The Avenue - The Independent Florida Alligator

The Gainesville Latino Film Festival is in person for the first time in two years.

THE AVENUE | MOVIES AND TV

18th annual Gainesville Latino Film Festival uplifts Latin American communities on the big screen

By Isabella Marzban | Sep. 8, 2022

Gainesville Latino Film Festival is a free, eight-day event centered around highlighting Latin American culture through film. From Sept. 8 to Sept. 18, the festival will feature two Spanish immersion storytelling events and performances by Latin fusion band Gilberto de Paz & TROPIX and Miami’s IFÉ-ILÉ Afro-Cuban Dance and Music, in addition to the films.

The entrance of the Acrosstown Repertory Theatre on Friday, Sep. 3, 2022.

THE AVENUE | ART AND THEATER

Acrosstown Repertory Theatre closes its doors

By Isabella Marzban | Sep. 6, 2022

This isn’t the first time the theater, which was founded in 1980, has faced relocation. Prior to the Baird Center, the ART hosted community theater shows at the Star Garage in downtown Gainesville until the city sold the building in 1985, bringing the theater to its most recent location. Now, the theater is once again in need of a new home.

"Fahrenheit 451" debuts Sept. 2 at The Hippodrome Theatre.

THE AVENUE | ART AND THEATER

‘Fahrenheit 451’ to debut at The Hippodrome amid national conversations about book banning

By Lauren Brensel | Sep. 2, 2022

Featuring a nine-person cast, the show will run from Sept. 2 to Sept. 18. A book club, panel discussion and afterparty will accompany the play, alongside an art exhibit located inside the theater.

Outside of the re-opening of The Swamp Restaurant on Monday, Aug. 29, 2022.

THE AVENUE | FOOD

The Swamp Restaurant returns to Gainesville after temporary 2020 closure

By Luna Boales | Aug. 31, 2022

After being forced to shut its doors due to property ownership issues and new construction in June 2020, The Swamp Restaurant reopened Aug. 29 — ushering in some improved features while still staying true to its roots.

Robbie Kingsley, lead singer of The Hails, performing their hit song “Younger” for Gainesville fans at Playground Music Festival at Heartwood Soundstage Saturday, Aug. 27, 2022.

THE AVENUE | MUSIC

More than a thousand fans jam out at Playground Music and Arts Festival

By Erina Anwar and Isabella Marzban | Aug. 29, 2022

More than 1,000 people from across the state flocked to a small Gainesville venue in the sticky summer heat Saturday, headbanging and jumping up and down to local indie acts. Thirteen bands played back-to-back sets at the Playground Music and Arts Festival. The festival was hosted by Heartwood Soundstage as a kick-off to indie rock band flipturn’s debut album, “Shadowglow."

Al Black signs his name as the finishing touch on the Highwaymen mural Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2022.

THE AVENUE | ART AND THEATER

Famed Black artist Al Black brings iconic Florida Highwaymen group’s art to Gainesville

By Averi Kremposky | Aug. 29, 2022

Al Black finished his new 8-by-34 foot mural, located on the corner of Northeast Sixth Avenue and North Main Street, Wednesday afternoon --- a full day before he was expected to wrap up the project. Throughout the day, a handful of people shuffled through to watch Black's painting unfold.

A graphic inspired by Flipturn's debut album SHADOWGLOW.

THE AVENUE | MUSIC

Flipturn releases debut album “Shadowglow” before headlining their own Gainesville festival

By Lauren Brensel | Aug. 26, 2022

“Orbit” is the final song of the 14-track album, born from the minds of band members Devon Vonbalson, Dillon Basse, Madeline Jarman, Tristan Duncan and Mitch Fountain. After much anticipation and a collection of five EPs, “Shadowglow” joined the band’s discography Aug. 19.

Politicians are using social media sites such as TikTok in hopes of reaching young voters.

THE AVENUE

Primary candidates take to TikTok

By Erina Anwar | Aug. 24, 2022

In the midst of the midterm primaries, some candidates — including July Thomas, who’s running for Gainesville mayor, and Val Demings, who’s running for Senate — are using TikTok as a key part of their campaign strategies.

A timeline showing a number of movies with mentions of abortions and unplanned pregnancies across the years.

