Scene Calendar: 'Free Fridays' concerts, an award-winning librarian, ballet and more

THIS WEEK

Chomp the Block

Before the Gators take on Texas A&M on Saturday, fans are invited to a special Chomp the Block Championship Reunion/Family Weekend from 6 to 10 p.m. Sept. 13. The free family event — billed as the official block party of the Florida Gators — will feature live music by Jamie Davis, kids’ activities from 6 to 8 p.m., UF celebrity appearances, food, drinks, bounce houses, balloon animals, facing painting, corn hole and more.

'Free Fridays' concert - Dionysus

Catch the next performance of the city’s popular “Free Fridays” concert series from 7 to 9 p.m. Sept. 13 at the Bo Diddley Plaza downtown amphitheater, located at 111 E. University Ave. The free concert series highlights a different act each week, with Dionysus performing AstroJazz and funk this week. Attendees are encouraged to bring their blankets and lawn chairs to Bo Diddley Plaza to enjoy the concert under the stars. For more information, including a list of upcoming performances, visit gainesvillefl.gov/Events-directory/Free-Fridays-Concert-Series.

Amanda Jones

Award-winning Louisiana librarian Amanda Jones — known for her memoir “That Librarian: The Fight Against Book Banning in America” — will be in Gainesville for a free event Sept. 14 at The Lynx Bookstore beginning at 5 p.m. The event will be in partnership with the Florida Freedom to Read Project. According to organizers, “That Librarian” maps the book-banning crisis taking place across the nation. It is the story of Jones’ fight against book banning in the small Louisiana town she was born and raised in, and her unwavering commitment to defending intellectual freedom. The book also tells other stories of librarians and towns embroiled in this major national issue that has touched the lives of librarians, educators, authors, and parents and children in both big cities and small towns across the country. Jones has made headlines over the past two years as one of the first librarians in the country to file a lawsuit for defamation against her detractors, attracting support from around the world from fellow librarians, educators, authors, publishers, and notable figures — including from Oprah Winfrey, who mentioned her in her speech at the 2023 National Book Awards: “Amanda Jones started getting death threats, all for standing up for our right to read … but she's not stopped fighting against book bans or stopped advocating for access to diverse stories.”

Jazz on the Green

Join Celebration Pointe for live music, food and drinks, lawn games and more as Brazil Side B plays live music on the stage in the promenade from 7 to 9 p.m. Sept. 14. Spread a blanket under the setting sun and catch some live music while the kids play games on the lawn. Celebration Pointe is located off of Interstate 75 and Archer Road at Celebration Pointe Avenue. For more information, visit celebrationpointe.com.

COMING SOON

Sean Mason Quartet

Pianist Sean Mason’s unique voice in jazz is steeped in the sound of the South. Mason’s performances are grounded in an integrity reinforced by his appreciation of his musical ancestors with influences ranging from Ray Charles to Duke Ellington to southern gospel and blues. His 2023 album, “The Southern Suite,” offers moments of complexity that will excite jazz aficionados with catchy, accessible melodies that welcome everyone. UpStage is an intimate, cabaret-style setting on the Phillips Center Mainstage. The 7 p.m. seating includes heavy hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar; the 9 p.m. seating includes desserts and cash bar. Catch a performance at 7 and 9 p.m. Sept. 20 at UpStage at the Phillips Center, located at 3201 Hull Road. Tickets are $55 for the 7 p.m. seating and $35 for the 9 p.m. seating. For more information about this or other upcoming events, or to purchase tickets online, visit performingarts.ufl.edu.

'Free Fridays' concert - Morningbell

Catch another performance of the city’s popular “Free Fridays” concert series from 7 to 9 p.m. Sept. 20 at the Bo Diddley Plaza downtown amphitheater, located at 111 E. University Ave. The free concert series highlights a different act each week, with Morningbell performing psychedelic rock and soul. Attendees are encouraged to bring their blankets and lawn chairs to Bo Diddley Plaza to enjoy the concert under the stars. For more information, including a list of upcoming performances, visit gainesvillefl.gov/Events-directory/Free-Fridays-Concert-Series.

Peter DiStefano (of Porno For Pyros) and Mike Baggetta (of mssv)

Setting forth as a guitar duo unlike any other, this very first punk-jazz tour across the U.S. finds Peter DiStefano (of Porno for Pyros) and Mike Baggetta (of mssv) exploring no-boundaries improvised music, informed by their lives and songs, with just two electric guitars, electronics and maybe some vocals. (Think Albert Ayler meets Stooges meets Jimi Hendrix and you might be getting close.) A founding member of the alternative rock band Porno For Pyros in 1992 with Perry Farrell, Stephen Perkins and Martyn LeNoble, guitarist DiStefano has been heard all over the world for decades with their first album reaching No. 3 on the Billboard Top 200. In addition to his work with Pyros, DiStefano has featured in various projects with Scott Weiland of Stone Temple Pilots, Peter Murphy of Bauhaus, and the band Hellride with Mike Watt. He also is known for his extensive recent work as a composer and musician for many soundtracks in film, television and gaming. Iconoclastic guitarist Baggetta is most recently known for leading his post-genre power trio mssv (with the legendary rhythm team of drummer Stephen Hodges and bassist Mike Watt) through multiple U.S. tours and album releases over the past five years, after releasing two additional albums of original music alongside Watt and drummer Jim Keltner. Baggetta’s music has always been adventurous in spirit and style, creating his identifiably undefinable sound with his guitar, voice and various musical gadgets. He also has appeared on stage and on recordings with Nels Cline, J Mascis, Petra Haden and David Torn. Catch their Gainesville show at 8 p.m. Sept. 20 at The Atlantic, located at 19 W. University Ave. Tickets are $15. For more information, visit tinyurl.com/pdmg24 or email [email protected].

