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Scene calendar: UF Symphony Orchestra, Santa Fe Singers, Jazz on the Green and Lemony Snicket

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Scene calendar: UF Symphony Orchestra, Santa Fe Singers, Jazz on the Green and Lemony Snicket

THIS WEEK

Mahler’s ‘Resurrection’ Symphony

UF Symphony Director Tiffany Lu is generating a buzz with her command of the University of Florida Symphony Orchestra and ambitious program choices. Watch UF’s new star conductor take the orchestra to new heights as they tackle Mahler’s “Symphony No. 2” at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 8 at the Phillips Center, located at 3201 Hull Road. Tickets run $20 to $40; $12 for University of Florida students. For more information, visit performingarts.ufl.edu.

Dance For Life: Suicide Awareness Event

Dance for Life, an annual suicide awareness gala event, is set for 7 p.m. Nov. 9 with ballet and contemporary classes also available earlier in the day. According to founder Kristin Barlow, the gala’s mission is to bring awareness to suicide and its root causes, implement preventive programs and events, eliminate the stigma of mental health, and increase access to mental health resources through dance and performing arts. The day will be filled with classes and workshops followed by the gala performance at the Phillips Center, located at 3201 Hull Road. Dance Alive National Ballet principal dancers Rosemary Deiorio, Tales Ribeiro and Andre Valladon will be guests for the performance along with Anthony Curley from “So You Think You Can Dance.” Valladon will teach a ballet and variation master class from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the Stephen O’Connell Center — 250 Gale Lemerand Drive — followed by a scholarship opportunity from 11:30 to 11:45 a.m. and a meet-and-greet from 11:45 a.m. to noon. Curley will teach a contemporary class from 2 to 4 p.m. at the O’Connell Center, followed by a scholarship opportunity from 4 to 4:15 p.m. and a meet-and-greet from 4:15 to 4:30 p.m. Marissa Arnone, a University of Florida graduate and member of The Squad at the World of Dance, will head a wellness workshop from 1 to 2 p.m. at the O’ Connell Center. The cost to attend the ballet class is $45. The cost to attend the contemporary class is $45. The cost to attend both classes is $65. Entry to the gala costs $15 to $35. To purchase tickets, visit danceforlifenation.org/florida-suicide-awareness-gala.

Jazz on the Green

Join Celebration Pointe for live music, food and drinks, lawn games and more as the Ed Roth Trio plays live music on the stage in the promenade from 7 to 9 p.m. Nov. 9. Spread a blanket under the setting sun and catch some live music while the kids play games on the lawn. Celebration Pointe is located off of Interstate 75 and Archer Road at Celebration Pointe Avenue. For more information, visit celebrationpointe.com.

No No Boy

MusicGNV, Pulp Arts, and UF’s Center for Arts, Migration and Entrepreneurship will host an evening of music and dialogue with No No Boy at Heartwood Soundstage at 7 p.m. Nov. 13. No No Boy is the musical project of Dr. Julian Saporiti, who explores Asian American histories through sound, songwriting and discussion. His music is pure poetic storytelling in the folk tradition of Pete Seeger and Bob Dylan, and has been featured in prominent music publications such as NPR Music and Pitchfork, and released on the legendary Smithsonian Folkways label. This event is free. Heartwood Soundstage is located at 619 S. Main St.

ONGOING

‘Nostalgia’

Join the Gainesville Fine Arts Association in celebrating their latest local art exhibition: “Nostalgia.” The exhibition will be on display through Nov. 23, and can be seen for free. The Gainesville Fine Arts Association is located at 1314 S. Main St. Gallery hours are 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesdays through Fridays and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays. For more information, email info@gainesvillefinearts.org or call 328-5027.

Sylvia Zerbini’s ‘Liberte’

Equestrian trainer and performing artist Sylvia Zerbiniis bringing her production, “Liberte,” ́ back to her Liberte ́ Equestrian Theater in Williston now through April 2025. The former star and lead trainer of “Cavalia” has performed across the globe for millions of fans. Zerbini’s multidimensional equestrian voyage features more than a dozen horses and world-class equestrian theatrical performers. Blending awe-inspiring horsemanship with imaginative stagecraft, intricate choreography, high-flying aerial stunts, and multi-talented live musicians, this horse lover’s extravaganza expands the definition of equestrian performance into a theatrical experience. Weekly performances will be held every Saturday and Sunday at 4:30 p.m. with both general seating, and VIP upgraded options that include food, beverages and a backstage tour. Located at the Grande Liberté Farms at 18550 NE 81st St. in Williston, the Liberte ́ Equestrian Theater offers an indoor theatrical experience. Tickets start at $35 and are available through SylviaZerbini.com or ordered directly on EventBrite.com.

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.

COMING SOON

‘What Remains: A Story of Alzheimer’s’

Dance Alive is set to present a new program, The Ballet Process. Choreographer Tales Ribeiro and dancers will include attendees on the journey as he creates a new work — “What Remains: A Story of Alzheimer’s” With “What Remains: A Story of Alzheimer’s,” what we love becomes eternal in our memory — but what happens when our memory is gone? When who we used to be also is gone? This is one story in which a fragment of memory, a moment of love, a treasure in time, is still there. Each “What Remains” experience includes a talk-back and refreshments. Ribeiro, recently promoted to principal dancer and company choreographer for Dance Alive National Ballet, is a recent member of International Dance Council CID, the official worldwide organization of all forms of dance. Among other benefits, he is able to offer International Certification to his students and nominate other persons for CID membership. Take part at 1 p.m. Nov. 15 and Jan. 24 at Pofahl Studios, located at 1325 NW Second St. For more information, call 371-2986 or email info@ dancealive.org.

