What’s Good in Gainesville and Alachua County, April 6-12, 2023
Satisfy your senses and your thirst for adventure with What’s Good. Downtown Gainesville is filled with fun and free activities with the Live and Local Free Concert Series on Friday, with the Second Saturday Street Circus, and with the two-day Afro Roots Fest 2023 celebrating the influence of African culture in music and culminating in a spectacular live concert at Bo Diddley Plaza.
Danscompany of Gainesville premieres its new production, State of Wonder, paired with their 40th-anniversary spring concert at the UF Phillips Center. Learn about freshwater springs at the annual Springs Celebration and Olé Chili Cookoff at O’Leno State Park. Conquer the course as a competitor or spectator at Savage Race. See a mystery unfold on stage at the opening weekend of Death by Chocolate at High Springs Playhouse.
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 the Influence of African Culture in Western Music at Afro Roots Fest
Friday, April 7, Workshop Times Vary | UF School of Theatre and Dance
1800 McCarty Dr., Gainesville, FL 32603
Saturday, April 8, 7 p.m. – 10 p.m. | Bo Diddley Plaza
Downtown Gainesville
Afro Roots Fest originated 25 years ago in Miami and has evolved into a nearly two-month celebration taking place across the state.
On Friday, join musicians and experts for a series of song, dance and drum workshops at the University of Florida. Florida residents save 50% with code “FloridaResident” at bit.ly/ARFG2023. There will not be an option to register or pay on the day of the event.
Saturday’s concert at Bo Diddley Plaza is FREE to the public and features Jacare Brazil, UF Afro Pop Ensemble, guest artist Titos Sompa and Odara Conjunto Folklorico. Learn more at www.afrorootsfest.com
Sponsored in part by Visit Gainesville, Alachua County
Learn About Freshwater Springs at the Annual Springs Celebration and Olé Chili Cookoff
Saturday, April 8, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. | O’Leno State Park
410 SE Oleno Park Rd., High Springs, FL 32643
Gather along the Santa Fe River to celebrate the springs and learn how to protect them. Enjoy live music featuring The Weeds of Eden, kids activities, art and craft vendors and environmental exhibits. Starting at 12:30 p.m., test the chili recipes from the Casi-sanctioned Chili Cookoff with a $7 donation and vote for your favorite. Park admission is waived with the donation of a canned good to benefit a local food bank.
Take a Florida Vacation with Magic, Music and Movement at Danscompany’s State of Wonder and 40thAnniversary Spring Concert
Saturday, April 8, 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. | UF Phillips Center
3201 Hull Rd., Gainesville, FL 32611
The 40th Spring Concert features jazz, lyrical and hiphop dances premiering alongside the show State of Wonder, highlighting Florida nature and wildlife. Join a fictional journey with a young Marj who explores a magical world inspired by the works of activist and author Marjory Stoneman Douglas.
Graphic design by Mary Ferris Hyde
Sponsored in part by Visit Gainesville, Alachua County
Dance to Your Own Groove at Jazz on the Green with Gruv Therapy
Saturday, April 8, 7 p.m. – 9 p.m. | Celebration Pointe
4949 Celebration Pointe Ave., Gainesville, FL 32608
The Gruv Therapy band blends jazz, R&B and instrumental funk. As the sun sets, spread a blanket or pull up a chair and enjoy live music on the promenade. Enjoy food, drinks and sweet treats from nearby restaurants.
Race to Overcome Obstacles at Savage Race
Saturday, April 8, 9 a.m. | Rembert Farms
13014 NW 174th Ave., Alachua, FL 32615
Registration includes custom medals, action photos, a finish-line beer or beverage and more. The Gainesville Savage Race features the industry-leading obstacle course, a shorter Savage Blitz, a SavageJr course and divisions for SavagePRO competitors. Want to cheer on Savage Racers? Click here for spectator passes.
Sponsored in part by Visit Gainesville, Alachua County
Rock Out with Up-and-Coming Musicians at the Live and Local Concert Series Teen Band Showcase
Friday, April 7, 7 p.m. – 9 p.m. | Bo Diddley Plaza
Downtown Gainesville
The outdoor music showcase features rising local talent including Breakfast For Dinner, Princess Charming, Amarissa Nicole, Amber Mackenzie, Grant Gravlee, venturé, PRIZILLA, JaydaDrums, Wyatt Johnson, Idiots Anonymous, Madi Wallace and Buboy. Admission is free.
See a Murder Mystery Unfold at the Stage Production of Death By Chocolate
Thursday, April 7 – Sunday, April 30, High Springs Playhouse
23416 W US Hwy 27, High Springs, FL 32643
Members of the newly renovated Meadowbrook Health Resort are dropping like flies, including famed chef Edith Chiles. It’s up to John Stone, the manager, to find the cause and the murderer. Delightfully sarcastic and cynical, Stone finds himself teaming up with mystery writer and amateur sleuth Ed Parlor in a wacky race against time. The clues point to a sinister box of chocolates, and the suspects include all the outlandish characters working for the resort.
