The Avenue - The Independent Florida Alligator

THE AVENUE | LIFESTYLE

Romance in Gainesville: Five local first-date ideas

By Natalie Rao | Sep. 14, 2016

With the Fall semester now in full swing, plenty of students are hitting the town and meeting new people. New relationships are in the making, and with new relationships come lots of dating. Unfortunately for us broke college students, lavish, expensive dates aren’t really an option. The bright side is there’s a plethora of things to do in Gainesville that are cheap — or even free. With that being said, here’s five of the best first-date ideas for any student looking to impress that special someone.

THE AVENUE | ART AND THEATER

Monthly arts market hits downtown

By Cindy Lu | Sep. 14, 2016

This gameday will offer a little artistic twist with the Gainesville Arts Market in downtown Gainesville at First Magnitude Brewing Company this Saturday. The event will start at 2 p.m., giving tailgaters time to visit before heading to the game.

THE AVENUE | FASHION

Mink coats, lingerie and dragon costume: Hippodrome hosts costume sale

By Janiece Sebris | Sep. 14, 2016

The Hippodrome State Theatre will host its first costume sale in six years this weekend.

THE AVENUE | ART AND THEATER

After a drunk Gator Growl performance, comedian Brooks Wheelan returns to Gainesville

By Jeremy Haas | Sep. 14, 2016

Some may remember Brooks Wheelan as the comedian who performed belligerently drunk at Gator Growl in 2014. With Homecoming approaching, some of us may find ourselves looking back to that fateful night two years ago, when Ludacris and Foster the People were met with a warm reception, and Wheelan was booed off the stage.

THE AVENUE | MUSIC

Sunstock Solar Festival brings sustainable jams

By Janiece Sebris | Sep. 7, 2016

Gainesville will host a completely solar-powered music event called Sunstock Solar Festival on Friday night.

THE AVENUE | MUSIC

Local rappers perform at High Dive showcase

By Emma Witmer | Sep. 7, 2016

High Dive will put Gainesville’s finest rap and R&B artists on display with its Local Hip Hop Showcase event today. The venue, located at 210 SW Second Ave., will kick off the show at 8 p.m. and will feature rappers with all-star connections.

THE AVENUE | FOOD

Taste’s pho-eating contest returns

By Cindy Lu | Sep. 7, 2016

Taste Pho & Noodle House, located at 3117 SW 34th St., will host its second annual pho-eating contest today at 7 p.m.

THE AVENUE | NIGHTLIFE

The Wooly to go retro with 'Under the Boardwalk'

By Natalie Rao | Sep. 7, 2016

Those looking to keep the party going after Saturday’s football festivities will be able to head downtown for a journey back in time to the ’50s and ’60s.

THE AVENUE | ART AND THEATER

One Love Cafe shows local art

By Rebecca Santana | Sep. 7, 2016

Artisans and craftsmen from all over Alachua County will come together Saturday to showcase their work at the One Love Cafe Craft Show.

THE AVENUE | LIFESTYLE

Mediocre Advice: friends, parties

By Julia Nevins | Sep. 7, 2016

Dear Mediocre,

THE AVENUE | ART AND THEATER

Botanical Gardens to hold Paint Out

By Emma Witmer | Sep. 7, 2016

This weekend, Kanapaha Botanical Gardens will host Paint Out, an annual event in which about 20 local landscape artists join together to create a live painting experience inspired by the gardens around them.

THE AVENUE | MUSIC

The Heavy Pets brings Beatles tribute show to High Dive

By Jeremy Haas | Sep. 7, 2016

Ft. Lauderdale-based quintet The Heavy Pets will be playing a set composed entirely of Beatles covers Friday at High Dive in a tribute show the group affectionately calls “Walrus.”

THE AVENUE | MUSIC

Music Roundup: PartyNextDoor, Travis Scott and more

By Jack DaSilva | Sep. 7, 2016

There have been some incredible releases so far in 2016 and over the past few weeks, several established artists released projects that are definitely worth checking out. Here are some of the best:

THE AVENUE

UF students develop app 'FOMO' for drink specials

By RaSheba Jones | Aug. 31, 2016

If you’ve ever felt like you’ve been missing out on what’s happening around Gainesville, a group of UF students may have developed an app to help.

THE AVENUE | MUSIC

Texas band 'A Giant Dog' to rock the Atlantic on Tuesday

By Jeremy Haas | Aug. 31, 2016

A Giant Dog, a garage-rock band from Austin, Texas, will perform at the Atlantic in downtown Gainesville on Tuesday. This is the band’s only Florida show before its American tour, where the group will soon join popular rock band Titus Andronicus.

THE AVENUE | NIGHTLIFE

The Atlantic to host Beyoncé Dance Party

By Lindsey Crown | Aug. 31, 2016

The return of college football isn’t the only event worth celebrating this weekend in Gainesville: it’s also Beyoncé’s 35th birthday.

THE AVENUE | ART AND THEATER

Hippodrome to hold indie documentary screening Saturday

By Brian Schwartz | Aug. 31, 2016

This Saturday, the Hippodrome State Theatre is holding a test screening of an independent documentary from local film production company Inner Voice Productions. And what better place to showcase a local independent film than a theater at the cultural heart of Gainesville recognized for its art house releases?

THE AVENUE

Labor Daze Fest celebrates with music, food

By Rebecca Santana | Aug. 31, 2016

Five music acts, 50 vendors and lots of Gainesville locals will celebrate Labor Day at Bo Diddley Community Plaza for the fifth annual Labor Daze Fest this weekend. The free festival, which will be held Sunday from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m., has quickly become a Gainesville tradition, with the focus of “by locals, for locals, about locals,” according to the event’s flier.

This image released by Roadside Attractions shows Tika Sumpter, left, and Parker Sawyers in a scene from "Southside With You." (Matt Dinerstein/Miramax and Roadside Attractions via AP)

THE AVENUE | MOVIES AND TV

Review: ‘Southside With You’

By Kelsey Bona | Aug. 31, 2016

With the presidential election drawing near, “Southside With You” manages to escape the sea of Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump yard signs in order to say, “Hey, remember how likable our current president is?”

THE AVENUE | ART AND THEATER

New show "Stage Kiss" coming to Hippodrome on Friday

By Cindy Lu | Aug. 31, 2016

“Stage Kiss,” a new romantic comedy by Sarah Ruhl, will make its debut Friday night at the Hippodrome State Theatre. The show is one in a series of collaborations between the UF School of Theatre + Dance and the Hippodrome.