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free weekly guide to entertainment and more | november 9-15, 2006 | www.eujacksonville.com 2 november 9-15, 2006 | entertaining u newspaper table of contents feature Something Brewing ...... PAGES 16-17 Riverkeeper’s Oyster Roast ...... PAGE 19 movies Babel (movie review) ...... PAGE 6 Santa Claus 3 (movie review) ...... PAGE 6 Movies In Theatres This Week ...... PAGES 6-10 Seen, Heard, Noted & Quoted ...... PAGE 7 Stranger Than Fiction (movie review) ...... PAGE 8 The Queen (movie review) ...... PAGE 9 Harsh Times (movie review) ...... PAGE 10 at home Cars (DVD review) ...... PAGE 12 Keeping Up With The Steins (DVD review) ...... PAGE 12 Nine (TV review) ...... PAGE 13 Video Games ...... PAGE 14 A History Of Barbie ...... PAGE 15 Pour Your Heart Into It (book review) ...... PAGE 17 food Coffee Recipes ...... PAGE 18 music Teddy Washinton Follies (Florida Theatre) ...... PAGE 21 Strings Of Fire (Jimadores) ...... PAGE 21 Music Calendar ...... PAGES 22-26 The Yusage (Moon Colony Razorblade) ...... PAGE 22 Jeff Coffi n & Futureman (Alcazar Hotel) ...... PAGE 23 John Spencer (interview)...... PAGE 24 Summer Obsession (interview) ...... PAGE 25 Evansense (album review)...... PAGE 25 Bad Boys Of Comedy (interview) ...... PAGE 26 arts / theatre / on stage Fernando & Kathryn Arango Exhibit ...... PAGE 20 Over The Tavern (Theatre Jacksonville) ...... PAGE 27 Arts Calendar ...... PAGES 27-28 columns and stuff The Jock ...... PAGE 29 NASCAR news & notes ...... PAGE 30

eujacksonville.com | november 9-15, 2006 3 CATCH BO DIDDLEY & FRIENDS AT THE TIMES- thisweek UNION CENTER ON SUNDAY Jeff Coffi n Mu’Tet The Jeff Coffi n Mutet features Jeff Coffi n and Futureman of Bela Fleck and the thursday NOVEMBER 9 Flecktones, Kofi Burbridge of Derek Trucks band and Felix Pastorius son Third Day with David Crowder Band of the late, great Jaco Pastorius. Jeff The name, Third Day, is a reference to the biblical account of Jesus Coffi n blasts two saxophones at once, rising from the dead on the third day following his crucifi xion. The Futureman goes into a frenzy playing Christian rock band formed in Marietta, Georgia during the 1990s his invented instruments, Felix Pastorius have numerous hit albums, won both the 2003 and the 2005 shows off seemingly impossible bass Grammy Award for Best Rock Gospel Album and are even in a solos, while Kofi Burbridge’s astounds Christian video. listeners with the fl ute. Read story Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena - 7:00 PM Info: 630-3900 on page 23. The Alcazar (Behind the Lightner Museum), St. Augustine - doors: NOVEMBER 9 - 12 7:00 PM Tickets: $20, Info: 501-0826 Entertainment at the Greater Jacksonville Bad Boys of Comedy Agricultural Fair Produced by Walter Latham (“The It can be quite entertaining just watching the pigs, cows, and people Original Kings of Comedy”) and Starring: at the fair but if you want to get your foot stompin, they’ve got Doug E. Fresh, Earthquake, Ronnie that covered too. On Thursday, Lee Roy Parnell will be singing an Jordan, Malik. Read interview with ornery streak of southern rock‘n’ soul ‘n’ blues. Friday you can see Earthquake on page 26. Heartland whose Country Billboard hit “I Loved Her First,” will have Florida Theatre.- 8 PM, even the toughest of guys feeling that preverbal lump in the throat. Ticket Price(s): $48, $38 Info: 355-2787 The Elected (Blake of Rilo Kiley) Saturday hear Trent Tomlinson whose music is as straight ahead In addition to being a musician, Blake Sennett was a child actor, and unpretentious as he is. Last Blast Celebration on Sunday will A Face For Radar, The Autumn Effect, appearing on the television shows “Salute Your Shorts” and “Boy have “Sex and the City’s” John Corbett singing his hit songs, “Good Meets World”. Sennett formed the band Rilo Kiley in 1995 with to Go” and “A Bottle of Whiskey.” All entertainment will be on the Nightmare In Daylight, Project Flatline former child-actress Jenny Lewis. In 2003, he founded The Elected Autumn Rachelle has been actively studying music and outdoor stage at 8:00 pm and will be free with admission to the Fair. along with his good friend Mike “The Caveman” Bloom. This time entertaining audiences since age 10. She possesses vocals VIP Area seating is available for select shows, on a fi rst come, out, his band experiments with a greater depth of sound (think ’70s that passionately display her soulful and edgy style, keeping fi rst serve basis, at $10 per ticket, plus a handling fee of $1.50 per hi-fi rather than modern-day lo-fi ) and infl uence (think more classic, audiences engaged from the fi rst to the very last note. order, (gate admission not included.) less country). Fans of Rilo Kiley will no doubt ally themselves with Fuel Coffeehouse -7:30 Info: 425.3835 The Elected’s sharp-witted pop sensibility and remain close by. But Blake’s blatant NOVEMBER 10 - 12 sonic and thematic NOVEMBER 10 departures from friday that realm - and his Down On The Farm 3: A Celebration of Music, Art & Philanthropy allegiance to less New Jack Reunion Tour: Featuring Guy, If you love good times and live music then this is the place to orthodox songwriters Blackstreet, Tony, Toni, Tone and After 7 be for three days of non-stop fun. Friday - Drive-By Truckers like Jim Croce and These are the pioneers of the New Jack sound, the integration of at 9:45 pm and Moonshine Still at 2:30 am, Saturday - MOFRO Tom Waits. Cafe 11 soul music with hip-hop beats which became revolutionary in the at 5:00 pm, Sunday -Tea Leaf Green at 3:30 pm and Col. Bruce - 8:30 pm 469-9311 early 1990’s. Guy, a popular 1980s and 1990s hip-hop, funk, R&B Hampton at 5:30 pm plus many, many more. For complete and soul band, set the New Jack Swing trend. Blackstreet is an line-up go to www.downonthefarmfestival.com. Spanish Moss Switchfoot with Moses Mayfi eld electrifying mix of soul, funk, hip-hop and gospel. Tony Toni Tone Farm in Quincy, Florida (20 minutes NW of Tallahassee). Tickets Switchfoot, an alternative rock / power pop band from San Diego, has proved themselves durable guardians of the soul and funk are $110 for weekend passes and $50 for day passes at the is known for its spiritually evocative and socially aware lyricism. tradition. The trio group After 7 is best known for their elegant vocal gate. Switchfoot had a large role in the music for the movie A Walk to style. Remember. Freebird Live Info: 246-BIRD (2473) Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena - 8:00 PM Info: 630-3900 Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra “Three saturday NOVEMBER 11 Broadway Divas” The star-power trio of Jan Horvath, Christiane Noll and Debbie BLACKSTREET Gravitte delivers their own style and personality to songs from Veterans Day Parade classic shows like Gypsy, The Music Man and My Fair Lady, to A fl yover by VS 24, S3 Viking jets will represent the start of the contemporary hits from Phantom of the Opera, Mamma Mia, parade at 11:01 am. The parade route begins the Prime Osborn Wicked, Evita and Chicago. Get lost in the bright lights and let stars Convention Center and will follow Water St. to Newnan St. fi ll your eyes because for one night we are going to live the dream... where it will turn on Bay St. and end at Alltel Stadium. Following and all that jazz. the parade, the St. Johns River City Band will perform at The Jacoby Symphony Hall at the Times-Union Center for the Performing Jacksonville Landing. Info: (904) 630-3690. Arts – 8 pm Info: 354-5547 or www.jaxsymphony.org.

4 november 9-15, 2006 | entertaining u newspaper sunday NOVEMBER 12 Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Houston Texans Alltell Stadium at 1:00pm

Bo Diddley & Friends with Alvin Youngblood and Ruthie Foster Celebrating this blues legend, BO DIDDLEY AND FRIENDS will also feature tow extraordinary headliners – Alvin Youngblood Hart and Ruthie Foster – who are carrying on Bo’s tradition of originality and innovation Bo Diddley is an artist with true legendary stature. Times-Union Center - 7:30 pm, Tickets: $20.00-$30.00 Info: 632-3373 or www.artistseries.fccj.org.

Brand New with Manchester Orchestra, My Getaway Brand New is an alternative rock band from Merrick, New York. Formed in the early 2000s, they quickly became part of the Long Island, New York rock scene. Fuel Coffeehouse - 6:00 PM monday NOVEMBER 13 Mushroom Head Mushroom Head is an eclectic blend of alternative, heavy metal, hip hop and industrial infl uences. The various members of Mushroomhead have identifi ed themselves by each adopting masks or facial disguises as well as individual pseudonyms. Mushroomhead is easily identifi ed by its distinct “X Face” logo – commonly worn boldly on the masks of most members, as well as clothing and associated merchandise. Freebird Live - $15 Info: 246-BIRD (2473) tuesday NOVEMBER 14 The Rat Pack – Live at the Sands The Rat Pack Live At The Sands is still going strong after four sensational years on London’s West End. Legendary entertainers Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis, Jr., And Dean Martin are celebrated live, on stage. Tickets: $15 to $54 Times-Union Center through Nov. 19. 632-3373 or www.artistseries.fccj.org.

Mute Math with The Whigs& Jonezetta Mute Math is a group from New Orleans formed in 2003. They combine diverse elements like rock, industrial, reggae, jazz, new wave, electro, rave and psychedelia, with catchy, ambient vocals, to create a signature sound that’s innovative, soaring and atmospheric. Martini’s Music Hall - 8:00 PM Info: 388-6269

Ratdog Calling all Deadheads! Bob Weir and Ratdog, began as a side project for Grateful Dead rhythm guitarist Bob Weir and bassist Rob Wasserman that toured for seven years under names such as Weir/ Wasserman and Scaring the Children. After adding Jay Lane on drums and Matthew Kelly on guitar and harmonica, they played their fi rst show as a full band on April 22, 1995. After the Grateful Dead disbanded in December 1995, following Jerry Garcia’s death on August 9, 1995, Ratdog became Bob Weir’s primary band. Ratdog’s music covers the majority of the Grateful Dead songbook. Florida Theatre - 8 PM, Tickets: $35 Info: 355-2787

wednesday NOVEMBER 15 JMOMA has changed their name to MOCA Jacksonville JMOMA made an announcement November 8th that they have changed their name to the Museum of Contemporary Art Jacksonville (MOCA Jacksonville). Find out why at the “What are the Differences?” lunch time lecture by Jennifer Bailey, Curator of Art and James Greene, Interim Director of Education. This lecture will explore the differences and complicated relationship between “modern” and “contemporary” art—terms which are not always clear cut. Jacksonville Museum of Modern Art, 333 North Laura St. - 12:00 noon Info: 366-6911

eujacksonville.com | november 9-15, 2006 5 teenager, in desperate need of affection, is looking for physical intimacy to fi ll the gap. Meanwhile, a Mexican movies opening this week nanny (Adriana Barraza) working in the United States is forced to take her charges (Elle Fanning and Nathan A GOOD YEAR London-based investment expert Max Gamble) across the border and fi nds herself in a Skinner (Russell Crowe) travels to Provence to tend a dangerous situation when her nephew (Gael García small vineyard he inherited from his late uncle. When Bernal) panics on the way back into the country. Each he gets suspended from his job under suspicion of of these stories share common threads and each fraud, he settles in to life at the chateau, remembering the time he spent there as a child. Then a determined focuses on a yearning for deeper communication. young California girl (Abbie Cornish) arrives claiming Babel premiered at the 2006 Cannes Film to be the illegitimate daughter of the deceased uncle Festival and took home honors for Best Director, and rightful owner of the vineyard. Rated PG-13 the Prize of the Ecumenical Jury and the Technical Grand Prize for editing. Director Alejandro González BABEL Written and directed by 21 Grams’ Alejandro Iñárritu became famous for his thought provoking Gonzalez Inarritu, the three stories are set in Morocco, Oscar nominated fi lms Amores perros and 21 Grams. Tunisia,, Mexico, and Japan. A tragedy befalls a Babel will complete Iñárritu’s “death trilogy” and will married couple portrayed by Brad Pitt and Cate undoubtedly earn the fairly new fi lmmaker even more Blanchett, which sets off a chain of mysterious events award nominations. as Pitt’s character searches for answers. Rated R Iñárritu’s latest fi lm is, in my opinion, the best he’s ever come up with. Babel is a startling fi lm that HARSH TIMES Christian Bale stars as an ex-Army manages to invoke a million different emotions from Ranger who fi nds himself lost in civilian life, falling the viewer. Once you allow yourself to be immersed back into his old ways of petty crime. To make matters in his world, Iñárritu takes you on a journey that will worse, his job offer from LAPD evaporates. His best surprise, disgust, frustrate and move you. These four friend, played by Freddie Rodriguez, tries to help him. stories come together to form a portrait of where we Eva Longoria plays Bale’s character’s girlfriend as are today as a society. Perhaps that picture isn’t pretty events unfold to give this down-on-his-luck veteran on the surface, but a closer look reveals our redemp- much pause for alarm. Rated R tion: free fl owing communication. Each character suffers because of a lack of it and triumphs because THE RETURN The Return stars Sarah Michelle Gellar babel of it. The tale itself would be fi ne on its own but the as a seemingly normal young woman who becomes superb acting from the ensemble cast brings it to a ensnared in the world of the supernatural when she higher level. Performances like these win Oscars and begins having nightmares about a 25-year-old murder. movie review it would be down right criminal if the actors in Rated PG-13 Babel are passed over come awards time. BY KELLIE ABRAHAMSON [email protected] Sadly, I don’t think many will “get” Babel, at now showing A- Rated R 142 min time actors Boubker Ait El Caid and Said Tarchani) least based on the reactions of the audience at the Babel is, as the title suggests, all about commu- who were testing the range of a new rifl e their father screening I went to. Many people could be heard BORAT Shot as a mockumentary, Sacha Baron nication. The fi lm opens in Morocco where an Ameri- purchased to kill jackals. This accident sets off a laughing at inappropriate times during the fi lm, par- Cohen assumes the character of a journalist from can couple (played Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett) have chain reaction that touches the lives of people living ticularly while Chieko’s storyline was playing out. Kazakhstan who is dispatched to the United states to come to try and repair their marriage, which has been thousands of miles away. While the American tourists Based on their reactions, it’s clear to me that these report on the greatest country in the world. Halfway neglected since the death of their infant son. Their wait for help from a highly cautious US, a deaf/mute people weren’t able to see past the surface and get to into his travels, Borat becomes more interested in vacation turns into a nightmare when the wife is shot Japanese girl named Chieko (Rinko Kikuchi) is trying the heart of this poor girl’s actions. Her story was the locating and marrying Pamela Anderson. Cohen’s in the neck while sitting on a tour bus. While most of to form a connection with anyone willing to give her most important one of all and far too many missed offbeat humor gets old quickly. He even does the world is certain it was a terrorist attack, the real a sideways glance. After her mother died of an ap- the point. Hopefully the Academy will not make the interviews in character–a ploy that real journalists culprits are actually a pair of Moroccan children (fi rst parent suicide, Chieko’s father has withdrawn and the hate. Rated R same mistake.

CATCH A FIRE Tim Robbins stars in this 1980s Easter Bunny. Apartheid-era drama set in tumultuous era of South Jack’s ticket to ride is exploiting “the escape Africa’s system of oppressive segregation. Robbins clause” that allows Santa a way out if he gets tired plays an anti-terrorist detective who investigates santa clause 3 of doing the job or wants to retire. When Santa an innocent oil refi nery foreman, Patrick Chamissoi is turned back into Calvin Scott, he returns home (Derek Luke). Patrick and his wife were arrested to see his now ex-wife. The tone of this segment and tortured on trumped up charges. Patrick, who takes on an It’s a Wonderful Life-styled message. had been a apolitical person before the arrest, is movie review His wife is totally over him because he was never embittered by the experience and joins the opposition there. Now he’s paying for his neglectful ways. rebels, called the African National Congress (ANC) and BY RICK GRANT [email protected] Now, Santa who is returned to being Calvin joins the fi ght to liberate South Africa from the tyranny Bud and Sylvia Newman (Alan Arkin and Ann Mar- Scott must get Frost out of his workshop. Frost’s of the minority white government. Phillip Noyce wrote C+ Rated G 98 min gret)-- are coming to visit. His wife is about to give gaudy theme park satirizes the obscene advertis- and directed this penetrating drama that explores both Tim Allen said in that the third time is a birth. If that’s not enough stress for St. Nick, his ex- ing message of buy, buy, buy. It depicts the im- sides of the issue. Rated PG-13 EW charm, meaning that this is his fi nal Santa movie. wife Laura (Wendy Crewson) and her new husband, plied notion that if consumers don’t spend money However, he also said he enjoys making these Neil (Judge Reinhold) show up at an imaginary place like drunken sailors then they are depriving their CHECKING OUT A famous actor of the Yiddish stage who plans to take his fi nal bow gathers his family in fi lms despite the fact he has to spend four hours in he calls Canada–eh! families a God-given right to receive expensive his New York apartment. Starring: Peter Falk, Laura a makeup chair before each day’s shoot. Yes, the “I hope you deliver before I deliver,” Santa says gifts. This not so subtle message at least gives the San Giacomo, Judge Reinhold, David Paymer, Jeffrey tool guy has found a home with Disney, making a to his wife Carol (Elizabeth Mitchell). She’s about to fi lm a soul. D. Sams . variety of comedies for family viewing. If we must pop but mass chaos reigns at Santa’s workshop. His Lilliana Mumy deftly portrays Santa’s ex- have these Yuletide movies, at least Allen does his father-in-law notices that the people in Canada are wife, Laura and Neil’s daughter Lucy. She’s so THE DEPARTED This is Martin Scorsese’s tribute best with the material he is given and Disney uses very short. Well, duh, they’re elves. But he accepts adorable she steals her scenes as a pivotal char- / remake of Hong Kong fi lmmaker Felix Chong’s Wu high quality production values to stage these lavish Santa’s lame explanations about the strange goings- acter who fi nds the secret snow globe. The large jian dao –a classic of the genre. The story deals with movies. on inside this miracle factory that will supply all the cast of kid actors with the elf ears helps to create two men from opposite sides of the law. They are This third movie in the series attempts to toys for all the boys and girls in the world on one this childhood fantasy. Alan Arkin adds his funny each undercover for their organizations. One agent is make commentary about the over-commercializa- night. bits of improv to jazz up his scenes with Ann Mar- undercover for the Irish Mafi a with the Boston State tion of Christmas when Martin Short’s character A committee of screen-writers worked on this gret, who still looks remarkably sexy. Police and one agent is undercover with the Irish Jack Frost steals Santa’s identity and turns Santa’s scenario, with Ed Decter and John Strauss being two Christmastime is about family and enjoying Mafi a. There’s a rat in the police unit and the Irish toy factory at the North Pole into a Vegas styled of the credited writers. Allen was given mundane the season. This movie has plenty of Christmas- Mafi a. The two moles are dispatched to fi ne the moles amusement park. In fact, Short’s song and dance lines but Short’s material is funny as he schemes to like good vibrations to satisfy the families who in their organization. Of course, they are the moles. It routine is the highlight of the picture. take over Santa’s identity and toy factory. Also on want to have fun at the movies. It’s not really a stars Leonardo DiCaprio and Matt Damon as the moles Ah yes, but Scott Calvin, a.k.a Santa has hand at Santa’s Christmas party are Mother Nature kids’ movie in that little children will get bored with and Jack Nicholson as the mob boss. Rated R other problems. His in-laws–his wife’s parents, (Aisha Tyler) Father Time (Peter Boyle) and a cheeky it. But adults will have fun. (continued on pg 8)

6 november 9-15, 2006 | entertaining u newspaper seen. heard. noted. and quoted.

K-FED AND BRIT: IT’S OVER According to AOL Entertainment News, pop superstar Britney Spears abruptly fi led for divorce Tuesday, citing irreconcilable differences with husband Kevin Federline just two months after the birth of their second child. What’s a girl to do after leaving her troubled marriage? Try a night out in New York City, complete with good eats and ice skating. Just hours earlier she made a surprise appearance on a late-night TV chat show, showing off a new hair cut, a black mini dress and looking sexier than she has for years.

MAHIR IS BORAT? Turkish Internet celebrity Mahir Cagri claimed he was the inspi- ration for Sacha Baron Cohen’s Borat and traveling to London to demand an apology and attempt to cash in on the fi lm’s surprise success. “The bombshell is going to fall,” he told the AP of his London trip. “[Cohen] is making money by using me.” For his part, Cohen has said a doctor in southern Russia inspired the character.

