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

Say goodbye to September, hello to October and all the pumpkin-spiced fun that comes with it.

The Tallahassee Symphony Orchestra makes magic with Harry Potter on Saturday and Florida State's Opening Nights festival kicks off with Mary Chapin Carpenter and Shawn Colvin on Sunday. It's kids' night out Saturday when the city rolls the "Super Mario Bros. Movie" at Cascades Park.

There's more time to play with FSU on a bye week and FAMU away at Mississippi Valley State for a 7 p.m. game.

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

1. Carpenter and Colvin open for FSU's Opening Nights

Mary Chapin Carpenter and Shawn Colvin open Florida State's Opening Nights festival with a musical kiss at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 1, in Ruby Diamond Concert Hall. A few tickets are left at $45-$60. Visit openingnights.fsu.edu.

Mary Chapin Carpenter is a five-time Grammy Award-winning artist of contemporary folk and country music. Carpenter has produced numerous chart-topping hits, including "Passionate Kisses," "He Thinks He'll Keep Her," and "Shut Up and Kiss Me." Her distinctive sound and storytelling abilities have earned her critical acclaim and a devoted fan base.

Shawn Colvin is a Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter known for the chart-topping hit "Sunny Came Home" and the Grammy-winning album "A Few Small Repairs." Her unique blend of folk, rock, and pop influences continues to resonate with listeners around the globe.

Opening Nights keeps the action going with Ranky Tanky at 7:30 p.m. Thursday in Opperman Music Hall. Tickets are $40. This two-time Grammy Award-winning, South Carolina-based quintet performs timeless music born from the Gullah culture of the southeastern Sea Islands. Their debut album soared to the No. 1 position on the Billboard, Amazon, and iTunes Jazz Charts. Playful game songs, ecstatic shouts, and heartbreaking spirituals can be found on their latest release "Good Time," which offers the group’s first original songs inspired by Gullah tradition.

2. Tallahassee Symphony raises baton for Harry Potter

Expelliarmus! The magic is almost here. Tallahassee Symphony Orchestra will perform for "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone" in two concerts at 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 30, and 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 1, at the Tucker Civic Center as part of the Harry Potter Film Concert Series.

The Tallahassee Symphony Orchestra will performing John Williams score live and audiences will be able to relive the magic of the film in high-definition on a 40-foot screen. The event is sponsored by First Commerce Credit Union. Available tickets, $80, can be purchased online at tuckerciviccenter.com.

3. Be crabby at Panacea Blue Crab Festival

Get ready for seafood feasting and an all-day music lineup at the 46th Annual Panacea Blue Crab Festival on Saturday, Sept. 30, in Woolley Park on Dickerson Bay in Panacea. Gates open at 10 a.m. and the fun starts with a parade on the Coastal Highway. Admission is $2. Country music artist, Jason Byrd, takes the stage at 7 p.m.

Vendors will be offering blue crabs and other goodies, there will be a mullet toss at noon and a crab picking contest at 1:45 p.m. The festival has a full day of live music and entertainment from local talents to crowd favorites, capped off with fireworks at 8 p.m.

4. Free admission and a Night Prowl at Tallahassee Museum

Get a look at the dingoes, the guest animals at the Tallahassee Museum on free admission day Saturday. The Tallahassee Museum, 3945 Museum Drive, recently achieved accreditation by the American Alliance of Museums, the highest national recognition afforded the nation’s museums. To honor and thank loyal members and donors, the Museum has planned several celebratory events and discounted opportunities.

Free admission day at the museum Sept. 30, includes a noon Otter Encounter at the Otter Exhibit and 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m., and 3:30 p.m. Education Animal Encounters at the Snake Exhibit. $10 off Friends and Family Membership for NEW Members until Sept. 30 and BOGO on Tree to Tree Adventures for general public and members.

Take a guided tour of night life at the Tallahassee Museum as an educator points out nocturnal animals who call the Museum home. With advanced tickets, adventure seekers can take The Night Prowl from 8-9:30 p.m. Sept. 30. Tickets are $16 for nonmembers and $14 for members member. Visit tallahasseemuseum.org.

5. Jose Ramirez fires up the blues at American Legion

Latin America’s rising blues artist Jose Ramirez checks in for a show from 8-11 p.m. Friday, Sept. 29, at BBC @ the Legion, Saul-Bridges Post, 229 Lake Ella Drive. Presented by Mac Daddy Blues Productions, tickets are $25 advance, $30 day of show. Visit bbclegion.com.

Ramirez, 34, is Latin America’s No. 1 blues artist and has played with some of the biggest names in the blues industry, includinge Buddy Guy, Kingfish, Janiva Magness, James Armstrong and Anson Funderburgh. Ramirez recently signed a contract with blues label Delmark Records in Chicago for the release of his second studio album. “Major League Blues” was released March 4, 2022.

