|
|
Willi Miller's Treasure Coast
A
rts
C
ulture
E
ntertainment
|
|
Meet the people who make the Treasure Coast a great place
to live and visit.
|
|
This week
Vero Beach Opera - How Does Your Garden Grow? -
Space Coast Symphony Orchestra - Gretchen Green
|
|
|
|
Join me Mondays at 5 p.m. for the Cultural Council of Indian River County's Cultural Connection on WAXE 1370 AM, 107.9 FM on the Treasure Coast and streaming at
www.waxe1370.com
at 5 pm.
Recycling works. Please share this newsletter.
|
"Life is beautiful and you have a thousand things to do. And you have to be not afraid of doing something else.”
Mezzo soprano Anita Rachvelishvili in the Jan. 13, 2019 NY Times
|
|
I had a request from a friend this week. She has friends visiting and has filled their calendar with plenty of great evening and weekend activities but asked me for ideas about things to do during the day on a cold weekday. Bundling up in front of a cozy fire and a beach picnic are off the table, so what do you suggest? Brevard County to North Palm Beach County - send your ideas to
willi@willmiller.com and I'll pass them along.
|
|
Family and friends of Andrew McMullan will Celebrate his Life at Community Church of Vero Beach Feb. 15 at 1 p.m.
|
|
Indian River County
Matthew White - Vero Beach Opera's Bel Canto
Fresh from a wildly successful presentation of Bizet’s Carmen in January, Vero Beach Opera continues with a lineup of vibrant talent at the Vero Beach High School Performing Arts Center this weekend. Each of the four vocalists has been on that stage in recent years, competing and winning awards in the Vero Beach Opera International Vocal Competition, in collaboration with the Deborah Voigt Foundation and Marcello Giordani Vocal Competition.
If you think opera singers are unadventurous, maybe even a little stuffy, think again. At least one of the singers coming back to town for the Vero Beach Opera’s Bel Canto concert Feb. 2 is anything but. Tenor Matthew White, a fourth-year resident artist at the Academy of Vocal Arts (AVA) in Philadelphia, took a few minutes last week to talk about his life and career. Make that careers.
White owns a surfboard company — in Philadelphia, apparently not as unlikely a location as you might think. He said the market for surfboards in Philadelphia and the New Jersey shore is actually pretty large, “so I tried to fill a gap that existed in alternative shapes. I've wanted to be a surfboard shaper since I was in high school.” He started by making boards for himself, word got out and orders for boards came in.
It’s no surprise then that White’s considering a move back to Florida at some point, somewhere between Hutchinson Island and the the surfing beaches of the Sebastian Inlet. Before beginning his studies at AVA, he worked in Palm Beach County installing hard wood floors. And then, “Vero Beach Opera gave me an opportunity to sing a small role in their production of Il Tabarro.”
The tenor has caught a lot of waves locally and said, “The surf in Florida is really fickle and you really have to stay on top of all the weather patterns anywhere you go.” As with catching a wave, flexibility is important in a singing career. “Each role you do could be your dream role or a nightmare. I think going into every role without expectation is a better way to learn it.” White said, “You really have to be flexible and open to whatever ideas conductors and directors throw at you.” Kind of like the ocean.
White will be joined by mezzo soprano Alexandra Rodrick, baritone Ethan Simpson, and soprano Christine Suits in solo and combined performances of selections from the great Italian operas of Gioachino Rossini, Vincenzo Bellini and Gaetano Donizetti. Accompanying the singers will be Caren Levine, conductor for the Vero Beach Opera’s Carmen.
Bel Canto is at 7 p.m. at the VBHS Performing Arts Center Feb. 2. For tickets,
click here
.
|
|
Indian River
Young Miami pianist Jacob Velazquez returns to share the stage with the Space Coast Symphony Orchestra this weekend. Velazquez is an 11 year-old with PDDNOS, a form of autism, who began his career at the age of four. He recorded his first album at six and he first appeared with the Space Coast Symphony Orchestra at eight. Velazquez is now at work on a children’s book and will be featured in a documentary, “The Colorful World of Jacob Velazquez.” He will join the orchestra in Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 1.
With him in this concert will be two other young students, Monet Jowers, from Orlando, and Isaac Moorman, from Satellite Beach. Jowers will play Ravel’s Piano Concerto in G Major, while Moorman offers Elgar’s Cello Concerto in E minor.
