MUSIC
Community Choral Singing: 5:30-7:30 p.m. Friday, Oakview Community Center, 810 NW Eighth Ave. Free. (tinyurl.com/choralsingingsum24) Come together to enjoy singing madrigals, anthems, spirituals, pop, jazz and holiday classics.
“Free Fridays” Concert: 7-9 p.m. Friday, Bo Diddley Plaza amphitheater, 111 E. University Ave. Free. (gainesvillefl.gov/Events-directory/Free-Fridays-Concert-Series) MusicGNV Showcase: Tribute to Gainesville Bands.
Playlist at the Pointe: 7-9 p.m. Friday, Celebration Pointe, Celebration Pointe Avenue. Free. (celebrationpointe.com) Southern Burn will perform. Food will be available from area restaurants.
Johnny and June’s Jukebox: 7:15 p.m. Friday, The Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park and Campground, 3076 95th Drive, Live Oak. Tickets: $15 in advance, $20 at door. (musicliveshere.com) Liliana Lassetter will open the show. Johnny and June’s Jukebox is couple who perform classics from the ’50s and ’60s.
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Brothers Again: 8 p.m. Friday, Florida Theatre, 128 E. Forsyth St., Jacksonville. Tickets: $39. (floridatheatre.com, 904-355-5661) The members of Brothers Again approach this project with a mutual passion for the music of The Allman Brothers Band, saying their goal is to respectfully and authentically perform and share the music for all audiences to experience.
Transatlantic String Collective: 7 p.m. Saturday, Heartwood Soundstage, 619 S. Main St. Tickets: $15. (heartwoodsoundstage.com) The Transatlantic String Collective features Geoff Perry on violin, Rafael Abdalla on upright bass, and Jason Shooster and Edward White on guitars. Their collaboration embodies a fusion of traditional jazz and contemporary innovation.
Donny Osmond: 8 p.m. Saturday, Florida Theatre, 128 E. Forsyth St., Jacksonville. Tickets: $50.50-$200.50. (floridatheatre.com, 904-355-5661) Throughout an illustrious six-decades-long career, Donny Osmond has become a worldwide music legend. He has sold more than 100 million records, received 33 gold records, and has performed for millions of fans.
The River Rats Band: 8-11 p.m. Saturday, The Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park and Campground, 3076 95th Drive, Live Oak. Tickets: $15 in advance, $20 at door. (musicliveshere.com) The band will take the stage and the dance floor will be open.
Doug MacLeod: 6:30 p.m. Sunday, Heartwood Soundstage, 619 S. Main St. Tickets: $20. (heartwoodsoundstage.com) North Central Florida Blues Society performance. Bill Ricci opens the show. Doug MacLeod is a prolific singer and songwriter, engaging storyteller and masterful guitarist, and he has become one of today’s most award-winning and loved acoustic blues artists.
Chief Keef: 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Daily's Place Amphitheatre, 1 Daily’s Place, Jacksonville. Tickets: Starting at $53. (dailysplace.com/events, 904-633-2000) The rapper will perform with special guests Lil Gnar and The Glo Boys as part of his “A Lil” tour.
Dirty Heads and Slightly Stoopid: 6 p.m. Thursday, Daily's Place Amphitheatre, 1 Daily’s Place, Jacksonville. Tickets: $29.25-$79.25 . (dailysplace.com/events, 904-633-2000) The bands will perform as part of their “Slightly Dirty Summer 2024” tour.
THEATER
“The Wizard of Oz — Youth Edition”: 7 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays, 2 p.m. Sundays through Aug. 4, High Springs Playhouse, 23416 NW 186 Ave., High Springs. Tickets: $15 general admission, $10 students and ages 65 and older. (highspringsplayhouse.com) Join Dorothy and her loyal companion Toto as they “Follow the Yellow Brick Road” through the Land of Oz, determined to reach the Emerald City, where the great and powerful Wizard of Oz will help them get home.
“The Lightning Thief — The Percy Jackson Musical”: 7-9 p.m. Thursday preview, then 7-9 p.m. Aug. 2, 2-4 p.m. Aug. 3, 7-9 p.m. Aug. 4, 7-9 p.m. Aug. 9, 2-4 p.m. Aug. 10-11, 7-9 p.m. Aug. 16, 2-4 p.m. Aug. 17-18, Acrosstown Repertory Theatre, 3501 SW 2nd Ave, Suite O. Tickets: $10 preview then $15 students, $25 general admission, $20 seniors. (acrosstown.org) As the half-blood son of a Greek god, Percy Jackson has newly discovered powers he can't control, a destiny he doesn't want and a mythology textbook's worth of monsters on his trail.
“In The Heights”: 8 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays, 2 p.m. Sundays through Aug. 11, Gainesville Community Playhouse, 4039 NW 16th Blvd. Tickets: $24 general admission, $20 seniors, $12 students. (gcplayhouse.org) “In the Heights” tells the universal story of a vibrant community in New York’s Washington Heights neighborhood — a community on the brink of change, where the biggest struggles can decide which traditions you take with you and which ones you leave behind.
ET CETERA
Rooterville Animal Sanctuary Visit: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Friday-Sunday plus Thursday, Rooterville Animal Sanctuary, 1208 N. CR 315, Melrose. Cost: $10. (tinyurl.com/rasvjuly26) Connect with rescued animals and learn more about the importance of animal welfare.
Summer at the Library: Library Pokedex Scavenger Hunt: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. daily through summer, Library Partnership Branch, 912 NE 16th Ave. Free. (aclib.us) Pokémon scavenger hunt. Every week a different Pokémon will be hidden. If you can find the hiding creature, you will earn a badge. Come back each week to earn different badges. Get all 8 badges for a special prize. Materials and prizes will be limited to the first 40 participants.
Summer at the Library: Florida Wildlife Safari Scavenger Hunt: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. daily through summer, Archer Library,13266 SW SR 450, Archer. Free. (aclib.us) Every week throughout the summer, the library will unveil a photo of a Florida bird or animal track for you to identify. These photos will feature QR codes that lead to recordings of the animals' calls.
Summer at the Library: Amazing Animal Adaptations Santa Fe Zoo: 4-5 p.m. Friday, Micanopy Library, 706 NE Cholokka Blvd., Micanopy. Free. (aclib.us) Join zookeepers and meet animals from the Santa Fe College Teaching Zoo to learn about the incredible traits animals have to survive in their homes.
“Florida Skies (Summer)”: 7-8 p.m. Fridays through Aug. 18, Kika Silva Pla Planetarium, 3000 NW 83rd St. Tickets: $7.19 for adults; $6.17 ages 4-12, ages 60 and older, UF affiliates, military and first responders. (showpass.com/florida-skies-spring-4) Join James Albury, former co-host of the PBS TV Show “Star Gazers,” as he takes you on a personally guided tour of the night sky using the GOTO Chronos Space Simulator.
Artwalk Gainesville: 7-10 p.m. Friday, downtown Gainesville. Free entry; items and food for sale. (artwalkgainesville.com) Self-guided art experience of local galleries, artist studios and cultural events.
Stop the Violence Back to School Rally: 9 a.m.-noon Saturday, Santa Fe College Gymnasium, 3000 NW 83rd St. Fre. (tinyurl.com/stvbtsr24) Annual event in its 25th year featuring 5,000 free backpacks filled with school supplies for the first 5,000 students in attendance. Child(ren) must be present.
Tri-County Back-to-School Bash: 9 a.m.-noon Saturday, First United Methodist Church, 707 N. Main St., Chiefland. Free. (tinyurl.com/tcbtsb24) Annual event providing 500 backpacks and school supplies to tri-county students in grades PK-12 plus exhibitors, inflatables, games, food, giveaways and more. Children must be present (with their parent/caregiver) to receive supplies.
