By PAM HARBAUGH
Wishing for something great this weekend? You’ve got it. From truly terrific theater to exciting music and provocative exhibitions, it’s all in your own backyard. Read below for more info.
Be sure to click on their ads, which helps Brevard Culture abide: COCOA VILLAGE PLAYHOUSE, HEIDI’S JAZZ CLUB, MELBOURNE CHAMBER MUSIC SOCIETY, MELBOURNE CIVIC THEATRE, RIVERSIDE THEATRE and SURFSIDE PLAYHOUSE. If your organization or supportive business wants to advertise, email BrevardCulture@gmail.com.
THEATER:
MY FAIR LADY runs through March 31 at Riverside Theatre in Vero Beach. This is a MUST SEE. The show is being directed by one of my faves, James Brennan. Look for a Brevard Culture review soon. Tickets are $35 to $90. This show is quickly selling out ahead of time. Riverside Theatre is at 3250 Riverside Park Drive, Vero Beach, FL. Call 772-231-6990, visit RiversideTheatre.com or click on their ad.
From left: James Ludwig, Kristen Beth Williams and Ed Dixon in Riverside Theatre’s production of MY FAIR LADY.
A GENTLEMAN’S GUIDE TO LOVE AND MURDER runs through March 24 at the Cocoa Village Playhouse. This is a must see. Read this Brevard Culture story by clicking here. And, read a review by clicking here. Cocoa Village Playhouse is at 300 Brevard Ave., Cocoa, FL. Call 321-636-5050, visit CocoaVillagePlayhouse.com or click on their ad.
From left: James Spiva and Angel Santiago in Cocoa Village Playhouse production of A GENTLEMAN’S GUIDE TO LOVE AND MURDER. Photo by Jonathan Goforth.
BEST LITTLE WHOREHOUSE IN TEXAS runs through Sunday at Surfside Playhouse. This is the oft-produced musical about a beloved house of ill repute butting up against politics and puritans. Read a review of it by clicking here. Tickets are $22 to $25 plus $1.75 handling fee. Surfside Playhouse is at 301 Ramp Road (5th Street South), Cocoa Beach, FL. Call 321-783-3127, visit SurfsidePlayers.com or click on their ad.
MAN OF LA MANCHA runs through Sunday at Titusville Playhouse. I saw the dress rehearsal of this powerful and aesthetically excellent production about dreaming the impossible dream. Read more about it by clicking here. Tickets are $21 to $29. Titusville Playhouse is at 301 Julia St., Titusville. Call 321-268-1125 or visit TitusvillePlayhouse.com.
TARZAN runs through March 24 at the Henegar Center. Read about the show by clicking here. A review will run soon in Brevard Culture. In the meantime, know that this is a very entertaining show with some fresh touches, terrific music and great cast. Tickets are $19 to $29. The Henegar is at 625 E. New Haven Ave., Melbourne, FL. Call 321-723-8698 or visit Henegar.org.
Corinne Marie as Jane, surrounded by the guerilla tribe in TARZAN the stage musical at The Henegar. Photo by Niko Stamos.
MUSIC & NIGHTLIFE:
HEIDI’S JAZZ LOUNGE presents Suzy Park with Terry Myers tonight and harmonica player Corky Siegel along with the Ron Teixeira Trio Saturday night. Jam session Sunday. Heidi’s is at 7 N Orlando Ave, Cocoa Beach, FL. Call 321-783-4559 or visit HeidisJazzClub.com or click on their ad.
BREVARD SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA led by Maestro Christopher Confessore performs in concert Saturday at the King Center. The concert will feature the work of composer Amy Beach (“Gaelic Symphony in E minor), Percy Grainger (“Irish Tune from County Derry”) and Antonin Dvorak’s violin concerto featuring violinist Andrew Sords. Matinee begins 2 p.m. Saturday and evening concert begins 8 p.m. Saturday. Tickets are $29 for the matinee and $36 to $50 for the evening concert. The King Center is at 3865 N. Wickham Rd., Melbourne. Call 321-242-2219 or visit Brevard Symphony Orchestra music director and conductor, Maestro Christopher Confessore. Photo by Arik Sokol.
LARRY, STEVE, RUDY / THE GATLIN BROTHERSperforms 7 p.m. Sunday at the King Center. Tickets start at $51.75. The King Center is at 3865 N. Wickham Rd., Melbourne. Call 321-242-2219 or visit
NQR COMEDY performs improv at NQR Theatre is at 587 W. Eau Gallie Blvd., Melbourne. Visit NQRComedy.com.
