A new book by local authors tracks the culinary, linguistic, architectural and spiritual footprint of the Gullah Geechee people, descendants of West and Central Africans who lived under enslavement from Wilmington, N.C., down to St. Augustine. Jacksonville is the largest city in the federally designated Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor, and the book, Jacksonville’s Gullah Geechee Heritage, highlights what authors Adrienne Burke and Ennis Davis say is “a living culture that continues to evolve.” We discuss the book ahead of a community conversation moderated by Jacksonville Today reporter Will Brown at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 29, at WJCT Studios.
Guest: Ennis Davis, author, Jacksonville’s Gullah Geechee Heritage
Floribunda exhibition
More than 100 local artists portray, interpret and appreciate Florida’s abundant flora and fauna in a new exhibition hosted by the Ixia Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society starting this weekend at CoRK Arts District. The group exhibition Floribunda – Celebrating Florida’s Unique Biodiversity is curated by Crystal Floyd, Adam Arendell and Betsy Harris, and offers a range of perspectives on Florida’s natural history, wildlife and wild places. We talk to the minds behind the show about planting the seed for artistic exploration. The exhibition opens with a public reception Saturday, Oct. 3, from 6–9 p.m. at CoRK Arts District, 2689 Rosselle St., and remains on view through Oct. 25.
Guests:
- Crystal Floyd, artist and studio director at CoRK Arts District
- Adam Arendell, officer, Ixia Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society
Play hard
Girls' rugby has all the toughness and teamwork of rugby, albeit without the “pub culture” of the adult version, and it's currently recruiting. Open to middle- and high-school girls of all backgrounds, Duval Tides Girls Rugby holds its first practice Oct. 6 at Westside Middle School, and every Tuesday and Thursday thereafter, from 6-7:30 p.m. No tryouts are required, no experience is needed and the team promises all participants a chance to make connections, build confidence and develop both physical and mental dexterity.
Guests:
- Melissa Butler, head coach, Duval Tides
- Miranda Barnard, coach, Duval Tides
- Jaelyn Battle, high school junior and Duval Tides player
Topics and guests subject to change.