A look at Lake Alice on the University of Florida campus Gainesville
A look at Lake Alice on the University of Florida campus
THIS WEEK
‘One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest’
“One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest,” the newest production from Gainesville Community Playhouse, is a darkly comic stage adaptation of Ken Kesey’s iconic novel. Set in a psychiatric hospital in the 1960s, the story follows Randle P. McMurphy, a rebellious new patient who challenges the authoritarian rule of Nurse Ratched. As McMurphy rallies his fellow patients to reclaim their individuality and humanity, the play explores themes of freedom, control and the cost of nonconformity. With unforgettable characters and gripping emotional stakes, this acclaimed drama remains a searing and timely exploration of institutional power and the resilience of the human spirit. See the show through Feb. 8 at Gainesville Community Playhouse, located at 4039 NW 16th Blvd. Tickets are $25 with discounts for seniors, students, and children 12 and younger. For more information, visit gcplayhouse.org.
‘Some Enchanted Evening, The Songs of Rodgers and Hammerstein’
The Hippodrome Theatre invites the public to kick off 2026 with romance, passion, and the music that theatergoers have grown to love: “The Sound of Music,” “Oklahoma,” “The King and I,” “Carousel,” “Flower Drum Song” and more. The Hipp calls it a glorious parade of genuine hits from the golden age of Broadway that will lift spirits, brighten the audience’s souls and leave a melody in their hearts. The show runs at 7 p.m. Wednesdays through Fridays plus 8 p.m. Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays through Feb. 15 at the Hipp, located at 25 SE Second Place. Tickets can be purchased at thehipp.org.
‘Happily Ever After: A Wedding Comedy’
High Springs Playhouse is set to present “Happily Ever After: A Wedding Comedy,” running Feb. 6 through March 1. Written by Mark Dunn and directed by Jenny Martinez, the family-friendly farce follows a bride who barricades herself in a church nursery moments before her wedding, convinced she is destined for another man — if he ever wakes from a coma. As her determined mother pushes to keep the wedding on track, the day spirals into chaos with a dog funeral, a flirtatious caterer, a looming presidential visit, and a miraculous recovery that upends everything. With a Texas twang and plenty of twists, the play evokes the spirit of classic Kaufman and Hart comedies. Performances will be held at 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays plus 2 p.m. Sundays at the theater, located at 23416 W U.S. 27 in High Springs. For more information or to purchase tickets online, visit tinyurl.com/heaawc26.
Julia-Hyunji Lee and Andrew Barnwell
Celebrated cellist and Gainesville native Julia-Hyunji Lee returns for an evening performance with pianist Andrew Barnwell at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 6 at the Jackson N. Sasser Fine Arts Hall at Santa Fe College, 3000 NW 83rd St. The program features works by Robert Schumann, Johannes Brahms, Nadia Boulanger and Dmitri Shostakovich. A principal cellist with the orchestra at her alma mater, The Juilliard School, Lee has performed with the New York Philharmonic and at the Kennedy Center, and is known for her commitment to music education and community outreach, including co-founding Buchholz High School’s first string orchestra in Gainesville. Barnwell, a founding member of Trio Gaia, has earned top prizes at major chamber music competitions and has presented concerts and educational workshops internationally. Tickets are available online through Showpass at showpass.com/julia-lee/seating or at the Sasser Fine Arts Hall box office.
Florida Invitational Step Show
The Florida Invitational Step Show will return at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 7 at the University Auditorium, 333 Newell Drive. The student-run showcase is the largest step show in the southeastern region and celebrates the history, culture and traditions of the National Pan-Hellenic Council. Designed to expand its reach beyond campus, the event draws participants and audiences from surrounding counties and neighboring states. Tickets are $19 for the general public, and UF students will be admitted free. For more information, contact the box office at 392-2787.
Randall King with Kylie Frey
Heartwood Soundstage will host country traditionalist Randall King with special guest Kylie Frey on Feb. 7 for an 8 p.m. show. A West Texas native and self-described old soul, King blends classic honky-tonk swagger with heartfelt songwriting, earning more than 500 million global streams and widespread recognition for his 2024 album “Into the Neon,” which pairs steel guitar and ’90s country grooves with a modern edge. Frequent comparisons to Keith Whitley, George Strait and Alan Jackson have helped make King a touring mainstay, averaging nearly 140 shows annually across the U.S. and Europe. Opening the night, Frey brings her bold, traditional country style and sharp storytelling, backed by a career that includes multiple Texas radio No. 1s, a 2023 Grand Ole Opry debut and recognition as a 2024 CMT Next Women of Country honoree. Advance tickets are $20, and day-of-show tickets are $25; the show is all ages. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit heartwoodsoundstage.com. Heartwood Soundstage is located at 619 S. Main St.
