What's Happening: Meet the Dancers, 'POTUS,' 'Crucible,' fall festival, painting and more

SEPT. 22

MEET THE DANCERS: Head over to the Cade Museum at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 22 for a showcase of the Dance Alive dancers and the company’s new stars from the Gainesville Dancing With the Stars Champagne Gala. Along with a live auction, hors d’oeuvres by Sweetwater Catering, dancing to the sounds of DJ Elio Piedra and decor by Garden and Grace Florals, attendees will help support the ballet company too. The event also offers the perfect opportunity to catch a peek at selections from the new season and talk to the dancers and friends. Cocktail attire is required. The Cade Museum is located at 811 S. Main St. Tickets are $75. For more information, visit bit.ly/mtd23b.

SEPT. 22 THROUGH OCT. 1

“POTUS: OR, BEHIND EVERY GREAT DUMBASS ARE SEVEN WOMEN TRYING TO KEEP HIM ALIVE”: Written by Selina Fillinger, “POTUS” is a foul-mouthed political funhouse farce. Roar with laughter as seven brilliant and beleaguered women panic, problem-solve and, ultimately, persevere to save the president from himself. Catch a show at 7 p.m. Wednesdays through Thursdays, 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays through Oct. 1 at the Hippodrome Theatre, 25 SE Second Place. Tickets are $20 to $50. For more information, or to purchase tickets online, visit thehipp.org.

SEPT. 22 THROUGH OCT. 8

“THE CRUCIBLE”: The Gainesville Community Playhouse is kicking off its 2023-24 season with “The Crucible.” In this exciting drama, the town of Salem falls into mass hysteria as a group of teenage girls accuse their neighbors of witchcraft in an attempt to avoid punishment after their own dabbling in the occult. This gripping retelling of the infamous Salem witch trials explores themes of the abuse of power, the destruction caused by false accusations, and the importance of standing up for truth and justice. Don’t miss this riveting story about the purge of witchcraft in old Salem. Catch a show at 8 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays, Sept. 22 through Oct. 8, at the Gainesville Community Playhouse, 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.

SEPT. 22 THROUGH OCT. 29

FALL FESTIVAL: Amber Brooke Farms is bringing back its biggest festival of the year! At its annual fall festival, attendees can bask in Florida’s warm fall weather as they pick pumpkins, get lost in a crop maze, pet animals in a petting zoo, pick flowers and vegetables, listen to live music and entertainment, and more. Plus, the farm’s year-round activities will remain open, including a large play area, a barrel train ride, duck races, jump pillows and more. The event runs from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays through Oct. 29. Tickets are $15 per person. Amber Brooke Farms is located at 3250 NE 140th Ave. in Williston. For more information, or to purchase tickets online, visit amberbrookefarms.com/fall-festival.

SEPT. 23

PAINTING WITH BATS: Lubee Bat Conservancy is hosting a painting party and private behind-the-scenes tour to meet some of the world’s giant fruit bats up close and personal. From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 23, local artist Samm Wehman Epstein of Samm Wehman Art will lead participants as they paint their favorite pets, animals or bats. The first three hours will consist of a painting party where participants will paint pre-selected animal portraits. Samm Wehman Epstein, who has donated her time and talents to Lubee, will guide brush strokes as participants add paint and create their own masterpieces. All art supplies are provided. Bats are not present during the painting session. After the painting party, participants will take part in a behind-the-scenes tour led by one of Lubee's bat experts. Face masks are required to be able to step into the enclosure with the bats and meet them up close. Tickets are a $75 donation to Lubee Bat Conservancy, and 100% of the proceeds will support Lubee’s bats, and conservation and education programs. Spaces are limited and pre-registration is required to participate. No walk ups available. This is for ages 10 years and older. Children 15 and younger need to be accompanied by a participating adult.

SEPT. 24

MUSIC AT HOLY TRINITY: Sit back and take in the sounds of the “Orchestral Potpourri” concert featuring Festival Orchestra, featured soloists and conductor Dr. John T. Lowe Jr. with the music of Handel, Beethoven, Rossini, Leonard Bernstein and more. A reception of wine and hors d’oeuvres will follow the concert. Live streaming will begin five minutes prior to the concert, and also can also be viewed afterward. The free concert begins at 4 p.m. Sept. 24 at Holy Trinity Church, 100 NE First St. Donations will be accepted. For more information, visit holytrinitygnv.org.

SEPT. 27

CHUCHO VALDÉS QUARTET: Pianist, composer and arranger Chucho Valdés is one of the most influential artists of our time. Blending jazz, classical music, Afro-Cuban traditional music and more into his unique personal style, Valdés is the winner of seven Grammy Awards, five Latin Grammy Awards, a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Latin Academy of Recording, and was inducted into the Latin Songwriters Hall of Fame. See him perform at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 27 at the Phillips Center, 3201 Hull Road. Tickets are $25 to $45 and $12 for University of Florida students. For more information about this and upcoming performances, or to purchase tickets online, visit performingarts.ufl.edu.

This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: What's Happening: Music at Holy Trinity concert, Chucho Valdés Quartet