Looking for fun events? Top 5 things to do around Tallahassee
Is this nothing?Why then the world and all that’s in’t is nothing:The covering sky is nothing, Bohemia nothing,My wife is nothing, nor nothing have these nothings,If this be nothing.(Leontes, Act 1 Scene 2) - "The Winter's Tale,"William Shakespeare
The play's the thing this weekend and also the dance. Southern Shakespeare is off and running with its production of "The Winter's Tale" and Tallahassee Ballet is waking up audiences with "The Sleeping Beauty." Grab your seat and be transported.
It's Mother's Day weekend, a perfect time to take Mom out to brunch, a walk in the park or out for an evening of poetry and poetry in motion.
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. Shakespeare Festival brings 'The Winter's Tale' in merry May
Exit, pursued by a bear. (Stage direction, Act 3 Scene 3).
"The Winter's Tale" delivers one of Shakespeare's more famous and challenging stage directions. Check out how Southern Shakespeare Company pulls it off at the free Shakespeare in the Park this weekend. The festival has been a downtown tradition at Cascades Park since 2015.
Each Mother’s Day weekend, the mainstage festival performances play at 7:30 p.m. Thursday-Sunday and SSC’s junior acting troupe The Bardlings presents an abridged version of "The Tempest" at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday-Sunday. Food trucks and vendors, merchandise and education booths, and the beautiful al fresco atmosphere make this a great introduction to theater and a wonderful event to return to each year!
The celebrity guest artist is television’s Nathan Darrow (Gotham, House of Cards) asKing Leontes and the production is directed by DC-based Shanara Gabrielle, “The Winter’s Tale” is a story of a king deceived, a queen disgraced, a princess spirited away, and a family restored through the power of time, friendship, and a bit of magic. Local guest actors include FSU's Stacey Patterson, Mayor John Dailey, radio host Greg Tish and ABC 27's Channing Frampton.
2. Tallahassee Ballet awakens 'Sleeping Beauty'
The Tallahassee Ballet presents "The Sleeping Beauty" as the final performance of its 2023-2024 season. The enchanting production will grace the Ruby Diamond Concert Hall stage on May 11-12, promising audiences an unforgettable journey into a world of magic and romance.
With captivating choreography, exquisite costumes, and a timeless score by famed composer Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky, The Sleeping Beauty will mesmerize audiences of all ages. The choreography, based on Marius Petipa’s original work, is a testament to the late Kathryn Karrh Cashin’s artistic vision and dedication to excellence. Restaged by her daughter and TTB alumna Katy E. Cashin, this production holds special significance as it pays homage to Cashin’s legacy and her pivotal role in the creation of TTB’s 2002 and 2014 productions.
Tickets for The Sleeping Beauty are on sale now. Orchestra performances are scheduled for 7:30 p.m. May 11 and 2:30 p.m. May 12. An abbreviated Children’s performance with recorded music will take place at 10:30 a.m. May 11. For more information and to purchase tickets ($75-$55), visit tallahasseeballet.org or call 850-224-6917 ext. 21.
3. Pyramidpalooza at the American Legion
Pyramid Studios presents Pyramidpalooza 2024, at the American Legion on Lake Ella, 229 Lake Ella Drive, on Saturday, May 11. The doors will open at 5 p.m. with an art show and sale featuring originals, hand-crafted jewelry, craft items and prints created by Pyramid Artists. At 5:30, attendees will groove to the Southern Boogie sounds of opening act, Lil' Grizzly Boogie Band. At 7 p.m., The Electric People will take the stage to finish out the evening with a set that will rock the Lake.
The Electric People will be releasing their first CD of original songs at this year’s event! Plus, this year is Pyramid’s 30th Anniversary.
Tickets for Pyramidpalooza 2024 are $10 each. Tickets are available onsite at the event or in advance at Pyramid Studios, 1910 Commonwealth Lane. Pyramid Studios is a part of Pyramid, Inc., an arts-focused day training program for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities with five Florida locations. All proceeds benefit Pyramid. For more information, contact Pyramid Studios at 850-513-1733 or smiles@pyramidinc.org.
