<\/p>\n
Staff report<\/span> THIS WEEK<\/strong><\/p>\n The Hippodrome Theatre invites the public to kick off 2026 with romance, passion, and the music that theatergoers have grown to love: \u201cThe Sound of Music,\u201d \u201cOklahoma,\u201d \u201cThe King and I,\u201d \u201cCarousel,\u201d \u201cFlower Drum Song\u201d and more. The Hipp calls it a glorious parade of genuine hits from the golden age of Broadway that will lift spirits, brighten the audience\u2019s souls and leave a melody in their hearts. The show runs at 7 p.m. Wednesdays through Fridays plus 8 p.m. Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays through Feb. 15 at the Hipp, located at 25 SE Second Place. Tickets can be purchased at\u00a0thehipp.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n High Springs Playhouse is set to present \u201cHappily Ever After: A Wedding Comedy,\u201d running through March 1. Written by Mark Dunn and directed by Jenny Martinez, the family-friendly farce follows a bride who barricades herself in a church nursery moments before her wedding, convinced she is destined for another man \u2014 if he ever wakes from a coma. As her determined mother pushes to keep the wedding on track, the day spirals into chaos with a dog funeral, a flirtatious caterer, a looming presidential visit, and a miraculous recovery that upends everything. With a Texas twang and plenty of twists, the play evokes the spirit of classic Kaufman and Hart comedies. Performances will be held at 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays plus 2 p.m. Sundays at the theater, located at 23416 W U.S. 27 in High Springs. For more information or to purchase tickets online, visit\u00a0tinyurl.com\/heaawc26<\/a>.<\/p>\n Heartwood Soundstage will host Wim Tapley and the Cannons with Twin Suns on Feb. 13 for an 8 p.m. indoor show. Based in Athens, Georgia, Tapley developed his troubadour-style voice while playing shows in Washington, D.C., before settling in Athens in 2021 and quickly becoming a hometown favorite. His sound blends Americana with pop sensibilities, neo-soul grooves and riotous horn arrangements, drawing comparisons to Jason Isbell, Bill Withers and Chris Stapleton. The show will be standing room with a limited row of seats, and is open to all ages. Advance tickets are $18, and day-of-show tickets are $23. Heartwood Soundstage is located at 619 S. Main St. For more information, visit\u00a0heartwoodsoundstage.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n Before school integration, Black educators often taught from an official textbook and an \u201cother book\u201d that preserved the truth of Black history. This lecture series examines the overlooked and often whitewashed contributions of Black Americans. The Feb. 14 session, set for 10 a.m. to noon, focuses on science and engineering with Dr. Kevin Winstead. Lectures are held the second Saturday of each month from January through April. A $5 suggested donation is requested. Registration is encouraged but not required. All are welcome. The Matheson History Museum is located at 513 E. University Ave. For more information or to register for the event, visit\u00a0mathesonmuseum.networkforgood.com\/events\/92731-the-other-book-part-2-science-and-engineering<\/a>.<\/p>\n Vincent Neil Emerson will bring his deeply personal brand of folk and country songwriting to Heartwood Soundstage at 7 p.m. Feb. 14 for an outdoor show, joined by William Prince. A staple among fans nationwide, Emerson is known for honest stories of life on the road, heartbreak and survival, with recent work on \u201cThe Golden Crystal Kingdom\u201d expanding his sound into rock \u2019n\u2019 roll territory while retaining his sharp, autobiographical storytelling. The all-ages show will take place outdoors, with lawn chairs allowed as space permits, and kids 12 and younger admitted free. Advance tickets are $20, and day-of-show tickets are $25. Heartwood Soundstage is located at 619 S. Main St. For more information or to purchase tickets online, visit\u00a0heartwoodsoundstage.