'Beauty and the Beast,' jazz and more: Fun things to do this weekend in Ocala/Marion County

Ocala Star-Banner
·4 min read

'Beauty and the Beast'

This Disney musical is onstage through June 5 at the Ocala Civic Theatre. "Based on the beloved 1991 Disney film, this 'tale as old as time' is brought to life in a spectacular stage version of the classic fairytale. All the songs from the movie are here, plus half a dozen new hits written for the stage musical," OCT said in a news release. More at (352) 236-2274 and www.ocalacivictheatre.com.

Belle, played by Adrienne Hebert, reads a book by the well during a dress rehearsal of "Beauty and the Beast" at the Ocala Civic Theatre. The show is onstage through June 5.
Belle, played by Adrienne Hebert, reads a book by the well during a dress rehearsal of "Beauty and the Beast" at the Ocala Civic Theatre. The show is onstage through June 5.

Reilly Noir - Global Jazz Collective

The Reilly Noir series’ sixth concert is with the Global Jazz Collective at the Reilly Arts Center, 500 NE Ninth St., Ocala, May 27 at 7:30 p.m. The series is in partnership with Scott Wilson, associate professor of jazz studies at the University of Florida School of Music, who will also be performing. Joining Wilson is Latin Grammy award-winner Jose Valentino, professional bassist Nolan Koskela-Staples, and producer/percussionist Derris Lee. Tickets $20 per person; VIP tables for four available for $150. For additional information, visit www.reillyartscenter.com or call 352-351-1606.

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Greg Warren Band

Hang out at the Town Square at Circle Square Commons, 8405 SW 80th St., Ocala, from 7-10 p.m. May 27 for an evening of dancing and live local music with the Greg Warren Band. Food trucks, vendors, kiosks, shopping and fun for adults and families. Free and open to the public, weather permitting. For more information, visit www.circlesquarecommons.com.

Family and Friends Concert

Derek Milton and the Lebanon Baptist Choir of Baker, Florida, join the St. Joseph AME church choir from DeFuniak Springs for an evening of uplifting gospel music and fellowship May 28 at 6 p.m. at St. Paul AME Church, 718 NW Seventh St., Ocala. Free and open to the public. For more information, email carolcroskey@yahoo.com.

Peach Festival

Celebrate the harvest and the start of summer at Red, White, and Blues Farm, 3250 NE 140th Ave., Williston, and enjoy a day of picking fresh blueberries and peaches with your family. Scavenger hunts, cornhole contest, art and craft vendors, food trucks, and other fun activities, plus live music with the Doc Adams Band and Big Jim Adam. The festival will be held May 28 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets $5 in advance, $7 at the door. To purchase or for more information, visit www.redwhiteandbluesfarm.com .

Orange Blossom Opry

Macey Mac takes the stage at the Orange Blossom Opry, 16439 SE 138th Terrace, Weirsdale, with the OBOpry Band May 28 at 7 p.m. for an evening of live music. Tickets from $16-$25. For more details, visit www.obopry.com.

Ongoing:

Summer Spotlight Exhibition

“Town and Country” is the theme for the Visual Artists’ Society Summer Spotlight, showcasing the work of local and regional artists in a variety of mediums. The exhibit will be on display at the College of Central Florida Webber Gallery, 3001 SW College Road, Ocala, through July 28 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, call 352-854-2322, ext. 1552, or visit www.cf.edu.

'Landmarks'

The "Landmarks" exhibit, featuring works from Marion Cultural Alliance members, is on display through May 28 at the Brick City Center for the Arts, 23 SW Broadway St., Ocala. Admission is free. There are more than 60 original artworks including sculpture, photography, mixed media, oils, acrylics and pastels.

Steven Benson, “Under New Bridge,” Sandouping, China, 1999, Archival Pigment Print.
Steven Benson, “Under New Bridge,” Sandouping, China, 1999, Archival Pigment Print.

Photographs by Steven Benson

The Appleton Museum of Art, 4333 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala, presents “Invented Observations: Photographs by Steven Benson,” on exhibit through Nov. 6 in the Balcony Gallery for Florida Arts. Benson is a professor at Daytona State College and is the recipient of the National Endowment for the Arts Midwest Fellowship. His work has been displayed in numerous collections, including the Museum of Fine Art Houston, Detroit Institute of Arts and Museet for Fotokunst in Denmark. For more information, call 352-291-4455 or visit www.AppletonMuseum.org.

'Finding Beauty'

This exhibit features costumes, set photos, interactive experiences and sketches, along with a plethora of fabrics and video of the costume design process. These objects, from the Appleton Museum’s permanent collection, inspired the art and design for the Ocala Civic Theatre’s production of "Beauty and the Beast." This exhibit runs through the winter of 2022. The museum is at 4337 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala. For additional details and admission fees, visit www.appletonmuseum.org.

'Encounter' by Tom Hundersmarck

An abstract and landscape painter based in Gainesville, Hundersmarck began painting as a child and has worked extensively as a psychologist with combat veterans. The exhibit is free and open to the public through July 19 at Ocala International Airport, 1770 SW 60th Ave., Suite 600, Ocala. For more information, contact the City of Ocala Cultural Arts and Sciences Division at 352-629-8447 or visit www.ocalafl.org/artincityspaces.

This article originally appeared on Ocala Star-Banner: 'Beauty and the Beast' tops list of weekend fun in Ocala, Florida