8-plus things to do this weekend, including Bark Brew Fest in Cocoa, picnic in Melbourne
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Interfaith picnic planned in Wickham Park
A spring picnic with friends and family is heavenly. Brevard’s Interfaith United, a nonprofit comprised of 20 faith organizations, is organizing just such a perfect shindig from 2 to 5 p.m., Sunday, May 15, at Wickham Park’s 500-person Regional Pavilion, 2500 Parkway Drive, Melbourne.
Attendees will enjoy free picnic fare, music and entertainment, in additional to craft activities for children and outdoor games. A variety of ethnic and cultural foods will also be available to sample. The diverse and multi-generational — and massive — Interfaith Community Picnic will focus on family fun, with the goal of affirming shared values and increasing cultural understanding.
"It’s such a joy to come together with people from so many different traditions," said Barbara Vennman, president of Interfaith United. "We have a wonderful event planned with food from different cultures, games for the kids and entertainment. It's a great opportunity for people to have fun together."
The interfaith movement refers to cooperative, constructive and positive interaction between people of different religious traditions or spiritual beliefs, who come together seeking to promote understanding and acceptance of others. Originally inclusive of only Judaism, Christianity and Islam, interfaith groups now include numerous Eastern traditions as well as humanists and secularists.
In recent years, the largest recurring, public interfaith event on the Space Coast has been United in Thanksgiving, bringing together up to 800 people in celebration of diversity and cultural sharing.
Call 321-750-4462 or visit InterfaithUnited.com for more information.
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Space Coast River Jam hits Riverfront Park in Cocoa
Space Coast River Jam takes over Cocoa’s Riverfront Park for more than six hours of music, courtesy of seven bands. The event, slated from 4 to 10:30 p.m., Friday, May 13, benefits Rolling Readers Space Coast, a nonprofit that instills a love of reading in Brevard students so that they can realize their full potential.
Gates open at 3 p.m. to give extra time for food trucks and cash bar.
Featured at the event are The Katz Downstairz, a Jacksonville band that heats audiences with their amalgamation of hip hop, jazz and neo soul.
General admission begins at $10, but you must bring your own chair. For the top experience, the $75 VIP option includes preferred seating, private catering and three drinks.
Purchase tickets at spacecoastriverjam.com.
Leanne Morgan – Big Panty Tour
Leanne Morgan has been doing standup comedy for more than 20 years, appearing at big festivals, guesting on "The View" and getting 50 million views for a YouTube standup special. She brings her southern charm and hilarious storytelling to the King Center, 3865 N. Wickham Road, Melbourne, on Friday, May 13 at 7 p.m. Tickets start at $29.75. Call 321-242-2219 or visit kingcenter.com.
Classic Albums Live celebrates the Eagles at the King Center
Classic Albums Live brings “The Eagles: Greatest Hits,” note by note, cut by cut, to the King Center stage at 8 p.m., Saturday, May 14.
Fans of Classic Albums Live know the series offers the best musicians performing the greatest albums without gimmickry or cheesy impersonations.
Tickets for this mainstay of performing arts centers around the country start at $31.75.
For a dinner-and-a-show experience, attend “Party on the Patio,” which begins at 6 p.m. Purchase meal packages, preferred seating and regular tickets at kingcenter.com.
Success Indeed music festival
This free music festival featuring praise and worship singers will be at the Space Coast Complex Stadium, 5800 Stadium Parkway, Viera, on Saturday, May 14 from 4 to 8 p.m. The event will include music, guest speakers, a sing-off contest and more. Proceeds will benefit Success Indeed, a pilot youth achievement program focused on opp students not planning to attend college. Admission is free, but tickets are required. Call 321-591-3414.
Derek Gores Gallery hosts EGAD art camp
Derek Gores Gallery is bringing back its summer art camp for a second year with the aim of nurturing the adventurous creative spirit that comes naturally to kids.
The cconfidence, outside-the-box thinking and joy experienced will serve campers in any future pursuits.
The program is composed of mixed-media camps in the morning and a concentration on specific media in the afternoon.
Camp will meet from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesdays through Fridays beginning June 7, at Highland Avenue Fellowship classrooms, 1591 Highland Ave., in the Eau Gallie Arts District. Half day options are available.
Sessions are:
Week 1: June 7-10
Week 2: June 14-17
Week 3: June 21-24
Week 4: June 28-Jul 1
Week 5: July 12-15
Week 6: July 19-22
Week 7: July 26-29
Snacks are provided in the morning and afternoon and after-camp enrichment add-ons are available from 4 to 6 p.m. For pricing and more details, visit derekgores.com/create-your-world-summer-camp.