Carson Springs Wildlife Conservation Foundation Tour: 10 a.m.-noon Saturday, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Monday, Carson Springs Wildlife Conservation Foundation, 8528 E. County Road 225. Tickets: $35 adults, $15 ages 2-11, free ages 1 and younger; $45 motorized-vehicle tours. (carsonspringswildlife.org, 468-2827, contact@cswildlife.org) Take a tour — on foot or in a tour vehicle — of Carson Springs Wildlife Conservation Foundation with big-cat feeding demonstrations and up-close encounters with the animals.
Historic Haile Homestead Tour: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturdays, noon-4 p.m. Sundays, Historic Haile Homestead, 8500 Archer Road. Entrance: $5 ages 12 and older, free ages 11 and younger. (hailehomestead.org) The Historic Haile Homestead is unique in the nation for its "Talking Walls.''
Christmas in July: A Melted Christmas: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, Winter Wonderland, 4923 NW Sixth St. Tickets: $5, free ages 2 and younger. (app.gopassage.com/events/christmas-in-july-a-melted-christmas) Get transported to a realm of enchantment with melting snow, Christmas melodies, food and more.
Back to School Bash: 11 a.m. Saturday, Waldo Farmer’s and Flea Market, 17805 NE U.S. 301, Waldo. Free. (tinyurl.com/wfafmbtsb24) School-supply giveaway for school-age children.
Horse Feeding: 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Mill Creek Farm Retirement Home for Horses, 20307 NW CR 235A, Alachua. Entrance: Bag of carrots. (millcreekfarm.org) The Retirement Home for Horses provides lifetime care to elderly horses seized by law enforcement agencies, rescued by the SPCA or humane societies, as well as horses retired from government service such as police patrol or state and federal parks.
Summer at the Library: Shark Week Sun Catcher: 2-3:30 p.m. Saturday, Archer Library,13266 SW SR 450, Archer. Free. (aclib.us) Create a suncatcher of a porthole with a view of sharks swimming in the ocean.
“Space Park 360: Geodesium Edition”: 3-3:45 p.m. Saturday, Kika Silva Pla Planetarium, Santa Fe College, 3000 NW 83rd St. Tickets: $6.17-$8.22. (showpass.com/space-park-360-geodesium-edition-3) An immersive entertainment show for fulldome theaters — an amusem*nt park with its rides placed throughout the solar system.
“Mars One Thousand One”: 5-5:45 p.m. Saturday, Kika Silva Pla Planetarium, Santa Fe College, 3000 NW 83rd St. Tickets: $6.17-$8.22. (showpass.com/mars-one-thousand-one-4) An immersive cinematic experience that follows an international crew of astronauts that is about to embark on the first interplanetary journey in history, the first manned mission to the surface of Mars.
The HeART Wall Ribbon Cutting Celebration: 6-7 p.m. Saturday, Depot Park, 874 SE Fourth St. Free entry; food for sale. (tinyurl.com/thwrcc24) Celebration featuring art-making activities, merchandise giveaways, live music and more. Sunscreen, hats and extra water are suggested.
Summer (You)th Celebration: 6-10 p.m. Saturday, Depot Park, 874 SE Fourth St. Free entry; food for sale. (gainesvillefl.gov) Celebrate summer with performances by Wé Ani, Wendell Pierce, Austin Paul Jr., Smooth Flava dancers, Star Center Theater, Who's In The Box (Unplugged) and Yvonne Ferguson and more. Food trucks. The winners of the Apollo Talent Search will be announced.
School Rocks Backpack Giveaway: 1 p.m. Sunday, TCC Wireless Zone, 15560 NW U.S. 441, Suite 140, Alachua. Free. (tinyurl.com/scbg24) Annual event in its 12th year featuring free backpacks for students, while supplies last. One backpack per student.
Gainesville Bromeliad Society: 2 p.m. Sunday, Millhopper Branch Library, 3145 NW 43rd St. Free. (gainesvillebromeliad.org) Kenneth Stokes, bromeliad grower from Tampa, will discuss “Everything Your Mother Didn't Teach You about Light, Air, Water and Soil.” He will bring plants to sell, and free plants will be given away.
Summer Movie Express: 11 a.m. Tuesday-Wednesday, Regal Royal Park, 3702 W. Newberry Road. Tickets: $1. (regmovies.com/promotions/summer-movie-express) “Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile” and “Kung Fu Panda 3.”
Summer at the Library: Escape Room Challenge: 3-4 p.m. Tuesday, Newberry Library, 110 S. Seaboard Drive, Newberry. Free. (aclib.us) Kids will work together to solve a set of sequential puzzles as part of a fictional storyline in which they must complete a mission within 45 minutes.
Summer at the Library: Summer of Science: 3-4 p.m. Wednesday, Cone Park Library, 2801 E. University Ave. Free. (aclib.us) Children’s event featuring a scientific concept explored through experiments and activities.
Summer at the Library: The Fold — Special Edition Paper Airplane Launchers: 3:15-4 p.m. Wednesday, Newberry Library, 110 S. Seaboard Drive, Newberry. Free. (attend.aclib.us) Create paper airplanes and launchers.
Summer at the Library: Tie Dye Jamboree: 3:30-4:30 p.m. Wednesday, High Springs Library, 23779 W. U.S. 27, High Springs. Free. (aclib.us) Bring your shirts, socks, bags — anything that can be dyed and turn it into something new. No more than two items per person. All materials brought in to be dyed should be made of cotton.
Summer at the Library: Bats at the Library: 1-2 p.m. Thursday, Newberry Library, 110 S. Seaboard Drive, Newberry. Free. (aclib.us) Visit with real, live bats and flying foxes from the Lubee Bat Conservancy.
Summer at the Library: Summer STEAM Time: 3-4 p.m. Thursdays through summer, Headquarters Library, 401 E. University Ave. Free. (aclib.us) Play, learn and create with science-, technology-, engineering-, art- and math-inspired fun.
“Imagining Your World Through Comics”: 5-8 p.m. Thursday, Cotton Club Museum, 837 SE Seventh Ave. Free; registration required. (bit.ly/iywtc) Professors Julian Chambliss and Magdalena Lamarre will talk about Afrofuturism, Black superheroes and diversity in comics, then attendees can engage in artmaking by creating their own zine facilitated by local artists Carly Shooster and Ravyn Gale. Refreshments will be provided.
CASTING CALL
Voices Rising Community Chorus: 6-7:30 p.m. Aug. 4, Oak Hall School, 1700 SW 75th St. Free. (vrccgainesville.org, 284-1107) New singer registration for fall term. This intergenerational chorus is open to adults and to youths ages 8 and older. The only requirement is the ability to carry a tune and match pitch.
Sun Country Dance Theatre: 7 p.m. Aug. 14 mandatory pre-audition meeting; 12:15-6 p.m. Aug. 18 auditions, Sun Country Sports Center West, 333 SW 140th Terrace, Jonesville. Cost: $25; pre-registration required. (scdancetheatre08@gmail.com) All required audition documents and links will be provided to parents at the pre-audition meeting. The deadline for all completed pre-registration documents and audition fee payment is Aug. 16. Senior/Apprentice Company 12:15-2:15 p.m., Int/Adv or Advanced Level Ballet, ages 14 and older. Must be on pointe; Youth Company 2:30-4:15 p.m., Intermediate level, ages 13 and older. Minimum of five consecutive years of previous ballet training. Bring pointe shoes if on pointe; Junior/Trainee Company 4:30-6 p.m., ages 9 and older. Minimum of three consecutive years of previous ballet training. All dancers should arrive 20 minutes prior to their audition. Girls should wear a black leotard, pink tights and pink ballet slippers with hair in a slick classical ballet bun (no bangs). Boys should wear appropriate classical ballet class attire.
“Nutcracker”: 12:30-6 p.m. Aug. 24, Pofahl Studios, 1325 NW Second St. Cost: $25. (371-2986, Kim@dancealive.org) Dance Alive National Ballet welcomes dancers from surrounding counties, studios and gyms. Those auditioning should arrive 30 minutes before the audition in order to complete paperwork and receive their number. For girls: black leotard, pink tights, and appropriate shoes with hair up. For boys: white T-shirt, black tights, shorts or bicycle pants and appropriate shoes. For acrobats: appropriate clothing. Ballet experience required. Audition for Soldiers, Party Children, Franz’ friends, Mice and Next Generation. Pointe work for those roles on pointe. Tumblers must be able to do back handsprings, splits, headstands, front and back walkovers, and aerial tricks.
