Plan ahead for Feb. 20-26: BBQ fest, chili cook-off, 10th anniversary concert, beer fest

Dawn of the next decade

The last 10 years have been a wild musical ride for the Space Coast Symphony Orchestra, and its musicians are ready to take on the next decade. It kidks off with a “Ten-Year Anniversary Gala” concert at 7 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 23, at Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy’s Scott Center, 5625 Holy Trinity Drive, Suntree.

In planning this concert, the symphony’s artistic director and conductor Aaron Collins asked his musicians for input, resulting in a concert experience that premieres new music alongside established works. Expect an eclectic performance that includes works by Hindemith and Franck after the world premiere of Christopher Marshall’s Samoan-inspired “Aue!”

The Orlando-based Marshall’s music has been featured at venues such as Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center and the Barbican in London. His compositions have been performed from Austria to Australia, from Sweden to Singapore to Saudi Arabia. This summer alone will see premieres in New Zealand, Philadelphia and Denver, as well as here in Melbourne.

Another Christopher will also be in the spotlight during the gala. Miami-based artist Christopher Maslow will reveal a newly commissioned piece of art commemorating the Space Coast Symphony's 10th anniversary. 

"The painting is a large portrait of Aaron Collins in my signature 'exploding' style," said Maslow.

Tickets for the gala concert are $25 in advance and $30 at the door. Purchase at SpaceCoastSymphony.org or in person at Marine Bank & Trust in Suntree. As always, admission is free for 18 and younger or students with identification.

For more information, call 855-252-7276.

Star-struck

The Creative Arts Foundation of Brevard knows a thing or two about young creative talent. Dedicated to promoting the stars of tomorrow today, the foundation showcases youth musicians during their Music on the River concert series,

Several rising musical stars are slated to perform at the next Music on the River concert, slated from 3:30 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 24, at Riverside Presbyterian Church, aka the Music Church, 3400 N. Atlantic Ave., Cocoa Beach.

From baroque to Broadway, the prodigies will tackle a varied program. Featured are community theater veteran vocalist Sofia Bordner, pianist Mircea-David Kelvin Silaghi, cellist Brenton Zhang, Max Reed on clarinet and Eunie Bae on flute.

Fourteen-year-old Sofia has been in musical theater since age 3, with a resume of 25 roles that include Annie in the musical of the same name, Brigitta in “The Sound of Music” and Jane Bans in “Mary Poppins.” The recent transplant from Maryland last year performed at Carnegie Hall with Alan Menken, Angela Lansbury and others at the birthday gala honoring Menken.

Mircea, 17, has played the piano since third grade. Since his siblings also play piano, he enjoys duets and trios. Besides piano, he loves studying physics, mathematics and other related fields as well as participating in competitions, and loves hiking in the mountains, especially in his birthplace, Switzerland.

At 17, cellist Brenton Zhang has already performed on three continents. Brenton is an alumnus of the Boston University Tanglewood Institute, where he began his cello studies at age eight. Currently a junior at Winter Park High, he has collaborated with many famed notables, including YoYo Ma.

In addition to the clarinet, 16-year-old Max Reed plays the sax and the cello. The Viera High junior is a member of the Space Coast Symphony Youth Orchestra.

Eunie Bae, 17, has been involved with the Seattle Youth and San Diego Youth Symphonies. She is currently part of the Florida Youth Symphony Orchestra.

The concerts are made possible through the foundation’s partnership with Riverside Presbyterian and the Space Coast Symphony. Each performance is entirely produced by the stars themselves.

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

The foundation provides scholarships and performance opportunities for Brevard’s young top musical talent. For more information, call 321-604-0103 or visit CAFOB.org.

It’s nifty to be fifty

Gals desirous of embracing the most out of life after a “certain age” can get great tips from Rediscovering Your Best Self After Age 50 at 2 p.m., Friday, Feb. 22, at One Senior Place, 8085 Spyglass Hill Road, Viera.

Sponsored by Whittaker-Cooper Financial Group, the program will examine charting overall well-being in retirement with advice for mental, sexual and financial health.

Speakers include Dr. Victoria Follett, professor at the School of Psychology at the Florida Institute of Technology, osteopathic physician Dr. Jamie Burrows from Partners in Women's Health by Steward Healthcare and Laural Brown, operations manager for Raymond James Financial Services.

