What's happening in our area this week

Wednesday:

The Civil Wars

You can hear the music of The Civil Wars on Wednesday. The duo will be performing at the Florida Theatre beginning at 8 p.m. For ticket information, call 904-355-2787 or visit www.floridatheatre.com.

“A HandHeld For a Handheld”

Bring in your old cell phone and receive a free Beef Wrap at Pollo Tropical. The one-day campaign called “A Handheld for a Handheld” will be held on Wednesday. Pollo Tropical is hoping to collect 2,000 cell phones. The phones will benefit Women in Distress. There is no limit on the number of phones a customer can donate or the number of wraps they can receive.  For more information, go to www.pollotropical.com.

“Wall of Hope”

Reddi-Arts and Gallery will host the January/February show “Wall of Hope” with conjunction with the University of Florida Proton Therapy Institute. The show will feature artwork by cancer patients, their families, friends and staff. The opening reception will be held Wednesday beginning at 6 p.m. Reddi-Arts is located at 1037 Hendricks Avenue.

Thursday:

Job Fair

Mike Shad Nissan of Orange Park will host a job fair on Thursday. The automotive dealership is looking for qualified people to join the sales team. The job fair begins at 10 a.m. on Blanding Boulevard. No appointment necessary. For more information, call 904-269-9400.

Most Photogenic Baby Contest
Jacksonville's most photogenic Baby Contest kicks off this week at the Orange Park Mall. A commercial photographer will be at the mall shooting babies (infant through age 5). Parents can enter by bringing their baby for a professional modeling photo shoot. Thursday's hours are from 10 a.m. To 7 p.m. Sunday's hours are from noon to 5 p.m. For more information, go to www.photogenicbaby.com.

Friday:

Winter Jam 2013

You can see Grammy-winning, multi-platinum recording artist TobyMac during the Winter Jam 2013 on Friday. It will be held at the Veterans Memorial Arena beginning at 7 p.m. The 44-city tour includes RED, Matthew West, and others. For more information, call 904-630-3900.

The Passion of Brahms

The Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra will present the Passion of Brahms beginning Friday. It will be held at the Robert E. Jacoby Symphony Hall at the Times-Union Center. Single tickets begin at $25. To purchase tickets, call 904-354-5547 or www.jaxysmphony.org.

The Wood Brothers

The Wood Brothers will return to the First Coast on Friday for a concert at the Ponte Vedra Concert Hall. The Wood Brothers are from Colorado. Their first album was released in 2006. Doors open for the concert at 7 p.m. The show begins at 8 p.m. Tickets are $20 in advance and $22 day of the show.

“Venus in Fur”

The Hipp in Gainesville will start the New Year off with a bang. “Venus in Fur” was the most acclaimed Broadway play of the season and critics say it is a non-stop roller coaster ride of sultry suspense that will fascinate, enthrall and captivate you. It opens Friday. Showtimes are Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 7 p.m., Thursdays and Fridays at 8 p.m., Saturdays at 5 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.  Tickets are on sale at 352-375-4477 or thehipp.org.

Saturday:

“Cinderella”

It has been called the production “full of enchantment.” You can see the State Ballet of Theatre of Russia perform “Cinderella” on Saturday. There will only be one performance at the Times Union Moran Theater beginning at 8 p.m. Tickets range from $42 to $82. You can purchase tickets online at www.artistseriesjax.org.

5K Healthy Fit and Smart Family Run

Local families can take part in the 5K Healthy fit and Smart Family Run on Saturday. There will be a 5K run at 10 a.m., followed by a one-mile fun run at 11 a.m. at the Jacksonville Landing. This event is open to all runners and walkers. Organizers say the purpose of this event is to bring attention to the importance of a healthy, fit and smart lifestyle for families. A portion of the proceeds will support the Florida Sickle Cell Foundation and the Kappa Alpha Psi Foundation. A registration fee for the one mile run is $12, fees for the 5K range from $20 to $ 30. You can register at 1^st Place Sports stores.

Second Saturday Artrageous Art Walk

Art lovers in Amelia Island can see the work of local artists during the Second Saturday Artrageous Art Walk on Saturday. The event is free to the public. It begins at 8:30 p.m. on the second Saturday of every month.

Fall Photography Workshop

Join award-winning nature photographer and instructor John Reed for a photography workshop and try out your new skills. The workshop will focus on winter sights and digital cameras basics.  Check-in and light refreshments will begin at 8:30 a.m. at the refuge’s Environmental Education classroom. Classic size is limited to 30. Pre-registration is required. To register, call 912-496-7836. The workshop will be held on Saturday and Sunday.

Marcia Ball & Her Band

Singer/Pianist Marcia Ball knows how to raise the roof and you can see her in concert on Saturday at the Ponte Vedra Concert Hall. Doors open at 7 p.m. and the show opens at 8 p.m. Tickets are $50 for the first six rows, $40 for all other rows. You can purchase tickets at the box office or at www.pvconcerthall.com.

