Looking for fun events? Top 5 things to do in Tallahassee area

Memorial Day weekend kicks off a slower pace for summer. High school graduations have wrapped, school's out and the beach is calling.

It's also time for the annual Florida Folk Festival, a Memorial Day weekend tradition for 71 years. Head down to the Suwannee River in White Springs from May 26-28 to hear music including Jim Stafford, Billy Dean, The Lee Boys, Grant Peeples and Del Suggs.

On Saturday, the summer Downtown Concert series returns to Adderley Amphitheater. Pack a picnic and take the kids to the splash pad.

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Here's a roundup of entertaining happenings around Tallahassee, culled from emails, the Council on Culture & Arts online listings and elsewhere.

1. Florida Folk Festival fun

The Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park opens for the 71st Annual Florida Folk Festival this Memorial Day Weekend, May 26-28, on the banks of the historic Suwannee River in White Springs.

Since 1953 this event has payed tribute to Florida’s land, people, and diverse cultural heritage. Named a “Top 20 Event” in the Southeast, this festival has activities for everyone with 300 performances on multiple stages. Visitors may also participate in a jam session, take a workshop, and enjoy local eats and merchandise from various vendors.

Gates open at 8 a.m., Stages open at 10 a.m., and opening ceremonies will begin at 6:30 p.m. on Friday.

This year’s lineup includes John McEuen & the Circle Band, Jim Stafford, Billy Dean, Ben Prestage, The Lee Boys, Lili Forbes & the Funky ‘Taters, The Lubben Brothers, Remedy Tree, Grant Peeples, Shannon Smith, Allen Shadd, Jeanie Fitchen, Del Suggs, Grant Livingston, The Bullard Brothers & Friends, The Sacred Steel Summit and Hot Tamale.

Advance tickets for the Florida Folk Festival are $35 per day or $70 for the weekend for adults and $40 per day or $80 for the weekend at the gate. Children under 6 years of age are admitted free, $5 for children ages-6-16. Visit FloridaFolkFestival.com for more information. Camping and lodging are available at Suwannee River State Park and O’Leno State Park, among other off-site options.

2. All hail the Downtown Concert Series: The Hails!

Popular free summer concerts are back at Cascades Park starting with The Hails from 7-10 p.m. Saturday in Adderley Amphitheater. BYOB, picnic blanket, chairs, and friends. In addition to music, join in for pickleball, yard games and activities, Tallahassee merch for sale, and more. Talented local pop singer Sofia Camille will be the opening act.

The Hails, a rising indie-pop sensation known for captivating melodies and infectious energy, will bring their hits. This is the only free concert on their national tour.

"We are thrilled to bring this event back to Cascades Park and showcase the incredible talent that exists within our community and bring in national acts with regional ties," said Elizabeth Emmanuel, CEO, of Tallahassee Downtown. “In addition to the incredible talent that takes the stage at these events, what we love to see is our community filling the park with their friends and families. A relaxed atmosphere where you can bring your picnic blanket or your most elaborate oyster shuck."

Seasonal food trucks will include Street Chefs, Mr. V’s Finest Hot Dogs, Taqueria Miranda, Leola’s Crab Shack, La Salle St. Carnival Food, Mardi Gras Snauxballs, and drinks from local greats Poco Vino and Proof Brewing, along with the City’s Water Wagon.

The summer lineup continues: June 24 - Flip Flop Republic with Bandemic; July 22 - Lili Forbes with Soul Candy; and Aug. 26- Revival with Kids on Call Street.

3. Spotlight on Pas de Vie Ballet

Pas de Vie Ballet, under the direction of Charles Hagan and Natalia Botha, returns to Lee Hall Auditorium this Memorial Day weekend for their 35th anniversary production of the celebrated “Spotlight on Dance.”

Performances will be at 8 p.m. Saturday for Opening Night at Lee Hall Auditorium on the campus of FAMU. A matinee will be at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, May 28. In an effort to make dance accessible to all, tickets are on a sliding scale, from $25 to $10.

