What's Happening: Water Park Community Day, 'No Exit,' Sunday Assembly, 'Free Fridays'

AUG. 11

“FREE FRIDAYS” CONCERT: Catch the next performance of the city’s popular “Free Fridays” concert series from 7 to 9 p.m Aug. 11 at the Bo Diddley Plaza downtown amphitheater, located at 111 E. University Ave. The free concert series highlights a different act each week, with Dionysus performing this week. Attendees are encouraged to bring their blankets and lawn chairs to Bo Diddley Plaza to enjoy the concert under the stars. For more information, including a list of upcoming performances, visit gainesvillefl.gov/Events-directory/Free-Fridays-Concert-Series.

AUG. 11 THROUGH AUG. 13

“KINKY BOOTS”: Gainesville Community Playhouse’s newest production, “Kinky Boots,” is based on the Miramax motion picture of the same name, and written by Geoff Deane and Tim Firth. In this presentation, Charlie Price has reluctantly inherited his father’s shoe factory, which is on the verge of bankruptcy. Trying to live up to his father’s legacy and save his family business, Charlie finds inspiration in the form of Lola, a fabulous entertainer in need of some sturdy stilettos. As they work to turn the factory around, this unlikely pair find that they have more in common than they realized … and discover that, when you change your mind, you can change your whole world. With a little compassion and a lot of understanding, this unexpected pair learns to embrace their differences and creates a line of sturdy stilettos unlike any the world has ever seen! But in the end, their most sensational achievement is their friendship. Catch a show at 8 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays through Aug. 13 at the playhouse, 4039 NW 16th Blvd. Tickets are $23 for general admission, $19 for seniors and $12 for students. For more information, or to purchase tickets online, gcplayhouse.org.

AUG. 11 THROUGH AUG. 13

“LUNGS”: The world is getting hotter, there’s unrest overseas — the seas themselves aren’t very calm — and one couple is thinking about having a child. “Lungs,” the most recent production from the Actors Warehouse, is a smart and funny drama that follows a couple through the surprising life cycle of their relationship as they grapple with questions of family and change, hope, betrayal, happenstance and the terrible pain that you can only cause the people you love. Catch a show at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays plus 2 p.m. Sundays through Aug. 13. Tickets are $25 for general admission, $20 for ages 65 and older, and $15 for students. For more information, visit actorswarehouse.org.

AUG. 13

WATER PARK COMMUNITY DAY: Camp Kulaqua opens its River Ranch on specific Sundays during the spring and summer at a discounted rate with no reservations required, and it will be open to the public from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Aug. 13. The venue features a 15,000-square-foot wave pool as well as a lazy river, water slide and volleyball courts. The public is allowed to bring food and coolers, but no glass containers or alcoholic beverages are permitted in the water park. Camp Kulaqua requests that modest swimsuits be worn. The water park is located at 23400 NW 212th Ave. in High Springs. The discounted rate is $16.50 per person; free for children ages 3 and younger. For more information, visit kulaqua.com.

AUG. 18 THROUGH SEPT. 3

“NO EXIT”: In the newest production from Acrosstown Repertory Theatre, “No Exit,” two women and one man are locked up together for eternity in one hideous room in Hell. The windows are bricked up, there are no mirrors, the electric lights can never be turned off, and there is no exit. A remounting of a successful 2017 production reminds the audience that hell is other people. Catch a show at 8 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays plus 2 p.m. Sundays, Aug. 18 through Sept. 3, at the Acrosstown Repertory Theatre, 3501 SW Second Ave., Suite O. Tickets are $25 for general admission and $20 for students, seniors, military and teachers. For more information, or to purchase tickets online, visit acrosstown.org.

AUG. 20

SUNDAY ASSEMBLY: Sunday Assembly Gainesville will feature guest speaker Val Leitner, an aquaculturalist in Horseshoe Beach and an adjunct professor at Santa Fe College. The title of her talk will be “Aquaculture and Purposeful Living.” Music will be provided by Sunday Assembly musicians. Sunday Assembly Gainesville is a secular congregation that celebrates life at 11 a.m. the third Sunday of each month. The group will meet at the Pride Center located in the Springhill Professional Center, 3850 NW 83rd Blvd., Suite 201. It also is possible to attend via zoom. Sunday Assembly Gainesville is a chapter of the Global Secular Sunday Assembly Movement. For more information, visit sagainesville.weebly.com or email SundayAssembly32601@gmail.com.

This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: What's Happening: 'Kinky Boots,' 'Lungs,' Water Park Community Day