Aventura Mall in Florida named best in America
USA TODAY has ranked the Top 10 malls in America, and three of the standouts call Florida home, including repeat champion the Aventura Mall.
THIS WEEK
‘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.
Back-to-School Event
Registration must be completed by July 1 at www.jarquezcarter.org. The J.C. Carter Foundation Inc. and JMC Legacy Enterprise LLC will present what’s billed as a Back-to-School event from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. July 11 at the King Center in Gainesville at 1028 NE 14th St. The event will include the giving away of backpacks and school supplies, community agencies and organizations that provide resources for families, games, a DJ and food. It will also feature a Mini Sports Camp.
‘Company’
Acrosstown Repertory Theatre will present “Company” through July 12, with performances at 8 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays at 3501 SW Second Ave., Suite O. 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 $25 for adults and $20 for seniors, students and heroes. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit acrosstown.org.
‘2026 Summer Showcase’
The Gainesville Fine Arts Association will present the “2026 Summer Showcase” through July 24 at 1314 S. Main St. The exhibition celebrates local artists and features works across a variety of themes and mediums. Visitors can attend an Artwalk reception from 7 to 10 p.m. June 26 and an Artist Meetup from 7 to 8:30 p.m. July 2. Admission is free, and artwork will be available for purchase through the exhibition and the association’s gift shop. Additional parking is available in the grocery store lot next door and along Main Street. More information is available at gainesvillefinearts.org.
‘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.
‘Free Fridays’ Concert
Catch the next performance of the city’s popular “Free Fridays” concert series from 7 to 9 p.m. June 26 at the Bo Diddley Plaza downtown amphitheater, located at 111 E. University Ave. The free concert series highlights a different act each week, with Den of Steves and The Rennys performing ’70s to current covers and power pop-rock 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 the MusicGNV Live and Local Edition Showcase featuring Dirty Chai, Creative Vibes and Sir Flame on July 10; A.Sunroom, Lowly Worm and The Fantastic Beverages, and Varsity Tuba Quartet on July 17; Pet Detectives performing ’90s covers on July 24; Uncle Mosie and Matthew Fowler performing alt-country and bluegrasson on July 31; Bennie and Da Band performing R&B on Aug. 7; the Beatles tribute band The Impostors on Aug. 14; Maca Reggae Samba on Aug. 21; Sooza Brass Band on Aug. 28; D.R. Band and Soul Fire performing R&B, neo soul and funk on Sept. 4; the Fest 24 Showcase featuring Wolf Face, Night Mayor and The Mermers on Sept. 11; the Latina Women’s League Showcase on Sept. 18; and Uncle Morty’s Rhythm Cream performing R&B, soul and rock on Sept. 25.
Artwalk
Artwalk returns from 7 to 10 p.m. June 26, inviting visitors to explore galleries, studios and creative spaces throughout the downtown area. Highlights include the Gainesville Fine Arts Association’s 2026 Summer Showcase featuring work by local artists in a variety of media, Sweetwater Print Cooperative’s “Forces of Nature” exhibition by Lynn Webster and Valerie Alaskson-Jennings, and artist Tate Clair’s abstract expressionist works created from repurposed materials at Bingo Deli and Pub. Visitors can also browse the annual Red Dot Sale at the Artisans’ Guild Gallery while enjoying live music from singer-songwriter Eric Diamond, view paintings by Rob Sowers at the Hippodrome Theatre Art Gallery, and attend the grand opening of the new Art Collective gallery project at The Oaks Mall. Additional venues include Civic Media Center, First Magnitude Brewing Co., Limelite Gallery and More, and other participating locations. Artwalk is a free, self-guided arts experience celebrating local artists, galleries and cultural organizations throughout the community. For more information, visit Artwalk artwalkgainesville.com.
Comedian Jimmy Sowell
Signal Lounge, 7 SW First St., Gainesville, hosts comedian Jimmy Sowell on Friday, June 26, presented by Glory Days, with special guests; doors open at 6:30 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.
#iDoit4MyCity Festival and Masterclass
The #iDoit4MyCity Festival and Masterclass will take over Heartwood Soundstage on June 27 with a full day dedicated to music education, artist development and live performances. The event begins with the #iDoit4MyCity Masterclass from 1 to 5 p.m., featuring industry professionals including TJ Chapman of TJS DJs, Bernard Martin of WAMM Promotions, platinum engineer Evan Melville and music attorney Ryan Schmidt discussing branding, promotion, recording, contracts and career development. The evening continues with the #iDoit4MyCity Festival from 5 to 11 p.m., showcasing live performances by Trap Beckham, Trigga500K and additional artists. Both portions of the event will be available in person and via livestream. Tickets are available separately for the masterclass at $49 and the festival at $61, or as a bundled package for $91. The all-ages event takes place at Heartwood Soundstage, 619 S. Main St. For more information, streaming details and tickets, visit heartwoodsoundstage.com and iDoit4MyCity on social media.
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, spanning 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
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.
The Brook and the Bluff
The Brook and the Bluff will bring its “Werewolf” tour to Heartwood Soundstage, 619 S. Main St., on Nov. 6. The Nashville-based indie rock band recently released its album “Werewolf” through Dualtone Records and will spend the fall touring across the United States. Known for its four-part harmonies and energetic live performances, the group’s latest record leans into a louder, more guitar-driven sound inspired by years on the road. For more information, visit thebrookandthebluff.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 ’