Principal guest conductor Michael Hall is escaping the cold country of Kennett Square, Penna., to conduct, but not for the first time. He said he first conducted the Space Coast Symphony Orchestra in 2013 and was appointed principal guest conductor three years later. Hall’s wife, Jennifer, went to school at the University of Florida with Aaron Collins, SCSO founder and music director, and introduced the two men. Hall said, “I absolutely love what Aaron has been able to achieve with the SCSO. They have a wonderful following and play such diverse repertoire, including a lot of modern pieces. It is an honor to work with the orchestra.”
This will be Hall’s first time working with Velazquez and the other students and he’s looking forward to the concert. He said, “Conducting a concerto is interesting because you need to get on the same musical page with the soloist in a very short time. I will meet with the soloists only a few hours before the first rehearsal.” His job is to listen and understand what the soloist has in mind and then act as conduit between him and the orchestra.
Challenging as it can be, working with new musicians is something Hall enjoys. “It is a very exciting feeling when you first step out in front of a new orchestra for your first rehearsal. Certainly you’re nervous, but you’re ready to share in a music making experience. I can’t wait for the concert.”
Performances are at 7 p.m. Feb. 2 at Scott Center for the Performing Arts in Melbourne and at 3 p.m. Feb. 3 at Trinity Episcopal Church in Vero Beach.
|
|
Jacob Velazquez with Aaron Collins
|
|
|
|
Indian River County
The seed planted by the
Garden Club of Indian River County
18 years ago took root as soon as it hit the soil of Riverside Park and has grown into a lush annual must-do February event. GardenFest! is this weekend, once again offering an alternative to Super Bowl, gathering close to 90 vendors of orchids, flowering plants, fruit trees, shrubbery, bamboo, bromeliads, succulents and just about anything else that grows in this area. There will be a few new faces but many old favorites will be back in their familiar spots. My first stop is always Going Bananas, so I’m happy to be reminded that vendors will hold heavy purchases while visitors shop. There’s a free plant holding area for small purchases.
Barbara Russell, a founder and co-chair with Karen Vatland of the event, said that orchids are the biggest draw by far. Ask the Experts is back, with sessions on orchids at 11 a.m. Saturday and 9:30 a.m. Sunday. The experts will have answers to almost any question you can come up with about keeping your plants alive and flourishing. You’ll be able to learn about backyard bee keeping, pruning, potted gardens, plants to keep your pets away from, herb gardening and cooking, bromeliads, and giving your old garden a fresh look. The workshops are free, included in the price of admission, which also is free. A donation would not be refused, of course, and there are tickets on many raffle prize bundles available for purchase. Funds raised go toward the many community beautification programs of the Garden Club of Indian River County.
It’s suggested that visitors bring a wagon, even those who are sure they won’t be buying anything. That plan has never worked for me. Help will be available from Boys and Girls Club volunteers and there are pickup areas. Parking rules are fairly rigid and count on them to be enforced. There will be activities to entertain the kids and food available at the 14 Bones booth. Hours are 9 a.m-5 p.m Saturday and until 4 p.m. Sunday.
|
The
Pelican Island Audubon Society adds to the gardening mix with its second annual conference this weekend, open to the public.
Richard Baker, president of PIAS, said residents have the power to protect our waterways by "reducing grass lawns and planting native plants that do not require lots of fertilizer, herbicides, and precious water, but still are attractive to us and our birds, butterflies, fish and other animals, which are in decline."
Transforming Landscapes for a Sustainable Future starts at 8 a.m. at the Indian River County Fairgrounds Tickets are $10 in advance on the
website,
$15 at the door. There will be nurseries with native plants for purchase, food vendors, and experts demonstrating the hows of planting.
Photo:
Black Swallowtail photo by Nancy Soucy
|
|
Co-chairs Barb Russell and Karen Vatland
|
|
Indian River County
Just in time for Valentine's Day! Win 2 Riverside Theatre Tickets, plus Dinner at
Post & Vine VB
during February...the month of love! 'The Last Romance' is a romantic comedy about hoping for a second chance at LOVE at any age. We’ll pick a winner this Friday FEB 1st! Enter the FREE raffle here:
https://www.riversidetheatre.com/tickets-dinner-feb2019
The Last Romance, "a heart-warming comedy," opens Feb. 5 on the Stark stage. You'll learn to believe that it really never is too late.
Backstage tours
for this show will be Feb. 15.
The next in the
Distinguished Lecturer Series is Feb. 11, with Mitch Daniels, Jr., president of Purdue University and former governor of Indiana.
Look for Doo Wop at February 22-23 Live in the Loop!
|
|
|
Indian River County
Charles Todd
,
a workshop presenter for AAUW Vero Beach last week, will be at Vero Beach Book Center Feb. 6 at 6 p.m. with The Black Ascot, the latest in the Inspector Ian Rutledge series. Fans of the Rutledge and Nurse Bess Crawford books will like the
interactive map on the website.
