The Avenue - The Independent Florida Alligator

Attendees at the Welcoming Week International Festival hosted by the Greater Gainesville International Center dance with cultural dance performers at Bo Diddley Plaza in Gainesville on Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023.

THE AVENUE

Gainesville residents gather for Welcoming Week International Festival kick-off

By Nicole Beltran and Bonny Matejowsky | Sep. 3, 2023

In the heart of downtown Gainesville, the sweet aroma of Afro-fusion dishes and layered rhythms of a Japanese drumming ensemble filled the air. A crowd of festival goers quickly emerged, eager to immerse themselves in the multicultural celebration of unity. The Greater Gainesville International Center hosted its annual Welcoming Week International Festival at Bo Diddley Plaza Sept. 2.

Amber Cabassa flashes her pink rotary dial phone purse at Regal Celebration Pointe on Wednesday, July 19, 2023.

THE AVENUE | ART AND THEATER

Gainesville community celebrates the second annual National Cinema Day

By Alexandra Burns | Aug. 28, 2023

Gainesville’s three movie theaters — Regal Celebration Pointe, Royal Park and Butler Town Center — celebrated National Cinema Day Sunday with $4 tickets for all movies and showtimes and discounted snack prices. The theaters even brought back several classic films for the day, such as the award-winning “Lady Bird,” “Jurassic Park,” “Coraline” and “American Graffiti.”

UF alumnus Thaddeus Pearson performs as Tony in the West End/International Tour of “West Side Story” in spring 2014.

THE AVENUE | ART AND THEATER

From UF to Broadway: A look into the lives of theatre-student success stories

By Jared Teitel | Aug. 28, 2023

Bachelor’s and master’s students alike, UF has produced prosperous performers credited for projects such as “Be More Chill,” “Dear Evan Hansen,” “West Side Story,” “Hamilton” and “Hadestown.”

THE AVENUE | MUSIC

Pop punk bands perform for Gainesville crowds ahead of Fest 21

By Bea Lunardini | Aug. 28, 2023

The Fest preview concert Aug. 25 at 7 p.m. was The Real You’s first time on a stage where all five members could spread out, and Pfeiffer took advantage of the newfound room.

Local dancer Kevin Rodriguez, also known as Woahdizzy, gets down low at the How Bazar block party on Friday, Aug. 25, 2023.

THE AVENUE | NIGHTLIFE

How Bazar’s Block Party brings together community, culture in Gainesville

By Bonny Matejowsky | Aug. 27, 2023

The How Bazar's organization’s third-ever Block Party extended across the exteriors of several buildings surrounding its official location. The event attracted crowds of people eager to immerse themselves in a community experience rarely seen in Gainesville.

The Honorable Mentions perform on the High Dive stage in Gainesville, Fla., on Friday, July 7, 2023.

THE AVENUE | MUSIC

From bedroom to center stage: The local indie band 'Honorable Mentions' breaks into the Gainesville music scene

By Molly Seghi | Aug. 23, 2023

UF students Gavan Duffy and Jack Glickstein began recording their music around early February, beginning the band now known as Honorable Mentions. The band, which has added more student members, will be playing all original songs at their next live show alongside the band Sigs Inside at High Dive on Sept. 1.

Cole Wilson poses with Olivia Roberts, Owen Shimberg and J. Rex Farrior in front of The College Dog on Saturday, January 21, 2023.

THE AVENUE | FOOD

‘A good glizzy’: The College Dog becomes latest off-campus hotspot

By Alexandra Burns | Aug. 23, 2023

The College Dog, a pop-up hot dog stand in Gainesville, attracts students strolling the streets or stumbling from Midtown with a hot dog suit and beer broiled hot dogs.

Attendees watch the Women’s World Cup Final game in Reitz Union Auditorium on Sunday, Aug. 20, 2023. Students arrived at 6 a.m. to watch Spain versus England.

THE AVENUE | LIFESTYLE

Gainesville’s Latin community keeps the passion for soccer alive during FIFA Women’s World Cup

Aug. 23, 2023

Fans sported jerseys from teams and countries around the world in the Reitz Union auditorium Monday at 6 a.m. to watch Spain face England during the FIFA Women’s World Cup final.

Musician Ben White poses with his guitar in his home in Gainesville, Fla., on Sunday, Aug. 20, 2023.

THE AVENUE | MUSIC

Gainesville musician makes his mark with debut album: ‘Men as Trees Walking’

By Jared Teitel | Aug. 23, 2023

Ben White has become a rising star in the Gainesville community as he sets out to release an Americana-folk-inspired album three years in the making. He sets to release his debut album Aug. 25, “Men as Trees Walking,” which serves as a critique of his Christian upbringing.

THE AVENUE | FASHION

Gainesville’s beauty industry: hairstyling with a twist

By Aubrey Bocalan | Aug. 7, 2023

There is a little girl squirming in the salon chair. She’s been there for several hours. Every few minutes she asks to go to the bathroom while a half-empty can of soda waits on a table nearby. The room smells of hair gel and shampoo.

