Ponte Vedra Concert Hall
- On February 22, 2013
- By Allie O.
- In Attractions
1
If you’ve been driving into Jacksonville for big concerts, please let me convince you there is another way!! Last Sunday, my hubby & I enjoyed a date night- dinner at Harry’s then our first concert at Ponte Vedra Concert Hall. Let me tell you why it was so amazing…
Ponte Vedra Concert Hall is N of St. Augustine, S of Ponte Vedra and just a mile from Micklers Beach!
First, parking was a breeze ($5). We arrived almost an hour early, so there was no line at all. We walked across the grassy parking area toward the entrance… and walked right in. Did I mention there were no lines? When is the last time you went anywhere downtown without experiencing some sort of headache (parking, traffic, long wait)?! We didn’t even have our tickets yet, but we were directed to the window and helped without any problems! Easy, breezy!
Protip: There’s a minimum purchase with credit card, so bring cash to eat and drink with!
A full bar (or three) is stocked and caterers sold food the night we visited.
Ponte Vedra Concert Hall was built as a church, not a public venue. Consequently, “social spaces” aren’t as open as I would have liked but everyone was friendly and many mixed & visited & made new friends- again, it was a very comfortable, friendly atmosphere. Seats were close together, so some concert-goers chose to stand along the sides or back wall.
Artists' merchandise is available before, during & after the show.
We arrived when there were only 3 people seated. Seating varies depending on the event- from general admission to ticketed seats (what we experienced) to standing room only for a dance-type atmosphere.
As the concert drew near, the hall filled to capacity! A nearby attendant mentioned this was the largest crowd he’d seen of the shows he worked! I believe most of the staff are volunteers- which makes for a very friendly bunch. We did feel they could have been a little better with directing as opposed to waiting until asked/correcting after something was done “wrong” {ie: using wrong door but no info was posted to advise not to use}. They were always friendly… but when in doubt, you’d better ask!
The hall is large for a small venue... very small for a large venue... and just right for this gal!
I loved how intimate the space felt. We weren’t miles back or up in the nosebleed seats (even though we were on the next-to-last row). Next time I will purchase closer seats, though. Since the floor isn’t graded, I was trying to peer over & around a few hundred heads the whole show…
Carolina Chocolate Drops were so much fun live!
But the sound filled the space beautifully! The acoustics of a well-built church are hard to beat! Read more about the Carolina Chocolate Drops here. You’ve missed their amazing blend of folk and traditional get-back-to-your-roots music, but PVCH has plenty of other great shows lined up!! Check out what’s coming our way next:
Ponte Vedra Concert Hall
1050 A1A North
Ponte Vedra Beach, FL
p.s. I forgot to mention the bathrooms. No lines! There were plenty of stalls and the restroom was very, very clean. That matters to some people {ahem- me} so I thought I’d share.
Picasso Comes to St. Augustine
- On February 17, 2013
- By Allie O.
- In Attractions
- 6
You know Pablo Picasso as an artist. After my time with him at the St. Augustine Visitor’s Center, I know him as a painter, sculptor, revolutionary, father, author and a ladies’ man! Make time for Picasso: Art & Arena while the exhibit is here in St. Augustine, Florida and become acquainted with Picasso in this historic, intimate setting.
Image property of c2013 Estate of Pablo Picasso / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York
Of course I didn’t actually meet Pablo Picasso. Born in 1881 in Malaga, Spain, Picasso painted through the turbulent 1900s until his death in France in 1973. Through my time in the St. Augustine exhibit, however, I watched him paint in a Belgian film by Paul Haesaert and saw this genius at work. Exploring a timeline of his life, I learned he had long-term relationships with 5 women and had a child younger than a grandchild! Of course I knew there must be more to this man than I was taught in school… but I never expected to learn so much from one small exhibit!
Image property of c2013 Estate of Pablo Picasso / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York
The exhibit is arranged as a Plaza del Torros- a bullfighting arena. Most of the 39 works displayed here are centered around the common theme of a bull fight. And it’s noteworthy that this is the first time many of these pieces have come from Picasso’s birthplace in Spain to be exhibited here in the States!
Image property of c2013 Estate of Pablo Picasso / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York
One thing I learned about Pablo Picasso from this exhibit was his innovation in art & technique. For example, he was the first artist to reuse a single stone in a series of lithographs- as seen in the bull series above. The knowledgeable docents can teach so much better than I- feel free to ask questions and read each informative sign as you take it all in.
Image property of c2013 Estate of Pablo Picasso / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York
As a mom of littles and a teacher, the pieces that I was most drawn to were Picasso’s books. Eccentric Picasso wrote the abstract book (above) just like he painted… as thoughts, lines and feelings came to him. So the text is basically gibberish- a conglomeration of words without unified meaning. I was surprised by this boldness and seeming arrogance but was told this is a prime example of Surrealism- the text is seen as a visual element. So we are to view this not as a story but as a work of art.
One of the most notable pieces in the exhibit- if it’s possible to narrow such a collection down- is the intact book illustrated by Picasso (below). As with most of Picasso’s works, there is a story behind his illustrations. He was enthralled by the metaphor present in bull fighting. Life. Death. Struggle and victory.
Image property of c2013 Estate of Pablo Picasso / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York
You’ll exit through a gift shop like every other attraction in St. Augustine. But, like the art exhibit, the shop’s collection had some pleasant surprises…
Image property of c2013 Estate of Pablo Picasso / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York
One of my favorite children’s books of all time is The Story of Ferdinand
- Image property of c2013 Estate of Pablo Picasso / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York
And I adore these avant garde mannequins… I can see one in an office or playroom. {Honey, time to redecorate!?!}
Image property of c2013 Estate of Pablo Picasso / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York
When you see these signs (below) around town, don’t just walk by! Stop and see what’s happening in our city and take advantage of some amazing opportunities! {If you’re new to town, get to know the city through a walking tour! More info & St. Augustine Walking Tour discount code <-on that post.}
St. Augustine brought Picasso here to provide educational opportunities for our students and to invest in the regional- even state wide- artist community. Make experiencing the Picasso exhibit a priority this Spring! Viva St. Augustine!
Image property of c2013 Estate of Pablo Picasso / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York
PICASSO Art & Arena
St. Augustine Visitor Center
10 W. Castillo Drive
February 1 – May 11, 2013 9am-5pm daily
$10 adults, $8 seniors, $5 kids 7-12, $20 for a family of four
Children under 6, Flagler College students & military in uniform free
