Things to do in Tallahassee: Choose mystery musical, 'gay' cabaret, Parrothead party

The kids are back in school and the college students will come streaming back beginning next week.

Get ready to party with the Parrotheads. Spend Saturday night in Margaritaville at the annual Parrothead Phrenzy to benefit the Alzheimer's Project.

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Then, escape to another world at the theater

Play along with Theatre Tallahassee and pick the murderer in the adaptation of Charles Dickens’ unfinished novel, "The Mystery of Edwin Drood."

After a COVID delay, it's time to say "Gay" when Mickee Faust presents "Queer As Faust XV Cabaret."

There's also music aplenty.

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

Zoo is loose, Brett Wellman is back at the Bradfordville Blues Club

It's a Zydeco throwdown when the Zoo lets loose at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 12, at the Bradfordville Blues Club, 7152 Moses Lane. No need for an introduction to Tallahassee’s iconic Zydeco troupe.

This partyin’ posse is led by Zoo keeper JB (John Babich) squeezin’ the box, Neal Goree bendin’ the strings, Keith McCraw on rubboard, Larry McCraw on the triangle, and Paul Harvey on percussion. Come on out and bring your partner or find someone on the dance floor. BBC provides the dancin’ juice, tunes and bonfire. Party hats, dancin’ shoes, parasols, hankies and beads are the attire for the night.

Advance tickets are $20 at bradfordvilleblues.com and $25 at the door.

Brett Wellman & the Stone Cold Blues Band returns for a great night of music, fried fish, and lots of dancing at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 13 Tallahassee's premier blues ensemble brings the best of Chicago, Memphis and Mississippi blues with Brett Wellman on guitar and vocals, Dangerous Dave Messler thumping the bass and vocals, Jaz Sherman holding it all together on percussion, and maybe a couple of other ad hoc Stoners.

Advance tickets are $20 on our website bradfordvilleblues.com. Cover at the door is $25. Ms. Ernestine will be frying her famous catfish next to the bonfire both days.

From Jam to Jazz, music lights up Blue Tavern

Tommy Hoople's Delta Ringnecks are on tap for happy hour at the Blue Tavern, 1206 N. Monroe St., from 4:30-6:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 12. Saylor Dollar, an Americana acoustic-rock band with Dale Dollar (guitar) and Lisa Saylor Dollar (vocals & fiddle), are back at the Blue Tavern from 8-11 p.m. $5 cover.

The 2nd Saturday Old Time Jam goes from 4-6 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 13. Fiddler extraordinaire Shanice Richards will lead this Saturday's open jam. Then Edessa takes the stage from 8-11 p.m. Edessa will be performing a ton of originals along with some “Edessafied” covers. Two special guests (Rae and Meadow) will also perform. $10 cover.

Angel's Share brings Celtic music to Blue Tavern from 5-7 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 16, with Claudia Edwards, fiddle and vocals, and Stephen Hodges, guitar, mandolin, and vocals. Tuesday is Bluesday with Jon Copps from 8-10 p.m. Copps not only knows how to channel the old country blues with vocals, harmonica, guitar, and banjo – he's also one of the best entertainers in town. $3 cover.

Isabel Ruano steps up for happy hour from 5-7 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 17. Doc Russell hosts open mic night at 8 p.m.

Pickfoolery cranks up happy hour from 5-7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 18 at the tavern. Jack Straub & the Black Light District All-Stars shine on for 3rd Thursday Jazz Session from 8-11 p.m. Come listen to some top shelf jazz as the All-Stars perform the first set, then open the floor to other performers. Hosted by Tallahassee's hardest-working bass player, Jack Straub.

Jimmy Buffett tribute band fires up Parrothead Phrenzy

The Tallahassee ParrotHead Club and Visiting Angels present the 16th Annual ParrotHead Phrenzy, a concert to benefit Alzheimer’s Project, Inc. The 2022 Phrenzy is from 6:30-11:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 13, at The Moon, 1105 E. Lafayette St. Enjoy Florida’s favorite Jimmy Buffett tribute band Jason Webb and the Caribbean Chillers, a happy hour buffet, silent auction and more. Tickets are $35. Available at tallahasseeparrotheadclub.com or at the door. You may also contact Alzheimer’s Project, Inc. at 850-386-2778 or alzheimersproject.org to learn about the local services the concert will benefit.

Whodunit? Theatre Tallahassee presents 'The Mystery of Edwin Drood'

Theatre Tallahassee, 1861 Thomasville Road, has been deep in the mind of Charles Dickens for its latest musical, "The Mystery of Edwin Drood," which runs Aug. 11-28.

It's hilarious musical whodunit with the audience choosing  the murderer in this rollicking adaptation of Dickens’ unfinished novel. Written by Rupert Holmes, the show was the first Broadway musical with multiple endings (determined by audience vote). The musical won five Tony Awards out of eleven nominations, including Best Musical.

Showtimes are 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday and again the next two weekends. Tickets are $20-$25. Visit theatretallahassee.org.

