Archive for the 'Florida Arts' Category

Exploring the Florida Arts in Jacksonville: Including Music

Monday, June 9th, 2008

When you are living in Jacksonville, Florida, one of the things that you will quickly discover is that there are a wide variety of artistic things to explore. The Florida Arts, after all, encompass a wide variety of styles and expressions - from paintings to modern ceramics, from symphony orchestras to historical renderings - and many of them are there just waiting to be discovered when you live in a Jacksongille loft condominium home. For example:

(source)If you love rock and live in or are planning to visit the Jacksonville, Florida area then the Musuem of Science and History’s (MOSH) new exhibit Ragtime to Rock is for you. This temporary exhibit displays music memorabilia from some of the most memorable musicians to visit The River City.

When it comes to exploring the Florida arts, one of the things that you will discover is that no museum is going to be right for everyone; it’s all a matter of pursuing your interests and developing a sense of what you want to explore.

If your tastes gravitate towards modern music, living in Jacksonville is going to help you to find those things that are exciting to you - from the Museum of Science and History to modern night clubs, if music is your thing, living in Jacksonville will put you right in the middle of everything that is important to you.

Exploring the Florida Arts in Jacksonville

Saturday, May 31st, 2008

When you live in Jacksonville, it’s easy to explore the Florida arts. While you may not want to spend time in a museum and music may be more your thing, it doesn’t mean that you won’t be able to find something new to explore:

(source)The Florida Composers’ Competition offers Jacksonville audiences a first-hearing of new music from across the state of Florida. Now launching its fifth biennial Fresh Ink competition, the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra is one of several American orchestras to hold such an event. Fresh Ink is sponsored by Yvonne and Cecil West, with additional funding by the National Endowment for the Arts.

During Fresh Ink, eight Florida-based composers will hear their original scores played by the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra. Their works were chosen by JSO Music Director and Principal Conductor Fabio Mechetti from more than 20 submissions. JSO Associate Conductor Morihiko Nakahara will lead the orchestra during the Reading Sessions Tuesday at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. and Wednesday at 10 a.m. and at the Fresh Ink Final Concert Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. during which the selected final works are performed and the Fresh Ink winner is announced.

If discovering new music is your thing and you love the symphony, you simply cannot go wrong by attending one, any or all of the performances. Who knows, with a simple evening out from your Jacksonville condo home, you might come across the next Mozrt or Beethoven!

Living in Jacksonville, Florida: A Chance to Participate in Diverse Events

Thursday, April 24th, 2008

One of the greatest things about living in Jacksonville, Florida is the wide variety of activities that you’ll be able to participate in. One great event that’s coming up quickly is the annual Much Ado About Books festival:

(source)More than 20 authors will participate in panel discussions at the festival’s signature session on Saturday, April 26, at the Prime F. Osborn, III Convention Center. These sessions are free and open to the public. This year the Jacksonville Public Library Foundation will introduce a second venue Saturday, April 26, from 2:30 until 5:30 at the Jacksonville Main Library at 303 N. Laura Street.

When you’re looking for something to do this coming weekend that will let you learn something about the process of writing or that will just let you explore a different type of Florida arts, Much Ado About Books is a can’t miss event - and likely to be just what you’re looking for.

Exploring the Florida Arts

Thursday, April 17th, 2008

When you are passionate about the arts, you’ll find that living in Florida has a lot more to offer than some people might expect. Rather than simply thinking about the “arts” that go into designing theme parks and tourist attractions, when you live in Florida, you’ll quickly discover that there’s far more to the Florida arts.

For example, there are a number of fantastic museums - art museums that draw on years of artistic history as well as museums and galleries that are committed to showcasing the rising artists of today. Likewise, studios and collectible shops often feature some of the best work that is available from a number of up and coming artists.

But then, it’s not all about the visual arts when you’re living in Florida either. There are theatrical performances, symphony orchestra performances and plenty of musicians from a wide variety of genres stop into various Florida venues during their nationwide tours. No matter what it is that you are passionate about, if it falls into the realm of Florida arts - or the arts in general - you’ll be able to take advantage of it.

That’s one of the greatest things about living in Florida really - no matter what it is that you are passionate about, you’ll find that you’re able to take advantage of it; it’s all there waiting for you to explore.

Looking to Get Out of Your Jacksonville Florida Loft Condo This Weekend?

Friday, April 11th, 2008

If you’ve been looking for just the right way to spend the upcoming weekend - a way to get outside, enjoy some music and spend some time away from your Jacksonville loft - why not take is the Jacksonville Jazz Festival?

(source)The Jacksonville Jazz Festival is easier to figure out this year. After the past few years of the festival going on at several places around downtown, it’s all back in one place again.

