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Discover the best restaurants in Florida as recommended by the USA TODAY Florida Network’s food journalists for 2024.
THIS WEEKEND
‘Into the Woods’
This musical is live onstage through Sept. 28, kicking off the Ocala Civic Theatre’s 75th anniversary season. More at ocalacivictheatre.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
Will McLean Foundation’s Sunday Sampler Concert Series: The Lilly Jane Band
This show will begin at 2 p.m. Sept. 21 at the historic Dunnellon Depot, 12061 S. Williams St., Dunnellon. Organizers describe the band as “a front-porch jam come to life!” Donation is $15 (cash) at the door. More at https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61577696114027
COMING SOON
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
Hispanic Heritage Festival
The College of Central Florida will host this festival 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sept. 27 at the Ewers Century Center on the CF Ocala campus, 3001 SW College Road. Music, food trucks, vendors, college application assistance. More at CF.edu/HHF
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
‘Amazzing’ Steel Drum Ensemble
This performance will begin at 3 p.m. Sept. 28 at JOY Lutheran Church, 7045 SW 83rd Place, Ocala.
Ocala Symphony Orchestra — ‘Threads of Light: A New Requiem’
This performance will begin at 3 p.m. Sept. 28 at the Reilly Arts Center, 500 NE Ninth St., Ocala. Tickets from $10. This is the premiere of this work from local composer Joshua L. Mazur. It was created for the symphony’s golden anniversary. More at reillyartscenter.com
All-breed Horse Capital of the World Parade
This parade will be at 10 a.m. Oct. 4 on the downtown square in Ocala. “This parade will showcase horses of all breeds and disciplines, highlighting the heart of our community and its world-renowned equine industry,” organizers say. The public is invited to this free event.
Kingdom of the Sun Ceremonial Band
“A Walk Down Memory Lane” will be presented at Countryside Presbyterian Church, 7768 SW State Road 200, Ocala, at 3 p.m. Oct. 12. The band will play tunes of Stevie Wonder, a Dick Clark tribute, military marches and more. Free concert with love offering taken. More at 352-237-4633.
ONGOING
New traveling exhibit at the Discovery Center: ‘Alma’s Way’
“Alma’s Way: Welcome to My Neighborhood!” is up at the Discovery Center Sept. through Jan. 3. “Based on the hit PBS KIDS animated series ‘Alma’s Way,’ the immersive exhibit brings the life of six-year-old Alma Rivera to Ocala. Guests can step into Alma’s world by exploring her family duplex, shopping at a neighborhood bodega, visiting a pet clinic, and even taking a subway ride on the iconic six train,” organizers say.
The center, 701 NE Sanchez Ave., Ocala, is open 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday. More at 352-401-3900 or www.mydiscoverycenter.org
‘Where We Gather’
This art exhibit is up through Sept. 27 at The Brick, 23 SW Broadway St., Ocala. Organizers describe the exhibit as “a community-centered art exhibit that invites local artists to reflect on the spaces — both ordinary and sacred — where connection happens in Ocala and across the world. This theme is about more than physical structures; it’s about the rituals, relationships, and rhythms that turn spaces into places of belonging.” The Brick is open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Friday and 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday. More at www.mcaocala.org
‘Harvest of Color’
This exhibition is now up at the Chelsea Art Center, 3305 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala. The show features “57 vibrant and unique works by 31 talented local artists,” according to organizers. “Harvest of Color” can be viewed noon-4 p.m. Monday through Saturday through November.
‘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.
‘Deconstructing Self: Work by Seth P. Benzel’
This exhibition will be up at the Appleton Museum of Art through 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.”
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 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.
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
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‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.ocala.com ’