The seminar is free, but registration is requested. Call 321-751-6771 to RSVP. See OneSeniorPlace.com for more details.

Celebrating heritage

Youths six to 17 are invited to the Black History Celebration from 5 to 8 p.m., Friday, Feb. 22, at Lipscobm Community Center, 3316 Monroe St., Melbourne.

The fee event that celebrates the accomplishments of African-American leaders such as Martin Luther King and Harriet Tubman, includes interactive stations, crafts, games and refreshments.

For more information, call 321-608-7450.

Harmonious bunch

It’s time for “Everyone in Harmony,” the Greater Canaveral Chapter of the Barbershop Harmony Society’s harmonious concert at 3 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 23, at Merritt Island High School.

Joining the chorus is 2018 Sweet Adeline’s Silver Medalist quartet “Viva” and “Masterpiece,” 2013 International Gold Medalists of the Barbershop Harmony Society.

Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door. To purchase, visit Eventbrite.com.

Sold on selfies

Miami-based fiber artist Aurora Molina is entranced by the phenomena of selfies. Molina’s “Selfie Project,” a collection of complex, embroidered “selfie” sculptures, examines the egocentricity, plea for attention and addictive nature of the cellphone selfie. The exhibition is currently on display at the Foosaner Art Museum through May 24.

Born in Cuba, Molina emigrated from Havana to the United States at 16, where she opted to pursue an education in art.  She received a bachelor’s degree in fine arts specializing in mixed media from Florida International University and a master’s degree in contemporary art at the Universidad Europea de Madrid in Spain.

For more information, visit foosanerartmuseum.org.

Belgian brews

Coasters Pub & Biergarten, 971A E. Eau Gallie Blvd., Melbourne, celebrates its 10th annual Belgian Beer Fest, Friday through Sunday, Feb. 22 to 24.

Since 2008, Coasters owner Dave Swartz has worked with specialty beer importers and distributors to find the most rare and obscure Belgian beers available, and pairs them with traditional Belgian cuisine.

For the 10th anniversary year, Swartz is pulling out all of the stops. He and Coasters’ chef Cheyne Balbier visited Belgium over the summer and researched Belgian food and  breweries. They’ve brought back new delicacies, more than 50 Belgian beers, and a new friend in Filip Devolder, brewmaster of Delirium Tremens beer. Devolder will be the guest of honor at the pub’s VIP Charity Dinner on Thursday night, and will be available Friday to meet and greet with Belgian beer lovers.

In addition to a vast selection of Belgian beers on tap and in bottle, on Saturday, Coasters will welcome Unibroue brewery from Quebec, Canada, known for Belgian-style beers. On Sunday, Coasters welcomes Brent Hernandez, brewer and owner of Orlando’s brewery Redlight to showcase small batch Belgian-style beers, as well as a beer made using local Space Coast honey, brewed specifically for this event.

Local brewer Ron Raike, of Playalinda Brewery in Titusville, has been working on a strong Belgian-style stout, aged in a Knob Creek Bourbon barrel, specifically released to Coasters. That beer will be available all weekend.

Coasters will offer a Belgian food menu that rotates throughout the weekend.

No tickets are needed. For more information, call 321-779-BREW or visit coasterspub.com.

Titusville Chili Cook Off

Titusville Sunrise Rotary Club will host its 15th annual Titusville Chili Cook-off from 6-8:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 23, at Sandpoint Park. Admission is $8 in advance, $10 at the door. 

Money raised at the event will benefit community projects. 

More information is available by calling Jeff Belford at 407-361-8953 by email at chilicookoff@titusvillesunrise.com. 

Backyard barbecue at EFSC

The third annual Blues and Brews Backyard BBQ Cook-Off and Family Fest will be 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 23, at the Eastern Florida State College Melbourne Campus off Post Road. 

Tickets are $10 per person. The event includes barbecue samples, music by the Penny Creek Band, a Kid Zone, food trucks and the Red, White & Wheels Car Show. Guests will have the opportunity to vote for a  People's Choice winner. 

All proceeds benefit Eastern Florida State College Foundation student scholarships.

More information is available at efscfoundation.org/bbq.

Email toastofthecoastfloridatoday@gmail.com.