THIS WEEK
‘Song’
The Gainesville Fine Arts Association is presenting “Song,” a group exhibition of artwork inspired by songs, at the Gainesville Fine Arts Association, 1314 S. Main St. The exhibition, featuring work by local artists, will be on display through April 17, with artwork available for purchase in the gallery and gift shop. Admission is free. For more information, visit gainesvillefinearts.org.
‘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.
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.
‘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.
Santa Fe Springs Plein Air Paintout
The ninth annual Santa Fe Springs Plein Air Paintout will host a public viewing day from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 17 at O’Leno State Park, 410 SE O’Leno Park Road in High Springs, where visitors can observe artists painting the Santa Fe River region’s landscapes en plein air and interact with them about their creative process; park admission fees apply, but the event is free. The celebration concludes with a reception and exhibit from 5 to 8 p.m. April 18 at Lanza Gallery & Art Supplies, 23645 W. U.S. 27 in High Springs, featuring light refreshments and 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.
PorchFest Gainesville 2026
PorchFest Gainesville 2026 will take place Saturday, April 18, from noon to 4 p.m. at the Town of Tioga and Tioga Town Center at 105 SW 128th St., Newberry. The inaugural event will transform neighborhood porches and the Tioga Town Center mainstage into a walkable live music festival featuring performances by 10 bands. Designed as a family-friendly community event, PorchFest invites attendees to stroll or bike through the neighborhood, discover local artists, enjoy food and beverages, and support local businesses. The event also serves as a fundraiser benefiting The Independence Project, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Black Cowboys and Cowgirls
The third annual “Black Cowboys and Cowgirls in Florida: Then and Now” will take place April 17-18 at the Cotton Club Museum and Cultural Center, 837 SE Seventh Ave., offering a free, all-ages celebration of Black cowboy and cowgirl history and culture. A 6 p.m. program on April 17 will feature presentations, storytelling and a documentary screening highlighting local cowboys, while activities from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on April 18 will include horse-care demonstrations, roping and lassoing, dance performances, live music, vendors and family friendly activities. Organizers ask attendees to register in advance at cottonclubmuseum.com.
‘Catch Me If You Can’
The Buchholz Players will present “Catch Me If You Can” at 7 p.m. April 17-18, April 22-23 and April 25, with additional 2 p.m. matinee performances on April 18 and 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.
Third Friday Concert Series
The Annasemble Chamber Orchestra will perform as part of the Third Friday Concert Series at 7 p.m. April 17 at St Patrick Catholic Church. The free concert, with a freewill offering accepted, will feature a varied program including a Vivaldi concerto grosso as well as music by Jay Ungar and Molly Mason, showcasing the ensemble’s range across classical and contemporary styles. St. Patrick Catholic Church is located at 500 NE 16th Ave. For more information, visit spccgnv.org.
Santa Fe College Student Juried Art Exhibition
The Santa Fe College Student Juried Art Exhibition will open April 17 with a reception from 7 to 9 p.m. 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.
Get Your Rear in Gear
Get Your Rear in Gear is a 5K run/walk supporting colon cancer awareness and prevention, and this year marks the first time the event will be held in Gainesville. The race begins at 9 a.m. April 18 at Jonesville Park, 143 NW 32nd St., with proceeds staying local to help fight colon cancer in the Gainesville area. Registration costs $35, with all participants receiving a T-shirt. The event is designed to be family-friendly and accessible, allowing participants to run or walk individually, with friends and family, or as part of a team. In addition to the race, a silent auction will feature signed items from local sports figures, including a Todd Golden-signed basketball. More information and registration details are available at ColonCancerCoalition.org/Gainesville.
High Springs Artwalk
The High Springs Artwalk will take place from noon to 5 p.m. April 18 throughout historic downtown High Springs, featuring 15 to 20 local artists and makers displaying and selling their work along the sidewalks, with participating merchants offering specials and promotions. Lanza Gallery and Art Supplies will also showcase the Santa Fe Plein Air Paintout exhibition with works inspired by local springs and parks, followed by a reception from 5 to 8 p.m. with light refreshments. For more information, call Unique Notions at 318-5719 or Lanza Gallery and Art Supplies at 474-1049.
‘Coffee Talk’
Sunday Assembly Gainesville, a non-religious community group, will host a “coffee talk” at 10 a.m. April 19 at Curia on the Drag, 2029 NW 6th St., featuring a discussion led by a member of the assembly’s planning team. Coffee and food will be available for purchase, and the gathering will offer a different format from typical meetings. For more information, visit sagainesville.weebly.com or email [email protected].
The Next Generation’s Spring Concert
Dance Alive National Ballet and Pofahl Studios will present “The Next Generation’s Spring Concert: Don Quixote Suite & More!” at 3:30 p.m. April 19 at Gainesville High School Theatre, 1900 NW 13th St. The family friendly performance will showcase the Dance Alive National Ballet junior company, featuring a production of “Don Quixote Suite” followed by a mix of ballet, contemporary, jazz and tap works, along with a guest performance of “The Dying Swan.” Tickets are $20 for adults and $15 for students, with children 5 and younger admitted free, and will be available at Arabesque, Pofahl Studios and at the door. For more information, visit pofahldancestudio.com/works or call 371-2986.
‘NEXT: High School and College Juried Exhibition’
The Gainesville Fine Arts Association will present “NEXT: High School and College Juried Exhibition,” on display April 22 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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.gainesville.com ’
