<\/p>\n
Staff report<\/span> THIS WEEK<\/strong><\/p>\n A would-be emperor. Suspicious senators. Jealous conspirators. In \u201cJulius Caesar,\u201d the newest production from Acrosstown Repertory Theatre, Caesar has been gaining a lot of influence recently and people treat him like a god. Cassius and Brutus are concerned about Caesar’s reactions to the power he holds in the Republic \u2014 what if he becomes a tyrant? A group of conspirators with the goal of assassinating Caesar recruit the concerned senators to their cause, Caesar’s right-hand man Marc Antony seeks vengeance, and Rome is thrown into civil war. See a performance at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays plus 2 p.m. Sundays through March 15 at the theater, 3501 SW Second Ave., Suite O. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit\u00a0acrosstown.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n The Friends of Elementary Arts and the Gainesville Fine Arts Association are presenting the 2026 Student and Mentor Exhibition. For this special installation, Alachua County art teachers selected students to showcase their work alongside local mentor artists, highlighting emerging young talent within the community. The exhibition will remain on display through March 20. For more information, visit\u00a0gainesvillefinearts.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n The newest production from The Hippodrome Theatre is a witty cocktail of a thriller from the author of \u201cThe Mystery of Edwin Drood,\u201d \u201cCurtains,\u201d and the iconic \u201cPi\u00f1a Colada\u201d song. Performances of the true whodunnit where nothing is what it seems run 7 p.m. Wednesdays through Fridays, 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, and 8 p.m. Saturdays, March 6-22. The Hippodrome is located at 25 SE Second Place. For more information, visit\u00a0thehipp.org<\/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 A night of music with a mission arrives March 7 at 8 p.m. when University of Florida Performing Arts hosts Lyrics for Life 2026 at the Phillips Center, 3201 Hull Road. The annual benefit concert features Sister Hazel with special guest John Rzeznik for an intimate evening supporting pediatric cancer initiatives. Founded by Sister Hazel frontman Ken Block in memory of his brother, the charity brings together musicians and celebrities to raise funds for research and programs that support children with cancer and their families. Concert tickets range from $99 to $125, while gala tickets are $395 and include access to the pre-party and after-party events. The evening begins with a gala pre-party at 6:30 p.m., followed by the concert from 8 to 10:30 p.m. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit\u00a0performingarts.ufl.edu<\/a>.<\/p>\n Bang bang is set to perform at 7:30 p.m. March 10-11 for 7:30 p.m in the Squitieri Studio Theatre, located in the Phillips Center. Part of the \u201cLeading Edge\u201d series, the production pushes beyond traditional dance and self-expression, exploring physical limits through a high-energy, multidimensional performance that channels the body\u2019s most raw and intense emotions. Reserved seating is $35, with UF student tickets available for $12. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit\u00a0performingarts.ufl.edu<\/a>. The Phillips Center is located at 3201 Hull Road.<\/p>\n Heartwood Soundstage will host Aly and AJ on March 11 for a 7 p.m. outdoor-stage performance stop of their \u201cPlaces to Run\u201d tour. The sister duo \u2014 Aly and AJ Michalka \u2014 are known for their polished harmonies, relatable songwriting, and a sound that blends pop and indie-rock. Hayden Blount will open the all-ages show. Lawn chairs are permitted as space allows, and kids 12 and younger will be admitted free. Advance tickets are $35.64, with day-of-show admission set at $42.19; discounted four- and eight-pack options are also available. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit\u00a0heartwoodsoundstage.com<\/a>. Heartwood Soundstage is located at 619 S. Main 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<\/strong><\/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 Ronnie Lovler and Dixie Nielson will share from their new book, \u201cCultural Sites of North Florida: A Backroads Guide to Small Museums and Other Local Treasures,\u201d beginning at 1:30 p.m. March 14. This guidebook highlights 43 little-known cultural destinations in North Florida that reflect the region’s stories and communities. Lovler is a journalist who has written for celebrity.land and The Gainesville Sun, and is an adjunct professor at the University of Florida\u2019s College of Journalism and Communications. Neilson is a former director of the Matheson History Museum and was previously collections manager at UF\u2019s Harn Museum of Art. Meet and greet the authors at 1:30 p.m.; the book talk begins at 2 p.m. Park admission is $3 per group in one vehicle; correct change is required. Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Historic State Park is located at 18700 CR 325 in Cross Creek. For more information, call 466-3672.<\/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 Get Your Rear in Gear is a 5K run\/walk supporting colon cancer awareness and prevention, and this year marks the first time the event will be held in Gainesville. The race begins at 9 a.m. April 18 at Jonesville Park, 143 NW 32nd St., with proceeds staying local to help fight colon cancer in the Gainesville area. Registration costs $30 through March 18 and increases to $35 afterward, with all participants receiving a T-shirt. The event is designed to be family-friendly and accessible, allowing participants to run or walk individually, with friends and family, or as part of a team. In addition to the race, a silent auction will feature signed items from local sports figures, including a Todd Golden-signed basketball. More information and registration details are available at\u00a0ColonCancerCoalition.org\/Gainesville.<\/p>\n The Suwannee Festivals Committee will host the Wildflower Festival and Plant Sale from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 2 at Heritage Park and Gardens, 1004 Helvenston St. SE in Live Oak. The free, family-friendly event will feature live music from local performers, vendors offering handcrafted goods and plants, educational presentations on native plants and gardening, food trucks, and activities for all ages. The celebration continues with Movie Night at Heritage Park at 8 p.m., featuring a family-friendly animated nature film and free popcorn; attendees are encouraged to bring blankets or lawn chairs. Festivities begin the evening before with Chalk Art on the Trail on May 1 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the south entrance to Heritage Trail (Helvenston Street and Cross Avenue), where young artists can create nature-themed sidewalk art with provided chalk.<\/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 ‘Julius Caesar’ A would-be emperor. Suspicious senators. Jealous conspirators. In \u201cJulius Caesar,\u201d the newest production from Acrosstown Repertory Theatre, Caesar has been gaining a lot of influence recently and people treat him like a god. 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\n\u00a0|\u00a0 Gainesville Sun<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n‘Julius Caesar’<\/h2>\n
Student and Mentor Exhibition<\/h2>\n
‘Accomplice’<\/h2>\n
Stomp The Swamp for Autism<\/h2>\n
Lyrics for Life 2026<\/h2>\n
Bang bang<\/h2>\n
Aly and AJ<\/h2>\n
Horse Feeding<\/h2>\n
Community Nights<\/h2>\n
The Other Book Part 2: The Shoulders We Stand On<\/h2>\n
Writer\u2019s Talks at the Rawlings House<\/h2>\n
Interrogating the ‘Johns Committee’: 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
Get Your Rear in Gear<\/h2>\n
Wildflower Festival and Plant Sale<\/h2>\n