A guide to our favorite monthly happenings and can’t-miss events
LEVITT AMP OCALA MUSIC SERIES
Webb Field at Martin Luther King Jr. Recreation Complex
June 2, 9, 16 & 23
These free concerts are sponsored by the city of Ocala and the Marion Cultural Alliance. A variety of music genres will get your toes tapping, your feet dancing and your heart pumping. Artists display works, nonprofits share their missions and food vendors offer tasty treats. This month’s main performers are Chris Pierce (June 2); JuVox Sambou (June 9); Yusa (June 16) and Shamarr Allen (June 23). Each concert includes an opening act. For more information, check out fb.com/levittampocala
JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION DINNER & DANCE FUNDRAISER
One Health Center
June 3
The first of several of this month’s Juneteenth events is a fundraising party sponsored by R.A.M.A.L Educational & Social Services. The evening includes dinner, live entertainment, music, DJ Josh Hamilton, a spoken word performance, silent auctions and raffles. Proceeds will help provide services including employment assistance, affordable housing, tutoring and literacy, and will benefit community projects, scholarships for at-risk and non-traditional students, tutoring and mentoring. The cost is $50 per person and tickets are available at bit.ly/44oSCDX. To learn more, go to ramalservices.org
FREE FIRST SATURDAY
Appleton Museum
June 3
Admission is free and you can peruse the regular and special collections, enjoy the grounds, and make your own art in Artspace. This month, see free screenings at 11am and 2pm of Loving Vincent, the critically acclaimed film about Vincent Van Gogh. New this month will be the Scuba Steve’s Snack Shack food truck. Ongoing exhibits include Paper Thin & Shadow Deep, Hiromi Mizugai Moneyhun’s hand-cut paper works and Pre-Post Poetic, hand-stitched collages by Debora Greger. Check out appletonmuseum.org for more info.
PET PALOOZA
World Equestrian Center, Expo Center 2
June 3-4
This expo will offer pet costume contests and parades, an agility course, education sessions and adoptable pets from Marion County Animal Services, the Humane Society of Marion County, Quality of Life Rehab & Foster, Voices of Change Animal League, No Paws Left Behind and Sumter County Animal Services. Tickets are $8 online and $10 the day of the event; free for ages 12 and younger. For more info, worldequestriancenter.com
WILDLIFE WEDNESDAYS
Fort King National Historic Landmark
June 7, 14, 21 & 28
Join park staffers for an educational presentation and hike. This month’s talks are focused on bears (June 7), snakes (June 14), frogs and toads (June 21) and turtles and tortoises (June 28). Free to attend. For more info, ocalafl.org
WIND DOWN AT THE WETLAND
Ocala Wetland Recharge Park
June 13
Once the sun starts going down and things cool off, the wildlife action at the Wetland Recharge Park gets going. Water Conservation Coordinators will host an hour-long, leisurely stroll through the park with information and insights into the diverse ecosystem. This park is a known birders’ hot spot, with a variety of songbirds, raptors and waterfowl. Free to all; no pets please.
JUNETEENTH: GROWN FOLKS A NIGHT OF ELEGANCE
Mary Sue Rich Community Center at Reed Place
June 16
With featured speaker Lizzie Robinson Jenkins, founder of The Real Rosewood Foundation, this event includes dinner from American Sunday Plate Catering, a dance performance from Be Heard Through Movement, tunes from DJ Tony and giveaways. Proceeds benefit the Sircle Inc., a nonprofit focused on cultural and economic empowerment and awarding scholarships to high school seniors. Tickets are $50. For more info, linktr.ee/thesircleinc
ORANGE BLOSSOM FUN IN THE SUN MINIATURE HORSE SHOW
Southeastern Livestock Pavilion
June 16-18
Miniature horses are often used as therapy animals and can carry loads in a cart, plus just stand there looking cute. This horse show celebrates and shows off the versatility, adaptability and overall adorableness of miniature horses and Shetland ponies. Classes will be offered in halter, driving, stock jumping, obstacles and showmanship liberty. For more info, orangeblossommhc.org
OCALA JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION
Webb Field at Martin Luther King Jr. Recreation Complex
June 17
The Ocala Juneteenth Celebration Commission and the city of Ocala host this event. It will include entertainment, vendor booths, nonprofit groups, businesses and mentor groups, and food options. Funds from sponsorships will provide scholarships for local high school seniors for acceptance into a university, college or vocational program. The event is free to attend. See fb.com/OcalaJuneteenthCelebration or email ocalajuneteenth2020@gmail.com for more info.
AERIAL DREAM VIEWS OF LAND AND SEA
Ocala International Airport
Through June 20
Artist Maggie Weakley’s solo show is part of the Art in City Spaces program hosted by the city of Ocala. The paintings in her Water Collection use multiple techniques, including use of acrylics, spray paints, glitter, mica powder, plaster and more. Free to the public. For more info, maggieweakley.com
GOSPEL EXPLOSION
Appleton Museum of Art Auditorium
June 24
This variety show will feature gospel music, entertainment from The Craytons, comedian Des, Charles Groover and his puppets, and Pearlie Mae. There also will be vendors on site. Tickets are $25 at bit.ly/3nmHGpK.
DANCE PARTY: ROCKY AND THE ROLLERS
Circle Square Cultural Center
June 24
Get your dancing shoes on for this party with one of the most popular bands in the area. Start with doo-wop, then classic rock n’ roll and slide into ‘70s disco, with era-appropriate attire encouraged. Tickets start at $25. For more info, csculturalcenter.com
SUMMER MUSIC CAMP
Reilly Arts Center
June 28-30
This camp, which is sponsored by the Ocala Symphony Community Music Conservatory, is a hands-on introduction to the instruments of the band and orchestra. It is suitable for students in grades three through six. Attendees will learn how instruments work and blend in an ensemble, and have a chance to play each instrument. Professional musicians and educators from the Ocala Symphony Orchestra and Marion County Public Schools will lead sessions. Snacks are included in the $100 tuition. Scholarships are available. See reillyartscenter.com for more info and to register.
