“FREE FRIDAYS” CONCERT: Catch the next performance of the city’s popular “Free Fridays” concert series from 8 to 10 p.m tonight at the Bo Diddley Plaza downtown amphitheater, located at 111 E. University Ave. The free concert series highlights a different act each week, with De Lions of Jah performing tonight.
Following in the footsteps of Bob Marley and the Wailers, Steel Pulse and Morgan Heritage, De Lions of Jah fuses traditional roots music with contemporary dance hall and dub influences. The soul of the band and lead vocalist Dave “Da General” Philip is originally from Antigua, located in the West Indian Islands.
Da General is an experienced reggae vocalist who has produced many CDs over the last 10 years, providing listeners with raspy harmonic chanting and soul-moving songs. He also possesses the ability to sing like classic reggae vocalists of the past, as well as chant live. He displays contemporary dancehall styles that make for a very entertaining and compelling show.
Da General is joined by a talented group of experienced reggae musicians that together make De Lions of Jah an overall deep-rooted reggae band featuring original music and covers. The band boasts three self-made and promoted CDs that yielded original recordings like fan-favorites “Music” and “I-95.”
The message that De Lions of Jah hopes to spread is awareness and consciousness to the masses, with the sole purpose of uplifting hearts and helping “people to see the need for peace and love” in these difficult times.
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 gnvculturalseries.org/free-fridays-concert-series.
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A ONE-MAN POP-UP SHOW: From Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright the late August Wilson — known for “Fences,” “Gem of the Ocean” and “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” — comes the autobiographical tour de force “How I Learned What I Learned.”
In his one-man show, Wilson — portrayed by Steven H. Butler — takes the audience on a journey through his days as a young poet: his first few jobs, a stint in jail, the support of his lifelong friends and his encounters with racism, music and love as a struggling writer in Pittsburgh’s Hill District.
Originally performed by Wilson himself, “How I Learned What I Learned” is a heartfelt theatrical memoir charting one man’s journey of self-discovery through adversity, and what it means to be a black artist in America.
Catch a showing at 8 p.m. today and Saturday plus 3 p.m. Sunday at the Hippodrome Theatre, 25 SE Second Place. Tickets are $25 and can only be purchased in advance online at actorswarehouse.org/tickets.
SHAKESPEAR, CONDENSED: Whether you love William Shakespear’s work or hate it, you’ll get a kick out of the Acrosstown Repertory Theater’s newest production, “The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) [Revised].” The theater’s cast will take their audience on a fast-paced journey through all 37 Shakespear plays in just 97 minutes.
The production features three women who weave their way through all of the playwright’s comedies, histories and tragedies in a comedic fashion. Catch a showing at 8 p.m. today and Saturday plus 2 p.m. Sunday at the Acrosstown Repertory Theater, 619 S. Main St. Tickets are $20 for general admission or $15 for students, seniors, teachers, military and first responders. For more information, or to purchase tickets, visit bit.ly/abridged20.
CELEBRATE 125 YEARS: The Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings 125th Birthday Celebration will be held from 10 a.m. to noon Aug. 7 at Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Historic State Park in Cross Creek, the homestead of the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of “The Yearling” and “Cross Creek.”
The Friends of the Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Farm will be celebrating the famed author with live music, cupcakes served with Marjorie’s legendary mango ice cream, and a unique glimpse of the historic farmhouse while it is closed for archival cleaning. They also will hold a special dedication ceremony of the new trail signs featuring quotations from Rawlings’ books with artwork by Dr. Robert Carson, the first host to live at the park in the 1970s.
Special guests will include Florida State Parks Director Eric Draper, park staff and volunteers. The event also will feature a video interview with Claude Jarman Jr., who played Jody Baxter in the 1946 film adaptation of “The Yearling,” in preparation for an upcoming special event in December. The birthday celebration is free with paid park admission of $3 per vehicle. Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Historic State Park is located at 18700 S. County Road 325 in Cross Creek. More information is available at majoriekinnarawlings.org.
WATER PARK COMMUNITY DAY: Camp Kulaqua will open its River Ranch from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Sunday at a discounted rate with no reservations required. 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 $14 per person; free for children ages 3 and younger. For more information, visit bit.ly/kulaqua21.
