May 30-June 5: Art exhibits, a jazz concert and a beer run top this week's events

Preoccupied

Fifth Avenue Art Gallery hosts “Preoccupation,” a solo show of the works of Vanessa Bates, winner of the gallery’s 2017 100% Pure Florida competition. The exhibition opens with a reception from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Friday, June 1. Bates will also lead a gallery walk on Saturday, June 9.

With razor-sharp wit, Bates leads viewers through a colorful visual roller coaster of message.

“The subject matter itself is often chosen for humor, expressed either as visual irony or lighthearted observation,” said the artist in a statement.

Bates began her art journey as a graphic designer and illustrator who later gravitated toward the fine arts, which allowed her the scope of experimentation she wanted. She works in acrylics and digital media.

Fifth Avenue Art Gallery is at 1470 Highland Ave. in the Eau Gallie Arts District. For more information, call 321-259-8261 or visit fifthavenueartgallery.com.

Battle of the Saxes

It promises to be a “sax-sational” battle of the saxes when Jesse Jones Jr. and Terry Myers take to the stage at Heidi’s Jazz Club at 8:30 p.m. on Friday, June 1, and 8 p.m. on Saturday, June 2.

Miami-based Jones has performed from Russia and Germany to Italy and the Ukraine with the likes of Donald Byrd, Blue Mitchell, Dexter Gordon, Eartha Kitt, Monty Alexander and Lonny Smith.

His style combines the hard-bop influence of Cannonball Adderley, the funk of Hank Crawford,and the sweetness of Paul Desmond with unusual "scat" jazz singing. 

Myers is also no slouch on the concert stage, appearing with Tommy Dorsey Orchestra (Buddy Morrow), Bob Haggert, Milt Hinton, Butch Miles, Warren Vache', Kenny Davern, Marty Grosz, Major Holly, Mousey Alexander, Flip Phillips, Rosemary Clooney, Eddie Higgins and a host of others.

Admission is $15.

Heidi’s Jazz Club is at 7 N. Orlando Ave., Cocoa Beach. For more information, call 321-783-4559 or visit heidisjazzclub.com.

Meet the gang

Meet the gang of member artists at Art & Antique Studio during the opening of “The Long and Short of It,” the gallery’s 14th annual Members’ Show from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Friday, June 1.

There will be drawings throughout the evening for originals, fine art prints and jewelry. In addition to the art, enjoy refreshments, as well as steel band music by Frank Lutz.

Art & Antique Studio is at 1429 Highland Ave. in the Eau Gallie Arts District.

For more information, call 321-253-5553 or visit artandantiquestudio.com.

The show runs through the end of the month.

Bottoms Up!

Run for the beer, since SAAZ, aka the Space Coast Associates for the Advancement of Zymurgy, will present it sixth annual Bottoms Up Beer Run at 6 p.m., Saturday, June 9, at Wickham Park Pavilion #4.

If you’re serious about running, Running Zone will professionally time your pace so you can race your way to a personal best. However, you might want to forego competition to laugh at the dismal time it took to get through this 4K, which offers four homebrews along the way for folks 21 and up. At the finish line, a full pint of your fave brew awaits.

Don’t run? No problem, you can also walk during this fun 4K that combines exercise with excellent homebrew. If running, walking and drinking don’t mix well for you, water will be available along the race course, and you do not need to drink to participate. Arrive in costume if you would like.

Limited to 400 participants, the race offers a t-shirt and a bottle opener medal. Post-race refreshments will be available.

Part of the proceeds of the race benefit St. Baldrick’s Foundation, a volunteer-driven charity dedicated to life-saving pediatric cancer research. SAAZ has raised $19,000 for the organization in the past five years.

Register online at secure.runningzone.com or in person at the store. Registrations will also be accepted on race day between 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.

For more see saaz.org/bottomsup.

Say cheese

It might be best to park yourself by Café Margaux if you enjoy cheese, dessert wines and spirits, for the award-winning Cocoa Village restaurant will in the next few days host events designed to please your interests.

From 5 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, June 6, Café Margaux presents its last cheese and dessert wine tasting for the season and it’s one that should not be missed.

The evening begins with Wensleydale Creamery White Stilton with figs and honey(which Wallace & Gromit fans will recognize as a favorite cheese of the animated duo), paired with 1999 Samos Nectar Muscat from Greece.

Additional pairings include Sweet Grass Dairy Camembert from Thomasville, Georgia, with 1997 Lolonis Eugenia Late Harvest Sauvignon Black from California’s Redwood Valley; King Island Dairy Roaring Forties Blue from Australia with Pensfold Club Tawny Port, also from the Land Down Under, and Parmigiano-Reggiano from La Dolce Italia paired with 2012 Montes Later Harvest Gewurtztraminer from Chile.

Accoutrements include French bread toast points, nuts, dried fruits, compotes and chutneys.

Cost for the tasting is $25 per guest. Reserve at 321-639-8343.

From 5 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, May 30, Café Margaux offers the last of its American Spirits Month events at the bar, where can discover the recipes and history of new libations to love, as well as of old favorites. For the evening, the focus is on the famed Bacardi rum, but, mind you, not your run-of-the-sugar-mill Bacardi. Instead Michael Salvi with Southern Glazers Wine & Spirits from Orlando will discuss and help guests sample the higher-end rums of the legendary distillery.

No reservations are required for the bar events.

Café Margaux is at 220 N. Brevard Ave., Cocoa Village. For more information, call 321-639-8343 or visit margaux.com.

Trivial pursuit

Pursue the world of trivia while enjoying a brew at Playalinda Brewing Company from 7 to 9 p.m. Mondays. Play solo or team up with four trivia freaks as you seek to snag Playalinda-themed prizes. Arrive 20 minutes early to score an “early bird” chip worth an extra half point.

Each week, you and your trivia-heads will have the chance to score a Brewing Company gift card and bragging rights as the Smartest Beer Drinker on the Block.

For more information, call 321-567-5974 or see playalindabrewingcompany.com/events/event/trivia.

If you want to walk or run off all those beer calories, join the Playalinda Run Club which next meets from 6 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, June 19, at the Hardware Store location in downtown Titusville. The event is kid and dog-friendly. Two 5k routes perfect for runners and walkers of all levels are available. Make it back to the brewery for some craft beer.

Playalinda Brewing Company is at 305 S. Washington Ave., Titusville.

Hop to it

The Hopkins Shops of Titusville will host a “Hopkins Hop, Sip & Shop” event from 4 to 7 p.m.  Thursday, May 31, on Hopkins Avenue location, just as they do the last Thursday of each month.

The evening includes light snacks, beverages and discounts on shopping at participating stores: the Five Katz Antiques, The Vintage Thistle, Gold Tone Music Group, Tea World and Upscale Resale.

For more information, call 321-567-2505.

Go with the flow

Dance Arts Centre, with studios in Indian Harbour Beach and Melbourne, invites the community to “Force+Flow,” a collection of dances showcasing Arts Centre students in ballet, modern dance, jazz, tap and hip hop.

The event begins at 6 p.m. Saturday, June 2, at the Henegar Center, 625 E. New Haven Ave., Melbourne.

Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 on the day of the show, plus a $3 Henegar Center  service fee.

For more information, call 321-723-8698 or visit henegar.org.

Email toastofthecoastfloridatoday@gmail.com.