The Avenue - The Independent Florida Alligator

From ballads to bangers, audience members dance to Taylor Swift's discography at the High Dive on Thursday, June 6, 2023.

THE AVENUE | MUSIC

Swifties ‘enchanted’ with “Speak Now (Taylor’s Version)”

By Aubrey Bocalan | July 10, 2023

When the High Dive doors opened July 6, people ran to jump, twirl and scream to the music as multi-colored strobe lights pierced through the smoke. About 100 Swifties of all different levels of devotion came to High Dive on the eve of the “Speak Now (Taylor’s Version)” release to celebrate the re-release of the 2010 album. The entire night, the venue played songs from Swift’s discography.

THE AVENUE | MOVIES AND TV

Rate and Review: ‘Past Lives’ is fresh take on love and destiny

By Jackson Reyes | July 10, 2023

Celine Song dazzles in her directorial debut, “Past Lives.” The movie made its premiere at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival Jan. 21. It expanded to a nationwide release June 30. Song masterfully tells a story about two childhood friends who reconnect periodically as they move through different chapters of their lives.

Author Richard Gartee discusses his book "The Hippodrome Theatre First 50 Years" at the Matheson History Museum on Saturday, July 8, 2023.

THE AVENUE | ART AND THEATER

Actors, patrons and subscribers celebrate 50 years of Hippodrome memories

By Aubrey Bocalan | July 10, 2023

Author Richard Gartee talked to about 100 people about the Hippodrome Theatre’s impact on the community during a July 8 Matheson History Museum event. In his talk, he presented his latest book, “The Hippodrome Theatre First 50 Years.”

Joey Alfonso, 24, is seen at the UF Bat Houses in his bat suit on Monday, May 29, 2023.

THE AVENUE | LIFESTYLE

Gainesville residents bring superheroes to life

By Gracey Davis | July 6, 2023

What started as a simple walk down Newberry Road in a Batman suit for a 24-year-old Gainesville resident has turned into an opportunity to share joy with the local community. Joey Alfonso has spent the past four months sporting his Batman cosplay in Gainesville and neighboring cities, sharing positivity associated with the character he loves.

THE AVENUE | LIFESTYLE

Weekend in the Swamp: An itinerary for new and returning gators

By Valentina Sarmiento | July 3, 2023

Students coming to the swamp for Summer B classes are preparing for the course load that awaits them. To avoid getting bogged down, the Avenue created a weekend itinerary for students looking to balance academics with back-to-school fun.

THE AVENUE | LIFESTYLE

The Avenue Roundtable: What to do the first week back

By Avenue Staff | July 3, 2023

If your summer classes already have you stressed out, take a look at The Avenue’s list of fun things to do this week. Whether you want something lively or relaxed, we’ve got you covered.

Besides the natural springs, visitors can explore several local restaurants at High Springs' main street.

THE AVENUE | LIFESTYLE

High Springs: A splash of small-town community charm

By Leia Ulrich | July 3, 2023

When visiting local springs, most students miss is the small town located just six miles from the nature spot: High Springs, Florida. With a population of about 6,500 people, High Springs is a small, tight-knit community. The town has a rich history and plenty of activities despite its small size.

Terri Bailey, activist and owner of Bailey Learning and Arts Collective, explains her range of services to visitors at the Cora. P. Roberson park on Saturday, July 1, 2023.

THE AVENUE | LIFESTYLE

Local organizations uplift the community as harmful LGBTQ legislation goes into effect

By Aubrey Bocalan | July 3, 2023

Joyful Resistance was both a protest and a resistance against the harmful legislation that went into effect July 1. Its goal was to fight against the fear and hardships resulting from new legislation on abortion, education, concealed weapons and LGBTQ issues by providing a place where people can feel safe to have fun and be themselves.

THE AVENUE | LIFESTYLE

Gainesville residents and students give tips on how to stay cool for the summer

By Aubrey Bocalan | July 3, 2023

As the “Sunshine State,” Florida is no stranger to busy summers. Every year, millions of people come to Florida for its amusement parks and beaches.

Market attendees explore the work of local artists at 4th Ave Food Park on Monday, June 19, 2023.

THE AVENUE | LIFESTYLE

Juneteenth market at 4th Ave Food Park highlights local Black-owned businesses

By Leia Ulrich | June 22, 2023

Food trucks, art vendors and members of the UF Black Student Union gathered at the food park June 19. The annual Juneteenth event brought together about 100 locals.

