The Avenue - The Independent Florida Alligator

THE AVENUE | LIFESTYLE

Dance like a Pussycat Doll

By ALLISON BANKO | Feb. 10, 2010

When flipping through music videos, it is difficult to keep your mouth from dropping at the sight of a Pussycat Dolls music video. Whether you are a boy or a girl confronted with the spectacle is irrelevant. The Dolls’ sultry demeanor and flawless stomachs causes most guys to contain themselves in their inseam and turns girls green with envy.

THE AVENUE | FOOD

John and Drew on Valentine's restaurants

By John Lansing | Feb. 10, 2010

John:

THE AVENUE | SEX

Gay or straight, a lonely Valentine's hurts

By Jared Misner | Feb. 10, 2010

In the end, all we're looking for is someone to love.

THE AVENUE | FASHION

Video: Spring Break workout

By LANCE FULLER | Feb. 6, 2010

Lance Fuller and the UF Cheerleading coach give you a routine that'll have you fit for Spring Break.

THE AVENUE | FOOD

Video: Spring Break Fitness

By LANCE FULLER | Feb. 6, 2010

With Spring Break five weeks away, it’s time to hit the gym if you want that perfect bathing-suit body.

THE AVENUE | MUSIC

Central Florida's Stria brings new wave of Christian rock

By ALLISON BANKO | Feb. 4, 2010

Avenue writer Allison Banko has a chat with Christian alternative rock band Stria.

THE AVENUE | FASHION

New Beach Break salon caters to college students

By ASHLEY McCREDIE | Feb. 4, 2010

The salon appeals to students with their beach-like atmosphere complete with tiki bars and surf pictures; a free Wi-Fi lounge and high quality service with low prices.

Above, Christie Garcia and Chandler Parsons pose in going-out attire. Below, from left to right, Garcia juggling sexy shoes and schoolbooks, Parsons kickin’ back in fashionable flannel and Garcia flying high in a tulle mini skirt and her own tan boots.

THE AVENUE | FASHION

UFashion: athletes’ style off the court

By ASHLEY McCREDIE | Feb. 3, 2010

You’ve seen him in his basketball shorts and jersey running down the court, and you’ve seen her cheering on the sidelines in her glittery uniform, but you’ve never seen them like this.

THE AVENUE | FOOD

Five reasons to drink local

By Richard O. Stehli | Feb. 3, 2010

Last summer, you never would have heard me telling you to drink local, because you couldn’t. Thankfully, that all started to change in April, when Swamp Head Brewery brewed its first batch of beer. Founder Luke Kemper returned home from his undergraduate work in beer-soaked Boulder, Colo., and saw Gainesville to be lacking. In his own words, “I realized how great it would be to have a local beer in Gainesville.” Last Friday, I had the chance to sit down with Kemper and Swamp Head master brewer Craig Birkmaier to sample the beer and talk shop, and let me assure you, it is great to have a local beer in Gainesville.

THE AVENUE | MOVIES AND TV

Sundance film "Bass Ackwards" released

By Joey Flechas | Feb. 3, 2010

With the Sundance Film Festival closing out Sunday, many of the screened films have a few months before hitting theaters.

THE AVENUE | MUSIC

Alligator starts MusiCast

By J. HUNTER SIZEMORE | Feb. 3, 2010

Although Gainesville’s music scene is one of the most vibrant in the state, it hasn’t received the consistent coverage it deserves. To remedy this, the Independent Florida Alligator is launching a weekly podcast, the Alligator Local MusiCast, to satisfy all of your local music needs. Find out about the best upcoming shows, recent local releases and features on local artists and events by listening directly on Alligator.org or downloading the podcast for on-the-go enjoyment.

THE AVENUE | MUSIC

Music review: Colourslide

By Benjamin Evans | Feb. 3, 2010

Gainesville’s most promising alternative act, Colourslide, delivers an album of radio-ready singles with its sophomore album, “Everybody’s Right About Everybody.” The record’s 11 tracks are a tribute to stadium-filling acts of the last 20 years.

THE AVENUE | SEX

Gaytor Nation

By Jared Misner | Feb. 3, 2010

No one likes a tease.

THE AVENUE | SEX

Plan B(irth control): Who’s buying and how does it work?

By MICHAEL PERRONE | Feb. 3, 2010

He Says...

THE AVENUE | FASHION

Runway Rundown Web site finds expensive clothes for less

By REBEKAH GEIER | Jan. 28, 2010

The fashion industry and its followers are being humbled thanks to the United States' current recession, which is forcing fashion lovers to shop in a different kind of style.

THE AVENUE | FASHION

Web site gives frugal high fashion advice

By REBEKAH GEIER | Jan. 27, 2010

The fashion industry and its followers are being humbled thanks to the United States' current recession, which is forcing fashion lovers to shop in a different kind of style.

THE AVENUE | NIGHTLIFE

Reitz Union Board celebrates anniversary with CD release

By Rebecca Deely | Jan. 27, 2010

Reitz Union Board Entertainment is celebrating its 10th anniversary by hosting the CD Release Show Part 2! at Orange and Brew at 8 p.m.

THE AVENUE | LIFESTYLE

Screen Actors Guild

By Alex Orlando | Jan. 27, 2010

I'd like to start out this column by posing a question to you, readers, and the entire Screen Actors Guild: What the hell is a female actor?

THE AVENUE | MUSIC

The Early Twenties

By Benjamin Evans | Jan. 27, 2010

"The Early Twenties came together like most bands do," said Luke Wessling, lead vocalist and guitarist for the Gainesville indie folk outfit.

THE AVENUE | FOOD

Dishes delight taste buds

By DREW WATKINS | Jan. 27, 2010

Drew: Tagged down behind enemy lines, you might not expect to find a delicious plate of crispy egg noodles. But that’s exactly what you’ll encounter at regionally famous Saigon Legend, located on 1228 W. University Ave. This unassuming Vietnamese eatery doesn’t plaster its rooms with glow-in-the-dark tables and new-age bullshit; instead it brings a nice medley of pork, chicken and Asian vegetables that will delight the senses and set your taste buds ablaze.