First Friday hits Crystal River Town Square Friday night with The Mudds Jazz & Blues Band, and Children of Eden opens at Ocala Civic Theatre the same evening with shows running all three days. Friday is mostly sunny at 92 and only a 12% chance of rain -- Saturday brings a 41% shot at afternoon storms and Sunday is basically a washout at 81% chance of showers.
Friday
Blue Stone Circle -- Brownwood Paddock Square, 12:00 AM ET
Blue Stone Circle bills itself as the ultimate party band, and the setlist backs that up -- rock, country, R&B, reggae, Top 40, Latin, pop. If you're in The Villages and want to end Thursday night properly or kick off May 1 loud, this is the spot.
The Mudds Jazz & Blues Band at First Friday in Crystal River Town Square -- Crystal River Town Square, 5:00 PM ET
This is the Friday night pick. The Mudds Jazz & Blues Band headlines the May First Friday in Crystal River Town Square, with vendors, food trucks, and games filling out the evening. It's a free public event open to all ages -- bring a lawn chair or blanket because you'll want to settle in. The description says free, but food trucks are purchased separately, so plan accordingly.
Seven Rivers Christian School Presents: Once Upon a Mattress -- Valerie Theatre, 7:00 PM ET
The classic musical comedy about a princess, a very specific pea, and a lot of royal nonsense -- performed by Seven Rivers Christian School students at the Valerie Theatre in Inverness. Community theatre night productions like this tend to have real energy in the room.
LIVE ON STAGE: Children of Eden -- Ocala Civic Theatre, $17--$40, 7:30 PM ET
Stephen Schwartz's Children of Eden -- the composer who also did Wicked and Godspell -- opens its run at Ocala Civic Theatre tonight. The musical covers Genesis from Adam and Eve through Noah, and while that sounds heavy, it's rated G and leans into humor and family themes. Adults run $35--$40; anyone 18 and under is $17--$20. The run goes through May 17, but Friday night opens are always a good time to catch a cast at full energy.
Saturday
Brooksville Farmers Market at Central Florida Beef -- Brooksville Farmers Market at Central Florida Beef, 9:00 AM ET
This is the first Saturday of the month, which means the Brooksville Farmers Market is on the lawn at Central Florida Beef. Local farmers, artisans, and makers set up monthly here -- it's not a daily market, so if you miss it today you're waiting until June. Get there earlier in the morning before the heat picks up; storms are possible by afternoon.
PLAYDATE: Children of Eden -- Ocala Civic Theatre, 1:30 PM ET & 2:00 PM ET & 7:30 PM ET
The Civic's Play Date program is genuinely clever -- buy a ticket to the 2:00 PM Saturday matinee and your kids ages 5--12 can join a free theatre workshop in Studio A starting at 1:30 PM while you actually watch the show. Teaching artists from The Academy run age-appropriate activities tied to the play, and the childcare runs until the performance ends or 4:45 PM at the latest. Space is capped at 20 kids, so register ahead through the box office at (352) 236-2274.
LIVE ON STAGE: Children of Eden -- Ocala Civic Theatre, $17--$40, 1:30 PM ET & 2:00 PM ET & 7:30 PM ET
Saturday has multiple performance options for Children of Eden -- the 2:00 PM matinee pairs with the Play Date childcare program above, and the 7:30 PM evening show is the option if you want a night out without the kids. Adults $35--$40, ages 18 and under $17--$20. Saturday evening is probably the show to go to if you want a fuller house and better crowd energy.
Seven Rivers Christian School Presents: Once Upon a Mattress -- Valerie Theatre, 2:00 PM ET & 7:00 PM ET
Saturday brings two chances to see Once Upon a Mattress at the Valerie Theatre in Inverness -- a 2:00 PM matinee and a 7:00 PM evening show. Keep an eye on the Saturday storm forecast (41% chance) if you're driving in for the afternoon show and planning to linger downtown.
Sunday
Sunday FunDay -- Brooksville Parks and Recreation, 1:00 PM ET
Sunday is a storm day (81% chance), and the Jerome Brown Community Center is exactly the right call. Sunday FunDay covers games, crafts, hands-on STEM projects, open play with sports equipment, soft play areas for the youngest kids, and music -- all ages, drop-in format, no set schedule to keep.
Lake Irish Music Session -- W T Bland Public Library, 1:30 PM ET & 2:00 PM ET & 3:00 PM ET
A traditional Irish music session at the W T Bland Public Library in Mount Dora on a rainy Sunday afternoon -- honestly, that's good timing. Sessions like this are typically informal, open to listeners and players alike, and the library setting keeps it relaxed. Multiple listed times suggest a rolling start; show up around 2:00 PM if you want to catch it mid-stride.
The Full Lineup
Find all 47+ events this weekend at villacalalineup.com/events/.
Got a tip or event we should know about? Email [email protected]
