ONGOING THIS WEEK

Swinging on a Star is the dazzling, toe-tapping, finger-snapping celebration of the music of Academy Award-winning lyricist Johnny Burke opening this week at Riverside Theatre with performances from October 27th through November 15th. From a smoky 1920’s Speakeasy to the Bowery of the 1930’s, from a World War II USO to a 1950’s Manhattan supper club, Swinging on a Star perfectly weaves various settings and scenes with some of most popular songs of a generation including: “Pennies from Heaven,” “Imagination,” “Road to Morocco,” “Going My Way,” “Moonlight Becomes You,” “Swinging on a Star,” and many more. For tickets, visit RiversideTheatre.com.

 

Thursday, October 29

The Vero Beach Museum of Art presents James Archer at its first Concert in the Park event on Thursday, October 29th from 5 to 7 pm. Rain or shine, Concerts in the Park offer visitors the chance to listen to the sounds of sweet and soulful music in a unique visual arts environment. Visitors can enjoy spirits and food will available for sale. Admission is $10 for museum members, $12 for guests.

The Vero Beach High School Orchestras will present a family-friendly evening of serious, not-so-serious, and eerie music with “Orchestral Spooktacular” at 7pm on Thursday, October 29th in the VBHS Performing Arts Center. Children in costume receive free admission to the performance. Tickets are $10 and $15 Reserved Seating. Call the Box Office at 772-564-5537.

Christopher Domis, who is exhibiting his paintings at the Foyer Gallery of Art in the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, 1590 27th Avenue in Vero Beach, is hosting a “Meet the Artist” night on Thursday, October 29th from 5:30 to 7 pm. View this talented artist’s landscapes before the exhibit comes down on October 31.

The free Florida Humanities Series will begin on Thursday, October 29th, at 7 pm at the Emerson Center, 1590 27th Avenue in Vero Beach. The premier speaker during National Humanities Month will be Fellsmere historian Richard Votapka presenting “Fellsmere Firsts and Other Fellsmere Stories.” Dressed in costume of an earlier day, Votapka will share information via PowerPoint about what life was like there at the turn of the 19th century and its early years.

Friday, October 30

Award-winning photographer Greg Hills announces the Grand Opening Celebration of his new gallery, Greg Hills Photography, to be held Friday, October 30th from 6:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m., 900 Village Square, Suite 1 in Sebastian. Join Greg and friends for an evening of art and beauty, music and refreshments, and view the fabulous images he has captured from local scenes and during his 40 years as a ship’s captain and world adventurer. For more information call Greg at 786-212-7050, or visit http://www.greghillsphoto.com
Photo of pelican by Greg Hills

Main Street Vero Beach’s “Halloween” Downtown Friday will be held on October 30th from 6 to 9 pm on 14th Avenue. There will be Wiener Dog races, a pumpkin carving contest and costume contest for children and adults. Bring the family, enjoy the food and stay for the street party, dancing with music by Category 5. For more information or to register for the race or become a vendor, call 772-643-6782 or e-mail info@mainstreetverobeach.org.

Saturday, October 31

The 2015 Celebrate the Arts Festival will be held on Saturday, October 31st in Riverside Park from 10 am to 4 pm. This annual event sponsored by the Cultural Council of Indian River County introduces residents to the artists, authors, performers, nonprofit organizations and businesses that support the arts. With over 87 booths to visit, attendees will have the opportunity to receive giveaways, purchase tickets for raffle prizes, enjoy live entertainment, a food court, view artists at work with demonstrations, meet local authors and learn about their books as well as other goodies.
Live Entertainment on Stage will be from 10 am to 2:30 pm to include performances by Vero Classical Ballet, Indian River Charter High School’s jazz students, The Cloudwalker Foundation, Vero Beach Theatre Guild/Guild on the Go, Vero Beach Pipes & Drums, and musical duo, Just Me 2.
Raffle Items are baskets full of goodies from Cultural Council members, each with a minimum value of $250. Winning tickets will be announced on Facebook on Monday, November 2nd. Raffle tickets are $5 each or 5 for $20.
Food Court: Enjoy delicious snacks and treats from local restaurants including Chelsea’s on Cardinal, Osceola Bistro and Wilke’s 14 Bones BBQ Restaurant.
Admission is free! Bring the family and learn about all the exciting programs and arts entertainment coming up this season!

On Halloween, Saturday, October 31st, at 9:30 am, the Vero Beach Recreation Department invites super heroes, princess’s, witches, goblins and ghosts to converge at the Vero Beach Women’s Club, 1534 21st Street, for the annual Vero Beach Halloween Parade. Adults, children, families, and friends can participate dressed in Halloween garb (or not) and begin the march at 10 am. The parade will route through 14th Ave., to the Vero Beach Community Center where the children between the ages of 0-17 will compete for the best costume. Prizes will be awarded.. All children will receive a free goody bag. There will also be a silent auction to benefit the Recreation Department.
Image: Children in costumes.

The Pelican Island Audubon Society and the Indian River Photo Club will have a field trip on Saturday, October 31st at Sebastian Inlet State Park with guide Juanita Baker. Meet at the tide pool at 7:30 am (sunrise), 8:00 am for(bird walk).

The Vero Beach Elks Lodge #1774, 1350 26th Street is having a Halloween Costume Party on Saturday, October 31st, from 5:30 – 10 pm. Cocktails 5:30, Dinner 6:30, Music 7-10 by The Dynamics. Dinner is Rose’s Famous Lasagna – $15. This is a costume party and limited to the first 150 people. Reservations 772-562-8450.
Sunday November 1

The Space Coast Symphony Orchestra will perform Pictures at an Exhibition with works by Mussorgsky, Prokofiev, Liebermann on Sunday, November 1st at the Vero Beach High School Performing Arts Center, 1707 16th Street at 3 pm. The concert begins with Liebermann’s heartfelt Concerto for Flute and Orchestra with flutist Sandra del Cid-Davies. Next, Sergei Prokofiev’s incredible Lieutenant Kije Suite and concludes with the much-loved classic of the orchestral repertoire: Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition. $20 advance tickets are available at SpaceCoastSymphony.org. The concert is free for those aged 18 and under or with a student ID. Tickets at the door, $25.

Nautilus, the newest choral ensemble on the Treasure Coast, presents “Songs of Night, Dawn, and the Day” on Sunday, November 1st at 7 pm at Community Church of Vero Beach, 1901 23rd Street. This 20 voice chamber choir’s repertoire ranges from the music of the early renaissance to modern day vocal jazz a little bit of everything in between. A free-will offering will be gratefully received..

Highlights next week

The Homeless Family Center is holding its annual dinner on Monday, November 2nd at the Quail Valley Club. The evening includes cocktails, a surprise band, dinner and a live auction. There will also be a raffle for a men’s Rolex Yacht-Master watch. For more information visit http://www.homelessfamilycenter.com.

On November 4th, Martha Ann Sloan of Create at Studio MA will conduct a Holiday Paint Party for ladies at Riverside Childrens Theatre. Attendees will be guided through the process of painting their own acrylic painting to take home. Then, on November 7th from 10 am to noon, Santa’s Elves Workshop, for children ages 6 to 10 years, will be taught by Martha Ann Sloan and assisted by Jennifer Lier. Children will make a surprise gift to give to a family member. Stories, games and refreshments will also keep little ones busy. For reservations, visit RiversideTheatre.com.