What’s Good in Gainesville and Alachua County, March 17-23, 2022
Fly into the spring season with a weekend full of colorful plants, aircraft on display, farm tours, live theatre and more. Kanapaha Botanical Gardens hosts its annual Spring Garden Festival on Saturday and Sunday. Get up close to a variety of aircraft at Gator Fly-In and Armed Services Appreciation day at University Air Center.
Live theatre takes to the stage with the weekend premieres of The Producers at Gainesville Community Playhouse and The Full Monty at Acrosstown Repertory Theatre. Bring the family to learn where milk comes from at Family Day at the Dairy Farm. Mix, mingle and have an amazing evening at the Cade Museum at Cade After Dark. Meet artists and browse artwork at High Springs Artwalk.
☘ Look for shamrock icons for St. Patrick’s Day events. Read on for more of What’s Good!
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Be Informed.
The below information was accurate at the time of publishing. Due to the current fluctuating environment, please contact organizers directly to double-check details.
Individual businesses in Alachua County may have masking and distancing requirements at their private establishments. We encourage you to become familiar with businesses, venues and attractions you intend to visit and to reach out directly to these establishments should you have questions regarding their current public health and safety procedures.
Celebrate the Spring Season with Colorful Plants, Food and Entertainment at the Annual Spring Garden Festival
Saturday, March 19 – Sunday, March 20, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. | Kanapaha Botanical Gardens
4700 SW 58th Dr., Gainesville, FL 32608
The premier horticultural event at Kanapaha Botanical Gardens features over 100 booths with plants, landscape displays, garden accessories, arts and crafts, educational exhibits and food. Bring a wagon to secure your haul.
Plan a day at the 68-acre gardens and explore the diverse plant collections. Live music takes place on stage with performances ranging from drum ensembles to traditional Klezmer folk music. Let the kiddos roam the children’s area with games, crafts and a flowering plant to take home.
Find more festival information and buy advance tickets online.
Get Up Close to Military Aircraft and Take a Flight to “The Swamp” at Gator Fly-In and Armed Services Appreciation Day
Saturday, March 19, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. | University Air Center
4701 NE 40th Terr., Gainesville, FL 32609
See a variety of aircraft on the tarmac including P3, VT2, Chinooks, law enforcement aircraft, classic cars and more. Attendees can vote for “Best Civilian Aircraft” and “Peoples Choice: Best Aircraft” awards. Tickets for “Swamp Tours” are available for purchase with flights to Ben Hill Griffin Stadium and back on Beech T-34, Robinson 44 Helicopter or Cessna 172.
Admission and parking are free. This event takes place at University Air Center located north of the GNV regional airport on Waldo Rd.
T-34 photo by Charles Burcher
Laugh Out Loud at the Outrageous Stage Production of The Producers
Friday, March 18 – Sunday, April 10 | Gainesville Community Playhouse
4039 NW 16th Blvd., Gainesville, FL 32605
Mel Brooks’ Tony Award-winning musical features the antics of Max and Leo as they scheme to produce the most notorious flop in history. Hilarity ensues when their production becomes an unexpected smash hit.
Find the county’s most comprehensive and searchable list of area hotels and restaurants at visitgainesville.com
Learn about our lodging partner’s commitment to a safe stay for all who visit, work and live in Alachua County at Safe Stay Pledge.
Mix, Mingle and Have an Amazing Evening at Cade After Dark 21+
Friday, March 18, 6 p.m. | Cade Museum for Creativity and Invention
811 S Main St., Gainesville, FL 32601
Have “electrifying” fun and relive your childhood with old-school board games and science experiments, get messy with slime, see the exhibits from a whole new perspective and more. Admission includes a drink ticket for the bar. Snack bar provided by Meldon Law, raffle prizes provided by First Magnitude Brewing, and discounts on a pre-event dinner at Goldie’s Burger.
Learn Birding Basics at the Beginner Bird Walk with Alachua Audubon Society
Saturday, March 19, 9 a.m. – 11 a.m. | Sweetwater Wetlands Park
325 SW Williston Rd., Gainesville, FL 32601
Take a stroll through one of Gainesville’s best birding locations. Learn basic skills and improve identification skills at a relaxed pace with other beginning birders.
