'Murder on the Orient Express' at The Civic: Fun things to do this weekend in Ocala/Marion

THIS WEEKEND

2025 Levitt AMP Ocala Music Series: Okan (Afro-Cuban jazz)

Okan (Afro-Cuban jazz) will play March 21 in the latest installment of this concert series. Organizing the series are the Marion Cultural Alliance, the city of Ocala, the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Commission of Marion County and the Juneteenth Celebration Commission. Concerts are free and are held outdoors from 6-8 p.m. Fridays through May 16 at Webb Field in the Martin Luther King Jr. Recreation Complex, 1501 W. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala. Bring blankets and lawn chairs.

'Murder On the Orient Express'

This Agatha Christie murder mystery is live onstage March 20 – April 6 at the Ocala Civic Theatre. Full details at ocalacivictheatre.com

WindFM Rocks the Reilly: Knightsnake

This Whitesnake tribute band takes the stage at 7:30 p.m. March 22 at the Reilly Arts Center, 500 NE Ninth St., Ocala. Tickets from $25. More at reillyartscenter.com

Central Florida Master Choir's 2025 spring concert: 'They Say It's Spring!'

These performances will be March 23 at 3 p.m. at the Dunnellon Presbyterian Church, 20641 Chestnut St., Dunnellon; and April 6 at 3 p.m. at the Countryside Presbyterian Church, 7768 State Road 200, Ocala. The choir will be under the direction of Harold W. McSwain and accompanied by GayLyn Capitano and the New Moon String Ensemble. "The major work will be 'Requiem' by Gabriel Fauré. The second half will include secular music celebrating spring," organizers say. The concerts are free. A free-will offering will be taken.

COMING SOON

2025 Levitt AMP Ocala Music Series: The Mexican Standoff (Tejano)

The Mexican Standoff (Tejano) will play March 28 in the latest installment of this concert series. Organizing the series are the Marion Cultural Alliance, the city of Ocala, the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Commission of Marion County and the Juneteenth Celebration Commission. Concerts are free and are held outdoors from 6-8 p.m. Fridays through May 16 at Webb Field in the Martin Luther King Jr. Recreation Complex, 1501 W. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala. Bring blankets and lawn chairs.

An Evening with BoDeans

This show will be live onstage at 7:30 p.m. March 28 at the Reilly Arts Center, 500 NE Ninth St., Ocala. Tickets from $23. More at reillyartscenter.com

Betty Jean Steinshouer: 'The Threads of Friendship: Marjorie, Zora and Dessie'

The Friends of the Ocala Library and the Florida Humanities Council are sponsoring this talk, which focuses on Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings, Zora Neale Hurston and Dessie Smith Prescott, at 11 a.m. March 29 at the headquarters library, 2720 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala.

Marion County Day 2025

This family friendly festival will be 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 29 at the McPherson Governmental Complex, 601 SE 25th Ave., Ocala. Food trucks, vendors, informational booths, kids activities and more. "Marion County invites residents and visitors to our annual community festival, celebrating our history & showcasing everything that makes Marion County great!" organizers say. More at marionfl.org

'Ode to Joy: Beethoven’s 9th Symphony'

This performance will be at 3 p.m. March 30 at the Reilly Arts Center, 500 NE Ninth St., Ocala. Tickets from $10. "Experience the monumental grandeur of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony with the Ocala Symphony Orchestra under Matthew Wardell’s dynamic baton," organizers say, "joined by the College of Central Florida Patriot Singers, Ocala Symphony Chorus, and four world-class soloists." More at reillyartscenter.com

Annual College of Central Florida Student Art Exhibition

This show will be up at the CF Webber Gallery March 31-May 6. "Featuring a diverse range of mediums and styles, this exhibition spotlights the incredible passion and creativity of CF’s student artists," organizers say. Free, open to the public. The community is invited to an opening reception and awards ceremony at 12:30 p.m. April 2. The Webber Gallery is on CF's Ocala campus, 3001 SW College Road, and is open 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Thursday. More at www.CF.edu/Webber or 352-854-2322, ext. 1664.

'Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka'

This College of Central Florida production will be live onstage April 3-6 at the Dassance Fine Arts Center, 3001 SW College Road, Ocala. "This imaginative student performance captures all the nostalgia of the classic children’s novel and the whimsical tunes of the 1971 film with a fantastical, futuristic steampunk aesthetic. A cast of 30 students will entertain audiences with bold, colorfully adorned costumes, high-energy choreography, daring stunts and enchanting songs," organizers say. The production is a collaboration between CF's theater, music and dance departments. Show times are 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday, April 3-5, and 3 p.m. Sunday, April 6. Tickets are $12 for adults, $6 for non-CF students, free for CF students, faculty and staff. Information and tickets at cf.universitytickets.com or 352-873-5810.

'Legally Blonde the Musical'

Vanguard High School’s VHS Players will stage this show April 24-26 in the school's Knights Union, 7 NW 28th St., Ocala. The performances begin at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are available online only at www.vhs-players.com

ONGOING

All-media art exhibit

"Find a fresh breath of spring" in this new exhibit, up through May 29 at the Chelsea Art Center, 3305 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala. "Stunning art works by 28 talented local artists are for sale," organizers say. Free and open to the public. The center is open Tuesdays-Saturdays, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

'Journey Through the Wild Waters: An Immersive Art Experience'

"Dive into the beauty and wonder of the Ocklawaha and Silver Rivers with a breathtaking multi-medium exhibit featuring five renowned regional artists," organizers say. This exhibition is up through March 29 at the Brick City Center for the Arts, 23 SW Broadway St., Ocala.

'What If Eye: Fifty Years of Exploration with Ummarid Eitharong'

The Appleton Museum of Art presents this major retrospective of the work of Ummarid ‘Tony’ Eitharong from Feb. 28 through Aug. 3 in the first-floor Edith-Marie Gallery. "Through more than 50 works, visitors can experience his artistic evolution that has resulted in three distinct bodies of work," organizers say. The museum is open Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday, noon-5 p.m. The Appleton is at 4333 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala. More at 352-291-4455 or AppletonMuseum.org

Coming to the Appleton: 'To the MAX: Magnolia Art Xchange’s 10-Year Anniversary'

This exhibition, celebrating Magnolia Art Xchange’s 10-year milestone, will be on view through May 18 in the second-floor Preview Gallery of the Appleton Museum of Art. "The show includes MAX’s 2025 Resident Artists: Rod Acosta, Kendra Brazzel, Joan Elizabeth, Sarah Lajealle, Z Reyes and Tyrek Studivant," organizers say. Magnolia Art Xchange is located in Ocala’s historic Union Station and is described as "a vibrant hub for artists, educators and art enthusiasts." The Appleton is open Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday, noon-5 p.m. at 4333 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala. More at appletonmuseum.org

Kenya's Kids

This exhibit at the Discovery Center in Ocala is up through May 10. "This immersive experience provides a window into the daily lives of children in Kenya, a country where modern advancements blend seamlessly with rich traditions," organizers say. The center, 701 NE Sanchez Ave., Ocala, is open Tuesdays through Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. "This exhibit is part of a cultural series developed by The Magic House, St. Louis Children’s Museum, to introduce children to diverse cultures worldwide," organizers say. It's designed for kids ages 3 to 12. More at 352-401-3900 or www.mydiscoverycenter.org

'Framing Tokyo: Joel Bustamante’s Architectural Photography'

This collection is up through June 8 at the Appleton Museum of Art's Balcony Gallery for Florida Artists. "The exhibition features 30 black-and-white and color photographs by the Venezuelan-born artist," organizers say. The museum is open Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday, noon-5 p.m. The Appleton is at 4333 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala. More at 352-291-4455 or AppletonMuseum.org

Art in City Spaces

This city of Ocala program offers the following:

• "The Colors of My Homeland" by Lorena Greer, now up at the Mary Sue Rich Community Center at Reed Place, 1821 NW 21st Ave.
• "Fantastical Photographic Journeys" by Shara Abel, now up at the Clerk’s Office at City Hall, 110 SE Watula Ave.
• "Marvelous Marion" by Rainbow Springs Art, now up at the Ocala International Airport, 1770 SW 60th Ave., Suite 600
• "Copper Art by Ricky Weeks" now up at the Recreation and Parks Administration Building (828 NE Eighth Ave.) and the Eighth Avenue Adult Activity Center (830 NE Eighth Ave.)

calendar@starbanner.com