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Scene Calendar: Operation Santa Delivery, A Very GNV Holiday Parade, ‘A Christmas Carol’

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Scene Calendar: Operation Santa Delivery, A Very GNV Holiday Parade, ‘A Christmas Carol’

THIS WEEK

Operation Santa Delivery

A Gainesville holiday tradition continues Dec. 7 with the annual Operation Santa Delivery at Santa Fe College. The free event is sponsored by Santa Fe College, LifeSouth Community Blood Centers and ShandsCair, and runs from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The highlight is Santa’s arrival by helicopter at Santa Fe’s north field at the corner of Northwest 39th Avenue and Northwest 91st Street. Over 30 community organizations will be offering games and fun activities for kids. There also will be opportunities for free photos with Santa. LifeSouth will host a blood drive that can help save lives during the holidays. For more information, call LifeSouth at 352-334-1000.

A Very GNV Holiday Parade

The Gainesville holiday season kickoff parade will be held along University Avenue on Dec. 7. Retired basketball star, media personality and businessman Shaquille O’Neal has been named the grand marshal of the parade. The procession will start at noon and move along University Avenue from West Sixth Street to 620 E. University Ave. The event will lead into a holiday dance party and lights celebration. (gainesvillefl.gov/Community-Pages/Community/Holiday-Parade)

‘Ebenezer Scrooge’s Big Gainesville Christmas Show’

The holiday classic “A Christmas Carol,” a story about transformations, is transformed into a fast, funny and highly theatrical reimagining of the most beloved holiday story ever told in “Ebenezer Scrooge’s Big Gainesville Christmas.” The show gives its audience everything they love about the story of Scrooge, from “Bah, Humbug!” to the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future, to Tiny Tim and the Cratchit family. Don’t miss this riotous Dickens mash-up described as fun, fast-moving, full of laughter and festive. Tickets are $55. The Hippodrome Theatre is located at 25 SE Second Place. Shows begin at 2 p.m. Dec. 7-8, Dec. 15 and Dec. 22; 7 p.m. Dec. 11-12 and Dec. 18-19; and 8 p.m. Dec. 6-7, Dec. 13-14, Dec. 20-21 and Dec. 23. There will be a talkback with actors after the 2 p.m. performance on Dec. 8. For more information, or to purchase tickets online, visit thehipp.org/ebenezer-scrooges-big-gainesville-christmas-show.

River Rise Poker Ride

The River Rise Poker Ride, an annual fundraiser in its 75th year, is set to begin at 9 a.m. Dec. 7 at the River Rise Preserve Horse Barn, located at 373 SW U.S. 27 in Fort White. Registration begins at 9 a.m. Attendees will be able to ride a marked trail and collect a poker hand along the way ($25 for the first hand, then $15 per hand). There will be awards for the three best hands and more at the end of the ride. Other activities include drawing prizes ($1 per entry), food for purchase, and camping available. For more information, visit FriendsofOLeno.org.

‘A Christmas Carol’

From “Bah, Humbug” to dashing through the snow in Florida, join the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future as they lead the miserly Ebenezer Scrooge on a journey of transformation and redemption through music, dancing and haunting storytelling. The annual presentation of “A Christmas Carol” has been adapted by Niall McGinty from Charles Dickens. Tickets run $20 to $50. Catch a show at 1 p.m. Dec. 7, Dec. 14, Dec. 21 and Dec. 23; 2 p.m. Dec. 20, 4 p.m. Dec. 7, Dec. 14, Dec. 21 and Dec. 23; and 7 p.m. Dec. 8, Dec. 15, Dec. 17 and Dec. 22. The Hippodrome Theatre is located at 25 SE Second Place. For more information, visit thehipp.org/a-christmas-carol-2024.

‘Farndale Avenue … Christmas Carol’

Just in time for the holiday season, High Springs Playhouse will present “Farndale Avenue … Christmas Carol,” a rendition of the classic Christmas tale by Charles Dickens. Tickets are $17 for adults, and $15 for seniors and students. The High Springs Playhouse is located at 23416 W. U.S. 27 in High Springs. Catch a show at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 6-7, Dec. 13-14 and Dec. 19-21; and 2 p.m. Dec. 7-8, Dec. 14-15 and Dec. 22. For more information, visit highspringsplayhouse.com.

‘Holiday Fantasy’

Momentum Dance will present their fourth annual winter recital beginning at 1 p.m. Dec. 7 at the Phillips Center, 3201 Hull Road. Tickets are $20 for general admission, and children ages 2 and younger get in for free. For more information, visit performingarts.ufl.edu.

ONGOING

‘Matilda’

The newest production from Gainesville Community Playhouse, “Matilda,” with music and lyrics by Tim Minchin, tells the story of an extraordinary little girl with extraordinary powers. The daughter of ignorant parents, Matilda finds refuge in library books, which she reads quickly. She also creates her own stories. Things are no better at school, where Matilda also faces a tyrannical and cruel headmistress, Miss Trunchbull. Matilda finds companionship in her teacher, Miss Honey, as well as her fellow classmates. Brave little Matilda knows she has to stand up against the adults in her world, and in doing so, discovers her own remarkable powers. Catch a show at 8 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays through Dec. 15 at the Gainesville Community Playhouse, located at 4039 NW 16th Blvd. Tickets are $24 for general admission, $20 for seniors and $12 for students. For more information, or to purchase tickets online, visit gcplayhouse.org.