BELLS ARE RINGING? An Italian newspaper reported that Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes plan to wed at Castello Odescalchi, a medieval castle on the shores of Lake Bracciano north of Rome. Per Il Messaggero, the couple will kick events off with a celebrity-packed party Nov. 16, tie the knot in a Catholic ceremony Nov. 17 and seal the deal with a Scientology service on Nov. 18. A recep- tionist at the castle denied the report. What, Katie hasn’t been brainwashed into Scientology yet? WHAAAAAT? FAITH HILL FREAK OUT “BETTER The country music superstar says she was just joking when cameras showed her screaming “WHAT?” in apparent anger when “more she lost the female vocalist of the year award to newcomer Carrie THAN Underwood at the CMA Awards on Monday night. “The idea that I fun than ‘ice age 2’!” would act disrespectful towards a fellow musician is unimaginable to me,” Hill said in a statement. “For this to become a focus of ‘cars.’” Bill Bregoli - Westwood One attention given the talent gathered is utterly ridiculous. Carrie is a Neil Rosen - NY1 talented and deserving Female Vocalist of The Year.”

MURDER 2 Construction worker Diego Pillco was charged with second-degree murder in the death of indie actress Adrienne Shelly, who was found hanging from a shower rod in her New York apartment last week.

DIDDY WILL DIDDLE Though they’re expecting twins in December, Diddy told Essence magazine that he is not planning to wed longtime love Kim Porter just yet. “I know she deserves to get married, but I’m just not ready,” the rap mogul said. Luckily Porter’s not concerned. “I’m not a needy person. If I were, I’d probably be somewhere pulling out my hair right now,” she told the magazine. Yeah, she’s probably wondering who Diddy is diddling on the side.

MY BABY SENT ME A LETTER Kenny Chesney won the Entertainer of the Year at the 40th Annual CMA Awards Monday, while Brooks & Dunn picking up Single, Song and Video of the Year for Believe. An absent Keith Urban, who’s currently in rehab, won Best Male Vocalist for a second year in a row. “I’m looking forward to coming home and seeing you all soon,” the singer said in a letter read by Ronnie Dunn. And, Nicole is waiting for hubby to come home–sober and with no groupies on his arm.

ITS’ ALWAYS SUNNY AT FX Play “Flushed Away” Underground Adventure only on Visit: AOL.com/FlushedAwayGame Executives at FX reupped It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia for a third season, with Danny DeVito com- Regal Cinemas Regal Cinemas AMC Napels Drive-In AMC Hollywood Theaters Cinemark mitting to continue as a series regular for all subsequent seasons, Daily Variety reports. The series has AVENUES BEACH BOULEVARD 18 ORANGE PARK 24 PLAYTIME REGENCY RIVER CITY MARKETPLACE 14 TINSELTOWN STADIUM 20 DIGITAL 14051 Beach Blanding Blvd DRIVE-IN SQUARE 24 I-95 to Duval Rd East Exit Southside Blvd & Gate Pkwy earned critical acclaim, despite modest ratings. DeVito’s role promised better ratings, but it didn’t mate- Phillips Hwy N off I-95 Boulevard DIGITAL & Wells Road 6300 Blanding Blvd Outside Regency Mall 904/757-9880 DIGITAL 904/998-2020 SPECIAL ENGAGEMENTS – NO PASSES OR DISCOUNT TICKETS ACCEPTED rialize. . 800/FANDANGO #680 800/FANDANGO #188 904/264-3888 904/771-2300 904/264-3888 MOBILE USERS: FOR SHOWTIMES - TEXT FLUSHED WITH YOUR ZIP CODE TO 43KIX (43549)!

eujacksonville.com | november 9-15, 2006 7 EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH At a large warehouse style superstore, employees strive to win the “Employee of The Month” award with minimal benefi ts, like a picture on the wall. Zack Bradley (Cane Cook) who is a box boy and Vince Downey (Dax Shepard) a cashier are two competitve employees. Vince has won EOTM seventeen consecutive times. Zack is a slacker but popular with his colleagues. Amy (Jessica Simpson) is a new cashier who only dates EOTM winners. Zack and Vince compete to get Amy’s attention. Zack suddenly realizes that Vince is winning Amy’s heart, so he knows that the only way to win Amy’s attention is to win EOTM.. Comedic situation ensue. Rated PG-13

FACING THE GIANTS A high school football coach (played by actor/director Alex Kendrick) uses some unorthodox methods to motivate his team in FACING THE GIANTS. A devoted Christian, the coach turns to God for inspiration, with amazing results. Rated PG

FLAGS OF OUR FATHERS Clint Eastwood directed this true story of the six Marines who hoisted the fl ag on Iwo Jima’s volcano peak. The event became the most famous photograph of the WWII. The story is told in fl ashback as the survivors (4 soldiers) of the fl ag raising were on tour selling war bonds. The fi lm graphically depicts the terrible bloody terror felt by the Marines as they suffered heavy casualties fi ghting stranger than fi ction the deeply dug-in Japanese defenders, who had to be routed out and killed. When the dust cleared, the casualty numbers were horrendous–6,800 American soldiers killed and 21,000 wounded. The Japanese lost Will Ferrell living a life less ordinary local university. Hoffman plays his part with just the 28,000 men. Very few Japanese soldiers surrendered. right amount of intelligence and humor. Hilbert seems It’s a grim tale of the horror of war. Rated R to instantly understand Crick, but is apt to write poor BY ERIN THURSBY [email protected] Harold off as a crazy, until he starts quoting the narra- FLICKA Alison Loman stars as Katy McLaughlin, a tor. When Harold Crick starts quoting her, Hilbert gets young woman who comes home to her father Rob B+ Rated PG13 113 min. part as the straight-laced Penny, Queen Latifah gives interested. Thompson and Hoffman don’t have much McLaughlin’s (Tim McGraw) ranch after boarding Each morning Harold Crick follows a routine, a less than stellar performance. A part like Penny is screen time together in this fi lm, but I was enchanted school. On a bareback ride into the country, she fi nds arising at precisely the same time to take the same generally played by a skinny, slightly aged, thin lipped by the time they did have together. a wild mustang and forms a bond with the horse. Dad route. If he walks up the stairs, he counts them. He white woman. I know that the casting director was Hilbert and Crick try to solve the problem, but forbids her to have anything to do with this loco steed. knows the number of ceiling tiles in a room and cal- looking to contrast Emma Thompson’s physicality by each is coming from a wholly different perspective. But Katy secretly trains the horse, she named Flicka, culates the percentage of soap left in public bathroom casting someone who looks completely different, but The Professor sees it as an abstract literary quandary, as her own. But dad wants to sell the horse to a rodeo dispensers. While the rest of us are replaying conver- Latifah never seemed comfortable in the part. but to Harold----this is his life he’s trying to solve. Un- buyer. Father/daughter confl icts ensue. It’s a well done sations in our heads, or wondering about the future, Ana Pascal (Maggie Gyllenhaal) plays an irate like the myriad equations Crick calculates in his head family drama, as father and daughter discover they his head is fi lled with the numbers around him. Harold baker with an alternative bent that Crick is sent to on a daily basis, there is no formula he can use, no are just alike and Katy fi gures out how to keep Flicka. Crick doesn’t daydream; he counts brushstrokes as audit. He becomes smitten with her and she is soon parameter he can follow. He’s forced to try a new way Rated PG he brushes his teeth. This most ordinary of men, developed as a love interest. Gyllenhaal tackles the of thinking, a new way of being. played by Will Ferrell, Harold Crick is about to undergo part with combination of sweetness and edge that This animated fi lm is about an Philosophically, the movie gets us to ask ques- FLUSHED AWAY an extraordinary experience. makes her unlikely interest in the awkward Harold uptown rat Roddy (voiced by Huge Jackman) who gets tions, both within the framework of the movie, and fl ushed down the toilet from his penthouse apartment, Ferrell delivers his lines with perfect timing and seem perfect. in our own lives. As a narrator, does Kay Eiffel have ending up in the sewers of London, where he has to earnestness. It’s the circumstances around him that Crick, looking for answers about his impending god-like power over Harold Crick’s life? Or is she, as learn a whole new and different way of life. Rated PG make him funny. As Harold Crick, Ferrell embodies death, goes to a psychiatrist (Linda Hunt) where he is many authors claim, simply channeling the story? The a human being we can relate to. For all of Crick’s told he has schizophrenia, to which he replies: “I ‘m story also poses questions about what we would do GRIDIRON GANG Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson stars OCD-like tendencies, he’s a lot more like us than we’d not schizophrenic…I just have a voice in my head.” with our destiny-- if we had a choice. Would it still be as a juvenile jail counselor who promotes a football like to admit. When we look at Harold’s day-to-day Instead of seeking a medical solution, Harold seeks Destiny? If someone was narrating our lives, would team to teach life skills to young offenders. Based existence, we might see a glimpse of ourselves at one a literary one. If he’s a character in book or a story, a we change it? The movie might cause you to think, or on the true story of Sean Porter, the juvenile felons time or another in our lives. Crick is ordinary. A man person with knowledge of literature might be able to you could just have a good time watching it. The plot join the team and work out their aggressions on the you wouldn’t glance twice at, a person who hasn’t help him. With that in mind, he goes to Professor Hil- isn’t unpredictable, but the ride to the ending will have gridiron against high school teams. Rated PG-13 examined his life enough to know that he’s lonely, that bert (Dustin Hoffman) a professor of English lit at the you wondering. he isn’t really living. Harold goes about his daily life, THE GRUDGE 2 Amber Tamblyn stars in this sequel counting instead of dreaming, until he is interrupted set in Tokyo where a young woman, Aubrey (Tamblyn) by a voice that seems to be narrating his every move is exposed to the same mysterious curse that and omnisciently knows his thoughts. He’s having a The Newest, Hottest Script Smith affl icted her sister Karen (Sarah Michelle Cellar) The bad enough time trying to cope with a narration that The script of caused a buzz before it even went into production. Once the supernatural force overcomes Aubrey with rage before no-one but he can hear, when the voice announces Stranger Than Fiction script got out into Hollywood, producer Lindsay Doran was inundated with calls from directors who spreading to its next victim. To fi ght the force, a group that he will be dying soon. Since the voice had been wanted it as a vehicle. Every night, she was on the phone, conference calling with potential directors for of previously unrelated people attempt to unlock its right about everything else, Crick panics. the fi lm. When Will Ferrell got a hold of the script, he immediately told his agent that he was willing to secret to save their lives. Rated PG-13 The narrator and author is Kay Eiffel (Emma play the part of Harold Crick for any price, at any time. Thompson) who may be omniscient about Harold’s The mind behind the script is Zach Helm and is his debut Hollywood script. THE GUARDIAN Kevin Costner stars as veteran life, but has no idea that he’s real. Eiffel has her own Stranger Than Fiction rescue diver Ben Randall, who loses his crew in a His circa 1996 degree from DePaul University isn’t for writing, though, it’s for acting. Though he’s had problems. The last book she wrote was published ten terrible helicopter accident. He takes an instructor job a few parts here an there since graduating, none of it helped him to make it big. He has written other years prior and she’s facing a harrowing case of writ- at the Coast Guard training center. His star student is pieces for the stage, but has had Hollywood collectively hailing him as the new ers block. She’s known for writing books in which the Stranger Than Fiction swim star Jake Fischer (Ashton Kutcher) Like Ben, Charlie Kaufman. He both wrote and directed his next project , about hero dies in the end, and she’s having trouble fi gur- Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium Jake is suffering from survivors guilt from losing his a mystical toy store starring Natalie Portman, Dustin Hoffman and Jason Bateman. The fi lm is now in ing out how to kill Harold Crick, her latest character. swim team in an accident. The two men form a shaky post production. Three other projects are in the works for Helm: (about a serial killer), The publishing company, in an effort to keep her on Thomas Johnson bond, and travel to a duty base in Alaska, which is a (book he’s adapting about how a rock radio station shaped the Belgrade’s under- schedule, sends in Penny Escher, who specializes in This is Serbia Calling ground resistance) and The DisAssociate (centering on a man who gets postcards from God). (continued on pg 9) helping writers meet their deadlines. Hobbled by her

8 november 9-15, 2006 | entertaining u newspaper the grandiose setting of the royal palace, with its silly rescue rich environment due to the large Bering Sea rules and archaic protocol. However, once he got to fi shing fl eet. Life and death situations develop that test know Elizabeth, he began to understand her and they the men’s friendship and rescue skill. Rated PG-13 became friends. He even defended her to her detrac- tors who were appalled at her lack of public action INFAMOUS Toby Jones plays Truman Capote in this after Diana’s death. second fi lm about his research into the lives of Perry Helen Mirren insightfully affects the many emo- Smith and Dick Hickock–two ruthless murders who tions of the Queen who has over the years learned to killed an entire family in a home invasion robbery. repress her feelings. Mirren gets inside Elizabeth’s Like in Truman, the other movie with the same story, head in a tour de force performance which could win the docudrama chronicles Truman’s six year saga of her an Oscar. Mirren’s subtle acting nuances allow writing In Cold Blood and his interviews with Smith the viewer to empathize with Elizabeth’s point of and Hickock inside the prison. Sandra Bullock plays view. She felt that Diana’s death should be a private Nelle Harper Lee, Truman’s gal pal and facilitator, who matter for the families involved. More importantly, helped open doors for him that would have been closed she wanted to protect the boys from the media and because of his eccentric personality, affected gayness, help Prince Charles deal with his and the boys’ grief. and high voice. Rated R James Cromwell portrays Prince Phillip as a dolt–a sniveling uptight snob who just wants to go out on MAN OF THE YEAR Robin Williams stars as a wildly the estate and hunt stag rather than deal with Diana’s popular and funny host of a late-night political talk death or anything else for that matter. show, Tom Dobbs. The program is so popular, as a As the crisis deepens, Elizabeth takes the Land lark, he is talked into running for president to shoot a documentary. But his pole numbers go off the scale Rover out on the estate to fi nd the hunting party. But and he actually wins, becoming the President of The she breaks the drive shaft in a rocky stream. There, United States. The thing is, no one, including Dobbs, while she’s waiting for help to arrive, she has an is prepared for him to set up an administration. Rated encounter with the large stag that the hunters are PG-13 tracking. When her eyes meet the stag’s, she has an epiphany–a spiritual awakening that is symbolic MARIE ANTOINETTE This is Sofi a Coppola’s retelling of Diana’s life and death. The scene also shows her of France’s most famous but ill-fated queen, Marie compassion and humanity. It was the turning point in Antoinette prior to the French Revolution. Coppola this remarkable true story. concentrates on Marie’s arranged marriage to 15 year Frears fi lm shows how Diana’s death united old Prince Louis which formed an alliance between the country, and proved that Tony Blair was worthy France and Austria.. From the awkward beginning of of his job as Prime Minister. In many unexpected their marriage, when Louis was inept at sex, to the ways, Diana’s death had many positive effects on consummation of their union that produced a daughter. the country and helped the royal family to reconnect Later, the couple bore a son, heir to the throne. the queen with the hearts and minds of the people, justifying Coppola’s lavish sets and costumes exude the wasteful their lofty position as an ultra-rich monarchy in a wealth of the royal family, who turned their backs on the struggling modern economy. suffering of the people, who later rebelled. The mobs sacked the palace and Marie was captured trying to get movie review away. She was a victim of the bloodbath that followed Royal Focus on a National Tragedy the revolution, losing her head at age 38. Rated PG-13 BY RICK GRANT [email protected] When Peter Morgan was fi rst set to the task THE MARINE John Cena stars a John Triton, a Marine A Rated PG-13 97 min family’s opinion of Diana. And then, her promiscu- of writing a screenplay that dealt with the death who returns from battle in Iraq to fi nd that his wife, Kate This docudrama is director Stephen Frears rec- ous lifestyle was always on display in the tabloids of Princess Di, there wasn’t any focus to the (Kelly Carlson) is ensnared in a kidnaping plot. He uses reation of Queen Elizabeth II (Helen Mirren) period of to embarrass the royal family. Of course, Diana was piece except for the aftermath of the event itself. his combat experience to uncover the conspiracy. Rated trauma surrounding the death of Princess Diana. It is shoving it up the royal butts. From he start of her “I was originally thinking about a multi-character, PG-13 a subtle expose of Britain’s class divisions, suddenly marriage to Charles, she had suffered through an compendium piece set over 24 hours which brought to light in the aftermath of the tragedy. After acrimonious relationship with the royal family. Then looked at various people, both famous and not, ONE NIGHT WITH THE KING An epic adventure that Diana’s death, Queen Elizabeth’s perceived indiffer- she had gone through the trauma of the ugly divorce, who were all touched by the events of that day follows a young Jewish orphan who rises from peasant ence sparked a crisis which cast the Royal family with all its sordid details leaked to the press. But, in August,” says Morgan. “It soon became clear to Queen of Persia only to face the annihilation of her as unfeeling aristocrats, alienated from the British Diana did make an honest effort to become directly that the interesting aspect was how the Royals people. people. Peter Morgan’s masterful script carefully involved with philanthrophic work, which endeared reacted in the week between her death and the Starring Tiffany Dupont, Omar Sharif, John Rhys- develops the characters in such a way as to present her to the British people. But Frears avoids focusing funeral. It was a family in crisis, locked up in the Davies, Luke Goss, Peter O’Toole. Rated PG all sides of the tragedy and a better understanding of on Diana, his premise deals with the royal family’s closed world of Balmoral. The Queen decided A domesticated 900 pound grizzly the Queen’s motivations. painful rude awakening that they were out of touch that to protect the boys, all televisions and radios OPEN SEASON bear, Boog (voiced by Martin Lawrence) is stranded in Since Tony Blair (Michael Sheen) had just taken with the British people. were to be removed. So they were living in a place the woods 3 days before open hunting season. Having offi ce, he was thrust into the role of crisis manage- Diana’s death and subsequent national mourn- of total denial… The people were on the streets ment. His delicate consultations with the Queen were ing happened just as Tony Blair was sworn in as no survival skills, Boog relies on Elliot, a wisecracking clamouring for a reaction from the family and none mule deer who helps Boog adjust to life in the wild. The aimed at convincing her to make a public statement Prime Minister. As a sensible middle class man, he was forthcoming. During that week, there was a two rally the other forest creatures to form a rag-tag and appear at the sight of the acre of fl owers in front was thrust into the tornado of ill-will directed at the very strong anti-monarchist feeling, which was army against the hunters. Rated PG of Buckingham Palace as large crowds grieved for Queen. He was taken a-back by the formality of just stoked by the press which realized the spotlight of Diana. The Queen’s lack of communication with the getting an audience with the Queen. His modest guilt was shining in its direction.” Hugh Jackman and Christian Bale people in this tragedy caused the British people to THE PRESTIGE background and pragmatic personality clashed with portray rival magicians Robert Angier and Alfred dislike her. A maelstrom of negative press from the Borden. Robert is dumbfounded by Alfred’s mind British tabloids fl ooded the streets. boggling tricks. He desperately tires to fi nd out the Frears subtlety exposes the royal family’s secret of Alfred’s amazing tricks. What if his tricks were vast wealth and the rigid protocol that surrounds not staged? What if he was doing real magic? It’s a the Queen’s life. More signifi cantly, Frears depicts conundrum as events build momentum to Alfred fi nding the palatial splendor of the royal living quarters, out the truth. Michael Caine and Scarlett Johansson juxtaposed against the ordinary work-a-day British co-starred under Christopher Nolan’s direction. Rated citizens, with whom Diana was so in-tune. The thrust PG-13 of the premise is Tony Blair’s thoughtful diplomacy meeting with the Queen to help her understand RUNNING WITH SCISSORS Based on Augusten Diana’s relationship with the people of Britain. At Burroughs memoir, this docudrama was adapted and fi rst, Elizabeth was clueless, and couldn’t understand directed by Ryan Murphy (Nip/Tuck). It chronicles why the people were reacting in such an intimate Burroughs growing up with an alcoholic father (Alec outpouring of grief. Baldwin) and an unstable mother (Annette Bening). To Elizabeth, Diana had been a royal pain in the Eventually, in his teenage years, he’s sent to live with neck. Then the divorce had taken its toll on the royal (continued on pg 10)

eujacksonville.com | november 9-15, 2006 9 his mother’s therapist Dr. Finch’s (Brian Cox) bizarre extended family. There’s a heavy Oscar buzz on Annette Bening’s performance. Rated R

THE SANTA CLAUSE: THE ESCAPE CLAUSE Tim Allen will be able to retire on these goofy Santa Clause fi lms. This third movie in the series features Santa a.k.a. Scott Calvin (Tim Allen) who is faced with double-duty: First, how to keep his new family happy, and second, how to stop Jack Frost from taking over Christmas. Rated G

SAW III It’s that voodoo that he do so well. Jigsaw kidnaps a doctor to keep him alive as he directs his apprentice to torture a new subject by solving riddles that keep the poor captive alive. It’s the ultimate torture endurance test. Rated R special showings