Meet Local Artists and Makers at High Springs Artwalk
Saturday, March 19, 12 p.m. – 5 p.m. | Various Locations in High Springs
The March High Springs Artwalk features Patti Wolf at Unique Notions and Hugo Cruz at High Springs Creates. Good News Arts celebrates their new location with a Cyanotype Process workshop at 10 a.m. and an opening gallery reception with Brittany Watkins at 5 p.m.. The Heart of High Springs closes out their Celebrating History, Celebrating Art events with a discussion of Public Art as Monuments to History at 2 p.m. and Plein Air Art with Tina Corbett at 4 p.m. High Springs Creamery celebrates its 3 year anniversary with $3 scoops all day long.
Watch Steelworkers Put It All Out There at the Raucous Stage Production of The Full Monty
Friday, March 18 – Sunday, April 3 | Acrosstown Repertory Theatre
619 S Main St., Gainesville, FL 32601
The Tony Award-nominated pop-rock musical is filled with honest affection, engaging melodies and one of the most highly anticipated closing numbers. The story follows unemployed steelworkers as they develop their own strip show after seeing their wives’ enthusiasm for a touring company of Chippendales. As they prepare for the show, they work through their fears, self-consciousness, and anxieties as they overcome their inner demons and find strength in their camaraderie.
Tempt Your Taste Buds with a Variety of Menus at the Original Gainesville Food Truck Rally
Saturday, March 19, 4 p.m. – 10 p.m. | High Dive
210 SW 2nd Ave., Gainesville, FL 32601
Head to High Dive for a lineup of food trucks including Charlie’s Snow Shack, Germain’s Chicken Sandwich, Monsta Lobsta, Rancho Luna, Vegan Gator and more. Free live music starts inside at 5 p.m. with Aisle 14, Dylan Schehr and pose Norma. Admission is free.
Be Dazzled by Trumpeter and Showman Chris Botti
Tuesday, March 22, 7:30 p.m. | UF Phillips Center
3201 Hull Rd. Gainesville, FL 32611
Performing worldwide and selling more than four million albums, Chris Botti has found a form of creative expression that begins in jazz and expands to audiences usually reserved for pop music. His success has led to 4 #1 jazz albums with multiple Gold, Platinum and Grammy Awards.
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Arts & Theatre
Driveway Theatre Project’s Live Theatre Performance of The Maltese Falcon at LifeSouth Donor Center
Saturday, March 19, 12 p.m. – 1 p.m.
Conservation Stewards Awards at Prairie Creek Preserve Lodge
Saturday, March 19, 5:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
See Sparks Fly and Romance Bloom Unexpectedly on Stage at Living on Love at the Hippodrome Theatre
Now through Sunday, March 27
In this new comedy by Joe DiPietro, a demanding Diva discovers that her self-proclaimed Maestro husband has become enamored with Iris, the lovely young lady hired to ghostwrite his largely fictional autobiography. When she hires Robert, a handsome young scribe of her own, the battlelines are drawn and no blow is too low to see who comes out on top.
Experience Powerful Musical Theatre at Caroline, or Change at Star Center Theatre
Now through Sunday, March 20
Events & Festivals
“Words on The Paper” Writing Workshop at A. Quinn Jones Museum & Cultural Center
Thursday, March 17, 7 p.m.
Horse Shows in the Park – Hunter/Jumper at Alachua County Agriculture and Equestrian Center
March 19-20
Movies in the Park Presents Luca at Legacy Park
Friday, March 18, 8 p.m.
Grandmothers: A Staged Reading with the Cotton Club Museum and Cultural Center on YouTube
Friday, March 18, 7 p.m.
West Coast Swing Dance Party at Rena’s Ballroom
Saturday, March 19, 7 p.m. – 11 p.m.
Book Launch: African American Studies at Rosa B. Williams Center
Friday, March 18, 6:30 p.m.
(Canceled) Learn Where Milk Comes From at Family Day at the Dairy Farm
Saturday, March 19, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Florida Fashion History: Newspaper Fashion Editors and the Rise of the Fashion Industry in the 1950s and ‘60s on Zoom with Matheson History Museum
Saturday, March 19, 4 p.m.
Mural Painting at GNV Art Jam
Monday, March 21 – Sunday, March 27, 2 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Mixed-Media Mural Making Workshop at Grow Hub
Tuesday, March 22, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Music & Performance
☘ Irish Folk Music with Scuttered the Bruce at One Love Café
Thursday, March 17, 6 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Dia Days Hip Hop Showcase with Rakhu, Faro, Raphdidit and Israel Jones at Bo Diddley Plaza
Thursday, March 17, 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
☘ St. Patrick’s Day Karaoke Night at Opus Innovation
Thursday, March 17, 7 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Punk Music with Field Day at The Wooly
Thursday, March 17, 8 p.m.
