NUNSENSE
book, music and lyrics by DAN GOGGIN
directed by SHIRLEY SACKS

Nunsense, the international smash musical, centers on The Little Sisters of Hoboken who operate Mount Saint Helen’s School in Hoboken, New Jersey. The nuns face a dilemma when their cook, Sister Julia, Child of God, accidentally poisons 52 of the Sisters with tainted vichyssoise. The remaining Sisters hold a talent show fundraiser to give them a proper burial. Featured songs include “Nunsense is Habit Forming,” “So You Want to be a Nun,” “Tackle that Temptation With a Timestep” and “Holier than Thou.” (Rated PG)

Cast:

Carole V. Banks as Sister Mary Regina
Cherilyn Walker as Sister Mary Hubert
MaryBeth Antoinette as Sister Robert Anne
Amy Allen Farmer as Sister Mary Amnesia
Jessica Palombo as Sister Mary Leo

PERFORMANCE DATES

A cultural icon turned 30 years old this past weekend.  Google celebrated by changing their famous logo to an actual playable PacMan game.   There are also hundreds of fan sites that have popped up to pay homage to one of the all time great video games.  Expand this post to take part in the festivities and play a game or two of PacMan for “old time’s sake”.  If you like, you can post your high scores in the comments section.  Enjoy!

A weekend full of rain and lacking football. What’s there to do? Luckily San Marco has some great things going on this weekend. Check out the new MOSH exhibit, A-Mazing Seas. Or enjoy the last showing of Dearly Beloved at Theatre Jacksonville on Saturday, January 30th at 8:00 p.m. Adult admission to Theatre Jacksonville is $25. Live theatre not your thing, see It’s Complicated at the San Marco Theater. Show times for It’s Complicated on Saturday are 4:30 p.m., 7:10 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Sunday show times for It’s Complicated are 4:30 p.m. and 7:10 p.m. Don’t let the wet weather rain on your parade.

This Saturday, January 30, MOSH will open their A-Mazing Sea exhibit. The interactive display leads kids through an educational underwater adventure. The exhibit teaches children about underwater life and environmental issues by way of a maze. Children  must answer questions as they go through the maze. Wrong answers will lead children to a dead end.
It is a weekend of change at MOSH, not only are they opening A-Mazing Sea, but Sunday marks the last day of the Trains! exhibit which has been on display since November. MOSH is open Saturday 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. and Sunday 1:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Adult admission is $10 and kids 3-12 are $8.
For more information about MOSH, visit themosh.org.

Enjoy a delectable New Year’s Eve dinner at one of San Marco’s finest restaurants.  No need to stray far from the neighborhood. Celebrate in style and savor the amazing dishes prepared by our local chefs.

Bistro AIX is featuring some of their most popular dishes, served a la carte, not prix fixe. Especially prepared for New Year’s Eve, a few of the special items on the menu include Creamy Potato-Leek Soup with whipped truffle butter as an appetizer followed by a second course of Handmade Gnocchi in lobster cream with Maine lobster & micro greens and a third course of Montana Ranch Beef Short Rib with creamy polenta, Brussels sprouts & smoked bacon.  Of course, there will be plenty of bubbles, wine and other festive libations available from the full bar!

bb’s designed special fare for the occasion with starters such as shallot thyme baked escargots  and an array of dinner entrees that include cabernet port braised New Zealand lamb shank with creamy goat cheese polenta, haricot vert, roasted pepper relish, and citrus mint aioli.  Finish with a glass of champagne accompanied by one the bb’s decadent desserts.

Laylay’s offers authentic Mediterranean dishes of Grape Leaves served with Tabouli and Hummus; Fatoush and Lamb Kabob’s.  Enjoy an after dinner cocktail in the lounge and toast the New Year while experiencing the exotic ambiance.

Matthew’s Restaurant prepares exquisite meals that are sure to elevate the palate with their unique blend of spices.  Dishes are distinctively flavored and eloquently presented.

Tavererna presents a unique mix of authentic flavors inspired by Spanish and Italian cuisines. A variety of appetizers provide a great to start to a unique dining experience such as the Herbed ricotta, fig compote with grilled peasant breadfollowed by an entrée of Rack of Lamb, Braised Short Ribs or Duck–all stunningly plated.

