Best Bets: Styx comes to Melbourne, Kite Festivals in Cocoa Beach and Palm Bay

Christina LaFortune, Florida Today
·7 min read

Due to potential changes and cancellations, we encourage you to check with presenting organizations about the status of their events.

At the King Center

The King Center is at 3865 N. Wickham Road, Melbourne. For tickets and additional information, visit kingcenter.com or call 321-242-2219.

Styx brings their world tour to the King Center in Melbourne on Jan. 22.
Styx brings their world tour to the King Center in Melbourne on Jan. 22.

  • Inspired by Bach: Brevard Symphony Orchestra will perform music influenced by Johann Sebastian Bach on Saturday, Jan. 21 at 7:30 p.m. at the King Center. Soprano Kyaunnee Richardson will be featured in Mahler’s Symphony No. 4 and music by Villa-Lobos.

  • Styx 2023 World Tour: The rock band will give a concert at the King Center on Sunday, Jan. 22 at 7 p.m. It will feature music from the band’s new studio album “Crash of the Crown.” Tickets start at $49.50.

Let's go fly a kite!

  • Cocoa Beach Kite and Beach Fest: The sport kite competition and festival will be in downtown Cocoa Beach on Friday and Saturday, Jan. 20-21. The event kicks off at 6 p.m. Friday, weather permitting, and continues through Saturday at 5 p.m. Talented kite flyers will perform to music on the beach behind Coconuts on the Beach, 2 Minutemen Causeway. Admission is free, but tickets will be sold for a special VIP event on Saturday night. Visit facebook.com/events/463807705731089.

  • Indian Kite Festival: The free festival will be at Fred Poppe Regional Park, 1951 Malabar Road, Palm Bay, on Sunday, Jan. 22 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Indian kites and strings will be available for purchase, but no outside strings or kites will be allowed. There will also be food vendors, inflatables, henna and entertainment. Admission is free. Visit myiasc.com or facebook.com/brevardiasc.

Brevard Renaissance Fair

The Brevard Renaissance Fair continues in Wickham Park in Melbourne through Feb. 5.
The Brevard Renaissance Fair continues in Wickham Park in Melbourne through Feb. 5.

The event is at Wickham Park, 2500 Parkway Drive, Melbourne, weekends through Feb. 5. “Viking Weekend” is Jan. 21-22, when the strength and bravery of vikings will be celebrated. Single day tickets are $22 online or $26 at the gate. Multi-day flex passes start at $42 online or $46 at the gate. "Royal Family" season ticket packages are available for $134 or $137 at the gate. Pets on leashes may be admitted for $10 a day or $32 for a season pass. Call 321-458-3515 or visit brevardrenaissancefair.com.

Sweetheart's Sock Hop

The Rock & Roll Revue, an ensemble of Melbourne Municipal Band, will perform danceable oldies at the Melbourne Auditorium on Jan. 20.
The Rock & Roll Revue, an ensemble of Melbourne Municipal Band, will perform danceable oldies at the Melbourne Auditorium on Jan. 20.

Melbourne Municipal Band’s Rock & Roll Revue will perform a concert of danceable oldies at the Melbourne Auditorium, 625 E Hibiscus Blvd., on Friday, Jan. 20 at 7 p.m. Under the direction of Conductor Art Martin, the 12-piece Rock & Roll Revue plays popular music from the '50s and '60s. It includes an eight-piece combo, singer Len Fallen, and the Swingtimers Vocal Trio, consisting of Connie Maltby, Diana Sageser and Dave Hutson.

“We’re getting the jump on Valentine’s Day with a fun evening of music that will take you back to your high school days,” said Martin. “And, we’ll be adding to the nostalgia with a 1957 Chevy and 1934 Ford on the dance floor.”

Food and beverages will be available for purchase at the event from City Bistro. Unlike previous years, alcoholic beverages may no longer be brought into the auditorium from outside. 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. The fee for lessons is $5, payable to the instructor. Admission is $15, and refreshments will be for sale at the event. Call 321-724-0555 or visit mmband.org.

Psychic medium Jeffrey Wands

Jeffrey Wands is a psychic medium and author who has appeared on “The Today Show,” “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” and A&E’s “We See Dead People.” He will give an evening of readings at the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge, 1049 Julia Drive, Melbourne, on Friday, Jan. 20 from 7 to 9 p.m. He will give readings for members of the audience in a gallery setting and then take questions from the audience regarding loved ones who have passed. Proceeds will benefit Green Gables at Historic Riverview Village. Tickets are $35. Visit eventbrite.com or greengables.org.

Bark Brew Fest

Tails at the Barkery hosts this event at Dirty Oar Beer Company, 329 King Street, Cocoa Village, on Saturday, Jan. 21 from 5 to 7 p.m. Dress in your best Aloha wear and bring your canine companion to welcome the new year. There will be goody bags, raffles, a 50/50 drawing and an outdoor doggie beer garden. Proceeds will benefit Schnauzer Love Rescue, Inc. All pets must be on a leash, or in appropriate carriers, and have current vaccinations and county tags. Call 321-301-4306.