SHORTBUS Written and directed by Mitchell (who previously starred in and directed the fi lm adaptation of his international stage hit, “Hedwig and the Angry Inch”), “Shortbus” explores the lives of several characters living in present-day New York as they navigate the comic and tragic intersections harsh times Advanced Ticketing available at MovieWatcher.com between love and sex. Male and female, straight or (904) 264-3888 and gay, the characters fi nd one and other – and AMC SELECT - Special films for select tastes. eventually fi nd themselves – when they all converge movie review A.M.Cinema - All seats $5 before noon at a weekly underground salon called “Shortbus,” on Fri., Sat., Sun., & holidays - denoted by ( ) a mad nexus of art, music, politics, and carnality. BY RICK GRANT [email protected] ORANGE PARK 24 Mitchell developed the fi lm’s story along with his Wells Road and Blanding ensemble cast, all of whom are making their feature B Rated R 120 min A GOOD YEAR (PG13)  (11:00 @ $5), 1:50, 4:35, 7:20, 10:10 fi lm debuts, and who were selected after submitting This is a dark gritty drama that explores the HARSH TIMES (R)  (11:00 @ $5), 1:50, 4:40, 7:30, 10:20 videotaped interviews/auditions in response to a well- psychologically damaged protagonist, Jim Davis THE RETURN (PG13)  (11:20 @ $5), 1:40, 4:15, 7:05, 9:30 STRANGER THAN FICTION (PG13)  (11:10 @ $5), 2:00, 4:50, publicized open casting call posted on a website. (Christian Bale) after he returns from the Iraq War 7:40, 10:30 Over a half million people visited the website and to civilian life. Written and directed by David Ayer, BORAT (R)  (11:45 @ $5), 12:45, 2:15, 3:15, 4:55, 5:45, 7:25, 8:15, nearly 500 people sent in tapes before the fi nal 9:55, 10:40 (he penned Training Day) the scenario is relentlessly FLUSHED AWAY (PG)  (11:40 @ $5), 12:15, 1:15, 2:15, 3:00, seven leading performers/characters were selected grim, but makes a powerful statement about the 3:45, 4:45, 5:30, 6:15, 7:15, 8:00, 8:45, 9:40, 10:25, 10:55 THE SANTA CLAUSE 3: THE ESCAPE CLAUSE (G)  to workshop the storyline with Mitchell. San Marco negative aftermath of war on returning veterans. (11:10 @ $5), 12:00, 1:45, 2:35, 4:25, 5:10, 7:00, 7:45, 9:40, 10:20 Theatre, Friday Nov.10 & Saturday, Nov. 11 at More signifi cantly, Jim is a special case, having SAW III (R) (11:45 @ $5), 2:45, 4:45, 5:25, 8:15, 9:55, 10:55 midnight. Info: 396-4845 FLAGS OF OUR FATHERS (R) (11:55 @ $5), 3:30, 7:00, 10:05 been an Army Ranger engaged in special ops. He’s a FLICKA (PG) (11:15 @ $5), 1:55, 4:40, 7:25, 9:50 trained killer who is exceptionally good at his job. So, THE PRESTIGE (PG13) (11:50 @ $5), 3:15, 7:05, 10:10 KEEPING MUM The sleepy English hamlet of Little when he returns to Los Angeles, his special skills are THE GRUDGE 2 (PG13) (11:35 @ $5), 5:05, 10:40 Wallop is about to receive a rude awakening, as MAN OF THE YEAR (PG13) 1:10, 4:00, 7:15, 10:05 only marketable in a few jobs, like law enforcement. the absent-minded Reverend Walter Goodman, his THE MARINE (PG13) (11:50 @ $5), 2:20, 7:30 When Jim applies to the LAPD, he is defi nitely quali- THE DEPARTED (R) (11:15 @ $5), 2:45, 6:15, 9:45 dissatisfi ed wife Gloria, and their two children, Holly fi ed for the job, and he’s confi dent he can get hired. EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH (PG13) (11:05 @ $5), 4:50, 10:30 and Petey, await the arrival of their new housekeeper, THE GUARDIAN (PG13) 1:40, 7:20 Grace Hawkins. Gloria is a woman struggling to However, he fails his psychological evaluation. OPEN SEASON (PG) (11:30 @ $5), 1:55, 4:25, 7:10 cope. It’s no wonder she’s failing to resist the Shattered by the rejection, and desperate for $AMC SELECT% work, Jim seeks solace with his best friend, Mike advances of her handsome, American, lothario of a BABEL (R)  (11:55 @ $5), 3:30, 7:00, 10:15 golf pro, Lance. What this family needs is salvation. Alonso (Freddy Rodriguez–Six Feet Under) whose CATCH A FIRE (PG13) 9:30 PM RUNNING WITH SCISSORS (R) (11:05 @ $5), 2:05, 4:55, 7:55, And fast. It comes in the form of “Grace Hawkins”, wife, Sylvia (Eva Longoria) is pressuring him to get 10:45 a gentle motherly woman with a smile for everyone a job. But, Jim shows up and wants to go out and ONE NIGHT WITH THE KING (PG) 2:10, 7:40 and an answer for everything. But Grace is not all she drown his sorrows with Mike, score some pot and THE QUEEN (PG13) (11:20 @ $5), 2:00, 4:35, 7:10, 9:50 seems... Starring: Rowan Atkinson, Kristin Scott party. Mike assures his wife he’s going out with REGENCY 24 Thomas, Maggie Smith, Patrick Swayze, Emilia Fox. Davis to apply for jobs, when in fact, they go out Behind Regency Square Mall Rated R. Regal Beach Blvd., Info: 992-4398 drinking and drugging, looking for trouble. not allow him the luxury of marriage. So he’ll have to A GOOD YEAR (PG13) (11:05 @ $5), 1:45, 4:30, 7:15, 9:55 Mike doesn’t realize that Jim is a walking time  break off his relationship with his girlfriend, who is HARSH TIMES (R)  (11:15 @ $5), 1:55, 4:40, 7:20, 10:00 LASSIE See a special exclusive showing of the new bomb–any little thing can set him off. As the day now pregnant. THE RETURN (PG13)  (11:40 @ $5), 2:00, 4:20, 6:45, 9:00 STRANGER THAN FICTION (PG13)  (11:30 @ $5), 2:20, 5:00, movie LASSIE at the historic Florida Theatree. You progresses they steal a dealer’s stash and gun, Mexico suits Jim with its wild west scene and 7:45, 10:20 can enjoy this family movie while also having an and end up in a seedy Mexican bar looking for a wide open spaces. The provincial town where Jim’s BORAT (R)  (11:00 @ $5), 12:05, 1:05, 2:10, 3:10, 4:15, 5:15, 6:30, 7:30, 8:40, 9:45, 10:45 opportunity to meet Beacon and Clancy, two local buyer for the gun. Suddenly, things go South when girlfriend lives serves as a metaphor for Jim’s tan- FLUSHED AWAY (PG)  (11:00, 11:45 @ $5), 12:30, 1:15, 1:55, collies who do pet therapy at Wolfson Children’s Mike’s gun buyer is murdered in front of them. Mike gled mind–a place he can be himself and not worry 2:45, 3:30, 4:10, 4:55, 5:45, 6:35, 7:20, 8:00, 8:45, 9:30, 10:15 Hospital and at the same time help raise funds for THE SANTA CLAUSE 3: THE ESCAPE CLAUSE (G)  is freaked out and they’re on the run again, into about getting arrested. After an all-night drinking (11:10 @ $5), 12:10, 1:25, 2:30, 3:45, 5:05, 6:50, 7:40, 9:15, 10:00 First Coast No More Homeless Pets to support the deep end of LA’s worst neighborhoods. As the binge, Jim goes crazy and almost kills his girlfriend. SAW III (R) (11:05 @ $5), 1:10, 3:40, 6:15, 8:10, 9:10, 10:40 SpayJax which provides free spay and neuter surgery two fi nd more trouble, Mike realizes that Jim is a Ayer’s scenario goes deep into the psychotic FLAGS OF OUR FATHERS (R) 12:55, 3:50, 6:55, 9:50 for pets of low-income families in Jacksonville. FLICKA (PG) (11:50 @ $5), 2:15, 10:05 changed man. He’s having daylight fl ashbacks from mind of Jim Davis as he comes unglued by DTSS, THE PRESTIGE (PG13) 12:50, 3:55, 7:10, 10:10 Filmed in Yorkshire, England in 2005, tells the Lassie the war. But Mike doesn’t know the half of it. and his propensity for acting like an immature jerk. THE GRUDGE 2 (PG13) 4:25, 6:55, 9:20 story of a family who is forced to sell their collie to MAN OF THE YEAR (PG13) (11:45 @ $5), 2:25, 5:10, 7:50, 10:30 The next day, Jim gets dressed up in a suit and Ayer’s underlying commentary exposes how these an eccentric duke (played by Peter O’Toole) as the THE MARINE (PG13) 12:35, 5:30, 10:35 applies to become a Federal agent. He tries to beat THE DEPARTED (R) (11:55 @ $5), 3:25, 7:05, 10:25 local coal mine closes. Lassie will stop at nothing friends revert back to their teenage years when they the polygraph and drug tests, but fails. However one get together. Ayer is theorizing that men in their mid EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH (PG13) 2:55, 7:55 to escape and get back home to her loving family, THE GUARDIAN (PG13) 1:20, 7:35, 10:30 even if that means a 500 mile journey over the hills of the supervisors takes a liking to him and decides to late twenties see the happy-go-lucky phase of OPEN SEASON (PG) (11:25 @ $5), 1:40, 3:50, 6:00 of Scotland with the police and dog catcher on her they can use his special skills. So, they are willing to their youth slipping away, as the responsibilities of GRIDIRON GANG (PG13) 4:10, 9:25 trail. Rated PG. General Seating tickets are $8 each overlook his pot use and offer him a job in Colombia, marriage and raising a family weighs heavily on their $AMC SELECT% and VIP Tickets are $50 each and include a catered working as an undercover agent. This is his dream minds. BABEL (R)  12:45, 3:55, 7:00, 10:05 Brunch from 1:00 – 2:30 and special Loge Seating in job, so he accepts it. In the fi nal analysis , Ayer is saying that these CATCH A FIRE (PG13) 1:35, 7:00 MARIE ANTOINETTE (PG13)  2:05, 4:50, 7:35, 10:25 the Mezzanine. Florida Theatre, Sunday, November Happy about his new job, Jim talks Mike into particular young men are teetering on the brink of ONE NIGHT WITH THE KING (PG) (11:35 @ $5), 4:45, 7:25 26, movie at 3:00, preceded by VIP Brunch from going to Mexico with him and another friend to cele- facing adult maturity, yet they can’t seem to let go of FACING THE GIANTS (PG) (11:20 @ $5), 1:50 1:00-2:30. Info: 355-2787 brate his job and visit Jim’s girlfriend, who Jim loves their desire to live freewheeling lifestyles. Ah yes, it’s CHECKING OUT (PG13) (11:10 @ $5), 4:35 Times for Saturday, November 11, 2006 Times for Saturday, and wants to marry him. However, his new job will high time for them to grow up and get a life. -SPECIAL ENGAGEMENT No passes or discount coupons

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eujacksonville.com | november 9-15, 2006 11 new on dvd to the town to get away from the hustle and bustle of BEVERLY HILLS 90210- The Complete First city life. He even discovers a role model in Doc Hud- Season cars One of the defi nitive, landmark shows of the son (Paul Newman), a grumpy old car who harbors 1990s, “90210” quickly became an important some surprising secrets. fi xture on the FOX and in the popular discourse dvd review The Cars DVD is a somewhat surprising single of adolescents and young adults. Supplements disc release. The DVD has a fair amount of bonus include commentary tracks for select episodes, BY KELLIE ABRAHAMSON [email protected] features, but it’s painfully obvious that many are making of featurettes and more. This box set is missing; suggesting a double dip is in our future. not rated. Still, what we do get is some pretty fun stuff. First are two really great shorts. “Mater and the Ghost- light” takes us back to Radiator Springs where the LITTLE MAN (90 min.) Marlon Wayans is so desperate to become a trickster tow truck comes face to face… err, bum- father he adopts a midget criminal posing as a per-to-bumper with a spooky spirit that haunts Route toddler (Shawn Wayans, made tiny through the 66. The other short, “One Man Band,” was shown magic of digital effects). Tracy Morgan, Kerry in theaters with Cars and is about a young girl who Washington, and John Witherspoon co-star in the is stuck in the middle of a battle between street comedy directed by Keenen Ivory Wayans and musicians who hope to earn her gold coin. Next is written by the Wayans brothers. Rated PG-13 for the “Epilogue” which is basically the closing credits crude and sexual humor throughout, language and minus all those words. Here we see an amusing brief drug references. tribute to John Ratzenberger’s voice work for Pixar. A 16-minute making-of featurette gives us a glimpse behind the scenes as well as four deleted scenes LIVE! TONIGHT! SOLD OUT! (90 min.) presented in storyboard form. Originally conceived by Kurt Cobain, Live! Tonight! Because the DVD is so lax on bonus Sold Out! is a video document of Nirvana’s rise Cars from a scruffy trio from the Pacifi c Northwest into features, it’s fairly certain that a second, supple- one of the most iconic and important bands in ment-packed release will be on sale in the months the history of rock music. Combining live material Disney and Pixar teamed up for the seventh traffi c light town of Radiator Springs off of the now to come, most likely in the spring or summer of time to bring us , the second highest grossing 2007. So, is this release really worth buying now? from their `91-’92 “Nevermind” tour, Live! To- Cars barren “Mother Road” Route 66. After accidentally fi lm of 2006. The exceedingly entertaining kid’s fl ick In the end it’s really up to your kids. In my family it night! Sold Out! has long been the “holy grail” for tearing up the town’s main street, McQueen is sen- Nirvana fans... and one that has never been avail- takes a spin down the home video aisle this week on tenced to community service: fi x the road and he can just wasn’t possible to wait for a second release as able on DVD until now. This disc is not rated. DVD. get out of town and onto the race track. While strug- evidence by my 2-year-old son’s cries of “LIGHTEN- Lightening McQueen (voiced by Owen Wilson) gling through his task, McQueen fi nds himself grow- ING MC-CLEAN!!!!” every time a DVD promo spot is a hot-shot sports car who has long dreamed of ing fond of the small town folks who live in Radiator came on TV. If your fan is less rabid than mine, THE MARLON BRANDO COLLECTION Cars This box set features fi ve fi lms starring the man winning the Dinoco 400 Piston Cup Championship. Springs. He fi nds a best friend in Mater (Larry the perhaps another couple of months won’t hurt. In any considered by many to be the greatest actor of his The arrogant racer is set to take his shot at the Cable Guy), a dimwitted tow truck and fi nds a love case, the fi lm itself is worth buying no matter what generation. Films included in this six disc set in- trophy when he is accidentally stranded in the one- interest in Sally (Bonnie Hunt), a Porsche who came version you end up purchasing. clude Julius Caesar, Mutiny on the Bounty, Refl ec- tions in a Golden Eye, The Teahouse of the August Moon and The Formula. The set also includes supplements such as making of featurettes and theatrical trailers. This box set is rated R. keeping up with the steins such a pat. Keeping Up with the Steins is a pretty THE TRANSFORMERS: THE MOVIE- 20th Anniver- mediocre family fi lm. Its blend of comedy and drama sary Edition (84 min.) dvd review is typical of what you might expect to see in your The movie is set in 2005, twenty years after the average Garry Marshall fi lm. Poor Scotty was just TV series, and chronicles the efforts of the heroic BY KELLIE ABRAHAMSON [email protected] unable to tread any new ground. That’s not to say Autobots to defend their homeworld. Supplements the fi lm isn’t entertaining, it does ok and some parts include audio commentaries, a sneak peek at the Garry Marshall is known for making feel-good material is an alternate ending which fi lls in a couple are fairly amusing. But there’s nothing new here. The live action fi lm premiring in 2007, deleted footage comedies and it seems he has passed that gene of blanks. The deleted scenes also include optional “Steins” (played by Larry Miller, Sandra Taylor and and more. This fi lm is rated PG. down to his son Scott. The younger Marshall’s fea- audio commentary by Scott Marshall and Zakarin. Carter Jenkins) mentioned in the title barely serve ture fi lm debut Keeping Up with the Steins is now Finally, an 8-minute making of featurette aptly titled any purpose at all. They fuel Adam and Joanne’s SHADOWBOXER (93 min.) available on DVD after a limited run in theaters. “Keeping Up with the Steins: Behind the Scenes” competitive fi re but that’s another story altogether, Cuba Gooding Jr. and Helen Mirren star as Mikey Benjamin Fiedler (Daryl Sabara) is a 13-year- briefl y describes the mood on the set, takes us one we don’t see a whole lot of in this fi lm. What we and Rose, a pair of contract killers. Once step- old boy who is about to have his bar-mitzvah. His through some of the cast’s high-jinks and basically do see is Benjamin trying to fi gure out what being “a mother and son, they are now lovers as well as parents Adam (Jeremy Piven) and Joanne (Jami pats everyone on the back for a job well done. man” really means and his journey. It’s a sweet tale partners, and have decided to do one last job Gertz) are determined to make the event the most It’s questionable whether or not they deserved but not exactly the one the cover art promises. together before Rose leaves the business due to elaborate affair the neighborhood has ever seen but her terminal cancer. The great cast also includes the boy is hesitant. He’s nervous about chanting Joseph Gordon Levitt as a doctor who ministers the haftorah and is confused about what it all really to the criminal element, and Mo’nique as his means. To buy himself more time Benjamin invites demanding girlfriend. Rated R for strong graphic his estranged grandfather Irwin (Garry Marshall) to violence and sexuality, nudity, language and some the event two-weeks early. Because Adam hasn’t drug use. had a civil conversation with his father since he walked out on he and his mother (Doris Roberts), WORDPLAY (94 min.) Irwin’s arrival puts a kink in the planning. Luckily for The world of crossword puzzles, their fans, and Benjamin his grandfather has plenty of good advice their creators is profi led in this documentary from for the bar-mitzvah boy and is able to answer many director Patrick Creadon. The New York Times of his most pressing questions about the ritual. puzzle editor and NPR Puzzle master Will Shortz The Keeping Up with the Steins DVD only con- plays a master of ceremonies, guiding us through tains a handful of bonus features. First are two audio the history of the puzzle and the community that commentary tracks. The fi rst features father and son has formed around it. Celebrity puzzlers Bill Clin- Garry and Scott Marshall and the second includes ton, Bob Dole, Jon Stewart, Ken Burns, Mike Mus- the director and writer/producer Mark Zakarin. Next sina and the Indigo Girls all make appearances. are a handful of deleted scenes that add little to the Rated PG for some language and mild thematic story itself and were probably best left on the cutting elements. room fl oor. The highlight of the 7-minutes of new

12 november 9-15, 2006 | entertaining u newspaper the nine absorbing drama struggles for viewers on ABC BY RICK GRANT [email protected] This excellent serialized concept show has Even with the show’s lead-in as rating winner struggled to fi nd an audience. Its intriguing premise Lost, The Nine is up against CSI; NY, which is trounc- involves nine strangers who are forever bonded to- ing it. However, like with another ratings challenged gether by being held hostage in a bank robbery gone show, Friday Night Lights, that got a reprieve when bad for 52 terrifying hours. The writers handle the the network ordered nine new episodes, ABC’s brass confusing aspects of the story, like in Lost, by fl ash- is staying with The Nine – for now. But if it continues ing back to the hostage standoff as the characters to lose viewers to CSI: NY, then the ax will fall. It’s are developed. Each week’s episode begins with a just too expensive to back shows that are sinking recap of the last episodes, leading into the cumulative ships. Still the show is on the schedule on Wednes- storyline. days at 10:00 pm ET. As the story slowly unfolds, viewers learn that Steinberg also assured the viewers that the writ- the nine strangers include a gambling addict detective ers have the whole season mapped out, so the mys- Nick Cavanaugh (Tim Daly), assistant DA Kathryn tery of where it is going will play out each week with Hale (Kim Raver from 24), bank manager Malcolm small resolutions, but plenty to speculate about. Not Jones (Chi McBride), and party girl Franny Rios knowing what is going to happen is the fun of staying (Camille Guarty) as the main characters. Also caught with a show like this. The same idea hooked people up in the aftermath of the incident are Jeremy Kates on Lost, but in my opinion, they went too far with the (Scott Wolf), Lizzie Miller (Jessica Collins), Egan unresolved mysteries, like in the X Files. After invest- Foote (John Billingley), Lucas Dalton (Owain Yeo- ing time in the show, the big questions in the X Files man), and Eva Rios (Lourdes Benedicto). were never fully resolved or they fi zzled out. Viewers need to know that missing an episode Indeed, being a part of a life threatening situa- is okay, the ABC website offers complete back epi- tion is a consciousness altering event. People never sodes online. And, as each story evolves it fl ashes forget it, and they always wonder why they survived back to the hostage crisis. Clearly, this is a bold new while others perished. In this case a teller was shot idea for a television series–a major happening that and killed. The survivors think it could have easily bonds people together. As the nine souls try to get been them. The long term aftermath is troubling for back to normal, they can’t stop thinking about those the nine people who shared this terrorizing event for hellish 52 hours not knowing if they will live or die. It so many hours. Steinberg wanted to show how this haunts them and they seek solace with one another. singular incident altered each person’s life for the It’s much like the survivors of a plane crash who better or worse. The aftermath of hostage standoff come together on the anniversary of the crash to pay created changing situations that build tension and homage to the people who died and to console one high drama. another. Memorial committees are formed and the Whether or not the series makes it for another survivor group is forever emotionally linked by the ten episodes is speculative. However, it’s worth disaster and to one another. watching for its quality writing and acting from a “The candy is what happened in the stellar cast. If I ran the network, I’d commit to 13 bank,”explains co-creator Hank Steinberg in an EW episodes and let the chips fall where they may. Axing quote, “but the heart and soul is how these people a show after only a few episodes is not necessarily a deal with their second chances.” Well known char- true indication of its audience potential. Sometimes a acter actor John Billingsley is a stand-out character show takes a little longer to catch on with fi ckle view- as Egan Foote. He’s a suicidal loser who rose to the ers. Ah yes, on the other hand, it’s an enormously occasion as a hero for ending the standoff. Steinberg expensive undertaking to launch a new show. If it went on to say that he does not intend to drag out doesn’t make the numbers, then the moguls are the resolutions of each story arc. Each episode is a watching millions of dollars go down the drain every complete story, but has a link with future episodes. week. At some point they yell, “Stop the bleed- In other words, you can come into the series in the ing–cancel it.” The bottom line: It’s always about the middle and understand an episode in its totality. money!

eujacksonville.com | november 9-15, 2006 13 play with your kids. parents and video gaming BY NORM STOVALL [email protected] With some especially controversial games coming to store shelves for the holiday season, the dilemma of fi nding the right video game for your young one(s) can be a big one. With teen violence in the news and blaming fi ngers being pointed right at video games, it’s diffi cult not to be concerned about what games your kids are spending their time with. The ESRB (or Entertainment Software Ratings Board)) has a ratings system designed to deter younger gamers from games that may be inappropriate for them. Games with mature content including nudity, violence, and vulgar language may be given an “M” (mature) rating, whereas a game geared toward preschoolers that features learning activities, music and rhythm exercises and color matching would be Given an EC (Early Childhood) Rating. One item of note with this system of ratings is that law doesn’t enforce them. Unlike going to a movie theatre, game shops won’t always turn away young buyers from purchasing M-rated games. I could almost never get into an R-rated movie in my youth, but kids these days don’t have any problems logging into a game of Halo 2 on Xbox live and fragging their friends into oblivion. (All the while, trash talking and acting like…kids.)

