Best bets: Santa Fe Springs Plein Air Paint Out, Party for the Planet, food truck benefit
FIFTH ANNUAL SANTA FE SPRINGS PLEIN AIR PAINT OUT: The fifth annual Santa Fe Springs Plein Air Paintout continues today at O’Leno State Park with the exhibit open Saturday through May 21 at Lanza Gallery & Art Supplies, 23645 W. U.S. 27 in High Springs. The French term “plein air” means “out of doors” and refers to the practice of painting entire finished pictures outside. The public can observe artists painting the springs today and then view the exhibit of all of the finished works of the artists starting Saturday with an artists’ reception from 4 to 7 p.m. in the gallery. This year’s Plein Air artists include Cleetus Shaiju Antony Frank Barone, Nancy Betty, Eleanor Blair, Patrice Boyes, Steven Bradbury, Stacey Breheny, Diane Brody, Tina Corbett, Michèle Karahalios, Scott Lamp, Karen LeMonnier Tim Malles, Karen Ileta Miller, Robin Popp, Valarie Pothier-Forrester, Dana Queen, Angela Ransone Hyland, Peter Senesac, Jordan Shapot, Mary O Smith and Nika Zakharov. O’Leno State Park is located at 410 SE O'Leno Park Road in High Springs. The entrance fee is $4 per person or $6 per car. Information is available at Lanza Gallery & Art Supplies or by calling 474-1049.
PARTY FOR THE PLANET: SPRING INTO ACTION: In honor of Earth Day, the Santa Fe College Teaching Zoo is hosting Party for the Planet: Spring into Action from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. Attendees can explore the zoo and participate in fun activities such as games, crafts, face painting, training demonstrations, keeper talks, animal encounters and more. The zoo also will be joined by local conservation organizations. Visit with the animals, chat with the zookeepers, and learn about fun ways we can all enjoy and conserve nature. Attendees also can meet some of the zoo’s animal ambassadors. Entrance to the event is $8 for adults; $5 for ages 4-12, ages 60 and older, active military and veterans, first responders, teachers, and UF staff and students with Gator1 card; $3 for EBT recipients with EBT card (up to four total people); and free for ages 3 and younger. The zoo is located at 3000 NW 83rd St. on the Santa Fe College campus. For more information, visit sfcollege.edu/zoo.
FOOD TRUCK BENEFIT: Grab some grub and help out the Ronald McDonald House during the second annual Food Truck Festival set for 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday at CityLight Church, 5020 NW 23rd Ave. The event will feature a number of food trucks, including Vegan Gator, Cheffrey's, Mely's Muchies, Twisted Tikka, Rancho Luna and others. There also will be local vendors for shopping and live music. According to its website, the Ronald McDonald House and its supporters “believe in supporting families around the world and helping them access the medical care and resources they need.” The nonprofit’s website also says the group’s “programs help alleviate some financial burdens for families with sick children. We help our families save more than $443 million in hotel and meal expenses.” For more information about the food truck festival, email grwom2019@gmail.com. To learn more about the Ronald McDonald House, visit rmhc.org.
BO DIDDLEY EXPLOSION: The Bo Diddley Foundation is set to present the Bo Diddley Explosion from 6 to 10 p.m. Saturday at the Alachua Woman’s Club, 14565 Main St. in Alachua. Admission is $60 per person, and tickets can be purchased online at tinyurl.com/BoDiddleyExplosion or eventbrite.com. The Bo DIddley Explosion will feature live music, food, and one-of-a-kind souvenirs that will only be available at the event. All proceeds will go to benefit the mission of The Bo Diddley Foundation, which is committed to promoting music education, general education and vocations in the community, always helping those in need, and to shine a light on the contributions and legacy of the great Bo Diddley. Featured artists include Sister Hazel, Gitlo Lee, Zdany Chisholm, Terraplane, Barbara Walker, MaryNell Haynes, Scott Free, Dagna Galarza, Prime Time, Iris Bailey, Iris Evans, Br3z and more.
SUNDAY ASSEMBLY: Sunday Assembly Gainesville will feature guest speakers Helen Warren and Sue Blythe. Warren is a former Gainesville City Commissioner (2014-20) and is a sales associate with Berkshire Hathaway Home Services. Blythe is a peace activist who is currently working on climate change. The title of their talk will be “Building Community in a Changing Climate.” There will be time for discussion following the presentation. Music will be provided by Sunday Assembly musicians. Sunday Assembly Gainesville is a secular congregation that celebrates life at 11 a.m. the third Sunday of each month. The group will meet at the Pride Center in the Liberty Center, 3131 NW 13th St. Masks are required if not vaccinated. It also is possible to attend via zoom. Sunday Assembly Gainesville is a chapter of the Global Secular Sunday Assembly Movement. For more information, visit sagainesville.weebly.com or email SundayAssembly32601@gmail.com.
This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: Best bets: Santa Fe Springs Plein Air Paint Out, food truck benefit