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Pop-Up Markets
Music, Local Vendors, Plants and More at Grow Hub Spring Pop-Up Shop
Saturday, April 8, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Vintage Fashion and Retro Vendors at Flashbacks Pop-Up Market
Saturday, April 8, 12 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Shop local boutiques and national brands at Butler Enterprises, Celebration Pointe, The Oaks Mall and Shoppes at Thornebrook.
Arts & Theatre
Experience the Rise of “The Dreams” at the Tony Award-Winning Broadway Musical Dreamgirls at Gainesville Community Playhouse
Now through Sunday, April 16
A young female singing trio from Chicago get their big break at an amateur competition and attempt to make it in the entertainment business. Gospel, R&B, pop and disco provide a backdrop for the tumultuous rise to fame with themes of ambition, hope and betrayal.
Aladdin Jr. Youth Musical at Star Center Theatre
Friday, March 31 – Saturday, April 8
Events & Festivals
Movie on the Lawn: “Hop” at Newberry Barry Park
Friday, April 7, 6:30 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Family Fishing Day at UF/IFAS Fishing Ponds
Saturday, April 8, 8 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Charity Ride for Girls Can Do IT Too Inc. at Gainesville Harley-Davidson
Saturday, April 8, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Cooking Tongs Blacksmithing Workshop at [Fe]ver Metal Art Center
Saturday, April 8, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Free 2nd Saturday Street Circus in Downtown Gainesville Saturday, April 8, 4 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Local Foraging Basics Class and Urban Plant Walk at Civic Media Center
Saturday, April 8, 12 p.m. – 2 p.m.
Gainesville Cars and Coffee at Butler Town Center
Sunday, April 9, 9 a.m. – 11 a.m.
Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Workshop at Alachua County Ag Auditorium
Tuesday, April 11, 3 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Music & Performance
Rock and Roll with Nick Dittmeier and The Sawdusters at Loosey’s Downtown
Thursday, April 6, 7 p.m.
Drag King Monster Ball at The Wooly
Thursday, April 6, 9 p.m.
Jazz Night with The Oak Duo at 4th Ave Food Park
Friday, April 7, 5 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Soul, Jazz and R&B with The Browns at Lightnin’ Salvage
Friday, April 7, 6 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Classic Rock with Couch Messiahs at One Love Café
Friday, April 7, 6 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Singer-Songwriters Abe Partridge, Cat Ridgeway and Rachel Grubb at Heartwood Soundstage
Friday, April 7, 6:30 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Electric-Folk with Hudost and Guitarist Richy Stano at Tioga Concert Night
Friday, April 7, 7 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Indie Rock with Mustard Service at High Dive
Friday, April 7, 8 p.m.
Dueling Pianos at The Keys Grill and Piano Bar
Friday, April 7, 9 p.m. – 12:30 a.m.
Pedal Steel Alt-Folk with June Star at Lightnin’ Salvage
Saturday, April 8, 6 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Music Producer and Rap Artist Major Nine at Levels Lounge
Saturday, April 8, 9 p.m. – 2 a.m.
Porch Swing Jazz at 4th Ave Food Park
Sunday, April 9, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Beatles Brunch Music with The Impostors at One Love Café
Sunday, April 9, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Blues and Country with Austin Meade at High Dive
Tuesday, April 11, 7 p.m.
UF Chinese Ensemble Concert at UF School of Music
Tuesday, April 11, 7:20 p.m. – 8:20 p.m.
Indie Live Outdoor Concert Series with Jordy Searcy at Heartwood Soundstage
Wednesday, April 12, 6 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Jacaré Brazil Concert at UF School of Music
Wednesday, April 12, 7:20 p.m. – 8:20 p.m.
UF Men’s Glee Club / Women’s Choral Concert at University Auditorium
Wednesday, April 12, 7:20 p.m. – 8:20 p.m.
Craft Breweries
Americana with The Front Porch Backsteppers at Cypress and Grove Brewing Company
Friday, April 7, 7 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Friday Night Jam with Seth Dukes at Daft Cow Brewery
Friday, April 7, 6:30 p.m.
Jam Rock with Tamayo at Swamp Head Brewery
Saturday, April 8, 5 p.m.
Reggae Sunday at Cypress and Grove Brewing Company
Sunday, April 9, 4 p.m.
Acoustic Covers with Pair O Docs at Cypress and Grove Brewing Company
Wednesday, April 12, 6 p.m.
U-Picks & Farmers Markets
U-Pick Strawberries at The Bryer Patch
Friday, April 7 – Saturday, April 8, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
U-Pick Strawberries at Crossroads Farm and Apiary
Friday, April 7, – Saturday, April 8, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
U-Pick Blueberries at Aunt Zelma’s Blueberries
Open Friday, Saturday and Sunday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
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 Featuring Live Music
Thursdays, 4 p.m. – 7 p.m.