Tonight, it’s the Jacksonville Jazz Piano Competition at the Florida Theatre.

Saturday and Sunday, all performances will be on the main stage of Metropolitan Park.

The number of performances have been cut, but the festival got a thumbs-up from several people who know their way around jazz.

Just as your Jacksonville loft condo is stylish and modern, so will be some of the music that you hear. Just as you’ll be able to take advantage of luxury and walking to the beat of your own drummer in your loft, you’ll find that improvisations and other features of great jazz can be extremely moving.

Exploring the Florida Arts

Tuesday, March 11th, 2008

When you find yourself living in one of Florida’s First Coast communities, one of the greatest advantages that you’ll have is simple: it will be easy for you to explore the Florida arts.

The Florida arts are not just limited to visual arts - though painting, glasswork, ceramics and other visual arts are important. There’s also music - from performances by touring musicians to the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra - as well as theatrical performances.

What’s the most significant about the prevalence of Florida arts however is this: the arts are such an essential part of life in Florida that there are festivals, art walks, open galleries and studios and art classes as well. In other words, there is a way for everyone to have a chance to participate in the arts - even if it is simply based on the beauty of their home.

When you live in Florida - particularly in one of the First Coast communities - it is so easy to be inspired. After all - the inspiration of the natural beauty is reflected everywhere, even in the homes.

Which Florida Arts Are the Most Appealing to You?

Wednesday, February 20th, 2008

When it comes to the Florida arts, everyone has their own sense about what’s important - of what’s appealing to them.

For some, it’s all about music. In some cases, it’s all about the symphony and seeing an orchestra play music that’s been played for centuries. In other cases, it’s all about getting out to the night clubs and bars to see the newest up and coming band or singer-songwriter.

Others find that paintings capture their attention. They visit museums, they go to open studios and they take part in courses that will help them to learn more about painting. Still others look at multimedia art, sculpture, glassworks and other visual arts and see that there are talents that they wish they had or envy in others.

Whether you are drawn to music or visual art forms or you find yourself emotionally charged by a night out at the theater, there’s always something to explore. The Florida arts are definitely alive and well.

Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra Contributes to the Florida Arts

Saturday, January 19th, 2008

Those who live in Jacksonville know that the Florida arts are alive and well. The Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra contributes a great deal:

(source)After a two month lockout, the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra is back in business.

On Friday night, the players took the stage at the Florida Times-Union center to play their first performance of the new year.

The players and management agreed to a new five year contract this week.

Living in Jacksonville - especially in a loft condo in the center of it - makes it easy to experience a wide variety of artistic experiences. Spending time at the museums, visiting galleries and studios, seeing theater performances and music: everything that you could possibly want to experience is readily available.

And the best part is that, no matter which of the Florida arts you want to experience, you’ll be able to find everything close to home.

The Arts Are Alive in Florida

Monday, January 14th, 2008

The Florida arts are not limited to the animation artists in Orlando; there’s a far wider opportunity for artists as well as those who appreciate the arts to find great inspiration - particularly on the First Coast.

Living in Jacksonville proves to have a lot to offer - from those who take part in city wide art walks each month as well as those who choose to explore music, theater and the Cummer Museum.

Seaside communities like Jacksonville Beach, St. Augustine and Ponce Inlet open doors for artists as well - there’s something that is relaxing about watching as the tides roll in that proves to be an inspiration for painters, photographers and others who are passionate about creating.

The Florida arts, however, do more than just inspire those who create visual art and open doors for those who wish to experience it; the arts also influence those designers who create Florida homes. From open floor plans with a great deal of natural light, to stunning views to faraway inspirations - it’s possible to find a little bit of everything in Florida homes, and to be inspired by it.

How will the Florida arts shape you?

Photography Is Among the Many Practiced Florida Arts

Tuesday, December 18th, 2007

While some Florida artists choose to to paint, to play music, to act or to write, others hold fast to the opinion that one of the best things that they can do with their time is to take more photos.

Some Florida photographers head out from their St. Augustine home to take shots of surfers at dawn or of the area’s famous landmarks - the lighthouse and the fort. Some venture out from their homes to take shots of their kids at the playground or at the zoo.

Others share their work in local galleries or get together with other photographers to perfect their skills at different functions - events like the annual Florida’s Bird and Fotofest where photographers with similar interests can do more than just get out there and fire off a few shots, they can also participate in workshops and improve their skills.

What many who live in Northeast Florida soon discover is that the same factors that make it such an appealing tourist destination - the same factors that make it so popular with those who enjoy fishing and golf - also provide a great opportunity to explore their creative sides.