The College of Central Florida’s Theatre Department presents “The Great Gatsby,” Thursday-Saturday, March 5-7, starting at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday, March 7-8, at 3 p.m., in the Dassance Fine Arts Center, 3001 S.W. College Road.

This play is directed by Dr. Kathleen Downs, CF associate professor of Theatre, and presented by special arrangement with Dramatists Play Service Inc. in New York. The story is about Jay Gatsby, a self-made millionaire, who passionately pursues the elusive Daisy Buchanan. Nick Caraway, a young newcomer to Long Island, is drawn into their world of obsession, greed and danger. The breathtaking glamour and decadent excess of the 1920s Jazz Age come to the stage in this retelling of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s classic novel.

Tickets are $12 for adults and $6 for non-students. CF students, faculty and staff are free with CF identification. For tickets and more information, call the CF Box Office at 352-873-5810 or visit tickets.cf.edu. The box office is located in lobby of the Fine Arts Center and is open from 1-4 p.m. and an hour before show time.

The College of Central Florida is conducting information sessions for Health Sciences programs including Emergency Medical Services, Nursing, Physical Therapist Assistant, Dental Assisting, Radiography and Surgical Technology. Potential students must attend a session this spring before applying to any of the programs, which begin this fall.

Sessions provide details about admissions criteria, program requirements, costs and more.

There is no waiting list for any of the Health Science programs. Some programs have part-time enrollment options.

Upcoming information sessions include:

Emergency Medical Services

• Friday, Feb. 21, 2-3 p.m., Ocala Campus, Building 35, Room 105, 3001 S.W. College Road.
• Friday, March 27, 2-3 p.m., Ocala Campus, Building 35, Room 105.

Nursing (Associate Degree Nursing, Bridge, and Bachelor of Science in Nursing)

• Wednesday, Feb. 12, 4-5 p.m., Ocala Campus, Building 20, Room 209.
• Wednesday, March 4, 12:30-1:30 p.m., Citrus Campus, Building 3, Room 107, 3800 S. Lecanto Highway, Lecanto.
• Tuesday, March 24, 5-6 p.m., Ocala Campus, Building 16.
• Tuesday, March 31, 12:30-1:30 p.m., Jack Wilkinson Levy Campus, 15390 N.W. Highway 19, Chiefland.
• Monday, April 13, 3-4 p.m., Ocala Campus, Building 16.

Physical Therapist Assistant

• Tuesday, March 3, 4-5:30 p.m., Hampton Center, Room 102, 1501 W. Silver Springs Blvd, Ocala.
• Monday, April 6, 4-5:30 p.m., Hampton Center, Room 102.

Dental Assisting

• Tuesday, April 14, 4-5 p.m., Hampton Center.

Radiography

• Tuesday, Feb. 11, 4-5 p.m., Ocala Campus Building 20, Room 209.
• Tuesday, March 10, 4-5 p.m., Ocala Campus Building 20, Room 209.
• Tuesday, April 14, 4-5 p.m., Ocala Campus Building 20, Room 209.

Surgical Technology

• Wednesday, Feb. 19, 1-2 p.m., Ocala Campus, Building 19, Room 108.
• Wednesday, March 25, 4-5 p.m., Ocala Campus, Building 19, Room 108.
• Wednesday, April 15, 4-5 p.m., Ocala Campus, Building 19, Room 108.

For information about any of the programs or sessions, call 352-873-5817, or call 352-873-5800, ext. 1655.

Students who submit an application on site will have their $30 college application fee waived and may enter a drawing to win a scholarship to pay for one three-credit undergraduate class at the in-state rate.

The college will showcase the many career and educational opportunities it offers. Prospective students can attend workshops on Dual Enrollment and Financial Aid. They may also interact with faculty and staff to learn about workforce and certificate programs, and advanced degrees, including CF’s baccalaureate programs.

For more information about the free event, call 352-746-6721 or visit www.CF.edu/PreviewNight.

The conference will be held from 7:15 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Ewers Century Center. Registration is $40 before Feb. 25, then $60 after.

