Jacksonville, Fla. - The Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens celebrates Independence Day weekend with FREE admission for military personnel and their families and a Summer Garden Concert featuring the St. Johns River City Band. Military and family will enjoy our permanent collection, historic gardens, Art Connections and current exhibitions, Jazz ABZ: An A to Z Collection of Jazz Portraits by Paul Rogers with poems by Wynton Marsalis andCollectors’ Choice: Works of Art from Jacksonville Collections.
Jazz ABZ, on view through August 8, 2010, highlights jazz greats from A (Louis Armstrong) to Z (Dizzy Gillespie) through art by Rogers and poetry by Marsalis. Collectors’ Choice, on view through September 12, 2010, features 70 pieces from private collections across Jacksonville, including porcelain, paintings, photographs, works on paper, sculptures, African Art, ethnographic objects and pottery.
Military personnel and family will be admitted FREE, Friday, July 2 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday July 3 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. This special offer extends only to military (active, retired, veterans and reserves) and family, therefore identification will be required. Non-member guests will pay regular admission prices. The Cummer will be closed during normal business hours on July 4, but will open at 6 p.m. for the Summer Garden Concert.
“Free admission during Independence Day Weekend is a way in which The Cummer can show our support and gratitude for the service, heart and dedication of our military,” said Cummer Director Hope McMath. “We want to show our appreciation by honoring those who have served and are currently serving our country, by opening our doors to our military and their families.”
Also in celebration of Independence Day Weekend, The Cummer will host a Summer Garden Concert with a performance by the St. Johns City River Band on Sunday, July 4 from 7 to 10 p.m. Guests will dance and mingle while the band plays American Favorites to coincide with the City of Jacksonville Fireworks. Guests are allowed to bring blankets, chairs, food and alcoholic beverages. Food and beverages will also be available for purchase from the TreeCup Café. Tickets are $10 for members and non-members, no refunds. The concert will go on rain or shine. Please call (904) 355-0630 to reserve tickets or visit http://www.cummer.org/entertainment/concerts.cfm to pre-purchase tickets.
The St. Johns River City Band specializes in traditional American music and jazz reminiscent of the big band glory days. The musicians perform and improvise jazz, swing, blues and Latin themes. The variety of genres and uplifting spirit of the band is sure to make you move.
“The Gardens provide a majestic backdrop for the concert,” said McMath. “A warm atmosphere of celebration to patriotic music is sure to make for an enchanting evening. The explosive light of the fireworks will also add to the air of excitement.”
For more information, please call (904) 356-6857 or visit www.cummer.org
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The Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens is committed to engage and inspire through the arts, gardens and education. A permanent collection of nearly 5,000 objects and historic gardens on a riverfront campus offers more than 114,000 annual visitors a truly unique experience on the First Coast. Nationally recognized education programs serve adults and children of all abilities. The Cummer is located at 829 Riverside Avenue, Jacksonville, Florida (904.356.6857). Museum hours are Tuesdays 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturdays 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sundays Noon to 5 p.m. The Cummer offers Free Tuesdays from 4 to 9 p.m., sponsored by THE PLAYERS. For more information, call 904.356.6857 or visit www.cummer.org.
Contact:
Amy Chamberlin
Associate Director of Marketing
Phone: 904-899-6034 achamberlin@cummer.org
Cell: 904-859-8121
