By Jonas Fredrickson
Jacksonville is home to a big number of first class performance venues, theaters and concert halls. With cutting edge acoustics, modern facilities and comforts as well as pretty design and aesthetics drawing from significant roots, most theaters in Jacksonville are buildings that have been revived and renovated from their architectural origins between 1919 and the 1930's. Below you will find a list with some of the top theaters Jacksonville has to offer to its residents and of course, its visitors.
Times Union Performing Arts Center
Found in central Jacksonville, the Times Union Performing Arts Center is among the largest and most high visibility of the Jacksonville theaters promoting arts, culture and performance. Up to date offerings includes Ron White, Kelly Clarkson, Evil and the Jacksonville Symphony. The TUPAC hosts diverse events in it's multi location facility, including the Terry Theatre, the Moran Theater which seats 3,000 guests, the Jacoby Symphony Hall, and the Veterans Commemorative Arena.
The Vets Commemorative Arena hosts Jacksonville College Basketball and big name acts like JImmy Buffet and Lady Antebellum. The Prime F. Osborn III Convention center is host to Expos, shows and other events in its 265,000 sq. feet of space. The Convention Center was a railroad station before its conversion and retains its important design. Whichever venue visitors experience, TUPAC is the premiere location to check for large name acts in all of its Jacksonville theaters, as well as music, comedy, celebrity, sports and events.
The Florida Theatre
With 200 entertainment and cultural events annually, The Florida Theatre hosts jazz, rock, blues, pop and more. Located in downtown along the St. Johns Stream, The Florida Theatre hosts 250,000 guests yearly and is recognised as among the best concert venues in Florida and the Southeast, and is on the National Register of Historic Places. Performers at this theatre built in 1927 have included Gordon Lightfoot, Greg Allman and "A John Waters Christmas", as well as being the performance location for the Florida Ballet. The venue itself has fantastic acoustics and is decorated in an elegant and opulent style fitting its roots and its present position as one of the premiere concert halls in Jacksonville. Make sure to visit the Florida Theatre before you leave town.
Theatre Jacksonville
Starting in 1919, Theatre Jacksonville is one of, if not the longest running community theaters in Jacksonville. Along with performances, the theatre offers acting and theatre classes for all ages and interests. Past performances have included The Storm, Hamlet, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, An Inspector Calls, Over the Brook and Through the Woods, Seussical, Hello Dolly and more.
Performers and artists involved in Theatre Jacksonville are volunteers with a high degree of experience and knowledge that put their hearts and time into the quality performances at the theatre. Theatre Jacksonville can accommodate a good sized audience, but is an ideal sized fit for a theatre experience that involves more close contact than a bigger, more high profile location.
Jacksonville Theatre Guild
Offering productions everyone can enjoy, the Jacksonville Theatre Guild performs out of the Studio Theatre with comedies, musicals and whimsical feel nice theatre. Past and current productions include Lend Me a Tenor and quirky offerings like "Drac's Back", centered on the way the night unfolds when students on an expedition take sanctuary from a thunderstorm in the castle of Dexter Drackman, who is really Dracula in disguise.
Jacoby Symphony Hall at Times Union Performing Arts Center
Found at the Times-Union Center for the Performing Humanities, Jacoby Symphony Hall is probably one of the few concert halls in the nation dedicated only to a symphony orchestra, the Jackson Symphony Orchestra. The Hall's capacity seats 1,800 guests and was designed by universally acclaimed acousticians Kirkegaard & Associates and KBJ Designers and Rothman, Rothman & Heineman architects.
This is for sure the best theater in Jacksonville.
Metropolitan Park
An outdoor venue with a covered 2,400 square foot stage, Metropolitan Park plays host to many events and outdoor concerts including the Spring Music Holiday, Arena of States Celebration and annual Jacksonville Jazz Festival. Past performers have included James Taylor, Crosby, Stills and Nash, Jackson Brown and the Beach Boys. Events at the amphitheater at Metropolitan Park offer a fantastic experience along the St. John's stream with covered picnic shelters, children's play area, a 27-acre park and event related amenities to make any visit notable.
UNF Fine Arts Center.
Made up of The Performance Hall, the Lazzara Performance Hall, and the Andrew A. Robinson Jr. Theater, the UNF Fine Arts Center serves both the Varsity and Jacksonville residents. UNF locations host a mixture of entertainers, musicians and performances as well as offering lectures, coaching seminars, receptions, social events and workshops. Up to date performances at UNF have included Chamber Music, Flute Day, piano recitals and jazz like the Ravi Coltrane Quartet. "Movies on the House" offers more non-traditional films each other Thursday at 7pm on a big screen at the Robinson Theater, with complimentary popcorn and prizes. The purpose of "Movies on the House", known around campus as MOTH, is to screen films spectators and fans would not normally be well placed to see on the big-screen, and to foster an environment of community in the audience.
Freebird Live
Well generally known as a Jacksonville spot for live music, the Freebird Cafe books both nationally known artists as well as area and local music, making it the ideal spot to see what music in Jacksonville is truly like. Freebird Live's performance space houses 700 guests standing room only and offers perspectives from the floor and a railed balcony that overlooks the stage.
The locale has an outside smoking balcony and two full bars with a higher level balcony area for 21+ visitors; other areas are designated as all ages. Freebird Live showcases mostly rock artists, like current performers Anberlin, Diplo and Attack Attack! Right across the Sea Walk Pavilion you will find the Freebird Live.
