Plan ahead for Nov. 4-10: Virtual concerts, a fair in Viera and fireworks for Veterans Day
Virtual concerts
Families will love “Music at the Watering Hole,” a free online concert brought to cyberspace by the Space Coast Symphony Orchestra, Mendx Studios and Central Florida author, Michele Wallace Campanelli at 3 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 8.
The program will come to life on screen with characters from the original children's story by Campanelli and kid-tested musical selections from “Madagascar," "The Lion King” and more, along with demonstrations of musical instruments by costumed musicians.
The concert is funded by a grant from Indian River Impact 100, an organization of women dedicated to impacting the community through transformational giving. The 60-minute concert will be live-streamed at SpaceCoastSymphony.org. For more information, call 855-252-7276 or visit the website.
More concerts, please
For the grownups, the Brevard Symphony Orchestra delivers with a live-streamed concert from the King Center at 7 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 7.
Conductor Christopher Confessore will lead the orchestra through the glorious “Emperor Waltz’ by Strauss, the “Violin Concerto” by Sibelius and Brahms’ “Symphony No. 2.” The concert features Jennifer Frautschi on violin.
A donation of $10 or more is requested to livestream this concert. Go to brevardsymphony.com.
Cooking made easy
Scott Earick, chef and owner of Scott's on Fifth in Indialantic, and FLORIDA TODAY food editor Suzy Fleming Leonard will talk food and cooking on Nov. 6 during the annual Friends of Sally's House Membership Luncheon at Djon's Steak and Lobster House in Melbourne Beach.
Earick will offer tips for home cooks, and the duo's cookbook, "It's 6:30! Easy, elegant recipes for a pandemic .. or anytime," will be sold at the event, with a portion of the proceeds going to Sally's House.
The luncheon begins at 11 a.m. Nov. 6 and will feature vendors, a silent auction and a meal prepared by Djon's chef Alan Huff.
Tickets are $50 and are limited to assure proper social distancing. Masks are required when entering the restaurant and when in common areas. Contact Veronica Weiss at 321-317-0821 for more information.
Djon's is at 522 Ocean Ave., Melbourne Beach.
Friends of Sally's House is a support organization for Sally's House, a program of Circles of Care that offers transitional housing and counseling help for mothers in recovery.
Come to the fair
The Space Coast State Fair begins Nov. 6 at Space Coast Daily Park in Viera, where it will run through Nov. 22 with unlimited rides and free shows with paid admission.
Attractions throughout the event include the Globe of Death Show, Urias Family Circus, Banana Derby, Magic Mike Magic Show, Butterfly Encounter, Monster Truck Madness, Wolves of the World, live concerts by group such as Black Moon Syndicate and appearances by Curious George, Clifford the Big Red Dog and other kid faves. Pro bull riding is scheduled Nov. 13 to 15. A fireworks display will take place at 9 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7.
The Fair also includes an assortment of rides for young and old.
Tickets, available at the gate, are $15 Tuesday through Thursday and $20 on weekends. For $10 more, opt for the VIP fast pass, which allows entrance through the Fast Pass lane and avoids regular lines. The fair is closed on Mondays for extra cleaning.
Fair hours are 5-10 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday, 5-11:30 p.m. Friday, 1 p.m.-midnight Saturday and 1-10 p.m. Sunday. Check spacecoaststatefair.com for a schedule of events.
Take care
Do you have a heart for caregiving? Senior Partner Care Services wants you. An affiliate business of One Senior Place, Senior Partner Care Services provides care management and in-home care for Brevard clients.
From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday, November 6, Viera-based One Senior Place will play host to a “Care Fair” with on-the-spot interviews for home health aides and certified nursing assistants, individuals who make a career of helping clients with routine chores and companionship.
All applicants will receive a $10 Chick-fil-A gift card and will be registered in a drawing for a flat screen television. For more information, call 321-751-6771.
Get shopping
Put on your shopping shoes and head to the 38th annual Designers’ Holiday Craft Show, Fifth Avenue Art Gallery’s tradition for quality handcrafted items with heart. Spend some quiet shopping time browsing for the perfect gift. The Holiday Craft Show begins Nov. 2 and will feature an opening reception from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 6.
Fifth Avenue Art Gallery is at 1470 Highland Avenue in the Eau Gallie Arts District of Melbourne Eau Gallie Arts District. For further information, call 321-259-8261 or visit fifthavenueartgallery.com.
Fireworks spectacular
There is no need to get out of the car for the City of Melbourne’s Veterans Day Fireworks on Wednesday, Nov. 11. All you need do is drive in to Melbourne Square, where by 7:30 p.m., the majority of the mall parking lot will be available for spectators to park and observe the show while practicing social distancing.
Spectators are asked to remain in their vehicles and park in a designated parking area.
Shortly before the show, spectators are encouraged to tune into 98.5 The Beach to listen to pre-show announcements and to hear patriotic music played during the duration of the show.
The event will also be livestreamed for those that wish to view the show from home.
More details about the event, including how to access the live stream, will be posted on melbourneflorida.org/fireworks.
Taking the challenge
Space Coast Bike Tours, in association with the Brevard County Children’s Hunger Project, invites the Brevard County community to join the Space Coast Cycling Challenge 2020. The event, which runs Nov. 1-30 is an opportunity to get out, get exercise and enjoy the beauty of the Space Coast.
Ride as long, as far and as fast as you want. Choose your own routes. Register and track your progress using the Strava app on your smart phone.
Families, associations, clubs, scout groups, youth groups, student teams and individuals are encouraged to get out and ride. Join other cyclists, each competing for their personal best while contributing to the worthy cause of feeding hungry children in Brevard County.
Everyone who registers will receive a Space Coast Cycling Challenge T-shirt, in addition to competing for awards in age categories.
Even out-of-towners can participate, for Space Coast Bike Tours will ship the T-shirts for folks out of area.
Registration is $45.00. A portion of all proceeds go to the Brevard County Children’s Hunger Project.
Register or obtain more details at spacecoastbiketours.com.
Stories of Service
Listen to “Stories of Service” from several generations of servicemen during the Veterans’ Day ceremonies at the Brevard Veterans Memorial Center and Museum, 400 S. Sykes Creek Parkway, Merritt Island, beginning at 9 a.m. on Veterans’ Day, Nov. 11. Vets from WWII, Korea, Cold War, Vietnam, Gulf War, Iraq and Afghanistan will be among the speakers.
The free outdoor event with social distancing also includes music, displays and food from Merritt Island Chick-Fil-A. The museum will be open with several new exhibits.
For more information, call 757-871-6576.
Festive
Joy Lutheran Church, 3174 Jupiter Blvd., SE, Palm Bay, will host a Holiday Festival from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 7.
The free event, which benefits local charities, features, crafts, vendors, silent auction, hot dogs and hamburgers.
Do you have a community event? Email tgif@floridatoday.com and toastofthecoastfloridatoday@gmail.com at least two weeks in advance for consideration for the Best Bets roundup.
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