Live music, arts celebration top list of weekend events in Ocala, Florida

THIS WEEKEND

WindFM Rocks the Reilly: Titans of Rock

This tribute show to Journey and Bon Jovi will be live onstage at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 23 at the Reilly Arts Center, 500 NE Ninth St., Ocala. Tickets from $25. More at reillyartscenter.com

Celebrating the arts

Chelsea Art Center and Community Stages are joining forces for what organizers call some “playful, hands-on experiences to introduce their fall offerings and celebrate the power of creativity.” The events are free and will be held at Chelsea Art Center, 3305 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala. Registration is encouraged but not required.

The schedule kicks off with an Open House Birthday Bash from 3-5 p.m. Aug. 24. “Celebrate Community Stages’ second birthday with drop-in theater games, refreshments and opportunities to meet the teaching artists, explore the season ahead, and score exclusive discounts,” organizers say.

For information about other events and offerings, visit communitystages.org or follow @communitystages on social media.

COMING SOON

‘Deconstructing Self: Work by Seth P. Benzel’

This exhibition will be up at the Appleton Museum of Art Aug. 30-Jan. 4. on the second-floor Preview Gallery. These are “two- and three-dimensional paintings” described by organizers as “a compelling exploration of transformation and identity through the lens of abstract painting.” A gallery tour meet-and-greet is set for 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Sept. 6.

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 352-291-4455 or AppletonMuseum.org

‘The Gap Between Art and Life’

The College of Central Florida Webber Gallery presents this exhibit Sept. 1-Oct. 16. “After reviewing 97 entries from artists across the southeastern United States, the jury panel selected eight standout artworks by seven artists. These pieces each offer something truly unexpected, breaking from tradition and challenging the typical gallery experience,” organizers say.

The Webber Gallery, 3001 SW College road, is open 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Thursday. Admission is free. More at CF.edu/Webber or 352-854-2322, ext. 1664.

The Boss Project: A Tribute to Bruce Springsteen

This tribute act will take the stage at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 6 at the Reilly Arts Center, 500 NE Ninth St., Ocala. Tickets from $23. More at reillyartscenter.com

Ocala Symphony Orchestra – Music Box 1: Joshua and Hannah Mazur

This show will begin at 3 p.m. Sept. 7 in the NOMA Black Box at the Reilly Arts Center, 500 NE Ninth St., Ocala. Tickets are $28. “Join virtuosic musicians from the Ocala Symphony and their talented friends for an intimate chamber music experience,” organizers say. More at reillyartscenter.com

Blues in the Box: Matt Schofield

This live performance from the British blues guitar artist begins at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 19 in the NOMA Black Box at the Reilly Arts Center, 500 NE Ninth St., Ocala. Tickets: $30. More at reillyartscenter.com

CF Stearns Speaker Series: ‘Weird Florida’ author Eliot Kleinberg

The author “will share a Florida-centric look back at World War II” during his speech, 12:30-1:30 p.m. Sept. 22 at the College of Central Florida’s Stearns Learning Resources Center on the Ocala Campus, 3001 SW College Road. The community is invited to this free event.

Zachary Bartholomew: Tribute to Chick Corea

This tribute to the jazz legend takes the stage at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 26 in the NOMA Black Box at the Reilly Arts Center, 500 NE Ninth St., Ocala. Tickets: $46. More at reillyartscenter.com

WindFM Rocks the Reilly: Absolute Queen

This Queen tribute show takes the AdventHealth Mainstage at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 27 at the Reilly Arts Center, 500 NE Ninth St., Ocala. Tickets from $25. More at reillyartscenter.com

ONGOING

Art of Aging Exhibit: ‘Gallery of Gratitude’

This exhibit is up through Aug. 30 at the Brick City Center for the Arts, 23 SW Broadway St., Ocala.

” ‘The Art of Aging’ exhibit is a collaborative initiative of Marion Senior Services and Marion Cultural Alliance, designed to honor the beauty, creativity, and wisdom that come with age,” organizers say. It features photography, poetry and paintings by 40 artists aged 55 and older, all of them Marion Cultural Alliance members.

‘The Human Pulse’

This photographic series by John Elliott is up at the Appleton Museum of Art’s Balcony Gallery for Florida Artists June 21-Jan. 18. It features 42 black-and-white prints from the Ocala-based photographer’s ongoing “The Human Pulse” series.