JACKSONVILLE, FL, September 14, 2023 – The historic, nonprofit Florida Theatre raised over $55,000 during its 10th annual Blues, Brews, Bourbon & BBQ event last week at Bowing Oaks. Many thanks to all the vendors, sponsors, members, and Theatre supporters who donated their services and purchased tickets to this amazing fundraiser!
Publix Charities was the Presenting Sponsor of the September 7th event benefitting the historic Florida Theatre. “Publix Charities is proud to support the Florida Theatre as they provide diverse and memorable arts and entertainment experiences. We are happy to help in their important work,” said Kelly Williams-Puccio, Executive Director of Publix Charities.
Blues, Brews, Bourbon & BBQ, was held at Bowing Oaks this year, as the Florida Theatre is still under renovation with plans to reopen in October. Bowing Oaks has been a Corporate Partner of the Florida Theatre since 2019. "Bowing Oaks is proud to be a Corporate Partner with the Florida Theatre and was honored to host this year's Blues, Brews, Bourbon & BBQ event,” said Jim Efstathion, Owner of Bowing Oaks. “We look forward to our continued partnership with the Theatre and hosting many more events for the Jacksonville community."
“Blues, Brews & BBQ has been a regular part of the Florida Theatre schedule since 2013. Adding a fourth ‘B’ to the equation, Bourbon, gave the event another dimension of Southern food and beverage culture to explore, and having the event at Bowing Oaks also added another dimension,” said Numa Saisselin, President of the Florida Theatre. “The Florida Theatre is closed for renovations this summer, and we’re so grateful to owner Jim Efstathion and his staff at Bowing Oaks for taking us in. We’re also grateful to the sponsors, including Publix, Bold City, Manifest, Bono’s, and the ticket buyers for supporting the nonprofit Florida Theatre. We’re open again on October 28th with a full slate of shows now on sale at floridatheatre.com.”
Attendees of this annual event enjoyed an electrifying evening of live Blues music from the Snacks Blues Band and Henry Jones, unlimited local BBQ, the best craft beer, and a curated bourbon selection.
“We always love supporting the local gem that we call the Florida Theatre, but when you include Bourbon, Local Brews, Blues Music, and tasty BBQ, the decision is a no-brainer! It's one of our favorite events of the year,” said Brian Miller, Owner of Bold City Brewery.
“Thanks so much for the great partnership,” said Jim Webb – VP Development/Partner with Manifest. “It was a great event, and we enjoyed meeting new people and seeing tried and true supporters of the Florida Theatre. Can’t wait to be there on (re)opening night in October.”
“Blues, Brews, Bourbon & BBQ is one of our favorite events of the year. It truly allows us to showcase our food and catering capabilities at Bono’s Pit BBQ with one of our favorite partners, the Florida Theatre,” said Josh Martino, President of the Home Team Restaurant Group. “We are excited for the many upcoming shows and performances at one of our favorite venues in town and can’t wait to see the amazing renovation.”
The Florida Theatre wishes to thank all the generous vendors and sponsors below who made this wonderful event possible:
VENDORS -
Blues
Snacks Blues Band
Henry Jones
Brews
AIBC (Amelia Island Brewing Co.)
Ancient City Brewing
Bold City Brewery
Legacy Ale Works
Ruby Beach Brewing Co.
Seven Bridges Grille
Southern Swells Brewing Co.
Veterans United Craft Brewery
Wicked Barley Brewery
Bourbon/Spirits
Blue Note Bourbon
Manifest
Post Meridiem Canned Cocktails
BBQ
Bono’s Pit BBQ Since 1949
G’s Slow-Smoked BBQ
Legacy Ale Works
Mojo BBQ
Seven Bridges Grille
The Bearded Pig
The Grub Brothers Competition BBQ
Underbelly
Wicked Barley Brewery
Desserts
Cinotti’s Bakery
Nothing Bundt Cakes
Small Cakes
Venue
Bowing Oaks
Miscellaneous
Axe Champ
Jacksonville Jaguars
SPONSORS -
- AVL – In-Kind Sponsor
- CK Direct – Brew Sponsor
- Community First Credit Union – VIP Sponsor
- Eisman & Russo – Blues Sponsor
- Millennium Physician Group – Brew Sponsor
- Publix – Presenting Sponsor
Click here to see photos of the event. All proceeds from the annual Blues, Brews, Bourbon & BBQ fundraiser will go to the historic, nonprofit Florida Theatre, which will reopen after the next phase of renovations is complete on October 28th for The Rocky Horror Picture Show.
Since its inception in 2013, Blues, Brews, Bourbon & BBQ, formerly Blues, Brews & BBQ, has raised $351,697.98 for the historic, nonprofit Florida Theatre.
To see all the exciting events that are coming up and for tickets to all future shows, please visit www.floridatheatre.com.
About the Florida Theatre
The Florida Theatre is a 1,865-seat historic theatre located in downtown Jacksonville, Florida, that first opened its doors on April 8, 1927, and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1983. The Florida Theatre Performing Arts Center, Inc. is a nonprofit corporation founded in 1987 to manage, program, and preserve the historic Florida Theatre in a public/private partnership with the City of Jacksonville, which owns the building. The Florida Theatre is Season Sponsored by Community First Credit Union. To learn more, visit www.floridatheatre.com.
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