San Francisco, Hyneman was given the opportunity to take over – and M5 Industries was born.  Hyneman graduated from Indiana University with a degree in Russian. He has received an honorary engineering degree from the University of Maine as well as an honorary doctorate of engineering from Villanova University, with whom he has an ongoing collaborative relationship to help develop new safety concepts for the military. He is the holder of several patents and the winner of numerous industry awards.  Hyneman currently resides the San Francisco Bay Area with his wife.

Adam Savage joined M5 in 2002 after receiving a call from former boss Jamie Hyneman to participate in a TV pilot, which turned into the wildly popular Discovery Channel series “MythBusters.”  Savage immersed himself in the NYC arts scene before moving to San Francisco in 1990 to parlay his skills into the thriving theater scene. There he worked for dozens of companies as set designer, prop master, art director and producer before falling into the machine art community where he learned welding, pneumatics, hydraulics, electronics and robot-building.  After exhibiting his work in over 50 art shows nationwide, Savage caught the eye of the special effects industry and began working as a prop builder and art director for major commercials for Sega, Coca-Cola, Nike, Burger King and Chevrolet. His work on a Coca-Cola commercial earned him a Clio Award nomination.

After an 18-month stint as head of research & development for startup toy company ZOOB, Savage joined George Lucas’ Industrial Light and Magic, where he worked on “Star Wars: Episodes 1 and 2,” “Galaxy Quest,” “Space Cowboys,” “A.I.,” “Terminator 3,” “The Mummy,” and dozens of commercials. During this time he also worked as model-shop supervisor for the two “Matrix” sequels as well as taught at the Academy of Art College in San Francisco.  Savage continues to dabble in his multiple hobbies, including passionately restoring his vintage four-wheel drive vehicle and accruing new pieces for his movie prop collection. He currently lives in San Francisco with his wife, twin boys and two dogs.

Tickets for “MythBusters: Behind the Myths” begin at $37.00 and are available at www.artistseriesjax.org or (904) 442-BWAY (2929).  Discounts are available for groups of 10 or more at (904) 442-2947 or groupsales@fscj.edu.

This season, The Artist Series will be hosting a Food Drive to support Second Harvest North Florida.  The most requested items are canned fruit, vegetables, and beans (preferably low sodium), canned meat/protein-tuna, canned chicken, peanut butter, pasta, soups, Mac n cheese, cereal, instant potatoes, granola, rice, grits, snack and breakfast bars.  To avoid damage, everything should be plastic, bag, or can.  Sponsored by Publix, the Food Drive will be held at every Artist Series show through December 21st at the Times-Union Center.

To order by phone with Visa, MasterCard, American Express or Discover call
The Artist Series Box Office at
(904) 442-BWAY (2929)
(toll-free outside of Jacksonville 1-888-860-BWAY)

Tickets are also available online with Instant Seat Selection by visiting the

The Artist Series’ website: www.artistseriesjax.org