What’s Good in Gainesville and Alachua County, May 26 – June 1, 2022
Add relaxation and fun to your three-day weekend with What’s Good. Head to downtown Gainesville for the Gainesville Fine Arts Association “Absence and Presence” exhibit and opening reception for Artwalk Gainesville. Then enjoy music under the stars with the renowned Lee Boys sacred-steel band with the Free Fridays Concert Series at Bo Diddley Plaza. Enjoy dinner, cocktails and live music at Playlist at the Pointe. Or treat the kids to a wildlife safari with baby lemur and clouded leopards interactions, and big cat and rhino feedings at Carson Springs Wildlife. Then beat the heat at the Kulaqua River Ranch lazy river pool during community days.
Micanopy, Florida’s oldest inland town, commemorates Memorial Day on Saturday with a special dedication, live music, a plein air paint out and lots to see and do with charming antique shops, boutiques, a history museum, and cafes. Plus on Memorial Day the Alachua County Veterans Services and local partners present a day filled patriotic presentations, musical tributes, and inspirational words from area leaders and the Florida Museum of Natural History offers free admission for Veterans.
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. 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.
Honor Lost Service Members at the Memorial Day Ceremony at Evergreen Cemetery
Monday, May 30, 11 a.m. | Evergreen Cemetery
401 SE 21st Ave., Gainesville, FL 32641
Alachua County Veteran Services, in collaboration with the City of Gainesville, Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs Department, Milam Funeral Home, and Cherished Memories Pet Cremations will host a Memorial Day Ceremony at the historic Evergreen Cemetery. The ceremony honors and remembers Veterans and military service members who lost their lives in service to the nation. It will include patriotic presentations, musical tributes, and inspirational words from area leaders. Admission is free.
Pay Tribute to Fallen Military Heroes at Micanopy Memorial Saturday
Saturday, May 28, 11 a.m.- 6 p.m. Downtown Micanopy Historic District
Join a wreath dedication ceremony at 11 a.m. followed by live music by Chuck ‘n’ Cat and Chuck Martin and Friends. Add to your visit with antique shops, boutiques, history museum, cafes, plein art paint out, face painting and more.
Get Up On Your Feet with High Energy Sacred Steel Music from The Lee Boys at the Free Fridays Concert Series
Friday, May 27, 7 p.m. – 9 p.m. | Bo Diddley PlazaDowntown Gainesville
Born from songs performed during South Florida church services, “sacred steel” sets itself apart as soulful blues and gospel music featuring the pedal-steel guitar. One of most celebrated sacred steel ensembles, The Lee Boys have shared their hard-hitting spiritual stage performances outside of the church setting since 2001. Admission is free. Lee Boys Illustration by Steve Johannsen
See Hundreds of Archers Take Aim at the 2022 Easton Foundations Gator Cup
Friday, May 27 – Sunday, May 29 | Easton Newberry Archery Center
24880 NW 16th Ave., Newberry, FL 32669
Gator Cup is a USA Archery outdoor target event and a USAT qualifier series event used to determine the USA national archery team. Spectators are welcome with no entry fee. Premium seating is available online.
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.
View the Local Art Scene on a Self-Guided Art Tour with Artwalk Gainesville
Friday, May 27, 7 p.m. – 10 p.m. | Various Locations
Downtown Gainesville and Beyond
This month’s Artwalk Gainesville features The How Bazar artist showcase at First Magnitude Brewing Company, Moonlight Market at Artisans’ Guild Gallery with Debra Lindberg’s encaustic mixed media, GNV Zine Fest at the Civic Media Center, C. Mykels Designs at Swamp City Gallery Lounge and more. Admission is free. Individual venues may have varying hours. Preview the venues and download a map at ArtwalkGainesville.com.
Meet Local Artists and View Abstract Works of Art at the “Absence and Presence” Exhibit Reception
Friday, May 27, 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. | Gainesville Fine Arts Association
1314 S Main St., Gainesville, FL 32601
The Absence and Presence exhibit explores non-representational works of art using black and white. Browse the gallery, meet with artists and view the awards presentation at 7 p.m.
Hear Feel-Good Stories Told on Stage at The Big Tasty with Guts and Glory GNV
Thursday, May 26, 7 p.m. | The Wooly
20 N Main St., Gainesville, FL 32601
Guts and Glory GNV helps people tell their own true stories on stage with live events. For its first show in over two years, high-energy, funny stories are on the menu.
Journey to Juneteenth Events with the City of Gainesville
The City of Gainesville features a series of events leading up to Juneteenth the annual celebration ending of slavery in the United States.View the full schedule of events at CityofGainesville.org.
