Food and wine tasting fundraiser Friday in Palm Bay
Brevard Symphony Orchestra has been confirmed to play for The Greater Palm Bay Chamber of Commerce's seventh annual Celebrate Brevard Food & Wine Tasting Extravaganza, slated for Friday, Nov. 30, from 6-9 p.m. at the Palm Bay Hotel and Conference Center (formerly the Quality Inn) on Palm Bay Road.
The ensemble will perform familiar classics and festive favorites throughout the evening.
The annual fundraiser will include 50 food and wine vendors and merchant vendors.
Event organizers are also planning raffles and door prizes, along with the annual key lime pie-eating contest, courtesy of The Florida Key Lime Pie Company in Cocoa Village, a popular favorite among the attendees and participants.
Food demonstrations are also planned at various vendor tables.
This is an excellent opportunity for local food and wine businesses to showcase their products according to event organizers.
Tickets cost $20 in advance and can be purchased on the chamber website or at the chamber offices at 4100 Dixie Highway in Palm Bay. Entry fee will be $25 at the door the night of the event.
For more information, call (321) 951-9998 or visit www.greaterpalmbaychamber.com.
Holiday ball slated
The Swingtime Jazz Band's dance holiday ball is a dance by an 18-member big band 7-10 p.m. Friday, Nov. 30, at the Melbourne Auditorium, 625 E. Hibiscus Blvd., Melbourne.
Tickets cost $5 in advance and $7 at the door.
For more information, contact (321) 724-0555, email melb.band@cfl.rr.com or visit www.melbournemunicipalband.org.
Dance instruction is available from 6-7 p.m. for $5, payable to Laura Beers at www.adancersvoice.com.
The Swingtime Jazz Band ensemble of the Melbourne Municipal Band also presents free concerts, featuring jazz and big band standards. In addition, Swingtime's dances have long been a favorite of local dancers and jazz lovers looking for a reasonably priced, toe-tapping evening.
Art Martin, a tenor and baritone saxophonist directs this 18-piece band. He has performed with the Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra, Dizzy Gillespie and The Platters, to name just a few.
Live orchestra and chorus
The Space Coast Symphony Orchestra will present "Christmas at the Movies" with classic film images at 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 30, at the Scott Center Auditorium at Holy Trinity, 5625 Holy Trinity Drive, Melbourne.
Featured songs will be from "Home Alone," "Polar Express," "It's a Wonderful Life," "Currier and Ives," "Fiddler on the Roof" and others.
Cost is $20 per person, with children, 18 and younger, admitted free.
For more information, call (321) 252-7276 or visit www.spacecoastsymphony.org.
'Scrooge! The Musical' to play
The Henegar Center for the Arts in Melbourne presents "Scrooge! The Musical," the classic Charles Dickens' tale "A Christmas Carol" set to the music of Tony winner Leslie Briscusse.
The musical opens Friday, Nov. 30 and runs through Dec. 16, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sunday matinees at 2 p.m.
"Scrooge! The Musical" features a cast of more than 55 singers actors and dancers, and the music is performed by a live orchestra.
In 1970, the renowned writer-composer-lyricist Leslie Bricusse adapted the classic Dickens tale into the hit screen musical "Scrooge!" The charming stage musical closely follows the plot of Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol," in which the miserly Ebenezer "Scrooge," (played by Michael Thompson), undergoes a profound experience of redemption over the course of a Christmas Eve night, after being visited by the ghost of his former partner "Jacob Marley," (Bob Gray) and the "Ghosts of Christmas Past" (Peyton Newell), "Christmas Present" (Anthony Santiago) and "Christmas Future."
"Scrooge! The Musical" is directed by Bryan Bergeron, choreography by Arlene Sutherland, with vocal direction by Tom Taylor; and the live orchestra is conducted by Sue Diebel.
Tickets cost for $23 adults, $21 for seniors and $16 for students, with applicable handling fees, and may be purchased online at www.henegar.org or by calling the box office at (321) 723-8698.
Call the Henegar to inquire about group rates and booking a pre-show event for your holiday gathering.
The Henegar Center for the Arts is fully handicapped accessible and located at 625 E. New Haven Ave., in the Historic Downtown Melbourne Theatre District.
Festival of lights in Melbourne
Space Coast Light Fest is a family-oriented celebration, taking place through Dec. 31, at Melbourne's Wickham Park, 2500 Parkway Drive, Melbourne.
The area is transformed into a winter wonderland, filled with hundreds of thousands of lights.
Visitors drive through the attraction to witness this once-a-year spectacle.
The event draws more than 15,000 vehicles annually.
Admission is $10 per car. Discounts and promotions can be found at www.spacecoastlightfest.com.
Light Fest is open nightly from 5-9:30 p.m.
