Whether it’s a film, tribute show or art exhibit, the surrounding area is kicking of 2025 with plenty of entertainment options.
Explore Art on the First Weekend of The New Year
If you are free on the first Saturday of the New Year, head to Appleton Museum of Art for its Free First Saturday and Film Screening event.
Take the day to enjoy the museum’s permanent collection and special exhibitions on display from 10 a.m. to
5 p.m. Saturday at the museum, 4333 E Silver Springs
Blvd, Ocala. This monthly weekend program offers residents of surrounding communities the chance to “enjoy culturally enriching programming, such as artist-led gallery tours and talks, presentations by visiting scholars, film screenings and more — all for free,” said Victoria Billig, assistant director of the Appleton Museum of Art.
“As a major cultural and educational institution, it’s important that the museum provide accessible programming for all to enjoy,” Billig said.
Make it a family outing and get crafting in the museum’s Artspace or watch either one of the free screenings of Disney’s “Frozen” at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.
After strolling through the museum, guests can replenish their energy with the Heavenly Foods and Devilish Treats food truck.
“(I’m looking forward to) meeting the new people and them loving the food because we haven’t worked in this area before,” said Edward Soldan, owner of the food truck.
Free First Saturday takes place the first Saturday of each month. The events are supported by the CAMPUS USA Credit Union, Marion Cultural Alliance and National Endowment for the Arts.
For more information, visit appletonmuseum.org.
NY Rockets Present The ‘Good Rocking Tonight’ Show
Dance the night away during the “Good Rockin Tonight” show by the NY Rockets.
Relive hits from the 1950s and ’60s with a vintage rock ’n’ roll performance from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Jan. 17 at the Mount Dora Music Hall, 520 N Baker St., Mount Dora.
Johnny Pitti, also known as Johnny Rocket, has performed as the lead singer and lead guitarist for the NY Rockets since founding the group in 2010. The show includes covers of hits by Elvis Presley, Chuck Berry, Johnny Cash and Bobby Vee.
“We are way more than a tribute band,” Pitti said. “It’s like a nostalgic voyage of vintage rock ’n’ roll.”
Pitti said the show features Broadway-like stage design, props and wardrobe changes.
Though the elements featured in the show are always changing, Pitti said the main event of the show is the music.
“It’s the best 120-minute show some people experience. They will come just expecting ’50s and ’60s music but they get so much more. They expect one thing and then you get 100 more things,” he said.
Tickets for the show range from $43 to $51. For more information, visit nyrockabillyrockets.rocks.
Photographers gain exposure During ‘Life In FOCUS’ Exhibit
A photograph gives the chance to see life through the eyes of a photographer.
On a mission to document and share the beauty of life around them, members of The Trilogy Photography Club are hosting the “Life In Focus: Our World Through a Lens” exhibition.
The show will run from Jan. 10 to Feb. 15 at the Leesburg Center for the Arts, 429 W Magnolia St., Leesburg. The show’s opening reception is from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Jan. 10 at the museum.
For more information about the free show, visit leesburgarts.com.
Staff writer Brea Jones can be reached at 352-753-1119, ext. 5414, or brea.jones@thevillagesmedia.com.
Staff writer Brea Jones can be reached at 352-753-1119, ext. 5414, or brea.jones@thevillagesmedia.com.
