What's Happening: 'Swan Lake,' Newberry Cornfield Maze, Fall Festival and more

OCT. 27

“Swan Lake”: Dance Alive National Ballet is set to present its annual ballet “Swan Lake” at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 27 at the Curtis M. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts. Tickets cost between $35 and $65, with discounted rates for children, students and seniors. Back by popular demand — and widely considered the most beautiful ballet of all-time — “Swan Lake” is the story of a prince whose fiancée has been transformed into a swan by the evil sorcerer Von Rothbart. Featuring DANB artists Carla Amancio as the Swan Queen, and Gabriel Lopes as Prince Siegfried, the stage is transformed into a world of beauty and artistry. The Phillips Center is located at 3201 Hull Road. To purchase tickets online, or for more information, visit performingarts.ufl.edu.

OCT. 27 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. 27 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. 27 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. 27 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. 31

BOO AT THE ZOO: Boo at the Zoo will return for its 27th year at the Santa Fe College Teaching Zoo on Halloween — Oct. 31 — from 3 to 7 p.m. All are welcome to join the zoo in costume to trick-or-treat throughout its trails — just bring your own bag or bucket! The trails will be transformed into a family friendly trick-or-treat land, immersing visitors in different themes throughout the zoo. Admission to the event is one canned good or non-perishable food item per person. Cans collected help two charities — Saints Food Share at Santa Fe College and Catholic Charities — that feed families in need around the community. Organizers ask that attendees refrain from bringing food donations in single-use plastic bags. In addition to the festivities and trick-or-treating in the zoo, Fun4GatorKids will host a KidsZone in front of the zoo full of community organizations with crafts, activities and more candy. There will be live entertainment from Danscompany of Gainesville, animal encounters and games. Food will be available for purchase from Domino's, Mayflower food truck and Kona Ice. Parking will be in Lot 9, across the street from the zoo, and is free. For more information, visit sfcollege.edu.

This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: What's Happening: 'Sweeney Todd,' 'Rock of Ages,' Boo at the Zoo, more