Entertainment
Plan your weekend: 8 fun things to do in Brevard for May 17 through 23
Mark your calendar: Speedboat races, Burger Battle and live music top our list of fun things to do in Brevard for May 17 through 23.
Due to potential changes and cancellations, we encourage you to check with presenting organizations about the status of their events.
1. Space Coast Burger Battle in Wickham Park
The third annual Space Coast Burger Battle will be at Wickham Park, 2500 Parkway Drive, Melbourne, on Saturday, May 18 from noon to 8 p.m. and Sunday, May 19 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Guests will enjoy special a-la-carte menus with food priced at $5 or less per item. There will also be live entertainment, an arts and crafts fair, gem mining, axe throwing, face painting and more. Burger vendors will compete to win the title of “Best Burger.” General admission tickets are $7 for a single day or $10 for a weekend pass, or free for kids ages 10 and younger. Visit battlebrosevents.com/spacecoastburgerbattle or facebook.com/SpaceCoastBurgerBattle.
2. Thunder on Cocoa Beach
The Thunder on Cocoa Beach Super Boat Grand Prix powerboat race returns to Cocoa Beach on May 16 through 19. The races kick off around 10 a.m. Sunday, May 19, off the shore of Cocoa Beach, with related events planned for Thursday, Friday and Saturday. The racing event, one of the largest in Central Florida, draws top race teams in the world to compete in various classes, with Class 1 racers reaching speeds over 175 mph. This year’s races will take place offshore from Alan Shepard Park to Coconuts on the Beach. Throughout the weekend race teams from around the world will be on display in the Port Canaveral parking lot. Admission is free, but VIP tickets with access to shaded seating, refreshments and premium viewing are available. For the full schedule, visit thunderoncocoabeach.com or facebook.com/thunderoncocoabeach.
Ready, Set, Race! Thunder on Cocoa Beach returns for 14th year
3. The Orlando Gay Chorus at Surfside Playhouse
The Orlando Gay Chorus, one of the largest LGBTQIA+ choruses in the United States, will give a concert at Surfside Playhouse, 301 Ramp Road, Cocoa Beach, on Sunday, May 19 at 2 p.m. The program will feature popular hits like “9 to 5,” “Takin’ It to the Streets,” “For Good” and more. Tickets are $30. Call 321-783-3127 or visit surfsideplayhouse.com.
4. ‘Dinner & Show’ concert in Satellite Beach
Melbourne Municipal Band presents “Dinner & Show,” at Trinity Wellsprings Church, 638 S. Patrick Drive, Satellite Beach, on Saturday, May 18 at 5:30 p.m. The event includes a tri-tip dinner with all the trimmings prepared by the Satellite Beach Lions Club, followed by a concert by the Rock & Roll Revue playing hits from the ‘50s through the ‘70s. Tickets are $20. Call 321-724-0555, visit mmband.org or email treasurer@sblionsclub.org.
Looking for more to do? 50+ best things to do in Brevard in May, from free movies to speed boat races
5. Classic Albums Live: ‘Queen: News of the World’
Classic Albums Live brings Queen: News of the World to the King Center on Saturday, May 18 at 8 p.m. Classic Albums Live recreates albums live on stage, note for note, cut for cut, using the world’s best musicians. Tickets start at $29. The King Center is at 3865 N. Wickham Road, Melbourne. For tickets and additional information, visit kingcenter.com or call 321-242-2219.
6. Theater around Brevard
- ‘The Spongebob Musical’: The show is at Cocoa Village Playhouse, 300 Brevard Ave., through May 19. When the citizens of Bikini Bottom discover that a volcano will soon erupt and destroy their humble home, SpongeBob and his friends must come together to save the fate of their undersea world. Tickets start at $23. Call 321-636-5050 or visit cocoavillageplayhouse.com.
- ‘The Bodyguard’: The musical is playing at the Henegar Center, 625 E. New Haven Ave., Melbourne, through May 26. In the show, a former Secret Service agent turned bodyguard is hired to protect a superstar. Each expects to be in charge, but neither expects to fall in love. Tickets start at $37. Call 321-723-8698 or visit henegarcenter.com.
Muses, magic and ’80s nostalgia: Xanadu’s neon lights will shine at Titusville Playhouse
Courtroom thriller: ‘Nuts’ takes the stage at MCT
Romance, intrigue and iconic music: ‘The Bodyguard’ thrills at Henegar Center
Bikini Bottom meets Brevard: ‘The SpongeBob Musical’ opens at Cocoa Village Playhouse
7. Flick-N-Float movie: ‘Finding Dory’
Watch the movie ‘Finding Dory’ from the pool at McLarty Park Aquatic Center, 790 Barton Blvd., Rockledge, on Friday, May 17. Swimming begins at 7 p.m., and the movie starts at 8:30 p.m. The cost to swim is $4, and the movie is free to watch whether you’re in the pool or on the lawn. Bring lawn chairs or blankets. Tubes will be provided for floating in the pool, but outside flotation devices are not allowed. Call 321-633-1874 or visit facebook.com/events/643361214549117.
8. Tour the historic home at Green Gables
Green Gables, 1501 S. Harbor City Blvd., Melbourne, will host an open house every Saturday in May, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The historic home is a living history museum showcasing life in the early years of Melbourne. Visitors will learn about the history of the Wells family, who played a key role in the development of the community. The cost is $10, or free for children 12 and younger. Visit greengables.org.
Do you have a community event? Email tgif@floridatoday.com at least three weeks in advance for consideration for the Things to Do roundup.
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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 clafortune@floridatoday.com.