Mackenzie Haas

the Avenue General Assignment Reporter

Mackenzie Haas is a Media Production, Management, and Technology junior at UF and the Fall 2026 General Assignment reporter. This is her second semester on The Avenue. Mackenzie can be found at the movies, scrapbooking, thrifting, or sending out too many emails.

“Buddy” brings dark humor to the now-familiar world of mascot horror.

Daniela Ortiz

The Avenue

‘Buddy’ delivers all the nostalgic horror of our childhood

By Mackenzie Haas | Sep. 5

Horror movie “Buddy,” directed by Casper Kelly — who’s known for his work on “Too Many Cooks” — released Friday after a successful festival run, where it screened at events like the Sundance Film Festival. It was highly anticipated by theater-goers, especially following the stream of hit horror movies over the summer, like “Obsession,” “Backrooms” and “Leviticus.”

Samm Wehman's artwork will be displayed in Satchel's Pizza's dining area until the end of August.

Isabel Kraby

The Avenue

Samm Wehman Epstein’s pizza shop paintings are the epitome of Gainesville art

By Mackenzie Haas | Aug. 14

Samm Wehman Epstein is one Gainesville-based artist whose work can be found scattered across the entire town. She’s a prime example of how artists are able to be seen and enjoyed by the local community.

University of Florida students, Sophia McDonald and Michelle Wagner, pet Tenders the cat at Tolbert Hall.

Reagan Bresnahan

The Avenue

Meet the cats in the campus cradle

By Mackenzie Haas | Aug. 13

Yes, The Swamp has a rich history of campus kitties. Many cats have gained love from the community and become quite well-known for their lazy lie-downs and loud meows.

Charli XCX released her seventh studio album "Music, Fashion, Film" on July 24, 2026.

Isabel Kraby

The Avenue

‘No one lasts forever,' but Charli XCX is making a legacy in ‘Music, Fashion, Film’

By Mackenzie Haas | July 30

The British pop artist ditched the neons and club classics from her “Brat” era and the literary tones of “Wuthering Heights” and opted for a black-and-white, vulnerable theme in her latest record, “Music, Fashion, Film,” which dropped Friday.

Sweetwater Veterinary Clinic hosts affordable monthly pet vaccinations at Curia on the Drag in Gainesville, Fla.

Mily Moran

The Avenue

Sweetwater Veterinary Clinic helps care for critters without breaking the bank

By Mackenzie Haas | July 17

Sweetwater Veterinary Clinic’s goal is to help keep pet care affordable with monthly pet vaccinations hosted at Curia on the Drag coffee shop, located on Northwest Sixth Street.

The Acrosstown Repertory Theatre performed the musical "Company" this summer. The 14-time-Tony-nominated musical follows the story of a bachelor as he navigates his relationships with his married friends.

Anenaa Kumar

The Avenue

Acrosstown Repertory Theatre draws quite the ‘Company’ with run of sold out shows

By Mackenzie Haas | July 13

The theater held its final weekend of “Company” July 9-12 after continuous sold-out shows of the Tony Award-winning musical. The run comes as a huge success for the ART, a relatively underground performing arts venue in Gainesville.

Dawg the rooster has forced chicken crossing signs to go up at the four-way between the fire station and Walmart in Gainesville, Fla.

Sonaiya Brown

News

Meet Dawg, Gainesville’s cock of the town

By Mackenzie Haas | July 5

Dawg is a silver rooster with a loud crowing — loud enough to be heard over the sound of the fire station's alarms. While he may look lost and aimlessly wandering around, Dawg knows exactly where he is and what he’s doing.

"Joy Comes In The Morning," an acrylic mix media finger painting by Shannon Summerlin, hangs in the Gainesville Fine Arts Association's Summer Showcase exhibit.

Mackenzie Haas

News

Gainesville Fine Arts Association’s Summer Showcase makes a splash in the local art community

By Mackenzie Haas | June 28

The Gainesville Fine Arts Association is hosting its annual summer showcase from June 24 to July 24, which features 70 summer-inspired pieces from local artists.

Dylan Speicher

News

‘Leviticus’ lights up the worlds of queer representation and horror

By Mackenzie Haas | June 23

The highly anticipated indie horror film "Leviticus" released in theaters June 19. The movie comes out at the perfect time, riding on the wave splashed by back-to-back horror movies “Obsession” and “Backrooms.”

Coterie Market storefront sits along W University Avenue, Thursday, June 11, 2026.

Chloe Martin

News

From pop-ups to drive-throughs: Coterie Market is expanding

By Mackenzie Haas | June 19

Coterie Market is branching outward to open a coffee trailer and a second location. The cafe took to social media June 5 to announce its expansion.

Mackenzie Haas

PHOTO

GFAA Summer Showcase

By Mackenzie Haas | June 27

"Joy Comes In The Morning," an acrylic mix media finger painting by Shannon Summerlin, hangs in the Gainesville Fine Arts Association's Summer Showcase exhibit.

Mackenzie Haas

‘Buddy’ delivers all the nostalgic horror of our childhood

Samm Wehman Epstein’s pizza shop paintings are the epitome of Gainesville art

Meet the cats in the campus cradle

‘No one lasts forever,' but Charli XCX is making a legacy in ‘Music, Fashion, Film’

Sweetwater Veterinary Clinic helps care for critters without breaking the bank

Acrosstown Repertory Theatre draws quite the ‘Company’ with run of sold out shows

Meet Dawg, Gainesville’s cock of the town

Gainesville Fine Arts Association’s Summer Showcase makes a splash in the local art community

‘Leviticus’ lights up the worlds of queer representation and horror

From pop-ups to drive-throughs: Coterie Market is expanding

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GFAA Summer Showcase

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