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n Local producers Sally B. Dash and Jenny Castle will present The Best Little Valentine\u2019s Show in Gainesville: A Rumpus Burlesque Romp Celebrating All Forms of Love! at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 14 at Signal Night Club, located at 7 SW First St. The annual Valentine\u2019s Day showcase features a mostly local lineup including Sally B. Dash, Jenny Castle, Tessa Toogood and Nyqolas Pyqolas, with guest performers Maple Citrine and Mavis Mayfield from Tallahassee. The evening will include neo and classic burlesque, solo and group acts, a bespoke audience participation game and an adults-only celebration of love and self-expression. Premium front-row seated tickets are $40, and general admission seated tickets are $25. The show is open to adults ages 18 and older. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit\u00a0tinyurl.com\/tblvsig26<\/a>.<\/p>\n The North Central Florida Blues Society will present Jasper Smitty with Corey Hall at 7 p.m. Feb. 15 at Heartwood Soundstage. A North Florida native, Jesse Smith \u2014 known professionally as Jasper Smitty \u2014 returns home after 13 years in New Orleans, recently reaching the semifinals of the 2026 International Blues Challenge in Memphis. Joined by Gulf Coast-based singer-songwriter Corey Hall, whose work blends deep blues traditions with his distinctive voice, the evening highlights two rising performers under 40. Advance tickets are $20, and day-of-show tickets are $25. Heartwood Soundstage is located at 619 S. Main St. For more information or to purchase tickets online, visit\u00a0heartwoodsoundstage.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n Local news: <\/strong>\u2018Buddy\u2019 Bryant\u2019s legacy lives on through Oak Hall scholarship<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n Matthew Logan Vasquez will perform at Heartwood Soundstage on Feb. 18 for a 7 p.m. show. Best known as the cofounder and frontman of Delta Spirit, Vasquez brings a fiery delivery and introspective songwriting to his solo work, blending indie rock, electronic pop, R&B and soulful Americana. His latest release, \u201cFrank\u2019s Full Moon Saloon,\u201d offers raw reinterpretations of songs spanning Delta Spirit\u2019s 20-year career. Advance seated tickets are $23, and day-of-show seated tickets are $28. Heartwood Soundstage is located at 619 S. Main St. For more information or to purchase tickets online, visit\u00a0heartwoodsoundstage.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator is a global phenomenon, but its roots lie in Gainesville. In this talk, Mark Enting, president and CEO of the Myers & Briggs Foundation, explores how the world\u2019s most widely used personality assessment came to call Gainesville home, from its early development by a pioneering mother-daughter team to research conducted at the University of Florida in the 1970s. The program is scheduled for 7 p.m. Feb. 18 and is free with registration. The Matheson History Museum is located at 513 E. University Ave. For more information or to register, visit\u00a0mathesonmuseum.networkforgood.com\/events\/94826-the-myers-briggs-type-indicator-gainesville-roots-worldwide-influence<\/a>.<\/p>\n Caroline Jones will take the stage at Heartwood Soundstage on Feb. 19 for a 7 p.m. standing-room show. Jones is a country singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist whose career spans solo work and her role as a full-time member of Zac Brown Band. Her third studio album, \u201cHomesite,\u201d was released in October 2023 and features collaborations with Zac Brown Band and Vince Gill, following the success of Antipodes, which debuted at No. 4 on the iTunes Country Chart. Jones also has collaborated and toured with artists including Jimmy Buffett, Kenny Chesney, The Eagles, OneRepublic, Carrie Underwood, Faith Hill and Tim McGraw. Advance standing tickets are $25, and day-of-show standing tickets are $30. Heartwood Soundstage is located at 619 S. Main St. For more information or to purchase tickets online, visit\u00a0heartwoodsoundstage.