Entertainment listings for Gainesville and Alachua County in February

THIS WEEK

‘The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) (Revised) (Again)’

The Hippodrome Theatre is throwing the classical theatre rulebook out the window this month with a production that dares to ask: What if three sleep-deprived actors attempted to perform every Shakespeare play in a single evening? “The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) (Revised) (Again)” crashes onto the Hippodrome stage through Feb. 16, promising audiences a theatrical fever dream where Hamlet meets “Saturday Night Live,” and Macbeth is like “Succession” with kilts and a much worse PR team. The chaos unfolds through the talents of Charlie Mitchell, Megan Greener and Natalie Cutcher, three brave souls who’ll tackle everything from “Romeo and Juliet” to “King Lear” — often simultaneously. This latest version of this wildly popular play transforms the Bard’s masterworks into an evening of high-energy entertainment suitable for both Shakespeare enthusiasts and newcomers alike. Recommended for audiences 13 and older. For showtimes and tickets, visit thehipp.org.

Valentine’s Swing Dance

This year’s Valentine’s Swing Dance, an annual event put on by Santa Fe College, begins at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 14 in the lobby of the Jackson N. Sasser Fine Arts Hall, located at 3000 Northwest 83rd St. The semi-formal event will include light refreshments and free swing dance instruction. Tickets are $10 per person and are available from the Fine Arts Hall Box Office at 395-4181 or at showpass.com/valentines-swing-dance-3. Experienced instructors will teach the basics of swing dance from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Then, David L. Smith, SF associate professor of music and band director, will conduct the SF Jazz Ensemble providing live music for the evening. The band will perform popular jazz tunes and arrangements from some of the most important big band leaders from that era, including Duke Ellington, Count Basie and Benny Goodman. With live music and a focus on timeless classics, the evening will immerse participants in the vibrant culture of the Swing Era.

Czech National Symphony Orchestra

Filling concert halls for more than 30 years, the great Czech National Symphony Orchestra is a testament to the timeless power of music. Their program featured two soloists in the first half followed by a performance of Dvořák’s Symphony No. 9 “New World Symphony.” Their local show begins at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 14 at the Phillips Center, located at 3201 Hull Road. Tickets are $40 to $65 or $12 for University of Florida students. Visit performingarts.ufl.edu for more information.

‘Weirdo: The Story of Five Eight’

Legendary Athens, Georgia, pop-punk band Five Eight will be on tour and coming through Gainesville on Feb. 15 with a screening of their critically acclaimed film “Weirdo: The Story of Five Eight” at 4 p.m. at the Hippodrome followed by a Q&A. The Hippodrome is located at 25 SE Second Place. Tickets for the screening are $15 and can be purchased at tinyurl.com/weirdognv25. Later that night, the band will perform a rock show at The Backyard at Boca Fiesta and Palomino at 8 p.m. The address for the concert is 232 SE First St. The band’s first new song in more than six years is called “Take Me to the Skate Park.”

‘Winds Go Pop!’

The Santa Fe College Concert Band will entertain with some of the world’s most popular tunes in the annual “Winds Go Pop!” concert at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 20 in the Lyceum (Building E) at the Northwest campus, located at 3000 NW 83rd St. Admission is free, but tickets are required and may be obtained from the SF Box Office at 395-4181 or online at showpass.com/winds-go-pop-3. Last year’s concert featured music from Michael Jackson, Aretha Franklin and John Williams. Building on that tribute to iconic artists, this year’s concert will feature popular selections by Quincy Jones, The Beatles, Stevie Wonder and more. The SF student musicians will perform two additional concerts in the 2025 spring term, “Jazz Up Spring” on March 7 and “Winds and Classics” on March 27.

ONGOING

‘The Odd Couple, Female Version’

Presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals, “The Odd Couple, Female Version” is the High Springs Playhouse’s first production of 2025. According to Concord theatricals, “Unger and Madison are at it again! Florence Unger and Olive Madison, that is, in Neil Simon’s hilarious contemporary comic classic. … Instead of the poker party that begins the original version, Ms. Madison has invited the girls over for an evening of Trivial Pursuit. The Pidgeon sisters have been replaced by the two Constanzuela brothers. But the hilarity remains the same.” Tickets for the show are $17 for adults, and $15 for students and seniors ages 65 and older. Catch a show at 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays or 2 p.m. Sundays through March 2. The High Springs Playhouse is located at 130 NE First Ave. in High Springs. For more information, visit highspringsplayhouse.com.