4. Young Actors turns to Stephen King with 'Carrie'
"Carrie: The Musical" will premiere at Young Actors Theatre at 7 p.m. Friday and run May 10-19. The production is based on the blockbuster, 50-year-old debut novel by Stephen King and intended for mature (14+) audiences. The show is the first of Studio 609, an intensive musical theatre performance offering for high school students, and is not part of the company’s mainstage season.
Tickets for "Carrie: The Musical" start at $20. Visit youngactorstheatre.com.
With a resonant focus on high school bullying and social isolation, the central question of "Carrie: The Musical" is “what does it cost to be kind?” A cultural touchstone, Carrie is a horror story about a teenage outcast who longs to fit in. At school, Carrie is bullied by the popular crowd, and virtually invisible to everyone else. At home, she's dominated by her loving, but cruelly controlling mother who is a religious extremist. What none of them know is that Carrie has just discovered her telekinetic power, and if pushed too far, she’s not afraid to use it.
The production is directed by J. Scott Handley, Artistic Director of YAT, with choreography by Isabel Chistoni. Kiera Hanselman, guest artist and graduate of FSU’s School of Theatre, takes the stage as Margaret White, the mother of Carrie. The show features set and projection design by Shawn Boyle, lecturer at Yale School of Drama, and lighting by designers Jack Coody and Mason Schmidt.
5. Songwriters and two duos liven up Blue Tavern
Two Clever cranks up happy hour from 5-7 p.m. Friday, May 10, at Blue Tavern, 1206 N. Monroe St. Everett Young kicks things off at 5, with Lori G. joining him. It's followed at 8 p.m. with Songwriters in the Round with host Craig Daniel Hardin, featuring Adrian Fogelin, Ruben Fields & George Boggs. $5 cover.
2nd Saturday Old Time Jam run 4-6 p.m. with players and lovers of old time Appalachian music welcome. Mary-Lou with Lee Hunter & Joey Gilmore bring double the fun from 7-11 p.m. The rootsy duo Lee Hunter & Joey Kerr will be performing along with their friends, the French duo, Mary-Lou. These two duos are dear friends. $10 cover.
OTHER EVENTS
Blue Tavern: Tuesday happy hour goes from 5-7 p.m. with Davic Pucik, playing songs written and polished over 20 years. At 8 p.m. it's Bluesday Tuesday with Blues meets Girl. $5 cover. Catch Rachel's Reading Group from 5-7 p.m. Wednesday, followed at 8 p.m. by Open Mic Night. On Thursday from 5-7 p.m. catch happy hour with John R. Butler, one of Florida's favorite songwriters & best known for his cult hit "Hand of the Almighty." Seep's Gumbo Madness starts at 8 p.m. Thursday. Chris Seepersaud, guitarist/vocalist/bandleader, gathers horn veterans Mike McKenzie and Tom Longfellow for a night of soulful "cool" jazz. Reo Morris on percussion and Jack Straub on bass round out instrumentals and vocal tunes, intermixed with funk to make this group more than "one sound." $5 cover.
Great Oaks Pubat Southwood: Southwood will be rocking from 6:30-9:30 p.m. Friday May 10, with the return of “Crooked Shooz.” Mark Blair, Sinclair, Robert Wilson, and the Scott brothers, Mike and Bird will be laying down the beat that has moved Tallahassee for the past 30 years. Crooked Shooz brings a unique blend of funk, boogie and classic rock. No cover, full restaurant and bar, call 850-943-4653 for reservations.
House of of Music: The Frank Jones Band, a dynamic collective of seasoned musicians known for their captivating blend of blues and soul music, plays at 8 p.m. Friday, May 10. $15 at the door. Public Address Band plays at 8:30 p.m. Saturday, May 11. Visit houseofmusictally.com.
Organ Concert: Andrew Umsworth, organist for the Tabernacle in Salt Lake City, will present a concert at Trinity United Methodist Church at 6 p.m. Saturday, May 11. Admission is free, and the public is invited to attend.
Have an event coming up? Send details to limelight@tallahassee.com.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Top 5 fun things to do around Tallahassee this weekend
