Music is in the air this week from rock to classical.
First up is at the Emerson Center when Live! from Vero Beach presents The Rocket Man Show – a tribute to Elton John. The show promises to be filled with color and fun as well as those unforgettable tunes. It begins 7 p.m. today, Jan. 20 at the Emerson Center, 1590 27th Ave., Vero Beach. Tickets are $35 to $85. For more information, visit MusicWorksConcerts.com..
The Indian River Symphonic Association presents the Polish Wieniawski Philharmonic Orchestra in concert this Friday evening. The concert features the winner of the prestigious international Wieniawski Violin Competition performing the composer’s violin concerto No. 2 in D minor. The concert begins 7:30 p.m. at the Community Church of Vero Beach, 1901 23rd St. Tickets begin at $90. Call 772-778-1070 or visit IRSymphonic.org.
This weekend, the First Presbyterian Church of Vero Beach welcomes the return of ChamberFest Vero Beach’s Festival Artists Concert. Violinist Jessica Tong, violist Amadi Azikiwe and cellist Tobias Werner will perform 4:30 p.m. Saturday. The concert is free and open to the public. They will play works by Barriere, Perkinson and Mozart. Musicians wishing to brush up their skills may want to attend Public Masterclass with the Vero Beach High School Orchestra at 2:45 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 22; or a Weekend Workshop Chamber Music Masterclass at 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 23. You have to register ahead of time for the master classes. All activities, including the concert, will be held at the First Presbyterian Church of Vero Beach, 520 Royal Palm Blvd. Call 772-562-9088 or visit MusicBeyondTheChamber.org.
Next week, the Atlantic Classical Orchestra, conducted by David Amado, will present “Technicolor Dance,” a concert featuring pianist Lindsay Garritson performing Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue.” The concert begins 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 26, at the Community Church of Vero Beach, 1901 23rd St. Tickets start at $30. Call 772-460-0851 or visit AtlanticClassicalOrchestra.com.
You also have the opportunity to become a maker of all this beautiful music. The Vero Beach Choral Society is welcoming new singers to audition. Under the guidance of the organization’s new music director, Jacob Craig, the group is now based at the First Presbyterian Church of Vero Beach, where Craig serves as director of music and arts. The Choral Society will be preparing for its spring concert scheduled for April 24. Anyone who can read music and has experience singing in a vocal ensemble is welcome to the auditions, which will include individuals singing a chromatic scale up and down a cappella. To schedule an audition, visit VeroBeachChoralSociety.org.
In addition to going inside to hear music, you can also go outside to enjoy a few activities. The 31st annual Fellsmere Frog Leg Festival runs through Sunday, Jan. 23. There will be food, rides, entertainment, exhibitions, T-shirts galore and, yes, frog legs. You can get frog pops and gator pops, dinners, hushpuppies, coleslaw, grits and more. Food ranges from $2 for side orders to $16 for frog leg and gator tail combo plates. Carnival ride costs range from $3.75 to $5. You can also get all-you-can-ride passes for $20 to $25. There are bluegrass, country and drum troupes. The COVID-conscious with a hankerin’ for frog legs or gator tail will want to access the drive-through lane at 21 S. Cypress St., Fellsmere. Take out is cash only. The Fellsmere Frog Leg Festival runs 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday and Friday, Jan. 20-21; 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 22; and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 23. The location is at the Old School Complex, on the corner of C.R. 512 and Broadway Street — 22 S. Orange St. There is off-site parking and shuttle service from Mesa Park, 100 Mesa Park Blvd. Call 772-571-3022 or online visit FrogLegFestival.com.
The 27th annual King of the Hill Tennis Tournament runs through March 3 at the Boulevard Village and Tennis Club in Vero Beach. The tournament will be held for seven consecutive Thursdays beginning Jan. 20. This is a fundraising event with tennis professionals from Indian River and surrounding counties. The event gives fans the opportunity to watch local tennis pros in doubles competition. Funds raised benefit the Youth Guidance Mentoring Academy to give vocational training, academic enrichment and healthy meals to 200 local children and young adults. The event runs 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursdays from Jan. 20 to March 3 at the Boulevard Village and Tennis Club, 1620 Boulevard Village Lane. Admission is $10. Call 772-492-3933 or visit YouthGuidanceProgram.org.
