Things to do in Tallahassee: Cool blues, hot jazz, refreshing art blows in for weekend

Hello, August, you're a hot one!

Stay hydrated and keep your cool with a dose of summer blues and jazz and the visual refreshment of First Friday art.

On Saturday, Pyramid Studios is "ready to rock" with its first PyramidPalooza, a music festival featuring Tallahassee musicians, including Pyramid’s rock band, the Electric People, as well as Brett Wellman and Rachel Hillman.

Railroad Square Arts District gets hopping from 6-9 p.m. Friday with open studios, music and a colorful vibe. Art galleries around the area are popping.

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

Opening Nights: FSU's Opening Nights director Jennifer Wright Allen is up and running

Gadsden Arts: 34th Art in Gadsden exhibition opens July 29 with 94 works by 80 artists

Concerts: Gov't Mule, Trombone Shorty and Big Freedia coming to Capital City Amphitheater

One-man band and old school blues on tap at Bradfordville Blues Club

Ben Prestage brings his front porch and backwoods one-man band to the Bradfordville Blues Club, 7152 Moses Lane, at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 5. A consummate entertainer, Prestage dazzles with his homemade cigar box guitars, broomstick bass, banjo, drums and cymbals, and myriad other instruments.

Internationally acclaimed for his fingerstyle guitar, harmonica, banjo, lap-steel, fiddle, resonator guitar, foot-drums, vocals, and award-winning original songwriting, Prestage's shows are funky, gritty, soulful and fun.

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

JW Gilmore & The Blues Authority bring their show-stopping blues to the BBC's corner stage at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 6. Gilmore blows a mean blues harp winning the Florida Harmonica Championship five times. From gut bucket blues to to raucous swing, he brings old school blues to life with energetic showmanship and storytelling. JW's five piece includes Chad Dent on guitar and harmonies, David Frank on keys, both from club favorite, Toots Lorriane & Traffic.

Advance tickets are $20 at bradfordvilleblues.com. Cover at the door is $25. Ms. Ernestine will be frying her world famous catfish and sausages both nights.

The BBC's Juke Joint Jam continues Sunday, Aug. 7, starting at 3 p.m. The jam is open to all comers at all levels and is free to participants and the public. Show up and sign up.

Tapestry Senior Living Lakeshore is supporting the August jam! Carlito’s Way Food Truck will be onsite.

Drop in for world class jazz and more at the Blue Tavern

Happy hour started from 4:30-6:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 5, with the Delta Ringnecks at Blue Tavern, 1206 N. Monroe St. Then get set for jazz and blues from 8-11 p.m. with Sulaiman Hakim Quartet.

Born and raised in L.A. and based in Paris for the past 45 years, saxophone colossus Sulaiman Hakim has performed with legendary figures from the worlds of jazz, blues, R&B, and African pop. He broke onto the scene as a member of iconic bebop drummer Max Roach's group, and since then has performed and recorded with everyone from Salif Keita and Baaba Maal to Luther Allison and Percy Sledge.

Sulaiman has been in Tallahassee for several weeks to record an album with Longineu Parsons, but he will be headed back to Paris just a couple days after his Blue Tavern show, on which he will be joined by Longineu (trumpet), Michael Bakan (percussion), and Jack Straub (bass). $10 cover.

The 1st Saturday Swim with Bluegill Bill goes from 5-7 p.m. at Blue Tavern. Sasha Tuck, Christopher Seepersaud, Joel Johnson and Paddy League play from 8-11 p.m. Saturday. Dig into a wide array of jazz arrangements by some of the finest musicians in town.

From poem to film : Philanthropist Rick Kearney signs on as 'The Man in the Mangroves' producer

Happy hour is from 5-7 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 9, featuring Angel’s Share with Claudia Edwards (fiddle & vocals) and Stephen Hodges (guitar, mandolin & vocals). Tuesday is Bluesday with Ken & Kaye is from 8-10 p.m. Ken Gemmer (guitar, vocals) and Kaye Rhinehart (upright bass, vocals) play some blues and a variety of other tunes. $3 cover.

