Plan ahead for Feb. 6-12: Surfside fundraiser, Valentine's treats, Pioneer Day, concerts
Fun in fundraising
The folks at Surfside Playhouse like to party, and they could use some funds to help their community theater, which has operated continuously since 1963. They put “party” and “fundraising” together and came up with “Party for the Playhouse,” which puts the fun in fundraising.
The party begins at 5:30 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 9, at the Hilton Cocoa Beach Oceanfront, 1550 N. Atlantic Ave. and is aimed at helping to defray costs of theatrical productions, educational programs and facility upgrades at Surfside, the only beachside community theater.
Guests will enjoy a sit-down dinner, cash bar and a silent auction of jewelry, art work, travel and other goodies. DeeJay Louie Las Vegas will spin the dance tunes for the evening, which also includes musical entertainment by performers from the current season at the playhouse, plus a sneak peek at numbers from the upcoming production of “The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas” and the 2019-20 season.
“Many of our actors from current and past shows will be there to mingle and talk about their experiences on and off stage,” said director Bryan Bergeron.
Surfside also has a long history of supporting the local surfing community.
“Residents in their 70s to those still under 10 have seen award-winning international surf films, locally produced films and have attended fundraisers for organizations such as the Surfrider Foundation at the playhouse,” said Bergeron. “Community is at the very core of the Surfside experience. Whole generations have grown up and watched performances here.”
Tickets are $50 per guest. Call 321-783-3127 or visit SurfsidePlayhouse.org to reserve.
The sound of music
The Ditchfield Family Singers have been compared to the Von Trapps of “Sound of Music” fame and for good reason. They make beautiful music together in gorgeous close harmonies.
There is a big difference, however. Catching the Von Trapps in concert in Brevard is not as easy as seeing the Ditchfields perform, for at 7 p.m., on Sunday, Feb. 10, the Ditchfields return for the 11th consecutive year to Riverside Presbyterian Church in Cocoa Beach for a free concert.
“The Best of the Ditchfields” is just that, the crème de la crème of their songbook from the ‘30s, ‘40s, ’50s, plus Broadway hits and inspirational favorites. The audience will get their fix of Sinatra, Nat King Cole, Judy Garland, Tony Bennett, Dean Martin and more during this trip down a musical memory lane. Three generations of the family will perform together in this professionally presented show.
“From the very first concert 11 years ago, our audience was completely captivated by the group’s close harmonies and professional performance,” said Stephen Hoagland, who is producing the Feb. 10 concert.
Admission is free, but a ticket is required to secure a seat. Call 321-525-7825 or visit RiversidePres.org. The concert is part of Riverside’s Dr. Vernon Boushell Concert Series.
Known as the Music Church, Riverside Presbyterian is at 3400 N. Atlantic Ave.
Calling all Big Green Egg cooks
Big Green Egg enthusiasts are devoted to these versatile smoker/grills, and the Sunshine State Eggfest offers the perfect opportunity for them to show off.
Sponsored by Wassi's Meat Market in Melbourne, the event will be April 27 at the Indian River County Fairgrounds & Expo Center in Vero Beach.
Festival organizers are looking for Eggheads to participate as cooks. Egg chefs will be responsible for providing all ingredients and tools. A Large Eggfest Demo Egg in a nest, covEGGtor and charcoal will be provided. All head cooks will receive a thank you gift.
For more information about Eggfest and to registers as a cook or to buy tickets, visit sunshinestateeggfest.com.
Be my Valentine cake
Whitman’s Sampler, you've got competition. The Goodie-licious Sampler will give you a run for your money with a luscious mix of flavors, tastes and textures. Centered in the assortment are two Amaretto tiramisu, flanked by a collection of heart-shaped cakes that include two red velvet and two Milky Way chocolate with caramel buttercream hearts.
Then come three flourless chocolate hearts with three white chocolate mousse cake hearts, each one decorated with handcrafted dark chocolate and white chocolate cupids and hearts. Petite bright red sugar cookie hears put the finishing touch. This sampler is perfect for a gathering of friends, as well as for binge-watching the Hallmark Valentine Movie Marathon.
