Best bets: Panel on local Black history, 'Ax of Murder,' 'Quentin Crisp,' 'House of Usher'

“IN THE SHADOWS OF PLANTATIONS: ENSLAVED AFRICANS IN ALACHUA COUNTY”: The Cotton Club Museum and Cultural Center will present “In the Shadows of Plantations: Enslaved Africans in Alachua County” at 6 p.m. today at the Cotton Club Museum and Cultural Center, located at 837 SE Seventh Ave. The program is free and will feature a panel discussion moderated by UF Law Professor Kenneth Nunn with local historians Sherry DuPree and Garlenda Greene; Karen Kirkman, president and historian at Historic Haile Homestead Inc.; and Jon Sensbach, chair of the UF Department of History. There will be a reception preceding the panel. These activities will be conducted in remembrance of Dr. Patricia Hilliard-Nunn, a founding board member of the Cotton Club Museum and Cultural Center, who organized the original “In the Shadow of Plantations” panel at the Matheson Museum in 2007. All safety recommendations have been followed with masks required. The Cotton Club Museum and Cultural Center is an organization dedicated to enriching the experiences of all who wish to grow in knowledge and appreciation of the history and culture of African-derived cultures, highlighting those in Gainesville and North Central Florida. For more information, visit cottonclubmuseum.com.

“AX OF MURDER”: Everyone’s heard of a haunted house, but a haunted play? In “Ax of Murder,” the newest production from P.K. Yonge Performing Arts, curiosity gets the best of the actors and, despite the playwright’s adamant warnings, they open the script and start reading the play! It soon becomes apparent the play is mirroring their theater — and even the specific actors. When a police sergeant shows up on cue stating he was called in on a murder, people begin to wonder. It seems as if no one could have done it. Nobody, that is, but perhaps a ghost! Audiences won’t know who or what to believe. Characters show up in all areas of the theater, running down aisles and then disappearing. You never know what will happen next! Fun for the whole family, this play is suitable for family members of all ages. Tickets are $8. Catch a showing at 7 p.m. today and Saturday. For more information, visit pkyonge.ufl.edu.

“A VISIT WITH QUENTIN CRISP”: Quentin Crisp was an English raconteur whose work in the public eye included a memoir of his life and various media appearances. Before becoming well-known, he was an artist's model, hence the title of his most famous work, “The Naked Civil Servant.” He afterward became a gay icon due to his flamboyant personality, fashion sense and wit. His iconic status was occasionally controversial, due to remarks about subjects like the AIDS crisis. Local actor Bryan Mercer will mesmerize the audience as he brings this iconic character to life at the Actors’ Warehouse — 2512 NE First Blvd. — sharing highlights of Crisp's memoir. “A Visit With Quentin Crisp” will be a pleasure indeed. Catch a showing at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays plus 2 p.m. Sundays through Oct. 23. Tickets are $25 for general admission, $20 for seniors and $15 for students. For more information, or to purchase tickets online, visit actorswarehouse.org/coming-soon.

Hitting the stage: Three new plays premiering at Hippodrome Theater, Actor’s Warehouse, Star Center Theater

“THE FALL OF THE HOUSE OF USHER”: The High Springs Playhouse is bringing an short story by Edgar Allan Poe to life — just in time for the spooky season. Their adaptation of “The Fall of the House of Usher” is re-invented as a detective thriller and set in 1930s Boston. James Brookfield, an up-and-coming writer of potboilers from New York City, is invited to the Boston home of his childhood friend, Roderick Usher, to, as his host suggests, “chronicle the evolution” of the House of Usher. What begins for Brookfield as a pleasant distraction from the busy hubbub of New York’s literary circles turns into a maelstrom of horror when he slowly discovers Usher’s secret intent, and realizes that the life of Usher’s sister, Madeline, as well as Brookfield’s own life, are in terrible danger. Told as a series of lightning-paced flashbacks as tough-as-nails police detective Michael Shaughnessy questions Brookfield about what actually happened to cause the fire that destroyed the House of Usher, the play moves relentlessly to its terrifying, stunning conclusion. Catch at showing at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays plus 2 p.m. Sundays through Oct. 30 at the High Springs Playhouse, 23416 NW 186th Ave. in High Springs. Tickets are $15 for general admission and $10 for students 17 and younger and seniors ages 65 and older. For more information about this and other upcoming shows, or to purchase tickets online, visit highspringsplayhouse.com.

“RUNNING MATES”: The Hipp’s newest production, the fast-paced political comedy “Running Mates,” brings new meaning to the phrase “family politics.” With the scandal of a leaked video, Sam, the longtime beloved mayor of Anderson, suddenly sees his seat in office threatened. Mischief ensues when the last person he ever expected — his wife, Sophia — decides to run against him. It’s down and dirty and laugh-out-loud funny as husband and wife duke it out. And what happens when an unexpected third candidate enters the race? Find out during a show at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, and 7 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays through Oct. 30 at the Hippodrome Theatre, 25 SE Second Place. Tickets are $20 to $50. For more information, visit thehipp.org.

This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: Best bets: 'Running Mates,' 'House of Usher,' 'Quentin Crisp'