Dinosaur World Live
Dinosaur World Live will be presented at 2 p.m. Feb. 8 at the Phillips Center, 3201 Hull Road. Designed for families and younger audiences, the stage production brings prehistoric creatures to life through large-scale puppetry and storytelling. Following the performance, children are invited to participate in a post-show meet-and-greet with the dinosaurs. Tickets range from $20 to $40; UF students are admitted for $12. Box office information is available at 392-2787. For more information or to purchase tickets online, visit performingarts.ufl.edu.
Reverend Horton Heat
Heartwood Soundstage will host psychobilly pioneers Reverend Horton Heat on Feb. 8 for a 7 p.m. outdoor show. Known for high-energy performances and a roots-driven blend of rockabilly, punk and surf rock, the band brings its signature sound to an all-ages lawn show presented by Colt Classic. Kids 12 and younger will be admitted free, and lawn chairs are permitted as space allows. Advance tickets are $10, and day-of-show tickets are $30; the show is all ages. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit heartwoodsoundstage.com. Heartwood Soundstage is located at 619 S. Main St.
Comedy Night with Joe Fenti and Viv Martin
Standup comedians Joe Fenti and Viv Martin will take the stage at Heartwood Soundstage on Feb. 11 for a 7 p.m. comedy night. A Boston-based comedian and content creator, Fenti has headlined venues nationwide and is currently touring on his “29-City” tour, with past appearances at the Rogue Island Comedy Festival, a semifinalist run at the 2025 Boston Comedy Festival and an opening slot for Alex Borstein at the Somerville Theatre. Sharing the bill, Martin is the co-founder of Men in Comedy, an all-femme comedy show staged at novelty locations around Boston, and has performed at the Boston Comedy Festival, Portland Comedy Festival, Don’t Tell Providence and The Comedy Studio. Advance tickets are $15, day-of-show tickets are $20, and front-row seats are $22; the show is for adults ages 18 and older. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit heartwoodsoundstage.com. Heartwood Soundstage is located at 619 S. Main St.
ONGOING
Horse Feeding
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. They allow visitors to tour the property and feed treats — carrots, apple slices and bananas provided by the visitors — from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. every Saturday. Mill Creek Farm Retirement Home for Horses is located at 20307 NW CR 235A in Alachua. For more information or to support the nonprofit, visit millcreekfarm.org.
Community Nights
Community Nights are free weekly events hosted by South Main Station and Heartwood Soundstage that include a rotating calendar of jams, skillshares, concerts, arts markets, food and drink specials, and other activities each Wednesday from 6 to 9 p.m. The event has grown in popularity with families, locals, musicians, and college students since its launch in 2024. The event takes place at South Main Station, an arts, food, and entertainment campus adjacent to Depot Park that spans the Southeast corner of Main Street and Depot Road. Community Nights always feature free live music and drink specials at Heartwood Soundstage’s lawn bar, but any given week can also include skillshares on music and videography, kids’ activities, film screenings, and opportunities to sample local food and drink at South Main’s businesses, which include Humble Pie Pizzeria, Grand Scheme Brewery, Bingo Deli, and Afternoon Coffee. The first Wednesday of every month always features an open-air arts market of local makers and an old-time music jam. More information is available at heartwoodsoundstage.com.
COMING SOON
The Other Book Part 2: The Shoulders We Stand On
Before school integration, Black educators often taught from an official textbook and an “other book” that preserved the truth of Black history. This lecture series examines the overlooked and often whitewashed contributions of Black Americans. The Feb. 14 session, set for 10 a.m. to noon, focuses on science and engineering with Dr. Kevin Winstead. Lectures are held the second Saturday of each month from January through April. A $5 suggested donation is requested. Registration is encouraged but not required. All are welcome. The Matheson History Museum is located at 513 E. University Ave. For more information or to register for the event, visit mathesonmuseum.networkforgood.com/events/92731-the-other-book-part-2-science-and-engineering.
The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator: Gainesville Roots — Worldwide Influence
The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator is a global phenomenon, but its roots lie in Gainesville. In this talk, Mark Enting, president and CEO of the Myers & Briggs Foundation, explores how the world’s most widely used personality assessment came to call Gainesville home, from its early development by a pioneering mother-daughter team to research conducted at the University of Florida in the 1970s. The program is scheduled for 7 p.m. Feb. 18 and is free with registration. The Matheson History Museum is located at 513 E. University Ave. For more information or to register, visit mathesonmuseum.networkforgood.com/events/94826-the-myers-briggs-type-indicator-gainesville-roots-worldwide-influence.
