by Max Marbut
Staff Writer
The Jacksonville Jazz Festival is Friday through Sunday in the heart of Downtown and businesses are gearing up and stocking up to help entertain the thousands of people expected to descend on the urban core for a weekend of music.
After spending its history either in Mayport or Metropolitan Park, the 2009 Jacksonville Jazz Festival took over the streets of Downtown and many business owners didn’t realize its potential economic impact, so they kept their doors closed.
It’s not that way this year, said Christina Langston, public relations manager for the City’s Office of Special Events.
“Last year being the first year the festival came Downtown, a lot of business owners didn’t know what to expect,” she said. “This year we have dozens of businesses that will be open during festival hours Saturday and Sunday. It’s also been a great event for the hotels. The Omni and the Hyatt are both sold out for Saturday.”
In addition to extended hours, many businesses are offering discounts for dining and shopping and several clubs have created special edition jazz-inspired cocktails for the festival.
Here is a guide to Downtown this weekend while at the festival. For the entertainment lineup and VIP package information, visit www.makeascenedowntown.com.
The Adrian Pickett Gallery
The Landing
Open all festival hours, experience jazz-related art and a raffle for an Adrian Pickett Jr. signature series jazz portrait. Butterfli will host spoken word at 7 p.m. Thursday and Sacha’s Sultry Secrets book signing is 2 p.m. Sunday.
An Apple A Day
The Landing
Open all festival hours and offers 10 percent off smoothies and sandwiches.
The Art Center Cooperative Gallery
31 W. Adams St.
Open extended hours during the festival and offers 20 percent off select items on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The Art Center will feature a display of jazz and music-inspired art, an art slide show and a live performance by Denton Elkins and Friend.
The Art Center II
229 N. Hogan St.
Open extended hours during the festival and features the JazzART exhibition by E.J. Gold.
Benny’s Steak & Seafood
The Landing
Open all festival hours and offers one complimentary house wine or draft beer with the purchase of two entrees.
Big Pete’s Pizzeria
118 N. Julia St.
Open for dining from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday and Friday. Receive 10 percent off purchases of $10 or more.
Bill’s Caricatures
Open all festival hours and offering a Jacksonville Jazz Festival-themed caricature. Jacksonville Jazz Festival VIPs receive a 20 percent discount on caricatures.
Burrito Gallery
21 E. Adams St.
Open all festival hours and offering frozen drink specials.
Chamblin’s Uptown
225 N. Laura St.
The bookstore and café will be open all festival hours. Festival attendees can sample a variety of items, including breakfast offerings, coffee and espresso, soda, smoothies and juices.
Chew Restaurant
117 W. Adams St.
Festival attendees can have lunch on Friday from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. and dinner from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Chicago Pizza
The Landing
Open all festival hours. Receive $5 off a large, two-topping pan pizza.
Cinco de Mayo
The Landing
Open all festival hours and offers lunch specials for $5.49. Happy hour will be 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.
City Hall Pub
234 A. Philip Randolph Blvd.
Open all festival hours and offers one free glass of wine, draft beer or liquor drink. City Hall Pub will have a jazz brunch from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday. Call ahead for reservations at 356-6750.
Daniel James Salon
45 W. Bay St.
Open all festival hours and will offer 20 percent off of Aveda products. Daniel James Salon will feature artist Nickcommoditie from St. Augustine.
Dipper Dan’s Ice Cream Emporium
The Landing
Open all festival hours. Festival attendees can purchase a Zephyrhills 20-ounce water for $1.
Dive Bar
331 E. Bay St.
Festival attendees with an official Jacksonville Jazz Festival program or VIP credential will receive 10 percent off their drinks.
Flamers
The Landing
Festival attendees can receive 20 percent off orders of $6 or more.
Great Wraps
The Landing
Open all festival hours and offers 10 percent off any combo.
Hana & Her Sister
The Landing
Festival attendees receive 30 to 50 percent off merchandise.
Happy Landing
The Landing
Open all festival hours and offers Jacksonville Jazz Festival drink specials. Festival attendees can also enter to win a Jacksonville Jazz Festival gift basket.
Jacksonville Naval Ship Museum
The Landing
Buy one, get one free sale on T-shirts and a combo sale on any hat, T-shirt or wristband at a reduced price.
Jacksonville Starz
The Landing
Discounts on summer cheer and dance camps to festival attendees. Watch a performance by the Jacksonville Starz at 3 p.m. Saturday.
Koja Sushi
The Landing
Festival attendees can purchase a Jazztini for $5.
La Cena Ristorante
211 N. Laura St.
Reservations will be accepted for lunch and dinner.
LE SMART Studio and Gallery
The Landing
Discounts on all art.
Lina M. Bath Boutique
The Landing
Twenty percent off any one item. Jazzy Jewel is the featured fragrance.
The London Bridge Pub
100 E. Adams St.
Open all festival hours and offers a specialty Jacksonville Jazz Festival drink and live music by Cameron Jameyal.
Magnificat Café
231 N. Laura St.
Open Friday and Saturday during festival hours and live music from Last Stand.
Mark’s Downtown Club and Lounge
Festival attendees with an official Jacksonville Jazz Festival program or VIP credential will receive 10 percent off their drinks.
The Next Gallery
203 N. Laura St.
Open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day during the festival and features jazz music and art.
Professional Tailoring & Alterations
43 W. Adams St.
Open Thursday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday until 9 p.m. and several hours on Saturday. Patrons can receive 20 percent off any service.
Sports Mania
The Landing
Festival attendees can receive 20 percent off all merchandise, excluding sale and clearance items.
Subway
140 W. Monroe St.
Open 7 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Friday; 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday; and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday.
Tonsor at The Carling
31 W. Adams St.
Do your part to help with cleanup efforts from the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. All buzz cuts (single blade only) are $8. All hair collected and 10 percent of proceeds will be donated to Gulf cleanup efforts. Tonsor barbershop will be open noon to 5 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday; and 11 a.m. till it’s time to close on Sunday.
Twisted Martini
The Landing
Festival attendees can enjoy happy hour from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.
The UPS Store Downtown
221 N. Hogan St.
Festival attendees can pick up discount coupons at festival information booths.
Village Bread Café
The Landing
Festival attendees can receive $1 off any breakfast sandwich or entrée and free coffee, soda or tea with the purchase.
Vito’s Italian Café
The Landing
Open all festival hours and offers discounts to patrons with festival programs.
Zodiac Grill
120 W. Adams St.
Open all festival hours and offers hookah and a full bar. From 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., festival attendees can purchase 2-for-1 drinks. The John Sheard Jazz Group will perform Friday and Saturday nights.
Listings provided by City of Jacksonville Office of Special Events
356-2466