Looking for something to keep you busy as you wish away the Saturdays until football season? The Avenue is here to help you out with the best places to get drinks, hear local music and get artistic this weekend.
Friday
Show at Loosey’s: Local bands Carpadium, Velocirapture, Crystal Balls and Just Neighbors, who are featured in this week’s Q&A, will perform at Loosey’s, located at 120 SW First Ave., on Friday at 9 p.m. With just a $5 cover, this is a great way to check out the local music scene and hang out with friends.
GatorNights Swamp Olympics: In celebration of the Rio Olympic Games kicking off next week, UF is hosting their own version, with glow-in-the-dark mini golf, tricycle relay races and gaming stations. This is the last GatorNights of the Summer, which will run from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m., and there will be two showings of “Huntsman: Winter’s War.” As usual, the event is free for all students with a Gator 1 Card.
Saturday
Archaeology on Tap: On Saturday at 5 p.m., History Bikes Gainesville has organized an event to ride bikes to First Magnitude Brewing Company for an archaeology lesson. The lesson will focus on Ocala’s Silver Glen Springs, with artifacts and archaeologists on hand for a Q&A. The event is free, so get some exercise, drink some good beer and learn some local history.
Battle of the Blues: Leonardo’s Music and Antiques and the North Central Florida Blues Society are putting on a blues competition at Market Street Pub and Cabaret, located at 112 SW First Ave. The songwriting competition and concert will start at 6 p.m. on Saturday, and the winner will receive a guitar. Admission to the show is $8, and food, beer and wine will be available.
Sunday
Painting at Swamp Head: Painting with a Twist is bringing their art studio to Swamp Head Brewery, located at 3650 SW 42nd Ave., on Sunday at 3 p.m. Participants will paint the Swamp Head logo on a personal canvas while drinking local brews. Tickets for the event are $45 and can be reserved at paintingwithatwist.com.
Sunday Poker: Gator Tales sports bar, located at 5112 NW 34th St., is hosting a free afternoon of Sunday poker at 1 p.m. Happy hour will feature drink specials, and wings are 50 cents.
