Things to do in Tallahassee: Get stomping, from Soul Collective to Tallahassee Swing

Swing on through the steamy weekend, Tallahassee.

Swamp Stomp is cooking up a set of musical stew at Tallahassee Museum, Soul of a Movement belts out a civil rights message and Firewater Tent Revival cures what ails you on Sunday at the BBC. Tallahassee Swing Band celebrates its 33rd anniversary at the American Legion on Tuesday.

Several theater groups are hitting the stage with musicals this weekend, including "Heathers" and "Beauty and the Beast."

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The Mountain Goats will perform as a duo (John Darnielle and Matt Douglas) with a sound they describe as “Incantations of Jazz Bliss,” at The Moon at 8 p.m. Tuesday, July 12. They have a new LP, "Bleed Out," due out Aug. 19.

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

1. Get moving at Swamp Stomp

Catch local music under the shady trees of the Tallahassee Museum, 3945 Museum Drive, on Saturday, July 9. This year’s Swamp Stomp features Hot Tamale, Eddie Mac, Dylan “Ragpicker” Allen, Barefoot Finn, Brian Bowen, Deja Blu, Mimi Hearn, Belle & The Band, and Del Suggs.

Tickets are $12.50-$9.50 and free to members. Visit tallahasseemuseum.org.

This is a great opportunity to get outside, grab some fresh air, and relax with live music featuring folk, blues, contemporary acoustic, ballads, highlands, saltwater music, and more. Cash Bar for 21+ guests.

Swamp Stomp Line Up: 4-4:30 p.m. - Hot Tamale; 4:30-5 p.m. - Eddie Mac; 5-5:30 p.m. - Dylan “Ragpicker” Allen; 5:30-6 p.m.  -  Barefoot Finn; 6-6:30 p.m.  -  Brian Bowen; 6:30-7 p.m. -  Deja Blu;7-7:30 p.m.  -  Mimi Hearn; 7:30-8 p.m.  -  Belle & The Band; 8-8:30 p.m. - Del Suggs.

2. Tallahassee Swing Band holds 33rd anniversary dance

The Tallahassee Swing Band will celebrate its 33rd anniversary of Tuesday dances at the American Legion at Lake Ella from 7:30-10 p.m. Tuesday, July 19. $6 admission ($5 for students)

The band first began its weekly Tuesday dances at the American Legion in July 1989. The band got its start in the 1970s with the purpose of keeping alive the music of the big band era. Free dance lessons start at 6:30 p.m. One free drink ticket with each paid admission.

A few interesting facts about the band. Since July 1989:

• Performed at 1,568 Tuesday dances. At 2.5 hours per dance, that equals 14,112,000 seconds, 235,200 minutes, 3,920 hours, 163.33 days, 5.36 months, or 0.45 years.

• Played the song “Woodchoppers Ball” approximately 3,600 times.

• The American Legion bar has sold band members almost 15,680 beers and almost 1,500 whiskey shots.

3. Tune in at Blue Tavern

Delta Ringnecks crank up a stew of old time, good time music from 4:30-6:30 p.m. Friday, July 8, at Blue Tavern, 1206 N. Monroe St. From 8-11 p.m. Meabh's Mavericks, a five-member group, play old and new Celtic songs and tunes. $5 cover.

The 2nd Saturday Old Time Jam starts at 4 p.m., followed by the Reese Cloud Quartet from 8-11 p.m. This jelly-tight quartet, led by saxophonist Reese Cloud, will be performing your favorite jazz standards, arrangements and some original music. Andrew Salow is on piano, Kendrick Jacobs on bass and Nygel Anderson on drums.

Tuesday, July 12, catch happy hour with Angel's Share from 5-7 p.m. featuring Celtic music performed by Alexis Finet and Stephen Hodges. Blues Meets Girls takes the stage from 8-10 p.m. Expect all the traditional music you love with flecks of originals in concert with the old ways. $3 cover

Somethin' Sassy is back from 5-7 p.m. Wednesday for Sassy Hour. Doc Russell hosts Open Mic Night at 8 p.m.

Pickfoolery, with Butch Burns and Brent Kitrell of the Bottom Dollar Boys, entertain with bluegrass and ballads from 5-7 p.m. Thursday. Songwriters in the Round hosted by Craig Daniel Hardin picks up at 8 p.m. with Rachel Hillman, Tracy Horenbien and Domenick Yoney. $5 cover.

4. Get a dose of Firewater at the Bradfordville Blues Club

The Joe "Survival" Caruso Band bring its Sunshine Blues back to the Bradfordville Blues Club, 7152 Moses Lane, at 7:30 p.m. Friday, July 8.  Joe is a survivor from tours in Vietnam to the devastation of Katrina that wiped out Joe's house and belongings in New Orleans. Currently living in Debary, his music is infused with the spicy rhythms and blues from his New Orleans roots. Advance tickets are $20 at bradfordvilleblues.com. Cover at the door is $25.

The Good, The Bad and The Blues make their first appearance on the BBC's corner stage at 7:30 p.m. Saturday. This 4-piece from Toledo, Ohio, plays a blend of blues with a funky, soulful, greasy and Gospel flavor. What else would you expect from a band from the hometown of the Mudhens? The ensemble is fronted by Aayan Naim on guitar and vocals who grew up on Chicago's Blues Street. He's joined by B.J. Love on keys, Hollywood Mike Darby on drums, and Gordon Henry on bass. Advance tickets are $20 at bradfordvilleblues.com. Cover at the door is $25. Ms. Ernestine will be serving her famous fried catfish and sausages.

