The Hipp is Hot for the Holidays....

...perhaps a bit too hot! One of the stage curtains at the Hippodrome State Theater, in the heart of historic downtown Gainesville -- caught fire Wednesday evening! Thankfully everyone is fine and so is the theater so run don't walk to enjoy a production of either of their incredible holiday stage productions....for the classic-seeking theater aficinado, "A Christmas Carol" is a perfect choice. For those seeking to blend giggles and jingle bells, the Hipp's original production of "A Tuna Christmas" fits the bill to a tee.

Gift yourself or some well-deserving friends and family with a ticket to the Hipp for the Holidays!

Even though we're in the heart of the Sunshine State, it is indeed beginning to look a lot like Christmas here in Gainesville. As a matter of fact there are sooo many holiday happenings, we'll post an event here almost every day until the end of December. Also catch us on our new visitgainesville fan page for additional information and updates.

We start today with the classics....

The College of Fine Arts School of Music prepares to entertain and spread holiday cheer once again at its annual music program highlighting world holiday music and traditional carols at the University of Florida.
Sounds of the Season will include performances by the University Concert Choir, Gainesville Civic Chorus, and includes a very special addition to the Sounds of the Season tradition with the inclusion of the University Symphony Orchestra, directed by Dr. Raymond Chobaz. Dr. Will Kesling will conduct the concert. The performance begins at 6 p.m., Dec. 6 at the University Auditorium and features seasonal music from across the globe, including "March of the Toys" from Babes in Toyland, "Overture to Miracle on 34th Street," and "Trépak" from The Nutcracker. Nicholas Pallesen, an alum of the School of Music will be a special guest performer. **The concert is a free ticketed event. Seats fill up quickly and are on a first-come, first-serve basis; therefore, the audience is encouraged to be there when the doors open at 5:00 p.m. There are no reserve tickets available.

Gainesville Hotels at Your Fingertips!

Sometimes a high-tech tool can translate to no-to-low human touch service. The consolation prize is that most of these new fangled gadgets, like the VisitGainesville new hotel booking tool, enables you to book a hotel room with the quick click of the mouse. Our website - Gainesville's official tourism site -- offers an array of hotel properties to preview, check their available dates as well as "shop" the rate for those dates. Once you find the magic combination, you can reserve it right there, right then. There are no fees, no hidden costs just a simple, quick and cool tool to reserve a hotel room in Gainesville.

Try it at http://www.visitgainesville.com/ And if you have any questions at any point a friendly staff of VisitGainesville humans stand at the ready to personally assist. But admittedly, we can only try to be as cool as the computer.

It's a Banner Day to Sing About in Gainesville

I've been humming the great old ditty, "You're A Grand Old Flag" ever since I drove by to admire the new, lovely lampost banners heralding Gainesville's charming downtown Southeast Historic Bed & Breakfast District! Obviously the words have changed a bit ... as they are great new banners. But they are indeed high flying...and gorgeous.

This neighborhood -- just a quick walk from the heart of downtown restaurants, shopping and theatre -- sports four of our seven historic bed and breakfast inns. If you haven't had a chance to visit them (and see these snazzy new wind-flappers), consider treating yourself or a loved one by booking a stay during this year's annual Historic Holiday Homes Tour....it's a great opportunity at an even better price!

Just another reason to sing!

Still Batty in Gainesville After All These Months!

Wow...time flies doesn't it!? And the bats at the Lubee Bat Conservancy here in Gainesville do too! Yes, it's difficult to believe but it's been a year since I shared how downright gleeful I was that I and my two elementary school-aged children were attending the Lubee Bat Festival 2008 -- and now it's time yet again!

We had such an amazing time last year, that we've marked off the days and tomorrow -- Saturday, Oct. 10 -- we're returning for Bat Fest `09! It is the only time in the year that the doors are open to the public to learn about and enjoy these little beasts that really look more like an upside down, star-struck puppy!

So kick-off your Halloween season with a visit -- it's a real treat!

For additional information, here's some information....http://www.lubee.org/Florida-Annual-Bat-Festival.html

Digging the Gainesville Area?

Sometimes, I believe, we get so caught up in the hustle bustle of the image of Florida today (you know, swaying palm trees, electric theme parks and snazzy beach side resorts) that we forget about the richness and mystery of what it was like in days gone by -- I'm talking way, way gone by....okay, prehistoric yesteryear. This step, okay, leap back-in-time concept struck me as I read a news release yesterday announcing the Florida Museum of Natural History's annual fossil dig that begins Saturday, Oct. 24.

Get this Indiana Jones fans, a group of the Museum's "vertebrate paleontologists" will host the dig at nearby Thomas Farm -- a rich site replete with big critter bones that roamed this area some 18 million years ago...that's right 18 million. Wow. Just imagine digging and panning, ala gold miner, and better yet FINDING bones from ancient three-toed horses, giant bear-dogs, and Alligator olseni the great grandfather millions of years removed from a 21st century gator. By the way...what's a giant bear-dog?

The project continues through Tuesday, Nov. 24 with work occurring from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. each Saturday, Sunday, Monday and Tuesday. Volunteers should be at at least 15 years old, in good health and be able to work a minimum of three hours a day.

Apparently, since the Museum began offering these volunteer-based digs in 2000, they have collected thousands of "scientifically valuable" fossils -- a.k.a. "good-uns" -- helping scientists take a better peek into what Florida really looked like millions of centuries ago. My guess, and of course, it's just a guess, these digs have yet to uncover a fossil wearing a funny floral shirt, zinc oxide suffering from carpal tunnel because they were texting too much on their smart phone.

If you'd like to step back and dig in the dirt...check out the details and the application at the Museum's special page, http://www.flmhn.ufl.edu/vertpaleo/fall_2009.htm

No bones about it, it sounds like a lot of fun and adventure.

Downtown Hotel Ribbon Cutting Marks New Start...

...and a different look to Gainesville, Florida's downtown. The 122-room Hampton Inn and Suites had its official ribbon cutting ceremony and it was quite the celebration with a cadre of guest speakers including Ms. Pegeen Hanrahan,our lovely mayor, passed hors d'oeuvres and tours of the new property. The opening of this property starts a new chapter in Gainesville's revitalization of it's historic downtown and the measured yet steady increase in lodging options.

Our congrats and best wishes...to all our hoteliers...and to you Hampton, welcome to town...downtown!