Scene Calendar: Live music, downtown festivals, ballet and more
THIS WEEK
Sean Mason Quartet
Pianist Sean Mason’s unique voice in jazz is steeped in the sound of the South. Mason’s performances are grounded in an integrity reinforced by his appreciation of his musical ancestors with influences ranging from Ray Charles to Duke Ellington to southern gospel and blues. His 2023 album, “The Southern Suite,” offers moments of complexity that will excite jazz aficionados with catchy, accessible melodies that welcome everyone. UpStage is an intimate, cabaret-style setting on the Phillips Center Mainstage. The 7 p.m. seating includes heavy hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar; the 9 p.m. seating includes desserts and cash bar. Catch a performance at 7 and 9 p.m. Sept. 20 at UpStage at the Phillips Center, located at 3201 Hull Road. Tickets are $55 for the 7 p.m. seating and $35 for the 9 p.m. seating. For more information about this or other upcoming events, or to purchase tickets online, visit performingarts.ufl.edu.
'Free Fridays' Concert
Catch another performance of the city’s popular “Free Fridays” concert series from 7 to 9 p.m. Sept. 20 at the Bo Diddley Plaza downtown amphitheater, located at 111 E. University Ave. The free concert series highlights a different act each week, with Morningbell performing psychedelic rock and soul. 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 gainesvillefl.gov/Events-directory/Free-Fridays-Concert-Series.
Southbound 441
What originally started as a cover band for college parties, according to Heartwood Soundstage, has since evolved into the leading force behind Gainesville's re-emerging alternative scene. Southbound 441 exploded onto the scene in 2022. The band, led by Grant Schmid's commanding choruses, features Zane Borenstein and Noah Borenstein on guitar,, Myles Salustro's on bass and Cole Brook on drums. Jameson Tank will open the show. Doors open at 7 p.m. Sept. 20 with the show beginning at 8 p.m. Tickets are $8. Heartwood Soundstage is located at 619 S. Main St.
Peter DiStefano (of Porno For Pyros) and Mike Baggetta (of mssv)
Setting forth as a guitar duo unlike any other, this very first punk-jazz tour across the U.S. finds Peter DiStefano (of Porno for Pyros) and Mike Baggetta (of mssv) exploring no-boundaries improvised music, informed by their lives and songs, with just two electric guitars, electronics and maybe some vocals. (Think Albert Ayler meets Stooges meets Jimi Hendrix and you might be getting close.) A founding member of the alternative rock band Porno For Pyros in 1992 with Perry Farrell, Stephen Perkins and Martyn LeNoble, guitarist DiStefano has been heard all over the world for decades with their first album reaching No. 3 on the Billboard Top 200. In addition to his work with Pyros, DiStefano has featured in various projects with Scott Weiland of Stone Temple Pilots, Peter Murphy of Bauhaus, and the band Hellride with Mike Watt. He also is known for his extensive recent work as a composer and musician for many soundtracks in film, television and gaming. Iconoclastic guitarist Baggetta is most recently known for leading his post-genre power trio mssv (with the legendary rhythm team of drummer Stephen Hodges and bassist Mike Watt) through multiple U.S. tours and album releases over the past five years, after releasing two additional albums of original music alongside Watt and drummer Jim Keltner. Baggetta’s music has always been adventurous in spirit and style, creating his identifiably undefinable sound with his guitar, voice and various musical gadgets. He also has appeared on stage and on recordings with Nels Cline, J Mascis, Petra Haden and David Torn. Catch their Gainesville show at 8 p.m. Sept. 20 at The Atlantic, located at 19 W. University Ave. Tickets are $15. For more information, visit tinyurl.com/pdmg24 or email [email protected].
Tres Souls
Tres Souls has been capturing hearts one ballad at a time. They are a modern embodiment of the vintage sounds of the Golden Age of Mexican cinema and will transport you to a more romantic time. UpStage is an intimate, cabaret-style setting on the Phillips Center Mainstage. The 7 p.m. seating includes heavy hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar; the 9 p.m. seating includes desserts and cash bar. See a performance at 7 and 9 p.m. Sept. 21 at UpStage at the Phillips Center, located at 3201 Hull Road. Tickets are $55 for the 7 p.m. seating, $35 for the 9 p.m. seating, and $12 for UF students. For more information, or to purchase tickets online, visit performingarts.ufl.edu.
Building Belonging
The Gainesville Immigrant Neighbor Inclusion Initiative will host Building Belonging, a free celebration and recognition of immigrant communities, as part of Welcoming Week, an annual, national celebration of immigrants. It is set to take place from noon to 4 p.m. Sept. 22 at Bo Diddley Plaza, 111 E. University Ave. According to organizers, attendees can expect food from Thai, Indian, Middle Eastern, Ethiopian, Latin American and more multicultural vendors; modern and traditional acts from immigrants of Chinese, Indian, Latin American — including Haitian, Afro-Venezuelan, Colombian and more — performers; free health screenings, flu shots and information from community organizations. Interpreters also will be available for those who may not speak English fluently.
