What’s Good Guide of Weekly Events in Gainesville and Alachua County, July 13-26, 2023
Add cool weekend events and make the most of your summer with What’s Good. Glam up your evening with the opening weekend of Kinky Boots at the Gainesville Community Playhouse. Go behind the music with the new exhibit “Tom Petty: Among the Wildflowers” at the Cade Museum.
Learn what it takes to care for animals at Zookeeper Day at the Santa Fe College Teaching Zoo. Raise a glass and celebrate the 4-year anniversary of High Springs Brewing Company.
Read on for more of What’s Good.
Be safe and be well,
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.
Celebrate Life with Glitter, Glam and a Whole Lot of Sole at the Opening Weekend of Kinky Boots
Friday, July 21 – Sunday, August 13 | Gainesville Community Playhouse
4039 NW 16 Blvd., Gainesville, FL 32605
The inspiring story follows Charlie, who inherited his father’s nearly bankrupt shoe factory and Lola, a fabulous entertainer in need of some sturdy stilettos. Together they find they have more in common than they realized… and discover that when you change your mind, you can change your whole world! The Tony Award-winning show is inspired by a true story and features a Grammy-winning musical score by Cyndi Lauper. Sponsored in part by Visit Gainesville, Alachua County
Go Behind-the-Scenes with a Rock and Roll Hall of Famer at the new Exhibit “Tom Petty: Among the Wildflowers”
Opening Saturday, July 22, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. | Cade Museum for Creativity and Invention
811 S Main St., Gainesville, FL 32601
Tom Petty: Among the Wildflowers explores the joys, pains, and creative awakenings that Gainesville native Tom Petty experienced while pouring his soul into his magnum opus, Wildflowers, released in November 1994. The exhibit includes artifacts previously on display at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio.
Explore three unique aspects of the Wildflowers creative process: songwriting, recording, and reception and delivery. The exhibit runs through December 31.
Learn What it Takes to Keep the Zoo Going at Zookeeper Day
Saturday, July 22, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. | Santa Fe College Teaching Zoo
3000 NW 83 St. Building Z, Gainesville, FL 32606
Zookeepers are chefs, care takers, builders, scientists, researchers, conservationists, engineers, architects and more. Participate in activities to see if you have what it takes to be a zookeeper, meet animal ambassadors, enjoy keeper talks, training demonstrations, and meet with representatives from other zoos and conservation organizations.
Gainesville is home to the only teaching zoo on a college campus accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums in the nation, training future zookeepers in the highest standards of animal care.
Kick Back with Classic Rock from Crooked Counsel at the Free Fridays Concert Series
Friday, July 21, 7 p.m. – 9 p.m. | Bo Diddley Plaza
Downtown Gainesville
The region’s largest and longest-running free outdoor concert series features performances each Friday night through August 25. Enjoy food and drinks from nearby cafes and restaurants within walking distance. Admission is free.
Cheers to 4 Years! Join the High Springs Brewing Company Anniversary Celebration
Saturday, July 22, 12 p.m. – 11:55 p.m. | High Springs Brewing Company
18562 NW 237th St., High Springs, FL 32643
In celebration of 4 years of crafting flavorful brews, High Springs Brewing Company hosts a day of fun with a tie-dye tent, food trucks and live music. Grab a bite from 29:11 BBQ in the afternoon followed by Monsta Lobsta in the evening, paired with live music from Trevor Ellis and Shawn Manley. Learn more about the brewery and browse merch online at highspringsbrewing.com
Visit us at the Sippin’ Seven Alachua County Ale Trail booth for a Mobile Merch Pop-up and Merch Madness
Join the Sippin’ Seven Alachua County Ale Trail Digital Pass and opt in to receive Alachua County’s bi-weekly craft beer focused newsletter.
(SOLD OUT) Storytelling Heats Up with Guts and Glory GNV at Words That Sting
Saturday, July 22, 7 p.m. | The Wooly
20 N Main St., Gainesville, FL 32601
Guts and Glory GNV curates and evening with storytellers for this summer show. Hear riveting, funny and dramatic stories about being burned, things going up in flames or just being stung by life.
