Jacksonville Today Arts and Culture Editor Matt Shaw shares his top 3 arts and culture picks for the weekend.
Friday
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Bold Bean Coffee Roasters | Jacksonville Beach
Last-minute holiday shopping opportunities and a peek into the thriving local electronic-music scene are just two reasons to stop by Bold Bean Coffee Roasters’ Jax Beach location Friday. Local art and artisan goods, used books and more will be on sale beginning at 4 p.m. Live music performances by Jax-based synthesizer-enthusiasts Animal Clinic, Limo Scene and Glass Chapel begin at 7 p.m. More information here.
Friday, Saturday and Sunday
First Coast Nutcracker
Jacksonville Center for the Performing Arts | Downtown Jacksonville
As it celebrates its 50th anniversary, the Jax Symphony’s production of Tchaikovsky’s famous two-act ballet The Nutcracker is this weekend’s (and perhaps 2022’s) hottest ticket. Associate conductor Kevin Fitzgerald leads the full symphony and more than 100 local dancers in four performances of the holiday classic, kicking things off on Friday (8 p.m.) and continuing with two shows on Saturday (2 p.m. and 8 p.m.) and another on Sunday (2 p.m.). Get tickets here.
Sunday
A Christmas Special with Linda Cole & the Joshua Bowlus Quartet
Blue Jay Listening Room | Jacksonville Beach
While Nat King Cole’s rendition of The Christmas Song is an unimpeachable holiday classic, his daughter, the singer Linda Cole, has carved her own path through jazz vocal performance. Joined by a crack quartet of locals led by standout Jacksonville pianist and composer Joshua Bowlus, Cole will perform two sets of Christmas songs at fun-size Beaches venue the Blue Jay Listening Room. Show starts at 8 p.m. Tickets and more information here.