Tres Souls

Tres Souls has been capturing hearts one ballad at a time. They are a modern embodiment of the vintage sounds of the Golden Age of Mexican cinema and will transport you to a more romantic time. UpStage is an intimate, cabaret-style setting on the Phillips Center Mainstage. The 7 p.m. seating includes heavy hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar; the 9 p.m. seating includes desserts and cash bar. See a performance at 7 and 9 p.m. Sept. 21 at UpStage at the Phillips Center, located at 3201 Hull Road. Tickets are $55 for the 7 p.m. seating, $35 for the 9 p.m. seating, and $12 for UF students. For more information, or to purchase tickets online, visit performingarts.ufl.edu.

Gainesville Brass Quintet

Holy Trinity Episcopal Church will present the Gainesville Brass Quintet in concert at 4 p.m. Sept. 22 followed by a wine and hor d'oeuvres reception. The event also will be livestreamed. Holy Trinity Episcopal Church is located at 100 NE First St. in downtown Gainesville. For more information, visit holytrinitygnv.org.

'Free Fridays' concert - Savants of Soul

Catch another performance of the city’s popular “Free Fridays” concert series from 7 to 9 p.m. Sept. 27 at the Bo Diddley Plaza downtown amphitheater, located at 111 E. University Ave. The free concert series highlights a different act each week, with Savants of Soul performing soul. Attendees are encouraged to bring their blankets and lawn chairs to Bo Diddley Plaza to enjoy the concert under the stars. For more information, including a list of upcoming performances, visit gainesvillefl.gov/Events-directory/Free-Fridays-Concert-Series.

Jahari Stampley Trio

Young pianist Jahari Stampley blasted onto the international jazz scene in 2023 by winning the prestigious Herbie Hancock Institute Competition. Accompanied by his Grammy-nominated multi-instrumentalist mother, D-Erania Stampley, and drummer Miguel Russell, Jahari performs ultra-funky, dimension-opening jazz with a triumphant style that is unmistakably his own. UpStage is an intimate, cabaret-style setting on the Phillips Center Mainstage. The 7 p.m. seating includes heavy hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar; the 9 p.m. seating includes desserts and cash bar. Catch a performance at 7 and 9 p.m. Sept. 28 at UpStage at the Phillips Center, located at 3201 Hull Road. Tickets are $55 for the 7 p.m. seating, $35 for the 9 p.m. seating, and $12 for UF students. For more information, or to purchase tickets online, visit performingarts.ufl.edu.

'Swan Lake'

Presented by Dance Alive National Ballet, “Swan Lake” is the story of a prince whose fiancée has been transformed into a swan by the evil sorcerer Von Rothbart. This performance is family friendly. See the show at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 27 at the Phillips Center, located at 3201 Hull Road. Tickets are $35 to $65. For more information, or to purchase tickets online, visit performingarts.ufl.edu.

Gainesville Pride Festival

Organizers of the annual Gainesville Price Festival — set for noon to 8 p.m. Sept. 28 — say they anticipate another record-breaking event. The festival will be located at Bo Diddley Plaza and on surrounding streets. Organizers say attendees will experience a vibrant celebration of love, diversity and community as they come together to support LGBTQ+ individuals and allies. The free-to-enter event will feature entertainment, food trucks and a variety of vendors offering unique products and services. For more information, visit gainesvillepride.org/2024-pride-days.

ONGOING

'Perfect Arrangement'

“Perfect Arrangement” seamlessly merges sitcom laughs with stirring drama to tell the story of two closeted State Department employees struggling to not blow their cover during the Red Scare. Laugh until you cry in this comedy inspired by true stories of the early American gay rights movement. This play discusses LGBTQ+ and adult themes, and strong language is used. Catch a performance at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, and 7 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays through Sept. 22 at the Hippodrome Theatre, located at 25 SE Second Place. Tickets run $10 to $30. For more information, visit thehipp.org/perfect-arrangement.

'Heat'

The Gainesville Fine Arts Association (GFAA) is presenting their fourth Biennial National Juried Exhibition, “Heat,” on display through Oct. 19. There will be a speaker event in partnership with the Lynx Bookstore beginning at 5 p.m. at Headquarters Library, located at 401 E. University Ave. with author Jeff Goodell Jane Gilbert, Chief Heat Officer, Miami-Dade County, on Sept. 28. “Heat” will be on display free and open to the public at GFAA Gallery, located at 1314 S. Main St. It includes works from artists all over the country. Works explore the concept of heat as it relates to a warming planet: how it impacts our environment, bodies, lifestyles, landscapes and structures. The gallery is open 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesdays through Fridays and 11 a.m. 4 p.m. Saturdays. Visit gainesvillefinearts.org or call 328-5027 for more information.

Horse feeding

The Retirement Home for Horses provides lifetime care to elderly horses seized by law enforcement agencies, rescued by the SPCA or humane societies, as well as horses retired from government service such as police patrol or state and federal parks. They allow visitors to tour the property and feed treats — carrots, apple slices and bananas provided by the visitors — from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. every Saturday. Mill Creek Farm Retirement Home for Horses is located at 20307 NW CR 235A in Alachua. For more information, or to support the nonprofit, visit millcreekfarm.org.

This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: Gainesville Florida's entertainment listings for September 2024