Best Bets: The week brings 9/11 memorial concerts, art classes, fly-in breakfast, dancing

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Community Band of Brevard plays conductor's favorites

Community Band of Brevard conductor Robin Kessler will be playing favorites — his favorites — when he raises his baton to start his award-winning band’s 38th performing season at 3 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 11, at Merritt Island High School Auditorium, 100 Mustang Way, off North Courtenay Parkway.

The concert will showcase a wide variety of works, ranging from traditional Sousa marches to a medley of Cole Porter's greatest hits, plus selections by Percy Grainger, Leroy Anderson and more.

“The program includes selections from my musical career — both as a musician and as a conductor — that have a special meaning for me,” said Kessler. 

Admission is free, with no tickets required. Concertgoers are strongly encouraged to wear face masks while in the auditorium, regardless of vaccination status, for the safety and health of patrons and musicians alike. Call 321-258-5580, visit CommunityBandOfBrevard.com or connect with them on Facebook.

Space Coast Symphony remembers 9/11

Emotions are stirred each fall across the United States by the solemn anniversary of the deadly 9/11 terrorist attack. On Saturday evening, Sept. 10, the Space Coast Symphony Orchestra will remember Sept. 11 with a concert at 7 p.m., at Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy’s Scott Center for the Performing Arts, 5625 Holy Trinity Drive in north Melbourne.

Described as a tribute to the victims and survivors, their families and emergency responders, “Remembering September 11th” will honor those whose lives were forever impacted by the 9/11 attacks. “No American can ever forget what happened that morning in 2001,” said conductor Aaron Collins.

Advance tickets, which are $30, are available at SpaceCoastSymphony.org or in person at Marine Bank & Trust in Suntree. Tickets at the door are $35. Concertgoers 18 and younger or with a college ID are admitted free. Call 855-252-7276 or visit SpaceCoastSymphony.org.

'Moving History' red carpet event

"Moving History," a film documenting the significance of moving the historical Founder's Museum building to Melbourne, will premiere at a red-carpet event at CW Movie Theater, 4345 W. New Haven Ave., Melbourne, on Thursday, Sept. 15 at 6 p.m.

The film explores the stories of Black founding families in Brevard in the 1880s, highlighting their strength and resilience. The narrator leads viewers on a journey of the early years in Crane Creek, later renamed Melbourne, while historians and local community leaders provide insight into the past. Tickets are $10, available at the door. Call 321-727-3913 to reserve.

Community center grand opening

The City of Cape Canaveral will host a grand opening event for the new community center at 7920 Orange Ave., Cape Canaveral, on Saturday, Sept. 10 from 10:30 a.m. to noon. The new facility includes a workout room, an indoor track and an outdoor splash pad. Visit cityofcapecanaveral.org.

Selwyn Birchwood in concert

Blues musician Selwyn Birchwood will perform at Earl’s Hideaway Lounge, 1405 Indian River Drive, Sebastian, on Sunday, Sept. 11 at 2 p.m. Birchwood calls his music “electric swamp funkin’ blues,” defined by raw and soulful musicianship played with fire-and-brimstone fervor. Admission is free. Call 772-589-5700 or visit earlshideaway.com.

Free movie in the park: ‘Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings’

The Marvel movie ‘Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings’ (PG-13) will be shown outdoors at Mitchell Ellington Park, 575 W. Hall Road, Merritt Island, on Friday, Sept. 2 at 8 p.m. Bring lawn chairs or blankets. Admission is free. The event may be canceled in case of severe weather. Call 321-633-1874 or visit facebook.com/events/628663471586328.

Flick-N-Float: ‘Tom & Jerry’

Watch the movie ‘Tom & Jerry’ (PG) from the pool at McLarty Park Aquatic Center, 790 Barton Blvd., Rockledge, on Friday, Sept. 9. Swimming starts at 6 p.m., and the movie starts at 8 p.m. The cost to swim is $4, and the movie is free to watch whether you’re in the pool or on the lawn. Bring lawn chairs or blankets. No outside flotation devices are allowed, but tubes will be provided. The event may be canceled in the event of severe weather. Call 321-633-1874 or visit facebook.com/events/2447939585342778.

