Free Friday concerts featuring local and regional bands through Sept 26.
The City of Gainesville offers the Free Fridays concert series featuring local and regional bands through Sept 26.
THIS WEEK
‘Free Fridays’ concert series
The region’s longest-running and largest free outdoor concert series returns to Bo Diddley Plaza, showcasing local and regional talent under the stars with a mix of classic rock, reggae, R&B, soul, ska, funk and blues. Free Fridays runs each week from 7 to 9 p.m., featuring a different band performing original and cover music; on June 12, the lineup includes Thomas Allain and His Highly Qualified Band, and Hannah Stokes.
Caitlynne Curtis – Face to Face, Acoustic & Unplugged
The Wooly, 4 W. University Ave., Gainesville, hosts “Caitlynne Curtis – Face to Face, Acoustic & Unplugged” on Friday, June 12, presented by Glory Days, with special guest Luis Ortiz; doors open at 7 p.m. and the show begins at 8 p.m., featuring premium up-front and general admission seating (tickets available at GloryDaysPresents.com), as Curtis — a Nashville singer-songwriter and Billboard No. 1 artist on “God We Need You Now” with Struggle Jennings — brings her blend of modern country and soulful storytelling; the 18+ show includes a $5 cash under-21 fee at the door.
Supernova – A Tribute to Oasis
The Wooly, 4 W. University Ave., Gainesville, hosts Supernova – A Tribute to Oasis on Saturday, June 13, presented by Glory Days, with doors opening at 8 p.m. and the show beginning at 9 p.m.; the six-piece band recreates the energy and atmosphere of a live Oasis performance, delivering fan favorites from “Rock ’n’ Roll Star” to “Champagne Supernova” in an intimate, high-energy setting; discount early bird tickets and 4-packs are available at GloryDaysPresents.com; the 18+ show includes a $5 cash under-21 fee at the door.
‘Exit Laughing’
High Springs Playhouse will present “Exit Laughing” through June 28. Performances will be held at 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and 2 p.m. Sundays. The comedy follows three longtime friends who “borrow” their late bridge partner’s ashes for one final game, leading to an unexpectedly wild night that changes how they see life and friendship. Tickets are $17 for adults and $15 for seniors and students. High Springs Playhouse is located at 23416 W. U.S. 27 in High Springs. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit highspringsplayhouse.com.
‘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.
Cameron Dancenter Recital
Dancers of all ages will take the stage for Cameron Dancenter’s 43rd annual production at the Phillips Center. Performances are scheduled for 6:30 p.m. June 12 and 10 a.m., 2 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. June 13. The showcase will feature ballet, jazz, tap, musical theater and other styles, along with special performances by The Danscompany of Gainesville. Tickets are $6. The Phillips Center is located at 3201 Hull Road. For tickets and information, visit performingarts.ufl.edu or call 392-2787.
Steve Earle
Steve Earle will bring his solo and acoustic tour to Heartwood Soundstage at 8 p.m. June 13. Special guest Lilly Hiatt will open the all-ages outdoor concert, with lawn chairs permitted as space allows. Earle, whose career spans four decades, is known for hits such as “Guitar Town” and “Copperhead Road” and has earned multiple Grammy Awards as a singer-songwriter. Tickets are $47 in advance and $53 the day of the show. Heartwood Soundstage is located at 619 S Main St. For tickets and information, visit heartwoodsoundstage.com.
Pride Month Kick-Off
Heartwood Soundstage will celebrate Pride Month with a community kick-off event from 4 to 8 p.m. June 14. The all-ages gathering will feature an adult kickball scrimmage hosted by Stonewall Sports GNV and Queer Sports GNV, family-friendly field day activities with Theatre Connect and Camp Silver, and a tea dance with drink specials on the patio. Suggested donations range from $5 to $25 and will help support scholarships for Stonewall Sports GNV. No one will be turned away for lack of funds. Heartwood Soundstage is located at 619 S Main St. For more information, visit heartwoodsoundstage.com.
Ann Patchett
Bestselling author Ann Patchett will visit the Phillips Center at 7 p.m. June 16 for a conversation about her new novel, “Whistler.” Presented by UF Performing Arts and The Lynx, the event will feature Patchett in discussion with Gainesville author Lauren Groff. Patchett is the author of numerous acclaimed books, including “Tom Lake” and “The Dutch House,” while Groff is known for works such as “Fates and Furies” and “The Vaster Wilds.” Tickets are $15. The Phillips Center is located at 3201 Hull Road. For tickets and information, visit performingarts.ufl.edu or call 392-2787.
Jonathan Scales Fourchestra
Blending jazz, progressive rock, classical influences, Latin rhythms and funk, Jonathan Scales Fourchestra will perform at 7 p.m. June 18 at Heartwood Soundstage. Led by steel pan virtuoso Jonathan Scales, the trio has toured internationally and appeared on NPR’s Tiny Desk Concert series. The indoor, all-ages show will feature both seated and standing sections, with VIP and bistro seating options available. Advance tickets range from $20 to $26, and day-of-show tickets are $26 to $32. Kids 12 and younger are admitted free. Heartwood Soundstage is located at 619 S Main St. For tickets and information, visit heartwoodsoundstage.com.
ONGOING
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.
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, and 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.
COMING SOON
Juneteenth Breakfast
The Juneteenth Breakfast will be held at 7:30 a.m. June 19 at the Cotton Club Museum and Cultural Center, 837 SE Seventh Ave., as part of the city of Gainesville’s Journey to Juneteenth. The event is presented by the CCMCC and the Alachua County Branch of the NAACP. In recognition of June as Black Music Month, the program will celebrate the legacy of African-inspired music and culture with an array of musical genres, along with a special homestyle breakfast. State Rep. Yvonne Hinson will be the presenter. This annual event is a fundraiser, and tickets are $40 each. Tickets may be purchased online at CottonClubMuseum.com/events. Additional contributions are appreciated.
