Top 5 enjoyable issues to do round Tallahassee this weekend

As chilly January slips by there are some brilliant musical gems to heat the way in which.

Be impressed this weekend with a dose of recent blues, a gathering of Tallahassee jazz greats, a touch of biting commentary and a glimpse of pure surprise.

Here’s a roundup of entertaining occasions round Tallahassee, culled from emails, the Council on Culture & Arts, on-line listings and elsewhere.

1. JW Jones brings energetic band to American Legion

The JW Jones Blues Band will seem dwell at The American Legion Post 13 in Tallahassee at 8 p.m. Friday, Jan 23.

This is the primary time since 2018 that Jones has performed in Tallahassee. Jones is a Canadian singer and guitarist identified for his excessive power reveals. Jones is a Billboard Top 10 Blues Artist, 2020 IBC winner and JUNO nominee.

JW Jones was additionally a daily performer on the previous Bradfordville Blues Club in Tallahassee. After successful “Best Guitarist” on the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, Jones started engaged on his twelfth launch “Everything Now” (May 26, 2023), an all unique venture with particular visitor Jimmie Vaughn and manufacturing by Gordie Johnson (Big Sugar).  Advance tickets, $20, are requested and out there by visiting jw-jones.com, to assist help the band on on tour.

Once you have made your fee, your title will likely be on the door. All paid names will likely be on the door. Tickets are additionally $20 at door.

2. Faculty jazz with The Marcus Roberts Trio

Here’s a uncommon likelihood to listen to a few of Tallahassee’s most gifted and noteworthy musicians on the FSU Jazz Faculty/Guest Artist Concert that includes Marcus Roberts and the Modern Jazz Generation at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 23, at Dohnanyi Recital Hall, 122 N. Copeland St. The live performance is free. Visit music.fsu.edu.

The stellar lineup consists of: Joe Goldberg – clarinet, tenor saxophone; Owen Robinson – alto saxophone; David Detweiler – tenor and soprano saxophone; Tissa Khosla – baritone and soprano saxophone; Jim Daniel – trumpet; Jianni Lazaga – trumpet; Wayne Pearcy – trumpet; Kevin Jones – trombone; Hannah Duhon – trombone; Rodrick Harris – guitar; Marcus Roberts – piano; Bill Peterson – piano; Rodney Jordan – bass; Jason Marsalis – drums; Leon Anderson – drums; and David Potter – drums.

3. Find pure wonders at WHO Festival at St. Marks

The St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge will characteristic reveals on fishing, archery, birdwatching, wildlife, climbing, wildlife statement, and prescribed fireplace at its annual Wildlife Heritage & Outdoors (WHO) Festival from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 24. St. Marks Lighthouse Keepers Quarters will likely be open for excursions from 11 a.m. -3 p.m.

The mission of this pageant is to “Connect People to Nature” by way of a group celebration of nature’s range and native heritage. The many exhibitors will present enjoyable outside actions from the previous and current for folks of all ages. Tallahassee acoustic duo Hot Tamale will likely be performing their trademark family-friendly music reveals on the St. Marks National Wildlife Reserve. $5 per automotive refuge entrance price or nationwide cross. Please go away your pets at house. 

Other exhibitors embody Gulf Specimen Marine Lab with colourful starfish, conchs, sea urchins and extra! St. Francis Wildlife Association will characteristic an animal ambassador and academic show and the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians in Florida could have a scientific and program show. Visit stmarksrefuge.org.

4. Experience ‘chambergrass,’ ragtime at Opening Nights

FSU’s Opening Nights launches two live shows over the subsequent seven days. First up is a night of ingenious acoustic music with the Andrew Collins Trio at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 23.

Seven-time Canadian Folk Music Award winner and five-time JUNO Award nominee Andrew Collins brings his genre-defying Trio to Goodwood Museum & Gardens, 1600 Miccosukee Road. Tickets are $55/$45. Visit openingnights.fsu.edu.

Celebrated as a real mando-maestro, Collins is understood for his virtuosic enjoying and imaginative method to roots music. Joined by acclaimed string gamers Mike Mezzatesta and James McEleney, the Trio delivers a high-energy mix of folks, new acoustic roots, chambergrass, and jazz.