THE ESRB RATINGS SYSTEM IS DESIGNED TO HELP PARENTS.

So how do you know where to draw the line? The answer is pretty simple, but going through with it is a little more diffi cult. First and foremost, you should pay attention to what they are playing. You could even go far enough to play the games with them, but not every kid wants that, and parents may fi nd some video games to be diffi cult to understand and get into. If they like a certain game, there has to be a reason behind it. Find out what that reason is, and you may learn a good deal about your child. Some games are just too popular and too hyped to escape, and even though they are advertised on TV and in game magazines kids read, they probably aren’t suited for anyone that wouldn’t be con- sidered a “mature audience”. Take Rockstar Games’ Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas. Although the sto- ryline is great and the voice acting is top-notch, due to the violence and drug use, I would not want my tot playing through this game. I mean, I love Scarface, but you won’t catch my kids watching it in my house. You can’t always trust the local news to tell you what is right or what is wrong for your kid, you really should fi nd out for yourself. Rockstar’s Bully is a new title that had a good bit of controversy behind it just before it’s release. Going by the name alone, people were to assume that the role of your character was that of a bully, and some people went to great measures to assure that the game would not be released. However, after just 15 minutes of gameplay, the player would fi nd that this game is more of a video game version of Catcher in the Rye than it is a school aged-Grand Theft Auto clone, with a great story about an outcast student attending a prep BULLY IS AIMED AT TEENS AND ADULTS ALIKE, WITH A GREAT school. Sure, there is violence, STORY AND INTERESTING MORAL THEMES. crude humor and prank pulling, but the idea of the game is to deal with bullies, not to be one. The game actually punishes your character for bad behavior, if you choose to engage in it. Basically, if you would let your teen read Salinger, you should be able to let them play Bully without having too much to worry about. Some popular games really push the limits in terms of violence, such as the recently released Mortal Kombat: Armageddon for the PS2 and Xbox. Although the action depicted on screen is hardly realistic, the violence is pretty intense and hard to avoid, and this is why the game receives an M Rating. There are plenty of games available today that are family friendly, and you don’t have to limit your- self to one game console or platform. For more detailed information on what game ratings mean, and how you can use them to fi nd out about what games are right for your children, you can visit the ESRB’s website at www.esrb.org. For more information about the games themselves, ask your local game re- tailer. Game store managers and employees tend to be really chatty; so don’t be afraid to ask about what games they would recommend.

YOU CAN READ THIS ARTICLE AND OTHERS ONLINE AT JOYSTICKREVOLUTION.BLOGSPOT.COM

14 november 9-15, 2006 | entertaining u newspaper By the 80’s most of Barbie’s original fans had active dancing doll based on the hit straight-to-video grown up and were having kids of their own. Many fi lm Barbie in “The 12 Dancing Princesses”. The doll of these women were continuing to buy Barbies to will actually teach little girls how to dance and is one keep as collectibles so the fi rst Barbie Doll Convention of the most talked about new toys this year. If you are hello dollface! was launched, giving fans a chance to get together, or know a Barbie fan, you should get your hands on swap stories, discuss their growing collections and this doll now. According to Mattel, three Barbies are buy more dolls to add to it. The 80’s brought the fi rst sold every second. With ever growing limited edition black and Hispanic Barbie dolls and an “International collections keeping the hard-core fan happy and new, Collection” which gave girls a chance to dream about hipper versions of the old favorite to keep kids happy, far away lands. Andy Warhol paid tribute to the blonde Mattel and Barbie continue to dominate all other fash- beauty in 1985 at a party in New York City as a grand ion dolls on the market. fi nale to a Barbie exhibition that included new mini-de- signs by some of the hottest fashion designers in the world. My own fi rst Barbies were given to me in the 80’s. I remember playing with Barbie as the lead sing- er of a band; Barbie and the Rockers. I even dressed as her for Halloween, complete with big hair and Day- Glo clothes. Many of Barbie’s rock star looks were inspired by another famous blonde of that decade: Madonna. Toward the end of the 21st century Barbie became even more glamorous with the help for top fashion designers Bob Mackie, Vera Wang, Christian Dior and others. Many of these limited edition dolls go for hundreds of dollars on the popular auction site eBay, where collectors fl ock to get their hands on rare Barbies and her accessories. Also unveiled in the 90’s was the Hollywood Legends Collection, which features Barbie as some of Tinseltown’s most famous starlets; the Children’s Collector Series, based on popular fairy tales and a number of 40th Anniversary Edition dolls designed to commemorated Barbie’s birthday. At the turn of the century, Barbie was and con- tinues to be one of the top selling toys in the world. The latest version of the blonde beauty is a 15’ inter-

a brief history of everyone’s favorite american girl

BY KELLIE ABRAHAMSON [email protected] Christmas is right around the corner and toy ternational Toy Fair in New York. While the fi rst Barbie experts have recently come up with their lists of the doll, marketed as a “Teen-age Fashion Model,” was at hottest toys of the year. While the new Tickle Me Elmo fi rst given a tepid welcome by major toy distributors, doll tops most lists, right up there with the annoying once she was placed on shelves the doll became a red Muppet is a brand new Barbie doll. The sassy sensation. blonde is at home on the tops of little girls’ Christmas In 1961, just a little over a year since her début, lists and has been for over 40 years. Barbie had become the hottest selling fashion doll of Barbie’s story begins in Germany in 1956. Ruth all time. Mattel fashion designer Charlotte Johnson Handler, a mom of two and wife to Mattel co-founder created all of the doll’s chic looks, many of which Elliot Handler, was doing some window shopping in were inspired by couture garments from Paris. The Germany and discovered a doll that was unlike any 60’s also brought Barbie a beau: Ken. The duo took on the market. Bild Lilli, a blonde, shapely adult-fi g- the toy world by storm and soon Barbie’s family ured doll based on a comic strip, was designed for would grow even more with the addition of her best adults as a gag gift. Handler had earlier observed her friend Midge and her kid sister Skipper. daughter Barbara playing with paper dolls and giving The 70’s brought a new version of our favorite them adult roles. Handler thought it was important for doll: Malibu Barbie. This sun-kissed version of the kid children to be able to dream about what they will be favorite quickly became one of the most popular Bar- when they grow up and had suggested such a doll to bie dolls ever created to this day. With her long blonde her husband, who initially rejected it. After seeing Bild hair and pale blue bathing suit, the doll had come Lilli, however, Ruth knew she was on to something to personify California cool. Barbie’s sense of style and bought three of the dolls; one for Barbara and two continued to change over the decade, with the doll for the folks at Mattel. Three years later Barbie, named transforming into a hippie, a ski bunny, a disco queen after Ruth’s little girl, was unveiled at the American In- and, in 1976, the offi cial “Doll of the Century”.

eujacksonville.com | november 9-15, 2006 15 proval. Ethiopian Yirgacheffe is their top-seller and I understand why. It is a unique coffee, “One of the most We can thank coffee cornerstones like Shelby’s and The Grotto for getting the brewing Uncommon Grounds unique coffees in the world,” Scott and Alison’s new partner Matt Banks tells me. This coffee is intense, but coffee culture ball rolling in Jacksonville, but it is apparent that the coffee industry ’s in not at all bitter with a surprisingly smooth fi nish for an African coffee. Its distinctiveness is furthered by its ng ja 2000 Hendricks Avenue heavyweights like Starbucks and Barnies set local consumers on the course to hi ck (904) 398-3776 citrusy notes. A couple of organic and fair trade coffees are available, but Scott tells me that he will always seeking out places like Uncommon Grounds, D.S. Kennedy Coffee Roasters, and t s select coffee beans based on the best quality. e o San Marco – Between Subway and Marble Slab Creamery Coffee Grinder. I hope you enjoy the exceptional coffee, friendly service, and eclec- m n Hours: Monday – Friday, 6 a.m. – 10 p.m. and Saturday & Sunday, 6 a.m. – 11 p.m. The espresso has a pleasantly toasty taste, bold body, and smooth fi nish. It is the base for their specialty so vi drinks ranging from vanilla and hazelnut lattes to frozen blended lattes and mochas. Not surprisingly, the cur- tic décor as much as I did. ll Owner Diane Lee was inspired rent seasonal favorite is the pumpkin spice latte. e by coffeehouses throughout Califor- I spoke with regulars Jeff and Sandy Cox who are converts of a sort and told me, “We used to go to . nia and Colorado to create her home Starbucks until we found some- away from home style establish- thing better. The coffee here is ment, Uncommon Grounds. The on another level, complex even.” pour your heart coffeehouse is nestled in the heart They were especially fond of the of San Marco and has become a free coffee classes conducted by regular stop for many in the nearby Scott that deal with topics ranging into it community. from the unique characteristics It could be initially mistaken of different coffees to the many and other books on the Starbucks for a used furniture store with nu- ways to roast and brew your cof- merous couches, tables, chairs, fee. phenomenon and bookshelves smartly situated Live music is in their future by erin thursby throughout. Barista Dane Vanness plans, and they will soon feature free wireless Internet connectivity. who has worked there for the entire In 1997, the CEO of Starbucks, Howard Schultz, A visit to D.S. Kennedy Coffee 2 years that it’s been open, tells me published a book about the founding and business model Roasters will make you under- that all of the furniture is Diane’s and of Starbucks. The book seems to be less about a busi- stand what the big deal about that it represents her eclectic person- ness model and more about the vision and journey of fresh roasted coffee is. ality to the fullest extent. “She wanted it to feel like your living room, so that you can come and relax, Shultz, as he shaped the luxe coffee empire. Reading the MATT BANKS not just get your coffee and split,” he said. book, you’ll learn as much about Shultz as you will about I tried a cup of the House Blend and it was delightfully light bodied, smooth, and even had choco- the historical background of the company. late undertones. Although the coffee’s acidity was a bit low, it was robust in its freshness. This is the Schultz left a steady, well paying job in 1982 to kind of blend that I could drink throughout the day. Uncommon Grounds is dedicated to being a local Coffee Grinder take a job with Starbucks, then just a small Seattle based proprietor even in their vendor relations. Their coffee comes from Jungle Runners in St. Augustine and 9834 Old Baymeadows Road company. The 1982 version of the company was much different than the Starbucks of today. The original Sweet Water in Gainesville. All of their coffees are organic and most of them are fair trade. (904) 642-7600 Starbucks only sold coffee grinders, drip machines and coffee beans. While Schultz was part of the origi- My single espresso was delivered with a nice crema, but a little darker than what I’m used to. Baymeadows in the Publix Shopping Center nal Starbucks, he took a trip to Italy. He saw the warmth, ritual and romance of coffee served by the cup There were nice hints of blackcurrant, and the fi nish was only a tad bitter, possibly due to slight over- Hours: Monday – Friday, 7 a.m. – 12 a.m., Saturday, 8 a.m. – 1 a.m., Sunday 8:30 a.m. – 11:30 p.m. at the espresso bars. Immediately, Schultz wanted to have Starbucks serve espresso and coffee, instead extraction. However, its bold body and fl avor with the smallest trace of spiciness works ideally as the of just bags of beans. They did a few test counters, but the owners of Starbucks didn’t like the idea of foundation for a number of their specialty drinks. Slavisah Micuvic is from Bosnia of changing things so much. Be sure to try the “Happy Penguin” when you visit. It’s a crowd favorite that contains both dark which he says, “In my culture, we never And so, Schultz left Starbucks on good terms to build his own company: Il Giornale. When the and white chocolate, caramel, espresso, and had to-go cups. There is more of a social owners of Starbucks wanted to sell their roasting plant, locations and name, Schultz snapped it up, even milk. Plenty of alternatives are available for element to coffee.” Although to-go cups though the purchase left his company severely strapped. The original owners of Starbucks kept the por- non-coffee drinkers, and there are a number are plentiful at Coffee Grinder, they have tion of the business they bought from Peet’s, which competes with Shultz’s Starbucks in San Francisco. of tasty baked goods to complement your managed to keep that social element that Starbucks is the root of the national gourmet coffee trend. It’s true that there were other gourmet drink, including chocolate croissants, muffi ns, their owner is so fond of. coffee providers before that time, but it was Starbucks that brought coffee to the forefront of American bagels, and protein bars. “It is not a European coffeehouse, it consciousness. by brenton crozier Uncommon Grounds is the perfect is universal,” Slavisah said. As important For Schultz, Starbucks is “living proof that a company can lead with its heart and nurture its soul haven for those seeking a laid-back environ- as the rapport with the regulars, live mu- and still make money.” He made sure that even part time workers have health benefi ts and made Star- ment, with friendly, non-obtrusive, and knowl- sic, and brilliant art around the shop is, bucks a sort of home away from home for customers, a “third place” for a gathering outside of work or The last drop of Maxwell House coffee drips in glorious neon, letting you know, edgeable service, great coffee, and interesting the coffee makes a statement of its own. the home. local art. Live music is featured with the same Their beans all come from CBI in Portland, The book also covers some of the history of coffee in America and the in and outs of the bean biz. you’ve arrived in downtown Jacksonville. The plant has welcomed city center visi- unscheduled casualness that permeates the Oregon, except for their espresso blend of In the 1950’s Alfred Peet noticed that the US suffered from a lack of the quality Arabica beans and only tors since 1910 with the aroma of grocery grade coffee. coffeehouse and gives it its charm. Shawn which they use LavAzza. Robusta beans were available. The cheap Robusta beans can’t be dark roasted because they burn, but Starbucks ornaments almost every major town center and busy thoroughfare Lightfoot is a regular performer. I tried the Costa Rica and it was quite the Arabica beans can handle the heat. Europeans used to the Arabica coffee and Americans with a dis- with nearly 40 locations. And as any loyal Starbucks patron knows, crowds are Whether you’re looking for a great hide- smooth, with a medium body, and rich caramel tones. The “coffee of the day” selections always include cerning palate were his customers. Peet was the inspiration to which all gourmet coffee providers looked, now an expected part of the visit. A large number of Jacksonville residents can away to read or study, a source for top-quality a bold, light, decaf, and fl avored brew. Varietals and blends from around the world are available for whole especially the burgeoning Starbucks of the 70’s and ‘80’s. The Brazilian frost of 1994 is also covered organic coffee, or a comfortable place for bean purchase. in the book, chronicling the massive hike in coffee cost and the behind-the-scenes hair-pulling over the thank the coffee mogul for instigating their palates to repudiate an offer of anything friendly conversation, Uncommon Grounds My latte was very smooth, but a bit on the mild side. It wouldn’t get me going in the morning, but rising cost. less than 100% premium Arabica coffee, or at least anything not drizzled in caramel fi ts the bill. And they do offer free wireless the lack of bitterness and delightful almond tones would make it a great after dinner beverage. They Balancing profi t with integrity is just one of the high wire acts Starbucks has had to perform. At Internet connection. and topped with a dollop of whipped cream. DANE VANNESS offer a number of specialty espresso and blended drinks, but the mocha made with real cocoa powder is fi rst, they didn’t provide non-fat or low fat milk because they thought that the drink created was inau- For the dyed-in-the-wool devotee, a cup of coffee is an indispensable part of champion among customers. thentic. Because they lost potential customers, they changed their ways and decided to offer customers the morning, sometimes afternoon, and for some even, evening routine. However, A number of bottled drinks, baked goods, biscotti, bagels, and sandwiches are available. If you’re the option. The line Schultz has drawn is simple: they never mess with the integrity of the base product. looking for a rich dessert, try the decadent Tiramisu. Starbucks is happy to fl avor your coffee with a spritz or two of hazelnut syrup but they’ll never produce a cool weather change incites an innate longing in us all for a steaming cup of java D.S. Kennedy Coffee Roasters Coffee is the basis for Slavisah’s cultural movement of which he says, “More places like this make 9965 San Jose Boulevard bags of hazelnut fl avored beans. to complement seldom worn sweaters and comfort us during unnerving Christmas a city a city.” The urban feel of the shop is (904) 260-0810 furthered by the house music spun by DJ shopping ventures. Mandarin – By the Loop and Three Sisters Chocolate Experience every night except for Mondays Other ‘bucks Books Coffee culture has essentially been clandestine in Jacksonville with the excep- Hours: Monday – Friday, 6 a.m. – 6 p.m. and Saturday, 7:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. (Closed Sundays) The Starbucks phenomenon has spawned a plethora of books, mostly about business. Here are a few of and Wednesdays. Additionally, the walls are tion of a few stubborn strongholds. Chains like Starbucks and Barnies have broken the most recent titles to line the shelves: covered by the original paintings of Bosnian D.S. Kennedy Coffee Roasters lives by their mantra, “Fresh Roast for the First Coast.” Husband and wife us in, but now we are ready to explore the world of independent establishments that artist Amer Kobaslija who is currently the team Scott and Allison Kennedy moved from Austin, Texas, to open the shop in April of this year. Scott was by John Sim- treat and think of their coffee beans as serious as vineyard owners think of their toast of the New York City art scene. These MY SISTER’S A BARISTA: HOW THEY MADE STARBUCKS A HOME AWAY FROM HOME surprised by the lack of micro roasters and chain-alternative specialty coffee shops. mons focuses not only on product branding, but on the concept that corporate success doesn’t have to contemporary works have a photographic grapes. Large wooden barrels fi lled with coffee beans feature the various varietals and blends offered at the loca- be soulless. feel with intense, autobiographical depic- The wave of coffee sophistication sweeping the city has shored up numerous tion. They are marked by signs indicating the coffee’s name, origin, and characteristics. While the rest of the tions of his studio and a city bus stop that TRIBAL KNOWLEDGE: BUSINESS WISDOM BREWED FROM THE GROUNDS OF STARBUCKS CORPO- independent coffeehouses and shops in its crest. There are a few that stand out décor is quaint and rightfully coffee-centric, it’s not exactly the kind of place that invites you to plop down and penned by an ex-Starbucks marketer named John Moore tell the Starbucks story from changes its décor over time with different RATE CULTURE, hang out for a while. “We’re still working on the ambience,” Allison told me, and continued, “We’re hoping to the perspective of marketing. based on their product quality, ambience, and coffee knowledge. My hope is to map movie, music, and political wallpaper. give it more of a comfortable café feel.” This is apparent in one corner that features a pair of comfy chairs, out a number of these locations around Jacksonville to inform everyone from the Excellent coffee, a charismatic owner, and THE STARBUCKS EXPERIENCE: FIVE PRINCIPLES FOR TURNING ORDINARY INTO EXTRAORDINARY along with some books, and even a couple of board games. by Joseph Michelli is the newest Starbucks informed business success book. An easy, high energy read, brilliant artwork are worth making Coffee dedicated connoisseur to those simply looking for a morning pick-me-up to bright- Although things are moving towards that cozy feel at D.S. Kennedy Coffee Roasters, it is already apparent it freshens a formulaic read by injecting a little coffee panache. Grinder a stop on your daily route. en their early commute. I found that the following 3 spots encompassed the afore- that they are very serious about their coffee. A large, stainless steel roaster brilliantly dominates the backdrop mentioned qualities and standards, while offering completely unique experiences. of the shop. Scott hand picks, cups, and roasts every single bean himself, with stringent standards of ap-

16 november 9-15, 2006 | entertaining u newspaper eujacksonville.com | november 9-15, 2006 17 the heat to high and bring to a boil. Once the sauce comes to a boil, turn the heat to low and allow the mixture to simmer for about 6 ½ minutes. 4. Once the bacon has rested enough to be crispy, break the bacon up and throw it into the saucepan. 5.While the sauce is simmering, take the 2 ½ pounds of defrosted chicken and lay it in a shallow pan, large enough so all the chicken can lay fl at. You can use bone-in chicken, but I prefer boneless because it cooks more evenly. 6. When your simmer time is up, pour the sauce over the chicken. Next, put the chopped leeks on top of the chicken and in between the chicken and pepper. Breasts are always a good choice, though dark meat tends to work better with this recipe. Cover the pan with aluminum foil. If the oven has reached 350, place your chicken in the oven. Cook ½ hour on the top rack and forty minutes on the bottom rack. To add a little more zing to the dish, add a dash or two of hot sauce to the sauce or chop up some chili’s to throw in.

