ARTS AND CULTURAL Events ~ CCIRC

Performances & Events

VBMA Museum Stories (Every Wednesday)

for 0-24 months old on February 8 &15 , 9:30 – 10:30am

VBMA Museum Stories (Every Wednesday)

for 2-4 years old on February 8 & 15 , 10:30 – 11:30am

Art at The Emerson presents The Honor Roll Exhibition

Meet the Artists Reception: February 8, 5:30pm. On view through March 28.

A tribute to the past and present IRC school teachers exhibiting their fine arts.

On the SE corner of 16th Street and 27th Avenue in Vero Beach.Gallery Hours: Monday -Friday 10am – 3pm, No entry fee.

Live from Vero Beach! presents The Rocket Man Show ~ A Tribute to Elton John February 9, 7pm, The Emerson Center

Scotsman Rus Anderson was Elton John’s official body double for his ‘Farewell Yellow Brick Road’ world tour videos & photos!   Hand-picked by Elton John himself, it was Rus’ own live production “The Rocket Man Show” which got him noticed.  In the show, Rus recreates the magic & live persona of a young Elton like no other….Storming around the stage with a fun-loving sense of flamboyance; part diva, part soccer player, killer vocalist, fierce piano player, all rock & roller.  Rus’ painstaking attention to detail includes wearing gorgeous, colorful & spectacular costumes (many actually worn by Elton) including his iconic boots, glasses & jumpsuits from 1973, as well as a sparkly Swarovski tuxedo from 1984. It is clearly the most authentic Elton John tribute show in the world.  The Rocket Man Show is a regular feature across the USA at venues such as House of Blues, Hard Rock Live, Caesar’s, Harrah’s, Legends in Concert, BB King’s, Universal Studios, Walt Disney World and back to Vero Beach again where his fans see his show over and over again!

Free Writers Critique Group on February 10, 10am. For all levels, Indian River County Main Library, 1600 21st Street in Vero Beach

Vero Beach Quilt Guild presents Quilt Show on February 10 & 11, 10am – 4pm. IRCFair Grounds, 7955 58th Ave, in Vero Beach.

VBMA – The Art of the Cocktail ~ Benz Blinker

February 10, 6:30- 8pm, Drawing inspiration from Rolling Sculpture: Streamlined Art Deco Automobiles and Motorcycles, cocktail connoisseurs will enjoy a lively docent-guided talk centered around the car of the night, then move to the Bill and Laura Buck Atrium with an expert mixologist to create a carefully crafted and paired cocktail. Sip your beverage, enjoy light hors d’oeuvres, and take home the cocktail glass and a recipe card. Ingredients and glass will be provided. Alcohol-free mocktail options will be available. Participants must be 21 years of age or older.

McKee Botanical Garden presents 13th Annual Motor Car Exhibition “Car Collectors’ Favorites” on February 11, 10am – 3pm,  Featuring over forty of “The Collectors’ Favorite” automobiles from their private collections. The exhibit will showcase a great variety of cars from antique to modern, as well as a display of motorcycles. This fun, family-oriented presentation of motoring excellence will be on display throughout the Garden and visitors will have an opportunity to speak with the car collectors. McKee’s annual motor car exhibition is one of the top shows in the area with its unique garden setting.

Enjoy two exhibitions for the price of one! This year’s exhibition will be held in conjunction with McKee’s Garden of Glass Exhibition by world renowned master glass artist Jason Gamrath. This exhibition will be on display from now through April 30 and features ten one-of-a-kind stunning glass orchids, waterlilies, and plants celebrating the beauty, movement, and power in the natural world through the medium of glass.

The Garden Café will be open during this event and will feature a limited menu. OFF-SITE PARKING: McKee’s off-site parking lot with complimentary shuttle buses is located less than one mile south of the Garden off U.S. 1 at 146 Vista Royale Blvd., Vero Beach, FL 32962.

Art in Public Places Program sponsored by the Cultural Council of Indian River County on exhibit at the Intergenerational Center Emerging Artists Showcase  ~ A Juried Exhibit for Student Artists in Grades 9-12. Reception/Awards Presentation: Intergenerational Center on February 11, 11am-1pm.  On view through March 17.

