Best Bets: Melbourne film festival, bluegrass in Cocoa, art festivals, concerts and wine
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Melbourne film festival comes to Premiere Theatres Oaks 10
Viera filmmaker Ella Grace Helton will have the distinction of having both the film she wrote, directed and edited, plus another film in which she stars, in the lineup for the Melbourne Independent Filmmakers’ Festival, which runs Oct. 13 to 15 at the Premiere Theatres Oaks 10, 1800 W. Hibiscus Blvd., Melbourne. What is even more outstanding, and reflective of the eclectic ethos of the festival, is that Ella is not yet 10 years old.
The MIFF screens a collection of independently produced short productions from around the world but continue with emphasis on Florida-produced short films. Ella’s film, “Wild Thing” will air Saturday afternoon during the student block of films. “Hummingbird,” the L.A.-shot film in which she stars will screen during the evening VIP block.
Screenings begin Thursday evening, with selections of special appeal to Space Coast audiences, and continue Friday afternoon with a block of foreign films followed by a comedy series starting early evening. Friday ends with a selection of horror shorts. Saturday morning features Florida-produced selections, then after lunch an opportunity to meet the filmmakers, often followed by a specially selected feature mid-afternoon. Red Carpet interviews start at 6 p.m., followed by a screening of some of the MIFFs most intriguing selections, and ending the evening with awards and a wrap party.
Tickets start at $10 and can be purchased at the theatre. For more see melbournefilmfest.com. Proceeds from the MIFF benefit No Limits Academy, a non-profit school dedicated to providing innovative education to children with complex physical disabilities.
Art festivals around Brevard
Space Coast Art Festival: The festival will take place on the paved parking lot at The Avenue Viera, 2261 Town Center Ave., Melbourne, on Saturday, Oct. 15 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, Oct. 16 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Festival will feature juried Fine Artists from throughout Florida and the U.S., competing in 10 categories. In addition, students from Brevard will have the opportunity to be judged and win cash awards for their artwork. Admission and parking are free. Visit facebook.com/events/344348200893133.
Fall art and craft fair: The free kid-and-pet-friendly event will be in Cocoa Village on Saturday, Oct. 15, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and on Sunday, Oct. 16 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. There will be street food, live entertainment and more. Over 200 artists and crafters will showcase their wares. Visit visitcocoavillage.com.
Hot Pink in concert
Hot Pink performs the music of Queen at Cocoa Village Playhouse, 300 Brevard Ave., Cocoa, on Oct. 20-23. Tickets start at $35. Call 321-636-5050 or visit cocoavillageplayhouse.com.
I Love NY concerts
The Indialantic Chamber Singers present two “I Love NY” concerts showcasing the influence of New York on the American music scene. The choral ensemble will perform at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church, 300 Malabar Road SE, Palm Bay on Friday, Oct. 14 at 7 p.m. A second concert will be at Eastminster Presbyterian Church, 106 N. Riverside Drive, Indialantic, on Sunday, Oct. 16 at 3 p.m. Admission is free, with a suggested donation of $10. Call 321-426-0360 or visit indialanticchambersingers.org.
Vettes on the Avenue
The Space Coast Vettes host the open Corvette-only show along New Haven Ave. In Downtown Melbourne from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 15. The event will take place rain or shine. Call 321-345-1183, visit spacecoastvettes.org or email 2022show@spacecoastvettes.com.
Happening at the King Center
An Evening with YES: The innovative rock band YES will play at the King Center, 3865 N. Wickham Road, Melbourne, on Sunday, Oct. 16 at 7 p.m. This tour is dedicated to the late Alan White—the band’s legendary drummer—following his passing this past May. Tickets start at $39.50. Visit kingcenter.com.
Song and Dance: Brevard Symphony Orchestra kicks off its 2022-23 season on Saturday, Oct. 15 at 7:30 p.m. at the King Center, 3865 N. Wickham Road, Melbourne. The program includes favorites by Bizet, Falla, Copland and Puccini, and a special appearance by the Brevard Community Chorus singing music by Brahms. Call 321-242-2219 or visit brevardsymphony.com or kingcenter.com.
'Chicago': The brassy musical visits the King Center at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 13 and 14, thanks to the touring Broadway production the American Theatre Guild has orchestrated. Set amidst the razzle-dazzle decadence of the 1920s, this is the story of Roxie Hart, a housewife and nightclub dancer who maliciously murders her on-the-side lover. Tickets start at $45; purchase at kingcenter.com or by calling 321-242-2219.
Still playing
'Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde': Melbourne Civic Theatre, 817 E. Strawbridge Ave., presents the play through Nov. 13. This play by Jeffrey Hatcher is an adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic tale of depravity, lust, love and horror set on the fog-bound streets of Victorian London. Tickets are $30. Call 321-723-6935 or visit mymct.org.
‘Evil Dead, the Musical’: All the elements of the cult classic films "The Evil Dead," "Evil Dead 2" and "Army of Darkness" are combined in an outdoor, site-specific musical production that is more cheesy and funny than scary. The show is playing at Titusville Playhouse, 301 Julia Street, through Oct. 16. Tickets start at $36. Call 321-268-1125 or visit titusvilleplayhouse.com.
