Curvy Confidence is a social group that organizes dinners, pool parties and beach get-togethers to promote the acceptance of all body shapes and sizes. Currently, the group’s meetups are held in Gainesville, Jacksonville and Orlando.
All profits made from Smooth Flava's line dancing lessons go towards helping K-12 students pay tuition at this summer’s I AM STEM camp, which provides children with early exposure to STEM resources, skills and careers.
4th Ave Food Park’s Juneteenth celebration featured five black-owned businesses Saturday. The event had live music and cuisine from the surrounding restaurants and food trucks.
Buff City Soap, coming to Butler Town Center, specializes in vegan-friendly, cruelty-free soaps, handcrafted daily in each store.
In an effort to raise money for victims of sexual assault, community members had their bodies marked with ink at the Still Not Asking For It tattoo flash event on Sunday.
Swamp City Gallery Lounge is all about the green, but this June, they’re embracing the rainbow. The local glass art gallery and cannabis lounge is celebrating Pride Month with its #plantapridetree raffle campaign.
Aubrey Dolbeck uncovered her first gems in the mountains of Tennessee in February 2020. To most people, Dolbek’s initial finds were blobs of dirt. But after tediously cutting and polishing, Dolbeck birthed a captivatingly-cut Amethyst.
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, at least according to Chase Morris. She repurposes old furniture that would otherwise end up in the dumpster, giving these old fixtures new lives. The local artist promotes sustainability, inspiring people to “Get Crafty Bestie” and repurpose old furniture instead of throwing it away.
If you “Just Can’t Get Enough” of synthwave, the arcade and all things ‘80s, Gainesville’s newest bar may have you drinking your way back in time. The new bar opened its doors May 28.
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.
“Crop Top Tuesdays,” a weekly tradition at The Knot climbing gym, gathers students and locals wearing homemade crop tops to rock climb.
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.
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.
Lip syncing, dancing and fashion statements brought Gainesville community members together for food and entertainment during Drag Brunch Saturday.
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.
Rosemary and Flowers Crystal Shop encourages customers to find their own meaning in crystals.
![The cleanup will be from 9 a.m. to noon and will start at Massey Park. [Graphic by Aubrey Bocalan]](https://snworksceo.imgix.net/ufa/c6a5b630-aad6-4a83-868c-905e4adcd33c.sized-1000x1000.jpeg?w=1500&ar=4%3A3&fit=crop&crop=faces&facepad=3&auto=format)
Locals will plant trees and shrubs, pick up litter, paint over graffiti and pull invasive plants.
![The Repurpose Project opened in 2012 and sells used items. [Photo by Valeriya Antonshchuk]](https://snworksceo.imgix.net/ufa/1cc4a7c2-befd-4d3d-9cb4-1d240d48ae15.sized-1000x1000.png?w=1500&ar=4%3A3&fit=crop&crop=faces&facepad=3&auto=format)
The local thrift and junk shop plans to house more repurposing materials at a second location in East Gainesville.
Purchases of vintage and pawned items have been on the rise since the onset of the coronavirus.
Fashion, food and more prevailed in an unprecedented year.
Solutions by The State News
