Editing Gainesville, Florida (section)

==Arts and culture==
[[File:Columbian Mammoth - Front View (Florida).jpg|thumb|A [[Columbian Mammoth]] in the Main Gallery of the [[Florida Museum of Natural History]]]]
[[File:UF HarnMuseum.JPG|thumb|The outside of the [[Samuel P. Harn Museum of Art]]]]
Gainesville is known for its support of the visual arts. Each year, [[#Annual cultural events|two large art festivals]] attract artists and visitors from all over the southeastern United States.<ref>{{cite web|last=Mallard|first=Aida|url=https://www.gainesville.com/news/20191113/downtown-festival-will-draw-thousands-of-art-culture-fans|title=Downtown Festival will draw thousands of art, culture fans|work=[[The Gainesville Sun]]|date=November 13, 2019|access-date=December 6, 2019}}</ref>

Cultural facilities include the [[Florida Museum of Natural History]], [[Harn Museum of Art]], the [[Hippodrome State Theatre]], and the [[Curtis M. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts]]. Smaller theaters include the Acrosstown Repertory Theatre (ART), Actors' Warehouse, and the Gainesville Community Playhouse (GCP). GCP is the oldest community theater group in Florida; in 2006, it christened a new theater building.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gainesville.com/article/20060324/LOCAL/203240314|title=Time to raise the curtains|author=DAVE SCHLENKER|website=Gainesville.com|access-date=October 17, 2017}}</ref>

The presence of a major university enhances the city's opportunities for cultural lifestyles. The [[University of Florida College of the Arts]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.arts.ufl.edu/|title=College of the Arts - University of Florida|website=Arts.ufl.edu|access-date=June 20, 2016}}</ref> is the umbrella college for the School of Music, School of Theatre and Dance, School of Art and Art History, and several other programs and centers including The University Galleries, the Center for World Art, and Digital Worlds. Collectively, the college offers many performance events and artist/lecture opportunities for students and the greater Gainesville community, the majority offered at little or no cost.

Since 1989, Gainesville has been home to [[Theatre Strike Force]], the University of Florida's premier [[improvisational theatre|improv troupe]]. Gainesville also hosts several [[sketch comedy]] troupes and [[stand-up comedy|stand-up comedians]].

In April 2003, Gainesville became known as the "Healthiest Community in America" when it won the only "Gold Well City" award given by the Wellness Councils of America (WELCOA).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ghfc.com/about/history/#gold-well-city |title=Gainesville Goes Gold! |publisher=The Wellness Councils of America |date=May 2003 |access-date=April 21, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080514172637/http://ghfc.com/about/history/#gold-well-city |archive-date=May 14, 2008  }}</ref> Headed up by Gainesville Health & Fitness Centers, and with the support of [[Shands HealthCare]] and the Gainesville Area Chamber of Commerce, 21 businesses comprising 60 percent of the city's workforce became involved in the "Gold Well City" effort. As of July 2011, Gainesville remained the only city in the country to win the award.

The counties surrounding [[Alachua County, Florida|Alachua County]] vote strongly Republican, while Alachua County votes strongly Democratic.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2008/results/county/#FLP00map |title=County Results–Election 2008 |work=CNN|date= November 7, 2008|access-date=March 13, 2009}}</ref> In the 2008 election, there was a 22% gap in votes in Alachua County between [[Barack Obama]] and [[John McCain]], while the other 11 candidates on the ballot and write-in votes received approximately 1.46% of the vote.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://elections.alachua.fl.us/objects/PDF/Election_Results/20081104_General_Summary.pdf |title=Official Results&nbsp;— General Election&nbsp;— November 4, 2008&nbsp;— Summary For Jurisdiction Wide, All Counters, All Races |publisher=Alachua County Supervisor of Elections |access-date=July 24, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927023850/http://elections.alachua.fl.us/objects/PDF/Election_Results/20081104_General_Summary.pdf |archive-date=September 27, 2011 }}</ref>

