Best Bets: Concerts across the Space Coast, plus wine dinners galore
Support local journalism: Find offers for new subscribers here: Special Offers — FLORIDA TODAY.
Want to read our e-Edition? Here are some tips for getting the best experience.
Due to potential changes and cancellations, we encourage you to check with presenting organizations about the status of their events.
Mangoficent roll at Nippon Thai
Mango rules in the Mangoficent Roll, one of the two latest creations of sushi chef Tommy Benjapadee has concocted for Nippon Thai Restaurant, 1114 State Road A1A, Satellite Beach. The luscious fruit crowns the roll, which features shrimp tempura, tuna, krab, cream cheese, cilantro and kim chee sauce. At $15.45, is an inexpensive opportunity to taste a bit of paradise.
Chef Tommy Benjapadee’s other new roll, Blush, includes salmon, tuna, cream cheese, avocado and tempura flakes, topped with yet more salmon and some cilantro sauce. It, too, goes for $15.45. Like Mangoficent, it scores high in the delicious-o-meter.
Nippon Thai, considered by its many fans one of the top Thai and sushi restaurants along the Space Coast, celebrates its 15th anniversary next month. Benjapadee’s partner in culinary delights, Noi Udomsataya, greets patrons with a smile and a hug.
Visit nipponthaisushi.com or call 321-773-0700.
Classic but contemporary concerts in Titusville, Suntree
Because not all great composers wore powdered wigs, Central Florida Winds offers a weekend of Contemporary Classics concerts. Kicking off the Winds’ 2022-23 season, the international classical concerts will be presented at 3 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 8, at Park Avenue Baptist Church, 2600 S. Park Ave., Titusville, and at 3 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 9, at Suntree United Methodist Church, 7400 N. Wickham Road, Melbourne.
The Central Florida Winds perform under the direction of conductor and founder Richard Sabino, who feels classical music doesn't have to be "old" to be great.
“Wonderful works have been written by composers in the 19th and 20th centuries," said Sabino. “Our concert calls attention to pieces that are all classics in their own right. And we're delighted to feature our principal French horn player, Rick Collins, in a concerto that really showcases the beauty and round, velvety tone of the instrument.”
The upcoming season kick-off include music by Edward Elgar, William Grant Still, Andrew Boss, Morton Gould and Francis McBeth. Collins will be featured during “Horn Concerto #1,” Richard Strauss’ landmark work for horn and orchestra, specially transcribed for winds.
While admission is free, a $10 donation is suggested. Seats are first come, first served, so arrive early. The Central Florida Winds orchestra was formed in 1999 and draws on the talent of professional players, retired professional musicians, music teachers and high-school and college students. The 50-plus member performing ensemble are players of woodwind, brass and percussion instruments from Brevard and other Central Florida counties. Call 321-405-2359 or visit CFWinds.org for complete concert schedule.
Swingtime ensembles offer concerts
Melbourne Municipal Band’s 22-piece Swingtime ensemble presents "Gallimaufry Gig" at 7 p.m., Wednesday and Thursday, Oct. 12 and 13, at Melbourne Auditorium, 625 E. Hibiscus Blvd. What, you may well ask, is gallimaufry? The word dates to the 16th century when French cooks whipped up a stew called galimafree. English speakers chose its name for any mix or jumble of things.
Swingtime’s mélange of Big Band music kicks off the band’s new Concert Café feature, complete with dance floor to accommodate irrepressible dancing feet.
“If you like swinging Big Band music, this concert is the place to be,” said Conductor Kurt Schulenburg. “We are playing a mix…a mélange…a potpourri — a gallimaufry — of new tunes and Hit Parade classics.”
Another new feature of Swingtime concerts this season is that dinners and beverages may now be purchased on site from City Bistro. For the two evenings, City Bistro has prepared a special cocktail for purchase, the Gallimaufry Fizz.
Admission is free. Doors open at 6 p.m. with pre-show entertainment by the Oh Golly Dixieland Band. Call 321-724-0555 or visit MelbourneMunicipalBand.org for more information.
‘Weird Al’ Yankovic
Comedy recording artist ‘Weird Al’ Yankovic brings his ‘Unfortunate Return of the Ridiculously Self-Indulgent, Ill-Advised Vanity Tour’ to the King Center, 3865 N. Wickham Road, Melbourne, on Tuesday, Oct. 11 at 7:30 p.m. The show will feature Yankovic’s non-parody material – the somewhat more obscure pastiches and original songs that have largely escaped the pop culture radar but are adored by his long-time fans. Tickets start at $49.75. Call 321-242-2219 or visit kingcenter.com.
'Chicago'
The Broadway touring production of the musical “Chicago” will be at the King Center, 3865 N. Wickham Road, Melbourne, on Thursday and Friday, Oct. 13 – 14, at 7:30 p.m. The 1920s-themed show is a tale of fame, fortune, and all that jazz, with show-stopping songs and dances. Tickets start at $35. Call 321-242-2219 or visit kingcenter.com.
Palm Opry classic country music
Alfie Silva and friends from Nashville will present the show at The Tangiers, 4500 Dixie Highway, Unit 1A, Palm Bay on Saturday, Oct. 8 at 2 and 8 p.m. Popular country songs will include classics from Patsy Cline, Merle Haggard, Johnny Cash, Buck Owens and more, backed by a classic country band. Tickets start at $41. Call 321-327-8759 or visit thetangiersflorida.com.