For more information, call (321) 614-6286.
Festival comes to the beach
A combination of food, music, live entertainment, vendor displays, artwork training and educational activities will be featured at the Ocean, Reef & Beach Festival Saturday, Dec. 1 at Satellite Beach's Pelican Beach Park.
The Anglers for Conservation, Pure Ocean TV and the Surfrider Foundation are sponsoring this event.
Free and fun activities will be provided for all ages. Programs for both children and adults will focus on ocean, reef and beach activities, such as surfing, conservation, fishing, marine art, kayaking, stand- up paddling, sea beaning and other related topics.
A few of the clinics offered will be: hooked on surf fishing programs, sustainable fishing and survival of the beach.
For more information, call (321) 750-3374 or visit www.pureoceanproductions.com.
Donating in style
Saturday, Dec. 1, marks the 12th Annual Brevard County Corvette Clubs Toy Run to benefit less fortunate children.
All Corvette owners are encouraged to attend and bring a gift certificate, gift card or unwrapped toy or book, worth a minimum of $20, for infants to 18 year-olds and a non-perishable food item for distribution to the many families in need.
Cars will stage at Eckler's Corvette Parts, 5140 S. Washington Ave., (U.S. Highway 1), Titusville, beginning at noon. The caravan will depart at 2 p.m. sharp.
The Brevard County Sheriff's Office will provide a police escort from Eckler's to Rusty's Seafood and Oyster Bar in Port Canaveral, blocking all cross traffic so the caravan does not have to stop, even on the Beachline Expressway! The Cape Canaveral Volunteer Fire Department will collect and distribute all of the donations.
A social gathering will be held immediately following the run on the waterfront deck at Rusty's - a great place to watch the cruise ships depart.
And to top off a fun and rewarding day and really get in the Christmas spirit, you'll be treated to a Christmas boat parade beginning at 5:30 p.m.
So tell your Corvette friends, even non-club members, to come and join the fun while helping out the less fortunate.
For more information and the flier, visit www.capekennedycorvetteclub.com, www.spacecoastvettes.com or call the Cape Kennedy Corvette Club at (321) 452-6993.
Holiday favorite comes to Melbourne
Ultimate Dance Florida is once again presenting the holiday classic "The Nutcracker" on Thursday, Dec. 1, at 2 p.m. at Holy Trinity Upper School's The Scott Center, located at 5625 Holy Trinity Drive, Melbourne.
Tickets cost $15 for the show and $5 to add on the "Tea Party with the Sugar Plum Fairy and her Friends."
This time-honored classic, starring Patricia Storelli, registered ballet teacher and author of the book, "The Magic of Pointe Shoes" and Taylor Kindred from the Kirov Academy in Washington and company member with Ajkun Ballet in New York, will warm your heart and start your holiday season off just right!
Tickets can be purchased at the Ultimate Dance Florida locations Monday through Thursday, from 4-8 p.m. and at the Viera location, Saturday from 9:15 a.m. to noon or from a cast member.
For more information, visit UDF's website at www.ultimatedanceflorida.com.
Holiday festival comes to the park
The City of Cocoa Leisure Services is proud to present the 19th Annual Cocoa's Holiday Festival on Saturday, Dec. 1, from 5-9 p.m. at Riverfront Park.
The festivities for this old-fashioned Christmas celebration include holiday performances, "Kazoobie Kazoo Show" with Rick Hubbard, Dickens Carolers, snow play, visit with Santa and the much-loved traditional Christmas tree lighting.
The event finale will be "Arthur Christmas," shown on the big outdoor movie screen, starting at 7:30 pm.
Join in for a magical night of holiday spirit and entertainment!
To participate in all of the kids' activities, including the bounce house, face painting, snow play, arts and crafts and more, there is a $5 activity band fee.
Visits with Santa, entertainment and the holiday movie are free. This is a safe and fun event for children of all ages!
Contact Leisure Services at lmoody@cocoafl.org or call (321) 639-3500 for more information.
Free all-star game weekend
The 2013 Heroes and Legends baseball tour in Brevard County Saturday, Dec. 1, will kick off with a free all-star game at Space Coast Stadium, spring training home of the Washington Nationals and the Manatees.
The tour can be found at www.wounddheroesbaseball.com, and it will also feature a weekend of celebrity events for charity in the community.
The event will feature former MLB and NFL legends such as Jay Johnstone and two-time Super Bowl champion Lincoln Coleman taking on a team of military heroes in an all-star game format, complete with a home-run derby.
The game is free to the public.
The game will also have various patriotic displays and demonstrations from military members.
The gates open at 5 p.m. to the public with the home-run derby starting at 6 p.m.
For more information, email ceo@hope4heroes.org or call (321) 604-9907.
