Dogs take to waves in Cocoa Beach surf fest, plus concerts, art

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Dog dudes take to waves in Cocoa Beach surf fest

Surfing dudes come in all sizes, including dogs as the East Coast Dog Surfing Festival proves. Hosted by the Brevard Humane Society and presented by Ron Jon Surf Shop, this unique dog-centric event takes place from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., Easter Sunday, April 17, at Lori Wilson Park, Cocoa Beach.

The day of fun in the sun for both man and dog includes dog surfing lessons, live concerts, live concerts, a dog bikini contest, a dog Easter costume contest, food/beverage vendors, a pet runway model contest, and, of course, the dog surfing championships.

Although dogs are not typically allowed on the beach in Cocoa Beach, the welcome mat is out for the family canine that day, when — for a nominal fee — dogs can join humans on the sand and surf.

For more information, call the Humane Society at 321-636-3343, extension 204, or visit brevardhumanesociety.org.

Poochella in Wickham Park celebrates all things dog

Dogs will have a full slate of activities Easter weekend, given that in addition to the dog surfing championships on Easter Sunday, Poochella will be around on Saturday.

What, you may ask, is Poochella? The answer is that it is a celebration of all things dog and a major fundraiser for Touch of Grey Rescue, the all-volunteer group that rehomes older, unwanted canines.

Poochella takes place from 11 a.m. to 5 pm., Saturday, April 16, at Wickham Park, where attendees will find vendors, food trucks, K-9 unit demos, live music, lure course, kids’ games and a Rock the Pack walk. Sheriff Wayne Ivey and his hound, Junny, will be there, along with Melbourne Mayor Paul Alfrey.

Admission is free. Bring the dogs, too, but make sure they are well-behaved and current on vaccinations.

Launched in 2019, Touch of Grey has rescued more than 300 senior dogs in danger of being euthanized and found new homes for them after spending more than $250,000 on quality vet care for them and providing approximately 5,000 volunteer hours to help them.

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For more on Poochella, see touchofgreyrescue.com.

Out of this world space event planned in Titusville

Half a century ago, Congress approved the Space Transportation System, paving the way for the Space Shuttle, which first took off in 1981.

American Space Museum, in partnership with the Astronaut Memorial Foundation, honors the golden anniversary of the dawn of the Space Shuttle era with an event from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, April 16, at Hyatt Place, Titusville.

The public is invited to rub shoulders with the heroes of the age as astronauts, launch directors, key space workers alike come together for talks and panel discussions.

The event will feature a cross section of the people who made the Space Shuttle possible, including some of the astronauts who rode the world’s first reusable spaceships.

The event also features space-related vendors and book signings. This “Golden Anniversary” celebration will also be broadcast live on the Museum’s “Stay Curious” social media platforms of Facebook, YouTube, Spotify and Twitch.

For more information, call 321-264-0434.

Melbourne Municipal Band celebrates female composers

Melbourne Municipal Band celebrates female composers with two “Celebrating Women” concerts at 7:30 p.m., April 20 and 21, at Melbourne Auditorium, 625 E. Hibiscus Blvd.

“We’ll honor amazing women composers/arrangers such as Julie Giroux and Shelley Hanson,” said conductor Staci Rosbury. “We will also feature Kathy Ann Funk from our flute section on a new arrangement of Amy Beach’s ‘Romance,’ done by our own Overda Stonerock.”

Vocalist Rachel Carter will perform two songs by George Gershwin. To honor the men and women of Ukraine, the concert will include Ukraine’s national anthem and “Great Gate of Kiev.”

Doors open at 6:30 p.m. for the free concerts. Arrive early for best seats and to catch the pre-show entertainment by the Swingtimers Vocal Trio.

The Band also welcomes donations to help it with its mission of providing music to the community. For this concert, half of all donations made will be given to Ukrainian relief efforts.

For more information, visit MelbourneMunicipalBand.org or call 321-724-0555.

New Life Mission hosts luncheon in Melbourne

New Life Mission, the former Brevard Rescue Mission, helps break the cycle of homelessness by providing shelter to women with children and investing in each family’s personal and professional development in a faith-based, residential setting. Because residents are urged to learn to live without government assistance, the Mission itself does not accept government funding, instead relying solely on private donations.