THE AVENUE | LIFESTYLE

Summer housing crisis leaves students temporarily homeless

By Leia Ulrich | Aug. 7, 2023

UF student Taylor Bornstein left his apartment at The Standard for the last time July 31. The 21-year-old UF political science senior packed most of his things and was left with just the essentials to get him through the day.

The red tegu is seen at the Gator City Reptiles store on Friday, July 28, 2023.

THE AVENUE | LIFESTYLE

Florida increases penalty for release of non-native venomous reptiles

By Valentina Sarmiento | July 31, 2023

Gov. Ron DeSantis approved HB 1161, a bill revising the penalties for released or escaped non-native venomous reptiles. The bill increased the previous penalty for dealing with venomous reptiles without a license issued by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission from a criminal misdemeanor to a felony charge.

Ron Johnson, 55, spends his afternoon fishing at Newnans Lake on Saturday, July 29, 2023.

THE AVENUE | LIFESTYLE

Florida Legislature proposes amendment to preserve hunting and fishing rights

By Aubrey Bocalan | July 31, 2023

On April 28, the Florida Senate passed House Bill 1157, a bill that protects the rights of hunters and fishers by adding an amendment to the Florida Constitution. The proposed amendment will be added to the November 2024 state ballot. If Florida voters pass the bill, it will be added to the Florida Constitution.

THE AVENUE | MOVIES AND TV

Generations of Barbie fans wear pink for Gainesville early screening

By Valentina Sarmiento | July 24, 2023

The Barbie Blowout Party took place at the Regal Celebration Pointe 10 & RPX theater July 19. The Gainesville theater was one of the select theaters to host a celebration for the early screening. Staff set up the display weeks prior for guests to take photos commemorating Greta Gerwig’s “Barbie.”

Gainesville-based Drag Queen Kelly T. Kelly leads a number in the second act of Kinky Boots at the Gainesville Community Playhouse on Friday, July 21, 2023.

THE AVENUE | ART AND THEATER

“Kinky Boots” Receives Standing Ovation Opening Night

By Leia Ulrich | July 24, 2023

The sold-out crowd of more than 200 people laughed, cried and cheered during the opening night of “Kinky Boots” on Friday. The eclectic production will be running until Aug. 13 at the Gainesville Community Playhouse.

The Priest Theatre is seen at 15 NW 1st St. in High Springs on Sunday, July 23, 2023.

THE AVENUE | MOVIES AND TV

Community members support rebuilding local movie theater

By Aubrey Bocalan | July 24, 2023

The High Springs community lined up for public comment at the City Commission meeting July 13. The item on the docket is the latest local love story: the bond between High Springs and the Priest Theatre. The theater closed down during the COVID-19 pandemic and has remained closed ever since, losing its structural integrity with each passing day. But its community refuses to let it die.

It came from outer space and settled on a small stage in Gainesville. The feature crept up in the form of a summer-themed production of The Rocky Horror Picture Show. The show, presented by Glory Days & Frankie and The Pretenders, will be held at the High Dive, located at 210 SW 2nd Ave, until Aug. 2. The stage, adorned with pool noodles and dildos, hosts the stilettos-wearing cast while the original 1975 picture plays behind them. The troupe puts on its Rocky “Super Wet Supersoaker Summer Extravaganza” throughout July and early August each year.

THE AVENUE | ART AND THEATER

The cast of Gainesville’s Rocky Horror Picture Show leaves summer audiences ‘shivering with anticipation’

By Valentina Sarmiento | July 17, 2023

The feature crept up in the form of a summer-themed production of The Rocky Horror Picture Show. The show, presented by Glory Days & Frankie and The Pretenders, will be held at the High Dive, located at 210 SW 2nd Ave, until Aug. 2. The stage, adorned with pool noodles and dildos, hosts the stilettos-wearing cast while the original 1975 picture plays behind them. The troupe puts on its Rocky “Super Wet Supersoaker Summer Extravaganza” throughout July and early August each year.

THE AVENUE | LIFESTYLE

Gainesville’s beauty industry: Nailing customer service

By Aubrey Bocalan | July 17, 2023

There’s a familiar comfort that comes from sitting across the same trusty nail technician for a bi-weekly touch up. Their trusted hands and creative eyes have been there for every birthday, anniversary or other special occasion. These nail technicians, or nail techs, have unique skills and creativity as well as a dedication to their clients that have fostered lifelong relationships.

The interior of Liberty Street Pub is seen at 1718 W University Ave.

THE AVENUE | LIFESTYLE

New Midtown pub to replace Grog House Bar & Grill

By Leia Ulrich | July 17, 2023

When Grog House Bar & Grill officially closed its doors in May, students wondered if this was the beginning of the end for Midtown. They didn’t yet know something new was coming. In its place, Liberty Street Pub will be opening Aug. 11 at 1718 W University Ave.

Customers gather around the "bud bar," a round table showcasing dozens of cannabis strains at Cookies on Saturday, July 1, 2023.

THE AVENUE | LIFESTYLE

Popular chain dispensary opens on 13th Street

By Alexia Paz | July 10, 2023

A line of about 50 cannabis lovers wrapped around the side of the new Cookies dispensary awaiting its grand opening, some of them even camping out overnight.