Gershwin’s masterpiece, the iconic ballet suite from the musical film classic “An American in Paris,” headlines the Space Coast Symphony Orchestra’s concert this Sunday at the Vero Beach High School Performing Arts Center, in what looks to be one of the most exciting programs in the orchestra’s strong 2017-18 season. Who can forget what the show promo calls Gershwin’s “rich blue harmonies” juxtaposed with the vibrant city’s blaring taxi horns? Under the baton of Aaron T. Collins, Gershwin’s love letter to the City of Lights will combine the orchestral music with live dance and newly remastered footage from the wonderful classic film starring Gene Kelly and Leslie Caron. The toe-tapping favorite “I’ve Got Rhythm” will be performed by pianist Marius Tesch. Then, renowned Seattle-based tap dancer Alex Dugdale joins the orchestra for a breathtaking version of Gould’s “Concerto for Tap Dancer.” Next on the bill is a performance by special guest and principal ballerina for the Orlando Ballet, Kate-Lynn Robichaux. She’ll perform one of ballet’s the most iconic solos, the Dying Swan, dancing the classic 1905 Mikhail Fokine choreography made famous by the great Anna Pavlova, to music from Saint-Saen’s “Carnival of the Animals.” For the final performance in this amazing evening, the orchestra gets its jazz on with Duke Ellington’s lush and sophisticated “Three Black Kings.” Showtime is 3 p.m.
Who isn’t captivated by “Where the Wild Things Are,” the whimsical and enchanting work of Maurice Sendak? The Vero Beach Museum of Art is opening “50 Years, 50 Works, 50 Reasons, Maurice Sendak: the Memorial Exhibition,” this Saturday, commemorating the half-century anniversary of the artist and author’s beloved, highly acclaimed, award-winning book. The exhibition includes original illustrations from the book, as well as several works from other irresistibly rendered picture books Sendak created during his six-decade career, including “In the Night Kitchen” and “Little Bear.” The endlessly creative author and illustrator also enjoyed a second career as a costume and stage designer. You shouldn’t miss this joyful exhibition, especially if you have children, or grandchildren, or neighbor children or are, yourself, a child at heart. “50 Years, 50 Works, 50 Reasons, Maurice Sendak: the Memorial Exhibition,” runs through Dec. 30. While you’re at the museum, be sure to check out the other exhibitions as well, among them: “Masters of American Photography,” and “DeWitt Boutelle after Thomas Cole: The Voyage of Life From the Manoogian Collection.”