I can’t do a recipe column on coffee recipes without including at least one dessert. Here’s a tribute to two of my favorite things: chocolate and coffee. In the past you might use a springform pan for this kind of recipe, but I prefer silicone cookware. This stuff is incredible for baking. It’s easy to clean and food pops right out of it because it’s a fl exible kind of mold. CHOCOLATE COFFEE FLOURLESS TORTE

6 eggs ¼ cup butter 31 ounces of chocolate ¾ milk 2 ounces coffee 2/3 cup sugar Dash of powdered sugar

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. 1. Melt the butter slowly in a small sauce pan. ways to wake up a dish 2. Meanwhile, in medium sauce pan put the heat on low and begin melting about ¼ of the chocolate. Stir it and make sure you don’t burn it. Keep it on a very low heat. cooking with coffee 3. When the butter is melted, pour the milk into the small sauce pan, taking the heat up to medium. Do not boil. BY ERIN THURSBY [email protected] 4. While the butter and milk is heating up, stir in another ¼ of the chocolate in the medium saucepan. It might not all be quite melted, but that’s ok. Just stir until most of it is. There are a ton of desserts that use coffee as an ingredient, but most people don’t know that there are 5. Next, pour the remainder of the chocolate into the medium sauce pan. Stir this and then pour the heated main course recipes that use coffee to fl avor the dish. If you look, you can fi nd coffee rub, marinade and milk and butter mixture into the medium saucepan. Keep stirring until the chocolate is melted and completely sauce recipes for beef, chicken, lamb, venison and even fi sh. The meats don’t taste like they’ve been sim- mixed. Remove from heat. Let sit for fi ve minutes. mered in a cup of joe, but coffee adds a more subtle fl avor that brings out the taste of meats. 6. In a large mixing bowl, crack all of your eggs and scramble them. Pour the somewhat cooled chocolate/ The smoky and rich character of coffee makes it a favorite secret ingredient with afi cionados of the grill. milk/butter mix in with the eggs. Stir until uniform. To add texture, throw in some nuts at this point. Pour batter You can fi nd espresso meat rubs and coffee barbeque sauces all over the web. To make your own rub, you’ll into 10 inch silicone bundt pan. need high quality Arabica ground coffee, salt, brown sugar, cayenne, garlic, cumin, salt and black pepper. Use 7. Put pan into oven for an hour to an hour and a half. Take the cake out and allow it to cool for an hour. Place it in whatever ratio you think best. in the refrigerator for at least 5 hours or over night. I found an Israeli Coffee Chicken Recipe that looked good, but I altered it to suit the ingredients I have in Take pan out of fridge and turn upside down. Peel off pan. Decorate with powdered sugar and/or nuts. my house. My husband couldn’t taste the coffee in this recipe, though it is a major ingredient. It won’t be like your usual cake. It won’t be as solid, especially when you fi rst take it out, and it will be very, very heavy. It will crack around the edges and puff slightly when it’s done. To give it more of a coffee NOT-SO-KOSHER ISRAELI COFFEE CHICKEN fl avor, pour a small amount of a mixture of ¾ heavy cream and ¼ coffee as a sauce. Enjoy your fl ourless cake! 4 strips of bacon 1 cup of baby bella mushrooms ½ tablespoons olive oil 3/4 cup coffee 1 ½ tablespoons brown sugar 1/3 cup ketchup 2 ½ pounds of chicken 3 tablespoons soy sauce 1 leek, chopped ¼ inch 2 ½ tablespoons lemon juice Freshly ground pepper

Pre-heat your oven to 350 degrees. 1. Throw the strips of bacon into a heated frying pan. When they are about halfway cooked, put in the mush- rooms. Turn the heat down and slowly cook the bacon while you sauté the mushrooms lightly. 2. While the bacon and mushrooms are cooking, put all the rest of the ingredients (except for the chicken, leek and pepper) into a small saucepan. Stir together. Put the heat to medium. 3. Take the bacon out of the pan and allow it to rest for a minute. Pour the bacon fat and mushrooms into the small saucepan with the coffee, ketchup, lemon juice, soy sauce, olive oil and brown sugar. Stir and turn up

18 november 9-15, 2006 | entertaining u newspaper roasting on the river Riverkeepers annual oyster roast BY JON BOSWORTH [email protected] If you grew up in Jacksonville you were prob- ronmental degradation would go unchecked. Some ably taught that the St. John’s River and the Nile are people call us a watchdog group, we say we’re an the only two rivers that fl ow north. This isn’t actually independent voice for the river from the community.” true, but that doesn’t demean the importance of the At the Riverkeeper, their only bias is the river. river to our culture. Even the very name of our city People often think that the Riverkeeper is a came from the St. John’s River. government agency or is supported by government When Isaiah Hart and the founding fathers funding, but in fact they are a privately funded mem- of this town were trying to decide on a name they bership-based group. picked Andrew Jackson. Partially, this decision was “The advantage is that we can be an indepen- because the founding fathers wanted Jacksonville dent voice for the community that isn’t infl uenced by to become a national seaport. Jackson was running politics. We can focus on what is truly best for the for president at the time and the hope was that if river and the public.” we named our city after him, he would make it the Jimmy Orth talked to me on the eve of his wed- national port. ding and in the throes of preparation for their upcom- Jackson lost that election to John Quincy Ad- ing gala event, the Fifth Annual Oyster Roast. ams and we weren’t named the national port, but the St. John’s River is still our Nile. And not just ours, a EU: What are your expectations from the upcoming good deal of Florida relies on the St. Johns. Roger Oyster Roast? Bass was a marine surveyor that spent much of his JO: This is our big annual fundraising event. It is a life on the river. After years of watching the condition major source of funding for us and a lot of fun. It’s of the river worsen, Bass learned about the River- become one of the premiere social events in North keeper program and decided to bring that sort of an Florida. organization to Jacksonville. EU: What can your guests expect? After only fi ve years of full time action the JO: We have music. Brian Hicks gets a jazz group watchdog organization has made a lot of progress. together. He has done the roast the last two years. I By progress we mean less digression and by watch- wouldn’t say it’s a wild and crazy party atmosphere, dog, we don’t mean watchdog. Let me explain. but it’s a good diverse group of people and a good The EPA was going to require a 22% reduction vibe. Everybody always says they have a great time. in pollutants allowed in the St. John’s River. Through This year we’re going to have twenty-minute boat the involvement of the Riverkeepers, the reduction rides from the Garden Club. It’ll be nice getting out level was raised to 48%. on the water at night. We’re also doing a raffl e of a “Had the Riverkeeper not been there the plan Jim Draper that he painted exclusively for this event. would have never been implemented. Now the reduc- EU: Will there be more than oysters? tion level is 48%. We’re calling for a 60% reduction, JO: It’s a lot more than oysters. Liz Grenamyer puts so we’re not there yet, but it shows you the impor- together an unbelievable spread. There’s plenty of tance of the Riverkeeper.” good oysters, but she puts together delicious stuff Jimmy Orth is one half of the Riverkeeper’s for non-seafood eaters and even vegetarians. Every- full-time staff. He handles fundraising and public re- one is accommodated. lations so that Neil Armingeon can handle the issues. Issues that include stopping proposed developments Whether it’s through attending the Oyster Roast that would destroy the headwaters of Julington and or becoming part of the volunteer citizens boat pa- Pottsburg Creeks. Reducing the toxic impact of trol, it is up to the citizens of Jacksonville to protect JEA’s pollution, while remembering that we are all our most sacred resource. The Fifth Annual Oyster JEA. Every time we fl ush a toilet there is an environ- Roast is happening at the Garden Club on November mental impact, but with organizations such as the 17th. The Riverkeeper has more than 8800 square Riverkeeper, we can learn what to demand from JEA, miles of watershed to look after and this event is corporations, politicians, and each other. their major annual fundraiser. Go to www.stjohn- “The impact has been signifi cantly reduced. If sriverkeeper.net or call 256-7591 to learn some groups like ours were not in existence a lot of envi- simple tips on how you can help our waterways.

eujacksonville.com | november 9-15, 2006 19 times two ceramics Fernando and Kathryn Arango show work at 130 King Street in St. Augustine

BY CAROL ELLIOT [email protected]

The collaborative ceramics of Fernando you’re going to get until you’re done.” Fernando Arango and his wife of thirty years, Kathryn, can adds, “Glazes can be different so it’s a learning be seen at 130 King (Street) Fine Art & World experience from one firing to the next. Also, the Treasure throughout this month. The couple makes form sometimes changes. It’s always a surprise functional and decorative pieces. When I visited when we open the kiln.” their studio on Anastasia Island, I saw pre-kiln Fernando taught ceramics, oil painting and white pitchers with bird mouths for spouts. These drawing at the Wayne Center for the Arts in Ohio. are great for sangria, easy to pour, without releas- He was also the Director of the Ceramic Depart- ing the fruit or the ice. After firing, the white glaze ment for five years. He is currently teaching turns to cobalt blue. The Arangos also make bak- ceramics to a group of teenagers at the Florida ing dishes and serving trays. School for the Deaf and Blind. “They have a won- Fernando’s love for animals is a recurring derful sense of proportion,” he says. “They see theme in his work. He often sculpts figures that with their fingers.” are attached to the form made on the wheel. An While living in Kathryn’s home town of octopus may sit on stop of an urn. A frog occupies Wooster, Ohio, Fernando designed tiles of tropical the center of a large blue bowl made by Kathryn fish for which he won Best of Show at the Interna- on a slab. “I’ve seen people put this bowl in the tional Tile Show in Italy. of Bogota. Fernando’s uncle, Rafael Saenz, a well- middle of the table,” says Fernando. “They fill the The Arangos were invited to go to China to known watercolorist, was a professor in Medellin. bowl with water, then, float candles and flowers in learn the art of making porcelain at the Sanbao Among his students was Fernando Botero. Nephew it. They can also be used outside as bird baths.” Ceramic Art Institute. Some of their work is in the Fernando studied painting when he first enrolled “Ceramics is such a long process,” says permanent collection at the Foshan Museum. As a at a school in Harrisville, New Hampshire but after Kathryn. “The process is more important than the direct result of the porcelain studies, he often adds taking a ceramics class, he soon discovered how finished product and you never know exactly what a medallion to his work. “I learned some glazes, much he loved working with clay. too,” replies Fernando. Kathryn’s family settled along the southern He also taught art and cultural appreciation coast of Lake Erie. They boast generations of ar- through the Autonoma University of Santa Marta tisans and artists. The couple met while attending in his native country of Colombia, South America. Keene State College in New Hampshire. Kathryn “If people don’t know what your past is, they can’t studied textiles, experimenting with quilts and fab- understand why you are doing what you do. There ric collages. has to be a connection,” he told me. Fernando has won awards at the St. Augus- Both ceramicists come from artistic families. tine Art Association with his sculptural pottery. He A Basque descendant, Fernando’s grandfather, has also won awards for his Byzantine-style icons, Alberto Arango, co-founded the Department of an art that he has studied at various Orthodox Fine Arts in Colombia, at the National University monasteries in the United States and Greece.

20 november 9-15, 2006 | entertaining u newspaper RAY LOVE strings of fi re hot latin trio at Jimadores BY RICK GRANT [email protected]

Percussionist Al Tito Ortiz is one of the distin- guished members of the popular Latin jazz band Ya’ Gozo. He and two of his playing buddies decided to form a trio called Strings of Fire to play smaller venues, like Jimadores Mexican Restaurant. As SOF, Tito is TEDDY WASHINGTON joined by Javier Perez on acoustic guitar and vocals, and Francisco Lobo on electric lead guitar. Last Saturday night I follies awards show visited Jimadores to check out Tito’s new trio. The restaurant was a colorful featured teddy washington setting to listen to some cool Latin pop music. The BY RICK GRANT [email protected] trio has been together for eight months and they play It’s not easy being an accomplished musician in Jacksonville. Indeed, for our distinguished players, every Saturday from 6:00 decent paying gigs are hard to fi nd. Many of Jacksonville’s elite musicians teach to make ends meet. More to 9:00 pm at Jimadores signifi cantly, these musicians are famous in certain circles, and they make their home here in Jacksonville. Of located in the Miramar course, one of them is Teddy Washington, who over the years, has carved out an international reputation as a Plaza off Hendrick’s Ave. stellar trumpet player and band leader. The combination of In creating and producing the Jacksonville Follies Awards, Teddy’s mission was to stage an annual Javier’s classic acoustic cultural event that both highlights and recognizes the contributions of our local star musicians by giving them guitar, with Tito’s solid awards, while simultaneously showcasing their talent on-stage. percussion playing, and Teddy has a grandiose vision for the future of this annual event, by expanding the scope into exceptional Francisco’s Ventures-like sound on lead guitar Latin and traps percussion. Now, with this side individuals in education, art, and public fi gures. Each year he plans to publish an annual nomination list, fi rst creates a cool groove. They played some Santana trio, Tito can play many more smaller Spanish type in Jacksonville, and then the surrounding areas, fi nally, throughout the state. Ultimately, Teddy envisions this favorites plus some other popular Latin tunes. It venues, like Jimadore’s Javier Perez also plays as a show of shows that involves the past, present, and the youth, which represent the future. . created a fi ery Spanish mood inside this nicely bass with Ya’ Gozo. Francisco Lobo is from Gua- This year, Teddy highlighted fourteen individuals. Fifty local children received free tickets. Teddy wel- appointed restaurant. temala. Javier is from Venezuela. And, Tito is from comed the past Jacksonville Jazz Festival inductees and two educators who rounded out the show. Tito Ortiz was born in the Bronx in NYC, Puerto Rico. Joyce Morgan Danford was the Master of Ceremonies and Teddy and his band The Point After opened but his family moved to Puerto Rico, where Tito From my vantage point as a music reviewer, the show with an Overture of Duke Ellington, Stevie Wonder, and Burt Bacherach’s popular songs. Stevie was raised as a native Puerto Rican. Tito started I’ve observed the Latin music scene burgeon over “Fingers “ Saracson soloed on his portable keyboard, playing an original piece Then Funk 2006 & One Half. playing percussion as a wee lad, and jammed the last fi fteen years. The Spanish speaking popu- he received his award. with many of the local Latin bands. In 1985, he lation of the greater Jacksonville area has qua- And so it went, as well known Jacksonville musicians were featured from the band and given awards. moved to New York City to pursue a college edu- drupled over the last fi fteen years, with many more Veteran tenor saxophonist, Ray Love played a beautifully toned version of and Somewhere Over The Rainbow, cation, work, and most importantly to continue to Hispanics fl ocking to Jacksonville to fi nd work in then he received his award. Throughout the show, there were many deserving musicians receiving awards, showcase his talent as a musician. In NYC, Tito Jax’s skyrocketing construction industry. Every- including my friend and master drummer, Von Barlow. stayed busy with school and playing percussion where one looks, new construction is in progress, Unlike many award shows on television (the Oscars, et al) the production of the Follies moved smoothly with many of NYC’s most popular Latin bands. with condos and mini-malls going up everywhere. and without comment by the musicians receiving awards. This made it more of a showcase rather than a bor- Tito wasn’t satisfi ed with just playing, he wanted According to my research, the population of ing awards show. Most of Teddy’s band members deservedly received awards. The focus was on the music to learn more about percussion, so he enrolled in Spanish speaking people in Jacksonville exceeds and with the awards handed out in rapid succession, which made this presentation special and entertaining. the Harbor Music Center where he learned in more 250,000 and is growing rapidly. Teddy and the band played out the fi rst half of the show with and With Fly Me to The Moon Morning. depth about percussion reading, writing, charting, Latin music is showcased at such events an all-star hall-of-fame band, Teddy sang and played trumpet, showcasing his exciting showmanship and and advanced improvisational techniques. as the Fiesta Playera, now held in Metro Park I’m charismatic persona. This show harkened back to the golden age of jazz in the 1940s and 50s when bands . In 1984, Tito moved to Jacksonville and a big fan of Latin music because it’s percussion played large ballrooms and auditoriums. I thought it was refreshing to witness this civilized formality again, as joined a 13 piece salsa band called In Puerto Rico driven and always involves horns, which means it a change from the hectic rock concerts that I frequently cover where people show up in jeans a fl ip-fl ops. Latin Sound This established his reputation as a has musical integrity. Ya’ Gozo is one of the best Today, anything goes. It’s about making a big score fi nancially, then moving on to another band. In fact, . top tier percussion player. Later Tito formed Ya’ Latin bands in the area, and with master percus- I predicted that some day a group would come along that banged trash can lids together and they would be- Gozo, which took the Latin jazz concept to a high- sionist Tito Ortiz on-board, this group grooves with come stars. Then the smash hit show opened on Broadway. The entire show is about using everyday Stomp er plane of consciousness. Ya’ Gozo was the only hot Latin rhythms. objects to create percussion grooves. They even use cigarette lighters as well as trash can lids, waste bas- local Latin band to ever play the Jacksonville Jazz Tito’s offshoot of Ya’ Gozo, Strings of Fire kets–anything. Festival. The group was played on a non-Spanish, is a fi rst class Latin trio featuring high quality In creating the Jacksonville Follies Awards, Teddy has established a way for the community to come contemporary jazz radio station-WFSJ 97.9 FM. musicianship and showmanship. Tito and his together and pay homage to our unsung musical heroes, who have slugged away eeking out a living without Tito also teamed up with members of the group colleagues know that to stay working in Jax, one proper recognition. These are musicians’ musicians who are role models for aspiring players who want to Surge, a non-Spanish jazz fusion band. has to be fl exible and have more than one project excel on their respective instruments. Over the years, Tito has played percussion going. In fact, Tito told me they were going out to Yes, Teddy has done a righteous thing by producing this show. I’ve covered the local music scene for with Ya’Gozo, he has established himself as one Ocean 60 to join Ya’Gozo for a gig after they com- over twenty years, and I’ve attended every Jazz Festival since the beginning. I’ve seen the best players in the of the area’s premiere percussion players on both pleted their engagement at Jimadore’s at 9:00 pm. world on that stage, some of whom live right here in Jacksonville. Now, through Teddy’s Follies, the people of Jacksonville will know about their sizable contributions to the quality of life in our fair city.

eujacksonville.com | november 9-15, 2006 21 live music shows calendar

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 9 Open Mic w/Colleen Murphy Trade Winds Lounge, St. Augustine (829-8646)

