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

Here are a few numbers to consider from last weekend's festival of words.

Word of South's Ben Folds/Tallahassee Symphony Orchestra concert was sold-out, with 3,200 music lovers filling Adderley Amphitheater. Author Jon Meacham's talk overflowed into the hallway in the 407-seat capacity room. The Women in Jazz ballroom was similarly packed.

There were 8 venues with 52 acts and more than 64 groups/artists. Because of the sprawling nature of the festival, organizer Mark Mustian said it's hard to determine attendance, but he estimates 15,000-20,000 over the course of the weekend. Mustian is already gearing up for next year's festival, set for April 26-28, 2024.

Rose gardeners prep their entries for the Annual Thomasville Rose Festival early Friday morning, April 23, 2021.
Rose gardeners prep their entries for the Annual Thomasville Rose Festival early Friday morning, April 23, 2021.

It's another big weekend of festivals and fun with Thomasville's Rose Festival and the Shell Point Regetta. Let's get to it!

Ology festival: Ology planning first-ever Smoke Fest with special brew and barbecue

Food truck: Tallahassee food truck's arepas and patacones deliver taste of Venezuela

Art showcase: Artcase 2023 crafts creative souls and capable entrepreneurs

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

A colorful parade float from Thomasville’s Rose Parade. This year's combined parade will take place at 7 p.m. Friday, April 28, 2023.
A colorful parade float from Thomasville’s Rose Parade. This year's combined parade will take place at 7 p.m. Friday, April 28, 2023.

Rose Show and Festival celebrates sweet 102

Thomasville’s Rose Show and Festival in beautiful downtown Thomasville, Georgia, is in full flower this weekend, with events Friday and Saturday, April 28-29.

“With this being the 102nd year for Thomasville’s Rose Show, it’s always important to honor that legacy and continue to be add new elements to attract visitors to our area,” noted Bonnie Hayes, Director of Tourism Development.

The beloved traditional events of the Rose Show & Festival, including the Rose Parade (7 p.m. Friday) the Show & Shine Car & Truck Show (10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday), rose and flowers shows (Friday and Saturday) and Street Dance (8:30 p.m. Friday) will all return for this two-day event. Other ways to enjoy the rose-themed festivities include historic tours at Thomasville’s local museums and a visit to the Thomasville Rose Garden. Visit thomasvillega.com.

50th Stephen C. Smith Regatta hoists the sails

The 50th Stephen C. Smith Memorial Regatta, a benefit for the American Cancer Society, sails away this weekend, April 28-30, at Shell Point.

The Regatta includes races for yachts rated under the PHRF handicapping system, catamarans such as Hobie Cats, smaller day sailors including Sunfish, and windsurfers, the most numerous and arguably the most colorful participants in the Regatta. Races are held both Saturday (starting at 11 a.m.) and Sunday (starting at 10 a.m., only windsurfers on Sunday), with other events for sponsors, spectators, and participants on Saturday night.

The public is invited to view the races on Saturday and Sunday and get lunch at the Regatta Grille, and to participate in the auction of donated items on Sunday afternoon beginning after the trophy presentations (about 2 p.m.).

Brett Wellman & The Stone Cold Blues Band will play PyramidPalooza at American Legion Hall on Saturday, April 29, 2023.
Brett Wellman & The Stone Cold Blues Band will play PyramidPalooza at American Legion Hall on Saturday, April 29, 2023.

PyramidPalooza Music Festival plays Lake Ella

The 2nd Annual PyramidPalooza Music Festival will feature art vendors, food trucks and a jam-packed lineup from noon-3 p.m. Saturday, at the American Legion on Lake Ella, 229 Lake Ella Drive. Pyramid Studios presents the event, featuring its own The Electric People and Tallahassee musicians playing on dual stages – indoors and out!

Admission is $10 per person; $5 for kids 12 and under.  For more info or to purchase admission wristbands in advance, contact Pyramid Studios-Tallahassee at 850-513-1733 or smiles@pyramidinc.org.

Outside, festivalgoers will hear musical stylings of eclectic one-man-band Dylan “R.P.” Allen at noon and singer/songwriter Rachel Hillman at 1 p.m. Inside the hall, the lineup includes Brett Wellman & the Stone Cold Blues Band at noon and Del Suggs at 1 p.m. Then at 2 p.m. the Electric People take the stage. For those wanting to do a little shopping – or noshing.

Cosmic Cat Comics in Railroad Square
Cosmic Cat Comics in Railroad Square

Tallahassee Indie Bookstore Crawl

Join your favorite local bookstores on Independent Bookstore Day Saturday, April 29, for the Tallahassee Indie Bookstore Crawl. Participating stores include: Common Ground Books. Cosmic Cat Comics. Fat Cat Books. Fallout Comics. Lake of Fire Bookstore. Midtown Reader. My Favorite Books.

Pick up a postcard at any of the participating booksellers and gather stamps as you visit each bookstore. Once you’ve collected all of your stamps, turn your postcards in at any of the indie bookstores to be entered into a raffle for gift baskets with prizes. For store hours, visit individual store’s websites and/or social media pages.

Dylan “R.P.” Allen performs at Blue Tavern at 8 p.m. Saturday, May 2, 2023.
Dylan “R.P.” Allen performs at Blue Tavern at 8 p.m. Saturday, May 2, 2023.

