Veronica Nocera

Staff Writer

Veronica Nocera is a third-year journalism major, history minor and The Avenue editor. She spent two semesters reporting arts and culture for The Alligator and also writes for Rowdy Magazine. When she’s not writing, she’s probably reading, journaling or taping random pictures to her wall. Also, she’ll probably be wearing yellow.

Thousands of students, parents, children and Gainesville residents gathered in Bo Diddley Plaza Oct. 22 for Gainesville Pride Festival’s grand return. The festival was canceled in 2020 and 2021 because of the COVID-19 pandemic, but attendees came back in full force — adorned in all colors of the rainbow and representing all sectors of the LGBTQ community.

THE AVENUE | LIFESTYLE

Gainesville Pride Festival returns for the first time since 2019

By Heather Bushman and Veronica Nocera | Oct. 24

Thousands of students, parents, children and Gainesville residents gathered in Bo Diddley Plaza Oct. 22 for Gainesville Pride Festival’s grand return. The festival was canceled in 2020 and 2021 because of the COVID-19 pandemic, but attendees came back in full force — adorned in all colors of the rainbow and representing all sectors of the LGBTQ community.

Lorenzo Vasquez

ELECTION | ALACHUA

Republican politicians suggest ‘voter suppression’ during Alachua County primary election

By Aurora Martínez , Lucille Lannigan , Veronica Nocera , Averi Kremposky and Lauren Brensel | Aug. 24

State Sen. Keith Perry, R-Ocala, released a statement after polls closed “regarding Alachua County Voter Suppression.” Multiple Alachua County precincts in both Newberry and High Springs went without Republican ballots for several hours, the statement read.

Makena Vargo (left) and James Bilderback (right) act out a scene from Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet on the Reitz Union North Lawn during the event hosted by UF Shakespeare in the Park on Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021.

Esha Nair

THE AVENUE | ART AND THEATER

Student actors shake up Shakespeare at Reitz

By Veronica Nocera | Dec. 6, 2021

UF's Shakespeare in the Park Fall Selected Scenes showcase was a celebration of Shakespeare in popular culture. The performance on Dec. 4 and 5 featured notable scenes from adaptations of Shakespeare works alongside corresponding scenes from the original plays.

The "Better than Black Friday" market encouraged attendees to shop local and buy from Gainesville vendors.

THE AVENUE | LIFESTYLE

Market encourages customers to shop local this holiday season

By Veronica Nocera | Nov. 22, 2021

Sitting Swan hosted the "Better than Black Friday" market at 4th Ave Food Park Friday. More than 15 local vendors gathered in the outdoor area, selling art and thrifted clothing alongside the park’s existing food vendors.

Amarisa Harrison-Conwill, (left) 5, and her father Mo Harrison-Conwill (right) draw during the 40th Downtown Festival & Art Show at Bo Diddley Plaza on Sunday, Nov. 7, 2021. "Daddy's an artist," Amarisa said.

Kiara Cline

THE AVENUE | ART AND THEATER

‘Inviting the Gaze’: Figure on Diversity spotlights diverse bodies with outdoor drawing series

By Veronica Nocera | Nov. 8, 2021

Local arts project Figure on Diversity launched Figure Drawing in the Parks. The series started outside Bo Diddley Plaza at the Downtown Festival & Art Show Nov. 7 with a two-hour figure drawing session featuring two models.

Attendees gather in line outside of the Friends of the Library book sale on Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021. Most of the people in the line had been waiting for at least two hours.

Alan Halaly

THE AVENUE | LIFESTYLE

Friends of the Library sale gives thousands of books ‘new life’

By Veronica Nocera | Oct. 25, 2021

Friends of the Library hosted its first in-person book sale since Fall 2019 Oct. 23, kicking off the five-day comeback event that will last until Oc. 27.

Screenings at the Matheson History Museum and the Civic Media Center will run from Oct. 21 to Oct. 23.

Melanie Pena

THE AVENUE | MOVIES AND TV

Gainesville uses film to preserve the LGBTQ community’s legacy

By Veronica Nocera | Oct. 14, 2021

The Matheson History Museum and Civic Media Center are commemorating LBGT History Month with a series of film screenings. The screenings will take place between Oct. 21 and Oct. 23 and feature several important films from LGBT history.

Mario Marauak, a Brazilian reggae singer, performs at Heartwood Soundstage on Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021.

Alan Halaly

THE AVENUE | MUSIC

Gainesville celebrates Jamaican culture with reggae festival

By Veronica Nocera | Sep. 27, 2021

The Gainesville Reggae Festival took place, which took place at Heartwood Soundstage Sept. 25, was the first of its kind at the music venue. From 5 p.m. to nearly midnight, guests listened to live reggae music, indulged in Jamaican cuisine and browsed booths from local vendors.

The artwork of Avery Bender, 35, owner of Phantom Fiber Wares, hangs for sale inside Auk Market on Wednesday, Sept. 15, 2021. Each fiber-based work takes anywhere from 15 to 60 hours to create.

Alan Halaly

THE AVENUE | LIFESTYLE

Gainesville native brings rug making to local art scene

By Veronica Nocera | Sep. 20, 2021

After working on the crafts for close to a year, local artist Avery Bender is featuring handmade rugs at The AUK Market, a mixed-vendor marketplace located at Curia on the Drag. The exhibition opened Sept. 10 and will stay up through the beginning of October.

"Sleeptalker," the first EP from the Driptones, dropped Sept. 10.

Manna Robertson

THE AVENUE | MUSIC

Doze off with the Driptones’ new EP

By Veronica Nocera | Sep. 13, 2021

“Sleeptalker,” the Gainesville band’s first EP, dropped Sept. 10 at midnight. The collection is made up of six songs total, two of which function as shorter interludes.