Carl Watts, the 34-year-old executive chef of Underground Kitchen and executive director of Chef Empowerment, has dedicated his career to giving back to the Gainesville community through soul food and hands-on learning since 2020. Grassroots Kitchen is his next endeavor to aid the community.
“Primetime,” which hit theaters Sept. 25, arrived with no shortage of hype. The directorial debut of Oscar-nominee Lance Oppenheim, who’s known for documentaries like “Spermworld,” was stacked up to be an excellent film. “Primetime” tells the story of Chris Hansen, the well-known child predator hunter and host of hidden camera show “To Catch A Predator.” He’s portrayed by the booked-and-busy Robert Pattinson, who’s acted in “The Odyssey” and “The Drama” this year alone.
Once a highlight of Gainesville culture, the Florida Theater spent years sitting unused, its face covered in dirt and graffiti. Now, following much work and planning, the theater is starting a new life.
“A River Full Of All My Lost Loved Ones” by Conrad Cheung, a 30-year-old assistant professor at the UF School of Art and Art History, is a vinyl art installation that spans the 26-foot-tall columns in front of the Hippodrome. It will be on display until Monday.
From recording vocals in a bedroom closet to spending hours writing CD covers by hand, the process to create Halfway Here’s debut album was a labor of love.
All that said, you better believe I was excited when Cregger announced he had a new movie releasing in 2026. “Resident Evil” hit theaters Thursday, and it's a disgusting, riveting journey that truly feels like a video game.
This year, I have made it my mission to make cookie butter my fall favorite. So, I spent a week trying five cookie butter treats around Gainesville to answer one question: Is cookie butter the better fall flavor?
The label is run entirely by 38-year-old Waylon Thornton, a local musician who’s been playing shows in the Gainesville area since he was 13.
Sosa-Melo, a UF alumnus, filmmaker and writer, turned three years of college memories into “Alligator Meat: A Memoir,” a collection of six creative nonfiction stories that began as his English thesis. Months later, those carefully reconstructed memories made way for “6 7: Poems,” a collection of 67 poems capturing the uncertainty and absurdity of postgraduate life published in March.
Mia Meyer, an 18-year-old UF advertising freshman, loved sharing her homemade matcha on social media. She quickly gained traction among her friends, who jokingly suggested Mia try to make a side hustle out of it.
The young adult novel, inspired by anxiety she felt during the coronavirus pandemic, centers on making the most of the time you have.
Nestled between electrical supply stores and AC repair shops, punk music pulsed through Geeks Sept. 4 as the music venue and vintage toy store kicked off its three-day first anniversary celebration.
Located on Northwest 23rd Avenue, Up2U Nutrition offers “SpecialTeas,” water-based protein shakes and protein-filled desserts with an emphasis on serving nutritionally dense drinks and meals.
Horror movie “Buddy,” directed by Casper Kelly — who’s known for his work on “Too Many Cooks” — released Friday after a successful festival run, where it screened at events like the Sundance Film Festival. It was highly anticipated by theater-goers, especially following the stream of hit horror movies over the summer, like “Obsession,” “Backrooms” and “Leviticus.”
On Friday, the day finally arrived when “Coyote vs. Acme” made it to the silver screen. With a low box office projection and a relatively unsuccessful marketing campaign, all seemed against the film. But I’m ecstatic to report it's one of the most emotional and enjoyable films of the year — and an absolute riot.
Dolly Parton’s music, acting and philanthropy made her a global icon. Her passion for early childhood literacy in underserved communities made her a Gainesville one.
Created in 2021, the site offers a resource for finding information on shows happening throughout the week and those from the past. The site’s poster archive goes back decades.
Sugar Baby Candy Cart, Gainesville’s first Swedish candy business, opened August 10, offering private bookings and pop-ups events for the fall.
As students fill tailgates, restaurants in downtown Gainesville and the walkways surrounding Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, local restaurants and pop-ups fuel Gators through game day. Food trucks line Gator Walk hours before kickoff, serving fans through the first quarter, while Gainesville staples such as The Swamp Restaurant and Mom’s OG Pub and Grill keep the crowd going long after kickoff.
Now, the duo is keeping it in the family with their alternative rock project Rustler, preparing to release their debut record Sept. 25.
Solutions by The State News
