Things to do in Tallahassee: Rock out steamy August with six cool events
We're going to keep it short and snappy this week. The dog days of August are over, the primary is past and college football is back!
Florida State takes on Duquesne (Pittsburgh) at 5 p.m. Saturday in Doak Campbell Stadium. The FAMU Rattlers head to North Carolina to face the Tarheels at 8:15 p.m.
Here are at least six things you won't want to miss, culled from emails, the Council on Culture & Arts online listings and elsewhere.
Concert: Tallahassee Nights Live honors the past, nurtures the future with Soul Heaven concert
Jurassic Quest: Walk among dinosaurs when Jurassic Quest stomps into Tucker Civic Center this fall
1. Sundown Concert Series at Cascades
Sounds like date night. Catch sunset possibilities and live music under the stars (fingers crossed for no rain) at the lovely amphitheater in Cascades Park from 7-10 p.m. Saturday with Lil' Grizzly Boogie Band and Country Westerns.
The monthly Sundown Concert Series is presented by Tallahassee Downtown. The free concerts happen every fourth Saturday of the summer, plus three fall dates at Cascades Park. BYOB and food trucks on site. Upcoming dates include: The New 76ers with The Common 'Taters & the Turn-Ups on Sept. 17; and The Filthy Six with Tocamos Mas on Oct. 22. Stay tuned.
2. Soulful Femme and Bobby Blackmon at Bradfordville Blues Club
Soulful Femme with special guest David Julia kick off a weekend of soulful blues at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 26, at the Bradfordville Blues Club. Soulful Femme is a sultry blues, soul, funk rock and jazz duo from Pittsburgh powered by Stephanie "Stevee" Wellons high energy, dynamic vocals and Cheryl Rinovato's stellar, tasty guitar work. They'll be joined by Florida's David Julia with virtuoso guitar, bass and vocals. Advance tickets are $20 at bradfordvilleblues.com. Cover at the door is $25.
Club favorite Beautiful Bobby Blackmon & The B3 Band round out the blues soul weekend at the BBC at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 27. This 4-piece is fronted by Bobby Blackmon whose silky smooth soulful vocals and solid but understated guitar are a perfect match for the juke. Bobby’s blues are influenced by his southern Texas roots and Florida home which produce a blended style of rootsy blues, deep south soul, smooth R&B and rollicking rug-cuttin' music. He’s backed up by longtime band members Smilin’ Jack Bumgarner on vocals and keyboards and Jimmy Seay on bass. Advance tickets are $20 available at bradfordvilleblues.com. Cover at the door is $25
Ms. Ernestine will be serving her famous fried fish all weekend.
3. Celebrate fantasy at Fourth Annual CosmicCon at library
The fourth annual CosmicCon, a celebration of fantasy, comic books, graphic novels, gaming, sci-fi, artwork, and pop culture, gets popping from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 27, at the Leon County Main Library, 200 West Park Ave. Activities include local artist talks and hands-on workshops, related to this year’s theme, “Fantastic Tales.” CosmicCon programming includes:
How to Create a Mini Comic with Nathan Archer at 11 a.m. – Learn to create a comic with artist, cartoonist, and graphic designer Nathan Archer.
Screen Printing Workshop at 1 p.m. – Screen print your very own tote bag with materials provided.
Artist Q&A and activity with Lapis Lantern Studios at 1:30 p.m. – Artist Rayna Sassano, founder of Lapis Lantern Studios, will discuss her artwork and creative process. Stick around after the Q&A for a hands-on activity to create your own CosmicCon character badge. The exhibit “Illuminating Illustrations of Lapis Lantern Studio” featuring artwork by Sassano is on display at the Main Library through Sept. 13.
All library locations will be hosting activities, including free comic book giveaways, escape rooms, mini escape challenges, cosplay photo booths, unicorn slime, and mini-comic stations. There is also a CosmicCon graphic novel reading challenge throughout August. It's all presented by Leon County Government.
For a complete list of programming, visit LeonCountyLibrary.org/CosmicCon.
4. Grant Teeple Trio, Saturday Jam, World Music stay lively at Blue Tavern
The Grant Teeple Trio dishes up a blend of jazz, blues and funk from 8-11 p.m. Friday, Aug. 26, at Blue Tavern, 1206 N. Monroe St. They will be playing mostly original music, with a healthy dose of songs you know and love. The group features Grant Teeple on saxophone/guitar/vocals; Reese Cloud on bass and Carson Degner on drums. $5 cover.