‘The South is not Simple — Prints by Molly Kempson’

The Santa Fe College Gallery is set to present “The South is not Simple — Prints by Molly Kempson” through March 21 at the Northwest Campus, located at 3000 NW 83rd St. Kempson is an artist and educator making relief prints in and about the American South. Her work spirals through architecture, language, flora, fauna, preservation and conservation to highlight the complicated history of the region through artist books, letterpress posters and limited edition reduction linocut prints. She has been awarded several funded residencies, including the Coffey Residency in Book Arts at the University of Florida in 2016, the letterpress residency at Ashantilly Press in 2018, and the In Cahoots Residency in 2024 in Petaluma, California. In this solo show of works from 2018 to 2025, Kempson explores the intersection of traditional block printing and typesetting techniques with the current landscape of wildlife conservation, historic preservation, and Southern identity and history. Her works also address the importance of public support for the arts as a catalyst for addressing the issues that face Floridians as we face our past, present and future. The Santa Fe College Gallery is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Sylvia Zerbini’s ‘Liberte’

Equestrian trainer and performing artist Sylvia Zerbiniis bringing her production, “Liberte,” back to her Liberte ́ Equestrian Theater in Williston now through April. The former star and lead trainer of “Cavalia” has performed across the globe for millions of fans. Zerbini’s multidimensional equestrian voyage features more than a dozen horses and world-class equestrian theatrical performers. Blending awe-inspiring horsemanship with imaginative stagecraft, intricate choreography, high-flying aerial stunts, and multi-talented live musicians, this horse lover’s extravaganza expands the definition of equestrian performance into a theatrical experience. Weekly performances will be held every Saturday and Sunday at 4:30 p.m. with both general seating, and VIP upgraded options that include food, beverages and a backstage tour. Located at the Grande Liberté Farms at 18550 NE 81st St. in Williston, the Liberte ́ Equestrian Theater offers an indoor theatrical experience. Tickets start at $35 and are available through SylviaZerbini.com or ordered directly on EventBrite.com.

‘Riding the 33rd Parallel’

“Riding the 33rd Parallel” is a virtual road trip from Florida to California via the Harn’s photography collection. According to the Harn, 48 photographs by 22 photographers were made along the 33rd parallel (more or less) encompassing Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada and California. The time span is 1961 to the present. Some images are grouped by similar or opposing conditions within one or more states while other images follow Ansel Adams’s grand landscape style and still others fuse the picturesque with toxic industries and extreme weather or truly awesome human ingenuity. The photos will be on display in the Rubin Gallery through May 25 at the Harn Museum of Art, located at 3259 Hull Road. Museum hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 1 to 5 p.m. Sundays, closed Mondays through Wednesdays, and 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursdays. For more information, or to see what other exhibits are on display, visit harn.ufl.edu/visit.

‘Silver Linings’

The Harn Museum of Art at the University of Florida will display art from Spelman College — a historically black liberal arts college for women located in Atlanta. The Harn is one of five venues across the United States exhibiting “Silver Linings: Celebrating the Spelman Art Collection.” Through 39 works by nearly 30 artists, “Silver Linings” uplifts the legacy of artists of African descent spanning the 20th century through the contemporary moment, many of whom have been overlooked by mainstream art museums. The exhibition will be on view through July 6. “Silver Linings: Celebrating the Spelman Art Collection” includes a variety of mediums and techniques such as painting, drawing, sculpture, mixed-media collage, prints and photographs divided into five sections that focus on the Spiral Group, abstraction, early figuration, contemporary photography and contemporary figuration. An artist-in-residence program and special community day are among the programs providing opportunities for the community to engage with the exhibition in multiple ways. Onsite artist-in-residence Jessica Clermont will create works of art inspired by the exhibition Tuesdays through Thursdays from noon to 5 p.m. between March 6 and June 26. Visitors can engage in discussion as the artist works, discuss the influence of the exhibition and create their own work of art. A community day at the Harn, set for noon to 4 p.m. May 31, will celebrate the exhibition with tours, a silkscreen art activity, art creation by Clermont, entertainment, partner information tables and refreshments. Entrance to the museum is free. For more information, visit harn.ufl.edu.

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 that spans 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.