From 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on April 21 and 22, the Mission will host its annual “Community Care and Share” fundraising event at the Hilton Melbourne Rialto Place, 200 Rialto Place. Guests attend at no cost, with the knowledge that they will be invited to make a generous
donation. The event generates almost half of the Mission’s annual operating budget.

More than 800 of the county’s community leaders are expected to attend.

The general public is invited, but reservations should be made asap by calling 321-480-9100.

The event will also be live streamed. For more information, visit newlife-mission.org.

Writers conference planned in Melbourne

Authors for Authors’ 13th annual writers conference is geared to inspire writers, whether they are new at the game or seasoned pros.

“Write, Publish, Sell!” will be from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, April 24, at the Melbourne Hilton Rialto Place.

Open to the public, the conference will focus on topics relating to writing, editing, publishing and marketing fiction, nonfiction, poetry and children’s literature.

Registration fee of $60 covers breakout sessions, vendors, genre discussion groups, book displays and a door prize. Admission to the keynote presentation is free. This year’s keynote speaker is multi-published author Gene Luke Vlahovic, who will present “The Power of Words.”

A limited number of scholarships are available for teachers of all grade levels.

Topics will cover marketing, competition, producing audio books, adaptations for television, film and comics, short story writing, effective presentations, and more.

For more details, visit AuthorsForAuthors.com.

Art shows set for Melbourne, Eau Gallie and Cocoa Beach

Catch one or all of these shows now on display at local galleries.

• It’s “Passion for Fashion” as the Strawbridge Art League turns to the world of couture for inspiration. The show runs through May 1 at the gallery, 819 E. Strawbridge Ave., downtown Melbourne. See more at StrawbridgeArt.org.

• At Fifth Avenue Art Gallery, graphic designer and photographer John Buck reimagines selections from a vast photographic portfolio into dynamic, large, colorful digital paintings on metal composite. The show runs through April 30 at the gallery, 1470 Highland Ave. in the Eau Gallie Arts District. See fifthavenueartgallery.com.

• “Shades of Photography,” an exhibit of black and white and sepia-tone images, is on display through the end of the month at Eau Gallery, 1429 Highland Ave, also in EGAD.

• See eaugallery.com.

• If it is April, it is oil paintings by Elena Tchistiakova at Studios of Cocoa Beach, 165 Minutemen Causeway. The artist specializes in inviting images of the Florida landscape.

• Visit studiosofcocoabeach.org for more information.

Still playing

• ‘A Chorus Line’: The show is playing at Titusville Playhouse, 301 Julia Street, through April 24. This musical, taking place at a Broadway chorus audition, explores the inner lives and bittersweet ambitions of professional performers. Tickets are $27-$35. Call 321-268-1125 or visit titusvilleplayhouse.com.

• ‘Cash on Delivery’: Melbourne Civic Theatre, 817 E. Strawbridge Ave., presents the comedy through April 24. This fast-paced British farce concerns a con artist who has duped the welfare authorities for years by claiming every type of benefit for the innumerable people he claims live at his address. When investigators show up, he is forced to prove all his boarders are real. Tickets are $30. Call 321-723-6935 or visit mymct.org.

Jazz and wine are on the menu for April 16 event

Brevard Jazz and Wine will host “Easter Eve of Jazz” from 2 to 8 p.m., Saturday, April 16, at Melbourne Auditorium.

Some of Brevard’s best jazz artists will perform a variety of styles, from New Orleans to R&B. The slate features Sybil Gage, Creek, Darrel Moody & Ocean Breeze, the Bay Jazz Band
, the Reflection Band and Tony Wynn & The Groove Factor.

The event also includes wine tastings, food, vendors and dancing. Advance tickets are $45 without dinner and $65 without. Add $10 for wine tasting. For tickets, visit brevardjazzandwinefestival.com.

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This article originally appeared on Florida Today: This weekend brings surfing dogs to Cocoa Beach, art across Brevard