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n Camille Thurman will perform two shows at 7 and 9 p.m. Feb. 13 at UpStage at the Phillips Center, 3201 Hull Road. Thurman is an accomplished composer, saxophonist and vocalist known for blending jazz standards with her own music in performances that balance tradition with fresh ideas. UpStage is an intimate, cabaret-style setting on the Phillips Center Mainstage; the 7 p.m. seating includes heavy hors d\u2019oeuvres and a cash bar, while the 9 p.m. seating includes desserts and a cash bar. Reserved seating tickets are $55 for the 7 p.m. show, $35 for the 9 p.m. show and UF students are admitted for $12. Box office information is available at 392-2787. For more information or to purchase tickets online, visit\u00a0performingarts.ufl.edu<\/a>.<\/p>\n Tatiana Eva-Marie will perform two shows at 7 and 9 p.m. Feb. 14 at UpStage at the Phillips Center, 3201 Hull Road. Audience members can picture themselves in a cozy Parisian caf\u00e9 as Eva-Marie and her band bring swinging jazz to life with warm vocals and expert fiddle and guitar work, drawing from Django Reinhardt\u2019s traditions with French swing and Roma Manouche rhythms. UpStage is an intimate, cabaret-style setting on the Phillips Center Mainstage; the 7 p.m. seating includes heavy hors d\u2019oeuvres and a cash bar, while the 9 p.m. seating includes desserts and a cash bar. Reserved seating tickets are $60 for the 7 p.m. show, $35 for the 9 p.m. show and UF students are admitted for $12. Box office information is available at 392-2787. For more information or to purchase tickets online, visit\u00a0performingarts.ufl.edu<\/a>.<\/p>\n UF Performing Arts will present Cirque FLIP Fabrique \u2013 BLIZZARD at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 17 at the Phillips Center, 3201 Hull Road. Audiences are invited on a journey through a sparkling winter wonderland of impressive athleticism, spectacular acrobatics and thrilling stunts in this breathtaking cirque performance that promises to awaken a sense of childlike joy and wonder and stay with viewers long after the curtain falls. Tickets range from $25 to $45, and UF students pay $12. Box office information is available at 392-2787. For more information or to purchase tickets online, visit\u00a0performingarts.ufl.edu<\/a>.<\/p>\n UF Performing Arts will present An Evening with Benmont Tench at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 18 and again at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 19 in the Squitieri Studio Theatre at the Phillips Center, 3201 Hull Road. A founding member of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Tench is one of today\u2019s most accomplished piano and keyboard players, with a signature sound on recordings by artists including Bob Dylan, Stevie Nicks and Johnny Cash. The intimate performance promises depth, soul and masterful musicianship. Tickets are $50 for the general public, with students and children admitted for $12. Box office information is available at 392-2787. For more information or to purchase tickets online, visit\u00a0performingarts.ufl.edu<\/a>.<\/p>\n Santa Fe College Fine Arts will present Winds Go Pop at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 19 in the Lyceum Concert Hall on the Northwest campus. The SF Concert Band will perform a retrospective of popular American music, ranging from dance grooves to iconic cinematic and television tunes. Conducted by Associate Professor of Music and Band Director Dr. David Smith, the 21-member Santa Fe Winds will perform selections from \u201cAladdin,\u201d \u201cThe Simpsons\u201d and \u201cBlack Panther,\u201d along with George Gershwin\u2019s \u201cRhapsody in Blue.\u201d Admission is free. For more information, visit\u00a0sfcollege.edu<\/a>. Santa Fe College is located at 3000 NW 83rd St.<\/p>\n ONGOING<\/strong><\/p>\n 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 \u2014 carrots, apple slices and bananas provided by the visitors \u2014 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\u00a0millcreekfarm.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n 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 that spans the Southeast corner of Main Street and Depot Road. Community Nights always feature free live music and drink specials at Heartwood Soundstage\u2019s lawn bar, but any given week can also include skillshares on music and videography, kids\u2019 activities, film screenings, and opportunities to sample local food and drink at South Main\u2019s 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\u00a0heartwoodsoundstage.