Jacksonville Today Arts and Culture Editor Matt Shaw shares his arts and culture picks for the weekend.
Friday
Sunny War
WJCT Soundstage | Downtown Jacksonville
The Jacksonville Music Experience welcomes singer, songwriter and guitarist Sunny War to the Soundstage on Friday night. The Nashville-based American-roots artist’s 2023 album, Anarchist Gospel, received best-of-the-year nods from Rolling Stone, Spin and Mojo. And The New Yorker called her “an ascendent voice in roots music.” Read or listen to JME’s own interview with Sunny War. Doors at 7 p.m. Local alt-country group Folk Is People opens the show. Tickets and more info.
Saturday
Ritz Chamber Players
Terry Hall | Arlington
The acclaimed homegrown classical ensemble the Ritz Chamber Players present “A Musical Vision for Justice,” a night of uplifting and inspiring compositions at Jacksonville University’s Terry Hall on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. It’s free to attend. More info and RSVP.
Saturday & Sunday
World of Color
Purple Mangrove | Springfield
An exhibition of new works by local artist John Hawkins will be on view at the Springfield vintage retailer Purple Mangrove. Hawkins deploys a vibrant, pop-color palette to create energetic, Keith Haring-esque pictograms. The exhibit is open from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday from noon-5 p.m. More info.
Saturday & Sunday
Give Peace a Chance: The Art of John Lennon
Gallery 725 | Atlantic Beach
Yes, he’s better known as one-half of one of the most important songwriting tandems of the 20th century. And yes, when it comes to visual art, he could never have been anything but second fiddle to his wife, the pioneering Fluxus artist Yoko Ono. But John Lennon was a capable, often whimsical illustrator. And beginning Saturday, an exhibition of Lennon’s artwork will be on view at Gallery 725 in Atlantic Beach. Special receptions are held on Saturday from 5 p.m.-8 p.m. and Sunday from 1 p.m.-3 p.m. The exhibit is on view until January 23. RSVPs are encouraged. More info.