THE AVENUE | LIFESTYLE

Gainesville’s beauty industry: The power of a nice haircut

By Aubrey Bocalan | June 19, 2023

Whether it’s giving a nice haircut that builds confidence or providing a listening ear, barbers are one group in the beauty industry who contribute to the community around them. These barbers also facilitate personal connections with their clients that can span their entire lives and move through generations.

The new Raising Cane’s restaurant is seen on 1680 W University Ave. on Tuesday, June 13, 2023

THE AVENUE | FOOD

Raising Cane’s delights students with Gator decor

By Alexia Paz | June 19, 2023

Hungry with anticipation, students have eagerly waited for the opening of Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers for months.

The Pride Community Center of North Central Florida tabled at the Museum Night offering Pride flags among other items on Thursday, June 8, 2023.

THE AVENUE | ART AND THEATER

The Harn Museum Nights: Art + Pride celebrates LGBTQ artists and local community

By Leia Ulrich | June 12, 2023

This month, the Harn Museum chose “Art + Pride” as the theme for its monthly nighttime community event, Museum Nights. Organizations supporting women, people of color and LGBTQ people were invited to educate and connect with the museum-goers.

THE AVENUE | ART AND THEATER

The Boheme Coven casts a spell over Gainesville’s drag scene

By Valentina Sarmiento | June 12, 2023

The Coven doubles as a drag family and a group of entertainers based in North Central Florida. Rachel Boheme, mother and Supreme of the Coven, founded the group in 2016. The Coven hosts its weekly show Sinister Sundays at the University Club, Gainesville’s first and only gay club located at 18 East University Ave.

Starting from bottom left, clockwise: Carlos Zaragoza, Dreamer Knight, The Curious Sheyzé, Lilith Dahlia, Marisol Lords, Emma Gration and Aurora Whorealis. Drag performers, makeup artists and coordinators for Beyond the Binary work together to host extravaganzas and raise awareness about the LGBTQ community.

THE AVENUE | LIFESTYLE

Beyond the Binary expands drag to nonbinary performers

By Leia Ulrich | June 5, 2023

The Curious Sheyzé, Sydney Lee and Carlos Zaragoza founded Beyond the Binary to provide a safe environment they felt was missing for people of color and nonbinary individuals within the drag community.

Models pose together during a Museum Days event held at the Harn Museum of Art in April 2023.

THE AVENUE | ART AND THEATER

Local art organization builds confidence with summer events

By Aubrey Bocalan | June 5, 2023

Everyone deserves to see art when they look at themselves in the mirror — for the past six years, Figure on Diversity has been dedicated to helping people do just that.

Gerard Bencen (left), owner of the SL8 gallery, is seen with artist 444 IDK (right) at his art collective’s debut Friday, May 26, 2023.

THE AVENUE | ART AND THEATER

Gainesville art gallery showcases local artist group’s exhibit

By Aubrey Bocalan | May 30, 2023

A local group of artists debuted their first exhibit while bouncing bass and percussion echoed, glasses were filled with wine and glowing black lights lit up the SL8 gallery Friday.

A publicity photo of Tom Miller’s movie, "Audience."

THE AVENUE | MOVIES AND TV

Stage play to screenplay: Local director set to debut new film

By Gracey Davis | May 30, 2023

For Tom Miller, creativity has always been his solution to adversity. With multiple acting, performing and directing credits to his name, the 57-year-old continues to push artistic boundaries. The multidisciplinary performance artist is setting the stage to debut his newest film, “Audience.” Miller has kept the plot of the film under wraps to surprise audiences.

Tingquan Zhang, an artist, is seen at the Harn Museum of Art on Monday, November 14, 2022.

THE AVENUE | ART AND THEATER

Chinese artist Tingqun Zhang reflects on his international success and artistic inspirations

By Valentina Sarmiento | May 26, 2023

Born to a folk carpenter in the coastal province of Fujian, China, the Gainesville-based artist established himself in art spaces through Chinese calligraphy brushes and oil paintings.

THE AVENUE | LIFESTYLE

Asian supermarkets, restaurants and boba businesses are popping in ‘Gainesville’s Chinatown’

By Aubrey Bocalan | May 22, 2023

The sound of people speaking Chinese, Japanese or Tagalog layer over K-pop harmonies. The smell of Indian spices floats in from next door. It’s the sight, sound and smell of home. Located on the corner of Southwest 34th Street and Archer Road and nicknamed “Gainesville’s Chinatown” by some for its high concentration of Asian restaurants, there are more than 15 Asian businesses within a mile of each other.