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I've been loving the frequent Nutcracker on the Indian River updates posted by Ballet Vero Beach on Facebook. While we still have a couple of weeks before we get to see the professionally recorded performance that was mandated by Covid-19, this weekend is going to have a terrific run-up to that event, a Digital Preview Party.

Party-goers will be taken behind the scenes for a peek at what went into producing the Nutcracker this year. There will be live performances, a silent auction and a raffle.

Adam Schnell, CEO and Artistic Director of Ballet Vero Beach, explained what "going behind the scenes" entails. "Aside from the documentary, folks will have a chance to chat virtually in small groups with cast members and the production team about the process and what it was like being on set."

Look for a bit of Rodriguez's new work, "While There's Still Music ..." in the live performance. Then watch for the full ballet in January. Schnell said, "It is a really timely yet fun work about celebration and embracing our collective humanity. With his signature zeal and humor!"

Tickets include a fabulous swag bag that includes enough bubbly, truffles, and tea for two people to have a festive watching party. The ticket price is $100. For those out of town, unable to collect the goodies, there's a special price of $75. If you purchased admission that includes a swag bag, the bags may be picked up in front of Trimmings (3201 Cardinal Drive, 32963) between 10:30 and 2:30 tomorrow (12/11) or Saturday (12/12). Our volunteer corps has made outdoor pickup safe and easy.

Purchase tickets online and then watch your email for a confirmation and information on access to the Zoom broadcast.

Tea Up for the Nutcracker, a.k.a. the Digital Preview Party, is this Sunday, Dec. 13, at 4 p.m.

The gift shop at the Manatee Observation & Education Center on the water in Fort Pierce is open for curbside pickup only for now. Buyer Meredith Bennett is encouraging people to visit the Vanishing Mermaid online and choose pickup as a delivery option. "When the orders come in I pull the merchandise and give them a call to set up an appointment for them to pick up their purchase."

Bennett said the shop "caters to people who live at the beach or just wish they did! It's Florida fare with a whimsical air." The gift wrapping question is answered with shopping bags made from recycled brown Kraft paper, "a bit of our signature color tissue paper, and coordinating curling ribbon," Bennett said.

Gifts are for the home, garden or patio; toys and books for all ages; and jewelry, stationery, and clothing. Bennett's suggestions:

"The one thing people should know about this Fort Pierce gem is that it supports the Manatee Observation and Education Center," Bennett said.

If all goes well on the Covid front, The Youth Strings Orchestra at First Presbyterian Church in Vero Beach will head for the Aspen Music Festival Invitational next August. To that end, the fundraising Winter Concert will be held Dec. 13 at 4 p.m. in the church sanctuary. Dvorak's Serenade for Strings will be the featured work. Masks and social distancing will be required and donations ($10 suggested) will be accepted at the door.

Earlier in the day, both morning church services will include music by Gretchen Cover (harp), Jane Weise (flute), and Ed Sheridan (bassoon). The Handbell Choir performs favorite Christmas music during services Dec. 20.

Pineapple Playhouse in Fort Pierce had to cancel its annual Home for the Holidays program this month but is planning a Christmas in July Celebration. Fundraising events have been planned, beginning with a Dec. 12 Cornhole tournament, with a Big $$$ 50/50.

"We are collecting new, unwrapped toys for homeless children, whose families need a hand up in these very difficult times. We are also collecting new or clean, gently used camping, household, and clothing items for veterans and other adults as well." 

Artist Bungalow is a boutique artisan gallery with a “tye-dye” vibe. It has an eclectic mix of Original Art, Prints, Assemblage pieces, Textiles, Jewelry, Wood Turnings, Glass Sculptures & Metal Art. All of this is set into a cozy, BoHo infused, 500 sf space in the Vero Beach Arts District and Arts Village. Come by and see why it’s “the hip place to hang”.

Artist/Owners, Jeff and Patti Hall are inspired by people, personalities, architecture, music, other creative souls and love to think outside the box. Jeff, a loose and fluid style artist, focuses on themes of music and architecture while Patti is a little more “funktified” using wit and texture to convey her thoughts to the canvas. With bold expressive colors and deliberate lines, they work in acrylics and mixed media on their hanging pieces and are now collaborating on an assemblage line of art works, “Whimsy & Wings”, that centers on fantastical characters and angelic beings compiled of found and reclaimed items creatively brought together, each with a unique name and story behind it.

The Halls support fellow artists and currently have four to five visiting artists featured in their Bungalow Gallery and are thrilled to partner with The Vero Beach Theatre Guild to curate art for their newly expanded lobby. “We are calling it “Beyond the Bungalow” and allows us to bring art to the community outside of our gallery location and hours” – J. Hall. The theatre, another facet and love of theirs, continually influences their work. Jeff, staff Design Director for The Guild, creates sets and lighting designs for all shows, and Patti, with a background in costumes, provided impactful costume designs for two seasons. That genre is infused in her textile designs at The Bungalow.

1^st Friday Gallery Stroll 5-8pm

1^st Sat. 11-3pm

Facebook: facebook.com/@artists1905

Online: www.artistbungalow.com

The artist reception is set for 5 to 7:30 p.m. Dec. 10, with a Second Peek Dec. 11, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Platts/Backus House, 122 A.E. Backus Ave., Fort Pierce. Main Street Fort Pierce has all the details. 772-466-3880.

Our December concert, “MEMORIES, THE ULTIMATE ELVIS EXPERIENCE,” stars Matt Stone, who is a nationally acclaimed young Elvis Presley tribute artist featured on Sirius Radio and other major publications. He will perform Elvis hits from the 60's right up to his incredible Las Vegas shows. The Presley tribute hits the stage for two performances only, Saturday evening, Dec. 12^th, at 8PM, and Sunday afternoon, December 13^th, at 2PM.

The Vero Beach Art Club, Oceanside Business Association, and the Vero Beach Outlets have picked up the torch and carried on with the canceled Festival of Trees, a Vero Beach must-see weekend event every year.

Vero Beach Art Club had a festive event that ended with a raffle with prizes of trees decorated by Festival of Trees designers. The club's show, in the new annex in the former Tiger Lily site, continues through January 15.

The Vero Beach Outlets offered several windows for Riverside to showcase the children's theatre and Ballet Vero Beach.

Even smaIl operations need to keep their financial house in order. Image First can record deposits, write checks, pay taxes, and provide reports in Quickbooks. Artists, spend more time in your studio and less on paperwork. Let’s talk, free consultation. Image First, 772-538-4148.

Visit MartinArts.org for more details including Artist Panel Discussion and Closing Reception. *Preregistration required.

For updates on gallery openings and classes in Melbourne and surrounding Brevard County, check the Brevard Cultural Alliance website and individual gallery social media.

From MyModernMet.org

By Jenny Zhang on July 22, 2015

Read the whole story and see more pictures on the website.

From MetOpera.org

The Metropolitan Opera site has free streaming of full operas, ticketed streams, and many short performance videos.

Brandon Putzke's TC Percussion and TC Percussion Camp

Stephanie Hermesmeyer - Solivia Piano Studio for Kids

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As always, For Helen Miller 

Information is to be received in an email at least one week before publication.

In the body of the listing, sometimes called Description, make sure to include all dates in each upload. For example: Performances are on March 12-31; or the exhibit is open March 12, 14, 15, and 17. That information should be in all dates you post individually.

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