The Avenue - The Independent Florida Alligator

THE AVENUE | MUSIC

Q&A: Sitting down with Jason Small of Former Planets

By Kirsten Chuba | May 25, 2016

Former Planets, a Gainesville-based rock band made up of Jason Small (lead vocals), Evan Johnson (guitar and vocals), Korkut Genc (bass) and Brook Stermer (drums), have been making music around town for the last two years. I sat down with Small before the band’s Friday night show at the Hardback Cafe, located at 211 W. University Ave.

Blake Briand, center, with the band members of Locochino after one of their many shows at The Jam. The band credits the music venue with much of its growth and success on the Gainesville music scene.

THE AVENUE | MUSIC

The Jam to close its doors after hosting Spirit Fest

By Kirsten Chuba | May 25, 2016

Lovers of Gainesville’s music scene will have one last chance this weekend to enjoy a beloved local venue before it closes its doors.

THE AVENUE

Here’s what to do if you’re in Gainesville this weekend

By Kirsten Chuba | May 24, 2016

Looking for something fun to do this Memorial Day weekend? The Avenue has got you covered. Here are some of the Gainesville highlights for art, food and entertainment:

THE AVENUE | MUSIC

Off the Record: New hip-hop releases from this year

By Jack DaSilva | May 18, 2016

We’re almost halfway through 2016, and this year has already been a better year for music than the last. Some of today’s biggest artists, including Kanye West, Beyonce and Drake, have released albums this year, but some of the best projects released have been from artists with less star power. It’s time to catch you up on some of the latest and hottest releases.

THE AVENUE | MUSIC

Q&A: Local band Crystal Balls discusses Gainesville music scene

By Kirsten Chuba | May 18, 2016

Crystal Balls, a Gainesville band made up of Kendrick Lemke, Nick Herrera and Erick Ubiles, is hitting the scene with their self-described “blackened swamp sci-fi doom metal.” I sat down with the band to talk sound and the music scene before Crystal Balls’ Saturday show at the Hardback Cafe.

THE AVENUE | NIGHTLIFE

Gainesville bar to host grand opening, burlesque show

By Catherine Dickson | May 18, 2016

A local gay bar will host a new burlesque show during its grand opening in a former biker bar Friday.

THE AVENUE | MUSIC

World-famous reggae band hits High Dive

By Paola Ascencio | May 18, 2016

A popular reggae band will visit Gainesville this week to show fans its redefined iconic music.

THE AVENUE | ART AND THEATER

1990s Tribute Show to help girls rock

By Chase Granger | May 18, 2016

The third in a series of tribute shows benefiting the Gainesville Girls Rock Camp will take place Friday at 9:30 p.m. at Loosey’s Downtown.

THE AVENUE | LIFESTYLE

Alachua County library brings in bestselling author

By Kirsten Chuba | May 18, 2016

Gainesville will welcome a New York Times bestselling author to town Sunday when Amy Stewart speaks at the Alachua County Library District.

THE AVENUE | MUSIC

Drake delivers with ‘Views,’ a potential Album of the Year

By Jack DaSilva | May 11, 2016

When Drake released “If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late” in February 2015, it felt like something was missing. To me, it sounded like Drake wasn’t trying at times, and the project really did feel like more of a mixtape than an album-quality project. To be clear, I still think that “IYRTITL” was very good; after all, Drake is one of the few artists that can’t miss. The scary part is, while “IYRTITL” was good, we all knew Drake could do better.

Flat Land will play at Friday’s Rage Fest, following a notable performance at the Okeechobee Music Festival. Doors open at 7 p.m. for the 8 p.m. show.

THE AVENUE | MUSIC

Bands return to The Jam for Gainesville Rage Fest

By RaSheba Jones | May 11, 2016

To end the first week of Summer classes, The Jam is bringing music and free beer to town.

UF graduate David Dawkins created a personal movie ranking system called Movie4Mi.

THE AVENUE | MOVIES AND TV

Gainesville brothers create personalized movie rating website

By Cecilia Lemus | May 11, 2016

Movie4Mi was created in 2011 as an Android app, but in January of this year, the website version of the app officially launched. David Dawkins said the app was a side project he created while he was a pharmacy student at UF.

CHEW, a trio from Atlanta, is bringing its unique sound to Gainesville for the first time. The group will be playing on Saturday at the Hardback Cafe, with doors opening at 9 p.m.

THE AVENUE | MUSIC

Q&A: Funky trio to play in Gainesville for the first time

By Kirsten Chuba | May 11, 2016

Three bands are converging at Gainesville’s Hardback Cafe on Saturday. Eve of November, CHEW and Analogue Ghost will be play- ing sets at the venue, located at 211 W. University Ave., starting at 10 p.m., with doors opening at 9 p.m.

THE AVENUE | MUSIC

Swamp Records show to fill The Jam Friday

By Raegan Daley | Apr. 13, 2016

Swamp Records anticipates hitting a capacity of 600 people at the third-annual Swamp Records Showcase on Friday.

THE AVENUE | MUSIC

Record Store Day returns to Hear Again and Arrow’s Aim

By Chase Drayer | Apr. 13, 2016

Hear Again Music and Movies normally retains a quiet atmosphere — until the third Saturday of April.

THE AVENUE | LIFESTYLE

Mediocre Advice: Comfort zones and boys

By Julia Nevins | Apr. 13, 2016

Dear Mediocre,

THE AVENUE | ART AND THEATER

UF brings classic opera to Phillips Center

By Nicole Clark | Apr. 13, 2016

This weekend, more than 100 UF student performers will take over the Phillips Center for the Performing Arts.

THE AVENUE | FOOD

Caribbean Queen's Sweet Sixteen: Celebrating 16 years of authentic Jamaican cuisine

By Laura Gomez | Apr. 6, 2016

To some, Valerie Phillips is better known as Ms. Queen.

THE AVENUE | LIFESTYLE

Alachua County Library to host annual comic convention

By Lauren Fernandez | Apr. 6, 2016

Given the success of last year’s event, the Alachua County Library District will host a second annual Fandomonium comic convention Saturday.

THE AVENUE | ART AND THEATER

The Hippodrome Theatre warps back to '80s cinema

By Cecilia Lemus | Apr. 6, 2016

The classic ‘80s film “Ghostbusters” will return to the theater this weekend at the Hippodrome Cinema, located at the Hippodrome State Theatre, for its Time Warp 80s Night.