Looking for fun events? Top 5 things to do around Tallahassee

Hello, August. It's First Friday again and Railroad Square will be happening.

In wilting weather it's fun to anticipate a crisper fall, when the pace of entertainment picks up with events like Opening Nights, with a lineup this season including Lyle Lovett, KC and the Sunshine Band and Ukrainian quartet DakhaBrakha. Tickets, on sale for members, go on sale to the public Aug. 5.

Leon County announces the return of JJ Grey & Mofro in a concert at the Adderley Amphitheater at Cascades Park on Saturday, Oct. 19. Tickets go on sale at noon Friday, Aug. 2. Tickets are $45 for general admission, $58 for P2 Reserved Seating, and $72 for P1 Reserved Seating. Visit TheAdderleyAmphitheater.com.

Festival fans should make note of the Suwannee Roots Revival which takes place Oct.10-13 at The Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park in Live Oak. The family friendly event that takes place over 4 days and nights around campgrounds near the Suwannee River has announced its lineup.

Headliners this year include Old Crow Medicine Show and Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway. Yonder Mountain String Band returns with 4 days of longtime festival regular, Donna the Buffalo. Peter Rowan will be performing with his all- star Walls of Time Band with Don Grant Reggaebilly. Visit suwanneerootsrevival.com.

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

1. Hop aboard for First Friday fun at Railroad Square

First Friday at Railroad Square returns from 6-9 p.m. Friday, Aug. 2, at the Railroad Square Art District, still on the rebound after May storms. Peruse open galleries and creative micro-businesses, sample local food, and connect with the arts community.

From vintage clothing and antiques, to specialty stores and fine art, to authentic pinball arcade, there's something to catch your eve. Enjoy music and delicious food and beverages, from Halisi Africa, Flamingoz, Sweet Boozey Cakes, Miami Juice Bar and numerous food trucks. Wear walking shoes. Roads close by 6 p.m. to ensure pedestrian safety. After that time, park along FAMU Way or another location and walk.

2. Join Parrotheads in Paradise at The Moon

The Tallahassee Parrothead Club heads to paradise this weekend for the Parrothead Phrenzy at The Moon, 1105 E. Lafayette St. The concert to benefit Alzheimer's Project is set to open doors at 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 3, featuring Jason Webb and the Caribbean Chillers. General admission is $40. Visit moonevents.com.

It's the 18th Annual Parrothead Phrenzy to benefit Alzheimer’s Project. The Chillers' Jimmy Buffett tribute show is complemented by games, food, and drinks. The club has donated over $150,000 in 17 years.

3. Keep truckin' at Grateful Dead Night

A little bluegrass gets happy hour rolling from 5-7 p.m. Friday at Blue Tavern, 1206 N. Monroe St., with Pickfoolery. Butch Burns and other current and former members of the local bluegrass legend Bottom Dollar Boys crank up classic bluegrass and original ballads.

Stick around for a party when Lee C. Payton brings the heat for the Umpteenth Annual Jerry Garcia Birthday Bash Grateful Dead Night at Blue Tavern from 8-11 p.m. LCP plays the best in rock 'n' roll, roots and originals with a 4-member band that’s as hot as Tallahassee in the summertime. $10 cover.

1st Saturday "Swim" with Bluegill Bill features guest Doc Russell, singer guitarist and host of Open Mic Night at 5 p.m. Brett Eugene and the band is back at Blue Tavern from 8-11 p.m. with an “unplugged” style performance. Expect to hear Americana, Indy/Alt Rock, and Pop stylings. $10 cover.

4. Go multi-media with Hot Tamale at Cap City Video Lounge

For many years, local acoustic duo Hot Tamale has been producing multi-media videos to accompany some of their original songs, and they will be exhibiting the best of their “art videos” this weekend. The two-day exhibition of "Multi-media Art Videos" will be presented from 3-5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 3-4, at the Cap City Video Lounge in Railroad Square. They will be showing a series of artistically crafted short music videos based on original Hot Tamale songs.  Suggested donation is $5.

Luckily for the community, the Cap City Video Lounge in Railroad Square was undamaged in the recent tornado, and they continue offering this colorful, counter-culture venue for film screenings with great sound and video quality, comfortable seating, an inviting snack bar, and powerful air conditioning.