‘Hansel and Gretel’/’18th Annual Spring Youth Concert’
Sun Country Dance Theatre will present its 18th annual Spring Youth Concert at 2:30 p.m. March 1 at the Phillips Center, 3201 Hull Road. The family-friendly program features an encore performance of “Hansel & Gretel,” an original story ballet choreographed by Artistic Director Judy Benton that brings the beloved fairy tale to life with humor, imagination, and heart as the adventurous siblings journey through an enchanted forest, encounter whimsical characters, and outwit the eccentric Cotton Candy Witch. In addition to the story ballet, the concert includes a diverse lineup of new works performed by the dancers of Sun Country Dance Theatre, with original choreography by resident artists and the premiere of three new works created exclusively for the company by guest choreographers from New York City, spanning classical ballet, contemporary, jazz, modern dance, and musical theatre. Distinguished guest artists from Florida and New York City — including professional dancers from The Florida Ballet — also will appear. All seating is general admission; tickets are $20, with free tickets available for children 17 and younger when obtained in person at the Phillips Center box office. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit performingarts.ufl.edu.
Stomp The Swamp for Autism
The University of Florida Center for Autism and Related Disabilities will host the 17th annual Stomp the Swamp for Autism Acceptance and Awareness event on March 7 at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. The community walk and run begins at 9:30 a.m., with registration opening at 8:30 a.m. at Gate 7. It brings together self-advocates, families, community members, and UF students, faculty and staff to support individuals with autism and their families. The event includes vendor and UF organization tabling, performances, children’s activities, fitness activities for all ages, a silent auction, and event T-shirts available with a $25 donation. Proceeds support UF CARD’s education, training, and community outreach programs. For more information or to register, visit card.ufl.edu.
The Other Book Part 2: The Shoulders We Stand On
Before school integration, Black educators often taught from an official textbook and an “other book” that preserved the truth of Black history. This lecture series examines the overlooked and often whitewashed contributions of Black Americans. The March 14 session, set for 10 a.m. to noon, focuses on politics with Dr. Sharon Austin. Lectures are held the second Saturday of each month from January through April. A $5 suggested donation is requested. Registration is encouraged but not required. All are welcome. The Matheson History Museum is located at 513 E. University Ave. For more information or to register for the event, visit mathesonmuseum.networkforgood.com/events/92731-the-other-book-part-2-science-and-engineering.
Interrogating the ‘Johns Committee’: A Reckoning for Florida’s Red Scare War on Blacks and Queers
Journalist and scholar Robert W. Fieseler examines the history and legacy of the Florida Legislative Investigation Committee — often called the Johns Committee — a McCarthy-era group that targeted Black and queer Floridians between 1956 and 1965. Drawing from his book “American Scare: Florida’s Hidden Cold War on Black and Queer Lives,” Fieseler explores the committee’s actions and their lasting impact, including in Gainesville. The program is scheduled for 7 p.m. March 25 and is free with registration. The Matheson History Museum is located at 513 E. University Ave. For more information or to register, visit https://mathesonmuseum.networkforgood.com/events/95896-interrogating-the-johns-committee.
The Other Book Part 2: The Shoulders We Stand On
Before school integration, Black educators often taught from an official textbook and an “other book” that preserved the truth of Black history. This lecture series examines the overlooked and often whitewashed contributions of Black Americans. The April 11 session, set for 10 a.m. to noon, focuses on faith communities and resistance with Dr. Rik Stevenson. Lectures are held the second Saturday of each month from January through April. A $5 suggested donation is requested. Registration is encouraged but not required. All are welcome. The Matheson History Museum is located at 513 E. University Ave. For more information or to register for the event, visit mathesonmuseum.networkforgood.com/events/92731-the-other-book-part-2-science-and-engineering.
Old Florida Celebration of the Arts
The 2026 Old Florida Celebration of the Arts two-day event will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 11-12, 2026, in Cedar Key. This year’s theme is “Stars of Cedar Key.” According to organizers, the festival was established in 1964 and was formerly known as the Cedar Key Sidewalk Arts Festival. The Old Florida Celebration of the Arts returned to a juried fine art fair format in 2006. It features 100 artists and about 15,000 visitors annually. This free event benefits the Cedar Key Arts Center in addition to local nonprofit and Cedar Key school groups who serve food and beverages during the festival.
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‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.gainesville.com ’