===Homelessness issues===
The National Coalition for the Homeless cited Gainesville as the 5th meanest city in the United States for its criminalization of homelessness in the Coalition's two most recent<!-- none from 2009 to 2018? --> reports (in 2004 and 2009),<ref name=Illegal_to_be_Homeless>{{cite web |url=http://www.nationalhomeless.org/publications/crimreport2004/meanestcities.html |title=Illegal to be Homeless |publisher=National Coalition for the Homeless |date=November 2004 |access-date=July 22, 2007 |archive-date=July 4, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070704001647/http://www.nationalhomeless.org/publications/crimreport2004/meanestcities.html |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.alligator.org/news/local/article_7929a6a5-4caa-5112-bf14-2342479e644b.html|title=City named fifth meanest to homeless|author=ROBERTA O. ROBERTS|website=Alligator.org|access-date=October 17, 2017}}</ref> the latter time for its meal limit ordinance.<ref name=parks_as_soup_kitchens>{{cite web|url=http://under.blogs.gainesville.com/10272/parks-as-soup-kitchens/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111030032249/http://under.blogs.gainesville.com/10272/parks-as-soup-kitchens/|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 30, 2011|title=Parks as soup kitchens – Under The Sun - Gainesville Sun|date=October 30, 2011|access-date=October 17, 2017}}</ref> Gainesville has a number of ordinances targeting the homeless, including an anti-panhandling measure and one prohibiting sleeping outdoors on public property. In 2005, the Alachua Board of County Commissioners and the Gainesville City Commission responded by issuing a written "Ten Year Plan to End Homelessness";<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.endhomelessness.org/files/654_file_Gainesville_Alachua_Co_FL.pdf |title=City of Gainesville/Alachua County 10-Year Plan to End Homelessness |access-date=July 8, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110707071211/http://www.endhomelessness.org/files/654_file_Gainesville_Alachua_Co_FL.pdf |archive-date=July 7, 2011  }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.co.alachua.fl.us/assets/uploads/images/bocc/%5Bpp.20-35%5DGRACELOGICMODELSCOMPLETE051209.pdf |title=Ten Year Plan to End Homelessness |publisher=Alachua County Commission |access-date=July 22, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070711053428/http://www.co.alachua.fl.us/assets/uploads/images/bocc/%5Bpp.20-35%5DGRACELOGICMODELSCOMPLETE051209.pdf |archive-date=July 11, 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref> which was followed by the 2010 "A Needs Assessment of Unsheltered Homeless Individuals In Gainesville, Florida" presentation to a joint meeting of Gainesville and Alachua County Commissions.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://meetingdocs.alachuacounty.us/documents/bocc/agendas/2010-08-30/agendaJointMtgCityGville_Aug30-2010.pdf|title=Alachua County/City of Gainesville Quarterly Special Meeting&nbsp;— Meeting Agenda August 30, 2010|website=Meetingdocs.alachuacounty.us|access-date=July 7, 2011|archive-date=July 28, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110728174701/http://meetingdocs.alachuacounty.us/documents/bocc/agendas/2010-08-30/agendaJointMtgCityGville_Aug30-2010.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref> An indoor homeless shelter was built on the site of the former Gainesville Correctional Institution grounds, with surrounding area designated for tents.<ref>{{Cite web|title = Indoor homeless shelter opens Wednesday|url = http://www.gainesville.com/article/20140930/ARTICLES/140939934|website = Gainesville.com|access-date = October 8, 2015}}</ref>

===Marijuana culture===
Gainesville is renowned in recreational drug culture for "Gainesville Green", a particularly potent strain of [[cannabis (drug)|marijuana]]. ''Orange and Blue'' magazine published a feature article in 2003 about the history of Gainesville Green and the local marijuana culture in general.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jou.ufl.edu/pubs/onb/F03/gainesvillegreen.htm |title=Gainesville Green isn't just a color |author=Battey, Brandon |publisher=Orange and Blue |date=Fall 2003 |access-date=July 22, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070704051207/http://www.jou.ufl.edu/pubs/onb/F03/gainesvillegreen.htm |archive-date=July 4, 2007 }}</ref> In the mid-1990s, several Gainesville Hemp Festivals took place outside the Alachua County courthouse.{{Citation needed|date=April 2025}}

===Music scene===
[[File:34th Street Wall 2.jpg|thumb|[[34th Street Wall]]]]

Gainesville is well known for its music scene and has spawned a number of bands and musicians, including [[Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers]],<ref name=Turner2019>{{cite web|last=Turner|first=Jim|url=https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/florida/fl-ne-nsf-tom-petty-memorial-20190804-eueosiqmmbavtepcp2rgiryyma-story.html|title=Tom Petty historical marker to be placed in Gainesville where he grew up|work=[[Sun-Sentinel]]|date=August 4, 2019|access-date=February 19, 2020}}</ref> [[Stephen Stills]], [[Don Felder]] and [[Bernie Leadon]] of The [[Eagles (band)|Eagles]], [[The Motels]], [[Against Me!]], [[Charles Bradley (singer)|Charles Bradley]], [[Less Than Jake]], [[Hot Water Music]], [[As Friends Rust]], [[Bridget Kelly Band]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.bridgetkellyband.com/home.html|title=Home|website=Bridgetkellyband.com|access-date=November 30, 2022}}</ref> [[John Vanderslice]], [[Sister Hazel]], [[Hundred Waters]], and [[For Squirrels]]. It is also the location of independent labels [[No Idea Records]] and [[Elestial Sound]], and the former home of [[Plan-It-X Records]], which moved to [[Bloomington, Indiana]]. For two years, the Gainesville nonprofit [[Harvest of Hope Foundation]] hosted the [[Harvest of Hope Fest]] in St. Augustine.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://harvestofhopefest.com/ |title=Harvest of Hope Festival |publisher=[[No Idea Records]] |date=March 2009 |access-date=March 3, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090228103743/http://www.harvestofhopefest.com/ |archive-date=February 28, 2009 |url-status=dead  }}</ref>  Gainesville is also the home of Florida Rocks, the founders of "Santa Jam", who hold concerts every December throughout North Florida as a toy fundraiser for sick, injured, and homeless children and a showcase for local musicians. Since 2011 they have distributed nearly 700 toys to hospitals, local churches, homeless charities, and needy families across the area.{{citation needed|date=October 2019}}

