Riordan and The Chainsmokers perform at SwampFest in Gainesville Florida
Thousands of University of Florida students packed Flavet Field for SwampFest, featuring Riordan and The Chainsmokers.
THIS WEEK
‘On Golden Pond’
The newest production from Gainesville Community Playhouse, “On Golden Pond,” will be on stage through April 26 at Gainesville Community Playhouse, 4039 NW 16th Blvd. Written by Ernest Thompson and directed by Terry Beauchamp, the play follows Ethel and Norman Thayer as they return to their beloved lakeside cabin for Norman’s 80th summer and hope to mend long-chilled ties with their daughter, Chelsea. When an unexpected houseguest disrupts their quiet routine, the summer becomes a season of second chances as pride softens, old wounds are faced and love finds a way to be spoken. For more information, visit gcplayhouse.org.
‘Sylvia’
In “Sylvia,” the newest production from Acrosstown Repertory Theatre, Greg and Kate have moved to Manhattan after 22 years of raising children in the suburbs. Greg brings home a dog he found in the park — or that has found him — bearing only the name “Sylvia” on her name tag. A street-smart mixture of Lab and poodle, Sylvia becomes a major bone of contention between husband and wife. She offers Greg an escape from the frustrations of his job and the unknowns of middle age. To Kate, Sylvia becomes a rival for affection. And Sylvia thinks Kate just doesn’t understand the relationship between man and dog. The marriage is put in serious jeopardy, and the audience is put in serious stitches. Will Greg and Kate (and Sylvia) survive this mess? Find out at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays plus 2 p.m. Sundays through April 26. Tickets are $25 or $20 with the Senior/Student/Hero discount. Acrosstown Repertory Theatre is located at 3501 SW Second Ave., Suite O. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit acrosstown.org.
Santa Fe College Student Juried Art Exhibition
The Santa Fe College Student Juried Art Exhibition is on display at the Santa Fe College Art Gallery in Building M-147, 3000 NW 83rd St., showcasing a curated selection of student works in painting, drawing, printmaking, photography and ceramics chosen from more than 300 submissions. The exhibition will remain on view through May 1, with awards selected by guest juror Carly Shooster and additional honors, including a Gallery Choice award. Gallery hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. For more information, visit sfcollege.edu.
Levitt AMP Alachua Music Series
The Levitt AMP Alachua Music Series will present free, family-friendly outdoor concerts Fridays from 6 to 9 p.m. through May 8 at Skinner Baseball Park on Main Street in Alachua, with additional performances scheduled for September. The series will feature a diverse lineup of artists performing R&B, soul, bluegrass, indie rock, country, Irish, blues, reggae, funk, Latin and a cappella. Guests are encouraged to bring blankets, lawn chairs and picnics to enjoy the open-lawn concert setting. Admission is free. For more information and the full concert schedule, visit levittampalachua.com.
Santa Fe Springs Plein Air Paintout
The ninth annual Santa Fe Springs Plein Air Paintout art exhibit is on display at Lanza Gallery & Art Supplies, 23645 W. U.S. 27 in High Springs, featuring original works available for purchase, with a portion of proceeds benefiting Our Santa Fe River Inc. The exhibit will remain on display through May 17. For more information, visit lanzagallery.com.
‘Million Dollar Quartet’
The newest production from the Hippodrome Theatre, “Million Dollar Quartet,” will run through May 24, bringing four musical icons — Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins and Jerry Lee Lewis — together in one recording studio for a show featuring more than 20 rock ’n’ roll hits. Audiences can expect classics including “Blue Suede Shoes,” “Folsom Prison Blues,” “I Walk the Line” and “Great Balls of Fire,” in a production inspired by the real-life moment when these legends came together. Catch a show at 7 p.m.: April 24, April 29-May 1, May 6-8, May 13-15 and May 20-22; at 2 p.m. April 25-26, May 2-3, May 9-10, May 16-17 and May 23-24; and 8 p.m. April 25, May 2, May 9, May 16 and May 23. For more information or to purchase tickets online, visit thehipp.org. The Hippodrome Theatre is located at 25 SE Second Place.
‘Florida in the Frame’
The Harn Museum of Art’s exhibition “Florida in the Frame: A Century of Artists’ Reflections on the Sunshine State” continues at 3259 Hull Road, showcasing works from The Florida Art Collection that explore the state’s landscapes, history and culture through paintings, works on paper and select sculptures. Featuring more than 65 artists, including Winslow Homer, John Singer Sargent and Florida Highwaymen painters Johnny Daniels and Harold Newton, the exhibition is organized into themes highlighting natural environments, growing cities and the rise of tourism, and will remain on view through July 26. Admission is free. Museum hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday. For more information, visit harn.ufl.edu/floridaintheframe.
