The Avenue - The Independent Florida Alligator

THE AVENUE | MUSIC

A hot minute with international mixer and DJ Avicii

By Mae Basiratmand | Oct. 19, 2011

Swedish-based disc jockey Avicii, also known by the names Tim Berg or Tom Hangs, will be hitting up Gainesville for "Avicii: Dance of the Dead 2011." Best known for his lyricized version of the song "Seek Bromance" and popular tunes "Levels" and "Fade Into Darkness," he infuses electronic synthetic tracks with vocals. At the ripe age of 22, he does not stray far in age from most of us college students but has seen the world and established a solid following. Fans are expected to come in full costume and be ready to dance and get rowdy. The Avenue spoke to the international sensation and got personal with the man behind the many masks.

Bassnectar will perform Friday at the Alachua County Fairgrounds. The DJ gets real with the Avenue and even tells us where he sees himself in the year 2046. See story, page 12

THE AVENUE | MUSIC

Avenue sound check with the King of Dubstep: Bassnectar

By Mae Basiratmand | Oct. 19, 2011

Bassnectar stepped on the dubstep scene more than a decade ago, but only recently did the disc jockey begin wavering melodies and incessant bass that became the beats to college parties around the nation. Bassnectar (real name Lorin Ashton) is mostly known for his collaborations with other DJs and infusing his style with top-40 hits. Most recently, he performed to sold-out, large, hungry crowds at: Lollapalooza, Bonnaroo, Coachella and Electric Daisy Carnival Vegas.

Click through this gallery to see scenes from Cirque du Soleil's Dralion performed Tuesday at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center.

THE AVENUE | ART AND THEATER

Dralion creates a vivid performance at O'Connell Center

By Mina Radman | Oct. 12, 2011

Once the curtain falls, the magic begins.

THE AVENUE | SEX

He said, she said: How do you deal with that friend who's too close for comfort?

By Jacob Romoser | Oct. 12, 2011

Scenario: You're in a relationship, and things are going great. The two of you make each other laugh, have a lot in common and connect superbly between the sheets. All is well except for one thing - your partner has a friend who makes you feel less secure, even suspicious, in your relationship.

THE AVENUE | LIFESTYLE

Gainesville natives start site that offers users local social specials, deals

By Mae Basiratmand | Oct. 12, 2011

We've all had those nights where we've just finished an exam and are ready to party, yet we have no idea what's going on.

THE AVENUE | LIFESTYLE

A breakdown of Halloween Horror Nights XXI's haunting

By Diana Lopez | Oct. 12, 2011

Try as you might, there is no winning

Girl Talk will be one of the more than 70 performers featured in this weekend's DeLuna Fest.

THE AVENUE | MUSIC

DeLuna Fest features stacked lineup for beats on the beach

By ERICA A. HERNANDEZ | Oct. 12, 2011

In 1559, Spanish conquistador Tristán De Luna y Arellano and his shipmates landed on what is now know as Pensacola, and they celebrated their arrival with an enormous beach party. This tradition lives on with the perfect beach party: DeLuna Fest.

Actress Nichole Hamilton and actor Christopher Swan star in the Hippodrome Theatre's production of "Turn of the Screw."

THE AVENUE | ART AND THEATER

Hipp's 'Turn of the Screw' spooks with eerie nature, ghosts

By Kate Feldman | Oct. 12, 2011

What's twice as frightening as a ghost?

Indie rock band Ra Ra Riot will perform tonight at 8 p.m. in the Reitz Union Rion Ballroom.

THE AVENUE | MUSIC

Indie rock group Ra Ra Riot performing locally tonight

By ERICA A. HERNANDEZ | Oct. 12, 2011

"From humble beginnings come great things." This clichéd saying rings especially true for the band Ra Ra Riot.