ART
Cade Museum for Creativity and Invention: “Turning Tides: Save the Ocean Through Invention” on display through Aug. 31. The museum is staying green and going blue. The ocean blankets the planet, covering a staggering 70% of its surface. As humanity brainstorms ways to keep our home-sweet-home happy and healthy, visionaries are no longer looking to the stars, but to the sea for solutions. Embark on a journey through inventions that are fostering a planetary partnership toward a greener future and bluer planet; “Rube Goldberg: The World of Hilarious Invention!” Created by the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh in partnership with the Heirs of Rube Goldberg, the exhibition showcases Pulitzer Prize-winning humorist and inventor Rube Goldberg’s iconic contraptions and celebrates his humorous storytelling and inventive cartoons. Inspired by Goldberg’s original illustrations, the exhibit contains a collection of new 3-D, life-size machines and hands-on, interactive components that connect Goldberg’s iconic cartoon contraptions to the way things work in the physical world; “Tom Petty: Among the Wildflowers.” This exhibit explores the joys, pains and creative awakenings that Gainesville native Tom Petty experienced while pouring his soul into his second solo studio album, “Wildflowers” (1994). Featuring artifacts previously on display at the Rock ’n’ Roll Hall of Fame, the exhibit allows guests to listen to first-hand accounts from Petty and the Wildflowers team about the album’s spirited creation. On display through Oct. 20. Tickets: $12.50, $10 seniors and college students, $7.50 ages 5-17, free ages 4 and younger. Hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday-Sunday. 811 N. Main St. (371-8001, cademuseum.org)
Cedar Key Arts Center: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Thursday-Sept. 15 Cedar Keyhole Artist Co-op Y’Art Sale. Gallery hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. 457 Second St., Cedar Key. (543-5801, cedarkeyartscenter.org)
Cotton Club Museum: “Unapologetic Vol. 2, The Censorship of Blackness,” exhibiting the works of artist Yvonne Ferguson as a sequel to her “Unapologetic!” exhibit from 2022, on display through August. Hours are 11 a.m-4 p.m. Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. 837 SE Seventh Ave. (cottonclubmuseum.com)
Florida Museum of Natural History: “Science Up Close: Incredible Insects” exhibit on display through summer. Visitors will have opportunities to interact with live bugs from Florida, view a busy ant colony at work and learn all about the insects that live among us. Tickets: $10 adults; $9 Florida residents, seniors and non-UF college students; $7 ages 3-17; free museum members and ages 2 and younger. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Saturday, 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday. 3215 Hull Road. (floridamuseum.ufl.edu, 846-2000)
Gainesville Fine Arts Association Gallery: “Hair” on display through Aug. 24; “Biennial National Juried Exhibition — Heat” on display Aug. 27-Oct. 19; “Nostalgia” on display Oct. 22-Nov. 23; “Winter Showcase 2024” on display Nov. 26-Dec. 20. Gallery hours are 1 to 6 p.m. Tuesday-Friday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. 1314 S. Main St. (gainesvillefinearts.org, info@gainsevillefinearts.org)
Harn Museum of Art: “Gateway to Himalayan Art” on display through Sunday; “Windows and Mirrors,” staff selections from the photography collection, on display through Nov. 3; “Metamorphosis: Reshaping Contemporary Art,” featuring artists who are rethinking traditional materials and techniques to create innovative works of art, on display through Oct. 26, 2025; “Kaleidoscope of Colors in Asian Art,” introducing a fresh perspective for visitors’ exploration and appreciation of Asian art through the prism of colors, on display through April 26, 2026. Museum hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday-Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday. 3259 Hull Road. (392-9826)
Matheson History Museum: “Voices and Votes: Democracy in America” traveling exhibition on display through Sept. 7; “Voices and Votes: Alachua County,” which focuses on the local history of elections, civil rights, and more, on display through early 2025; “Weaving a Community: 30 Years of the Matheson History Museum,” an all-encompassing view of the Matheson’s history and its origins; “When Johnny Came Marching Home: Some Gave All – All Gave Some,” remembering those who came home from war with both physical and mental wounds, on display outside. Gallery hours are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday. 513 E. University Ave. (378-2280, mathesonmuseum.org)
Melrose Bay Art Gallery: Gainesville Modern Quilters on display through Sunday; August featured artist Linda Zidonik Aug. 2-25, with Artwalk reception 6-9 p.m. Aug. 2; Works by Candace McCaffery on display Aug. 31-Sept. 29, with Artwalk reception 6-9 p.m. Sept. 6; Works by Kay Deuben on display Oct. 4-27, with Artwalk reception 6-9 p.m. Oct. 4; Special Pre-Holiday Gifts Show to be held Nov. 1-10, with Artwalk reception 6-9 p.m. Nov. 3; 2024 Holiday Invitational to be held Nov. 16-Dec. 29, with Artwalk reception 6-9 p.m. Dec. 6. Gallery hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday or by appointment. 103 State Road 26, Melrose. (475-3866, melrosebayartgallery.com)
Santa Fe College’s Blount Hall: A large art collection from local collector Hector Puig on display. Hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Corner of West University Avenue and North Sixth Street.
UPCOMING CONCERTS
“Free Fridays” Concert: 7-9 p.m. Aug. 2 Bo Diddley Plaza amphitheater, 111 E. University Ave. Free. (gainesvillefl.gov/Events-directory/Free-Fridays-Concert-Series) Patchwork Plus will perform bluegrass.
Rhonda Vincent: 7 p.m. Aug. 3, University Auditorium, 333 Newell Drive. Tickets: $40-$100. (performingarts.ufl.edu) Presented by the Hogtown Opry.
“Free Fridays” Concert: 7-9 p.m. Aug. 9, Bo Diddley Plaza amphitheater, 111 E. University Ave. Free. (gainesvillefl.gov/Events-directory/Free-Fridays-Concert-Series) Stereo Vudu will perform rock, blues and funk.
Jazz on the Green: 7-9 p.m. Aug. 10, Celebration Pointe, Celebration Pointe Avenue off of Interstate 75 and Archer Road. Free. (celebrationpointe.com) Swing Theory will perform on the stage in the promenade, food and drinks, lawn games and more.
“Free Fridays” Concert: 7-9 p.m. Aug. 16, Bo Diddley Plaza amphitheater, 111 E. University Ave. Free. (gainesvillefl.gov/Events-directory/Free-Fridays-Concert-Series) D.R. Band and Soul Fire will perform R&B, neo-soul and funk.
Community Choral Singing: 5:30-7:30 p.m. Aug. 23, Oakview Community Center, 810 NW Eighth Ave. Free. (tinyurl.com/choralsingingsum24) Come together to enjoy singing madrigals, anthems, spirituals, pop, jazz and holiday classics.
“Free Fridays” Concert: 7-9 p.m. Aug. 23, Bo Diddley Plaza amphitheater, 111 E. University Ave. Free. (gainesvillefl.gov/Events-directory/Free-Fridays-Concert-Series) PULP Arts Showcase.
Playlist at the Pointe: 7-9 p.m. Aug. 23, Celebration Pointe, Celebration Pointe Avenue. Free. (celebrationpointe.com) Uncle Morty’s Rhythm Cream will perform. Food will be available from area restaurants.
“Free Fridays” Concert: 7-9 p.m. Aug. 30, Bo Diddley Plaza amphitheater, 111 E. University Ave. Free. (gainesvillefl.gov/Events-directory/Free-Fridays-Concert-Series) The Lions of Jah will perform reggae.
“Free Fridays” Concert: 7-9 p.m. Sept. 6, Bo Diddley Plaza amphitheater, 111 E. University Ave. Free. (gainesvillefl.gov/Events-directory/Free-Fridays-Concert-Series) FEST 22 Showcase.
