July 6, 2018: Get your summer checklist ready, Jacksonville! Local Barbecue. Local Beer. Local Music. Check! The Florida Theatre hosts its annual Blues, Brews and BBQ summer party on Thursday, August 23. One of the tastiest events to headline around the city, you'll be singin' the Blues, Brews and BBQ upstairs and downstairs at the historic theatre with the body-swaying sounds of blues music on the stage, while your taste buds delight in the revelry provided by the tantalizing barbecue, complemented by an assortment of craft beer.
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| View from upstairs, at 2017 Blues, Brews and BBQ (photo: Linda Johnson) |
Presented by Publix Supermarket Charities, a number of local favorites will once again serve unlimited samples of barbecue and beers, while the sounds of live continuous music by The Snacks Blues Band and Beale Street fill the air.
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| Keep going .... (photo: Linda Johnson) |
"There is a natural alliance between the Florida Theatre, one of our city's premier arts institutions, and the best craft professionals working in our city's culinary arts' community," said Numa Saisselin, Florida Theatre President. "For $50, you get all the local craft beer you can drink and all the local BBQ you can eat, plus four hours of continuous live Blues music by two of our city's best Blues bands ... and it all benefits the historic, nonprofit Florida Theatre."
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| Getting hungry! 2017 Blues, Brews and BBQ (photo: Linda Johnson) |
No doubt, like last year, it will be difficult to decide what to do first -- get a beer or get some barbecue -- upon entering the event. Sampling stations are located on the main and mezzanine floors. The barbecue, sponsored by KPMG, will feature lip-smacking creations by:
Gilbert's Social
Mojo Urban BBQ and Whiskey Kitchen No. 4
Monroe's Smokehouse
Wicked Barley Brewing Company
Atlantic Beach BBQ, and
Bono's BBQ.
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| Beer and more beer! 2017 Blues, Brews and BBQ (photo: Linda Johnson) |
Wicked Barley Brewing Company
Bold City Brewery
Veterans United Craft Brewery
Seven Bridges Grille and Brewery
Intuition Ale Works, and
River City Brewing Company.
For those with a sweet tooth, Nothing Bundt Cakes will also serve dessert items.
The event also includes a silent auction with items valued at over $11,000, such as theme park tickets, hotel stays, dining packages, and one-of-a-kind signed Florida Theatre memorabilia.
Two levels of tickets are available online. VIP tickets ($100) include early access to the Friends Lounge at 4:30pm, where guests will enjoy early servings of barbecue and beer, along with a private cash bar. General admission tickets ($50) includes the unlimited barbecue and beer sampling from 5:30-7:30pm. All ticket sales benefit the Florida Theatre.
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| A little history .... (photo: Linda Johnson) |
The Florida Theatre has hosted a wide variety of entertainment events since 1927 in the ornate, historic facility that is also registered on the National Register of Historic Places. It draws 250,000 people to the downtown Jacksonville area each year.
You'll be singing some happy Blues, Brews and BBQ at this event!
The Florida Theatre is located at 128 E. Forsyth St., downtown Jacksonville. The 2018 event season is sponsored by Community First Credit Union. For a list of all concerts and events with ticketing options, visit the Florida Theatre events website page.
Cheers!
Til next time,
Linda
Linda Johnson,
Certified Cicerone®
www.brewnymph.com
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