The Avenue: Lifestyle - The Independent Florida Alligator

The Avenue

Chris Brown deserves a second chance

By MICHELLE PROFIS | Jan. 13, 2010

We’re all familiar with the classic celebrity catastrophe: Celeb is clean-cut. Celeb makes fatal mistake. Celeb apologizes. But what comes after that is a bit hazy. As the adoring fans, we either hold our grudges until the celeb morphs into a has-been, or we forgive and forget. I’m here today to make a case for a current crossroads the public has arrived at: Either forgive Chris Brown or condemn him to Pop Culture Hell.

The Avenue

Groovaloo freestyles, defies gravity in shows

By MICHELLE PROFIS | Jan. 13, 2010

Groovaloo, a 28-member dance company known for throwing caution and choreography to the wind, is performing tomorrow night at the Phillips Center for the Performing Arts.

The Avenue

Forget your New Year's fitness resolution

By ERIK VOSS | Jan. 6, 2010

At this stage in my life, the only practical benefit to regular exercise is improving my sexual attractiveness. (Health? I’m good, thanks. I voted for Obama, and he’s got me covered there.) I’ll pick up a dumbbell when the other channels of attracting women become obsolete.

The Avenue

"Cats" musical comes to Gainesville

By MICHELLE PROFIS | Jan. 6, 2010

Based on T.S. Eliot’s “Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats” and composed by theater proficient Andrew Lloyd Webber, “Cats” celebrates the lives and stories of a variety of dancing, prancing cats.

The Avenue

The Avenue wants talent, opinions

By ASHLEY ROSS | Jan. 6, 2010

Stop by The Alligator Friday between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. to pitch your ideas, show us your work or give us any feedback.

The Avenue

‘Lovely Bones’ shows realm between life and death

By MARY MANCHESS | Dec. 2, 2009

Saoirse Ronan isn’t like her peers. She doesn’t have a fragrance or clothing line, and she isn’t among the teeny bopper, triple-threat, overnight sensations that Disney produces.

The Avenue

Killing Christmas spirit

By ERIK VOSS | Dec. 2, 2009

When my family gathers, we collectively devolve into sadists.

The Avenue

Facebook reveals all

By LAUREN GOLD | Nov. 18, 2009

In high school, I jealously watched my older sister on her laptop. She was on Facebook, a network exclusively for college kids. I couldn’t wait for college — if not for the freedom, then definitely for the college e-mail address that would grant my entry into the elite Facebook club.

The Avenue

Bayside rocks out, but doesn’t lead rockstar lifestyle

By Gabriela Izarra | Nov. 18, 2009

Editor’s note: The writer spent twelve hours shadowing Anthony Raneri of Bayside to write this story.

The Avenue

Kava offers medicinal effects, soothing social atmosphere

By REBEKAH GEIER | Nov. 11, 2009

Not often do people come across an herbal medicine that works against stress, calms nerves and “creates a general feeling of well-being” without it being illegal. But the drink Kava, an ancient beverage crop from the South Pacific, legally holds all of those characteristics.

The Avenue

Racism becomes more subtle, complicated

By ERIK VOSS | Nov. 4, 2009

Whenever I hear the word "racism," I think back to a friend I had in second grade named Christopher. Christopher, it turned out, wasn't big on black people. One afternoon, the two of us were playing on a jungle gym when two black boys asked to join us.

The Avenue

Lacuna Coil transforms gothic sound into mainstream

By Nicole La Hoz | Nov. 4, 2009

Lacuna Coil has never been a conventional band.

The Avenue

Michael Moore part of American fight for responsibility

By Jon Silman | Nov. 4, 2009

Maybe Kanye West is a genius after all.

The Avenue

Russian Circles release new album and start tour

By MARY MANCHESS | Oct. 28, 2009

With their new album, “Geneva,” released just a little more than a week ago, the Russian Circles have already gassed up their 16-passenger van and kicked it into high gear.The trio will perform Friday night at Common Grounds as part of The Fest.