“Free Fridays” Concert: 7-9 p.m. Sept. 13, Bo Diddley Plaza amphitheater, 111 E. University Ave. Free. (gainesvillefl.gov/Events-directory/Free-Fridays-Concert-Series) Dionysus will perform AstroJazz and funk.
Jazz on the Green: 7-9 p.m. Sept. 14, Celebration Pointe, Celebration Pointe Avenue off of Interstate 75 and Archer Road. Free. (celebrationpointe.com) Brazil Side B will perform on the stage in the promenade, food and drinks, lawn games and more.
Sean Mason Quartet: 7 and 9 p.m. Sept. 20, UpStage at the Phillips Center, 3201 Hull Road. Tickets: $55 for 7 p.m. seating, $35 for 9 p.m. seating. (performingarts.ufl.edu) Pianist Sean Mason’s unique voice in jazz is steeped in the sound of the South. Mason’s performances are grounded in an integrity reinforced by his appreciation of his musical ancestors with influences ranging from Ray Charles to Duke Ellington to southern gospel and blues. His 2023 album, “The Southern Suite,” offers moments of complexity that will excite jazz aficionados with catchy, accessible melodies that welcome everyone. UpStage is an intimate, cabaret-style setting on the Phillips Center Mainstage. The 7 p.m. seating includes heavy hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar; the 9 p.m. seating includes desserts and cash bar.
“Free Fridays” Concert: 7-9 p.m. Sept. 20, Bo Diddley Plaza amphitheater, 111 E. University Ave. Free. (gainesvillefl.gov/Events-directory/Free-Fridays-Concert-Series) Morningbell will perform psychedelic rock and soul.
Peter DiStefano (of p*rno For Pyros) and Mike Baggetta (of mssv): 8 p.m. Sept. 20, The Atlantic, 19 W. University Ave. Tickets: $15. (tinyurl.com/pdmg24, hello@pulparts.com) Setting forth as a guitar duo unlike any other, this very first Punk Jazz tour across the U.S. finds Peter DiStefano (of p*rno for Pyros) and Mike Baggetta (of mssv) exploring no-boundaries improvised music, informed by their lives and songs, with just two electric guitars, electronics and maybe some vocals.
Tres Souls: 7 and 9 p.m. Sept. 21, UpStage at the Phillips Center, 3201 Hull Road. Tickets: $55 for 7 p.m. seating, $35 for 9 p.m. seating, $12 UF students. (performingarts.ufl.edu) Tres Souls has been capturing hearts one ballad at a time. They are a modern embodiment of the vintage sounds of the Golden Age of Mexican cinema and will transport you to a more romantic time. UpStage is an intimate, cabaret-style setting on the Phillips Center Mainstage. The 7 p.m. seating includes heavy hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar; the 9 p.m. seating includes desserts and cash bar.
“Free Fridays” Concert: 7-9 p.m. Sept. 27, Bo Diddley Plaza amphitheater, 111 E. University Ave. Free. (gainesvillefl.gov/Events-directory/Free-Fridays-Concert-Series) Savants of Soul will perform soul.
Jahari Stampley Trio: 7 and 9 p.m. Sept. 28, UpStage at the Phillips Center, 3201 Hull Road. Tickets: $55 for 7 p.m. seating, $35 for 9 p.m. seating, $12 UF students. (performingarts.ufl.edu) Young pianist Jahari Stampley blasted onto the international jazz scene in 2023 by winning the prestigious Herbie Hanco*ck Institute Competition. Accompanied by his Grammy-nominated multi-instrumentalist mother, D-Erania Stampley, and drummer Miguel Russell, Jahari performs ultra-funky, dimension-opening jazz with a triumphant style that is unmistakably his own. UpStage is an intimate, cabaret-style setting on the Phillips Center Mainstage. The 7 p.m. seating includes heavy hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar; the 9 p.m. seating includes desserts and cash bar.
Suwannee Roots Revival: All day Oct. 10-13, Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park, 3076 95th Drive, Live Oak. Tickets: $160-$275. (suwanneerootsrevival.com/tickets) Artists include Old Crow Medicine Show, Yonder Mountain String Band, Donna the Buffalo, Peter Rowan Band, Della Mae, Henhouse Prowlers, The Ain’t Sisters, Kaleta and Super Yamba Band, Blair Crimmins and the Hookers, Snake Oil Medicine Show, Grandpa’s Cough Medicine, Sloppy Joe, Quartermoon and Magic Moon Traveling Circus.
Jazz on the Green: 7-9 p.m. Oct. 12, Celebration Pointe, Celebration Pointe Avenue off of Interstate 75 and Archer Road. Free. (celebrationpointe.com) Marty Liquori Jazztet will perform on the stage in the promenade, food and drinks, lawn games and more.
Bob Mould: 8 p.m. Oct. 18, The Wooly, 20 N. Main St. Tickets: $25-$39. (bobmould.com/tour) The past year has seen Mould receive recognition for his outstanding career that started in 1979 fronting the seminal punk band Hüsker Dü, with Spin Magazine naming him among their “100 Greatest Rock Stars" and Rolling Stone including him in their “Greatest Guitarists of All Time.”
Clayton Stephenson: 2 p.m. Oct. 27, Squitieri Studio Theatre at the Phillips Center, 3201 Hull Road. Tickets: $35, $12 UF students. (performingarts.ufl.edu) Clayton Stephenson is not just a remarkable virtuoso, but also a poet and a master storyteller whose love for the piano is apparent. His repertoire invites the audience on an adventure. Stephenson’s flourishing career includes accolades as a finalist at the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition in 2022 and recipient of the Avery Fisher Career Grant in 2024.
Michael Cleveland and Flamekeeper: 7 and 9 p.m. Nov. 1, UpStage at the Phillips Center, 3201 Hull Road. Tickets: $55 for 7 p.m. seating, $35 for 9 p.m. seating, $12 UF students. (performingarts.ufl.edu) 2019 Best Bluegrass Album Grammy Award-winner Michael Cleveland can claim dominance in the highly competitive world of bluegrass as a 12-time IBMA Awards Fiddle Player of the Year. He has performed with a legendary list of greats such as Béla Fleck, Tommy Emmanuel, Billy Strings and Vince Gill. Cleveland is widely considered the top fiddler of his generation. UpStage is an intimate, cabaret-style setting on the Phillips Center Mainstage. The 7 p.m. seating includes heavy hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar; the 9 p.m. seating includes desserts and cash bar.
Endea Owens and The Cookout: 7 and 9 p.m. Nov. 2, UpStage at the Phillips Center, 3201 Hull Road. Tickets: $55 for 7 p.m. seating, $35 for 9 p.m. seating, $12 UF students. (performingarts.ufl.edu) If you’ve seen Endea Owens jamming with the house band on “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” or delivering joyfully catchy bass lines on “NPR Tiny Desk” with her band, The Cookout, then you know not to miss a chance to see Owens’ musical prowess shine in person. Her accolades include an Emmy, a Grammy and a Peabody Award. UpStage is an intimate, cabaret-style setting on the Phillips Center Mainstage. The 7 p.m. seating includes heavy hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar; the 9 p.m. seating includes desserts and cash bar.
Mahler’s “Resurrection” Symphony: 7:30 p.m. Nov. 8, Phillips Center, 3201 Hull Road. Tickets: $20-$40, $12 UF students. (performingarts.ufl.edu) UF Symphony Director Tiffany Lu is generating a buzz with her command of the University of Florida Symphony Orchestra and ambitious program choices. Watch UF’s new star conductor take the orchestra to new heights as they tackle Mahler’s “Symphony No. 2.”
Jazz on the Green: 7-9 p.m. Nov. 9, Celebration Pointe, Celebration Pointe Avenue off of Interstate 75 and Archer Road. Free. (celebrationpointe.com) Ed Roth Trio will perform on the stage in the promenade, food and drinks, lawn games and more.
