Opening Night at The Hipp

The Hippodrome Theatre was abuzz Friday night for the fall season's opening night. People young and old shuffled up the front steps that were decorated by batches of sky blue and white balloons for the premiere of Up.

Set in the 1990s, the play by Bridget Carpenter is a family drama inspired by the real-life "Lawn Chair Larry" a.k.a Larry Walters, a truck driver who took flight in a lawn chair lifted by weather balloons from his backyard in 1982.

Although inspired by Walters' story, Up goes deeper. It's focus is protagonist Walter Griffin, his wife, Helen, and son, Mikey. Walter just can't seem to move on from his glory-days as lawnchair pilot, while Helen begs him to snap out of it. Mikey finally finds a friend -- Maria, a teenage mom-to-be -- and a job even, but he still struggles to find his way.

Up's characters have humor and wit, too, making it all-around entertaining. Opening night ended with a standing ovation.

Check out this behind-the-scenes interview with Dylan Kammerer (Mikey) and Jennifer Smith (Maria).

ZIP-ing Around Downtown

Last night (9/3) we caught the new Gainesville shuttle service, ZIPcarts, zipping around downtown.

These little environmentally-friendly carts are completely free, and as their Web site says, they’re designed for distances “long enough not to want to walk, and short enough to feel a little silly about driving your car.” Plus, they run until the bars close. Sounds perfect for when you need a little lift downtown.

According to a recent Alligator article, the ZIPcarts have already given rides to a thousand students since their debut August 17. They can pick you up between 34th and SE 7th streets, south of 16th Ave.

Need a ride? Add their number to your phone: 877-ZIP-1352. Or you can check out their Web site.

By Amelia Marty. Photo by Rodney Rogers.

Sunglasses At Night Party at Lexington Crossing

Last Friday's (7/31) Sunglasses At Night '80s themed party at Lexington Crossing was a smashing success, despite an early evening downpour, complete with the sunglass style made famous by Kanye West himself. Even Fido was rocking 'em!

Photos by Rodney Rogers