FREE FREE FREE MUSIC MUSIC MUSIC

Today :08 transforms from one of Gainesville's most trafficked nightspots to the home of the first AM/FM Music Showcase. The About Music For Music Showcase is a music festival featuring acts by 13 of Gainesville best independent rock, folk, blues and hip-hop groups. 

"We are packing about four or five semesters of great live music into one day," says Jose Peruyero, one of the event coordinators, and singer and guitar player of local band Moodhosa. 

The event was created by Jose, Dante Lima and Marshal Patrick as an opportunity to give different genres of local music an outlet to present its talents to the community. With Gainesville's music scene focusing mostly on punk-rock, highlighted by events like The Fest and bands like Against Me!, AM/FM aims to bring attention to other genres, which Jose says don't have a real scene. "Living in Gainesville creates your music," Jose says. "We wanted to give all these hardworking musicians a place to showcase what they have been doing over the years." 

The festival has been in the works for about 4 months; when Haiti was devastated by earthquakes earlier this month, Jose, Dante and Marshal immediately decided to make the free showcase a benefit show, with any donations going to Haiti relief. "To me it was utterly shocking. Everyone was so receptive, none of bands were difficult to deal with, and they were so quick to give up money to Haitian relief," he says.  "With 13 bands, that's more than 30 to 40 people being selfless; not wanting any money and just wanting to be part of it."

The event will offer a forum for local bands, emerging musicians and fans to network and learn from each other. True to the festival's independent spirit, all the sponsorship is coming from local businesses such as Flaco's, Lipham Music, Mother's Pub & Grill, :08 and The Buzz. 

The music kicks off at 1pm and goes through 9pm with bands like Bang Bang Boom, D.P., The Footlights and Moodhosa. Jose says he's most looking forward to catching Michael Claytor & His Friends and The Haps. "If you love live music at all, if you love hanging out with people and supporting the community, this is the best place to see live music for free," Jose says. 

:08 is located at 201 W. University Ave. Admission to the all-day event is FREE. But take a few bucks for Haiti donations. For a complete lineup check out the event's Facebook page. 

-Stephanie Granada

Party Like It's 1399

We’ve all heard the exploits of Robin Hood and his Merry Men. Now, you’ll have the chance to experience medieval adventures firsthand at the 24th Annual Hoggetowne Medieval Faire.

The Alachua County Fairgrounds comes alive with trumpets, minstrels and revelry Jan. 30-31 and Feb. 5-7, bringing the present-day grind to an authentic medieval pace. Armored knights will joust on horseback for the honor of their ladies, charging head-on with a shining lance and shield for a cheering crowd. Jugglers, musicians and dancers will perform on the streets or on one of the eight stages.

Faire Coordinator Linda Piper recommends arriving during the first 30 minutes of the faire, when the entertainers meet and greet the visitors. “It's one of the most exciting times of the day," she says. "And what a great opportunity to see all of the entertainers up close!"

Hoggetowne revives the forgotten arts of falconry, archery and puppetry, and guests can test their aim shooting arrows and hurling battle-axes. Tickets on Saturday and Sunday are $14 for adults, $7 for children 5-17 and free for children 4 and younger. Visit to www.gvlculturalaffairs.org or call (352) 334-ARTS.

—Zahara Zahav, with reporting by Edward Bowen; photo by Rodney Rogers

Check back tomorrow for INsite staffers Jon Silman and Sarah Hsu's fair report!

Camelot, Canes Boils and Christmas Carols..Oh My!

Thanksgiving might be over, but the family-fun celebrations are just beginning. Starting tonight Gainesville is hosting plenty of opportunities for top-quality entertainment to help you enjoy your holiday weekend and bond with your family. Here are a few of the events we are most looking forward to.

At the Phillips Center tonight, Nov. 27, at 7:30 The University of Florida Performing Arts presents Lerner & Loewe’s Camelot, a musical set in King Arthur’s 12th century castle traces one of the most legendary love triangles in history involving King Arthur, his betrothed Guinevere and Roundtable Knight Sir Lancelot. The production is part of the Friday Night Sights Events - the Harn Museum of Art and the Florida Museum of Natural History will host extended hours until 7pm. Prior to the show, the Phillips Center will be taking new, unwrapped toy donations for Alachua kids.

Tickets are available online and at the Phillips Center box office, 315 Hull Road.

Starting at 9 am, Saturday, Nov. 28, The City of Gainesville is offering some old-fashioned fun at Morningside Nature Center Living History Farm. The farm will travel back to the 1870s as the staff, dressed in full 19th century garb, serve up fresh-made syrup and homemade biscuits. Throughout the day Morningside staffers will cut, press and boil sugar cane into syrup on the spot. The historic integrity is further preserved by the fiddle and open-string instrument sounds that will be the backdrop for the thanks-giving, harvest-welcoming day. During the Annual Cane Boil, the Longleaf Pine Youth Fiddle and Open Band Contest will take place with three different division- Seedling (ages 12 and under), Sapling (ages 13-18) and Open String Band (all ages).

Admission is $2 adults, $1 for kids ages 3-12 and free for children under 3 years-old.

Morningside Nature Center Living History Farm, 3450 E. University Ave.




At 2pm The Hippodrome premieres its annual holiday play, A Christmas Carol, followed by a meet-and-greet with the cast and cupcakes provided by Cakes by Jenny Wagner & Co. This year marks the 32nd production of A Christmas Caro1 in Gainesville and the 20th year the character of Scrooge is played by Rusty Salling. At 7:30pm, A Tuna Christmas will premiere followed by a barbeque provided by Jim’s Bar-B-Que. Local favorite, Mark Chambers traveled down from San Francisco to take part in this year’s production of the screwy Christmas play. All food and treats are free with play admission.

The Hippodrome State Theatre, 25 SE 2nd Place. Tickets available here or by calling the box office at (352) 375-4477.

Get Your Game On

Check out the November edition of Gamer's Corner on our Web site now for reviews of the best video, online, computer and upcoming games of the month!

While you're there, browse our November Faces in the Crowd slideshow where we ask: what is your favorite blog or Web site?