What's Happening: 'Free Fridays' concert, family movies, horse feeding, historical tour
JULY 29
“FREE FRIDAYS” CONCERT: Catch the next performance of the city’s popular “Free Fridays” concert series from 7 to 9 p.m. July 29 at the Bo Diddley Plaza downtown amphitheater, located at 111 E. University Ave. The free concert series highlights a different act each week, with Jimmy Young and Passion performing R&B today. Attendees are encouraged to bring their blankets and lawn chairs to Bo Diddley Plaza to enjoy the concert under the stars. For more information, including a list of upcoming performances, visit bodiddleyplaza.com/upcoming-events. Future dates include Dion Dia Presents performing hip-hop on Aug. 5; De Lions of Jah performing reggae on Aug. 12; The Savants of Soul performing soul music on Aug. 19; Matcha and the Sooza Brass Band performing funk-rock and brass band music on Aug. 26; the Fest 20-year anniversary showcase on Sept. 2; Pet Detectives performing ’90s rock and alternative covers on Sept. 9; Wax Wings with special guests performing original folk rock on Sept. 16; The Late Night Losers with special guests performing alt-rock on Sept. 23; RC and Showtime performing R&B and soul on Sept. 30; The Last Waltz, a The Band tribute band, performing Oct. 7; Morningbell performing psychedelic rock and soul on Oct. 14; and The Imposters, a The Beatles tribute band, closing this year’s series on Oct. 21.
ONGOING THROUGH AUG. 10
FAMILY MOVIES: Get out of the heat and enjoy feel-good family movies for $2 each ticket during Regal Theaters’ Summer Movie Express series. The special series will be held on Tuesdays and Wednesdays every week during the summer through Aug. 10. This year’s participating theater is Regal Royal Park Stadium 16 at 3702 W. Newberry Road. Each week will feature two movies that will play both days beginning at 11 a.m. The schedule includes “The Croods: A New Age” and “The Boss Baby: Family” on Aug. 2-3, and “Trolls” and “”How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World” on Aug. 9-10. Times vary, visit the theater’s website for times and to purchase tickets online. For more information, visit bit.ly/regalsum21.
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.
ONGOING
“WE’RE TIRED OF ASKING”: Researched and curated by University of Florida graduate Alana Gomez, “We're Tired of Asking: Black Thursday and Civil Rights at the University of Florida” follows one slice of African American history in Gainesville, but certainly not all of Gainesville’s Black history. The goal of the Matheson History Museum in this particular exhibition is to show the civil rights movement in Gainesville from the 1960s until the early ’70s and how that affected the University of Florida’s racial atmosphere. The online exhibition is available at mathesonmuseum.org/current-exhibitions and the physical exhibition can be seen at the museum, located at 513 E. University Ave. It wasn’t until the desegregation of the University of Florida in 1957 that Black people began gaining access to public spaces with white people. The issue of civil rights was pushed even further with the partial integration of Alachua County’s public schools in 1964. Even with these seemingly large strides toward equality, however, social status and lifestyle remained largely unchanged for Black people in Gainesville. In a great show of strength on April 15, 1971, Black students decided to take a stand in a protest at Tigert Hall on the UF campus. Their interaction with President Stephen O’Connell would change the course of the University of Florida forever. Gomez is a recent graduate of the University of Florida with a double major in history and English. She first became interested in African American studies when she took a class on race and disability with her advisor, Dr. Steven Noll, during her sophomore year. She is an intern at the Matheson History Museum, where she worked on the “Black Thursday” exhibit. The Matheson History Museum is open 1 to 4 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays, and admission is free.
This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: What's Happening: 'Free Fridays,' movies, horses, historical tour
