• Submitted by: manso
• Arts and Culture
• 11 / 29 / 2010

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By Tyler Treadway. TCPalm. November 28, 2010 at 5:21 p.m.Cuban pianist to perform. Chuchito Valdés, a third-generation piano player from Cuba, will perform at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Sunrise Theatre's Black Box, 117 S. Second St. in downtown Fort Pierce. Valdés is the son of famed pianist Chucho Valdés and grandson of Bebo Valdés.

With influences of Caribbean rhythms and jazz, Chuchito Valdés plays a spicy blend of music both as a solo artist and with the renown Cuban band, Irakere, which he led for two years. Tickets are $15. For information, call 772- 461-4775 or go to sunrisetheatre.com.

Holiday concert set. The Port St. Lucie Community Band, under the direction of Stephen Torick, will perform a program of holiday favorites at 7 p.m. Thursday in the Emerald Ballroom of the Port St. Lucie Civic Center, 9221 S.E. Civic Center Place in Port St. Lucie. The concert will feature Carl Eilenberg narrating a new arrangement of "A Visit from St. Nicholas (aka "The Night Before Christmas") by Randol Alan Bass. Other selections will include "Feliz Navidad," a medley of Irving Berlin Christmas hits and "Toboggan Ride," a contemporary arrangement of instruments simulating a toboggan speeding downhill. The concert will conclude with a salute to veterans and members of the military. Tickets are $5 in advance, $6 at the door.

Tickets may be bought at the Civic Center and the Port St. Lucie Community Center, 2195 S.E. Airoso Blvd. For information, call 772-807-4488.

Garden needs volunteers

Learn about volunteer opportunities at Heathcote Botanical Gardens during a orientation session from noon to 1:30 p.m. Tuesday at the garden, 210 Savannah Road in Fort Pierce. Heathcote needs volunteers not only to work in the garden but in the gift show and office, at special events and as garden ambassadors to spread the word about Heathcote. For information, call 772-464-4672 or go to heathcotebotanicalgardens.org.

Crack up with Florida humor

The Emerson Center Humanities Series will feature "Florida Cracker Humor and History Through Song" with Frank and Lisa Thomas at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, 1590 27th Ave. in Vero Beach. As both musicians and historians, the Thomases made a video, "Florida History in Song," that won the Florida Historical Society's Golden Quill Award. Admission is free, with reserved seating for season ticket holders who call ahead. For information, call 772-778-5249 or go to TheEmersonCenter.org.

Christmas tree to sing

Hobe Sound Bible Church will sponsor its 14th annual Singing Christmas Tree at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday in the church's H. Robb French Tabernacle, 11295 Gomez Ave. in Hobe Sound. The "tree" is made up of a 100-member choir backed by an orchestra with 40 to 50 members. Admission is free. For information, call 772-546-5696 or go to besoundbiblechurch.com.

www.tcpalm.com/news/2010/nov/28/