Sports fans are in for a treat this weekend in Jacksonville. The Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp host the Nashville Sounds at VyStar Ballpark with game times of 12:05 p.m. Friday, 6:35 p.m. Saturday, and 2:05 p.m. Sunday — making it one of the last home stands of the season. On Friday evening, the Jaguars host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at EverBank Stadium at 7:30 p.m. in the final preseason game for both teams. Worth noting: the stadium's ongoing reconstruction has closed the upper decks, reducing capacity by more than 27,000 seats. Saturday also brings women's soccer and basketball — Sporting Jax (currently 2-0 in the Gainbridge Super League) takes on Dallas Trinity at Hodges Stadium at 7 p.m., while the Jacksonville Waves face the Charlotte Crown at 7 p.m. at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in the Upshot League's inaugural championship game.
For something a little more atmospheric, the Thrasher-Horne Center in Orange Park is hosting an Edgar Allan Poe Speakeasy at 6 and 8 p.m. both Friday and Saturday. Set in the venue's intimate Studio Theater, the 21-and-older event pairs four of Poe's darker tales with custom cocktails crafted by a mixologist for each story. Tickets are $55; details at thcenter.org.
Friday also marks what would have been Michael Jackson's 68th birthday, and the Ritz Theatre and Museum is throwing a celebration at 7:30 p.m. The $14.15-admission party includes a costume contest, trivia, moonwalk lessons, and a screening of the recent MJ biopic "Michael." Info at theritz.jaxevents.com.
Animal lovers should head to Jacksonville Animal Care & Protective Services at 2020 Forest St. on Saturday from 10 a.m. onward. As part of NBC Universal's Clear the Shelters campaign, staff will be on hand to help connect adopters with the nearly 500 pets currently waiting for homes in Jacksonville. More at jacksonville.gov.
Finally, the Ponte Vedra Concert Hall is marking just over a year since its $12.9 million renovation with a free Front and Center Showcase at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, featuring local acts Red Magnolia, Lauren Woodall, and Freddie Caicos and the Sunburns — though tickets have already been claimed. This weekend's roundup was originally reported by Tom Szaroleta for the Jacksonville Times-Union.
