Events this month tend toward the patriotic, as our country celebrates making it to its 243rd birthday. Some of the most stirring, memorable musical works in the world have been composed in the name of patriotism, and you’ll have the opportunity, this Saturday, June 29, to hear some of the finest should you choose attend the Space Coast Symphony Wind Orchestra’s free patriotic concert – “Sea to Shining Sea” – at the Emerson Center. According to the concert promo, this free concert, under the baton of Aaron T. Collins, will “showcase our national heritage,” with such inspiring works as “Victory at Sea,” by Richard Rodgers; “God Bless the USA,” by Lee Greenwood; “American Salute,” by Gould; and marches from “The March King,” by the king himself, John Philip Sousa. In the program, of course, will be the always-rousing salute to the U.S. Armed Forces, and one of George Gershwin’s most famous works, “American in Paris.” At once heartbreaking, uplifting, inspiring and relevant in our tumultuous times will be, continues the promo, a work by Omar Thomas, “Of Our New Day Begun,” an elegy for the nine victims and families of the June 17, 2015, terrorist attack on Mother Emanuel A.M.E. Church in Charleston, South Carolina. “Thomas’ composition is a powerful reminder that anger and hatred cannot stifle the human spirit.” You are encouraged to wear the colors of the flag. Time: 2 p.m. Admission: free. Ticket is required. 855-252-7276 or www.SpaceCoastSymphony.org.
Put yourself in a good mood for July by laughing your way through the end of June at Riverside Theatre, where it’s time, this Friday and Saturday, June 28-29, for the Comedy Zone, Live in the Loop and free live music. Riverside’s weekend frolics have gained a huge following, and a livelier bunch you won’t soon find. So – join them and see for yourself. The comedy’s inside the theater this week with funnymen Frank Del Pizzo and Ken Miller. Says Riverside’s promo: A decade ago Jersey native Del Pizzo was an auto mechanic, a job he says instilled in him the need to let people know what he was thinking. So he crawled out from under the engine and headed for the stand-up stage. He’s still the same likeable guy, and he’s still telling us what he thinks, armed with lots of true-life stories and plenty of attitude. Miller, says the promo, “is just plain ol’ funny.” In 2009 he beat out 88 other comics to win the Comedy Central South Beach Comedy Festival, is consistently in the top tier in comedy competitions, and is considered, by those in the stand-up know, “one of the funniest comics in the state of Florida.” Out front, it’s always time to par-tay, with Live in the Loop, a free live concert and a full (and fabulous) bar and grill. The Friday night band is Big Coque, cranking out classic rock. Taking the stage Saturday will be Collins & Company, a lively rock ’n’ pop party band. So: throw a fold-up seat in the trunk just in case all 200-plus chairs are occupied. Don’t BYO food or drinks. Or dogs. Time: Comedy Zone shows – 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Live in the Loop bands – 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Tickets: Comedy Zone – side seats, $12; table seating: $16 to $22. 772-231-6990.
This Friday, June 28 – BTOBS. “Night of Nations” is the theme of Main Street Vero Beach’s “Centennial Special Edition” of its monthly Downtown Friday street party, a popular fest that happens all along and around Vero’s mainland “Main Street” – aka 14th Avenue. There will be the usual music-centric fun (food, beverages, a flock of vendors), and this month with a definite international “flavor.” A music purveyor will spin “multicultural” tunes throughout the evening, and a Main Street Vero Beach spokesperson says to look for dance demonstrations – and food – from “around the globe.” Downtown Friday is always bring-the-family friendly, and (accompanied) dog-friendly as well. This month will be an especially good time to bring those Irish Setters, German Shepherds, Scottish Terriers, English Bulldogs, Siberian Huskies and French Poodles. Time: 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Admission: free. 772-643-6782.
