What's Happening: 'Free Fridays,' Playlist at the Pointe, Tioga Concert Night, more

SEPT. 23

“FREE FRIDAYS” CONCERT: Catch the next performance of the city’s popular “Free Fridays” concert series from 7 to 9 p.m. Sept. 23 at the Bo Diddley Plaza downtown amphitheater, located at 111 E. University Ave. The free concert series highlights a different act each week, with The Late Night Losers and special guests performing alt-rock 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 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.

SEPT. 23

PLAYLIST AT THE POINTE: Celebration Pointe offers Playlist at the Point, a music event with an eclectic mix of music from a variety of genres – country, rock, soul and more — on the fourth Friday of every month. This month, from 7 to 9 Sept. 23, TJ Brown will perform. Food from Celebration Pointe's restaurants will be available for dine-in or takeout. Kick off your weekend right with good music, good food and good times. Celebration Pointe is located off of Interstate 75 and Archer Road at Celebration Pointe Avenue. For more information, call 333-9333 or visit celebrationpointe.com. Future events include Oct. 28, Nov. 25 and Dec. 16.

SEPT. 23

TIOGA CONCERT NIGHT: Bring your lawn chairs and enjoy a performance under the stars by Joe Breidenstine from 7 to 10 p.m. Sept. 23 at the Tioga Town Center Amphitheatre. This is a free outdoor concert. Don't forget to visit the Tioga Town Center restaurants for dinner before the show, or to grab take-out to enjoy during the concert. Parking is available near the Tioga Town Center, 33 SW 130th Way in Newberry. FutureTioga Concert Night performances are planned for Oct. 7, Oct. 21 and Nov. 18.

SEPT. 27

“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 performances set for 7 p.m. Sept. 27 plus 8 p.m. Oct. 5, Oct. 12, Oct. 19, Oct. 26 and 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.

SEPT. 30

CHOMP THE BLOCK: Celebration Pointe’s Chomp the Block events have returned for the 2022 season! The official block party of the Florida Gators is 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 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.

This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: What's Happening: 'Free Fridays,' Playlist at the Pointe, more