Hog-eyed Man fiddles around at Blue Tavern

Everett Young kicks off happy hour with jazz piano and pop from 5-7 p.m. Friday, April 28, at Blue Tavern, 1206 N. Monroe St. Just One Sun, the band formerly known as Sasha, Seep, Brian, and Paddy, takes over at 8 p.m. $10 cover. Join the Song Circle with host Andrew Falls from 4-6 p.m. Saturday, followed at 8 p.m. by Dabbit Trio. The accoustic trio features Kendrick Jacobs on upright bass, Leslie Smith on percussion and David Rodock on guitar and vocals and covers artists such as James Taylor, the Grateful Dead and Paul Simon. $5 cover.

Paddy League brings Brazilian guitar to happy hour from 5-7 p.m. Tuesday, May 2. Dylan R.P. Allen follows at 8 p.m. with blues and originals for Tuesday is Bluesday. $5 cover. Jim Crozier plays happy hour with Wednesday Night Lab Session from 5-7 p.m. Wednesday, followed at 8 p.m. with Open Mic Night.

Hog-eyed Man, an Athens-based acoustic band comprised of fiddler Jason Cade and multi-instrumentalist Rob McMaken, play Blue Tavern on Thursday, May 4, 2023.
Hog-eyed Man, an Athens-based acoustic band comprised of fiddler Jason Cade and multi-instrumentalist Rob McMaken, play Blue Tavern on Thursday, May 4, 2023.

Brownwyn Chelette leads Bramble's Bluegrass Jam from 5-7 p.m. Thursday, May 4, followed at 8 p.m. with Music of the Spheres: Hog-eyed Man. The final concert of Spring 2023, welcomes the Athens-based acoustic band comprised of fiddler Jason Cade and multi-instrumentalist Rob McMaken. Drawing on the archaic tunes of Southern Appalachian fiddling traditions, the duo has forged a compelling and authentic style. $5 cover.

Hot ticket: Theatre Tallahassee goes 'Tik, Tik ... Boom!'

Before "Rent," there was "Tick,Tick … Boom!" Theater Tallahassee, 1861Thomasville Road, continues its run of this autobiographical musical by Jonathan Larson, the Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award–winning composer of "Rent, the story of an aspiring composer who questions his life choices on the eve of his 30th birthday. The show runs at 8 p.m. Friday, 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday with additional shows May 4-7. Most shows are sold-out! Visit theatretallahassee.org.

The Young Bucks play AC Hotel on Friday, April 28, 2023.
The Young Bucks play AC Hotel on Friday, April 28, 2023.

OTHER EVENTS

AC Hotels by Marriott at Cascades Park: Young Bucks will be making their debut at hotel's recently added live music from 6-9 p.m. Friday, April 28, performing an "unplugged" set of country and Southern rock as a trio on the outdoor patio overlooking the amphitheater. In the case of inclement weather, the music will be indoors in the AC Lounge. Tony Young will be on lead vocals, Aaron Sorin will be on acoustic guitar and vocals, and Stuart Ledbetter will be on lead and slide guitar. There is no cover charge.

The Bark: Local band showcase with Hold That Hand w/ Band of Names & Lime Company at The Bark, 507 All Saints St., Friday, April 28. Doors open at 8:30 p.m., show at 9 p.m. $8.

Great Oaks Pub at Southwood: Low Flying Planes is circling back to Southwood for an encore performance from 6:30-9:30 p.m. Friday in the outdoor gazebo under the live oaks. Their 5 piece group covers all the hits from the '50s to modern day. They have been a staple in the Tallahassee music scene for the past 30 years. The group consists of Randy Hock on lead vocals and guitar, Everett Teague guitar, Scott Johnson vocals and Drums, Trey Grauer vocals and Bass and Jim Graham on Sax. Full restaurant and bar. No cover, call 850-942- 4653 for reservations.

Jefferson Arts: "Terence S Hughes - Paintings" at Jefferson Arts Gallery, 575 W. Washington St., Monticello, opens noon-4 p.m. Saturday, April 29. Terry Hughes is best known for his portraits that hang in the FSU Law School. This exhibit shows his diversity in paintings of images from the Torah, narrative descriptions of literary masterpieces and exquisite flowers. The exhibit will continue through June 3. Visit Jeffersonartsgallery.com.

926 Bar: Sun Room w/ 0 Miles Per Hour at 926 Bar, 926 W. Tharpe St., Saturday, April 29. Doors @ 8 p.m., show @ 9 pm,  $15 advance, $18 day of show. Sunday, April 30: Trash Panda w/ No Parts & Copyright Claim. Doors @ 7 p.m., show @ 8 p.m., $12 advance, $14 day of show. Thursday, May 4: Chef Will and Tonight's Special w/ Mun Rox. Doors @ 8:30 p.m., show @ 9 p.m. $8 over 21, $10 under 21.

Tallahassee Garden Club: Spring Extravaganza, 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Saturday, April 29, hosted by the Tallahassee Garden Club at 507 N. Calhoun St.

Tallahassee Winds: The symphonic band that performs under the auspices of FSU’s College of Music, will feature works by Leonard Bernstein, Gustav Holst, and others during the last performance of its current concert season on at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 2 in Opperman Music Hall. It's free.

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Pick Top 5 events happening around Tallahassee area this weekend