Come Out & Play THIS WEEK!

Exciting programs and events await you!

Join us for an amazing lineup of activities.

Check out the Ocala Recreation & Parks Facebook Page Here

Barnes & Noble Ocala is excited to announce the upcoming “Discover a New Author” event, set to take place on Saturday, July 27th from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM. This unique gathering will feature a diverse group of local authors spanning multiple genres, providing an exceptional opportunity for readers to meet and engage with talented writers from the community.

Book lovers of all ages are invited to join us for an afternoon of literary exploration. Attendees will have the chance to meet the authors, get their books signed, and participate in intimate conversations about their writing processes, inspirations, and latest works. This event is perfect for anyone looking to discover new and exciting voices in literature.

Event Details:

• Date: Saturday, July 27, 2024
• Time: 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
• Location: Barnes & Noble Ocala, 4414 SW College Rd. Suite 500 Ocala, FL 34474

Featured Genres:

• Fiction
• Non-fiction
• Mystery
• Romance
• Fantasy
• Young Adult
• Children’s Books

This event is free and open to the public. Books by the featured authors will be available for purchase at Barnes & Noble Ocala, allowing attendees to support local writers and take home personalized copies of their new favorite reads.

For more information, please contact Barnes & Noble Ocala at (352) 237-1581

It was never a phase! Immerse yourself in the emo and choose between painting pottery, a wooden door hanger, or canvas. You’re free to paint them however you want! We’ll have an emo playlist playing, and we encourage you to dress in your emo best! This after hours event is recommended for ages 16 and older.

There is a $10.00 non-refundable reservation fee to reserve your spot, which acts as a cover charge for this after hours event. When you arrive, the price you pay will be based on what piece you choose. Our items average around $25.00-$40.00, and are all inclusive!

Go Figure: A Nude Figurative Artistry Series” at Magnolia Art Xchange! Embark on a six-week journey into the captivating world of figurative art every Wednesday at 6 pm.

Immerse yourself in the timeless practice of capturing the human form through sketching or painting from live nude models. Each session in Salon C provides a nurturing environment for artists to refine their techniques and unleash their creative potential.

Registration for the entire series is $75, offering a comprehensive and affordable opportunity to elevate your artistic abilities. Please note that participants must be over 18 years old to attend, ensuring a mature and respectful atmosphere conducive to artistic exploration.

Join us at Magnolia Art Xchange for “Go Figure,” where every stroke tells a story, and every line celebrates the beauty of the human body in its purest form

Hey friends (and howdy strangers)! It’s time to get together and play with some props! This is Ocala’s local led and fire spin/flow jam, hosted at the Muddy Lotus Tea Kava Bar, close to Tuscawilla Park.

Come out and spin, skill share, jam or share your music, burn, or just hang out with new and old friends 

We’ve got poi spinners, hoopers, jugglers, dragon staffers, contact staffers, double staffers, swordsmen, palm torch mages, musicians, and various other flow wizards in regular attendance.

If you have any questions about the jam or flow arts in general please reach out to me, the other co-hosts, or the Ocala Flow Arts page admins and we’ll get back to you!

*No Experience Necessary to participate* Please fill out a waiver inside if this is your first time attending!

**Please wear fire safe clothing if you plan on spinning fire.

***There is a one drink minimum at the Kava and Kratom bar. There are plenty of coffee, herbal tea, and other drink options to choose from.

Visit the Appleton on June 1 for Free First Saturday! Enjoy free admission all day to see our permanent collection, special exhibitions, or to make art in the Artspace.

At 11 a.m., artist Margaret Ross Tolbert will give a free talk in the auditorium, “Canvassing Florida Springs.”

At 2 p.m., see a free screening of the documentary, “Lost Springs” with a brief intro by filmmaker Matt Keene.

The Donut Express and Brick & Ember food trucks will be onsite from 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

Saturday hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Free First Saturdays are sponsored in part by Marion Cultural Alliance, National Endowment for the Arts and CAMPUS USA Credit Union.

Join us for the opening reception of our annual Art of Aging exhibit, in partnership with Marion Senior Services. Complimentary light refreshments will be served for registered guests, and attendees will have the chance to meet & mingle with the participating artists.

This annual exhibit features art in various mediums created by MCA Artist members ages 55+. Now in our 9th year, our 2024 theme/prompt is “A Moment in Time”. MCA artists ages 55 and over can submit art for this exhibit at https://artofaging24.artcall.org. Deadline to enter and participate is July 21 at midnight.

Complimentary Lunch & Learn workshops and other events on topics of interest to Senior health and their caregivers, will be held during the month of August (stay tuned for a list of dates).

