It’s a good weekend to stretch your legs on a road trip. Head to the coast for Porch Fest tunes, the banks of the Suwannee River for a roots music festival or into the country for the Farm Tour.
Close to home, The Sound Bar hosts local musicians performing The Eagles’ “Hotel California” album from “cover to cover” along with a bonus set of Eagles greatest hits.
Florida State faces Pittsburgh at noon Oct. 11 at Doak Campbell Stadium. The Rattlers play the North Carolina Central Eagles at 3 p.m. Saturday at Bragg.
Here’s a roundup of entertaining events around Tallahassee, culled from emails, the Council on Culture & Arts, online listings and elsewhere.
1. Salt air and sweet music at Porch Fest Apalach
Porch Fest Apalach is back this year from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 11. This free grassroots roaming music festival turns 31 bands, 16 porches, and 3 stages into an unforgettable day of tunes, laughter, and front-porch hospitality. Porches serve as stages, yards as venues, parks as gathering places, and downtown Apalachicola buzzing with good vibes.
The day kicks off with Smoldering Embers at Battery Park and the always-beloved Apalachicola Ukuliles at Lafayette Park. From there, music spills across town with jazz, country, rock, folk and funk. As the sun sets, head to Battery Park for the grand finale with Zydeco Zoo’s high-energy, accordion-fueled grooves.
Battery Park will have food trucks, restrooms, and playgrounds, and Apalachicola’s restaurants and bars will be open for business (oysters, anyone?). Bring chair, blanket, or wagon (you’ll thank yourself later); a hat and sunscreen and cash for tipping your favorite porch pickers, grabbing a bite. Donations go to Aaron Meals, providing food, clothing, blankets, shoes and other necessary items to those in need. Visit porchfestapalach.com.
2. Art and Wine Splash at St. George Island
Need another good excuse to stay at the beach this weekend?
St. George Island will host its Annual Art and Wine Splash from noon-5 p.m. Sunday, Oct.12, at the St. George Island Visitor Center, 139 Gulf Beach Drive W. The event will feature artists and craftsmen offering original and unique items. The event offers a Wine Walk with wine pour and art stations and musical entertainment.
3. Get jammin’ at Suwannee Roots Revival
The Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park and Campground will ring out with its 9th Suwannee Roots Revival Music Festival Oct. 9-12 on the banks of the famed Suwannee River in Live Oak.
The event brings American roots music artists such as Oteil & Friends, Yonder Mountain String Band, Donna the Buffalo, Peter Rowan and the Walls of Time Band, the Lee Boys, Henhouse Prowlers, Jim Lauderdale & The Game Changers, Ain’t Sisters, Verlon Thompson and many more fabulous artists. Along with the music, there will be artist workshops, kids’ activities, arts & crafts, campground pickin’ and daily yoga.
The 2025 lineup includes Friday night headliners Oteil & Friends (featuring Melvin Seals, Steve Kimock, Jason Crosby, Johnny Kimock, Tom Guarna & Lamar Williams Jr.) and Thursday night headliners Yonder Mountain String Band, with both preceded by Donna the Buffalo, who will be performing all four days. Donna the Buffalo & Friends will also close out the festival with their longstanding final Sunday set.
Peter Rowan will produce a performance workshop set on Saturday afternoon in the Music Hall and with his Walls of Time Band at Big Cosmo’s Amphitheater Sunday. Jim Lauderdale & The Game Changers play Friday before Donna and Saturday in the Music Hall. Advance weekend tickets are $225. For details and a complete schedule visit suwanneerootsrevival.com.
4. Dancers join Javacya for pre-homecoming show
The Javacya Elite Chamber Orchestra will join forces with the acclaimed Albany State University Dance Company for a Pre-Homecoming Celebration Concert at Florida A&M University’s Lee Hall Auditorium at 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 10. All white attire requested.
This year’s theme — “An Evening Where Dance, Spoken Word, and the Living Orchestra Breathe as One” — will bring together a once-in-a-lifetime collaboration of artists. The well-traveled Javacya Elite Chamber Orchestra, under the direction of Drs. Ralph Jean-Paul and Patrice Floyd, brings together gifted high school prodigies, college musicians from FAMU and FSU, and seasoned professionals in a singular artistic force.
Adding to the richness of the evening is the soulful voice of internationally acclaimed vocalist Darryl Tookes, son of the legendary FAMU athletic director, Hansel Tookes,Sr. under the famous Jake Gaither, performing live with the orchestra. Audiences will also experience the FAMU DRS Summer Academy Dancers, whose youthful energy and artistry embody the spirit of the next generation.
Tickets are $25 for adults, $5 for children. For details and tickets, visit javacyaarts.com.
5. Honor the songwriter at John Prine’s Birthday show
Singer-songer writer and Tallahassee native Grant Peeples will host Tallahassee’s John Prine Birthday show at 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 10, at the American Legion Hall, 229 Lake Ella Drive. Featured guest artists will be Wild Ponies from Nashville. Also taking the stage will be local favorites John Butler and The Little Mercies, all rendering their favorite John Prine tunes in their unique way.
