Alachua Chronicle

CONTRA DANCE featuring live music played by Coral Riff and calling by Angela DeCarlis.
2025-09-19 19:00 - 21:00 (America/New_York) | Rosa B Williams Center, 524 NW 1st St, Gainesville, FL, 32601, United States
Contra is a dance done with a lively, walking step. You simply walk in time to the music-one step for each beat of music. There is no fancy footwork required. There is a caller for every dance who walks the dancers through the moves before the music begins and continues to call until the dancers are confidently moving through the dance. If you can walk, you can contra dance!
Suggested Donation: $10 (ages 26+), $5 (ages 16-25), Dancers ages 15 and under get in FREE when accompanied by an adult.
Please bring your own non-alcoholic beverage.
This is a friendly welcoming recreational activity and all are welcome.
No partner or experience is necessary.
Contra Dancing is fun and we’ll teach you how.

Endowed Scholarship Brunch
2025-11-08 10:00 - 13:00 | First Missionary Baptist Church, 1515 SE 15th Street, Gainesville, FL, 32641, United States
Save the date! November 8, 2025! This is the date we invite you to come munch at our endowed scholarship fundraiser
brunch. It will be held from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. at First Missionary Baptist Church. In addition to great food, there will be
amazing entertainment, recognition awards, prizes, and an inspiring message delivered by Comm. Charles “Chuck”
Chestnut. This event is presented by Tee Foundation Assistance Network, Inc., The Ruth and Walter Jenkins family, and
Minnie and Samuel Wheeler family. It raises funds for the Tiawana Michele Wheeler Memorial Endowed Scholarship
Fund at Bethune Cookman University (B-CU). In addition to the surprising fact that Tiawana attended the same
elementary school as Amazon Founder Jeff Bezos, River Oaks Elementary in Houston, TX, you will learn other interesting
information about this phenomenal young woman who came into this life Nov. 9, 1969, and departed July 12, 1991.

Call or text Pat 352.459.8331 or email tfanserves@gmail.com for ticket, Cash App, Zelle, and
Sponsor information. Can also mail to P O Box 357685 Gainesville, FL 32635. Thank you.

Wolf's Message (movie)
2025-11-08 18:00 - 21:00 | Unity of Gainesville, 8801 NW 39th Avenue, Gainesville, FL, 32606, United States
Unity of Gainesville, Florida will host an in-person screening of the award-winning film Wolf’s Message on Saturday, November 8 at 6:00 PM. This thought-provoking documentary explores the connection between life and afterlife through the true story of a young man and his extraordinary communication from the other side.

All are welcome – We hope you’ll join us. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased here: https://tinyurl.com/knxb2wta
Click on the link to learn more about the film and view the trailer: https://www.wolfsmessage.com/about/

CONTRA DANCE featuring music played by Contra Fusion and calling by Joe DePaolo
2025-11-21 19:00 - 21:00 | United Church of Gainesville, 1624 NW 5th Avenue, Gainesville, FL, 32601, United States
Contra is a dance done with a lively, walking step. You simply walk in time to the music – one step for each beat of music. There is no fancy footwork required. There is a caller for every dance who walks the dancers through the moves before the music begins and continues to call until the dancers are confidently moving through the dance. If you can walk, you can contra dance!
7 PM Friday November 21
United Church of Gainesville
1624 NW 5th AVE
Gainesville, FL 32601
Organized by Gainesville Oldtime Dance Society www.godsdance.org
Suggested Donation:$10 (ages 26+), $5 (ages 16-25), Dancers ages 15 & under get in FREE when accompanied by an adult.
• Please bring your own non-alcoholic beverage.
• This is a friendly welcoming recreational activity and all are welcome.
• No partner or experience is necessary.
Contra dancing is fun and we’ll teach you how.
• No special dress is required.
Wear comfortable, casual attire & soft-soled non-marking shoes.

Blue Christmas service
2025-12-17 18:30 - 19:30 | St. Joseph’s Episcopal Church, 16921 West Newberry Road, Newberry, FL, 32669, United States
Blue Christmas Service is offered especially for those hurting during the holidays.
The reasons for coming are many.
Some come because they are mourning the death of a loved one. Some are far from home.
Some suffer from illness, addiction, or estrangement. Some are lonely, struggling financially, or in conflict with another.
Some hurt because of the great pain, need, and violence in our nation and world.

CONTRA DANCE featuring music played by the Mystic Gorillas and calling by Alice Raibourn.
2025-12-19 19:00 - 21:00 | United Church of Gainesville, 1624 NW 5th Avenue, Gainesville, FL, 32601, United States
Contra is a dance done with a lively, walking step. You simply walk in time to the music – one step for each beat of music. There is no fancy footwork required. There is a caller for every dance who walks the dancers through the moves before the music begins and continues to call until the dancers are confidently moving through the dance. If you can walk, you can contra dance!
7 PM Friday December 19
United Church of Gainesville
1624 NW 5th AVE
Gainesville, FL 32601
Organized by Gainesville Oldtime Dance Society www.godsdance.org
Suggested Donation:$10 (ages 26+), $5 (ages 16-25), Dancers ages 15 & under get in FREE when accompanied by an adult.
• Please bring your own non-alcoholic beverage.
• This is a friendly welcoming recreational activity and all are welcome.
• No partner or experience is necessary.
Contra dancing is fun and we’ll teach you how.
• No special dress is required.
Wear comfortable, casual attire & soft-soled non-marking shoes.

