What's Happening: Sunday Assembly, Family Invention Lab, Human Library, Live & Local
MAY 15
SUNDAY ASSEMBLY: Sunday Assembly Gainesville will feature guest speaker William Allen, who holds the William A. Shands Professorship in the History of Medicine and Medical Ethics in the College of Medicine. He teaches medical ethics to medical and pharmacy students. The title of his talk will be “Unnatural Selection: Should Humans Attempt to Improve on Natural Selection?” There will be time for discussion following the presentation. 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.
MAY 15
FAMILY INVENTION LAB: Learn basic coding and engineering lessons for the whole family at the Alachua County Library District’s new Family Invention Lab programs this summer. These programs are curated by the MakerSpace team to encourage discovery, experimentation and hands-on learning with beginner-friendly technology. Inventors from ages 5 to adults can learn how to write code and engineer contraptions with pocket-sized computers, STEM kits, building straws and more. The Family Invention Lab series starts with a kick-off program at 2 p.m. May 15 in Meeting Room A at Headquarters Library, 401 E. University Ave. Additional Family Invention Lab programs will be held on the second and fourth Sundays in June, July and August. All programs are held at 2 p.m. in Meeting Room A. Programs are designed for children and their grown-ups to work together using science and engineering skills to become inventors. Children younger than 14 must be accompanied by an adult. Patrons should register online to save a seat at these programs. Register at least 12 hours before an event to guarantee admission. Check-in starts 15 minutes before a program’s start time. If registered attendees are not present five minutes before the start time, seats may be given away on a first-come, first-served basis. A library card is not required to register or attend any program. Learn more at aclib.us/invention. Each month’s Family Invention Lab is centered on a theme, challenging inventors to question their knowledge and create something new while learning together. June's theme is “Animal Engineering,” prompting us to ask what humans can learn from animal adaptations and how we can rebuild these adaptations. July's theme is “Is It Conductive?” Electricity is the cornerstone of electronics and computing, learn to build a game with conductive materials. August's theme is “Storytelling with Color.” Color is a fantastic visual aid — test how you can use color to tell a story, mark a trail and give signals. The full Family Invention Lab Schedule is: Sunday, May 15 kick-off program; Sunday, June 12; Sunday, June 26; Sunday, July 10; Sunday, July 24; Sunday, Aug. 14; and Sunday, Aug. 28.
MAY 19
HUMAN LIBRARY: The Alachua County Library District and Altrusa International of Gainesville invite you to challenge your biases and explore different perspectives at the Human Library at 2 p.m. May 15 at the Cone Park Branch Library, 2801 E. University Ave. At the Human Library event, attendees can “borrow” Human Books — diverse volunteers who have experienced prejudice or stereotyping — and learn about their experiences. Human Books will share their stories, answer questions and engage in conversation with patrons of this special library experience. Attendees will borrow books in small groups and have time to mingle after the checkout period ends. The event is free and open to all; no registration is required. The event is produced according to guidelines from the Human Library Organization, an international nonprofit that aims to break down prejudices and promote understanding through dialogue.
MAY 19
LIVE & LOCAL SPRING CONCERT SERIES: Gainesville is once again celebrating local talent with its free Live & Local Spring Concert series at Bo Diddley Plaza, 111 E. University Ave. This series is held on Thursday nights every month. The line ups will include emerging bands, singer/songwriters and independent artists, and it will offer a diverse mix of musicians who are local or connected to Gainesville's music community. Each all-ages show will run from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. May 19 will feature the return of the series’ Singer Songwriter Showcase featuring 10 artists performing for 10 minutes each. Attendees will get a taste of some of the best and brightest songwriters from different styles. On June 16, the series is going full rock ’n’ roll with the Lo-Minds and Shine from Shine & The Shakers. This show is going to shred, so be prepared! For more information, visit musicgnv.com/liveandlocal.
MAY 19-21 AND MAY 26-28
“PIECES OF THEIR HEARTS”: Theatre Santa Fe’s summer musical revue is set for May 19-21 and May 26-28. Santa Fe College Theatre Professor Terry Klenk’s “Pieces of Their Hearts: A Devised Musical Revue About Relationships and Love!” will explore the evolution of a romantic relationship through comedy and Broadway show tunes when Theatre Santa Fe students take the stage at 7:30 p.m. each night in the Jackson N. Sasser Fine Arts Hall at the Northwest Campus, 3000 NW 83rd St. Tickets are $15 for adults; $9 for seniors, students, military service members and children under 12; and free for SF students, faculty and staff with college ID cards. Tickets are available from the Fine Arts Hall Box Office at 395-4181 or online from Showpass at showpass.com/pieces-of-their-hearts. To create “Pieces of Their Hearts,” Klenk drew inspiration from his past work in musical theatre revues and from preparing students for readers’ theatres. “This devised format, for which I selected the comedy and music, is a great teaching tool because it enabled me to tailor the material to the specific talents of our students,” he said. He explained that, by following a romantic relationship from its beginning through the middle years of married life to an end in divorce, yet ending on an upbeat note, “Pieces of Their Hearts” evokes the effervescence of love — bubbly and light — through a mid-20th Century popular television variety show aesthetic with 21st Century overtones. The music includes Broadway songs by George Gershwin, Irving Berlin, Rodgers and Hart, Cole Porter, Stephen Sondheim and more.