‘Company’
Acrosstown Repertory Theatre will present “Company” from June 19 to July 12, with performances at 8 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays at 3501 SW Second Ave., Suite O. There also is a preview night at 8 p.m. June 18. The Tony Award-winning musical follows Robert, a lifelong bachelor, as he reflects on relationships, marriage and his own choices during a series of encounters with his friends. Widely regarded as a landmark in modern musical theater, the show blends humor and introspection in its exploration of love and commitment. Tickets are $10 for the June 18 preview, then $25 for adults and $20 for seniors, students and heroes. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit acrosstown.org.
Sunday Assembly
Sunday Assembly, a secular community, will meet at 10 a.m. June 21 at Curia on the Drag at 2029 NW Sixth St. Some members of the Sunday Assembly Planning Team will be there to have a “coffee talk.” Coffee and snack foods are available for purchase at Curia on the Drag. For more information, visit sagainesville.weebly.com or email [email protected].
‘Remaking Democracy: How We Make the World We Want’
The Lynx Books will host a conversation with Danielle Chynoweth, trauma expert Meadow Jones and performance artist Sheila Bishop at 6 p.m. June 22. The discussion will center on “Remaking Democracy: How We Make the World We Want,” a new book by Chynoweth and co-author Elizabeth Adams that explores strategies for creating lasting social change through the authors’ “Spiral of Change” framework. Drawing from backgrounds in organizing, education and the arts, the authors examine ways communities can address systemic issues through collaboration, activism and democratic participation. For more information, visit thelynxbooks.com. The Lynx Books is located at 601 S. Main St.
‘The Rocky Horror Picture Show LIVE on Stage!’
The Wooly, 4 W. University Ave., Gainesville, hosts “The Rocky Horror Picture Show LIVE on Stage!” presented by Glory Days and The Best Little Rocky Horror in FL, a six-night summer run featuring a live shadowcast with audience participation, on Wednesday, June 24 (doors 9 p.m., show 10 p.m.); Tuesday, June 30 (doors 7 p.m., show 8 p.m.); Friday, July 10 (doors 9 p.m., show 10 p.m.); and Thursday, July 16, Wednesday, July 22, and Thursday, July 30 (doors 8 p.m., show 9 p.m.); tickets are available at GloryDaysPresents.com, with no outside props allowed (prop bags sold onsite), and the 18+ show includes a $6 cash under-21 fee at the door.
Comedian Jimmy Sowell
The Wooly, 4 W. University Ave., Gainesville, hosts comedian Jimmy Sowell on Friday, June 26, presented by Glory Days, with special guests; doors open at 7 p.m. and the show begins at 8 p.m., featuring premium front seating and general admission options (tickets, college discounts and pre-show meet-and-greet add-ons available at GloryDaysPresents.com); Sowell, known for his viral “pullover” sketches and more than 4 million followers across social media, brings his sharp, adult humor to the stage; the 18+ show includes a $5 cash under-21 fee at the door.
Comedians Kim Congdon and Uncle Lazer
Signal Lounge, 7 SW First St., Gainesville, hosts comedians Kim Congdon and Uncle Lazer on Friday, June 26, for The Tropical Depression Tour, presented by Glory Days, with doors opening at 9 p.m. and the show beginning at 9:30 p.m.; the co-headlining show features Congdon — known for work with Netflix, HBO and “Impractical Jokers” — alongside Uncle Lazer, a breakout “Kill Tony” favorite, delivering a mix of sharp crowd work, wild storytelling and high-energy stand-up; premium front seating and general admission tickets are available at GloryDaysPresents.com; the 18+ show includes a $5 cash under-21 fee at the door.
Voices Rising Community Chorus
Voices Rising Community Chorus will present a special concert in celebration of the country’s 250th birthday. “Sing USA 250th” will take place on at 4 p.m. July 4 at First United Methodist Church, 419 NE First St. The program features a variety of music ranging from “America, the Beautiful” to “This Land is Your Land” and from “Give Me Your Tired, Your Poor” with cello and narrator to “The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere” with lanterns. Suggested donation is $10 to $20. For more information, visit vrccgainesville.org.
‘Heathers — The Musical’
Gainesville Community Playhouse will present “Heathers — The Musical” from July 17 to Aug. 9, with performances at 7:30 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays. Directed by Sam Rhodes, the darkly comedic rock musical follows high school student Veronica Sawyer as she navigates the toxic social hierarchy of the “Heathers” and a dangerous relationship that spirals into violence. Featuring music and lyrics by Laurence O’Keefe and Kevin Murphy and based on the film by Daniel Waters, the show explores themes of identity, bullying and teen rebellion. Recommended for mature audiences, the production may contain strong language and depictions of violence, substance use and other adult themes. The playhouse is located at 4039 NW 16th Blvd. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit gcplayhouse.org.
‘Robin Hood’
In “Robin Hood,” the newest production from High Springs Playhouse, the classic tale of the prince of thieves is retold through the lively narration of Friar Tuck, bringing Sherwood Forest to life with familiar characters including Little John, Maid Marian and the Sheriff of Nottingham. The summer youth production runs from July 23 to Aug. 2 at High Springs Playhouse, located at 23416 W. U.S. 27 in High Springs, with performances at 7 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays. Tickets are $17 for adults and $15 for seniors and students. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit highspringsplayhouse.com.
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