What's Happening: Boo at the Zoo, 'Rocky Horror,' BASH, 'Elf,' 1890s Festival

OCT. 31

BOO AT THE ZOO: Boo at the Zoo will return for its 26th year at the Santa Fe College Teaching Zoo on Halloween — Monday — from 3 to 7:30 p.m. All are welcome to join the zoo in costume to trick-or-treat throughout its trails – just bring your own bag or bucket! The trails will be transformed into a family friendly trick-or-treat land, immersing visitors in Mario Kart, “Finding Nemo,” Willy Wonka, the wild west and “How to Train Your Dragon.” Admission to the event is one canned good or non-perishable food item per person. Cans collected help two charities — Saints Food Share at Santa Fe College and Catholic Charities — that feed families in need around the community. Organizers ask that attendees refrain from bringing food donations in single-use plastic bags. In addition to the festivities and trick-or-treating in the zoo, Fun4GatorKids will host a KidsZone in front of the zoo full of community organizations with crafts, activities and more candy. There will be live entertainment from Danscompany of Gainesville, animal encounters, games and food available for purchase. For more information, visit sfcollege.edu.

NOV. 2

“ROCKY HORROR” LIVE: The local “Rocky Horror Picture” troupe, "Frankie and the Pretenders," is fully vaccinated and ready to party! Come celebrate this High Dive tradition with a final performance set for 8 p.m. Nov. 2. The show will include live-action skits from local players to accompany the cult movie classic — with audience participation. Tickets cost $13 in advance or $15 the day of the show. According to rockyhorror.com, the movie’s official fan site, the American premiere of “Rocky Horror Picture Show” was in late September 1975. Even though it played in a few test market cities, the film was considered a failure and was shelved. Then, on April 1, 1976, a young advertising executive at 20th Century Fox persuaded the Walter Reade Organization to replace the midnight show at the Waverly Theater with “Rocky Horror Picture Show.” The Waverly had already been a mecca for midnight movies, and Denise Borden, the theater’s manager, was fascinated with the film. She began her own personal hype campaign, with photos in the box office window and a theater telephone recording that stated, "This is a film not to be missed." It was because of her that audiences began generating a party atmosphere and turning it into the audience-participation cult classic that it is today. The local production is for ages 18 and older, unless accompanied by a parent or legal guardian (there is a $3 under-21 fee charged at the door). No smoking inside the venue, but it is allowed outside in the Beer Garden. High Dive is located at 210 SW Second Ave., Suite A. For more information, visit bit.ly/rockyfall22.

NOV. 4 THROUGH NOV. 6

BASH MUSIC FESTIVAL: The BASH will return to Depot Park Nov. 4-6 with Mavis Staples, Drive-By Truckers, Larkin Poe, Tyler Bryant and the Shakedown, Lilly Hiatt, Little Jake and the Soul Searchers, The Savants of Soul and more regional and local artists. The BASH stands for Blues, Americana, Soul and Heritage and is a free music festival that showcases the very best of Gainesville. Festivalgoers can listen to more than 30 artists on three stages around Depot Park and can enjoy local food trucks and vendors, an artisan art and craft market, beer garden and fun experiences for the whole family. Tickets for The BASH are available for VIP and general admission at thebashgnv.com. Options include a free general admission pass, a party pit VIP package, a two-day VIP package and a three-day VIP package that includes an exclusive kick-off party with an intimate performance by Patterson Hood, frontman of Drive-By Truckers, at the downtown venue The Wooly. VIP purchases help keep the festival free for the general public and also support local nonprofits M.A.M.A’s Club and the Music Is Medicine Fund associated with the UF Health Shands Arts In Medicine program. For the schedule, lineup, tickets and more information, visit thebashgnv.com.

NOV. 4 THROUGH DEC. 11

“ELF: THE MUSICAL”: – Buchholz Drama is set to put on a musical version of a modern holiday classic. Based on the beloved holiday film, the hilarious comedy “Elf: The Musical” follows Buddy the Elf in his quest to spread Christmas cheer. As a young orphan, Buddy mistakenly crawls into Santa’s bag of gifts and is transported to the North Pole, where he is raised alongside Santa’s elves. Unaware that he is human, Buddy has many comical challenges but never loses his Christmas spirit. Buddy embarks on a journey to New York City to discover his true identity and help everyone remember the true meaning of Christmas. With a talented cast of more than 20 students, this musical will fill your family with holiday cheer — after all, the best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear. Buchholz Drama has won numerous performing arts awards under the leadership of Ted Lewis. They collected toys for this production earlier this year, and all donations will be given to children in need after the musical’s stage run. The musical ran on Broadway and tours annually in the U.S. The local production of “Elf the Musical” runs at 7 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays Nov. 3-Dec. 11 at Buchholz High School, 5510 NW 27th Ave. Tickets are $15 for general admission, $12 for students, $10 for groups and free for BHS faculty. For more information, or to purchase tickets, visit buchholzdrama.com.

NOV. 5

MCINTOSH 1890S FESTIVAL: Take a trip back in time and visit more than 280 arts, crafts and antiques vendors alongside old live oaks and Victorian homes during the annual McIntosh 1890s Festival. Set for 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 5 in Victorian McIntosh, located off of U.S. 441 midway between Ocala and Gainesville, the free event also will feature a variety of live musical performances. The museum in the old railroad depot will be open, and Van Ness Park will be the central location for playground equipment, musical entertainment and seating. Food vendors also will offer a variety of options. Parking will be available in several privately run lots off of the highway with prices ranging started at $5. Some of the churches on 441 allow parking for donations. Handicap parking will be located at the McIntosh Baptist Church at the southwest corner of U.S. 441 and Avenue F. The Marion County Sheriff's department will be directing traffic. For more information, visit friendsofmcintosh.org.

This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: What's Happening: Boo at the Zoo, 'Rocky,' BASH, 'Elf,' 1890s Fest