The Grotto offers Tapas selections to complement their extensive wine collection. Try the Aged Beef Tenderloin over wilted spinach with marinated tomatoes; Garlic Shrimp sautéed in garlic infused olive oil served with toasted Baguett; or an Empanada filled with wild mushrooms, Prosciutto and Manchego cheese

If you miss New Year’s Eve, you have the rest of 2010 to treat yourself and your family.  To verify hours, make reservations and review full menus, check out the websites or give a call…….

BistroX –  Website: www.BistroX.com Phone: 904-398-1949

bb’s – Website: www.bbsrestaurant.com Phone: 904-306-0010

Lalay’s – Website: www.laylasatsanmarco.com Phone: 904-398-4610

Matthew’s Restaurant – Website: www.matthewsrestaurant.com Phone: 904-396-9922

Taverna – Website: www.tavernasanmarco.com Phone: 904-398-3005

The Grotto – Website: www.grottowine.com Phone: 904 -398-0726

It’s Halloween weekend with Florida-Georgia thrown in OR is it Florida-Georgia weekend with a Halloween twist? However you look at there is lots to see and do this weekend in San Marco.

Shop: for the ultimate tailgating outfit at Olive. With Florida-Georgia bracelets and dresses, Olive proves women can be stylish while supporting the home team.

Learn: Market in the Square is featuring a cooking demonstration hosted by of Tidbits. Market in the Square will be held from 9:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. on Saturday in Balis Park and the cooking demonstration will be a10:00 a.m.

Tailgate: at the world’s largest outdoor cocktail party. Right across the river from our neighborhood, Florida-Georgia at 3:30 p.m.

Trick-or-Treat: get the kids, get the costumes and go trick-or-treating. Or stay home and hand out candy to all the ghosts, cowboys, superheroes and princesses haunting the streets of San Marco.

Go Florida! Go Georgia! Happy Halloween!

Recently we were shocked to hear the Alhambra Dinner Theatre was opening again on December 1st. It seemed when the Alhambra shut its doors two months ago that dinner theater would no longer be present in Jacksonville. Then there was the confusing news that Matthew Medure would be preparing the food at the re-opened Alhambra. Matthew Medure and dinner theater. It just doesn’t seem to fit. The food will be prepared at one of Medure’s restaurants and brought to the Alhambra. Food will be modeled after the dishes served at Medure’s San Marco hot spot, TAG. Matthew Medure headlining the Alhambra. Sounds like an interesting pairing.

Due to previously scheduled activities in San Marco, the Market in the Square will return next weekend.  Next week Stanton Drama Club will perform at 10:00 under the gazebo.

San Marco Church Hosts ‘Family Friendly’ Pre-Halloween Treat

No ghouls, ghosts or goblins will be allowed in the audience while Arthur Atsma performs dazzling slight of hand tricks, fire eating feats and all kinds of magical, musical entertainment on October 24 & 25 at the Theatre Jacksonville in San Marco at 7pm. Hosted by Southside Baptist Church, the community is invited to join in the fun.

“It is exciting for us invite the community to see this award-winning entertainer,” Pastor Gary Webber said. “Whether you’re nine-years-old or ninety, everyone will enjoy Arthur Atsma’s fast paced slight of hand and clean comedy.”

Entertaining audiences across America since 1985, Atsma has served on the staff at Silverton Hospital in Oregon as the “Laughter Magic Therapist” who with his magic and comedy helped patients cope with trauma, pain and suffering. He also has performed for several years at The Beaver Creek Children’s Theatre in Vail, Colo. With hundreds of performances each year, he won the J.C. Doty Stage Competition in 2007 and Atlanta Close-Up Magician Award in 2006. Atsma has performed in schools and at corporate settings as an educator and motivational speaker, according to his website at www.atsmagic.com.

Tickets can be purchased for $5 per person at Southside Baptist Church at 1435 Atlantic Blvd. from Monday-Thursday 9am-4pm or the evenings of the performances at the Theatre Jacksonville located at 2032 San Marco Blvd.

For more information visit www.ssbc.org or call the church office Monday-Thursday from 9am-5pm at 904-396-6633.

San Marco Preservation Society has just announced the date for the Fall Concert in the Park. Friday, October 2nd  PiliPili will bring reggae beats to Fletcher Park. The Fall Concert is the place to be to meet up with neighbors and catch-up. Blankets and picnics cover the Park, kids run through the park dancing and laughing, and the bands always rock. The concert is free for the public. San Marco Preservation Society is selling tables for $100 or $90 for San Marco Preservation Society members. Contact Diane Martin at  614.7814 to reserve your table.

Chefs For a Night will be catering so you can pack a picnic or buy one at the Park.