The Lineup: Experience the local art scene this fall
think theatre
A Comedic Horror?
Slasher
Oct. 15-Nov. 9
The Hippodrome Theatre, Gainesville
Kicking off the holiday season with Slasher by Allison Moore, the Hippodrome is bringing the horror genre and Hollywood to Florida—but in an unexpected light. This comedic production is an offbeat account attempting to give the public a behind-the-scenes look at what goes into making a Hollywood horror flick. With riveting twists and turns, this performance will surely have you screaming… for more.
Photos courtesy of thehipp.org, (352) 375-4477
> did you know?
The building that is now home to the Hippodrome Theatre was once considered Gainesville’s most elaborate building. Constructed in 1911, this fine example of Palladium Classical Revival architecturefeatures six Corinthian limestone columns and intricate scroll work on the entry way. The first floor of the “old federal building” was once the town’s post office, the second floor housed the courthouse and third was designated as office space. Now, the Hippodrome boasts a main stage, cinema, art gallery, various rehearsal/dressing rooms and even a rentable basement level.
A French Masterpiece
Les Miserables
Sept. 26-Oct. 19
Gainesville Community Playhouse
Slip into a captivating tale of deception, lies, passion, heartbreak, redemption and everything in between. Victor Hugo’s Les Miserables, winner of more than 100 international awards, will take audiences through a plethora of intertwined plots that are intermingled with the French revolution. Be prepared, however, because Les Miserables will keep you on the edge of your seat throughout the production. Join the 65 million people that have already experienced Les Miserables by catching this classic at the Gainesville Community Playhouse this fall.
Photos courtesy of gcplayhouse.org, (352) 376-4949
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When Victor Hugo’s Les Miserables was first released in 1862, it was an instant must-have worldwide. In Paris, armed guards were summoned to control rowdy crowds who were bombarding the local bookstores to get a copy. Subsequently, Les Miserables transformed Hugo into one of the best authors of the 19th century.
Wild Wild West
Annie Get Your Gun
Nov. 21-Dec. 14
Sonnetag Theatre at the IceHouse, Mount Dora
Grab your boots and spurs, folks—a new musical is coming to town. The IceHouse gets a little dusty with the addition of Annie Get Your Gun by Irving Berlin. The famous Wild West show gets a revamp when Col. Buffalo Bill scouts out Annie Oakley, the sharpest shooter around. When jealousy takes hold of the show’s former lead shooter, the handsome Frank Butler, Annie finds she has to choose between romance and the limelight. Annie Get Your Gun features five mesmerizing scores including “Anything You Can Do,” “The Girl That I Marry,” “They Say It’s Wonderful,” “There’s No Business Like Show Business,” and “I Got the Sun in the Morning.”
Photos courtesy of icehousetheatre.com, (352) 383-4616
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The IceHouse Theatre was literally once located in an icehouse. Founded by a spontaneous notion in 1948, the original IceHouse was situated in an acoustically pleasant ice plant. In 1958, land was donated to the organization where they built their current 270-seat theater.
An Ocala Tradition
The Nutcracker
Dec. 13-Dec. 22
Marion Ballet Theatre Ocala Civic Theatre
The holiday season just wouldn’t be complete without seeing the Marion Ballet Theatre’s version of The Nutcracker. This classic Russian ballet has been a cornerstone of Ocala’s cultural arts scene for over 30 years and continues to be a seasonal must-see. If it isn’t already, maybe it’s time to make this ballet tale a tradition for your family. Travel through a young girl’s Christmas dream as her toy nutcracker fights off dangerous rats and guides her through lands of whimsy, wonder and—yes, sugar plum fairies. This high-energy ballet is a production that any member of the family can enjoy.
Photos courtesy of marionperformingballet.org (352) 629-6155
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The Marion Ballet Theatre is revamping this year’s ballet by mixing new choreography, costumes and characters into The Nutcracker’s classic storyline.
