Celebrate Black History Month at the 12 libraries and two bookmobiles of Alachua County throughout the month of February. The libraries will be hosting a variety of events to recognize and celebrate the diverse achievements and contributions of African Americans.
Events will include read-ins, local discussions with community leaders, historical presentations, movies, dancing, stories, art and social media interactions. Check out the events below!
Feb. 8 at 6pm: Community elders will discuss Newberry’s history at the Newberry Branch.
Feb. 12 at 1:30pm: Enjoy dancing, singing, storytellings and other reflections of Black heritage at Headquarters.
Feb. 12 at 3:30pm: The Jordan Glen Spirit Dancers will perform at the Archer Branch.
Feb. 16 at 5pm: The Jacksonville Florida Buffalo Soldiers Motorcycle Club will show a presentation at the Library Partnership.
Feb. 19 at 1pm: Teen volunteers will be reading works authored by African Americans in the children’s area at the Tower Road Branch.
Feb. 22 at 11am: The Library Partnership will host an African American movie marathon.
Feb. 23 at 6:30pm: Artist and illustrator Javaka Steptow will discuss his artistic style, inspirations and work at Headquarters.
-Alexandria Ugarte
The opening weekend of the 26th Annual Hoggetowne Medieval Faire at the Alachua County Fairgrounds (January 28 and 29) drew one of the largest crowds in the fair’s history.
There were 150 vendors and 120 performers at the fair this year. The costumes are elaborate and the performances are exciting, funny and truly amazing. It was surprising to find out how many of these unique and talented performers do this for a living.
A “must” is a visit to any of the food vendors. We enjoyed the English style fish and chips and the freshly made lemonade. There is everything from snacks, desserts, turkey legs, beer, wine and so much more.
It’s the perfect event if you are looking for something fun and different to do, whether you are alone or with friends and family. We have been to several Renaissance fairs and festivals throughout the southeast and the Hoggetowne Medieval Faire is without a doubt our favorite one.
Our tips:
1.) Get there early to park on the fairgrounds, because spots fill quickly. If this happens, there are plenty of buses to shuttle you from the parking area to the fair grounds.
2.) Wear comfortable walking shoes.
3.) Bring cash. But if you forget, some vendors accept credit cards and there is an ATM machine available.
4.) Wear clothes that you don’t mind getting a little dirty. For popular events like the jousting or living chess board, you may have to sit on the ground.
5.) Check the daily schedule of events to make sure you don’t miss anything.
6.) Don’t forget the camera! There are plenty of great photo opportunities.
-story and photos by Cathleen Rockwell
The fair is run by the city under the Division of Cultural Affairs. Ticket sales help pay for next year’s fair.
Hours: Feb. 3 from 9:30-3, Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 4-5 from 10-6, Friday,
Admission: $14 for adults, $7 for ages 5-17, Friday admission is half price and discounted prices are available for school groups.
No credit cards are accepted for admission. Advance ticket sales at local Gator Domino’s Pizza locations.
For more information call: (352) 393-8536 or email piperlr@cityofgainesville.org
Gainesville Downtown Owners and Tenants (GDOT) will be hosting the very first First Friday event tomorrow, Feb. 3 from 6pm – 10pm. The theme for this month’s First Friday is “Bring Your Heart Downtown,” and this month’s featured charities are the American Heart Association and LifeSouth.
First Friday is a family-friendly event hosted downtown. Donations can be made at Bo Diddley Community Plaza, where you can also pick up your “passport to downtown” and be entered into a raffle. The passport includes great deals and discounts to use at participating downtown businesses.
Free valet service will be provided for participants, and Misty Edge Carriage Rides will also be providing stylish transportation to the different participating venues.
Don’t forget to wear red for National Wear Red Day!
-Alexandria Ugarte
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Photo by Andrew Zaeh, courtesy of UFPA
It’s a new semester and that means new shows for the University of Florida Performing Arts. Student tickets are now on sale.
Tickets start at $12, and must be bought in-person at the Phillips Center Box Office or University Box Office in the J. Wayne Reitz Union.
With shows from March to May, we know it’s a lot to choose from.
Here’s a breakdown of some of the performances you can buy tickets for. Read more ›
After kicking off the season with a model casting call in January, Gainesville Fashion Week held callbacks for more than 100 potential men and women at Jolie Events Wednesday night.
Models were called back to walk the runway in front of a panel of judges to determine the final lineup for this year’s upcoming fashion week. After INsite editor Maghan McDowell made a surprise announcement that INsite will once again launch a Cover Model Contest to coincide with Fashion Week, the music of DJ Klarc Shepard filled the room as the candidates hit the makeshift runway.
Read more ›
We met David Lerner, punter for the Florida Gators, when we featured his story in our annual roundup of the “Most Interesting” people in Gainesville. That’s why it’s no surprise to find out he is one of four finalists for the Uplifting Athletes Rare Disease Champion Award. But to win, he needs your vote.
Read more ›
Swamp Cabbage, a local blues/Americana band, will perform at Smokehouse Downtown this Friday, Feb. 3 at 9pm.
Lead guitarist and Jacksonville native, Walter Parks, has made a 30-year career playing lead guitar with blues legends, including Richie Havens at the original Woodstock. Walter recently released his self-titled debut album and has begun his cross-country tour.
Tickets for the performance are $10 and can be purchased at Eventbrite.com.
-Alexandria Ugarte
If you haven’t met your daily laugh quota lately, here’s your chance to catch up: the 7th annual Gainesville Improv Festival, brought by UF’s improv club, is taking the stage for four days, beginning Wednesday, Feb. 1, at the Squitieri Studio at the Phillips Center.
The acts featured are from across the state and nation. Each brings a different flavor to their rendition of comedy with the use of improvisation and sketch comedy. Bringing the acts to Gainesville allows local acts to share and learn from other acts to create an even more dynamic interaction and show.
Read more ›
It’s time for round two.
The Gainesville Fashion Week is holding its model callbacks on Wednesday. One hundred of the casting call models will be asked to take it to the catwalk at Jolie Events from 7pm to 9pm. Read more ›
There were fans in neon-colored clothes and plenty of glow sticks, but the Avicii concert was not just about electronic dance music (EDM).
Avicii plans to use the proceeds from his House for Hunger tour to raise a million dollars for the Feeding America charity. The tour stopped at the UCF Arena in Orlando Friday night. Read more ›