Food Truck Friday

The City of Rockledge hosts a food truck event at Rockledge City Hall, 1600 Huntington Lane, on Friday, Jan. 20 from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Admission is free. A list of participating food trucks will be released one week prior to the event. For details, visit cityofrockledge.org or call 321-221-7540.

Free movie in the park: 'Ralph Breaks the Internet'

See "Ralph Breaks the Internet" (PG) for free at Fred Poppe Regional Park in Palm Bay on Jan. 20.
See "Ralph Breaks the Internet" (PG) for free at Fred Poppe Regional Park in Palm Bay on Jan. 20.

The movie “Ralph Breaks the Internet” (PG) will be shown on an outdoor movie screen at Fred Poppe Regional Park, 1951 Malabar Road NW, Palm Bay, on Friday, Jan. 20 at 6 p.m. Seating begins at 5 p.m. Bring chairs, blankets, snacks and bug spray. Free balloon animals for kids will be provided by Bay West Church. Admission is free. Call 321-952-3443. In case of bad weather, call the rainout hotline at 321-726-5682.

Art exhibits

  • The Sebastian River Art Club hosts its annual juried fine art show at the SRAC Gallery, 1245 Main Street, Sebastian, on Saturday, Jan. 21 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Call 772-321-9333 or visit sebastianriverartclub.com.

  • The Downtown Art Gallery, 335 S. Washington Ave., Titusville, presents its first exhibit of 2023, “Bright Beginnings: New Works by Diane Deshong Cannon.” The opening reception will be Friday, Jan. 20 from 6 to 9 p.m. Cannon, a fifth-generation Floridian who has been painting for 40 years, will show her paintings and offer a watercolor demonstration. Cannon finds inspiration in her garden and creates paintings of flowers, landscapes and “skinny palms.” Her whimsical side inspires images of bicycles with flower filled baskets. All are done in a free, semi abstract style filled with color and light. Admission to the reception is free. The exhibit runs from Jan. 16 through Feb. 11. Call 321-268-0122 or visit thedowntownartgallery.com.

Saint Paul's festival

Saint Paul’s Anglican Church will host a festival at 7200 N. Wickham Road, Melbourne, on Saturday, Jan. 21 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Activities will include a bounce house, silent auction, bake sale, police K-9 demo, live music, an inflatable obstacle course and more. $20 arm bands will give you unlimited access to the inflatables and games. For multiple children, the cost is not more than $50 per family. Visit saintpaulsmelbourne.org.

Still playing

Adonna Niosi plays "Kate Keller," Gordon Ringer plays "Captain Keller" and Blake Everidge plays "Doctor Anagnos" in "The Miracle Worker," on stage at Surfside Playhouse through Jan. 29, 2023. Visit surfsideplayhouse.com.
Adonna Niosi plays "Kate Keller," Gordon Ringer plays "Captain Keller" and Blake Everidge plays "Doctor Anagnos" in "The Miracle Worker," on stage at Surfside Playhouse through Jan. 29, 2023. Visit surfsideplayhouse.com.

  • ‘Jimmy Buffet’s Escape to Margaritaville’: This musical comedy featuring the most-loved Jimmy Buffett classics is on stage at Titusville Playhouse, 301 Julia Street, through Feb. 12. The show features classic songs including 'Cheeseburger in Paradise,' 'Margaritaville' and more. Tickets start at $27. Call 321-268-1125 or visit titusvilleplayhouse.com.

  • ‘Lettice and Lovage’: The comedy is on stage at Melbourne Civic Theatre, 817 E. Strawbridge Ave., Melbourne, Through Feb. 19. It is about a flamboyant tour guide who loves to embellish the history behind an English country house, who butts heads with a fact-conscious official at the house. Tickets are $30. Call 321-723-6935 or visit mymct.org.

  • ‘The Miracle Worker’: The drama is on stage at Surfside Playhouse, 301 Ramp Road, Cocoa Beach, through Jan. 29. The play tells the story of Annie Sullivan and her student, Helen Keller, exploring the volatile relationship between a lonely teacher and her headstrong charge. Tickets are $25-$28. Call 321-783-3127 or visit surfsideplayhouse.com.

'Expect to be inspired':Surfside Playhouse presents 'The Miracle Worker'

Calling all Parrotheads:Titusville Playhouse offers 'Escape to Margaritaville'

'Literate and funny':Comedy 'Lettice and Lovage' plays at Melbourne Civic Theatre

Do you have a community event? Email tgif@floridatoday.com at least two weeks in advance for consideration for the Best Bets roundup.

This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Styx, psychic Jeffrey Wands, Kite Fest coming to Brevard