The Avenue compiled a list of talented local Black-owned artisanries and businesses to support this February (and every month after that).
“WORK TO DO” was released in conjunction with a GoFundMe campaign run by Schachter to raise funds for Katehwe’s family and SOS Children’s Village Zimbabwe, a nonprofit that provides support for orphaned children in Zimbabwe.
Friday, the Bailey Learning and Arts Collective hosted the Black History Month Celebration of Black Love, Art and Poetry at the Historic Thomas Center, located at 302 NE 6th Ave. It was a night of poetry, open mics, visual art and music provided by DJ Double A.
Presented by Glory Days and the High Dive, the Original Gainesville Food Truck Rally celebrated its 10th anniversary Saturday. The completely free event at 210 SW 2nd Ave. gathers various savory local food trucks in one place.
Jade and Pearl, owned by 80-year-old self-described hippie Gloria Star, pioneered the natural product and smoking alternatives industry from her headquarters in Hawthorne, a city of 1,500 residents about 16 miles east of Gainesville.
Ball’s debut feature-length film took low budget to the extreme. “Skinamarink” turned a budget of $15,000 into more than $1.5 million in earnings at the box office.
"Everything Everywhere All at Once," A24 movie secured 11 Oscar nominations Jan. 23, including four for actors of Asian descent and one for its Asian director.
Little Free Library is a nonprofit organization that works with local community members from over 100 countries to provide free and easy access to literature using sharing boxes. The program follows a “take a book, share a book” mentality, with individuals being expected to donate an item of their own in exchange for whatever they take.
The Sunshine State Book Festival united readers and writers Jan. 28 at Trinity United Methodist Church, located at 4000 NW 53rd Ave. Authors from Gainesville and other cities across the nation stood by tables inside the church awaiting the opportunity to promote, sell or sign their books for the next local bookworm that came their way.
Anchor.fm, Spotify’s free podcast-hosting platform, launched its second pop-up podcast studio Jan. 26 as part of its Making Space program. Dedicated to “democratiz[ing] audio” by offering the resource to anyone interested, the program aims to invest in minority- and local-owned businesses for future pop-ups.
Better known by fans as “Gator Ron,” the retired Alachua County Public Schools teacher has recently risen to local stardom for his karaoke performances, attracting crowds of young adults and elders alike at multiple venues he frequents every Wednesday.
Audience members young and old filled the Curtis M. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts Sunday, singing, dancing and clapping along as the Tedeschi Trucks Band performed songs from their ninth studio album.
Dylan O’Bryan, who since 2020 has performed as The Housing Crisis, released his first album, “Astral Apartments.” Monday. The album sonically and thematically blends the euphoria and anxiety that O’Bryan feels when he plays.
“The Elaborate Entry of Chad Deity" is a dramatic comedy that follows a group of professional wrestlers and their experiences with capitalism, masculinity and how racial stereotypes are exploited in America. The play will run at the Hippodrome from Jan. 25 to Feb. 12.
Brazilfest, which lasted from 4-10 p.m., aimed to expose Gainesville residents to Brazilian art, cuisine, music, fashion and style.
Gainesville locals and full-time artists Jesus, 46, and Carrie Martinez, 50, are the co-founders of Visionary FAM, a mural production company that has graced the walls of various Gainesville businesses with more than 160 murals.
Dr. Tammy Euliano, a 56-year-old UF professor of anesthesiology, anesthesiologist and author released her second medical thriller novel Jan. 3: “Misfire,” the sequel to “Fatal Intent.”
David Doyle, a full-time aerial acrobat and co-owner of Laugh Now LLC, is performing at The 36th Annual Hoggetowne Medieval Faire for all three weekends of its duration. Newly located at 9409 SW Archer Rd, the annual Faire began Jan. 14 and ends the weekend of Jan. 27.
Editor’s note: This story contains mention of suicide. If you or someone you know is in crisis and needs immediate help, dial or text 9-8-8 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.
Chehab’s legacy transformed the food industry and the Middle Eastern community. His love for his home country, Lebanon, transpired into his work. Sharing his culture and showing pride in his roots made his business feel like a relative's kitchen, Choudar said, not a restaurant.
Solutions by The State News
