A great range of music opens up this week throughout the area.
First up, head north to Melbourne, where, on Friday, May 27, the Henegar Center opens its next big show – “We Will Rock You,” the big musical by Queen and Ben Elton. This is the show loaded with more than 20 hit songs by that iconic band, Queen, and its frontman Freddie Mercury. In fact, if you’re a lover of songs like “Another One Bites the Dust,” “We Are the Champions” and “Bohemian Rhapsody,” it’ll probably be hard to stay seated. This is called a “jukebox musical.” It uses a narrative to tell the story of some bohemians living in a distant future where differences are not celebrated and musical instruments are forbidden. Tickets range from $25 to $27. “We Will Rock You” runs May 27 to June 12 at the Henegar Center is at 625 E. New Haven Ave. Call 321-723-8698 or visit Henegar.org.
If classical rings your strings more than rock, then the Sunday afternoon Spring Concert by the Presbyterian Youth String Orchestra should do. The program includes Bartok’s “Romanian Folk Dances,” Dvorak’s “Dumky Piano Trio,” Elgar’s second movement of the “Serenade for Strings,” Vitali’s “Chaconne with soloist Sam Bormett, and Bloch’s “Concerto Grosso” for strings and piano, Opus 1, with pianist Becca Harrison. The concert begins 2 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church, 520 Royal Palm Blvd., Vero Beach. The suggested donation is $10. Funds raised will help offset the cost of the Youth Orchestra’s upcoming tour of the Florida Keys. You may also view the concert via livestream on the church’s website, FirstPresVero.org, where you can donate in the “Giving” section on their website. For more information, call 772-562-9088 or visit FirstPresVero.org.
Later in the afternoon on Sunday, May 29, the Treasure Coast Chorale presents “God Bless America!” This is the final performance in the Chorale’s 20th anniversary season. The 50-voice Chorale will sing a Salute to America with a collection of patriotic favorites including “Battle Hymn of the Republic,” “The Stars and Stripes Forever” and “Irving Berlin’s “God Bless America.” You’ll also hear “My Country Tis of Thee” and “This is the Dream,” which was inspired by Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech. Guest artists include guitarist Dave Mundy, drummer Richie Mola, bass and banjo player Patrick Gordan, and pianist Judy Carter. The audience will be asked to participate in the sing-along portion of the concert. The concert begins at 4 p.m. at the First Baptist Church, 2206 16th Ave., Vero Beach. Doors open at 3 p.m. Free admission, but donations will be accepted. Call 772-231-3498 or visit TreasureCoastChorale.org.
A couple of events commemorating Memorial Day will be held on Monday, May 30. There will be a Memorial Day Ceremony beginning 8:45 a.m. at Veterans Memorial Island Sanctuary, which is destined for quiet reflection. The sanctuary is adjacent to Riverside Park, south of the Merrill Barber Bridge. The Navy SEAL Museum will have a series of thought-provoking and inspiring events on Memorial Day. It begins at 8 a.m. with a flag retirement ceremony. The official Memorial Day ceremony begins 9 a.m. with a welcome by museum executive director Commander (SEAL) Grant Mann, USN (Ret.). There will be a presentation of colors by the Centennial High School, Black Talon Navy JROTC Color Guard. The national anthem will be performed by Lieutenant Colonel Cynthia Watkins Pishdad U.S. Army (Ret.), followed by the Retirement of Colors. Rev. Mike Schockley, chaplain USN (Ret.), will give the invocation. The museum’s chief operating officer, Master Chief (SEAL) Rick Kaiser, USN (RET.), will introduce the keynote speaker, Lieutenant (SEAL) Jason Redman, USN (Ret.). Redman is a New York Times bestselling author of “The Trident.” After his speech, there will be an Honoring of the Fallen with the addition of sand to the Living Beach. The sand comes from around the world “where Frogmen have trained, fought and died.” That will be followed by a wreath-laying, and taps and the service conclusion. Admission will be free from 9 a.m. to noon on Memorial Day. The Navy SEAL Museum is at 3300 N. Highway A1A, North Hutchinson Island, Fort Pierce. Call 772-595-5845 or visit NavySEALMuseum.org.
