THIS WEEK
‘Destined Home: A Story of Resilience and Belonging’
The Gainesville Fine Arts Association and The Greater Gainesville International Center are currently featuring the exhibition “Destined Home: A Story of Resilience and Belonging.” From 2024 until presidential inauguration day in 2025, the Greater Gainesville International Center worked with the International Rescue Committee to resettle six refugee families in Gainesville. The exhibit is the story of some of Gainesville’s newest neighbors, told through the live drawings of Terrence Ho and words by Lauren Poe. “Destined Home: A Story of Resilience and Belonging” will be on display through Aug. 23. The Gainesville Fine Arts Association is located at 1314 S. Main St.
The Shambles and High Bridge
Heartwood Soundstage is hosting a free outdoor show on Heartwood’s lawn featuring The Shambles and High Bridge beginning at 6 p.m. Aug. 22. The Shambles are a classic rock party band featuring a who’s who of local artists. High Bridge features Fagan Arouh, Dan Tampas and Alan Hill of the band Other Voices joined by Michael Beasley. Heartwood Soundstage is located at 619 S. Main St. For more information, visit heartwoodsoundstage.com.
‘Free Fridays’ Concert
Catch the next performance of the city’s popular “Free Fridays” concert series from 7 to 9 p.m. Aug. 22 at the Bo Diddley Plaza downtown amphitheater, located at 111 E. University Ave. The free concert series highlights a different act each week, with Michael Claytor and friends performing this week. Attendees are encouraged to bring their blankets and lawn chairs to Bo Diddley Plaza to enjoy the concert under the stars. For more information, including a list of upcoming performances, visit gainesvillefl.gov/Events-directory/Free-Fridays-Concert-Series. Future performances include De Lions of Jah on Aug. 29; Alex Kaufman Big Band on Sept. 5; Fest 24 Showcase on Sept. 12; Uncle Morty’s Rhythm Cream performing R&B, soul and rock on Sept. 19; and Morningbell performing psychedelic rock and soul on Sept. 26.
Tioga Concert Night
Tioga Concert Night will feature the Houston Keen and Cam Wheaton Duo. Singer-songwriters Houston Keen and Cam Wheaton will perform under the stars together for the first time from 7 to 10 p.m. Aug. 22 at Tioga Town Center, 133 SW 130th Way in Newberry. Attendees are encouraged to bring their lawn chairs and blankets, and grab food and drinks from Tioga Town Center restaurants. Admission is free. For more information, visit tiogatowncenter.com.
Playlist at the Pointe
Celebration Pointe offers Playlist at the Point, a music event with an eclectic mix of music from a variety of genres – country, rock, soul and more — on the fourth Friday of every month. This month, from 7 to 9 Aug. 22, Late Night Delivery will perform on the promenade. Food from Celebration Pointe’s restaurants will be available for dine-in or takeout. Kick off your weekend right with good music, good food and good times. Celebration Pointe is located off Interstate 75 and Archer Road at Celebration Pointe Avenue. For more information, call 333-9333 or visit celebrationpointe.com. Future performances include Whiskey Jones on Sept. 26, TBD on Oct. 24 and Chillula at 2 p.m. Nov. 28.
Great Southeastern Pollinator Census
Visit the Micanopy Pollinator Victory Garden and participate in the Great Southeastern Pollinator Census from 10 a.m. to noon Aug. 23. Participants will spend 15 minutes observing and recording insects on native plants, and the gathered information will be compiled into a national database. Participants also can get gardening questions answered from the Ask a Master Gardener booth. A beekeeping exhibit, honey tasting booth and a wildflower plant sale will round out the activities. Look for the Micanopy Pollinator Garden next to the post office at 202 NE Seventh Ave. Admission is free. For more information, visit tinyurl.com/gspc25a.
Pollinator Census Party
The Gainesville Garden Club is inviting the public to “bee” a citizen scientist during the annual Great Florida Pollinator Census from 10 a.m. to noon Aug. 23. Participants will choose a plant blooming in the butterfly or wildflower gardens, set a timer for 15 minutes and count insects that land on the plant. Instructions will be given on how to tell four types of bees, flies, butterflies and other insects apart. Participants will then upload their counts to the Great Southeast Pollinator Census. Familes are welcome; parents are expected to supervise children and their insect counts. Pollinators prefer plants in the sun, so wear a hat and reading glasses if you need them. Participants also will learn to share space with pollinators, some of the “small things that run the world.” Admission and parking are free. Garden surfaces are unpaved and uneven. The Gainesville Garden Club is located at 1350 NW 75th St. For more information, visit ggcfl.org/event-details/pollinator-party-2.
Acrosstown Repertory Theatre Gala
The Acrosstown Repertory Theatre is set to host its annual gala — it’s biggest fundraiser of the year — beginning at 6 p.m. Aug. 23. The event will feature scenes from the ART’s upcoming 44th season, hors d’oeuvres, beer and wine, and a silent auction with products and services from shops and professionals. All funds raised support the theatre’s shows and programs. Tickets start at $44. The Acrosstown Repertory Theatre is located at 3501 SW Second Ave., Ste. O. For more information, visit acrosstown.org.
Annasemble Community Orchestra
Singers of all skill levels are invited to join the Annasemble Community Orchestra. There will be no auditions. Adults and students in high school and college may join. Rehearsals begin Aug. 24 from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. at Meadowbrook Clubhouse, located at 3111 NW 105th Blvd. For more information, visit annasemble.org or email [email protected].
