Fun things to do this weekend and in the coming weeks in Ocala
COMING SOON
Summer Nights Lecture Series at the Fort King National Historic Landmark
This series will be held at the landmark, 3925 E. Fort King St., Ocala. "Each week, different topics will be presented by professionals in the natural and historical resource fields," organizers say.
The first lecture will be 6-8 p.m. July 11: "Edible Florida with Don Philpott." He is a Florida master naturalist, environmentalist and author. More at 352-401-6980 or www.ocalafl.gov/recpark
The second event will be 6-8 p.m. July 18: "The Way It Was: Stories that Shaped our Community," with Dave Schlenker, a local writer and journalist. "Be transported to a bygone era through a nostalgic journey across Central Florida’s past. Guests will explore the rich history and stories that shaped this community. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to delve into the past and uncover the treasures of heritage," organizers say.
The Great American Soulbook
This show will be onstage at 7:30 p.m. July 12 at the Reilly Arts Center. It features Motown, R&B and other iconic soul music.
Janet Voyles, clarinet
This free concert will be at 3 p.m. July 14 at Joy Lutheran Church, with reception to follow. The church is at 7045 SW 83rd Place, Ocala. Freewill love offering will be taken.
'The Seussification of Romeo and Juliet'
This youth production from the Ocala Civic Theatre will be onstage July 14-16. More information at ocalacivictheatre.com
'Godspell'
This youth production from the Ocala Civic Theatre will be onstage July 19-21. More information at ocalacivictheatre.com
Taylor Shines – The Laser Spectacular
This show is a combination of Taylor Swift music and a laser-and-light show. It will be onstage at 5 and 8 p.m. July 19 at the Reilly Arts Center in Ocala.
Joseph Knetsch, Florida historian
This lecture will begin at 2 p.m. July 21 in Green Clover Hall, 319 SE 26th Terrace, Ocala. A reception will follow at the nearby Marion County Museum of History & Archaeology. Admission free to members, $5 to nonmembers.
ONGOING
'En Pointe: Expressions of Dance in Art'
This exhibit will be up through Oct. 6 at the Appleton Museum of Art. Items from the permanent collection "explore various forms of dance and more through paintings, prints, photographs, sculptures, masks and costumes," organizers say. The Appleton, 4333 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala, is open Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., and Sunday, noon-5 p.m. More at 352-291-4455 or appletonMuseum.org
Summer Kids Film Series
The Marion Theatre is hosting this event every Wednesday, Thursday and Friday through Aug. 2 at the theater, 50 S. Magnolia Ave. Ocala. Showtimes are 10 and 11 a.m. and 12:30 and 1:30 p.m. Tickets are $5 for adults and children. A summer snack pack is included for children 12 and younger. View movie selections and showtimes and purchase tickets at https://www.reillyartscenter.com/summer-kids-film-series/. More at 352-820-3049 or by following Ocala's Marion Theatre on Facebook and Instagram.
Chelsea Art Center first anniversary
The center, 3305 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala, is celebrating with an all-media art exhibit showcasing world-class works of 21 Central Florida artists. The works include realism and abstract works, oils, acrylics, watercolor, pastel, collage, encaustic photographs, woodcut print, fused glass and pencil drawings. The exhibit will be up Monday through Saturday, 11 a.m.–3 p.m., through Aug. 30.
'Spiky Truths, Sweet Solutions: Pineapples Allegories for Healing Justice' by April Fitzpatrick
This exhibit is up through Dec. 2 at the Mary Sue Rich Community Center at Reed Place, 1821 NW 21st Ave., Ocala. "This collection of multi-media artworks comes from Fitzpatrick’s recent artist residency in South Carolina. Using color, textures, composition, and pineapple, Fitzpatrick addresses the consequences and traumas of slavery and the stress caused by inequity and racial disparities within the healthcare system," the city of Ocala says in a news release. More at 352-629-8447, [email protected] and www.ocalafl.gov/artincityspaces
'Paint Meets Dirt' by Janas Smith Durkee
This exhibit is up through Dec. 9 at the Ocala International Airport, 1770 SW 60th Ave., Suite 600, Ocala. "This exhibit features 14 oil paintings that incorporate both Indiana and Florida landscapes from the past and present. Durkee’s impressionistic style depicts quiet towns, classic cars, and farm animals," the city of Ocala says in a news release. More at 352-629-8447, [email protected] and www.ocalafl.gov/artincityspaces
'Reflections of My World'
This exhibit from Janice Tindall is up through Dec. 3 at the Ocala City Clerk's Office. The office is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday and is located at 110 SE Watula Ave. Tindall specializes in watercolor paintings. This exhibit "represents the beauty and calmness Tindall sees around herself, especially in nature," organizers say. More at 352-629-8447, [email protected] or www.ocalafl.gov/artincityspaces
'Attack of the Bloodsuckers!'
