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

Friday and Saturday 

Slow Burn: The American Dream and The Zoo Story

San Marco Church | San Marco

Regional production company Lumen Repertory Theatre brings trenchant playwright Edward Albee’s powerful one-acts The American Dream and The Zoo Story to the stage for a two-in-one production that runs through the end of the month. Noted actor and director David Alford (best known for his role in the television drama Nashville) takes on directing duties for the dark satire The American Dream and co-directs and acts in the absurdist tragicomedy The Zoo Story. Friday and Saturday opening-weekend performances are at 8 p.m. Tickets and more info.  

Saturday

Ceramics open studio 

Museum of Contemporary Art | Downtown Jacksonville

For ceramicists looking for fellowship and a space to throw some pottery and have it fired, MOCA Jacksonville’s workshop is the spot. On Saturday from 2 p.m.-4 p.m. MOCA will provide throwing wheels and tools for self-directed practice (Clay and glaze must be provided by attendees but the firing of one piece of up to 10 pounds is included). $20. Registration and more info. (And if you’d rather look at art than make it yourself, admission to MOCA is free on Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. thanks to VyStar Credit Union.)

Sunday

Second Sundays with local poets and writers

Happy Medium Books | Riverside 

Duval-based wordsmiths Brooks Decker and Tim Gilmore host monthly readings by local authors and poets at Happy Medium Books in Riverside. This Sunday’s lineup includes writer/educator Jeff Knapp, spoken-word artist Suni Storm and writer Damon Thomas. 2 p.m.-4 p.m. Free to attend. More info.