Spektra Cortesses, St. Augustine (825-6775) Fair-Lee Roy Parnell Fairgrounds, Jax Out of Hand Mercury Moon, Orange Park (215-8999) Gutterboy Cecil’s, Jax (744-5132) Undertones Roadhouse, Orange Park (264-0611) Ron Rodriguez Mellow Mushroom, Jax (997-1955) Blistur Sun Dog Steak & Seafood, Neptune Beach (241-8221) Fran Coraggio’s Jukes of Jax Amici Restaurant, St. downtown gets artsy Augustine (461-0102) Nathan Holley Bukkets, Jax Beach (246-7701) The Yusge and Tuffy rock Moon Colony Razorblade Sentra. Mariachi Guadalajara Jimadores, Jax (739-5828) Soon after Tuffy fi nished their songs, it was time to head outside where The Yusge were ready Waverly Ray The Brick, Jax (387-0606) BY JON BOSWORTH / DAN DUSINBERRE [email protected] and waiting to churn out their set. Duos are growing Jolly Roger Elixir, Orange Park (215-4400) more popular as of late, and bands like Lightning Bolt and Death from Above 1979 have proven that Zach Chester , Jax (396-8088) Simon’s Wine Bar Downtown’s ArtWalk started with ten to twelve Colony Razorblade. As a part of the monthly ArtWalk performing with only a bassist and a drummer Will Pearsall A1A Aleworks, St. Augustine (829-2977) artists setting up in front of the Jacksonville Landing held on the fi rst Wednesday of each month. Moon doesn’t mean you don’t know any good guitar play- Aerial Tribe Ocean 60, Atlantic Beach (247-0060) and selling pieces that ranged from Jaguars-inspired Colony Razorblade moves aside its CDs, records, ers. Having never heard The Yusge before, I was football art to gaudy oil paintings of wildlife. Often and colorful underpants for the auditory arts. Belinda curious to fi nd out just how this duo would make DARYL, Dr. Sam Beckett TSI, Jax (635-3024) amateurish and consistently unattended, no one Carlisle also performed that evening, but despite my their music interesting despite limited instrumenta- Sister Hazel, Hootie & the Blowfi sh UF, Gainesville thought the ArtWalk idea would take off back then. best effort, the Scotch eggs and Newcastle at nearby tion. They present a full, savage sound with their But in the several years ensuing, the event has London Bridge Pub stole my attention a bit too long. ample musical acuity and growing songwriting skills. John Kevin King Ragtime, Atlantic Beach (241-7877) become one that throngs of Jacksonville’s hipsters A four-piece Tuffy stretched the width of the Their drummer is highly adept at pounding out some Dirty Dozen Brass Band Freebird Live, Jax Beach (246-2473) can’t wait to attend. Along with this interest, the room with an assortment of goofy little amps and a pretty snazzy fi lls at a relentless pace while the bass Larry Magnum The Riverhouse, Orange Park events included have steadily grown. From a few big lo-fi sound. Omitting the bass guitar altogether, player’s fi ngers tapped furiously to create the intri- easels in front of the Landing to entire buildings their heavy-handed strumming amidst the constant cate soundscape they may soon be known for. The Third Day Veterans Arena, Jax opening their doors to become makeshift galleries to din of noises (both intentional and incidental) recall Yusge is a talented duo poised to make a signifi cant Phunk Junkeez, AWOL Jack Rabbits, Jax (398-2473) live music at Burrito Gallery and Moon Colony Ra- the sound of a mid-nineties 4-track recording. It was impact in Jacksonville’s music scene. By the way, zorblade, this event has become one to pay attention refreshing to see a group perform without taking their name is pronounced like the Olympic sport Jeff & Vida European Street, Jax (399-1740) to. Unable to attend the event myself, I asked local themselves too seriously. Tuffy plays their songs luge, but with a Y instead of an L. Pretend there’s no Sugar Bear Aromas, Ponte Vedra (280-2525) music connoisseur Don Dusinberre to head down- unabashedly, and it’s rare to be able to relax and wit- S in it at all, and say it with an attitude that says you ‘3’ Lynch’s Irish Pub, Jax Beach (249-5181) town and report on the show taking place at moon ness some guys playing songs for themselves fi rst. knew them way back when. Colony Razorblade. This is his report: Their music is best suited for those times when you ArtWalk happens on the fi rst Wednesday of The Druids Aromas, Jax (928-0515) On a balmy November 1st, regional bands want to listen to something with a steady rock beat each month in downtown Jacksonville. Start at Boogie Freaks Square One, Jax (306-9004) Tuffy and The Yusge performed downtown at Jack- and simplicity, requiring nothing more to enjoy it than JmoMa, the new library, or Burrito Gallery and get a sonville’s premier independent record store, Moon a boombox or the crappy stereo in your very used complete listing of what is going on and where. Wes Cobb Fly’s Tie Irish Pub, Atlantic Beach (246-4293) Underminded Thee Imperial, Jax (475-0488) Cornerstone The Mill Top, St. Augustine (829-2329) De Lions of Jah Twisted Sisters, Jax Beach (241-6453) Big Engine Coyote’s, Orange Park (269-6837) Those Guys The Oasis, St. Augustine (471-3424) Peter Cheney Fionn Maccool’s, Jax Beach (242-9499) Little Green Men West Inn Cantina, Jax (389-1131) Mr. Natural Whitey’s Fish Camp, Orange Park (269-4198)

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 10 Sugar Bear, Those Guys The Landing, Jax The King Kahn & BBQ Show TSI, Jax (635-3024) These Arms Are Snakes Jack Rabbits, Jax (398-2473) Nate Holley Mellow Mushroom, Jax (997-1955) STR8 Up Tom & Betty’s, Jax (387-3311) De Lions of Jah Ocean Club, Jax Beach (242-8884) The Mosquitos Square One, Jax (306-9004) Telepathik Friend Moon Colony Razorblade, Jax (358-0003) Fair-Heartland Fairgrounds, Jax

22 november 9-15, 2006 | entertaining u newspaper The Force Box Seats, Jax (908-7328) Cornerstone High Tide Café, St. Augustine Tom Kay Blues Jerry’s Sports Bar, Jax Hardwired Po’ Boys, Jax Beach (246-4121) Beyond Me Murray Hill Theatre, Jax (388-7807) Feel the Love Duo St. Johns Town Center, Jax Jeff Coffi n Mutet Alcazar, St. Augustine Face 4 Radio, Autumn Effect Fuel, Jax (425-3835) Yankee Slickers Lynch’s Irish Pub, Jax Beach (249-5181) Beam Twisted Sisters, Jax Beach (241-6453) Element 55, Temptest Reign Brewsters Pit, Jax (223-9850) Brad Payne All-Stars Sports Bar, St. Augustine (827-9842) Le Monde Quintet Aromas, Jax (928-0515) Dance With a Victim Thee Imperial, Jax (475-0488) Stu Weaver Bridgeside Dining, Mandarin (260-1003) Second Wave Latitudes Café, Jax Beach (247-6606) BayStreet West Inn Cantina, Jax (389-1131) musical mutations Paul Lundgren Cortesses, St. Augustine (825-6775) Matt Collins Pauly’s Pizza, Jax (727-9101) Big Engine Brewsters, Jax (223-9850) and collaborations Radio 80 Aromas, Ponte Vedra (280-2525) Grammy Award winning Jeff Coffi n FRIDAY-SATURDAY, NOV. 10-11 2 Tymin’ Cliff’s at the Beach, Atlantic Beach and Futureman in St. Augustine Jay Garrett Mercury Moon, Orange Park (215-8999) Don’t Tell Anne Culhane’s Irish Pub, Atlantic Beach (249-9595) BY ERIN THURSBY [email protected] Von Barlow Simon’s, Jax (396-8088) Spade McQuade Fly’s Tie Irish Pub, Atlantic Beach (246-4293) WHAT: Jeff Coffi n Mu’tet sax in a school band. Growing up, he says he lis- set, part guitar combined, so you can strap it on. WHEN: November 10th tened to “all the guys on the beaten path, and a lot of It’s an experiment that I did to try to use my fi ngers Crazy 88’s Dueling Pianos Ocean Club, Jax Beach (242-8884) WHERE: Alcazar Hotel, behind the Lightner Mu- guys off the beaten path of the jazz world.” When he like drumsticks, so I could access all the drum set El Toro Loco Ragtime, Atlantic Beach (241-7877) seum wasn’t listening to jazz, he was listening to Motown sounds, but with a hand drumming technique…As I Lisa & the Madhatters , Mandarin (262-4337) COST: $20 and their “soulful vocalists. I always thought, that’s was playing the drumitar I wanted to be able to play Cheers what I wanna bring out on my instrument, I want to the drums like an orchestra…I wanted all the notes A1A Whitey’s Fish Camp, Orange Park (269-4198) For one of the most unique, groundbreaking get that emotion on my saxophone.” These days, he on the chromatic scale. So I started expanding the Wes Arvin Scarlett’s, St. Augustine (824-6535) jazz and contemporary music concerts, you’ll want has “a very, very wide palette” and says he listens to pads and making a grid, almost like a piano. And so to head to St. Augustine. There, in the immense every genre except country. To Coffi n, being a good I created a new kind of piano and from that piano I’m McKenna Champs, Ponte Vedra (285-7777) former swimming pool of the Alcazar Hotel, Grammy listener is one of the most important parts of being a creating all of this new music…Out of that music I Falling Bones A1A Aleworks, St. Augustine (829-2977) winner Jeff Coffi n and The Jeff Coffi n Mu’tet will be musician, so much so that he teaches workshops on composed the Black Mozart piece.” jamming on November 10th. On the 11th, at the Hast- the art of listening. When Coffi n has down time from The Chevalier de Saint-George (December 25, Boxrockers The Dive Bar, Jax (359-9090) ings Youth Academy, Coffi n’s band mate, Futureman Bela Fleck & The Flecktones he spends time giving 1739–June 10, 1799), born Joseph Boulogne, was Roger That Coyote’s, Orange Park (269-6837) aka Roy Wooten, will present his Black Mozart musi- master classes at colleges and even high schools a black virtuoso who composed and played music Blistur The Oasis, St. Augustine (471-3424) cal stylings. around the country. His home base is Nashville, a in France. Lost to history, this Black Mozart was one When Bela Fleck and the Flecktones announced place you might think odd for the double sax playing of the most important and revolutionary fi gures in Kickin’ Lassie Cap’n Odie’s, Jax Beach (241-8848) that they would be taking at least a year off to pursue jazz musician. Says Coffi n: “A lot of people think that music of that time. Sugar Bear Roadhouse, Orange Park (264-0611) solo projects, both Futureman and Jeff Coffi n were the music comes out of Nashville as being country, “As I was composing this piece, you know, this so innately collaborative that they began projects and there certainly is that—but there’s a whole kind piece had a revolutionary feel, even before I titled ‘3’ The Band Sun Dog Steak & Seafood, Neptune Beach (241-8221) that required the input of some of the world’s best of sub category of a very contemporary, improvising it. Along the way I learned about the Black Mozart, musicians. Coffi n formed his own group for the group of players. It’s a very neat scene.” whose name is St. Georges. He’s one of the fi rst Sax of Soul Bourbon Street, Jax (641-8777) duration and Futureman began working on his Black His newest album Bloom, is product of the black composers, black maestros. And I was like, Cheshire Cats Trade Winds Lounge, St. Augustine (829-8646) Mozart project. Futureman calls the project “very Mu’tet and their explorations. His aim on the album, well, look at this brother, man. He’s dressed like me: exciting, I’m working with, hip-hop artists, classical and in their performance, is to delve into the musical he’s got my hat on and the clothes that I like on. I Jalapeno Bros. The Mill Top, St. Augustine (829-2329) people, spoken word artists.” soul or common ground that all truly great music need to learn about his brother…and I found out that Pili Pili Caribbee Key, Neptune Beach (270-8940) Coffi n enjoys working with very open musi- shares. To Coffi n “it’s kind of the spirit of the music the piece that I was writing was a great dedication to cians like Futureman that are fl exible and talented in some ways…When I listen to Leadbelly or John his life.” Futureman has always believed that the only enough to “really go anywhere” with the music. Lee Hooker or Radiohead or Miles Davis, there’s a way to look to the future is to learn from the past, so FRIDAY-SUNDAY, NOV. 10-12 Something that Coffi n feels his new group, The Jeff common ground between those musicians in the although his stage name is Futureman, he dresses Down on the Farm 3-Col. Bruce Hampton, Mofro, th Coffi n Mu’tet, can do. The word “Mu’tet” was cre- spirit of the music, the intention of the music in like an 18 century man, complete with tri-corner Drive By Truckers, Tishamingo Quincy Farm, Quincy ated to describe the always changing mutation and some ways. It’s the search that all musicians have to hat. growth behind the music, as well as the ever chang- reckon with…It’s not unlike the mythic journey that Besides playing with Jeff Coffi n and the Mu’tet ing group of musicians that ebb and fl ow around the Joseph Campbell talks about.” on the 10th, Futureman will be presenting the story SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 11 The innovative Futureman has taken that jour- legendary Coffi n. The Jeff Coffi n Mu’tet that will be of the Black Mozart and some of the music he’s Hipp Street, St. Johns River City Band, Dog & Pony performing at the Alcazar, behind the Lightner Mu- ney of discovery and innovation further than most composed in a multi-media presentation at the Hast- Show The Landing, Jax seum, will consist of Futureman (also in the Fleck- musicians, even inventing new instruments like the ings Youth Academy (a juvenile justice facility). “I’m tones), Kofi Burbridge (of the Derek Trucks Band) infamous drumitar, which he developed while in gonna be sharing that with the kids,” says Futureman Kenhe The Tree Steakhouse, Atlantic Beach (241-5600) and Felix Pastorius (son of the late Jaco Pastorius). the Flecktones. “A drumitar is like a modern hand “because I feel it’s a good story to share.” The Elected Café Eleven, St. Augustine (460-9311) Before he began wailing away on two saxo- drum…” Futureman explained “When I started to Both events will benefi t the St. John’s Cultural Switchfoot Freebird Live, Jax Beach (246-2473) phones at the same time as the heart of Bela Fleck develop it, I recognized that a lot of drums around Council. For more info on these events and where to and the Flecktones, Coffi n began by playing just one the world are played with the hands… It’s part drum pick up tickets, call (904) 501-0826.

eujacksonville.com | november 9-15, 2006 23 Big Al & the Kaholics Square One, Jax (306-9004) Strings of Fire Jimadores, Jax (739-5828) getting heavy with jon spencer Estelle, (Schwa)ray Fuel, Jax (425-3835) The King Muddfi sh Frisky Mermaid, Fernandina Beach (261-3300) blues, bellbottoms, and the USA Combover Latitudes Café, Jax Beach (247-6606) BY JON BOSWORTH [email protected] Reggie Lee Casa Marina, Jax Beach “I’ve been dealing mostly with Heavy Trash out our second album. Heavenly Noise Aurathai, Jax lately.” EU: What is Spencer-Dickinson? Mid Life Crisis Cortesses, St. Augustine (825-6775) I’ve been a Jon Spencer fan for many years. JS: Luther and Cody are these great musicians down There was some point in my indie rock history that in Mississippi that I would stop in and see whenever I once saw you on television saying that rock Fair-Trent Tomlinson , Jax EU: Fairgrounds I grew tired of all the experimental bands and the I was coming through town. Once the All Stars gelled and roll was the America’s greatest gift to the world. C Rock, Iration Downtown, Gainesville hard rock bands were all turning into something too and fell into place, the Blues Explosion played with How has your being an American playing such Rathkeltair Lynch’s Irish Pub, Jax Beach (249-5181) metal for me. I wanted some straight-ahead rock, but them a couple of times. Back in 2000 I was on a American rock been received in Europe? I wanted something new. I went up to the downtown little break and we made a record down in Missis- JS: Rock and roll isn’t the only great thing America Josh Bowlus The Brick, Jax (387-0606) record store of those days (late nineties) Strip Mine sippi. We’d never played live, we’ve still never played has given to the world. For instance it is also true of Lauren Finham Perks! Coffeehouse, Jax (388-6950) Records. Damion recommended the Jon Spencer live. After recording the record we got busy. They jazz. Without jazz there would be no rock and roll. To Blues Explosion. I bought the album Extra Width. It were touring and I was doing stuff with the Blues answer your question, America doesn’t take care of Bliss Aromas, Jax (928-0515) was badly warped, but the only one he had in stock. Explosion and Boss Hog. Like I said, the record was its own. Its artists. And that’s nothing new. American The Nomads Brewsters, Jax (223-9850) I think he just wanted to get rid of the screwed up re- made back in 2001. artists have always found acclaim and success from Rickolous, Electric President 9th & Main, Jax (353-6002) cord, but I listened to it. No matter how many times EU: What brought you together with the Mississippi overseas. It’s sad for me. Little Richard is my hero, it bumped the arm or skipped, I wore that record out. All Stars? his rock and roll changed the world, but he isn’t Cloud 9 , Jax Beach (242-9499) Fionn MacCool’s I bought Now I Got Worry the day the vinyl came JS: Luther and Cody are such great musicians I was hailed here. Bruce Springsteen is hailed here. Bruce Mike Shakelford The Homestead, Jax Beach (249-9660) out. Jon Spencer’s trademark howl is like Elvis stuck excited to work with them. We had a connection is great, but that’s not really rock and roll to me. inside of Sid Vicious. His rip-roaring guitar style is through the hillside blues. Cody and Luther grew up How have you written such new music in an old All of Nuthing Brewsters Pit, Jax (223-9850) EU: drenched in the blues, but he calls it rock and roll. with that stuff. vibe? Stu Weaver Harry’s, Jax Beach (247-8855) According to Jon Spencer, the Blues Explosion EU: What can fans coming to the Spencer Dickinson JS: I don’t write by myself, I write with other people. Larry Magnum Bridgeside Dining, Mandarin (260-1003) is taking a long nap. So he has been focusing most show expect live? I like old records, but I like to keep an open mind. of his attention on Heavy Trash, his rockabilly band. JS: I don’t know what to expect live, we’ve never Over the years I’ve become more relaxed with Nathan Holley Bukkets, Jax Beach (246-7701) When I saw Jon Spencer at the Milk Bar, a band done it before. It’s all a brand new kind of thing. It’s straight rock and roll and traditional sounds. Open Mic w/Larry Broussard St. Johns Pizza Grill, called Speedball Baby opened for them. Matt Verda- a rock and roll revival. I’ve seen the All Stars, I know EU: Will there ever be another record like Now I Got Jax (287-9900) Ray was the bass player for Madder Rose, then the they’re good and, if I may be so bold, I’m pretty Worry? The Umbrellas Jack Rabbits, Jax (398-2473) guitarist for Speedball Baby. Now he is the other half good, so it should be a good mix. JS: Every record represents the time it was made of the writing force behind Heavy Trash. EU: From your early days in Pussy Galore throughout and where my heart or head was at the time. Differ- Jose LeBron & The LeMonde Quintet Aroma’s, But back before Jon Spencer was getting your Blues Explosion, you have always managed to ent things make it change and mutate. I will never Ponte Vedra (280-2525) heavy, he recorded an album with some boys down incorporate retro-style rock while always remaining make another Now I Got Worry. I will never make in Mississippi. That was in 2001. The Spencer vital, never schtick. What is your driving force? another of any of my records. SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 12 Dickinson album, The Man Who Lives for Love was JS: I’ve been playing for 20 years and a fan of music released all over the world, except in America. It for 25 years. Over that time I’ve become more and Those Guys Sunset Grill, St. Augustine (471-5555) was released stateside this past summer, but I can’t more interested in the roots and tracing things back Jan Crawford & Friends Cortesse’s Flamingo, St. seem to get my hands on it to give it a listen. This to blues, rockabilly, and rock and roll. I’ve been very Augustine (825-6775) made it a little embarrassing when Jon Spencer lucky to travel around and have played all over the called me up for the interview. world. It breaks my heart to go to Europe and see Sugar Bear The Landing, Jax the love and respect that rock and roll gets over ‘3’ Sun Dog Steak & Seafood, Neptune Beach (241-8221) EU: So, uh… What have you been up to? there. It’s on such a different level then the respect Brand New Fuel, Jax (425-3835) JS: Me? I was at a big Halloween party last night. I get in Ohio. Nothing against Ohio, but this is what You mean professionally? I’ve been focusing on I do. It’s a shame that in my home country I’m not David Milam Mellow Mushroom, Jax (997-1955) Heavy Trash, a rockabilly band I’m in that’s touring taken very seriously whereas overseas rock and roll Brand New Fuel, Jax (425-3835) all over the States and Europe. We’re about to put is seen as a serious thing. Bo Diddley & Friends Performing Arts Center, Jax Colton McKenna The Oasis, St. Augustine (471-3424) John Thomas Shelby’s Coffeehouse, Atlantic Beach El Toro Loco Mark’s Downtown, Jax (355-5099) STR8 Up Whitey’s Fish Camp, Orange Park (269-4198) Sam Pacetti The Mill Top, St. Augustine (829-2329) Fair-John Corbett Band Fairgrounds, Jax Ron Perry Ragtime, Atlantic Beach (241-7877) 3rd Bass w/Von Barlow The Casbah, Jax (981-9966) De Lions of Jah Fly’s Tie Irish Pub, Atlantic Beach (246-4293) Spade McQuade Fionn MacCool’s, Jax Beach (242-9499) Good Journey Brewsters Pit, Jax (223-9850) Jolly Roger Freebird Live, Jax Beach (246-2473) Dave Massey Monkey’s Uncle, Mandarin (260-1349) Michael Funge Culhane’s Irish Pub, Atlantic Beach (249-9595) Pili Pili Ocean Club, Jax Beach (242-8884) Vagabond’s Dream The Sandollar, Jax (251-3001)

