Gainesville is home to many diverse performing artists, including several dance companies, theatre troupes, and musical groups. There are many auditoriums in which they regularly appear. Following is a sampling of Gainesville's performing artisans. Arts & Culture in Alachua County http://www.gvlculturalaffairs.org/ Arts and cultural attractions abound in the rolling hills where Timucuas and Seminoles once roamed and Florida crackers herded cattle nearly a century ago. Dance, music, theatre, visual arts, historical preservation, and folklife are an integral part of our community with exciting, dynamic arts and cultural events and festivals held year round. Catch the spirit of Alachua County, where the arts embellish the natural beauty of Original Florida. Acrosstown Repertory Theatre 619 S. Main St., Gainesville Information: (352) 375-1321 http://www.acrosstown.org/ Acrosstown Repertory Theatre might well be described as Gainesville's Off-Broadway. The 80-seat community theatre is home of experimental, avant-garde, and often cross-cultural productions. Conversely, a typical ART season also includes the classics. Center for Performing Arts Hull Road and 34th St., UF Campus Information: (352) 392-1900 http://www.performingarts.ufl.edu/ The Center for Performing Arts is Gainesville's center for theatre, music and dance performances. Home to several local performance groups, the Center also hosts Broadway touring companies, opera, symphony orchestras and nationally-known performers. Hippodrome State Theatre 25 S.E. 2nd Place, Gainesville Information: (352) 375-4477 http://www.thehipp.org/ Gainesville's state renowned professional theatre company presents the best in contemporary theatrical productions. Audience members surround the stage on three sides in the unique theatre which is housed in the former United States Post Office in downtown Gainesville. The building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Dance Alive! 1325 N.W. 2nd Street, Gainesville Information: (352) 371-2986 http://www.dancealive.org/ A professional ballet company that performs locally, as well as around Florida and the United States. Dance Theatre of Santa Fe Santa Fe Community College 3000 NW 83d St., Gainesville Information: (352) 395-5296 http://inst.sfcc.edu/~vpa/dance/theatre.htm The Dance Theatre of Santa Fe, the student dance group at Santa Fe Community College, was founded in 1989. It is sponsored by the college's Creative Arts and Humanities Department. Danscompany of Gainesville Cameron Dancenter 5001 N.W. 34th St., Gainesville Information: (352) 371-0761 http://danscompanyofgainesville.org/ This dance company is comprised of local dancers of all ages who perform ballet, jazz, and modern dance. Floridance Company University of Florida Campus Information: (352) 392-2038 University of Florida dancers perform their own contemporary jazz and ballet selections several times a year at the Center for Performing Arts. The students create their own choreography. Florida Players University of Florida Department of Theatre Information: (352) 392-2038 The Florida Players, the University of Florida's theatre group, provides quality productions to Gainesville audiences each year. Gainesville Ballet Theatre Joni Messler Studio of Dance 1501 N.W. 16th Ave., Gainesville Information: (352) 372-9898 http://www.gainesvilleballettheatre.org/ The Gainesville Ballet Theatre, comprised of accomplished dancers of all ages, has a repertoire of classical ballet, children's ballet, jazz and modern dance. Founded in 1973 by Joni Messler, the Gainesville Ballet Theatre performs two ballets each season at the Center for Performing Arts. Gainesville Chamber Orchestra PO Box 357011, Gainesville, FL 32635 Information: http://www.gcomusic.org The Gainesville Chamber Orchestra has distinguished itself as the central body of music in Gainesville. The 40-member orchestra is conducted by Evans Haile, a Gainesville native who has an international reputation as a conductor. The orchestra entertains with a free Pops Concert, and various concerts throughout the year. Gainesville Civic Chorus Information: P.O. Box 5205, Gainesville http://GCChorus.org/ Originally founded to perform during the United State's bicentennial year, the Gainesville Civic Chorus is still going strong. The chorus performs three or four major concerts each year, singing a variety of music from show tunes to classic orchestra works. Gainesville Community Band P.O. Box 147050, Suite 195, Gainesville Information: (352) 373-7377 http://www.gnvband.org Directed by Richard Hord, the Gainesville Community Band is one of the area's most popular groups. Founded in 1974, the band is featured at Gainesville's annual Fanfares and Fireworks each July. All concerts are free. Gainesville Community Playhouse 4039 N.W. 16th Ave, Gainesville Information: (352) 376-4949 http://www.afn.org/~gcp/ Gainesville Community Play House, the area's oldest theatre, began more than 50 years ago. The play house is housed in a refurbished 160-seat theatre adjacent to Millhopper Shopping Center. The all-volunteer group performs six plays each year. Theatre Santa Fe 3000 N.W. 83rd St., Gainesville Information: (352) 395-5590 http://inst.santafe.cc.fl.us/~cah/theatre/ Theatre students from Santa Fe Community College perform two mainstage and one Studio E production each season. Gainesville High School Drama 1900 NW 13th Street, Gainesville Information: (352) 955-6707 The drama classes at Gainesville High School present productions throughout the year for GHS students and friends. Friends of Jazz & Blues http://www.gnvfriendsofjazz.org/ Founded in 1983, the Gainesville Friends of Jazz and Blues is dedicated to supporting and promoting jazz and blues music, as well as increasing public interest and participation in a unique art form.