Chomp the Block

Celebrate the Gators during Celebration Pointe’s Chomp the Block! 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 University of Florida celebrities. The next event is set for Nov. 15 ahead of the Florida vs. LSU game. The event also will celebrate Saluting Those Who Serve, and will feature live music by Whiskey Jones. 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. The exclusive block parties are part of a comprehensive, ongoing partnership program with the Florida Gators. For more information, visit celebrationpointe.com.

‘Sleeping Beauty and the Saving Prince’

With a passion for dance and a heart for worship, Doxa Dance Company is set to present its annual production of “Sleeping Beauty and the Saving Prince,” a classic tale of unconditional love. The performance will start at 6:30 p.m. Nov. 15 at the Phillips Center, located at 3201 Hull Road. Tickets are $23. For more information, visit performingarts.ufl.edu.

‘Murder at Abby Manor Mascarade Ball’

Solve a mystery during a dinner murder-mystery interactive game during “Murder at Abby Manor Mascarade Ball,” set for 5 to 9 p.m. Nov. 16 at the Hawthorne Woman’s Club, located on Southeast 66th Avenue in Hawthorne. Tickets to the event are $25, and reservations are required. Each guest will be a character in the mystery and have a role to play. The event includes hors d’oeuvres and “Around the World” dinner, dessert, prizes and raffle. For more information, call 305-975-4018 or 412-518-7154.

Parker Quartet

Internationally recognized for their fearless yet probingly beautiful performances, the Grammy Award-winning Parker Quartet has distinguished itself as one of the preeminent quartets of this time. Their numerous honors include winning the Concert Artists Guild Competition, the Grand Prix and Mozart Prize at France’s Bordeaux International String Quartet Competition, and Chamber Music America’s prestigious Cleveland Quartet Award. See them perform at 2 p.m. Nov. 17 at Squitieri Studio Theatre at the Phillips Center, located at 3201 Hull Road. Tickets are $40 for general admission and $12 for University of Florida students. For more information, or to purchase tickets online, visit performingarts.ufl.edu.

Chomp the Block

Celebrate the Gators during Celebration Pointe’s Chomp the Block! 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 University of Florida celebrities. The final event for this year’s football season is set for Nov. 21 ahead of the Florida vs. Ole Miss game. The event also will celebrate Senior Day, and will feature live music by Chillula. 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. The exclusive block parties are part of a comprehensive, ongoing partnership program with the Florida Gators. For more information, visit celebrationpointe.com.

‘Songs of the Season’

Get into the holiday spirit early as the Santa Fe Singers, joined by special guests from the Gainesville Youth Chorus, present “Songs of the Season” at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 22. The performance will take place in the Jackson N. Sasser Fine Arts Hall at Santa Fe College’s Northwest Campus, located at 3000 NW 83rd St. Tickets are $16 for adults; $10 for seniors, students, military service members and children 12 and younger; 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/songs-of-the-season-3. The Santa Fe Singers, led by SF Adjunct Associate Professors of Music Mitchell Rorick and Wendy Gunther, will be joined by the Gainesville Youth Chorus as special guests. The Chorus’s Concert Choir and Concertina Choir, featuring young vocalists ages 7 to 17, will perform both individually and in collaboration with the Santa Fe Singers, adding an extra layer of harmony to the evening. “Songs of the Season” will feature a mix of festive pieces performed by the Santa Fe Singers and the Gainesville Youth Chorus, including works by Mozart, Greg Gilpin and others, with several combined performances planned.

‘Sounds of the Season’

The University of Florida School of Music will present the 76th annual “Sounds of the Season: Songs of Hope & Joy” musical performance at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 22 at the Phillips Center. Featuring more than 300 performers, this year’s program features the UF Symphony Orchestra, UF Concert Choir and Chamber Singers, Gainesville Master Chorale, and the Latin Grammy Award-winning band, Maharajah Flamenco Trio. UF president Fuchs will narrate “Longfellow’s Christmas.” Admission is free, but tickets are required. Advanced tickets are only available in-person at the Phillips Center Box Office. There is a maximum of four advance tickets per guest. Advanced tickets only guarantee admission prior to 7:15 p.m. Remaining seats will be filled starting at 7:15 p.m. to the stand-by line on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information, visit performingarts.ufl.edu. The Philips Center is located at 3201 Hull Road.

Lemony Snicket

Author Daniel Handler, also known as Lemony Snicket, will make an appearance at the Phillips Center on Nov. 25. Handler will present an evening of readings and a Q&A moderated by award-winning novelist Lauren Groff. Handler’s body of work includes the beloved children’s books “A Series of Unfortunate Events,” adult works such as “The Basic Eight,” a variety of stage plays and even accordion performances with bands like The Magnetic Fields. His books have sold more than 70 million copies and have been adapted for film, stage and television, including the recent adaptation of “A Series of Unfortunate Events” starring Neil Patrick Harris, for which he was awarded both the Peabody and the Writers Guild of America awards. This event takes place beginning at 7 p.m. Nov. 25 and costs $15 for the public and $10 for students. Tickets and more information are available at performingarts.ufl.edu. The Phillips Center is located at 3201 Hull Road.

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