What's Happening: Family fishing, Barbara Padilla, Sip and Create, Chomp the Block, more
SEPT. 10
FAMILY FISHING: Take the whole family out for a morning of fresh air during the UF/IFAS Family Fishing Day, held from 8 a.m. to noon Sept. 10. All family members are encouraged to participate. The site offers a railed fishing deck with two handicapped-accessible ramps for use by everyone who loves fresh-water fishing. Loaner poles and bait will be available, but everyone is encouraged to bring their own equipment and bait. The event is catch-and-release only. Volunteers are on hand to help. Event organizers encourage folks with little or no fishing experience to attend — their volunteers enjoy showing novices the ropes. The fishing ponds are located at 7922 NW 71st St., and the fishing is free, though donations are welcome. For more information, visit sfrc.ufl.edu.
SEPT. 15
BARBARA PADILLA: Barbara Padilla, the Mexican-American soprano who was runner-up on “America’s Got Talent” in 2009, will perform in concert at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 15 in the Jackson N. Sasser Fine Arts Hall at the Northwest Campus of Santa Fe College, 3000 NW 83rd St. Padilla’s concert is a fundraising event for the Climb for Cancer Foundation and part of SF’s Master Artist Series that brings performing arts professionals to campus to mentor students. For $150 at the VIP level, ticket holders can attend a pre-show reception and a post-show meet and greet. Orchestra section tickets are $50 for adults and $45 for seniors. Mezzanine section tickets are $40 for adults and $35 for seniors. Balcony tickets are $25 for adults, $20 for seniors and $15 for students. Tickets are available from the SF Box Office at 395-4181 or online at showpass.com/barbara-padilla. Padilla’s repertoire includes Celine Dion’s “The Prayer” and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “Pie Jesu” from “Requiem” as well as popular arias from operas such as “La Boheme,” “Turandot,” “Tosca,” “Madame Butterfly” and “La Traviata.” Her performance of Charles Gounod’s “Ave Maria” prompted judge Piers Morgan to declare, “It was the greatest single vocal performance we’ve ever had on ‘America’s Got Talent.’ ” Padilla was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma while in college and told that she might never be able to sing again after undergoing chemotherapy and radiation treatment. She refused to abandon her dream and completed her master’s degree in music on a full scholarship at the University of Houston while she battled her cancer. Now in remission, Padilla lives in Texas with her husband and daughter. Money raised from the concert will support the work of Gainesville’s Climb for Cancer Foundation, which funds enrichment programs involving arts, nature, sports and medicine for cancer patients, their families and caregivers.
SEPT. 16
SIP AND CREATE: Get creative during the annual Sip and Create fundraiser for The Bailey Learning and Arts Collective from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Sept. 16 at Flaco’s Cuban Bakery, 200 W. University Ave. The night will feature food from Flaco’s, a cash bar, karaoke and fun with artist Turbado Marabou leading attendees in creating a beautiful canvas that’s yours to keep at the end of the night. Coordinators also will have prizes donated by community sponsors. Tickets for Sip and Create are $25 each or $90 for a table of four with free food and one free drink; or $50 each for two free drinks, free food and a creative goody bag. For more information, visit facebook.com/BLAAC2BASICS.
SEPT. 16
CHOMP THE BLOCK: Celebration Pointe’s Chomp the Block events have returned for the 2022 season! The official block party of the Florida Gators will be 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 Benny and the Band on Sept. 16, Heavy Pedal on Sept. 30, 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.
SEPT. 18
SUNDAY ASSEMBLY: Sunday Assembly Gainesville will feature guest speaker Dr. Lynn Leverty, who has her PhD From American University and is now retired from the University of Florida Department of Political Science. The title of her talk will be “The Importance of Public Education: The Position of the Florida League of Women Voters.” 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. Vaccinations, boosters and face masks are recommended and encouraged. 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: What's Happening: Sunday Assembly, family fishing, Padilla and more
