By Madelene Skinner, Contributing Writer
Jacksonville’s got talent – and there’s a local music competition ready to showcase it again this fall.
Registration is underway for the third-annual Friday Night Live Music Festival – back and better than ever at The Jacksonville Landing this September and October. For year three, Jasmine Rhey and I (Madelene of MadFab Media), are bringing five nights of even more entertainment, celebrating music, arts and culture – everything that makes Downtown Jacksonville fabulous.
FNL will take place this year in The Landing’s courtyard every Friday from Sept. 4 through Oct. 2, 8 p.m. – 1 a.m. This FREE event has created a family-friendly atmosphere in Jacksonville’s Downtown for five consecutive Friday’s each fall since 2013.
The main feature of this weekly event is its music competition for Northeast Florida’s most talented bands, singers and musicians, who will battle it out for $1,000 in prize money, recording time at EnnEcho Studios and a feature on First Coast Living. Registration is still open for bands that are interested in being a part of the music lineup. From jazz to pop, from rock to country, all genres are welcome! The winner is decided by audience and judges votes.
2013 finalists included De Lions of Jah (winner), DeSean Kirkland Band, Raquel Cabrera Band, Leelynn Osborn and The Crescendo Amelia Big Band. 2014 finalists included Cloud9 Vibes (winner), Palm Trees and Power Lines, The Mars Hill Band and The Chris Williams Band. You could be next to take home the title of FNL’s hottest band! Interested bands can register here.
In addition to the music competition, the festival will include Urban Arts Live, a live art session and display from amazing local artists, and Friday Night Live Gives Back, a silent auction benefiting the JT Townsend Foundation. There will also be a variety of “street acts,” including fire performances, pole-dance fitness and dance groups filling The Landing courtyard.
Urban Arts Live will represent the cultural and artistic diversity of our local arts community, featuring art displays sharing the full spectrum medium types, from paint to sculpture and beyond. If you are interested in being a featured artist for Urban Arts Live on a Friday this fall, email info@fnlmusicfestival.com.
Above all, Jasmine and I aim to contribute to community revitalization by planning and holding this event in the heart of Downtown, supporting local musicians, artists, businesses and the community at large. It is truly an honor to serve the community with our passion to inspire generations to come! To learn more about MadFab Media, visit madfab-media.com and jasminerhey.com.
For more information on the upcoming Friday Night Live Music Festival, sponsored by Jacksonville Fiat, visit FNLMusicFestival.com, featuring band registration, further event info and more. You can also find us on Facebook as well as on Instagram and Twitter @fnljax. We can’t wait to once again showcase your amazing talents, Jacksonville!