Exhibits:
DOUBLE VISION with works by photographer Mark Mittleman and painter Bill McCoy runs through the month at the Fifth Avenue Art Gallery. The exhibit explores how two artists see the same thing. The Fifth Avenue Art Gallery, 1470 Highland Ave., Melbourne. Call 321-259-8261 or visit FifthAvenueArtGallery.com.
“Bamboos” with work by B. McCoy and M. Mittleman
LISA SHEPPERD is the artists of the month at the Studios of Cocoa Beach. Sheppard has been making pots since high school classes in Miami. For several decades, she worked locally with a gas-soda kiln at Horse Creek Pottery, but is now altering her decoration techniques for electric firings. She continues to take every opportunity to study with talented potters near and far, including Mackenzie Smith, Jinsong Kim, Josh DeWeese, Lorna Meaden and Linda Arbuckle. Lisa says, “My work begins on the wheel, but I often alter the form with handbuilt additions. I create distinctive decorations by painting with clay slips, as well as carving into the surface. I want to make functional art that people can use every day; all my pottery is food safe, and may be put in the dishwasher and microwave.” One of Lisa’s “ Berry Bowls ” will be the prize in the Studios’ monthly giveaway. To enter this free drawing, visit the Studios any day in March. The Studios of Cocoa Beach is at 165 Minuteman Causeway, Cocoa Beach, FL. Hours are Monday and Tuesday 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Wednesday through Saturday 10:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. and Sunday 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. For more information about exhibits, artists and workshop schedules, call the Studios at 321-613-3480 or visit StudiosOfCocoaBeach.org.
PROPAGANDA KIMONOS runs to May 4 at the Ruth Funk Center for Textile Arts which is on the campus of Florida Tech, 150 W. University Blvd., Melbourne, FL. Open Tuesdays through Saturdays. Free admission. Call 321-674-8313 or visit their website by clicking here.
A textile fragment from Japan circa 1931-45. A gift from Erik Jacobsen, the piece is part of the permanent collection of the Ruth Funk Center for Textile Arts and featured in the new exhibition, “Designed to Mobilize: Propaganda Kimono 1920-1945.”
FOOSANER ART MUSEUM presents DEREK GORES: LOCAL EDITION, a retrospective of work by Brevard’s popular, award winning and internationally acclaimed artist Derek Gores. It runs through March 23 at Florida Tech’s Foosaner Art Museum. On Saturday, March 9, the Foosaner will present “Collage Couture” a special event combining fashion and art. The area designers involved are: Sabrina Servance, Kitty Drew, Maria Storman, Nadail Watson, Lear Bunda, Cassandra Wyzik, Virginia Rivera, Jessica Neal and Rosemary Heptig. They will show designs inspired by Derek Gores’ collage work. It begins 7 p.m. and costs $25 per person. Proceeds will benefit Florida Tech’s Renee Foosaner Education Center summer camps. The Foosaner Art Museum is at 1463 Highland Avenue Melbourne, FL. Call 321-674-8916 or visit FoosanerArtMuseum.org.
(321) 674-8916
Auditions:
ACTORS: For information on the wealth of auditions happening around the area this month and next, click here.
WFIT 89.5 FM GARAGE BAND CONTEST is seeking entries. Winner will be announced 12:10 p.m. March 29 and will win a recording session at the radio station’s performance studio. The band will also be asked to perform at the 2019 Sonic Waves Music Festival on Saturday, April 13, at the Intracoastal Brewing Company in the Eau Gallie Arts District of Melbourne. To be eligible, bands must be from Brevard County and be unsigned. To enter, bands must film a new video of them performing an original song in a garage. The video, no longer than 5 minutes, should then be uploaded to YouTube. The link should be included on the contest entry form. The band must submit an entry form, available at www.wfit.org, by Friday, March 22. The band will also be asked to perform at the 2019 Sonic Waves Music Festival on Saturday, April 13, at the Intracoastal Brewing Company in the Eau Gallie Arts District of Melbourne. Find more information and entry forms at wfit.org.
Plan Ahead:
THE MORGENSTERN PIANO TRIO will be presented by the Melbourne Chamber Music Society March 22.
THE COUNTRY HOUSE opens March 22 at Melbourne Civic Theatre.
GHOST WRITER opens March 26 at Riverside Theatre in Vero Beach.
SONDHEIM ON SONDHEIM opens March 22 at Titusville Playhouse and March 30 at the Henegar Center.
ART opens March 29 at Not Quite Right Theatre.
THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE opens April 5 at Titusville Playhouse
RED opens April 19 in the Studio Theatre of the Henegar Center.