Art of Aging is an annual collaborative partnership of Marion Senior Services and MCA that celebrates aging through art, stories, and education. Thank you to our presenting sponsors; the Robert Boissoneault Oncology Institute & Urology Institute of Central Florida.

The Art of Aging exhibit will be on view #atTheBrick from August 2 – 31, 2024. Admission is free to the event, RSVP is required at the door. Gallery hours are Tuesday – Friday, 10am to 5pm and Saturday 11am to 4pm. Questions? Please visit mcaocala.org or contact us at 352-369-1500.

Couch Sessions Ocala 2024 Show #3:

August 2, 2024 (7-9pm)

at The Running Elements

29 NE 1st Ave., Unit E, Ocala FL 34470

The Tipsy Sparrows & Gabi Zuniga

www.couchsessionsocala.com

Join us for our last Parlor Picnic of the Summer on August 4th, featuring the theme “Word Offering: A Foretaste of Seasons Reaching for Spring.” Enjoy an evening of live music by Shelby Lauren & live Spoken Word by Natasha Jean-Pierre.

For just $20 per person, join us in our parlor for an intimate performance set in a beautiful, historic home. We encourage you to bring a picnic supper of your own along with your favorite beverages and coziest seating to enhance the evening! You may bring a TV tray or small table if you would like​. This event is exclusively for adults 21 and over and occurs on the first Sunday of each Summer month. Treat yourself to a one-of-a-kind experience!

 Join Us for Storytime with the Mayor! 

 Date: Tuesday, August 6, 2024
 Time: 5:00PM – 5:30PM
 Location: Belleview Community Center (5615 SE 110th Place, Belleview)

Get ready for a magical evening at our Meet Cinderella event! This enchanting Storytime with the Mayor will feature a special guest appearance by Cinderella herself! 

Plus, every child who attends will receive a FREE book, courtesy of Goodwill Bookworks of Central Florida.  This is a fantastic opportunity to inspire a love for reading and create magical memories.

This event is perfect for kids of all ages and a great way to make this summer even more special. Don’t miss out on this fun, free, and family-friendly event!

Spread the word and invite your friends and neighbors. We can’t wait to see you there!

#StorytimeWithTheMayor #MeetCinderella #CommunityEvent #FreeBooks #BelleviewCommunityCenter #GoodwillBookworks #FamilyFun #ReadWithUs #MagicalMoments #KidsEvent #SummerFun

Hey friends (and howdy strangers)! It’s time to get together and play with some props! This is Ocala’s local led and fire spin/flow jam, hosted at the Muddy Lotus Tea Kava Bar, close to Tuscawilla Park.

Come out and spin, skill share, jam or share your music, burn, or just hang out with new and old friends 

We’ve got poi spinners, hoopers, jugglers, dragon staffers, contact staffers, double staffers, swordsmen, palm torch mages, musicians, and various other flow wizards in regular attendance.

If you have any questions about the jam or flow arts in general please reach out to me, the other co-hosts, or the Ocala Flow Arts page admins and we’ll get back to you!

*No Experience Necessary to participate* Please fill out a waiver inside if this is your first time attending!

**Please wear fire safe clothing if you plan on spinning fire.

***There is a one drink minimum at the Kava and Kratom bar. There are plenty of coffee, herbal tea, and other drink options to choose from.

Join The Lodge for “Dueling Pianos” every second Friday of the month beginning at 8:00 pm.

Request your Favorite Songs and Enjoy 3 hours of non-stop Live Dueling Pianos.

Experience The Lodge’s Vibrant Atmosphere, and Late Night Terrific Food & Drink menu

GENERAL ADMISSION at 7:30 pm. We have 6 “VIP Tables” near the stage that will be available with reserved seating.

These tables are $100 and seat 6 people. Everything else is first come. Doors open at 7:30 pm, show starts at 8 pm.

Phone: 352.289.1390 | Web: www.TheLodgeOcala.com

 The Lodge Ocala (Downtown Ocala Square)36 S. Magnolia Ave Ocala, FL 34471

Event Announcement:
ACT OUT Night

Calling all aspiring actors and performers!

We’ve got karaoke for singers, open mics for stand-up comics, and jam sessions for musicians. But where do actors go to practice and perform?

Introducing ACT OUT Night, a safe and supportive space for actors to shine. Whether you’re an experienced actor looking to try a new character or someone who’s never acted before, this is your chance to take the stage.

Here’s what to expect:

• Acting Performances: For the first half of the evening, it’s all about acting. Bring a monologue you’ve worked on or choose one from our provided selection. Memorized or not, it’s your call. And remember, feedback is entirely up to you—no unsolicited critiques allowed.
• After Party Performances: The second half opens up to other art forms. Sing a Broadway tune, test out new stand-up material, or even perform a bit of drag. This is your time to explore and express.

