What's Happening: 5th Avenue Arts Fest, 'Death by Chocolate,' 'Spiders Alive!' and more

APRIL 28 THROUGH APRIL 30

43RD ANNUAL 5TH AVENUE ARTS FESTIVAL: Get out in the spring air to take part in the annul 5th Avenue Arts Festival, featuring artists, crafters, resellers, textile and clothing sellers, food trucks, food vendors, performing artists, visual artists, nonprofits, information and outreach groups. According to organizers, the festival, now in its 43rd year, began in the summer of 1979 when a group of University of Florida students and community residents joined to organize an event to share and promote the rich cultural history of the Fifth Avenue/Seminary Lane community. That first year, fewer than 100 people attended. Lavern Porter Dancers were the first performers. Decades later, the festival has grown and now regularly hosts more than 20,000 people each year. The event features three days of performance and visual arts. As a part of April 28 pre-festival activities, artists go to area public schools to demonstrate their craft. Past artists have included painters Isaac Knight of the original “Highwaymen,” photographer Ronnie Phillips and performers Atlanta Temba Issa. The festival officially opens April 29 with a gospel program followed by dancers, local bands and singers. National headliners have included jazz singer and musician Pamela Williams and R&B recording stars SOS Band. Historical exhibits are featured, like “The Rosewood” and Black history traveling exhibits from New York and the local Harn Museum. On April 30, booths and exhibits open at noon, followed by an afternoon of jazz and reggae on stage from local and national bands. The festival is part of a permanent exhibit at the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C., and is listed in Florida Black Heritage Trails. The Festival also has been recognized by local and national elected officials.

APRIL 28 THROUGH APRIL 30

“DEATH BY CHOCOLATE”: In “Death by Chocolate,” the newest production from High Springs Playhouse, members of the newly renovated Meadowbrook Health Resort are dropping like flies — including famed chef Edith Chiles! This is not the best advertisement for the eve of the grand reopening. It’s up to John Stone, the manager, to find the cause and the murderer. Delightfully sarcastic and cynical, Stone finds himself teaming up with Ed Parlor, mystery writer and amateur sleuth, in a wacky race against time. The clues point to a sinister box of chocolates, and the suspects include all the outlandish characters working for the resort. Could it be Lady Riverdale, owner of the resort and a woman with dark secrets? Or Ralph Deadwood, gym instructor and all around cad? Dick Simmering, the aerobics instructor? Anne, the panic-stricken nurse? Or could it be “Sweet Pea” Meadowbrook, overweight and grieving daughter of the recently deceased founder of the resort? Death by Chocolate combines all of the elements of classic murder mysteries with a scathing satire of today’s health crazes. Catch a showing at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays plus 2 p.m. Sundays through April 30 at the High Springs Playhouse, 130 NE First Ave. in High Springs. Tickets are $15 for general admission, and $10 for students and ages 65 and older. For more information, or to purchase tickets online, visit highspringsplayhouse.com.

ONGOING THROUGH SEPT. 4

“SPIDERS ALIVE!”: Take an eight-legged walk on the wild side with “Spiders Alive!” at the Florida Museum of Natural History. This exciting exhibit dives into the world of spiders, scorpions and their relatives with more than a dozen live species from around the world on display. Discover the unique traits and characteristics of this diverse group of animals at this interactive, family-friendly experience! Live arachnids (spiders) highlight the ecological importance of these animals that include black widows, orb weavers and bird eaters. Large, touchable models reveal more about spider anatomy and their differences from insects while rare fossils display species from the past — including one that is 100 million years old. Videos showcase a variety of unique animal behaviors, such as a diving bell spider living underwater and a southern black widow spinning silk. Separate fact from myth and learn about ancient spiders, conservation, venom and more. “Spiders Alive!” will be on display through Sept. 4. The museum is located at 3215 Hull Road. Tickets are $8 for adults; $7.50 for Florida residents, seniors and non-UF college students; $5.50 for ages 3 to 17; and free for ages 2 and younger, UF students, and museum members.

ONGOING

FEED THE HORSES: Enjoy the Florida weather as you take in 335 acres of nature and feed the horses and donkeys of Mill Creek Farm Retirement Home for Horses. The farm, a nonprofit that was established in 1983, has been home to hundreds of horses who endured abuse, starvation and neglect. The sanctuary provides lifelong care for these horses as well as retired police and military equines. Entrance to the farm is free; they ask that you bring carrots, apple slices and/or bananas to share with the animals. It is open to the public Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information about the farm, or to find out how you can help the nonprofit, visit millcreekfarm.org.

ONGOING

HISTORIC HAILE HOMESTEAD TOUR: The Historic Haile Homestead is unique in the nation for its "Talking Walls." For a reason lost to time, the Haile family wrote on the walls of their home — more than 12,500 words in almost every room and closet. Visit the historic site Sunday and see this gem of history that has been frozen in time. Let the walls speak to you of joys and sorrows from more than a century ago. Visitors must wear face coverings while indoors.The venue is open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays and noon to 4 p.m. Sundays. Attendees also can see the videos in the Allen & Ethel Graham Visitors Center: "Beginnings" and "Enslavement to Freedom." The Historic Haile Homestead is located at 8500 Archer Road. Entrance to the site is $5 for ages 13 and older and free for ages 12 and younger. For more information, visit hailehomestead.org.

This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: What's Happening: Horse feedings, Historic Haile Homestead tour, more