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

Welcome to the First Friday of May. We are still catching our breath from all the Word of South events and now it's graduation weekend at the universities. Congratulations to all the grads! Be safe and prepared for extra traffic and packed restaurants.

Check out the First Friday artists at Railroad Square from 6-9 p.m. and around town.

Say goodbye at the Tallahassee Symphony Orchestra's sendoff concert for maestro Darko Butorac on Saturday.

"Move it on Over" with George Thorogood at The Adderley on Saturday.

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

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1. Rock out with George Thorogood, 38 Special

George Thorogood and the Destroyers with 38 Special will take the stage at the Adderley Amphitheater at Cascades Park on Saturday, May 4. Gates open at 6 p.m. with 38 Special at 7:30 p.m. and George Thorogood at 9:15 p.m.Presented by Leon County and Scott Carswell, ticket prices are $40 for general admission, $50 for P2 Reserved, and $70 for P1 Reserved. Visit theadderleyamphitheater.com.

After decades of performing, 15 million albums sold and more than 8,000 live shows, George Thorogood & The Destroyer are celebrating their success with their Bad All Over The World Tour: 50 Years of Rock! Experience a night of blues-based Classic Rock hits that include “Get A Haircut,” “One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer,” “Move It On Over,” and “Bad To The Bone.”

After more than four decades, 38 Special continues to bring their signature blast of Southern Rock. The band is widely recognized for arena-rock pop smashes, “Hold On Loosely,” “Rockin’ Into the Night,” “Caught Up in You,” “If I’d Been the One,” “Second Chance,” and more. These timeless hits remain radio staples.

For more information, visit TheAdderleyAmphitheater.com.

2. A Celebration of Beethoven & Butorac

An evening of heroes rounds out the TSO’s 2023-24 season with A Celebration of Beethoven & Butorac at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 4, at Ruby Diamond Concert Hall. Tickets are $30 and there's an open dress rehearsal at 10 a.m. Saturday.

Music from Beethoven’s middle stage of composition, the “heroic” period, takes front and center with pianistic hero Jon Kimura Parker performing the grand 3rd piano concerto. Following this, you’ll hear the 3rd symphony — whose nickname Eroica means “hero” — conducted by TSO hero Maestro Darko Butorac in his final performance as Music Director and Conductor. Visit tallahasseesymphony.org.

3. Irish Repertory says 'Shush'

The Irish Repertory Theater of Tallahassee presents "Shush" at 8 p.m. May 2-4 and May 10 and 2 p.m. May 12 at Goodwood Museum & Garden's Jubilee Cottage,1600 Miccosukee Road. Tickets are $20-$25. Visit tallahasseeirishrep.com.

"Shush" is a comedy by the Irish playwright Elaine Murphy. It tells the story of a group of friends who get together to celebrate the birthday of one of them, Breda, who is going through a divorce. The celebration-turned-group-therapy offers a funny and insightful look into the power of female friendship

Most of the play takes place in the living room/kitchen of Brenda’s apartment, which makes the space of the Goodwood cottage perfect for the kind of intimacy that surrounds the characters.

4. Blue Tavern, Part I: Americana and bluegrass

Kelly Goddard cranks up happy hour from 5-7 p.m. Friday, May 3, at Blue Tavern, 1206 N. Monroe St., followed at 8 p.m. by Mark Leadon and Bill McGuire. Leadon (guitar, vocals) and McGuire (bass, vocals) will play original country-rock/Americana and some classic covers. Leadon has spent the past year on recordings of his original songs including his recent single release "That Girl." $5 cover.

1st Saturday Swim with Bluegill Bill runs from 4-6 p.m. with Kirill Litvak, who is bringing an accordion and encyclopedic portfolio of Irish and Old Time Music tunes. Then from 8-11 p.m. Raisin' Cane blends newgrass, originals, folk and swing. $10 cover. Raisin’ Cane features Elizabeth Fravel, Dave Langston, Chris Wright and Rob Schoen, all Tallahassee longtime picking buddies.