Through a thrilling and diverse mixed repertory program, experience the imaginative artistry and high energy of this young ballet company as they welcome you to enjoy an evening of stunning choreography. Spend a night at the ballet with Pas de Vie and be transported between worlds- from a swelteringly hot evening on the ranch to the very depths of the ocean.

For tickets and more on Pas de Vie Ballet's pay-what-you-can pricing system, visit pasdevieballet.com.

4. Visit the beach at All Saints Cinema

"Geographies of Solitude" is rolling at All Saints Cinema, 918 Railroad Ave., this weekend.

An immersion into the rich ecosystem of Sable Island, a remote sliver of land in the Northwest Atlantic, the film follows Zoe Lucas, a naturalist and environmentalist who has lived there for over 40 years collecting, cleaning and documenting marine litter that persistently washes up on the island's shores. Shot on 16mm and created using eco-friendly filmmaking techniques, "Geographies of Solitude" is a playful and reverent collaboration with the natural world filled with arresting images and made with an activist spirit.

Showtimes are 5 p.m. Saturday and 5 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $11 general admission, $9 TFS members. Visit tallahasseefilms.com.

5. Bubbling over at the Blue Tavern

Everett Young gets happy hour started from 5-7 p.m. at Blue Tavern, 1206 N. Monroe St., with jazz piano, forays into the pop world and vocals by Lori Grills. Local players Chris Seepersaud and Sasha Tuck channel the greats of jazz through vocals and guitar at 7 p.m., followed at 9 p.m. by Bubbles Brown. The singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and two-piece outfit from Chicago, takes musical influence from anywhere and everywhere, Bubbles Brown produces a hybrid sound that’s inspiring, fresh, and thoroughly compelling. Bubbles Brown evokes country and blues, with a modern, electric edge for a feeling both nostalgic and distinctly progressive. $10 for entire evening.

The Blue Tavern will be closed Saturday thru next Wednesday, May 27-31. They'll reopen at 8 p.m. June 1 with the Wasted Potential Brass Band, Atlanta's pop up party starter. Powered by tuba goodness, this brass band got its start playing on the streets of Decatur, Georgia.

OTHER EVENTS

Art Club Clothing at The Plant: A collaborative art show and pop-up show presenting work from local artists Elton Burgest and Marcus Thomas, 6- 10 p.m. Saturday, May 27, at the Plant, 517 W. Gaines St.

The Elks Lodge: Fundraiser Bingo on Wednesdays at the Elks Lodge, 276 Magnolia Drive. Doors open at 4:30 p.m.; Early Bingo at 5 p.m., and Regular Bingo at 7 p.m.. Food can be purchased from 5-6:50 p.m.

Fish Camp: Entertainment planned for Memorial Day weekend, May 26-29. Friday: Trey Grauer music live at 6 p.m. until late. Saturday: Steven Ritter 1-4 p.m.; Salty's Saltwater Cowboy Band 5- 8 p.m. Sunday Funday: Far 2 Fresh 3-6 p.m. Monday: Memorial Day Jam with Steven Ritter and friends 2-till late. Fish Camp on Lake Iamonia, 12062 Waterfront Drive.

Great Oaks Pub at Southwood: Barry Kaye and Jason Taylor duo from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Friday on the outdoor gazebo at Great Oaks Pub, 3750 Grove Park Drive. Barry and Jason will be playing classic country along with timeless pop songs for all the ages. As always we offer a full bar and restaurant. Call 850-942-4653 for reservations.

House of Music: International guitarist Stephen Esteban Williamson brings a night of hits from the '70s, '80s, and '90s to House of Music, 2011 S Monroe St., at 8 p.m. Friday. Open at 5:30 for dinner and drinks, reserve your seats. $15-20. On Saturday at 8 p.m. catch Nightshift with seasoned musicians Rick Christian, Stan Gramling and Bobby Jett. $10 at the door.

Memorial Day: Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3308 will hold a ceremony for departed comrades at 11 a.m. Monday May 29t at their cemetery on Fox Road. The Leon County Sheriff’s Color Guard and Rifle Salute Team will participate.

Have an event coming up? Email details to [email protected].

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Looking for fun events? Top 5 things to do around Tallahassee