The Avenue - The Independent Florida Alligator

THE AVENUE | MOVIES AND TV

'Hesher' offers star-studded cast, dark plot

By Andy Maroon | Aug. 31, 2011

A band's debut album is never perfect. There are usually some great songs and ideas that don't work well together until the band gains more experience. The same can be said with directors. Most often, a debut film is full of great ideas and scenes that aren't fully executed. This describes Spencer Susser's directorial debut of "Hesher" spot on.

Anamege and Beresin's latest single, "Mind Your Manners," has more than 500,000 hits on YouTube.

THE AVENUE | MUSIC

Chiddy Bang brings the Never Growing Up Tour to Gainesville

By Diana Lopez | Aug. 24, 2011

After spitting continuous, freestyle rap for a record-shattering nine hours, 18 minutes and 22 seconds in April, it became clear that Chiddy Bang was a force not to be reckoned with.

THE AVENUE | MUSIC

The bright future of rock 'n' roll

By THOMAS NASSIFF< | Aug. 24, 2011

In 1974, Rolling Stone magazine's Jon Landau reviewed an up-and-coming musician's gig for Boston's the Real Paper. The emerging songster was Bruce Springsteen of who Landau penned, "I saw rock 'n' roll's future, and its name is Bruce Springsteen."

THE AVENUE | LIFESTYLE

He Said, She Said: Is juggling relationships playing with fire?

By Andy Maroon | Aug. 24, 2011

It doesn't take a keen eye to realize the students around here emulate Gainesville's hot, hot heat.

THE AVENUE | LIFESTYLE

Fresh meat to old news: decoding the college classifications

By Webb | Aug. 24, 2011

A brand-spankin' new school year has debuted on college campuses across the country, bringing with it high expectations, football season debauchery and a fresh start for all the new and returning students.

THE AVENUE | LIFESTYLE

Coping with exercising outdoors in the Gainesville heat

By Amy Stuart | Aug. 24, 2011

The steamy, summer heat is in full force as we're rounding out the hottest month of the year, and it's important to know how to stay safe when sweating it out under the sun.

THE AVENUE | MOVIES AND TV

Fall movie season less than stellar

By Andy Maroon | Aug. 14, 2011

Hollywood hangs its hat on a spectacular summer movie season, so it's no surprise that this fall's lineup comes across as less than stellar. After being treated to a monster summer season, the fall schedule, especially in September, is pretty lackluster.

THE AVENUE | FASHION

Freshman fashion advice: Don't wear all orange and blue

By Diana Lopez | Aug. 14, 2011

Every year, freshmen come to UF's campus during the fall eager to get their college experience started. There are certain trends that freshmen always try out when they first arrive on campus, so we've put together a list of fashion dos and don'ts for your first semester.

THE AVENUE | LIFESTYLE

Returning fall TV shows headline must-watch season

By Andy Maroon | Aug. 14, 2011

Everyone knows the best part about starting college is not having a bedtime. And sure, sometimes you stay up late to study, but not that often. When you're not going out or partying, watching TV is one of the greatest college pastimes.

THE AVENUE | FOOD

Vegan choices abound

By Kathleen Boyle | Aug. 14, 2011

One of the best things fall semester is the air of newness and reinvention that comes with it. Like a New Year's resolution, students find inspiration in the fall.

THE AVENUE | MUSIC

Schedule of fall releases will make 2011 an unforgettable year

By THOMAS NASSIFF< | Aug. 14, 2011

While it's common for most record labels to launch an onslaught of highly anticipated releases during the fall, this is being taken to a new extent in 2011. From my perspective, this year has been laden with excellent new releases, and given the schedule for upcoming records in the fall, 2011 is shaping up to be a stronger year than 2010.

THE AVENUE | LIFESTYLE

Alternative workouts offer new take on staying in shape

By Amy Stuart | Aug. 14, 2011

Oh, the dreaded Freshman 15: The extra pounds gained by eating boxes of instant mac 'n' cheese, slurping up extra-whip caramel Frappuccinos and stacking up on the endless supply of succulent chocolate chip cookies the dining halls have to offer.

THE AVENUE | NIGHTLIFE

Variety of clubs and bars allow underage patrons

By Webb | Aug. 14, 2011

I know exactly what you were thinking.

Andrew Schaer, owner of Hear Again Music & Movies, poses for a picture outside his shop at 201SE First St. Schaer has been the go-to provider for Gainesville's increasing vinyl-hungry music listenership.

THE AVENUE | MUSIC

Resurgence of vinyl records hits Gainesville

By THOMAS NASSIFF< | Aug. 14, 2011

Andrew Schaer isn't comfortable with how young people are going about compiling their music libraries.

When Nickelodeon realized how many young adults craved a second childhood, it delivered in a big way. Last week, TeenNick began airing a block entitled The ‘90s Are All That from midnight to 2 a.m. on weeknights. Airing four shows every night, the block was in response to an overwhelming demand online from 18- to 34-year-olds who wanted to rewatch the TV shows they grew up with. Nickelodeon has made excellent use of social media in the project, discovering that 15 million Facebook fans wanted their ‘90s Nick shows back. The four shows pictured are “All That,” “Kenan and Kel,” “Clarissa Explains It All” and “Doug.”

THE AVENUE | MOVIES AND TV

Nickelodeon brings back ‘90s TV for older viewers

By Nicole La Hoz | Aug. 6, 2011

Allison Corfield always had to make the same decision at 9:30 p.m.: Should she watch "Are You Afraid of the Dark?"

THE AVENUE | LIFESTYLE

Farewell message: 'Drop out of life'

By THOMAS NASSIFF< | Aug. 3, 2011

Usually at the end of summer vacation, I muse about how fast time went by. But this summer went by as slow as any I can remember.

THE AVENUE | MUSIC

Indie musicians adapt to change

By Carter Lyles | Aug. 3, 2011

Since the invention of peer-to-peer file sharing, independent artists have had to find new ways to get their music out to the masses.

THE AVENUE | LIFESTYLE

Tech Effect: Study shows 3D films are more than eye-popping

By Carter Lyles | Aug. 3, 2011

If you sat down a few weekends ago to see the final chapter of the Harry Potter film franchise or munched popcorn a couple of years ago while everyone else in the theater was flipping out about the "phenomenal graphics" of "Avatar," you may not have noticed how fatigued your eyes were getting.

THE AVENUE | FASHION

Lens flair

By Diana Lopez | July 27, 2011

For the latest

THE AVENUE | LIFESTYLE

Despite evolving lineup, Warped Tour still a worthwhile day

By THOMAS NASSIFF< | July 27, 2011

Everyone complains about Warped Tour.