You know about all the fun and food at this weekend’s Vero Beach Oktoberfest. But in addition to adults enjoying the expected Biergarten with German beer served by “Mädchen” decked out in traditional dirndls, Bavarians in Lederhosen performing Schuhplattler dance, Rötkohl und Schnitzel, there will be scads of things for the young ones. There’s the Young Entrepreneurs market, which sets up its cooperative shop selling items to families. You’ll find artwork, crafts, baked goods, granola, handmade toys, organic pet treats and so much more. The Young Entrepreneurs market is part of the Kids Activities section of the Oktoberfest. That section includes slides and bounce houses, bubbles galore, glitter tattoos and face painting, pumpkin painting and more. The Oktoberfest runs 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 22, and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 23, at the Indian River County Fairgrounds, 7955 58th Ave., Vero Beach. Admission is $5 general and free for children 12 years and younger. Free parking. For more information, visit VeroBeachOktoberfest.com or call 772-492-6105.
The Galleries at First Pres will have an opening reception for its Summer Art Show from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 23. The show runs through the rest of the year, and features the works of area artists Valerie Cecire, Grace Cormier and Theresa Kelso. Cecire is a contemporary landscaper painter and printmaker. An abstract artist, she focuses on impressionistic balances of light and emotion, and paints in both studio and plein-air settings. Cormier moved from Poland to the United States when she was 18 years old. She owned an interior design service and a small art gallery on Long Island, New York. After retirement, she recommitted to creating art full time. She finds inspiration in nature for her paintings, sculptures, textile fiber art and jewelry. A retired clinical psychologist, Kelso studied art at the Vero Beach Museum of Art and at the Artists Guild Gallery. Her work on view highlights the importance of art for the young as well as the beauty of Florida. The special artists’ reception will give you a chance to meet the artists, talk with them about their art, enjoy a few light refreshments, and gather with like souls who enjoy art and good conversation. The exhibition is installed in galleries located throughout campus of the First Presbyterian Church, 520 Royal Palm Blvd., Vero Beach. Admission is free. For more information, visit FirstPresVero.org or call 772-562-9088.
Live theater will keep you busy this week as well. You’ll find a staged reading of a witty urbane comedy and a fully staged romantic comedy as well. First up is the staged reading of “Art,” Yasmina Reza’s popular play which has made the rounds of professional community theaters throughout the country. Reza’s play follows the relationship of three friends whose relationship finds its breaking point when one buys a “white” painting with barely visible lines on it. While the new owner of the painting can’t understand why his friends don’t see what he sees in it, his friends decry his pompousness. And in case you’ve never been to a staged reading, expect to see the actors on stage holding the play and actually reading their lines. Typically, there will be minimum blocking and scenery. The idea is to present the “literature” of the work itself rather than any production value which, yes, could add to the theatrical experience, but also detract from the written word. It is directed by Faye McKenzie and stars J.D. Cerna, Nicholas Keeler and Jeffrey Barkwell. Tickets are $20. The staged reading performs at 7:30 p.m. Fridays, Oct. 21 and Oct. 28, Saturdays, Oct. 22 and Oct. 29; and 2 p.m. on Saturdays, Oct. 22 and Oct. 29 and Sundays, Oct. 23 and Oct. 30 in the Studio Theatre at the Vero Beach Theatre Guild is at 2020 San Juan Ave. Call 772-562-8300 or visit VeroBeachTheatreGuild.com. Riverside Theatre presents the sweet comedy “Butterflies Are Free,” a 1970 play by Leonard Gershe and loosely based on Harold Krents, a blind American lawyer, author and activitist. The play is set in his Manhattan apartment and follows his relationship with a free-spirited hippie girl and his disapproving, controlling mother. Riverside’s production is directed and designed by Allen D. Cornell and stars Alec Nevin, Allison Elaine, Laurie Carter Rose and Alec Ricardo Ruiz. It opens Tuesday, Oct. 25 and runs through Nov. 13 at Riverside Theatre, 3250 Riverside Park Dr., Vero Beach. Tickets start at $45. Call 772-231-6990 or visit RiversideTheatre.com.
