What's Happening: Dr. Ibram X. Kendi, 'Take 5,' 'Portraits III,' more

JAN. 26

DR. IBRAM X. KENDI: Join award-winning author Dr. Ibram X. Kendi at 7 p.m. Jan. 26 for an evening discussing “Barracoon” and his adaptations of Zora Neale Hurston’s work, Hurston’s enduring legacy, and why he wanted to adapt her work for children (and more!), plus a Q&A with pre-selected audience questions. The event will be held in the Lincoln Middle School auditorium, 1001 SE 12th St. Tickets will be bundled with a signed copy of the book at $25 for general admission or $30 for a family bundle (one adult and one child), and can be purchased at tinyurl.com/4zkvfnxc. In “Barracoon,” the first middle-grade offering from Zora Neale Hurston and Ibram X. Kendi, young readers are introduced to the remarkable and true-life story of Cudjo Lewis, one of the last survivors of the Atlantic human trade. Of the millions of men, women and children transported from Africa to America to be enslaved, 86-year-old Lewis was then the only person alive to tell the story of his capture and bondage — 50 years after the Atlantic human trade was outlawed in the United States. Lewis shared his firsthand account with legendary folklorist, anthropologist and writer Zora Neale Hurston, who spent months talking with him about the details of his life. Lewis recounted memories from his childhood in Africa, the horrors of the raid of his village, being captured and held in a barracoon for sale by human traders, and the years he spent in slavery until the end of the Civil War. Adapted with care and delivered with age-appropriate historical context by award-winning historian Kendi, the incredible story is now available for young readers and emerging scholars.

JAN. 26

“TAKE 5” 10-MINUTE PLAY FESTIVAL: Audience members will enjoy a unique theatre experience with live music in a jazz club atmosphere when Theatre Santa Fe presents the “Take 5” 10-Minute Play Festival at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 26 in the Jackson N. Sasser Fine Arts Hall at the Northwest Campus of Santa Fe College, 3000 NW 83rd St. Tickets are $15 for adults; $9 for seniors, students, military service members and children 12 and younger; and free for Santa Fe students, faculty and staff with college ID cards. Tickets are available from the Fine Arts Hall box office at 395-4181 or online at showpass.com/10-minute-plays-2. The live music will reflect the themes of the plays, which are all about relationships, according to SF Assistant Professor of Theatre Matthew Lindsay, who is coordinating “Take 5” and advising the student directors. The “Take 5” title riffs on the popular Dave Brubeck jazz tune and refers to the five student directors and the five 10-minute plays selected for the festival. A quartet with piano, drums, bass and saxophone will add to the jazz club atmosphere by providing music before the performance and during transitions between the short plays. SF Associate Professor of Music and Band Director David L. Smith will direct the musicians. The plays include “Chocolate,” which portrays a random meeting between a young man and a woman who is guarding herself against the world. “Tirade” is spoken by an actress who relates her love-hate relationship with another actress. “Jeffrey Slugworth: Ex-Embalmer” is a poignant piece about forgiveness, moving on and healing. “Choices” follows a young college student into a meeting with an insurance agent who represents a shady company that is offering to pay off all the student’s debts. “Please Have a Seat and Someone Will Be With You Shortly” reveals how two people waiting for their respective therapists form a personal connection.

JAN. 26 THROUGH JAN. 27

“PORTRAITS III”: Step into the world of “Portraits III,” a movement performance created by Ani Collier in improvised collaboration with the Dance Alive National Ballet dancers. Witness magic unfold behind the curtains where silhouettes become storytellers and emotions are painted in motion. Feel the breeze created by each movement of the dancers’ bodies and hear every sound that the costumes and the set create. Enjoy watching the dancers embody the music and show their incredible versatility in an intimate environment at Pofahl Dance Studios, Resident School for Dance Alive National Ballet. Collier is a Bulgarian-born actor, director, dancer, choreographer, photographer and visual artist whose quicksilver thought process creates magic. See a performance at noon Jan. 26 or 6 p.m. Jan. 27 at Pofahl Studios, 1325 NW Second St. For more information, visit dancealive.org/2023/07/20/portraits-iii, email info@dancealive.org or call 371-2986.

