Our weekly Media Roundtable Friday on “First Coast Connect” featured Florida Times-Union reporter Sebastian Christian, Folio Weekly editor Claire Goforth, blogger Fred Matthews and Jacksonville Business Journal editor Timothy Gibbons. We also spoke with Jeff Smith, arts director for the Duval County School District about next week’s Celebration of the Arts and host Melissa Ross spoke by phone with actor and singer Audra McDonald.
Media Roundtable
Our panel discussed the shake up at JaxPort with CEO Brian Taylor’s abrupt resignation Wednesday and some of the troubles at the Port Authority that may have lead to his departure. They also talked about Shad Khan’s and two other proposals submitted to the city for redeveloping the Shipyards and the final layoff numbers at CSX. There will be 800 layoffs, 500 in Jacksonville.
Celebration of the Arts
The event will showcase the work of visual and performing arts students who attend schools throughout the Duval County School District. More than 500 students of all ages will perform on stage in the Moran Theatre at the Times-Union Center for the Performing Arts. They will also seek donations of musical instruments, which will be distributed to students whose families can’t afford to purchase them. The Celebration of the Arts is 7 p.m. March 16.
Audra McDonald
She’s a Tony, Emmy and Grammy winner and a Broadway legend. Performing arts powerhouse Audra McDonald will take the stage with the Jacksonville Children’s Chorus Sunday night at the Times-Union Center.
Ross spoke with McDonald about her career and her love of performing with children’s choruses around the world.
Producer Kevin Meerschaert can be reached at kmeerschaert@wjct.org, 904-358-6334 or on Twitter at @KMeerschaertJax.
