Gainesville's Cultural Calendar: A Month of Arts, Music, and History

Literary and Historical Events

Jane Austen's 250th Birthday Celebration

• Location: The Lynx Books
• Details:
• Guest author Lauren Groff discussing Austen's work
• Free event with trivia, scones, and special tea
• Attendees encouraged to dress in period-inspired attire

"Other Book, Part 2" Lecture Series

• Location: Matheson History Museum
• Details:
• Explores overlooked contributions of Black Americans
• Free event, requires registration

Music Festivals and Performances

Gainesville Folk Festival

• Location: Heartwood Soundstage
• Details:
• Folk, Americana, and roots music
• Performances by Andrea Von Kampen, Mariee Siou, and others
• Discounted tickets for students and groups

Jonatha Brooke Performance

• Location: Heartwood Soundstage
• Details:
• Literate and emotionally rich songwriting
• Credits include collaborations with Katy Perry and Woody Guthrie

Poetry and Writing

"Marjorie and Me: Some Poems and a Tribute"

• Location: Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Historic State Park
• Details:
• Award-winning poet Lola Haskins presents poems inspired by Rawlings' work
• Followed by the Friends of the Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Farm's annual meeting

Incorporating Trauma into Writing

• Location: Millhopper Library
• Details:
• Discussion led by Kathy Connor Dobronyi
• Explores levels of trauma, healing, and craft in writing

Sports and Entertainment

Harlem Globetrotters' 100 Year Tour

• Location: Stephen C. O'Connell Center
• Details:
• High-level basketball with entertainment
• Highlights the Globetrotters' history and influence

Ongoing Events

Retirement Home for Horses

• Location: Every Saturday
• Details:
• Tour the facility and feed treats to rescued horses

Community Nights at South Main Station

• Location: Every Wednesday
• Details:
• Free live music, drink specials, and various activities

Theatrical Performances

"The Drowning Girls"

• Location: Acrosstown Repertory Theatre
• Details:
• Darkly poetic true-crime drama based on Edwardian-era murders

"Ocean Voyage – Immersive Concert III"

• Location: Dance Alive National Ballet
• Details:
• Underwater visuals and music

"One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest"

• Location: Gainesville Community Playhouse
• Details:
• Darkly comic adaptation of Ken Kesey’s iconic novel

"Some Enchanted Evening, The Songs of Rodgers and Hammerstein"

• Location: Hippodrome Theatre
• Details:
• Features hits from the golden age of Broadway

Special Events

Afrofuturism Week

• Details:
• Kick-off party, concert and cipher, book club meeting, fashion show
• Explores possibilities and skepticism of new technologies

"Swan Lake"

• Location: Phillips Center
• Details:
• Features DANB Principal Dancer Carla Amâncio as the Swan Queen

Old Florida Celebration of the Arts

• Location: April
• Details:
• Features 100 artists and benefits local nonprofit organizations