Arts and Culture Day at the First Wednesday Art Walk
FREE Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra performances
Event Overview:
On Wednesday, November 5, the arts, culture, and education communities will gather together at Hemming Park for the official proclamation of Arts and Culture Day in conjunction with two free performances from the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra. This free, family-friendly event is open to the public as part of the First Wednesday Art Walk, presented by Downtown Vision, Inc.
After the mayoral proclamation of Arts and Culture Day is read, the evening’s program will feature performances by students from the Cathedral Arts Project, Jacksonville Heights Elementary School, TheatreJax, and the Jacksonville Symphony Youth Orchestra; a presentation by Any Given Child Jacksonville; and for the first time, two concerts featuring the entire Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra in Hemming Park. Additionally, cultural organizations will present information about their programs at the Cultural Fusion alley throughout the evening.
In addition, the night will feature 55 Downtown venues, 11 additional live music performances and hundreds of local artists. For more information about the November 5 Art Walk, visit iloveartwalk.com.
About the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra:
This is the first-ever Art Walk offering an outdoor concert by the entire Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra, and a showcase for Jacksonville Symphony Youth Orchestra and its young Jump Start Strings students. The Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra will perform a variety of classical and popular favorites, conducted by Michelle Merrill. Jacksonville can be proud of Michelle Merrill, who has just been announced as the Detroit Symphony Orchestra’s new assistant conductor. Over the past few years, Merrill was a frequent guest conductor at the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra. She is also the wife of Jacksonville Symphony principal percussionist Steve Merrill.
The 45-minute program will begin at 6:30 p.m. and will be repeated at 8 p.m. Between the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra performances, several top-tier musicians of the Jacksonville Symphony Youth Orchestra, who are part of the JSYO Chamber Music Program, will perform a set of music for string quartet and string trio.
The Jacksonville Symphony is the largest nonprofit provider of youth music education programs. Bringing the orchestra out of the concert hall and into the community makes a big impact. It’s just one of many ways that the Jacksonville Symphony provides for young people, and citizens of all ages.
Just within the past few weeks, thousands of second and third graders attended a concert in Jacoby Symphony Hall and the Symphony gave two nearly sold-out performances of “The Music of Harry Potter” on October 26; There are upcoming free “Music Storybooks” and “Cover the Town With Sound” community events on November 1 and 2, respectively; “Symphony 101,” the JSYO season opening concert on November 9; plus a full season of student “Sound Check Card” access to concerts.
A new era for the Jacksonville Symphony has begun, with the debut of Courtney Lewis as music director designate. The young British conductor is making his mark on the national scene, while also holding the assistant conductor position of the New York Philharmonic. Lewis returns to conduct the Jacksonville Symphony in May, and his first full season as music director begins in the fall of 2015.
For more information. log on to JaxSymphony.org, for tickets call 904.354.5547, like us on Facebook (facebook.com/jaxsymphony) or follow on Twitter (@jaxsymphony).
Event Details:
Downtown Vision, Inc. Presents The Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra at First Wednesday Art Walk
WHAT:
First Wednesday Art Walk, Musical Masquerade
WHERE:
Hemming Park
WHEN:
Wednesday, November 5th
5-9 p.m. rain or shine
COST:
FREE
DETAILS:
Downtown Vision, Inc. is proud to present an unprecedented celebration of collaboration among the arts, culture and education communities at the First Wednesday Art Walk. For the first time ever, the entire Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra will perform two free community concerts at Art Walk Headquarters in Hemming Park. Community partner Any Given Child will present an official proclamation of Arts and Culture Day and curate complementary live performances. The Headquarters lineup is as follows:
5:10 p.m. – Announcement of Arts and Culture Day in Jacksonville
5:20 p.m. – Student Performances
- Introduction of Duval Art Teachers Association Exhibition
- Cathedral Arts Project and Jacksonville Heights Elementary Jazz Dance class performance
- TheatreJax Ensemble Performances
6:30 – 7:15 p.m. – Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra Concert (First Concert)
- Michelle Merrill, Conductor
- Featuring selections such as Mozart’s Magic Flute Overture, John Williams’ Flying Theme from E.T., music from West Side Story, and the Armed Forces Salute.
7:30 – 8:00 – Jacksonville Symphony Youth Orchestra & Jump Start Strings Performances
8:15 – 9:00 – Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra (Second Concert)
- Michelle Merrill, Conductor
- Featuring selections such as Mozart’s Magic Flute Overture, John Williams’ Flying Theme from E.T., music from West Side Story, and the Armed Forces Salute.
Hemming Park will also feature more than 25 art exhibits, a beer and wine garden and a masque crafting table for kids. Laura Street will be transformed into a Cultural Fusion Village where Art Walk-goers can learn about the mission and undertakings of Jacksonville’s myriad cultural organizations. Outside of Hemming Park, there are more than 50 stops at Art Walk including these highlights:
Main Street Park: Learn about the Cultural Council of Greater Jacksonville’s Spark Grant program as you stroll through the 2014 Spark Grant winners. Enjoy Sculpture Walk Jacksonville and Deformance Art, listen to the beats of The Lyricist Hour, and create a community mosaic with RouxArts.
MOCA Jacksonville: Offers free admission Art Walk night.
Florida Theatre: Enjoy a free tour with Tour FT at Art Walk at 6, 7 or 8 p.m. to learn more about the iconic Florida Theatre.
44 Monroe Art Studio and Gallery: Features Sirens & Stilettos, an exhibit of pin-up girls and stiletto shoes, artist Leilani Leo’s carnival-themed “Be aMUSEd” portraits and Kealalani Baumann’s editable art cookies.
chrislesleyart gallery: Enjoy colorful and eclectic paintings of pets and historical and biblical scenes by Atlantic Beach artist Mark Durham.
The Art Center Cooperative, Inc.: Presents a new and improved gallery space on Hogan Street.
Juice – a unity plaza gallery: Features Heather Anne Sams (HAS) Art Solutions artwork, wire wall sculptures, abstract paintings and landscape photography by local artists Shawn Meharg, Kue’ King, Ted Johnson and Vicki Lennen.
FLAGG Gallery: Features original art by Downtown advocate and landscape architect Chris Flagg.
The Jacksonville Landing: Features Yappy Hour Dogsgiving with a dog trot, plus stuff-the-turkey and eating contests. Give thanks this season by donating dog food or treats to the Jacksonville Humane Society to receive a free gift.
PARKING:
Free street parking after 6 p.m. The Downtown Garage at Adams and Clay streets offers free, covered parking Art Walk night, courtesy of LAZ Parking. (Enter on Clay Street.) Or park and then ride the Skyway, now running until 9:30 p.m. Art Walk night.
MORE INFORMATION: Full details of the event are coming soon to iloveartwalk.com. The First Wednesday Art Walk is produced by Downtown Vision, Inc with sponsorships from: Florida Blue, Art Institute of Jacksonville, Kurstar Construction, Lewis Longman Walker, Cultural Council of Greater Jacksonville, The Law Offices of WC Gentry, Production Service Group and State Farm.
