Top weekend events for Brevard for Oct. 17-23

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

1. Hit Songwriters Music Festival in Cocoa Beach

The Hit Songwriters Music Festival will take place in downtown Cocoa Beach on Oct. 17 through 19. The event brings nationally acclaimed singers and songwriters to the Space Coast for three days of live musical performances. The festival will take place in various venues, restaurants, and bars, ranging in size from about 30 people for the intimate performances, to 3,000 or more at the kickoff street party Friday night, to the ticketed “Heavy Hitters” main event show at the Radisson Resort at the Port in the Convention Center on Saturday, featuring some of Nashville’s top performers. General admission tickets are $35 in advance or $40 at the event. For the full schedule, visit hitsongwriter.incentrev.com or thehitkicker.com.

2. Indian River Lagoon Day in Melbourne

Celebrate Indian River Lagoon Day with a free, family-friendly event at Front Street Park, 2210 Front Street, Melbourne, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 18. Environmental exhibitors will be present to showcase a variety of restoration projects, educational efforts, available citizen-science projects and volunteer activities. Food trucks, music, arts and craft vendors, bounce house, games and other activities for children will also be available. A Hook Kids on Fishing clinic for kids 5-15 years old will take place from 9 to 11 a.m.; registration is required at anglersforconservation.org. For gardeners, a rain barrel workshop will be held from 1 to 1:30 p.m. Participants will be able to learn and take home a free rain barrel; registration is required at eventbrite.com. Admission is free. Visit facebook.com/CityofMelbourneFL.

3. ‘Expect the Unexpected’ concert at the King Center

Brevard Symphony Orchestra presents ‘Expect the Unexpected’ concert at the King Center, 3865 N. Wickham Road, Melbourne, at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 18. Enjoy a thrilling mix of classical masterpieces like Bernstein’s “Candide Overture,” Sibelius’ “The Swan of Tuonela,” and Saint-Saëns’ “Danse Macabre,” plus iconic film scores and a nostalgic journey through ’50s and ’60s hits, including a Beach Boys medley. Tickets start at $45. Visit kingcenter.com or brevardsymphony.com.

4. ‘Summer Breeze: A Yacht Rock Experience’ on Merritt Island

A concert of “yacht rock” music of the 1970s and early ‘80s will take place at the Merritt Island Moose Lodge #2073, 3150 N. Courtenay Pkwy., Merritt Island, on Saturday, Oct. 18 at 7:30 p.m. In this upbeat, light-hearted show, a live band will take you on a journey that winds through the greatest songs of the era. Tickets are $30 to $40. Call 407-252-3536 or visit showtickets.live.

5. ‘The American Saga’ concert in Melbourne

The Melbourne Municipal Band presents a free concert celebrating the American story at Eau Gallie High School, 1400 Commodore Blvd., Melbourne, at 3 p.m. Oct. 19. “The American Saga” features a guest conductor, retired Col. Thomas Palmatier, and will include selections such as “An American in Paris,” “Shenandoah,” “And With this Day” and “American Flourish,” Admission is free. Call 321-724-0555 or visit mmband.org.

6. Fall art and craft fair in Cocoa Village

Over 200 artisans will sell their handmade wares on the streets of Cocoa Village on Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 18 and 19, starting at 10 a.m. each day. Bring kids, tweens and teens to the Taylor Park playground where artist Jen Gallo will host free all-day workshops. There will also be food trucks, live music and more. Admission is free. Visit visitcocoavillage.com.

7. Fall Gobble-licious pet art in Cocoa Village

While you’re at the art and craft fair in Cocoa Village, visit Tails at the Barkery, 14 Oleander Street, Cocoa Village, on Oct. 18 and 19 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. to have your pet create their very own one-of-a-kind piece of art in exchange for a $10 donation to benefit the Mid Florida Sheltie Rescue. All pets must be on a leash or in appropriate carriers and have current vaccinations and county tags. Call 321-305-4584 or visit tailsatthebarkery.com.

8. Harvest Festival in Viera

Visit Woodside Park Viera, 1705 Crane Creek Blvd., from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 18 to enjoy activities like a hay maze, costume contest, face painting, crafts and a pumpkin patch. Local physicians from Orlando Health will represent the Ted E. Bear Clinic and will be on hand to give full exams for bears and other stuffed animals brought by children. Certificates of wellness will be offered after the exams. Admission is free. Visit facebook.com/VieraVoice.

9. Free concert in Wickham Park

Enjoy a free concert in Wickham Park, 2500 Parkway Drive, Melbourne, on Friday, Oct. 17 from 6 to 9 p.m. Experience the greatest hits of Stevie Nicks with live music by Bella Donna Project. There will be food trucks at the event. Admission is free. Visit brevardfl.gov or facebook.com/BrevardParks.

10. Live theater around Brevard

‘Dial M for Murder’: The thriller “Dial M for Murder” will be at Melbourne Civic Theatre (MCT), 817 E. Strawbridge Ave., Melbourne, through Nov. 9. In the play, Tony is convinced that his wife Margot has been cheating on him. In his jealousy Tony spins a web of suspicion and deception that will tighten around them. Tickets are $35. Call 321-723-6935 or visit mymct.org.
‘Little Shop of Horrors’: The musical “Little Shop of Horrors” is at the Hene g ar Center, 625 E. New Haven Ave., Melbourne, through Oct. 26. Feed the need for musical hilarity with this delicious sci-fi smash about a man-eating plant. Tickets are $46. Call 321-723-8698 or visit henegarcenter.com.
‘Pickleball: The Final Paddle’: The South Beach Players present “Pickleball: The Final Paddle” by playwright Clark Semmes at St. Sebastian’s By-the-Sea Episcopal Church, 2010 Oak Street, Melbourne Beach, on Oct. 16-18 and 23-25 at 7 p.m., and Oct. 19 and 26 at 2 p.m. Visit facebook.com/SouthBeachPlayers32951.

Are you planning a community entertainment event? Email [email protected] at least three weeks in advance for consideration for the Things to Do roundup.

Christina LaFortune is the Entertainment and TGIF Editor at FLORIDA TODAY. Follow her on Facebook at facebook.com/christinalafortune or send her an email at [email protected].