Parker Quartet: 2 p.m. Nov. 17, Squitieri Studio Theatre at the Phillips Center, 3201 Hull Road. Tickets: $40, $12 UF students. (performingarts.ufl.edu) Internationally recognized for their fearless yet probingly beautiful performances, the Grammy Award-winning Parker Quartet has distinguished itself as one of the preeminent quartets of this time. Their numerous honors include winning the Concert Artists Guild Competition, the Grand Prix and Mozart Prize at France’s Bordeaux International String Quartet Competition, and Chamber Music America’s prestigious Cleveland Quartet Award.
Voctave — “It Feels Like Christmas”: 7:30 p.m. Dec. 5, Phillips Center, 3201 Hull Road. Tickets: $30-$50, $12 UF students. (performingarts.ufl.edu) Voctave is an 11-member ensemble guaranteed to put you in the holiday mood with their joyful repertoire of wintery arrangements including retro classics and contemporary seasonal hits. The sum of each member’s musical roots makes for a wealth of influences including musical theatre, barbershop, pop and choral music.
Jazz on the Green: 7-9 p.m. Dec. 14, Celebration Pointe, Celebration Pointe Avenue off of Interstate 75 and Archer Road. Free. (celebrationpointe.com) Natalie Rella Jazz will perform on the stage in the promenade, food and drinks, lawn games and more.
Pink Martini: 7:30 p.m. Jan. 15, 2025, Phillips Center, 3201 Hull Road. Tickets: $40-$60, $12 UF students. (performingarts.ufl.edu) Featuring China Forbes. A crowd favorite, Pink Martini returns to Gainesville to celebrate their 30th anniversary on a tour that promises to be packed with stylish fun. Drawing inspiration from all over the world — crossing genres from big band American jazz to old-fashioned French pop — the group tours the globe with their multilingual repertoire on a diplomatic mission to share a good time.
Pacifica Quartet: 7:30 p.m. Jan. 17, 2025; 2 p.m. Jan. 18, 2025, Squitieri Studio Theatre at the Phillips Center, 3201 Hull Road. Tickets: $40, $12 UF students. (performingarts.ufl.edu) The Pacifica Quartet has established itself as one of the finest chamber ensembles to hit the stage. With their powerful energy and captivating sound, it is no wonder that this quartet has a career that spans nearly three decades and multiple Grammy Awards. Choose one performance or indulge in both distinct programs for an extraordinary experience of musical virtuosity.
Take 6, Nnenna Freelon and Clint Holmes: 7:30 p.m. Jan. 24, 2025, Phillips Center, 3201 Hull Road. Tickets: $35-$55, $12 UF students. (performingarts.ufl.edu) A supergroup forms for the brand-new show, “Withers to Wonder,” where famed multi-Grammy Award-winners Take 6 join forces with illustrious jazz vocalist Nnenna Freelon and Vegas crooner Clint Holmes to celebrate the music of icons Bill Withers and Stevie Wonder.
Geneva Lewis: 2 p.m. Jan. 26, 2025, Squitieri Studio Theatre at the Phillips Center, 3201 Hull Road. Tickets: $35, $12 UF students. (performingarts.ufl.edu) Hailed as “clearly one to watch” by Musical America, violinist Geneva Lewis is at the forefront of a new generation of performers carrying forward the classical canon with remarkable mastery. She has the power to dominate the music, yet handles it with elegance. Lewis is the recipient of a 2022 Borletti-Buitoni Trust Award, 2021 Avery Fisher Career Grant, and Grand Prize winner of the 2020 Concert Artists Guild Competition.
Stella Cole: 7 and 9 p.m. Jan 31, 2025, UpStage at the Phillips Center, 3201 Hull Road. Tickets: $55 for 7 p.m. seating, $35 for 9 p.m. seating, $12 UF students. (performingarts.ufl.edu) Let this performance transport you to a 1940s jazz club with moody lighting, and the sounds of soft chatter and clinking glasses that fade away as a star takes the stage. Raised on old movies and classic singers, Stella Cole captivates audiences with her soothing renditions of tunes from the Great American Songbook, and a remarkably mature voice reminiscent of Judy Garland. UpStage is an intimate, cabaret-style setting on the Phillips Center Mainstage. The 7 p.m. seating includes heavy hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar; the 9 p.m. seating includes desserts and cash bar.
José Valentino and Charlton Singleton: 7 and 9 p.m. Feb. 1, 2025, UpStage at the Phillips Center, 3201 Hull Road. Tickets: $55 for 7 p.m. seating, $35 for 9 p.m. seating, $12 UF students. (performingarts.ufl.edu) José Valentino, a recipient of multiple Latin Grammy Awards, is a versatile multi-instrumentalist with a musical style that traverses R&B, Latin, jazz, fusion and beyond. Charlton Singleton is a multiple Grammy Award-winning trumpeter, conductor of the Charleston Jazz Orchestra, and a founding member of the acclaimed Gullah quintet Ranky Tanky. Together, Valentino and Singleton promise a fun, energetic evening filled with improvisational flair and fast-paced, funky Latin jazz. UpStage is an intimate, cabaret-style setting on the Phillips Center Mainstage. The 7 p.m. seating includes heavy hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar; the 9 p.m. seating includes desserts and cash bar.
Czech National Symphony Orchestra: 7:30 p.m. Feb. 14, 2025, Phillips Center, 3201 Hull Road. Tickets: $40-$65, $12 UF students. (performingarts.ufl.edu) Filling concert halls for more than 30 years, the great Czech National Symphony Orchestra is a testament to the timeless power of music. Their program featured two soloists in the first half followed by a performance of Dvořák’s Symphony No. 9 “New World Symphony.”
Ziggy and Miles: 7:30 p.m. Feb. 23, 2025, Squitieri Studio Theatre at the Phillips Center, 3201 Hull Road. Tickets: $35, $12 UF students. (performingarts.ufl.edu) Australian guitar duo Ziggy and Miles are changing how you hear classical music. With unmatched skill and passion, they promise to bring you a night of guitar virtuosity with influences from composers ranging from Rodrigo to Page in a blend of technical mastery and heartfelt passion.
Della Mae: 7 and 9 p.m. March 1, 2025, UpStage at the Phillips Center, 3201 Hull Road. Tickets: $55 for 7 p.m. seating, $35 for 9 p.m. seating, $12 UF students. (performingarts.ufl.edu) You will get wrapped up in Della Mae’s foot-stomping performance. Long regarded as a powerful live band in bluegrass and Americana, Della Mae is a Grammy-nominated, all-women string band reared in diverse musical styles. UpStage is an intimate, cabaret-style setting on the Phillips Center Mainstage. The 7 p.m. seating includes heavy hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar; the 9 p.m. seating includes desserts and cash bar.
Time for Three: 7 and 9 p.m. March 20, 2025, UpStage at the Phillips Center, 3201 Hull Road. Tickets: $55 for 7 p.m. seating, $35 for 9 p.m. seating, $12 UF students. (performingarts.ufl.edu) Grammy and Emmy-winning ensemble Time for Three defies conventions with genre-bending excellence. Their unique instrumentation of two violins and a double bass well matches their extraordinary sound, which merges classical, Americana, modern pop and singer-songwriter styles. Their signature charismatic performances and pushing of creative boundaries leaves audiences captivated worldwide. UpStage is an intimate, cabaret-style setting on the Phillips Center Mainstage. The 7 p.m. seating includes heavy hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar; the 9 p.m. seating includes desserts and cash bar.
Interpreti Veneziani: 7:30 p.m. March 26, 2025, Phillips Center, 3201 Hull Road. Tickets: $30-$50, $12 UF students. (performingarts.ufl.edu) Returning audience favorite Interpreti Veneziani is based in the Church of San Vidal in Venice, where their concert season draws tens of thousands of spectators from around the globe. The ensemble has gained a reputation for its exuberance and Italian brio. Their accessible, virtuosic performances of Baroque- and Romantic-era pieces highlight the best in chamber music.