Take a flip again in time with the Paragon Ragtime Orchestra in “Meet Me at the Fair!,” a celebration of “America’s Original Music,” at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 29, on the Tallahassee State College Turner Auditorium. Tickets are $55. “Meet Me at the Fair!” takes audiences on a journey by way of the world’s festivals that formed American tradition, together with the 1876 Centennial Exhibition and the 1904 St. Louis World’s Fair. The program options musical “exhibits” by composers resembling Jacques Offenbach, Scott Joplin, Moses-Tobani and John Philip Sousa. 

5. Dig into darkish humor with James McMurtry at The Moon

Americana music grasp James McMurtry pulls into Tallahassee on Jan. 25 for what’s turning into his annual dwell present with opening act BettySoo at 7:30 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 25, at The Moon, 1105 E. Lafayette St. Doors open 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $33 basic admission and $46 reserved. Visit MoonEvents.com.

This third go to comes on the heels of a group of recent songs from the CD titled “The Black Dog & The Wandering Boy.” “The Black Dog and the Wandering Boy are two of my father’s hallucinations in his later years, so I used them,” McMurtry stated in an interview earlier than final yr’s live performance at The Moon. His well-known father was novelist Larry McMurtry (1936-2021) who wrote such books at “The Last Picture Show” and “Lonesome Dove.”

The youthful McMurtry, who’s now in his early 60s, channeled his literary present into writing songs. So far, he has launched 10 studio outings. They often characteristic working-class narrators and are delivered in McMurtry’s laconic Texas drawl with a powerful chunk. The lyrics have a world-weary eye for particulars in addition to a brutal honesty.

The new batch features a suicidal bigamist who hates ageing in “South Texas Lawman,” a Laredo-tornado druggie who shot dope “till the money ran out” in “Laredo (Small Dark Something)” and a post-Geppetto Pinocchio who has became an expert gambler who sued Walt Disney in “Pinocchio in Vegas.”

“Writing songs requires a different set of muscles (than long-form fiction),” he stated. The music critics agree he is aware of what he’s doing. His reducing tune “We Can’t Make it Here,” which chronicled the gradual demise of the American Dream in so-called fly-over states, gained tune of the yr on the Americana Music Awards in 2006. — Mark Hinson

Bonus occasion: Mantra Sound Experience at Req Room

If you might be searching for one thing extra otherworldly, take a look at the Mantra Sound Experience — Another Journey into the Naad from 2:30-4 p.m. Saturday Jan. 24, on the Req Room, 1208 N. Monroe St. Admission is $20.

Bridget Welch, LMT aka Guru Beant Kaur, a Kundalini Yoga Teacher for 28 years, and her musician buddies, Chris Seepersaud and Corey McHugh will information you in an journey, a journey into the Naad withaa kirtan of Kundalini chants set to stunning music. Gather collectively for a day of sound, therapeutic, music and bliss.

Bonus occasion: Opening Reception: ‘Everything’ at MoFA

The FSU Museum of Fine Arts, 530 W. Call St., holds a gap reception from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 29, for “Like everything alive that we try to hold forever.”

MoFa is thrilled to announce the upcoming exhibition, organized by the Esker Foundation and produced by Independent Curators International. The exhibition will likely be on view till June 27, 2026.

Curated by Elizabeth Diggon, Naomi Potter and Shauna Thompson, “Like everything alive that we try to hold forever,” brings collectively the work of Larry Achiampong & David Blandy, Diane Borsato, Stephanie Dinkins, Bridget Moser, Sondra Perry, and Miya Turnbull to replicate on ways in which our human our bodies exist in relation to non-human objects.

Through pictures, sculpture, and video, the artworkstart to navigate the numerous points that include being human. Originally offered in 2023 at Esker Foundation in Calgary, Canada, and produced as a touring exhibition by ICI, the exhibition’s first cease is FSU MoFA.

Bonus occasion: Jammin’ at Blue Tavern

Brett Eugene units the temper at 5 p.m. Friday, Jan. 23, with glowing originals and interpretations of songs it’s possible you’ll not have heard earlier than. Sawm Jam picks up the tempo at 8 p.m. with Frank Graham, Mark Patton, Kit Goodner, Kelly Goddard, and Kim Thomas creating enjoyable, laid-back grooves and full harmonies. $10 cowl.

