Buckaroo Ball 2026
It’s time to channel your inner cowpoke, because Buckaroo Ball is rolling into town. Harmony Farms’ rip-roaring night of western music, food and fun returns Saturday, March 28, at the Space Coast Convention Center, 301 Tucker Lane, Cocoa.
The party starts with cowboy cocktails at 6 p.m. before hitting the chuckwagon at 7 p.m. for the buffet fixings.
Then it’s time for western-style fun, including dancing to country tunes and more spun by a DJ, and live and silent auctions, plus raffles, before heading ‘em up and moving ‘em out to the main event.
“We also have the Wild West Race,” said founder Pam Rogan. “This consists of individuals dressed in inflatable animal costumes.”
Brevard Sheriff Wayne Ivey will be there to emcee the race, which proceeds as dice are rolled and participating cowpokes move ahead if the right number comes up. There is betting on the winner and ways during the race to obtain unfair advantages.
“It gets a little rowdy,” Rogan added. “It is a great fun night.”
The ball is Harmony Farms’ biggest and most important fundraiser. Founded 34 years ago, Harmony Farms is a volunteer-based charity, providing equine assisted therapy and activities to disabled individuals of all ages and all disabilities.
Tickets to Buckaroo Ball are $100 per guest. Sponsorships are available. Dude up in western wear or go casually elegant if you’re more of the city slicker type.
Visit harmonyfarmsinc.com, call 321-631-9433 or email info@harmonyfarmsinc.com for more details. Tickets can be purchased via mail, online through PayPal at bit.ly/HFBuckarooBall2026 or by reserving tickets and paying the night of the event.
‘Rock of Abba’
The 1974 Eurovision Song Contest and a tune called “Waterloo” completely changed the lives of four young Swedes and the pop music landscape forever. International fame, a tidal wave of hits and 400 million records were sold over the better part of the next decade. Allengang Entertainment presents the high-energy “Rock of Abba” tribute show on Saturday, March 28 at the Merritt Island Moose Lodge, 3150 N. Courtenay Pkwy.
The 7 p.m. concert will feature the five-member “Rock of Abba” group performing mega hits like “Fernando,” “S.O.S.,” “Take a Chance on Me,” “Money, Money, Money,” “The Winner Takes it All” and many more. The audience can expect the tribute band to come dressed in ABBA’s signature look, with platform boots, glittering catsuits and the flowing sleeves of glam rock and disco.
Show promoter Stan Allen, CEO of Allengang Entertainment, is not surprised “Rock of ABBA” is a popular group.
“The music of ABBA is almost as popular today as it was in the 70s and 80s,” said Allen. “Each song is just pure pop perfection. And this tribute group delivers a show that will keep people on their feet and dancing for hit after hit.”
Tickets are $35 and $45, available through showtickets.live. Seating for the performance is at round tables of eight persons. Doors open at 5:30 PM and for those who come hungry, a spaghetti and meatballs dinner with salad can be purchased for $11.99. Drinks and snacks are also available for purchase at the full liquor bar. Call 407-252-3536.
Women’s History presentations
The Lawndale Museum, 1219 Rockledge Drive, Rockledge, is celebrating Women’s History month throughout March with special presentations describing influential women who contributed to the founding of Brevard County. On March 28, author Karen Whiting will share stories and present her book, “Stories of Faith and Courage from the Home Front: From the French and Indian War to the Wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.” At 1 p.m. on March 28 she will do a special presentation and reading from her book. Lawndale is open each Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. for visits. No reservations are necessary. Visit friendsoflawndale.com or by calling 321-632-5650.
‘Murder on the Symphonic Express’
No ticket is required for an evening of music and murder in the latest March Mystery concert by the Melbourne Community Orchestra. Classical music will meet onstage antics during “Murder on the Symphonic Express,” an all-original production at 7 p.m., Wednesday and Thursday evenings, March 25 and 26 at the Melbourne Auditorium, 625 Hibiscus Boulevard.
“Murder on the Symphonic Express” blends theatrical storytelling with live orchestral favorites by Mancini, Borodin, Enescu, Strauss, Ravel and more. A glamorous orchestral tour across Europe takes a deadly detour when a wealthy patron is found dead. With suspects hiding in every section of the orchestra—and even among the passengers, famous detective Aria Sharp must untangle ambition, jealousy, and a shocking number of attempted murders before the train reaches the end of the line.
Satellite High School juniors Lexie Fieberg and Paxton Barefield will sing, act and tango their way toward a solution. The original script by flute player Noël Barefield includes plenty of zany action, with a fun role for Maestro Mark Nelson and one surprise member of the audience. A pre-show of onstage musical performers will entertain the gathering crowd, beginning at 6:15 p.m.
The show has plenty of musical highlights in store for the audience, including featured pianist Paul Wubbena’s performance of the first movement of Ravel’s “Piano Concerto in G major.” And in a key scene of the murder mystery, Melanie Schulz, Concertmaster for the March performances, will play a tango version of “Por Una Cabeza,” famously arranged by John Williams.
“Our audience waits all year for a new spring murder mystery,” said Barefield. “I don’t think I could stop writing them now, even if I wanted to! As always, the clues are plentiful, the motives outrageous and the music is to die for.”
Admission is free. Visit mcorchestra.org or call 321-285-6724 for more information or to sign up for concert alerts.
Tinsley Ellis at Heidi’s Jazz Club
Atlanta-based blues guitarist, vocalist and songwriter Tinsley Ellis will celebrate the release of his new Alligator Records album, “Labor of Love” with a live solo acoustic performance at Heidi’s Jazz Club at 7 p.m. on Thursday, March 26. “Labor of Love” is Ellis’ second acoustic album after 2024’s Blues Music Award-nominated “Naked Truth,” and his first acoustic album to contain all original material.
Tickets start at $24.17. Heidi’s Jazz Club is at 7 N. Orlando Ave., Cocoa Beach. Visit heidisjazzclub.com or call 321-783-4559.
Do you have a community event in the works? Email toastofthecoastfloridatoday@gmail.com and tgif@floridatoday.com at least three weeks in advance.
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This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Community notes: Best Bets for things to do in Brevard
Reporting by Maria Sonnenberg, for Florida Today / Florida Today
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
