Arts and Entertainment

The Hippodrome State Theatre’s latest play opens Friday night in Gainesville. God of Carnage is a three-time Tony Award winner, including Best Play.  Florida’s 89.1, WUFT-FM’s Donna Green-Townsend talked with two of the actors from the comedy, Benjamin Burdick and Jessica Iris Morris. [audio:http://www.wuft.org/media/audio/FPGodofCarnagedgt.mp3]

Friday night activities abound in downtown Gainesville…including the continuation of the Free Fridays concert series at the Bo Diddley Plaza.  Florida’s 89.1, WUFT-FM’s Jessica Becerra has this look at this Friday’s performer, Gainesville’s own Tom Shed and friends. [audio:http://www.wuft.org/media/audio/FPTomShedFreeFridaysJessicaBecerra.mp3]

Gainesville has been involved in cultural exchange programs with several cities around the world through the years. Now, Oak Hall teachers and students will be participating in an additional exchange with two new sister cities in Israel and Palestine. Florida’s 89.1, WUFT-FM’s Donna Green-Townsend spoke with Sister City Program of Gainesville President Steve …

Author, folklorist and human activist Stetson Kennedy who passed away last weekend at the age of 94, is remembered for infiltrating the Ku Klux Klan in the 1940’s by exposing secrets of the KKK to authorities and the rest of the world. Florida’s 89.1, WUFT-FM’s Stephanie Bechara reports on Kennedy’s involvement …

What once was another antique item recently became a nationwide mystery.  PBS’s “History Detectives” searched to find the meaning behind a 300-year-old map of Florida.. and where it came from. As Florida’s 89.1, WUFT-FM’s Sanika Dange and Jordan Matich report, the episode gives new insight into Florida’s history. (Sanika Dange’s report) …

Tonight’s “Free Fridays Concert Series” at the Bo Diddley Community Plaza features “Heavy Petty,” a Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers Tribute Band at 8 p.m.  Florida’s 89.1, WUFT-FM’s Steven Gallo had the chance to talk to the lead singer of the band, Jason Hedges. [audio:http://www.wuft.org/media/audio/FPHeavyPettyfinal.mp3]

[jwplayer config=”News-video” file=”wuftnews/20110808-Origami-Final.mp4″] Gainesville residents may soon see a few cranes popping up in the downtown area. Florida’s 89.1 WUFT-FM’s Steven Gallo has more on a local project that seeks to promote peace. [audio:http://www.wuft.org/media/audio/FPOrigamiCraneswrap.mp3]

The Country band “Danny Wooten & Southern Slang” takes to the stage tonight for the “Free Fridays” concert series in downtown Gainesville.  Florida’s 89.1, WUFT-FM’s Donna Green-Townsend talked with lead singer and songwriter Danny Wooten about the style of music the band will bring to the Bo Diddley Downtown Plaza. [audio:http://www.wuft.org/media/audio/FPDannyWootenFinal.mp3]

A University of Florida student has made his big break in the world of theatre performance. As Florida’s 89.1, WUFT-FM’s Chantal Lamberth reports, Ocala’s Felipe Bombonato, will be joining the national touring show “Cats” this October. [audio:http://www.wuft.org/media/audio/UFPerformerWEB.mp3]

In his day job as a chemistry professor at the University of Florida his students called him the Colonel. At night, he becomes a singer/songwriter and musician. Chuck Martin is the band leader, lead vocalist and lead guitar player of The Righteous Kind. The Righteous Kind celebrates its four-year anniversary …