Fun weekend in Ocala, Florida includes live theater and music

THIS WEEKEND

An Evening of Cabaret Featuring the One-Act Play ‘Lockdown’

This production from Vanguard High School and the VHS Players Drama Club “combines lively cabaret performances, including music, comedy, and dance and Act Two with our performance of ‘Lockdown,’ a compelling one-act play about a school lockdown and how students cope during the event,” organizers say. “Lockdown” is rated PG-13 for strong language and mature themes. Viewer discretion is advised. Performances at 6 p.m. Jan. 31 and Feb. 1 in the Vanguard Black Box theater, 7 NW 28th St., Ocala, Building 7 Room 3. Buy tickets at www.vancoevents.com/us/CWRX

Rumours ATL: A Fleetwood Mac Tribute

This tribute band will be live at the Reilly Arts Center at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 31. Tickets from $28. More at reillyartscenter.com

Second annual Brick City Bluegrass Festival

The city of Ocala Recreation and Parks Department will host this event 1-7 p.m. Feb. 1 at Citizens’ Circle, 151 SE Osceola Ave., Ocala. “This festival offers residents and visitors an opportunity to enjoy an afternoon of live bluegrass music from a selection of well-known national and regional bands in a family-friendly outdoor setting,” organizers say. Bands will include The Wandering Hours, Unspoken Tradition, East Nash Grass, Pert Near Sandstone and Arkansauce. Advance tickets: $25 per person (available through Jan. 31) and day-of-event tickets are $30. Kids 8 and younger and veterans get in free. Information and tickets at www.ocalafl.gov/brickcitybluegrass.

Ocala Art Group celebrates 75 years

The group, which promotes and shares the visual arts, was founded in 1950 and was established to “promote and encourage among its members and the public an appreciation for art in its various media,” organizers say. A reception, painting demo and live music to celebrate 75 years will be held 2-4 p.m. Feb. 1 at the Chelsea Art Center, 3305 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala. “This venue will host the opening of a unique exhibition of OAG member artwork, to be judged by nationally renowned art expert Tyrus Clutter,” organizers say. “The exhibition theme, ‘Wonder, Whimsy, and Wild,’ will encompass the major genres of fine arts, including paintings, photography, and 3-D works.” The exhibition will remain up through Feb. 28. More at www.ocalaartgroup.org

Glenn Miller Orchestra

This performance will begin at 3 p.m. Feb. 2 at the Reilly Arts Center, 500 NE Ninth St., Ocala. Tickets from $23. “Don’t miss this chance to relive the magic of the Swing Era live in concert,” organizers say. More at reillyartscenter.com

April Adams in concert

This multi-instrumentalist will be in concert at 4 p.m. Feb. 2 at Joy Lutheran Church, 7045 SW 83rd Place, Ocala. “You’ll be treated to a delightful program of Baroque, Classical, and some more contemporary music for flute and oboe as well as a surprise or two,” organizers say. Free (voluntary love offering.) A reception follows the concert.

COMING SOON

Yellow Brick Road – A Tribute to Elton John

This Elton John tribute performance will begin at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 6 at the Reilly Arts Center, 500 NE Ninth St., Ocala. Tickets from $23. More at reillyartscenter.com

‘Daddy Long Legs’

This musical is live onstage at the Ocala Civic Theatre Feb. 6-23. The show is “based on the 1955 film with Fred Astaire and Leslie Caron, which was inspired by the popular 1912 novel by Jean Webster,” organizers say. “The stage adaptation sparkles with wit and romance in a lovely turn-of-the-century setting. Charming and clever, this delightful two-person musical reveals ‘the secret of happiness.’ ” More at ocalacivictheatre.com

First Friday Art Walk

From 6-9 p.m. Feb. 7 in downtown Ocala. Live music, artists, shops with extended hours and more. More at https://www.ocalafl.gov/government/city-departments-i-z/recreation-parks/cultural-arts/first-friday-art-walk

Madwoman (Indie-Psych Pop Rock)

This six-piece band from Gainesville “blends live instrumentation with electronic elements to create a genre-defying sound,” organizers say. The band will perform 6-8 p.m. Feb. 12 as part of the city of Ocala’s Spring Sunset Songs Series at the Downtown Square (1 SE Broadway St.)