The Firewater Tent Revival brings its fire and brimstone to the BBC road house for its inaugural appearance and CD release party at 5 p.m. Sunday, July 10. The name fits them to a "T" — a high energy string band playing psychedelic bluegrass, folk-rock, punkgrass and honky-tonk. This high strung posse from Atlantic Beach consists of Dave Smith on guitar and vocals, Jon Deering on upright bass, Kris Whatley on washboard, Nigel Bedford on mandolin, Jeff Hoff on sax and harp, along with rotating revivalists to keep things even more interesting. Opening the show will be Tallahassee's own Lil' Grizzly Boogie Band with some Southern boogie. Tickets are $20 at bradfordvilleblues.com. Cover at the door is $25.

5. 'Civil Rights - Soul of a Movement' takes stage at Rickards High School

Written and performed by local artists, the musical production, "Civil Rights Soul of a Movement," takes the stage from 7-9 p.m. Saturday, July 9, at Rickards High School Auditorium.

Soul of a Movement celebrates the triumphant spirit of those who fought injustice through the music and storytelling of the civil rights era.  You will hear classics as "Respect," "A Change is Gonna Come," "The Times They Are a Changing," and "One Love."

Written by Monica Woods, it features The Soul Collective with Lili Forbes, Deanna Miller, and Vonzel Reyholds. Olusegun Williams narrates along with Woods, and the J Rive Ensemble provides the live music. Tickets are $10. Get tickets at the door or in advance at eta.ticketspice.com.

6. New Stage Theatreworks opens dark comedy classic 'Heathers the Musical'

New Stage Theatreworks – the local company pushing boundaries in Tallahassee, opens a musical version of the 1980s cult movie classic “Heathers” at 8 p.m. Friday, July 8, at Theatre Tallahassee, 1861 Thomasville Road, and running two weekends through July 17. Tickets are $18-$20.

“Heathers The Musical” is a fun comedy romp that also explores some darker, more serious issues around teenage life in high school. This musical, which played off-Broadway and London’s West End, is set in the fictional Westerberg High School, and tells the story of Veronica Sawyer, who longs to be cool like the trio of bullying “it” girls, all named Heather.

Krystof Kage, Artistic Director of New Stage Theatreworks and this show’s director, says “the anticipation of this show in Tallahassee has been palpable from the moment we announced it, and this cast brings the story to life in a fun, powerful way."

Showtime is 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday. Visit newstagetheatreworks.org.

7. Dance with 'Beauty and the Beast' at Leon High School

The cast of actors in Leon’s production of “Beauty and the Beast” numbers 47, with  behind the scenes’ crew, of close to 100. Leon High School Choral Department presents the classic "Disney’s Beauty and the Beast" at 7 p.m. Friday-Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday at Leon High School Performing Arts Theatre, 550 E. Tennessee St. And again next weekend. Tickets are $15.75. Visit leonchorus.com. 

8. 'Sugar Ray' plays in Tallahassee for one day only

"Sugar Ray," written by Laurence Holder, is coming to Tallahassee, under the direction of FAMU's Essential Theatre professor and associate director Luther D. Wells. FAMU alum, Tallahassee native, and NYC multi-award-winning actor Reginald L. Wilson will play the role of Sugar Ray as the show explores his life, including his descent into dementia.

"Sugar Ray," a one-man 90-minute production, will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday, July 9, at Lee Hall Auditorium on the campus of Florida A&M University.

Actor Reginald L. Wilson has received many accolades in his career; most recently, Broadway World Miami awarded Wilson as the best supporting actor. Even though his success and hard work can get in the way, Wilson finds time to perform in his hometown of Tallahassee. Wilson says that "he is a die-hard mama's boy, no secret to anyone. My mother was not able to make the NY production due to health issues at the time, so I've decided to bring NY to her."

Tickets are $25. Visit eventbrite.com.

EXHIBITS

Camp Gordon Johnston WWII Museum at Carrabelle Beach is hosting a special exhibit on Operation Torch opening Tuesday, July 12 through Aug. 13.  The museum and exhibit are open every Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Operation Torch (8 Nov 1942) was the first of several campaigns by the Allies in North Africa, the first large Allied invasion in which the American Military participated. It was also the first American Airborne Operation. Although the June 6, 1944 Normandy Invasion is considered to be the iconic amphibious operation, the tactics were already used in North Africa.

Nature’s Gems, exhibit at LeMoyne Arts: Final week of LeMoyne Arts’ Nature’s Gems exhibit featuring paintings of flora and fauna, showcases artwork by over 35 local and regional artists, highlighting jeweler Quincie Hamby and painters Rene Lynch and Anne Hempel at LeMoyne Arts, 125 N. Gadsden St. Tuesday - Saturday, 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.

OTHER EVENTS

Cats at "Corner Pocket": Tom & the Cats play from 8:45-midnight on Saturday, July 9, at Corner Pocket,  2475  Apalachee Pkwy. It's a dance party with all your friends in one place. $5 cover.

Hot Tamale: On Thursday, July 14,  acoustic duo Hot Tamale will be entertaining on the porch at LeMoyne Arts for the opening reception of a new exhibit of photography and poetry titled “Focused Moments.”  Hot Tamale will be playing from 5 till 7:30.

Common Taters and Turn-ups: The Great Oaks Pub at Southwood, 3750 Grove Park Drive, welcomes back the Common Taters and Turn-ups in a big show from 7-10 p.m. Friday, July 9.  When you say big show, it’s because the band has a total of 10 members, including a horn section. The Common Taters have been entertaining Tallahassee music lovers for years with an eclectic selection of styles including, roots, grass, jazz, country, blues, funk and reggae, as well as originals. Call 850-942-4635 for reservations.

Have an event coming up? Send details to limelight@tallahassee.com.

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This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: 8 things to do: Tallahassee weekend swings from soul to 'Heathers'