The Avenue | Lifestyle

The Gainesville location will be Buff City’s twelfth Florida store.

Buff City Soap to open in Butler Town Center

By Heather Bushman | June 17

Buff City Soap, coming to Butler Town Center, specializes in vegan-friendly, cruelty-free soaps, handcrafted daily in each store.

Kristyn Lopez, 37, (right) gives a tattoo designed to emulate a tarot card to Franciso Martinez, 31, a Gainesville resident (left) on Sunday, June 13, 2021.

Walk-in tattoo event gives local community a way to support victims of sexual assault

By Karter Nancy | June 14

A Pride Tree sticker at Swamp City Gallery Lounge on Sunday, June 13, 2021. Swamp City is running a pride month campaign, where patrons can take a photo of pride tree stickers placed in different locations for a chance to win $300 worth of accessories and products.

Gainesville cannabis and art lounge launches Pride Month campaign

By Heather Bushman | June 14

Aubrey Dolbeck, 21, a Gainesville business owner, looks at products she made on Friday, June 11, 2021. She sometimes searches for gems at Lake Alice.

From dirt to amethyst, local crystal shop owner dedicates herself to uncovering nature’s beauty

By Melissa Hernandez de la Cruz | June 14

Chase Morris, 25, a Gainesville resident and DIY content creator applies transfers to an antique sewing machine drawer to repurpose into a planter on Tuesday, June 8, 2021.

Trash becomes treasure with help from local artist

By Karter Nancy | June 10

A Pac-Man wall painting that reads "I Love the 80s" sits on a wall of That 80s Bar Gainesville, located on West University Avenue on Friday, June 6, 2021.

That ‘80s Bar takes Gainesville residents back in time

By Karter Nancy | June 7

More The Avenue | Lifestyle

UF-lecturer Kelly Medley, 35, sifts through racks of used clothes at the Humane Society's new boutique thrift store, located at 5403 Southwest Archer Road on Sunday, June 6, 2021. The boutique store receives some of the local Humane Society's higher-end items, such as designer handbags and vintage musical instruments.

THE AVENUE | LIFESTYLE

The Humane Society of North Central Florida to open south campus thrift boutique

By Brenna Sheets | June 7

From popcorn machines to winter coats, the Humane Society of North Central Florida’s new south campus Thrift Boutique received a wide variety of donations to help support animals in need.

Jeremy Mall, 25, a culinary teacher at East Side high school, practices rock climbing in a homemade crop top at The Knot Climbing Gym on Tuesday, June 1, 2021. Mall is an avid "Crop Top Tuesday" participant, and he said climbing in crop tops is fun and freeing.

THE AVENUE | LIFESTYLE

Crop Top Tuesdays: A weekly tradition combines crop tops and rock climbing

By Abigail Hasebroock | June 7

“Crop Top Tuesdays,” a weekly tradition at The Knot climbing gym, gathers students and locals wearing homemade crop tops to rock climb.

Members of Ronald McDonald House Charities of North Central Florida at The Hatchetbury, May 13, 2021. (Courtesy to The Alligator)

THE AVENUE | LIFESTYLE

A collaboration with a cause: The Hachetbury partners with Azazus to fundraise for Ronald Mcdonald House Charities

By Brenna Sheets | June 1

Alachua County’s first ax-throwing venue teamed up with local musician Azazus to create a song titled “Best Damn Moment.” Azazus will perform the single live at The Hatchetbury’s fundraising event on June 16. All proceeds will go toward supporting the families at Ronald McDonald House Charities of North Central Florida, a nonprofit charity organization that helps house the families of critically ill children at Shands Hospital.

At the corner of Flaco’s and Vecino’s, a Block Party Weekend transformed 2nd Street into an ambient gathering space for two nights of live music, Cuban food, craft cocktails and more.

THE AVENUE | LIFESTYLE

Like a good neighbor: Flaco’s and Vecino’s host block party weekend

By Heather Bushman | June 1

At the corner of Flaco’s and Vecino’s, a Block Party Weekend transformed 2nd Street into an ambient gathering space for two nights of live music, Cuban food, craft cocktails and more. As Flaco’s expands and live shows make their return, the block party was just one event among the many Flaco’s plans to host in the future.

Drag Queen performer Ceazia Giovanni Kreshé gets tipped for her dance moves.

THE AVENUE | LIFESTYLE

Curia on the Drag brings newest drag show to the Gainesville community

By Alexis Carson | May 24

Lip syncing, dancing and fashion statements brought Gainesville community members together for food and entertainment during Drag Brunch Saturday.

Gainesville Girls Rock Camp is a nonprofit organization that uses music, art and creative expression to amplify the voices of marginalized gender groups. (Courtesy to The Alligator)

THE AVENUE | LIFESTYLE

Gainesville Girls Rock Camp creates a safe space for girls and gender-expansive youth

By Brenna Sheets | May 20

The week-long camp, held from July 26 to July 31, is dedicated to teaching regional youths ages 10-17 how to play instruments individually and together in bands. As a chapter of the international Girls Rock Camp Alliance, GGRC actively works to dismantle racism, sexism, homophobia and other discriminatory behaviors and expressions.