The Avenue - The Independent Florida Alligator

Italian Gator in Midtown serves late-night slices to students Sept. 8, 2023.

THE AVENUE | FOOD

Frustration builds at Midtown hotspot Italian Gator Pizza amid ongoing theft incidents

By Alexandra Burns | Sep. 28, 2023

For more than four years, students have stolen signs and condiment shakers from the beloved pizza restaurant — located at 1728 W University Ave. — often stuffing items down their pants or shoving a parmesan shaker in their purses. The restaurant has increased its security measures following the ongoing battle with students.

The Bar-Crossed Drunkards debuted their performance of “Taming of the Shrew” at High Dive Sept. 27, 2023, in Gainesville, Fla.

THE AVENUE | ART AND THEATER

Gainesville theater troupe puts on drunk performance of Shakespeare classic

By Jared Teitel | Sep. 28, 2023

The Bar-Crossed Drunkards debuted their performance of “Taming of the Shrew” at High Dive, a bar and concert venue located at 210 SW 2nd Ave. The group specializes in drunk, farcical performances of Shakespeare plays, a routine they call ‘Drunk Shakespeare.’

Midtown bars are seen on University Avenue in Gainesville on Monday, Aug. 21, 2023.

THE AVENUE | LIFESTYLE

Stuck in traffic: Gainesville roads and rush hour pose serious problems for students, locals

By Jared Teitel | Sep. 25, 2023

Ongoing construction, irregular traffic lights, limited parking spaces and pedestrian pathways along certain roads raise questions of concern for Gainesville residents as they navigate the city. The presence of a public university and relentless residential communities within an approximately 64-square-mile space creates congestion in this college-town reminiscent of that in a big city.

Attendees gather for a showing of “From the Land to Your Table” at the Florida Museum of Natural History on Friday, Sept. 22, 2023.

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Performances, films honor Latin American culture during Hispanic Heritage Month

By Bea Lunardini | Sep. 25, 2023

The tango performance was just one part of the two-week-long celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month organized by the Latina Women’s League in Gainesville.

Record collector Jude Singleton shows off their prized Eraserhead vinyl on Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023.

THE AVENUE | MUSIC

UF students revive the past by collecting CDs and records

By Bonny Matejowsky | Sep. 25, 2023

Gone are the days of flipping turntables and shuffling through stacks of jewel cases. Streaming services like Spotify and Apple Music have taken today’s generation by storm. At least, for some people.

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Gainesville Fine Arts Association celebrates its 100 year anniversary

By Bonny Matejowsky | Sep. 23, 2023

In the heart of Gainesville’s SoMa District lies a small gallery with a big history. Diverse artworks line the interior walls of the Gainesville Fine Arts Association, alluring guests to stop and admire the swooping pastels of an oil painting or the stark reds of a self-portrait.

A sign of fall drinks stands in the Starbucks @ The Hub on UF's campus on Sunday, Sept. 17, 2023.

THE AVENUE | FOOD

‘We just can’t keep up’: Starbucks stores across Gainesville undergo a pumpkin spice crisis

By Jared Teitel | Sep. 18, 2023

Since pumpkin spice and other fall flavors were released in stores Aug. 24, many Starbucks locations across Gainesville and UF have experienced significant shortages of syrups on several occasions, according to employees and customers.

Comedian Ben Wasserman dances with a grimly veiled John Freeman in the show’s closing moments on Sunday, Sept. 17, 2023 at Cypress & Grove Brewing Co.

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Comedian brings death jokes, grief show to Gainesville

By Bea Lunardini | Sep. 18, 2023

Wasserman is the creator and star of his “Live After Death” comedy show, a spectacle of dancing, spinning a “wheel of vulnerability” and Wasserman’s highlight: the crowd work.

The Hippodrome Theatre, located at 25 SE 2nd Place, will open its doors on Friday, Sept. 17, 2021 for “Murder For Two,” one of the first in-person performances since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.

THE AVENUE | ART AND THEATER

‘Welcome to your cinema’: The Hippodrome Theatre celebrated its cinema’s reopening with a ribbon-cutting ceremony Wednesday

By Alexandra Burns | Sep. 15, 2023

The Hippodrome Theatre — located at 25 SE 2nd Place — celebrated Wednesday from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. with a ribbon-cutting ceremony to commemorate its cinema’s reopening after its first major renovation since 1981.

POTUS at the Hippodrome Theatre Picture by Michael A Eaddy – Left to right Kelly Atkins*^ as Jean and Sophia Paige as Dusty

THE AVENUE | ART AND THEATER

‘I am woman, hear me roar’: ‘POTUS’ debuts at the Hippodrome

By Bonny Matejowsky | Sep. 12, 2023

The Hippodrome’s latest production subverts the idea of an orderly presidential office from the moment the play begins when a four-letter expletive reverberates through the theater’s halls, kicking off an unapologetically witty and feminist performance. The theater debuted the first show of its 51st season, “POTUS: Behind Every Great Dumbass Are Seven Women Trying to Keep Him Alive,” Sept. 6.

