Things to Do This Week: Mar 1, 2010

March 1 - March 14, 2010 Spring is in the air...

It's that time of year again... The Riverside Arts Market is back! Join the festivities as everyone's favorite Saturday Market kicks off their second year with a host of amazing vendors and events! Celebrate the opening by participating in Riverwalk to RAM, sponsored by the Jacksonville Orthopaedic Center. Riverside Avenue under I-95| Mar 6 | 10:00 a.m.

It's finally time to pound the pavement if you've been training for the Gate River Run! America's biggest 15k kicks off with a charity 5k at 8:15 a.m., followed by the main event at 8:25 a.m. Not a runner? Bring the family and cheer, or come out for the Expo and do some shopping! Gate River Run Expo | Jacksonville Fairgrounds | Mar 11-Mar13 Gate River Run | Gator Bowl Blvd. | Mar 13

Produced by Downtown Vision, Inc., March's First Wednesday Art Walk is all about Rock 'n' Roll! Explore new venues while enjoying Elvis impersonators, "Rock-n-Prom," 19+ live music hot spots, and 12+ locations stay open after 9:00 p.m. for those who aren't ready for the night to end! Hemming Plaza and various locations | Mar 3 | 5:00 p.m.

Want a reward for starting that spring cleaning?

With close to five hundred companies in the home improvement industry under one roof, you’ll save time and money when you visit the Home & Patio Show. Learn tips from the pros at the educational seminars happening all four days. Being informed is the only way to be when it comes to improving your space. Prime F. Osborn III Convention Center | Mar 4-7

If curling up with a good book is more up your alley, come out to the Friends of the Public Library Book Sale. Three days and thousands of square feet full of jaw-dropping deals on books will appeal to any fan of the written word. Proceeds benefit the local library system. Jacksonville Fairgrounds Expo Center | Mar 4-7

Find fun for the whole family with Playhouse Disney Live - Rockin' Road Show. Sing along to cool songs, jump out of your seat to dance to the beat and laugh out loud with Buzz and Woody from Toy Story, Cinderella, Tigger, and more of your Disney friends at this show-stopping, on-stage adventure! Times Union Center for the Performing Arts | Mar 13 | 7:00 p.m.

Kick up Your Heels

MOCA continues its celebration of Marilyn Monroe with the Mad About Marilyn Soirée. This Hollywood-style party will feature diamond-laced cocktails, live music, dancing and late-night tours of the Marilyn exhibition. Dance the night away at MOCA! MOCA | Mar 13 | 8:00 p.m.

Congratulate yourself on a job well done at the 2nd Thursday Downtown Happy Hour. Held at a different location every month, this Happy Hour will feature one of Downtown's newest -- and hottest-- venues, Lit. Check out this new location and unwind at the end of a long day with Downtown's movers and shakers. Lit| Mar 11 | 5:00 p.m.

This unique and important exhibition shines a light on many of the Jacksonville area's "undiscovered" visual artists. Art After Dark is a great chance to add to your home or office art collection. The evening also includes a silent auction. Florida Theatre | Mar 5 | 7:00 p.m.

Florida Bank, in partnership with the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce Downtown Council, invites you to attend "The Downtown Business Mixer" and enjoy refreshments and cocktails! The Florida Bank | Mar 3 | 4:30 p.m.

Culture and the Arts

Canstruction is a design/build competition showcasing the talents of design and construction industry professionals and students they mentor. With months of planning and only 12 hours for the final execution, contestants build sculptures out of cans and packaged food. The super-sized masterpieces are judged in a variety of categories as these unconventional art exhibits are opened to the public. The cost of admission: just one can of food. All cans and proceeds are donated to the local food bank, Second Harvest. Main Library | Mar 1-8

Through Our Eyes is Jacksonville’s longest running annual exhibit featuring new works by local African-American artists. This year’s theme was designed to provide an opportunity for established artists with a history of exhibition experience to mentor emerging artists and assist them through the process of producing work for this year’s show. The Ritz Theatre & LaVilla Museum| Mar 2 | 10:00 a.m.

Enjoy a night of Old World Italy with Paganini’s Violin Concerto No. 1 featuring Stephanie Jeong, who captured the highest award at the 2008 Paganini Competition. Fabio Mechetti and the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra highlight the Italian inspirations of Rossini and Puccini, as well as Respighi’s Ancient Airs and Dances. Jacoby Symphony Hall | Mar 12 | 7:30 p.m.

Grab a coworker (or your whole company) and come to AAF Jacksonville’s second annual Media Auction - Advertising is Art! Bid on everything from graphic design to television time — all at a fraction of the value. Save big on print ads, media buys and other advertising opportunities while enjoying endless refreshments, light hors d’oeuvres, entertainment and a real auctioneer! Florida Theatre | Mar 3 | 6:00 p.m.

More Downtown

Mingle with local “celebrities” as they serve up their favorite recipes, from appetizers to desserts at the 24th Annual Celebrity Chefs Tasting and Silent Auction. Place your winning bids in the exciting Silent Auction, which includes artwork, jewelry, dinners, spa treatments, sports memorabilia, weekend getaways, rounds of golf, & more. This important event raises thousands each year for local Salvation Army projects, and all proceeds stay in Northeast Florida. Prime F. Osborn III Convention Center | Mar 11 | 10:30 a.m.

Faculty from the University of North Florida’s Department of Art & Design they provide greater learning for art and art appreciation at MOCA. This month enjoy Frankenthaler: Essence Mulberry with Scott Brown PH. D. MOCA | Mar 3 | 10:30 a.m.

Enjoy the theatrics, tricks and wonder of Mark Nizer - 3d! as he amazes and entertains. Florida Theatre | Mar 13 | 7:30 p.m.

With their fifth album, Save Me San Francisco, Train has channeled their early days, revisiting the roots rock sound that has made the band such a tour de force – and, in turn, the band is united stronger than ever before. Florida Theatre | Mar 8 | 8:00 p.m.

Help run cancer outta town and support cancer research and children’s cancer programs at the Grand Ole Cowford Ball. Join "Cowboys and Cowgirls" at the Jacksonville Fairgrounds for rowdy dancing, gaming at the saloon, cowboy songs, boisterous bidding at the auction house, and gourmet cowboy fare. This is the largest single fundraising event for the Duval County American Cancer Society. Buy a ticket and become a "pardner" in running cancer outta town! For ticketing and additional information, please contact Therese Yanochik or call 904-391-3613. Jacksonville Fairgrounds Expo Center | Mar 20 | 6:30 p.m.

Book Signing with Jane Wood MOSH | Mar 6 | 10:00 a.m.

The River Luncheon Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Waterfront | Mar 3 | 12:00 p.m.

Spoken Word Ritz Theatre & LaVilla Museum | Mar 4 | 7:30 p.m.

Downtown Jacksonville: Things to Do

Things to Do This Week: Mar 1, 2010