The Avenue

---

THE AVENUE  |  LIFESTYLE

Club de Escucha+ in Gainesville connects Hispanic community through shared experiences

By Eneida Escobar | June 10, 2024

In the heart of Gainesville, Estefanía Pinto Ruiz, a Colombian passionate about culture, has transformed her love for podcasts into a community movement. In January 2023, she founded Club de Escucha+, a place where Spanish speakers can practice Spanish, share experiences and discuss episodes of NPR's Radio Ambulante podcast.

---

THE AVENUE  |  LIFESTYLE

Equine therapy: A path to healing for children with special conditions

By Jose Carmona | June 10, 2024

Horses and humans have always been connected, and this special bond has given rise to equine therapy, an alternative therapy that uses horses to treat various disabilities, improving the physical, mental and emotional health of children.

---

THE AVENUE  |  LIFESTYLE

Books to Burlesque: Gainesville’s guide to pride

By Noor Sukkar | June 10, 2024

Though the first week of Pride Month flew by, Gainesville is still jam-packed with festive activities throughout the rest of June. Here’s a guide to five events throughout the city to celebrate Pride Month. 

---

THE AVENUE  |  ART AND THEATER

The Hippodrome presents ‘The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee’

By Sydney Johnson | June 10, 2024

Directed by Stephanie Lynge, “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” follows a group of young spellers navigating the titular Putnam County Bee. Transforming the Hippodrome’s thrust stage into a realistic school gymnasium, The Bee was then thrust into the hearts of the Gainesville community. 

---

THE AVENUE  |  LIFESTYLE

Science Up Close: Insects and interactive research in the Florida Museum

By Carlos Alemany | June 3, 2024

Through engaging displays, colorful visuals and one-on-one interactions with scientists, visitors of The Florida Museum of Natural History can dive into the realm of insects and discover their impact on human culture, the environment and health and wellness.

---

THE AVENUE  |  MUSIC

DIY venue The Roadhouse closes after four years

By Ben Nielsen | June 3, 2024

The venue, located in Grove Street, announced in an Instagram post it will host its final show this summer, July 27. The decision to close arrived when its owners, event coordinator Bri Reed and their husband Justin Reed, decided to move away from Gainesville.

---

THE AVENUE  |  FASHION

How Bazar reintroduces summer skillshare sessions

By Carlos Alemany | May 29, 2024

How Bazar has officially reintroduced its summertime skillshare sessions, starting every Monday for the next four months at 60 SW Second St. From DJing to birdhouse-building, to furniture repurposing and car maintenance repair, there’s a little something for anyone looking to expand their repertoire or spend a nice evening downtown. 

---

THE AVENUE  |  FASHION

Changing customers, higher costs: Gainesville’s evolving resale economy

By Sabrina Castro | May 28, 2024

Searching racks of mismatched clothing for hidden treasures at thrift stores is a favorite pastime among Gainesville locals. The hobby is an outlet for sustainability, style and economic saving. The growing trend of shifting to thrifting in response to rising inflation rates has forced thrift stores in the area to raise their prices.  

---

THE AVENUE  |  ART AND THEATER

Gainesville youth experiment, express views through end-of-year art show

By Noor Sukkar | May 28, 2024

Coffee shop Curia On The Drag filled with laughter and chatter Thursday evening as kids ran around its gallery space showcasing their creations.

---

THE AVENUE  |  MUSIC

Final curtain call: High Dive’s swan song draws crowd of Gainesville’s music lovers

By Sabrina Castro | May 20, 2024

On May 19, the historical hot spot for local music, High Dive, hosted a final show before shutting its doors for good.  

---

THE AVENUE  |  LIFESTYLE

A colorful display of entrepreneurship, talent and community: Gainesville’s first annual Asian festival

By Carlos Alemany | May 20, 2024

With Japanese martial arts demonstrations and musical performances, authentic Asian cuisine and local vendors, UF students and Alachua County residents alike gathered at Bo Diddley Plaza May 18 to commemorate the City of Gainesville’s first annual Asian festival.

---

THE AVENUE  |  LIFESTYLE

Hammer time: Gainesville’s Thor brings joy through weekly runs

By Ben Nielsen | May 20, 2024

Donning a winged helmet, a lightning-decorated fanny pack and a toy hammer, Eggleston embarks on a weekly run every Thursday — or as he calls it, “Thorsday.”

---

THE AVENUE  |  ART AND THEATER

Fresh out of the kiln: the ceramic story of a colorful Colombian-born artist

By Noor Sukkar | May 20, 2024

On the outskirts of Gainesville, the homogeneous blur of suburbia can tend to disguise the lives of those it houses. Take a couple of right turns, and you won’t miss the teal, eclectic home of Soraya Sus. 

---

THE AVENUE  |  MUSIC

Over thirty years of music packed up in 30 days: High Dive closes its doors

By Sydney Johnson | May 13, 2024

High Dive, a popular venue and staple in Gainesvilleu2019s music scene, is disappearing from its familiar spot on Second Avenue, as announced by owner Pat Lavery in an Instagram post.  The music hall, which hosted live events since the 90s, gained notoriety for giving local musicians a starting point.

---

THE AVENUE  |  LIFESTYLE

Coterie Market ‘happy to announce’ store closure nearly one year after opening

By Noor Sukkar | May 13, 2024

Coterie Market announced the closure of its brick-and-mortar store on its Instagram, adding to the list of small businesses Gainesville will lose this month. However, unlike other closures, this is a happy announcement, Coterie said.

---

THE AVENUE  |  FASHION

Avenue Roundtable: The 2024 Met Gala

By Avenue Staff | May 7, 2024

On a runway clad with whimsical florals and woodland imagery, decorated stars took to the stairs of the Metropolitan Museum of Art to attend yesterday’s 2024 Met Gala. Renowned as “fashion’s biggest night,” A-listers arrived at the coveted event donning unique haute couture inspired by “The Garden of Time” dress code. 

---

THE AVENUE  |  LIFESTYLE

Blooms for butterflies: Florida Museum of Natural History hosts spring plant sale

By Molly Seghi | Apr. 22, 2024

The Florida Museum of Natural History hosted its 12th spring plant sale April 19-21. The Earth Day weekend celebration welcomed local gardeners and plant enthusiasts to peruse and purchase from more than 250 exotic and native species of plants. 

---

THE AVENUE  |  ART AND THEATER

‘Survivors of Violence’ exhibit joins the Harn Museum for Sexual Assault Awareness Month

By Emilia Cardenas-Perez | Apr. 22, 2024

Hosted by the Alachua County Community Support Services and the Victim Services and Rape Crisis Center, the exhibit invited survivors of interpersonal violence to contribute original artwork, including performance pieces, as a means of reclaiming their narratives and advocating for change. 

---

THE AVENUE  |  MUSIC

Gator Swifties ‘sink into the swamp’ at 'Tortured Poets Department' listening party

By Zoey Thomas | Apr. 20, 2024

If there was a better place than the UF football stadium to hear the lyrics, “in my mind, they sink into the swamp” for the first time, Gator Swifties say it has yet to be found.

---

THE AVENUE  |  FASHION

E-retailer visits UF campus: Students flock to pink truck for fashion and freebies

By Emilia Cardenas-Perez | Apr. 15, 2024

On Saturday morning, hundreds lined up outside the Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, with some arriving as early as 9 a.m. to make the two-hour long wait. Although there was a football game later in the day, the students were not there for sports. Instead, they were crowded around a pastel pink truck, eager to win free merchandise from popular e-retail brand Edikted.