Alex Cuba: 7 and 9 p.m. March 28, 2025, UpStage at the Phillips Center, 3201 Hull Road. Tickets: $55 for 7 p.m. seating, $35 for 9 p.m. seating, $12 UF students. (performingarts.ufl.edu) Alex Cuba’s sweet melodies, pop-soul hooks and powerful guitar riffs abandon the conventional stereotype that is found in much of the Latin music landscape. Born in Cuba and now residing in Canada, he effortlessly blends the rich melodies of his Cuban roots with North American influences. UpStage is an intimate, cabaret-style setting on the Phillips Center Mainstage. The 7 p.m. seating includes heavy hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar; the 9 p.m. seating includes desserts and cash bar.
The Guy Mintus Trio: 7 and 9 p.m. March 29, 2025, UpStage at the Phillips Center, 3201 Hull Road. Tickets: $55 for 7 p.m. seating, $35 for 9 p.m. seating, $12 UF students. (performingarts.ufl.edu) Guy Mintus brings the expertise of a trained concert pianist, the energy of a showman, and a jazz musician’s sense of adventure. Coming from a heritage of Iraqi, Moroccan and Polish Jews, he is unafraid to throw into the mix his native Middle Eastern scales and rhythms. The Guy Mintus Trio creates a musical home in which different identities and influences can coexist as a uniquely unified voice. UpStage is an intimate, cabaret-style setting on the Phillips Center Mainstage. The 7 p.m. seating includes heavy hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar; the 9 p.m. seating includes desserts and cash bar.
Amaryn Olmeda: 2 p.m. April 6, 2025, Squitieri Studio Theatre at the Phillips Center, 3201 Hull Road. Tickets: $35, $12 UF students. (performingarts.ufl.edu) “Prodigy” is a lofty label, but in the case of Amaryn Olmeda, the shoe fits. Olmeda won her first competition at age 9, debuted with the Philadelphia Orchestra at age 13, and made her Carnegie Hall solo debut at 14. At 16, the bold, expressive playing style of this rising star rivals that of international concert stage veterans.
Zakir Hussain’s Masters of Percussion: 7:30 p.m. April 8, 2025, Phillips Center, 3201 Hull Road. Tickets: $25-$45, $12 UF students. (performingarts.ufl.edu) A celebration of drumming with one of the chief architects of contemporary world music, Zakir Hussain. Credited as the pre-eminent classical tabla virtuoso, Hussain is one of the world’s most esteemed and influential musicians. Renowned for his immersive performances, Hussain boasts a career that includes collaborations with luminaries such as Edgar Meyer, the Grateful Dead, George Harrison and Herbie Hanco*ck.
Las Guaracheras: 7 and 9 p.m. April 10, 2025, UpStage at the Phillips Center, 3201 Hull Road. Tickets: $55 for 7 p.m. seating, $35 for 9 p.m. seating, $12 UF students. (performingarts.ufl.edu) Las Guaracheras is a salsa band hailing from the city of Cali, Colombia, that is lifting female voices in the Afro-Latin music scene. Their music is about joy, memory and transformation backed by vibraphone, percussion, bass, piano and vocals. UpStage is an intimate, cabaret-style setting on the Phillips Center Mainstage. The 7 p.m. seating includes heavy hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar; the 9 p.m. seating includes desserts and cash bar.
Birth of the Cool: 7 and 9 p.m. April 11, 2025, UpStage at the Phillips Center, 3201 Hull Road. Tickets: $55 for 7 p.m. seating, $35 for 9 p.m. seating, $12 UF students. (performingarts.ufl.edu) Featuring Dominick Farinacci and the Christian Tamburr Quartet. Follow these ambassadors of jazz on a toe-tapping expedition through the iconic era of jazz in an exploration of the late Miles Davis and trumpet greats like Freddie Hubbard, Lee Morgan and Clark Terry. Kick back while these top-shelf musicians serve as your guides, bringing to life the sophisticated sounds that shaped bebop and hard bop jazz. UpStage is an intimate, cabaret-style setting on the Phillips Center Mainstage. The 7 p.m. seating includes heavy hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar; the 9 p.m. seating includes desserts and cash bar.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Baturdays of Summer: 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Aug. 3, Lubee Bat Conservancy, 1309 NW 192nd Ave. Cost: $15-$20. (lubee.org) Visit with the world’s largest bats in a small-event setting. Speak with bat experts, sit in on educational presentations, and explore the Lubee grounds.
Summer Movie Express: 11 a.m. Aug. 6-7, Regal Royal Park, 3702 W. Newberry Road. Tickets: $1. (regmovies.com/promotions/summer-movie-express) “Minions: The Rise of Gru” and “Sing 2.”
Summer Splash Days: 5-7 p.m. Aug. 9, South Seaboard Drive, Newberry. Free. (facebook.com/NewberryMainStreet/events) Splash and play in the splash park created for this event. There will be music, games, water sprinklers and Newberry's fire truck spraying and splashing. Wear water shoes.
Pancakes with a Ranger: 9-10:15 a.m. Aug. 22, Ichetucknee Springs State Park, 12087 SW U.S. 27, Fort White. Cost: $6 per vehicle. (tinyurl.com/pwaraug24) Free pancakes, coffee and orange juice prepared by park staff and volunteers. This is a great opportunity to ask your burning questions about the park, such as how to become a ranger, how to volunteer and more. Or, you can simply enjoy warm pancakes with the morning sounds of the Ichetucknee.
Brew at the Zoo: 4-7 p.m. Aug. 24, Santa Fe College Teaching Zoo, 3000 Northwest 83rd St. Tickets: $60, $25 for non-drinkers. (showpass.com/brewatthezoo2024) For ages 21 and older. All ticket sales include admission to the zoo, animal encounters, beer and food tastings, live entertainment, food trucks, games and commemorative souvenir cup. All funds raised will directly support the zoo and its mission to educate, inspire and secure a future for wildlife. Held rain or shine.
“Perfect Arrangement”: Previews Aug. 28-29, then 8 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays, 2 p.m. Saturdays-Sundays, 7 p.m. Wednesdays-Thursdays Aug. 30-Sept. 22, Hippodrome Theatre, 25 SE Second Place. Tickets: $10-$30. (thehipp.org/perfect-arrangement) “Perfect Arrangement” seamlessly merges sitcom laughs with stirring drama to tell the story of two closeted State Department employees struggling to not blow their cover during the Red Scare. Laugh until you cry in this comedy inspired by true stories of the early American gay rights movement. This play discusses LGBTQ+ and adult themes, and strong language is used.
Zach Williams and Tim Tebow: 7 p.m. Sept. 5, O’Connell Center, 250 Gale Lemerand Drive. Ticket prices vary; see website for more information. (tinyurl.com/williamstebow) An evening of worship and inspiration, with a message of love, hope and God’s grace highlighting the importance of persevering in Christ through life’s challenges.
Steps to Wellness Luncheon: 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Sept. 12, Best Western Gateway Grand, 4200 NW 97th Blvd. Tickets: $65 general admission, $500 full table package, $50 Meridian employees. (tinyurl.com/stw24a) This year’s luncheon theme is "It Takes Heart: One Life at a Time, One Community at a Time," underscoring a collective commitment to making a difference in mental wellness, emphasizing that meaningful change begins with individual actions and extends to the broader community.
Pete Davidson: 7 p.m. Sept. 23, Phillips Center, 3201 Hull Road. Tickets: $51.50-$101.50. (performingarts.ufl.edu) The comedian and “SNL” star will perform.
“Swan Lake”: 7:30 p.m. Sept. 27, Phillips Center, 3201 Hull Road. Tickets: $35-$65. (performingarts.ufl.edu) Presented by Dance Alive National Ballet, “Swan Lake” is the story of a prince whose fiancée has been transformed into a swan by the evil sorcerer Von Rothbart. Family friendly.
