What's happening in our area this week

Wednesday
Music by the Sea
You can enjoy Music by the Sea at the St. Augustine Pier on Wednesday. Bush Doctors will perform beginning at 7 p.m. This is a family-friendly event so bring your cooler and your beach chairs. For a list of future performers, go to www.thecivicassociation.org.

Annual Poetry Jam
Aspiring poets can share spoken word at the Annual Poetry Jam at the Main Library on Wednesday. All ages are welcome to participate.  It will begin at 6 p.m. in the Hicks Auditorium. Registration will take place at 5:30 p.m. For more information, go to www.jaxpubliclibrary.org.

Thursday

Piccadilly Circus
Your family can enjoy a day at the circus.  Piccadilly Circus rolls into town on Thursday. It will be held at the UNF arena. Come see the “Elephant Extravaganza”, “Motorcycle Madness” and “My Little Pony on Parade.” There will be two shows: 4:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Tickets start at $8. For more information and to purchase tickets, go to www.thefuncircus.com.

Art & Winefest 2012
Combine art, food, wine and entertainment for a great cause. Art and Winefest 2012 will be held Thursday at the Hyatt Regency Riverfront Ballroom. You can sample wines from all around the world, food from the area’s finest restaurants and desserts. Proceeds will benefit Baptist Health’s Childrens hospital. This event is sponsored by the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers ,Local Union 177. This event begins at 6 p.m.

Concerts in the Plaza
Families can listen to some music at the Plaza de la Constitucion during the Concerts in the Plaza each Thursday. This week’s guest: The Company. The concerts are free and begin at 7 p.m. For a list of other performers throughout the summer, go to www.plazaconcerts.com.

Dine With Us Downtown
Take part in this week’s Dine with Us Downtown. It will be held at Olio. Tickets cost $25 and that includes dinner, a presentation on the downtown marketing, and a celebration of downtown dining. This event begins at 5:30 p.m.

Amateur Night
Here’s your chance to show off your talent and become a game show host. The Ritz Theatre and Lavilla Museum will present Ritz Amateur Night Host Search Auditions. Three finalists will advance to the next round. Stand up comedy and event hosting experience is helpful but not necessary. This event begins at 5 p.m. Pre-registration is required. For more information, go to www.ritzjacksonville.com.

A Day in the Life of a Buffalo Soldier
Veteran actor Wayne De Hart presents a re-enactment of the life and times of a Buffalo Soldier. He will share their experiences of duty, adversity and victories at the Main Library beginning Thursday. His special presentation will run through Sunday. This program complements the Buffalo Soldiers exhibit located on the Fourth floor of the Main Library. For more information, go to www.jpl.coj.net.

Jacksonville Suns vs. Tennessee Smokies
The hometown baseball team will take on the Tennessee Smokies at the Baseball Grounds this week. The games run through Saturday. For game times and tickets, go to www.jaxsuns.com.

Veterans Careers Fair and Diversity Job Expo
Job seekers can meet with more than 30 human resource managers on Thursday. They are hiring for more than 600 positions. The job expo will be held at the Prime Osborn Convention Center beginning at 10 a.m. All candidates must apply online at www.employmentseeker.net and complete and online pre-registration form

Free Family Movie Days
Trinity Baptist Church will host a free Family Movie Day for kids and families this summer. Thursday’s movie will be “Ramona and Beezus” It begins at the 10 a.m. in the E Theatre at 880 Hammond Boulevard.

Friday

Neighborhood Lift
You are invited to a free event to learn more about home ownership and neighborhood stability. Neighborhood LIFT offers payment assistance from nonprofit groups for qualified buyers and financial advice. This event begins on Friday and runs through Saturday at the Prime Osborn Convention Center. It begins at 10 a.m. and lasts until 7 p.m. You can learn more about the program at www.neighborhoodlift.org or call 866-858-2151. Pre-registration is encouraged, but walk-ins are welcome.