Oct. 10 would have been the 79th birthday of beloved singer-songwriter John Prine, known for penning and performing songs that have become classics such as “Angel from Montgomery” and “In Spite of Our Selves.” Prine became one of the first public figures to succumb to COVID in April of 2020 at age 73. During the week of Prine’s birthday, Peeples is producing and performing in tribute shows in Jacksonville, Tallahassee, Lynn Haven, and Sarasota.
Tickets are $25 and may be purchased at the door or online. Online ticket purchase in advance is encouraged at grantpeeples.com.
Bonus event: Andrew Duhon comes to Opening Nights
FSU’s Opening Nights brings New Orleans songwriter Andrew Duhon to town for a show at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct.14, at Goodwood Museum and Gardens. Duhon’s ability to craft a 3-minute novel has earned him comparisons to John Prine and Jim Croce, while the powerful soul of his voice evokes a youthful Van Morrison. He has released four recordings, including his 2014 release, “The Moorings,” which was nominated for a Grammy award for “Best Engineered Album.” Tickets are $55/$45. Visit openingnights.fsu.edu.
Bonus event: Celebrate the season at Havana Pumpkinfest
The 25th Annual Havana Pumpkin festival returns from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 11, 101 W. 7th Ave., in downtown Havana. There will be a pie eating contest, unique vendors, delicious bites from local food trucks, fun face painting, bounce houses, hayrides, arts and crafts, and more. Acoustic duo Hot Tamale will be entertaining at the PumpkinFest in historic Havana, Florida, their most popular festival of the year.
OTHER EVENTS
Artist Series of Tallahassee: The Artist Series brings the Frisson Trio d’Anches to St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, 1700 N. Meridian Road, for a concert at 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 12. Tickets are $25 for adults, $23 for seniors and $5 for students. Visit https://www.theartistseries.org.
Bird’s Aphrodisiac Oyster Shack: Kenny Hill Band, 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 10, 325 N. Bronough St.
Blue Tavern: Brian Durham & Chris Skene play happy hour from 5-7 p.m. Oct. 10 at Blue Tavern, 1206 N. Monroe St., followed at 8 p.m. by Songwriters in the Round with Craig Daniel Harden and songwriters Amelia White, Keal Franklin and Andrew Vinson. $10 cover. 2nd Saturday Old Time Jam starts at 4 p.m., followed at 8 p.m. with Jazzmatazz presenting The Johnson-Serrano-Bakan HAVEN Trio. $10 cover. Robynn & Randall play 5 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 14, followed at 8 p.m. by Bluesday Tuesday with Quanta. $5 cover. Robynn O’Leary plays happy hour at 5 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 15 to celebrate Eleven Years Cancer free and song release, followed at 8 p.m. by Open Mic Night. Matthew Cravener plays at 5 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 16, followed at 8 p.m. by Science Salon: The life of a public media science producer with Rob Diaz de Villegas.
Farm Tour: Oct. 11-12. Georgia-Florida Farm Tour featuring 30 regional farms showcasing their wares. Organized by Millstone Institute, 6500 Old Millstone Plantation Road.
Fish Camp Tally: Local faves Deja Blu hits the shores of Lake Iamonia for a sunset show at the world famous Tallahassee Fish Camp at 6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 10. The band is tick tight and plays a little bit of everything. Classics, country, blues, dance variety.
Great Oaks Pub at Southwood: Latitude 30 swings into Southwood with a show from 6:30- 9:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 10. The group is composed of Chuck Parker, Tim Kelly and Ronnie O’Rear. Together they offer tight three-part harmonies from the Beatles to Buffett and everywhere in between. Full bar and restaurant, no cover, call 850-942-4653.
Island Wing Company: LCP Band plays Island Wings, 1370 Market St., from 7-10 p.m. Friday, Oct. 10t, for an evening of your favorite rock & roll, roots and country music. Good food and great music to start your weekend.
The Sound Bar: Cover2Cover Tallahassee presents the Eagles Hotel California, 8-11 p.m. Oct. 10 and Oct. 11, The Sound Bar, 1105 W Tharpe St. A talented team of local musicians bring you The Eagles- Hotel California album from ‘cover to cover’ along with a bonus set of Eagles greatest hits to round out another night of incredible classic rock hits. Advance tickets, $12. Tickets at the door (if available) will be $15. Visit thesoundbartallahassee.com.
Tallahassee Film Society: “Bad Shabbos” at the Challenger IMAX presented in partnership with the Tallahassee Jewish Federation, 3 p.m. Oct. 11 and 5 p.m. Oct. 12. $11 general admission, $9 for TFS members and students. Visit tallahasseefilms.com.
Tallahassee Garden Club: Plant Exchange and Horticulture Program, 9:30 a.m. Oct. 16, Garden Club, 507 N. Calhoun St. Horticulture Program at 10:15 a.m. on “Feeding Birds During the Fall and Winter.”
Westminster Oaks: A string group from the Beethoven’s Revenge String Quartet and the Big Bend Community Orchestra will present the “Octet” at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 14 at the Maguire Auditorium at Westminster Oaks. Admission is free.
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