Bonus event: Silent Film Day at All Saints Cinema

Catch the largest cinematic pie fight in "Battle of the Century" this weekend when the Tallahassee Film Society presents a dozen 1927 restored Laurel and Hardy films to celebrate Silent Film Day, which is Friday. Tickets are $9 for members, $11 for non-members. Visit tallahasseefilms.com.

The films from the 1920s will screen at All Saints Cinema, 918 Railroad Ave., with a slate of 6 films with total run time of about 105 minutes starting at 7 p.m. Saturday. At 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 1, the slate of 6 films will have a run time of about 100 minutes. Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy first appeared on film together in 1921. The two would formally team up in 1927 and found success by following a simple comic formula that displayed their hilariously ambitious and anarchic qualities.

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OTHER EVENTS

The Artist Workshop: "Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind" (30 plays in 60 minutes) will be performed at 926 Bar & Grill, 926 W. Tharpe St., for one weekend. Sept. 29-Oct. 1. Performances will be at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday with the Sunday Funday show at 2 p.m. Created and compiled by Greg Allen, the production is billed as “an ever-changing attempt to perform 30 plays in 60 minutes.” The Artist’s Workshop has taken this a step further by utilizing multiple local directors and different sets of actors to bring the 30 plays to life. Tickets are $10. Visit theartistsworkshop.org.

Blue Tavern: Happy hour with jazz from Sammy Hanson, 5-7 p.m. Friday, followed at 8 p.m. by Hominy Branch. Michael Lagasse (you know him from Gainesville band Wild Shiners, who always kick it here) is back with a new combo. $5 cover. Song circle with Pineapple Tuesday from 4-6 p.m. Saturday, followed at 8 p.m. by Jazzmatazz presents Jo?l Johnson with open jam at 9 p.m. $10. First Sunday of the Month Juke Join Jam @ The Tavern, 3-6 p.m., hosted by JC & The Backscratchers. Happy hour with Mes Amis, 5-7 p.m. Tuesday, followed at 8 p.m. by Tuesday is Bluesday with Corey Hall. $5. Happy hour with Jim Crozier, 5-7 p.m. Wednesday, followed at 8 p.m. by Open Mic Night. Bramble's Bluegrass Jam, 5-7 p.m. Thursday, followed at 8 p.m. by Music of the Spheres. $5. 1206 N. Monroe St.

Camp Gordon Johnston: A month-long exhibit on U.S. Women in WWII will open Tuesday, Oct. 3, and will be on display at the museum until Saturday, October 28.  The museum is open every Tuesday through Saturday from 11 am to 5 pm. Camp Gordon Johnston WWII Museum is in Carrabelle, across from Carrabelle Public Beach Park at 1873 Hwy 98 West. For more information, contact the museum at 850-697-8575.

Carrabelle History Museum: Special exhibit about innovations and adaptations that impacted life in Carrabelle over the years. This exhibit will be on display from Wednesday, Oct. 4, through Sunday, Oct. 29. The museum and exhibit are open Wednesdays 12-5 pm, Thursdays through Saturdays 10 am-5 pm and Sundays 12-5 pm. Carrabelle History Museum is located one block from the Carrabelle harbor, at 106 SE Avenue B.

Great Oaks Pub at Southwood: Finn and the Kingsnakes play the Great Oaks Pub at Southwood, 3750 Grove Park Drive, from 6:30-9:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 29. This five-piece group features two female singers, and multi-part harmony. Their song list covers the best of the '60s and '70s. No Cover, public welcome. Call 850-942-4653 for reservations.

House of Music: Subliminal Doubt, a central Florida based tribute to No Doubt, showcases Monica as Gwen Stefani backed by an exciting lineup of players at 8 p.m. Friday. Tickets $12-$20. The Rhythm Remedy takes the stage at 8 p.m. Saturday, featuring notables from Acme R&B, Crooked Shooz, Tallahassee Swing, Roadhouse, Deja Blu and others. $10 cover. 2011 S. Monroe St.

LeMoyne Arts: Women Among us exhibit, Muffins & Mimosas, 11 a.m.-noon, Saturday, Sept. 30. Grab a baked good by Uptown Café, a refreshing mimosa, and view the latest collection of the Women Among Us: Portraits of Strength series.?

Movies in the Moonlight: Get a plumb-tastic evening with the City of Tallahassee for Movies in the Moonlight - Super Mario style at 8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 30, at Cascades Park for a free showing of "The Super Mario Bros. Movie." The excitement kicks off at 6 p.m. in the Adderley Amphitheater with an array of Mario-themed family fun! Channel your inner hero or villain and dress as your favorite Mario character for a chance to snag a free popsicle (while supplies last). Enjoy a number of fun activities for all ages, including crafts and relay games.

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

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