VBMA ~ 42nd Asbury Short Film Concert

February 11, 1:30 – 3:30pm / 7 – 9pm

Ashbury Shorts USA is New York City’s longest running short film exhibition and touring show. Since 1981, short film “concerts” have been presented at venues across the US, Canada, Great Britain, and Germany. The mission is to screen world renowned, festival award winning short films in theaters, art museums, and performing art centers. The VBMA is thrilled to present Ashbury Shorts’ 42nd Short Film Concert at the Museum for the eight consecutive year. The program will feature a fast-paced and highly entertaining line up of the best in short film Comedy, Drama, and Action. The two-hour showcase includes Oscar Nominees, US film festival “Best in Show” winners, and international honorees past and present. Recommended for ages 16 and above.

TC Jazz offers Gary Haase ~“A Jazz Journey” on February 11, 12:30 – 3pm.

Gary Haase will perform A Jazz Journey from Acoustic to Electric accompanied by Brad Hatfield an accomplished keyboardist and pianist along with Hosney Franck on Drums.

Known in the industry as a quadruple treat, Gary Haase is a musician, Bassist, composer, producer and recording artist. Breaking onto the New York music scene in his early twenties, Gary began working with some great jazz giants such as  Buddy Rich, Red Rodney, Bucky Pizzarelli, while building a career as a studio musician . Journalist and Television host Martin Bashir says “Gary can unravel the most complex jazz yet he also sees the beauty and nuance in the music of the third world”.  Joining Gary is Brad Hatfield. An accomplished keyboard and piano player, Brad has added his unique sound to a wide variety of genres and has performed with such diverse artists as Aretha Franklin, YoYo Ma, kd lang, Bono, The Boston Pops, Gary Burton, James Taylor, and many more. Drummer, Hosney Franck, a regular with the Ft. Pierce Jazz and Blues Society and is known for his versatility in all styles of jazz. Performance at Oak Harbor, 4755 S Harbor, Vero Beach.

Beachin it on Saturday Night

February 11, 5 – 8pm

Saturday Night Concert Series will be held on the second Saturday of every month in front of Humiston Park on Ocean Drive. Come out enjoy great music, beer, wine, food trucks, and lots of fun for the entire family. Hosted by The Vero Beach Chamber of Commerce

Music Benefit for Vero Beach Art Village at Raw Space

February 11, 6:30 – 9pm Three musical acts including; Flamenco guitarist Greg Reiter, Harmonica player Kevin Lureau and Saxophonist Tanner Goulet.

Sunrise Theatre offers

The Simon & Garfunkel Story

 On February 11, 8pm

JM Stinger Gallery presents Poetry of the Colorist.  Exhibit includes recent painting of  Deborah Cotrone, Leonard Mizerek& Jim Rodgers.

On view through February 11.

VBMA Film Studies ~ Mysteries of the Heart: Stories of Unique and Unexpected Connections

February 15, 1:30 or 7pm

Love doesn’t always have to be the romantic kind, but instead might be a special connection between two beings that runs very deep. Whether friends from childhood days or two people who simply happen to connect in the most random way, the bonds that form are powerful and enriching. A film we’ll be viewing is the startling new sci-fi romantic comedy from Germany, I’m Your Man (2021). It is sure to both amuse and confound you with all the possibilities it presents.

VBMA ~ Art Talk | Rolling Sculpture: Innovations

February 15, 12 – 1pm

Join VBMA education staff and docents for an in-depth focus on select artworks from special exhibitions and the permanent collection. Registered participants will meet docents at the main entrance of the Museum and will move to the galleries as a group.

Live from Vero Beach! presents The Buckinghams & The Box Tops on February 16, 7pm at The Emerson Center.

The Buckinghams formed in 1965 in Chicago at the height of the British Invasion. They won a “Battle of the Bands” contest sponsored by a Chicago TV Show, “All Time Hits”, and were awarded a 14-week gig on the show.  Within one year, the group signed a contract with USA Records, a Chicago label, and first recorded covers of hit songs like James Brown’s “I’ll Go Crazy”, The Beatles, “I’ll Call Your Name”, The Hollies’ “I’ve Been Wrong Before” until their first national hit “Kind of a Drag” debuted, which sold more than a million copies and went to #1 on the national pop charts. The group soon left USA Records for the much larger Columbia Records, and had back to back hits with “Lawdy Miss Clawdy” and “Don’t You Care” reaching #6 on the national charts. The band soon became a hot property on TV teen and variety shows, appearing on such programs as The Ed Sullivan Show and American Bandstand. It was during this period that they came out with yet another hit, a remake of “Mercy, Mercy, Mercy” which got to #5 on the charts, followed by “Susan”, and then “Hey Baby” (They’re Playing Our Song) which reached #11 and #12 respectively.