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n COMING SOON<\/p>\n Dance Alive National Ballet will present \u201cRomeo & Juliet\u201d at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 21 at the Phillips Center, 3201 Hull Road. Back by popular demand, the ballet brings Shakespeare\u2019s tragic love story to life through sweeping choreography by the late Tom Pazik, featuring breathtaking lifts, dramatic sword fights and a powerful depiction of the feud between the Capulets and Montagues. Principal dancer Rosemary Deiorio will dance Juliet opposite Principal Tales Ribeiro as Romeo, supported by original sets designed by Carlos Asse with reconstruction by Matt Pollard and costumes by Chris Takashima and Rebecca Flake. The production is set to music combining Sergei Prokofiev\u2019s 1935 \u201cRomeo and Juliet\u201d with selections from the 16th century. The presentation is family-friendly, with sword fighting involved. Tickets are $35 to $75. For more information, visit\u00a0dancealive.org<\/a>. To purchase tickets, visit\u00a0performingarts.ufl.edu<\/a>.<\/p>\n Holy Trinity Episcopal Church will host a special performance of Mozart\u2019s beloved \u201cGran Partita (K. 361)\u201d beginning at 4 p.m. Feb. 22. This masterwork for small wind ensemble showcases Mozart at his most elegant and expressive. A reception in the Parish Hall will follow the concert. The event is free. Holy Trinity Episcopal Church is located at 100 NE First St.<\/p>\n Sun Country Dance Theatre will present its 18th annual Spring Youth Concert at 2:30 p.m. March 1 at the Phillips Center, 3201 Hull Road. The family-friendly program features an encore performance of \u201cHansel & Gretel,\u201d an original story ballet choreographed by Artistic Director Judy Benton that brings the beloved fairy tale to life with humor, imagination, and heart as the adventurous siblings journey through an enchanted forest, encounter whimsical characters, and outwit the eccentric Cotton Candy Witch. In addition to the story ballet, the concert includes a diverse lineup of new works performed by the dancers of Sun Country Dance Theatre, with original choreography by resident artists and the premiere of three new works created exclusively for the company by guest choreographers from New York City, spanning classical ballet, contemporary, jazz, modern dance, and musical theatre. Distinguished guest artists from Florida and New York City \u2014 including professional dancers from The Florida Ballet \u2014 also will appear. All seating is general admission; tickets are $20, with free tickets available for children 17 and younger when obtained in person at the Phillips Center box office. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit\u00a0performingarts.ufl.edu<\/a>.<\/p>\n The University of Florida Center for Autism and Related Disabilities will host the 17th annual Stomp the Swamp for Autism Acceptance and Awareness event on March 7 at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. The community walk and run begins at 9:30 a.m., with registration opening at 8:30 a.m. at Gate 7. It brings together self-advocates, families, community members, and UF students, faculty and staff to support individuals with autism and their families. The event includes vendor and UF organization tabling, performances, children’s activities, fitness activities for all ages, a silent auction, and event T-shirts available with a $25 donation. Proceeds support UF CARD\u2019s education, training, and community outreach programs. For more information or to register, visit\u00a0card.ufl.edu<\/a>.<\/p>\n Before school integration, Black educators often taught from an official textbook and an \u201cother book\u201d that preserved the truth of Black history. This lecture series examines the overlooked and often whitewashed contributions of Black Americans. The March 14 session, set for 10 a.m. to noon, focuses on politics with Dr. Sharon Austin. Lectures are held the second Saturday of each month from January through April. A $5 suggested donation is requested. Registration is encouraged but not required. All are welcome. The Matheson History Museum is located at 513 E. University Ave. For more information or to register for the event, visit\u00a0mathesonmuseum.networkforgood.com\/events\/92731-the-other-book-part-2-science-and-engineering<\/a>.