From classical to jazz, blues to Broadway, ears receive a musical treat when tunes collide with the sounds of the city. Downtown Jacksonville's Times-Union Center for the Performing Arts houses the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra, one of the nation's top ensembles, and produces concerts of opera, gospel, big band, ballet and classical from Bach, Mozart and Beethoven and the Ritz Chamber Players, the nation's first chamber music ensemble. The Chamber Players perform chamber works from the standard classical repertoire, especially contemporary African-American works to increase public awareness of African-American composers within classical music. The Times-Union Center also brings productions of beloved Broadway blockbusters and cultural shows to delight audiences through the FCCJ Artist Series.

In addition to the works of the FCCJ Artist Series, Broadway-style musicals can be seen throughout the community. Built in 1967, Alhambra Dinner Theatre is the oldest dinner theatre in the country. The theatre has been producing Broadway quality performances for the whole family such as The Wizard of Oz, The King and I, Grease and Fiddler on the Roof. A nationally known treasure, Betty Grable performed her final stage production at the Alhambra in 1973. Community theaters such as the state's longest running community theatre, Theatre Jacksonville, founded in 1919 and located in the San Marco district and Players-by-the-Sea in Jacksonville Beach are also the favorites of locals, exciting audiences with both musicals and plays.

History and music share the stage at the nearby historic Florida Theatre and The Ritz Theatre & LaVilla Museum. Built in 1927, The Florida Theatre is one of the last remaining examples of America's "Picture Palace" era and is one of only four remaining high-style movie palaces built in Florida during this period. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and has been the site of vaudeville acts and concerts (Elvis performed his first indoor concert there). Today, performances range from country, rock and classical music favorites, dance ensembles, classic rock album recreations, spoken word and plays.

The Ritz Theatre & LaVilla Museum celebrates the rich legacy of the African American community. Located in the LaVilla neighborhood of Jacksonville, or the "Harlem of the South" as it used to be known, the Ritz Theatre is home to an array of exciting musicals and theatrical performances, including the popular "Amateur Night at the Ritz" and the Ritz Voices Youth Choir.

In celebrating musical diversity, annual celebrations in the region pay homage to different genres of music as Jacksonville is home to the Jacksonville Jazz Festival, where a number of world-famous musicians perform over three days, and Springing the Blues Festival in Jacksonville Beach, a free springtime event where celebrated performers rock out ocean side.

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