Coming to the Appleton: ‘To the MAX: Magnolia Art Xchange’s 10-Year Anniversary’

This exhibition, celebrating Magnolia Art Xchange’s 10-year milestone, will be on view Feb. 15-May 18 in the second-floor Preview Gallery of the Appleton Museum of Art. “The show includes MAX’s 2025 Resident Artists: Rod Acosta, Kendra Brazzel, Joan Elizabeth, Sarah Lajealle, Z Reyes and Tyrek Studivant,” organizers say. Magnolia Art Xchange is located in Ocala’s historic Union Station and is described as “a vibrant hub for artists, educators and art enthusiasts.” The Appleton is open Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday, noon-5 p.m. at 4333 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala. More at appletonmuseum.org

‘Sound and Fury’

These performances from the Ocala Symphony Orchestra will be at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 15 and 3 p.m. Feb. 16 at the Reilly Arts Center, 500 NE Ninth St., Ocala. The show includes Mendelssohn’s “Hebrides Overture,” Anna Clyne’s “Sound and Fury” and Beethoven’s “Eroica” Symphony. More at reillyartscenter.com

Will McLean Foundation’s Sunday Sampler Concert Series: Brian Smalley

This concert will begin at 2 p.m. Feb. 16 in the historic Dunnellon Depot, 12061 S. Williams St., Dunnellon.”Brian’s music borrows from old-time flat-pick guitar and new-grass, but his style is hard to pigeon-hole. He sings with a soulful, earthy voice,” organizers say. Donation is $15 (cash preferred) at the door. More at https://www.facebook.com/willmcleanfestival/

ONGOING

Kenya’s Kids

This new exhibit at the Discovery Center in Ocala is up through May 10. “This immersive experience provides a window into the daily lives of children in Kenya, a country where modern advancements blend seamlessly with rich traditions,” organizers say. The center, 701 NE Sanchez Ave., Ocala, is open Tuesdays through Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. “This exhibit is part of a cultural series developed by The Magic House, St. Louis Children’s Museum, to introduce children to diverse cultures worldwide,” organizers say. It’s designed for kids ages 3 to 12. More at 352-401-3900 or www.mydiscoverycenter.org

‘Framing Tokyo: Joel Bustamante’s Architectural Photography’

This collection is up through June 8 at the Appleton Museum of Art’s Balcony Gallery for Florida Artists. “The exhibition features 30 black-and-white and color photographs by the Venezuelan-born artist,” organizers say. The museum is open Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday, noon-5 p.m. The Appleton is at 4333 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala. More at 352-291-4455 or AppletonMuseum.org

Faculty Art Exhibition

The College of Central Florida Webber Gallery has this exhibition on view through Feb. 6. “New work by four faculty members spans mediums including ceramics, fiber arts, mixed media, printmaking and more,” organizers say. “Artists include Tyrus Clutter, professor and program manager for art; Abigail Stallings, assistant professor and program manager for digital media; Michele Wirt, senior professor of art; and Graham Young, associate professor of digital media.” The gallery is on the CF Ocala campus, 3001 SW College Road, and is open 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Thursday. Admission is free. More at www.CF.edu/Webber or 352-854-2322, ext. 1664.

Art in City Spaces

This city of Ocala program offers the following:

“The Colors of My Homeland” by Lorena Greer, now up at the Mary Sue Rich Community Center at Reed Place, 1821 NW 21st Ave.
“Fantastical Photographic Journeys” by Shara Abel, now up at the Clerk’s Office at City Hall, 110 SE Watula Ave.
“Marvelous Marion” by Rainbow Springs Art, now up at the Ocala International Airport, 1770 SW 60th Ave., Suite 600
“Copper Art by Ricky Weeks” now up at the Recreation and Parks Administration Building (828 NE Eighth Ave.) and the Eighth Avenue Adult Activity Center (830 NE Eighth Ave.)

‘Transformational Gifts: Recent Acquisitions (2019-2024)’

This exhibition, showing approximately 200 recent additions to the Appleton Museum of Art’s collection, is up though Feb. 2. “The works span a vast 5,000 years, with notable names such as Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Charles Ephraim Burchfield, Ansel Adams, Jim Dine, Louise Nevelson, Käthe Kollwitz, Joan Miró, James Rosenquist, Genryusai Seiya, and many others,” organizers say. The Appleton, 4333 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala, is open Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., and Sunday, noon-5 p.m. More at 352-291-4455 or appletonMuseum.org