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Monday, January 19, 2026

The Avenue

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

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.


THE AVENUE  |  MOVIES AND TV

A Cannes-do attitude: Why you don’t need a music degree to make music

It’s 2003. John Fulford’s bachelor’s degree in finance stares back at the phone that never got a call back for a second interview at the bank. He instead tunes his guitar, scrabbles some more lyrics and burns another CD. It’s 2006. His master's degree in international business is itching to make it out of Gainesville. Instead of waiting on that phone to ring, he rings TV producers in Los Angeles pitching his abundant cache of music.  It’s 2024. Comedy-drama film “Anora” wins the top prize at the Cannes Film Festival — the Palme d’Or. His music is in the soundtrack, and his career is at its peak.


Ashlei and Malcom Askew pose at Tha Cookout at Cynthia Moore Chestnut Park on Sunday, June 16, 2024.
THE AVENUE  |  LIFESTYLE

‘Tha Cookout’ promises inclusivity, ‘vibes’ for Gainesville

Throughout the tranquil greenery of Cynthia Moore Chestnut Park and Clark Butler Nature Preserve, laughter and camaraderie echoed through the trees as Gainesville locals gathered for "Tha Cookout," a vibrant celebration organized by Ashlei and Malcom Askew. The June 16 afternoon event marked not only a celebration of Juneteenth but also a tribute to fatherhood and community spirit.


THE AVENUE  |  LIFESTYLE

Asian supermarkets, restaurants and boba businesses are popping in ‘Gainesville’s Chinatown’

The sound of people speaking Chinese, Japanese or Tagalog layer over K-pop harmonies. The smell of Indian spices floats in from next door. It’s the sight, sound and smell of home. Located on the corner of Southwest 34th Street and Archer Road and nicknamed “Gainesville’s Chinatown” by some for its high concentration of Asian restaurants, there are more than 15 Asian businesses within a mile of each other.


Florida Alligator
ABOUT US

The Alligator is hiring lifestyle writers!

The Avenue, the arts, culture and entertainment section of The Alligator, is hiring! We are looking for a team of four ambitious staff writers who are well versed in arts, theater, film, music, food and drink, fashion, lifestyle and Gainesville nightlife. These positions will be paid. 



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