☘ Draught Beers, Irish Dancers, Sing-a-longs, More Sing-a-longs at St. Patrick’s Day at The Bull
Thursday, March 17, 6 p.m. – 12 a.m.
☘ Irish Standards from The Pogues by Rancho La Chua at the St Patty’s Day Pub Crawl at Loosey’s and The Backyard at Boca Fiesta and Palomino
Thursday, March 17, 8 p.m.
Indie Rock with of Montreal at High Dive
Thursday, March 17, 8 p.m.
Alt Rock with The Remedy at One Love Cafe
Friday, March 18, 6 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Classic Rock with Big Owl and Don the Dean at The Queens Arms
Friday, March 18, 7 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Battle of the Boy Bands DJ Dance Night at High Dive
Friday, March 18, 9:30 p.m.
Latin, Hip-Hop, Dancehall, Afrobeats at Malibu Nights at The Backyard at Boca Fiesta & Palomino
Friday, March 18, 9 p.m. – 2 a.m.
Folk Music with The Front Porch Backsteppers at Lightnin’ Salvage
Saturday, March 19, 6 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Indie Live with Clay Dixon & The Picadillies, Girl Pluto and Homemade Haircuts at Heartwood Soundstage
Saturday, March 19, 7:30 p.m. – 11 p.m.
Southern Rock with FireCreek at the Great Outdoors Restaurant
Saturday, March 19, 7 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Pop Punk and Emo Night at High Dive
Saturday, March 19, 9 p.m.
Reggae Sundays with The Easy Crew at The Boxcar
Sunday, March 20, 2 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Acoustic Favorites with Cassie Evans at The Keys Grill and Piano Bar
Sunday, March 20, 4 p.m. – 7 p.m.
University of Kentucky Faculty Brass Quintet Recital at UF School of Music
Monday, March 21, 12:50 p.m. – 1:40 p.m.
Nashville Folk Rock with Liz Cooper at High Dive
Tuesday, March 22, 7 p.m.
The Round Up/ An All Queer Country Showcase at The Wooly
Wednesday, March 23, 7 p.m.
Dunce Cat Comedy Showcase at High Dive
Wednesday, March 23, 7:30 p.m.
Craft Breweries
☘ Erin Go Bragh at Blackadder Brewing Company
Thursday, March 17, 4 p.m. – 9 p.m.
☘ St. Paddy’s Day Party at High Springs Brewing Company
Thursday, March 17, 5 p.m.
Twisted Tikka Food Truck and Live Music with Jazz Bandits at Cypress and Grove Brewing Company
Friday, March 18, 7 p.m. – 9 p.m.
High Energy Brass Band Sooza at Big Top Brewing Company
Friday, March 18, 7 p.m.
Soul and R&B with The Savants of Soul at The DEN Experiment at First Magnitude Brewing Company
Saturday, March 19, 6 p.m.
U-Picks & Farmer’s Markets
Farm Tour, Live Music, Farmer’s Market, Human-Powered Hampster Wheel Shaved Ice and Strawberry U-PIck at Frog Song Organics
Saturday, March 19, 2:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
U-Pick Strawberries at Roger’s Farm, Check Their Facebook Page for Updates
Monday, March 21, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Cypress & Grove Farmer’s Market with Live Music
Mondays, 4 p.m. – 7 p.m.
GNV Market at Heartwood Soundstage Featuring Live Music
Thursdays, 4 p.m. – 7 p.m.
High Springs Farmer’s Market
Fridays, 3 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Alachua County Farmer’s Market
Saturdays, 8:30 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Newberry Farmer’s Market
Saturdays, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Haile Village Farmer’s Market
Saturdays, 8:30 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Waldo Farmer’s Market
Saturdays and Sundays, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Bites & Brunch
Now Open: Acai Bowls and More at Big Island Bowls at Tioga Town Center
☘ Green Beer, Bangers and Mash, Corned Beef and Cabbage at Bar352 at DoubleTree by Hilton Gainesville
Thursday, March 17, 5 p.m. – 10 p.m.
☘ Wear Green with a Flight of Jameson at Spurrier’s Gridiron Grille
Thursday, March 17, 4 p.m. – 11 p.m.
Drag Brunch at Curia on the Drag
Saturday, March 19, 11 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
☘St. Paddy’s Day Lunch at Gainesville Harley-Davidson
Saturday, March 19, 12 p.m.
