The Symphony of the Americas’ dazzling 26th Anniversary Summerfest comes to Christ by the Sea United Methodist Church in Vero Beach this Sunday as part of the event’s one-month summer tour throughout Florida and the Americas, and the not-to-be-missed event is even more exciting because Vero’s own Vero Beach High School Symphony Orchestra will perform one piece with the Summerfest Chamber Orchestra. Over the years, delighted audiences have come to expect internationally applauded musicians and exquisitely performed concert pieces under the direction of Maestro Brooks-Bruzzese, Symphony of the Americas artistic director, and this season’s Summerfest won’t disappoint: performances will include works by Vivaldi, Mendelssohn, Vaughan WIlliams, Piazzolla, Moncayo, Ravel’s beloved “Bolero” and premieres by Italian composer Lorenzo Turchi-Floris. Guest musicians include Turchi-Floris, piano; Valentin Mansurov, violin; David Pedraza, viola; and Alessio Nebiolo, guitar. Overall, more than 10 countries are represented by 20 musicians on stage at Summerfest concerts. Summerfest is hosted by the Cultural Council of Indian River County. Its purpose, according to the symphony website, is “linking the artistic and cultural traditions of the world with those of Florida,” and it stands among the top cultural projects funded by the State of Florida’s Division of Cultural Affairs International Cultural Exchange Grant Programs. The concert begins at 3 p.m. Tickets are $35 and include a post-concert reception with the musicians.
Riverside Theatre’s tres popular Live in the Loop free, outside concerts continue this Friday and Saturday with a pair of bands and another opportunity to – as Riverside suggests – hang out, rock out and/or chill out; not a bad suggestion after melting through a long, hot summer day. Live in the Loop is nicely set up right on the theatre campus, and all you have to do is bring your lawn chair. This Friday, Professor Pennygoode and the Mighty Flea Circus comes to town with their own unique, non-stop “swingabilly” sound. Saturday, you’ll hear Category 5 and the Storm Horns (guitar, bass, sax, trombone and trumpet) playing R&B, classic rock and swing. No ticket is required to come out and enjoy the music. Riverside brings in a different band, with a different sound, each night – rock, island music, folk rock, blues, country, bluegrass, rockabilly, you name it. No coolers or “outside food” is allowed, but not to worry, there’s a full bar, fire-grilled sammies and treats you can purchase. Music is from 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
The Kilted Mermaid on Old Dixie in Vero’s Art District has an eclectic ambiance, a quirky, pleasant vibe, and live music almost every night, often featuring talented local musicians. While you enjoy the tunes, check out the tapas and the robust beer list. Musical-wise, this Friday brings a truly unique band, Kilt the Messenger, a five-person group mostly out of Melbourne, with one member, Annie Panuk, from Vero. Padnuk is a bagpiper who, with her bandmates, plays what they have dubbed “Celtic punkabilly.” It is, as you might imagine, a blending of the iconic Celtic sound with rock and punk. They’ll play from 8:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.