Science Surprises: Exploring Density
In this fourth session of the Splash into Science series, participants can learn all about density and buoyancy. For anyone who has ever wondered how turtles can swim in the ocean and dive deep into the water, this activity will help participants understand these concepts better by letting them build a density bottle with different kinds of liquids and objects. This four-part series consists of four free, 45-minute learning sessions aimed at bringing core science concepts to K-8 students in an informal setting. While the four parts of the series are meant to work together, each session is designed to also offer stand-alone science education. These sessions do not require pre-registration but do have limited capacity. Take part from 3:30 to 4:15 p.m. Aug. 27 at the Alachua Library, located at 14298 NW 140th St. in Alachua; or 3:30 to 4:15 p.m. Aug. 28 at the Micanopy Library, located at 706 NE Cholokka Blvd. in Micanopy. For more information, visit floridamuseum.ufl.edu.
Winyah
Hailing from a small South Carolina beach town, Winyah emerged onto the music scene in early 2023 and has swiftly made their mark. They’ve shared stages with acclaimed artists such as The Red Clay Strays, The Vegabonds and The Stews, while also shredding festivals like Bonnaroo. Winyah’s live performances feature their distinctive blend of indie and southern rock. The band draws its name from Winyah Bay, a cherished landmark in their hometown, where all five members spent their formative years. Their music is a reflection of the five rivers that converge into Winyah Bay, capturing the eternal summer vibes of their coastal upbringing. On the surface, Winyah delivers youthful energy and raw power, but their music also delves into themes of nostalgia and the bittersweet longing for childhood memories and cherished places. See them perform at 7 p.m. Aug. 27 at Heartwood Soundstage, 619 S. Main St. Tickets are $19.99 in advance and $29 the day of the show. For more information, visit heartwoodsoundstage.com.
Science Surprises: Make a Snake Catcher
In this fourth session of the Engineering Scientist Tools series, participants can learn how to make a snake catcher and pick up toy snakes like a herpetologist. From 10:30 to 11:15 a.m. Aug. 28, participants can step into the shoes of a scientist and make their own research tools at the library. This four-part series consists of four free, 45-minute learning sessions, perfect for elementary-aged learners. While the four parts of the series are meant to work together, each session is designed to also offer stand-alone science education. These sessions do not require pre-registration but do have limited capacity. Take part at the Waldo Library, located at 14998 U.S. 301 in Waldo. For more information, visit floridamuseum.ufl.edu.
The Tailgate Party
Kickoff football season with The Tailgate Party for the whole family at the Shoppes at Thornebrook fom 5 to 8 p.m. Aug. 28. The event will feature food trucks, music with Kiss 105.3 and vendor pop-ups. Entrance is free. Shoppes at Thornebrook is located at 2441 NW 43rd St. For more information, visit shoppesatthornebrook.com.
ONGOING
‘The Unscene South’
The Cotton Club Museum and Cultural Center is sharing artistic works by Ocala artist Charles Eady in an exhibit entitled “The Unscene South. The exhibit will run through August. The museum is open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. South Carolina-born, Ocala-based artist Eady paints large compelling canvases — captivating figures representing free Blacks in the South before 1865, an overlooked, even unknown population. The Cotton Club Museum and Cultural Center is an organization dedicated to enriching the experiences of all who wish to grow in knowledge and appreciation of the history and culture of African-derived cultures, highlighting those in Gainesville and North Central Florida. The Cotton Club Museum is located at 837 SE Seventh Ave.
‘French Moderns: Monet to Matisse, 1850 – 1950’
The Harn Museum of Art at the University of Florida is presenting a major exhibition, “French Moderns: Monet to Matisse, 1850–1950.” The blockbuster exhibition, chosen for display during the Harn’s 35th anniversary, showcases more than 55 paintings, drawings and sculptures from the Brooklyn Museum’s esteemed collection of European art. Ranging widely in scale, subject matter and style, and encompassing the key avant-garde movements that emerged in and around Paris from 1850 to 1950, the works on view were produced by some of the era’s leading artists. The exhibition is on view through Jan. 4, 2026. The works of art in French Moderns span the era between the Revolution of 1848 and the conclusion of World War II — a period marked by significant social, intellectual and political upheaval in France. This era saw the emergence of avant-garde artistic movements including Realism, Impressionism, Post-Impressionism, Symbolism, Fauvism, Cubism and Surrealism, that left a lasting impact on the Western artistic tradition. These key movements are represented in the exhibition through examples by the era’s leading artists, including Pierre Bonnard, Gustave Caillebotte, Paul Cézanne, Marc Chagall, Jean-Baptiste-Camille Corot, Gustave Courbet, Edgar Degas, Édouard Manet, Henri Matisse, Claude Monet, Berthe Morisot, Gabriele Münter, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Auguste Rodin and others. The exhibition is organized into four sections: Landscape, Still Life, Portraits and Figures, and The Nude. Beginning with the landscapes of Corot and the birth of plein-air (outdoor) painting, the exhibition surveys the innovative styles and techniques developed by artists from the Realism of Courbet to the light and atmosphere of Monet and the Impressionists, to the Surrealism of Yves Tanguy. “French Moderns: Monet to Matisse, 1850–1950” is accompanied by a fully illustrated catalogue including thematic essays and interpretive object entries by the exhibition’s co-curators. For more information, visit harn.ufl.edu/frenchmoderns. Admission is free. The Harn Museum is located at Southwest 34th Street and Hull Road.
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.
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‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.gainesville.com ’
