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

October entertainment is in overload and it's homecoming at Florida State University. Strap in.

With a “Light Your Legacy” theme, festivities include alumni events, a street parade and the annual Homecoming Live pep rally, culminating with FSU’s Oct. 21 Homecoming game against Duke at 7:30 p.m. Saturday. FAMU plays at Texas Southern at 8 p.m.

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

1. Get under the stars with the Gipsy Kings

The Gipsy Kings captured the world’s imagination 25 years ago with their self-titled debut album introducing millions of listeners to an, irresistible blend of traditional flamenco styles with Western pop and Latin rhythms. In collaboration with Visit Florida, Opening Nights brings them, along with opening act The Maharajah Flamenco Trio, to town for a show at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Adderley Amphitheater in Cascades Park.

The opening act is Tallahassee's the Maharajah Flamenco Trio, a unique nuevo flamenco group that fuses the art of flamenco with jazz, classical, and world music. Tickets are $65-$30. Visit openingnights.fsu.edu.

Local act: Flamenco beats and educational treats: Tallahassee artist finds rhythms of life

2. Catch FSU Homecoming parade and pep rally

The annual Homecoming Parade, organized by the Student Alumni Association, will begin at 2 p.m. Friday with pre-parade festival with food and games at Westcott Plaza from 12-2 p.m. The parade will head north along Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, turn west along College Avenue, then south onto Copeland Street. Robert O. Lawton Distinguished Professor Maxine Montgomery will serve as grand marshal. The parade features the Marching Chiefs, FSU cheerleaders and floats made by student organizations.

Homecoming Live is a pep rally featuring multiple student-performance groups and musical artists headlined by Bryce Vine. Vine presents a genre-bending, East Coast-meets-West Coast sound. Free tickets will be available for FSU students, with general admission ticketing for the public. Doors open at 7 p.m., and performances start at 8 p.m., Tucker Center. For more information, visit homecoming.fsu.edu.

3. Spend An Evening with Shovels & Rope

Shovels & Rope, the American folk duo of Michael Trent and Cary Ann Hearst, partners in music and life, bring a stripped down show to Thomasville, Georgia, at 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 20, at Thomasville Center for the Arts, 600 E. Washington St. Married for a decade, they are parents, bandmates, and creative collaborators from Charleston, South Carolina. Their latest album "Manticore," was released in 2022 and they are also curators of the High Water Festival in Charleston. The event is 18+ to enter; 21+ to drink. Presented by Backbone Booking, tickets are $33-$38. Visit eventbrite.com.

4. Grab the keys with Bruce Katz Band

Legendary keyboardist Bruce Katz checks into BBC @ the Legion for a show at 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 20, at the American Legion Hall, 229 Lake Ella Drive. Tickets are $25 advance; 30 day of show.

Katz has released 10 CDs as a leader and has appeared on nearly 70 other CDs with the likes of John Hammond, Delbert McClinton, Ronnie Earl, Butch Trucks, Duke Robillard, Little Milton, Joe Louis Walker, David “Fathead” Newman, and many others.

5. Head to the coast for Porch Fest Apalach!

Porch Fest Apalach! brings 26 musical acts, 13 porches, and 3 stages to Apalachicola from 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 21, in downtown Apalachicola. The grassroots roaming music festival — where porches are stages, yards are venues, and good vibes rule the day is back for the fourth year, bigger and better. Visit porchfestapalach.com/

The beloved Apalachicola “Ukuliles” will begin the day at 11 a.m. at Lafayette Park. More musical acts will then spread out through town, playing on porches and stages. The grand finale this year features “The Intoxicators,” a wildly popular surf band based out of Tallahassee, with a rollicking show, ending at 7 p.m.

Bonus event: Hot Club of Cowtown

Opening Nights rounds up the Hot Club of Cowtown at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 26, at Phipps Farm. Since its beginnings in the late 1990s, the Hot Club of Cowtown’s star has had a reputation for virtuosity and unforgettable live swing and Western shows. Tickets $45. Visit openingnights.fsu.edu.

Tricks and treats: A guide to spooky Halloween events and fun fall festivals in Tallahassee area

OTHER EVENTS

Blue Tavern: Happy hour with Jack Quine, 5-7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 20, at Blue Tavern, 1206 N. Monroe St. Keyboard and vocals from a long-time Tallahassee player, followed at 8 p.m. with Connie Converse Tribute Night with Brooke Kerger and friends. 3rd Saturday Traditional Irish Session, 4-6 p.m. Saturday, followed at 8 p.m. when Jazzmatazz presents Wayne Pearcy with the High Misers Jazz Trio with Will Fulkerson (keys), Brian Hall (bass), and Michael Bakan (drums). $10 cover.

Happy hour with Mes Amis, 5-7 p.m. Tuesday, followed at 8 p.m. by Tuesday is Bluesday with Belmont & Jones. Happy hour with Kelly Goddard, 5-7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 25, followed at 8 p.m. by Open Mic Night. Happy hour with Rick Redmond, 5-7 p.m. Thursday, followed at 8 p.m. with Free Jazz Five Buck Thursday featuring the Parsons–Bakan–Hall trio. $5 cover.

Book signing: Author Marvin Cook, 1-3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 21, My Favorite Books in The Pavilions at 1410 Market Street, book signing of his first novel "Across Florida Straits," which spins a fictional story that stretches from a resort on the Caribbean shore of Cuba to Key West.

The Corner Pocket: Tom & the Cats, 8:15 p.m. Friday, Oct. 20., Homecoming Dance Party, The Corner Pocket on Apalachee Parkway. $5.

Fall into Kirtan: Tom Barnum, Adam Gaffney, and Fred Thompson join Jeffji for an evening of kirtan chanting (meditative singing), mostly in English. Donations will benefit Big Bend Continuum of Care. Saturday, Oct. 21, 7 p.m. at Abundance Wellness Center, 325 John Knox Road, Building T. Details at jeffji.com.

FAMU Homecoming activities: 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 25, Lawson Center, standup comedian Chico Bean, known for his role in season 5 of MTV’s Wild ’N Out, will deliver laughs at the Comedy Show. 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 26, Lawson Center: Homecoming Concert features a lineup of Nardo Wick, Mariah the Scientist, and Toosii.

LeMoyne Arts: Women Among Us: Portraits of Strength, Part II, Exhibit on view, 125 N. Gadsden St. through Oct 28: Tuesday - Saturday, 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. during exhibits.

Tallahassee Senior Center: Musical duo Hot Tamale will brings their upbeat acoustic show to the main stage at the Tallahassee Senior Center, 1400 N. Monroe St., for the Annual Senior Artist Showcase Reception and Awards, 6-7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 20. Refreshments and appetizers, games and door prizes.

Sarah Morrison: Local musician Sarah Morrison has just signed a record deal and has upcoming shows for "Attachment Figure," released on Oct. 13 by Ramp Local. Catch her at Real Cool Time Records on Oct. 21 and 926 Bar on Nov. 5.

926 Bar: 926 W. Tharpe St. Mon. Oct 23 - Pkew, Pkew, Pkew w/ Decent Criminal, Animal 19, Theo Butts; Tues. Oct 24 - Sunliner w/ Updog Rare Bloom, Hey Thanks!, Religious Education. Wed. Oct. 25 - mssv (Mike Baggetta, Stephen Hodges, Mike Watt) w/ Band of Names. Visit 926barandgrill.com.

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

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Top 5 things to do around Tallahassee this weekend