Opportunities for fun abound this weekend in Vero Beach, where you can enjoy music, art, festival fun – and pirates. This Friday through Sunday the third annual Vero Beach Pirate Festival is happening, inarguably the prettiest event venue in the county, beneath the oaks in Riverside Park. It’s commemorating the 302nd anniversary of the sinking of the 1715 Plate Fleet (which is why the area’s commonly referred to as “The Treasure Coast”). Live music on stage will, of course, accompany the event, described by organizers as “pirate bands.” Pirate garb is encouraged for attendees, so dust off your eye patch and cutlass.
The Riverside action doesn’t stop at dusk this weekend. There’s music, comedy and food well into the night: First, there’s Riverside Theatre’s extremely popular Live in the Loop free outdoor concert, Friday and Saturday, 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. This weekend, you’ll totally enjoy an area favorite, the rock/jazz/party band Bobby and the Blisters (think hot sax). Then, inside the theater, prepare to laugh with Riverside’s double-the-laughs Comedy Zone, always featuring two comedians. This week brings you Patrick Garrity and Todd Riley. Garrity has performed in comedy clubs from coast to coast, during what he calls “the never-ending tour.” The Comedy Zone Worldwide website calls Garrity’s humor “fresh and original,” as he employs characters, impressions and, as fuel for his routines, real-life situations such as growing up with a little brother and “why Irish don’t trash talk.” Riley has appeared with comedians such as Jon Reep and Dov Davidoff at comedy venues across the country for the last five years, including Comedy Central’s Up Next Nationwide Comedy Competition, and is known for his “sarcastic viewpoint … and for pointing out the obvious in everyday life,” according to Riverside’s bio. Shows are at 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.
Pirate garb will also be apropos on the west side of the river Friday night, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., at the monthly Downtown Friday event in Vero’s historic downtown, along and around 14th Avenue. A good time is typically had by all, and this Friday, in support of the Pirate Festival across the river, you’ll likely run into more individuals of the swashbuckling persuasion. In addition to food, drinks and a variety of vendors, there’s always music, this month by area favorite Souljam, a hot jam band from Vero Beach.