6 Events That Highlight Culture and Community

Successful Aging Luncheon

The Alzheimer & Parkinson Association of Indian River County welcomes actress Jane Seymour to town April 10 for the Successful Aging Luncheon, an annual event at which inspiring speakers demonstrate that a fulfilling life is possible well into our mature years. Seymour has attained success on stage and screen, playing the character Solitaire in the 1973 James Bond film Live and Let Die , the eponymous pioneer physician in the 1990s series Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman , and many other roles. The luncheon will begin at noon in Vero Beach Museum of Art’s Holmes Great Hall. Tickets are $200, and proceeds support local programs for people with memory and movement disorders. For more information, call 772-563-0505 or see alzpark.org .

Rising Stars

Vero Beach Opera welcomes 10 of the world’s hottest up-and-coming voices April 10–12 for the Rising Stars competition at the VBHS Performing Arts Center, 1707 16th St. Admission is just $20 to attend both competition days, Wednesday and Thursday, starting at 3 p.m. Then, at 7 p.m. Friday, all 10 participants will perform a concert, and the awards will follow. Winners will be determined by a panel of five distinguished judges: Román Ortega-Cowan, VBO artistic advisor; Randall Romig, chairman of the Met Opera Laffont Competition Southeast Region; Eva Franchi, founder of the Sergio Franchi Music Foundation; Gregory Buchalter, VBO music director and Met Opera assistant conductor; and Met Opera soprano Susan Neves, who has taken on challenging roles on stages the world over. Friday tickets are $15 to $50. Call the box office at 772-564-5537 or find more information at verobeachopera.org .

Film Festival

The seventh annual Vero Beach Film Festival, a juried event that gathers independent filmmakers, will take place at various local venues April 11–14. The festival includes screenings, parties, and filmmaking seminars. Three tiers of passes are available: Pick Four, Cinema Pass, and Premier Pass. Learn more and purchase tickets at vbfilmfest.org .

Poetry & BBQ

In celebration of National Poetry Month, the Laura (Riding) Jackson Foundation will hold its 13th annual Poetry and Barbecue event April 13 at the IRSC Mueller Campus in Vero Beach (6155 College Lane). This year’s theme is “Fathered/Father.” Local poets will kick things off at 2:30 p.m. with readings from their work, followed by presentations from featured guest poets B.H. Fairchild of Claremont, California and John Balaban of Cary, North Carolina, starting at 4 p.m. At 5:30, the barbecue dinner and live music will begin. The event will also include a silent auction, a raffle, and tours of Jackson’s historic house. Tickets are just $45. For more information, contact LRJF at 772-569-6718 or lauraridingjackson.org .

Ballet Under the Stars

On April 26, Tree House Vero Beach (8010 43rd Ave.) will be the setting of Ballet Vero Beach’s end-of-season party and fundraiser, Ballet Under the Stars. This casually elegant cocktail party, which begins at 6 p.m., will include sumptuous food, a deluxe live auction, an exclusive BVB performance, and the opportunity to dance the night away with BVB’s talented dancers. Tickets are $150, and all proceeds support BVB’s educational and engagement initiatives. For more information, call 772-269-1065 or visit balletverobeach.org .

Air Show

The Vero Beach Air Show is right around the corner! This much-anticipated biennial event will take place May 3–5 at the Vero Beach Regional Airport. The U.S. Navy Blue Angels will headline the event for the fourth time, with much more to see, including the U.S. Air Force Air Combat Command A-10C Thunderbolt II Demonstration Team and numerous other aerobatics performers as well as static aircraft displays. Food and beverage concession stands will be on-site. Air Show times are 6–8:30 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m.–4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Proceeds benefit the local Veterans Council and Exchange Clubs. Multiple ticket packages are available, and all the details can be found at veroairshow.com .