Attendees can participate in sessions and discover ideas to enhance the social and emotional development of children and participate in meaningful learning activities. The theme for this year’s conference is Roaring ’20s: Look How Far We’ve Come. Nearly 600 participants will enjoy an opening keynote presentation and more than 30 breakout sessions during this daylong conference.

Keynote speaker is Lisa Murphy, founder and CEO of Ooey Gooey Inc. Murphy is nationally and internationally renowned for her educational presentations on topics related to early childhood education. She is known for her ability to link hands-on activities to educational standards, her outspoken advocacy, and her commitment to creating child-centered, play-based early childhood environments.  Featured presenter is Family Violence Prevention Coordinator for the Marion County Children’s Alliance, Monica Bryant presenting, “The Boogey Man: Not always a child’s imagination.”

Educators may be eligible to receive in-service credit and Continuing Education Units. For more information, contact Bebe Rahaman at rahamanb@cf.edu or 352-854-2322, ext. 1405.

From Dec.17-Jan. 19, children’s shoes were collected at the Appleton and TJM Promos in exchange for a one-year individual membership to the Appleton and a members’ only thermos donated by TJM. The community responded in an overwhelmingly generous way and 364 pairs of new and like-new shoes were collected between the two sites. The Appleton reciprocated with 147 memberships.

“We are so thankful to our members and the community for responding in such a thoughtful and generous way,” said Victoria Billig, assistant director at the Appleton Museum of Art. “As a nonprofit ourselves, we know that every bit helps and that everyone benefits from teamwork. We wanted to do something for the children in our community who are in need, and for the Pearl Project, which so compassionately serves them.”

The Pearl Project is a nonprofit organization that provides services for foster and adoptive families. Like pearls, many children’s stories begin in hard places. The Pearl Project offers hope and practical help to these families through educational opportunities and support groups. The shoes will stock The Pearl Project’s Kid-2-Kid closet, which serves children of all ages.

“We are incredibly grateful to the Appleton and TJM Promos for providing an opportunity for people to support local foster/adoptive families,” said Joy Zedler, board member and executive director of the Pearl Project. “We are blown away by all the beautiful shoes that now fill our Kid-2-Kid Closet. There will soon be a lot of happy feet in Ocala. Thank you to everyone who gave!”

To learn more about the Pearl Project, visit www.thepearlprojectflorida.org.

Owned and operated by the College of Central Florida, the Appleton Museum of Art is located at 4333 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala, east of downtown on SR 40 (exit 352 east off I-75 or exit 268 west off I-95). Parking is free. For more information, call 352-291-4455 or visit AppletonMuseum.org.

The College of Central Florida’s International Film Series wraps up the 2019-2020 season  with “The Salesman” on Tuesday, Feb. 11, “XXY” on Tuesday, Feb. 25, and “A Man Called Ove” on Tuesday, March 3. Shows start at 2 p.m. at the Appleton Museum of Art and at 7 p.m. at the Ocala Campus in the Humanities and Social Sciences Building 8, Room 110.

• “The Salesman” features a young couple living in Tehran who is forced to move into a new apartment with a violent history. Their lives are dramatically changed. This film is in Persian with English subtitles. It is rated PG-13 and has a total run time of 125 minutes.
• “XXY” is about 15-year old Alex who has had to deal with being born as an intersexed child growing up in a small town in Uruguay. When a plastic surgeon is invited for gender reassignment surgery and brings his son, the sexual attraction of the two teens soon complicates an already tense situation. This film is in Spanish with English subtitles. It is not rated and has a total run time of 90 minutes.
• “A Man Called Ove” is based on Fredrik Backman’s international best-selling novel. Ove is the angry old man next door whom we have all known. An isolated retiree with strict principles and a short fuse, he spends his days visiting his wife’s grave and enforcing block association rules that only he cares about. This film is in Swedish with English subtitles. It is rated PG-13 and has a total run time of 120 minutes.

Films on the CF campus are free. Films at the Appleton are free to members; nonmembers pay the museum admission price to see the films. To become a film series member, pay $15 for individuals, $25 for dual membership at www.CF.edu/MakeaGift. For information about membership, call 352-873-5808.