Eau Gallery spotlights emerging artist
Through the end of the month, Eau Gallery, 1429 Highland Ave. in the Eau Gallie Arts District, hosts an exhibition of emerging artist Leigh Witherill, whose large abstracts and photographic images are inspired from a very personal space.
She has used her artistic endeavors to work through the devastation of losing her only daughter, Amanda, on April 8, 2021, channeling many of the feelings that grieving parents feel into her newest pieces to create what she hopes are visions of hope.
It is in her studio that Leigh feels most connected to her daughter. Visit eaugallery.com.
Fifth Avenue Art Gallery exhibit interprets famous quotes
Members of Fifth Avenue Art Gallery interpret famous quotes in “Well Said: An Interpretation of Quotes,” the EGAD-area gallery’s current show.
Members were challenged to visually interpret famous quotes from the likes of Michelangelo, Mark Twain, Ben Franklin and Dr. Seuss.
The exhibit runs through May 28 at the gallery, 1470 Highland Ave. Call 321-259-8261 or visit fifthavenueartgallery.com.
Rock & Roll Revue hosts sock hop at Melbourne Auditorium
Melbourne Municipal Band’s Rock & Roll Revue will host a sock hop at 7 p.m., Friday, May 13, at Melbourne Auditorium, 625 E. Hibiscus Blvd.
The 12-piece ensemble specializes in goodies from the 50s and 60s, and includes an eight-piece combo, plus well-loved local vocalist Len Fallen and the Swingtimers Vocal Trio, aka Connie Maltby, Diana Sageser and Dave Hutson. Art Marin conducts.
“Our sock hops have been extremely popular since we first began hosting them a couple of years ago,” said Martin. “It’s always a great evening of lively music and dancing.
Tickets to the BYOB event are $15; purchase at melbournemunicipalband.org or at the door. Snacks and mixers will be for sale.
If dancing skills are a little dull, hone them from 6 to 7 p.m., when dance instructor Chris Marcelle offers lessons for $5, payable at the class. Call 321-339-7705 or visit MelbourneMunicipalBand.org.
Cocoa Village hosts summer art fair
Historic Cocoa Village gets a jump on summer with its 2022 Summer Art & Craft Fair from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, May 14, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sunday, May 15.
The kid and pet-friendly event provides a day of browsing through the works of more than 200 artists and crafters. Live music and great food options are on the schedule, too. Call 321-631-9075 or check VisitCocoaVillage.com.
Dog-friendly restaurants: Doggie diners welcome at these restaurants from Titusville to Micco and places in between
Bark Brew Fest planned at Dirty Oar in Cocoa
Join Tails at the Barkery at Cocoa Village’s Dirty Oar Beer Company for Bark Brew Fest from 5 to 7 p.m. on May 14.
Bring your pooch to the event, as long as the canine is well-behaved, on a leash or in a carrier and up-to-date on vaccinations.
Sip your favorite libations, graze on Soul Hibachi food truck’s temptations and enjoy fun that includes drawings, raffle baskets and bingo.
Proceeds benefit Rescue Rebels by Cash 4 Canines, an all-volunteer nonprofit dedicated to saving abandoned dogs and finding them forever homes.
For more information, call 321-305-4584.
Improv showcase
The Fearless Improv Brigade will perform their spring showcase at Surfside Playhouse, 301 Ramp Road, Cocoa Beach, on Saturday, May 14. Visit surfsideplayers.com or call 321-783-3127.
Still playing
‘Legally Blonde, the Musical’: The show is playing at Titusville Playhouse, 301 Julia Street, through May 29. Based on the popular movie, this musical follows the transformation of Elle Woods as she tackles stereotypes and scandal in pursuit of her dreams. Tickets are $27-$35. Call 321-268-1125 or visit titusvilleplayhouse.com.
‘Something Rotten’: The musical comedy is on stage at Cocoa Village Playhouse, 300 Brevard Ave., through May 15. Set in the 1590’s, brothers Nick and Nigel Bottom are desperate to write a hit play but are stuck in the shadow of that Renaissance rock star known as "The Bard," until they are inspired to write the world’s very first musical. Tickets are $17-$32. Call 321-636-5050 or visit cocoavillageplayhouse.com.
‘Elton John and Tim Rice’s Aida’: The musical is on stage at the Henegar Center, 625 E. New Haven Ave., Melbourne through May 15. This musical romance follows Aida, an enslaved Nubian princess, Radames, an Egyptian soldier, and Amneris, the Pharaoh’s daughter. The love story transcends warring nations and brings a country together. Tickets are $27-$34. Call 321-723-8698 or visit henegarcenter.com.
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This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Things to do on Space Coast this weekend: River Jam, Bark Brew Fest
