Plan Ahead

NOTE: Due to Covid 19, events are subject to cancellation or rescheduling. Please check with the venue’s website for updates.

FIRST FRIDAY ART WALK— Enjoy an evening of art, art activities, and downtown shops and restaurants and a live musical performance by the Julie Black Duo on Jan 8. Pick up your map (available via QR code) on the square and take a selfguided tour of local artists. The March 5th first Friday Art Walk features Retro Sounds, which will transform First Friday Art Walk into a disco dance floor. We’re “staying alive” with a live musical performance by tribute artists, the Bee Gees NOW. First Friday of each month. 6-9pm. Downtown Ocala. ocalafl.org/recpark or 368-5517.

REJUVENATE WITH THE ARTS—Second and fourth Tuesdays of the month, Jan. 12- Dec. 14. Get crafty with these fun DIY workshops to renew and discover your artistic abilities, a new design every session. Second and fourth Tuesdays of the month. 10am-12pm. Eighth Avenue Adult Activity Center, 830 NE Eighth Ave. ocalafl.org/recpark or 368-5517.

WEEKENDS AT THE WINERY—Come out and enjoy the expansive vineyard green, including delicious food and some of the area’s best live entertainment, food trucks, and of course Lakeridge wines by the glass at the outdoor bar. Rain or shine, every Saturday and Sunday. 12-4pm. Lakeridge Winery. lakeridgewinery.com or 800-768-9463.

THE WORLD’S #1 TRIBUTE TO THE BEE GEES February 18 Stayin’ Alive offers their audiences the songs and sights of a full Bee Gees playlist, singing blockbusters such as “Night Fever,” “Jive Talkin’,” “How Deep Is Your Love,” and “Stayin’ Alive.” $25-28. 7pm. Circle Square Cultural Center at On Top of the World. csculturalcenter.com or 854-3670.

Through Jan. 26 WEEKDAY WELLNESS— Just in time to get a jump start on those New Year’s resolutions, this total wellness program will help you get ahead of all your fitness goals. In addition to weight training and exercise, participants will learn tools and principles to apply to everyday life. From creating the perfect pre- and post-workout meals to understanding the five components of fitness, this program is perfect for the novice to advanced student. Every Tuesday. 5:30-6:30pm. Edward D. Croskey Recreation Center, 1510 NW Fourth St. ocalafl.org/ recpark or 368-5517.

Through Feb. 12 VISUAL ARTS FACULTY EXHIBITION—The exhibition provides the community and CF students and staff an opportunity to explore the talent of CF Visual Arts faculty. The participating artists will present a variety of two-dimensional and threedimensional works on display, including ceramics, prints, fiber, photography, and mixed-media pieces. 10am-4pm. College of Central Florida. cf.edu or 873- 5809.

Through May 27 FRESH START FITNESS— This adult fitness program is for anyone looking to make a healthy lifestyle change without breaking the bank of a gym membership. Participants will be challenged, encouraged and held accountable while working towards a healthier lifestyle. Participants may register online or in person at the Lillian F. Bryant Community Center. Activities to include low-impact fitness, stretching, walking, and running. Mondays & Thursdays. 9:30-10:30am. Lillian F. Bryant Community Center, 2200 NW 17 Pl. ocalafl.org/recpark or 368-5517.

Through May 31 SOCIAL MOTION CLUB THERAPEUTIC RECREATION—An adultcentered program that enhances life satisfaction through a wide variety of activities for individuals with disabilities like exercise, creative/expressive arts, cooking/ baking, life/social skills, nature and horticulture therapy, community outings, and speakers. This program requires a current participant registration form and active parent/ caregiver communication with staff. Maximum participants will depend on event. Locations, days and times vary. ocalafl.org/recpark or 368-5517.

Jan. 7-Feb. 25 CITY OF OCALA ADULT WIFFLE BALL LEAGUE—Join the City of Ocala by participating in the growing sport of Wiffle Ball, which is a great alternative to softball and doesn’t require as many players to have fun. All equipment will be provided. $25/ player or $100/team. Maximum of four players per team. Register through Jan 19. Thursdays. 7-9pm. Jervey Gantt Recreation Complex T-Ball Fields, 2200 SE 36 Ave. ocalafl.org/recpark or 368-5517.

January 8 MOVIE SERIES—A Fistful Of Dollars. The movies are free and refreshments will be available for a small fee. Remember to bring your lawn chairs and blankets! 7pm. Fort King National Historic Landmark. 3925 E Fort King St. ocalafl.org/recpark or 368-5517.

Jan. 14-Feb. 7 I HATE HAMLET—Alas, poor young actor... he dreams of TV stardom but is haunted by the ghost of John Barrymore, who insists all the world’s a stage and he should be on it. To be or not to be? ‘Tis a witty farce! $30. ocalacivictheatre.com. or 236-2274.