This new exhibit at the Discovery Center is up through Aug. 31. The center is at 701 NE Sanchez Ave. and is open Tuesdays through Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The center will be closed to the public May 13-24 for exhibit change.
"Discover the science behind bloodsucking creatures. Dive into the world of mosquitos, fleas, ticks, leeches, and other parasites. Guests will explore their characteristics, habitats, the reasons they bite and the role they play in the ecosystem. Visitors will understand how they are attracted to heat and the carbon dioxide in your breath, while learning to identify them," organizers say.
General admission is $8 per person or $28 for a family of four. More at 352-401-3900 or www.mydiscoverycenter.org
'Grafted Roots: Artists Flourishing in the Sunshine State'
The College of Central Florida Webber Gallery presents this exhibition, described as "a vibrant collection of artworks that highlight the talent and diverse styles of artists from Ocala and beyond," through July 18. The Webber Gallery is open Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free. More at CF.edu/Webber or 352-854-2322, ext. 1664.
'The Great Outdoors'
This exhibition from the Ocala Camera Club and Friends is up through Dec. 16 at the Recreation and Parks Administration building, 828 NE Eighth Ave., and the Eighth Avenue Adult Activity Center, 830 NE Eighth Ave. The buildings are open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday. Free and open to the public.
"Ocala Camera Club was a photography club that provided social, cultural and educational opportunities to all experience levels of photographers, from beginner to advanced amateur to professional," organizers say. "Although the club closed in December 2023, the photography friendships and lessons remain. 'The Great Outdoors' celebrates Ocala Camera Club’s final group exhibition while including some non-member photographers. This exhibition features photographs that display the different aspects of the natural world’s flora and fauna."
More at 352-629-8383, [email protected] or www.ocalafl.gov/artincityspaces
'Every Fiber of My Being'
This exhibition, featuring abstract fiber art by Charlita Rae Whitehead, will be up at the Appleton Museum of Art through Sept. 8. "The history of making rugs goes back thousands of years and has been an important part of many cultures and traditions around the globe," the Appleton says. "Through the artist’s lens, the lineage of rug making is both celebrated and reinterpreted, honoring the resilience and ingenuity of generations past."
The Appleton, 4333 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala, is open Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., and Sunday, noon-5 p.m. More at 352-291-4455 or appletonMuseum.org
'Karen Glaser: Swamps and Springs' and 'Across the Threshold of India: Photographs by Martha Strawn'
These two photography exhibits are up through July 7 at the Appleton Museum of Art. The Glaser show includes photos "from the magnificent Everglades to the pristine rivers and springs of north central Florida," the museum says, while the Strawn show "takes us on a visual journey farther from home. The High Springs-based artist shares her travels throughout India to document one of the world’s longest and least-known religious practices — the art of sanctifying space through the creation of threshold diagrams."
The Appleton, 4333 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala, is open Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., and Sunday, noon-5 p.m. More at 352-291-4455 or appletonMuseum.org
'Outsider Aviary: Robert W. Smeltzer’s Birds of America'
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This exhibit, from the permanent collection of the Appleton Museum of Art, "features a selection of hand-carved birds by Robert W. Smeltzer (1906-1997), all inspired by John James Audubon’s (1785-1851) 'Birds of America,' " the Appleton says in a news release. The exhibit is up through Aug. 4. The Appleton is open Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., and Sunday, noon-5 p.m. It is located at 4333 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala. More at 352-291-4455 or appletonMuseum.org
This article originally appeared on Ocala Star-Banner: Best Bets: Fun things to do this weekend in Ocala