Saturday, 6 July 2013

Top Theaters in Jacksonville

By Jonas Fredrickson


Jacksonville is home to a big number of top notch performance places, theaters and concert halls. With cutting edge acoustics, modern facilities and facilities as well as beautiful design and aesthetics drawing from historical roots, most theaters in Jacksonville are buildings that've been restored and rebuilt from their architectural origins between 1919 and the 1930's. If you are a fan of theaters or just curious enough to visit some live performances places, take a look at some of the best theaters in Jacksonville right below.

Times Union Performing Arts Center

Located in downtown Jacksonville, the Times Union Performing Arts Center is among the largest and most high-profile of the Jacksonville theaters promoting arts, culture and performance. Up to date offerings includes Ron White, Kelly Clarkson, Wicked and the Jacksonville Symphony. The TUPAC hosts diverse events in it's multi locale facility, including the Terry Theatre, the Moran Theater which seats 3,000 guests, the Jacoby Symphony Hall, and the Veterans Memorial Arena.

The Veterans Memorial Arena hosts Jacksonville University Basketball and gigantic name acts like JImmy Buffet and Lady Antebellum. The Prime F. Osborn III Convention center hosts Expos, shows and other events in its 265,000 square feet of space. The Convention Center was once a railroad station before its conversion and retains its important architecture. Whichever location visitors experience, TUPAC is the premiere location to test for large name acts in all of its Jacksonville theaters, as well as music, comedy, celebrity, sports and events.

The Florida Theatre

With 200 entertainment and cultural events yearly, The Florida Theatre hosts jazz, rock, blues, pop and more. Located in central along the St. Johns River, The Florida Theatre hosts 250,000 guests yearly and is recognized as among the best concert locations in Florida and the Southeast, and is on the National Register of Historic Places. Performers at this theatre built in 1927 have included Gordon Lightfoot, Greg Allman and "A John Waters Christmas", in addition to being the performance location for the Florida Ballet. The location itself has excellent acoustics and is decorated in a chic and opulent style befitting its roots and its current position as one of the premiere concert halls in Jacksonville. This is a must-stop-by.

Theatre Jacksonville

Starting in 1919, Theatre Jacksonville is one of, if not the longest running community theaters in Jacksonville. With performances, the theatre offers acting and theatre classes for all ages and interests. Past performances have included The Tempest, Hamlet, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, An Inspector Calls, Over the River and Through the Woods, Seussical, Hello Dolly and more.

Performers and artists concerned in Theatre Jacksonville are volunteers with a high level of expertise and knowledge that put their hearts and time into the quality performances at the theatre. Theatre Jacksonville can accommodate a good sized audience, but is an ideal sized fit for a theatre experience that involves more intimacy than a larger, more high-profile locale.

Jacksonville Theatre Guild

Offering productions all the family can enjoy, the Jacksonville Theatre Guild performs out of the Studio Theatre with comedies, musicals and fanciful feel nice theatre. Past and current productions include Lend Me a Tenor and fanciful offerings like "Drac's Back", focused on the way in which the night unfolds when scholars on an expedition take shelter from a thunderstorm in the castle of Dexter Drackman, who is really Dracula in disguise.

Jacoby Symphony Hall at Times Union Performing Arts Center

Located at the Times-Union Center for the Performing Arts, Jacoby Symphony Hall is among the few concert halls in the country dedicated solely to a symphony orchestra, the Jackson Symphony Orchestra. The Hall's capacity seats 1,800 guests and was designed by internationally acclaimed acousticians Kirkegaard & Associates and KBJ Designers and Rothman, Rothman & Heineman architects.

This is for sure the best theater in Jacksonville.

Metropolitan Park

An outside venue with a covered 2,400 square foot stage, Metropolitan Park plays host to several events and outdoor concerts including the Spring Music Festival, Sector of Countries Celebration and annual Jacksonville Jazz Holiday. Past performers have included James Taylor, Crosby, Stills and Nash, Jackson Brown and the Beach Boys. Events at the amphitheater at Metropolitan Park offer a great experience along the St. John's river with covered picnic shelters, children's play area, a 27-acre park and event related amenities to make any visit remarkable.

UNF Fine Arts Center.

Composed of The Exhibition Hall, the Lazzara Performance Hall, and the Andrew A. Robinson Jr. Theater, the UNF Fine Arts Center serves both the University and Jacksonville residents. UNF venues host a mixture of entertainers, musicians and performances in addition to offering lectures, coaching seminars, receptions, social events and workshops. Contemporary performances at UNF have included Chamber Music, Flute Day, piano recitals and jazz like the Ravi Coltrane Quartet. "Movies on the House" offers more non-traditional films every other Thursday at 7pm on a big screen at the Robinson Theater, with complimentary popcorn and prizes. The purpose of "Movies on the House", known around campus as MOTH, is to screen films spectators and fans wouldn't normally be in a position to see on the big screen, and to foster an environment of community in the audience.

Freebird Live

Well generally known as a Jacksonville spot for music, the Freebird Cafeteria books both nationally known artists as well as region and local music, making it the ideal spot to see what music in Jacksonville is truly like. Freebird Live's performance space homes 700 guests standing room only and offers perspectives from the floor and a railed balcony that overlooks the stage.

The location has an exterior smoking balcony and 2 full bars with a upper level balcony area for 21+ visitors; other areas are delegated as all ages. Freebird Live showcases typically rock artists, like current performers Anberlin, Diplo and Attack Attack! Freebird Live is across the Sea Walk Pavilion, in downtown.




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