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

Anniversaries are shaping 2024 in a big way this bicentennial year in Tallahassee.

Martin Luther King Jr., who would have been 94 this year, will be honored with an MLK Day Parade and celebration on his birthday, Jan. 15.

The Moon is marking the 25th anniversary of The Phat Cat Players with a concert on Sunday. DEMP Week wraps up its 27th year of birthday celebrations with an All Black Affair on Saturday.

Georgia guitarist Tinsley Ellis brings an acoustic show to the House of Music, and FSU Jazz Studies alum David Meder is bringing his NYC jazz quartet to B Sharps for a show on Jan. 17.

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

1. Celebrating 25 years of music with Phat Cat Live

The Bicentennial Celebration of Martin Luther King begins with the 25th Anniversary of The Phat Cat Players performing the Kings Music at 7 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 14, at The Moon, 1105 E. Lafayette St.

Scott Carswell Presents the Kings Music Performance, crafted with the mission of bringing cultures, generations and all people together around music.

The show features the 25th anniversary lineup of the founder C.O.C.O. Brown; Grammy Award winner Saunders Sermons currently touring with Trombone Shorty; Mike Phillips the saxophonist who toured with Prince, Michael Jackson and Stevie Wonder; Gary "Lil G" Jenkins, lead vocalist of the band Silk; and more.

The Phat Cat Players came together at and around Florida A&M, gained attention in 2000 on the Tom Joyner Morning Show for their song, "Sundress" from their "Make It Phat, Baby" CD and began climbing Billboard's hip-hop/R&B charts.

Carswell expects guests like George Clinton, Tom Joyner, Danny Harris as well as Joe Bullard and Bill Proctor. Doors open at 6 p.m., showtime at 7 p.m. $40 reserved, $20 general admission. Visit moonevents.com.

2. MLK Day Parade and Celebration

To honor the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and in the spirit of his legacy, the City of Tallahassee, with support from other agencies and community organizations, will host the annual MLK Day parade and celebration beginning at noon Monday, Jan. 15, along Monroe Street.

After the parade the community is invited to join in festivities at Cascades Park, which will feature a variety of activities with guest speakers, presentations, performances and musical entertainment including a Tallahassee Nights Live performance at the Adderley Amphitheater.

This year's theme — A Celebration of Community Champions — reflects King's vision of unity and the community's desire to acknowledge and honor those who champion positive change.

3. Tinsley Ellis plays 'Naked Truth' at House of Music

Acclaimed Georgia guitarist, singer and songwriter Tinsley Ellis is booked for an acoustic show at House of Music, 2011 S. Monroe St., at 8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 13.

It’ll be an acoustic show to promote Tinsley's new album, "Naked Truth," coming out on Feb. 9. It’s his first all-acoustic record. Tickets are $25-$35. Visit houseofmusictally.com.

Ellis plans to perform many of his most popular songs, plus Delta blues and classics by artists like Gregg Allman, Bob Dylan and Leo Kottke, on his 1937 National Steel and 1969 Martin D-35 guitars. Ellis weaves the music together with engaging and humorous stories from his over 40 years spent on stage. Ellis’ most recent Alligator Records release and 20th album is 2022’s "Devil May Care."

4. Pianist David Meder jazzing it up at B Sharps

FSU jazz studies alum David Meder, pianist, composer and professor of jazz piano at University of North Texas, is returning to Tallahassee to play at B Sharps Jazz Club in Frenchtown, at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 17. Meder is bringing his "postmodern sense of stylistic adventure" and a working quartet from New York City specially for this performance.

The drummer is Michael Piolet, who is currently the regular percussionist for Hamilton on Broadway. Philip Dizack (trumpet) is an artist for ECM, one of the most prominent labels in modern jazz today, and bassist Ben Tiberio is a first call sideman in NYC.

The national/international touring group has won commissions from Chamber Music America, performed in Egypt, made Editors Choice in Jazziz Magazine for their latest record, "The New American Hymnal." Tickets are $20. Bring your own libations. Visit gerriseay.org.

5. Catch salty flavor at Oyster Cook-Off in Apalach

Mingle on the waterfront and sample oysters and more at the Apalachicola Oyster Cook-Off to benefit the Apalachicola Volunteer Fire Department on Jan. 13. This annual event is held the Saturday before Martin Luther King, Jr. Day in downtown Historic Apalachicola at Riverfront Park.

Events run from noon to 5 p.m. and include the cook-off (no gate entrance fee) and refreshments available for purchase throughout the day. The live band starts at 2 p.m.

The event features a silent auction, oysters galore, shrimp, smoked mullet, hot dogs, hamburgers, local beer, live music, kids’ activities, dancing performances and a 5K run! Enter your best recipe and be a contestant in the oyster cook-off or just come out and enjoy a day of wonderful food, refreshments and music.

All proceeds go towards paying for the new fire truck purchased a few years ago, due to this fundraising event. Cookbooks available for purchase at Cafe Con Leche and Oyster City Brewing Company. Visit oystercookoff.com.

Bonus event: 'America's Got Talent' comedian visits 926 Bar

Ahren Belisle, a mute comedian with cerebral palsy, who uses a speaker and a specially designed text to voice app on stage to do his show, brings his positive message to 926 Bar, 926 W. Tharpe St., at 8 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 14. Also performing will be Michael Glatzmaier and John Strickland.

