ART NOTES: Art Walk celebrates nonprofits; Phase Eight presents The Food of Love

Near the beginning of each month, The Coastal presents a monthly roundup of art-related news, notes, and events. To be featured on this list, please submit your event to editor@thecoastal.com.

FEBRUARY ART WALK: “NONPROFITS FOR THE ARTS”

Tonight’s First Wednesday Art Walk in downtown Jacksonville looks to support local creatives.

At the library, the Northeast Florida Scholastic Art Awards will be presenting the opening of its Gold Key Exhibit from 5:00 to 6:00 PM, followed by a performance from the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra Ensemble.

The Jessie Ball duPont Center will be celebrating the debut of a new public art installation at Ocean and Adams streets with live music from The Band Be Easy and over twenty local vendors. Just down the street, Attitudes Performance Academy will perform in front of The Carling.

And at Hemming Park, a dozen local nonprofits – all known for supporting the arts – will be providing information about their organizations. The main stage will feature spoken-word performances from Eric Jamaal Williams, N.Finite Barz, and Esquire, dance performances by The Florida Ballet, Three Hearts Dance, Paradigm Flux Dance Co., United Rhythm, and FSCJ DanceWorks, and musical performances by Jacksonville Arts & Music School and Players by the Sea.

As usual, well over a dozen local vendors and a handful of food trucks will be on hand as well.

PHASE EIGHT THEATER COMPANY PRESENTS THE FOOD OF LOVE REPRISE

On Valentine’s Day, Phase Eight Theater Company will present a reprise of its sold out 2019 dinner theater show, The Food of Love.

The play, written by Kelby Siddons and directed by Arianna Rodriguez, is described as “a site-specific, queer, gourmand take on Cyrano de Bergerac’s tale of requited love in which two suitors woo a beloved in tandem.” It stars Stephanie Santiago as Alex, Linzy Marie Lauren as Roxy, and Theo Canty as Chris.

The show will take place on February 13^th and 14^th from 7:00 to 9:00 PM at MOCA Jacksonville and features a five-course meal and a glass of wine along with the show. Tickets are available at phaseeight.org.

PLAYERS BY THE SEA ANNOUNCES CAST OF AUGUST WILSON DRAMA

Players by the Sea recently announced the local talent that will serve as the cast of its upcoming presentation of the drama Two Trains Running.

The play was originally written by August Wilson, perhaps the most influential Black playwright of all time. Brian Niece will direct Players’ adaptation.

The cast of Two Trains Running is as follows: Eugene Lindsey, Jr. as Memphis, Cedarian Crawford as Wolf, Marlee Feacher as Risa, James Webb as Holloway, William Sivad as Sterling, Clayton Riddley as Hambone, and Gregory P. Hughes as West.

“I have a rare opportunity to help tell this powerful story; a truthful black story; an American story that looks for beauty in brokenness,” said Niece. “It is humbling to be able to serve August Wilson’s vision as a storyteller.” 

Rehearsals for the play have already begun; it will run from March 13 to 29 in the Studio Theatre. Tickets are available at playersbythesea.org.

STRIKING POWER EXHIBITION OPEN AT CUMMER

Striking Power: Iconoclasm in Ancient Egypt recently opened at the Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens.

The exhibition examines iconoclasm in ancient Egypt with special attention paid to kings Hatshesput and Akhenaten. It displays the patterns of damage to various sculptures as a result of political, religious, and criminal motives.

Striking Power is organized by the Brooklyn Museum in collaboration with the Pulitzer Arts Foundation. It will be on display through April 26.