What's Happening: 'Interwoven Waters,' Water Park Community Day and more
MAY 13
SISTER HAZEL AT THE WOMBASH FESTIVAL: Platinum-selling, iconic country/rock band Sister Hazel will be bringing their energetic show featuring new music and chart-topping hits to play The WomBash Festival at Heartwood Soundstage from 6 to 11 p.m. May 13. Fans can expect a high-energy show with some brand-new Sister Hazel songs as well as popular fan favorites. Doors open at noon, and the band takes the stage at 9:30 p.m. A weekend pass is $50. For additional information, visit thewombash.com/home. Originating from Gainesville, Sister Hazel is comprised of five gifted, seasoned musicians whose wellspring of natural talent has been called "one of the Top 100 Most Influential Independent Performers of the last 15 years" by Performing Songwriter Magazine. Their song "All for You" topped the adult alternative charts during the summer of 1997, and the success propelled their album to platinum status. Since then, the band has become firmly established not only in rock and alternative music, but now in country with four back-to-back Billboard Top Country Albums Chart entries. They have most recently co-produced a cleverly themed EP compilation series entitled “Elements” that includes a bonus seventh track that continued throughout the series. Living up to their fan-centered reputation, the band was a pioneer in the themed cruise industry by co-founding "The Rock Boat," and annually hosts events like the “Hazelnut Hang” and "Camp Hazelnut" that focuses on creating unique experiences and interacting with the fans. Sister Hazel has been equally attentive to connecting with their audience through social media, having amassed more than 1 million social followers. In addition to the events and touring, the band also gives back with “Lyrics For Life.” Founded by singer Ken Block, the charity unites musicians and celebrities for concerts and auctions to benefit cancer research and patient-care charities.
MAY 13
"INTERWOVEN WATERS: EXPLORING FLORIDA'S INTERCONNECTED WATERWAYS”: Vasilios Kosmakos, coordinator of the History of Florida Water Management Project at the University of Florida’s Samuel Proctor Oral History Program, will discuss the interconnectivity of Florida’s waterways at 4 p.m. Saturday at the Matheson History Museum, 513 E. University Ave., and online via Zoom. Registration is free, and can be done online at bit.ly/waterways23 or bit.ly/waterways23zoom. His presentation is based upon a collection of more than 60 testimonies from fishermen, policymakers, species specialists and everyday people from across the state. He will explain how a variety of overlaying factors contribute to the destruction of these waters and the cost that they have on individuals’ economic, environmental and political livelihoods. Kosmakos obtained his BA from the University of Florida in August of 2022, where he double majored in sustainability studies and international studies, and minored in wildlife ecology and conservation and anthropology. His family originates from Laconia, Greece, where his grandfathers worked as fishermen and olive farmers. He grew up on the beaches of Treasure Island and is an avid naturalist. He enjoys fishing and fossil hunting, and has a love for natural history, philosophy and the humanities. As an undergraduate Vasilios was the recipient of the 2022 Haskell award and the 2021 Panhellenic Scholarship. Vasilios has a wide range of research interests and has assisted in research studies on insects, water quality, biodiversity and past population dynamics, and has co-authored a research paper studying the spread of bacterial wilt among potato crops in Ethiopia. He also was a leading founder in the Save McCarty Woods campaign as well as president of the UF chapter of The Wildlife Society. Vasilios currently works at the Samuel Proctor Oral History Program, where he coordinates the History of Florida Water Management Project and is the founder of The Florida Naturalist Oral History Project. At the program, he has participated in a wide variety of projects including interviewing elders of the Lumbee Tribe and descendants of survivors of the underground railroad. This fall, Vasilios will begin service as a peace corps volunteer where he will serve in Paraguay as an environmental liaison officer. After his Peace Corps service, he intends to pursue a Ph.D. in sustainable development.
MAY 14 AND MAY 21
WATER PARK COMMUNITY DAY: Camp Kulaqua opens its River Ranch on specific Sundays during the spring and summer at a discounted rate with no reservations required, and it will be open to the public from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. May 14 and May 21. The venue features a 15,000-square-foot wave pool as well as a lazy river, water slide and volleyball courts. The public is allowed to bring food and coolers, but no glass containers or alcoholic beverages are permitted in the water park. Camp Kulaqua requests that modest swimsuits be worn. The water park is located at 23400 NW 212th Ave. in High Springs. The discounted rate is $16.50 per person; free for children ages 3 and younger. Future community days include May 29, July 9, Aug. 6 and Aug. 13. For more information, visit kulaqua.com.