Watch Stories from Around the World on the Big Screen at the Hippmini Film Festival
Thursday, May 26 – Sunday, May 29 | Hippodrome Cinema
25 SE 2nd Pl., Gainesville, FL 32601
Hippodrome Cinema hosts its first mini film festival. Films include a clever comedy set in Morocco, The Unknown State, a dark comedy and thriller from South Korea, Don’t Go Too Far, a moving historic drama from Norway, Betrayed and more. View the complete film schedule and buy tickets online.
Rock Out with Classic Hits from The Real Deelz at Playlist at the Pointe
Friday, May 27, 7 p.m. | Celebration Pointe
4949 Celebration Pointe Ave, Gainesville, FL 32608
George Gomez, Tran “The Piano Man” and John Lodge power the Real Deelz keyboard-driven trio. Pull up a chair or throw down a blanket and enjoy the music after the sun sets. Food, beverages and sweet treats are available from Celebration Pointe restaurants.
Make a Splash and Float Down the Lazy River at Kulaqua River Ranch Water Park Community Days
Monday, May 30, 10 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. | Kulaqua River Ranch
23400 NW 212th Ave., High Springs, FL 32643
Beat the heat and squeeze in a day of fun at a unique area water park. The river ranch opens to the public on community days. Cruise down the lazy river, descend the huge water slide and float in the wave pool.
Make a Visit with Rare Animals at Carson Springs Wildlife Memorial Day Weekend Tours
Saturday, May 28 and Monday, May 30, 10 a.m. | Carson Springs Wildlife Conservation Foundation
8528 E CR 225, Gainesville, FL 32609
See over 30 rare species in an outdoor nature setting including Henry the Rhino, the oldest in captivity, big cat feedings, baby lemur and clouded leopard interactions and more. TripAdvisor awarded Carson Springs Wildlife the 2021 Traveler’s Choice Award recognizing the attraction at the top 10% of things to do worldwide based on visitor reviews.
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Arts & Theatre
Disaster! A 70s Disaster Movie Musical at Star Center Theatre
Friday, May 27 – Sunday, May 29
Pieces of Their Hearts: A Devised Musical Revue About Relationships and Love at Jackson N. Sasser Fine Arts Hall
Thursday, May 26 – Saturday, May 28, 7:30 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Go On a Family Reunion at the Dark Comedy August: Osage County
Now through Sunday, May 29 | Acrosstown Repertory Theatre
A vanished father. A pill-popping mother. Three sisters harboring shady little secrets. When the large Weston family unexpectedly reunites after Dad disappears, their Oklahoman family homestead explodes in a maelstrom of repressed truths and unsettling secrets. August: Osage County won Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award for Best New Play in 2008.
Go On a Family Reunion at the Dark Comedy August: Osage County
Now through Sunday, May 29 | Acrosstown Repertory Theatre
A vanished father. A pill-popping mother. Three sisters harboring shady little secrets. When the large Weston family unexpectedly reunites after Dad disappears, their Oklahoman family homestead explodes in a maelstrom of repressed truths and unsettling secrets. August: Osage County won Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award for Best New Play in 2008.
Events & Festivals
Florida Quarter Horse Association Memorial Circuit at Alachua County Agriculture & Equestrian Center
Saturday, May 28 – Sunday, May 29, 9 a.m.
Survival Knife Blacksmithing Class at [Fe]ver Metal Art Center
Saturday, May 28, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., Sunday, May 29, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Memorial Day Murph at Go Primal Fitness and Training Institute
Monday, May 30, 7 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Memorial Day Murph at B3 Gym
Monday, May 30, 6:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
Memorial Day Axe Throwing Special at The Hatchetbury
Monday, May 30, 2 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Music & Performance
Thursday Open Mic Comedy Show at Vecinos
Thursday, May 26, 8 p.m.
Jazz Night with The Oak Duo at 4th Ave Food Park
Friday, May 27, 5 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Country Music with Jamie Davis at Tioga Concert Night
Friday, May 27, 7 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Classic Rock with Crooked Counsel at One Love Café
Friday, May 27, 6 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Jazz with The Larry Newcomb Trio at Lightnin’ Salvage
Friday, May 27, 6 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Apex at High Dive
Friday, May 27, 8 p.m.
Hip-Hop, Dancehall, Latin at Malibu Nights at The Backyard at Boca Fiesta & Palomino
Friday, May 27, 9 p.m.
“Vybez” R&B Dance Night at Levels Lounge
Friday, May 27, 10 p.m. – 2 a.m.
Neon Liger Presents House, Techno and Disco at The Function at The Wooly
Friday, May 27, 10 p.m. – 2 a.m.
Americana with Front Porch Backsteppers at 4th Ave Food Park
Saturday, May 28, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Classic Covers with Cassie and Chris at Lightnin’ Salvage
Saturday, May 28, 6 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Rock with Whiskey Jones at One Love Café
Saturday, May 28, 6 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Punk Music with Radon at Loosey’s
Saturday, May 28, 8 p.m.
