Gainesville – this Central Florida university town is more than Gator Country. What many don’t realize is that a trip to this part of our state can be a culturally rich experience. From amazing museums to state-of-the-art theaters and plentiful festivals, this town offers an endless array of options for art and culture enthusiasts.

Theaters

Theater fans have plenty of options to choose from in this city that boasts a strong history of supporting the performing arts. Two of the biggest theatrical points of interest in the city are the Hippodrome Theatre and Gainesville Community Playhouse.
A 40-year-old annual tradition, the Spring Arts Festival sets the stage for an amazing weekend of dance performances, concerts and, of course, the opportunity to purchase one-of-a-kind art pieces.

Opened in 1972 in a converted convenience store, the Hippodrome Theatre has a rich past that began with producing shows that challenged contemporary theater (more edgy). Over the years, the theater changed locations three times, finally putting down roots in downtown Gainesville in the prominent Federal Building. Combining main-stage performances, cinema and special programs (outreach and summer camps), the remarkable theater welcomes more than 200,000 people every year.

The 2009-10 season is sure to please with performances of London’s West End’s hit “Mindgame” (Oct.16-Nov.8), a Jules Verne adaptation of “Around the World in 80 Days” (April 16-May 9) and an exciting rotation of independent films throughout the year. “What I love about this season is the sense of adventure, the excitement of escape and the challenge to follow your dreams as we spin into the future,” says Hippodrome Founder and Producing Director Mary Hausch. “We invite everyone to join us for this engaging, entertaining and adventurous season.”                                            

Founded in 1927, the Gainesville Community Playhouse at the Vam York Theater produces six shows a year for eager audiences. One of the oldest playhouses in Florida, this innovative theater aims to encourage all generations to enjoy the arts and even has a Facebook page. This year will welcome exciting programming, including “Shakespeare in Hollywood” (Sept. 4-20), “To Kill a Mockingbird” (Jan. 22-Feb. 7, 2010) and the Broadway hit musical comedy “The Producers” (July 9-Aug. 1, 2010). Aspiring actors should note that audition dates for all of the 2009-10 season shows are listed on the theaters’ websites.

Museums and Galleries

Museum culture is an important part of life in this town. The Samuel P. Harn Museum of Art and the Florida Museum of Natural History are both affiliated with the University of Florida and are two very popular draws.

Located on the University of Florida campus, the Florida Museum of Natural History is a major attraction for children and their families. Permanent exhibitions about Florida fossils to butterfly rainforests and intriguing temporary exhibitions keep residents and visitors coming back for more. And every summer, the venue offers educational and exciting kids’ classes and summer camps. This year, be sure to catch “Everglades Imagery: Intimate Detail of a Vast Landscape” (through Aug. 16) and “Butterflies and Moths in Contemporary Zuni Art” (through Jan. 3, 2010).

“Not only are we the official state museum for natural history, we make an effort to present a lot of public programming and events for families throughout the year,” explained Paul Ramey, Florida Museum of Natural History spokesperson, of the facility’s impact in Gainesville.
 
Traditional and contemporary art lovers will without a doubt enjoy the 86,800-square-foot Samuel P. Harn Museum of Art. Opened in 1990, this venue combines a permanent collection and exhibition area with an auditorium, classrooms and gift shop. A dedication to providing cultural enrichment to the lives of everyone in Gainesville drives the museum’s mission.
 
This year, you can enjoy numerous exhibitions here, including “Between the Beads: Reading African Beadwork” (throughout July 26), “Landscape Perspectives: Highlights from the Photography Collection” (through Aug. 30) and “Uncommon Glazes: American Art Pottery, 1880-1950” (through Sept. 13).
 
Festivals
 
Every year, Gainesville plays host to a variety of festivals dedicated to food, culture and the arts. Two of the biggest are the Spring Arts Festival and Downtown Festival & Art Show.
 
Santa Fe Community College hosts the Spring Arts Festival, recently voted Best Arts & Crafts Festival by Florida Monthly, in March/April every year (next on April 10-11, 2010). The event welcomes approximately 130,000 visitors every year. A 41-year-old annual tradition, it sets the stage for an amazing weekend of dance performances, concerts and, of course, the opportunity to purchase one-of-a-kind art pieces.
 
The Downtown Festival & Arts Show is sponsored annually by the City of Gainesville Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs. This year, you can enjoy the event on Nov. 14 and 15 in the historic downtown Gainesville district. With an arts fair, special children’s area, performing arts shows and culinary demonstrations, this event is sure to have something for everyone. And for musical lovers, there’s an added bonus this year: kicking off the arts festival is the Downtown Blues Concert on Nov. 13.
 
And More ...
 
Murals adorn walls throughout the city in a vibrant splash of artistic inspiration. Along 13th Street, West University Avenue and 34th Street, one can enjoy 17 themed murals with inspirations ranging from football to wildlife. For those who prefer to enjoy art unexposed to the elements in a more intimate setting, the Thomas Center Galleries (located in a Mediterranean Revival-style hotel amidst the Thomas Center Gardens) and Santa Fe Galleries (located on the Santa Fe Community College campus) offer a traditional gallery experience.
 
For more information on planning a trip to Gainesville, call 866-778-5002 or visit www.visitgainesville.com.