Jacksonville Today Arts and Culture Editor Matt Shaw shares his top 3 arts and culture picks for the weekend.
Friday and Saturday
Lush Life: Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn
Jacoby Symphony Hall | Downtown Jacksonville
The Jacksonville Symphony explores the work of big-band pioneers, jazz icons and longtime collaborators Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn with three performances of standards and classic songs from the duo’s repertoire. The symphony kicks out the jazz jams beginning on Friday morning with the latest iteration of its popular coffee series (11 a.m.) and continues that evening (7:30 p.m.) and on Saturday night (7:30 p.m.). Get tickets here.
Friday
Jazz Discovery Series: Michael Feinberg
The Jessie | Downtown Jacksonville
At 26 years old, upright-jazz-bass virtuoso Michael Feinberg is a critically acclaimed solo artist and in-demand side player. As part of the Jazz Discovery Series, Feinberg is featured in a workshop followed by a performance with local musicians from the Jacksonville Arts & Music School and the John Lumpkin Institute at the Jessie Ball duPont Center. The event starts at 7 p.m. and is free. Registration for the event is full, but a limited amount of walk-ups will be admitted.
Friday, Saturday and Sunday
Aladdin
Moran Theater | Downtown Jacksonville
The Tony, Grammy and Emmy awards that decorate the shelves of those involved in the production of the classic Disney animated-film-turned-Broadway smash Aladdin — which is enjoying a multi-week run at the Moran Theater — could cover a magic carpet or 10. The fun continues this weekend, with shows on Friday (8 p.m.), Saturday (2 p.m. and 8 p.m.) and Sunday (1 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.). Get tickets here.