5 fun things to do this weekend in Jacksonville: Elvis birthday, 'Rhapsody,' .38 Special
There are 51 more weekends coming this year, and if they are all as busy as this one in Northeast Florida, it's going to be a fun year indeed. We've got one of Jacksonville's favorite rock bands playing a homecoming show, a hundred-year-old classic, a bluegrass bash and a celebration of the King's birthday on the books. Stick around, it only gets more fun from here on out.
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Elvis Birthday Bash
Jan. 5 at the Florida Theatre
Elvis Presley famously played six performances in two days at downtown Jacksonville's Florida Theatre in 1956. The King would turn 89 on Jan. 8, so they're celebrating with “young Elvis” impersonator Scot Bruce and “Vegas Elvis” impersonator Mike Albert, both backed by the Big E Band. As a bonus, check out the repainted ceiling and the spiffy new restrooms at the theater. 7 p.m. Friday, $35-$45.
Vintage photos: Elvis Presley performs at Jacksonville's Florida Theatre in 1956
Jacksonville Symphony
Even if you know absolutely nothing about classical music, you almost certainly know the melody of "Rhapsody in Blue." Pianist Conrad Tao joins the Jacksonville Symphony to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Gershwin’s masterpiece (even that odd opening clarinet bit). They'll play it at the Jacoby Symphony Hall in downtown Jacksonville at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, then take the show on the road for performances Jan. 7 in Daytona Beach and Jan. 9 in West Palm Beach. $33-$95.
Jekyll Island Bluegrass Festival
Not far north of the state line, they'll be pickin' and grinnin' Friday and Saturday at the Jekyll Island Convention Center, which is ground zero for a bluegrass festival. Friday sees performances by Rhonda Vincent & the Rage, Deeper Shade of Blue and Penny Creek; the Malpass Brothers, the Lonesome River Band and the Bluegrass Cardinals are on the bill for Saturday. $50-$105.
.38 Special
The wild-eyed Southern boys are a Jacksonville band, formed on the Westside, and local fans always turn out for a hometown show. They're at the Florida Theatre at 8 p.m. Saturday. $45-$79.
More: What happened to Jacksonville's big 'Southern rock' acts Lynyrd Skynyrd, Molly Hatchet, .38 Special?
Matt Fraser
“America’s Top Psychic Medium” is doing live readings on stage, so if you have some deep, dark secrets you don’t want exposed, you might think twice about volunteering. Fraser, who has his own TV show on the E! Network and is a popular guest on TV talk shows, is at the Florida Theatre at 7 p.m. Sunday. $39.50-$79.50.
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Five fun things to do this weekend in Jacksonville, FL
