What's Happening: Legends Show, Reader Palooza, PinkFest, Enstoolment of Vivian Filer
JUNE 2
LEGENDS SHOW: Legends show founder Ted McMullen has announced that his final Legends Show after 15 years will be held June 2-3 at The Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park and Campground. McMullen, who has performed for 50 years, also has performed in many other places over the years, delighting Elvis fans who admire McMullen’s dedication to music and performing in tribute to the late Elvis Presley. The pre-party will start off the weekend from 7 to 10 p.m. June 2. The Legends’ final full show will bring an end to this much loved event from 6 to 10 p.m. June 3, all in the SOSMP’s Music Hall where it has been held over the last 15 years. Doors open at 5 p.m. each night for this event. During the June 2 night pre-party, all Legends artists will perform during a laid-back evening of music, memories, good food and good friends reuniting in the Music Hall as the artists perform on the stage. The June 3 event will feature all artists paying tribute to various famed music stars. Performing last during this last Legends Show will be McMullen paying tribute to Elvis to end the show’s long run June 3. The audience always stands for the last song. Performing both nights will be Keith Thrift as Conway Twitty, Dale Bennett as Loretta Lynn, Penny Hannah as Wynonna Judd, Calvin Smart as Johnny Cash, Texanna as Patsy Cline, Diane Johnson Fields as Lorrie Morgan, Kathy Stafford as Shania Twain, Karen Black as Karen Carpenter, Trese Hill as Tammy Wynette and Bobby Long as Willie Nelson (if possible due to health issues as of this press release). Tickets are $11 each night at the door or advanced tickets are $22 for both nights purchased only thru the SOSMP office at 386-364-1683 before noon June 2. During live event performances, a minimum of $5 per person is required unless otherwise specified. The SOS Café is open Thursday through Saturday for breakfast, lunch and supper. For reservations, call the SOS Café at 386-364-1703 Thursday through Saturday. The SOSMP is located 4.5 miles south of Interstate 75 and 4.5 miles north of Interstate 10 at the Suwannee River off of U.S. 129 at 3076 95th Drive in Live Oak.
JUNE 2 THROUGH JUNE 11
“CLUE”: Based on the iconic 1985 Paramount movie that was inspired by the classic Hasbro board game, “Clue” — the latest production from Gainesville Community Playhouse — is a hilarious farce-meets-murder mystery. The tale begins at a remote mansion where six mysterious guests assemble for an unusual dinner party with murder and blackmail on the menu. When their host turns up dead, they all become suspects. Led by the butler, Miss Scarlett, Professor Plum, Mrs. White, Mr. Green, Mrs. Peacock and Colonel Mustard race to find the killer as the body count stacks up. “Clue” is the comedy whodunit that will leave both cult-fans and newcomers in stitches as they try to figure out … who did it, where and with what! Catch a show at 8 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays plus 2 p.m. Sundays through June 11 at Gainesville Community Playhouse, 4039 NW 16th Blvd. Tickets are $23 for general admission, $19 for seniors and $12 for students. For more information, or to purchase tickets online, visit gcplayhouse.org.
JUNE 2 THROUGH JUNE 25
“NUNSENSE: THE MUSICAL”: In “Nunsense: The Musical,” the newest production from the High Springs Playhouse, the show is a fundraiser put on by the Little Sisters of Hoboken to raise money to bury sisters accidently poisoned by the convent cook, Sister Julia (Child of God). Updated with new jokes, additional lyrics, two new arrangements and a brand new song, this madcap musical was recorded for television starring Rue McClanahan as the Mother Superior. Catch a show at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays plus 2 p.m. Sundays, June 2-25 at the High Springs Playhouse, 130 NE First Ave. in High Springs. Tickets are $15 for general admission, and $10 for students and ages 65 and older. For more information, or to purchase tickets online, visit highspringsplayhouse.com.
