Oct. 17-24: Theater at EFSC-Cocoa, concerts across the Space Coast, brew fest in EGAD

Hairy stuff

The drama students at Eastern Florida State College take to the stage for “Wiley and he Hairy Man,” a rhyming play based on Southern folklore.

Jeanine Henry directs Susan Zeder’s spooky comedy tha,t although geared toward younger audiences, offers a lesson for all ages about discovering inner courage.

Performances are 7 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, Oct. 19 and 20, and 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 21, at the Simpkins Auditorium, Cocoa Campus, 1519 Clearlake Road.

General admission is $5. For more information, call 321-433-5200 or visit EasternFlorida.edu/go/arts.

Pipe up

There is absolutely no reason not to love “Music for All Reasons,” Suntree United Methodist Church’s grand concert that celebrates the restoration of a long-forgotten treasure, a 1924 Hook & Hastings pipe organ.

The free event, which also includes a video about the restoration of the instrument, will be at 3 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 21, at the church, 7400 N. Wickham Road.

The concert includes works by Bach, Mendelssohn, Charles Ives, Bernstein, Gershwin and Puccini.

Organist Tom Taylor will also check out the audience’s knowledge of music with a “Name that Tune” game. Taylor developed the Suntree Silent Cinema series, which screens silent film classics with historically accurate organ accompaniment.

“There is nothing that can describe the glorious physicality of the pipe organ,” said Taylor. “It’s the ultimate surround sound experience.”

The pipe organ was salvaged from a storage facility in Stuart, reassembled and married to a Rodgers digital organ, resulting in a unique hybrid instrument. The work took two years and $130,000 from community donations.

“The organ was already in service when Lindbergh first crossed the Atlantic,” said Taylor.

The instrument is registered with he National Organ Historical Society.

For more information, call 321-242-2585.

Thanks for the memories

Atlantic Music Center bids farewell to its concerts with one last blast featuring Thomas Linger, winner of the 2017 American Jazz Pianist competition.

The concert begins at 7:30 p.m., Friday, Oct. 19, at the soon-to-be-vacated Atlantic Music Center store and concert hall, 25 S. Wickham Road, Melbourne. Wine and hors d’oeuvres will be served.

Linger plays throughout the East Coast at top venues such as Dizzy’s Club in New York City. In addition to engagements alongside stars such as Peter Bernstein and Francisco Mela, Linger leads his own trio.

Tickets are $27 per guest and $7 for students. Purchase at  atlanticmusiccenter.com/concert.

Linger will also play solo at the Grand Bohemian Lounge, 325 S. Orange Ave., Orlando, from 5 to 8p.m., Saturday, Oct. 20. That performance is free.

For more information, call 321-725-5690.

Jammy

The cool cats of the Space Coast Symphony Jazz Orchestra will perform a Jazz Jam at 7 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 20, at Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy’s Scott Center,5625 Holy Trinity Drive, Suntree.

Head cool cat Frank Wosar, jazz trombone prof at Valencia College, leads the jammers into a journey through works by Count Basie, Miles Davis, Thelonius Monk and others.

"Frank's bio reads like a 'Who's Who' of jazz," said artistic director Aaron Collins. "He's played in Grammy-winning groups and personally won four Downbeat Awards and international recognition for his jazz solos.”

Enjoy a wide variety of styles, from New Orleans to Boogaloo.

Walt Disney World choreographer Joanne Collins will team up with fellow professional Kaitlyn Cahalen to perform dance numbers alongside the jazz orchestra.

Tickets are $25 in advance, available at SpaceCoastSymphony.org or at Marine Bank & Trust in Suntree. Tickets at the door are $30.

The concert is free for those 18 and younger or with student identification.

For more information, call 855-252-7276 or visit the orchestra website.

Unforgettable in many ways

The 40 artists of the Indialantic Chamber Singers head to "Unforgettable Classics of Music’s Golden Age” for two concerts around the corner.

Considered Brevard’s premiere choral ensemble, the Singers will perform at 7:30p.m., Friday, Oct. 19, at Advent Lutheran Church, 7550 N. Wickham Road, Suntree, and at 3:30 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 21, at Eastminster Presbyterian Church, 106 N. Riverside Drive, Indialantic.

You’ll hear “Beyond the Sea,” “Blue Moon,” “That’s Amore” and more.

"This season, we decided to start things off with a concert of absolutely beautiful arrangements of hit songs from the 20th century,” said artistic director Beth Green.

The Indialantic Chamber Singers have performed several times at the Washington National Cathedral.

Admission is free, but with a suggested donation of $10.

For more information, call 426-0360 or visit IndialanticChamberSingers.org.

Behold the Oktoberfest burger

Raise your stein to the Oktoberfest burger at Red Robin, back after a long hiatus. Available through Oct. 31, the Oktoberfest features a fire-grilled gourmet burger topped with ham and melted Swiss inside an artisan pretzel bun with beer mustard, caramelized onions and shredded romaine.

In Brevard, you will find Red Robin at 1900 W. New Haven Ave. in front of Melbourne Square.

For more information, see redrobin.com, where you can also sign for its loyalty rewards program.

Cheers to October

Cheers Seafood & Grill is celebrating October with German-themed specials all month, including the knockwurst brautwurst combo with sauerkraut and warm German potato salad, plus an apple fritter for dessert. The combo costs $16.99

Cheers is at 3826 Murrell Road, Rockledge. Call 321-848-0525.

A night at the museum

The American Muscle Car Museum opens from 6 to 9 p.m., Friday, Oct. 19, to raise money for the M.O.R.G.A.N. Project’s work for children with special needs.

NASCAR legend Geoff Bodine is the special guest for the evening amidst classic cars worth $33 million. His #11 Thunderbird is the latest addition to the collection. Guests will enjoy food, beer, wine and desserts.

Tickets are $75 per guest or $125 per couple. Students 12 to 17 are $25. Purchase at themorganproject.org/upcoming-events. Tickets must be purchased in advance.

Clowning around

Q-Tee the clown will visit Port St. John Public Library for its fall festival from 10 a.m. until noon on Saturday, Oct. 20.

Costumes are encouraged for the free event that includes storytelling, crafts, snack, photo ops and balloons.

The library is at 6500 Carole Ave. For more information, call 321-633-1867.

Viva brewski!

The fifth annual Rocky Water Brew Fest begins at 1 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 20, at Eau Gallie Square, where guests can sample a collection of craft beer from small breweries from throughout Florida.

Tickets are $35. Purchase at eventbrite.com, search "Rocky Water Brew Fest."

Contra-indicated

Learn to dance the Contra Dance at 7 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 20, at David R. Schecter Community Center, 1989 S. Patrick Drive, Satellite Beach. Practice your newly found skills at the dance which follows from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m.

Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for those under 25.

For more information, call 321-427-3587.

Pint-sized

Playalinda Brewing Company and A Day Away Kaya Tours join forces for a Bioluminescent Paddle & a Pint from 7:15 to 10:15, Saturday, Oct. 20.

The kayaking takes off for a 90-minute tour at Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge. After the paddle, head to Playalinda’s Hardware Store location in Titusville or a pint of craft beer or non-alcoholic beverage.

Cost is $45 per guest, unless you have your own kayak, in which case it is $35.

For more information, visit playalindabrewingcompany.com/events.

Email toastofthecoastfloridatoday@gmail.com.