5. Catch a purr-fect fundraiser with Cat Video Fest

Tallahassee Film Society is rolling with "Cat Video Fest 2024," a compilation reel of the latest and best cat videos culled from countless hours of unique submissions and sourced animations, music videos, and classic internet powerhouses. It will be screened at the Challenger Center IMAX Theater at 3 p.m. Saturday and 5 p.m. Sunday.

It's the purrr-fect way to celebrate our favorite four-legged feline friends while raising money for local cats in need. Proceeds from the 70-minute film will to be shared with the Tallahassee nonprofit group "It's Meow or Never." With "cat ladies" in the news the timing is also purr-fect. Visit catvideofest.com.

Tickets are $11 for general admission, $9 for students and TFS members with valid IDs. Tickets can be purchased with credit cards. Purchase tickets in advance at tallahasseefilms.com.

Bonus event: Free program explores Tallahassee’s railroad history

Florida’s very first railroad was chartered and built in Tallahassee, and an illustrated lecture Thursday, Aug. 8, will trace this and other aspects of railroad history and its impact on the community from pioneer days to the present. The free program, presented at the IMAX Theater at the Challenger Learning Center downtown, is sponsored by the Gulf Wind Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society, the Tallahassee Film Society, and Visit Tallahassee. It is part of the city’s Bicentennial celebration.

The guest speaker is Gulf Wind Chapter member Richard C. Hall, Ph.D., a noted historian, author and Professor Emeritus of History at Georgia Southwestern State University. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., with various railroad artifacts and memorabilia on display. The lecture begins at 7 p.m. For more information, visit gulfwindnrhs.org.

Bonus event: Thursday Night concert

It's easy to remember Thursday night concerts with the Thursday Night Music Club. The popular Tallahassee big band jazz orchestra will present its 16th annual Jazz Showcase concert in Ruby Diamond Concert Hall at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 8. Tickets are $15 and available at thursdaynightmusicclub.org or at the door.

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OTHER EVENTS

American Legion Hall: The RockitZ, a 12-member rock and show band covering classic rock, soul and R&B, plays the American Legion, 229 Lake Ella Drive, at 7 p.m. Friday. Doors open at 6 p.m. Tickets are $15.

Blue Tavern: Elizabeth Fravel blends folk, blues and bluegrass for happy hour from 5-7 p.m. Tuesday at Blue Tavern, 1205 N. Monroe St., followed at 8 p.m. by Bluesday Tuesday with Land of the Giant, featuring Donny Shrum & Michel Herbert. $5 cover. David Pucik plays happy hour from 5-7 p.m. Wednesday, followed at 8 p.m. by Open Mic Night. Kelly Goddard brightens happy hour from 5-7 p.m. Thursday, followed at 8 p.m. by Free Jazz Five Buck Thursday with Longineu Parsons, Brian Hall, and Michael Bakan.

Great Oaks Pub at Southwood: "When you want that beat, to stomp your feet, like the folks down on Bourbon St.,” who you gonna call? JB Babich, that’s who! Babich brings the Mardi Gras party to Great Oaks Pub, 3750 Grove Park Drive, from 6:30-9:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 2. No cover, full restaurant and bar. Call 850-942-4653.

Oyster City Brewing Company: International Beer Day Celebration and National Oyster Day (a little early), 5 p.m. Friday, Aug. 2, 603 W. Gaines St., with The Elements Band from 7-10 p.m. Osceola Oyster Company brings the fresh oysters.

The Sound Bar: The open Blues Jam is up and running at the Sound Bar, 1105 W. Tharpe St., for Thursdays, including Aug. 1, followed by Open Mic Night. Red Hills Roundup with Once Great Estate, Dave Pucik and The Dullards on deck at 8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 2. $10 cover. Ellen Fish takes the stage at 8 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 3. $5 cover. Street Preacher plays from 8-11 p.m. Sunday. $10 Cover. Visit thesoundbartallahassee.com.

The Wine House: Corine Samwel and Douce Ambiance will be performing at The Wine House on Market Street from 7-10 p.m. Friday, Aug. 2. This will be an evening of European art songs, standard jazz songs, and Gypsy Jazz instrumentals in a warm ambiance with good food and drinks! Think Edith Piaf, Jacques Brel, Marlene Dietrich. Be transported to Paris, Berlin, Brussels, and Amsterdam, as well as be entertained by Django Rhinehart inspired instrumentals. Cover $10.

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

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Top 5 fun things to do around Tallahassee this weekend