Come out to play and say 'Gay' with the Mickee Faust Cabaret

Mickee Faust, the "local community theater for the weird and queer community," presents "Queer As Faust XV Cabaret" this weekend.

After delays, threats and bouts of COVID, Mickee Faust is finally opening its 15th Queer as Faust Cabaret on Aug. 11. In this time of tense, political uncertainty, wear your mask and join us as we celebrate the lighter side of being gay!

Sing along to musical parodies like “We Don’t Talk About Homo, No, No!” Or sigh in admiration as the Gaywatch Team makes Florida safe for the weird and queer. Comic skits, clever music and some really bad jokes make for an unexpectedly fun night out.

Mickee Faust Him/Herself, the gender-fluid, foul-mouthed, rodent twin of that other mousey in Orlando has this to say: “In June Queers are busting out all over.  But in August, Mickee Faust is the only queer fun thing in town!  And here’s hoping that Tallahassee’s newest Drag Queen Rhonda Santis makes a surprise appearance!”

Shows are at 8 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday and 6 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 14, at Mickee Faust Clubhouse, 609 Railroad Square Art Park. The legendary Eclectic Acoustic start playing their eclectic selection of music at 7.  Tickets are $20-$15. $5 off on Thursday!

Buy your tickets at mickeefaust.com.

Wonderful Wednesday featuring Javacya Arts Conservatory

The Javacya Art Conservatory, a college preparatory institution that exists to provide a safe space for Blacks, Indigenous, and other people of color to take advantage of quality music education is the guest for Wonderful Wednesday from 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 17, at Good Museum and Gardens, 1600 Miccosukee Road. Tickets are $25 tickets or 2 for $40 tickets. Visit goodwoodmuseum.org.

The event will be in the Carriage House so we can continue to gather and enjoy the summer weather indoors and out with friends and family. Eat delicious food from Soulful Cafe and other food trucks while enjoying an amazing performance.

EXHIBITS

LeMoyne Arts opens new exhibit

A New Renaissance featuring Jason John & Amy Bennion opens Aug. 11. Enjoy muffins, mimosas, and live music by the Elsinore Sewing Club Quartet on the front porch of LeMoyne Arts, 125 N. Gadsden St., from 11 a.m.-noon Saturday. The exhibit showcases local and regional artists who incorporate elements of art history into their work in a contemporary way, with a focus on the Renaissance and enlightenment era. The opening reception is from 5-7:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 11. There will be an Art History Talk with Dr. Preston McLane, To Refer, Renew, and Reconcile: Classical Revivals in Contemporary Art, from 5:30-6:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 18.

OTHER EVENTS

The Great Oaks Pub: BabyGray brings rocking beat to The Great Oaks Pub at Southwood from 6-10 p.m. Friday, Aug. 12. Bobby and Michele, formerly of Southern Satisfaction, will be singing their hearts out under the oaks on the outdoor Gazebo stage Call early for reservations at 850-942-4653. No Cover, full bar and restaurant.

Tallahassee Community Friends of Old-Time Dance: Participate in contra dance sessions at the Senior Center on the 2nd and 4th Friday of each month. 7:15-10 p.m. Friday, Aug. 12. Admission is $10 for adults, $9 seniors over 50, $6 for students. Contra dancing is a beginner-friendly American folk dance for all ages.

Fusion World Dance and Music Live: A pirate adventure featuring exotic cultures performing live music and dance from 7-10 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 13, at Turner Auditorium at TCC. Join Global Music Award winner Maharajah Flamenco Trio, Matsuriza Japanese Taiko Drummers from Epcot, Omaris the Dominican Rose, Concert Pianist Vann Patacxil, Gitana de la Rosa, Dr. Haiqiong Deng, Yun Dance Group and more world class performers in FUSION 4. TIckets $50-65; visit eventbrite.com.

Fire Betty's Arcade Bar: Tobacco Rd, 8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 12, Fire Betty's, 1122 Thomasville Road.

House of Music: Jamell Richardson "The Gulf Coast Blues Boy" at 8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 12. $15 at the door. 2011 S. Monroe St. Electric Mayhem, a patriotic American 5-piece classic rock band, plays at 8 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 13. Serious dedicated musicians in the St. Marks/Tallahassee area. $10 at the door.

COMING UP

Rockin' With Spirit: 6-10 p.m. Aug. 21, Goodwood Museum & Gardens, 1600 Miccosukee Road. Benefit concert for Spirit of a Child Foundation. Confederate Railroad headlines concert featuring Jason Byrd, Tobacco Road Band. Tickets are $55. Visit spiritofachildfoundation.org.

926 Bar: Wednesday, Aug. 24 - Hotel Fiction w/ Rohana, Airport Drive & No Parts @ 926 Bar - doors @ 8 p.m. show @ 9 p.m., $12 advance, $14 day of show, all ages. Visit facebook.com.

Do you have an event coming up? Email details to limelight@tallahassee.com.

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This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Tallahassee weekend lights up with Dickens mystery, 'gay' cabaret