'Do Spirits Return': Part theatrical séance, part ghost story, the one-day engagement of comedy magician John Ferrentino at Titusville Playhouse features artifacts from the infamous Waverly Hills Sanitarium, considered the most haunted location in America. Tickets start at $26 for performances at 2 and 8 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 15. Visit titusvilleplayhouse.com or call 321-268-1125.
Jazz Orchestra pays tribute to musical legends
Frank Wosar will lead the Space Coast Symphony Jazz Orchestra in a tribute to jazz giants Stan Kenton and Maynard Ferguson with a concert at 7 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 15, at Satellite High School Performing Arts Center, 300 Scorpion Court. Several members of the Space Coast Symphony Jazz Orchestra also play or have played in the Stan Kenton Legacy Orchestra. Kenton was known for his big blaring horn sections—his was the original “wall of sound.” Under the direction of Wosar, the Space Coast Symphony Jazz Orchestra will feature an enlarged big band the same size as Kenton’s playing a number of songs written and arranged by the master, including "Malaguena," "Peanut Vendor," and "A Little Minor Booze." The concert will also pay homage to trumpeter and composer, Maynard Ferguson. Ferguson came to prominence playing in Stan Kenton’s orchestra before forming his own band in 1957. Tickets are $30 in advance or $35 at the door. Purchase at SpaceCoastSymphony.org or in person at Marine Bank & Trust in Suntree. “LEGENDS: Kenton & Ferguson” is free for those aged 18 and under or with a student ID. Call 855-252-7276 or visit spacecoastsymphony.org.
One Senior Place hosts job and volunteer fair
Older Americans are looking for opportunities to stay active, give back to the community and supplement their retirement income, and from the standpoint of employers and non-profit organizations, seniors have years of experience and an enviable work ethic that can't be "taught."
To help mature residents connect with employment and volunteer opportunities, One Senior Place will host a “Senior Job & Volunteer Fair” from 10 a.m. until 12:30 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 20, at the one-stop marketplace for seniors, 8085 Spyglass Hill Rd., Viera. Nearly two dozen private employers and nonprofits will be represented. Call 321-751-6771 or visit oneseniorplace.com.
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.
Spooky stuff at Green Gables
Historic Green Gables transforms into “Nightmare on Foggy Bluff,” a series of mazes where evil lurks around every turn, monstrous creatures await and worst nightmares become reality. Can you escape the terror? Not if you go to this thrills-and-chills Halloween event that will benefit the restoration of the home at 1501 S. Harbor City Blvd., Melbourne. Get your spook on and visit 7 to 11 p.m. every evening from Wednesday, Oct. 19 through Sunday, Oct. 23. Tickets are $20 per adult and $10 for children under 12. Baked goods and souvenir event t-shirts will be available for purchase. Purchase tickets at greengables.org or through Eventbrite.
Goings on at Groundswell
Groundswell Startups, the Melbourne-based business incubator and accelerator, will host Annie Eaton, CEO of Atlanta-based software development company Futurus, at 5:30 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 20. Eaton will share the latest trends in augmented and virtual reality and how she bootstrapped her tech company and best practices for building an innovative culture in the workplace. Enjoy the presentation, plus brews, bites and networking, all free. RSVP at swellstartups.com/events. Groundswell is at 2412 Irwin St., Melbourne. For more information, call 321-354-1616.
Bluegrass at F. Burton Smith Park in Cocoa
Like bluegrass? Then you will love what the friends of Lawndale Historic House Museum are planning from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., on Saturday, Oct. 15, at F. Burton Smith Park on W. Hwy. 520 in Cocoa.
Gates open at 10 a.m. for the event, which will feature food trucks, plus lots of bluegrass rain or shine, since the park’s pavilion is humongous and covered. Bring your lawn chairs and settle in for a day of listening, but don’t bring coolers, because that is a no-no at the park.
Considered by many to be “America’s music,” bluegrass owes its origins to the music of Spanish, Italian, African, Irish, Scottish and English immigrants. Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the gate. Proceeds benefit Lawndale, the Rockledge historical home completed in 1880 by Hiram Smith Williams and now restored and open to the public the first Saturday of each month as a living history educational experience that allows visitors to experience life in Rockledge in the late 1800s. Visit friendsoflawndale.com or call 321-632-5650.
Flash sale for Taste of Diaspora tickets
Until Oct. 8, Open Circle LLC will offer a discount on tickets for Taste of the Diaspora: Food. Flavor. Soul festival from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 15, at Gibson Youth Center, 835 Sycamore St., Titusville. Tickets can be purchased for $10 for general admission. Kids five and under are admitted free. After Oct. 8, tickets are $20 for the day of celebration and sampling of African cuisine and culture. The event features restaurants showcasing dishes of African origin, plus live entertainment and vendors.
Purchase at Eventbrite or visit facebook.com/events/363073585266006.
Loire Valley wine dinner
Le French Restaurant, 1924 State Road. A1A, Indian Harbour Beach, will host a Loire Valley wine dinner at 6 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 19. The four-course menu features fish rillettes, Rillon de Tours, Lentille Verte with smoked sausage and Pears Confit with chocolate coulis, all paired with Loire Valley wines. Cost is $95 per guest. Reserve at 321-622-8977.
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This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Melbourne film festival, bluegrass in Cocoa, art festivals, concerts and wine
