June launches with lots of colorful live music and First Friday artisans blooming from 6-9 p.m. at venues in Railroad Square and around town.
Wildlife gets a boost from talented Tallahassee songwriters. Bach Parley turns to Thomas Jefferson for America 250 concert inspiration.
Here’s a roundup of entertaining events around Tallahassee, culled from emails, press releases, the Council on Culture & Arts, online listings and elsewhere.
1. Songwriters tune up fundraiser for St. Francis Wildlife
Musical friends will help feathered friends when the Tallahassee Chapter of the Nashville Songwriters Association International hosts a fundraising concert from 7-10 p.m. Saturday, June 6, at the American Legion Sauls-Bridges Post 13, 229 Lake Drive.
The event, “Original Music for the Wildlife,” in cooperation with St. Francis Wildlife Association, is a benefit for the American Bald Eagle flight rehabilitation program.
NSAI benefit concerts are performances of original songs by their creators. Songwriters are Tallahassee NSAI members and Special Guest Artists. Featured performers for the concert will be Del Suggs, Tracy Horenbein, Scott Drury, Skyhouse2, Butch Burns, Jim Crozier and Ken Crawford.
The evening begins with announcements and a presentation about the facility’s wildlife rehabilitation programs by Director Hannah Altonji and Development Officer Kate Chunka. Admission is by suggested donation. All admission proceeds go toward St. Francis Wildlife for building a new eagle flight enclosure. The goal is to break ground in the fall.
SFW has already cared for a half dozen eagle patients this year, so the need is there. SFW will also be doing a meet-and-greet with its barred owl ambassador, Willow, on June 4, at Black Dog Cafe from 5-6:30 p.m.
At the concert, there will be complimentary pizza, car bar, SFW merch for sale, raffle items, and a silent auction.
The Tallahassee Chapter of the Nashville Songwriters Association International is a volunteer member group of the Council on Culture and Arts.
2. Load up on juicy sandwiches at Tomato Feastival
Celebrate local tomatoes and tomato growers with tomato sandwiches and other temptations at the 21st Annual Tomato Feastival from 1-5 p.m. Sunday, June 7, at Goodwood Museum & Gardens, 1600 Miccosukee Road.
Chef Nikki Pettineo will be demonstrating how to make tomato pies from 2 to 2:30 p.m. in the Carriage House. A bake shop featuring homemade cakes, cookies, cake pops and other baked goods and coffee will be in the Jubilee Cottage. Damas, the restaurant located in the “Rough House” cottage at Goodwood, will be making 300 tomato pies at the Feastival.
Arrive early to ensure you can snag the old-fashioned tomato sandwiches made with white bread and mayo.
Tickets are $20 general admission (includes raffle ticket), $10 for children 12-17, free for children under 12, $45 for a family. Raffle tickets will be for sale. You can also buy tickets at the gate. Visit redhillssfa.com.
3. We Hold These Tunes: Tallahassee Bach Parley gets patriotic
Tallahassee Bach Parley celebrates America 250 with “We Hold These Tunes: Music from Thomas Jefferson’s Library” at 3 p.m. June 6 (open dress rehearsal) and 3 p.m. June 7 (concert) at St. John’s Episcopal Church. $10 suggested donation.
Thomas Jefferson was one of America’s most passionate musical amateurs — a dedicated violinist who practiced daily, filled Monticello with instruments, and assembled a remarkable personal library of chamber music. As the nation marks its 250th anniversary, Bach Parley’s season finale takes audiences inside that library, performing the very music Jefferson played and loved.
The program draws from Jefferson’s collection with works by four composers: Thomas Arne, Arcangelo Corelli, Francesco Geminiani, and Johann Christian Bach. These composers span the arc of the Baroque and early Classical eras, reflecting both the English musical world Jefferson encountered and the Italian and English influences that shaped late 18th-century taste on both sides of the Atlantic.
Music Director Valerie Prebys says, “My memory of the 1995 movie ‘Jefferson in Paris’ was one inspiration for this program.” Jefferson played the violin throughout his years in Philadelphia, Paris, and Monticello. When we play this music, we’re connecting with him in a deeply personal way, and celebrating a vision of America in which the arts were central to a life well lived.”
