Concerts, a day with your dog and a fancy hat tea party are scheduled for April 11-15
Beautiful Bharat
Brevard Symphony Orchestra ends the season in high style with an April 14 finale that features clarinetist Bharat Chandra and Prokofiev’s “5th. Symphony.”
The piece was chosen by Maestro Christopher Confessore for its challenging virtuosity. It is the first time the Symphony has performed the colorful and optimistic work that celebrates hope for mankind’s future.
The concert beings at 8 p.m., Saturday, April 14, at the King Center for the Performing Arts. In addition to Prokofiev’s 20th-century masterpiece, the program includes Bohuslav Martinu’s “Memorial to Lidice” and Mozart’s “Clarinet Concerto,” performed by Chandra, principal clarinetist of both the Sarasota Orchestra in Florida and of the Nordic Symphony Orchestra in Tallinn, Estonia.
During the summer, Chandra serves as principal clarinet of the Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music. For the past six seasons, he has been the guest principal clarinet of the Sydney Opera House (Opera Australia) and of the Oregon Symphony in Portland. In the same period, he also gave his chamber music debuts at Lincoln Center, the Ravinia Festival, Chicago’s Harris Theater, and the International Beethoven Festival.
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“His artistry is unique in that everything he plays is distinct, but it never feels separate from the cohesive statement of the full orchestra,” said Confessore.
Arrive at 7 p.m. for Happy Hour in the main lobby, where a cash bar will feature the BSO’s all-new signature cocktails themed to the evening’s program. Prior to the concert, guests can enjoy the interactive “Concert Conversations with Christopher Confessore,” which begins approximately 40 minutes before the show.
Tickets are $25 to $50, with students, teachers and active military receiving 50 percent off in Areas Two and Three of the theater.
For tickets, call 321-242-2219 or visit brevardsymphony.com.
Glass act
When you’re at the King Center for the Symphony finale, or for any other performances in April, don’t forget to check out Preston Studios’ photographic retrospective of 42 years of artistry in stained glass. The show is viewable during King Center performances.
Monica, take two
Rising star organist Monica Czausz was to have performed in Brevard back in February, but the flu did a number on the young artist from Philadelphia. Czausz is over the malady and ready to play a free concert at 3 p.m., Sunday, April 15, at Advent Lutheran Church, 7550 N. Wickham Road, Suntree.
The organist, recognized as one of the “Top 20 Organists Under 30” by international organ journal The Diapason, is looking forward to performing on the church’s impressive 2,196-pipe organ. She has received first prize in numerous competitions, including the 2015 American Guild of Organists Regional Competition for Young Organists (Region VII: Southwest), 2015 Schweitzer Competition in the Young Professionals’ Division, the 2013 William C. Hall Competition, the 2012 L. Cameron Johnson Competition and the 2011 Oklahoma City University Competition.
Czausz will perform works by composers Vivaldi, Mendelssohn, Bovet, Weaver, Creston, and others.
For more information, call 321-426-9378 or visit AdventBrevard.org.
City of Lights
Melbourne Municipal Band takes inspiration from Paris, the City of Lights, for its “April in Paris” concerts at 7:30 p.m., Wednesday and Thursday, April 11 and 12, at Melbourne Auditorium, 625 E. Hibiscus Blvd.
The doors open at 6:30 p.m. for best seats for these free concerts that showcase the melodies of France and also celebrate the 90th. birthday of saxophonist Charlie Almeida, who will perform a solo and serve as guest conductor for a march he composed.
Almeida, a member of the U.S. Air Force’s “Airmen of Note” band during the Korean War, joined the Army in 1962 and continued his musical career there. He has recorded with the Baltimore and National Symphonies and performed at the National Theater, Kennedy Center, Ford Theater, and others.
“We have a wonderful program planned, plus, we are honoring a very talented musician and composer who started playing in junior high and hasn’t stopped since,” said conductor Staci Cleveland.
The concerts also include a Brevard’s Brightest Stars segment featuring student vocalist Shannon Reid and pre-show entertainment by Almeida’s Small Jazz Ensemble.
Call 321-724-0555 or visit melbournemunicipalband.org for more information.
Continuing the French theme
Enjoy a girl’s night out with a French Twist as the ladies gather to take in “French Twist,” the Foosaner Art Museum’s current exhibition of masterworks of French photography. The groundbreaking show features 100 rare vintage prints from the golden age of French photography.
The evening runs from 6 to 8 p.m., Thursday, April 12, and includes French-inspired cuisine, wine and shopping in the galleries.
Cost is $30 for museum members and $45 for non-members. $100 sponsorships are available.
Support your local art museum and enjoy a night of wine and shopping. Proceeds will benefit the Foosaner Art Museum exhibition Fund. To purchase tickets, visit foosanerartmuseum.org.
The Foosaner is at 1463 Highland Ave. in the Eau Gallie Arts District of Melbourne.
Dog Days
The family canine gets his day at “A Day with Your Dog” from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m., Sunday, April 15, at Riverfront Park in Cocoa Village.
Hosted by Tails at the Barkery dog bakery, the event for dogs and their people includes doggie activities, demos, agility course, vendors, rescue organizations, food and more.
A Scavenger Hunt map, available at the Tails at the Barkery tent during the event, will allow participants to gather clues to win a prize.
Pets must be on a leash or in carriers and have current vaccinations and tags.
For more information, call 321-305-4584.
Fancy that fancy hat
Tomorrow’s gardeners will benefit from today’s Fancy Hat Tea Party, hosted from 2 to 4 p.m., Friday, April 13, by the Titusville Garden Club, 5275 Sisson Road.
The party will provide money for scholarships for eight students to participate in the Florida Federation of Garden club’s nature camp for first- through eighth-graders at Wekiva Springs and for the S.E.E.K.(Save the Earth’s Environment through Knowledge) program for students entering grades 10 to 12.
In addition to having a noble goal, the party is a hoot.
“It's always a lot of fun with delicious treats, entertainment and fabulous raffle baskets,” said Club spokesperson Dr. Yvette Boodhoo.
Tickets, which are $18 per guest, are available by calling 321-264-4266 or by emailing titusvillegardenclubinc@gmail. com.
Art by the beach
The Studios of Cocoa Beach at 165 Minuteman Causeway host art workshops from 6 to 8 p.m. every Wednesday in April.
Led by artist and teacher Jaymee Weinreich, the classes focus on drawing and pen and ink this month and are geared toward beginners and intermediate students. Each evening offers a self-contained lesson.
Cost is $20 per session. Registration is required. For more information, call or text 787-640-6119 or visit studiosofcocoabeach.org.
Additionally, the nonprofit Studios of Cocoa Beach offer a full schedule of classes in a variety of techniques. Beginners to advanced artists of any age are welcome.
Earth, Sea & Sky
The Indialantic Chamber Singers have all bases covered in their “Songs of Earth, Sea & Sky” concerts, scheduled for 7:30 p.m., Friday, April 13, at Advent Lutheran Church, 7550 N. Wickham Road., Suntree, with an encore at 3:30 p.m., Sunday, April 15, at Eastminster Presbyterian Church, 106 N. Riverside Drive., Indialantic.
The audience can expect a concert inspired by nature and the elements. Cellist Isaac Moorman will accompany, as will organist David Vogeding, the group’s founder and director emeritus.
The Indialantic Chamber Singers have performed several times in the nation’s capital at the invitation of the Washington National Cathedral.
A donation of $10 is suggested.
For more information, call 321-426-0360 or visit IndialanticChamberSingers.org.
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