Times Union Performing Arts Center
Found in central Jacksonville, the Times Union Performing Arts Center is among the largest and most high visibility of the Jacksonville theaters promoting arts, culture and performance. Up to date offerings includes Ron White, Kelly Clarkson, Evil and the Jacksonville Symphony. The TUPAC hosts diverse events in it's multi location facility, including the Terry Theatre, the Moran Theater which seats 3,000 guests, the Jacoby Symphony Hall, and the Veterans Commemorative Arena.
The Vets Commemorative Arena hosts Jacksonville College Basketball and big name acts like JImmy Buffet and Lady Antebellum. The Prime F. Osborn III Convention center is host to Expos, shows and other events in its 265,000 sq. feet of space. The Convention Center was a railroad station before its conversion and retains its important design. Whichever venue visitors experience, TUPAC is the premiere location to check for large name acts in all of its Jacksonville theaters, as well as music, comedy, celebrity, sports and events.
The Florida Theatre
With 200 entertainment and cultural events annually, The Florida Theatre hosts jazz, rock, blues, pop and more. Located in downtown along the St. Johns Stream, The Florida Theatre hosts 250,000 guests yearly and is recognised as among the best concert venues in Florida and the Southeast, and is on the National Register of Historic Places. Performers at this theatre built in 1927 have included Gordon Lightfoot, Greg Allman and "A John Waters Christmas", as well as being the performance location for the Florida Ballet. The venue itself has fantastic acoustics and is decorated in an elegant and opulent style fitting its roots and its present position as one of the premiere concert halls in Jacksonville. Make sure to visit the Florida Theatre before you leave town.
Theatre Jacksonville
Starting in 1919, Theatre Jacksonville is one of, if not the longest running community theaters in Jacksonville. Along with performances, the theatre offers acting and theatre classes for all ages and interests. Past performances have included The Storm, Hamlet, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, An Inspector Calls, Over the Brook and Through the Woods, Seussical, Hello Dolly and more.
Performers and artists involved in Theatre Jacksonville are volunteers with a high degree of experience and knowledge that put their hearts and time into the quality performances at the theatre. Theatre Jacksonville can accommodate a good sized audience, but is an ideal sized fit for a theatre experience that involves more close contact than a bigger, more high profile location.
Jacksonville Theatre Guild
Offering productions everyone can enjoy, the Jacksonville Theatre Guild performs out of the Studio Theatre with comedies, musicals and whimsical feel nice theatre. Past and current productions include Lend Me a Tenor and quirky offerings like "Drac's Back", centered on the way the night unfolds when students on an expedition take sanctuary from a thunderstorm in the castle of Dexter Drackman, who is really Dracula in disguise.
Jacoby Symphony Hall at Times Union Performing Arts Center
Found at the Times-Union Center for the Performing Humanities, Jacoby Symphony Hall is probably one of the few concert halls in the nation dedicated only to a symphony orchestra, the Jackson Symphony Orchestra. The Hall's capacity seats 1,800 guests and was designed by universally acclaimed acousticians Kirkegaard & Associates and KBJ Designers and Rothman, Rothman & Heineman architects.
This is for sure the best theater in Jacksonville.
Metropolitan Park
An outdoor venue with a covered 2,400 square foot stage, Metropolitan Park plays host to many events and outdoor concerts including the Spring Music Holiday, Arena of States Celebration and annual Jacksonville Jazz Festival. Past performers have included James Taylor, Crosby, Stills and Nash, Jackson Brown and the Beach Boys. Events at the amphitheater at Metropolitan Park offer a fantastic experience along the St. John's stream with covered picnic shelters, children's play area, a 27-acre park and event related amenities to make any visit notable.
UNF Fine Arts Center.
Made up of The Performance Hall, the Lazzara Performance Hall, and the Andrew A. Robinson Jr. Theater, the UNF Fine Arts Center serves both the Varsity and Jacksonville residents. UNF locations host a mixture of entertainers, musicians and performances as well as offering lectures, coaching seminars, receptions, social events and workshops. Up to date performances at UNF have included Chamber Music, Flute Day, piano recitals and jazz like the Ravi Coltrane Quartet. "Movies on the House" offers more non-traditional films each other Thursday at 7pm on a big screen at the Robinson Theater, with complimentary popcorn and prizes. The purpose of "Movies on the House", known around campus as MOTH, is to screen films spectators and fans would not normally be well placed to see on the big-screen, and to foster an environment of community in the audience.
Freebird Live
Well generally known as a Jacksonville spot for live music, the Freebird Cafe books both nationally known artists as well as area and local music, making it the ideal spot to see what music in Jacksonville is truly like. Freebird Live's performance space houses 700 guests standing room only and offers perspectives from the floor and a railed balcony that overlooks the stage.
The locale has an outside smoking balcony and two full bars with a higher level balcony area for 21+ visitors; other areas are designated as all ages. Freebird Live showcases mostly rock artists, like current performers Anberlin, Diplo and Attack Attack! Right across the Sea Walk Pavilion you will find the Freebird Live.
About the Author:
Jonas Fredrickson has had an interest in hot spots in Jacksonville for many years. He has written op-eds and editorial pieces about attractions in Jacksonville for many online publications. For the details about concert halls in Jacksonville please click here and visit his site.