Arts Updates, Interviews, Calendar, Calls for Artists and Volunteers, Auditions --- It's All Here in Arts Blast, Arts Blast on the Air, and on Facebook.

Supporting The Arts & Arts Councils Everywhere

Volume 4 No. 47| December 22, 2022

Notes from the Editor:


The beauty of the Internet: Last minute shoppers can still send e-gifts that will get there in time —tickets, memberships, classes, gift certificates. Keep it local if you can!


I'll be spending Christmas Day with a friend for a lunch of tomato soup and grilled cheese, and later, after a nap, with friends for a Christmas/Birthday dinner. May your day be as special as this promises to be! Before lunch, though, friend Ann and I are going to try to figure out a board game that's new to us, Sequence. I'm feeling confident.


Whichever holiday you might be celebrating, please make it a happy time, staying healthy in mind and body. At my house, it's Christmas, so I'll say


Merry Christmas to all!


Got my ticket to Nutcracker on the Indian River!




In case you missed it:


Arts Blast on the Air’s regulars recently heard my now-archived conversation with Anthony Horowitz, a British author and creator/writer of several of my favorite TV series: Midsomer Murders, Foyle’s War, and now Magpie Murders on PBS. He’s also the author of the Alex Rider YA series, among others. Learn all about this interesting guy, who often teams up on projects with his wife, Jill Green, on his website


Last month, I finished reading two of his latest, one of them a James Bond novel, With a Mind to Kill, and one from his Hawthorne and Horowitz series, The Twist of a Knife. I asked Horowitz’s publisher if I could give away that one to an Arts Blast reader. Yes was the answer, so if you’d like a chance to read your own copy of t/he Twist of a Knife, send an email with a three digit number (100-999) in the subject line to willi@willimiller.com. On December 31, I’ll use a random number-generator app to pick the winner, who must live in the United States. Good luck!



Please support small, local businesses. Arts Blast is one of them, so if you have an event coming up, or something artsy to sell or teach, consider advertising it in Arts Blast!


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Some St. John webcam links, just for the pleasure of it

Arts Blast on the Air with Willi Miller

This week's Arts Blast on the Air - December 21, 2022 - Adam Schnell, CEO and artistic Director of Ballet Vero Beach, talks about the inner workings of bringing Nutcracker on the Indian River to the stage. December 30 & 31 at Vero Beach HS Performing Arts Center. Listen to or download the podcast now or listen on the radio101.7FM ON THE TREASURE COAST —Sunday evening at 7.


Note: Arts Blast on the Air podcast is now available on more sites — SpreakerSpotifyiHeartRadioDeezerPodcast AddictPodchaser; and JioSaavn — and there's even an Alexa skill! "Alexa, play the latest Arts Blast on the Air with Willi Miller."

Bookmark On the Calendar at WilliMiller.com for frequent updates. Calls for Artists, Auditions, & Volunteers are on the website, too. Catch up with events at Willi Miller's Arts Blast on Facebook and pick up some laughs and interesting info on the Willi Miller's Arts Blast Extras page.

In This Issue


Holidays!



CHECK THE ARTS BLAST CALENDAR ONLINE FOR DAILY ADDITIONS

Watch snippets of a rehearsal for Man of la Mancha at Riverside Theatre.

Watch Ballet Vero Beach Insights: Bringing Back Nutcracker.

Bright New Ornament Celebrates Garden Club of Indian River County and Gardenfest!

This is the 31st year for the Garden Club of Indian River County's Christmas Ornament. Each one has featured a familiar place or event in Indian River County. This year, the colorful brass ornament celebrates the 20th anniversary of Gardenfest!, the February event that has grown to attract an audience of 20,000 visitors to Riverside Park in Vero Beach. Gardenfest! 2023 is scheduled for February 4&5. Check the website for the list of vendors.


Natalie Jackson had the original idea for the Garden Club to produce a Christmas ornament as a fundraiser. For all but the 1993 Ocean Grill ornament, Arun Wijetilleke provided the design and Jackson the enclosed bit of history behind each ornament. View the entire gallery of ornaments on the Garden Club's website.


This year's ornament was designed by Bonnie Pfiester, with Penny Morgan writing the history.