For more information on the International Film Series, contact Joe Zimmerman at 352-854-2322, ext. 1233, or visit www.CF.edu/filmseries.

The College of Central Florida will host its annual College Preview open house Saturday, Feb. 29, from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at the CF Jack Wilkinson Levy Campus, 15390 N.W. Highway 19, Chiefland.

Students who submit an application on site will have their $30 college application fee waived and may enter a drawing to win a scholarship to pay for one three-credit undergraduate class at the in-state rate.

The college will showcase the many career and educational opportunities it offers. Prospective students can attend workshops on Dual Enrollment and Financial Aid. They may also interact with faculty and staff to learn about workforce and certificate programs, and advanced degrees, including CF’s baccalaureate programs.

Preview Night at the Citrus Campus will be held on Thursday, March 12, from 5-7 p.m. at the Citrus Learning and Conference Center, 3800 S. Lecanto Highway, Lecanto.

For more information about the free event, call 352-658-4077 or visit www.CF.edu/PreviewNight.

Be our Valentine at a party for friends, couples and singles that celebrates love is love, in any language. Ticket includes hors d’oeuvres from four cuisines around the world and two beverages from the bar, which will feature international beer and wine. Between tasty bites, dance your heart out to music by a guest DJ and take photos with our larger-than-life balloon wall.

The first-floor galleries will be open, including the special exhibition “Flamenco: From Spain to the U.S.”

Tickets are $40 per person; advance purchase is recommended as tickets are limited. Tickets are available by visiting AppletonMuseum.org or Eventbrite.com.

Link to tickets on Eventbrite:

www.eventbrite.com/e/love-in-all-languages-a-valentines-party-tickets-90452324337

Owned and operated by the College of Central Florida, the Appleton Museum of Art is located at 4333 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala, east of downtown on SR 40 (exit 352 east off I-75 or exit 268 west off I-95). Parking is free. For more information, call 352-291-4455 or visit AppletonMuseum.org.

High school seniors and incoming and current college students interested in getting assistance with the Free Application for Federal Student Aid can attend a workshop on Thursday, Feb. 13, from 3-5 p.m. at the College of Central Florida Jack Wilkinson Levy Campus, 15390 N.W. Highway 19, Chiefland.

Students under the age of 24 are strongly encouraged to attend with their parent or guardian. Required documents to bring include the student’s photo identification, parents’ and student’s 2018 income tax returns and all W-2s, Social Security numbers, and birth dates of parents and student, and records of all 2018 untaxed income.

Space is limited. Register at www.CF.edu/fafsaworkshop. For more information, call 352-658-4077.

Brown will read from his collection at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 5, in the Dassance Fine Arts Auditorium, and at 12:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 6, in the Humanities and Social Sciences Building 8, Room 110, at the CF Ocala Campus, 3001 S.W. College Road. Tickets are not required and entry is free at both readings.

Brown is the author of three collections of poetry: “The Tradition” (2019), a finalist for the 2019 National Book Award; “The New Testament” (Copper Canyon, 2014), winner of the Anisfield-Wolf Book Award and named one of the best collections of the year by Library Journal, Coldfront, and the Academy of American Poets; and “Please” (New Issues, 2008), which won the 2009 American Book Award, according to the author.

Brown’s daring new book, “The Tradition” details the normalization of evil and history at the intersection of the past and the personal. Poems of fatherhood, legacy, blackness, queerness, worship, and trauma are propelled into stunning clarity by Brown’s mastery. “The Tradition” is a cutting and necessary collection, relentless in its quest for survival while reveling in a celebration of contradiction.

Brown grew up in Louisiana and worked as a speechwriter for the mayor of New Orleans before earning his doctorate in Literature and Creative Writing from the University of Houston. He also holds a Masters in Fine Arts in Creative Writing from the University of New Orleans. He is an associate professor and the director of the Creative Writing Program at Emory University in Atlanta.

The Debra Vazquez Memorial Poetry Series honors CF English and creative writing professor Debra Vazquez, who died as a result of domestic violence in 2004.

For more information, contact Sandra Cooper at 352-854-2322, ext. 1361, or coopersa@cf.edu.