Looking for fun events? Here are top 5 things to do around Tallahassee
The fireworks may be over but the July entertainment pace still sparkles.
This weekend is rolling with the Downtown Music Crawl, the Swamp Stomp and BBC at the Legion kicking off its first show. It's a First Friday with plenty of art to see, so stay hydrated and seek out some Tallahassee culture, my friends.
Here's a roundup of entertaining happenings around Tallahassee, culled from emails, the Council on Culture & Arts online listings and elsewhere.
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1. Free Downtown Music Crawl returns for third year
The Sounds of Downtown, a free music crawl at restaurants like Harry’s, Poco Vino, Chuck’s Fish, and more, was created with the help of the Community Redevelopment Agency to encourage people to spend their Friday evening in the heart of downtown.
Nine bands and artists will be staggered throughout six downtown restaurants from 5-9:30 p.m. on July 7. Start at La Florida for a glass of wine in Kleman Plaza as Dylan Allen kicks the evening off with light tunes. Then, stroll over to Poco Vino and grab a locally sourced cheese board as rapper Artisan P follows as the second act of the evening.
From there, the music will continue on at Chuck’s Fish, Harry’s, the former Andrew’s patio, and JoEllen’s. The artists include an eclectic mix of Americana, Blues, Jazz, Alt Rock, Pop, Funk, Indy Pop, Hip Hop and more. Attendees can park at Kleman Plaza Parking Garage, or use the Park Mobile app.
Here’s the lineup. La Florida: Dylan Allen - 5:15-6:30 p.m.; Poco Vino: Artisan P - 5:30-6:15 p.m., Soul Candy - 7:30-8:45 p.m.; Chuck’s Fish: Tom Austin and Company - 6-7:15 p.m.; Harry’s: Broken Couch Club - 6:15-7 p.m., They Came From the Same - 8:20-9:20 p.m.; (Former) Andrew’s: Mun Rox - 6:30-7:15 p.m., Second set at 8:45-9:30 p.m.; and JoEllen’s: Blues Meets Girl - 7-8:15 p.m.
This event is put on by both Tallahassee Downtown and Cow Haus Productions.
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2. Opening Night for BBC at the Legion
Mac Daddy Blues Productions fires up the blues in Tallahassee with its first BBC at the Legion show. The group, which took over from the shuttered Bradfordville Blues Club, has relocated the entertainment to the American Legion Hall, Post 13 at Lake Ella. Charles "Cros" Mack lights up the venue at 8 p.m. Friday, July 7. All tickets are $20 for this show. The concert will also be streamed live on moosemagnificat.com. Tickets are available at the door.
Mack, the 2nd Place Winner of the 2022 International Blues Challenge in Memphis, is the former bassist for Lucky Peterson and Grammy Award winner James Cotton, and has shared the stage with a number of accomplished artists in a variety of genres.
BBC at the Legion is dedicated to preserving the history and tradition of live blues music in Florida.
3. Get your game on at Infinity Con
The family friendly comic book convention is back in the Capital City this summer. Opening at 10 a.m. Saturday and Sunday, July 8-9, Infinity Con will bring its celebration of creativity with artists, writers, cosplayers, makeup and horror movie FX and more back to the Tucker Civic Center. Due to popular demand, gaming tournaments will also be coming back inside the arena. You can expect to find artists, vendors selling comics, gaming tournaments, anime, collectibles, and events and entertainment for all ages throughout the weekend. Tickets are $19.95 for adults and $12.95 for kids. Visit TuckerCivicCenter.com.
4. Catch Swamp Stomp at Tallahassee Museum
Stay in the shade for the The Annual Swamp Stomp from 4-8:30 p.m. Saturday at the Tallahassee Museum, 3945 Museum Drive, featuring folk, blues, acoustic, ballads and saltwater music.
Hot Tamale will kick off the annual Swamp Stomp Festival at 4 p.m. with a set of their originals. They will also perform “Theme to Local Routes,” which won the 2016 Suncoast Regional Emmy award, as a tribute to the late Kathryn Belle Long who wrote the song and graciously encouraged Hot Tamale to perform it. Del Suggs closes the show with his 8 p.m. set of saltwater music. Also performing are Carol Ann Matthews, Dylan “Ragpicker” Allen, Rachel Hillman, Saylor Dollar Duo, Barefoot Finn, Eddie Mac and Mimi Hearn.
Tickets range from $10-$14.50. Cash Bar for 21+ guests. Visit tallahasseemuseum.org.
5. Melange at Venvi Gallery for First Friday
Venvi Art Gallery, 2901 E. Park Ave., is pleased to present "Mélange," a joint exhibition by Terrie Corbett, Nancy Dillen, and Grace Leal. “Mélange” will be on display from July 7 to Aug. 20, with the opening reception from 5-8 p.m. Friday.
The title; a French word describing a mixture or medley of things, evokes the colorful contrasting styles of the three artists fusing into a singular, dynamic showcasing. All of the artists a part of this exhibition highly emphasize their process in creating the work. For more information about the show and the artists, visit venviartgallery.com.
Also on First Friday: Check out the arty scene from 6-9 p.m. at the Railroad Square Arts District, including Significant Signage, a new exhibit of acrylic paintings by Dianne Dyal at 621 Gallery.
OTHER EVENTS
Blue Tavern: Tradition and modern Celtic music from Scotland and Ireland performed by Claudia Edwards and Stephen Michael Hodges from 8-11 p.m. Friday, Blue Tavern, 1206 N. Monroe St. 2nd Saturday Old Time Jam runs 4-7 p.m., followed by Anana Kaye at 8 p.m. The Nashville based duo presents a "unique, sonic landscape that blends the haunting sensuality of European music with the intimacy of Americana." $5 cover. Boleros Happy Hour runs from 5-7 p.m. Tuesday, followed by Blues Meets Girl at 8 p.m. $5 cover. American singer-songwriter Jen Howard plays happy hour from 5-7 p.m. Wednesday, followed by Open Mic Night at 8 p.m. Happy hour with bluegrass and The Hills runs 5-7 p.m. Thursday, followed by Free Jazz Five Buck Thursdays from 8-11 p.m. Longineu Parsons, Brian Hall, and Michael Bakan hold court. $5.
The Corner Pocket: Tom & the Cats play a Summer Jam dance party from 8:30-11:30 p.m. Saturday, July 8, at The Corner Pocket, 2475 Apalachee Pkwy. $5 cover.
Great Oaks Pub at Southwood: Lunar Urge features classic rock by the likes of Van Halen, ZZ top, Nickelback and Tom Petty from Lunar Urge from 6:30 to 9:30 Friday on the outdoor gazebo, 3750 Grove Park Drive. No cover, full restaurant and bar. Call 850-942-4653 for reservations.
Legacy at the Riverfront: Chest Fever performs songs in official revival of The Band, celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Rock Of Ages. They are releasing a full live record on July 7 and are touring in anticipation of the release. Chest Fever is comprised of members of the San Diego Music Award winning rock band Mrs. Henry. Doors open at 7 p.m., show at 8 p.m. Friday, July 7. $25 general admission. Visit legacyevents.net.
Rio Carrabelle Gallery: First Friday and Opening Reception for artist Cyndi Thau from 5-9 p.m. Friday, July 7 in the historic art venue, Rio Carrabelle, 102 St. James Ave., in Carrabelle. Thau’s works have included murals, mosaics, bead work and painting, especially oil painting with a glazing technique, becoming an instructor of this method. Visit riocarrabelle.com for more information.
Have an event coming up? Send details to limelight@tallahassee.com.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Music Crawl among Top 5 things to do around Tallahassee this weekend