Click on a city and see which mystery was set there! Both series are set in early 20th century England. The Black Ascot is a fictional visit to a murder at the Royal Ascot of 1910.
Charles Todd, half of the mother-son Charles Todd writing team, said it isn't his first time to the Treasure Coast. In an email this week he recalled a signing at Vero Beach Book Center a year or so ago and two appearances with AAUW Vero Beach, including last week's author workshop at the Laura (Riding) Jackson Foundation.
As many visitors to Vero Beach do, he commented on "the wonderful people I had the opportunity to meet. Vero Beach is a very inviting town that has a unique charm." He arrived a bit early last Saturday and had a chance to walk around the downtown area, where he said he picked up business cards to keep for a visit another time, when there will be more time to enjoy Vero Beach. He said, " I am not sure what draws the people from Vero Beach to our books. I am certain what draws me to Vero Beach."
|
|
Indian River County
Indian River Symphonic Association
brings the Brevard Symphony to Community Church Feb. 8 for the annual Pops concert, Great Movies-Grand Piano. Maestro Christopher Confessore conducts the orchestra and pianist Rich Ridenour in highlights from films scores by favorite composers John Williams, John Barry, Scott Joplin, and Henry Mancini.
All IRSA concerts are at 7:30 p.m. at Community Church of Vero Beach. The box office number there is 772-778-1070.
|
St. Lucie County
Artists of Color: Place, Race and Vision of the Florida Highwaymen at A.E. Backus Museum & Gallery in Fort Pierce runs through March 3. The vintage paintings on display are on loan from private collections.
A.E. Backus Museum & Gallery is working with the Sunrise Theatre to offer a speakers series from the
Florida Humanities Council
. The next one, Florida Soul, is Feb. 5 at 2 p.m. The speaker, John Capouya, is a teacher of journalism and nonfiction narrative at the University of Tampa. If you weren’t aware of the soul music roots dug deep into Florida, be prepared to get educated. Be aware that some of the Backus Humanities presentations are at the Sunrise Theatre and others at the Museum, so check the
Backus websit
e for updates. All of them are free and open to the public.
|
St. Lucie County
Gretchen Green, one of the diverse crew of seriously talented ladies at Seriously Mixed Media in Fort Pierce, considers herself a modern-day pop artist. Her work can be as small as one of the chihuahuas in her dog collection or as large as the 3-D wall hanging at T
he Galleries at First Pres
right now.
As a youngster, Green said, “I occupied myself by making things: painted rocks, landscapes in a bottle, ceramics.” Her current work is still “making things,” although those things are much more complex than a rock.
She finds cans in colorful designs and cuts them into pieces that she transforms into mosaics that are clearly animals, mostly dogs, but not any you’re likely to see on a leash on Orange Avenue, where the studio is.
Green’s favorite part of the creative process is finding the best silhouette for each piece. “Once I have that, the rest just falls into place.” After the piece is assembled, she pours epoxy resin over the entire piece. Most of her work is not framed, but in a cutout of the animal.
|
|
The other artists at
Seriously Mixed Media are Allie Comer, Janet Bird Fuller, Judith Coffman, and Sherry Horton.
Art Walk in Fort Pierce is the third Friday of every month, 5-8 p.m.
|
|
|
Indian River County
You probably aren't one of "those" people but you might have sat near one. Or maybe, like me, you actually went to a performance with one. You know him. The guy who sings along, not necessarily on-key and then critiques the performances, loud enough to share, during intermission. Four Vero Beach Theatre Guild actors will showcase every bad audience experience you've ever had or hope never to have in the new Apron Series show, "A Night at the Theatre" Feb. 8-10. Visit the website for tickets.
Katrin Peck, Nancy Stiefel, Don Croteau, and Jack Stiefel are the annoying audience members and
Alex Martinez directs.
Great news for anyone who couldn't get a ticket to Miracle on South Division Street, due to end last weekend. The response and word of mouth have forced an extra weekend for this very funny show. Added performances are Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 2 and 3.. Call the box office for tickets, 772-562-8300.
A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum opens March 12.
|
|
L-R:
Katrin Peck, Nancy Stiefel, Don Croteau and Jack Stiefel
|
|
I
ndian River County
First Friday Gallery Stroll
Feb. 1
Xaque Gruber, Nick Thomas and Barry Shapiro are the artists at Studio on 60, 1422 14th Street. They'll be greeting strollers Friday evening.