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 13

24 november 9-15, 2006 | entertaining u newspaper them the exposure they needed to catch the attention Aerial Tribe Square One, Jax (306-9004) of record execs. The band members, from drummer Mushroomhead, Brand New Sin Freebird Live, Jax Chris Wilson and bass player Christ (yes, Christ) to Beach (246-2473) front man Lucien Walker and guitarist Fin, have a Billy Bowers Sun Dog Steak & Seafood, Neptune quirky way of looking at the world. “We have T-shirts Beach (241-8221) that say “We Eat Aliens” --that means we eat sea- food.” Walker explains, “I was watching Discovery Nolan Neal Fly’s Tie Irish Pub, Atlantic Beach (246-4293) Channel or the Learning Channel or something and Goliath Flores The Casbah, Jax (981-9966) basically it was explaining about how water got to Sam Pacetti The Mill Top, St. Augustine (829-2329) be on earth, which was a frozen meteor shower. So water’s an alien source to the earth. When you look Mushroomhead Freebird Live, Jax Beach (246-2473) at octopus and sea life, it looks like primitive alien Pnuma Trio Jack Rabbits, Jax (398-2473) life.” The pop-rock playing group always looks for- Pili Pili Aroma’s, Ponte Vedra (280-2525) ward to coming back to Jacksonville, where some Out of Hand Fast Boys, Mandarin (268-9798) fans have known them for years. Summer Obses- Stu Weaver Harry’s, St. Augustine (824-7765) sion has a hugely loyal fan base all over the nation, but they especially treasure their Jacksonville fans. Little Green Men Lynch’s Irish Pub, Jax Beach (249-5181) “People follow us on the road,” says Walker. “They go to like ten shows in a row, that’s like hundreds of miles.” On their myspace.com page, they have TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 14 over 50 thousand friends, from all over the country Those Guys Hurricane Patty’s, St. Augustine (827-1822) jacksonville grown and approved and all over the world. The fans fi nd hope in their Erik Wink Spare Time Grille, Jax Beach (246-8099) music, often e-mailing the band about their lives. The Summer Obsession is Back in Jax Sometimes those fans are a muse for the Summer Mute Math, The Whigs, Jonezetta Martini’s, Jax (388-6269) Obsession’s songwriting. Walker says that one the Ratdog Florida Theatre, Jax band’s singles, ‘Do You Remember’ “was inspired Second String , Neptune BY ERIN THURSBY [email protected] by a fan…her dad was…abusing her and she would Sun Dog Steak & Seafood Beach (241-8221) WHAT: Summer Obsession, Sugar Cult and Cartel can play.” From there we were still determined to write to me, tell me this and I would write back—try WHEN: November 17th @ 8PM make something out of Summer Obsession…so we to give the best advice I could and it inspired the Pillar Murray Hill Theatre, Jax (388-7807) WHERE: UNF Arena drove to Los Angeles and we met up with a drum- song.” Steve Beck Trio The Oasis, St. Augustine (471-3424) mer friend that we knew there and started practicing Most of their songs have a positive bent, and Like Red Jumpsuit Apparatus, Summer Ob- as a band. MySpace helped us out…got us label if they sing about disappointment, it’s only to fi nd a Eric Vincent FCCJ Kent Campus, Jax (355-0660) session is proof that the Jax music scene is worth attention…We started doing showcases for labels. way to break through it. Their break out album, This John Thomas Group O Club, Jax watching. Two years ago, the Jacksonville-born Virgin really liked us and they fl ew us to New York to features songs that Walker is Where You Belong, Matanzas Trade Winds Lounge, St. Augustine (829-8646) Summer Obsession was down to two members: showcase. About fi ve months later, we were signed.” tells us “were picked thematically to represent what I Lucien Walker and Fin. But it was these two who had Lucien Walker believes strongly in fate, kismet had gone through personally, and the other guys can Mute Math, Shangrala Martini’s, Jax (388-6269) the balls and fortitude to push through to get on a and karma, reading Deepak Chopra in his spare time relate… [it’s] pitfalls in the music world, ups and Matt Hall Aromas, Jax (928-0515) label. Lucien Walker remembers: “Me and Fin were and seeing interesting connections when it comes downs and just, you know, trying to fi nd a direction determined to be on Warped Tour, and we didn’t have to astrological signs. “Not to be all mystical but, I’ve in life.” Christina Wagner & Friends Mark’s Downtown, Jax (355-5099) a drummer at the time. So our plan was just to go had a weird thing with Scorpios, ever since I was Summer Obsession is slated to be at the UNF and follow Warped Tour in my Jeep and try to get in little. All my best friends have been Scorpios and Arena on November 17th with Sugar Cult and Cartel. Silver Lake Drive Cortesses, St. Augustine (825-6775) on any slot we could… I was gonna run electronics have led me to places I didn’t expect.” Walker him- Tickets run from $20 for the general public, $15 for Will Pearsall The Mill Top, St. Augustine (829-2329) and he was gonna play guitar ...We drove to Indiana, self and Fin are both Scorpios. Also a Scorpio: Tom the military and only $10 for students. Call (904) Jimmy Solari , Jax (737-5299) but they were cracking down at Warped Tour and Anderson, the head of MySpace, who decided to 620-2460 for more info or go to www.ospreypro- My Place were basically like “No, none of these add on bands post their group on the MySpace home page, giving ductions.com. Chuck Nash Your Place, Jax Beach (221-9994) Jose LeBron & The LeMonde Quintet Aroma’s, Ponte Vedra (280-2525) An orgy of styles comes together when Eva- limited to singing about the men who’ve ripped out evanescence nescence crafts a release: big rock sound, sweeping her soul. New to Lee’s litany of angst: the trials and Seth Ramsdill Fly’s Tie Irish Pub, Atlantic Beach (246-4293) Gothic melodies, a dash of classical and a smatter- tribulations of superstardom. She covers that sub- El Toro Loco Square One, Jax (306-9004) album review ing of pop. Evanescence’s last release, the already ject in two songs: Weight of the World and Snow classic Fallen, was released in 2004. Terry Balsamo, White Queen. Snow White Queen stays within the one of the band’s guitarists, suffered a stroke in parameters of the dysfunctional relationships Lee TUESDAY-WED., NOV. 14-15 2005. His health issues, a grueling tour schedule loves to sing about, since it’s from the point of Gene Nordan Mackenzie’s, Ponte Vedra (543-9143) and various side projects of individual band mem- view of a stalker/fan. Weight of World also keeps bers were a few of the factors that contributed to the to the dysfunctional relationship angle as she be- two year gap between the release of Fallen and The rates someone for not believing in her while asking WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 15 . them to stop clinging to her so much. Open Door Hackers Cortesses, St. Augustine (825-6775) The Open Door released to fans hoping that The mascara-laden Goth princess Amy Lee Evanescence could equal their fi rst album. Fans covers crying, screaming and dying—and that’s The Cover Band Spare Time Grille, Jax Beach (246-8099) won’t be disappointed. The album opened to strong just in the fi rst three tracks. It’s dramatic, it’s over- Fifth South Ocean Club, Jax Beach (242-8884) sales, making its mark as the top album on the Bill- blown, but it feels so good to hear her skillfully wail board 200. Sales have slowed enough to drop them about the bad. In the interactive booklet you get Dave Massey My Place, Jax (737-5299) down to number fi ve, but word of mouth is bound when you download the album, Lee says that The Wes Cobb Band Square One, Jax (306-9004) to keep them afl oat in the top ten for at least a few Open Door “express[es] a broader range of emo- Crystal Stafford, Aerial Tribe Starlite Café, Jax (356-4444) more weeks. tions: not just pain and sadness, but also anger Evanescence doesn’t reinvent themselves on and, yes, even happiness.” I was hard pressed to Mike Hart The Oasis, St. Augustine (471-3424) this album, so if you liked the fi rst one, you’ll like fi nd the happy. Strangely, not fi nding the happy Earl Greyhound Jack Rabbits, Jax (398-7496) their newest. The drama-laden “Goth-lite” tracks made me…well…happy. Maybe that’s what she about the dysfunctional relationships you loved or means. Bassist Ben Moody left the band in July Matt Rage The Brick, Jax (387-0606) 5 STARS out of 5 loathed in Fallen fi nd continuation in their newest of- and broke up with Lee, who was his girlfriend. Of Conrad Oberg London Bridge, Jax (359-0001) fering. Enough is different about to make course, nobody cares. Evanescence is all about Artist: Evanescence Open Door Stu Weaver The Mill Top, St. Augustine (829-2329) it worth buying, but they stay true to the sound that Title: The Open Door Amy Lee. Any pain she’s felt as a result of her launched them, layering dramatic pianos, devastat- breakup with Moody is probably soon to go plati- Reggie Lee Legendz, Jax (997-8320) Release Date: 10.05.2006 ing strings and strange choruses. num. Bill Rice Applebee’s, Jax Beach Label: Windup Records One thing did change; Amy Lee’s no longer - BY ERIN THURSBY Rebecca Zapen The Casbah, Jax

eujacksonville.com | november 9-15, 2006 25 Lemonde Group Aromas, Jax (928-0515) Cary Austin Sun Cruz Casino, Jax quaking with laughter Seth Ramsdill Ragtime Tavern, Atlantic Beach (241-7877) The Mike Miller Band St. Nick’s Lounge, Jax (396-3396) El Toro Loco Aromas, Ponte Vedra (280-2525) getting nasty with a bad boy of comedy Chuck Nash Sun Dog Steak & Seafood, Neptune Beach (241-8221) BY JON BOSWORTH [email protected] Cloud 9 Fionn MacCool’s, Jax Beach (242-9499) Pili Pili Fly’s Tie Irish Pub, Atlantic Beach (246-4293) WHAT: Crown Royal Bad Boys of Comedy Tour Smith’s Clerks II, and he is a regular on Chris Rock’s family Dave Massey My Place Bar & Grill, Jax (737-5299) WHEN: Friday, November 10th WHERE: Florida Theatre comedy Everybody Hates Chris. The success of The Original Kings of Comedy A comic of exceptional caliber, Tour that former comedian, now promoter, Walter Earthquake has had his own Latham assembled led him to follow it up with this specials on HBO, Comedy Cen- upcoming shows new comedy tour featuring fresher comedians with tral, and BET. He also recently released his a newer act. Sometimes raunchy and sometimes own comedy video called It’s About Got Damm rowdy, the Bad Boys of Comedy are Doug E. Fresh Time. I caught up with Earthquake along the North Mississippi Allstars Nov. 16, Freebird Live, 246-2473 as the MC and Earthquake as the headlining act as tour and asked him a few questions about his Sugarcult and Cartel with The Summer Obsession Nov. 17, well as newcomers Malik and Ronnie Jordan. career in Hollywood and to tell us a good University of North Florida Arena If you were a fan of hip-hop during its early days, joke. Planetfest 7 Nov. 18, Metropolitan Park you may remember Doug E. Fresh. As one of the fi rst musicians to popularize beat-boxing, he made EU: How did you fi rst get into comedy? Carlos Mencia November 19, Florida Theatre, 355-2787 his fame early and keeps on remaking it as he hosts EQ: I got into comedy when I got out of Blue Man Group November 19, Veterans Memorial Arena, 630-3900 this comedy extravaganza. In his 20 year career as the military. That’s when I started telling hate you. A man can’t ask for anything more than a successful hip-hop musician he has recorded with Ziggy Marley Nov. 22, Freebird Live, 246-2473 jokes. Nothing better ever came along and I was knowing where he stands. every major name you could think of including Tu- getting paid. I got into the comedy club business. I Nov. 24, Plush EU: Has Atlanta been a good audience? Slightly Stoopid & Pepper pac, Eminem, Stevie Wonder, P Diddy, and a number had two clubs in Atlanta and one in Austin, Texas. It EQ: Atlanta is a beautiful audience. They were there Nov. 24, Florida Theatre, 355-2787 of jazz musicians and French artists as well. His Donovan allowed me to work every night. In this business the during the birth of black comedy. The original black career extended beyond the hip-hop stage when he more work you get as a comic the better. Mount Eerie Nov. 27, Café Eleven, 469-9311 comedy clubs started in LA, the Comedy Act The- started appearing in fi lms such as , Whiteboys New EU: How has the South infl uenced your onstage ater, and then they moved across the country and Olivia Newton-John Nov. 29, Florida Theatre, 355-2787 , and . From the television screen to the Jack City CB4 persona? into Atlanta. This was before Def Jam or any of that. Nov. 30, Times- comedy stage, Doug E. Fresh has done it all and will Marie Osmond’s The Magic of Christmas EQ: Honesty. The honesty of the South. In the south Your Steve Harveys, Bernie Macs, Chris Tuckers, Union Center, 632-3373 be here in town to perform for you. were the most honest people I ever knew in my life. they all came through Atlanta. [The Comedy Act The- Joining him is Earthquake, a former military Alan Jackson Nov. 30, Veterans Memorial Arena, 630-3900 If they hate you in the south, they hate you and they ater] was the only venue honoring our craft. Robin man from Atlanta, Georgia, Earthquake is all of the tell you they hate you. You know exactly where you Harris made it famous. When I came along, that club Los Lobos Nov. 30, Freebird Live, 246-2473 rage in Hollywood. He recently appeared in Kevin stand. In LA they say they like you when they really was already there at the forefront of black comedy Dec. 1, Florida Theatre, 355-2787 Delbert McClinton and they were putting us on stage when mainstream Cheryl Wheeler Dec. 1, Cafe 11, 469-9311 clubs wouldn’t acknowledge us. Crystal Gayle: A Country Christmas Dec. 7, Lazzara EU: What opportunities are you getting from being in Performance Hall at Fine Arts Center, 620-2878 LA that you couldn’t have come by from Atlanta? EQ: First of all, opportunities like Everybody Hates J.J. Grey of Mofro Dec. 9, Café Eleven, 469-9311 Chris, getting to meet Kevin Smith and doing Clerks Johnny Winter December 9, Freebird Live, 246-2473 II. If you’re in the oil business you have to go to Tony Bennett Dec. 12, Florida Theatre, 355-2787 Texas. I wish I could do it in Atlanta. Yourself excluded, which is your favorite come- Dec. 14, Florida Theatre, 355-2787 EU: Ricky Skaggs dian on the Bad Boys of Comedy Tour? Clay Aiken Christmas Concert with Jacksonville Symphony EQ: Chris Thomas. His honesty makes me laugh. Dec. 21, Times Union Center 354-5547 EU: Can you give our readers a good joke to take to Derek Trucks and Susan Tedeschi Dec. 27, Florida Theatre, 355-2787 work this week? I don’t usually do this, but for you… All the Dec. 28, Times Union Center, 633-6110 EQ: Doodlebops women in Iraq have shaved their p[ubic hair]s in Mofro Dec. 29-31, Freebird Live, 246-2473 protest of the war. Their message: read our lips, no Bill Gaither and Friends January 26, Veterans Memorial Arena, 630-3900 more bushes. It’s a dirty joke, but what did you expect from Jan. 06, 2007, Florida Theatre, 355-2787 Katt Williams the Bad Boys of Comedy? The Crown Royal Bad Styx Jan. 14, 2007, Florida Theatre, 355-2787 Boys of Comedy Tour appears at the Florida Theater th Joe Bonamassa Feb. 09, 2007, Florida Theatre, 355-2787 on Friday, November 10 . Kris Kristofferson and Rosanne Cash Feb. 25, 2007, Florida Theatre, 355-2787

Michael Franks March 1, 2007, Florida Theatre, 355-2787 The New Orleans Jazz Orchestra March 9, 2007, Florida Theatre, 355-2787

The Beach Boys March 10, 2007, Florida Theatre, 355-2787 Leo Kottke March 29, 2007, Florida Theatre, 355-2787

JUST ANNOUNCED

ROD STEWART January 13, Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arean, 630-3900

JOHN MAYER January 25, Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena, 630-3900 (Tickets on sale November 11 for both shows.)

26 november 9-15, 2006 | entertaining u newspaper his past, Sacks, gives us a terrifi c portrait of strug- gling fatherhood. culture & arts Shelly Higgins Hughes is wonderful as the moth- over the tavern er and wife, Ellen. She is the glue that binds this fam- NOVEMBER ily together when they seem at odds about everything. 9 An Evening With Author Nora Roberts UNF University Center, Jax She is, though, a lousy shopper. What housewife has 9 Holiday Happenings-“Gifts From the holiday Kitchen” UF theatre jacksonville review nine boxes of cereal and a couple dozen cans of beets Extension Offi ce, Jax as the only food in the house? 9 AIGA Annual Design Show Friday Musicale, Jax BY DICK KEREKES [email protected] Having been in the Catholic Church myself until 9 Ritz Chamber Players , Jax Theatre Jacksonville opened its fi rst show of his parents. Though only a senior at Stanton College the age of 9, there is one technical point that needs Performing Arts Center season number 87, with Tom Dudzick’s comedy-dra- Prep, he has already built an impressive resume that correcting. Sister Clarissa made a visit to the Pazinski 9 Opening Gala Open Gallery, Jax ma, Over The Tavern. Plays concerning Catholicism includes two TJ appearances in Seussical and Much home to discuss Rudy’s lack of devotion and the 9 Percussion & Film With Tony Steve JU Terry Concert Hall, Jax have been very popular over the years, not only with . father comes out to see her wearing only trousers and Ado About Nothing 9 “Over the Tavern” Theatre Jacksonville, Jax Catholics but the general public as well. Just consider Young Jack Richards plays Georgie who is his an undershirt. Only an UNDERSHIRT, never!! Nunsence and Nunsense II, which have been done same age, thirteen. Georgie is an autistic child who I am glad Jean Tait has more or less made Jack- 9-11 “Painting Churches” Players By the Sea, Jax Beach locally many times. Do Black Leather Shoes Really has a limited vocabulary. His two favorite words begin sonville a second home since all the plays she had 9-12 Japan in Jacksonville: The Cummer Collection of Japanese Refl ect Up, is another musical that has had repeated with an “s”. One is “sister”, and the other is unprint- directed at TJ have been excellent and you can add Prints Cummer Museum, Jax this one to her list. appearances at the Alhambra and other local stages. able as this is a family newspaper. 9-18 “The Contrite Spirit” Orange Park Community Theatre, Orange Park takes place in Buffalo New York, The central character around which most of the Playwright Tom Dudzick has been referred to as Over The Tavern 9-18 “Over the Tavern” , Jax in l959. Kelly Wagoner’s set design is a trip down plot revolves is twelve year old Rudy, who is played “the Catholic Neil Simon” probably because his tech- Theatre Jacksonville memory lane for those old enough to remember the in splendid fashion by Jake Higdon. This self-made nique of using a character as his alter ego, like Simon 9-18 “Cavedweller” Atlantic Beach Experimental Theatre, 50s, and the set reminded me of a number of TV sit- comedian, does impersonations of Ed Sullivan and did with Eugene in “Biloxi Blues” and other plays. Atlantic Beach coms about families that were popular in the 50s and Jesus Christ, and takes the time to discuss his views Dudzick may not be familiar to you, but he is famous 9-18 “This is our Youth” Acrosstown Repertory Theatre, Gainesville 60s. with God and Jesus in center stage with eyes looking in his home town of Buffalo, New York and has his 9-20 The Art & Music of the Baroque, Classical & Impressionist th The Pazinski family lives in this apartment over to heaven. Yes, he questions his need to be a Catholic own “day”. By Mayoral proclamation, May 5 was Eras Cultural Center, Ponte Vedra a tavern owned by the father, Chet. The problems they and all the rules that go along with it. declared “Tom Dudzick Day” in that city. 9-26 Weekend Art Activities for Children & Families JMOMA, Jax face, besides religious issues, range from fi nances, The thorn in Rudy’s side is Sister Clarissa, Mr. Dudzick’s other bread and butter play is sexual awareness of emerging teenagers, to uptight who fi ghts hard for his salvation and to get Rudy to GREETINGS, with a Christmas theme; it has been 9-26 “Oklahoma” Alhambra Dinner Theatre, Jax parents. memorize his catechism. This is another of Gayle around since l991. It is so popular that not one, but 9-27 Exhibit: Cesar A. Perales Jr. Energy Lab Art Gallery, St. Augustine The oldest of the four children, Annie (Miranda Feathergill’s award-winning character roles (She has two North Florida theaters will be doing it in December 9-DEC. 17 FCCJ Artist Series “Menopause The Musical” Lawson) is sixteen, and has discovered boys and the several trophies of her past triumphs). You don’t get (Limelight and First Coast Theater). Performing Arts Center, Jax swooning that comes with the territory. The versatile You don’t have to be Catholic to enjoy this play. to see much of Gayle, just a tiny portion of her face 9-JAN. 7 Bloom: Paintings and Constructions by Luis Cruz Theatre Jacksonville’s newsletter, that is available with Ms. Lawson just fi nished a run in Dream Girls at the buried in the traditional habit. Azaceta JMOMA, Jax Alhambra Dinner Theatre. David Sacks stays much too busy writing plays your program, has a short glossary of Catholicism, 10 “Pearls & Cuffl inks” Gala To Benefi t Clara White Mission Tyler Ross is Eddie, age fi fteen, who has sud- and practicing law to do roles on a regular basis. just in case you don’t know the ramifi cations of a Citi Cards Campus, Jax denly taken up interest in female anatomy since When he does, he is always impressive. As the hard mortal sin. he carries around his dog-eared copies of Playboy working father, Chet, with an alcoholic father, four It would be a sin if you missed Theatre Jackson- 10 Exhibition Opening: Henry Von Genk III Stellers Gallery, Ponte Vedra magazine that he unsuccessfully tries to hide from teenage children, and some emotional baggage from ville’s opening show, so call 396-4425 to make res- 10 POW! Showcase Event-10 Authors, Artists & Jewlerly ervations or visit their great website, www.theatrejax. Exhibit Barnes & Noble, Mandarin com. It runs through November 12. 10 Comedians Earthquake, Doug E. Fresh Florida Theatre, Jax 10-11 JSO “Three Broadway Divas” Performing Arts Center, Jax 10-12 Sports Cards & Collectibles Show Fairgrounds, Jax 10-DEC. 20 Precious Objects Exhibition Cultural Center, Ponte Vedra 12 12th Annual Jaguars Food Drive Alltel Stadium, Jax 11 Luma Theater of Light Florida Theatre, Jax 11 Dancing With the Stars Prime Osborn Center, Jax 11 POW! Conference Ramada Inn, Mandarin 11 Veteran’s Day Parade Convention Center, Jax 11 Veterans Day-U.S. Soldiers Celebrated Castillo De San Marcos, St. Augustine 11 Big Band JU Terry Concert Hall, Jax 11 String Solo Competition Finalists’ Concert UNF Fine Arts Center, Jax 11-12 Nature Photography Workshop Guana River Reserve, St. Augustine