Brad Paisley
Tickets go on sale Friday for the Brad Paisley Virtual Reality World Tour 2012. He will perform at the Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena on Thursday, September 27. Special guests will include The Band Perry and Scotty McCreery. Tickets can be purchased at livenation.com, all Ticketmaster outlets, and the Arena Box office or by phone at 800-745-3000.

Community Viewing of Olympics Opening Ceremony
The Yates Family YMCA in Riverside is inviting everyone to a 2012 Olympics celebration on Friday. Families and friends can take part in the Y’s version of the games and then watch the broadcast of the opening ceremony. Festivities begin at 6:30 p.m.

The Dukes of September
Come out to see the Donald Fagen, Michael McDonald and Boz Scaggs perform Friday at the St. Augustine Amphitheatre. Gates open at 6:30pm, the show begins at 8 p.m. You can purchase tickets at www.staugaphittheatre.com.

Night Feeding
You can see all the animals at the Catty Shack Ranch Wildlife Sanctuary during night feeding on Friday. Come out and enjoy the tigers, lions, cougars, and other animals beginning at 6 p.m. No reservation is necessary. Admission is $15 for adults, children 3-11 $10, 2 and under free. The feeding begins at 7:30 p.m.; that’s when 450 pounds of meat will be distributed throughout the sanctuary.

Football Camp
Former Dallas Cowboy, Super Bowl Champion, Running Back Dominique Ross and the Miciah Deleston Foundation for Families will host its first annual football camp beginning Friday. It will be held at the Trinity Christian Academy on Hammond Boulevard. The camp will teach the participants the fundamental principles to become a better football player. The camp is free and open to the public. You can register by calling  904-405-0546. The camp begins at 8:30 a.m. and runs through Saturday.

Film Series at Ponte Vedra Hall
WJCT’s Electro Lounge will wrap up its four week Friday night film series this week. This week’s movie is “Blade Runner.”  The movie features Harrison Ford, Rutger Hauer and Sean Young.  Before the movie, there will be an open Sci-fi/Comic Exhibit. Bring your memorabilia to the Concert Hall for free admission to the film. The doors open at 6:30 p.m. and movie starts an hour later. A $5 admission fee will be collected at the door.

Saturday:
First Coast Games
More than 20 companies will take on each other during the YMCA’s First Coast Games on Saturday. The opening ceremony will be held at the Dupont Family YMCA campus on Old Kings Road South beginning at 9 a.m. This family fun day will feature events like hula-hoop relay, water balloon toss and tug of war. For a list of events and locations, go to www.firstcoastYMCA.org/fcg.

Jacksonville Sharks vs. Georgia Force
The Jacksonville Sharks will begin its playoff run on Saturday against the Georgia Force. Make your plans to come out wearing your favorite Sharks gear on Saturday at the Veterans Memorial Arena. Game begins at 7 p.m.

Riverside Arts Market
See the latest in art and find fresh fruit and vegetable at the Riverside Arts Market. It is open each Saturday under the Fuller Warren Bridge from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For a list of entertainment, go to www.riversideartsmarket.com.

Great Pirate Party
Pirates invade downtown Jacksonville on Saturday for the Great Pirate Party. Eleven bars will participate in the event including 1904, Burrito Gallery, Burro Bar, ClubTSIDiscotheque, Dive Bar, Dos Gatos, LIT Downtown, Mark’s Downtown, Maverick’s Rock N’Honky Tonk, Northstar “The Pizza Bar and Underbelly. There will be live music, special drink menus and plenty of pirates. Festivities begin at 6 p.m.

Eddie Griffin
Get ready for a laugh on Saturday night. Comedian Eddie Griffin will perform at the Times-Union Center. The show begins at 8 p.m.