Art Outdoors
Gallery East: Art
in the Park Show
and Sale
Oct. 18 & 19
Rainbow Springs State Park, Dunnellon
Step out of the typical gallery, and join Gallery East and other local artisans at Rainbow Springs’ Art in the Park Show and Sale. Browse unique pieces of art, jewelry and crafts all while being surrounded by the scenic surroundings of the Rainbow River’s headsprings. Once you’ve made your rounds, walk the shady trails through the historic gardens.
Photos courtesy of floridastateparks.org (352) 489-8841
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Gallery East actively participates in a variety of fundraisers and events that radiate goodness into the community. In fact, you may have seen their painted rain barrels in various parks throughout Marion County—to decrease littering and help promote a cleaner environment.
Season Of Giving
Art-Full Holidays
Dec. 2-Dec. 20
Artful Gifts Gallery, Circle Square
Commons at On Top of the World, Ocala
In search of thoughtful gifts this season?Browse through an assortment of beautiful handcrafted gifts at Artful Gifts Gallery. From painted stemware and ornaments to exclusive jewelry and paintings, they’ll have something for everyone on your gift list. Hey, you may even find a little something for yourself to enjoy!
> did you know?
Artful Gifts Gallery has horse fever, too. Don’t forget to pick up a Horse Fever mug or statue—both are local favorites.
Photos courtesy of mcaocala.com, (352) 237-3747
Tool Time
ReTooled: Highlights from the Hechinger Collection
Nov. 8-Jan. 5
Appleton Museum, Ocala
Take a second look at the way you perceive tools. Are they really only of a utilitarian value? The Hechinger Collection will have you reimagining tools as pieces of art. Come celebrate the prevalence of tools in our day-to-day lives with this thought-provoking collection of paintings, sculptures and photographs. The Appleton Museum is serving up works from 28 noted artists, including Arman, Richard Estes; photographers Berenice Abbot and Walker Evans; and pop artists Jim Dine, James Rosenquist and Claes Oldenburg.
Photos courtesy of appletonmuseum.org, (352) 291-4455
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The Appleton Museum was named after Mr. Appleton, who established the famous thoroughbred breeding and training facility, Bridlewood Farm, in the Ocala area during the mid 1970s. Wanting to share his expansive art collections with the public, Mr. Appleton began purchasing and constructing what is now the Appleton Museum in 1984. Two years later, Mr. Appleton presented the impressive complex to the City of Ocala. The museum is now governed by the College of Central Florida and the CF Foundation but remains dedicated to sharing fine art and artifacts with the public.
Musical Melodies
Quattro Four Divo
Sept. 13
Circle Square Cultural Center, Ocala
The world-class sounds of Quattro Four Divo will make your heart sing. With such influences as Sinatra, Josh Groban, Michael Buble and other greats, this group will truly wow you. The sensational vocals of the four handsome men will bring audiences on a delightful journey through one exquisite song after another. Not only does this operatic pop group deliver outstanding vocals and performances, but they can also sing in English, Spanish, Portuguese and Italian.
Photos courtesy of csculturalcenter.com, (352) 854-3670
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During a show at an upscale charity event for breast cancer in Miami, a middle-aged woman from the audience actually threw her bra on the stage during “Sway with me.” It actually hit one of the performers, Victor Vidal, in the face. Suddenly, everyone started following suit. By the end of the show, the stage looked like a sea of bras. Needless to say, the women at this charity event really loved Quattro Four Divo!
A Country Superstar
Luke Bryan
Oct. 4
Whitehurst Cattle Farm, Gainesville
Country music lovers beware! Country superstar Luke Bryan has announced his Farm Tour 2014, and he’s making his way to a farm near you! Tickets will sell out fast, so don’t hesitate. Special VIP passes are also available for purchase. The “Harvest Time VIP Experience” includes a general admission ticket with an exclusive VIP viewing area, parking pass, VIP restrooms and more.
Photos courtesy of lukebryan.com
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Luke Bryan was raised on a large peanut farm in Georgia. He had the opportunity to make a good living on his father’s farm but chose to follow his dreams of becoming a country music star instead. However, he doesn’t let the fame overshadow his roots as a good ol’ farm boy. A portion of the proceeds from each Farm Tour show will go to local college scholarships—to students from farming families who are within the community.
