By Shelley Koppel
Entertainment writer
Comedy the star at Lyric
The original Catch a Rising Star comedy club In New York opened in 1972 and was the launching ground for Robin Williams, Billy Crystal and Jerry Seinfeld.
Today, there are five clubs to showcase comedic talent. A Catch a Rising Star road show comes to the Lyric Theatre on Oct. 17 with veteran stand-up comedian Kevin Meaney, who has appeared on "Late Night with David Letterman," "Saturday Night Live" and "Oprah." He also starred in the CBS sitcom "Uncle Buck.
Opening the evening is Yankee Stadium beer man Steve Lazarus, who makes folks laugh at the ball park and at comedy clubs around the country.
The show contains adult material.
Call the box office at (772) 286-7827 or order online www.lyrictheatre.com.
A tribute to a classical guitarist
Classical guitarist Constantinos Jaferis of Stuart died on Sept. 29. He had been battling leukemia and was in Seattle for a bone marrow transplant.
Mr. Jaferis was a gifted artist and composer with an international reputation. He was also well-known as a guitar maker. He created a new guitar, with 27 frets, to provide a higher range. He considered the Lyric his home stage and had begun presenting Mother's Day concerts there.
I had the pleasure of interviewing Mr. Jaferis several times. He was a charming man who loved to talk about his art.
Mr. Jaferis had plans for a series examining the different eras of classical music. Sadly, that will not happen. Words he spoke during our last talk seem very apt now.
"There are no words to express when I'm on stage," he said. "I do not know where I am going, but I am going somewhere that night with the music. It's taking me and I'm the first passenger."
Have a peaceful journey.
High school brings literature to life
The fine arts department at Martin County High School is bringing three classic novels to life this season.
From Nov. 5-7, a stage adaptation of Mary Shelley's "Frankenstein" adds music to the familiar story.
In a complete change of pace, Cole Porter's "Kiss Me, Kate, "a musical re-telling of Shakespeare's "The Taming of the Shrew," will be presented from Feb. 11-13.
The Broadway musical version of "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer" will close the season on April 29-30 and May 7-8.
All shows will be presented at the Wanda H. Yarboro Center for the Performing Arts auditorium at Martin County High School, located at 2801 S. Kanner Highway, Stuart. For tickets, call the box office at (772) 219-1800, Ext. 32318.
Martin County High School student Kelsey Moore has again been invited to perform at the Lyric Theatre. She will open for comedian Mark Russell on March 9 and 11.
Painting for a cause
It's time for men to stop in at Zafka Studios, 1999 N.E. Jensen Beach Blvd. for "Men, Breasts and Brushes," a fundraiser that helps Pink Tie Friends assist women with breast cancer.
Potter Jim Kasper makes a collection of clay breasts and men are invited to come in and paint them. Stop in through Nov. 15 to paint a breast that will be auctioned off on Dec. 4 at the gallery. All proceeds benefit Pink Tie Friends.
Museum offers living history
History comes alive at the House of Refuge on Hutchinson Island on the second Saturday of each month. From 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., local historian and re-enactment player Marty Baum will escort visitors through the House of Refuge as a turn-of-the century keeper might.
Using facts and anecdotes, Mr. Baum will take visitors back to the early days of the House of Refuge, when saving lives was an important task for the keepers.
The re-enactment tours will be limited in size to allow for discussion individual attention. Children are welcome and they'll learn about pioneer life on the Treasure Coast.
Tours are included in the admission price. Adult tickets are $6. For children 5-12, the fee is $3 and children under 5 are admitted free.
Visitors are also invited to tour the newly redone, botanically accurate garden surrounding the House of refuge.
For more information, call (772) 225-1875.
Concert planned
Larry Allen Brown will present an acoustic guitar concert on Oct. 23 at the Treasure Coast Unitarian Universalist Church, located at 21 S.E. Central Parkway, Stuart. The theme of the show is "Harmony for Humanity," in memory of Daniel Pearl, the reporter who was kidnapped and murdered in Pakistan in 2002.
Mr. Pearl's family established a foundation and set up "World Music Days," held every October to use the power of music to encourage fellowships across cultures.
The cost of the concert is $10. Tickets may be purchased at the door or in advance by calling (772) 223-5020.
Historical society plans events
The Historical Society of St. Lucie County has several events scheduled for this fall.
On Nov. 6 it will celebrate the 75th anniversary of the end of prohibition in Florida at Friday Fest. Volunteers will be dressed in garb of the era.
On Dec. 12, the society celebrates the feast of St. Lucia. It commemorates the day the Spanish first came to the area and named the area St. Lucia, which became St. Lucie. The event begins at the Fort Pierce Community Center at noon and includes a trolley tour to the old fort and Indian mound, exhibits of local memorabilia and foods from the first Thanksgiving in Florida in the 1500s. The day ends at 5:30 p.m. with a play, "My St. Lucie," that tells the story of the county and its settlers. There is no charge for the events.
For more information, call (772) 465-5658.