5th Avenue Arts Festival
The 46th annual 5th Avenue Arts Festival will take place from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. April 25 and noon to 5 p.m. April 26 at the Santa Fe College Downtown Campus, 530 W. University Ave., celebrating the history of Black music in Alachua County with this year’s theme, “Our Sound.” Presented by the Cultural Arts Coalition, the festival will feature live music and performances, artwork and crafts from local artists, food trucks, family friendly activities and community centered programming. The festival will begin with its annual opening reception to be held at 6 p.m. April 24 at Oakview Park at 810 NW Eighth Ave.
The Isaiah J. Thompson Quartet
The Isaiah J. Thompson Quartet will perform at 7 and 9 p.m. April 24 at UpStage at the Phillips Center, 3201 Hull Road, offering an intimate, cabaret-style jazz experience. A pianist, bandleader and composer, Thompson is the 2023 American Pianists Awards winner and a recipient of the Cole Porter Fellowship in Jazz, known for music that blends sophistication with accessibility. He has collaborated with artists including Ron Carter, John Pizzarelli and Christian McBride, and performed with the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra and Wynton Marsalis. The 7 p.m. seating includes heavy hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar, while the 9 p.m. seating includes desserts and a cash bar. Tickets are $55 for the 7 p.m. performance and $35 for the 9 p.m. performance, with UF student tickets available for $12. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit performingarts.ufl.edu.
Artwalk
Artwalk Gainesville will take place from 7 to 10 p.m. April 24 at venues throughout downtown Gainesville, offering a self-guided evening of exhibitions and community arts programming. Featured stops include the Gainesville Fine Arts Association, presenting its second annual high school and college juried exhibition: “NEXT”; Bingo Deli and Pub, hosting the monthlong group show “ARTMatters”; the Civic Media Center, featuring Lily Sage’s “Reverence as Resistance”; the Hippodrome Theater Art Gallery, presenting “Personas”; and Sweetwater Print Cooperative, opening Toni Jepson’s travel photography exhibit “Amizades & Natureza.” Additional venues include The Top Secret Event Space, where Maria Leite’s solo exhibition “Abstract-ed” will be on view April 24-25; The SL8 Gallery of Art, featuring the collage work of George Hecht alongside its regular art, film and community programming; and Artisans’ Guild Gallery, highlighting featured artist Linda Blondheim. For more information, visit artwalkgainesville.com.
“NEXT: High School and College Juried Exhibition”
The Gainesville Fine Arts Association presents “NEXT: High School and College Juried Exhibition,” on display through May 22 at 1314 S. Main St., featuring visual art in a variety of mediums by local high school and college students. An opening Artwalk reception will be held from 7 to 10 p.m. April 24. The exhibition is free, with artwork available for purchase. Additional parking is available at the grocery store lot next door and street parking on Main Street.
Pump Action and The Retrograde
Heartwood Soundstage will host Pump Action and The Retrograde with Trustfall at 8 p.m. April 24, featuring a high-energy night of funk rock and groove-driven sound at 619 S. Main St. Pump Action, formed out of the Frost School of Music at the University of Miami, blends jazz fusion technique with explosive guitar work, soaring vocals and an unrestrained rhythmic style, while The Retrograde brings a fresh take on classic rock influences with a sound that is both vintage-inspired and distinctly original. Tickets are $20 in advance or $28 the day of the show. For more information or to purchase tickets online, visit heartwoodsoundstage.com.
‘Catch Me If You Can’
The Buchholz Players will present “Catch Me If You Can” at 2 and 7 p.m. April 25 at Buchholz High School Auditorium, 5510 NW 27th Ave. Based on the true story of con artist Frank Abagnale Jr., the fast-paced musical follows a teenage runaway who poses as a pilot, doctor and lawyer while being pursued by an FBI agent, featuring jazzy music, humor and 1960s-inspired storytelling. Tickets will be available at the door and online. Tickets are $15 for general admission, $12 for students and seniors, and free for BHS teachers and staff. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit tinyurl.com/cmiyc26a.
Belong Festival
WeBelong Inc. will host its twice-annual Belong Festival from 3 to 7 p.m. April 25 at First Magnitude Brewing Company, bringing the Gainesville community together for a free, club fair–style event designed to help people connect over shared interests. Attendees can explore and join a variety of groups — from book clubs and bands to hiking groups, tabletop gaming clubs and sports teams — or even start their own, while also enjoying a speed-friending event and live music and dancing by The Demented String Band and Ang DeCarlis. Presented by IQ Fiber, the festival aims to make it easy and fun for people to build friendships and find community beyond traditional campus opportunities. For more information, visit we-belong-inc.org or the organization’s event page on Facebook.