Performers include Valerie Prebys and Martie Perry (baroque violin), Kim Jones (baroque cello), Wayne Pearcy (baroque trumpet), and Alexandra Dunbar (harpsichord). The Bach Parley performs on period instruments — gut-string violins and cellos, harpsichord, and historical brass. Visit bachparley.org.
4. Bluegrass lights up Blue Tavern
Russell Scaturro cranks up happy hour at Blue Tavern, 1206 N. Monroe St., at 5 p.m. Friday, June 5, then at 8 p.m. The Hillside Junkets take the stage. This favorite family-band trio – Brian, Jennifer and Katy Hill – are back with Ken Baldauf and Haden MacBeth for another evening of top shelf country and bluegrass! $10 cover.
Saturday, June 6, gets rolling from noon-3 p.m. with a drag brunch. Aida Lott presents the Blue Tavern Caberet with a show at 1 p.m. and an eclectic showcase of voices, bodies, and bold artistry in a cozy cabaret setting. This event is for ages 18+ Admission $10. Tickets at instagram.com/theaidalott.
The Jug Band Jam hosted by Green Street Sheiks starts at 4 p.m. and is followed at 8 p.m. by the Rachel Hillman Band.The incomparable Rachel Hillman’s vocal and guitar skills and caffeinated energy are accompanied by Reo Morris, DK Issitt and Corey McHugh. $10 cover.
5. ‘Piecemeal Landscape’ opens at Venvi Gallery
Venvi Art Gallery opens “Piecemeal Landscape,” a two-artist exhibition of works by Sam McCoy and Chris Rivera, both FSU grads, on First Friday weekend. This exhibition will be on display from June 5-Aug. 15, with its opening reception from 5-8 p.m. June 5.
“Piecemeal Landscape” showcases contemporary landscapes formed through observation, memory, and human intervention. Drawn from Southern environments influenced by tourism, urban development and natural spaces, shifting perspectives of the landscapes are also present within these pieces.
Both McCoy’s and Rivera’s works consider personal relationships to landscape as something both intimate and constructed. “Piecemeal Landscape” shows cycles of enchantment and disenchantment incorporated within the works, revealing how ideas of landscape are curated and consumed. Unstable perspectives in Rivera’s and McCoy’s works navigate their surroundings with extra awareness into how perception, time, and cultural framing shape what we see. Learn more at venviartgallery.com.
Bonus event: It’s D-Day in Carrabelle with special exhibit
Camp Gordon Johnston WWII Museum at Carrabelle Beach, 1873 Highway 98 West, is hosting a special exhibit commemorating the anniversary of D-Day.
The exhibit will be on display through Saturday, July 18. Camp Gordon Johnston trained Infantry Divisions in amphibious assault and the soldiers who trained there were put to the test on the heavily fortified beaches of Normandy, France on D-Day, June 6, 1944 in the largest seaborne invasion in history.
The exhibit will include personal papers, historic photos, and artifacts belonging to Capt. John E. Mellen, generously shared by his family. Capt. Mellen commanded the 818th Amphibious Truck Company and served with them from their training at Camp Gordon Johnston through the end of the war. Learn about the battle and about Camp Gordon Johnston’s role in its success.
The museum is open every Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. There is no charge for admission, but donations are gladly accepted. Visit CampGordonJohnston.com.
Bonus event: Outdoor concert at Lewis Park
The fifth concert of Tallahassee’s outdoor music series: 2026 Levitt AMP Tallahassee: Music Under The Oaks takes place from 7-9 p.m. Thursday, June 11, when Hardy Morris brings his signature sound to town. Enjoy free music under the oak trees of Lewis Park, at 311-317 E Park Ave.
This concert is made possible by a partnership between the Council on Culture & Arts, Tallahassee Downtown Improvement Authority, and the Levitt Foundation. T. Hardy Morris is a Georgia-born singer-songwriter and guitarist rooted in the Athens, GA music scene, first gaining attention as the frontman of the psych-rock/grunge-tinged band Dead Confederate before branching into a rich solo career blending rock, Americana, indie, and introspective folk.
OTHER EVENTS
AC Hotel by Marriott: Upside Avenue Duo, 6-9 p.m. Friday, June 5, 801 S. Gadsden St.
