Downtown Festival and Art Show
On one special weekend each year, thousands of visitors flood the streets of downtown Gainesville to enjoy the music, art, food and culture found at North Central Florida’s most exciting fall festival of the arts. On Nov. 8 & 9, 2008, the 27th Annual Downtown Festival & Art Show invites everyone to enjoy two fun-filled days of art and entertainment. On Saturday and Sunday, historic downtown Gainesville comes alive as thousands of spectators enjoy over 250 colorful displays from the region's finest artists. There is something for everyone’s taste, including original paintings, ceramics, jewelry, photography and more. A new addition for this year’s Festival is a Music Showcase beginning Thursday, November 6 through Saturday, November 8. The Music Showcase will be held at the Downtown Community Plaza at 7 pm each evening with a Country Concert on Thursday, Blues Concert on Friday and Smooth Jazz Concert on Saturday. The festival weekend is not only unforgettable, but it is absolutely FREE and open to the public. This highly acclaimed event has been rated among the top 200 best fine art and crafts shows in the country by Sunshine Artist Magazine (America's premier show and festival publication), which ranked the 2007 show as number 23 out of the 10,000 shows considered from coast to coast. This year American Bus Association ranked the Festival in the Top 100 best events in the country. Enjoy three stages of continuous live music and performances, create art with the kids at the "Imagination Station,” feast on foods from around the world and get a head start on your holiday shopping at the Downtown Festival & Art Show. The Downtown Festival and Art Show is proudly produced by the City of Gainesville's Division of Cultural Affairs. More information...
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Music Showcase
A brand new addition to this year’s 27th Annual Downtown Festival and Art Show, the Music Showcase will feature nationally-recognized and local musicians who will delight listeners with three days of sensational music from November 6-8. The Showcase will kick off with a Country Concert on Thursday evening followed by Friday’s Blues Concert and concludes Saturday with Smooth Jazz Concert.
More information...
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The Hoggetowne Medieval Faire
H ave you ever wondered what it was like in Medieval days when knights rode to defend the honor of their King and Queen and villagers filled the streets of bustling medieval marketplaces as they went about their day? The Hoggetowne Medieval Faire is your chance to find out! Whether you’re a returning visitor or discovering the magic of Hoggetowne for the first time, you’re guaranteed to enjoy yourself at this celebration of Medieval times. The entertainment never ceases as jugglers, magicians and a colorful cast of characters fill visitors with laughter and amazement. Watch as royal knights joust on horseback and human chess pieces battle for a win on the Living Chessboard. Indulge your appetite with delicacies fit for a King at the Food Court, and enjoy your day wandering through the marketplace filled with the wares of 150 skilled artisans selling and demonstrating their time-honored arts and crafts of the Middle Ages. Continually recognized as one of North Central Florida’s most anticipated festivals, the Hoggetowne Medieval Faire has attracted thousands of fairgoers for over 20 years. This year, experience the Middle Ages, and find out what all the excitement is about.
More information...
Photos by Nancy Bogen
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Let's Go Downtown “Free Fridays” Plaza Series
From May to October, the Downtown Community Plaza comes alive every Friday night from 8-10 pm as our local and regional bands and performing artsare showcased under the stars. Hundreds come out to enjoy the free live concerts and shows in a family friendly environment. The Plaza is located on the corner of SE 1st St.and E. University Ave. in historic downtown. So grab your blanket and lawn chair and plan to be downtown this Friday night! Plaza Series Schedule |
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Thomas Center Galleries
On behalf of the City of Gainesville Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs, I am pleased to introduce another exciting year. The Thomas Center for the Arts is committed to providing education, enjoyment and cultural enrichment of the entire community and its visitors. The art industry emphasizes humanity and is a source of individual expression, creativity, therapy, problem solving and innovation. The arts encourage us to learn from each other, embrace our differences, ask questions and think for ourselves. Sadly, many art programs have become eliminated from schools as economic conditions decline.
As always, we look forward to seeing new faces and returning friends.
Erin Friedberg,
Visual Arts Coordinator
2008-2009 Exhibition Schedule
Lennie Kesl, Self Protrait Smoking & Saluting,
1998, mixed media on rag board, 10"X10"
The Thomas Center Galleries are free and open to the public. We are located at 302 NE 6th Ave. in the historical Duckpond neighborhood of Gainesville. Gallery hours are Monday, Wednesday-Friday from 8 AM - 5 PM, Tuesday from 8 AM - 7 PM and Saturday from 1 - 4 PM. We are closed Sundays and for observed holidays.
For further information, please call (352) 393-8532. |
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