September 2008 Events

Two has-beens hope for one last shot at fame when they learn that famous Hollywood director Frank Capra is coming to their quaint Buffalo theatre. Of course, there's a big mix up that'll have you in stitches. Make your reservations by September 14 and get a friend in for free. Visit the Alhambra Dinner Theatre's website to find out how. Tickets run $42-$49. (904)641-1212

Ocean lovers will love this one. The Beaceaches Museum & History Center in Jacksonville Beach traces the origins and evolution of local surfing through vintage photos, films, surfboards and memorabilia. Entry is a family-friendly $4-$5. (904)241-5657

The demon barber of fleet street swings his razor for Players by the Sea's 2008-2009 Mainstage Season opener. Seems the musical's highly acclaimed, Johnny Depp-led 2005 Broadway revival was such a hit that it became the number one request from local musical theatre lovers. Tickets are $25.50. (904) 249-0289

The North Florida Bicycle Club presents the 19th Annual Endless Summer Watermelon Ride. It's a bit of a misnomer, as no acutal watermelons are involved. Nonetheless, the classic one-day bicycle event attracts upwards of 600 riders of all experience leves for rides of 30, 45, 65, 80 and 100 miles of primarily lightly traversed country roads. Each ride begins and ends at the Jacksonville Equestrian Center. Pack a swimsuit for a much-deserved cool dip in the Olympic sized swimming pool. Start times are 7:30 and 8:30 a.m. and registration runs $25 for members, $35 for non-members. Helmets required.

The Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens presents the works of Phil Sandusky, a Jacksonville-born-and-raised artist who established himself as a prominent painter with his pre- and post-Katrina renderings of New Orleans, his adopted home. "Phil Sandusky: Jacksonville Through a Painter's Eye" features an array of local scenes from downtown office buildings to Mayport shrimp boats to tucked-away, neighborhood cul-de-sacs. Other current exhibitions include "Scalpel to Sketch: The Science and Beauty of Medical Illustration at Mayo Clinic," "Precious Gifts of Asian Art" and "Women of Vision Exhibition." Entry runs $6-$10. (904)356-6857

San Marco's Square One will host the San Marco Fashion Exchange, a fashion show featuring items from numerous San Marco boutiques and music by DJ Anonymous. Participating shops include Rosie True, Olive, Lela and Dance Trance. Proceeds benefit Dignity U Wear, a locally-based, national nonprofit that provides new clothing to men, women and children in need. Cost is $10 or a donation of a piece of new clothing (with tags attached or in an unopened bag). Donations are accepted at the door or at any participating San Marco shop prior to the event. Cash bar. (904)396-7463

Jacksonville's Ladies Auxiliary will host a luncheon and fashion show starting reigning Miss America Kirsten Haglund, 11:00 a.m. at the Marriott Southpoint. Your $65 ticket benefits daniel, Florida's oldest child-serving agency providing assistance to troubled youth and their families. Funds will help build a new chapel and other facilities.

After losing their fortunes to boozing and betting, two down-on-their-luck friends head to the countryside and soon hatch a plan to woo two well-to-do ladies. But as luck would have it, love happens. And to make things worse, a band of bandits is hot on their trails. Originally written in 1707 and recently rediscovered, The Beaux' Stratagem you'll see is an adaptation begun by Thornton Wilder and completed nearly seven decades later by Tony Award nominee Ken Ludwig. Tickets run $15-$25. (904)396-4425