Between 1987 and 1998, Gainesville had a very active rock music scene, with Hollywood star [[River Phoenix]] having the local club Hardback Cafe as his main base. Phoenix's band [[Aleka's Attic]] was a constant feature of the rock scene.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lawbob.org |title=Hardback Cafe Archive |publisher=Alan Bushnell |date=May 2007 |access-date=July 19, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081231061408/http://www.lawbob.org/ |archive-date=December 31, 2008 }}</ref> The Phoenix family is still a presence in Gainesville, with [[Rain Phoenix]]'s band [[Papercranes]] and Liberty Phoenix's store, Indigo.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gainesville.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070531/HOUSEHOMEGARDEN/705310307/-1/realestate |title=Liberty Phoenix's Indigo |publisher=[[The Gainesville Sun]] |date=May 2007 |access-date=July 19, 2008 |archive-date=June 15, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110615095730/http://www.gainesville.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070531/HOUSEHOMEGARDEN/705310307/-1/realestate |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Gainesville is still known for its strong music community and was named "Best Place to Start a Band in the United States" by [[Blender (magazine)|''Blender'' magazine]] in March 2008.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.blender.com/guide/61220/thebestlist2008travel.html |title=Gainesville named best place to start a band in America |publisher=[[Blender Magazine]] |date=March 2008 |access-date=July 19, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090605180841/http://www.blender.com//guide//61220//thebestlist2008travel.html |archive-date=June 5, 2009 }}</ref> The article cited the large student population, cheap rent, and friendly venues.

Over the past decade, Gainesville has been home to a wide variety of bands, from the [[Latin American music|Latin]]/[[afrobeat]] sounds of [[Umoja Orchestra]], to the rock of [[Morningbell]], to [[ska]] staples [[The Know How]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gainesvillebands.com/bands.asp |title=Current Gainesville Bands |website=Gainesvillebands.com |date=July 2008 |access-date=July 19, 2008}}</ref>

Gainesville's reputation as an independent music mecca can be traced back to 1984 when a local music video station was brought on the air. The station was called TV-69, broadcast on UHF 69 and was owned by Cozzin Communications.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.afn.org/~riffer/projects/hogtown/TV69.html |title=Archived copy |access-date=July 21, 2008 |archive-date=June 30, 2012 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120630221742/http://www.afn.org/~riffer/projects/hogtown/TV69.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> The channel drew considerable media attention thanks to its promotion by [[Bill Cosby]], who was part owner of the station when it started. TV-69 featured many videos by punk and indie-label bands and had several locally produced videos ("Clone Love" by a local parody band, and a [[Dinosaur Jr.]] song).

===Annual cultural events===
* The Spring Arts Festival, hosted each year, usually in early April, by Santa Fe College (formerly Santa Fe Community College), is one of the three largest annual events in Gainesville and known for its high-quality, unique artwork.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://springartsfestival.com/|title=Spring Arts Festival - My WordPress Blog|website=Spring Arts Festival|access-date=October 17, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151211150355/http://springartsfestival.com/|archive-date=December 11, 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* The nationally recognized Downtown Festival and Art Show, hosted each fall by the City of Gainesville, attracts award-winning artists and a crowd of more than 100,000.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gvlculturalaffairs.org/website/programs_events/DFAS/downtown_art_fest.html |title=Downtown Festival & Art Show |access-date=July 7, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110714051007/http://www.gvlculturalaffairs.org/website/programs_events/DFAS/downtown_art_fest.html |archive-date=July 14, 2011 }} "Downtown Festival & Art Show", Retrieved July 7, 2011</ref>
* The Hoggetowne Medieval Faire has attracted thousands of fairgoers for over 20 years.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gvlculturalaffairs.org/website/programs_events/HMF/medieval_index.html |title=Hoggetowne Medieval Faire |access-date=July 7, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110714051056/http://www.gvlculturalaffairs.org/website/programs_events/HMF/medieval_index.html |archive-date=July 14, 2011 }} "Hoggetowne Medieval Faire", Retrieved July 7, 2011</ref>
* [[The Fest]], a multi-day, multiple-venue underground music festival held annually in Gainesville since 2002.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://thefestfl.com/history//|title=The Fest 16 » History|last=@thefestfl|website=The Fest 16|access-date=October 17, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gainesville.com/entertainment/20161026/fifteen-years-of-fest|title=Fifteen years of Fest|work=The Gainesville Sun|author=Levi Bradford|date=October 26, 2016|access-date=May 4, 2017}}</ref>