January 21 SHOLOM PARK AFTER DARK: S’MORES AND MORE WITH MARK SMYTHE—A campfire sing-along and acoustic performance by local musician Mark Smythe from Gypsy Sparrow. $15. Registration is required for each event date. Gates will open at 5:15 pm. Please arrive early and bring a lawn chair and blanket. Events start at 6pm and will conclude at 7:30pm. An MTP COVID-19 release Form must be completed and signed at check-in. $15. masterthepossibilities.org or 861-9751.

Jan. 21-Feb. 11 LEONARDO DA VINCI AND THE ITALIAN HIGH RENAISSANCE III—This online course covers his life and works as well as the context in which he lived. Session 3, Thursdays, January 21-February 11 from 1:30-3pm. $15. Register at seniorlearners.org or call 239-8780.

January 22

TUSCAWILLA ART PARK SERIES: BLUEGRASS & BBQ—Enjoy a live musical performance by Trinity River Band as well as local artisans, a cash bar, and Big Lee’s Serious About BBQ food truck, among the public art and backdrop of the historic Ocala Union Station. Tickets are $5. 6-9 p.m. Tuscawilla Art Park, 213 NE Fifth St. ocalafl.org/recpark or 368-5517.

COTE DEONATH AS ELVIS: ERAS OF A KING—World champion Elvis tribute artist Cote Deonath presents all four eras of The King, including the ‘50s, the movies, the ‘60s, and the ‘70s. There will also be a special appearance by George Trullinger as Buddy Holly and Ed Sullivan. $15- 100. 6:15pm. Circle Square Cultural Center at On Top of the World. csculturalcenter.com or 854-3670.

THE GAINESVILLE ORCHESTRA “ROMANCE”— Bring in the New Year with the passion and beauty of Respighi’s beloved “Pines of Rome” and Ravel’s lush and romantic “Daphnis and Chloe Suite.” $39-49. 7:30pm. The Phillips Center, Gainesville. performingarts.ufl.edu or 800-905-2787.

Jan. 26-Mar. 6. 9 TO 5, THE MUSICAL— Based on the 1980 movie of the same name featuring music and lyrics by Dolly Parton. Violet, Judy and Doralee are three coworkers who concoct a plan to get even with their sexist, egotistical, lying, hypocritical bigot of a boss. Set in the Roladex era, these three women smash the patriarchy in their workplace, a hilarious story of revenge, empowerment, and unlikely friendships. $40. Times vary. The Sharon L. Morse Performing Arts Center. getoffthebusconcerts.com, thesharon.com or 753-3229.

January 27

THE STORY OF A HOLOCAUST SURVIVOR— Sarah Nussbacher was born in 1923 in Transylvania, Hungary, and passed away in 2007 in Israel. In 1943, Sarah and her entire family were taken to Auschwitz. Sarah was over 70 years old when she finally was ready to talk about her memories. This presentation will give you a better understanding, through Sara’s experiences, of how the war started, why Hitler came to power, what happened, and how it can be prevented from happening again. The program will begin with a memorial ceremony that will honor the victims and survivors of the Holocaust. $5-10. 1pm. Circle Square Cultural Center, 8395 SW 80th St. masterthepossibilities.org or 861-9751.

January 29

CLASSROOM IN THE GARDEN—Create your own hot sauce or spicy kraut to bring home. $20. 5:30-7:30 p.m. Fort King National Historic Landmark Heritage Teaching Garden, 3925 E Fort King St. ocalafl.org/recpark or 368-5517.

Jan. 30-Mar. 28

MEMORIES & INSPIRATION: THE KERRY AND C. BETTY DAVIS COLLECTION OF AFRICAN AMERICAN ART—Celebrates the passion of a couple who spent more than 35 years as devoted connoisseurs, building a collection of vivid artworks that are both resonant and remarkably personal. Appleton Museum. appletonmuseum.org or 291-4455.

February 2

VALENTINE CANVAS AND TREATS—Create your own masterpiece on canvas. Join us as we take you step by step through the process of making your own Valentine masterpiece. No experience needed! All materials are provided. Participants must register one week in advance for class. $7. 10a.m.-Noon. Eighth Avenue Adult Activity Center, 830 NE Eighth Ave. ocalafl.org/recpark or 368-5517.

February 5-26

LEARNING WITHOUT LIMITS: MUSICIANS AND ARTISTS WHO OVERCAME—Learn about the lives of inspirational musicians like Beethoven, who composed musical masterpieces even after losing his hearing; Scott Joplin, who succeeded despite racial barriers; and Ernest Bloch, whose music was silenced with the rise of Nazism. Fridays, February 5-26 from 1:30-3pm. $20. Register at seniorlearners.org or call 239-8780.