“What the Constitution Means to Me”: Preview 7 p.m. Oct. 9, then 8 p.m. Oct. 11 and Oct. 25, 2 p.m. Oct. 13 and Oct. 27, 7 p.m. Oct. 17 and Oct. 23-24, 2 and 8 p.m. Oct. 19, Hippodrome Theatre, 25 SE Second Place. Tickets: $10-$30. (thehipp.org/what-the-constitution-means-to-me) A Pulitzer Prize finalist and nominated for two Tony Awards, this hilarious, hopeful and achingly human play breathes new life into the Constitution and imagines how it will shape the next generation of Americans. As a 15-year-old, Heidi Schreck won debate competitions defending the Constitution across the country. As an adult, she resurrects her teenage self to investigate its profound effect on four generations of women in her family and ask what the U.S. Constitution truly means. This show is intended for audiences ages 14 and older. It contains strong language, mature themes, and references to physical and sexual violence and abortion.
An Evening with David Sedaris: 7:30 p.m. Oct. 9, Phillips Center, 3201 Hull Road. Tickets: $35-$55. (performingarts.ufl.edu) David Sedaris will catch you off guard with his irreverent laugh-out-loud storytelling. His distinctively gentle and sardonic voice is instantly recognized by anyone who has tuned into his classic “Santaland Diaries,” broadcast on NPR each holiday season. A Grammy-nominated radio contributor, his autobiographical essays are written for the listener as much as for the reader, and the finest way to experience a Sedaris story is in person — delivered from the voice of the wordsmith himself.
“Every Brilliant Thing”: Preview Oct. 10, then 2 and 8 p.m. Oct. 12 and Oct. 26, 7 p.m. Oct. 16 and Oct. 24, 8 p.m. Oct. 18 and Oct. 25, 2 p.m. Oct. 20, Hippodrome Theatre, 25 SE Second Place. Tickets: $10-$30. (thehipp.org/every-brilliant-thing) Could you name 100 things that make life wonderful? A thousand? A million? Beginning with “ice cream” and “laughing so hard you shoot milk out your nose,” a boy’s handwritten list to cheer up his despondent mom becomes a surprisingly funny and poignant ode to humanity. “Every Brilliant Thing” takes audiences on a transcendent and tender coming-of-age journey that reminds us to pay attention to life’s smallest joys — and to each other. A play that celebrates life and underscores the importance of human connection. Audience participation. “Every Brilliant Thing” contains descriptions of depression, self-harm and suicide. The show briefly describes a character’s attempted suicides and her death by suicide, and includes the specific means that were used.
Circa’s Humans 2.0: 7:30 p.m. Oct. 13, Phillips Center, 3201 Hull Road. Tickets: $25-$45, $12 UF students. (performingarts.ufl.edu) Fueled by the question “What is possible in circus?” this Australian troupe blurs the lines between movement, dance, theatre and the art of circus. Their performance will feature powerful exhibitions of strength and fluidity in a show that pushes the limits of physics and the human body.
Actors from the London Stage — “Twelfth Night”: 7:30 p.m. Oct. 17-19, Squitieri Studio Theatre at the Phillips Center, 3201 Hull Road. Tickets: $40, $12 UF students. (performingarts.ufl.edu) Audience favorites Actors from the London Stage return to Gainesville for three intimate performances. This company delivers a masterful version of the comedy “Twelfth Night,” staying true to The Bard while keeping it fresh with each actor transforming skillfully into a multitude of roles. See Shakespeare up-close and in a way you’ve never seen before.
The Halloween Howl: 4-9 p.m. Oct. 24-25, Hawthorne Woman’s Club, Southeast 66th Avenue, Hawthorne. Free entry; items and food for sale. (bit.ly/wcof24) Charity event in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness month with a portion of proceeds donated to Renee Reves, a Hawthorne resident, to assist with medical costs for her life-threatening breast cancer. Event will feature pony rides, hayride, dunk tank, pumpkin decorating, haunted house, hot dog eating contest and costume contest.
“Dracula” and “Vampyra”: 7:30 p.m. Oct. 25, Phillips Center, 3201 Hull Road. Tickets: $30-$50. (performingarts.ufl.edu) A vampire double-header presented by Dance Alive National Ballet. The vampire classic “Dracula,” dark and foreboding, is filled with bone-chilling suspense. “Vampyra” is a spoof on the vampire world. A Halloween costume contest also will be held during intermission. Family friendly.
Sergio Bernal Dance Company: 7:30 p.m. Oct. 30, Phillips Center, 3201 Hull Road. Tickets: $25-$45, $12 UF students. (performingarts.ufl.edu) Sergio Bernal, former Principal Dancer of the Ballet Nacional de España, brings his first evening-length program to the U.S. Created by Bernal and choreographer Ricardo Cue, “A Night with Sergio Bernal” melds the bravado and speed of Spanish flamenco with the grace and precision of ballet. Accompanied by three masterful musicians and fellow award-winning flamenco dancers, Bernal pushes both forms toward a new frontier.
“Dear Evan Hansen”: 7:30 p.m. Nov. 4, Phillips Center, 3201 Hull Road. Tickets: $45-$75, $20 UF students. (performingarts.ufl.edu) Declared “one of the most remarkable shows in musical theater history” by The Washington Post, “Dear Evan Hansen” is the first musical to take a ground-breaking look — from the points of view of both the parents and young people — at our complex, interconnected and social media-filled lives. Recommended for ages 12 and older, and contains adult themes, including discussions of suicide.
“Murder at Abby Manor Mascarade Ball”: 5-9 p.m. Nov. 16, Hawthorne Woman’s Club, Southeast 66th Avenue, Hawthorne. Tickets: $25; reservations required. (305-975-4018, 412-518-7154) Dinner murder-mystery interactive game with the guests participating in solving the mystery. Each guest will be a character in the mystery and have a role to play. Includes hors d’oeuvres and “Around the World” dinner, dessert, prizes and raffle.
“Honky Tonk Angels Holiday Spectacular”: 8 p.m. Nov. 29-30, Dec. 6-7, Dec. 13-14, Dec. 20-21 and Dec. 23; 2 p.m. Dec. 1, Dec. 8, Dec. 15 and Dec. 22; 7 p.m. Dec. 4-5, Dec. 10-12 and Dec. 18-19; 1 p.m. Dec. 11, Hippodrome Theatre, 25 SE Second Place. Tickets: $10-$30. (thehipp.org/honky-tonk-angels-holiday-spectacular) Get ready to twirl your tinsel, because “The Honky Tonk Angels Holiday Spectacular” is here to lasso your heartstrings with a boot-scootin’, yuletide extravaganza! Join three sassy country gals as they saddle up for a festive reunion at “The Hillbilly Heaven Club” in Nashville. But hold onto your cowboy hats, because this year, they’re getting a little extra sparkle — a psychic, gospel soul sister is hitchin’ a ride to spread some holiday cheer! So, grab your candy canes and get ready to two-step into the Christmas spirit with a show that’s as sweet as pecan pie and as lively as a barn dance under the mistletoe! Yeehaw! This live production features special effects including fog, haze, minor strobe light and moving lights. This show has some mild profanity.
“A Christmas Carol”: 1 and 4 p.m. Saturdays, 7 p.m. Sundays Nov. 30-Dec. 22 plus 7 p.m. Dec. 17, 2 p.m. Dec. 20, and 1 and 4 p.m. Dec. 23, Hippodrome Theatre, 25 SE Second Place. Tickets: $10-$30. (thehipp.org/a-christmas-carol-2024) Bah, humbug to dashing through the snow in Florida; join the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future as they lead the miserly Ebenezer Scrooge on a journey of transformation and redemption through music, dancing and haunting storytelling. This family friendly live production features special effects including fog, haze, minor strobe light and moving lights.
“The Nutcracker”: 7:30 p.m. Dec. 19-21, 2 p.m. Dec. 21-22, Phillips Center, 3201 Hull Road. Tickets: $30-$60. (performingarts.ufl.edu) Presented by Dance Alive National Ballet, the all-time family favorite is here again. Everyone needs a hero, and in this case she’s a girl. Family friendly.
Class with Clara: 4 p.m. Dec. 21-22, Phillips Center, 3201 Hull Road. Tickets: $25. (performingarts.ufl.edu) Presented by Dance Alive National Ballet, join the charming Clara, heroine of the “Nutcracker” ballet, for a princess-style ballet class onstage in the Kingdom of the Sweets. Training not required. Street shoes are acceptable, but you can dance in your socks or ballet shoes. Company dancers will be available to help children as well, so they will have the most possible attention given. Special gifts will be handed out following the class. All ages as long as they want to dance.
