ENTERTAINMENT

What's Happening: Plein Air, poetry reading, 'American Idiot,' bird walk, 'Unapologetic'

The Gainesville Sun

MAY 20 THROUGH MAY 21

FIFTH ANNUAL SANTA FE SPRINGS PLEIN AIR: The fifth annual Santa Fe Springs Plein Air Paintout exhibit is on display through May 21 at Lanza Gallery & Art Supplies, 23645 W. U.S. 27 in High Springs. The French term “plein air” means “out of doors” and refers to the practice of painting entire finished pictures outside. This year’s Plein Air artists included Cleetus Shaiju Antony Frank Barone, Nancy Betty, Eleanor Blair, Patrice Boyes, Steven Bradbury, Stacey Breheny, Diane Brody, Tina Corbett, Michèle Karahalios, Scott Lamp, Karen LeMonnier Tim Malles,  Karen Ileta Miller, Robin Popp, Valarie Pothier-Forrester, Dana Queen, Angela Ransone Hyland, Peter Senesac, Jordan Shapot, Mary O Smith and Nika Zakharov. Information is available at Lanza Gallery & Art Supplies or by calling 474-1049. 

MAY 21

2022 VETERANS FOR PEACE POETRY READING/ PEACE SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS: On May 21, 26 students from Alachua County schools will read their peace poems aloud at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship as winners of the 2022 Peace Poetry Contest. The 12th annual Peace Poetry Contest began in January, inviting all K-12 students of Alachua County schools, both public and private, to submit one poem on what peace and social justice means to them. A team of community writers and poets judged the almost 200 poems submitted. From those poems, 26 students were chosen to perform their pieces on May 21 and will have their winning poems published in the 2022 Peace Poetrybooklet. Winners also will receive a certificate of accomplishment and a gift certificate to a local bookstore. Though this contest holds no formal position on the current state of world affairs, organizers still want to honor the ideal of peace through the perspectives of young people. Peace is a uniquely human conception and affirms the human spirit. Organizers say that it is especially important to remember that peace is not merely a goal, but a human right. Veterans for Peace also will be awarding four $1,500 Peace Scholarships during the Peace Reception. VFP created these scholarships to give financial support to students who are planning careers in pursuit of a more equitable, peaceful and just world. The four selected winners have demonstrated commitment and leadership activities involving peace and social justice, conflict resolution and nonviolent social change. This year’s reading will be held at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, 4225 NW 34th St., from 2 to 4 p.m. The event will include inspiring readings by the student poets and music by Alivia Regan Hunter, an 18-year-old singer/songwriter. Refreshments will be served after the program. The program is free. For more information on the 2022 Peace Poetry Reading and Peace scholarships, contact organizers at vfppeacepoetrycontest@gmail.com or 831-334-0117. Organizers ask that the audience and participants wear masks when not reading poems. 

MAY 21 THROUGH JUNE 12

“AMERICAN IDIOT”: Green Day’s powerhouse album “American Idiot” is brought to life in this electric-rock musical of youthful disillusion put on by the Gainesville Community Playhouse. The two-time Tony Award-winning hit musical, based on the Grammy Award-winning multi-platinum album, boldly takes the American musical where it’s never gone before. This high-octane show includes every song from the “American Idiot” album as well as several songs from its follow-up release, “21st Century Breakdown.” This production contains adult language and adult humor. Catch a show at 8 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays or 2 p.m. Sundays May 20 through June 12 at Gainesville Community Playhouse, 4039 NW 16th Blvd. Tickets are $23 for general admission, $19 for seniors and $12 for students. For more information, to purchase tickets online or to see a list of upcoming shows, visit gcplayhouse.org.

MAY 25

BIRD WALK: Discover the rich diversity of birds at one of north central Florida's premier birding hotspots during a two- to three-hour guided walking tour at Sweetwater Wetlands Park, 325 SW Williston Road. The Walk is free with the park admission fee of $5 per vehicle and is offered at 8:30 a.m. May 25. Expect a wide variety of birds, from wetland species like purple gallinule and limpkin to forest and grassland birds in the cypress domes and open prairie within the park's diverse habitats. Rare birds are often recorded at this location, especially during the fall, winter and spring months. Fall bird migration will be in full swing in September and October, bringing unusual visitors through the area. Birders of all levels are welcome. Participants will meet at the entrance pavilion/restroom area next to the parking lot at 8:30 a.m. Bird walks are led by volunteers from Alachua Audubon Society with assistance from Sweetwater Wetlands Park rangers. Coordinators suggest that participants bring hats, water, sunscreen, binoculars and walking shoes. For more information, visit alachuaaudubon.org.

ONGOING THROUGH AUGUST

“UNAPOLOGETIC!”: The Cotton Club Museum and Cultural Center is featuring artistic works by Gainesville artist Yvonne Ferguson. The show is entitled “Unapologetic!” and features images of cultural and human rights icons as well as notable and groundbreaking musicians. Describing her subject matter, Ferguson said, “My creative passion is fueled by the people of the African Diaspora. I love the culture, creativity and fortitude of its people. I am inspired by our ceaseless adaptability and how the essence of our being always creates something out of anything.” Ferguson displays her work through her online gallery, Diasporic Pigments. Visit the Cotton Club Museum and Cultural Center at 837 SE Seventh Ave. This exhibit will run through August 2022. Admission is free. The museum is open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, and by appointment for schools and other groups. Call 226-8321 or email info@cottonclubmuseum.com for more information. All safety recommendations are being followed with masks required inside. Hand sanitizers and purified air will make the exhibit both safe and enjoyable.