Christmas toy run scheduled
A toy run to benefit Shriner's Hospital, children and local charities begins at 8 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 2, at Merritt Square Mall, 777 E. Merritt Island Causeway, Merritt Island, and ends at 5 p.m. at 3865 N. Wickham Road, Melbourne.
The event and the run is sponsored by ABATE of Florida, Brevard Chapter.
Bring an unwrapped gift or a $10 entry fee per person at the gate. The run begins at noon.
For more information, call (321) 639-1776 or (321) 631-6715 or email mickeyjojo@earthlink.net or mkorolovich@yahoo.com.
Sunday afternoon music slated for the library
Music on a Sunday Afternoon at the Cocoa Beach Library presents Sound Traveler in concert at 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 2.
The library is at 550 N. Brevard Ave., Cocoa Beach.
Sound Traveler will also play at the Land & Sea Thai Fusion Restaurant, 630 E. Eau Gallie Blvd., Indian Harbour Beach, from 7-10 p.m. Friday, Dec. 7.
For more information, call (407) 312-3420, (321) 868-0846 or visit www.soundtravelerband.com.
Holiday musical tribute planned
A big band holiday tribute to Duke Ellington and Count Basie with the Orlando Jazz Orchestra will be held Sunday, Dec. 2, at 7:30 p.m. at the Henegar Center, 625 E. New Haven Ave., Melbourne.
These are Central Florida area musicians with a special guest master of ceremonies celebrating the music of big band greats with a holiday twist.
To purchase tickets and for more information, call (321) 783-9004, (321) 723-8698 or visit www.brevardmusicgroup.com.
New music venue opens
Open Mike's is the new addition to the Brevard County music scene, located inside Florida Discount Music in Melbourne, with an original music showcase stage and event area (available for private parties).
The venue will feature a daily happy hour 5-7 p.m. Monday through Thursday with the best singer and songwriters in Brevard County.
There are free music lessons Fridays and Saturdays 5-6 p.m. with the Florida Discount teachers.
There will be coffee, cold beer, wine and live music.
Open Mike's is at 454 N. Harbor City Blvd., Melbourne.
For more information, call (321) 254-5645.
Local chorale performance scheduled
The Brevard Chorale, started in 1966, is an affiliate of Brevard Community College. The Chorale meets in the Bernard Simpkins Fine Arts Center on the BCC Cocoa campus, 1519 Clearlake Road, Mondays at 7 p.m. during the school year.
The chorale will perform Monday, Dec. 3 at 7:30 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church of Cocoa, 825 Forest Ave., Cocoa.
Tickets for adults and seniors cost $10, and student's tickets cost $5.
The chorale will also perform Wednesday, Dec. 5, at 6:30 p.m. at the Indian River City United Methodist Church, 1355 Cheney Highway, Titusville.
A free will offering will be received.
New members are welcome to join during the first two weeks of each new semester. Join in on Monday, Jan. 7 if you would like to participate in the spring season.
A Celtic Christmas
"Christmas with the Celts" will be presented at 8 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 4, at the King Center for the Performing Arts, 3865 N. Wickham Road, Melbourne.
A combination of Irish-born and Irish-American musicians perform fiery Scottish-Irish traditional instrumental tunes and vocal songs, as well as Beatles/American pop-influenced original songs with Celtic instrumentation.
Cost is $33.50, plus fees.
For more information, call (321) 242-2219 or visit www.kingcenter.com or www.theceltsmusic.com.
Rock 'n' roll holiday party
Bowzer's rock 'n' roll holiday party will begin at 8 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 5, at the King Center for the Performing Arts in Melbourne.
Jon "Bowzer" Bauman is the world's most famous greaser, a legendary artist who tours around the world with his trademark bicep flex and classic song styles. His fans are both young and old.
The former leader of the group Sha Na Na will host and perform in this holiday party, starring Little Anthony & The Imperials, Jay Siegel's Tokens and Bowzer & The Stingrays.
This will be great classic hits and the music of the holiday season combined for a "fun-filled, doo-woppin' evening."
The King Center is at 3865 N. Wickham Road, Melbourne.
For tickets or more information, call (321) 242-2219 or visit www.kingcenter.com or www.bowzerparty.com.
Spirits of the season
More than a dozen local restaurants and bars will be shaking it up at the Melbourne Regional Chamber's annual "Martinis & Mistletoe" event.
Presented in partnership with Twin Rivers Insurance Inc., this year's holiday event will be held on Friday evening, Dec. 7, from 6-9 p.m. at Rosner Chevrolet.
Each year, this event, which draws more than 250 attendees, features the "Best Martini on the Melbourne Coast" competition, where restaurants and bars compete to see which can create the most exotic looking and best tasting martini.
Guests have the opportunity to sample each of the creative variations on the traditional martini recipe from all of the contestants before casting their ballot.