Lucía
UpStage at the Phillips Center will host Lucía on April 25 with performances at 7 and 9 p.m. at 3201 Hull Road, continuing the venue’s cabaret-style series with an intimate evening of jazz. A winner of the Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition, Lucía is known for her expressive vocals and bilingual repertoire, blending English and Spanish influences into a warm, conversational performance style. The 7 p.m. seating features heavy hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar, while the 9 p.m. seating includes desserts and a cash bar. Tickets are $55 for the 7 p.m. performance and $35 for the 9 p.m. performance, with UF student tickets available for $12. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit performingarts.ufl.edu.
Music at Holy Trinity “Celebration of Jazz”
Holy Trinity Episcopal Church will host its “Celebration of Jazz” season finale concert at 4 p.m. April 26, beginning in the sanctuary with a recital by Gainesville vocalist and pianist Cathy DeWitt — an award-winning performer whose voice has been compared to Anita O’Day, Doris Day and Diana Krall, and who was named Gainesville’s Musician of the Year in 2010 — before continuing in the Parish Hall with the Alex Kaufman Big Band, a University of Florida student ensemble performing swing classics. Light refreshments will be served. Admission is free. The church is located at 100 NE First St. For more information, contact [email protected]
Ani DiFranco
Ani DiFranco will perform at Heartwood Soundstage at 7 p.m. April 26 as part of her “Spirit of Love” tour, with Sweet Petunia opening. Widely considered a feminist icon and a pioneer of the DIY music movement, DiFranco founded Righteous Babe Records in 1990 and has released more than 20 albums spanning folk, punk, hip-hop, soul and electronic genres, often exploring autobiographical, political and social themes. Her recent releases include the 30th anniversary edition of “Not A Pretty Girl” (2025), and she is also a bestselling author and former Broadway performer. Advance tickets are $53.44, and day-of-show tickets are $59.07. Attendees under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. For more information or to purchase tickets online, visit tinyurl.com/3mvpdbks. Heartwood Soundstage is located at 619 S. Main St.
‘The Wiz’
A production of “The Wiz” will be performed at 7:30 p.m. April 28 at the Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, 3201 Hull Road, showcasing a youth performance of the classic musical inspired by “The Wizard of Oz.” Tickets are $18 for general admission, $12 for children ages 3-12, and free for youths ages 2 and younger. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit performingarts.ufl.edu.
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
Wildflower Festival and Plant Sale
The Suwannee Festivals Committee will host the Wildflower Festival and Plant Sale from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 2 at Heritage Park and Gardens, 1004 Helvenston St. SE in Live Oak. The free, family-friendly event will feature live music from local performers, vendors offering handcrafted goods and plants, educational presentations on native plants and gardening, food trucks, and activities for all ages. The celebration continues with Movie Night at Heritage Park at 8 p.m., featuring a family-friendly animated nature film and free popcorn; attendees are encouraged to bring blankets or lawn chairs. Festivities begin the evening before with Chalk Art on the Trail on May 1 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the south entrance to Heritage Trail (Helvenston Street and Cross Avenue), where young artists can create nature-themed sidewalk art with provided chalk.
Dance Sun Country: ‘Another Day in Paradise’
Dance Sun Country will present its 19th annual recital, “Another Day in Paradise,” at 1 p.m. May 9 at the Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, featuring approximately 40 dances performed by students of all ages — from Dance Tots to advanced-level dancers — across styles including ballet, pointe, tap, jazz, hip-hop, modern, musical theatre, lyrical, contemporary and clogging. The program includes a wide range of themed pieces such as “Home Sweet Home,” “Over the Rainbow,” “What a Wonderful World,” “Best Day of My Life,” “Trouble in Paradise,” “I Hope You Dance” and more. Tickets are available exclusively through the Phillips Center Box Office by phone at 392-ARTS or 800-905-ARTS, or online. For more information, visit performingarts.ufl.edu or contact Sun Country Sports Center at 331-8773.
With Everything Going On Festival
Heartwood Soundstage will host the inaugural With Everything Going On Festival from 4 to 10 p.m. May 30, a one-day event curated by Gainesville songwriter Jordan Burchel that also serves as the official release show for his new record of the same name. The lineup features Nick Lutsko String Band, The Nancys, Lauris Vidal, Spencer Thomas, Morningbell, Lauren Woodall and more, bringing together a mix of local and regional artists whose work reflects both place and moment. Blending a music festival, album release and reflection on creativity in uncertain times, the event centers on the idea of continuing to make and share art in the midst of it all, with a focus on community, collaboration and catharsis. Heartwood Soundstage is located at 619 S. Main St. For more information or to purchase tickets online, visit heartwoodsoundstage.com.
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.gainesville.com ’
