A lovely coda to the 2017-18 season and an inspiring prelude to the Summer Solstice will be “Brahms and Beethoven: A Chamber Concert,” presented as a string chamber concert by the Space Coast Symphony Orchestra this Sunday afternoon at First Presbyterian Church. According to Wikipedia, Brahms String Sextet No. 1 in B major, Op. 18, was composed in 1860 and premiered in Hanover. Today’s audiences may recognize this work, which has been used frequently in movies and television, including the “Star Trek: The Next Generation.” Beethoven’s Quintet in C Minor, says the concert promo, began as a set of piano trios which, a quarter-century later, he premiered for string quintet, whereupon it became one of the composer’s most popular chamber works, “filled with freshness, youthful zest and energy.” Featured musicians for “Brahms and Beethoven: A Chamber Concert” include concertmaster Carey Moorman, violin; Joni Roos, violin; Michael De Jesus, viola; Daniel Cortes, viola; Paul Fleury, cello; and Isaac Moorman, cello. Concert time is 3 p.m. Admission is free, and no tickets are required. 855-252-7276.
Or this could be your cup of (musical) tea: The Treasure Coast Wind Ensemble’s one-night-only annual concert promises to be an exciting one as a “British Invasion” takes the stage at the VBHS Performing Arts Center this Friday. The program will feature works by British composers: Gustav Holst’s “Second Suite in F for Military Band”; Ralph Vaughan Williams’ “Toccata Marziale”; and “Sun Paints Rainbows” by David Bedford. A smaller assemblage of chamber winds will perform “Trevelyan Suite” by Malcolm Arnold and “Homages Concerto for Piano and Winds” by Edward Gregson. Piano virtuoso Jacob Craig, director of music and arts at First Presbyterian Church, will be the featured soloist. The members of the Treasure Coast Wind Ensemble, under the baton of Colbert Page Howell, are band directors, music teachers, freelance musicians and student musicians from the Space Coast, Treasure Coast and Palm Beach areas – amateur and professional musicians who meet each spring for several intense rehearsals in preparation for their “spectacular one-night-only” annual engagement. Concert begins at 7 p.m. Admission is free. 772-564-5413.
Summer doldrums? No way, says Riverside Theatre, the summer weekend place to be in Vero. Join the fun this Friday and Saturday at Riverside’s dueling pianos music party, Howl at the Moon, a wildly popular all-request, multi-genre company that performs at venues nationwide. Riverside audiences are loving this no-set-agenda format, as they help pick the songs for a unique experience every time. And yes, you can sing, dance – and even howl if you are so moved. This weekend, Katie Pinder Brown and Ken Gustafson will face off across the 88s on the Waxlax stage. Miami-born Gustafson has been the company’s entertainment director, and, in addition to his piano and vocal skills, he’s also great on drums and guitars – bass, acoustic and electric. “When I was a kid,” says Brown, “I never once said, ‘When I grow up, I want to be a dueling piano player!’” But today she calls herself a Dueling Doyenne, and she’s performed (and dueled) all over the world. Better watch out, Gustafson. There is also plenty of food and drink available at the Howl, as well as free entertainment outside, under the oaks: it’s Live on the Loop, starting at 6:30 p.m. Dueling Pianos show times: 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Admission: general reserved, $12; reserved tables, $18, $20, $22. 772-231-6990.
“Hearts, Flowers and a Fish” is the intriguing title of this Sunday afternoon’s Fine Arts Series concert at St. John of the Cross Catholic Church, a program of German lieder, or art songs, featuring works by Mozart, Brahms, Strauss and Beethoven. The title reflects the musical repertoire, representing deep emotion – hearts; appreciation of beauty – flowers; and communing with nature – fish. Sandra McNiff, Kerry Newell, Vyki Sabo, Dan Kroger and Gary Parr are featured soloists. Concert begins at 4 p.m. Admission is free. 772-584-9744.
All those unforgettable, memory-making ’60s and ’70s hits continue to have fans reliving the Summer of Love and beyond. This Monday, June 11, at the King Center you’ll hear many of the most memorable, music from no fewer than six of the original hitmakers, so circle the date: “The Happy Together Tour,” for its 9th consecutive year, brings to the stage: the Turtles; Three Dog Night’s Chuck Negron; Garry Puckett and the Union Gap; the Association; former lead singer for Paul Revere and the Raiders Mark Lindsay; and the Cowsills. As before, says the show promo, the Turtles are the signature headliners, with founding member Mark Volman bringing his “infamous antics.” Subbing for Turtle Howard Kaylan (who has been ill) will be Ron Dante of the Archies, known for “Sugar Sugar,” and “Jingle Jangle.” Negron will deliver TDN’s biggest hits: “Joy to the World,” “Mama Told Me Not to Come,” “Shambala,” “One” and “Easy to Be Hard.” Once again, listen to those trademark Puckett pipes belting out “Young Girl,” “Over You” “Woman, Woman,” “This Girl Is a Woman Now,” “Lady Willpower” and more. One of the ’60s most successful bands, the Association, will perform their No. 1 hits including “Never My Love,” “Windy,” “Cherish” and “Along Comes Mary.” Lindsay made his mark with “Kicks,” “Hungry,” “Him or Me (What’s It Gonna Be?),” “Steppin’ Out” and “Arizona.” According to Wikipedia, the Cowsills, a family singing group – six sibings and their mom – were the original inspiration for television’s “The Partridge Family.” They’re known for “The Rain,” “Hair,” “Indian Lake” and “Love American Style,” and have appeared on TV shows such as The Ed Sullivan Show and The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. The extravaganza of musical memories starts at 7:30 p.m. Tickets start at $59. 321-242-2219. Feel the love. n
