JACKSONVILLE P holidayfree monthly guide to entertainment & more | decemberguIde 2009 | eujacksonville.com contents december 09 join EU on facebook! 22 feature music pages 4-17 holiday guide pages 24 sound check page 24 spotlight: 2416 dish page 25 interview with Ben Sollee follow us on twitter! page 18 dish update + events page 26 featured music events page 18 hidden gems: hightide burrito co. pages 27-31 music events Look for @EUJacksonville and page 29 after the bomb, baby! @EU_Music where you theatre + culture album review page 19 cultural events page 29 surfer blood album review can get daily music and entertainment updates visual arts life + stuff page 20 art events + exhibits page 32 view from the couch page 20 win the MOCA cube page 32 new dvd releases eu staff page 21 new downtownt studio/gallery page 33 netscapades managing director page 33 storycorps Shelley Henley family creative director page 22 family events movies Rachel Best Henley page 22 holidays at the zoo pages 34- 35 december movies copy editors page 22 gator bowl + new years events page 35 special movie showings Kellie Abrahamson page 22 jaguar football Erin Thursby music editor food editor Kellie Abrahamson Erin Thursby photo editor Daniel Goncalves contributing photographer Richard Abrahamson contributing writers Brenton Crozier Emily Moody Jack Diablo Dick Kerekes Larry Knight Liltera Williams Rick Grant Anna Rabhan Liza Mitchell Tom Weppel Ora Brasel Kali McLevy Published by EU Jacksonville Newspaper. P.O. Box 11959, Jacksonville, FL 32239. Copyright 2009. Repro- duction of any artwork or copy prepared by EU Jack- sonville is strictly prohibited without written consent of the publisher. We will not be responsible for errors and/ or omissions, the Publisher’s liability for error will not exceed the cost of space occupied by the error. Articles for publication are welcome and may be sent to info@ entertainingu.com. We cannot assume responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts and photographs. For in- formation concerning advertising phone 904-730-3003 or email [email protected]. 2 DECEMBER 2009 | eu jacksonville monthly holiday In this year’s holiday gift guide EU covers everything from local shop spots to events. The Alhambra’s reopening, Winter Wonderland and Jacksonville Ice are all featured festive fun. You can take a roadtrip to Gainesville to visit the Sugarplum Fairy or stay here to watch the light show at the Landing. We’ve also got gift guides for the tech minded, gifts for foodies, DIY gifts and more to spark ideas for hoilday giving. We’ve got all the ingredients you’ll need to guIde make your season merry! events shopping & gIfts holiday events ............................................ 4 -9 shop spots ....................................... 10-12 ongoing christmas events & displays .............. 4 gifts for gourmands ................................. 13 the nutcracker tradition .................................... 6 eat & shop ............................................... 13 british encampment & grande illumination ...... 7 museum shopping .................................. 13 hands on jacksonville ...................................... 8 gadget gifts ............................................. 14 the alhambra re-opens ................................... 8 holiday game guide ............................... 15 riverside / avondale lunminaria festival ............ 9 diy gifts .................................................... 16 winter wonderland & snow day ....................... 9 green gifts ............................................... 17 eujacksonville.com | DECEMBER 2009 3 events ongoing christmas events and displays THE JACKSONVILLE LANDING CHRISTMAS TREE The Landing’s 56-foot-tree comes alive each evening with more than 78,000 lights and a 10 minute synchronized light show that will take place every hour, on the hour. Sun thru Thur from 6- 9 pm and Fri and Sat from 6 pm- midnight. Dec 2- 21 enjoy the Holiday on the River Concert Series, with daily and evening live performances by local schools, churches and dance groups. Jacksonville Landing, 2 Independent Dr. Info: 612-8491, www.jacksonvillelanding.com FESTIVAL OF TREES On display thru Jan 6. Presented by the Junior League of Jacksonville in partnership with the Jacksonville Public Library. The downtown library is transformed with more than 30 decorated trees reflecting literary works of art. Proceeds from this event benefit the Junior League of Jacksonville, its com- munity projects and charities. Jacksonville Public Library, Main Library, 303 North Laura St. Info: www.juniorleagueofjax.org DOWNTOWN HOLIDAY WINDOW DISPLAYS Downtown store- fronts, including the City Hall St. James Building, will come alive with festively decorated holiday scenes created by local artists, designers and businesses. Make