ACT OUT Night isn’t just about performing; it’s about building a community where everyone feels encouraged and celebrated. So, step out of your comfort zone and join us for a night of creativity, fun, and applause.

Because who knows where it might lead? At the very least, it’s a lot more exciting than performing in front of your bathroom mirror. Let’s ACT OUT together!
Entry : 1 Drink Minimum

Join us July 18th for our “Third Thursday” celebration as we continue to explore the current Summer Collection which has brought together artists both locally and internationally.

This month features a live artist talk via Zoom at 7pm with Massachusetts based artist Peter Hoss where he will lend more insight into his work in the exhibition, tell us more about his process, and answer questions from others on zoom and in the gallery.

Please join us for this great event!

Hey friends (and howdy strangers)! It’s time to get together and play with some props! This is Ocala’s local led and fire spin/flow jam, hosted at the Muddy Lotus Tea Kava Bar, close to Tuscawilla Park.

Come out and spin, skill share, jam or share your music, burn, or just hang out with new and old friends 

We’ve got poi spinners, hoopers, jugglers, dragon staffers, contact staffers, double staffers, swordsmen, palm torch mages, musicians, and various other flow wizards in regular attendance.

If you have any questions about the jam or flow arts in general please reach out to me, the other co-hosts, or the Ocala Flow Arts page admins and we’ll get back to you!

*No Experience Necessary to participate* Please fill out a waiver inside if this is your first time attending!

**Please wear fire safe clothing if you plan on spinning fire.

***There is a one drink minimum at the Kava and Kratom bar. There are plenty of coffee, herbal tea, and other drink options to choose from.

Community drum jam. Percussion and didgeridoos (we have amplification) welcome. One drink minimum (coffee, teas and water available). 18+. All experience levels welcome and we have extra drums and instruments to lend

Join artist Charlita Rae Whitehead in the auditorium for a talk on the work in her solo exhibition, “Every Fiber of My Being.”

Whitehead, a self-taught artist, has been working in the tufting medium since 2022. Tufting is an electric version of punch needle embroidery, which uses a needle to push yarn through material to form a continuous loop stitch. In addition to tufting, Whitehead uses a variety of tools and materials to create her dreamy tapestries. She incorporates tufting with traditional punch needle methods, different types of yarn and varying pile heights to create topographical hills and valleys.

This event is free; no registration needed to attend

Event Announcement:
ACT OUT Night

Calling all aspiring actors and performers!

We’ve got karaoke for singers, open mics for stand-up comics, and jam sessions for musicians. But where do actors go to practice and perform?

Introducing ACT OUT Night, a safe and supportive space for actors to shine. Whether you’re an experienced actor looking to try a new character or someone who’s never acted before, this is your chance to take the stage.

Here’s what to expect:

• Acting Performances: For the first half of the evening, it’s all about acting. Bring a monologue you’ve worked on or choose one from our provided selection. Memorized or not, it’s your call. And remember, feedback is entirely up to you—no unsolicited critiques allowed.
• After Party Performances: The second half opens up to other art forms. Sing a Broadway tune, test out new stand-up material, or even perform a bit of drag. This is your time to explore and express.

ACT OUT Night isn’t just about performing; it’s about building a community where everyone feels encouraged and celebrated. So, step out of your comfort zone and join us for a night of creativity, fun, and applause.

Because who knows where it might lead? At the very least, it’s a lot more exciting than performing in front of your bathroom mirror. Let’s ACT OUT together!
Entry : 1 Drink Minimum

Save your spot for the this fun-filled class that’s part of our “Lunch & Learn” August series, presented by Marion Cultural Alliance and Marion Senior Services celebrating the 9th annual Art of Aging exhibit.

Join instructor Phyllis Craggs for an introductory watercolor painting class designed for seniors and adult individuals ages 14+ who would like to learn a new skill. Students will learn to mix and blend watercolor shades to paint along with a finished watercolor painting.

All supplies included. Limited spots are available. PLEASE REGISTER BY 12pm on 8/20/24!

This workshop is brought to you by Senior Learners – a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that provides educational opportunities to seniors aged 50 and over.

Art of Aging is an annual collaborative partnership of Marion Senior Services and MCA that celebrates aging through art, stories, and education. Thank you to our presenting sponsors; the Robert Boissoneault Oncology Institute & Urology Institute of Central Florida.

The Art of Aging exhibit will be on view #atTheBrick from August 2 – 31, 2024. Admission to the gallery is free. Gallery hours are Tuesday – Friday, 10am to 5pm and Saturday 11am to 4pm. Questions? Please visit mcaocala.org or contact us at 352-369-1500.