Still playing

• ‘The Little Mermaid’: The musical is on stage at the Henegar Center, 625 E. New Haven Ave., Melbourne through Sept. 11. Based on the classic animated Disney film, this show follows the beautiful young mermaid Ariel as she longs to leave her magical kingdom under the sea to live in the world above. Tickets start at $34. Call 321-723-8698 or visit henegarcenter.com.

• “Assassins”: Melbourne Civic Theatre, 817 E. Strawbridge Ave., presents the musical through Sept. 11. The show 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.

Drawing classes planned in Rockledge

Instructor Peggy Nolan from Central Brevard Art Association will teach a drawing class from 5 to 7 p.m. on Mondays, beginning Sept. 12, at the Association’s studios, 103 Barton Blvd, behind the former police station in Rockledge. Cost is $15 per class. Call 321-544-5990. A full schedule of classes can be found at cbaaartists.com.

Breakfast Fly In planned at Titusville museum

Valiant Air Command’s Warbird Air Museum continues its monthly Fly In/Drive In  Breakfast from 8 to 10 a.m., Saturday, Sept. 10. Tickets are $12, which includes a chef-prepared breakfast and admission to the museum for the rest of the day. The museum is at 6600 Tico Road, Titusville, five miles from Kennedy Space Center. Visit warbirdairmuseum.com.

Contra dance planned in Cocoa

Space Coast contra dances, held the second Saturday of each month, feature a band and caller. No experience or partner are required. Beginner lessons begin at 7 p.m., followed by the dance at 7:30 p.m. Dances are held at the Walter Butler Community Center, 4201 S. U.S. 1, Cocoa. Enjoy snacks during the break. Although regular fees are $10 for adults and $5 for folks 25 and under, admission to the Sept. 10 dance is free. Visit spacecoastcontra.org or call 321-433-4448.

Monthly big data discussions planned in Melbourne

Big Data Florida and Groundswell Startups, 2412 Irwin St, Melbourne, will host a free lecture on data science and testing at 6 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 14.

The lecture is aimed at any interested professionals. Future talks in the series will focus on testing machine learning (ML) models (Oct. 12), testing artificial intelligence (AI) applications (Nov. 9), and leveraging AI & ML in testing (Dec. 14).

Guest speaker is Dr. Scott Tilley, professor emeritus at Florida Tech and president and founder of the Center for Technology & Society and of Big Data Florida. He is a senior fellow of the American Security Council Foundation and a published author.

For more information, visit evt.to/augdaaoow, call 321-604-1294 or visit bigdataflorida.org.

Saving lives

As part of National Suicide Awareness Week, Merritt Island will be holding a “You Matter Merritt Island” day on Saturday, Sept. 10.  The goal is simple - to save a life.

This grassroots event is to raise awareness about suicide and depression, and to provide resources. All Merritt Island schools have been invited to participate by either hosting a drive-thru hug station, or a free lemonade stand. Local churches are welcome to participate by providing free baked goods to anyone who stops by on that day.

There will also be suicide and mental health brochures and resources available at any participating event location. 

“I lost my 18-year-old son Hunter to suicide last September,” said Merritt Island resident Kelly Haskins. “If I can prevent just one family from experiencing the pain that my family is going through, then I’ll have achieved my goal.” 

Rochelle Anderson, also from Merritt Island, is teaming up with Haskins for the event. Like Hasking, Anderson lost her son, Bailey, to suicide.

“I’ve come to realize that suicide is becoming a true epidemic, especially among men,” she said.

To date, Merritt Island High, Edgewood Jr./Sr. High School, Audubon Elementary, MILA Elementary, Jefferson Middle School and Faith Lutheran Church will be hosting awareness events.  Haskins is also collecting coupons for free pizza and bowling to hand out at the “hug and lemonade stations.”  

If your school, church or business would like to participate or donate, contact her at islandksh6819@yahoo.com. Updates, information about the event, and times and location details can be found on You Matter Merritt Island Facebook page. 

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This article originally appeared on Florida Today: The week in Brevard: Space Coast Symphony, fly-in breakfast, dancing