A Scene Downtown. Info: 630- 3690 The Springfi eld Holiday Home Tour will be held Dec 4-5. Pictured above, the beautiful home of Design Co-Ordinator John Fabiano and Photographer / Stylist Christopher Cahill will be one of the highlights on this year’s tour. Go online (eujacksonville.com) to see the rest of our sneak preview by photographer Daniel Goncalves of their amazingly decorated abode. GINGERBREAD HOUSE EXTRAVAGANZA 2009 Thru Dec 23. Gingerbread Homes are built by professional chefs, architects, engineers, contractors, business professionals, civic organiza- Dec 1- 20 A CHRISTMAS CAROL Hip- Dec 4- 6 SEASONS SPICE A pot- Dec 5 & 12 BREAKFAST WITH SANTA tions, church groups, school groups and other creative commu- podrome State Theatre, 25 SE 2nd Pl., pourri of holiday readings and music Children (and adults) can enjoy a de- nity members. Tickets: $5/adults, $3/children 3-16, free/2 and Gainesville. Info: (352) 375-4477, www. celebrates the season’s traditions. lectable continental breakfast as they under. Wed- Sat, 11 am- 5 pm; Dec 21 & 22, 11 am- 5 pm. Old thehipp.org Players by the Sea Studio, 106 6th St. visit with Santa Claus. Sessions last St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, 317 A. Philip Randolph Blvd. N. Jacksonville Beach. Info: 249-0289, about 45 minutes beginning at 8:30, Dec 2- 20 A TUNA CHRISTMAS Mas- http://playersbythesea.org 9:30 and 10:30 am. Tickets: $12/adults, ter comedians Sears and Williams, $10/children 3- 12, $3/children 2 and NIGHT OF LIGHTS: LIGHT UP THE NIGHT Thru Jan 31. Millions of tiny white lights will glow along the ancient streets and historic along with some split-second costume Dec 4 FRIDAY MUSICALE CHRISTMAS under. Prices include admission to changes, portray all 24 citizens of Texas’ Featuring the Friday Musi- the Museum. Reservations required. buildings of the Nation’s oldest city. The spectacular lighting in CONCERT third smallest town, Tuna, where the cale Chorus. 11 am. Friday Musicale Museum of Science and History, 1025 St. Augustine reflects the city’s 444-year history while creating a Lion’s Club is too liberal and Patsy Cline Concert Series, 645 Oak St. Info: 355- Museum Circle. Info: 396-6674, www. beautiful setting for the exciting events and tours that take place never dies. Hippodrome State Theatre, 25 7584, www.fridaymusicale.com themosh.org here through January 31. Downtown St. Augustine. Info: 653- SE 2nd Pl., Gainesville. Info: (352) 375- 2489, www.nightsoflights.com 4477, www.thehipp.org December 4- 13 BLACK NATIVITY A Dec 5 55TH ANNUAL ST. AUGUSTINE Gospel Song Play by Langston Hughes. CHRISTMAS PARADE The 55th Annual WINTER WONDERLAND RETURNS TO THE ST. AUGUSTINE AM- Dec 3 TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA Stage Aurora Theatrical Company’s Christmas Parade has grown to be one PHITHEATRE Daily thru January 3, noon- 10 pm. The 3rd annual WINTER TOUR 2009 7:30 pm, Jackson- Black Nativity will dazzle audiences of of the largest parades in north Florida Winter Wonderland Festival is becoming a holiday tradition. The ville Veterans Memorial Arena all ages with its rousing gospel music, and includes fl oats, marching bands fun includes an ice rink, the Ice Slide, nightly snow, sleigh rides, superbly performed dance numbers, cars, horses, and the arrival of Santa. the Elf Village, Candy Cane Forest, live theatre, s’mores and, of Dec 3 CHRISTMAS CONCERT: GLORIA brilliant costumes and the majesty of The parade begins at 10 am by the course, Santa Claus. St. Augustine Amphitheatre. Info: www.win- Featuring the JU Concert Choir and Langston Hughes’ poetry. Fri & Sat Mission of Nombre de Dios, continues terwonderlandflorida.com, 209-0367 Chamber Singers under the direction of at 8 pm with matinees Sat and Sun. through the downtown streets of historic Dr. Jon O. Carlson. 7:30 pm. JU Terry Stage Aurora Performance Hall, 5188 St. Augustine and ends behind the Visi- Concert Hall, 2800 N. University Blvd. Norwood Avenue (Inside Gateway Town tors Center on Castillo Dr. Downtown St. From Dec 12- 31 the Stephen Foster Folk FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS Info: 256-7370, www.ju.edu/programs/ Center). Tickets: $8- $15. Info: www. Augustine. Info: 824-4997 Culture Center State Park presents the Festival of Lights. Two mil- music/events stageaurora.org, 765-7372 or 765- lion lights, candy cane forest, campfire circle, marshmallow roast, 7373 Dec 5 3RD ANNUAL DOWNTOWN warm refreshments, 200 foot bell tower, gingerbread village, Dec 4- 5 SPRINGFIELD HOLIDAY HOME HISTORIC CHURCH TOUR Tour a cen- majestic oak trees will ensure tons of family fun. Open daily from TOUR The Springfi eld Woman’s Club Dec 4- 5 GREETINGS! A comedy by tury of sanctuaries in one afternoon. dusk to 9 pm. Don’t miss the White Springs Festival of Lights Pa- will be hosting their 23rd Annual