Jacksonville Jazz Festival 2012

[TheCat]

Images from this afternoon. Despite the sun there was a healthy turn out. A very laid back atmosphere with five stages to enjoy. Did anybody visit this afternoon?

Calendar of Entertainment:


Map of Festival - 5 stages to choose from


At Hemming Plaza - Groovin' Stage


At the Main Stage - Breezin' Stage


Closed Streets, preparing for lots of pedestrians:


These Guys! Located outside of Snyder Memorial Church -  "House of Jazz."

[stephendare]

One of the many food vendors preps chicken kebabs at the festival!


Spirited games of Chess in Hemming Plaza for the JazzFest


In the background customers decide whether or not to purchase food


Inside the Snyder Memorial Church a gallery of Jacksonville Jazz hall of famers has been assembled.


Three of Jacksonville's brightest luminaries:  Frances Bradley, Volume Burks, and Ok'Sun Burks outside the Florida Theatre.


The Fountain in Hemming Park, looking the way it should year round


The deluxe model of portable chair:  The vehicle of choice for JazzFest pilgrims


Two little boys fresh from taking a dip in the Hemming Park Fountain Pools


The Jazz Sculptures outside of the Snyder Memorial

[TheCat]

More Incredible Food. These images are from this afternoon. Tonight...there will be more.



Crab Boil


Crepes


Crab Cakes


Seafood, includes fried lobster tail


The Sign Does Say "oxtails." A personal favorite.

[TheCat]

[thelakelander]

That crab boil looks pretty good.

[thelakelander]

Are the benches, trees, and regulars in Hemming a problem today?

[stephendare]

Are the benches, trees, and regulars in Hemming a problem today?

They are all still there in larger numbers than usual, but no one cares at all

[TheCat]

Are the benches, trees, and regulars in Hemming a problem today?

The fountains were the real issue, today. At any moment, I figured, some kind of official would walk by and ask them to stop enjoying the park.

[TheCat]

Performer and etc. Images:

[gsb]

Had a great time today and yesterday.  Looking forward to a number of the scheduled acts tomorrow as well.  The turnout has been looking good to me and kind of puts the lie to the notion that "no one will go to downtown".   It's quite obvious they will if they have something to go downtown for.

Incidentally, I have to admit I hadn't been to Hemming Plaza since I used to work in the Ed Ball building (I left for employment on the Southside shortly after the Robert Meyer was demolished and they had just started on foundation work for the courthouse, and generally spend my time around the Florida Theater/Northstar Substation area when I do go Downtown these days).  I was quite impressed.  I know people tend to get down about the progress of Downtown, but it was an interesting mental snapshot between then and now, and it is definitely noticeably improved in the intervening period.  Hopefully the city won't muck up a good thing -- taking those beautiful oaks out would be a crime.  Now if something great could just happen with the Laura Street Trio...

[Keith-N-Jax]

Nice pics, food looks delicious, yum!!!