Riverside Theatre has just opened “Morning After Grace,” a new play by Carey Crim. Set in a Florida retirement community, the warm-hearted comedy has an unusual beginning – the morning after a funeral when Abigail and Angus are surprised to find a new lease on life. The play performs various times through Feb. 18 in Riverside’s Waxlax Stage. Tickets are $65 general and $32.50 for students. Riverside Theatre is also the place for world-renown speakers lecturing in the theater’s Distinguished Lecture Series. Next up is John Huntsman Jr., the former ambassador to China, Russia and Singapore. No doubt that will be a fascinating lecture. He lectures at 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 5. Riverside Theatre is at 3250 Riverside Park Dr., Vero Beach. Call 772-231-6990 or visit RiversideTheatre.com.
Just a hop, skip and a jump away from Riverside Theatre is the Vero Beach Museum of Art. In addition to presenting world-class art exhibitions, the museum also has special programming like Cork, Canvas & Company. This is an artsy social event where you spend the evening with friends, both old and new, while learning how to complete artwork. All art materials are provided, and participants may bring their own beverages and snacks. The series has four more classes for you: Artist Barry Shapiro will lead you to create in “Roseate Spoonbill” Thursday, Feb. 1, and “Winter Skies” Thursday, Feb. 15; Camy Demario will lead you in creating “Textured Heart” Thursday, Feb. 29, and “Mermaid Dreams” Thursday, March 14. Each Cork, Canvas & Company session runs from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. and costs $45. No artistic expertise required. And if you like visiting the museum as a regular arts patron, you’ll like to know that its Wood N Spoon café has just opened. It serves from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. weekdays. The Vero Beach Museum of Art is at 3001 Riverside Park Dr., Vero Beach. Call 772-231-0707 or visit VBMuseum.org.
Start getting into that Valentine’s Day spirit when Live from Vero Beach presents “Top of the World: A Tribute to the Carpenters.” The show features Debbie Taylor, who has gained the reputation of sounding very much like the late, great Karen Carpenter. The concert features music made popular by the brother/sister duo like “Close to You” and “We’ve Only Just Begun.” The show begins at 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 1, at the Emerson Center, 1590 27th Ave., Vero Beach. Tickets are $45 to $95. For more information, call 800-595-4849 or visit MusicWorksConcerts.com.
Keep the romance going with Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” This rom-com classic runs 7:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 2, 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 3, and 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 4, at the Vero Beach Theatre Guild, 2020 San Juan Ave. Call 772-562-8300 or visit VeroBeachTheatreGuild.com.
The Treasure Coast Ribs, Wings and Rock Festival runs this weekend at the Indian River County Fairgrounds, 7955 58th Ave., Vero Beach. There will be 10 bands performing on two stages, a full bar, an arts and crafts show, and a car show in addition to all that food. Hours are 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 2, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 3, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 4. Admission is $10 in advance. Children 12 years and younger admitted free. For more information, call 954-205-7813 or visit TreasureCoastRibs
WingsFestival.com.
The Space Coast Symphony Orchestra turns to Hollywood for its next concert, “Come Spy with Us.” The concert will be held at a movie theater and will feature familiar on-screen visuals from a number of movies, including “James Bond,” “Mission: Impossible,” “North by Northwest,” “The Pink Panther,” “Catch Me If You Can” and even “The Incredibles.” The concert at begins 3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 4, at the AMC Indian River 24, Indian River Mall, 6200 20th St., Vero Beach. Tickets are $30 in advance and $35 at the door. Those 18 and younger or with a college ID are admitted free. For more information, call 855-252-7276 or visit SpaceCoastSymphony.org.