JUNE 2 THROUGH JULY 9
“A GENTLEMAN’S GUIDE TO LOVE AND MURDER”: Getting away with murder can be so much fun — and there’s no better proof than the knock-’em-dead hit show that’s earned unanimous raves and won the 2014 Tony Award for best musial: “A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder!” The newest production from the Hippodrome Theatre is the uproarious story of Monty Navarro, an heir to a family fortune who sets out to jump the line of succession by — you guessed it — eliminating the eight pesky relatives who stand in his way. Monty also has to juggle his mistress (she’s after more than just love), his fiancée (she’s his cousin, but who’s keeping track?), and the constant threat of landing behind bars. Of course, it will all be worth it if he can slay his way to his inheritance … and be done in time for tea. Catch a show at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 2 p.m. Sundays, and 7 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays through July 9 at the Hippodrome Theatre, 25 SE Second Place. Tickets are $55 June 2 (opening night), then $35 to $45. For more information, or to purchase tickets online, visit thehipp.org.
JUNE 3
READER PALOOZA: The Alachua County Library District is kicking-off its Summer at the Library series with Reader Palooza from 10 a.m. until noon June 3 at Depot Park, 200 SE Depot Ave. Get the summer started off right with fun activities and informative vendors, and support literacy in the community and encourage summer reading. Patrons can sign up for the Summer Reading Challenge for chances to win a free tablet from PDQ restaurant. The ACLD will have a free goodie bag for kids, teens and adults who sign up for summer reading. More than 20 vendors will be on hand at Reader Palooza, including Fun 4 Gator Kids, Escapology, UF CARD, Florida Museum of Natural History, REI, Matheson Museum, Santa Fe College Teaching Zoo, Children’s Home Society, United Way and more. Patrons can enjoy roaming performances from magician Magic Mike, the Gainesville Circus Center and Bubble Man. Marc Radio and Classic Hits 100.9 will be broadcasting live from the event. The popular kids’ reading program Read with a Dog will have a station at Reader Palooza this year. Sit and stay a while to read with a very good dog. For more information about the free event, visit aclib.us.
JUNE 3
PINKFEST: The third annual PinkFest event will be hosted by Celebration Pointe from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 3. This family friendly event is held each year to bring awareness to all cancers while educating and uplifting the community. There will be numerous vendors providing educational tools and products formulated especially for someone during their cancer diagnosis, treatments, and after their treatments have been completed. During this community event, organizers will recognize those currently battling any form of cancer and those who have lost their battle with cancer. There will be a 1K walk/run at noon, live information sessions with Q&A, a live DJ, and more. For more information about the free PinkFest event, visit blossomingbutterflyinc.org/pinkfest-2023.html. Celebration Pointe is located at 4949 Celebration Pointe Ave.
JUNE 3
ENSTOOLMENT AND CELEBRATION OF THE 85TH BIRTHDAY OF VIVIAN FILER: The public is invited to celebrate the enstoolment and 85th birthday of Vivian Washington Filer from 5 to 8 p.m. June 3 at the Best Western Gateway Grand Hotel, 4200 NW 97th Blvd. Enstoolment is an African and African diaspora tradition of honoring esteemed women in recognition of exemplary service to their communities. Filer, founder and board chair of the Cotton Club Museum and Cultural Center, will be designated with the title of Queen Mother Mangye Naa Amiami Osuowaa Okropong I, translated as “Mother Who Loves and Protects All of Her Children.” The ceremony was proposed by Historian Dr. Patricia Hilliard-Nunn, whose parents were enstooled in Ghana in the 1990s. Her mother, Patsy Jo Hilliard, will serve as honorary chair at the program. Starting in the 1970s, Filer pioneered equitable health care for Black people in Alachua County. She advocated for access to medical services for all people throughout her 40-year career, during which she served as professor of nursing and interim director of health sciences at Santa Fe College. Ceremonial drumming will be provided by internationally acclaimed Mohammed DaCosta. Students from Caring and Sharing Learning School will perform traditional African dances. Entertainment will include live music by Lanard Perry and his Gospel Meets Jazz Band. The banquet includes a full-course plated meal. Tickets are $75 each and may be purchased online at cottonclubmuseum.com/events.