Meet Photographers of Hippodrome Theatre Plays
Friday, July 21, 6:30 p.m. – 8 p.m. | Former Media Image Studio (next-door to the Hippodrome)
21 SE 2nd Place, Gainesville, FL
Author Richard Gartee is joined by Randy Batista, Michael Eaddy, John Moran, and Gary Wolfson, four distinguished photographers who captured the moments on the Hippodrome stage over the course of fifty years and 440 theatrical productions. Richard Gartee discusses the decision process in selecting 428 photos that illustrate The Hippodrome Theatre First Fifty Years, and the effort required to track down and restore many of the older photos.
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Pop-Up Markets and Retail Shopping
End of Summer Kids Event at Bass Pro Shops
Saturday, July 22, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Vintage Clothing Pop-Up with Panthera Pines at 108 Vine
Saturday, July 22, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Arts & Theatre
Trouble in Mind at Star Center Theatre
Friday, July 14 – Sunday, July 23
Black Like He, A Theatrical Experience at UF Phillips Center
Friday, July 21, 7:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
The Alligators Sang All Night with Acrosstown Repertory Theatre
Saturday, July 22, 6 p.m. – 7 p.m. at Acrosstown Repertory Theatre
Sunday, July 23, 10 a.m. – 11 a.m. at 4th Ave Food Park
Response & Recovery: An Artists’ Talk at UF College of the Arts
Sunday, July 23, 3 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Drag, Burlesque, and Electrifying performances at Scene Queens in the Hippodrome Theatre Basement
Monday, July 24, 7 p.m.
View the Upcoming UF Performing Arts Schedule and Save the Dates! Ticket Sales for the 2023-2024 Season Begin August 26
Events & Festivals
UF/IFAS 24th Annual Livestock and Forages Field Day at Santa Fe River Ranch
Thursday, July 20, 8:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Drink and Draw Jam with Sequential Artists Workshop at Boxcar Wine and Beer Garden
Thursday, July 20, 7 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Fiber Arts Circle at Good News Arts
Friday, July 21, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Author David Elliot at Third House Books
Friday, July 21, 6:30 p.m.
Gators Humans vs. Zombies Curse of the Vampire Mega-Invitational Nerf Battle at University of Florida
Saturday, July 22, 10 a.m. – 9:30 p.m., Sunday, July 23, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Intro to Screenprinting with Stencils at Paradise Press and Print Studio
Saturday, July 22, 1 p.m. – 3 p.m.
(sold out) Single Day Knife Blacksmithing Workshop at Crooked Path Forge
Saturday, July 22, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Lego Build It Day at Repurpose Project
Sunday, July 23, 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Music & Performance
Americana with Wild Shiners at Lightnin’ Salvage
Thursday, July 20, 6 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Punk Songs with a Country Twist, Austin Lucas – Reinventing Against Me! with Have Gun Will Travel, Rancho La Chua and Danny Hughes at Loosey’s Downtown
Thursday, July 20, 8 p.m.
Rock, Folk and Electronic Music with Tamayo at High Dive
Thursday, July 20, 8 p.m.
Classic Rock with Enlightened Rogues at One Love Café
Friday, July 21, 6 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Rock and Country with Westfall at Kiss 105.3 FM Concert Series at Celebration Pointe
Friday, July 21, 6 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Country with Austin Hunter at Beaker and Flask Wine Co.
Friday, July 21, 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Classic Rock and Country with Doc Adams at the Great Outdoors Restaurant
Friday, July 21, 7 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Rock and Country with Houston Keen at Tioga Town Center Concert Night
Friday, July 21, 7 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Contra Dancing with Music from The New Southern Broadcasters at Gainesville Health and Fitness Center Main Aerobics Room
Friday, July 21, 7 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Singer-Songwriter Matt Stanland from Wild Pines at The Bull
Friday, July 21, 8 p.m.
Indie with Cannibal Kids at High Dive
Friday, July 21, 8 p.m.
Hard Rock with Reconciler and You Vandal at Loosey’s Downtown
Friday, July 21, 8 p.m.
Natalie Rella Jazz Ensemble at Baby J’s Bar
Friday, July 21, 8 p.m.
Ritual Returns: Goth Dance Night with DJs Drew Love, Mister Obsidian, and Das Toy at The Wooly
Friday, July 21, 10 p.m.
Dueling Pianos with Leon Novembre and Ingrid Rey at The Keys Grill and Piano Bar
Friday, July 21 – Saturday, July 22, 9 p.m. – 12 a.m.
Colombian Independence Dance Celebration at Simons
Saturday, July 22, 10 p.m. – 2 a.m.