The Box Tops, an American rock band and members of the Memphis Music Hall of Fame, were formed in Memphis in 1967 and considered a major blue-eyed soul group of the period. Their music combined elements of soul music and light pop. They are best known for hits like “The Letter” which was an international hit reaching the Hot 100’s number-one position for four weeks, selling over four million copies, earning a gold disc, and receiving two Grammy Award nominations.  “Cry Like a Baby” was a million-seller in 1968, peaking at #2 on the Hot 100 and has since been covered by several performers. Many of their other Top 40 hits include “Neon Rainbow”, “I Met Her in Church”, and “Sweet Cream Ladies, Forward March” which are considered minor classics. The Box Tops were inducted into Memphis Music hall of Fame in 2018. The Box Tops “Now” CD has been recently released featuring founding members Bill Cunningham and Gary Talley singing selected songs pulled from show set lists, to fulfill requests by fans. Once our audiences enjoy The Box Tops, they will remember what they’ve been missing!

Indian River Symphonic Association presents Philadelphia Orchestra

On February 16, 7:30pm

Nathalie Stutzmann, Principal Guest Conductor Gil Shaham, Violinist performing

P. Tchaikovsky: Polonaise from Eugene Onegin

J. Brahms: Violin Concerto in D major, Op. 77

J. Brahms: Symphony No. 1 in C minor, Op. 68

The Jimmy Buffet Tribute Concert in February 18,7pm at Vero Beach Elks Lodge.  Entertainment by Flip Flop Dave.  BYO Snack: Charcuterie Board Contest. Dress in Jimmy Buffet Casual. Proceeds to benefit WWII Tribute at Veterans Memorial Sanctuary Island.

Riverside Theatre presents Bakersfield Mist

Performances run through February 19, ON THE WAXLAX STAGE

“A new-comedy drama inspired by true events” By Stephen Sachs

Inspired by true events, this new comedy follows Maude, a fifty-something unemployed bartender, who buys a painting for a few bucks from a thrift store. Despite almost trashing it, she’s now convinced it’s a lost masterpiece by Jackson Pollock worth millions. But when world-class art expert Lionel Percy flies over from New York and arrives at her trailer home in Bakersfield to authenticate the painting, he has no idea what he is about to discover. This play contains adult language.

AE Backus Museum & Gallery presents “Dashboard Dreams:

The Florida Highwaymen and the American Road”

On view through February 26. The next presentation of the 2022-23 season at the A.E. Backus Museum & Gallery continues the annual series of special exhibitions celebrating the unique art movement that traces its beginnings to our community. Dashboard Dreams: The Florida Highwaymen and the American Road considers the iconic imagery and inspirational story of the celebrated artists in the context of the American auto industry of the era.

The Backus Museum is planning to present its annual favorite Highwaymen Celebration Weekend on February 17-19, featuring free admission during regular hours. Visitors to the Museum can enjoy a range of special offerings outside and inside. The highlight of the weekend takes place on the Museum’s Outdoor Mural Plaza, where people seeking to start or build their personal collections of Highwaymen paintings will be able to browse an impressive selection offered for purchase by professional dealers, specializing in the vintage works of these artists. This is an excellent opportunity to learn about the current state of the art market and to explore owning an original work of art for your home or office. Dashboard Dreams will be on display inside, with free gallery talks for the public each day. The special exhibition expands upon the year-round display of Highwaymen paintings on view, a display which includes video excerpts from the award-winning documentary film “The Highwaymen: Legends of the Road.

Vero Native, Susan Hale, to Show Abstracts

“Journeys,” will include paintings that have been described as otherworldly.

Center for Spiritual Care, On view through February 28

Vero Beach Art Club Gallery & Marketplace

Big, Bold, & Beautiful

On view through March 17 1903 14th Avenue, Vero Beach

Sixth Anniversary Art Show  Galleries at First Pres

The show will feature the works of local artists Jean Breeding, Cathleen Hahn, and George Kofas. The galleries are located throughout the campus of First Presbyterian Church, 520 Royal Palm Boulevard in Vero Beach

Derek Gores to Return to Gallery 14 with “Piece of Mind”

On view through March 24.  Gores’ lush collage portraits capture an escapist tranquility, a nostalgic yet contemporary feeling of the good life by the coast.  In his newest body of work for Gallery 14, Gores takes a deeper exploration into his dreamlike surrealism. New subjects include a chess board, a vinyl record and a sweet treat or two, in addition to the floating swimmers, shoes and cocktails for which he is known. For this show, Gores has used many objects and textures inspired by life in Vero Beach. Hundreds of snapshots of local flowers and foliage, shells and waves, vintage postcards, Lilly Pulitzer patterns, and so many more hidden gems can be discovered at each glance. 

