Best Bets: Things to do this weekend, from art exhibits to theater to a cognac dinner

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Endless summer art exhibit in Titusville

Artist Terry Cope’s “Endless Summer” paintings highlight August at Downtown Art Gallery, 335 S. Washington Ave., Titusville.

Cope, well known for his textured paintings of mangroves, has turned his attention to surfing for this collection. His “Endless Summer” features playful, light-filled, surfers shaded by their boards in the bright Florida sun or confidently riding the waves. His pen and ink sketches whimsically capture surfers in action.

The artist spent his childhood exploring the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge and surfing area beaches. For 20 years, he lived in South Florida, marketing high-quality artist supplies, meeting artists and studying techniques. Returning to his hometown of Titusville, Cope resumed his interest in the local environment. His oil and acrylic paintings depict surfers, mangrove shorelines, sea birds and turtles.

“Endless Summer” is on view through Sept. 10. The gallery also features the works of 20 other talented local artists, with an emphasis on Florida themes.

Call 321-268-0122 or check Facebook at The Downtown Art Gallery.

Theater openings:  'Assassins' at MCT, 'SpongeBob' in Titusville, 'Golden Goose' at Surfside

In case you missed it: From classic country to Vegas variety, The Tangiers aims to entertain

Cocoa Beach church hosts James Taylor Experience to benefit Uganda

Riverside Presbyterian Church in Cocoa Beach will host a benefit concert for Uganda's Village of Hope with “Hope Changes Everything,” a musical tribute event featuring Fire & Rain — The James Taylor Experience. The performance will be at 3:30 p.m., Sunday, Aug. 21, at the church, 3400 N. Atlantic Ave.

The Village of Hope in Uganda provides safe homes, education, trauma counseling, medical clinics and spiritual guidance for former child soldiers and children orphaned through the effects of war and poverty. Marianne Pluchino is coordinating the concert at Riverside Presbyterian Church.

“All of us at Riverside Presbyterian are excited to present this wonderful concert to help lift up the women and children from the Village of Hope in Uganda,” she said.

For a $10 admission fee, audience members can enjoy note-perfect renditions of the timeless songs by Taylor, including “Fire & Rain,” “Carolina in My Mind,” “Sweet Baby James,” “Steamroller,” “Mexico” and “How Sweet it Is (to be Loved by You).” The band will also perform a number of selections from the music of Jackson Browne and Glenn Frey of Eagles fame.

At intermission, handicrafts by Ugandan orphans will be offered for sale, with 100% of the proceeds donated to the Village of Hope.

Tickets are available at the door or by calling 321-783-6085.

‘The Savannah Disputation’

Melbourne Civic Theatre’s play reading series will feature “The Savannah Disputation” by Evan Smith on Saturday, Aug. 20 at 2 p.m. The theological comedy is about two sisters who forget all about southern charm when a young door-to-door evangelist comes knocking. It will be read by actors Natalie Jones, Joanne Maio, Adonna Niosi and John Dwyer. The theater is at 817 E. Strawbridge Ave., Melbourne. Tickets are $15. Call 321-723-6935 or visit mymct.org.

Alfie Silva: Impressions Unplugged

Celebrity impressionist Alfie Silva, known for impressions of Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr., Elvis Presley, Tom Jones, Johnny Cash and others, will perform at The Tangiers, 4500 Dixie Highway, Unit 1A, Palm Bay. Performances at the Vegas-style entertainment venue will be at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Aug. 26-27, and 2 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 28. Tickets start at $41. Call 321-327-8759 or visit thetangiersflorida.com.

Still playing

• ‘The SpongeBob Musical’: The show is playing at Titusville Playhouse, 301 Julia Street, through Aug. 28. Adapted from the Iconic Nickelodeon series, this musical has SpongeBob, Patrick, Sandy, Squidward and all of Bikini Bottom facing annihilation, until an unexpected hero rises. Tickets are $27-$35. Call 321-268-1125 or visit titusvilleplayhouse.com.

• “Assassins”: Melbourne Civic Theatre, 817 E. Strawbridge Ave., presents the musical through Sept. 11. The musical explores the dark side of the American experience through the lives of the nine people who assassinated or tried to assassinate the President of the United States, from John Wilkes Booth to Lee Harvey Oswald. Tickets are $30. Call 321-723-6935 or visit mymct.org.

A honey of a day with Backyard Beekeepers

Celebrate National Honeybee Day with Brevard Backyard Beekeepers, who are making a day of it from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 20, at the UF/IFAS Extension Brevard County complex at 3695 Lake Drive, Cocoa.

The family-friendly event raises awareness, in a fun way, of the critical role honeybees play in global environmental health and food security.

The program features spelling bees for elementary and middle schoolers, with cool prizes. At 11:15 a.m., a children’s program will discuss activities that can promote the health and welfare of the world’s most important pollinator. Child-friendly “Honeybee Games,” activities and face painting will go on throughout the day.

