Some of the best symphonic music of the 1920s takes center stage Sunday when the Space Coast Symphony Orchestra performs Maurice Ravel’s “Bolero” and George Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue.” Both modern pieces are one-movement orchestral pieces. “Bolero” has that steady, alluring march evocative of staged dance performances. While “Rhapsody in Blue” begins with that sensational clarinet trill, it turns into a showcase work for the piano to create a magnificent urban aesthetic. For Sunday’s concert, SPCO music director and conductor Aaron Collins brings pianist Jeffrey Biegel to perform “Rhapsody in Blue” with the orchestra. In addition to the two works from the 1920s, the concert also features Kenneth Fuchs’ contemporary piece, “Spiritualist” with Biegel, who was the featured pianist on the 2019 Grammy Award-winning recording by the London Symphony Orchestra. Tickets to Sunday’s concert are $30 in advance and $35 at the door. The concert is free for those 18 years and younger or those with a student I.D. Organizers recommend getting tickets online. Masks are mandatory. Temperature checks will be taken. Seating will be limited. Please do not arrive more than 30 minutes before the concert. The concert begins 3 p.m. Sunday, April 25 at the Vero Beach High School Performing Arts Center, 1707 16th St. Call 855-252-7276 or visit SpaceCoastSymphony.org.
The Vero Beach Museum of Art will hold a Children’s Art Festival this Saturday, April 24. The event is family friendly, and includes self-guided tours of the museum and take-home art kits for young ones inspired by the paintings from the Hudson River School landscapes, which are currently on display in “Poetry of Nature: Hudson River School Landscapes.” That exhibition has works culled from the New York Historical Society and from the Vero Beach Museum of Art’s own permanent collection. The Children’s Art Festival runs 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Admission to the Children’s Art Festival is free. No registration is required. The Vero Beach Museum of Art is at 3001 Riverside Park Dr. Call 772-231-0707 or visit VBMuseum.org.
Riverside Theatre’s Comedy Zone presents headliner Janet Williams (aka “The Tennessee Tramp”) and opening act Amy Dingler this weekend. Williams, who has been a standup comedian for more than 25 years, will take the audience on a laugh-filled journey through women’s issues including dating, weight, love, menopause and, of course, men. She performed at Riverside’s Comedy Zone in 2017. To take a peek, go to YouTube.com (it has “language,” so those who are easily offended may not want to watch the video). Dingler is a former rodeo clown, bullfighter and stunt person who likes to say that she wanted “something riskier” so she switched to standup comedy. The two will do their standup at 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. Friday, April 23 and Saturday, April 24. Tickets are $20. If you arrive early, you can enjoy free outdoor music in the Loop. Featured cover bands are the Jacks Band Friday, April 23 and the Beachland Band Saturday, April 24. Also, both food and beverages are available for purchase both outside in the Loop and inside before and during the comedy shows. The shows are recommended for ages 18 and older. Face covering required. Seating capacity limited. Riverside Theatre is at 3250 Riverside Park Dr., Vero Beach. Call 772-231-6990 or visit RiversideTheatre.com.
