A rare, international, musical treat: The traveling performance troupe from Israel – the Israel Scouts Friendship Caravan 2019 – makes a visit this Saturday, June 8, to Vero’s Temple Beth Shalom, bringing an evening of Israeli music, high-energy dancing, and youthful joy and exuberance you will thoroughly enjoy. The Caravan – 10 “incredibly motivated and capable” Israeli students, 16 and 17 years old, and two Scout leaders – are part of the International Scouting Movement which is a sister organization of the Boy and Girl Scouts of America. Every summer, the Caravan troupes bring their performances to a variety of venues across North America in what the promo describes as “an energetic and patriotic display of goodwill and friendship between countries, for audiences of all ages, cultures and religions.” In addition to the singing and dancing, these warm and talented young people will share what it’s like to be a teenager in Israel, and you can get to know them even better at a reception after the performance. Time: 7 p.m. Tickets: $10. 772-569-4700.
Yes. It’s another let-your-hair-down Howl at the Moon weekend at Riverside Theatre this Friday and Saturday, June 7 and 8. If you’re already a fan, you know the drill. If you’re not, you should totally try it. In a nutshell: The high-energy Howl at the Moon experience is three crazy talented and funny musicians – two pianos and a drum set – who play pretty much anything you can come up with from classic rock, to pop, doo wop, country, even dance tunes. The audience picks. Many have tried to stump them. Most have failed. Meanwhile, out front, it’s Live in the Loop, a free concert all evening long. Friday you’ll hear Southern Vine, an acoustic-string mix of “folksy, islandy, county and lots of harmonies.” Then, Saturday, it’ll be the String Assassins, an “all string, all acoustic jam band” with songs you know from Pink Floyd, Grateful Dead and more. Plus, there is always all sorts of food and bevs from the full bar and grill. You can’t bring your own stuff in. Also, no pets, except pet rocks. There are always a couple hundred chairs set up, but having one or two folders in the trunk is a good idea just in case. Times: Howl: 7:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Live in the Loop: 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Tickets: Howl, $12 to $22. Loop: free. 772-231-6990.
As historic downtown Vero Beach continues to come into its own, with businesses, vibrant galleries, restaurants and pubs, more and more people are discovering and enjoying the First Friday Gallery Stroll held from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on the first Friday of every month. It takes place along 14th Avenue from 19th Street to 23rd Street and the surrounding area. You’ll discover new artwork in the galleries and some businesses every month, all with an appealing, lively, artsy vibe. Both galleries and select businesses exhibit new artwork each month in a lively gallery reception atmosphere. Gallery 14, for example, will open its June/July exhibit, “Celebrate Summer: New Work and Old Favorites,” with an artists reception. This eclectic exhibition features the diverse works of the Gallery 14 artists. Take a few TGIF evening hours to enjoy the casual pace and all Vero’s historic district has to offer – the food and drink, the art, the amiable atmosphere. Time: 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
A pop cultural icon, “Rent,” opens at the Henegar in Melbourne this Friday, June 7. Set in New York City’s East Village, this 1996 rock musical drama, which is a re-imagining of Puccini’s “La Boheme,” took the Best Musical Tony and the Pulitzer for drama. According to Wikipedia, “Rent” follows a year in the lives of a group of impoverished young Bohemians struggling to survive and create a life “during the thriving days of Bohemian Alphabet City under the shadow of HIV/AIDS.” How they negotiate their dreams, loves and conflicts, says the Henegar promo, “provides the narrative for this groundbreaking musical,” which ran on Broadway for 12 years – 5,123 performances – and grossed over $280 million. “Rent” runs through June 16. Curtain: Fridays and Saturdays, 8 p.m., Sundays, 2 p.m. Tickets: $19, $26, $29. 321-723-8698.