Emilia Cardenas-Perez - The Independent Florida Alligator

Samuel P. Harn Museum of Art pictured on Sunday, April 21, 2024.

Ben Nielsen

THE AVENUE | ART AND THEATER

‘Survivors of Violence’ exhibit joins the Harn Museum for Sexual Assault Awareness Month

By Emilia Cardenas-Perez | Apr. 22

Hosted by the Alachua County Community Support Services and the Victim Services and Rape Crisis Center, the exhibit invited survivors of interpersonal violence to contribute original artwork, including performance pieces, as a means of reclaiming their narratives and advocating for change.

Courtesy to The Alligator

THE AVENUE | FASHION

E-retailer visits UF campus: Students flock to pink truck for fashion and freebies

By Emilia Cardenas-Perez | Apr. 15

On Saturday morning, hundreds lined up outside the Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, with some arriving as early as 9 a.m. to make the two-hour long wait. Although there was a football game later in the day, the students were not there for sports. Instead, they were crowded around a pastel pink truck, eager to win free merchandise from popular e-retail brand Edikted.

Courtesy to The Alligator

THE AVENUE | MUSIC

Uplift GNV: Benefit concert raises funds for free therapy to local musicians

By Emilia Cardenas-Perez | Apr. 1

Uplift GNV’s aim is to raise funds for Upbeat’s Musicians Therapy Scholarship, which covers mental health counseling costs for musicians. Recipients of the scholarship can use the funds to cover eight private therapy sessions at Gainesville Community Counseling Center, Klausner said.

A local cat attends the Barkin’ Market event at How Bazar on Friday, Feb. 23, 2024.

Ben Nielsen

THE AVENUE | FASHION

Circus-themed fashion show for pets unleashes at the How Bazar

By Emilia Cardenas-Perez | Feb. 25

Under the fluorescent lights of Southwest Second Street’s How Bazar, dogs, cats, snakes and birds circled around the venue Friday, adorned in handmade crochet outfits. The proud owners accompanied each pet, stopping to let the crowd that lined the perimeter admire them, an event organizers call ‘Barkin' Market: A Night at the Circus.’

Masked customers shop at the new Gainesville store Wednesday.

THE AVENUE | LIFESTYLE

Pop-up market celebrates local Black businesses, cultural heritage

By Emilia Cardenas-Perez | Feb. 18

Saturday’s Anthropologie Community Pop-up Market in Butler Town Center at 3217 SW 35th Blvd occurred from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m., with six vendors in attendance.

Kendall Jenner poses with fans at The Swamp Restaurant on Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2024.

Matthew Lewis

THE AVENUE | NIGHTLIFE

Kendall Jenner brings tequila brand to Gainesville bars

By Emilia Cardenas-Perez | Feb. 8

UF students stood on chairs and climbed tables to catch a glimpse of Kendall Jenner as she walked in from the side door at The Social at Midtown. The sound of excited screams and the flash of iPhone cameras filled the room as the model hopped behind the bar to make drinks with her tequila.

Local drag queen Inertia talks to audience members at a RuPaul’s Drag Race viewing event at University Club on Friday, Feb. 2, 2024.

Madilyn Gemme

THE AVENUE | NIGHTLIFE

‘Rupaul’s Drag Race’ leaves impact on local LGBTQ+ community

By Emilia Cardenas-Perez | Feb. 5

Every Friday at 8 p.m., a crowd gathers at University Club’s downstairs bar to watch the weekly episode of “RuPaul’s Drag Race.” For no cover charge, attendees join the club's drag performers to revel in the excitement of the critically acclaimed show.

Sunshine State Book Festival on Saturday, Jan. 27, 2024.

Adriel Bolocon

THE AVENUE | LIFESTYLE

Statewide book festival aims to improve childhood literacy rates in Alachua County

By Emilia Cardenas-Perez | Jan. 29

On Jan. 27, the ground floor of the Hilton Conference Center filled with lines of eager readers waiting to meet and greet more than 200 authors from across Florida promoting their most prized literary pieces.

Quail Hollow vocalist Ashley Griffith performs at Playground Music + Arts Festival on Saturday, Jan. 20, 2024.

Adriel Bolocon

THE AVENUE | MUSIC

Twelve local bands performed at sold-out Playground Music and Arts Festival 2024

By Emilia Cardenas-Perez and Benjamin Miller | Jan. 22

The Playground Music and Arts Festival Jan. 20 featured 12 band performances, food trucks, merchandise stands and clothing vendors. The sold-out event at the Heartwood Soundstage occurred from 1 p.m. to 11 p.m., ending with a two-hour set from the group of UF alumni, Flipturn.

Courtesy to The Alligator

NEWS | CAMPUS

Rabbit gets confiscated from UF fraternity brothers following Barstool video

By Emilia Cardenas-Perez | Jan. 21

An animal rescue organization confiscated a rabbit from two UF Kappa Sigma fraternity members for bringing it to a house party. A video posted by Barstool Florida on Instagram Jan. 14 led to Gainesville Rabbit Rescue taking the 1-year-old rabbit, Colby, from her foster parents.