It's a red-letter weekend for good music, plus free family fun, Discover Leesburg and more.
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Discover Leesburg downtown street fest
Shop, eat and mingle at Discover Leesburg in the city's historic downtown from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 10, featuring the classic and southern rock, and country tunes, of Harrison Davis. The second-Friday monthly event features vendors and exhibitors who wrap around the scenic Towne Square at 510 W. Main St. Call 352-728-9885 for more information.
4th Street Live in downtown Leesburg
4th St Live happens every second Friday of the month in tandem with Discover Leesburg at 100 S. Fourth St. from 5 to 9 p.m., presented by Artist with a Purpose. The block party features vendors, music, food trucks, original art and other surprises. Vendors interested in participating can sign up at form.jotform.com/242375992687172. Learn more at Artistwap.com.
2nd Friday Block Party in Groveland
Take part in family friendly community fun at a South Lake County second-Friday fest from 5 to 9 p.m. at Lake David Park, 450 S. Lake Ave., Groveland. The uplifting event features food trucks, music, a market, a kid zone and more. Details: groveland-fl.gov.
Clermont debuts 'BYOS' skating party
Cue "The Stroke" by Billy Squier! This one's a skating party for all ages, but it's "BYOS" (bring your own skates). The skate night takes over the Clermont Arts & Recreation Center, 3700 S. U.S. 27, Clermont, this Saturday, Jan. 11, from 6 to 10 p.m. Admission is $2 for kids, $3 for adults (for both skaters and non-skaters). Registration required at clermontfl.gov/450/Skate-Night-At-The-ARC.
Mount Dora launches first Daisy Music Festival
The Mount Dora community raises funds for Libby's Legacy Breast Cancer Foundation at its first Daisy Music Festival, honoring Jeanette Bokland. Headlining the night are Christina Havrilla and Mama's BlackSheep.
Havrilla's bio describes her sound as "a blend of '90s guitar and late '60s harmonies wrapped up in this catchy rocker." Proceeds will go directly to Libby's Legacy Breast Cancer Foundation. Mama's Black Sheep say their sound serves up "one guitar, a bunch of drums, two amazing voices, a dash of humor, a touch of love all mixed together." It all happens on Saturday, Jan. 11, from 6 to 10 p.m. at the Mount Dora Community Building, 520 N. Baker St., Mount Dora. Visit EZTicketapp.com for tickets.
16th annual Lake Sumter Art & Craft Festival
Craft artisans nationwide will gather at The Villages for a juried festival. Expect "the finest of whimsical, practical and affordable art and original creations" on display, according to the event's promotional copy. Visitors can stroll amid thousands of creative works while sampling dips and treats in the green market during the free, two-day event, Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 11-12, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., at 1000 Lake Sumter Landing, The Villages. Details: thevillagesentertainment.com.
The Spinners bring retro grooves to The Tracy
Relive the smooth soul stylings of The Spinners at The Tracy Performing Arts Center on Sunday, Jan. 12. The iconic group is still at it after a half century with two shows at 4 and 7 p.m.
In the 1970s, the Spinners cranked out a steady stream of pop R&B with “I’ll Be Around,” “Could It Be I’m Falling In Love,” “Then Came You,” “The Rubberband Man” and many more, earning six Grammy nominations, 18 platinum and gold albums and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The Tracy is located at 2210 Dr. Randy McDaniel Way, Middleton. Details: thetracy.com/the-spinners.
U-Pick winter fest fun at Southern Hill Farms
Southern Hill Farms Fall Festival invites grown-ups for winter sunflower strawberry and seasonal vegetable pickings and amuses kids with a plethora of activities including a 5-acre corn maze, animal petting and more. Grown-ups can enjoy craft beer and wine along with grub from food trucks such as Twisted Plates, or relax with some tunes by Kaleigh LeBeau from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Admission is free, but you must purchase a KidZone wristband to take the kids on a variety of fun rides and through mazes. It all takes place from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at 16651 Schofield Road, Clermont. Pets are not allowed. Entry onto the farm ends at 5:30 p.m. Details: 407-986-5806.
One-tank trip idea: Discover 200, free concert fest in Gainesville
Alachua County’s Discover 200: A Bicentennial Celebration kicks off a yearlong celebration of the founding of Alachua County at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 11.
The free fest includes music on two stages at Depot Park and Heartwood Soundstage. Headliners include Christone "Kingfish" Ingram, Chuck Ragan & The Camaraderie, Little Jake & The Soul Searchers and The Cliff Dorsey Band.
If you listened to post-hardcore in the 1990s and early 2000s, you'll know Gainesville's Chuck Ragan and his breakout band Hot Water Music. These days, Ragan & his "Camaraderie" inject twangy acoustic guitar and lap steel while maintaining the impassioned, anthemic delivery that inspired a loyal following of both Ragan and Hot Water Music over the years.
Ingram has put out original blues albums and has recorded with Eric Gales, Buddy Guy and Keb Mo. Led by B.B. King's godson and Tampa Native Jake Mitchell, Little Jake & the Soul Searchers is a rousing, bluesy, big band ensemble that should appeal to anyone who loves soulful, vintage sounds.
There will be food trucks, free face paintings and balloon animals for kids, a strolling magician, historical and county service exhibits, UF mascots Albert and Alberta and more. The fest happens at Heartwood Soundstage, 619 S. Main St., and Depot Park, 200 SE Depot Ave. For set times and more information, visit alachua200.com.
Coming up soon ...
Jan. 17-Feb. 2 | 'Paper Thin' by Bay Street Players
The inimitable director Katrina Ploof is back at Bay Street Players with a compelling production, T.K. Lee's "Paper Thin," a Southern-fried dramedy with sass, heart and a side of 21st-century angst. She directed the world premiere of the play in Ocala in October 2021.
Ploof has described "Paper Thin" as a “listening play” with witty, insightful dialogue. The story follows Lucrece, who swigs whiskey and tells hubby Gerald that she's honoring a clause in their premarital agreement — that she could leave him whenever the time was right for her.
See the memorable play at the historic State Theater in downtown Eustis, 109 N. Bay St. eustisstatetheatre.org.
Jan. 17-Feb. 9 | 'Cash on Delivery!' by IceHouse Theatre
Need a laugh? Get some comic relief in Mount Dora with a fast-paced farce by playwright Michael Cooney. "Cash on Delivery!" features 16 performances over four weekends at the 260-seat IceHouse Theatre, 1100 N. Unser St., Mount Dora.
In the play, Eric Swan, a mild-mannered Londoner in a bit of a pickle, has been diligently filing claims with the Department of Social Security, on behalf of his many imaginary tenants. His scheme has gone off without a hitch until a visit from a welfare agent to meet everyone in the accident-pronehousehold.
The ensemble features C.J. Sikorski as the flailing Eric Swan and Robert Laurita as the unwitting boob, Norman. Adept supporting performances are provided by Morgan Howland-Cook, Don Campbell, James Morrison, Emily Jarvis, Andre Provencher, Pat Justin, Molly Jarvis and Steven Behncke.
The production is directed by Darlin Barry, with scenic design by Buddy Fales, lighting design by Philip Lupo, costume design by Anna Maria Muller and sound design by Darlin Barry. Details: [email protected].