What's Happening: 'Addams Family' 'Antarctic Dinosaurs,' Sunday Assembly and more
NOV. 17
ALEXA TARANTINO QUARTET: Alexa Tarantino is an award-winning jazz saxophonist. Named one of the Top 5 Alto Saxophonists by JazzTimes Critics’ Poll, Tarantino has established herself as a high-octane, dynamic performer. While she and her bandmates approach the set with tradition firmly in mind, they bring an invigorating way of looking forward. See her quartet perform at 7 and 9 p.m. Nov. 17 at UpStage at the Phillips Center, 3201 Hull Road. Tickets are $50 for the 7 p.m. performance and $35 for the 9 p.m. performance, or $12 for UF students. UpStage is an intimate, cabaret-style setting on the Phillips Center Mainstage. The 7 p.m. seating includes heavy hors d’oeuvres and cash bar; the 9 p.m. seating includes desserts and cash bar. For more information, or to purchase tickets online, visit performingarts.ufl.edu.
NOV. 17
“SONGS OF THE SEASON”: The winter holidays get an early start when the Santa Fe Singers, with special guests the Gainesville Youth Chorus, perform “Songs of the Season.” The winter holidays include Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and more. Take in the free, musically diverse program that will include classical choral music, Hebrew folksongs and popular music at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 17 at the Jackson N. Sasser Fine Arts Hall on the Northwest Campus of Santa Fe College, 3000 NW 83rd St. For more information, visit sfcollege.edu.
NOV. 17 THROUGH DEC. 10
“THE ADDAMS FAMILY”: In the kooky, upside-down world of the Addams family, to be sad is to be happy, to feel pain is to feel joy, and death and suffering are the stuff of their dreams. Nonetheless, this quirky family still has to deal with many of the same challenges faced by any other family, and the spookiest nightmare faced by every family creates the focus for this musical: the Addams kids are growing up. Catch a show at 8 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays, Nov. 17 through Dec. 10; no performance Thanksgiving day. The Gainesville Community Playhouse is located at 4039 NW 16th Blvd. Tickets are $23 for general admission, $19 for seniors and $12 for students. For more information, or to purchase tickets online, visit gcplayhouse.org.
NOV. 17 THROUGH APRIL 21, 2024
“ANTARCTIC DINOSAURS”: Step back in time and discover life beneath the ice in “Antarctic Dinosaurs.” Today, Antarctica is a forbidding land of snow and ice, but 200 million years ago it was a lush, wooded habitat where dinosaurs thrived. Uncover the history of the world’s southernmost continent and the unique species that have called it home in this interactive, family friendly experience at the Florida Museum of Natural History. Rare fossils, touchable casts and interactive models bring the past to life while showcasing Antarctica’s distinctive dinosaur species. Examine a reconstructed forest, and encounter the early plants and animals that flourished in the once-green environment. Experience the extraordinary work that goes into digging for fossils with real equipment and a recreated quarry. Learn about the important research taking place in this frigid landscape and how it informs future changes to the world’s climate. This is a bilingual exhibit available in English and Spanish. Tickets are $10 for adults; $9 for Florida residents, seniors and non-UF college students; $7 for ages 3-17; and free for ages 2 and younger, UF students and museum members. Museum hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday. It is located at 3215 Hull Road. For more information, visit floridamuseum.ufl.edu or call 846-2000.
NOV. 19
SUNDAY ASSEMBLY: Sunday Assembly Gainesville will feature David Dale as the facilitator of the meeting. Dale is a marketing data scientist. He is on the Sunday Assembly Planning Team and contributes much time and energy into helping to organize the monthly gatherings. He will lead a group gratitude exercise at the upcoming meeting. Music will be provided by Sunday Assembly musicians. Sunday Assembly Gainesville is a secular congregation that celebrates life at 11 a.m. the third Sunday of each month. The group will meet at the Pride Center in the Liberty Center, 3131 NW 13th St. Vaccinations, boosters and face masks are recommended and encouraged. It also is possible to attend via zoom. Sunday Assembly Gainesville is a chapter of the Global Secular Sunday Assembly Movement. For more information, visit sagainesville.weebly.com or email SundayAssembly32601@gmail.com.