JAN. 26 THROUGH FEB. 4

“LITTLE WOMEN”: “Little Women,” the newest production from the Acrosstown Repertory Theatre, is a four-women adaptation of Louisa May Alcott’s classic novel. Jo, Meg, Beth and Amy transform into women before the audiences’ eyes and experience love, loss and the ever-glowing warmth of the March family hearth. Catch a show at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays plus 2 p.m. Sundays through Feb. 4 at the Acrosstown Repertory Theatre, 3501 SW Second Ave., Suite O. Tickets are $25 for general admission; and $20 for students, seniors, military and teachers. For more information about this or other upcoming productions — or to purchase tickets online — visit acrosstown.org.

JAN. 26 THROUGH FEB. 11

“KONG’S NIGHT OUT”: You think you know the whole story of the classic 1933 film “King Kong?” Think again! In the film, Broadway producer Carl Dennam sets out to capture a terrifying 40-foot ape, King Kong. The bait? Beautiful blond actress Ann Farrow. When first mate Jack rescues Ann from the beast, Dennam traps Kong and transports him to Manhattan to star in a Broadway show. But lovelorn Kong has other ideas! He escapes, rampaging throughout the city in search of Ann. Now, in “Kong’s Night Out,” the latest production from Gainesville Community Playhouse, audiences can find out the backstory: Producer Myron Siegel’s entire career has been constantly sabotaged by Dennam. So, Siegel is furious when he learns that Dennam has booked a “mystery” show to open in the theater next door to where Siegel’s next show will open the very same night. Siegel gathers his entourage — his sassy, ex-stripper mother, his gangster henchman, his Hungarian backer, and his wide-eyed niece — and concocts a plan to find out what the mystery show is all about and prevent Dennam from ruining his show. As this screwball comedy unfolds, there are mistaken identities, pies in the face, cat fights, kidnapping, ape fights, deceit, underhandedness and even some romance as Siegel and his entourage collide with Dennam, Ann and Jack to save Siegel’s show. See a performance at 8 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays, Jan. 26 through Feb. 11, at the Gainesville Community Playhouse, 4039 NW 16th Blvd. Tickets are $24 for general admission, $20 for seniors and $12 for students. For more information, or to purchase tickets online, visit gcplayhouse.org.

JAN. 26 THROUGH FEB. 18

“NEXT TO NORMAL”: Get ready for an emotional rollercoaster ride with “Next to Normal,” the groundbreaking Tony Award-winning musical that explores the highs and lows of a modern-day family struggling with mental illness. With an electrifying rock score and heart-wrenching lyrics, this show will leave audiences on the edge of their seats from start to finish. Catch a performance at 7 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays, 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, or 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays through Feb. 18 at the Hippodrome Theatre, 25 SE Second Place. Tickets are $25. For more information, or to purchase tickets online, visit thehipp.org.

JAN. 26 THROUGH APRIL 21

“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.

JAN. 27 THROUGH JAN. 28

HOGGETOWNE MEDIEVAL FAIRE: With its former location no longer available, the beloved Hoggetowne Medieval Faire nearly didn’t happen this year. Knights, wenches, princes and princesses are in luck, however, as organizers have a new plan in place. According to the event’s organizers, in lieu of not gathering at all to celebrate the 37th year of medieval merriment, the Hoggetowne Medieval Faire will instead transform Gainesville’s Depot Park as “Hoggetowne Goes Downtown” for one huzzah-filled weekend, January 27-28, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Admission is free for this condensed festival that will still feature many of the beloved highlights such as talented artisans and craftspeople, olde world demonstrations, exciting stage combat, medieval music and dance, a living chessboard, royal knighting ceremonies with the king and queen, food court favorites and, of course, turkey legs! Depot Park is located at 874 SE Fourth St. All ages are welcome to attend. The faire will be hosted in a new location in 2025.

FEB. 2 THROUGH FEB. 25

“BOEING, BOEING”: “Boeing, Boeing,” the 1960s French farce adapted for the English-speaking stage, features self-styled Parisian Lothario Bernard, who has Italian, German and American fiancées, each a beautiful airline hostess with frequent “layovers.” He keeps “one up, one down and one pending” until unexpected schedule changes bring all three to Paris, and Bernard’s apartment, at the same time. See how it all unfolds at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays plus 2 p.m. Sundays, Feb. 2-25, at the High Springs Playhouse, 23416 NW 186 Ave. in High Springs. Tickets are $15 for general admission, and $10 for students and ages 65 and older. For more information, or to purchase tickets online, visit highspringsplayhouse.com.

This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: What's Happening: 'Little Women,' 'Kong's Night Out,' 'Next to Normal'