Boss fiddle and banjo player Aisha Ivey, with some help from Carrie Hamby on accordion play from 5-7 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 10, at the tavern. Expect old-time tunes, with a few Irish and Scottish numbers. Doc Russell hosts Open Mic Night at 8 p.m.

Butch Burns, Brent Kittrell, and who knows who else will show up for happy hour with Pickfoolery from 5-7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 11, at Blue Tavern. Craig Daniel Hardin hosts Songwriters in the Round from 8-10:30 p.m. with Mimi Hearn, Madison Avery and Conor Churchill.

PyramidPalooza 2022 Music Festival gets swinging at The Moon

Pyramid Studios is thrilled to present the 1st PyramidPalooza music festival on Saturday, Aug. 6 at The Moon, 1105 E. Lafayette Street, featuring Pyramid’s rock band, Electric People, and local musicians Rachel Hillman, Brett Wellman & the Stone Cold Blues Band and RP Allen.

Doors open at 5 p.m. with an art show featuring the works of Pyramid artists statewide and a silent auction. Light refreshments will be served from 5-7 p.m. There’ll be music throughout the evening, starting with Rachel Hillman at 5, followed by Brett Wellman & the Stone Cold Blues Band and RP Allen at 6 and 6:40 respectively. The Electric People will take the stage at 7 p.m.

“PyramidPalooza is a whole new Pyramid arts experience,” said Lana Smith, executive director of the organization. “While most of Tallahassee is familiar with our plays, PyramidPalooza is designed to showcase the talents of Pyramid’s rock band, the Electric People. And with the addition of our guest musicians, this is not ‘just’ a concert, it is an inclusive community event — a music festival!”

Members of the Electric People are primed to take the stage at The Moon: “They are so excited! While the last few years have been challenging for everyone, it has been especially so for the student performers and artists,” Pyramid CEO Marilyn Yon said.

“But, true to their talents, and with the ingenuity of Pyramid’s staff, they have persevered, rehearsing and honing their skills through virtual instruction and then on-site at the program. To say they’re ready to rock is an understatement.”

Admission is $10. Tickets are available online at moonevents.com or at the door.

Pyramid Studios is a part of Pyramid, Inc., an arts-focused day training program for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities with five Florida locations. All proceeds benefit Pyramid.

Gary Farr graces the Great Oaks Pub at Southwood

Great Oaks Pub at Southwood, 3750 Grove Park Drive, is excited to have Gary Farr making a rare appearance from 7-10 p.m. Friday, Aug. 5. Farr was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer more than a year ago. Through a great team of neurosurgeons and oncologists, Farr is still with us and tickling the ivories. Farr will be playing with his blues-jazz group Al Right and the Rongs, which features Mark Blair, Perry Osborn and Randy Barnhill. Farr will be joined by Collene Nixon and special guest Matthew Creamer, who will be doing a tribute set to John Denver. No cover, full restaurant and bar. Call 850-942-4653 for reservations. Also at 6 p.m. Thursday, Aug.11, First Tee will be hosting a Bingo Night.

Drunk spelling at Fire Betty's

Fire Betty's Arcade Bar, 1122 Thomasville Road, fires up Satisfaction: The International Rolling Stones Tribute Show at 8:30 p.m. Thursday Aug. 4.  Tickets are $9.99-$19.99 via Eventbrite.

Calling all former spelling bee champions! Fire Betty's is hosting its second Drunk Spelling Bee at 8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 5. Show off your spelling skills for a shot at the $500 grand prize. The contest is free to watch, but to compete, there's a $20 entry fee. Sign ups start at 6 p.m. Friday.

Soul Candy takes the stage at Fire Betty's at 8:30 p.m. Saturday Aug. 6. Come watch Farah and her band play their groovy blend of pop, funk, soul, and jazz, everything from Stevie Wonder to Bruno Mars.

Peaches and Sunshine Music Festival at Mickee Faust Clubhouse

The 2nd Annual Peaches and Sunshine Music Festival has the vibe to bring the summer to an end from 6:30-10 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 6, at Mickee Faust Clubhouse, 609 Railroad Ave.