We Rock Gainesville Camper Showcase with Musicians Ages 10-13 at High Dive
Saturday, July 22, 3:30 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Blues and Rock with Moondog at One Love Café
Saturday, July 22, 6 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Upbeat Bluegrass with The Wandering Hours at Lightnin’ Salvage
Saturday, July 22, 6 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Quincy Allen Flint & The New Folk Revival at Heartwood Soundstage
Saturday, July 22, 7 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Swamp Records Local Artist Showcase with Israel Jones, FARO, The Housing Crisis, Cole Terry, Purple Kloud, Venturé and LUVXR at High Dive
Saturday, July 22, 8 p.m.
Metal with Aziria at Loosey’s Downtown
Saturday, July 22, 8 p.m.
Pop Punk and Emo Night of Gainesville at Vivid Music Hall
Saturday, July 22, 10 p.m. – 2 a.m.
Classic Rock with Crooked Counsel at the Great Outdoors Restaurant
Saturday, July 22, 7 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Indie with Aisle 14 at The Bull
Saturday, July 22, 8 p.m.
Craft Breweries
There’s nothing better than an ice-cold pint on a hot summer day – except for when that pint comes with free cool merch.
Join Billy the Bison and thousands of craft-beer lovers on the Sippin’ Seven Alachua Ale Trail.
Learn more and sign up for free at VisitGainesville.com/sippinseven.
Click here and check out the most recent edition of the Sippin’ Seven On Tap newsletter featuring an interview with Chris Hart of Blackadder Brewing Company and fun upcoming events.
Jazz Night with the Nick DeCarlis Trio at Daft Cow Brewery
Thursday, July 20, 7 p.m. – 9 p.m.
A Taste of Belgium with Belgian Beers and Food from Strega Nona’s Oven at Blackadder Brewing Company
Friday, July 21, 4 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Country with Austin Hunter at Daft Cow Brewery
Friday, July 21, 7 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Tequila Sunrise Sunday at Blackadder Brewing Company
Sunday, July 23, 12 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Summer Brunch Party with Cinema Verde at Cypress and Grove Brewing Company
Sunday, July 23, 12 p.m. – 3 p.m.
U-Picks & Farmers Markets
Grove Street Farmers Market with Live Music
Mondays, 4 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Archer Farmers Market Spring Plant Sale at Archer Historical Society Railroad Museum
Tuesday, March 7, 3 p.m. – 7 p.m.
GNV Market at South Main Station
Thursdays, 5 p.m. – 8 p.m.
High Springs Farmers Market
Fridays, 3 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Summer of Festivals with Kids Activities at Alachua County Farmer’s Market
Saturday, July 22, 8:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Newberry Farmers Market
Saturdays, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Haile Village Farmers Market
Saturdays, 8:30 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Waldo Farmers Market
Saturdays and Sundays, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Bites and Brunch
Reserve Your Seat at Upcoming Cooking Classes at The Fat Tuscan
Now Open: Sweetberries Eatery and Frozen Custard
619 NW 5th Ave., Gainesville, FL 32601
Loire Valley French Wine Tasting with Uppercrust
Saturday, July 22, 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. at Uppercrust
Sunday, July 23, 1 p.m. – 3 p.m. at Petit Uppercrust
Kadoul Haitian Cuisine Pop-up at Germain’s Chicken Sandwich
Sunday, July 23, 5 p.m. – sellout
5 Year Anniversary Celebration at MidiCi The Neapolitan Pizza Company
Tuesday, July 25 – Sunday, July 31
5 Year Anniversary Celebration at MidiCi The Neapolitan Pizza Company
Tuesday, July 25 – Sunday, July 31
Sports
GNV Cornhole Tournament at Celebration Pointe
Thursday, July 20, 6 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Funtastic Fridays Archery at Easton Newberry Archery Center
Friday, July 21, 5 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Backwards K Softball Showcase at Champions Park
Friday, July 21 – Sunday, July 23
Friday Street Legal Madness Drag Racing at Gainesville Raceway
Friday, July 21, 6 p.m.
Saturday Insanity Drag Racing at Gainesville Raceway
Saturday, July 22, 8 a.m.