5. Blue Tavern, Part II: Live jazz recording session

On the occasion of their fifth anniversary as a trio, Tallahassee free jazz luminaries Longineu Parsons, Michael Bakan, and Brian Hall join forces at Blue Tavern, 1206 N. Monroe St., for a live album recording session for Free Jazz Five Buck Thursday from 8-11 p.m. Thursday, May 9.

The new album builds on their evolving "Reinterpretations" project and features a blend of original works and bold new interpretations of compositions by Miles Davis, Wayne Shorter, and Herbie Hancock. Extending from the conceptual terrain of their debut 2020 album, "A History of the Future," Parsons-Bakan-Hall continue their musical science fiction of the past portraits with ever more adventurous brush strokes. Come be a part of history (and the future) at this special, one-of-a-kind Free Jazz Five Buck Thursday event. $5 cover.

Bonus event: The Artist Series features Ensemble Schuman

The Artist Series presents its final program for this year's season with viola, oboe and piano trio Ensemble Schumann at 4 p.m. Sunday, May 5, at Florida State's Opperman Music Hall.

Also available as a live stream and video concert at your convenience until midnight on May 14, available after the live concert ends.

Individual tickets are $25 for live or streamed concert. Senior tickets are $23. Student tickets for ages 13 and above to the live concert are $5. Children 12 and under are admitted free if accompanied by a paying adult. Visit theartistseries.org.

OTHER EVENTS

Advent Spring Plant Sale: Browse a wide selection of plants to beautify your yard or home, from butterfly plants to trees and shrubs from 8 a.m.-noon Saturday, May 4, at Advent Episcopal Church, 815 Piedmont Drive. Master Gardeners will be on site and a “dirt academy” to teach how to make soil for your new plants.

Blue Tavern: Happy hour is 5-7 p.m. Tuesday, May 7, with friends of Bronwyn at Blue Tavern, 1206 N. Monroe St., followed at 8 p.m. with Bluesday Tuesday with Steve Sternberg. Steve Sternberg plays boogie-woogie, neo-classical and ragtime. $5 cover. Wednesday, 5-7 p.m.: Rachel's Reading Group is up for happy hour, followed at 8 p.m. by Open Mic Night. Thursday, 5-7: Happy hour with Kim & George, featuring instrumental bluegrass, gospel and country.

Cinco de Mayo: Experience an exhilarating Cinco de Mayo celebration at Crooked River Lighthouse from 6-9 Sunday, May 5, in Carrabelle. Entertainment includes Hot Mess, a lively 5-piece Zydeco Swamp Pop band hailing from Apalachicola and two local favorites, A Train Stop food truck and Harry’s Mobile Pub, will be serving up tasty eats and drinks including everyone’s favorite, tacos. Visitors can also take an after-hours tour of the Keeper’s House Museum and climb to the top of the tallest lighthouse on the Forgotten Coast under the evening sky. Bring a chair and make a night of it. Climb tickets are $10 per person. Climb tickets can be purchased at crookedriverlighthouse.com.

Fish Camp: Groove to the tunes of Keal Franklin Music 7-10 p.m. Friday, May 3, at Fish Camp, 12062 Waterfront Drive. Catch $12 oysters and beer specials. On Saturday, Dukes Tunes plays from 1-4 p.m. followed by Karma's Child at 5 p.m. Wrap up the weekend with live music by The Elements Band on Sunday at 3 p.m.

Island Wing Company: Lee C. Payton and hot band LCP will be at Island Wing Company, 1370 Market St., from 7-10 p.m. Friday May 3. LCP plays rock 'n' roll, roots and originals.

The Sound Bar: The Elements perform at 7 p.m. Friday, May 3, at The Sound Bar, 1105 W. Tharpe St. $5 cover. Soul Medicine plays at 8 p.m. Saturday. $5 cover. The Rockitz Live Rehearsal is from 7-9 p.m. Monday, May 6.

Tallahassee Swing Band: Dance to the music of the Tallahassee Swing Band at the American Legion, 229 Lake Ella Drive, from 7:30-10 p.m. Tuesday. $10 adults/$7 students. Free dance lessons from 6:30-7:30 with the purchase of admission.

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