arts & entertainment

Neon legwarmers were in. VCRs were recording Dynasty, and big permed hair was bodacious. Yep, we’re talking about the 1980s. Turn up your boombox and get ready for a retro reboot, when the Space Coast Symphony Orchestra takes you Back to the 80s on Sunday, January 12 at 3:00 PM, at the Emerson Center, 1590 27th Avenue in Vero Beach, 32960. The power-packed program of 80s favorites will feature Michelle Knight and Cesar De LaRosa, singers well known to Central Florida’s biggest theme parks. Knight’s extensive resume includes performances on and off Broadway and touring with hit shows, while De La Rosa’s professional a capella group, Voiceplay, enjoys over one million YouTube subscribers. 

Back to the 80s will showcase the decade’s #1 hit songs, including “The Power of Love,” “Time After Time,” “Material Girl,” “Addicted to Love,” and many more. It will include the music of iconic 80s stars Madonna, Debbie Gibson, Huey Lewis & The News, Phil Collins, Queen, Joe Cocker, and others.  In addition, Knight and De La Rosa will serenade audiences with some of the great love songs from 80’s Broadway musicals. $35 tickets for Back to the 80s are available through the orchestra website at www.SpaceCoastSymphony.org or at Marine Bank & Trust, beachside and mainland branches. Tickets at the door are $40. Concertgoers aged 18 and under or with a college ID are admitted free to every SCSO concert. For more information about Back to the 80s, call toll free to 855-252-7276 or visit www.SpaceCoastSymphony.org.   

Space Coast Symphony Orchestra Conductor and Artistic Director, Aaron T. Collins can’t wait to welcome back Michelle Knight and Cesar De La Rosa for Back to the 80s. The professional pair are Central Florida favorites and were featured in the 2023 SCSO concert, Bewitching Broadway.

“This is going to be a totally rad concert,” said Collins. “The 80s were dynamic and bold, which is reflected in the music. The vibrant color of this era will come back to life with the help of Michelle and Cesar.”  

The Space Coast Symphony Orchestra is one of only a handful of U.S. orchestras to perform year-round. Concertgoers aged 18 and under or with a college ID are admitted free to every SCSO concert. For more information about the Space Coast Symphony 2024-25 season or the Symphony for Everyone ticket program, visit SpaceCoastSymphony.org or call toll-free (855) 252-7276.

ABOUT the Guest Artists —

Michelle Knight – Michelle is an Orlando native and UCF grad. After being on Broadway with Jersey Boys, Michelle premiered and starred in the off-Broadway musical Disenchanted (Lucille Lortel award Nominee-Lead Actress). Other credits include national tours of Grease (Rizzo) and the 30th anniversary tour of Annie.  Most recently, Michelle was the lead vocalist in national concert tours such as The Golden Age of Broadway and Rhapsody and Rhythm. Michelle was often a leading player with the Orlando Philharmonic (My Fair Lady, Carousel, Guys and Dolls, How to Succeed.) You can see Michelle singing at Walt Disney World as Dory in Finding Nemo the musical and with the Voices of Liberty.

Cesar De La Rosa- Cesar is a singer-songwriter from San Juan, Puerto Rico. He was the runner-up for Telemundo’s, Yo Soy El Artista, and has performed for over a decade on numerous stages around Walt Disney World and Universal Studios. Theatrical credits include, Usnavi (In The Heights), Jack (Into The Woods), Jesus (Godspell). Currently, the baritone performs with the award-winning a cappella group, Voiceplay, which has over one million subscribers on YouTube and continues to grow on TikTok and Spotify.

ABOUT THE SPACE COAST SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA— The SCSO is a lively and passionate Central Florida orchestra comprised of professional musicians, music educators and mentored amateurs of exceptional ability. The Orchestra was formed by Conductor and Artistic Director Aaron T. Collins with a two-fold mission: to provide mentoring and performance opportunities for Florida’s finest young musicians as well as to provide professional concerts at genuinely affordable prices. The ultimate goal of the organization is to help ensure the symphonic tradition for the enjoyment of future generations.

Aaron T. Collins is garnering recognition for his achievements.  LEAD Brevard named the ambitious Collins one of their “4 under 40” Young Professionals, the youngest-ever recipient of the honor.  Space Coast Business magazine listed him as one of Brevard’s “100 Most Admired Businesspeople.” Collins is a past recipient of the Richard A. Stark Award for cultural leadership from the Cultural Council of Indian River County. Through his personal involvement with more than a dozen performing arts groups, pioneering reciprocal ad program and social media cross promotions, Collins has gained a reputation for generosity; championing other arts organizations throughout Central Florida for the cultural enrichment of the community. 

School-aged children 18 years and under are admitted free of charge, as are college students with a valid ID.  In keeping with their mission, the symphony provides a unique Symphony for Everyone ticketing program, a “pay-what-you-can” option designed to provide substantially discounted admission to any Space Coast Symphony concert. Relying on a non-traditional orchestra model and a slim budget, the Space Coast Symphony Orchestra is one of only a handful of U.S. orchestras to perform year-round. The nonprofit organization also maintains the Space Coast Symphony JAZZ Orchestra and the Space Coast Symphony Wind Orchestra, with several free performances each year. More information about the Space Coast Symphony Orchestra’s upcoming concerts, ticket sales, venues, directions and sponsorship opportunities is available at SpaceCoastSymphony.org by calling toll free (855) 252-7276.