❄️⛄️ Holidays in Indian River County! ❄️🌲

Through Dec. 23, 10 a.m.-noon - Holiday-themed crafts at McKee Botanical Garden


​Through Dec. 23 - Feel the Heal art exhibition at Vero Beach Museum of Art


Through Dec. 24 - It's the Little Things, A 12"x12" Show - at Environmental Learning Center


​Through Dec. 30 - Friends of Contemporary Art, Viva Foca! - at Center for Spiritual Care


​Through Dec. 30 - Maria Claudia rivadeneira: Dreaming Awake at Big Art Now gallery


​Through Dec. 31 - Fall Art Show at The Galleries of First Pres - First Presbyterian Church, Vero Beach


Through Dec. 31 - Changing Nature: A New Vision, Photographs by James Balog at Vero Beach Museum of Art


Through Dec. 31 - It's the Little Things, a 12"x12" art show at Environmental Learning Center


Through Jan. 5 - All Mixed Up exhibit at Art at the Emerson


Through Jan. 27 - Start to Finish: The Works of Frank Spino & Carol Staub at Gallery 14


Dec. 20-23, 28-30 - Magic of McKee Festival of Lights - check website for details


Dec. 24 & 25 - McKee Botanical Garden closed


​Dec. 24 & 25 - Vero Beach Museum of Art closed


Dec. 29, 7:30 .m. - Family friendly Ballet Vero Beach - Nutcracker on the Indian River - Vero Beach HS Performing Arts Center


Dec. 30-31 -  Ballet Vero Beach - Nutcracker on the Indian River - Vero Beach HS Performing Arts Center


Dec. 31 and Jan. 1 - McKee Botanical Garden closed 

See Merana Cadorette's Artemis NASA MoonSnap here!

❄️⛄️ Holidays in

Martin County! ❄️🌲

Through March 3 - Norman Rockwell and his mentor: J.C.Leyendecker - at the Elliott Museum


Dec. 21-23 - The Nutcracker presented by Treasure Coast Ballet at the Lyric 


Dec. 22, 5:30 p.m. - A Christmas Recital at St. Mary's Episcopal Church - Paul Hamaty and Brandon Glick, piano, with Sydney Carbo, soprano


Dec. 22, 6-9:30 p.m. - Jammin' in Jensen - Downtown Jensen Beach

❄️⛄️ Holidays Beyond the Treasure Coast! ❄️🌲


Through Dec. 23 - Langston Hughes' Black Nativity at WBTT Mainstage Theatre


Through Dec. 31 - Art Encounters - One Act of Kindness: A World of Difference at Rollins Museum of Art


Through Dec. 31 - Art Encounters - Modernisms: Iranian, Turkish, and Indian Art, 1960s - 1970s at Rollins Museum of Art


Through Dec. 31 - Art Encounters - Barbara Sorensen: Billows at Rollins Museum of Art


Through Dec. 31 - Art Encounters - What's New? Recent Acquisitions from the Martin Andersen-Gracia Andersen Foundation at Rollins Museum of Art


​Through Jan. 1 - Holiday Nights at Edison and Ford Winter Estates.


Through Jan. 8 - Holidays at Bok Tower Gardens - Daily holiday carillon concerts at 1 & 3 p.m.



Through Jan. 8 - Go Gnome for the Holidays at El Retiro (formerly Pinewood) at Bok Tower Gardens

Dec. 23 & 24 - ALL IS CALM: The Christmas Truce of 1914 - Sung a capella by Opera Orlando - Steinmetz Hall at Dr. Phillips CPA


Dec. 24, 7 p.m. - New York String Orchestra at Stern Auditorium/ Perelman Stage


Dec. 28, 7 p.m. - New York String Orchestra at Stern Auditorium/ Perelman Stage


Dec. 29, 6 p.m. - After Dark/An Evening of Songs and Arias - Marly Music MFA St. Pete


Dec. 31-Jan. 28 - Giordano/s Fedora at The Metropolitan Opera

From the Lake Wales History Museum:


Harken back to a simpler time, when sugarplums danced in your head and Jack Frost nipped at your nose. A time when your mom bundled you up so tight, it was hard to put your arms down. Dad drove everyone to the city for your annual Christmas tradition...storefront window displays. Come relive those traditions with our new Christmas exhibit, Yuletide of Yesteryear. Visit Tillman's Toystore, Johnson's Clothiers, and more! Window-shop like a kid again, now until the strike of midnight News Year's Eve.



