The Avenue | Art And Theater - The Independent Florida Alligator

Actors from The Hippodrome are seen on stage for A Christmas Carol.

THE AVENUE | ART AND THEATER

Christmas past, present and future: The Hippodrome’s holiday season

By Bonny Matejowsky | Dec. 3, 2023

To some people, Christmas begins when a shining star is placed on the peak of an ornamented fir tree. For others, it starts when the radio decides it’s time to air Christmas music. But for many people in Gainesville, the holiday season doesn’t kick off until they view a theatrical spin of a classic tale.

Comedian Mickey Bell shares his story about his struggle with mental health during his set at Westside Baptist Church on Friday, Nov. 10, 2023.

THE AVENUE | ART AND THEATER

Alabama comedian speaks his truth at Gainesville church

By Jared Teitel | Nov. 13, 2023

A decade ago, Mickey Bell, a 50-year-old comedian from Birmingham, Alabama, struggled to just get out of bed. Now, he tours all over the country cracking jokes and sharing stories from his past hoping to inspire his crowd with messages about mental health recovery.

Duane Whitehorse, 76, explains the cultural significance of his garments during the Indigenous Peoples’ Week celebration at the Harn Museum of Art on Oct. 12, 2023.

THE AVENUE | ART AND THEATER

The Harn Museum of Art’s Museum Night celebrates Indigenous Peoples’ Day

By Molly Seghi | Oct. 15, 2023

The vibrant colors and sounds of the beaded jingle dresses and feathered headdresses and the beat of the drums gave a Harn Museum audience a dynamic show for all the senses. This was only the beginning of the festivities for the celebratory holiday of Indigenous Peoples’ Day at the Harn Museum of Art Thursday night.

The Bar-Crossed Drunkards debuted their performance of “Taming of the Shrew” at High Dive Sept. 27, 2023, in Gainesville, Fla.

THE AVENUE | ART AND THEATER

Gainesville theater troupe puts on drunk performance of Shakespeare classic

By Jared Teitel | Sep. 28, 2023

The Bar-Crossed Drunkards debuted their performance of “Taming of the Shrew” at High Dive, a bar and concert venue located at 210 SW 2nd Ave. The group specializes in drunk, farcical performances of Shakespeare plays, a routine they call ‘Drunk Shakespeare.’

The Hippodrome Theatre, located at 25 SE 2nd Place, will open its doors on Friday, Sept. 17, 2021 for “Murder For Two,” one of the first in-person performances since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.

THE AVENUE | ART AND THEATER

‘Welcome to your cinema’: The Hippodrome Theatre celebrated its cinema’s reopening with a ribbon-cutting ceremony Wednesday

By Alexandra Burns | Sep. 15, 2023

The Hippodrome Theatre — located at 25 SE 2nd Place — celebrated Wednesday from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. with a ribbon-cutting ceremony to commemorate its cinema’s reopening after its first major renovation since 1981.

POTUS at the Hippodrome Theatre Picture by Michael A Eaddy – Left to right Kelly Atkins*^ as Jean and Sophia Paige as Dusty

THE AVENUE | ART AND THEATER

‘I am woman, hear me roar’: ‘POTUS’ debuts at the Hippodrome

By Bonny Matejowsky | Sep. 12, 2023

The Hippodrome’s latest production subverts the idea of an orderly presidential office from the moment the play begins when a four-letter expletive reverberates through the theater’s halls, kicking off an unapologetically witty and feminist performance. The theater debuted the first show of its 51st season, “POTUS: Behind Every Great Dumbass Are Seven Women Trying to Keep Him Alive,” Sept. 6.

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.”

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.

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.

Author Richard Gartee discusses his book "The Hippodrome Theatre First 50 Years" at the Matheson History Museum on Saturday, July 8, 2023.

THE AVENUE | ART AND THEATER

Actors, patrons and subscribers celebrate 50 years of Hippodrome memories

By Aubrey Bocalan | July 10, 2023

Author Richard Gartee talked to about 100 people about the Hippodrome Theatre’s impact on the community during a July 8 Matheson History Museum event. In his talk, he presented his latest book, “The Hippodrome Theatre First 50 Years.”

