The Avenue - The Independent Florida Alligator

“Dia Days” musical production inspired by the music-making process featured record label Dion Dia’s signed artists as the playwrights Thursday, March 17 at Bo Diddley Plaza. (photo by Dazion Prosser)

THE AVENUE | ART AND THEATER

'Dia Days' embodies the late Bo Diddley through music, art and fashion

By Dazion Prosser | Mar. 22, 2022

On St. Patrick’s Day, a swath of culture was on display as people from all ages rolled out their picnic blankets and lawn chairs to witness history. “Dia Days” played on for two hours at Bo Diddley Plaza on March 17. Dion Dia, a Gainesville-based record label, hosted the event featuring live performances by Florida artists and an eclectic fashion show; as well as a culmination of art and expression.

THE AVENUE | ART AND THEATER

‘Make art, not war’: Gainesville, UF community show solidarity with Ukraine

By Amanda Friedman | Mar. 21, 2022

Images of once-tall buildings and busy streets Iryna Kanishcheva used to walk in Lviv, Ukraine, are now billows of smoke and ashes on her television screen. “I understand that all this can be destroyed with just one missile,” Kanishcheva said. “It’s really terrifying.”

Oreo, a pitbull up for adoption at the Humane Society of North Central Florida, lies in the shade outside a play pen on Friday, March 18.

THE AVENUE | LIFESTYLE

Gainesville groups and pet owners confront pit bull misconceptions

By Dazion Prosser | Mar. 21, 2022

Allison Martineau was surrounded by the affection of pit bull breeds at an early age. Now, the memory of the true nature of pit bulls motivates the 28-year-old substance abuse lead technician to foster the misunderstood dog type. “They love you like no other,” Martineau said. “Every dog has the ability to be a blessing.”

THE AVENUE | MOVIES AND TV

The hero Gotham deserves: How “The Batman” compares to “The Dark Knight”

By Alexis Carson | Mar. 15, 2022

“The Batman” brings us Bruce Wayne two years into being the hero and vengeance of Gotham. He battles The Riddler to save the city. The audience is immersed in his day to day life fighting criminals to seek justice for the loss of his parents.

THE AVENUE | FOOD

Opus Coffee plans to host birthday party to celebrate its 20th anniversary

By Amanda Friedman | Mar. 15, 2022

Opus and other Gainesville favorites such as Feliz Flavors Ice Cream and Satch Squared Pizza and Waffles will sell food at the event. Live music performances by Gainesville-based artists Mr. Aullie, Richy Stano, Ali and Will, Bears and Lions and Dan Flok will run throughout the event. Attendees can take pictures in the photo booth and enter a giveaway for the chance to win different Opus merchandise like mugs, t-shirts, stickers, koozies, candles and hip bags repurposed from Opus Coffee bags. For kids, there will be face painting and balloon animals.

The hip-hop music scene in Gainesville has often been left unheard, five local artists are working to promote themselves in the area's emerging genre.

THE AVENUE | MUSIC

New performance event will spotlight local rap talent

By Jared Teitel | Mar. 10, 2022

Rhymes, couplets, spoken word, metaphor and repetition promise to flood the stage at a small Gainesville bar during a night all about the art of rap. Five Gainesville artists will take the stage at Vecinos Neighborhood Restaurant and Bar on Friday, March 11, at 8 p.m. for the first Spring Break Rap Up. Tickets can be purchased in person or online through Eventbrite or Facebook.

Shane Malone, a Gainesville-based recording artist, plays his guitar in his home music studio on Wednesday, March 2. His new single "Waiting," dropped on music streaming services on March 4.

THE AVENUE | MUSIC

Indie-pop artist Shane Malone is tired of waiting and drops new song

By Dazion Prosser | Mar. 10, 2022

Love at first sight can quickly turn into frustration and impatience when you don’t get that call back from your crush. Shane Malone, a Jacksonville native and 20-year-old UF computer science junior, reckons with that feeling. His March 4 single, “Waiting” released via Havěa Records comes over seven months after his release “Split in Two.” Malone marches forward in the duet with Hannah Stomski or Sprig, a singer-songwriter out of Wilmington, North Carolina.

THE AVENUE | HEALTH

Fitness for all: Gainesville fitness instructors uplift plus-sized community

By Jared Teitel | Mar. 4, 2022

The world is beginning to embrace plus-sized beauty in the media and fashion industry. Some Gainesville studios and personal trainers are advocating for inclusivity.

THE AVENUE | FOOD

Food that feeds your soul: Gainesville African and soul food cuisine honors local Black community

By Jared Teitel | Mar. 1, 2022

Although much of the historic legacy of the Black community in America is commemorated through the work of civil rights trailblazers, local African and soul food pop-ups in Gainesville celebrate their culture through their culinary traditions.

THE AVENUE | ART AND THEATER

ACPS annual showcase highlights youth art at the Historic Thomas Center

By Alexis Carson | Feb. 26, 2022

The Alachua County Public Schools Art Exhibit, which is on display from Feb. 16 to Feb. 27, features over 100 pieces of artwork from the district’s K-12 students. Located at the Historic Thomas Center, the art exhibit aims to showcase the artistic talent of local youth.

