Thursday, Dec. 31

The Cultural Council of Indian River County, Main Street Vero Beach and the Heritage Center present the first Downtown New Year’s Eve Party on Thursday, December 31st from 8 pm to midnight on the grounds of the Heritage Center. There will be Food Trucks, entertainment on stage from 8 to 11 pm, a Big Screen outdoor simulcast of Times Square Ball drop will be shown at midnight, then Vero Beach’s own ball drop, fireworks and more! Entertainment includes live music with Dennis Love, Cloudwalker Demos, “Guild On The Go” with Vero Beach Theatre Guild followed by the “Cloudwalker Review” inspired by the Flip Wilson Show, complete with musical performances, comedians, and skits.

Theatre-Go-Round Dinner Theatre presents three great parties at the Quilted Giraffe on Thursday, December 31st. All three parties include dinner, with choice of filet mignon or fresh seafood of the day, and dancing. Choose from Twilight Dinner & Show package, dancing to the sounds of the 70’s, with dinner at 4 pm and the show at 5:30 pm ($55 per person); Supper Club Dinner & Show package, dancing to the sounds of the 70’s, with dinner at 7 pm and the show at 8:30 pm ($65); or the Late Night Dinner & Show package featuring the Groovin’ Groundhogs with dinner at 10 pm and dancing until closing with a champagne toast at midnight ($75 per person). Reservations are required by calling Patrick Tomassi at the Quilted Giraffe, 772-978-4242.

Friday, Jan. 1

On Friday, January 1st start the New Year off with a “First Day Hike” at Sebastian Inlet State Park from 8 am to 10 am. Meet at the T-Dock on the south side of Sebastian Inlet, at 8 AM. The ranger led moderate paced inlet walk and beach walk is two miles in length. Please no pets and no smoking. Bring a water bottle, comfortable walking shoes, bug spray, hat and sun protection.

The Education Foundation’s New Year’s Resolution Run

The New Year’s Resolution 5K Run/Walk benefiting the Education Foundation of Indian River County, will be held on Friday, January 1st at Riverside Park beginning at 10 am. Kids race to follow the 5K. To register, $28 per participant, visit Runner’s Depot in Vero Beach or follow this link: http://www.runnersdepotvb.com/race-series.html

Friday & Saturday, Jan. 1 & 2

Comedy Zone at Riverside Theatre

Riverside Theatre presents Comedy Zone –Winter Nights on Friday & Saturday, January 1st and 2nd. Comedians are Al Romas (at left) and John Consoli (at right) with shows at 7:30 and 9:30 pm. Free outdoor concerts feature Uproot Hootenanny on Friday and Collins & Company on Saturday at In the Loop beginning at 6:30 pm. For Comedy Zone tickets, visit RiversideTheatre.com

Next Week:

Glen River at Foyer Gallery of Art – The Foyer Gallery of Art located at the Emerson Center, 1590 27th Avenue, Vero Beach, is very pleased to present for the first show of 2016 the Hardy Collection, a retrospective of representational, abstract and non­objective paintings executed from 1958 to the present by Glen River. River’s works of art known for their unique brushwork and vivid color can be seen in collections across the US and abroad. This extraordinary Exhibit will run from January 3rd to February 28th, with a “Meet the Artist” Reception on January 21st from 5­ to 7 pm,. The Foyer Gallery of Art is open daily from 10 am to 4 pm and on Sundays from 10 am to noon.

 

Pelican Island Audubon offers an intensive Beginning Bird Watching course teaching bird identification and location skills. Learn all about birds in an intensive 2-week course during four class sessions to be held on Tuesday, January 12, Thursday, January 14th, Tuesday, January 26th, Thursday, January 28th from 6:30 pm until 9:00 pm. There will be two field trips: Saturday, January 16th and Sunday, January 31st 7:00 am to 1:00 pm. All classes are held at Audubon House, 195 Oslo Road SE, Vero Beach, surrounded by the Oslo Riverfront Conservation Area (ORCA). Long-time birder and PIAS author of the Florida Photo-of-the-Month, Juanita N. Baker, will be the instructor of the classes with help from experienced field guides on the field trips. Fee: Members, $65; Non-Members $85 (includes $20 individual membership) or $95 (includes $30 family membership). Class is limited to 35 people. To reserve, e-mail Juanita Baker at bakerj@fit.edu.

The Vero Beach Museum of Art offers a wide selection of studio arts and humanities classes and weekend workshops for people of all ages and skill levels. The Museum’s studio facilities are state-of-the-art, including drawing, painting, printmaking, ceramics, and glass. Register now for classes beginning January 12th. Call (772) 231-0707 x116 for more information.

On January 5th the film study program at the Vero Beach Museum of Art begins weekly with a choice of afternoon or evening classes through February 2nd. This session, Keeping On: Films about Art in the Long Run, looks at some long- term contributors to the arts, both unapologetically elitist and unabashedly popular. Led by Film Studies Coordinator Warren Obluck. Visit VeroBeachMuseum.org.

The Lotus Center 2400 15th Avenue, Suite 3 in Vero Beach is offering a wide range of Art Classes to begin in January 2016. Classes include: Angel Art, Landscape Drawing and Painting, Basic Drawing, Still Life Painting, Abstract Art with Classical Principles, and Color Theory. Classes will be taught by Cecelia, MFA, and continue through February. For further information, please call 772.778.5846.

Arts & Culture in St. Lucie County

The Treasure Coast Performing Arts Series produced by BoldTunes presents its first concerts of the season featuring Canadian artist Madonna Tassi. The concerts will be held at St. Bernadette Church in St. Lucie West on Sunday, January 3rd at 3 pm, and at St. John of the Cross Church in Vero Beach on Friday, January 8th at 7 pm. This talented popular songstress will offer songs, both new and classic, including “Where the Boys Are”, “Rocky Top”, along with her own “My Mother” and “My Heart’s an Open Invitation”. Fans of Barbara Striesand and Celine Dion will love Madonna Tassi. Tickets are $35 and may be purchased at the door or in advance at either location, or directly from BoldTunes by calling 772-224-7089. More information is available at http://www.Boldtunes.com

Jazz up your week with the Fort Pierce Jazz & Blues Society’s Wednesday Night Jazz Jam on December 30th at the Port St. Lucie Botanical Gardens, 2410 Westmoreland Blvd. in Port St. Lucie from 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm. Then, on Saturday, January 2nd visit the Fort Pierce waterfront to hear live jazz from 9 am to noon. For more information, visit jazzsociety.org or call 772 460-JAZZ.