Get ready for jam on Saturday Blue Tavern with the 4th Saturday Old Time Jam from 4-6 p.m. hosted by Steve Hodges. The jammin' continues from 8-11 p.m. with Frank Graham, Mark Patton & Ken Gemmer singing originals and covers you're not likely to hear anywhere else. $5 cover.
World Music Night returns from 8-10 p.m. Thursday featuring Seminole Legends and Songs with Brian Zepeda. During the academic year, the Center for Music of the Americas present its World Music First Thursdays concert series in partnership with Blue Tavern. Traditional artist and musician Brian Zepeda presents an evening of tales, songs, and artwork narrating and celebrating the complex past and vibrant present of the Seminole Tribe of Florida. $5 cover.
5. Explore Letchworth-Love Mounds during Public Archaeology Day
See archaeological work in progress at Letchworth-Love Mounds Archaeological State Park, 4500 Sunray Road South, during Archaeology Day from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 27.
Letchwork-Love Mounds Archaeological State Park includes some of the largest Native earthworks in Florida, but what do we know about the people who built them? Archaeologists are working to answer these questions about Native American cultures in Florida. Activities include a guided tour of the site, overview of an active excavation, and educational displays from local organizations including Panhandle Archaeological Society at Tallahassee (PAST). Event is included with park admission of $3 per vehicle.
6. Tallahassee Community Friends of Old-Time Dance gets moving
Tallahassee Community Friends of Old-Time Dance kicks off a new season of dancing at Tallahassee Senior Center for the Arts, 1400 N. Monroe St., from 7:15-10 p.m. Friday, Aug. 26.
The Runaway Biscuits will be playing live old-time tunes and Vicki Morrison will be calling the dances. The Community contra dances have resumed at the Senior Center on the 2nd and 4th Fridays of each month. Contra dancing is a beginner-friendly American folk dance for all ages. It shares many moves with square dancing (such as swing your partner and do-si-do) and is danced in long lines to live music.
The bands and callers vary each month. No dance experience is needed and you don’t need to bring a partner. Those new to contra dancing are encouraged to come by 7:15, when a beginner lesson will be taught. Wear comfortable clothes and flat shoes.
Admission is $10 for adults, $9 seniors over 50, $6 for students, free for kids under 12.
Admission is by cash or check at the door. Newcomers get in to your 2nd dance free.
OTHER EVENTS
The Great Oaks Pub at Southwood: The Keith Taylor Band returns from 7-10 p.m. Friday, Aug. 26, for a show at the Great Oaks Pub, 3750 Grove Park Drive. Weather permitting, they will be outside on the Gazebo. The 6-piece band showcases a variety of music genres, featuring soul, R&B, Americana and classic rock. No cover, full bar, and Chef Dustin’s treats from the kitchen. Call 850-942-4653 for reservations.
Square Mug Cafe in Railroad Square: Local acoustic duo Hot Tamale will be introducing 6 new Hot Tamale songs, along with lots of other music, both originals and covers. The show runs from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 26. Admission is free but they will be accepting tips and donations to benefit the local neighborhood food pantry.
Fire Betty's Arcade Bar: Tallahassee's favorite party band is back! The Groove Merchants return to Fire Betty's, 1122 Thomasville Road, at 8 p.m. Friday, playing dance hits from the '80s, '90s and now. Let's do the Time Warp Again! Come for a Live Screening of "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" at 8 p.m. Saturday. Audience participation is encouraged, $10 ticket includes complementary prop bag. Visit eventbrite.com.
Oyster City Brewing Company: Aaron Sorin and Tony Young of the Young Bucks will play an acoustic "happy hour" set from 6-9 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 25 at Tallahassee's Oyster City Brewing Company. They will be joined on stage by Jason Davis on percussion. OCBC is located at 603 W. Gaines St. There is no cover charge, and the event is open to all ages. For more information, call 850-629-4518.
Have an event coming up? Email details to Limelight@tallahassee.com.
Never miss a story: Subscribe to the Tallahassee Democrat using the link at the top of the page.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Things to do in Tallahassee: Rock out August with six cool events
