Looking for fun events? Top 5 things to do around Tallahassee this weekend
It's nearly the end of the dog days of summer, school is back, and it's a great time to catch a shooting star. "We are stardust, we are golden," as Joni Mitchell put it.
If you can brave the mosquitoes and the humidity you might catch a dazzling glimpse of the Perseid meteor shower, which peaks this weekend, Aug. 12-13 in the pre-dawn hours. If the skies remain clear, it should be a good year for the show because the moon will only be 10% illuminated, according to space.com.
Look to the north, and if you're lucky, you can see up to 100 meteors per hour during the Perseid's peak, according to NASA. Here's another tip: Get to a Florida state park where the lights are low and the skies wide open. One of the best is Dr. Julian G. Bruce St. George Island State Park, where there is a specialized platform built specifically for stargazing.
Here's a roundup of entertaining happenings around Tallahassee, culled from emails, the Council on Culture & Arts online listings and elsewhere.
The Sky Guy: Perseid showers shine in August, partial solar eclipses coming up | The Sky Guy
Tips for viewing: The Perseid meteor shower: A visual guide on where, when and how to see it
1. Double dose of blues at BBC @ the Legion
It's back to back blues this weekend for Mac Daddy Blues Productions with Packrat's Men of the Swamp on Friday and Big Al and the Heavyweights on Saturday at the American Legion Hall.
Based out of New Smyrna Beach, Packrat's is a National Recording blues band led by Anthony “Pack Rat” Thompson with a driving style of Florida Swamp Blues. "Hammercy!" Packrat's Men of the Swamp takes the stage from 8-11 pm. Friday at Saul-Bridges Post 13, 229 Lake Ella Drive. Tickets are $25 advance, $30 day of show. Visit bbclegion.com.
Come on everybody, Big Al and the Heavyweights band’s seventh recording of original roots music is titled "Love One Another." Catch the groove at BBC @ the Legion from 8-11 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 12. Big Al has formed a solid array of musicians including Louisiana Music Hall of Fame piano/vocalist, Wayne Lohr, critically acclaimed guitarist vocalist, Marcel Anton and bassist vocalist, Mark Parsons. Tickets are $25 advance, $30 day of show. Visit bbclegion.com.
2. A little more jazz at B Sharps
The little jazz club that could is making another go of it, as B Sharps: A Listening Room, 648 W. Brevard St., presents the "Brothers in Sound" at 3 p.m. Sunday in preparation for the recording of their new release. B Sharps owners Clarence and Jerri Seay are excited to hear these young men — Chris Minami, guitar; Jack Straub, bass; and Jianni Lazaga, trumpet — as they make their way to the world of professional jazz. Advance tickets are $15, plus a $5 membership fee. Visit gerriseayventures.ticketspice.com.
3. Gareth Pearson gets picking at House of Music
House of Music, 2022 S. Monroe St., has a rockin' weekend with The Mae West Band playing a free show of classic and southern rock at 8 p.m. Friday and guitar whiz Gareth Pearson making sparks at 8 p.m. Saturday.
Pearson, called the “The Welsh Tornado” for his fingerstyle pyrotechnics, has special guest David Paul Zimmer opening the show. Pearson, who is from South Wales, has been called one of the most exciting acoustic musicians gigging today, with a distinctive style.
Drawing on influences such as Chet Atkins, Merle Travis, Jerry Reed and Tommy Emmanuel, he has developed a style that is both inspiring and entertaining. He has performed and toured alongside Ray Davies (The Kinks), John Renbourne, and Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes. General admission tickets are $18 in advance and $20 at the door. Reserved seats are $25. Visit houseofmusictally.com.
4. Pyramid Players bring 'Pirates' back to The Moon
After a three-year hiatus, The Pyramid Players is set to take the stage at 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 12, at The Moon, 1105 E. Lafayette St., to present the original swashbuckling musical comedy "Pirates of Devil Island." The evening begins at 5 p.m. with an art show and sale of art created by Pyramid students state-wide, a silent auction and hors d’oeuvres.
The Players’ annual performance is the crown jewel of Pyramid’s unique visual and performing arts program. The performers are adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities and on stage and on canvas, their abilities shine through. Co-written by Pyramid Studios' playwriting class, this is The Pyramid Players’ 19th Annual performance. “We are just thrilled to be back at The Moon,” said Pyramid Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder Marilyn Yon.
Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at Pyramid Studios, 1910 Commonwealth Lane, online at moonevents.com (fees apply) or at the door. Contact Pyramid Studios at 850-513-1733.
5. Illusionist makes magic at TCC
World-renowned illusionist Daniel Rose, the "David Copperfield of Europe," graces the stage at TCC Turner Auditorium for an evening of magic, music, and dance at 6 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 12. Presented by Firestorm Productions and Embrace World Cultures, tickets are $35-$95. Visit Danielrose.eventbrite.com. For the very first time in America, Sweden's Got Talent Winner, Daniel Rose, brings his breathtaking act as the "One and Only Starcatcher" production. He's joined by an all-star cast of performers, each a virtuoso in their own right.
Bonus event: Cat Video Fest at All Saints Cinema
Calling all cat lovers. Tallahassee Film Society is holding over "Cat Video Fest 2023" for a screening at 2 p.m. Sunday at All Saints Cinema, 918 1/2 Railroad Ave. Presented in partnership with Feline Advocates of Leon County (FALC), "Cat Video Fest 2023" is a compilation of the newest and best cat videos selected from innumerable hours of unique performances and animations, music videos and internet classics. A portion of the proceeds will benefit FALC. Tickets are $11 general admission; $9 members. All ticket sales are final and non-refundable. Visit tallahasseefilms.com.
OTHER EVENTS
Artists Helping Artists Gallery: Gallery at 307 North Main St., Havana, will be open every Saturday from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. with over 20 artists producing original works of art at affordable prices.
Blue Tavern: Everett Young plays piano jazz for happy hour from 5-7 p.m. Friday at Blue Tavern, 1206 N. Monroe St., Songwriters in the Round with Craig Daniel Hardin follows at 8 p.m. with Elizabeth Fravel, Jen Clark and Gillian Canning. Each 2nd Friday of the month, the tavern features Tallahassee's songwriters. $5 cover. The 2nd Saturday Old Time Jam runs 4-7 p.m., followed at 8 p.m. by White Raven, made up of Bronwyn Chelette, Rosalee Walsh and Steve Hodges. $10 cover. Boleros happy hour with Isabel Ruano, 5-7 p.m. Tuesday, followed at 8 p.m. with Corey Hall for Tuesday is Bluesday. Corey Hall weaves together early blues and old-time with his own songs. $5 cover. Grant Peeples kicks up happy hour from 5-7 p.m. Wednesday, followed at 8 p.m. by Open Mic Night with Doc Russell. Conor Churchill plays happy hour from 5-7 p.m. Thursday, followed at 8 p.m. by 3rd Thursday Jazz Session, hosed by Jack Straub and the Black Light District Allstars.
Downtown Market: Hot Tamale, will return to the Downtown Market on Park Avenue from 10-1:30 p.m. Saturday. Shakers for kids, free CDs, and smiles all around.
Great Oaks Pub at Southwood: BabyGray returns to play at Great Oaks Pub, 3750 Grove Park Drive, from 6:30-9:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 11. The multi-talented group of Bobby Kennedy and Michelle Milligan is a top draw, with music spanning the decade. Kennedy was the former front man for Southern Satisfaction and has played the Grand Ole Opry. Public welcome, no cover. Call 942-4653 to reserve.
LeMoyne Arts: Newest exhibit opening with reception from 5-7:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 10, 5-7:30. "Abstracto: Land of Dreams," features painter Leslie Anderson, along with other local and regional artists. This an exhibit is full of rich color, texture, and dreamy imagery. Enjoy delicious food by Chicken Salad Chick, craft beer by DEEP Brewing, and music by local band Quanta!
Tallahassee Hispanic Theater: 6th Annual Micro Theater Festival at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Aug. 11-12 at Goodwood Museum and Gardens, 1600 Miccosukee Road. Audiences will be treated to five new Hispanic short plays, live music, Hispanic food and drinks. Tickets are $18-$25. Visit Tallahasseehispanictheater.org.
Health Fair: Women On A Mission of Trust God’s Ministries is sponsoring a free health and wellness forum from noon-2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 12 at New Bethel AME Church, 23209 Blue Star Memorial Highway, Quincy. There will be free health checks, giveaways, food and more.
Have an event coming up? Email details to limelight@tallahassee.com.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Top 5 things to do in Tallahassee, plus Perseid meteors this weekend
