ARTS PICKS | May 12-14

Jacksonville Today Arts and Culture Editor Matt Shaw shares his top 3 arts and culture picks for the weekend.

Friday

Bab’s Lab Story Slam 

CoRK | Riverside 

A guru of narrative performance, local artist and educator Barbara Colaciello has been coaxing stories out of folks for decades. On Friday, Colaciello’s popular Bab’s Labs Story Slam series, now approaching its fifth year, engages audience members to participate in a friendly storytelling competition. Willing participants will be asked to tell a five-minute story based on the adage “head over heels.” The winner, chosen by the audience, will receive a $50 gift card to ultra-hip Downtown Jacksonville boutique Wolf & Cub. Tickets are $16. More info here.

Saturday

Ricder Ricardo: Transitory Permanence 

Corner Gallery  | Downtown Jacksonville 

An exhibition of new works by Cuba-born, Jax-based figurative painter Ricder Ricardo opens on Saturday at the Corner Gallery inside the Jessie Ball duPont nonprofit center in Downtown Jacksonville. In Transitory Permanence, Ricardo explores the disorientation and instability of the migrant experience through the eyes of displaced individuals. An opening reception is held from 5 p.m.-8:30 p.m. An artist chat, with Ricardo in conversation with gallery curator Shawana Brooks, is held at 7:30 p.m. The event is free to attend. More info here.

Saturday

Jacksonville Dance Theatre: InMotion

Florida Theatre | Downtown Jacksonville

The repertoire from local contemporary dance company Jacksonville Dance Theatre presents its spring concert: InMotion. On Saturday night, the all-local company performs new works of choreography, including JDT Artistic Director Rebecca Levy’s Dada-ist “La Mesa” and two commissioned pieces that explore individuality, inner-monologues and womanhood. The event is held at the Florida Theatre. Show starts at 8 p.m. Tickets and more info here.