Poets, applications are being taken now for the new Poet Laureate of Indian River County. All applicants must be residents of Indian River County and have a record of commitment to the art form and be able to engage with the community. The person selected will work with the Laura (Riding) Jackson Foundation, which is administering this initiative, to promote and support literary arts throughout Indian River County. The new Poet Laureate will serve from Sept. 1, 2024, to Aug. 31, 2028. The application deadline is June 15. Contact Sara Wilson, the LRJF executive director by emailing swilson@lrjf.org.
The Riverside Theatre’s Comedy Zone presents headline Patrick Garrity, feature act Nik Macik and emcee Steve Kalisik this weekend. Garrity is known for his characters, impressions and comic takes about life. Part of his routine includes stories from his stint in the military, being the youngest son and “why Irish don’t trash talk.” He has appeared on NBC and CBS. Macik got his start as a standup in Comedy Key West. You can see him on TV the Prime Video horror film “Gang” and the Tubi TV series “Groupie.” He’s performed at the World Series of Comedy and the North Carolina Comedy Festival. He’s known for his dark, irreverent style. The Comedy Zone performs at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. Friday, May 31, and Saturday, June 1. Tickets are $25. Make it an evening and enjoy a free outdoor concert at Riverside’s Live in the Loop. Friday, May 31, Joe Reid and Heartland takes the stage to perform country and rock, with a special portion featuring the music of George Strait. On Saturday, June 1, Luna Pear will cover favorite songs from a wide range of artists, including Sade, KC & The Sunshine Band, David Bowie, Bon Jovi, Pat Benatar, Nirvana, B-52s and many more. The Live in the Loop concerts run from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. and are free. You can reserve a concert cabana for $80 plus a set-up fee. They come with a round sitting table with four cushioned seats, a high-top round table, two Adirondack chairs, a fan, a lantern light, and an ice cooler with six bottles of water. They’re big enough for friends to bring along additional chairs. And, don’t forget, there are always drinks and eats available for purchase for both the Comedy Zone and the Live in the Loop experiences. And, beginning Thursday, June 6, Riverside Theatre will present another evening of free music performed by local musicians. So in addition to Friday and Saturday, there will be music offered up from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursdays, starting with 20th Street Jazz Band on June 6. Riverside Theatre is at 3250 Riverside Park Dr., Vero Beach. Call 772-231-6990 or visit RiversideTheatre.com.
Those looking for something different and yearning to get outside may want to consider a pontoon boat cruise along the Indian River Lagoon. These cruises are offered on a regular basis through the Environmental Learning Center. They are led by knowledgeable captains and trained nature guides. You’re informed about wildlife while getting a different glimpse of the beauty in and around the Indian River Lagoon. There are morning, afternoon and sunset tours on a daily basis to the Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge. The Pelican Island Pontoon Tour lasts two hours and costs $25 to $40. The Feathers & Fins Inlet Tour lasts two and a half hour and costs $25 to $50. The Sunset Pelican Island Pontoon Tour lasts two hours and costs $25 to $40. The St. Sebastian River Tour lasts two hours and is designed to give you a glimpse of Old Florida. Those cost $30 to $55. The Spoil Island Splash Tour lasts two hours. Those cost $25 to $40. And the St. Sebastian River Manatee Spotting Pontoon Boat Tour lasts two hours and is designed to give you a glimpse of Old Florida. The cost for those is TBD. For any of these, you need to make advanced reservations. Guests must be at least 6 years old; life jackets required for 6- to 13-year-old guests, ELC will supply or bring your own. Guests must be able to safely descend a three-step dock ladder to the pontoon. Be sure to bring a hat, sunscreen, bug spray and binoculars if you have them. The ELC is at 255 Live Oak Dr., Vero Beach. For more information, call 772-589-5050 or visit DiscoverELC.org.
