Jacksonville is home to a substantial number of top quality performance places, theaters and concert halls. With cutting edge acoustics, state-of-the-art facilities and comforts as well as stunning design and aesthetics drawing from historic roots, most theaters in Jacksonville are buildings that've been revived and rebuilt 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 probably one of the biggest 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 various 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 Memorial Arena.
The Vets Commemorative Arena hosts Jacksonville Varsity Basketball and gigantic name acts like JImmy Buffet and Lady Antebellum. The Prime F. Osborn III Convention center hosts Expos, shows and other events in its 265,000 sq. feet of space. The Convention Center was once a railroad station before its conversion and retains its historic architecture. Whichever venue visitors experience, TUPAC is the premiere location to check for huge 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 yearly, The Florida Theatre hosts jazz, rock, blues, pop and more. Found in downtown along the St. Johns Brook, The Florida Theatre hosts 250,000 guests annually and is recognized as among the best concert locales 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 place for the Florida Ballet. The locale itself has fantastic acoustics and is decorated in an elegant and opulent style befitting its roots and its current 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. With performances, the theatre offers acting and theatre classes for all ages and interests. Past performances have included The Tempest, Hamlet, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, An Inspector Calls, Over the River and Through the Woods, Seussical, Hi Dolly and more.
Performers and artists involved in Theatre Jacksonville are volunteers with a high degree of expertise 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 larger, more high profile locale.
Jacksonville Theatre Guild
Offering productions everyone can enjoy, the Jacksonville Theatre Guild performs out of the Studio Theatre with comedies, musicals and eccentric feel really good theatre. Past and current productions include Lend Me a Tenor and fanciful offerings like "Drac's Back", centered on the way in which the night unfolds when scholars on an expedition take sanctuary from a thunderstorm in the castle of Dexter Drackman, who is truly Dracula in disguise.
Jacoby Symphony Hall at Times Union Performing Arts Center
Found at the Times-Union Center for the Performing Arts, Jacoby Symphony Hall is among the few concert halls in the country dedicated only to a symphony orchestra, the Jackson Symphony Orchestra. The Hall's capacity seats 1,800 guests and was designed by internationally acclaimed acousticians Kirkegaard & Associates and KBJ Architects and Rothman, Rothman & Heineman designers.
This is for sure the best theater in Jacksonville.
Metropolitan Park
An out of doors venue with a canopied 2,400 square foot stage, Metropolitan Park plays host to several events and outdoor concerts including the Spring Music Festival, Sector of States Party and annual Jacksonville Jazz Festival. Past performers have included James Taylor, Crosby, Stills and Nash, Jackson Brown and the Beach Boys. Events at the concerthall at Metropolitan Park offer a great experience along the St. John's brook with covered picnic shelters, children's play area, a 27-acre park and event related conveniences to make any visit notable.
UNF Fine Arts Center.
Comprised of The Recital Hall, the Lazzara Performance Hall, and the Andrew A. Robinson Jr. Theater, the UNF Fine Arts Center serves both the University and Jacksonville residents. UNF locations host a mix of entertainers, musicians and performances in addition to offering lectures, coaching conventions, receptions, social events and workshops. Contemporary 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 within the audience.
Freebird Live
Well known as a Jacksonville spot for live music, the Freebird Cafeteria books both nationally known artists as well as region and local music, making it the ideal spot to see what music in Jacksonville is really like. Freebird Live's performance space homes 700 guests standing room only , and offers views from the floor and a railed balcony that overlooks the stage.
The location has an outside smoking balcony and two full bars with a upper level balcony area for 21+ visitors; other areas are appointed as all ages. Freebird Live showcases typically rock artists, like current performers Anberlin, Diplo and Attack Attack! The venue is located downtown one block away from the sea, across from the Sea Walk Pavilion. This is another great place to visit in the city of Jacksonville.
Times Union Performing Arts Center
Found in central Jacksonville, the Times Union Performing Arts Center is probably one of the biggest 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 various 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 Memorial Arena.
The Vets Commemorative Arena hosts Jacksonville Varsity Basketball and gigantic name acts like JImmy Buffet and Lady Antebellum. The Prime F. Osborn III Convention center hosts Expos, shows and other events in its 265,000 sq. feet of space. The Convention Center was once a railroad station before its conversion and retains its historic architecture. Whichever venue visitors experience, TUPAC is the premiere location to check for huge 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 yearly, The Florida Theatre hosts jazz, rock, blues, pop and more. Found in downtown along the St. Johns Brook, The Florida Theatre hosts 250,000 guests annually and is recognized as among the best concert locales 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 place for the Florida Ballet. The locale itself has fantastic acoustics and is decorated in an elegant and opulent style befitting its roots and its current 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. With performances, the theatre offers acting and theatre classes for all ages and interests. Past performances have included The Tempest, Hamlet, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, An Inspector Calls, Over the River and Through the Woods, Seussical, Hi Dolly and more.
Performers and artists involved in Theatre Jacksonville are volunteers with a high degree of expertise 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 larger, more high profile locale.
Jacksonville Theatre Guild
Offering productions everyone can enjoy, the Jacksonville Theatre Guild performs out of the Studio Theatre with comedies, musicals and eccentric feel really good theatre. Past and current productions include Lend Me a Tenor and fanciful offerings like "Drac's Back", centered on the way in which the night unfolds when scholars on an expedition take sanctuary from a thunderstorm in the castle of Dexter Drackman, who is truly Dracula in disguise.
Jacoby Symphony Hall at Times Union Performing Arts Center
Found at the Times-Union Center for the Performing Arts, Jacoby Symphony Hall is among the few concert halls in the country dedicated only to a symphony orchestra, the Jackson Symphony Orchestra. The Hall's capacity seats 1,800 guests and was designed by internationally acclaimed acousticians Kirkegaard & Associates and KBJ Architects and Rothman, Rothman & Heineman designers.
This is for sure the best theater in Jacksonville.
Metropolitan Park
An out of doors venue with a canopied 2,400 square foot stage, Metropolitan Park plays host to several events and outdoor concerts including the Spring Music Festival, Sector of States Party and annual Jacksonville Jazz Festival. Past performers have included James Taylor, Crosby, Stills and Nash, Jackson Brown and the Beach Boys. Events at the concerthall at Metropolitan Park offer a great experience along the St. John's brook with covered picnic shelters, children's play area, a 27-acre park and event related conveniences to make any visit notable.
UNF Fine Arts Center.
Comprised of The Recital Hall, the Lazzara Performance Hall, and the Andrew A. Robinson Jr. Theater, the UNF Fine Arts Center serves both the University and Jacksonville residents. UNF locations host a mix of entertainers, musicians and performances in addition to offering lectures, coaching conventions, receptions, social events and workshops. Contemporary 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 within the audience.
Freebird Live
Well known as a Jacksonville spot for live music, the Freebird Cafeteria books both nationally known artists as well as region and local music, making it the ideal spot to see what music in Jacksonville is really like. Freebird Live's performance space homes 700 guests standing room only , and offers views from the floor and a railed balcony that overlooks the stage.
The location has an outside smoking balcony and two full bars with a upper level balcony area for 21+ visitors; other areas are appointed as all ages. Freebird Live showcases typically rock artists, like current performers Anberlin, Diplo and Attack Attack! The venue is located downtown one block away from the sea, across from the Sea Walk Pavilion. This is another great place to visit in the city of Jacksonville.
About the Author:
Jonas Fredrickson has been fascinated by hot spots in Jacksonville for years. He has written op-eds and editorial pieces about attractions in Jacksonville for many online publications. For more information about concert halls in Jacksonville please click here and visit his site.
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