Cirque Kalabanté: 7:30 p.m. Jan. 21, 2025, Phillips Center, 3201 Hull Road. Tickets: $25-$45, $12 UF students. (performingarts.ufl.edu) Cirque Kalabanté features gravity-defying acrobatics and jaw-dropping displays of contortion and strength. Inspired by daily life in Guinea, this performance is designed to share the beauty, youth and artistry of West African culture. Founded by Guinean-born Cirque du Soleil veteran Yamoussa Bongoura, Kalabanté means “ambitious child with exceptional courage” in West African Sousou. Cirque Kalabanté lives up to its name, showcasing explosive drumming and dance, and extraordinary feats of daring for adults and kids alike.
“Laughs in Spanish”: Previews Jan. 22-23, 2025, then 8 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays, 2 p.m. Saturdays-Sundays, 7 p.m. Wednesdays-Thursdays Jan. 24-Feb. 16, 2025, Hippodrome Theatre, 25 SE Second Place. Tickets: $10-$30. (thehipp.org/laughs-in-spanish) Step into the colorful and chaotic world of Miami’s art scene with “Laughs in Spanish” by Alexis Scheer! As Art Basel looms, Mariana finds herself in a sticky situation: her gallery is a crime scene! But fear not, because with her quirky support crew — including her intern Carolina, the charming police officer Juan, and her flamboyant mother Estella — a plan is brewing to save the day. This uproarious blend of who-done-it and telenovela guarantees non-stop laughter while grooving in your seat to the rhythm of this vibrant, stylish new play taking the country by storm. Contains language, sexuality, and drug and alcohol use. Strobe lighting effects, e-cigarettes and stage fog are used. Recommended for ages 16 and older.
“Dangerous Liaisons”: 7:30 p.m. Feb. 8, 2025, Phillips Center, 3201 Hull Road. Tickets: $30-$50. (performingarts.ufl.edu) Presented by Dance Alive National Ballet, this performance features Kim Tuttle’s “Dangerous Liaisons” with guest actors Nell Page Rainsberger and Gregg Jones; Judy Skinner’s “Rhapsody in Blue” with award-winning pianist Kevin Sharpe; and Tales Ribeiro’s “Revelation.” Recommended for ages 13 and older.
Riverdance: 7:30 p.m. Feb. 11-13, 2025, Phillips Center, 3201 Hull Road. Tickets: $45-$75, $175 VIP, $12 UF students. (performingarts.ufl.edu) Since Riverdance first emerged onto the world stage, its fusion of Irish and international dance and music has captured the hearts of millions worldwide. The Grammy Award-winning music and the infectious energy of its mesmerizing choreography and breathtaking performances has left audiences in awe and established Riverdance as a global cultural sensation. To celebrate this incredible 30-year milestone, Riverdance will embark on a special anniversary tour, bringing its magic to audiences around the world. This production rejuvenates the much-loved original show with new, innovative choreography and costumes, and state-of-the-art lighting, projection and motion graphics. And for the first time, Riverdance welcomes “The New Generation” of performers, all of whom were not born when the show began 30 years ago. VIP ticket includes early access to the hall to watch cast blocking/warm-ups, a VIP laminate, and a Q&A with select cast members prior to the performance.
The Fourth Light Project: 7:30 p.m. Feb. 21, 2025, Phillips Center, 3201 Hull Road. Tickets: $25-$45, $12 UF students. (performingarts.ufl.edu) An immersive multimedia experience presented by Niyaz. Iranian-born Azam Ali and Loga Torkian’s Fourth Light Project is an immersive, trance-inducing multimedia experience inspired by the 8th century mystic poetess Rabia Al Basri. Niyaz mixes modern electronic music and state-of-the-art interactive technology with traditional Middle Eastern instruments, a female whirling dervish and ancient poetry for a vivid, almost psychedelic blending of old and new. Niyaz harmoniously weaves together traditional and modern instruments to create a sublime musical experience that unites people from different cultural and spiritual backgrounds through shared humanity.
“The Book of Mormon”: 7:30 p.m. March 4-5, 2025, Phillips Center, 3201 Hull Road. Tickets: $59-$109, $30 UF students. (performingarts.ufl.edu, TheBookOfMormonTour.com) This outrageous musical comedy follows the adventures of a mismatched pair of missionaries, sent halfway across the world to spread the Good Word. With standing-room-only productions in London, on Broadway and across North America, “The Book of Mormon” has truly become an international sensation.
The Peking Acrobats: 7:30 p.m. March 11, 2025, Phillips Center, 3201 Hull Road. Tickets: $24-$45, $12 UF students. (performingarts.ufl.edu) The Peking Acrobats perform daring maneuvers with awe-inspiring acrobatic feats to create a breathtaking, all-ages spectacle with the festive pageantry of a Chinese carnival. Experience their precarious pagoda of chairs, trick-cycling, precision tumbling, juggling, somersaulting and gymnastics. Rooted in centuries of Chinese history, The Peking Acrobats seek to uphold the rich and ancient folk art tradition, and bring it to new heights while pushing the envelope of human possibility.
“Clyde’s”: Previews March 26-27, 2025, then 8 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays, 2 p.m. Saturdays-Sundays, 7 p.m. Wednesdays-Thursdays March 28-April 20, 2025, Hippodrome Theatre, 25 SE Second Place. Tickets: $10-$30. (thehipp.org/clydes) Step into the heart of Clyde’s, where a truck stop sandwich shop becomes the stage for redemption and resilience. Led by an enigmatic chef who believes in the transformative power of the perfect sandwich, a diverse cast of formerly incarcerated kitchen staff find hope and purpose amidst the challenges of their pasts and the pressures of their callous owner. This Tony Award-nominated masterpiece serves up a hilarious and poignant exploration of radical imagination, restorative justice and the healing bonds of food, reminding us that sometimes heroes emerge from the most unexpected places. Strong adult language and discussion of mature topics, including sex, substance abuse and illegal activities. “Clyde’s” is suitable for older teenage and adult audiences only.
The Hipp’s Summer Musical — To Be Announced: Times TBD May 28-June 16, 2025, Hippodrome Theatre, 25 SE Second Place. Tickets: $10-$30. (thehipp.org) Information TBA.
“Romeo and Juliet”: 7:30 p.m. April 5, 2025, Phillips Center, 3201 Hull Road. Tickets: $35-$65. (performingarts.ufl.edu) The greatest love story ever told, presented by Dance Alive National Ballet. The heartbreaking feud between the Capulets and Montagues results in the doomed lovers’ deaths and a sad reconciliation for the families. Family friendly. Sword fighting involved.
Limón Dance Company: 7:30 p.m. April 19, 2025, Phillips Center, 3201 Hull Road. Tickets: $25-$45, $12 UF students. (performingarts.ufl.edu) An evening of dramatically expressive and intricately nuanced dance with the pioneering Limón Dance Company, America’s first modern dance repertory company. Established in 1946 by José Limón and Doris Humphrey, Limón has been honored with the National Medal of Arts for Lifetime Achievement, recognizing the founder’s profound impact and enduring legacy in the world of dance.
“Pretty Woman: The Musical”: 7:30 p.m. April 21, 2025, Phillips Center, 3201 Hull Road. Tickets: $45-$75, $20 UF students. (performingarts.ufl.edu) “Pretty Woman: The Musical,” based on one of Hollywood’s most beloved romantic stories of all time, springs to life with a powerhouse creative team led by two-time Tony Award-winning director and choreographer Jerry Mitchell (“Hairspray,” “Kinky Boots,” “Legally Blonde”). “Pretty Woman: The Musical” features an original score by Grammy winner Bryan Adams and Jim Vallance (“Summer of ’69,” “Heaven”), and a book by the movie’s legendary director, Garry Marshall, and screenwriter, J.F. Lawton.