Thomas Milovac Trio jazz concert
The concert will be at the Veterans Memorial Center, 400 S. Sykes Creek Pkwy., Merritt Island, on Sunday, Oct. 9 at 2 p.m. Admission is $15 for Jazz Society and Veterans Memorial Center members, $20 for guests and free for students under 25. Bring your own food and drinks; tables and seating are provided. Visit spacecoastjazzsociety.org.
Melbourne Independent Filmmakers Festival
The 2022 MIFF will celebrate its 24th year on Thursday through Saturday, Oct. 13-15, at the Premiere Theaters Oaks 10, 1800 W. Hibiscus Blvd., Melbourne. Each year, the MIFF showcases independent films, including those produced in Florida. Returning to the festival this year is Patrick Gallo, who played recent roles alongside Robert DeNiro, Al Pacino, and Joe Pesci in Martin Scorscese's "The Irishman." Gallo is expected to share his experience with the festival patrons when he receives an achievement award at the MIFF. The full 2022 MIFF schedule will be available online at the MIFF website. Tickets will be available at the Oaks-10 website and at the theater. Visit melbournefilmfest.com and facebook.com/melbourneindependentfilmmakersfestival.
Save the Critters festival
BeachFly Brewing Company hosts the event at 513 Barton Blvd., Rockledge, on Oct. 8 from 1 to 6 p.m. It will include raffles, presentations, pets available for adoption, live entertainment and more. Call 321-305-6865 or visit facebook.com/BeachFlyBrewing.
Rocky Horror Picture Show
Dynamic Tension presents a live shadow cast performing “Rocky Horror” in front of the big screen at Cinemaworld Melbourne 16 on Friday and Saturday, Oct. 14 and 15. Visit facebook.com/DynamicTensionRHPS.
The Rich Weirdoes, a “Rocky Horror” shadow cast from Orlando, will perform at Surfside Playhouse, , on Friday and Saturday, October, 14 and 15. Visit facebook.com/richweirdoes or surfsideplayhouse.com.
Acoustic Alchemy
Eclectic contemporary jazz band Acoustic Alchemy will perform at the King Center’s Studio Theater, 3865 N. Wickham Road, Melbourne, on Saturday, Oct. 8 at 7:30 p.m. Call 321-242-2219 or visit kingcenter.com.
MetaFest
The metaphysical, holistic, spiritual and wellness festival will be at Merritt Square Mall, 777 E. Merritt Island Causeway, on Saturday, Oct. 8 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Guests can explore enlightenment, alternative healthcare, art and more with vendors who can answer questions or provide services on the spot. Admission is free. Visit buneke.org.
Still playing
‘Grease’: The musical is on stage at Cocoa Village Playhouse, 300 Brevard Ave., through Oct. 9. The show celebrates Rydell High’s class of 1959 in all their duck-tailed, bobby-soxed, gum-snapping glory. Tickets start at $35 for adults, $23 for children, and $33 for seniors, students and active military. Call 321-636-5050 or visit cocoavillageplayhouse.com.
Breakfast at Warbirds in Titusville
Valiant Air Command will host its monthly “Fly In/Drive In” breakfast from 8 to 10 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 8, at Titusville’s Warbird Air Museum. The $12 admission covers a hot breakfast with the works, plus admission to the museum for the rest of the day. Warbird Air Museum is five miles from Kennedy Space Center at 6600 Tico Road. Access to Tico Road is directly off Route 405 or off US1 at Golden Knights Boulevard.
For more information, visit warbirdairmuseum.com or follow the Museum on Facebook.
Never-boring Bordeaux dinner at Green Turtle
Green Turtle Market’s Grapevine Café will present a Bordeaux wine dinner at 7 p.m., Thursday and Friday, Oct. 6 and 7.
Paired with wines from the Bordeaux region, the five-course menu features Oyster Deux-Avocado Vichyssoise with Heruga and Seruga Caviar, Fleur de Sel-seared foie gras atop duck fat-toasted Perdu bread, tuna tartar with smoked lardons, domestic lamb loin farci, braised venison shank and mango sorbet.
The $120 cost per guest includes a $10 per person credit towards purchase of featured wines.
Reserve at 321-773-2001.
Green Turtle Market also hosts free wine tastings, complete with tasty cheese samplings, at the Grapevine Café from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. every Friday.
The store is at 855 E. Eau Gallie Blvd., Indian Harbour Beach. For more, see greenturtlemarket.com.
Wine dinner at Le French in
The time to reserve for the upcoming wine dinner at Le French Restaurant is now. The special event, slated for 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 19, will feature wines of the Loire Valley with a menu that includes fish rillettes with sourdough bread, Rillon de Tours pork belly with cherry tomato and fresh pears with mixed salad and Lentille Verte Du Puy AOP — green lentils recognized around the world by top chefs — with smoked sausage and dessert of fresh pears with Brioche Fouace de Rabelais.
Cost is $95 per guest. Reserve at 321-622-8977 or visit lefrenchrestaurant.com. Le French is at 1924 State Road A1A, Indian Harbour Beach.
Tickets available for Downtown Melbourne Food & Wine Fest
Tickets are on sale for the foodie favorite Downtown Melbourne Food & Wine Festival from 5:30 to 9 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 12.
Graze to your heart’s content on special dishes from Cryderman’s Barbecue, the Landing Rooftop, Hemingway’s Tavern, Alligator Reef, Chez Quan’s, Manny’s, The Bat Cave, Mel’s Tiki Café, and many, many more.
Do you have a community event? Email tgif@floridatoday.com and toastofthecoastfloridatoday@gmail.com at least two weeks in advance for consideration for the Best Bets roundup.
Support local journalism: Find offers for new subscribers here: Special Offers — USATodayNetwork.
This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Concerts across the Space Coast, plus wine dinners galore
