What’s Good® Guide of Weekly Events in Gainesville and Alachua County, August 8-14, 2024
Craft your weekend with a vibrant landscape of live performances and art with What’s Good®. Thursday night, enjoy outdoor music while the sun sets with Ken and Drew from Sister Hazel at Legacy Park in Alachua and on Friday with Stereo Vudu at the Free Fridays Concert Series in Downtown Gainesville. Explore a new collaborative exhibit with the opening reception for “Local Color” at Cypress and Grove Brewing and don’t miss the final Gainesville Community Playhouse performances of “In the Heights” by Lin-Manuel Miranda.
Read on for more of What’s Good®,
Your partners at Visit Gainesville, Alachua County
Be Informed: The below information was accurate at the time of publishing.
Please contact organizers directly to double-check details.
Get Out and Rock with Hits from Ken Block and Drew Copeland, Members of the Platinum-Selling Band Sister Hazel
Thursday, August 8, 6:30 p.m. – 8 p.m. | Legacy Park Amphitheater
15400 Peggy Rd., Alachua, FL 32615
The “Ken and Drew Show” brings rock hits from Sister Hazel to intimate, “miss it and miss out” acoustic shows, reminiscent of their earlier performance days at clubs and coffee shops 30 years ago. Bring a chair or spread a blanket, grab a bite from food vendors onsite and enjoy live music as the sun sets. Admission is free.
Find Creativity and Curiosity on Display at the Opening Reception for “Local Color, a Study of Our Native Flora” Exhibit and Art Walk
Friday, August 9, 4 p.m. – 6 p.m. | Cypress and Grove Brewing Company
1001 NW 4th St., Gainesville, FL 32601
Artists of all ages and abilities display artwork inspired by colors and forms of North Florida. The unique exhibit is a robust collaboration between the artists of Grow Hub, the George Washington Carver Afterschool Science Club, Working Food, UF Health Arts in Medicine and Melissa DeSa.
Sponsored in part by Visit Gainesville, Alachua County
Wind Down Summer with the Harn Museum at Art After Dark, Museum Nights: August Rhapsody
Thursday, August 8, 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. | Harn Museum of Art
3259 Hull Rd., Gainesville, FL 32608
The Harn Museum of Art celebrates the end of summer with improv performances, art activities and light refreshments. Activities include “Resilient Reflections: Honoring the Legacy and Spirit of the Porters Quarters” at 7:15 p.m., summertime blues scavenger hunt, performances by UF School of Music musicians, creating cyanotype prints to take home, and more. Admission is free.
Savor Homemade Mango Ice Cream and Celebrate the 128th Birthday of Pulitzer Prize-Winning Author Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings
Saturday, August 10, 10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. | Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Historic State Park
18700 S CR 325, Cross Creek, FL 32640
The birthday celebration features vintage 1940s music, cupcakes and mango ice cream from the Cross Creek Cookery cookbook. Enjoy a walkthrough of the historic farmhouse.
Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings’ most successful novel The Yearling was awarded the Pulitzer Prize in 1939 and was adapted into film in 1946 resulting in several Oscar nominations.
Don’t Miss the Final Weekend for Summer Hit “In the Heights,” Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Tony-Award Winning, Music-Filled Love Letter to the Community of his Youth
Now through Sunday, August 11 | Gainesville Community Playhouse
4039 NW 16th Blvd., Gainesville, FL 32605
In the Heights, created by Lin-Manuel Miranda, tells the universal story of a vibrant community in New York’s Washington Heights neighborhood – a community on the brink of change, full of hopes, dreams and pressures. Neighborhood residents must decide which traditions to keep and which to leave behind. Reserve tickets at gcplayhouse.org.
Hear a Captivating Voice in Country Music with Matt Mason
Friday, August 9, 8 p.m. | Heartwood Soundstage
619 S Main St., Gainesville, FL 32601
In 2006, the world was introduced to Matt Mason through the hit show, “Nashville Star.” In 2011, after winning CMT’s “Next Superstar,” he signed with Warner Records. After taking a break from the spotlight, Matt Mason returns to country music in 2024 as an independent voice in country music and a seasoned singer-songwriter.
Show Off Some Dance Moves with Funk, Blues and Rock from Stereo Vudu at the Free Fridays Concert Series
Friday, August 9, 7 p.m. – 9 p.m. | Bo Diddley Plaza
Downtown Gainesville
Stereo Vudu performs high-energy blend of funk and rock with incendiary guitar playing. A summer tradition, the Free Fridays Concert Series is the region’s largest and longest-running free outdoor concert series featuring performances on Friday nights in downtown Gainesville. Enjoy food and drinks from nearby cafes and restaurants within walking distance. Admission is free.
Experience Two Worlds with One Ticket. Buy One Get One (BOGO) Admission at Kanapaha Botanical Gardens and Santa Fe College Teaching Zoo
Thursday, August 1 – Sunday, August 18
Kanapaha Botanical Gardens| 4700 SW 58th Dr., Gainesville, FL 32608
Santa Fe College Teaching Zoo | 3000 NW 83rd St., Gainesville, FL 32606
For a limited time, August 1-18, enjoy admission to both Santa Fe College Teaching Zoo and Kanapaha Botanical Gardens. Purchase full-price admission for one venue, receive a free admission voucher for the other venue. Get your BOGO and plan your visit at Kanapaha.org and sfcollege.edu/zoo.
Sponsored in part by Visit Gainesville, Alachua County
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Arts & Theatre
Join an Epic Search for Zeus’ Lightning Bolt at “The Lightning Thief – The Percy Jackson Musical” at Acrosstown Repertory Theatre
Now through Sunday, August 18
Events & Festivals
Gainesville Cars and Coffee at Ford’s Garage
Sunday, August 11, 9 a.m. – 11 a.m.