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.

COMING SOON

‘Cinderella’

Danscompany of Gainesville will put on “Cinderella” at 7 p.m. Dec. 13 plus 1 and 7 p.m. Dec. 14 at the Phillips Center, located at 3201 Hull Road. A holiday tradition, the company has been performing this ballet annually since 1993. Tickets are $15.

Annasemble Community Orchestra Holiday Concert

The Annasemble Community Orchestra is set to present its annual holiday concert at 7 p.m. Dec. 13 at the Unitarian Universal Fellowship, 4225 NW 34th St. Annasemble is an intergenerational, mostly strings, community orchestra that includes adult musicians as well as students in high school and college. For more information, visit annasemble.org.

Capella Nova Holiday Concert

Capella Nova, a community chorus, will perform a holiday concert at 4 p.m. Dec 14 at Abiding Savior Lutheran Church. The concert is free. Works by Whitacre, Rutter and Mendelssohn will be featured. The church is located at 9700 W. Newberry Road.

Jazz on the Green

Join Celebration Pointe for live music, food and drinks, lawn games and more as Natalie Rella Jazz plays live music on the stage in the promenade from 7 to 9 p.m. Dec. 14. 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.

Santa Crawl

Put on your favorite Christmas costume and head to downtown Gainesville at 7 p.m. Dec. 14 for a night of festive fun. The $30 cost for this year’s Santa Crawl — an annual pub crawl in its 14th year — will help support the Catholic Charities Weekend Hunger Backpack Program providing meals for kids in need for an entire month. The event also features a costume contest, so revelers are encouraged to dress in their best Santa/holiday costumes. Tickets and more information can be found at SantaCrawl.com.

‘The Nutcracker’

Thousands of people across the Southeastern United States will be transported to the Kingdom of Sweets with Dance Alive National Ballet’s adaptation of “The Nutcracker.” Presented by PNC Foundation, Dance Alive’s “Nutcracker” will be performed 21 times this holiday season. The company started off the season with two performances at Legacy Park Multicultural Center in Alachua before traveling to South Carolina, The Village, Belle Glade and Ocala. The company will return to Gainesville for five public performances and two school shows between Dec. 19 and Dec. 22. Special events include “Magic of Nutcracker” at 5:30 p.m. Dec. 18 for special needs children and two “Class With Clara” opportunities at 4 p.m. Dec. 21-22. Composed by P.I. Tchaikovsky and choreographed by Dance Alive National Ballet Artistic Director Kim Tuttle, Dance Alive’s adaptation features set design by Denis Mauldin and costumes by Soili Arvola, Chris Takashima and Rebecca Flake. In addition to the professional dancers, “The Nutcracker” showcases dance students from Gainesville and surrounding areas. The ballet follows the story of Clara, a girl who saves the Nutcracker prince. To thank her, he brings her on a magical journey to the Kingdom of Sweets, where the exquisite Sugar Plum Fairy puts on a regal show for her. Purchase tickets for “The Nutcracker” in Gainesville in person at the Phillips Center box office at 3201 Hull Road, by phone at 392-2787 or 800-905-2787, or online at performingarts.ufl.edu/events/the-nutcracker-6. See a local performance at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 19-21 and 2 p.m. Dec. 21-22 at the Phillips Center, located at 3201 Hull Road. Tickets are $30 to $60. For more information, visit performingarts.ufl.edu.

Voices Rising Community Chorus Holiday Concert

Voices Rising Community Chorus will present two performances of their Holiday Concert, featuring music for Christmas, Hanukkah and Winter Solstice, at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 20 and 3 p.. Dec. 21 at First United Methodist Church, located at 419 NE First St. The suggested donation is $10 to $20. For more information, visit vrccgainesville.org.

Class with Clara

Presented by Dance Alive National Ballet, join the charming Clara, heroine of the “Nutcracker” ballet, for a princess-style ballet class onstage in the Kingdom of the Sweets. Training is not required. Street shoes are acceptable, but you can dance in your socks or ballet shoes. Company dancers will be available to help children as well, so they will have the most possible attention given. Special gifts will be handed out following the class. All ages as long as they want to dance. Take part at 4 p.m. Dec. 21-22 at the Phillips Center, located at 3201 Hull Road. Tickets are $25 for participating children and free for their parents to watch. For more information, or to purchase tickets online, visit performingarts.ufl.edu.

The Flying Pig Parade

Organizers say the inaugural Flying Pig Parade was a huge success when it marched through downtown Gainesville last December. Two-thousand attendees were able to see giant puppets, off-beat bands and a dozen dancing dinosaurs. The colorful procession will strut again beginning at 2 p.m. Dec. 28. “The Pig” has much in common with the immensely popular King Mango Strut parade in Coconut Grove. More than 50 groups marched last year. Sixty are expected for Pig Part Two. Early entries include Sgt. Pepper’s Heart Throb Band, Pigs in a Blanket and The Florida State Park Whistle Blowers Brigade. The procession will begin on Southeast First Street and will march south to the Hippodrome Theater. It will then take a few turns, and end up back at the plaza. Like last year, organizers say they will celebrate Bo Diddley’s birthday (Dec. 30) in Bo Diddley Plaza after the parade. That will kick off at 3 p.m. with cake, live music and more.

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