Jacksonville Today Arts and Culture Editor Matt Shaw shares his top 3 arts and culture picks for the weekend.
Friday
Beaches Fine Arts Series Presents: Alon Goldstein
St. Pauls-by-the-Sea Episcopal Church | Jacksonville Beach
The Beaches Fine Arts concert series returns to St. Pauls-by-the-Sea Episcopal Church in Jax Beach. This Friday, BFAS hosts world-renowned pianist Alon Goldstein tickling the ivories through a program with cuts from Mendelssohn, Schubert, Chopin and more. Goldstein has performed with a laundry list of heralded institutions, including the Los Angeles Philharmonic; Philadelphia Orchestra; and the San Francisco, Baltimore, St. Louis, Houston, Vancouver, Kansas City, Indianapolis, and North Carolina symphonies. Each concert in this year’s series includes a visual art installation showcasing the work of a local or regional artist. A reception for the work of Jax-based oil painter Jessica Hall will be held on Friday night after Goldstein’s performance. Doors at 6:45 p.m. More info here.
Saturday
Art in the Park | Chalk Art Competition
James Weldon Johnson Park | Downtown Jacksonville
The third annual Art in the Park chalk art competition is Saturday in Downtown Jax. Armed with a humble bucket of chalk, artists of all ages will unleash their creativity upon the sidewalks and concrete pads in and around James Weldon Johnson Park. An esteemed panel of judges culled from the ranks of the city’s best-known artists will be on hand to judge, and the public will also get a chance to weigh in and decide first, second and third-place winners in three categories: Main Artists, Middle School and High School. The event is from 2 p.m.-7 p.m. It’s free to attend. More info here.
Saturday
Women Arts Exchange
Brick & Beam | Springfield
In honor of Women’s History Month, the first-ever Women Arts Exchange will host a gallery show and dance performance on Saturday at Springfield’s Brick & Beam. The work of local visual artists Caitlin Flynn, Aysha Miskin, Katrina Griffith and Caroline Brown will be on view during a sip n’ stroll from 6:30-7:30 p.m. to be immediately followed by a unique dance performance created by an all-female, all-Florida team of choreographers, including Emily Cargill and Dancers, Xan Burley, Sami Coplon, Ava Chappell, Jesseca Scott, Susan Dodge and Sara Kausch. Tickets and more info here.