The Avenue | Art And Theater - The Independent Florida Alligator

Members of the Driveway Theatre Project perform a radio play with a foley artist to create live sound effects.

THE AVENUE | ART AND THEATER

Driveway Theatre Project aims to connect communities

By Juliana DeFilippo | Jan. 15

Driveway Theatre Project serves as a modern take on the traveling acting troupe, such as Lord Chamberlain’s Men, the troupe to which Shakespeare belonged. However, the 21st century iteration of a traveling acting troupe runs differently, by not charging its venues’ hosts for their performances and instead operating as a nonprofit looking to make live theater more accessible.

A drag artist a part of The Boheme Coven performs at How Bazar on Wednesday, January 8, 2025. Credit: Autumn Johnstone

THE AVENUE | ART AND THEATER

Organized chaos: Gainesville punk scene draws on history and community

By Autumn Johnstone | Jan. 10

Respite Events hosted a concert Wednesday at How Bazar, located at 60 SW 2nd St., aiming to showcase three punk rock bands and a performance from drag artists, “The Boheme Coven.” In downtown Gainesville, where energetic nightclubs and lavish restaurants meet, lies a passion for punk rock not only as a genre, but as a way of life.

Lead Ethan Garrepy puts on his wig for the Music Man show at the Constanz Theater on Oct. 26 2024.

THE AVENUE | ART AND THEATER

A glimpse backstage with stars of “The Music Man” as they prepare for closing weekend

By Tanya Fedak | Nov. 4

From Oct. 16 to Oct. 27, the UF School of Theatre and Dance put on a nine-show run of the musical, which follows traveling conman Harold Hill, played by Ethan Garrepy, who goes from town to town persuading citizens of his “plan” to form a boys marching band. After collecting payments for instruments and uniforms, he skips town, starting his pursuit of his next victims. But this time, it’s a little different.

Volunteer searches for spoiled pumpkins at the Abiding Savior Lutheran Church on Oct. 20, 2024.

THE AVENUE | ART AND THEATER

Gainesville’s guide to fall festivities and pumpkin patches

By Tanya Fedak | Oct. 21

To get in the fall spirit, here is a list of the five best pumpkin farms in the Gainesville area.

Members of Chabad UF Jewish Student and Community Center bake Challah for Shabbat dinner. Photo courtesy of Lexi Szafranski.

THE AVENUE | ART AND THEATER

Jewish student center provides a family away from home

By Rachel Mish | Oct. 18

The Chabad UF Jewish Student and Community Center is one of 500 campuses that make up the Chabad on Campus International network, and it aims to help students immerse themselves in Jewish culture.

Artist sculpts a ramen bowl at the ceramic studio on Friday, Oct. 4, 2024.

THE AVENUE | ART AND THEATER

Gainesville ceramics studio brings people together through clay and community

By Sabrina Castro | Oct. 7

Studio T/M is the only one-stop ceramics shop in Alachua County. The studio provides clay, tools, materials, studio memberships, pottery classes, themed events, kiln firings and repairs.

Festival goers shop at a booth at Gainesville Pride Fest on Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024.

THE AVENUE | ART AND THEATER

‘Pride is everything’: Gainesville Pride Festival waves rainbows after the storm

By Noor Sukkar | Sep. 29

Despite week-long uncertainty, the Pride Community Center of North Central Florida hosted its Pride Festival on Sept. 28 from noon to 8 p.m. at Bo Diddley Plaza and on surrounding streets.

Milley leads owner Dieter Haager on a walk at the NAVC Veterinary Clinic on Sept. 25, 2024.

THE AVENUE | ART AND THEATER

North American Veterinary Community hosts pet walk to support therapy animals

By Juliana DeFilippo | Sep. 26

The North American Veterinary Community welcomed a special visitor to its Gainesville office Wednesday morning. Calvin, a 3-year-old gray French bulldog, strolled around the halls, never shying away from the cameras.

Actor and Academy Award winner Ke Huy Quan speaks to students at the University of Florida on Sept. 17, 2024. Quan is known for his roles in Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, and more recently, Everything Everywhere All At Once.

THE AVENUE | ART AND THEATER

Ke Huy Quan discusses Asian representation in media, his return to acting at ACCENT event

By Sabrina Castro | Sep. 19

Hundreds of students filled University Auditorium Tuesday night to watch Ke Kuy Quan discuss his career journey and answer student questions.

Dancers practice their skills at the Harn Museum during the first night of the Latina Women’s League’s 20th annual Latino Film Festival on Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024.