High Springs Farmers Market
Fridays, 3 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Alachua County Farmers Market
Saturdays, 8:30 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Newberry Farmers Market
Saturdays, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Haile Village Farmers Market
Saturdays, 8:30 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Experience Diverse Cultures through Heritage Foods at the Roots and Herbs Festival at Haile Farmers Market
Saturday, April 8, 8:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Waldo Farmers Market
Saturdays and Sundays, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Toomey Tools 14th Annual Kidsfest at the Waldo Farmers and Flea Market
Saturday, April 8, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Bites and Brunch
Cake Sale with Bushel and Peck at Serpentine Plants and Provisions
Thursday, April 6, 5 p.m. – 8 p.m.
(sold out) Making Flavored Pasta and Sauce Cooking Class at The Fat Tuscan
Thursday, April 6, 6 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Wine Tasting at Superette Wine and Provisions
Thursday, April 6, 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Wine Tasting at Beaker and Flask
Thursday, April 6, 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Oysters and Bubbles at Superette Wine and Provisions
Saturday, April 8, 4 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Easter Brunch at Best Western Gateway Grand
Sunday, April 9, 10:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Easter Brunch at Sweetwater Branch Inn
Sunday, April 9, 11 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Easter Sunday Brunch at Covey Kitchen + Cocktails
Sunday, April 9, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Easter Menu at Pomodoro Café
Sunday, April 9, 11 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Easter Menu at Spurrier’s Gridiron Grille
Sunday, April 9, 3 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Easter Brunch with Eddy’s Patty at Bragging Rights
Sunday, April 9, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Sports
Gators Softball vs. Auburn at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium
Thursday, April 6, 6 p.m.
Friday, April 7, 6 p.m.
Saturday, April 8, 1 p.m.
Gators Men’s Tennis vs. Georgia at Alfred A. Ring Tennis Complex
Sunday, April 9, 12 p.m.
Gators Baseball vs. FSU at Condron Family Ballpark
Tuesday, April 11, 6 p.m.
Gators Softball vs. UNF at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium
Wednesday, April 12, 6 p.m.
Funtastic Fridays Archery at Easton Newberry Archery Center
Friday, March 31, 5 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Gainesville 94 Feet of Heat Basketball Tournament at Legacy Park Multipurpose Center
Friday, April 7 – Sunday, April 9
“Run your Buns Off” 5K, 10K, Half Marathon and Marathon at Gainesville-Hawthorne Trail East Trailhead
Saturday, April 8, 7 a.m – 12 p.m.
2nd Annual Mary Kay Golf Tournament at Turkey Creek Golf
Saturday, April 8, 8 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Mega Test and Tune Drag Racing at Gainesville Raceway
Saturday, April 8, 8 a.m.
RC Racing at Newberry RC Park
Saturday, April 8, 12 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Annual Race for Life at High Springs BMX
Saturday, April 8, 2:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Gainesville Roller Derby: All-Stars vs. Sunshine City Roller Derby at MLK Center
Saturday, April 8, 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Parks & Trails
Accessible Tram Tours at Sweetwater Wetlands Park, Ongoing, Check for Availability
Thursday, April 6, 12 p.m. – 1 p.m.
Tuesday, April 11, 12 p.m. – 1 p.m.
Free Timed 5K at Depot Park parkrun
Saturday, April 8, 7:30 a.m.
Rim Ramble Ranger-Led Adventure at Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park
Saturday, April 8, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
First Annual Firefly Encounter at O’Leno State Park
Saturday, April 8, 8 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Wednesday Bird Walks at the Wetlands at Sweetwater Wetlands Park
Wednesday, April 12, 8:30 a.m. – 11 a.m.
River & Springs
Paddle 8 Springs in 8 Miles or Slowly Float Down the Santa Fe River at Poe Springs Park with Anderson’s Outdoor Adventures
Friday – Sunday, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Float or Splash Into Freshwater Springs
North Florida is home to the largest collection of first-magnitude springs in the United States.
Museums & Galleries
Museum Days: Pose! at the Harn Museum of Art
Saturday, April 8, 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.
UF BFA Graduate Exhibitions at GFAA
Now through Saturday, April 22
Now on View at the Harn Museum of Art: Posing Beauty in African American Culture at the Harn Museum of Art
Tuesdays – Wednesdays, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., Thursdays, 10 a.m. – 9 p.m., Fridays – Saturdays, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., Sundays, 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Posing Beauty in African American Culture explores the ways in which African and African American beauty has been represented in historical and contemporary contexts through a diverse range of media including photography, video, fashion and advertising.
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.
Photo courtesy Florida Museum / Jeff Gage
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
Gators Football Orange and Blue Game, April 13
Bard and Broadside Poetry Festival, April 13-16
Shakespeare’s The Tempest by Acrosstown Repertory Theatre, April 14
The Gainesville Orchestra, Meredith Willson’s The Music Man, April 14 – 15
The Big Sho’, April 15
Party for the Planet at Santa Fe College Teaching Zoo, April 15-16
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.
