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

Familiar landmarks are fun to spot on the big screen. You'll recognize the charming downtown of our Thomasville, Georgia, neighbor in "Sam & Kate," released in November and now streaming on Hulu. The movie was filmed on location in February 2022, with several sightings of Academy Award-winning actors Dustin Hoffman, Sissy Spacek and Amy Adams reported by locals.

The unassuming family story of love and loss is all the sweeter with the stars' real-life children, Jake Hoffman and Schuyler Fisk playing their movie children.

The heat is still on for the weekend, but keep your cool with a rockin' benefit concert, blues at the Legion, and "Rent."

Coming up: Opening Nights tickets are on sale for members through Aug. 24 and open for the general public on Aug. 28. Visit openingnights.fsu.edu.

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

1. 10th Annual Rockin’ with Spirit Benefit Concert

Rockin’ with Spirit benefit concert, the Spirit of a Child Foundation’s main fundraising event, celebrates its 10th year with a concert at 7 p.m. Saturday at Goodwood Museum & Gardens, 1600 Miccosukee Road. The event showcases nationally known and local musicians and performers. Tickets are $50.

This year's headliner, Country singer Callista Clark, 19, has a lot to say and she puts her creative gifts and heart on display in her full-length debut album "Real to Me: The Way I Feel." (Big Machine Records). The Georgia native is part of Opry NextStage’s class of 2022. The 2021 iHeartCountry On The Verge Artist has been featured two years in a row on Billboard’s annual “21 Under 21” list and was the youngest member ever named to CMT’s Next Women of Country in the 2022 class.

Opening act, Tallahassee powerhouse Revival the takes to the stage with the incomparable Avis Berry’s dynamic voice and stage presence. The Tallahassee’s bands stellar ensemble of local musicians includes Jeff Davis on bass, Dillon Bradley-Brown on drums, Chris Skene on guitar and vocals, John “JB” Babich on piano and vocals, and Paul M Harvey on percussion and vocals. They revive old rock ‘n’ roll, blues, soul, gospel, rock and jazzy influences created in their own inimitable style. For tickets, visit spiritofachildfoundation.org.

2. USA Dance steps up the ballroom competition

Ballroom dancing in Tallahassee is alive, strong, and well with a range of genres, from waltz or foxtrot to Latin, social/nightclub and country western. The USA Dance Tallahassee Chapter 6010 is bringing all genres of dance together in the 3rd Annual FL Sunshine Dance, Symposium, and Challenge Competition this weekend.

The event will be held at the Tallahassee Senior Center, with the largest wood dance floor in town. Activities will kick off Friday, Aug.18, with a celebratory social dance including: a champagne toast, boxed catered dinner, playlist music, and pro showcase performance from world-class dancers.

Saturday is when things really get hot on the dance floor with Am/Am, Pro/Am, and Teacher/Student Competition featuring International Standard & Latin, American Smooth & Rhythm, and Social/Nightclub dance styles. Spectators can support fellow dancers or join a social dance featuring a catered dinner from Bella Bella, dancing (or listening) to sounds of the Tallahassee Swing Band, and another world-class pro showcase.

Always wanted to learn how to dance (or to dance better)? Thought you needed a partner? (You don't.) Take a leap into the dance world with beginner group lessons or private coaching sessions from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 20. Tickets are: Full Weekend - $179; Competition Spectator - $10; Evening Social Dances - $100; Dance Camp/Workshop - $80. Learn more about the weekend at usadance6010.org.

3. Make the 'Rent' with Theatre Tallahassee

Theatre Tallahassee, 1861 Thomasville Road, presents its Mainstage Musical production of "Rent," with Book, Music and Lyrics by Jonathan Larson and Musical Arrangements by Steve Skinner, Aug. 17-Sept. 3.

Based loosely on Puccini’s "La Boheme," Jonathan Larson’s "Rent" follows a year in the life of a group of impoverished young artists and musicians struggling to survive and create in New York’s Lower East Side, under the shadow of HIV/AIDS. The physical and emotional complications of the disease pervade the lives of Roger, Mimi, Tom and Angel. Strong adult language, adult themes; depictions of substance abuse, homelessness; mentions of suicide, self-harm, homophobia, AIDS.