Meanwhile, at the
Center for Spiritual Care
-
Multi-media artist Jill Kerwick will show her new work there through Feb. 22, opening with an artist’s reception Friday, Feb. 1, at 5 p.m. It will be open to the public by appointment and Saturdays from 1 to 4 p.m.
|
|
|
Check the calendar every month for events: http://www.verobeach100.org/events.htm
|
|
IR -
The Long Run performs hits of the Eagles for
Live From Vero Beach!
Jan. 31 at the Emerson Center, Vero Beach. Classic Albums Live:
Fleetwood Mac's Rumors album will be there Feb. 8.
IR
- A subscription series of films, "From Movies to Mindfulness," at the
Center for Spiritual Care
in Vero Beach begins Feb. 6. Psychologist and artist Allan Teger joins Diane Thelen, a film lecturer, in presenting five movies that "deal with consciousness and the inner journey." Registration for the entire series, $50, is required. Films to be shown are
“Tuesdays With Morrie,” “A Bottle in the Gaza Sea,” “Little Buddha,” “Lucky,” and “Amal.”
IR - "The Navy Seal Museum: History Unfolds on Our Beach" is the
Florida Humanities Council lecture presented by Richard (Rick) Kaiser,
U.S. Navy SEAL (Ret.), at the
Emerson Center Feb. 7, 7 p.m. This is a free event.
IR -
The Sebastian Art Studio Tour is next Saturday, Feb. 9. There are 10 studio stops on the tour, with everything from ceramics to steel sculpture to paintings and wearable art. The list of artists and a downlable map are on the
website.
MC, IR - The
Atlantic Classical Orchestra's Chamber Series begins this weekend with The Contrast Duo, a piano and violin ensemble. The Martin County concert is at the Blake Library Feb. 2 at 11 a.m. It's free, with open seating.
In Indian River County, it's a more formal, ticketed affair, with a post-concert reception with the musicians at
Vero Beach Museum of Art. The 3 p.m. event is often sold out in advance.
IR -
The next in the Vero Beach Historical Series is at the Indian River County Main Library Feb. 11, 6 p.m. There is no charge but you must register in advance. hjenkins@irclibrary.org
IR -
McKee Botanical Garden has the fabulous Seward Johnson exhibition throughout the garden until April 28. There are 20 life-size sculptures plus one that's 25-ft. tall, Embracing Peace. Several of Johnson's works of art are at Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute. See the
website for hours and ticket information.
BV - A fundraiser for
Surfside Playhouse
in Cocoa Beach is scheduled for Feb. 9 at the Hilton Cocoa Beach Oceanfront.
The Surfside Playhouse and Surfside Players, a not-for-profit organization, have been around since 1963. It's "Where the Beach Meets the Stage," Brevard County's only beachside community theatre.
The Jazz Market is every Saturday, rain or shine, along the waterfront in downtown Fort Pierce.
BV
-
The Melbourne Chamber Music Society
brings the Berlin Philharmonic Wind Quintet to
St. Marks United Methodist Church, Indialantic, FL, Feb. 22. Concerts begin at 7:30 p.m. and last approximately two hours.
|
IR - Jill Kerwick's multi-media art will be on display in
“Leaving Home and Other Stories” at the
Center for Spiritual Care
in Vero Beach through Feb. 22. An opening reception is at 5 p.m. Feb. 1 and then the exhibit will be open to the public Saturdays 1-4 p.m. and by appointment.
|
|
LINKS
------------
------------
------------
------------
------------
------------
------------
------------
------------
------------
------------
------------
------------
Flametree Gallery
------------
Artists Guild Gallery
------------
------------
------------
------------
------------
------------
------------
------------
------------
------------
------------
------------
------------
------------
------------
------------
|
|
Lee County
Been there, but a return visit is on my Wish List.
The
Sanibel Shell Club
2019 show is March 7-9 at the Sanibel Community House. I'm posting this early because accommodations on Sanibel-Captiva can be tough to get in season.
There's the best shelling, of course. And island hopping or flats fishing with a guide. Don't miss the
Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum. Did you know Raymond Burr (Perry Mason) was part of its history?
The last time I made this road trip, there was only one
Doc Ford's Rum Bar & Grille. It was on Rabbit Road, Sanibel. Now there are three Doc Ford's and the original one has moved. Diners had a fair chance of seeing author
Randy Wayne White, creator of the Doc Ford character, and even having him sit down and share a drink.
If you go, send a review.
|
|
|
 |
This newsletter is not intended to be a comprehensive arts calendar. Continue checking
culturalcalendar.org
and other event listings for everything that's happening on the Treasure Coast. Please share with friends.
|
|
|
|
Copyright ©️2019 Willi Miller
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