Tom Sawyer Pet Adoption
North Florida Animal Rescue will host its first Tom Sawyer Pet Adoption on Saturday. It will begin at 10 a.m. and go until 2 p.m. and it is free. The facility is located at 16800 County Road 137 in Wellborn. For this event, you can adopt a cat or kitten for $15 and $25. All animals have been vetted for disease, up to date on shots, spayed or neutered and micro-chipped. In addition to the pet adoption, there will be food vendors on hand and a pet parade. Pets brought on the premises must be up to date on vaccinations and on a leash.

Vestcor 5K Bridges Run
The Vestcor 5K Run and Block Party will be held Saturday at Hemming Plaza in downtown Jacksonville. The 5K begins at 7:30 p.m. To register for the race, go to www.1stplacesports.com.

Mandarin Mini-Con
Learn more about the role of women in the comic industry Saturday at the Mandarin Regional Library on Kori Road. It is a day-long event designed for teenagers, packed with activities including drawing contests, short films and more. It begins at 10 a.m.

“The Next Generation in Visual Fine Arts, Let’s Come Together”
The I-Live Center of the Arts in St. Marys, Georgia will hold a “The Next Generation in Visual Fine Arts, Let’s Come Together” on Saturday. This event gives people in the area a chance to learn about the center and bring people together for the arts. This free event will include special presentations and performances from the Center’s staff and dance performance team, food and games. This event begins at 10 a.m. and last until 5 p.m.

The Amazing Kreskin Performs
The world’s famous mentalist, The Amazing Kreskin will perform at the Florida Theatre on Saturday. Kreskin promises to find his hidden check somewhere in the theater during the show or he will forfeit his fee. The show begins at 7 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at 904-355-2787 or www.floridatheatre.com.

Dozing with the Dinos
Spend the night in Mosh’s summer exhibit, A T.Rex Named Sue. You can sleep under the 42-foot long skeleton of Sue. It will cost $40 per child, $40 per adult and the price includes a late night pizza snack and donut breakfast. Members receive a $5 per person discount. This event begins at 6:30p.m. on Saturday and ends at 7:30 a.m. on Sunday. Register online at www.themosh.org or call 904-396-6674 ext. 226.

Aquapalooza Extravaganza
Join all kinds of watercraft for the Aquapalooza on the water event and concert. It will be held at the Fort George Island on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. This event is all about boating, great music, and fun. It is held every year at the end of July. It is free but boaters are encouraged to register at www.aquapalooza.com or at www.marinemax.com.

Job Fair
Performance Painting is hosting a job fair on Saturday at their offices. Their offices are located at 3653 Regent Boulevard. Applicants will have to take an aptitude test and bring their identification, past work history, and professional references. The job fair begins at 9 and last until noon.

Family Cookout with the Jacksonville Suns
The community is invited to a family cookout at Winn-Dixie on Saturday. It will be held at the store on Roosevelt Boulevard. Members of the Jacksonville Suns will be there, Sunbeam cheerleaders and Sun Team mascot Southpaw. Attendees will receive autographs, win tickets to Suns game and enjoy food. This free event begins at 11 a.m. and last until 1 p.m.

Sunday
Summer Movie Classic
The Florida Theatre will continue its Summer Movie Series with “The Philadelphia Story.” It begins at 2 p.m. Tickets are 7.50 each or $45 for a movie card which will get you ten admissions. For more information, go to www.floridatheatre.com.

Riverside Park Clean Up Day
RAP180 is co-organizing a cleanup day on Sunday. The group will meet in the Duck Pond Area around 10 a.m. Bring your gloves and report to Tina Parke for directions and trash bags.

Forum for Male Caregivers

St. Catherine's Catholic Church in Orange Park will host a Men's Caregivers' Forum on Sunday. It is a chance for men to talk and a chance to learn they are not alone. The moderator of the forum is Mr. Jerry Hank, the co-author of "Tears of Joy and four time cancer caregiver. The forum begins at 7:30 p.m. and will last for a hour. It will be in Rooney Hall. For more information, call 904-264-0577.