Belisle has been a finalist on "America’s Got Talent" and a Golden Ticket winner on "Kill Tony." Belisle is a software engineer and mental health advocate turned comedian. Born in Northern Ontario with cerebral palsy, Belisle has over 500,000 followers and uses his platform to spread positive messages and comedy. Doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets are $25 advance, $30 day of show. Visit 926barandgrill.com.

Other events

BBC @ The Legion: Mac Daddy Blues Productions presents BBC @ the Legion for the Capricorn Birthday Party with Tampa blues artist Damon Fowler from 8-11 p.m. Friday, Jan. 12, at the American Legion Hall, 229 Lake Ella Drive. All tickets $20. Visit bbclegion.com.

Blue Tavern: Two Clever featuring Everett Young & Lori Grills from 5-7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 12, at Blue Tavern, 1206 N. Monroe St., followed at 8 p.m. by Songwriters in the Round, with Craig Daniel Hardin. with Tracy Horenbien, Steven Ritter and Frank Graham. $5 cover. 2nd Saturday Old Time Jam, 4-6 p.m., followed at 7 p.m. by Douce Ambiance and then at 9 p.m. Richie Summa Trio with guitar-led tunes accompanied by Brian Hall, bass and Nygel Anderson, drums. It's a double-header – for$10 at the door. Happy hour with Anya Kharchenko, 5-7 p.m. Tuesday, followed at 8 p.m. by Robocromp, long-running duo of Atlanta saxophonist Jeff Crompton and Tallahassee guitarist Rob Rushin-Knopf. Stories by Tellemtall, 5-7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 17, followed at 8 p.m. by Open Mic Night. Steve Malono plays from 5-7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 18, followed at 8 p.m. by Seep's Gumbo Nation. $5 cover.

Bowls & Brews: Acoustic duo Hot Tamale, will be entertaining at the annual “Bowls & Brews” event, a fundraiser put on at the Advent Church, 815 Piedmont Drive, from 5-7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 13There will be a chili cookout, craft beers, kids’ activities, etc. House of Music: Keal Franklin, country recording artist Keal Franklin performs in the bar at 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 12, followed by late night karaoke. 2011 S. Monroe St.

LeMoyne Arts: "Radiant Wonders: Exploring Nature’s Brilliance," first exhibit of 2024 opening 5-7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 16, LeMoyne Arts, 125 N. Gadsden St. Food by Chicken Salad Chick, music by Hot Tamales, and beer by DEEP Brewing. Exhibit runs through Feb. 24.

The Moon: The 27th Annual DEMP WEEK Presents DJ DEMP’s Grown & Sexy All Black Affair hosted by Monica at 10 p.m. Black attire mandatory. 1105 E. Lafayette St. $75. Visit moonevents.com.

926 Bar: Kanise with Madwoman, On The Edge, Televised at 926 Bar, 926 W. Tharpe St., at 9 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 13. Doors open at 8:30 p.m. $10 over 21, $12 under 21. Easy Honey with Rohana, Internet Girlfriend plat at 926 Bar at 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 18. $12 advance, $15 day of show. Visit 926barandgrill.com.

Seineyard Rock Landing: The Young Bucks will be playing at Seineyard Rock Landing in Panacea from 7:30-10:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 12. Tony, Stuart, Aaron and Tom will be playing their brand of country and Southern rock favorites.

The Sound Bar: Conor Churchill at 6 p.m. and The Good News at 9 p.m., Friday, Jan. 12. Oh Man & How at 8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 13. $5 cover. Rabbit in Red with The Randy's and The Heebie Jeebies at 8 p.m. Monday, Jan. 14. Tickets are $15. Karaoke 8 p.m. Jan. 16. Open Mic with Dustin Hatcher 8 p.m. Jan. 17. Tom Austin & Co. at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 18. 1105 W. Tharpe St.

The Tallahassee Garden Club: Educational event featuring birder Gary Griffin at 9:30 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 18, Historic Rutgers House, 507 N. Calhoun St. Refreshments, door prizes and Garden Club membership applications will be available.

Jefferson Arts Gallery: - "Fibers Are Fun" opens from noon-4 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 13, at Jefferson Arts Gallery, 575 W. Washington St., Monticello. The Exhibit will continue through Feb. 3. All forms of fiber art are represented. Alice Cappa will give a triangle weaving class on Saturday Jan. 20. Regular Gallery Hours are Wednesdays and Saturdays from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Visit Jeffersonartsgallery.com.

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat: Presented by Monticello Opera House and Monticello Acting & Dance Co. Jan. 12-28. Evening performances start at 7:30 p.m., Sunday matinees start at 2 p.m. Doors open one hour prior to performance. Tickets are $27. Visit monticellooperahouse.org.

The Tallahassee Urban League5th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Service Day: 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 13, in the parking lot of Piggly Wiggly Stores, 2526 S. Monroe St., community wide event, including a health fair, crime prevention, voter's registration, and crocs and socks giveaway.

Have an event coming up? Email details to limelight@tallahassee.com.

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Top 5 cool things to do around Tallahassee this weekend