The cost to attend the event is $45 per person, which includes a holiday buffet, olive bar, dessert and coffee bars, music and dancing, as well as a souvenir specialty martini glass, etched with the "Martinis and Mistletoe" logo.
Challengers currently set to compete for the coveted title are:
Outback Steakhouse
RendezVous Restaurant & Lounge at Holiday Inn Viera
Runaway Country Music Festival/Grills Riverside Seafood Restaurant
Lafitte's Hilton Rialto
Crowne Plaza Melbourne Oceanfront
The Broken Barrel Tavern
River Rocks Restaurant
Uno Chicago Grill
Hilton Melbourne Beach Oceanfront
Longhorn Steakhouse
In addition to the martini competition, contenders put their creative talents into decorating their individual serving stations to vie for the "Best Decorated" award.
For information about how to participate in this year's "Martinis & Mistletoe" event as a competitor, contact Cassie Hansen at cassie@melbourneregionalchamber.com or (321) 724-5400, Ext. 231.
If you are interested in sponsoring this event, please contact Stephanie Franklin at stephanie@melbourneregionalchamber.com, or call (321) 724-5400, Ext. 225.
To register as an attendee, visit www.melbourneregionalchamber.com and click on Events/Event Calendar & Registration.
Holiday flutes, voices concerts to be held
The Indialantic Chamber Singers and the Space Coast Flute Orchestra will perform its 12th annual Christmas concert Sunday, Dec. 9, at 2 p.m. at Suntree United Methodist Church and again at 4:30 p.m. at Eastminster Presbyterian Church.
This year's concert is a mix of celebratory music for the holidays:
"White Christmas" a favorite
African noel, traditional African carol
"Jingle Bells" prism, unique arrangement
Santa's symphony, something new
French nativity suite, French carols in an arrangement for flutes
Bell carol, fun for everyone
And add in the favorites the audience comes every year to enjoy. Arrive early to get a seat or you may have to stand to enjoy the holiday music.
Suntree United Methodist Church is at 7400 N. Wickham Road, Melbourne.
Eastminster Presbyterian Church is at 106 N. Riverside Drive, Indialantic.
For more information, call (321) 242-2585 or (321) 723-8371.
Holiday band concert
The Melbourne Municipal Band Concert "Home for the Holidays" is a free concert by an 80-member concert band at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, Dec. 12 and 13, (with a pre-show at 6:30 p.m. by the Oh Golly! Dixieland Jazz Band), at the Melbourne Auditorium, 625 E. Hibiscus Blvd., Melbourne.
Admission is free. Tickets are not required.
The municipal band will feature holiday favorites, like "Silent Night," "Hanukah Fantasy" and Leroy Anderson's "Sleigh Ride," as well as the classic masterwork "The Hallelujah Chorus" from Handel's "Messiah."
You'll get a chance to say hello to Mr. and Mrs. Claus and leave this concert ready for the festivities of the season.
For more information, call (321) 724-0555, email melb.band@cfl.rr.com or visit www.melbournemunicipalband.org.
Ensemble brings traditions to life
Thanks to Charles Dickens and a flood of nostalgia for the 19th century, the Dickens Carolers of the Brevard Theatrical Ensemble take you on a musical and storytelling adventure into some of the traditions that are included in celebrating Christmas, which have been around since before the Middle Ages.
The Dickens Carolers and Tellers perform for many groups during this season, ending by Tuesday, Dec. 18. The groups are for hire.
For more information, call (321) 676-0697 or visit www.brevardensemble.com.
Holiday play to be presented
Magic returns this holiday season for nine consecutive years in Brevard County with Galmont Ballet's production of "The American Nutcracker," with storytelling that will usher young and old into a rich and festive holiday mood.
Choreographed by Frank Galvez, this production is set in turn of the 19th century United States of America and its rife with renewed vitality and joy.
The renewed production injects a fresh and vibrant magic displayed through the stunning set designs and elaborate costumes.
With scores of children, mice and snowflakes, this spectacular achievement offers a perfect complement to Tchaikovsky's glorious musical score.
"The American Nutcracker 2012" will be Friday and Saturday, Dec. 21-22 at 7:30 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 22-23 at 2 p.m. at the newly restored and sumptuous Historic Cocoa Village Playhouse.
Tickets are available now through the box office at (321) 636-5050, located at 300 Brevard Ave., Cocoa, or online at www.cocoavillageplayhouse.com.
New Years Eve party
DJ Mike Harvey will be broadcasting live New Year's Eve from Melbourne's Hilton Rialto's Wakefield Ballroom.
The event is sponsored by 98.5 The Beach radio and the Brevard Music Group.
For more details and all-inclusive packages, visit brevardmusicgroup.com.