Opus Coffee’s 20th Birthday Party at 4th Ave Food Park
Sunday, March 20, 11 a.m.
Grand Opening: Petit Uppercrust at Haile Market Square
Monday, March 21
Upcoming Cooking Classes at The Fat Tuscan:
Wine Tasting Chef Dinner
Friday, April 8, 6 p.m.
Pie Making 101
Sunday, April 10, 2 p.m.
Did you know that our dining scene regularly makes national headlines? Find out why We Chomp with the best of them!
Find a searchable list of Alachua County restaurants here.
Sports
Funtastic Fridays Archery at Easton Newberry Archery Center
Friday, March 18, 5 p.m.
eSports Flash Tournament with NBA2K, FIFA and More at Reitz Union Game Room
Friday, March 18, 6 p.m.
Zeta Phi Golf Klassic at UF Mark Bostick Golf Course
Saturday, March 19, 8 a.m.
Gators Mens Tennis at Alfred A. Ring Tennis Complex
Friday, March 18, 5 p.m.
4-H Archery State Match at Easton Newberry Archery Center
Saturday, March 19 – Sunday, March 20
Insider Exposure March Madness Basketball Tournament at Hal Brady Recreation Complex, Santa Fe High School and Legacy Park Basketball Courts
Friday, March 18 – Sunday, March 20
Spring in the Swamp Water Polo at NE Pool and University of Florida Pool
Friday, March 18 – Sunday, March 20
9U-14U Central Florida Super Regional NIT at Champions Park
Saturday, March 19, 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m., Sunday, March 20, 8:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
TriGators Escape the Swamp Triathlon
Sunday, March 20
Gators Baseball vs. Bethune-Cookman at Florida Ballpark
Tuesday, March 22, 6 p.m.
Gators Lacrosse vs. Stetson at Donald R. Dizney Stadium
Wednesday, March 23, 4:30 p.m., 6 p.m.
Parks & Trails
Green Lights, Shamrocks, Clovers and All Things Green at Depot Park
Now through March 31
Free Family-Friendly 5K with parkrun at Depot Park
Saturday, March 19, 7:30 a.m.
Rim Ramble Hike at Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park
Saturday, March 19, 10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Sinkhole Guided Walk at Devils Millhopper Geological State Park
Saturday, March 19, 10 a.m. – 11 a.m.
Birding Field Trip with Alachua Audubon Society at Watermelon Pond
Sunday, March 20, 8 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Citizen Science Sundays for Kids at Hogtown Headwaters Nature Park
Sunday, March 20, 10 a.m.
Wednesday Bird Walks at the Wetlands with Alachua Audubon Society at Sweetwater Wetlands Park
Wednesday, March 23, 8:30 a.m. – 11 a.m.
Kids Meet Farm Animals at Barnyard Buddies at Morningside Nature Center
Wednesday, March 23, 3 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Trek Through Trails: Top 5 Family-Friendly and Dog-Friendly Hikes
Spending time in nature has been proven to benefit the mind, body and spirit, so round up the kids, find the dog, or go solo and reacquaint yourself with the outdoors on Alachua County’s nature trails.
Museums & Galleries
MFA Candidates Exhibition I at University Gallery
Friday March 18 – Friday, April 1
View Finished Works Paired with Artist Tools at “Process” at GFAA Gallery
Tuesday – Friday, 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Saturday, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Spring Show at the Newberry Fire House Gallery
Gallery Hours Fridays 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., Saturdays, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Examine Florida Fossils, South Florida People and Environments, Northwest Florida Waterways and Wildlife and the Butterfly Rainforest at the Florida Museum of Natural History
Monday – Saturday, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., Sunday 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Now on View at the Harn Museum of Art, She/Her/Hers: Women in the Arts of China
Tuesday – Saturday, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., Sunday, 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Unravel the Technology of Textiles at Fabric Frontiers at the Cade Museum for Creativity and Invention
Thursday – Friday, 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., Saturday – Sunday, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Between Heaven & Earth – The Paintings of Alyne Harris at Thomas Center Galleries
Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Trailblazers: 150 Years of Alachua County Women at the Matheson History Museum
Open Wednesday – Saturday, 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Save The Date
Dance Alive National Ballet Presents Carmina Burana, March 25-26
Hogtown Craft Beer Festival, March 26
India Fest 2022, April 2
Gators Football Orange and Blue Game, April 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.