Hometown Hardcore
A Day to Remember
Oct. 10 & 11
Hard Rock Orlando
The Orlando Hard Rock will be hosting one of Ocala’s very own, A Day to Remember. This two-night event will be filled with head-banging rock from their newest album, Common Courtesy. Common Courtesy includes tracks titled “City of Ocala,” “Right Back at It Again” and “Violence (Enough is Enough).”
With the band’s origin dating back to Ocala in 2003, we can’t help but brag about this hardcore band’s success. From its humble beginnings at Easy Street concerts to Jimmy Kimmel Live performances, Warped Tour gigs and international tours, A Day to Remember has achieved national and international recognition for their blend of metal core and pop punk sound.
Gone Country
Billy Dean
Nov. 15
Orange Blossom Opry, Weirsdale
If you’re a fan of ‘90s country music, you’ll want to make your way down to the Orange Blossom Opry for Billy Dean in concert. Dean, who has recorded eight studio albums and produced more than 20 hit singles and 11 Top Ten hits, will be performing some of his most popular songs such as “Only Here For A Little While,” “Buy Me A Rose,” and “Let Them Be Little.”
Photos courtesy of obopry.com, (352) 821-1201
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Billy Dean’s ambitions weren’t always slated toward country music stardom. Before shifting gears, Billy Dean attended East Central Junior College in Decatur, Mississippi, on a basketball scholarship where he majored in physical education. He later decided to reach for bigger dreams in the music scene. He played in small clubs along the Gulf Coast of Florida and participated in several talent contests until he reached national fame.
Starry Nights
Ocala’s Symphony
Under the Lights
Dec. 4
Citizens’ Circle at City Hall, Ocala
Grab plenty of warm blankets, a thermos of hot cocoa and head down to beautiful downtown Ocala this December 4. The Ocala Youth Symphony and the Ocala Symphony Orchestra will perform a special side-by-side concert on the square. You can expect to hear a mix of well-known classics as well as popular modern pieces. Come take in the beautiful sights and sounds with family and friends. Admission is free, so make sure you get there early to find the best seats!
Photos courtesy of ocalasymphony.com, (352) 351-1601
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The Ocala Symphony Orchestra will have a new home for the 2015 season! The Reilly Arts Center will be the new headquarters for not only the orchestra but other performing and visual art events in the Ocala area as well. The new complex will seat 650 people and will also have an impressive acoustic performance hall.
Upstairs, there will be a Founder’s Club that will contain a VIP lounge with a full and premier VIP balcony seating and other lofty amenities. The Founder’s Club will also be available to rent while it’s not in use for events. Outside, the Reilly Arts Center will feature a covered stage for outdoor concerts with plenty of lawn seating. What’s more? The Reilly Arts Center will preserve the historic City Auditorium located in Tuscawilla Park.
Synchronized Sounds
UF Symphony
Orchestra
Oct. 9
Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, Gainesville
There’s just something about the synced sounds of an orchestra in full swing—and if you haven’t experienced the UF Symphony Orchestra yet, you’re missing out! Be sure to catch them play Festive Overture by Shostakovich and Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini by Rachmaninov alongside pianist, Andreas Klein on October 9.
performingarts.ufl.edu, (352) 392-2787
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The second half of the program is devoted to the world premiere of The Story of Cinderella with text and conception by Raymond Chobaz. The Story of Cinderella has a modern spin on the classic tale. It’ll feature music from the ballet by Sergei Prokofiev, narration by Amy Redford and guest artists from Dance Alive National Ballet.
