June 5–7in & around Central Florida

This is the engine that makes The Villages what it is: free live music on the squares, nightly. Friday brings Penta to Lake Sumter Landing, The Edge of Rock to Brownwood Paddock Square, and Zee-R Band to Spanish Springs, with more at Sawgrass Grove. Pick a square, bring your people, dance a little.

The arts pick of the night: trumpeter Longineu Parsons headlines Reilly Noir, the Reilly Arts Center's jazz series in Ocala. A real listening-room evening.

A comedy production at the Mount Dora Music Hall to kick off the weekend -- the same intimate room that hosts the Mount Dora LIVE series.

Bobby Randall and the OBO Band play the Orange Blossom Opry out in Weirsdale -- a warm, old-school Friday-night show in a room that knows how to put one on.

Live gators at the Mount Dora library -- a genuinely fun, free family afternoon. The kids will talk about it; you'll get the photos.

Saturday's anchor. A faithful tribute to the Everly Brothers' harmonies at the Orange Blossom Opry -- the kind of show the Opry crowd turns out for in force.

A Doobie Brothers tribute built on tight vocals and real musicianship, at the Savannah Center in The Villages -- a proper seated room for it.

An immersive murder-mystery at the Valerie Theatre in Inverness -- you're not watching the whodunit, you're in it. (Runs Friday too, if Saturday's booked.)

Saturday-morning market in the Inverness Depot District -- produce, makers, and local goods. Show up early for the pick of it.

Saturday night all five squares fill again. DeadLanders play Lake Sumter Landing, Eighteen87 take Spanish Springs, Rocky and The Rollers are at Brownwood, the Fire Rhythms Band close out Sawgrass Grove into the evening, and The Brothers Jukebox play Eastport. Free, outdoors, and made for a crowd.

The weekend's centerpiece. Steve Earle -- three-time Grammy winner, songwriter's songwriter -- in the intimate Mount Dora Music Hall for an evening of music and the stories behind a half-century of it. The room is small and the night is built for listening; this is the one to plan around.

Sunday-afternoon orchestral pops at the Reilly Arts Center -- the music of Henry Mancini, the Pink Panther and Moon River man. Easy, gorgeous, and a fine way to spend the early afternoon before the heat peaks.

Sunday-morning market at Sunset Park in downtown Mount Dora -- a walkable, lakeside way to ease into the day.

The Reilly Arts Center runs its summer movie series Friday and Saturday -- Cars and Lilo & Stitch on the big screen, multiple showtimes. An easy, kid-friendly anchor whenever you need one.