NOV. 23
TREE LIGHTING CEREMONY OPENING NIGHT: Poe's Hawthorne Community Christmas Display, family holiday walk-through display featuring light displays with more lights added every day, will be set up from 6 to 11 p.m. Nov. 23 with parking at Eden Baptist Church, 2405 SE CR 219A in Hathorne. The display is free to view, but donations are accepted. For more information, visit bit.ly/poeholiday23.
NOV. 23 THROUGH DEC. 20
“WINTER SHOWCASE 2023”: The Gainesville Fine Arts Association Gallery will have its “Winter Showcase 2023” exhibit on display through Dec. 20. Gallery hours are 1 to 6 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays at 1314 S. Main St. For more information, visit gainesvillefinearts.org or email info@gainsevillefinearts.org.
NOV. 24 THROUGH DEC. 23
“THE ULTIMATE CHRISTMAS SHOW”: The audience favorite is back! “The Ultimate Christmas Show” (abridged) bursts with festive, slapstick fun as these cheerful comedians celebrate all of our favorite holiday traditions — at the same time. Catch a show at 7 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays, 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and 2 p.m. Sundays, Nov. 24 through Dec. 23 at the Hippodrome Theatre, 25 SE Second Place. Tickets run $20 to $50. For more information, or to purchase tickets online, visit thehipp.org.
NOV. 23 THROUGH DEC. 30
2023 HOLIDAY INVITATIONAL: Melrose Bay Art Gallery will hold its 2023 Holiday Invitational through Dec. 30 with an Artwalk reception 6 to 9 p.m. Dec. 1. Gallery hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays and 1 to 5 p.m. Sundays or by appointment. It is located at 103 State Road 26 in Melrose. For more information, call 475-3866 or visit melrosebayartgallery.com.
NOV. 24 THROUGH DEC. 26
KIRBY FAMILY FARM'S CHRISTMAS TRAIN: Kirby Family Farm will open its gates for its annual Christmas Express, which will run 6 to 10 p.m. Nov. 24-25, Dec. 1-2, Dec. 8-10, Dec. 15-17, Dec. 2-23 and Dec. 26. The Christmas train is a holiday event with lots of activities to see and do. Organizers recommend at least two hours for the entire experience, which features performances, vendors, a petting zoo, rides and a visit with Santa Claus. The highlight of the evening is a featured train ride through thousands of Christmas lights pulled by one of the farm’s old-fashioned locomotives. Tickets are $17.99 general admission in advance, $20 general admission at gate, $10.99 ages 3-9 in advance, $15 ages 3-9 at gate, free ages 2 and younger. Tickets can be purchased in advance at kirbyfarm.com/the-christmas-express. Kirby Family Farm is located at 19630 NE 30th St. in Williston. For more information, or to purchase tickets in advance, visit kirbyfarm.com/the-christmas-express.
NOV. 25
CANE BOIL AND FIDDLE FEST: Held each year the Saturday after Thanksgiving, Morningside Living History Farm’s Cane Boil and Fiddle Fest combines traditions of giving thanks and fall harvest with old-time fiddle music. Attendees can experience the making and bottling of sugar cane syrup, live string bands, guided nature walks and living history interpreters bringing a country day in 1870 back to life from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Morningside Living History Farm is located at 3540 E. University Ave. For more information, visit friendsofnatureparks.org/events.
NOV. 25 THROUGH DEC. 23
“A CHRISTMAS CAROL”: From “Bah, humbug!” to dashing through the snow and sleigh rides in Florida, this annual presentation stays true to the weighty themes of the original novel while delivering a gripping story, cheerful holiday music and genuine laughs for the whole family. “A Christmas Carol” is one of Gainesville’s favorite holiday traditions. See the production at 1 and 4 p.m. Saturdays or 7 p.m. Sundays, Nov. 25 through Dec. 23, plus 7 p.m. Dec. 20, 2 p.m. Dec. 21, 1 p.m. Dec. 22 and 3 p.m. Dec. 22 at the Hippodrome Theatre, 25 SE Second Place. Tickets are $20 to $50. For more information, or to purchase tickets online, visit thehipp.org.
This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: What's Happening: Tree lighting, 'Winter Showcase,' more events