Tickets are $15-$25. Showtimes are 8 p.m. Aug. 17-19 and 2 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 20. With more shows through Sept 3. Visit theatretallahassee.org.

4. Get Reckless at Blue Tavern

Blue Tavern, 1206 N. Monroe St., cranks up the action this weekend with Fort Myers duo Reckless Saints. It all starts with Everett Young bringing piano jazz to happy hour from 5-6 p.m. Friday. Then it's a double header with Introspecta at 7 p.m. and Reckless Saints revving it up at 9 p.m.

Introspecta is a local trio playing indie folk: DK Issitt on upright bass and guitar, Brooke Kerger on guitar and vocals; and Cici on drums, background vocals, and uke bass. Originals by DK and Brooke.

Roy Schneider and Kim Mayfield are the core duo and songwriters of Reckless Saints. Partners in music and love since 2003, they began recording and touring five years later. “Blue Twangled Folk 'n' Roll' is the answer Roy provided to the question "What kind of music do you play?" The Fort Myers based duo decided to use his answer as the album title for their new release, while also adopting the title of their 2018 release 'Reckless Saints' as their new band moniker. $10 cover.

The 3rd Saturday Traditional Irish session runs from 4-7 p.m, followed at 8 p.m. by Jazzmatazz with Michael Bakan, bassist Jack Straub and tenor sax player David Detweiler. $10 cover.

5. Smokehouse gets bluesy at BBC @ the Legion

Mac Daddy Productions presents Jacksonville band Smokestack at 8 p.m. Friday for BBC @ the Legion, Saul-Bridges Post American Legion Hall, 229 Lake Ella Drive. Tickets are $25 advance, $30 day of show. Visit bbclegion.com. Smokestack is one of Northeast Florida's up-and-coming bands, rooted in the blues and leading Jacksonville's blues scene. Smokestack plays a mix of blues, New Orleans groove, old school rock, and southern rock covers.

Bonus event: 9th Annual Big Bend Blues Society Harmonica festival

Think you can wail on the harmonica? Swingin' Harpoon and the Mercenaries of Music take a big breath and blow for the 9th Annual Harmonica Festival and contest starting at 6 p.m. Saturday at House of Music, 2011 S. Monroe St. Any style, genre, or talent level is welcome. Categories may include but are not limited to: Showmanship, Acoustic, Amplified, Originality, Technical. Category winners will receive cash and trophies. $10 at the door. To enter, text 850-212-6683.

Tickets: FSU's Opening Nights reveals big names in lineup for 2023-24 season

OTHER EVENTS

Abundance of Kirtan: Adam Gaffney joins Jeffji for an evening of kirtan chanting (meditative singing). Donations will benefit Big Bend Continuum of Care, helping homeless people throughout our area. Saturday, Aug. 19, 7 p.m. at Abundance Wellness Center, 325 John Knox Road, Building T. More details at jeffji.com.

Great Oaks Pub at Southwood: All new Deja Blu Band plays from 6:30-9:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 18 at Great Oaks Pub, The group features Mark Blair on percussion and vocals, Barry Kay on Keys and vocals, Mike Brawer on Bass and vocals, and Kent Rodriguez on guitars and vocals. The cover the classics from the Beatles, Eagles, Crosby Stills and Nash. Call 850-942-4653 for reservations, no cover, full bar and restaurant.

House of Music: Swamp Coast Roots Project at 6 p.m. Friday at House of Music, 2011 S. Monroe St. Americana Folk Roots music. $10 at the door

LeMoyne Arts: "Abstracto: Land of Dreams," featuring Leslie Anderson on view until Thursday, Sept. 21. Full of rich color, texture, and dreamy imagery created by 36 local and regional artists at LeMoyne Arts, 125 N. Gadsden St. Open 11 a.m. -6 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday.

Oyster City Brewing Company: Celebrating 2nd anniversary at 603 W. Gaines St. with live music from Local Forecast, 7-10 p.m. Friday and The Wingman food truck. The Brown Goose plays from 7-10 p.m. Saturday with Chubby's Chicken Fingers and More food truck.

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