Jacksonville Today Arts and Culture Editor Matt Shaw shares his arts and culture picks for the weekend.
Friday
L.O.V.E. Fest
Riverwalk (by the Winston Family YMCA) | Riverside
The second L.O.V.E. fest kicks off on Friday, making this arts and music mini-festival curated and organized by popular Duval hip-hop collective L.O.V.E. Culture an annual event. This year’s iteration, taking place once again on the Riverwalk next to the Winston Family YMCA in Riverside, offers live music on multiple stages, art and craft vendors, food trucks, kid-friendly activations and more. 4 p.m. -10 p.m. Free to attend. More information.
Saturday
Jax Digital Art Fest
WJCT Soundstage | Downtown Jacksonville
The Jax Digital Art Fest is a yearly event exploring emerging mediums of digital art, from immersive art and virtual reality to film and fashion, with experts in the field on hand to give talks about the digital art scene. Prices vary by session. Noon-10 p.m. Tickets and more information.
Saturday
James Weldon Johnson Birthday Celebration
James Weldon Johnson Park | Downtown Jacksonville
A celebration of the life and prevailing influence of Jacksonville poet, author and civil rights activist James Weldon Johnson will be held at his namesake James Weldon Johnson Park on Saturday. A key figure in the Harlem Renaissance, the LaVilla resident wrote “Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing.” The day-of-service event is a park cleanup that also includes music and poetry readings and food trucks. 9 a.m.- 1 p.m. More info and sign up for a park cleanup shift.
Sunday
Sean Mason Jazz Quartet
Ritz Theatre & Museum | LaVilla
Didn’t get enough jazz at this year’s Jacksonville Jazz Festival? This Father’s Day, emerging jazz star, the pianist Sean Mason – whose 2023 debut album, Southern Suite, made many a year-end-best-of list – performs at the Ritz Theatre in LaVilla. 8 p.m. Tickets (starting at $26.25) are BOGO for Father’s Day (Select “1 ticket” and then “Father’s Day – BOGO” from menu.) Tickets and more info.