A guide to our favorite monthly happenings and can’t-miss events
May 1 – First Friday Art Walk
Downtown Ocala
6-9pm
Stroll the square and enjoy the charm of downtown Ocala while taking in artists’ displays, live music, extended shopping hours and art activities. Free and open to the public. This is the final Art Walk of this season; the festivities resume in September. Visit ocalafl.org/artwalk for more information.
May 4 – May the 4th Be With You – Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope
Marion Theatre
In celebration of the 45th anniversary of the release of the first of the Star Wars films, the Marion Theatre is having a party at Docking Bay 94 (the park-ing lot) with themed cocktails and live music from Mike Abbott playing all the hits from Mos Eisley (and Earth). A Star Wars trivia game at 7pm will be followed by the movie that started this worldwide phenomenon: “Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope.” More info at reillyartscenter.com/events/may-the- 4th-be-with-you/
May 6 – Festivals of Speed Car Show
World Equestrian Center
On Friday, May 6th, the Ultimate Kentucky Derby Party will include vehicles on display, a hat contest and fine culinary and beverage offerings. On Saturday, May 7th, more than 200 exotic, classic and muscle cars will be on display. Tickets range from $20 for general admission to $20 to VIP experiences. See the list at festivalsofspeed.com for more info.
May 6 – Levitt AMP Ocala Music Series (also May 13 and 20)
Webb Field, MLK Recreation Complex
Free music concerts sponsored by the City of Ocala and Marion Cultural Alliance. Artists will display their works, nonprofits will share their missions and food vendors will off er tasty treats. Performers this month are: Indigenous (blues) on May 6th; The Bryne Brothers (Celtic) on May 13th; and The Drifters featuring Rick Sheppard (R&B/soul) on May 20th. For more info, check out facebook.com/ levittampocala
May 6 – Friends of the Library Quarterly Book Sale
Headquarters Ocala Public Library
This quarterly fundraiser on May 6th and 7th lets you browse for books and help the Friends of the Library nonprofit. Paperbacks will sell for a quarter; hardbacks sell for 50 cents. Note: members only on Friday; open to the general public on Saturday. For more info, check out friendsoftheocalalibrary.org
May 6 – Ocala Feathered Horse Classic
World Equestrian Center
Gypsy Vanners are fairy tale horses with their elegant coloring, long feathered feet and fl owing manes and tales. This show from May 6th to 8th offers halter, driving, dressage, trail, liberty and even a costume class, Concours D’Elegance Exhibition, in which horses (and riders) dress in Victorian and Ed-wardian elegance and audience participation helps pick the winner. Free and open to the public. See featheredhorseclassic.com or worldequestriancenter. com for more info.
May 7 – Sunflower Festival
Coon Hollo Farm, just north of McIntosh Head out to the farm and enjoy Coon Hollo’s Sun-flower Festival on weekends from May 7th-8th to 21st-22nd. Take a hayride to feed the cows, enjoy the petting zoo and browse through Nana’s Country Store for goodies and farm fresh delights. Vendor booths, farm animals and lots of sunflowers. Visit coonhollo.com to learn more.
May 8 – Symphony Under the Stars
Ocala Golf Club
Hosted by Fine Arts For Ocala, this annual Mother’s Day tradition features music, food trucks and fi reworks. Enjoy a spring evening listening to the Ocala Symphony Orchestra. Chairs, blankets and picnic baskets are permit-ted. Learn more at fafo.org
May 12 – Beauty and the Beast
Ocala Civic Theatre
This classic fairy tale comes to life as Belle enchants her Beast and love prevails. The live onstage version of the beloved Disney movie will feature all of the songs from the movie, along with added hits, dazzling costumes and gorgeous production. Performances are Thursdays-Sundays; show runs through June 5th. Times vary. For more info, ocalacivictheatre.com
May 14 – Artrageous at the Reilly
Reilly Arts Center
This unique performance mixes fine art, live music, singing, dancing, humor and interaction in a colorful whirl of movement and creation. A troupe of 12 artists, singers, dancers and musicians work and play together to create new art pieces and encourage audience participation. Suitable for all ages; get tickets from reaillyartscenter.com
May 14 – Blueberry Festival, Pancake Breakfast and 5K Run/Walk
World Equestrian Center
Burn up some calories doing the 5K run/walk loop-ing through the grounds of the World Equestrian Center, then wolf down some calories at the blue-berry pancake breakfast near Arena 4. The festival includes a farmer’s market, blueberry specialties, live music, games and more. The 5K and breakfast require tickets; the festival is free and open to the public. See worldequestriancenter.com/events for more info.
May 20 – Florida Cutting Horse Association Show
Florida Horse Park
Some of Florida’s top cutting horses put their hooves down and run cattle from May 20th-24th. Once the cow is cut, the rider drops the reins and the horse does all the work. Vendors and food trucks. For more info, floridacuttinghorseassociation.com or flhorsepark.com
May 20 – Leaf Series: Mindful Music
Sholom Park
Get your mellow mindfulness going with this unique experience in the peaceful setting of Sholom Park. Kellyan Binkowski is a musician, Reiki practitioner, mediation and mindfulness teacher. Absorb the healing power of music, sound and vibration with flutes, chakra toning and mantras. $5; advance registration required at sholompark.org
May 21 – Festival Latino
Ocala Citizens’ Circle
This free festival celebrates Latin culture, food, music and more. Entertainers, craft s and vendors. Check out Eventbrite.com/e/festival-latino-downtown-ocala-tickets-238777539047
May 22 – Opera Tampa
Circle Square Cultural Center
The resident company at the Straz Center for Performing Arts in Tampa will perform arias from favorite operas, along with popular Broadway songs. Go to csculturalcenter.com
May 22 – German American Club Dance
Citrus Hills Golf & Country Club, Hernando The German American Club of West Central Florida is holding an anniversary dance from 1-5pm at the Citrus Hills Golf & Country Club. Tickets are $38. To learn more, call (352) 419-6379.
May 27 – The Global Jazz Collective
Reilly Arts Center, NOMA Black Box
The Global Jazz Collective combines funk and bebop. The group is led by UF Director of Jazz Studies Scott Wilson and Latin Grammy Award winner and UF head of Music Business and Entrepreneurship Jose Valentino. For more info, reaillyartscenter.com
May 28 – Replant Day
West Ocala Wellness Community Garden, 2200 W Highway 40
Planting season is on! Start some warm season vegetables, learn to solarize beds and help the community garden start and maintain fresh crops. Rent a plot for $10 at ocalafl.org/garden
