VERO BEACH — When it comes to music, Vero Beach has blossomed into a musical mecca. Visit any restaurant or lounge and patrons will enjoy a wide array of music playing many evenings, not to mention street parties, theatres and other venues now featuring musical acts.
Missing from the scene has long-been a concert venue featuring professional, well-known musical talent. The Masters of Music on The Emerson Center’s stage has changed that. Great music close to home, with no traffic, convenient parking and great musical acoustics, allows audiences to sit back, relax and simply enjoy.
When MusicWorks, Inc. and Paris Productions brought Judy Collins to The Emerson Center stage in the spring of 2013, it was a test run to see how well received a concert would be in this venue. That success launched a three-part Masters of Music series at The Emerson Center during 2014-2015. It showcased musical performances by Livingston Taylor, John Sebastian and the duo of Janis Ian and Tom Paxton at a venue considered to have some of the best musical acoustics in Vero Beach. The production team of concert promoter Rusty Young, in partnership with Beverly and Martin Paris, has now announced a new season of musical performers, one that is highly diversified mixed with a walk down memory lane.
Solo pianist and Grammy award winner George Winston will be featured as a special presentation, on Friday, Nov. 20, 7 p.m. This concert, sponsored by CenterState Bank, will feature Mr. Winston’s solo piano Winter Show, which will include melodic fall and winter type songs, some of Vince Guaraldi’s Peanuts pieces, pieces inspired by the New Orleans piano & the stride piano traditions, and songs from his newest solo piano album, Spring Carousel – A Cancer Research Benefit. Since this is the kick-off of the holiday season, all attendees are invited to bring a non-perishable canned food donation to the concert for The Food Pantry of Indian River County’s collection area in the main lobby. Additionally, Mr. Winston donates his merchandise to be sold by the Food Pantry who will ultimately retain 100 percent of the profits of those sales. Complimentary champagne will be offered to all attendees.
Folksinger Peter Yarrow will kick off the three-part Masters of Music Series on Wednesday, Jan. 13, 7 p.m., retaining the legacy of Peter, Paul & Mary, and carrying on the trio’s tradition. Co-sponsored by Indian River Magazine and East Coast Lumber, a Peter Yarrow performance assures a memorable evening of music, camaraderie and “Puff’s special magic” for everyone, young and old alike. Peter’s music and songs resonate with a history that he and his musical compatriots, Paul and Mary, not only helped to write, but one that has changed and inspired millions to continue to keep on keepin’ on, hold firm to principle, and not be deterred in the face of adversity. Something special occurs when Peter famously brings an audience together in song, creating a caring community in a way that only folksingers can. A Coffee Bar, compliments of Einstein Bagels, will be served.
Following on Thursday evening, Feb. 11, 7 p.m. is The McCartney Years, sponsored by New Vision Eye Center, where audiences will experience three decades of ‘The Beatles’ and ‘Wings’ live – with the world’s premier McCartney concert experience. Rewind into the 60’s and 70’s to dance, sing and relive the passion for McCartney with a band that has opened for Mariah Carey, performed sold-out shows across Canada and been featured on CNN, CBC and CTV. Without leaving their seat, patrons can expect to move to the music, while being whisked away through time from the Beatlemania craze creatively woven into a familiar musical mosaic from songs that include Sgt Pepper, Abbey Road, and songs from McCartney’s utterly amazing post Beatles career. Sid Bernstein, responsible for bringing The Beatles to the United States said, ‘this is the most astounding and accurate vocal representation I have heard in many years. The McCartney Years will mesmerize the audience.”
Closing the series on Friday, March 4 at 7 p.m. are the musical legends The Kingston Trio, sponsored by ABC Printing. There is a tremendous demand for their style of acoustic music, and not just from those who remember The Kingston Trio, all people want is for them to sing a song, tell a story, and make it sound great. The Kingston Trio was the number one vocal group in the world, a musical and cultural phenomenon whose record sales and concert draws were matched only by The Beatles. The group has collected two Grammy awards and numerous gold records. They have appeared on countless variety shows and performed at some of the most famous venues in the country. Their trademark three-part harmony and clean, crisp sound keeps them touring 30 weeks out of the year. The Kingston Trio today consists of George Grove, Bill Zorn and Rick Dougherty. The Trio’s busy touring schedule has resulted in an increasing number of new fans, both young and old. A Coffee Bar, compliments of Einstein Bagels, will be served.
Benefits from each performance will be given back to the partnering organizations of the non-profit Emerson Center, the Cultural Council of Indian River County for all concerts in the Masters of Music Series and for the George Winston concert, the Food Pantry of Indian River County is a non-profit partner. The stage décor sponsor is Digg Gardens.
Tickets may be purchased either online at www.TheEmersonCenter.org or by calling the Box Office at (772) 778-5249. There are four opportunities for purchasing tickets and they are available for purchase now.
George Winston is a “special performance” and therefore priced individually from $38 to $83.00 per ticket. Tickets are now available.
Series tickets for Peter Yarrow, The McCartney Years and The Kingston Trio, are priced from $100 to $225 per ticket. Tickets are now available.
Individual show tickets for any of the three performances in the series are priced from $38 to $83 per ticket. Student tickets for any individual performance is $23 for a balcony seat.
The Emerson Center is conveniently located on the campus of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Vero Beach, on the SE corner of 16th Street and 27th Avenue. It has more than 300 parking spaces, an auditorium that seats over 800 people in comfortable padded seating, a raised stage that offers everyone unrestricted views, and professional state-of-the-art sound and lighting systems. There is an elevator to the 2nd floor balcony and seating for the physically challenged is available.