THE AVENUE | ART AND THEATER

Harn Museum kicks off Hispanic Heritage Month

By Juliana DeFilippo | Sep. 16

The event included the first night of the Latina Women’s League’s 20th annual Latino Film Festival, as well as museum-organized crafts and collaborative artworks. University organizations like the Center for Latin American Studies and the Hispanic Student Association tabled at the event, inviting guests to learn more about their programs.

Tattoo artist Mike Salay sketches a new design on Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024.

THE AVENUE | ART AND THEATER

ET and mermaids: the story behind a long-standing Gainesville tattoo artist

By Juliana DeFilippo | Sep. 11

Mike Salay, who has been working as a full-time tattoo artist since 2000, now works at Anthem Tattoo Parlor, located in Downtown Gainesville. The studio was one of three tattoo studios in Gainesville when Salay moved to the area, and it aims to honor the roots of tattooing while contributing new creativity to the art form.

THE AVENUE | ART AND THEATER

Gainesville volunteer theater champions diversity with bold productions

By Tanya Fedak | Sep. 4

Acrosstown Repertory Theatre, located just west of the university on Southwest Second Avenue, creates an intimate experience and open conversations for performers and audience members alike.

Organizer and DJ Kristin Powers jams out at Saturday night’s dark aquatic dance party, held at Midnight Underground.

THE AVENUE | ART AND THEATER

Midnight Underground hosts monthly themed ‘Dark Dance Parties’

By Sara-James Ranta | Aug. 30

Monthly "Dark Dance Parties" at Gainesville's Midnight Underground bar attract a plethora of locals looking for a sense of community in the themed events.

THE AVENUE | ART AND THEATER

Rate and review: Trap

By Sydney Johnson | Aug. 14

Director M. Night Shyamalan’s “Trap” is honestly just that — a trap. The movie, which sells itself as a nail-biting thriller, is more effective as a comedy. The newest installation in the Shyamalaniverse is a near-perfect theater experience — if you don't think too hard about the plot.

People participate in an international folk dance class on Wednesday, July 31, 2024.

THE AVENUE | ART AND THEATER

Cultures in motion: The rhythm of international folk dance in Gainesville

By Carlos Alemany | Aug. 5

On Aug. 7, as part of the Rosa B. Williams Center’s weekly recurring events, visitors gathered and immersed themselves in the vibrant rhythm and infectious energy of international folk dancing, where diverse cultures and traditions blend into a joyful tapestry of movement and community.

Guests converse during the opening of Onyx and Iris on Saturday, July 6, 2024.

THE AVENUE | ART AND THEATER

From skulls to sage: whimsical small business Onyx and Iris arrives in Gainesville

By Noor Sukkar | July 8

With suncatchers peeking through the window and color oozing from the inside, Onyx and Iris opened its doors at noon July 6.Housing the creations of 15 different artists, the store offers an array of unique pieces: animal bone art, watercolor, crochet, crystals, upcycled fashion, jewelry, candles, incense and more.

THE AVENUE | ART AND THEATER

Clowns and LGBTQ+ identity: An intersection of art and expression

By Carlos Alemany | July 1

To some, however, within the vibrant world of clowns lies a profound connection to self-expression and identity, particularly within the LGBTQ+ community. The fusion of flamboyant makeup and performance art can offer a unique avenue for exploring and celebrating queer identities.

Anna Velazquez plays Logainne in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee at the Hippodrome Theatre.

THE AVENUE | ART AND THEATER

The Hippodrome presents ‘The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee’

By Sydney Johnson | June 10, 2024

Directed by Stephanie Lynge, “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” follows a group of young spellers navigating the titular Putnam County Bee. Transforming the Hippodrome’s thrust stage into a realistic school gymnasium, The Bee was then thrust into the hearts of the Gainesville community.

Venue-goers attend the La Selva event at Curia on the Drag on Thursday, May 23, 2024.

THE AVENUE | ART AND THEATER

Gainesville youth experiment, express views through end-of-year art show

By Noor Sukkar | May 28, 2024

Coffee shop Curia On The Drag filled with laughter and chatter Thursday evening as kids ran around its gallery space showcasing their creations.

THE AVENUE | ART AND THEATER

Fresh out of the kiln: the ceramic story of a colorful Colombian-born artist

By Noor Sukkar | May 20, 2024

On the outskirts of Gainesville, the homogeneous blur of suburbia can tend to disguise the lives of those it houses. Take a couple of right turns, and you won’t miss the teal, eclectic home of Soraya Sus.