February 6

CLASSROOM IN THE GARDEN—IFAS demonstrates how to make bio-char and how to use it in the home garden. 10am- Noon. Fort King National Historic Landmark Heritage Teaching Garden, 3925 E Fort King St. ocalafl.org/recpark or 368-5517.

February 12

BELA FLECK & ABIGAIL WASHBURN—Bela Fleck is a fifteen-time Grammy Award winner who has taken the instrument across multiple genres, and Abigail Washburn a singer-songwriter and clawhammer banjo player who re-radicalized it by combining it with Far East culture and sounds. $35-65. 7:30pm. Reilly Arts Center. reillyartscenter.com or 351-1606.

February 13

CATTLE DRIVE & COWBOY ROUND-UP—Dust off your cowboy hat and shine up your boots! Start the morning off early watching real cowboys drive Florida cracker cattle through downtown Ocala to Tuscawilla Park, then enjoy live music, cowboy demonstrations, craft vendors, food trucks, tractors, farm animals, and the Marion Rotary Duck Derby. 10am-2pm. Downtown Ocala to Tuscawilla Park. ocalafl.org/recpark or 368-5517.

THREE TENORS PLUS ONE—Features Fernando Varela, Edward Washington, Miguel Salas, and “Plus One” soprano Heather Ard. These artists will sing the love songs of Mario Lanza and Enrico Caruso for the perfect Valentine treat. $40-50. 3pm & 7pm. The Sharon L. Morse Performing Arts Center. getoffthebusconcerts.com, thesharon.com or 753-3229.

SHOLOM PARK AFTER DARK-MI AMORE AT THE PARK—Celebrate the month of love with musical duo Heart Strings. Pack your picnic basket and bring a loved one or friend and enjoy an evening of sweet music under the stars. A sweet treat will be available for your enjoyment. $15. Registration is required for each event date. Gates will open at 5:15 pm. Please arrive early and bring a lawn chair and blanket. Events start at 6pm and will conclude at 7:30pm. An MTP COVID-19 release form must be completed and signed at check-in. $15. masterthepossibilities.org or 861-9751.

Feb. 18-Mar. 11

LEONARDO DA VINCI AND THE ITALIAN HIGH RENAISSANCE IIII—This online course covers his life and works as well as the context in which he lived. Session 4, Thursdays, February 18-March 11 from 1:30-3pm. $15. Register at seniorlearners.org or call 239-8780.

February 19

DISCOVERY DATE NIGHT—Enjoy an adult-only night at the museum with wine, snacks, and free play in the exhibit hall. Then head into the lab for hands-on science experiments and top off your evening with a planetarium show. Ticket and ID are required at the door. $15. 6:30-9pm. Discovery Center, 701 NE Sanchez Ave. ocalafl.org/recpark or 368-5517.

THE GAINESVILLE ORCHESTRA “MYSTERY”—Explore the mysteries of the universe with one of the most popular works in the symphonic repertoire, Gustav Holst’s “The Planets,” a sonic explosion of the cosmos, and John Adam’s pulsating, electric “Harmonielehre.” $39- 49. 7:30pm. The Phillips Center, Gainesville. performingarts.ufl. edu or 800-905-2787.

February 19-27

SOUTHEASTERN YOUTH FAIR—The premier not-forprofit all-youth fair for 4-H and FFA students. Southeastern Livestock Pavilion. seyfair.com or 629-1255.

February 20

TUSCAWILLA ART PARK SERIES: ART OUTSIDE THE LINES—Join us for a celebration of the city’s public art including live musical performance, food trucks, and art activities including a partnership with Junior League of Ocala’s Heart in the Park. General admission is complimentary. Curate your own experience with a $15 pass that includes two public art tours, artthemed games and prizes, and a free alcoholic beverage. 10am- 2pm. Tuscawilla Art Park, 213 NE Fifth St. ocalafl.org/artpark or 629-8447.

Feb. 25-Mar. 21

TALLEY’S FOLLY—On a Missouri farm in 1944, two kindred spirits with very different pasts are brought together by love letters. Tender and touching, this gentle romance is a night of moonlight magic. $30. ocalacivictheatre.com. or 236-2274.

February 26

NELLA—A fresh and exciting voice from Venezuela’s Margarita Island, Nella’s music has been described as “pop with something to say.” This is a rare chance to see an ascendant artist on her way to selling out stadiums. $35. 7pm & 9pm. The Phillips Center, Gainesville. performingarts.ufl.edu or 800- 905-2787.

February 27-28

EXTREME COWBOY RACE & OBSTACLE CHALLENGE— At The Florida Horse Park, horses and riders will be challenged to race through a course consisting of water crossings, bridges, jumps, and other technical obstacles. This will be an exciting event for competitors and spectators. 8:30am flhorsepark.com or 307- 6699.