MAY 19 THROUGH JAN. 23, 2023
“ANIMATIONLAND”: Join Tracey the pencil dog and her crew — Rooth, Drop, Inky, Uno and Kari — on a fantastically immersive journey to create stories using science and imagination. In Cade Museum’s newest exhibit, attendees can dive into the world of storytelling and channel their creativity to develop their own animated production using storyboarding, sketching, stop-motion movie making and more. The quirky cast of characters and hands-on interactives break down the process step-by-step to reveal how animated features are created. “Animationland” empowers visitors of all ages to experiment, learn and tell their own stories through animation. This exhibition was created by the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry. See it for yourself from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays or 1 to 5 p.m. Sundays at the museum, located at 811 N. Main St. Tickets are $12.50 for general admission, $10 for seniors and college students, $7.50 for ages 5-17 and free for ages 4 and younger. For more information, visit cademuseum.org.
MAY 21
“ROCK THIS STAGE!”: Dance Sun Country is set to celebrate their 15th anniversary recital with the theme “Rock This Stage!” This year’s program features approximately 40 dances and includes performances by all students and classes, from the 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 “Rockin’ Robin,” “Rock Around The Clock,” “Crocodile Rock,” “Jailhouse Rock,” “Viva Rock Vegas” as well as many others. The show starts at 1 p.m. May 21 at the Phillips Center, 3201 Hull Road. General admission is $20, tickets for children ages 3 to 11 are $17 and ages 2 and younger can enter for free. For more information, visit performingarts.ufl.edu.
MAY 21
“HARMONIA”: Two Hawk Hammock is set to present “Harmonia,” an original "under-the-sea" musical for all ages. Written and directed by Heidi Schwiebert, “Harmonia'' combines live music, dance and circus arts for a delightful, family friendly experience. The performance will take place at 5 p.m. May 21 in the Two Hawk Hammock Barnyard, 17950 NE 53rd Lane in Williston. The event will feature the Two Hawk Cloggers, Gainesville Circus Center, Dustin Cottrell and Mandy Fugate. Two Hawk Hammock is a privately owned educational and recreational facility with lodging and outdoor activities. Located next door to Devil's Den Springs and Cedar Lakes Woods & Gardens, Two Hawk Hammock has produced family friendly outdoor performances since 2010. Owner/operator Schwiebert has increased the number of live music experiences offered on site ever since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic because the outdoor environment is a perfect place to safely social distance while the spacious, open-air barn gives shelter from inclement weather. In addition to the live entertainment, guests also will have the opportunity to get nose-to-nose with barnyard pals like donkeys, horses and even emus. Food and beverages will be available for purchase on site, and dogs on a leash are welcome. Tickets to “Harmonia” are $5 for general admission and free for ages 12 and younger. For more information, visit twohawkhammock.com.
MAY 21
"PAINT THE NIGHT": Good News Arts is inviting the community to "Paint the Night" at their first Benefit Gala from 6 to 10 p.m. May 21 at the High Springs Woman’s Club, 23674 U.S. 27 in High Springs. This will be a night of creativity, dancing, food and drinks, with lots of fun for everyone. This is a party — an art party! The arts venue will be highlighting the work Good News Arts has been doing and the artists in the community, plus raising funds for future programming. Tickets are $40 and include food, an open bar, gift bags, raffle tickets and more. The event itself will have live music by DJ Cowboy Mike, painting and art activities for attendees, silent auctions of artworks and other goods, and more for attendees to take part in. Tickets can be purchased at goodnewsarts.brownpapertickets.com. Good News Arts will honor two special guests at during event, Volunteer of the Year Linda Weseman and Community Partner of the Year High Springs Parks and Recreation Department. Featured silent auction artists include Jessica Caldas, Jerry Clum, Chyna Rosemarea, Hunter Turner, Symma Finn, Julie Santana, Ray Carson, Kimberly Bossons, Allie Pishock, Paul Shortt, Mar Martinez, Taylor Mars, Zachary Francois and more.
MAY 21 THROUGH JUNE 12
“AMERICAN IDIOT”: Green Day’s powerhouse album “American Idiot” is brought to life in this electric-rock musical of youthful disillusion put on by the Gainesville Community Playhouse. The two-time Tony Award-winning hit musical, based on the Grammy Award-winning multi-platinum album, boldly takes the American musical where it’s never gone before. This high-octane show includes every song from the “American Idiot” album as well as several songs from its follow-up release, “21st Century Breakdown.” This production contains adult language and adult humor. Catch a show at 8 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays or 2 p.m. Sundays May 20 through June 12 at Gainesville Community Playhouse, 4039 NW 16th Blvd. Tickets are $23 for general admission, $19 for seniors and $12 for students. For more information, to purchase tickets online or to see a list of upcoming shows, visit gcplayhouse.org.
This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: What's Happening: Sunday Assembly, Family Invention Lab, Human Library