It’s a backyard barbeque/block party/family reunion all in one, bringing to the stage Florida/Georgia’s bright artists on the rise. This year’s roster of vocalists includes Jade Livingston, followed by Tallahassee favorite, Jhori Ahnae, The Gentleman of Soul Music, Dorian Swinton “aka” D. Swint, and closing out the festival is the incomparable Kami Hayes backed by The Soul Collective Live. Tickets are $15-$40. Visit ibmartsandentertainment.ticketspice.com.

ART EXHIBITS

LeMoyne Arts: Focused Moments and BREWtiful Designs at LeMoyne Arts, 125 N. Gadsden St., is open through Aug. 5. Hours are 11 a.m.-6 p.m., Tues – Sat. Focused Moments features photography and poetry by over 20 local and regional photographers. This exhibit highlights work by Stanley Johnson, Cynthia Rose, and Katie  Clark. BREWtiful Designs, sponsored and judged by PROOF Brewing Co., is a  can-art label competition with over 35 original concepts.

Gallery at Rio Carrabelle: Colorful art exhibition through Saturday, Aug. 13, featuring artist Josefa Benavides in the historic art venue, Rio Carrabelle in downtown Carrabelle, 102 St. James Avenue (US Hwy 98). Benavides received her fine arts degree from the Superior School of Fine Arts of Seville, Spain. The Gallery at Rio Carrabelle is also displaying the work of Joe Kotzman. Kotzman completed art studies at the American Academy of Art in Chicago, Academia Carrera in Bergamo, Italy and St. Isabel School of Fine Arts in Seville, Spain. The exhibition will finish with a closing reception, “Celebration: A Farewell Party for Josefa Benavides and Joe Kotzman,” who are moving to Chicago, on Saturday, Aug. 13 from 6-9 p.m. at Rio Carrabelle. Gallery is open from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Tuesdays - Saturdays.

Community Co-op Market: Nikki Ackerman (@artxnikki) is the inaugural artist at Community Co-op Market new rotating, community art exhibit that will feature local artists monthly. The art exhibit offers local artists a space to showcase their art to our community. Ackerman is known for her hand drawn, watercolor paintings of Tallahassee icons such as the universities, canopy roads, and “Cocktails of Tallahassee.” Ackerman will be hosting a wine and cheese reception at CCM at 5 p.m.  Aug. 4.

Camp Gordon Johnston World War II Museum: Special exhibit on Operation Torch: the Campaign in North Africa through Saturday, Sept. 3.  Operation Torch, held in November of 1942, was the first large-scale operation by the US. Although the Normandy Invasion is considered to be the iconic amphibious operation, these tactics had been put to use earlier in North Africa during Operation Torch. Camp Gordon Johnston Museum is at 1873 Hwy 98 West in Carrabelle. The museum is open 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday- Saturday.

OTHER EVENTS

Highway 85: Tallahassee band Highway 95 rocks Corner Pocket Bar & Grill, 2475 Apalachee Pkwy at 8 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 6. $5 cover.

Hot Tamale: Popular acoustic duo Hot Tamale will be entertaining at the Red Shed Barbecue, 3031 Crump Road, from 5-8 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 6. They have played 28 shows already this year, and they are living up to the joking title someone recently gave them: “World Famous in Tallahassee.”

August Sunset and Full Moon Climb: Visit Cape St. George Lighthouse on St. George Island at 8 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 11. Fifteen-minute time slots will be allotted for each group on a first come, first served basis. Purchase tickets in the gift shop. $10. The sun will set at 8:23 p.m. and the “Sturgeon” moon will rise at 8:37 p.m.

Crooked River Lighthouse: Sunset and Full Moon Climb from 8-10 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 11, in Carrabelle. Reservations for a climb timeslot are required. Guests can also visit the free Museum and browse inside the Lighthouse Gift Shop. Cost is $8 for adults and $3 for children. All climbers must be at least 44 inches tall. Contact 850-697-2732.

Bingo: The Elks Lodge, 276 Magnolia Drive, has a fundraiser Bingo on Wednesdays, 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.

Common Ground Books: Grand opening, 128 N. Bronough St. 10 a.m.- 6 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 6. Local author readings, arts market.

Do you have an event coming coming up? Send details to Limelight@tallahassee.com.

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This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Tallahassee weekend: Sulaiman Hakim blows in, PyramidPalooza rocks