John Johnson Live: Live music with John Johnson at the Shuckin’ Shack Oyster Bar, 4414 SW College Road, Ocala, #600, from 6-9 p.m. Jan. 1. Enjoy seafood specials, food and drinks amidst the musical atmosphere. Call 421-9593 for details.
First Friday Art Walk: Jan. 7 from 6-9 p.m. in downtown Ocala. This event features hands-on art activities and demonstrations for all ages provided by local nonprofit arts and cultural organizations. Also: local artists selling their works, participating businesses with extended hours, buskers stationed throughout the downtown area and more. Free admission. For more information, contact the City of Ocala Cultural Arts Division at 629-8447 or artinfo@ocalafl.org; or visit www.ocalafl.org/artwalk.
Horses with Long Legs: This one-woman art exhibit by Cara Van Leuven will be on display throughout January – with an opening reception from 5-6 p.m. Jan. 7 – at the Brick City Center for the Arts, 23 SW Broadway St., Ocala. Free admission; donations are appreciated. Visit mcaocala.org or call 369-1500 for details.
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Gospel Concert Series: College Road Baptist Church welcomes top musical talent for its 2022 Gospel Concert Series, which begins on Jan. 7 with River Jordan and Rekindled Grass. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and the concert begins at 7 p.m. There is a requested $15 donation at the door. The church is located at 5010 SW College Road in Ocala, 1.75 miles west of I-75. Call 237-5741 for details.
Free First Saturday: The Appleton Museum of Art will offer free admission to all on Jan. 8 from 10 a.m.- 5 p.m. At 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., photographer Juliet van Otteren will give tours of her exhibition “Heart of the Horse.” The museum is located at 4333 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala. Visit appletonmuseum.org for details.
Donna Topp and Shirley Wang: The duo will perform at 3 p.m. Jan. 9 at Countryside Presbyterian Church, 7768 SW State Road 200, Ocala. This will be an afternoon of four-handed light classical music selections including Military March, Carmen Suite, Mendelssohn and Debussy, among others, and concludes with Chopstix Tango Fantastico. Wang, a classical soprano, will sing varied selections. Topp is an acclaimed area pianist and ran a private keyboard studio in Rochester, New York for many years. Concert is free with love offering. Call 352-237-4633 for more information.
“The Policy”: A stage play presented by RAW Productions will be live at the Reilly Arts Center, 500 NE Ninth St., Ocala, Jan. 16 at 3 p.m. Featuring a story about a sneaky insurance agent who meets his match when he marries his wife. Visit reillyartscenter.com for details.
“Around the World in Eighty Days”: This fast-paced comedy will be onstage at the Ocala Civic Theatre from Jan. 20 to Feb. 6. Visit https://ocalacivictheatre.com/ for more details.
Lee Ann Womack: Country music superstar Lee Ann Womack will perform at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 21 at the Reilly Arts Center, 500 NE Ninth St., Ocala. Visit reillyartscenter.com or call 351-1606 for tickets and details.
Bluegrass and BBQ: Live musical performances by The Po’ Ramblin’ Boys and local artisans will be featured as part of the Tuscawilla Art Park Series at the Tuscawilla Art Park, 223 NE Fifth St., Ocala, Jan. 21 from 6-9 p.m. Cash bar and BBQ from Big Lee’s Serious about BBQ food truck will be onsite. Tickets $7 online and $10 at the door. Visit ocalafl.org/artpark or 629-8447.
Live Oak International: After a year hiatus due to the pandemic, the Live Oak International driving event and showjumping will be back at Live Oak Stud, 2215 SW 110th Ave., Ocala, March 3-6. Featuring a record number of money and prizes. Spectators can find ticket information at liveoakinternational.com.