The 4th Saturday Old Tim Jam kicks in at 4 p.m., adopted at 8 p.m. by the Jacob Wright Quartet: The Influence with with Avery Singletary – piano; José Antonio Serrano – bass; and Cameron Maupin – percussion. The quartet will likely be enjoying a few of Wright’s originals and a few music written by his primary affect, Dexter Gordon.

OTHER EVENTS

American Legion: Celebration of Life A Celebration of Life for longtime Tallahassee businessman and musician Tom Henning will likely be held on the American Legion Hall Lake Ella from 7-11 p.m. Jan. 24. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Henning who handed away on Nov. 30 owned VW Works on Lake Bradford Road for 40 plus years and was a widely known native guitarist and co-owner of Last Chance Recording Studio. The occasion will increase cash for the Big Bend Hospice. Hosted by buddies, Michael Brawer and Michael Douso, the occasion is open to the general public. Admission is a money donation to Big Bend Hospice, and a canopy dish. Music will likely be offered by Skyhouse2, Michael and Friends (a Grateful Dead tribute band), and The Rhythm Remedy Rockin’ Soul Dance Revue.

Blue Tavern: Longtime buddies Grant Peeples & Hank Woji reunite for comfortable hour at 5 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 27, at Blue Tavern, 1206 N. Monroe St., adopted at 8 p.m. by Bluesday Tuesday: Belmont & Jones. $5 cowl. Spend a Rad Reading comfortable hour at 5 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 28, adopted at 8 p.m. by Open Mic Night. Greg Brown leads the comfortable hour celebration at 5 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 29, adopted at 8 p.m. by Heather Pierson Duo. $5 cowl.

The Bark: Beton Arme, Pena Maxima, Gavi, Piston, Mephitic, Big Red 8:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 23, 507 All Saints St. Doors open at 8 p.m. $22 advance, $25 day of present.

Challenger Learning Center: fortieth Anniversary Memorial Ceremony, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 28, Challenger Learning Center, 200 S. Duval St. Gather to replicate, bear in mind, and honor the seven astronauts who impressed a motion. The ceremony will embody: A bell-ringing tribute, remarks from key Challenger supporters, and archival supplies that providing a deeper have a look at the lives and legacies of the crew.

Corner Pocket Bar and Grill: The Tallahassee Pipe Band, 7:45 p.m. Friday, Jan. 23, 2475 Apalachee Pkwy. This band is opening for Tallahassee Celtic fusion band Krooked Kilts.

Fire Betty’s Arcade Bar: Palace Rats, The Henry Cruz Band, Velvet Daydream, Danitza, 9 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 24, Fire Betty’s Arcade Bar, 1122 Thomasville Road. No cowl.

Getaway Grille and Bar: One Eyed JAK, 7-10 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 24, 2386 Allen Road.

926 Bar & Grill: Tally Indie Night Live, a  night time of the very best indie music in Florida, that includes Rohna, Weatherboys, Almost, Not Really, 9 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 24. Doors open at 8 p.m. 926 W Tharpe St. Tickets: $14 advance, $17 day of present, $2 underneath 21 price on the door.

Tallahassee Film Society: “Mistress Dispeller,” 3 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 24 and 5 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 1, on the Challenger Learning Center IMAX. “The Swallows of Kabul” will likely be proven at 5 p.m. Jan. 25. Admission is $11; $9 for members and college students.

Tallahassee Community Chorus: Unity 18: America at 250! with Tallahassee Community Chorus, 4 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 25, Ruby Diamond Concert Hall, 222 S Copeland St. Single Tickets: Adult, $30; Senior (62+) $25; Student $10. Celebrate the 250th birthday of our Declaration of Independence with a robust live performance honoring our nation’s journey towards equality and justice. FSU’s treble choir Levana will carry out Andrea Ramsey’s stirring Suffrage Cantata, paying tribute to the ladies who fought for voting rights.

Unitarian Universalist Church: “A Vision for the Planet” – A Multimedia Experience by Jim Scott, 1:30 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 25, at Unitarian Universalist Church, 2810 Meridian Road. Mixing with highly effective songs and hanging projected pictures, that take us from grieving to celebration and from protest to motivation to maintain life on our planetary house. Jim’s lyrical melodies and outspoken poetry have a good time what’s stunning, wonderful, and fragile about our Earth. Suggested donation: $20.

Have an occasion arising? Email particulars to limelight@tallahassee.com.