Live music in Ocala, FL

Discover the health benefits of meditative drumming in a welcoming, hands-on session. A selection of drums will be available so you can try different sounds and see what resonates. Those who already have a drum may bring it for a blessing or to receive guidance on using it. Drumming engages the whole body and may naturally support stress and anxiety relief. Please listen to your body and consult your doctor before starting any activity that could cause injury. The fee is $20 per class.

This guided drumming circle at Your Phoenix is Rising uses rhythm to ease stress, restore balance, and help participants connect with their inner beat. Open to beginners and seasoned drummers alike, the session fosters healing, creativity, and a strong sense of community through shared music-making and self-expression. Skilled facilitators lead the group in exploring the restorative qualities of sound and connection, offering steady guidance as the rhythms support a clearer mind, lifted spirit, and emotional well-being. Expect an inviting atmosphere where the pulse of the drums encourages relaxation and a renewed feeling of vitality and peace. Bring curiosity, energy, and a desire to heal, and let the rhythm lead the way.

Chuck Owen and the Jazz Surge brings its acclaimed 19-piece big band to the Reilly Arts Center for a milestone stop on its first central Florida tour in more than three years, marking the ensemble’s 30th anniversary. With seven Grammy nominations and recognition from New York Music Daily as one of the nation’s standout large jazz ensembles, the band has earned praise from critics in more than 30 countries. The group unveils new compositions and fresh arrangements that reflect Chuck’s jazz foundation blended with American folk, roots, rock, and contemporary classical influences. The Florida-based ensemble includes artists from across the country, with New York violinist Sara Caswell playing a prominent role in the group’s vivid sound. Special guests on the tour include trumpet great Randy Brecker, NEA Jazz Master and three-time Grammy winner Terri Lyne Carrington, vibraphonist Warren Wolf, Grammy-nominated vocalist Kate McGarry, and local favorite Alison Nash. After the tour, the band moves directly into the studio to record its eighth album.

This program offers a reflective, richly layered journey through the American choral tradition, exploring how landscape, community, faith, and longing have shaped a shared musical voice. It brings together works by Aaron Copland, Randall Thompson, Eric Whitacre, Stephen Paulus, and Stephen Foster, portraying the nation as a tapestry of many voices, from simple candor to sweeping breadth, from close-knit feeling to expansive reach. Grounded in folk melody, hymn tradition, and contemporary lyricism, the music invites listeners to hear America as a living sound shaped by those who sing it.