Jazz great, the saxophonist and composer Dayna Stephens, performs at a special event honoring James Weldon Johnson's birthday, on Sunday. | Credit: Courtesy of the artist
Published on June 15, 2023 at 1:30 pm
Jacksonville Today Arts and Culture Editor Matt Shaw shares his arts and culture picks for the weekend.
Saturday
LGBTQ Jax History Bike Tour
Willow Branch Library | Riverside
Educator and St. Johns Riverkeeper outreach and engagement specialist Steph Morse and The Jaxson‘s Mike Field lead this tour highlighting the history of Jacksonville’s LGBTQ community. From the music and culture hotbed of LaVilla to legendary Downtown nightclubs to prominent spaces like Willowbranch Park, the bike tour will take attendees on a ride through what is an important yet overlooked story, one critical to understanding the region as it is today. Tickets are $20. Kids under 12 years old bike for free. BYO bike or rent from Riverside retailer ZenCog. The ride is from 9 a.m.-11 a.m. Tickets and rental info here.
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Saturday
Juneteenth Celebration
Jax Melanin Market | Eastside
The popular outdoor Jax Melanin Market hosts a special celebration of the federal Juneteenth holiday, featuring more than 250 Black-owned businesses and food trucks, plus a screening of short films detailing the fight for African American liberation and a full lineup of live performances, including the Katz Downstairz, Genesis Archer, Kale, Shake Culture Dance, Broadway Louie, Jenn Weeks and more. The free event is held from 3 p.m.-9 p.m. More info here.
Sunday
Jazz Discovery Series: Dayna Stephens
James Weldon Johnson Park | Downtown Jacksonville
In celebration of the park’s namesake, the late Jacksonville writer and civil rights activist James Weldon Johnson (whose birthday would have been this weekend!), Brooklyn-based jazz saxophonist and composer Dayna Stephens will perform for free in the park as part of the Jazz Discovery Series. Along with food trucks and family-friendly activities, additional performers include the John Lumpkin Institute jazz students from the Jacksonville Arts & Music School. The free concert is held from 5 p.m.-7 p.m. More info here.