Art Abound
Gainesville’s Downtown Festival and Arts Show
Nov. 16 & 17
Downtown Gainesville
From original oils and acrylics to sensual sculptures and jewelry, a spectrum of artisans will line the roads of Gainesville to showcase their talents. Bringing out the some of the nation’s best artists, the 32nd Annual Downtown Festival and Art Show is a great way to dive into unique art, music and entertainment this fall. The festival, which draws a crowd of more than 100,000 each year, will also feature international cuisine ranging from blooming onions and Cajun jambalaya to Mediterranean pitas and savory Thai dishes. Visitors can munch on delicious food while checking out live performances on three different stages. A local blend of folk, jazz, country, pop and soul will be in attendance as well as a variety of dance companies. This festival isn’t one you’d want to miss.
gvculturalaffairs.org, (352) 334-ARTS
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John Moran’s surreal underwater photograph of Silver Glen Springs, titled “Look into the Eye,” is featured as the festival’s poster image.
An Ocala Favorite
48th Annual Ocala Arts Festival
Oct. 25 & 26
Downtown Ocala
Save the date! The 48th Annual Ocala Arts Festival is coming to town Saturday, October 25 and Sunday October 26. Over 150 artists from around the country will be flooding historic downtown Ocala with unique art pieces that you can stow away for one-of-a-kind gifts or keep for yourself. The parking, admission and entertainment are all free. Bring the whole family, and enjoy the food, fun and—most importantly, great art!
Photos courtesy of fafo.org, (352) 867-0355
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Behind the scenes of the Ocala Arts Festival, the artists are competing for awards. The most prestigious award, Best in Show, comes with a hefty prize of $5,000!
Meet Richard J. Auger, Fine Arts for Ocala’s 2014 Featured Artist. Although you won’t see him with a paint brush and easel, his work is most certainly fine art. Quickly deemed a Florida favorite, Auger’s stunning nature photography has made a splash in Florida’s art scene. Of course, it only seems right that Florida loves Auger. His elegant photographs capture the natural beauty of Florida—with a focus on conservation.
Up and down the state, he’s won numerous awards and honors. In a mere 18 months, he’s earned well over $42,000 in prize winnings. So what’s the uproar with Auger’s photographs? Well, none of them have been altered or manipulated by an editing program, such as Photoshop. In fact, he ditched his digital portfolio altogether and switched to film photography.
“With modern techniques such as HDR and Photoshop manipulation, photography has lost its authenticity and soul. People are starting to question whether or not photography is art any longer,” Auger explains. “People ask me all the time if an image is photoshopped. All I have to say is ‘it’s film’ and the questions disappear.”
When the viewer realizes it’s something that can’t be altered, it allows them to focus on the actual image instead of how it was done. What’s also impressive about his newest collection, the Florida Noir Series, is that they’re all black and white.
“Black and white film has a brilliant ability to realistically distort reality,” Auger says. “For instance, many people confuse my lake and river shots for the ocean, since water is always silver.”
One of the photographs in the collection, ‘The Lonely Palm,’ which captures a towering palm surrounded by water and marsh, was already honored during this year’s Winter Park Sidewalk Art Festival. ‘The Lonely Palm’ will also be the poster art for the Ocala Arts Festival this October.
With all of his recent success, you’d think Auger has been in the photography business for a chunk of time—but that’s not the case. Although photography has been a part of Auger’s life for as long as he can remember, he didn’t begin his professional photography career until 2010. For a while, photography was put on the back burner while he pursued more logical ambitions.
“While it was my dream in high school to get a photography degree in college, I took the safe route and went to business school. At FSU, I was the head lifestyles photographer for my college newspaper and made art as a hobby on the side,” Auger says, “After a few years as an accountant, I realized that office life just wasn’t for me.”
He soon discovered that the public’s reaction to his art was overwhelmingly positive. During the 2010 Winter Park Sidewalk Art Festival, he sold every print and framed image he displayed before the last day of the event. As he sat in his empty booth, he decided that he was going to take his photography career to the next level. That summer, he quit his office job and began showing his art full time.
“I haven’t looked back since,” Auger says.
Remember to catch Richard J. Auger and his art collection at the Ocala Arts Festival on October 25 and 26.Visit his website for more information at richardauger.com
Photos courtesy of richardauger.com