COMING SOON

The Fourth Light Project

Local music lovers are invited to an immersive multimedia experience presented by Niyaz. Iranian-born Azam Ali and Loga Torkian’s Fourth Light Project is an immersive, trance-inducing multimedia experience inspired by the 8th century mystic poetess Rabia Al Basri. Niyaz mixes modern electronic music and state-of-the-art interactive technology with traditional Middle Eastern instruments, a female whirling dervish and ancient poetry for a vivid, almost psychedelic blending of old and new. Niyaz harmoniously weaves together traditional and modern instruments to create a sublime musical experience that unites people from different cultural and spiritual backgrounds through shared humanity. The show begins at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 21 at the Phillips Center, located at 3201 Hull Road. Tickets are $25 to $45, and $12 for University of Florida students. For more information, or to purchase tickets online, visit performingarts.ufl.edu.

17th Annual Spring Youth Concert Featuring the Premier of ‘Hansel & Gretel’

Sun Country Dance Theatre has announced their 17th annual Spring Youth Concert, showcasing the premiere of its original story ballet, “Hansel & Gretel.” The performance will take place at the Phillips Center for the Performing Arts at 2:30 p.m. Feb. 23. In line with its mission to provide enriching arts experiences for the youths of the community, SCDT will offer free tickets to children ages 17 and younger (available in person at the Phillips Center box office only — tickets are not available online). General admission tickets are priced at $20. Featured on the program is the premier of “Hansel & Gretel,” choreographed by Artistic Director Judy Benton. This enchanting new adaptation of the beloved fairy tale will transport audiences into a whimsical world where two young siblings venture into a mysterious forest, encounter fantastical creatures, and face the cunning and eccentric Cotton Candy Witch. The witch has sinister plans to turn Hansel and Gretel into scrumptious confections, but with cleverness and bravery, the siblings manage to outsmart her, sending the witch into her own oven and breaking her magical spell. The production is filled with humor, drama and heart as the siblings’ adventure concludes joyously with a heartfelt reunion with their mother. In addition to the premiere of “Hansel & Gretel,” the concert will feature performances by the SCDT dancers, showcasing a dynamic range of new works by the company’s resident and guest choreographers. The performances will span a variety of styles, from classical ballet to contemporary and modern dance, and the production will be further enhanced by the contributions of distinguished guest performers from both Florida and New York City. Among the special guests are professional dancers from The Florida Ballet in Jacksonville, adding a layer of expertise and artistry to the performance. This collaboration highlights the vibrant exchange of creative energy between dancers and choreographers from various regions, underscoring the shared passion for the arts that unites performers and enriches the community. For more information, or to purchase tickets, visit tickets.performingarts.ufl.edu. The Phillips Center is located at 3201 Hull Road.

Ziggy and Miles

Australian guitar duo Ziggy and Miles are changing how you hear classical music. With their skill and passion, the musicians promise to present a night of guitar virtuosity with influences from composers ranging from Rodrigo to Page in a blend of technical mastery and heartfelt passion. Their show is set for 7:30 p.m. Feb. 23 at the Squitieri Studio Theatre located at the Phillips Center, 3201 Hull Road. Tickets are $35 for general admission and $12 for University of Florida students. For more information about this show, visit performingarts.ufl.edu.

Derek Gripper

Renowned South African classical guitarist Derek Gripper will take the stage at the Historic Thomas Center at 7 p.m. Feb. 28. Tickets for the evening of music are available for $20 in advance and $25 on the day of the show. Gripper has made a significant impact on the classical guitar world through his innovative transcriptions and interpretations of kora music. His passion for this West African instrument led him to translate and record some of its greatest works, revolutionizing the classical guitar landscape. The release of Gripper’s debut album, “One Night on Earth,” showcased his groundbreaking approach. The legendary classical guitarist John Williams praised Gripper’s work, stating it was “absolutely impossible until I heard Derek Gripper do it.” Kora master Toumani Diabaté was similarly astonished, even confirming if it was indeed just one guitarist performing. This acclaim opened doors for Gripper, leading him to share the stage with both Williams in London’s Shakespeare’s Globe and King’s Place, and Diabaté at the Acoustik Festival in Bamako, Mali. The Historic Thomas Center is located at 302 NE Sixth Ave. For more information, or to purchase tickets online, visit tinyurl.com/grippergnv25.