New Year’s Eve

Ring in the New Year on Friday night with Downtown Countdown, the city of Gainesville’s New Year’s Eve celebration at the Bo Diddley Community Plaza. This year, the free event will have the Imposters doing Beatles songs and other tunes, and the blues-rock duo Velveeta Underground opening the show at 9 pm Free noisemakers will be passed out to audience members, and streamers and confetti will fly high at midnight.

Downtown Countdown: 9 pm-12:30 am Friday, Bo Diddley Community Plaza, 111 E. University Blvd. Free.

Bo Diddley Tributes

Bo Diddley lived in Archer for 30 years before his 2008 death, and several events planned there this week will honor the rock pioneer, who was fittingly nicknamed “the Originator.”

On Thursday, the first Bo Diddley “Originator” Award Dinner will be held at the Archer Community School with the inaugural Originator Award presented to John Duff, director of the University of Florida’s School of Music, for his dedication inside and out of the classroom. The gala fundraising event begins at 6 pm with a reception and silent auction, featuring items signed by Tom Petty, George Thorogood, Les Paul and others. Followed by dinner at 7 pm Tickets are $35, with VIP seats and tables available.

Proceeds will benefit the Bo Diddley Foundation and city of Archer programs focusing on education.

On Saturday, the Bo Diddley All-Star Classic at the Wilson Robinson Pavilion in Archer will feature a talent showcase, youth football games, a “Classic Concert” and more from 9 am to 5 pm. 

And kicking off the week’s events on Wednesday is a free Gospel Concert at the Family Life Church of God, 17259 SW Archer Road, which will begin at 6 pm.

Bo Diddley “Originator” Award Dinner: 6 pm Thursday, Archer Community School, 14533 SW 170th St., Archer. Tickets: $35, premium seats available. (443-9397)

Bo Diddley All-Star Classic: 9 am-5 pm.Saturday, Wilson Robinson Pavilion, 16639 SW 137 Ave., Archer. Free.

Gospel Concert: 6 pm Wednesday, Family Life Church of God, 17259 SW Archer Road, Archer. Free.