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

August is starting out hot and bothered but "(What's so Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love and Understanding" is on the way.

Florida State University's Opening Nights announced Tuesday a refreshing lineup for the 2023-24 season with rock legend Elvis Costello as one of the festival headliners along with astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson and actor Mandy Patinkin among others.

It's a First Friday and Gadsden Arts is popping with a new exhibit, Railroad Square will be hopping and LeMoyne closes out its "Metamorphosis" quilt exhibit.

Blues keep the beat at BBC at the Legion with Damon Fowler on Friday.

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

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

1. Celebrate 35th anniversary of Art in Gadsden exhibit

Gadsden Arts is celebrating the 35th anniversary of the Art in Gadsden Juried Exhibition this weekend. Look for 100 featured works of art by 82 different artists on display starting at 10 a.m. Aug. 4.

The Opening Reception & Awards Ceremony, open to everyone, will begin at 5 p.m. Friday with music from Hot Tamale. The exhibition continues 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesdays – Saturdays through Sept. 15. During the first two days of the exhibition, Aug. 4-5, the Art in Gadsden art sale will benefit the artists and the museum.

Special Artist’s Studio Tours for featured Art in Gadsden artists will be held from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Aug. 12.

The award-winning works for this year’s Art in Gadsden will be chosen by Katee Tully, a practicing artist and experienced arts professional. When you visit, look out for a piece by exhibition founder Beth Appleton that celebrates the 35th year.

Gadsden Arts is located on the historic Courthouse Square in Quincy. Admission is free for children ages 17 and under, families for the ArtZone, and for all GACM members. Admission is $5 for nonmember adults. For more information, visit gadsdenarts.org.

2. Tune into blues with Damon Fowler at the Legion

Tampa guitarist and songwriter Damon Fowler, who has absorbed the best and furthered the work of the region’s artists, heads to town for a show at 8 p.m. Friday at BCC @ the Legion, American Legion Sauls-Bridges Post 13, 229 Lake Ela Drive. Tickets are $25 advance, $30 day of show. Visit bbclegion.com.

Fowler's 2021 release, "Alafia Moon," was nominated for a 2022 Blues Music Award for Blues Rock Album. His "Damon Fowler & Friends – Live @ The Palladium" was released in January. His music soul-steeped sound is representative of the many styles that make up the roots of American music. Music, video and more at damon-fowler.com.

3. Fingerstyle guitarist gives concert at Holy Comforter

Holy Comforter Episcopal Church is presenting guitarist Hiroya Tsukamota in concert at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 4, at the church, 2015 Fleischmann Road. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased at the church during business hours or at the door. Call 850-877-2712.

Tsukamoto, who scored second place at the International Fingerstyle Guitar Championship in 2022, is a Japanese-born fingerstyle guitarist who moved to the United States in 2000 to attend the Berklee College of Music. He’s not only a dizzyingly agile fingerpicker, but a soulful and transcendent performer, with compositions that combine instrumental guitar work with lyrical performance and spoken stories from his life.

4. Paddling adventure reveals Secrets of the Wacissa

Coastal Plains Institute rolls out more Coastal Plains Adventures with Secrets of the Wacissa from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 5. Meet at Wacissa River Boat Ramp, Lamont. Expert guide and outdoor educator Ryan Means will lead the guided all-day paddling adventure down the legendarily wild and historic Slave Canal. View the Wacissa River's Mastodon swamp, ancient cypress, pristine spring ecosystem, home of Florida’s first people. $85 fee includes shuttle service, canoe/kayak, safety gear, complimentary extra water/drinks. All proceeds go toward efforts to preserve the incredible biodiversity of the southeastern Coastal Plain. Visit coastalplains.org.

Special guest Fred Lee joins reunion at the Blue Tavern

Everett Young brings piano jazz to Blue Tavern, 1206 N. Monroe St., from 5-7 p.m. Friday. Sawmill Jam gets buzzing from 8-11 p.m. Frank Graham's signature swamp boogie sound returns to the tavern, with Kit Goodner on guitar and vocals, and Mark Patton on upright bass and vocals. Expect fun, laid-back grooves, mixing Frank's soulful originals with tasty cover songs. $5 cover.

First Saturday Swim with Bluegill Bill goes from 5-7 p.m. at Blue Tavern, followed at 8 p.m. by Reese Cloud Quintet. Guest vocalist Kami Hayes joins the quintet for favorite standards, debuting some new original music. $5 cover.

The rest of the week: Boleros happy hour with Isabel Ruano, 5-7 p.m. Tuesday, followed at 8 p.m. by Tuesday is Bluesday with Quanta and special guest Fred Lee. This will be a special reunion of the jazz-blues duo Quanta (Jack Quine & Richard Bertram) and Fred Lee, legendary vocalist for the Tallahassee Swing Band and the Thursday Night Music Club. $5 cover. Happy hour with duo Hymn for Her cranks up a mash-up of country, blues and punk from 5-7 p.m. Wednesday. Open Mic Night follows at 8 p.m. On Thursday, catch happy hour from 5-7 p.m. with Mes Amis featuring Andrea Stanley (violin) and Steve Hodges (guitar) Free Jazz Five Buck Thursday follows at 8 p.m. when Longineu Parsons, Brian Hall, and Michael Bakan hold court. $5 cover.

OTHER EVENTS

City Hall Gallery: Opening reception, 6-8 p.m. Aug. 3. Wright Dobbs & Alex Armitage photography, City Hall Art Gallery. Through Sept. 21.

Fire Betty's: The Heebie-Jeebies are teaming up with Taller Trees for a free double-header at 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 4, at 1122 Thomasville Road.

First Friday at Railroad Square: 6-9 p.m. 602 Railroad Square, Railroad Square Art District with open studios and small businesses, live music, and colorful vibes.

Great Oaks Pub at Southwood: Bluegrass/undergrass sounds of the Kenny Hill Band, featuring Kenny, Brian and the rest of the Hill family, 6:30-9:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 4. Full restaurant and bar, no cover, reservations at 850-942-4653.

Oyster City Brewing Company: For National Oyster Day OysterMom and TLH Beer Society have plans for a shuckin' good time with oysters and craft beer from 3-5 p.m. Saturday at OCBC, 603 W. Gaines St.

Rummage Sale: Advent Episcopal Church  815 Piedmont Drive, 2-7pm Friday with $3 entry fee.  Saturday, Aug. 5, 8 a.m. -1 p.m. free entry. Shop in the AC of our Parish Hall. Lots of treasures for all, children's section, holiday cheer, housewares and books.

Thursday Night Music Club: 15th annual Jazz Showcase concert in Ruby Diamond Concert Hall at 7:30 p.m. Thursday (of course), Aug. 10. The program will draw from the band’s extensive repertoire of swing, blues, ballads, Latin, Broadway, pop, and funk music. Tickets are $15.

Venvi Gallery: Artist reception for “Mélange,” a joint exhibition by Terrie Corbett, Nancy Dillen, and Grace Leal, 5-8 p.m. Friday, Venvi Gallery, 2901 E Park Ave.

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

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