What's Happening: Newberry Cornfield Maze, Fall Festival, 'Sweeney Todd' and more

OCT. 20 THROUGH OCT. 28

NEWBERRY CORNFIELD MAZE: According to the Newberry Newberry Cornfield Maze website, the maze was founded in 2004 and began with only a corn maze and a hayride. The site explains that the intent for the Newberry Cornfield Maze was to create a fall family event for the local and surrounding counties to visit. According to organizers, during the day, attendees can take a stroll through the maze by trying to choose the correct path to find their way out. Beware when darkness falls — there is nocturnal life awaiting at every twist and turn. Evening attendees also can embark on a hayride adventure through the haunted Sullivan trail, encountering the living dead and facing the ghosts of the haunted house. The kids’ play area is always friendly and never haunted. Stop by the barn to meet Pepper and Molly, see the sliding ducks, hop aboard “Aunt Shirley’s” cow train, and enjoy a round of putt-putt golf. The event will run from 5 to 11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays through Oct. 28 at Hodge Farm, 20015 W. Newberry Road in Newberry. The costs are $20 cash for general admission at the gate, $25 online for general admission, $15 cash for ages 3 to 10 at the gate, $20 online for ages 3 to 10, and free for ages 2 and younger; Extra fees include $5 for the hayride, $5 to ride the mechanical bull, $5 to play in the human hamster balls, and $5 for additional haunted house entries. For more information, or to purchase tickets online, visit newberrycornfieldmaze.com.

OCT. 20 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.

OCT. 20 THROUGH OCT. 29

“SWEENEY TODD: THE DEMON BARBER OF FLEET STREET”: In this infamous tale, Sweeney Todd, an unjustly exiled barber, returns to 19th century London, seeking vengeance against the lecherous judge who framed him and ravaged his young wife. The road to revenge leads Todd to Mrs. Lovett, a resourceful proprietress of a failing pie shop, above which he opens a new barber practice. Lovett’s luck sharply shifts when Todd’s thirst for blood inspires the integration of an ingredient into her meat pies that has the people of London lining up … and the carnage has only just begun! Catch a show at 8 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays plus 2 p.m. Sundays, Oct. 13-29, 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, or to purchase tickets online, visit acrosstown.org.

OCT. 20 THROUGH NOV. 5

“ROCK OF AGES”: Buchholz High School Drama is kicking off the season with an epic production of “Rock of Ages: High School Edition.” A small-town girl, a city boy and their band of friends save the day — and the music. “Rock of Ages” takes its audience back to the time of big bands with big egos playing big guitar solos and sporting even bigger hair! This Tony Award-nominated Broadway musical features the hits of bands including Night Ranger, REO Speedwagon, Pat Benatar, Twisted Sister and more. It’s the 1980s in Hollywood, and Aqua Net, lycra and heavy metal flow freely at one of the Sunset Strip's last legendary venues, a place where legendary rocker Stacee Jaxx takes the stage and fans line up for their chance at an autograph. Amidst the madness, aspiring rocker Drew meets Sherrie, who is fresh off the bus from Kansas with stars in her eyes. But the rock ’n’ roll fairy tale is about to end when developers sweep into town with plans to turn the fabled Strip into just another capitalist strip mall. Can Drew, Sherrie and the gang save the strip — and themselves — before it's too late? Only the music of hit bands Styx, Journey, Bon Jovi, Whitesnake and more hold the answer. This full-length musical is an adaptation for high school, and was written by Chris D’Arienzo — creator of the long-running Broadway show “Rock of Ages.” Arrangements are by Ethan Popp. Some of the subject matter has been changed to be age-appropriate. Catch a show at 7 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays plus 2 p.m. Sundays through Nov. 5 at the Buchholz High School Auditorium, located at 5510 NW 27th Ave. Tickets are $15 for general admission, $12 for students and seniors, $10 for a group rate for 10 or more tickets, and free for BHS faculty. For more information visit buchholzdrama.com.

OCT. 21

BAT FEST: Lubee Bat Conservancy will host its 19th annual Florida Bat Festival beginning at 10 a.m. Oct. 21 on the grounds of the conservancy, located at 1309 NW 192nd Ave. Visit with flying giants while learning about what Lubee has accomplished during its years in Gainesville. This year’s event will include games and activities in the Kids Zone, local artisans and food trucks, Lubee's resident Bat Experts, the world’s largest bats, local conservation nonprofits, live music and unlimited samples in the Beer Garden from local Florida breweries (ticket required). Tickets cost $30 for beer garden plus general admission, $10 for general admission, $5 for ages 5-12, and free for ages 4 and younger. Funds are used for ongoing research, conservation and community education programs. For more information, or to purchase tickets, visit lubee.org.

OCT 21

PRIDE FESTIVAL: The Pride Community Center of North Central Florida (PCCNCF) will host its annual Gainesville Pride Festival from noon to 8 p.m. Oct. 21 in downtown Gainesville’s Bo Diddley Plaza and surrounding streets. The theme for Gainesville Pride 2023 is “Can’t Drag Us Down,” and it will feature entertainment highlighting local LGBTQ+ performers, activities for all ages and a variety of vendors. This year’s Pride Festival headliner is Landon Cider, renowned drag king and winner of “Dragula” Season 3, with special guest Morphine Love Dion. Additional musical performances will be performed by Bambii Lamb, Apex, Brit Diamond, and Blake Matchett and Todd E Rodgers, as well as a performance by the Delta Phi Omega dance team. No Pride Festival would be complete without a showcase of local drag performers, including Kelly T Kelly, Crystal Light, Rachel Boheme, London Darling, Emma Gration, Violet Primadonna, Dreamer K Black, Aurora Whorealis, Jessa Belle Light, Kamonii A Dior, Delirium, Lilith, Alexia Fantasia and Starr Shine. Please note that the Pride Festival will not include any "adult live performances" as defined in Florida SB 1438. The event is free and open to the public. Bo Diddley Plaza is located at 111 E. University Ave. For more information, visit gainesvillepride.org.

OCT. 22

BALOURDET QUARTET: One of the hottest new string quartets on the classical music scene, Balourdet Quartet is made up of individuals filled with raw passion for chamber music. Formed in 2018, the quartet received the Gold Medal at the 2020 Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition, Second Prize at the 2019 Carl Nielsen International Chamber Music Competition, and the top prize at the Borciani Competition in Italy in 2021. Catch their show at 2 p.m. Oct. 22 at the Squitieri Studio Theatre, inside of the Phillips Center, 3201 Hull Road. Tickets are $35 for general admission and $12 for UF students. For more information about this and other upcoming performances, or to purchase tickets online, visit performingarts.ufl.edu.

This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: What's Happening: 'Rock of Ages,' Bat Fest, Pride Fest and more