The Avenue - The Independent Florida Alligator

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 | 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.

Around 400 attendees, most without masks, partied to Taylor Swift's classics at The Wooly's Swift-themed dance party Saturday night, Jan. 22.

THE AVENUE | NIGHTLIFE

Taylor Swift fans ‘shake it off’ at The Wooly’s sold-out show

By Alexis Carson | Jan. 27, 2022

A Taylor Swift-themed celebration for those at least 21 years old, was held at Downtown club The Wooly Saturday night. “You Need to Calm Down: A Taylor Swift Dance Party,” jammed on, blasting the entire discography of Taylor Swift’s music from 9 p.m. to 2:30 a.m. About 400 people purchased tickets to the event, selling out within a few weeks of tickets being up online, said Courtney Gibson, 32-year-old CEO of Le Petite Fete, the touring company who hosted the dance party.

Orlando vendor Brent Palmer directs customers to his racks of vintage clothes at the Florida Vintage Market Jan. 6, 2022.

THE AVENUE

Despite official cancellation, Florida Vintage Market rocks on

By Ben Crosbie | Jan. 21, 2022

The 20 to 30 mph winds and temperatures that hung around the mid-to-high 50s were not enough to keep dozens of vendors from selling to the Gainesville community Sunday. The dismal weather couldn’t stop the hundreds of customers from perusing the racks of retro merchandise at the Florida Vintage Market either.

The Sahnobar Dance Ensemble performs on the gyspy stage at the Hoggetowne Medieval Faire on Sunday, Jan. 16. The festival made its return this year in a new location after a hiatus.

THE AVENUE

Hoggetowne Medieval Faire brings back the Middle Ages

By Eileen Calub | Jan. 19, 2022

Rows of colorful tents and stands with shopkeepers lined the massive field in southwest Gainesville. In the distance, the raucous medley of sword-fighting, lively music and laughter rang out from different corners of the transitory village. The mouthwatering scent of turkey legs and fried treats filled the air.

THE AVENUE | MUSIC

Rate and Review: The Weeknd balances nostalgia and new age in “Dawn FM”

By Thandie Brown | Jan. 10, 2022

Producing an album like "Dawn FM" after experiencing a Grammy snub last year shows how The Weeknd’s artistry spotlights the things that bring him pain.

THE AVENUE | MUSIC

Live jazz band brings people to their feet at Celebration Pointe

By Erina Anwar | Jan. 10, 2022

Celebration Pointe hosts its Jazz on the Green event every two weeks, inviting different jazz musicians to perform in front of a live audience.

THE AVENUE | MOVIES AND TV

Was ‘Spider-Man: No Way Home’ really as good as everyone says it is?

By Alexis Carson | Jan. 10, 2022

The film was well received by critics and fans worldwide, earning a 93% on Rotten Tomatoes and a 98% audience score, respectively. However, is the story worth the hype?

Photo by Makiya Seminera | The Independent Florida Alligator

THE AVENUE

Shortened winter break may cause mental burnout for UF students

Jan. 5, 2022

The reduced break is part of the natural calendar shift for the university, UF spokesperson Steve Orlando wrote in an email. To create a UF calendar, the university developed 13 years worth of calendars ahead of time to ensure that official UF dates can be adjusted accordingly for each term.