Best bets: Chomp the Block, Artwalk, 'BLACK,' 'Sister Act Jr.' and Night of Dance

CHOMP THE BLOCK: Celebration Pointe’s Chomp the Block events have returned for the 2022 season! The official block party of the Florida Gators is held every Friday before home football games. The events feature food and drinks from onsite restaurants and food trucks, live music, giveaways and games along with special appearances by the Gators’ Spirit Team. Celebration Pointe is located just off of Interstate 75 and Archer Road. A Chomp the Block party is held each home-game Friday from 6 to 10 p.m. with a kids’ zone with child-friendly games such as a bounce house, face painting and balloon animals. This year’s Chomp the Block schedule includes live performances by Heavy Pedal today, Jamie Davis on Oct. 7, You’re Gonna Get It! on Oct. 14, and Gainesville Retro Society on Nov. 11. The exclusive block parties are part of a comprehensive, ongoing partnership program with the Florida Gators. In addition to Chomp the Block parties, the agreement includes Celebration Pointe hosting Gator Talk Radio with Florida Athletics coaches, which is held at 6 p.m. on most Mondays at The Keys Grill & Piano Bar inside Celebration Pointe. For more information, visit celebrationpointe.com.

ARTWALK: Take a stroll downtown through the local arts scene from 7 to 10 tonight during the monthly Artwalk Gainesville event. The free, self-guided tour through downtown will showcase live performances, visual arts and other activities put on by area businesses. This month’s offerings include works by Israeli-born Nava Ottenberg, whose inspiration for her colorful paintings comes from traveling in Italy, at Bingo Deli & Pub, 619 S. Main St., Unit 1A. Since graduating from the Art Academy and University of San Francisco, Ottenberg has taught art for the past 25 years. With sculptor Eric Bushnell, she led the public art initiative, placing 22-plus sculptures in downtown Gainesville. Ottenberg paints portraits, landscapes and still life in acrylic and pastel. Her latest ceramic’s creations began during the COVID pandemic. Mostly self-taught, she discovered the wheel and the lushness of colorful glazes. Ottenberg believes that creating new ways to discover beauty is the greatest use of one’s time. An opening reception will be held for “Characters” by Lindsay Carlton, which runs through Oct. 21 at 4Most Gallery, 534 SW Fourth Ave. “Characters” is a series of photographs in which Carlton used both staged photography and self-portraiture to create bizarre scenes with different characters. Within these scenes, Carlton created a staged image that introduces both a character and a narrative to the viewer without providing any concluding details. Carlton used costume design, lighting, special effects and props in these images to enhance this idea of a storyline. Inspired by media and the horror/thriller genres of films, this series also has suggestions of dark situations and theatrical elements. The pieces in this series are large scale inkjet prints on luster paper. Live music also will be performed at several venues. For more information, or to see a full listing of participating venues, visit artwalkgainesville.com.

“BLACK: AN EVENING OF ONE-ACTS”: Explore the world of Black consciousness and ideas of breaking stereotypes, the evolution of love and what it means to be free in white spaces. The Actors Warehouse’s newest production, “BLACK: An Evening of One-Acts,” features three one-act performances” “Dream of Passion,” starring Lynda Harris and Kevin O. Mack; “Post-Its,” starring Steven H. Butler and Lynda Harris; and

“In the Tank,” starring Lynda Harris and Kevin O. Mack. Catch a showing at 8 p.m. today and Saturday plus 2 p.m. Sunday at the Actors Warehouse, 2512 NE First Blvd. Tickets are $25 for general admission, $20 for seniors and $15 for students. For more information, or to purchase tickets online, visit actorswarehouse.org.

“SISTER ACT JR.”: Get into the act with Star Center Theatre and the feel-good musical comedy “Sister Act Jr.” at 8 p.m. today and Saturday plus 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. The gospel music-filled presentation is based on the hit 1992 film and Tony-nominated Broadway musical with original music by Alan Menken. When disco diva Deloris Van Cartier witnesses a murder, she is put in protective custody in a convent. Disguised as a nun, she finds herself at odds with the rigid lifestyle and Mother Superior. Deloris breathes new life into the church using her disco moves and singing talent, but, in doing so, blows her cover. She soon finds herself being chased by the gang she was hiding from — only to find herself backed by the power of her newly found sisterhood. Tickets to the show are $18 for adults, $12 for students and $15 for seniors. The Star Center Theatre is located at 11 NE 23rd Ave. For more information, visit bit.ly/sisteractjr22.

NIGHT OF DANCE 2022: Through the fifth annual Night of Dance 2022, set for 4 to 6 p.m. Saturday, UF HealthStreet wants to share with community members ways to improve health; whether it’s health screenings, health education or information on local resources. Interactive dance and fitness performances will engage attendees in communal, fun movement. Through community partnerships, organizers hope this event can serve 500-plus individuals from Gainesville and surrounding rural counties. UF HealthStreet is partnering with local agencies — including Trader Joe’s, YouFit, Alachua County Women, Infants, and Children center, Elder Options, WellFlorida Council and more — to provide a comprehensive community health experience for attendees. COVID vaccinations will be offered, and Arepa Burger and Swamp Religion also will be present. UF HealthStreet is a community engagement program at the University of Florida with a mission to improve the health of the community by bridging gaps in health care and health research. The fifth annual Night of Dance is an extension of what HealthStreet does every day– going out into the community and meeting community members where they are as they discuss their health needs and concerns. Night of Dance 2022 will take place at Bo Diddley Plaza, 111 E .University Ave. The event is free and open to all. For more information, visit ufl.edu.

This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: Best bets: Chomp, Artwalk, 'BLACK,' 'Sister Act Jr.,' Night of Dance