Peter Max Exhibit

You can see the impressive collection by artist legend Peter Max. Max will be unveiling his new Masters series at the Avondale Artworks on St. John’s Avenue. There will be an exhibit preview on Saturday and the exhibition runs through Sunday, January 20^th. Peter Max will be making two special appearances at the art Gallery on Saturday, January 19 from 6-9pm, and Sunday January 20^th from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, call 907-384-8797 or www.avondaleartworks.com.

Tie the Knot

You know how the tie a knot on your shoes. Do you know how to untangle the history of knots or how to tie a basic knot? You can learn more about knot tying on Saturday at Fort George Island Cultural State Park beginning at 2 p.m. The program is free.

Historic Tour and Scavenger Hunt

The City of Bunnell will kick its Centennial Celebration with a historic tour and scavenger hunt on Saturday. It will begin at 2 p.m. at the Old Flagler County Courthouse and pass through several historic landmarks. Registration for the Scavenger hunt begins at 1:30 p.m. at the Coquina City Hall and the official start time is 2:30 p.m. You will need a vehicle and comfortable shoes. You will also need a smartphone to help you. For more information, call 386-437-7425.

Jacksonville Fencing Club

The Jacksonville Fencing Club will host the 10^th annual River City Duel Til You Drop Tournament on Saturday. The fencing club is open to everyone who is interested in fencing. The tournament will be held at the Jacksonville Fairgrounds. Bouts start at 9 a.m. and will continue throughout the day. Admission is free.  For more information, call 904-579-6858 or www.jaxfencingclub.org.

Super Community Collection Day

The St. Johns County Solid Waste Management Department will host a Super Community Collection Day on Saturday.  It will be held at Bartram Trail High School beginnings at 8 a.m. County Residents are encouraged to bring household hazardous waste and obsolete electronics for disposal. You can also bring up to ten tires per house for disposal for free. For more information, call 904-827-6980.

Farmer's Riverside Arts Market
Pick up some fresh veggies on Saturday. Riverside Arts Market artists and entertainers are taking a break, but farmers and growers will be on the site every Saturday through February 23. You can catch the farmers there between 10 a.m. To 1 p.m.

Lego Competition
Local kids can participate in a Lego Competition this weekend at MOSH. Kindergarteners through 9th graders are battling it out in a Lego building competition. It will take place Saturday at MOSH. For more information, go to www.themosh.org.

Movie Madness
Children and adults can enjoy a movie at the library on Saturday. Families can see "hugo" at the Main Library beginning at 4 p.m. The movie is about an orphan seeking answers and adventure in Paris in the 1930s.

"Walk For Freedom"
The Haitian Culture Club of the University of North Florida wants to bring light to the issue of human trafficking. There will be a Human trafficking Awareness Walk on Saturday at UNF.  The walk will begin at the University of North Florida Student Union Plaza beginning at 10 a.m.

"Haiti Shall Rise Again"
The Haitian American Association in for Advancement invites you to a Unity Gathering On Saturday. It will be held at Bethel Haitian Baptist Church at 422 Luray Street from 6:30 p.m. This gathering is in remembrance of all of those who died or lost loved ones in the 2010 earthquake.

Author Shannon Greenland
The Southeast Branch Library of the St. Johns County public Library system invites teenagers to a special Teen Coffeehouse featuring author Shannon Greenland. It will be held on Saturday beginning at 2 p.m.  at the branch located at 6670 U.S. 1 South in St. Augustine. Greenland's work includes "The Summer My Life Began" and "descent Into Danger." Greenland will have copies of her work for sale and a portion of the proceeds will be donated to Friends of the Library for funding of future library events. For more information, call 904-827-6900.

Sunday:

Cover the Town with Sound

You can enjoy a free concert by the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra on Sunday. The Cover the Town with Sound concert will feature small groups of Jacksonville Symphony musicians performing in venues throughout the area. Admission is free for the concerts, which begin at 6:30 p.m.

Bridal and Wedding Expo

You can see the latest trends in weddings at the Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park. This special event will be held on Sunday beginning at 1 p.m. in the Grande Hall. You can see the latest in gowns, bride maid’s dresses, flowers and wedding cakes. For more information, go to www.musicliveshere.com.

Monday:
Book Release
Local author and teacher Vincent Taylor will release his fourth book in the Cornbread Series on Monday. It is called Cornbread and the Stolen Diamond Watch. He will hold a book release party on Monday at the Orange Park Skate Station beginning at 6 p.m. The first 100 elementary students to enter the skating rink will receive a free book and T-shirt. Admission is $5. For more information, go to www.CornbreadSeries.com.