Between NASCAR and the Kennedy Space Center (KSC), the preferred speed in Central East Florida would appear to be “overdrive.” True, the Space Shuttle Atlantis became a permanent attraction at the KSC in June, still bearing the scorch marks and space dust of its last mission, while Daytona International Speedway is redesigning its concourses and entrances–or “injectors,” as they will be known–to streamline the guest experience even further.
But the fast lane isn’t the only groove in this part of the Sunshine State; historic downtown areas and cultural enclaves set their own distinct pace.
“It’s incredible for a beach resort area to have so many arts organizations,” says Kathy Thompson, vice president of publicity and one of the directors of the Daytona Playhouse, which has never missed a season since 1946. “There’s theater, live dance and live music in Ormond Beach, New Smyrna Beach and a lot of other towns in this area.”
With many cultural venues set within vintage downtown areas–some part of Florida’s Main Street program, focused on preserving historic retail districts–it’s that much easier for groups to combine artistic exploration with dining, shopping and strolling picturesque streets.
Here are a few examples.
Historic Downtown Melbourne
Art festivals in April and October anchor a cultural scene in downtown Melbourne that includes the Henegar Center for the Arts (www.henegar.org), housed in one of the most historic buildings in the county and featuring a 493-seat main theater and 125-seat black box theater. The complex also includes rotating exhibits of work by local artists along with a dance studio and several event spaces, including a hospitality room that can accommodate group receptions before and after performances.
“We’ve brought in groups of 50 to 75 for shows. We’re very open to working with meeting planners,” says Wendy Brandon, the Henegar’s executive director. “But we’re not just a theater. We also offer live concerts and education classes. There’s a pent-up demand for cultural activities in our area, and the Henegar has risen to that demand.”
Visit the downtown area during the second Friday of the month, and your group can join the fun at Friday Fest, with live music and food within strolling distance of even more food and drink at nearly 20 restaurants and nightspots, including Matt’s Casbah (www.mattscasbah.com) which offers a large banquet area for private dining.
“Our downtown is really just a very lively place to visit,” notes Laird Gann, executive director of Melbourne Main Street. “Then just across the causeway, you’re on the beaches.”PageBreak
Historic Downtown
Titusville
A nod to the space program and a host of cultural treasures distinguish the streets of downtown Titusville, one of the oldest communities on the Indian River and home to a number of art galleries; a dance theater; the Titusville Playhouse, located in the Historic Emma Parrish Theatre; and the Pritchard House, built in 1891 and inhabited by descendants of the Pritchard family until it was purchased by Brevard County in 2005. Period furniture, artwork and the home’s Queen Anne architecture make for fascinating tours, and the building hosts private events.
In addition, a range of museums in downtown Titusville honor both the past and future, including the North Brevard Historical Museum, focused on the area’s pioneer families, and the Space Walk of Fame Museum, with U. S. Space Program exhibits spanning the Mercury, Gemini, Apollo and Space Shuttle eras.
“You wander back through the rooms and it blows your mind–the space memorabilia, the space suits and instruments–and you can sit down and work the controls,” says Debbie Shuler, president of the Downtown Titusville Merchants Association.
Eau Gallie Arts District
About three years ago, an eclectic section of the Space Coast renamed itself the Eau Gallie Arts District (EGAD), welcoming local artists to work and display at co-op studios and inviting art lovers to observe and buy. Today, the district boasts a growing collection of galleries, along with art-related shops, antique stores and the Indian River Potters’ Guild, with a pottery studio offering classes in wheel-thrown pottery, sculpture and glass work.
In fact, meeting planners can count on a number of galleries offering hands-on instruction, says Vicky Dorman, EGAD’s executive director. “They all have visiting artists who give classes,” she says. “Planners can check the website or contact the galleries if they want to give their groups that experience.”
Classes and workshops are also a feature of the Foosaner Art Museum of Florida Institute of Technology, located along the Indian River in Eau Gallie. The museum’s collection of over 5,000 objects spans 20 centuries, with rotating exhibits that highlight the work of contemporary artists, including resident painter Frits Van Eeden.
Meanwhile, if your group is in town the first Friday of the month, galleries and shops stay open late during an Art Walk that features artists at work as well as live entertainment.PageBreak
Historic Cocoa Village
Headquarters of the Florida State Historical Society, Historic Cocoa Village maintains the charm of Old Florida along tree-lined streets and a riverfront boardwalk, while supporting local artists and community theater and maintaining a busy cultural calendar.
“We do four arts and crafts shows here in the village and work with the Brevard Cultural Alliance and a number of other arts organizations,” says Allan Chapman, executive director of the Historic Cocoa Village Association. “There’s a lot more here than beaches.”
With a location near Port Canaveral, the village has hosted thousands of cruise passengers at a time, but invites planners to arrange a group’s activities in advance.
“We’ll let them know what’s scheduled when they’re going to be here,” he says.
Ormond Beach
North of Daytona, Ormond Beach rightly touts itself as a destination for the arts. Its centerpiece, The Casements, former winter home of John D. Rockefeller, now serves as the city’s cultural center and museum. In addition to Rockefeller family photographs and artifacts, the home includes a Hungarian Culture Room and what is regarded as one of the best exhibitions of Boy Scout memorabilia in the U.S.
Meanwhile, a downtown Arts District is home to numerous art galleries as well as a weekly farmer’s market and annual events that include a Celtic Festival featuring three stages of continuous music.
“Our community has an abundance of arts amenities,” notes Marc Schwartz, supervisor of the Ormond Beach Performing Arts Center, which in addition to national, regional and local theatrical troupes, dance programs and concerts, plays host to corporate events in its 600-seat auditorium.