His sense of color has really gone next level this time – a nearly neon tropical wave of joy. His title, Piece of Mind, is a playful nod to the artist’s approach. 

Gores is a specialist in being present. He explores, gathers elements and inspirations, and combines them to form a sort of zen narrative. The story is on the canvas for us to piece together. His client list includes Tag Heuer, Loews South Beach, E! Entertainment, and more. He was honored to be the first ever Artist in Residence at the Hotel Bel-Air, where Marilyn Monroe had her last photo shoot.

Also featured are Gallery 14 artist-owners: Edgardo Abello, Lila Blakeslee, Barbara du Pont, Barbara Landry, Mary Ann Hall, George Pillorgé, Deborah Polackwich, and Dorothy Napp Schindel, and represented artists: Walford Campbell, Joan Earnhart, Terry Green, Viola Pace Knudsen, Mia Lindberg, Francis Mesaros, Michael Robinson, Carol Staub and sales associate-artist Jo Zaza.

Artists Guild Gallery is a fine-art gallery featuring original art by local artist-owners. Diverse styles and mediums are represented, and the art is changed, and rotated on a monthly basis. Classes are offered in oil, watercolor, acrylics, pastels, and drawing.  Located: 1974 14th Avenue, Vero Beach

Gallery Hours: Tuesday – Friday, 11am – 3pm, Saturdays 11 – 3

Art in Public Places Program sponsored by the Cultural Council of Indian River County on Exhibit, IRC Administration Buildings A & B “Artist Choice”.

Featuring works by Tony Caruso, Ella Chabot, Janet Grossarth, Evelyn Haught, Barbara Krupp, David LoPresti, Gwen McNenney &  Tara Rovani.

On view through April 5.

Art In Public Places Program sponsored by the Cultural Council of Indian River County on Exhibit IRC Courthouse Solo Exhibit by Merana Cadorette, Acrylic Art: A Retrospective. On view through Apr 19.

McKee Botanical Garden to Host World-Renowned Master Glass Sculptor and Artist Jason Gamrath’s Garden of Glass Exhibition

McKee Botanical Garden is hosting Master Glass Artist Jason Gamrath’ s Garden of Glass Exhibition which will run through April 30th.

Laura (Riding) Jackson’s Historic Home Opens for the 2022-2023 Season

Tours: Every Tuesday afternoon 1 – 5pm through May 23, 2023 

& The 2nd Sunday of each month 1 – 5pm through May 21, 2023

A Look Ahead:

The Cultural Council of Indian River County offers Treasures 2023 on February 18, 10am-4pm & February 19, 10am -2pm at The Heritage Center.

Showcasing treasures large and small, antique, vintage and collectibles including original artwork, furniture, oriental rugs, home décor items, Silent Auction gifts and more. Discover an inspired piece that you didn’t know you were missing. All proceeds benefit the cultural arts programs offered by the Cultural Council of Indian River County.

Riverside Theatre offers Ken Ludwig’s ~ A Comedy of Tenors

”A romantic-madcap tale” By Ken Ludwig

ON THE STARK MAIN STAGE, February 21 – March 12, 2023

Navy Seal Museum offers an Extraordinary Evening at Quail Valley River Club welcomes keynote speaker Captain (SEAL) Chris Cassidy, USN (Ret.). After serving in the SEAL Teams, Captain Cassidy served as the Chief Astronaut at NASA before his current role as President & CEO of the National Medal of Honor Museum. Hear about his extraordinary life and accomplishments.

Special photo opportunities will be available. February 27, 5pm.

The Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, (CMS) is one of eleven constituents of Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, the largest performing arts complex in the world. The Chamber Music Society has its home in Alice Tully Hall – the finest hall in the world for chamber music. Through its performance, education, and recording/broadcast activities, it draws more people to chamber music than any other organization of its kind.

Brahms and Arensky on Monday, March 20, 2023, 7pm

Performances at The Community Church of Vero Beach, 1901 23rd Street in Vero Beach.