This weekend, Gainesville is allowing you to do more than simply look for treat-filled Easter eggs. Gainesville is holding concerts, events and mini-festivals leading up to the Christian holiday on Sunday.
No matter how you enjoy spending your time — whether your thing is experimental electronic music, opera or art — you’ll most likely find something you’re interested in, in our event breakdown below.
March 29: An Evening with Friends at the University Gallery
This event for the Friends of Art + Art History will be the first of its kind. It will take place from 5:30 to 8 p.m at the University Gallery, located at 400 SW 13 St. The gallery will show its “MFA Thesis Candidates Exhibition I.” It will offer catering by Blue Water Bay. A silent auction featuring work by both faculty and locals will take place. Membership is required to attend. For more information and to register, interested people can visit arts.ufl.edu/artistry. Annual membership starts at a $50 donation, according to the website.
March 29: COFRESI, SIDE TRAKD and Losa Folk at High Dive
With an experimental sound that pulls from atmospheric synth melodies, skittering percussion and heavily distorted vocals placed in a relaxed ebb and flow of sound, Chicago-based producer COFRESI consistently breathes fresh air into electronic music. His songs are unique and no two songs sound the same as the artist dips into genres like trap, future bass, rhythm and blues and more. COFRESI will bring that sound to High Dive, located at 210 SW Second Ave., at 9 p.m. The event will also feature local performers opening: SIDE TRAKD and Losa Folk. Tickets are available at ticketfly.com starting at $12.
March 30: PhaseOne at Simon’s
Diehard electronic fans can keep the music going Friday. Hailing all the way from Australia, electronic producer PhaseOne is traveling half a world from home to perform at Simon’s, located at 8 S. Main St. This artist may be one of the heaviest in the game right now, as he fuses the in-your-face, rumbling basslines of dubstep with the ferocious guitar, percussion and vocals of heavy metal to create a ruthless signature that has brought him all around the globe. Myprey, Ferra and FLTHYVBZ will open the show, which starts at 10 p.m. Tickets are available at eventbrite.com starting at about $12.
March 30 and 31: The Barber of Seville at the University Auditorium
The UF Opera Theatre will show a comedic opera titled “The Barber of Seville” at the University Auditorium, located at 333 Newell Drive. The opera is by Italian composer Gioachino Rossini. The family-friendly performance will be held at 7:30 p.m. Friday and 3 p.m. Saturday. Tickets can be found at the Performing Arts Box Office or at performingarts.ufl.edu/tickest, with prices starting at $10 for students.
March 31: Spring Full Moon Fest
In addition to celebrating the full moon, this miniature festival at First Magnitude Brewing Company, located at 1220 SE Veitch St., features performances by Stew, Everybody Gaines and Head Stash. Local groups Locochino and Aquanova will also come together to host the third “Stank Jam.” The event starts at 4 p.m. and goes until 11 p.m. Admission to the family-friendly event is free.
March 31: Mindwalk at Heartwood Soundstage
Mindwalk, a local contemporary group with musicians of all ages, will bring its talent to Heartwood Soundstage, located at 619 S. Main St. The ensemble has performed at festivals like SunFest, Kissimmee Jazz Festival and Gator Growl. Its smooth jazz show will start at 8 p.m. Tickets start at about $19 after fees and are available at heartwoodsoundstage.com.
Australia-based artist PhaseOne’s fusion of heavy metal and bass music has taken him on tour all around the world.