Broadway’s long-running (2,036 performances) jukebox musical “Smokey Joe’s Cafe” opens at Riverside Theatre this coming Tuesday, Oct. 23, and runs through Nov. 11. Yea! So here’s a little jukebox trivia: When you hear “You ain’t nothin’ but a hound dog,” who do you think of? Of course! But did you know that the guys who penned that rock ’n’ roll classic, legendary songwriters Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller, wrote it early on, before they were legendary. Elvis heard it, liked it, recorded it and performed it all over TV and – boom – Leiber and Stoller were headed for the stars and forever linked to Elvis. The pair first met in the ’50s at an L.A. music store where Leiber worked and Stoller was a customer. They discovered a mutual love of rhythm and blues and began writing together. After “Hound Dog,” they wrote several more hits for The King, including the title songs for his films “Loving You,” “Jailhouse Rock,” and “King Creole.” In the early ’60s they wrote hits for the Drifters, the Coasters, Peggy Lee and others. All in all, over four decades, this prolific duo wrote hundreds of songs, including 75 that hit top 10 on the music charts. And you’ll hear a lot of them in “Smokey Joe’s Cafe,” including “Hound Dog,” of course. Other numbers you’ll be singing along to (hopefully) under your breath: “Jailhouse Rock,” “Stand By Me,” “Yakety Yak,” “On Broadway,” “Spanish Harlem” et al. Don’t miss this hand-clappin,’ toe-tappin’ rock ’n’ roll revue, specially written by Stephen Helper, Jack Viertel and Otis Sallid to showcase and celebrate Leiber and Stoller’s work. BTW, a production is currently playing Off-Broadway at Stage 42 in New York City. Curtain: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, 7:30 p.m.; Fridays and Saturdays, 8 p.m.; matinees Wednesdays, select Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays, 2 p.m. Tickets: start at $35. 772-231-6990.
All that … jazzzz! Find your red felt tip and circle Sunday, Oct. 21, 3 p.m. The Space Coast Symphony Jazz Orchestra is polishing its brass for a concert at Vero Beach High School Performing Arts Center. They’re calling this one “jazz at its finest,” and from what I’m hearing, that’s no understatement. To its already jazz-fabulous musicians, the orchestra is adding some of the state’s top jazz artists, for an afternoon of music by such icons as Duke Ellington, Thelonious Monk, Count Basie, Arturo Sandoval, Miles Davis, George Gershwin and more. Stylings include traditional New Orleans jazz, of course, as well as Blues, Swing, Ska, Funk, Pan-Caribbean Salsa, Boogaloo and Go-go. And check out some of the selections: “Caravan,” “Dig,” “It Ain’t Necessarily So,” “April in Paris” and “Advanced Funk.” (You can hum at least three of these, right?) Making this terrific afternoon even cooler: Dancers Joanne Collins and Kaitlyn Cahalen will perform alongside the musicians. Time: 3 p.m. Tickets: general admission, $25; 18 and under, free. 855-252-7276.
The romance and allure of Spain will open the Vero Beach Museum of Art Concerts in the Park series this coming Thursday, Oct. 25, with the sophisticated, soulful music of the Don Soledad Group. A native of San Jose, Calif., Soledad was inspired by flamenco legend Paco de Luca, and developed his unique style and musicianship in San Francisco and the Napa Valley wineries: Weddingwire.com describes Soledad’s music as “organic rhythms blended with modern upbeat jazz, bossa nova and Spanish classical guitar.” After moving to the East Coast, Soledad’s classic, romantic sound has definitely found a home in Florida. On his Facebook page, Soledad speaks of his Thursday Museum gig: “Joining my trio on stage are two great female artists, Orlando’s Niki Om on vocals and violin, and Melbourne artist Jamie Younkin on trumpet and flugelhorn.” You’ll find the Concerts in the Park venue is not your typical park. It is, instead, the museum’s wonderful Beckwith Sculpture Park. You’ll relax with Soledad’s romantic, soulful music within a “garden” of sculpture, trees and flowers. Along with the wonderful music and alluring venue, a full bar will also be available. Time: 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. rain or shine. Admission: $12 general, $10 Museum members. 772-231-0707.
A diverse new exhibit of photography and mixed-media wall sculptures is now open in the Foyer Gallery of Art at the Emerson Center. Four photographers with very different through-the-lens views of the natural world, particularly of the local birds and flora: Arlene Willnow, Lisa Willnow, Shelly Stang and Barbara Whitlam; mixed-media sculptor Ruth Feldman; and nautical artist Paul R. Davis. Nature photography has been a hobby for Fort Pierce resident Arlene Willnow since she was 8, and nature continues to be her favorite subject. Award-winning photographer Lisa Willnow, from Tucson, Ariz., loves photographing “birds and unspoiled nature.” Michigan native and award-winning photographer Stang has traveled extensively through the U.S., the U.K., the Caribbean, Costa Rica and South Africa, and photographs nature throughout her travels. After locating to Vero from Ohio in 2011, Whitlam’s interest in photography as a hobby re-bloomed, and she’s won awards throughout the state since then. Feldman has titled her Mixed Media wall sculptures “Rooted in Memory.” These works will continue on exhibit through November. Award-winning artist Davis’ paintings of seascapes and boats are on exhibit in the Lobby Gallery through the end of this month. Hours: Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. 772-778-5249.
