The Avenue - The Independent Florida Alligator

THE AVENUE | MOVIES AND TV

Rate and Review: Olivia Wilde’s ‘Don’t Worry Darling’ repackages feminism with a flashy cast

By Averi Kremposky | Oct. 6

Relationship scandals, murky press tours and masses of online gossip had no effect on director Olivia Wilde’s sophomore feature, “Don’t Worry Darling.” With $35 million in box office totals as of Oct. 1, the psychological thriller sits as the exemplar that all press is indeed good press — and casting Harry Styles as one of the lead protagonists can’t hurt either.

A child poses with Lyle the Crocodile and Albert the Gator at a UF Health Shands Hospital event where President Kent Fuchs and his wife read "Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile" to a group of children Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2022.

THE AVENUE | LIFESTYLE

Double the reptiles, twice the fun: Lyle the Crocodile visits UF Health Children’s Hospital

By Lauren Brensel | Oct. 5

Lyle the Crocodile from the popular children’s book series “Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile” greeted seven child patients at the UF Health Shands Children’s Hospital alongside Albert the Gator, UF President Kent Fuchs and his wife Linda Fuchs Tuesday morning.

THE AVENUE | ART AND THEATER

The Amazing Acro-Cats return to Gainesville

By Luna Boales | Oct. 3

Audiences can expect a live 90-minute performance featuring trained rescues, as well as a musical finale by all-cat band The Rock Cats. The feline group will play five shows at The Hippodrome Theatre between Oct. 7-9, with shows at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Tickets are between $48 and $60 and can be purchased online.

Gainesville community members gather at Heartwood Soundstage in protest of Florida’s Don’t Say Gay bill Saturday, March 19, 2022.

THE AVENUE | LIFESTYLE

Gainesville Pride to return after 3 years despite hate crime investigation

By Lauren Brensel | Oct. 3

The annual festival hosted by the Pride Community Center of North Central Florida will return Oct. 22 at Bo Diddley Plaza, nearly a month after the center was vandalized. The center has celebrated Pride in Gainesville every year since 2008 aside from the last two years.

A sketch of the Florida-based band Driveaway.

THE AVENUE | MUSIC

Local band Driveaway explores rock sound in new single 'Wishing Well'

By Luna Boales | Sep. 29

Following the release of their previous six-track EP, “Feel Better Soon,” Driveaway is releasing a new single available for streaming and download Friday. The band has strayed from their usual pop genre, instead opting for a more rock ‘n’ roll sound.

THE AVENUE | WEB

Gators get real: UF professors, students reflect on social media app BeReal

By Lauren Brensel | Sep. 26

BeReal is a social media app where users have two minutes to snap an unfiltered front-and-back-facing photo once a day. All 10 million of its daily active users receive the BeReal notification at the same time, but the alert is sent at different times every day — ideally offering a candid glimpse into the average person’s life. The app prides itself on its authenticity, but some UF faculty and students aren’t confident that goal is possible in a developed, digitalized world.

Local band Cash Crop and the High Tops take the stage at Bo Diddley Plaza during Gainesville Hempfest on Saturday, Sept. 24, 2022.

THE AVENUE | LIFESTYLE

Gainesville HempFest calls for legalization of cannabis

By Luna Boales | Sep. 24

Nearly three decades since the festival first took place, Gainesville HempFest returned to downtown Saturday, featuring a wide array of bands, vendors, food trucks and speakers all advocating for the legalization of cannabis.

ZeeZenia International Market under construction after a fire tarnished the inside Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2022. It is set to reopen on Friday, Sept. 23, 2022.

THE AVENUE | FOOD

Zeezenia International Market to reopen after fire

By Erina Anwar | Sep. 21

The Ebrahim family had to remodel the entire store and buy brand new appliances, shelves and inventory. The total cost was over $180,000.

President Fuchs stops to speak to Ally Fleischer, 21, UF criminology and family youth and communication sciences senior, while driving the UF Compliment Cart around campus on the first day of Fall semester, Monday, Aug. 23, 2021. Fleischer took a selfie with Fuchs on her first day of freshman year, too. When asked about the Fall semester, Fleischer said "I'm excited. I haven't been to class in 524 days."

THE AVENUE

Kent Fuchs: UF president by profession, prankster in spirit

By Alissa Gary | Sep. 19

UF President Kent Fuchs has served as the university’s president since 2015. He succeeded former president Bernie Machen, who was also known to walk around campus and interact with students during his tenure.

Mason Baria prepares a wig for the Hippodrome’s production of "Fahrenheit 451" Wednesday, Sep. 14, 2022.

THE AVENUE | ART AND THEATER

Fifty and fireproof: The Hippodrome has more than an anniversary to celebrate

By Averi Kremposky | Sep. 19

Every staff member who was forced to work part-time during the pandemic has resumed their full-time positions, the theater's artistic director Stephanie Lynge said. In addition, across all theater programming areas — mainstage, education, cinema and events — there has been a steady increase in ticket sales.

The Great Southern Music Hall exhibit draws in visitors at Matheson History Museum Friday, Sept. 16, 2022.