New Exhibit from the Museum of Florida History coming January 10-April 11, 2023. 

Stop in and learn about the rich history of Blues and Jazz in central Florida. This exhibit has interactive displays, videos, and much more to learn about how Florida Got the Blues!

Streaming First Presbyterian


First Presbyterian Church in Vero Beach presents many concerts and special performances. If you can't get to them in person, visit the church's website and watch the archived videos!

Vero Beach Theatre Guild announces audition dates for The Boy from OZ: January 9, 10, 11, 7 p.m.

  • 7 females/all singers (1 plays Judy Garland, 1 plays Liza Minelli) ages 21 – 60+
  • 6 males/all singers 6 ages 21 – 35
  • 2 males 35+ & 65+
  • 1 boy (sings solo &; dances) age 12 (or a small 14 – 15-year-old.)

The Vero Beach Choral Society is in need of vocalists in both Tenor and Alto ranges. Anyone who can read music and has experience singing in a vocal ensemble is welcomed to join the group by audition. Visit the group’s website, www.VeroBeachChoralSociety.org, and click on “Audition” to apply.

🌲⛄️ Holidays in Brevard County!❄️⛄️

Through Dec. 24 - Studios Holiday Pop-Up Shop at Studios of Cocoa Beach


Through Dec. 31- Comfort & Joy - 40th annual holiday fine craft show at Fifth Avenue Art gallery



Through Dec. 31- Studios' Annual Members Exhibition at Studios of Cocoa Beach


Dec 21 & 22: Snow in Love Concert, Melbourne Community Orchestra, Melbourne Auditorium


Dec 24: Surfing Santas, behind Coconuts, Cocoa Beach, SurfingSantas.org 



Dec. 30, 1:30 & 6:30 p.m. - The State Ballet Theatre of Ukraine presents Sleeping Beauty at the King Center


Dec 31: New Year’s Eve Gala Dinner & Dance, Melbourne Municipal Band, Hilton Melbourne Rialto Place


Dec. 31, 7 p.m.-2 a.m.- Elemental at Ember 7 Oak -presented by Derek Gores Gallery

❄️⛄️ Holidays in St. Lucie County! ❄️🌲

Through Dec. 24 - Holiday Sale - Gifts of Florida at Backus Museum & Gallery


Through Dec. 30, 5:30 - 9 p.m., dates vary - Heathcote's Garden of Lights


Through Dec. 31 - Vessels: A Journey in Clay by Walford Campbell at Backus Museum & Gallery


Dec. 22, 7:30 p.m. - Andrea Del Principe: An Italian Christmas Night at the Sunrise


​Dec. 22-30, Thursdays and Fridays, 5:30-9:00 p.m. Heathcote's Garden of Lights. Fridays and Saturdays through Dec. 17.


Dec. 26, 6:30-9 p.m. - FP Jazz & Blues Society Jam at American Legion, FP


Dec. 28, 7:30 p.m. - The State Ballet theatre of Ukraine presents: Swan Lake at the Sunrise

❄️⛄️ Holidays in

Palm Beach County! ❄️🌲

Through Dec. 23 - Disney's Aladdin at Kravis

Through Dec. 23 - Zoo Lights at Palm Beach Zoo and Conservation Society


Through Dec. 31- Gabino A. Castelán at Donald M. Ephraim Family Gallery


Through Dec. 31 - Tropical holiday trees at Mounts Botanical Garden

Through Dec. 31 - The History of Whitehall at the Flagler Museum


Through December 31 - Holiday in Paradise on the West Palm Beach waterfront


Dec. 22 & 24 - Tap Dancing Through Auschwitz at Arts Garage, Delray Beach


Dec. 23, 5-10 p.m. - Art After Dark at Norton Museum of Art


Dec. 26-30 - Magnifique Winter Intensive dance program at Kravis Center

Dec. 28 - Winter dance performances at The Harid Conservatory


Dec. 30, 6:15 p.m. - Great Gatsby Murder Mystery at the restaurant at the Norton

Palm Beach Zoo Festival of Lights


Zoo Lights, presented by Florida Power & Light Company, FPL SolarNow, has become a Florida holiday tradition for families and friends. While the animals slumber, Palm Beach Zoo is illuminated for the holidays with over one million eco-friendly lights. Select evenings from 6 – 9 pm the Zoo will be aglow with unique themed displays throughout the entire 23 acres. The festive holiday fun also features photos with Santa (until Dec. 23rd), a DJ holiday dance party, seasonal treats and more!