2023 Heat, Heart and Head Sports Injury Prevention Symposium with UF Health Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine at the Gator F Club at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium
Saturday, July 22, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Play Pickleball During Open Play Sessions at the Alachua County Sports and Events Center
Thursday, July 20, 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. – 10 p.m., Tuesday, July 25, 6 p.m. – 10 p.m., Wednesday, July 26, 6 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Take a swing at the fastest growing sport! Pickleball is a combination of table-tennis, badminton and real tennis that is fun and easy to play for beginners and becomes very competitive at its highest levels. The Alachua County Sports and Event Center and Raddsports host drop-in open play sessions during the week where you can walk up and play on the brand-new indoor courts. Bring your own equipment or borrow a loaner paddle.
Stay up to date with Raddsports Pickleball on Facebook and Instagram
Registration Ends Wednesday, July 19 for the 6th Annual Pickleball Showcase at the Alachua County Sports and Event Center
Parks & Trails
Accessible Tram Tours at Sweetwater Wetlands Park, Ongoing, Check for Availability
Friday, July 21, 12 p.m. – 1 p.m.
Wednesday, July 26, 3 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Free Timed 5K at Depot Park parkrun
Saturday, July 22, 7:30 a.m.
Friends of Paynes Prairie Speaker Series with Darby Guyn from Sweetwater Wetlands Park
Thursday, July 20, 6 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
River & Springs
Launch Your Canoe, Kayak or Stand-Up Paddleboard for Free at Santa Fe Canoe Outpost
Explore Natural Wonders with Anderson’s Outdoor Adventure and Visit 8 Springs in 8 Miles with Anderson’s Outdoor Adventures
Friday – Sunday, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Fed by the underground Floridan Aquifer, North Florida has one of the highest concentrations of springs in the world. Anderson’s Outdoor Adventure offers an easy way to experience 8 springs in 8 miles. Paddle along the Santa Fe River in a canoe or kayak and experience crystal clear water, see native wildlife and relax in a tranquil nature setting.
Float or Splash Into Freshwater Springs
North Florida is home to the largest collection of first-magnitude springs in the United States.
Museums & Galleries
Now on View at the Harn Museum of Art, “Under the Spell of the Palm Tree: The Rice Collection of Cuban Art”
Now through January 7, 2024
Folk with Il Gato and Collin Whitlock at GFAA
Thursday, July 20, 7 p.m.
Art After Dark at the Harn Museum of Art
Thursday, July 20, 5 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Goodbye Horses A Group Art Show in Downtown Gainesville at The Top Secret Event Space
Friday, July 21 – Saturday, July 22, 7 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Family Discovery Camp: Spiders at Florida Museum of Natural History
Saturday, July 22, 9 a.m. – 11 a.m.
July is GNV Museum Month
Take a break from the heat this summer and learn about history, science, nature, culture and the arts at a local museum.
Apparallel and John Ward: Behind the Seen at The Historic Thomas Center
Now through Friday, September 8
Get Up Close and Explore the World of Arachnids at Spiders Alive! at the Florida Museum of Natural History
With more than a dozen live species from around the world, the new exhibit dives into the world of spiders, scorpions and their relatives. Featured animals on display include the Asian Forest Scorpion, Brazilian Red and White Tarantula, Southern Black Widow, Wolf Spider and more. Go hands-on with large touchable models revealing a closer look at spider anatomy. Plan your visit online.
New at the Matheson History Museum, We Are Here: Stories from Multilingual Speakers in North Central Florida
Museum Hours: Wednesday – Saturday, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Discover a Unique African American Culture at Gullah Geechee – African Connections and Cultural Traditions in America at the Cotton Club Museum and Cultural Center
Open Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Save The Date
Artwalk Gainesville Self-Guided Art Tour, July 28
Free Fridays Concert Series Waxwings and American Dream Survivors, July 28
Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Birthday Celebration at Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Historic State Park, August 5
6th Annual Gainesville Indoor Pickleball Showcase, August 4-6
Kulaqua River Ranch Community Day, August 13
Baturdays of Summer at Lubee Bat Conservancy, August 26
For a complete list of events please visit www.visitgainesville.com/events/
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This publication contains information about events, venues and activities in Alachua County, Florida. Reasonable efforts have been made to ensure the information is accurate. We are not responsible for errors or omissions in the information provided. For complete details, contact the host directly. The information is not advice, and should not be treated as such. Without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing paragraph, we do not represent, warrant, undertake or guarantee that the information is correct, accurate, complete or non-misleading. We will not be liable to you in respect of any special, indirect or consequential loss or damage. If a section of this disclaimer is determined by any court or other competent authority to be unlawful and/or unenforceable, the other sections of this disclaimer continue in effect.