Take a Musical Journey Through Space with Music 360: Morningbell’s “Bôa Noite” at Kika Silva Pla Planetarium
Saturday, May 28, 9 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Metal Nite with DJ RoXX Xxavage at High Dive
Saturday, May 28, 9 p.m.
Roscoe’s Memorial Day “Celebrat-Jam” at High Springs Lions Club
Saturday, May 28, 2 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Favorite Covers with Cassie and Chris at The Keys Grill and Piano Bar
Sunday, May 29, 4 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Craft Breweries
Country Music with Houston Keen at High Springs Brewing Company
Thursday, May 26, 7 p.m.
Harry Potter Trivia at Big Top Brewing Company
Thursday, May 26, 7 p.m. – 9 p.m.
The Funky Miracle at Cypress and Grove Brewing Company
Friday, May 27, 7 p.m.
Alt-Country with Black River Harvesters at High Springs Brewing Company
Friday, May 27, 7 p.m.
Prog Rock with Syzygy at High Springs Brewing Company
Saturday, May 28, 7 p.m.
Brewery Yoga at First Magnitude Brewing Company
Sunday, May 29, 1 p.m.
Brainaholics Trivia at First Magnitude Brewing Company
Tuesday, May 31, 6:30 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Trivia Night at Blackadder Brewing Company
Wednesday, June 1, 7 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Bingo Night at Big Top Brewing Company
Wednesday, June 1, 6:30 p.m. – 8 p.m.
U-Picks & Farmer’s Markets
NOW OPEN: Archer Farmer’s Market at Archer Historical Society Railroad Museum
Tuesdays, 3 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Cypress & Grove Farmer’s Market with Live Music
Mondays, 4 p.m. – 7 p.m.
GNV Market at South Main Station Featuring Live Music
Thursdays, 4 p.m. – 8 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
Wine Tasting at Superette Wine and Provisions
Thursday, May 26, 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Wine Tasting at Petit Uppercrust
Sunday, May 28, 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.
(sold out) Making Ravioli Cooking Class at The Fat Tuscan
Friday, May 27, 6 p.m. – 9 p.m.
(sold out) Brunch and Crepes Cooking Class at The Fat Tuscan
Sunday, May 29, 11 a.m. – 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
Friday Street Legal Madness Drag Racing at Gainesville Raceway
Friday, May 27, 6 p.m.
Babe Ruth and Cal Ripken Teams Compete at the Memorial Day Weekend All-Star Warmup at Champions Park
Friday, May 27 – Sunday, May 29
Parks & Trails
Free Family-Friendly 5K with parkrun at Depot Park
Saturday, May 28, 7:30 a.m.
Sinkhole Guided Walk at Devils Millhopper Geological State Park
Saturday, May 28, 10 a.m. – 11 a.m.
Ice Cream in the Park with Alachua Conservation Trust at Rockwood Park
Saturday, May 28, 1 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Look for Up To 50 Bird Species at the June Challenge Kick-Off with Alachua Audubon Society at Longleaf Flatwoods Preserve to Sweetwater Wetlands Park
Wednesday, June 1, 6 a.m. – 12 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
Light Dreams with Featured Artist Celino Dimitroff at Black C Art Gallery
Friday, May 27, 7 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Take a Free Docent-led Tour of Florida Impressions and Join an Art-Making Activity with Mural Artist Jenna Horner at Museum Day: Our Florida at the Harn Museum
Saturday, May 28, 1 p.m.
Image: Swamp Landscape by Laura Woodward
Free Admission for Veterans on Memorial Day at Florida Museum of Natural History
Monday, May 30, 10 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
The Works of Ernest M. Lee at Santa Fe College Art Gallery
Gallery Hours: Monday – Friday, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Immerse Yourself in the New Animationland Experience at the Cade Museum for Creativity & Invention
Now through January 3
Dig Into the Past at the Florida Museum’s New Fossil Exhibit, Now Open
Monday – Saturday, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., Sunday, 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Take a unique look behind the scenes, interact with scientists while they work and explore some of the museum’s coolest specimens in the “Science Up Close: Fantastic Fossils” exhibit. Come face-to-face with giant dinosaur skeletons, beautiful botanical fossils and ancient microscopic life.
Photo by Florida Museum/Jeff Gage
Copia II: Bringing to Light Photographs from the Permanent Collection at the Harn Museum of Art
Now through October 30
Tuesday – Saturday, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., Sunday, 1 p.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
Honky Tonk Laundry at Hippodrome Theatre, June 3
UF International Piano Festival, June 4-11
Family Days Open House at High Springs BMX, June 4
For a complete list of events please visit www.visitgainesville.com/events/
Thank you for your continued partnership! Please keep in communication with us by sharing your events, updates and news with our team by emailing info@visitgainesville.com.
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Put simply, the more you share with us, the more we have to promote. Please read the attached PDF document for additional ways in which your organization can participate.
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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.