Christmas Eve service
2025-12-24 18:00 - 19:30 | St. Joseph’s Episcopal Church, 16921 West Newberry Road, Newberry, FL, 32669, United States
Carols at 6 p.m., followed by a Christmas Eve service at 6:30 p.m.

CONTRA DANCE featuring music played by the Coral Riff and calling by Johnathan King
2026-01-16 19:00 - 21:00 | United Church of Gainesville, 1624 NW 5th Avenue, Gainesville, FL, 32601, United States
Contra is a dance done with a lively, walking step. You simply walk in time to the music – one step for each beat of music. There is no fancy footwork required. There is a caller for every dance who walks the dancers through the moves before the music begins and continues to call until the dancers are confidently moving through the dance. If you can walk, you can contra dance!
7 PM Friday January 16
United Church of Gainesville
1624 NW 5th AVE
Gainesville, FL 32601
Organized by Gainesville Oldtime Dance Society www.godsdance.org
Suggested Donation:$10 (ages 26+), $5 (ages 16-25), Dancers ages 15 & under get in FREE when accompanied by an adult.
• Please bring your own non-alcoholic beverage.
• This is a friendly welcoming recreational activity and all are welcome.
• No partner or experience is necessary.
• Contra dancing is fun and we’ll teach you how.
• No special dress is required.
• Wear comfortable, casual attire & soft-soled non-marking shoes.

17th Annual Stomp the Swamp for Autism Acceptance and Awareness
2026-03-07 14:30 - 17:00 | Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, 157 Gale Lemerand Drive, Gainesville, FL, 32611, United States
The UF CARD Constituency Board is excited to announce the 17th Annual Stomp the Swamp for Autism Acceptance and Awareness event, taking place at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on March 7, 2026. This event aims to raise funds and awareness to support individuals with autism and their families.

Event Details:

Date: March 7, 2026

Time: Event starts at 2:30 p.m., with registration opening at 1:30 p.m.

Location: Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, Gate 7, University of Florida

Join us for a day of community, support, and fun! Self-advocates, families, community members, and UF students, faculty, and staff will walk or run together to support the University of Florida Center

Contra Dance featuring music played by Bill Paine and Friends and calling by Kevin Shepherd
2026-03-20 19:00 - 21:45 | United Church of Gainesville, 1624 NW 5th Avenue, Gainesville, FL, 32601, United States
Contra is a dance done with a lively, walking step. You simply walk in time to the music – one step for each beat of music. There is no fancy footwork required. There is a caller for every dance who walks the dancers through the moves before the music begins and continues to call until the dancers are confidently moving through the dance. If you can walk, you can contra dance!
Suggested Donation:
$10 (ages 26+)
$5 (ages 16-25)
Dancers ages 15 & under get in FREE when accompanied by an adult.
• Please bring your own non-alcoholic beverage.
• This is a friendly welcoming recreational activity and all are welcome.
• No partner or experience is necessary.
• Contra dancing is fun and we’ll teach you how.
• No special dress is required.
• Wear comfortable, casual attire and soft-soled non-marking shoes.

Free beginner lesson begins at 6:45 PM. Dance begins at 7 PM sharp and concludes at 9:45 PM.

MIDSUMMER'S DAY themed Contra Dance featuring live music played by Just In Time and calling by John Rogers.
2026-06-19 19:00 - 21:45 | United Church of Gainesville, 1624 NW 5th Avenue, Gainesville, FL, 32601, United States
Contra is a dance done with a lively, walking step. You simply walk in time to the music – one step for each beat of music. There is no fancy footwork required. There is a caller for every dance who walks the dancers through the moves before the music begins and continues to call until the dancers are confidently moving through the dance. If you can walk, you can contra dance!
Suggested Donation:
$10 (ages 26+)
$5 (ages 16-25)
Dancers ages 15 & under get in FREE when accompanied by an adult.
• Please bring your own non-alcoholic beverage.
• This is a friendly welcoming recreational activity and all are welcome.
• No partner or experience is necessary.
• Contra dancing is fun and we’ll teach you how.
• No special dress is required.
• Wear comfortable, casual attire and soft-soled non-marking shoes.

INDEPENDENCE DAY-themed Contra Dance
2026-07-17 19:00 - 21:45 | United Church of Gainesville, 1624 NW 5th Avenue, Gainesville, FL, 32601, United States
Contra is a dance done with a lively, walking step. You simply walk in time to the music – one step for each beat of music. There is no fancy footwork required. There is a caller for every dance who walks the dancers through the moves before the music begins and continues to call until the dancers are confidently moving through the dance. If you can walk, you can contra dance!
Suggested Donation:
$10 (ages 26+)
$5 (ages 16-25)
Dancers ages 15 & under get in FREE when accompanied by an adult.
• Please bring your own non-alcoholic beverage.
• This is a friendly welcoming recreational activity and all are welcome.
• No partner or experience is necessary.
• Contra dancing is fun and we’ll teach you how.
• No special dress is required.
• Wear comfortable, casual attire and soft-soled non-marking shoes.
VISIT https://godsdance.org/event/jj-luxe-250-blues/