Music & Performance
Beatles Hits and More with The Impostors Live on the Lawn at Heartwood Soundstage
Thursday, August 8, 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Bluegrass with Boilin’ Oil at Lightnin’ Salvage
Friday, August 9, 6 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Classic Rock with Wild Blue Yonder at One Love Café
Friday, August 9, 6 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Stand-Up Comedy Open Mic at Limelight
Friday, August 9, 7 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Classic Rock with Faster Than Flash at Great Outdoors Restaurant
Friday, August 9, 7 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Indie Noise with Summer is Evil at Civic Media Center
Friday, August 9, 8 p.m.
Bachata Dance Workshop and Social Dancing at Salsa Mundial
Friday, August 9, 8:15 p.m. – 12 a.m.
Metal with Aziria at Loosey’s Downtown
Friday, August 9, 8:30 p.m.
Blues with The Delta Dutchmen at Top Hog Oaks Mall BBQ Bourbon and Blues
Saturday, August 10, 6 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Singer-Songwriter Houston Keen at Codfathers
Saturday, August 10, 6 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Jazz with Cathy DeWitt and Edward White at Beaker and Flask Wine Co.
Saturday, August 10, 7 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Jazz with Swing Theory at Celebration Pointe
Saturday, August 10, 7 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Metal with Nibiru at Heartwood Soundstage
Saturday, August 10, 8 p.m.
Classic Rock with Crooked Counsel at Mother’s Pub and Grill North
Saturday, August 10, 9 p.m. – 1 a.m.
Voice Flute and Viola Tribute to Composter Georg Phillipp Telemann with JoLaine Jones-Pokorney and Nina Kahari at Theatre of Memory
Sunday, August 11, 2 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Skillshare Workshops and Live Music with Michael Claytor at Community Nights at Heartwood Soundstage
Wednesday, August 14, 6 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Craft Breweries
Local craft breweries serve refreshments all summer and make a perfect gathering place after a day on the water or hiking the trails. Enjoy live music and special events. Learn more about the Alachua County Ale Trail at visitgainesville.com/sippinseven. Cheers!
Reggae with 352 Easy Crew at Cypress and Grove Brewing Company
Friday, August 9, 7 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Classic Rock with Crooked Counsel at High Springs Brewing Company
Friday, August 9, 7 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Classic Rock with Shawn Manley at Daft Cow Brewery
Friday, August 9, 7 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Lucky 7 Anniversary Party at Cypress and Grove Brewing Company
Saturday, August 10, 2 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Summer is great time for a Pedal, Paddle, Pub adventure.
Find inspiration at visitgainesville.com
U-Picks and Farmers Markets
Archer Farmers Market at Archer Historical Society Railroad Museum
Tuesdays, 3 p.m. – 7 p.m.
High Springs Farmers Market
Fridays, 3 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Haile Village Farmers Market
Saturdays, 8:30 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Alachua County Farmers Market
Saturdays, 8:30 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Waldo Farmers and Flea Market
Saturdays and Sundays, 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Bites and Brunch
Grand Opening Mi Apá Latin Café in the Oaks Mall
Thursday, August 8, 11 a.m.
Wine Tasting for Ages 21+ at Beaker and Flask Wine Co.
Thursday, August 8, 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Wine Tasting for Ages 21+ at the Traveler Wine Bar
Thursday, August 8, 6:30 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Wine Tasting for Ages 21+ at Superette
Thursday, August 8, 7 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Honey Tasting Experience with The American Honeybee Company at Two Sisters Coffee
Saturday, August 10, 9 a.m. – 11 a.m.
August Wine Tasting Class Series: Austria & Germany at Beaker and Flask Wine Co.
Saturday, August 10, 4:30 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Homemade Italian Dinners at Manfredi’s Italian Food Truck at Laurel Oak Inn
Saturday, August 10, 5 p.m. – 8 p.m.
“Flight to Europe – Italy” Macaron and Wine Pairing at Le Macaron
Saturday, August 10, 7 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Focaccia Bread and Art Baking Class at the Fat Tuscan
Sunday, August 11, 2 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Three Year Anniversary Party at Spurrier’s Gridiron Grille
Monday, August 12, 4 p.m. – 10 p.m.
All beer and wine tasting events are for ages 21+.
Sports & Fans
“Funtastic Fridays” Archery at Easton Newberry Archery Center
Friday, August 9, 5:30 p.m.
Parks & Trails
Free Timed 5K with parkrun at Depot Park
Saturday, August 10, 7:30 a.m.
Museums & Galleries
Museum for Me Sensory-Friendly Event at Florida Museum of Natural History
Sunday, August 11, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Now on Display: Florida: The State of Our Nature Features 14 High-Resolution Images from Collections at the Florida Museum of Natural History
Monday – Saturday, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., Sunday, 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.
View 250 Years of History at the Smithsonian Traveling Exhibit “Voices and Votes: Democracy in America” at the Matheson History Museum
Now through Saturday, September 7
Gainesville and Alachua County was selected to host the Smithsonian Museum on Main Street traveling exhibition. The interactive exhibit explores the American experiment of a government “of, by and for the people” with photographs, objects, film, audio and interactives.
Save The Date
Gainesville Indoor Pickleball Showcase, August 16-18
Brew at the Zoo, August 24
Artwalk Gainesville, August 30
Gators Football vs. Miami, August 31
ARTSPEAKS: Bringing Poetry and People Together, September 8
Gainesville Latino Film Festival, September 12-29
UpStage with Sean Mason Quartet, September 20
For a complete list of events please visit www.visitgainesville.com/events/
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