What's happening April 7-13: Classical Indian concert, garden party in Rockledge, new cocktails in Melbourne, car show

Classical Indian concert

If you have an interest in Eastern culture and cuisine, mark this on your calendar.

The Brevard Indian Classical Music Society will host a free classical Indian music concert on Saturday, April 10 at the Space Coast’s oldest Hindu temple, Brevard Hindu Mandir, 1517 Avenida Del Rio, Melbourne.

The event starts with a social hour at 4:30 p.m., followed by the concert at 5:30 and an Indian vegetarian dinner at 7:45 p.m. The concert will feature a santoor (hammer dulcimer) artist, sitar and tabla players.

Note that this event is for vaccinated adults only: For safety, a COVID vaccination is required to attend, and guests are expected to wear masks and follow social distancing guidelines.

Admission is free, but you will need to RSVP at bimda.com/upcoming-events/community-events. For additional information, call Pandit Deo Benimadhu at 321-745-7388.

In the garden

The members of the Cocoa-Rockledge Garden Club have been slaving to make their club garden at 1493 Fiske Blvd. in Rockledge picture perfect so the rest of the county can enjoy it. 

“We have been working with a lot of Florida and North American native plants in this quiet, relaxing place,” said club spokesperson Cece Ford.

The garden is ready to meet the public during the club’s Spring Garden Party from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 10. 

Enjoy complementary refreshments, music and add to your knowledge of plants during a pleasant spring day. The event also features a plant, book and bake sale, raffle, floral demonstrations, tablescapes, children’s activities, vendors and food trucks.  

“We thought people would enjoy being outdoors with soothing music,” Ford said.

For tickets, call 321-863-0277.

New cocktails in Melbourne

Iron Oak Post in downtown Melbourne will release its new cocktail menu during a Thursday Thursday event from 5-8 p.m. April 8. A representative from 44 North Vodka will be there to talk about 44 North, which is featured in IOP’s popular Huckleberry Lemonade and the bar’s new cocktail, Nectarine Sweet Tea.

Iron Oak Post is at 2023 Melbourne Court, Melbourne. Visit ironoakpost.us or facebook.com/IronOakPost.

Spring potpourri

Melbourne Municipal Band’s Adagio Sax Quartet greets spring with “Potpourri,” an outdoor concert at 3 p.m., Sunday, April 11, at Harbor City Baptist Church, 2711 N Harbor “City Blvd, Melbourne.

The quartet features some of the finest saxophone players in the area. Andrew Cleaver, on soprano sax, performs with Melbourne-area groups such as the Space Coast Big Band, the Space Coast Symphony and the Central Florida Winds. Ben Gonzalez on alto sax is a recent transplant from California, where he arranged and played in several sax quartets and other pop groups. John Babb on tenor sax plays in Swingtime, the Milt Farrow Orchestra and the Jazz Cats. Dave Hutson plays baritone sax and clarinet with the Melbourne Municipal Band, Swingtime, and New Horizons Band, and performs with the Swingtimers Vocal Trio and the Rock & Roll Revue.  

Like the name implies, the concert is a bit of this and that rolled into one. 

“We’ll play music by Queen, Debussy, Disney, and Morricone, to name just a few,” said Hutson. “Since it was difficult to extract a theme from the diverse types of music, “Potpourri” seemed like a good way to describe it.”

The concert is free. A freewill donation will be taken. Attendees are asked to bring lawn chairs and to wear masks. 

For more details, call 321-501-3722.

Dog day in Cocoa Village

Community First Charity and Tails at the Barkery will host “A Day with Your Dog” from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m., Sunday, April 11, at Riverfront Park, Cocoa Village.

The family-friendly event for dogs and their people features games for dogs and humans, demonstrations, agility course, rescue organizations, food, and much more. Brevard Kennel Club will participate with a “Meet the Breeds” presentation. 

All pets must be on a leash, or in appropriate carriers, and have current vaccinations and county tags.

For more information, call 321-305-4584.

Katie’s tile works

The Studios of Cocoa Beach, 165 Minuteman Causeway, this month features the ceramic art of Katie Morrissey. 

Morrissey, who has been working with tile for more than 21 years, modifies ceramic tile, often using found items. She experiments with installation, carpentry, and metal work resulting in a wide variety of creations, including tabletops, backsplashes, and even a free-form constellation on industrial aluminum.

For example, Morrisey’s “Rocket Table Two” includes vintage tile, hand-cut ceramic tile, handmade oak tile, commercial tile, modified commercial tile, salvaged glass tile, Swarovski crystals and cultured pearls.

“I also experiment with ceramics chemistry to get the results I want,” said the artist. 

“There is always something more to try."

Visit studiosofcocoabeach.org for current hours and more details. 

Car show in Cocoa Village

Cool cars will be plentiful during the Spring Central Florida Car Show, happening from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Saturday, April 10, throughout Cocoa Village. 

Trophies will be awarded in 14 categories, plus a Mayor’s Choice and Best in Show awards. Car buffs can enter their wheels for $15 before the day of the show and $20 on show day.

Admission is free for this kid and pet-friendly event. 

For more information, call 321-631-9075 or see visitcocoavillage.com.  

Melbourne celebrates 'Earth Month'

Protecting the environment is so important that the City of Melbourne is celebrating not just Earth Day, but Earth Month throughout April with virtual and live activities for kids and adults. 

From April 12 to 16, participants can download and print their own Earth Day Bingo card from the City’s website. Email photos of yourself doing the activities and the completed bingo card to EarthMonth@mlbfl.org. 

The Melbourne Parks & Recreation Department will unveil its newly planted native garden during a celebration at the park, located at 1210 E. Melbourne Avenue, from 10 to 11 a.m. on Thursday, April 22.

From April 19 to 23, students will develop their own creative writing piece, such as an essay or poem, for the Earth Month Creative Writing Contest. Winning pieces will be read at the Arbor Day celebration from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. on Friday, April 30, at Carver Park, 1092 Swan St.

This event will help the city celebrate its 32nd year as a designated Tree City USA.

Call the City’s ECO Division at 321- 608-5080 or visit melbourneflorida.org for more information. 

M.A.D. about Science Saturday

The American Space Museum’s M.A.D. Science Saturday presents “Wasamatter You,” a study of matter from 12;30 to 3 p.m., on April 10. 

Darin Roberts, aka Doctor Q, will guide participants through a fun exploration and everyday applications to science, including hands-on projects.  

The program is geared to students in the third to fifth grades. 

For enrollment information, call 321-264-0434. The American Space Museum is at 308 Pine St. in Titusville. 

Golf tournament in Titusville

The Jess Parrish Medical Foundation will host the annual Fran Gerrett Memorial Golf Classic on Friday, April 16.

The two-course tournament allows participants to play at either the Ron Garl and Lee Trevino-designed La Cita Golf & Country Club or at The Great Outdoors, surrounded by the St. Johns Wildlife Refuge.

The tournament benefits Parrish Healthcare’s Children’s Center. 

Course selection is first-come, first-choice with paid registration. The tournament format will be a four-player scramble with assigned tee times and fun contests.

For more information, call 321-269-4066 or visit parrishmedfoundation.com/golf.

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