Best Bets: Art gallery events, concerts and upcoming auditions

Christina LaFortune, Florida Today
·4 min read

Due to potential changes and cancellations, we encourage you to check with presenting organizations about the status of their events.

Kick off the new year with some art

Artist Jamille Haddad fills a shelf with his glass art at the Studios of Cocoa Beach.
Artist Jamille Haddad fills a shelf with his glass art at the Studios of Cocoa Beach.

  • The Studios of Cocoa Beach: The Studios of Cocoa Beach, 159 Minutemen Causeway, begins the new year with two solo exhibits. An opening reception for “Painting the Tropics by Delia Swenson” and “A Fused Glass Retrospective by Jamille Haddad "will be held on Saturday Jan. 7, from 6 to 9 p.m. Swenson paints in oils on wood and canvas capturing the natural colors of our tropical environment. She explores the beauty of local gardens and flowers,as well as Florida beaches, parks, and recreational areas. “Life is full of color and my goal is to capture the beauty and emotions it evokes," Swensen said. “I hope a little of what I feel while I paint transfers to the viewer.” A retrospective viewing of the glassworks of Jamille Haddad will feature examples of fused glass techniques including glass panels, plates, sculptural vases, dam casts, gold enameling and other functional works. Both exhibits will be on view through Jan. 29. Visit www.studiosofcocoabeach.org.

  • Fifth Avenue Art Gallery: The gallery, located at 1470 Highland Ave. in the Eau Gallie Arts District, will host an opening reception of its Nature’s Palette exhibition on Friday, Jan. 6. Call 321-259-8261 or visit fifthavenueartgallery.com.

  • Eau Gallery: Eau Gallery, 1429 Highland Ave., Melbourne, will host a First Friday reception on Friday, Jan. 6. Call 321-253-5553 or visit eaugallery.com.

  • Strawbridge Art League Gallery: Located at 819 E. Strawbridge Ave. In downtown Melbourne, Strawbridge Art League will host a reception for its Coastal Colors exhibit on Tuesday, Jan. 10. Call 321-952-3070 or visit strawbridgeart.org.

The King's Brass

The King's Brass will give a free concert at Great Outdoors Church in Titusville.
The King's Brass will give a free concert at Great Outdoors Church in Titusville.

The sacred brass music ensemble will give a concert at the Great Outdoors Community Church, 144 Plantation Drive, Titusville, on Sunday, Jan. 8, at 6 p.m. The King’s Brass plays a wide variety of music from Gabrieli to hymn classics, from Handel to jazz spirituals, from Christmas carols to patriotic marches. Admission is free, but donations will be accepted. Call 321-385-9731 or visit tgochurch.org.

Los Angeles Piano Trio

On Friday, Jan. 6 at 7:30 p.m. the Melbourne Chamber Music Society presents a concert by the Los Angeles Piano Trio at St. Mark's United Methodist Church, 2030 N. Hwy A1A, Indialantic. Venerated artists and long-time L.A. residents Fabio Bidini, piano, Margaret Batjer, violin, and Andrew Shulman, cello, founded the chamber ensemble in 2020, building upon their distinguished international careers as critically acclaimed soloists and recording artists. The group will perform the music of Mozart, Joaquin Turina, and Mendelssohn. Tickets are $35 for adults, and $10 for students. Call 321-213-5100 or visit melbournechambermusicsociety.org.

Bluegrass concert

J.T's Bluegrass has been bringing top bluegrass performers to Brevard since 2007, including Monroe Crossing. The bluegrass band will give a concert at Shepherd’s Hall, 2063 Garden Street, Titusville, on Sunday, Jan. 8 at 7 p.m. Reserved seats are $28. Call 321-222-7797 or visit jtsbluegrass.com or monroecrossing.com.

Jazz Saxophonist Michael Lington

Contemporary jazz saxophonist Michael Lington will give a concert at The Tangiers, 4500 Dixie Highway NE, Palm Bay, on Sunday, Jan. 8 at 3:30 p.m. Tickets start at $45. Call 321-783-9004 or visit brevardmusicgroup.com.

Get in on the act

  • 'The Color Purple': The Henegar Center, 625 E. New Haven Ave., Melbourne, will hold auditions for the musical 'The Color Purple' on Sunday and Monday, Jan. 8-9 from 6 to 10 p.m. No preparation is needed. Music, scenes or choreography will be taught at the auditions. Performance dates are Feb. 24 through March 12, 2023. To secure a time slot for your audition, email auditions@henegar.org with your preferred date and time. For more information, visit henegarcenter.com.

  • 'Leading Ladies': Auditions for the comedy ‘Leading Ladies’ will be at Melbourne Civic Theatre, 817 E. Strawbridge Ave., Melbourne, at 7 p.m. Sunday and Monday, Jan. 15-16. Production dates are March 17 through April 23, 2023. Call 321-723-6935 or visit mymct.org.

  • 'Cinderella': Surfside Playhouse, 301 Ramp Road, Cocoa Beach, will hold auditions for the musical ‘Cinderella’ on Jan. 15-16 at 7 p.m. Auditions will consist of readings from the script, a short dance routine and a short song from the show. No prior experience is required. Performance dates are March 10-26. Call 321-783-3127 or visit surfsideplayers.com.

Do you have a community event? Email tgif@floridatoday.com at least two weeks in advance for consideration for the Best Bets roundup.

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This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Best Bets: Space Coast happenings