The Pride Community Center of North Central Florida tabled at the Museum Night offering Pride flags among other items on Thursday, June 8, 2023.

THE AVENUE | ART AND THEATER

The Harn Museum Nights: Art + Pride celebrates LGBTQ artists and local community

By Leia Ulrich | June 12, 2023

This month, the Harn Museum chose “Art + Pride” as the theme for its monthly nighttime community event, Museum Nights. Organizations supporting women, people of color and LGBTQ people were invited to educate and connect with the museum-goers.

THE AVENUE | ART AND THEATER

The Boheme Coven casts a spell over Gainesville’s drag scene

By Valentina Sarmiento | June 12, 2023

The Coven doubles as a drag family and a group of entertainers based in North Central Florida. Rachel Boheme, mother and Supreme of the Coven, founded the group in 2016. The Coven hosts its weekly show Sinister Sundays at the University Club, Gainesville’s first and only gay club located at 18 East University Ave.

Models pose together during a Museum Days event held at the Harn Museum of Art in April 2023.

THE AVENUE | ART AND THEATER

Local art organization builds confidence with summer events

By Aubrey Bocalan | June 5, 2023

Everyone deserves to see art when they look at themselves in the mirror — for the past six years, Figure on Diversity has been dedicated to helping people do just that.

Gerard Bencen (left), owner of the SL8 gallery, is seen with artist 444 IDK (right) at his art collective’s debut Friday, May 26, 2023.

THE AVENUE | ART AND THEATER

Gainesville art gallery showcases local artist group’s exhibit

By Aubrey Bocalan | May 30, 2023

A local group of artists debuted their first exhibit while bouncing bass and percussion echoed, glasses were filled with wine and glowing black lights lit up the SL8 gallery Friday.

Tingquan Zhang, an artist, is seen at the Harn Museum of Art on Monday, November 14, 2022.

THE AVENUE | ART AND THEATER

Chinese artist Tingqun Zhang reflects on his international success and artistic inspirations

By Valentina Sarmiento | May 26, 2023

Born to a folk carpenter in the coastal province of Fujian, China, the Gainesville-based artist established himself in art spaces through Chinese calligraphy brushes and oil paintings.

Johnny Nguyen, an artist, is seen at the How Bazar’s Art Walk at First Magnitude Brewing Company on Friday, Feb. 24, 2023.

THE AVENUE | ART AND THEATER

UF artist finds a home in Gainesville’s local markets and school club

By Gracey Davis | May 22, 2023

Johnny Nguyen found he enjoyed the comfort of a pencil in his hand from an early age while growing up in Urbana, Illinois. Now a recent graduate from UF in business management and economics, the 21-year-old artist still loves to work with his hands. Most of his paintings were studies of different artists, but lately, he’s been inspired by Franklin Booth’s illustrations and Studio Ghibli films because of the attention to detail and whimsical nature.

THE AVENUE | ART AND THEATER

‘Silent Sky’ shares universal story of womanhood in science

By Loren Miranda | Apr. 24, 2023

Anchored between the crevices of the universe where time and space exist, the play “Silent Sky” shines an honest light through the timeless story of an empowered astronomer flourishing in a space dominated by men and their science.

Thomas Phillips removes the paint from pieces of broken skateboards that will be repurposed to make woodbots in his studio Friday, March 31, 2023.

THE AVENUE | ART AND THEATER

Gainesville artists create with environmental consciousness

By Zarin Ismail | Apr. 17, 2023

Many creatives in Gainesville have taken sustainability into account by upcycling used items into art pieces, trading materials or promoting a connection to nature. As global temperatures continue to rise, some artists have begun centering their creative processes around preventing environmental ruin to slow climate change.

THE AVENUE | ART AND THEATER

Harn Museum hosts discussion with NYU professor Deborah Willis on Black art history

By Ben Crosbie | Apr. 2, 2023

Posing Beauty is now on display at the Harn Museum of Art, located at 3259 Hull Road, and will remain there until June.