New awards show celebrates creative arts in Jacksonville

"The Artsy's" highlight poetry, live music, dance and art

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The First Annual Jacksonville Creative Arts Awards is almost here! "The Artsy's" is Jacksonville's citywide awards show celebrating excellence in poetry, soul, hip hop, live music, dance, and art!

The event will be held November 9th, 9pm at Sun Ray Cinema in the Riverside area. Organizers say the goal of The Artsy's is to bring more citywide and regional attention to the many talented artists working in NE Florida.

Organizer Taryn Wharwood says, "We kind of put our heads together and said, you know, how awesome would it be to bring recognition to the arts in Jacksonville and really show how much of a powerhouse we are."

Wharwood says an event like this is long overdue.

"The creative arts in Jacksonville is such an undergound thing," Wharwood says. "There are so many talented artists here that people just don't know about. And I feel like it was something that it was time for, for people to know that we are here."

Additionally, all profits raised from the event will be donated to charities that specialize in benefiting children through arts education.

Charities to be benefited include:
The Performers Academy of Jacksonville (www.ThePerformersAcademy.com) - "The Performers Academy (TPA) is the only facility in Jacksonville devoted to education in all types of performing arts."
The Melody & Harmony Foundation (www.MelodyAndHarmonyMusic.com) - "Melody & Harmony Music Foundation's purpose and mission is to provide all children; regardless of ability, race, creed, religion or socioeconomic background; the opportunity to excel in social and cultural development through the use of music."
Girls Rock Jacksonville (http://girlsrockjacksonville.org) - "Girls Rock Jacksonville cultivates self-empowerment and positive identity development in girls through music experimentation, DIY media, and peer collaboration."

Dove Hagan with the Melody & Harmony Foundation says, "There aren't enough positive songs out for children to latch on to. I do believe that music is therapeutic. Music is very influential. Im just incredibly honored that they chose my foundation to be a recipient."

In addition to several regional artists, four nationally touring artists are booked to perform at this year's "Soul Release Tribute". "Soul Release" was a pioneering event in Jacksonville that helped build the foundation for the poetry and soul music scene that exists today.

Booked to perform include:
Kevin Sandbloom
Georgia Me
Taalam Acey
Abyss Graham

Again, the Creative Arts Awards show is on November 9th at the Sun Ray Cinema in Riverside. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased online at Sun Ray, and the show starts at 9:00pm

The Artsy's is currently looking for businesses, donators, and media outlets to form mutually beneficial relationships with in order to ensure this event is a success for the artists and
charities involved as well as the children of our community.

For any additional information or for tickets please do not hesitate to contact Taryn C. Wharwood at (904) 701-3576 or iamlovereigns@gmail.com with any questions.