THE AVENUE | LIFESTYLE

A look into the Facebook changes

By Webb | Oct. 5, 2011

We all react the same every time it happens - grumble and post a snarky status. People assume it's the end of the social-networking world and make empty threats to leave Facebook every time it redesigns its website, but this time there are big changes in store for the more than 800 million of us who share cat pictures with the revolutionary service.

THE AVENUE | SEX

He said, she said: What’s your bad first date story?

By Jacob Romoser | Oct. 5, 2011

The butterflies have filled your stomach. You've checked your appearance in the mirror a million times, brushed your teeth twice and rehearsed impressive one-liners in your head. Your best friends text you encouragements as you grab your keys wallet, and optimism before heading out the door.

THE AVENUE | LIFESTYLE

Laughter found to be best medicine for pain

By Aryanna Harrell | Oct. 5, 2011

It's no secret that having a good laugh from time to time can help lighten your mood and make you feel a little better - if not at least for that moment. Not only can it make you feel better, but it also helps increase your tolerance for pain.

THE AVENUE | MUSIC

The Weezer Cruise: Not your average experience at sea

By ERICA A. HERNANDEZ | Oct. 5, 2011

Weezer will take its talents to sea as the headlining act of The Weezer Cruise, presented by Sixthman. The Weezer Cruise will be setting sail from Miami, Fla., to Cozumel, Mexico, on Jan. 19 and returning to the port Jan. 23.

Anders Holm, Adam DeVine and Blake Anderson are the hard partying, 9-to-5-working post-college graduates in Comedy Central's "Workaholics."

THE AVENUE | MOVIES AND TV

Cast of show 'Workaholics' gets candid

By Alyssa Holcomb | Oct. 5, 2011

Hair regimens, hard partying and Pierce Brosnan ... oh my! Comedy Central's "Workaholics," starring Adam DeVine, Anders Holm and Blake Anderson of the group Mail Order Comedy, seem to perfect the hungover persona of 9-to-5 office workers, but in reality, they're practically the same.

THE AVENUE | FOOD

Five reasons why you'll fall in love with a glass of bubble tea

By ERICA A. HERNANDEZ | Oct. 5, 2011

Tea has a whole new appeal. Gone are the days of high-noon tea at the Four Seasons.

THE AVENUE | ART AND THEATER

'Muppets' creator's son brings improv puppet show to town

By Kate Feldman | Oct. 5, 2011

Just a few weeks after what would have been "The Muppets" creator Jim Henson's 75th birthday, his son, Brian, is taking to the road with an uncensored improvisation comedy show, complete with puppets.

THE AVENUE | MUSIC

Indie rock and hip-hop mashup duo coming to Gainesville

By Chris Alcantara | Oct. 5, 2011

Have you ever wondered what would happen if you were to take the vocals from one song and combine them with the instrumentals of another? Well, Chicago-based production duo The Hood Internet has become a master in the art of creating "mashups" and will be showcasing its talent in Gainesville next week.

THE AVENUE | LIFESTYLE

Tonight's sideshow will present mix of oddities

By Saphira Lazarre | Oct. 5, 2011

With acts including a human pincushion, glass walker and eater, a bed of nails and a fire-eater, the audience will be no less than intrigued by "Mr. Blank's Weird & Wandering Sideshow."

THE AVENUE | SEX

He said, she said: What makes Southern charm so sexy?

By Jacob Romoser | Sep. 28, 2011

With Alabama rolling into town this week, it seems fitting to discuss what gives us Southerners our sex appeal. Whether it's handsome men sporting the old-South look or lovely ladies looking like Southern belles, there's just something about the style that makes the SEC one good-looking conference.

THE AVENUE | LIFESTYLE

Southern belle takes football tailgating know-how to print

By Amanda Jae Fretz | Sep. 28, 2011

Christie Leigh Mueller is the epitome of class and fanaticism. She is dressed in a three-quarter-length sleeve blue cotton dress, khaki woven cinch belt, orange sandals and a string of pearls. Her hair, of course, is twisted in an adorable Southern braid.