MAY 20
FLORIDA EMANCIPATION DAY CELEBRATION: Celebrate Florida Emancipation Day at the Cotton Club Museum and Cultural Center, 837 SE Seventh Ave., from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 20. This free indoor and outdoor festival, in partnership with the city of Gainesville’s “Journey to Juneteenth,” begins with a march led by neighborhood organizations at 9 a.m. from Depot Park to the Cotton Club Museum. Entertainment will include Lanard Perry presenting a live jazz band and Negro spirituals by Joy Banks and 1000 Voices, dance and spoken word along with a memorial service for fallen Black Civil War soldiers. The day also will include soul food for purchase from vendors and food trucks, art displays, T-shirts and more. The Cotton Club Museum and Cultural Center is an organization dedicated to enriching the experiences of all who wish to grow in knowledge and appreciation of the history and culture of African-derived cultures, highlighting those in Gainesville and North Central Florida. For more information, visit cottonclubmuseum.com.
MAY 20
“LET’S GO TO THE MOVIES”: Dance Sun Country will present their 16 th annual recital, featuring the theme “Let’s Go to The Movies,” beginning at 1 p.m. May 20 at the Phillips Center, 3201 Hull Road. This year’s program features approximately 40 dances and includes performances by all students and classes, from the youngest Dance Tots through advanced-level dancers. Many dance styles will be featured, including classical ballet, pointe, tap, jazz, hip-hop, modern, musical theatre, lyrical, contemporary dance and clogging, and will include dance themes such as “Fame,” “Mary Poppins,” “The Wizard of Oz,” “Footloose,” “Singing In The Rain,” “The Lion King,” “Harry Potter,” “Twilight,” “Encanto,” “Mama Mia,” “9 to 5,” “Toy Story,” “Annie” and “Pirates of the Caribbean,” as well as many others. Tickets for the show are available through the Phillips Center Box Office only. They are $21 for general admission, $18 for ages 3-11, and free for ages 2 and younger. For additional information, contact Sun Country Sports Center at 331-8773 or visit performingarts.ufl.edu.
MAY 20
FIRST NIGHT OF THE HOGTOWN OPRY: The inaugural event of Hogtown Opry kicks off at 7 p.m. May 20 at the historic University Auditorium, 333 Newell Drive, located next to the bell tower on the University of Florida campus. Gainesville actor Gregg Jones will be Master of Ceremonies. Imagine a Florida Opry if it were starting in 2023 — more than a concert — a musical experience, with three bands plus great guest players, both regional and national, and a focus on original songs — bluegrass, roots, Americana — and well-loved standards in a beautiful, historic auditorium. Opening the show will be the Hogtown Opry Band (otherwise known as Patchwork Plus). Leader Cathy DeWitt will join fellow crooners Jolene Jones, Annie McPherson and Janet Rucker, and has invited guests including Brink Brinkman on guitar, Geof Perry on violin/fiddle and Maggie Rucker on vocals to join in the fun. Special guests Nancy Luca and Anna Marie Kirkpatrick will join the band to close the set. After Intermission, it will be time to sit back and enjoy award-winning Wil Maring and Robert Bowlin. The duo combines their talents and blend elements to create their signature sound that includes old-time, bluegrass, jazz, blues, Celtic and country. Completing the evening will be Grammy award winner Louisa Branscomb backed by guitar master Allen Shadd, Josh Harris, bass favorite Barbara Johnson, emerging artist Lucy Becker on vocals and fiddle, and special guests Valerie Smith and Joe Zauner stepping in too. A brainchild of Gainesville music visionary Bill Killeen, the night promises elements of the raucous and the sublime in musical entertainment. Tickets are $40 to $100 and are available through the University of Florida Ticket Office at performingarts.ufl.edu. VIP Orchestra seats are available by calling 392-2787. The University Auditorium, originally known as the Memorial Auditorium and sometimes called the University of Florida Auditorium, is a historic building. For more information, visit hogtownopry.com.
MAY 21
SUNDAY ASSEMBLY: Sunday Assembly Gainesville will feature guest speaker Julie Naim, a Master Gardener who presents programs for the Alachua County Extension Service to help people have success in their garden and landscaping. She will talk about the web of life in North Florida and how we are a part of that web. 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. 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: Florida Emancipation Day Celebration and more