Midpoint Park & Eatery offers a family-friendly outdoor dining area with a variety of food trucks to choose from on Sept. 2, 2023.

THE AVENUE | FOOD

Food truck owners discuss ups and downs of the booming industry

By Alexandra Burns | Sep. 11, 2023

From juice bars to funnel cakes to Venezuelan-styled sandwiches, food trucks provide easy access to various dishes and flavors and introduce new cultures and cooking styles to customers.

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Jewish Gators provided with a ‘home away from home’ for the High Holidays

By Molly Seghi | Sep. 11, 2023

Picture this: crisp apples bathed in sweet honey, a ram’s horn blown like a trumpet and the head of a fish served on a dinner plate. These objects all act as cultural symbols of the upcoming Jewish High Holidays.

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UF PhD student discovers record-breaking number of sea turtle nests at Disney Conservation

By Jared Teitel | Sep. 11, 2023

For the past six months, Rachel Smith and her team of conservationists at Disney Conservation loaded into their ATVs at first light and ventured along the scruffy sands and past the warm waters of the Disney Vero Beach Resort. As she travels further down the 5-mile stretch, she closely watches for footprints left behind by sea turtles in the peak of their nesting season.

THE AVENUE | FOOD

The Traveler Bar and Brasserie hosts its opening wine tasting event

By Molly Seghi | Sep. 7, 2023

The Traveler Wine Bar and Brasserie, which has taken inspiration from previous projects, has opened a new location downtown. While similar in its offerings, the Traveler differentiates itself with a new goal: a more expansive food menu with a more intimate feel.

THE AVENUE | FASHION

Repurpose Project cultivates ‘weird, messy, beautiful’ community

By Bonny Matejowsky | Sep. 6, 2023

The Repurpose Project is hard to miss. The yard is scattered with hand-painted signage, old furniture surrounded by foliage and meticulously organized scraps of materials, displaying an artistic touch unseen in chain thrift stores.

The Waffle House located at 3919 SW 40th Blvd.

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Gainesville locals utilize the “Waffle House Index” to measure a hurricane’s strength

By Molly Seghi | Sep. 6, 2023

The term “Waffle House Index'' was coined by FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate in 2011. Fugate, who had previously worked as Emergency Management Director in Florida, recognized Waffle House’s reputation for rapid disaster preparedness.

James Lee, co-founder of Mr. Cow Corndog, serves customers at Midpoint Park Eatery on Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023.

THE AVENUE | FOOD

Corn Dogs by Mr. Cow brings Korean corn dogs to Gainesville

By Alexandra Burns | Sep. 5, 2023

Fruity Pebbles, Flamin’ Hot Cheetos and crispy potato fries are not typically the first toppings that come to mind when ordering a corn dog. However, the new local food truck Corn Dogs by Mr. Cow has reinvented the traditional idea of a corn dog, taking inspiration from South Korea through its sweet and savory combination of sugar-coated and spicy toppings with chewy fresh dough, beef and stringy mozzarella.

Attendees at the Welcoming Week International Festival hosted by the Greater Gainesville International Center dance with cultural dance performers at Bo Diddley Plaza in Gainesville on Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023.

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Gainesville residents gather for Welcoming Week International Festival kick-off

By Nicole Beltran and Bonny Matejowsky | Sep. 3, 2023

In the heart of downtown Gainesville, the sweet aroma of Afro-fusion dishes and layered rhythms of a Japanese drumming ensemble filled the air. A crowd of festival goers quickly emerged, eager to immerse themselves in the multicultural celebration of unity. The Greater Gainesville International Center hosted its annual Welcoming Week International Festival at Bo Diddley Plaza Sept. 2.

Amber Cabassa flashes her pink rotary dial phone purse at Regal Celebration Pointe on Wednesday, July 19, 2023.

THE AVENUE | ART AND THEATER

Gainesville community celebrates the second annual National Cinema Day

By Alexandra Burns | Aug. 28, 2023

Gainesville’s three movie theaters — Regal Celebration Pointe, Royal Park and Butler Town Center — celebrated National Cinema Day Sunday with $4 tickets for all movies and showtimes and discounted snack prices. The theaters even brought back several classic films for the day, such as the award-winning “Lady Bird,” “Jurassic Park,” “Coraline” and “American Graffiti.”

UF alumnus Thaddeus Pearson performs as Tony in the West End/International Tour of “West Side Story” in spring 2014.

THE AVENUE | ART AND THEATER

From UF to Broadway: A look into the lives of theatre-student success stories

By Jared Teitel | Aug. 28, 2023

Bachelor’s and master’s students alike, UF has produced prosperous performers credited for projects such as “Be More Chill,” “Dear Evan Hansen,” “West Side Story,” “Hamilton” and “Hadestown.”