THE AVENUE | MUSIC

‘A river of musical talent’: Matheson exhibit explores Gainesville’s ‘70s music scene

By Luna Boales | Sep. 19

“Return to Forever: Gainesville’s Great Southern Music Hall,” spotlights the legendary downtown Gainesville concert venue of the same name that hosted artists like Tina Turner, Jimmy Buffet and Ray Charles.

The Enson Market, an international grocery store, sits at University Towne Center in Gainesville Sunday, Sept. 11, 2022.

THE AVENUE | FOOD

Gainesville Asian markets give customers a ‘taste of home’

By Erina Anwar | Sep. 12

Some may be looking to break out of their comfort zone with Asian snacks. Others may want to reminisce on a childhood favorite with a home-cooked meal. With these four favorites to choose from — Tahanan Filipino Bistro & Shop, Chun Ching Market, Enson Market and India Bazaar — fresh ingredients and groceries aren’t far from reach in Gainesville.

Customers wait outside Brownie Guy on its final day Monday Sept. 12.

THE AVENUE | FOOD

Gainesville favorite Brownie Guy to close after owner Chris DeVeau’s death

By Lauren Brensel | Sep. 12

The store, located at 602 NW 75th St. Suite B near Newberry Square, will sell its final batch of brownies at 11 a.m. Monday, continuing until 10 p.m. or when it sells out. Purchases are cash only.

The Gainesville Latino Film Festival is in person for the first time in two years.

THE AVENUE | MOVIES AND TV

18th annual Gainesville Latino Film Festival uplifts Latin American communities on the big screen

By Isabella Marzban | Sep. 8

Gainesville Latino Film Festival is a free, eight-day event centered around highlighting Latin American culture through film. From Sept. 8 to Sept. 18, the festival will feature two Spanish immersion storytelling events and performances by Latin fusion band Gilberto de Paz & TROPIX and Miami’s IFÉ-ILÉ Afro-Cuban Dance and Music, in addition to the films.

The entrance of the Acrosstown Repertory Theatre on Friday, Sep. 3, 2022.

THE AVENUE | ART AND THEATER

Acrosstown Repertory Theatre closes its doors

By Isabella Marzban | Sep. 6

This isn’t the first time the theater, which was founded in 1980, has faced relocation. Prior to the Baird Center, the ART hosted community theater shows at the Star Garage in downtown Gainesville until the city sold the building in 1985, bringing the theater to its most recent location. Now, the theater is once again in need of a new home.

"Fahrenheit 451" debuts Sept. 2 at The Hippodrome Theatre.

THE AVENUE | ART AND THEATER

‘Fahrenheit 451’ to debut at The Hippodrome amid national conversations about book banning

By Lauren Brensel | Sep. 2

Featuring a nine-person cast, the show will run from Sept. 2 to Sept. 18. A book club, panel discussion and afterparty will accompany the play, alongside an art exhibit located inside the theater.

Outside of the re-opening of The Swamp Restaurant on Monday, Aug. 29, 2022.

THE AVENUE | FOOD

The Swamp Restaurant returns to Gainesville after temporary 2020 closure

By Luna Boales | Aug. 31

After being forced to shut its doors due to property ownership issues and new construction in June 2020, The Swamp Restaurant reopened Aug. 29 — ushering in some improved features while still staying true to its roots.

Robbie Kingsley, lead singer of The Hails, performing their hit song “Younger” for Gainesville fans at Playground Music Festival at Heartwood Soundstage Saturday, Aug. 27, 2022.

THE AVENUE | MUSIC

More than a thousand fans jam out at Playground Music and Arts Festival

By Erina Anwar and Isabella Marzban | Aug. 29

More than 1,000 people from across the state flocked to a small Gainesville venue in the sticky summer heat Saturday, headbanging and jumping up and down to local indie acts. Thirteen bands played back-to-back sets at the Playground Music and Arts Festival. The festival was hosted by Heartwood Soundstage as a kick-off to indie rock band flipturn’s debut album, “Shadowglow."

Al Black signs his name as the finishing touch on the Highwaymen mural Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2022.

THE AVENUE | ART AND THEATER

Famed Black artist Al Black brings iconic Florida Highwaymen group’s art to Gainesville

By Averi Kremposky | Aug. 29

Al Black finished his new 8-by-34 foot mural, located on the corner of Northeast Sixth Avenue and North Main Street, Wednesday afternoon --- a full day before he was expected to wrap up the project. Throughout the day, a handful of people shuffled through to watch Black's painting unfold.

A graphic inspired by Flipturn's debut album SHADOWGLOW.

THE AVENUE | MUSIC

Flipturn releases debut album “Shadowglow” before headlining their own Gainesville festival

By Lauren Brensel | Aug. 26

“Orbit” is the final song of the 14-track album, born from the minds of band members Devon Vonbalson, Dillon Basse, Madeline Jarman, Tristan Duncan and Mitch Fountain. After much anticipation and a collection of five EPs, “Shadowglow” joined the band’s discography Aug. 19.