THE AVENUE | MOVIES AND TV

Films record evolving attitudes on abortion

By Kyle Bumpers | Aug. 1, 2022

Abortion rights became a focal point of national discussion June 24 following the overturn of the original Roe v. Wade decision. However, films have talked about the issue for decades, and the representation of the issue in media is more relevant than ever.

Gainesville model Veronique Deverson poses for Gelée magazine’s first student publication in 2021.

THE AVENUE | FASHION

Gainesville models find confidence and self-identity in fashion shows and photoshoots

By Allyssa Keller | July 25, 2022

Gainesville offers plenty of opportunities for aspiring models to express themselves artistically and build a professional portfolio.

Lauren Warhol Caldwell and Tom Miller perform in “Jack and Jill Go Downtown” at Black C Art Gallery Wednesday, July 20, 2022.

THE AVENUE | ART AND THEATER

Sitting in the backseat of Gainesville’s downtown parking struggles

By Fernando Figueroa and Kristine Villarroel | July 25, 2022

“Jack and Jill Go Downtown” addresses the complicated parking, QR code menus and other issues in downtown Gainesville.

Knifest brought more than 15 punk and metal bands to The Wooly Friday, Nov. 5, 2021.

THE AVENUE | MUSIC

More than the music: Knifest offers inclusive environment for artists from across the country

By Averi Kremposky | July 25, 2022

Under hues of red, green and blue, Knifepunch Records turned the Main Street banquet hall into a punk sanctuary.

Alison Garland’s painting titled “Straw House,” a multimedia collage and acrylic painting as seen Saturday, July 23, 2022.

THE AVENUE | ART AND THEATER

UF student artists protest overturn of Roe v. Wade

By Amanda Friedman | July 25, 2022

In protest of the June 24 Roe v. Wade overturn, pro-choice UF student artists are creating reproductive rights art with the hope of effecting change in their community.

Savants of Soul perform at Heartwood Sound Friday, July 8 2022.

THE AVENUE | MUSIC

The Savants of Soul hit the road again after energetic performance at Heartwood Soundstage

By Kristine Villarroel | July 18, 2022

Three years after last going on tour, the Savants of Soul kicked off their Florida tour with a lively performance among dozens of fans.

High Dive hosted the Gainesville Girls Rock Camp showcase Saturday, July 16, 2022.

THE AVENUE | MUSIC

Gainesville venues continue post-pandemic recovery amid Independent Venue Week

By Heather Bushman | July 18, 2022

Independent Venue Week highlighted Gainesville’s music scene — a once booming, then barren, and now recovering collection of community staples.

Rapper Sky Luca$ is one of several up-and-coming artists regularly perform across Gainesville venues.

THE AVENUE | MUSIC

What a time to be alive: Gainesville’s robust music scene

By Dazion Prosser | July 13, 2022

A sample platter featuring some of the many amazing artists in Gainesville.

Members of the Gainesville car scene liven empty parking lots Tuesdays and Fridays with headlights and car speakers, as pictured Friday, June 10, 2022.

THE AVENUE | LIFESTYLE

Gainesville car scene thrives amid gas prices and noise complaints

By Anna Ward | July 11, 2022

Under a weekly Tuesday and Friday night sky, attendees liven empty parking lots with headlights, car speakers, dogs and drinks.

Daniel Villamil crowd surfs at a performance by local punk band The Real You at The Moisturizer Gallery Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2019.

THE AVENUE | LIFESTYLE

An introduction to Gainesville’s DIY arts scene

By Kristine Villarroel | July 11, 2022

Artists use the resources already at their disposal and collaborate to put on shows at unconventional venues, like houses, storage units or bookstores.

Groups like Gainesville Nerds United often attend conventions to participate in panel discussions and cosplay — where people dress in costumes depicting characters from anime, video games, television shows and film.

THE AVENUE | LIFESTYLE

Gainesville Nerds United: a local platform for black voices in anime culture

By Amanda Friedman | July 11, 2022

Brought together by a shared love for anime is Gainesville Nerds United, a collective that aims to uplift and connect Black voices in anime culture. The group attends anime conventions across Florida to participate in panel discussions and cosplay.

High Dive, a Gainesville music venue, is a registered participant in Independent Venue Week.

THE AVENUE | MUSIC

Matt Maeson to appear at the High Dive amid Independent Venue Week

By Averi Kremposky | July 10, 2022

Armed with only his acoustic guitar, the Virginia-native singer commenced a small-scale tour of independent venues July 7.