  • The main parking lot of the Zoo may fill up quickly. Additional Parking is located just across Summit Blvd. to the south in Dreher Park South lots A, B, C, and soccer field.
  • Renaissance Charter School, located on the west side of the underpass will be open for off-site parking each night.
  • Molly's Trolleys will bring guests to the front gate of the Zoo for drop off and pick up on Premium Nights (Nov. 25 - 27 & Dec. 16 - 23).

Drop Off

Once the main parking lot (on the Zoo side of Summit) is full, a drop-off lane will be available near the main gate.


1301 Summit Boulevard

West Palm Beach

Arts Garage in Delray Beach to Present Edgy, Eye-Opening Drama by Local Playwright Tyler Ellman

Tap Dancing Through Auschwitz

December 22 & 24


Tap Dancing through Auschwitz follows five high school seniors as they visit the infamousconcentration camp Auschwitz, on a trip known as The March of the Living. While in the midst of their own life transitions, their entire world is flipped upside down as they bear witness to the horrors of their ancestors’ past. This coming-of-age story shows the inevitable relationship between light and darkness, suffering and hope, and misery and faith. Inspired by true events, this play is an edgy yet eye-opening experience that diverges from the typical classroom setting–incorporating a racy and colloquial dialogue that creates a familiarity with young audiences. Thus, forming a bridge between the younger generation and the history of the past, which cannot stand to be ignored.


Photo: Tyler Ellman

Treasure Coast Theatre presents "I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change" -- the second longest running Off-Broadway musical in history. This hilarious show takes on the truths and myths behind the modern relationship --everything you ever secretly thought about dating, romance, marriage, lovers, husbands, wives and in-laws, but were afraid to admit! Jan. 6-22 weekends.

Free trees available at the Audubon House in Vero Beach: 

  • 7 ft Southern Live Oaks in 3g pots -Produces the most insects for birds 
  • 6 ft Pond Cypress in 3g pots-Grows in dry soils also 
  • 3 ft Dahoon Holly in small pots- Small tree that needs irrigation


Visit our Pelican Island Audubon Society’s Audubon House at 195 9th St. SE (Oslo Rd) Vero Beach on Sun, Wed, or Fri from 9-11 a.m. to pick up trees. Also, Native Plants for sale! Hummingbirds will come! See our websites: 

https://pelicanislandaudubon.org/home-page/free-trees-available-at-audubon-house/ 

https://pelicanislandaudubon.org/home-page/trees-for-life-plants-for-birds/ 

or call PIAS: 772-567-3520

Instructions for PIAS Birds Need Plants Photo Contest

  1. Each month you can submit up to 3 photos for the Birds Need Plants Contest with emphasis on birds pursuing, consuming, using plants, or near plants and prey. To submit a photo for this month, the deadline is the last day of the month.
  2. A Florida bird must be pictured in your photograph (priority to action shots with or pursuing, using plant, food sources, habitat, and that demonstrate relationship to plants, insects, animals, natural foods).
  3. The photo must be taken in Florida.
  4. A photographer may submit 3 digital images per month.
  5. A photographer will submit only photographs that have never won an earlier award in any contest or exhibit anywhere.
  6. PIAS requests that you provide the highest resolution possible of your jpg digital images.
  7. Deadline: The last day of the month
  8. Email to piaudubon@yahoo.com

Bookmark On the Calendar at WilliMiller.com for frequent updates. Calls for Artists, Auditions, & Volunteers are now online.


Catch up with events at Willi Miller's Arts Blast on Facebook and pick up some laughs and interesting info on the Willi Miller's Arts Blast Extras page. And now there's a Facebook Arts Blast on the Air!

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Event schedules can change, often at almost the last minute. Verify, double check, and then do it again before you head out the door. And when you do go out, take a mask. Without one, you risk being turned away.


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Use this format for Calendar entries:

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