Looking for fun events? Top 5 things to do around Tallahassee 4th of July weekend

The Fourth of July falls on Tuesday with a celebratory pop of post-weekend fun. Tallahassee's Celebrate America festivities will light up the night at Tom Brown Park with music and fireworks. State workers will be celebrating with a 4-day weekend and an extra day off Monday.

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

Fireworks finder: A guide to 4th of July fireworks, parades from Tallahassee to Sopchoppy

1. Leon Arts presents 'Technicolor' summer musical

Leon Performing Arts at Leon High School presents its summer musical production of Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s family-friendly and lively show, “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” opening this weekend.

The Old Testament story of the dreamer Joseph, his jealous brothers, an Elvis-inspired Pharaoh and Joseph’s coat of many colors is told through rousing songs and high energy dancing by dedicated high school students from Leon High School and throughout the community.

“Playing Joseph has been a dream come true for both me and my family," said Keen Williams, one of the two actors along with Noah Ruis who will be starring as Joseph. "This was the first show my mom ever saw on Broadway and it has been an honor to recreate this show for her as my last musical before I go to college. Everyone needs to see this show. It’s not just a biblical story but a story about acceptance and love and compassion for others, plus it’s super fun and will be a blast to anyone in the audience.”“Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” will whirl onto the Leon High School stage at 7 p.m. June 30, July 1, 6, 7, 8 and 3 p.m. July 2 and July 9. There is also a preview night on June 29. Tickets are $15.75 and are available at the door or at leonperformingarts.org.

2. Blue Tavern holds memorial for Patrick McCaffrey

Everett Young's jazz piano cranks up for happy hour from 5-7 p.m. Friday at Blue Tavern, 1206 N. Monroe St. Therese Whichello presents a night of blues and female power with special guest Mimi Hearn from 8-11 p.m. $10 cover.

Blue Tavern will remember friend Patrick McCaffrey, who was killed last Saturday, with a memorial gathering at 4 p.m. Saturday. Paddy will be remembered in stories, songs, poems, and fellowship at 4 p.m. Saturday. Friends are welcome to attend. The kitchen will be closed, but you are welcome to bring snacks to share – finger food only.

At 8 p.m. Sarasota band Passerine, will be heading north for a rare date in Tallahassee. Passerine’s distinctive sound combines vocal harmonies, the crisp rhythms of an acoustic guitar, the haunting voices of the fiddle and dobro (resonator slide guitar), the resonant lows of an acoustic bass. Passerine offers a fresh take on traditional folk and bluegrass music. $10 cover.

Blue Tavern is closed for July 4th, reopening Wednesday with Jim Crozier at happy hour from 5-7 p.m. and Open Mic Night with Doc Russell at 8 p.m. Mia Borders is on tap for an intimate solo show at Blue Tavern at 8 p.m. Thursday. Born and raised in New Orleans, Borders’ powerhouse vocals and charismatic songwriting have made her a perennial figure in the regional music scene. $5 cover.

3. Hot Tamale provides the tunes at Oyster City

Acoustic duo “Hot Tamale” will be entertaining at Oyster City Brewing Company, 603 W. Gaines St., from 7 to 10 p.m. Saturday, July 1. Hot Tamale is known for its lively, upbeat acoustic shows, including choice vintage blues numbers, country classics, old-time rock ’n’ roll, and their own acoustic songs.

4. Catch lighthouse views of full moon

If you are heading to the coast for the 4th of July weekend, consider a stop at one of the local lighthouses for a view of the sunset and full "Buck" moon rising over the sea. The Cape St. George Lighthouse at St. George Island will have its July Sunset and Full Moon Climb at 8:30 p.m. Sunday, July 2. Visitors can enjoy the view of St. George Island, the Gulf of Mexico and the Apalachicola Bay under the evening sky. $10 per climber, $7 for members. The sun will set at 8:45 p.m. and the moon will rise at 8:27 p.m. The July full moon is called the Buck moon because buck deer start growing velvety hair-covered antlers in July. Full Moon names are attributable to native American tribes.

The Crooked River Lighthouse in Carrabelle will have its Full Moon Climb from 8-10 p.m. Monday, July 3. Climb to the top of the tallest lighthouse on the Forgotten Coast and see breathtaking views of the bay and Carrabelle Beach under the glow of the full moon. Enjoy an after-hours visit of the Keeper’s House Museum and see the new exhibit for the lighthouse’s original Fresnel lens. Advance reservations are required. Cost is $8 for adults and $3 for children. All climbers must be at least 44 inches tall. Contact 850-697-2732.

5. Chill out with free gelato in July

Gelato and ice cream fans across Tallahassee can celebrate because Peterbrooke Chocolatier, in Miracle Plaza at 1817 Thomasville Road, has brought back its popular summertime fan-favorite promotion, Gelato July. Every Wednesday in July, guests will receive a free sample scoop of any of Peterbrooke’s handcrafted, premium, Italian-styled gelato, as a way of saying thanks to the community. Peterbrooke will offer between six and 12 flavors of authentic gelato which may include strawberry, chocolate chunk, banana, caramel praline, Tahitian vanilla, chocolate decadence, mango, and others. Guests can also order medium and large portions of gelato in waffle cones, cups, and milkshakes (when available) and cap them off with a wide variety of toppings. Hours are Monday – Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m.

OTHER EVENTS

All Saints Cinema: New technologies are transforming a 19th-century watchmaking town in Switzerland in "Unrest," showing at All Saints Cinema, 918 Railroad Ave., at 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Tickets are $11 general admission and $9 for members.

Great Oaks Pub at Southwood: Terry Brand and the Southwood Swingers return for an encore performance from 6:30-9:30 p.m. Friday, June 30, at Great Oaks Pub, 3750 Grove Park Drive. The group plays classic rock 'n' roll mixed with '50s and '60s golden oldies. The band features Terry Brand (guitar and vocals), Jimbo St. John (bass and vocals), Barry Kaye (keyboards and vocals) Bobby Jett (drums and vocals) and Chuck McMurry (guitar and vocals). Full bar and restaurant, call 850-942-4653 for reservations.

House of Music: The Heebie-Jeebies, a phunky, soulful, horn-driven jam band fusing vibes, plays at 8 p.m. Friday, July 1, at House of Music, 2011 S. Monroe St. $10 at the door. Ben Banks and the Back-Ups and Magnolia South play at 8 p.m. Saturday, July 1. Ben Banks performs danceable covers and original compositions. Magnolia South is a Tallahassee band with guitar, fiddle, banjo and six vocalists, that performs pop, folk, bluegrass, Americana and rock covers. $10 at the door.

Didgeridoo Down Under Show: The Franklin County Public Library’s Summer Reading Program presents a program featuring Australian music, culture and entertainment at 11 a.m. Monday, July 3, with the Didgeridoo Down Under Show at 11 a.m. at the Carrabelle Branch Library and at 2 p.m. at the Eastpoint Branch Library. Library programs are free and open to the public and participants do not need a library card to participate. For more information go to fcpl.wildernesscoast.org/summer-reading.

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 4th of July weekend