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March Madness concert on Merritt Island
March up to Merritt Island High School Auditorium to catch “March Madness,” Community Band of Brevard’s celebration of marches. Merritt Island High is at 100 Mustang Way, off Courtenay Parkway.
The free concert, scheduled for 3 p.m., Sunday, March 13, will showcase both American and European traditional marches, plus concert pieces that include jaunty martial music.
The American March King, John Philip Sousa, will of course be featured prominently, with selections that include the “Washington Post” and the “Free Lance” marches.
The celebratory “Radetzky March” by Johann Strauss Sr., along with other marches by Gustav Holst and Robert Jager will be joined by “Suite of Old American Dances” by Robert Russell Bennett and others.
No tickets are required, but concertgoers are strongly encouraged to wear face masks while in the auditorium, regardless of vaccination status.
The oldest continually performing band on Florida’s Space Coast, the Community Band of Brevard is directed by former military bandleader, Robin Kessler.
For more information, call 321-258-5580, visit CommunityBandOfBrevard.com or connect with them on Facebook.
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‘Mozart Requiem’ at Cocoa Beach church
Riverside Presbyterian Church will present the iconic “Mozart Requiem” at 3:30 p.m., Sunday, March 13 at the church, 3400 N. Atlantic Ave., Cocoa Beach, as part of the Dr. Vernon Boushell Concert Series.
The free performance will feature the musical talents of the Riverside Chamber Orchestra and Riverside Community Chorale under the direction of Richard Sabino, as well as soloists Beth Green, soprano; Eliza Dopira, mezzo-soprano; Andrew Campbell, tenor and Stephen Mumbert, bass.
Written just prior to Mozart’s death in 1791, the celebrated requiem mass and its illustrious composer were dramatized in the Academy Award-winning 1984 film, “Amadeus.”
Admission is free, but tickets are required. Reserve at RiversidePres.org or by calling 386-320-6112.
Jumping into Spring with Melbourne concert
Melbourne Municipal Band’s 22-piece Swingtime ensemble presents three days of high-energy music with “Jump Swing” concerts on March 16 and 17 at 7:30p.m., and “Jump Swing for Dancers” at 7p.m. March 18.
Vocalist Len Fallen will perform at both events, and the Swingtimers Vocal Trio will sing at the concert. The concerts and dance will be held at the Melbourne Auditorium, 625 E. Hibiscus Blvd. Attendees are encouraged to wear a mask.
“We’ll have lots of up-tempo Jump Swing tunes from way back in the 1940s right up through today,” said Swingtime Conductor Kurt Schulenburg.
Even better is that all three concerts are free, although donations will be accepted. Doors open at 6:30 with pre-show entertainment by the New Horizons Band.
No tickets are required.
Dances are BYOB. Snacks and mixers will be available for purchase. Those who would like to brush up on their dancing skills can do so from 6 to 7 p.m., when Chris Marcelle offers lessons for lessons is $5, payable to the instructor.
Call 321-339-7705 or visit MelbourneMunicipalBand.org for more information.
Founders’ Day at Field Manor on Merritt Island
Founders’ Day at Field Manor offers a chance to sit back and enjoy a lazy day by the Indian River. The historic Merritt Island property will host the special event from noon until 3 p.m., March 12.
The free event includes music by J.T. Collier, lawn games, silent auction and a mini-market, as well as Lora’s Kitchen, Don’s BBQ and Pack You a Bowl food trucks. Wash it down with a brew from Bugnutty Brewing, and bring a blanket or lawn chair to sit a spell by the beautiful property at 750 Field Manor Drive, Merritt Island.
“This event is so much fun and brings our community together in a historic way,” said event and fundraising coordinator Gwen Denninghoff. “The Field family hosted Founders’ Day every year for their community as a way to say thank you.”
For more information, see fieldmanor.org.
Melbourne Zonta Club hosts Chocolate Festival
Zonta Club of Melbourne’s annual Chocolate Festival promises to be a chocoholics’ dream come true. From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Sunday, March 13, Melbourne Auditorium will be awash with chocolate confections, plus cakes and desserts that guests can sample and vote to select “Brevard’s Best Chocolate Fix of 2022.”
One of Zonta’s major fundraisers, the Chocolate Festival benefits the group’s local scholarship programs, community service projects and its awareness-raising efforts on human trafficking and violence against women.
General admission is $35 in advance and $40 at the door. For more information, visit zontaspacecoast.org or call 321-728-7508.
Pritchard House in Titusville hosts tea
Antique and vintage clothing are on the spotlight for “My Mother Wore Pearls,” the afternoon tea and tour hosted by the Pritchard House Museum from 2 to 4 p.m., Saturday, March 12 at the museum, 424 S. Washington Ave., Titusville.
Costumed docents will serve an afternoon tea along with finger sandwiches, scones and sweets. After the tea, guests will be given a tour of the circa 1891 Pritchard House, where the exhibition of antique and vintage clothes is being displayed through April 10.
Tea and tour is $35 per person by advance reservation only. Tours alone are $15.00 per person. Reserve 321-607-0203. Visit nbbd.com/godo/PritchardHouse for more information.
Still playing
‘Dreamgirls’: The show is on stage at Titusville Playhouse, 301 Julia Street, through March 27. This musical, set in the 1960s, chronicles a Motown girl group’s rise from obscurity to superstardom, including sacrifices made along the way. Tickets are $27-$35. Call 321-268-1125 or visit titusvilleplayhouse.com.
Get in on the act
Auditions for ages 13 and older for the musical ‘Something Rotten’ will be at Cocoa Village Playhouse, 300 Brevard Ave., at 7 p.m. on March 14-15. Those interested in auditioning can fill out an application, available on the theater’s website. Performance dates are April 29 through May 15. Call 321-636-5050 or visit cocoavillageplayhouse.com.
Leprechaun Crawl through downtown Melbourne
Madhatter Productions goes green with its St. Patrice Day Pub Crawl from 5 to 10 p.m., Saturday, March 12, in downtown Melbourne.
Costumes are not required, but modest prizes and adoration from friends await those who participate in the costume contest.
Cost is $12 in advance and $15 the day of. Tickets entitle bearer to four drinks. The crawl starts at Off the Traxx, 918 E. New Haven Ave. and will remain there for two hours for plenty of time for dinner before heading to Downtown Biergarten, Iron Oak Post and Debauchery.
For more details and tickets, visit madhatterpromotions.com or call 321-543-1346.
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