It’s a little over a month away
These songwriters are amazing and so are their stories!
Please come share in this intimate night of original music held in the back room of Infinite Ale Works on magnolia.
$20 each for 2 hours of music
It’s limited to 45 seats so best get your tickets now.
Tom McDonald and Kristin McDonald has graciously allowed me to use their back room for this songwriter in the round night which happens every 3rd Wed of the month! THANK YOU!!
The back bar will be open!
Let’s celebrate creativity by supporting these songsters

Hey friends (and howdy strangers)! It’s time to get together and play with some props! This is Ocala’s local led and fire spin/flow jam, hosted at the Muddy Lotus Tea Kava Bar, close to Tuscawilla Park.

Come out and spin, skill share, jam or share your music, burn, or just hang out with new and old friends 

We’ve got poi spinners, hoopers, jugglers, dragon staffers, contact staffers, double staffers, swordsmen, palm torch mages, musicians, and various other flow wizards in regular attendance.

If you have any questions about the jam or flow arts in general please reach out to me, the other co-hosts, or the Ocala Flow Arts page admins and we’ll get back to you!

*No Experience Necessary to participate* Please fill out a waiver inside if this is your first time attending!

**Please wear fire safe clothing if you plan on spinning fire.

***There is a one drink minimum at the Kava and Kratom bar. There are plenty of coffee, herbal tea, and other drink options to choose from.

Artify Ocala, in pARTnership with MCA, invites participants to create their own piece of textile art using fabrics and organic dyes. Artify will provide all materials for the completion of ONE project per participant (bandanas or tshirts). Participants are welcome to bring up to two (2) additional clothing articles or accessories to dye as well.

No experience needed to participate. All are welcome to attend, however we ask that any participants under the age of 12 must be under direct adult supervision throughout the duration of the workshop. This event is FREE, however a $5-10 donation is suggested at the door. Capacity is 25, registration closes at 12pm on 8/23/24.

This event is being promoted as part of our August exhibit; Art of Aging: A Moment in Time, an annual collaborative partnership of Marion Senior Services and MCA that celebrates aging through art, stories, and education. Thank you to our presenting sponsors; the Robert Boissoneault Oncology Institute & Urology Institute of Central Florida.

The Art of Aging exhibit will be on view #atTheBrick from August 2 – 31, 2024. Admission to the gallery is free. Gallery hours are Tuesday – Friday, 10am to 5pm and Saturday 11am to 4pm. Questions? Please visit mcaocala.org or contact us at 352-369-1500

Event Announcement:
ACT OUT Night

Calling all aspiring actors and performers!

We’ve got karaoke for singers, open mics for stand-up comics, and jam sessions for musicians. But where do actors go to practice and perform?

Introducing ACT OUT Night, a safe and supportive space for actors to shine. Whether you’re an experienced actor looking to try a new character or someone who’s never acted before, this is your chance to take the stage.

Here’s what to expect:

• Acting Performances: For the first half of the evening, it’s all about acting. Bring a monologue you’ve worked on or choose one from our provided selection. Memorized or not, it’s your call. And remember, feedback is entirely up to you—no unsolicited critiques allowed.
• After Party Performances: The second half opens up to other art forms. Sing a Broadway tune, test out new stand-up material, or even perform a bit of drag. This is your time to explore and express.

ACT OUT Night isn’t just about performing; it’s about building a community where everyone feels encouraged and celebrated. So, step out of your comfort zone and join us for a night of creativity, fun, and applause.

Because who knows where it might lead? At the very least, it’s a lot more exciting than performing in front of your bathroom mirror. Let’s ACT OUT together!
Entry : 1 Drink Minimum

Hey friends (and howdy strangers)! It’s time to get together and play with some props! This is Ocala’s local led and fire spin/flow jam, hosted at the Muddy Lotus Tea Kava Bar, close to Tuscawilla Park.

Come out and spin, skill share, jam or share your music, burn, or just hang out with new and old friends 

We’ve got poi spinners, hoopers, jugglers, dragon staffers, contact staffers, double staffers, swordsmen, palm torch mages, musicians, and various other flow wizards in regular attendance.

If you have any questions about the jam or flow arts in general please reach out to me, the other co-hosts, or the Ocala Flow Arts page admins and we’ll get back to you!

*No Experience Necessary to participate* Please fill out a waiver inside if this is your first time attending!

**Please wear fire safe clothing if you plan on spinning fire.

***There is a one drink minimum at the Kava and Kratom bar. There are plenty of coffee, herbal tea, and other drink options to choose from.