It’s yours for $50, but since it is custom made, you must order by Sunday, Feb. 10 to get it by Feb. 14. Free delivery is included in the greater Melbourne area.
To order, call 321-305-2828 or 321-305-2821. See the sampler at goodie-licious.com.
True pioneers
Sams House on Pine Island, 6195 N. Tropical Trail, Merritt Island, and neighboring St. Luke’s Episcopal Church at 5555 N. Tropical Trail will again host the annual Pioneer Day from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 9.
With Pioneer Day, the two historic sites celebrate the early settlers of Merritt Island through art, music, food, presentations, archaeology and nature. The family-friendly events include Florida living history demonstrations, a cemetery stroll where actors in period costume discuss life in their day, a “pioneer parade” led by fife and drum, guided nature trail hikes, live music, farmer’s market, food trucks, craft fair, children’s games and homemade soups.
Admission is free. A $1 donation is suggested for parking. A free shuttle will connect the venues.
For more information, visit mipioneerday.com and stlukesmi.org.
Sweet warbird of love
Valiant Air Command is providing a Valentine’s Day gift to the community with deeply discounted tickets to its upcoming Space Coast Warbird Airshow, but there is a catch. You have only until Valentine’s Day to purchase the tickets to the March 15 to 17 show at rock-bottom prices.
The show, to be held at the Space Coast Regional Airport in Titusville, features vintage warbirds, including the iconic B-17 Flying Fortress, performances by high-speed jets and acrobatic airplanes. On Friday, guests will be treated to a dusk spectacular that includes illuminated airplanes and fireworks display.
Discounted tickets are available at valiantaircommand.com, but only until Valentine’s Day. For more information, call 321-268-1941.
Got what it takes?
Trivia fiends can test their mettle during the Super Bowl of Triva VII from 5 to 9 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 9, at Indian River Preserve.
Bring a team of eight or choose to be placed on a team. In either case, you will be helping the Women’s Center with your trivia knowledge.
The evening includes hors d’oeuvres, cash bar, silent auction and super prize drawing.
Tickets are $50 per person. Call 321-298-5839.
Everyone is an artist
Unleash your inner artist at the Studios of Cocoa Beach, 165 Minuteman Causeway, where Sip ‘n Paint parties abound for adults and families.
Art educator Jaymee Weinreich leads the acrylic painting sessions scheduled from 6 to 9 p.m., Friday, Feb. 8, when attendees will paint a school of Caribbean fish. At the same time on Feb. 22, the painting will be a sunset seascape.
Fee of $35 includes everything but the beverage and snacks of your choice. No artistic experience is necessary.
Register at 787-640-6119. For more information on exhibits and complete workshop schedule, visit studiosofcocoabeach.org.
Keeping up with the Browns and Kramers
It’s truly a family affair when the Browns hit the stage with their gospel music at 6 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 10, at the Great Outdoors Community Church, 144 Plantation Drive, Titusville.
The darlings of the American Theatre in Branson and of the Dollywood theme park, the Browns were named Top 10 Mixed Group of the Year for four years in a row.
The Kramers, an international gospel music family group who sang for President George W. Bush, perform at 150 venues a year. One of those will be the First Baptist Church of Mims, 2395 Kentucky Ave., where the group will play at 7 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 9. Admission is free.
For more information on these concerts, call 321-385-9731.
Kissing cousins
Green Turtle Market, 855 E. Eau Gallie Blvd., Indian Harbour Beach, will explore the wines of Oregon and Burgundy during a “Kissing Cousins” dinner at 7 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 7, at the Grapevine Café.
The five-course dinner compares and contrasts wines from Burgundy with its “cousins” from Oregon’s Willamette Valley. Each of the four main courses will feature wine selections from both regions. For full menu, see greenturtlemarket.com.
Price of $110 includes a $20 credit towards the purchase of featured wines that evening.
Call 321-773-2001 to reserve.
Email toastofthecoastfloridatoday@gmail.com.