Amicus Brewing: Live Music in the Beer Garden with Drew Whitfield, 6-9 p.m. Friday, June 5, 717 South Gadsden St. 36 Strong plays 6-9 p.m. June 6.
Apalachee Center: 12th Annual Art Show, “The Art of Creating Health and Healing in Community,” noon-3 p.m. Friday, June 5, from 12 to 3 p.m., Apalachee Center’s Leon County campus – Building J, 2634 Capital Circle NE.
Apalachicola Riverkeeper: Annual Ice Cream Social will take place from 2-4 p.m. Sunday, June 7, at Maclay Gardens State Park (in the Gardener’s Cottage). There will be music by Rachel Hillman in addition to the free ice cream and Riverkeeper updates. Riverkeeper staff will also announce the annual Apalachicola Rivertrek team to the Tallahassee community.
The Bark: Withered, Xenobile, Experiments In Irritation, 8:30 p.m. Friday, June 5. Doors: 8 p.m. 507 All Saints St.
Blue Tavern: Rhys Bennett plays Blue Tavern, 1206 N. Monroe St., at 5 p.m. Tuesday, June 9, followed at 8 p.m. by Bluesday Tuesday: Donny Shrum, $5 cover. Rad Reading happy hour is at 5 p.m. June 10, followed at 8 p.m. by Open Mic Night. Mes Amis is on at 5 p.m. Thursday, June 11, with perform a variety of American and French jazz standards. Open Jazz Jam with guest host Blake Dwelle starts at 8 p.m.
First Friday at Railroad Square: Get the month rolling with a First Friday outing at the hip Railroad Square Arts District for music, food, browsing, shopping, visiting and fun from 6-9 p.m. June 5. Hot Tamale will heat things up for First Friday in Railroad Square with a return appearance at 621 Gallery from 6 to 9 p.m.
Fish Camp Tally: Two Guys with Guitars will be playing the classics for the alligators, you and all other wildlife at Fish Camp Tally , 12062 Waterfront Drive, from 6-9 p.m. Friday, June 5.
Flamingoz A Taste of Miami: First Friday with Nick Love, 7 p.m. June 5, 620 Railroad Square.
The Getaway Grille and Bar: Jimmy Brazen Band, 7-10 p.m. Saturday, June 6, 2386 Allen Road.
Lake Tribe Brewing: The Queen High Straight, 6:30-9:30 p.m., 3357 Garber Drive.
NorthFlora Collective: First Friday with The Greene Rivers Band, 6 p.m. Friday, June 5, 609 Railroad Square.
North Florida Wildlife Center: Totally Tubular Wild Bash with water slide, bounce house, animal encounters, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, June 6, at the North Florida Wildlife Center, 1386 Cook Road in Lamont. Tickets are $10 adults, $7.50 kids in advance; $15 and $10 at the gate. Visit northfloridawildlife.org.
The Other Side Vintage: Soulful Triage Band, 7-9 p.m. Friday, June 5, 607 Railroad Square.
Oyster City Tallahassee: Brett Wellman and the Stone Cold Blues Band, 7-10 p.m. Saturday, June 6, 603 W Gaines St.
Shaketown Studios Band Launch Jam Night: 6-8 p.m. Friday, June 5, Shaketown Studios, 1872 Mill St.
Tallahassee Film Society: “The Currents,” opening at 3 p.m. Saturday, June 6, and 5 p.m. June 14, Challenger Learning Center IMAX, 200 S. Duval St. $11 general admission, $9 for members and students. Visit tallahasseefilms.com.
Theatre Tallahassee: “I Hate Hamlet” is sure to please Bard aficionados and newcomers. It runs at 8 p.m. Friday, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m Sunday for the next two weekends at Theatre Tallahassee, 1861 Thomasville Road. Tickets are available at: theatretallahassee.vbotickets.com.
Have an event coming up? Email details to limelight@tallahassee.com.
(This story was updated to add new information.)
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Looking for fun events? Top 5 things to do around Tallahassee
Reporting by Martha Gruender, Tallahassee Democrat / Tallahassee Democrat
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Martha Gruender, Tallahassee Democrat | USA TODAY Network
