Our election season coverage continues with 4th Congressional District candidate Brit Robinson. The self-described Democratic Socialist is positioning herself as the voice for young, working class voters, calling the current administration “fascist and authoritarian” and accusing her incumbent opponent of being “complicit” in an anti-democratic agenda. Robinson faces fellow Democrats Michael Kirwan and LaShonda Holloway in the Aug. 18 primary. If successful, she would face Republican incumbent Aaron Bean. First Coast Connect will be covering a range of local races and election-related topics between now and Nov. 3. You can find detailed information about upcoming elections, including information about candidates and ballot initiatives in your specific district, at the nonpartisan League of Women Voters website Vote411.org. The deadline to register to vote in or change your party affiliation ahead of the August primaries is July 20.
Guest: Brit Robinson, Democratic candidate for Florida’s 4th Congressional District
Supper club
The unifying power of food is the organizing conceit of a new undertaking by Jacksonville Today. The nonprofit newsroom recently held the inaugural meeting of its Dinner Club, a group created to celebrate food and friendship by helping strangers connect over meals. The club hosts monthly meetings at restaurants, matching like-minded diners with menus that appeal to their palate and pocketbook. We talk to the WJCT minds behind the concept about what they’re hoping to achieve, and ask a Dinner Club participant about how the first iteration of the experiment went down.
Guests:
- Katie Sims, nutritionist and Jax Today Dinner Club participant
- Jessica Palombo, editor, Jacksonville Today
- Pete Havens, director of revenue and business management for Jacksonville Today and WJCT Public Media
Talent show
The former producer of Harlem’s legendary Amateur Night at the Apollo brings the competitive vibe to the “Harlem of the South” — Jacksonville’s historic LaVilla neighborhood — and the stage of the Ritz Theatre. Once graced by performers like Ella Fitzgerald, Ray Charles and Duke Ellington, the restored Ritz now plays host to aspiring First Coast performers of every stripe. The upcoming Putting on the Ritz talent competition will be held Friday at the theatre at 829 North Davis St. We talk to the organizers about cultivating the next generation of artists through healthy competition.
Guests:
- Deborah McDuffie, artistic director, Ritz Theatre & Museum and creator and producer of Puttin’ On The Ritz
- Dr. Shaun Powell, community development and outreach, Ritz Theatre & Museum
Topics and guests subject to change.