Gainesville Brass Quintet
Holy Trinity Episcopal Church will present the Gainesville Brass Quintet in concert at 4 p.m. Sept. 22 followed by a wine and hor d'oeuvres reception. The event also will be livestreamed. Holy Trinity Episcopal Church is located at 100 NE First St. in downtown Gainesville. For more information, visit holytrinitygnv.org.
COMING SOON
'Free Fridays' Concert
Catch another performance of the city’s popular “Free Fridays” concert series from 7 to 9 p.m. Sept. 27 at the Bo Diddley Plaza downtown amphitheater, located at 111 E. University Ave. The free concert series highlights a different act each week, with Savants of Soul performing soul. 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 gainesvillefl.gov/Events-directory/Free-Fridays-Concert-Series.
CircusPalooza
CircusPalooza is in its third edition celebrating Voices for Change with live music and a whole lot of circus! The event, set for 7 p.m. Sept. 27-28, will feature performances by Gainesville Circus Center staff and guest artist Monica Martelly of Atlanta. Music will be directed by Venezuelan artist Xavi Leon. See the show at the Gainesville Circus Center, located at 1925 NW Second St., Suite B. Tickets are $20.
Jahari Stampley Trio
Young pianist Jahari Stampley blasted onto the international jazz scene in 2023 by winning the prestigious Herbie Hancock Institute Competition. Accompanied by his Grammy-nominated multi-instrumentalist mother, D-Erania Stampley, and drummer Miguel Russell, Jahari performs ultra-funky, dimension-opening jazz with a triumphant style that is unmistakably his own. UpStage is an intimate, cabaret-style setting on the Phillips Center Mainstage. The 7 p.m. seating includes heavy hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar; the 9 p.m. seating includes desserts and cash bar. Catch a performance at 7 and 9 p.m. Sept. 28 at UpStage at the Phillips Center, located at 3201 Hull Road. Tickets are $55 for the 7 p.m. seating, $35 for the 9 p.m. seating, and $12 for UF students. For more information, or to purchase tickets online, visit performingarts.ufl.edu.
'Swan Lake'
Presented by Dance Alive National Ballet, “Swan Lake” is the story of a prince whose fiancée has been transformed into a swan by the evil sorcerer Von Rothbart. This performance is family friendly. See the show at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 27 at the Phillips Center, located at 3201 Hull Road. Tickets are $35 to $65. For more information, or to purchase tickets online, visit performingarts.ufl.edu.
Gainesville Pride Festival
Organizers of the annual Gainesville Price Festival — set for noon to 8 p.m. Sept. 28 — say they anticipate another record-breaking event. The festival will be located at Bo Diddley Plaza and on surrounding streets. Organizers say attendees will experience a vibrant celebration of love, diversity and community as they come together to support LGBTQ+ individuals and allies. The free-to-enter event will feature entertainment, food trucks and a variety of vendors offering unique products and services. For more information, visit gainesvillepride.org/2024-pride-days.
ONGOING
'Perfect Arrangement'
“Perfect Arrangement” seamlessly merges sitcom laughs with stirring drama to tell the story of two closeted State Department employees struggling to not blow their cover during the Red Scare. Laugh until you cry in this comedy inspired by true stories of the early American gay rights movement. This play discusses LGBTQ+ and adult themes, and strong language is used. Catch a performance at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, and 7 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays through Sept. 22 at the Hippodrome Theatre, located at 25 SE Second Place. Tickets run $10 to $30. For more information, visit thehipp.org/perfect-arrangement.
'Heat'
The Gainesville Fine Arts Association (GFAA) is presenting their fourth Biennial National Juried Exhibition, “Heat,” on display through Oct. 19. There will be a speaker event in partnership with the Lynx Bookstore beginning at 5 p.m. at Headquarters Library, located at 401 E. University Ave. with author Jeff Goodell Jane Gilbert, Chief Heat Officer, Miami-Dade County, on Sept. 28. “Heat” will be on display free and open to the public at GFAA Gallery, located at 1314 S. Main St. It includes works from artists all over the country. Works explore the concept of heat as it relates to a warming planet: how it impacts our environment, bodies, lifestyles, landscapes and structures. The gallery is open 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesdays through Fridays and 11 a.m. 4 p.m. Saturdays. Visit gainesvillefinearts.org or call 328-5027 for more information.
Horse feeding
The Retirement Home for Horses provides lifetime care to elderly horses seized by law enforcement agencies, rescued by the SPCA or humane societies, as well as horses retired from government service such as police patrol or state and federal parks. They allow visitors to tour the property and feed treats — carrots, apple slices and bananas provided by the visitors — from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. every Saturday. Mill Creek Farm Retirement Home for Horses is located at 20307 NW CR 235A in Alachua. For more information, or to support the nonprofit, visit millcreekfarm.org.
This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: Gainesville Florida's entertainment listings for September 20, 2024
