On Friday Nights, Sidepockets usually has someone playing music and has been having a "radio show" as well with the local talent as the stars.
On Friday nights, you can go to Jonathan's in Muscle Shoals and hear Stu and Mitch play til about 830 or you can go to Jonathan's in Russellville and hear the Kerry Gilbert Band play til about 9pm. Both shows are family friendly and the food at the Shoals location is usually good.
On many Saturday nights you can go hear Fastback Hillbillies, Hillbilly Delux, Mojo Mixers, Byron Green, Brewer, and many other local talents at places like Sidelines, Side Pockets, Something Fishy, The Smokehouse, or PJ's. There are many others, but those are the ones off the top of my head.
During the warm months -- there is Music in the Park, First Fridays and numerous other "events" that one can enjoy the local talent in art and music.
Part of the problem with the "there aint nothing to do" attitude is that people don't want to make an effort to attend anything and support it. Someone said Handy has gotten bad -- I agree, they get the same groups every year and they have no new material to entertain with. I, too, wish they would come back with the STreet Parties. It was more enjoyable and free-er -- with or without alcohol was of no preference to me, but the atmosphere and community coming together was what was great about those.
If you have nothing to do -- then you must not want to do anything -- Florence is what you make of it -- like it or hate it -- it is a great place!