What happens at Vegas Nights stays at Vegas Nights. Unless, of course, you have a blast and tell all your friends. Vegas Nights continues through July at Riverside Theatre’s year-round themed weekend series. This Friday and Saturday, you can enjoy free live music and plenty of food and beverages outside Live On the Loop, then head inside for the Comedy Zone show. Friday night the music’s by the Jerzi Olivia, a self-taught vocalist and ukulele player whose repertoire conveys a variety of genres. At 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m., the Comedy Zone presents Uncle Lar,’ aka Larry Reeb, described is his website as “the wise-cracking black sheep, politically incorrect relative everyone knows.” His shtick is, like any concerned (wise-cracking, blacksheep) relative, Uncle Lar’ wants to help. So he offers “tips” on everything from marriage to lotteries to children. Always adding, “That’s a tip from your Uncle Lar.’” The Live On the Loop music Saturday is by singer/songwriter Abbey Owens, who, according to her Facebook page, loves Brussels sprouts. Her musical style is Americana. Saturday’s comedy comes by way of Brian Thomas who, says the show promo, uses his sarcastic, silly style to talk about his experiences “as a fat, bald guy, still living with his parents (and grandmother), and the sordid state of his dating life.” Watch as he turns his own shortcomings and often misguided observations into comedy genius.
Tucked away on 14th Avenue in historic downtown Vero’s Art District is a charming little spot, Flametree Clay Art Gallery, which features the inspired, unique and always clay-centric works of local clay artists. Currently on display is a very summer-themed exhibition, Red White Blue, showcasing pieces by the gallery’s exhibiting and resident artists, interpreted through patriotic colors and themes. Flametree hours are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday; 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday; and 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday. If you have an hour or so, explore along and around 14th. Check out the various galleries, quirky and fun little shops, pubs and restaurants. Red White Blue continues through July 31. 772-202-2810.
If I say “It don’t mean a thing if it ain’t got that swing,” you say …. (all together now) “Doo wah, doo wah, doo wah, doo wah doo wah, doo wah, doo wah, doo wah.” If Big Band is how you roll, the Space Coast Symphony Orchestra Jazz Orchestra has a swinging summer concert for you – “Big Band Sound” – this Sunday, July 15, at Community Church. Wielding the baton will be Frank Wosar, Valencia College jazz trombone professor. Wosar’s musical creds are lengthy and impressive: “He’s played in Grammy-winning groups and personally won four Downbeat Awards and international recognition for his jazz solos,” says SCSO conductor and artistic director Aaron Collins. The concert promo promises “Florida’s finest jazz musicians” performing works by Herman, Ellington, Basie, Mancini, Monk, Miller, Williams. And if you’d like a little dance with your song, you’re in luck: New Zealand dance whiz and Disney World choreographer Joanne Collins pairs with fellow Disney cast member Brett Gunio to bring you several dance numbers with the orchestra. Show time, 3 p.m. Tickets: $25. 855-252-7276.
A powerful tribute to the legendary Whitney Houston, “The Greatest Love of All – The Whitney Houston Show,” comes to the King Center in Melbourne this Friday. Presented by Showtime Australia, the show has toured worldwide, and stars South Africa native Belinda Davids, whose breathtaking voice is a fitting tribute to the incomparable and tragic star. According to the Guinness Book of World Records, Houston is “the most awarded female act of all time” and, adds Wikipedia, “one of the best-selling music artists of all time, with 200 million records sold worldwide.” Davids’ stunning voice, backed by a live band, vocalists, choreographed dancers, state-of-the-art sound, lighting and special effects, is spot-on Houston, and the two-hour production, says the show promo, is a heartfelt journey through Houston’s greatest hits, among them “I Will Always Love You,” “I Wanna Dance With Somebody,” “One Moment in Time,” “Didn’t We Almost Have It All,” “Greatest Love of All,” and “Queen of the Night” and many more. Show time is 8 p.m. Tickets start at $29. 321-242-2219.