11-12 United Way Fall Arts & Crafts Show Francis Field, St. Augustine 13 Faculty Recital UNF Fine Arts Center, Jax 13 Sierra Club “Endangered Right Whale” Fletcher High School, Jax Beach 14 UNF Fine Arts Series School Matinee: Mad Science: Newton’s Revenge UNF Fine Arts Center, Jax 14 22nd Annual Jacksonville Empty Bowls Luncheon Prime Osborn Center, Jax 14 Genealogy & Family History For Youth Bradham Branch Library, Jax 14 Holiday Happenings-“Holiday Hospitality at Its Best” UF Extension Offi ce, Jax 14-19 St. Johns County Fair St. Johns County Fairgrounds, St. Augustine

14-19 “The Rat Pack” FCCJ Artists Series Performing Arts Center, Jax 15 2nd Annual Teen Talent Show Graham Branch Library, Jax 15 Stage Aurora “A Night With the Stars” Fogle Fine Art Gallery, Jax

eujacksonville.com | november 9-15, 2006 27 15 Victorian Tea & Trunk Show Pena-Peck House Garden, St. Augustine

15 Lecture Series: Archiving History JU Terry Concert Hall, Jax 15 Modern & Contemporary Art: What Are the Differences cavedweller which was trickier than you think will all those cos- , Jax JMOMA tume changes by two characters. 15-16 Especially for Seniors Talks & Tea Cummer Museum, Jax abet theatre review Barbara Evans, ABET’s artistic director, has 15-18 The Holiday Shoppes Southern Style Sawgrass done some excellent casting and moves the play Marriott, Ponte Vedra Beach BY DICK KEREKES [email protected] along at a good clip, coming in under two hours. This is a play you may never see anywhere else as it 16 Florida Forum-Bob Woodward Florida Theatre, Jax The Atlantic Beach Experimental Theatre jor, in several roles at JU and it is good to see her is very challenging, but ABET was up to the task. 16 “Over the Tavern” Theatre Jacksonville, Jax (ABET) opened its 16th season with Kate Moria branching out to community theatre. Ms. Royster All performances at the Adele Grage Cultural 16 Native Sun’s Annual Fall Open House Native Sun/ Ryan’s Cavedweller. This is an adaptation of Dorothy just fi nished a six-week internship at Troika Talent in Center at 716 Ocean in Atlantic Beach Florida. Baymeadows, Jax Allison’s l988 New York Times bestseller of the same London, England, and she puts all that good training I usually don’t tell endings, but with all the 16 4th Annual Jacksonville Jaguars Taste of the NFL Touchdown Club, Jax name. into her role as the grown up Amanda. tragedy in this play, I can say the ending is happy or relatively so. Don’t miss it. Call 249-7177. ABET 16-18 Cabaret Fall Musical DASOTA, Jax This is a play you should see for its unusual Scott Nicholson is usually doing musicals. staging which is quite unique considering it has over He was the lead in Y-Bag’s LIL ABNER and was suggests you do you Christmas shopping early, and 16-18 JU Senior Choreography Concert Swisher Theatre, Jax 40 scene changes, but more about that later. outstanding in Players by the Sea’s The World Goes give gift certifi cates to their shows. Great idea and 16-18 Annual Celebrity Cabaret Limelight Theatre, St. Augustine This is the story of Delia Byrd (Karen Garrett), Round. last season. Scott plays Nolen, a levelheaded no sizes to worry about. 16-18 JSO “Elijah” Performing Arts Center, Jax a woman in her 30s, who left her home in Cairo, young man in the community who befriends Cissy. Georgia fourteen years ago to get away from her This was my fi rst time to see Mark Mayfi eld 17 UNF Fine Arts Series: Forbidden Broadway UNF fi ne Arts physically abusive husband, Clint (Steve McMahon). on stage and he is quite good in a cameo role as Center, Jax She ran off to Los Angeles with a rock star and left Michael, Amanda’s husband. 17 Concert Music Series-Fazil Say, Pianist Cummer Museum, Jax behind her two infant daughters, Dede (Amy Roys- Kudos to Janelle Rosko who took over the de- 17 Classical Savion UNF fi ne Arts Center, Jax ter) and Amanda (Janelle Rosko). manding role of Amanda, the very religious daughter, 17 Orange Park Chorale St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, Jax Delia also becomes a rock singer and has a child out with only 3 days to learn the lines. She was excel- of wedlock with her singer boyfriend. lent, and acted like she had been doing the part for 17 St. Johns Riverkeeper Oyster Roast , Jax Garden Club of Jax Fast forward, Cissy (Lucie Roberts) is now l2, weeks. 17-18 Comedian Kevin Pollack Atlantic Theatres, Atlantic Beach Delia’s lover has died in an auto accident under the I usually don’t heap a lot of praise on child ac- 17-18 Downtown Living Tour Downtown, Jax infl uence of drugs. Delia decides to move back to tors. I did that once some years ago and was told I Cairo, to reunite with her daughters. created an egotistic monster. Lucie Roberts is twelve 18 1st Annual Health Money and Home Jax Indoor Sports, Jax Husband Clint is now dying with cancer, and and has been acting six long years. She has marvel- 18 Catty Shack Autumn Feast Benefi t Catty Shack Ranch Delia, Cissy, the two daughters all move into Clint’s ous stage presence and I suspect she is really 35 , Jax Wildlife Sanctuary home to see him through his last days of dying. years old, and very short with a remarkable makeup 18-19 Christmas Arts & Crafts Festival Morocco Shrine Center, Jax Well, that is about as far as I am going to take job. As Cissy, she is superb, so don’t miss her. 19 Kevin Sharpe Thrasher Horne Center, Orange Park you in the plot. There are enough tragedies in this Karen Garrett adds to her long list of leading play to keep Shakespeare busy for fi ve years. Drug ladies roles, with Delia. Ms. Garrett convinced me 19 Masterworks For Winds & Percussion Concert UNF fi ne and alcohol use, deaths, illegitimate births, sex out she was a rock singer turned mother, and I was just Arts Center, Jax of marriage, racial prejudice, fi nancial strain, and waiting for her to belt out a couple of songs. 19 JU Chamber Ensembles JU Terry Concert Hall, Jax well the list goes on and on. I want you to see this play to experience the 19 JSO “Fall Concert” Performing Arts Center, Jax Melody Jackson plays Rosemary, a very sharp staging. As I said in the beginning, it has over 40 19 The Blue Man Group Veterans Memorial Arena, Jax black woman and best friend to Delia in LA. She scene changes. The stage is mostly bare, except comes to help, and does offer some fi nancial sup- for furniture that is bought on and off for the many 19 Craft Craft Revolution-Create A Beaded Flower Clip , Jax Anomaly port. Ms. Jackson nails this role to a “T” and is very locations in the play. The back walls are just the 19 Comedian Carlos Mencia Florida Theatre, Jax convincing. bare dark wooden walls that are always there. Sce- 20 “Leave ‘em Laughing Tent” Laurel & Hardy Appreciation Jennifer Gagnon may have set new record for nic artist, Anne Roberts, and set designer, Joanna Society Library/Pablo Creek, Jax number of roles done in a straight play. She plays VanDerKolk, decided to paint the stage to give it 21 Author Signing: “Jewtopia” Barnes & Noble, Mandarin six (count them!) different women and through wigs some separation from the walls. It looks like black, and clothing and some wonderful vocal variety, she white and gray stripes. Yes, there is even several 24 Annual Christmas Tree Lighting , Jax The Landing makes them all real. Brooks Anne Hayes, will be cave scenes, done with light and a darkened house. 24-26 Christmas Made in the South Convention Center, Jax taking over these roles in the 2nd and 3rd week of Caving is a hobby in that area of Georgia, hence the 25 EMMA Concert Series: Richard Ormrod Flagler College, St. Augustine production. title. Steve McMahon is also busier than a one Thanks to a special grant the Tom Nehl Theatre 25 JSO with Mofro , Jax Performing Arts Center armed paperhanger, playing 5 different roles, from Fund of the Jacksonville Community Foundation, 25 Classical Savion UNF fi ne Arts Center, Jax bad guys to good guys and somewhere in-between. Matt Ward, lighting designer, was able to effectively 25 Book Signing-Mayberry Momma Cookbook Inn on McMahon is up to the challenge of all the roles, in- do all the many light changes necessary for this Charlotte, St. Augustine cluding dieing. production. 25-26 St. Augustine Art Association Art & Craft Festival I have seen Amy Royster, a JU theatre ma- Tracy Gallagher coordinated the costumes, Francis Field, St. Augustine 25-26 Craft Festival O’Connell Center, Gainesville 26 Film Showing “Lassie” To Benefi t No More Homeless Pets Florida Theatre, Jax 28 Bayanihan Philippine National Dance Florida Theatre, Jax 28 The Orchestra Concert JU Terry Concert Hall, Jax 28 Concert Band & Chamber Music Concert UNF Fine Arts Center, Jax 29 Guest Artist Recital Jon Metzger-Jazz Vibraphone UNF Fine Arts Center, Jax 29 Wolfson’s Art & Antiques Show Convention Center, Jax 30 Feast of Carols UNF fi ne Arts Center, Jax 30 JU Choirs Holiday Concert JU Terry Concert Hall, Jax 30 Holiday Hoopla-Live Music, Holiday Art Projects Cummer Museum, Jax 30 Marie Osmond’s The Magic of Christmas Performing Arts Center, Jax 30 FCCJ Artist Series: Marie Osmond’s Magic of Chistmas Performing Arts Center, Jax

28 november 9-15, 2006 | entertaining u newspaper ers are still favored by four points! What on Earth is THAT all about? This is where the better team with talk to me the better record and better season is getting no respect at all. The ‘experts’ setting the lines think the Saints are a tasty fl uke, and they still believe the tobacco talk at the Jag game THE Steelers got some juice left. Saints head coach Sean Payton better use this as ammo to get his boys fi red up. BY BRENTON CROZIER [email protected] JOCK COLLEGE FOOTBALL BY: TOM WEPPEL This weekend, former Gator Steve Spurrier The quarterback controversy per- brings his South Carolina Gamecocks into Gaines- vading the thoughts of every Jaguar’s ville to play. It will be the fi rst time, I believe, that fan has been compromised. After rolling Random thoughts from a cluttered mind... Gator fans will cheer for an opposing head coach, into the midseason on the strength of 2 which they will do, ONLY until kick-off. Then, Spur- big wins, I’m troubled to report that there JAGUARS rier becomes the rival. It will certainly be an odd, yet is strong evidence pointing towards Big After dominating the Titans last weekend, the interesting, atmosphere and experience. Tobacco’s evil hand of infl uence. Jags get a second ‘appetizer’ to devour on Sunday, The chances for South Carolina winning are The Jaguars have a tendency to facing the Houston Texans. Former backup QB David very slim. Florida is playing solid football, while win with David Garrard at the helm, but Garrard is now starting, and winning. We don’t know Carolina is struggling. Nonetheless, it offers strong with Byron Leftwich, you could say it is a whether Byron Leftwich is 100% healthy or not. We possibilities for an entertaining affair. capricious affair. When asked, head coach can only guess or speculate as to whether he could Meanwhile, Florida State is coming along grad- Jack Del Rio repeats his mantra that when play and to what extent. What we DO KNOW, is that ually in fi nishing up their season. On Saturday, they Leftwich is healthy, he is their starter. as long as the Jaguars keep winning with Garrard in host the Wake Forest Demon Deacons. The Noles Where is my proof of Big Tobacco’s the saddle, he will most likely keep on starting and are FAVORED by a touchdown, which is a little odd, BOBBY THEIERBECKER AND JARED MILTON sordid infl uence? According to his bio playing, and THAT will certainly, in time, incite some in a way. It seems Wake still lacks respect among One of these gentlemen was concerned about his smoking habit on the Jaguar’s offi cial website, David controversy and debate as to what should be going the experts. We shall see. Garrard served as a spokesman for the being revealed and asked us not to photograph him with cigarette in hand. We promised Jared that we wouldn’t reveal his secret. on, with Leftwich leading the way. There’s another aspect here working which I American Lung Association of Florida’s For all intents, Jaguar fans should only be car- am feeling out among FSU fans. I believe Seminole Unpuffables, an anti-tobacco program ing about whether the team is winning or not. You fans actually want FSU to LOSE a few games before geared towards fi fth-graders. It is obvious that Philip Morris and friends would like to see Garrard sidelined can like one QB or another, in how they play, how the end of the season, ONLY because they want one, for his involvement in branding their product as hazardous. they act, and how much they make. But really, it or both, of the Bowdens (Bobby & Jeff) to vacate I brought my concern to fans Bobby Theierbecker and Jared Milton. To my chagrin, they did not see doesn’t make any difference if Tickle-Me-Elmo is their current position, and the only way for that to any merit in my theory. But it became apparent as they lit up, that their opinions had been contaminated by starting, as long as the Jags are posting ‘W’s. I’ll be happen is for FSU to fail a little more. It makes for a the toasty, cold day comfort of a Camel cigarette. After I extinguished their concerns about being fodder real curious to see what does indeed happen if and quirky deal, without any question. for a TRUTH commercial, Bobby tried to feed me the line that the team “Will go with the best player to help when the Jags lose BECAUSE of Garrard. them win the game.” We all know Houston beat Jacksonville a few OTHER NOTES I wasn’t deterred and decided that they should know everything. R.J. Reynolds is the parent company weeks ago. I’m sure the players have a little attitude How about the folks down at Nease High of the Marshall McGearty Tobacco Artisans, a tobacco lounge in Chicago. And Byron Leftwich’s alma playing in their heads, in wanting to bury the Texans. School? You gotta love the way they handle them- mater? Marshall University. They were not impressed and continued their brainwashed indoctrination say- The taste in their collective mouths is one of thirst. It selves these days, huh! They need a player or two ing that I “Had no angle,” and that my information was “Just coincidence.” should be fun to watch. with some talent to fi ll out their football roster, so Just when I thought there was no hope in bringing the dastardly conspiracy to light, a tall man in dark they go out to do a little recruitin’. They fi nd a kid, shades who had overheard my conversation called me over. The gentleman I would come to know only as NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE and to entice him to MOVE into the area, they get the John Libby, reminded me of the 1970 plane crash that killed a number of Marshall University players and Things are starting to sort out now that we are father of a player a job with a company owned by an coaches. “And as we all know,” John told me, “Cigarettes and airplanes both kill.” halfway through the season. The Colts and Pats are assistant coach. Then, they arrange for a residence It was reassuring that somebody else got it. The Jaguars were cutting down the Titans with cruelty. tops in the AFC, while the Bears, Giants, and surpris- for them with another assistant coach. Then fi nally, Vince Young was on the wrong end of the punishment and was probably longing for the days of Texas ing Saints head up the NFC. they provide rides to and from school for the player. Longhorn glory. Without the tension of a close contest, I had further time to research my nearly seamless New York and Chicago face one another this HELLO!!! theory. weekend. It’ll be a great test for both teams to see Really, Nease got away with this, considering I would be remiss if I did not mention that when Big Tobacco’s top seven CEOs testifi ed before con- where each stands in their quest to get to SB41. their punishment, which includes a $20,000 fi ne and gress, they were labeled the Seven Dwarves. Do I need to remind you, Byron Leftwich is number seven? There are a few who believe the Bears don’t have six years of probation and restriction, as opposed Don’t let Big Tobacco ruin our chances for a playoff run, tell Coach Del Rio that regardless of the surrepti- it all, particularly at QB, since Rex Grossman has to no game forfeiture or playoff elimination. Maybe tious suppression, we want to continue to see David Garrard lead the Jaguars to impressive wins. There 37 thrown so many picks. This will be his chance to we’ll see more of it happen in other places. It is wild to 7 win on Sunday is only the beginning, but truth must prevail. show off. to think that high school football has gotten to the An aside, we must not confuse our crusade for truth with those insufferable TRUTH campaign com- Meanwhile, here is my ‘Rodney Dangerfi eld’ game point where recruiting is now seriously considered. mercials. You know, the ones with shocking revelations that cigarettes are harmful. Do you fi nd those com- of the week. The New Orleans Saints (6-2) travel Tom Weppel talks trash on Thursdays from 7-8 mercials as contrived, obnoxious, and blatantly obvious as I do? to Pittsburgh to face the Steelers, who are 2-6 and p.m. on WIOJ-AM 1010, and on SportsAvengers. looking very bad in their play recently. But the Steel- com 24/7.

eujacksonville.com | november 9-15, 2006 29 ments are Coming, The Adjustments are Coming” and and how he loved taking that home with him, but just by that I mean, NASCAR is planning the changes to where to put it was another problem. That had to be the 2007 Nextel Chase for the Championship. Now we the biggest trophy I have ever seen awarded to any won’t know what the heck they will be until January contender of anything, you think? nascar news & notes but the “Rumors” are of more points given to race Well that’s about it for now and just to let ya BY RICHARD TEAGUE [email protected] winners and award point to the Chase guys differently know about the contract talks with the newspaper, than the other drivers in the fi nal 10 races. He also well they are ongoing and things kind of look dark, but #92,44,17,11,1,94,14,5,11,96 and 44… Now then in his teens racing at local dirt and asphalt tracks said “We like the 10. Ten races, 10 drivers,’’ so we maybe the sun will shine if I consider a few conces- those are not the car numbers that are left in the and more championships, he has lived a dream. He are right where we left off, just what are they going to sions. Oh well and anyway, if you need to contact me Chase this year and a couple aren’t even used in the was brought into the sport by his father who liked do? He went on to compare NASCAR to other sports you can do it at [email protected] and all Cup Series at all now a days. These are the different to work on his friend’s race cars. He introduced where the “Playoff “ formats have changed over years ways remember, If it ain’t NASCAR, It ain’t s**t!! car numbers that the “Ice Man” drove over the past his own son Justin to racing along with little brother and compared NASCAR to baseball in that they have 29 years since his fi rst race at Darlington in 1978. Bobby, he is why drivers like Schrader and others are changed their ways. Well this ain’t baseball, its NAS- Between Duck Industries and Kellogg’s there have called “Real Racers”. Terry has been inducted into CAR and y’all will never change it so that I like it!! been sponsor’s names like Stratagraph, Budweiser, the “Texas Sports Hall of Fame” and even had a park Man if you go around pushing drivers and their Piedmont Airlines and Skoal. The “Iron Man” has renamed for him and Bobby in their hometown of ladies around, not to mention a NASCAR offi cial, you driven almost every make of car from G.M. and even Corpus Christi. Labonte has raised money for many can get into some real trouble, and I fully agree with a Ford and I wonder if by some strange chance that charities over the years such as the Victory Junction that. Seems that a crew member of Scott Riggs #10 he’ll get into a Toyota one day. Terry Labonte drove for Gang Camp and Hendrick Marrow Program just to car didn’t like the fact that Kevin Harvick took the air owners like Billy Hagan, Darrell Waltrip, Jr. Johnson, name a few. He has raced with the best drivers to ever of his driver’s car and helped him into the wall. Kevin back to Hagan and fi nishing up with Richard Hendrick. come into NASCAR and has always been the favorite and his wife were headed to the garage area after He did add two more owners in his fi nal years in the of a gazillion fans, which I can say I have been one for the race and words were exchanged and one of the Nextel Cup with a football coach and then two football many years. #10’s guys pushed Harvick down, which started a players. At Texas Motor Speedway last Sunday it was chain reaction. He falls into wife Delana, which in turn He racked up two more sponsors with the Joe “The End” for Texas Terry Labonte and an era of rac- falls into a NASCAR offi cial and they all hit the ground. Gibbs Racing #11 Federal Express and the #96 ing that it seems is happening more and more these Now the offi cial received a sprained ankle but Kevin Texas Instruments/DLP HDTV #96 car of Hall of Fame days as the older guys are leaving NASCAR. With all and the missus where unscathed. Well needless to Racing. Now let’s talk a few stats for Labonte. In the the fan fare of celebrations and emotions that fi lled say NASCAR steps in and suspends the assaulter four different series of NASCAR which consisted of the day, a letter from President G.W. to a new Chev- indefi nitely, fi ning him $10,000 and now he may even Cup, Busch, CTS and IROC, he has been in 1002 rolet Silverado given to him from TMS. Then Richard have a problem with his job. What are these people races, had 35 wins, 247 top fi ves and 32 poles. The Henderick told him, “I pity the guy that wrecks you thinking about when they do stuff like this? man has driven 268,955 laps on a race track just today, because this is yours,” talking about the #44 You know, Tony Stewart just might make up the in NASCAR and won over 42 and a half million dol- car with the retirement paint scheme. Justin said that points spread between him and Jimmie Johnson and lars, with wins in the Busch Clash and The Winston. he always respected his father but after Sunday he win the Nextel Championship. In the pre-race interview He has been in the 24 Hours of Daytona and the 12 had even more and Terry’s wife Kim talked about all I learned that Wally is a killer as they hunt together and Hours of Sebring which when I talked to him at the the emotions in the air and Terry said, “What a great perhaps Stewart ain’t no animal rights advocate either. start of this season he said he had fun. He also told day.” Well I can’t help but feel that it might not have He spoke of the massive trophy from last week’s race me that this was his fi nal year in NASCAR but he been that great because you will miss this sport and would really enjoy racing these types of cars in the even more so, we will miss Terry Labonte. Mr. La- future if at all possible. bonte, Thank You for so many years of the privilege of You can only say that from his start at age 7 watching you drive a race car. racing quarter-midgets and a championship by 9 and Now on a lighter side of NASCAR, “The Adjust-

30 november 9-15, 2006 | entertaining u newspaper eujacksonville.com | november 9-15, 2006 31