The grown-ups can join lectures from UF researchers, UF/IFAS extension agents, citizen scientist and honeybee enthusiasts. Stop into the culinary demonstration that offers tips on cooking with honey.

Vendors will have plenty of honey-based products and gifts. See a self-contained live beehive in action and stick around for a live honey demonstration, complete with free sample of honey to take home.

Admission is free. For more information, see brevardbackyardbeekeepers.org.

Cafe Margaux in Cocoa Village hosts 6-course cognac dinner

Cognac, the drink of the gods, takes center stage for the six-course repast planned for 6:30 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 18, at Café Margaux, 220 Brevard Ave., Cocoa Village.

Maison Ferrand cognac specifically is the spirit of the day. One of the world’s premier boutique producers of fine spirits, Maison Ferrand is considered the architect of the historical spirits movement to preserve age-old craft production while advancing innovation.

The company, based in the 18th. Century Chateau de Bonbonnet in France’s legendary Cognac region, distributes it spirits o some of the world’s most prestigious outlets.

The Margaux dinner begins with chilled tangerine and mint soup with roasted pecans and passion fruit yogurt, followed by a salad of arugula and frisee, black currents, filberts, camembert, sun-dried tomato and horseradish vinaigrette. The fish course features mahi mahi en croute stuffed with goat cheese. For meat, it’s herb-seared lamb chops with sun-dried cherry polenta. To end the meal is a cheese course of peppercorn Parmesan and Bel Paese with fresh berries and apple walnut cake layered with cinnamon and nutmeg.

Cost is $150 per guest. Call 321-639-8343 or visit Margaux.com for reservations.

Romance in the air at Melting Pot

Since August is officially “Romance Awareness Month,” the eighth month of the year offers the perfect reason for a date night.

At Melbourne Melting Pot at The Avenue Viera, every Thursday in August features a romance-infused four-course menu that starts at $59 and includes choice of handcrafted cheese fondue, fresh salad course, and entrée including tender filet mignon, Atlantic salmon, savory teriyaki steak and a sparkling chocolate fondue ending.

Since the perfect date night is all about the details, each table is set with rose petals and candles for that extra special touch.

For more information or to make a reservation, visit meltingpot.com.

Four Flamingos in Orlando hosts whiskey pairing dinner

Four Flamingos: A Richard Blais Florida Kitchen, located at Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress in Orlando, will host a whiskey pairing featuring a four-course menu by chef Shelby Farrell, paired with whiskeys from Redwood Empire Whiskey. Dinner begins at 6 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 18.

The menu includes Lost Monarch Whiskey Blend and mushroom toast with orange-scented house made Labne; Pipe dream Bourbon Whiskey paired with buttermilk oysters; Emerald Giant Rye Whiskey with cast iron-seared, 20-day dry-aged New York strip steak and dessert of coconut panna cotta with Dulce Royale, with toasted coconut-infused Lost Monarch blended whiskey and Carpano Antica sweet vermouth.

Cost is $150 per guest, or $500 for four. For reservations, search for "Whiskey Paired Dinner With Redwood Empire" on eventbrite.com.

Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress is at 1 Grand Cypress Blvd., Orlando.

Tickets on sale for Downtown Melbourne Food and Wine Festival

Tickets are now on sale for the Downtown Melbourne Food and Wine Festival, which is always a sellout.

The event, slated for Saturday, Nov. 12, in downtown Melbourne, includes all-you-care-to-sample of food, wine, spirits and beer from some of the Space Coast’s best restaurants and libation providers, plus live music and some surprises.

Proceeds from the festival help fund area beautification, lighting and safety features.

For more information, see DowntownMelbourne.com.

Run 4 Paws planned at Avenue Viera

Canine Companions for Independence upcoming Run 4 Paws fundraiser at The Avenue Viera promises a “pawsitively” grand time for runners, joggers and walkers, plus their dogs.

The two-mile run/walk begins at 7:30 a.m., Saturday, Sept. 3, at The Avenue Viera, 2261 Town Center Ave.

The event features awesome awards and t-shirts and post-race food and beverages

For an added layer of fun, humans and dogs can dress in costume to snag one of the cool prizes to be awarded.

The event benefits Canine Companions, which transforms the lives of people with disabilities by providing them with expertly trained service dogs at no charge. Canine Companions dogs are trained to perform practical tasks that enhance independence and reduce reliance on others.

Registration is $25 for adults and $20 for children up to 12 years of age. Dogs are free to enter, but must be well-behaved and on a leash. For more information, visit runsignup.com/run4pawscc.

Artist Derek Gores hosts 3-day workshop

Join Derek Gores in his Eau Gallie Arts District studio for a three-day workshop using recycled magazines and more. All experience levels are welcome.

The collage workshop meets from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. Sept. 13 to 15. Fee of $725 includes lunch.

For more information, email info@derekgores.com.

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This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Brevard weekend events: James Taylor Experience, Titusville exhibit