<\/p>\n Journalist and scholar Robert W. Fieseler examines the history and legacy of the Florida Legislative Investigation Committee \u2014 often called the Johns Committee \u2014 a McCarthy-era group that targeted Black and queer Floridians between 1956 and 1965. Drawing from his book \u201cAmerican Scare: Florida\u2019s Hidden Cold War on Black and Queer Lives,\u201d Fieseler explores the committee\u2019s actions and their lasting impact, including in Gainesville. The program is scheduled for 7 p.m. March 25 and is free with registration. The Matheson History Museum is located at 513 E. University Ave. For more information or to register, visit\u00a0https:\/\/mathesonmuseum.networkforgood.com\/events\/95896-interrogating-the-johns-committee<\/a>.<\/p>\n Before school integration, Black educators often taught from an official textbook and an \u201cother book\u201d that preserved the truth of Black history. This lecture series examines the overlooked and often whitewashed contributions of Black Americans. The April 11 session, set for 10 a.m. to noon, focuses on faith communities and resistance with Dr. Rik Stevenson. Lectures are held the second Saturday of each month from January through April. A $5 suggested donation is requested. Registration is encouraged but not required. All are welcome. The Matheson History Museum is located at 513 E. University Ave. For more information or to register for the event, visit\u00a0mathesonmuseum.networkforgood.com\/events\/92731-the-other-book-part-2-science-and-engineering<\/a>.<\/p>\n The 2026 Old Florida Celebration of the Arts two-day event will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 11-12, 2026, in Cedar Key. This year\u2019s theme is \u201cStars of Cedar Key.\u201d According to organizers, the festival was established in 1964 and was formerly known as the Cedar Key Sidewalk Arts Festival. The Old Florida Celebration of the Arts returned to a juried fine art fair format in 2006. It features 100 artists and about 15,000 visitors annually. This free event benefits the Cedar Key Arts Center in addition to local nonprofit and Cedar Key school groups who serve food and beverages during the festival.<\/p>\n \u2018 The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties \u2019 <\/em><\/p>\n \u2018 Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.gainesville.com \u2019 <\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Staff report \u00a0|\u00a0 Gainesville Sun THIS WEEK ‘Some Enchanted Evening, The Songs of Rodgers and Hammerstein’ The Hippodrome Theatre invites the public to kick off 2026 with romance, passion, and the music that theatergoers have grown to love: \u201cThe Sound of Music,\u201d \u201cOklahoma,\u201d \u201cThe King and I,\u201d \u201cCarousel,\u201d \u201cFlower Drum Song\u201d and more. 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\n\u00a0|\u00a0 Gainesville Sun<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n‘Some Enchanted Evening, The Songs of Rodgers and Hammerstein’<\/h2>\n
‘Happily Ever After: A Wedding Comedy’<\/h2>\n
Wim Tapley and the Cannons<\/h2>\n
The Other Book Part 2: The Shoulders We Stand On<\/h2>\n
Vincent Neil Emerson<\/h2>\n
The Best Little Valentine\u2019s Show in Gainesville<\/h2>\n
Jasper Smitty<\/h2>\n
Matthew Logan Vasquez<\/h2>\n
The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator: Gainesville Roots \u2014 Worldwide Influence<\/h2>\n
Caroline Jones<\/h2>\n
Camille Thurman<\/h2>\n
Tatiana Eva-Marie<\/h2>\n
Cirque FLIP Fabrique \u2013 BLIZZARD<\/h2>\n
An Evening with Benmont Tench<\/h2>\n
Winds Go Pop<\/h2>\n
Horse Feeding<\/h2>\n
Community Nights<\/h2>\n
‘Romeo and Juliet’<\/h2>\n
Holy Trinity Concert<\/h2>\n
‘Hansel and Gretel’\/’18th Annual Spring Youth Concert’<\/h2>\n
Stomp The Swamp for Autism<\/h2>\n
The Other Book Part 2: The Shoulders We Stand On<\/h2>\n
Interrogating the \u201cJohns Committee\u201d: A Reckoning for Florida\u2019s Red Scare War on Blacks and Queers<\/h2>\n
The Other Book Part 2: The Shoulders We Stand On<\/h2>\n
Old Florida Celebration of the Arts<\/h2>\n