Lion dancers perform at the UF Vietnamese Student Organization's Lunar New Year show at the Reitz Union Grand Ballroom on Saturday, Feb. 12. The performers are members of JiaTing, Surge and Pi Delta Psi.

THE AVENUE | LIFESTYLE

The Year of the Tiger: Asian student groups celebrate Lunar New Year throughout February

By Eileen Calub | Feb. 24, 2022

On UF’s campus, the Vietnamese Student Organization, the Chinese American Student Association and the Korean Undergraduate Student Association hold yearly celebrations showcasing cultural traditions and student talent.

Teroy Roberts and Jay Nixon in the performance "Terrence." (Courtesy of Michelle Bellaver)

THE AVENUE | ART AND THEATER

New Works Festival Returns in person to Hippodrome Theatre

By Ben Crosbie | Feb. 24, 2022

Last year’s New Works Festival took place over Zoom due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This year marked the festival’s return from the digital stage.

The Cade Museum for Creativity & Innovation opened to the public Saturday, May 19. The museum encourages learners of all ages to think like an inventor, meet an inventor, and be an inventor. The grand opening event featured interactive activities in the museum’s Creativity and Fab Labs, as well as the unveiling of two completed exhibits.

THE AVENUE | NIGHTLIFE

“Cade After Dark” event series inspires to be a first round pick for Gainesville nightlife

By Dazion Prosser | Feb. 21, 2022

The Cade Museum hosted its “Cade After Dark” event Feb. 18. The event featured a football party theme centered around the tailgate atmosphere of a Super Bowl celebration. For $15 per person, at least 50 attendees indulged in finger food, drinks, enthralling sports-themed activities and chances to win prizes upon entering in a free raffle during the three-hour event. The 21-and-up event catered to adults who wished to take a timeout from adulthood and tap into their inner child.

A worker at Zeezenia International Market delivers Mediterranean food to a customer on Friday, Feb. 11.

THE AVENUE | LIFESTYLE

Avenue recommendations: the best Valentine’s Day date spots in Gainesville

By Avenue Staff | Feb. 14, 2022

Whether you’re meeting up with a last-minute Tinder match or celebrating an anniversary, each of the Avenue staff’s date night selections will put a smile on your face.

Denisha Williamson-Walker shampooes a client's hair at her Locs by Dee salon located at 4040 W Newberry Road Unit 1300 on Friday, Jan. 28.

THE AVENUE

‘Our truth is within our hair’: Falling in love with natural hair in Gainesville

By Eileen Calub | Feb. 11, 2022

As a child, Christina Demps sat on the floor of her parents’ bedroom, her head tipped back as her mother intricately braided her hair. When they could, they sat together on Sundays and prepared Demps’ hair for the next morning. But as Demps grew older, it became harder to find time.

Elena Pollio's handmade bowtie pasta at one of her cooking classes. (Courtesy of Elena Pollio)

THE AVENUE | FOOD

Traveling pasta instructor brings a taste of Italy to Gainesville homes

By Jared Teitel | Feb. 10, 2022

The second-generation Italian-American grew up in the kitchen cooking pasta with her mother for holidays and family gatherings. Through Pasta by Pollio, she has the chance to pass along her family knowledge of Italian cooking for a living.

Grace Lamerson, 19, made her performance debut under the stage name Bambii Lamb Jan. 26. She brings a pop sound to a live music scene dominated by rock and punk.

THE AVENUE | MUSIC

Bambii Lamb brings synthpop to Gainesville

By Kristine Villarroel | Feb. 4, 2022

On a regular night, High Dive hosts a familiar performance to Gainesville’s live music scene: four dudes with guitars playing do-it-yourself indie pop-rock. Grace Lamerson is bringing a different sound to Gainesville.

Sebastian Sayavedra and Jose Piñeiro of Dionysus bundled up in onesies during the unexpectedly cold night. Photo taken by Aurora Jiménez Castro on Jan. 29.

THE AVENUE | MUSIC

Funk band Dionysus wins Destination Okeechobee competition, heads to March Okeechobee Festival

By Aurora Jimenez Castro | Feb. 3, 2022

Dionysus will perform in the Okeechobee Music & Arts Festival March 3, joining a set list headlined by heavy hitters such as rapper Meghan Thee Stallion and Australian act Tame Impala.

Marta Puyana, the namesake of La Cocina de Abuela, hugs her three grandchildren (left to right) Otis Puyana Darnell, 6, Valentina Peña Rey, 5, and Lucielena Puyana Darnell, 4, at La Cocina de Abuela on Friday, Jan. 21.

THE AVENUE | MOVIES AND TV

Gainesville’s Colombian community celebrates its own Encanto

By Jared Teitel | Jan. 31, 2022

“Encanto” is Disney’s first musical to represent the Colombian community. The musical’s soundtrack by Lin-Manuel Miranda reached No. 1 Jan. 15 on Billboard 200. The film’s discussion of immigrant family dynamics reached Gainesville, warming the hearts of local Colombians.

THE AVENUE | FOOD

A guide to vegan food options in Gainesville

By Elizabeth Dwyer | Jan. 28, 2022

The vast plant-based meal options in Gainesville provide citizens with an easy transition to this way of living without sacrificing their favorite dishes.