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Due to potential changes and cancellations, we encourage you to check with presenting organizations about the status of their events.

1. Space Coast Pride festival and parade in Melbourne

The parade will kick off in downtown Melbourne on Saturday, Sept. 23 at 11 a.m., starting at the Melbourne Auditorium, heading down Hickory Street and wrapping around E. New Haven Ave. The festival will follow from noon to 6 p.m. in downtown Melbourne, along E. New Haven Ave. between Livingston St. and Depot Drive. It will include all-day entertainment on the main stage, vendors, food trucks and more. Admission is free. Visit spacecoastpride.org or facebook.com/SpaceCoastPride.

2. Harvest Festival at Green Gables

Green Gables, 1501 S. Harbor City Blvd., Melbourne, hosts a harvest festival on Saturday, Sept. 23 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Shop from unique artisans while enjoying arts and crafts, children’s activities and live entertainment by Jessica Spears. Admission to the festival is free. From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the historic home will be open for tours in which visitors will learn about the history of the Wells family, who played a key role in the development of the community. The cost for a house tour is $10, or free for children 12 and younger. Visit greengables.org.

3. Craig Diamond at The Tangiers

Master magician and comedian Craig Diamond will perform at The Tangiers, 4500 Dixie Highway, Unit 1A, Palm Bay, on Saturday, Sept. 23 at 8 p.m. Diamond’s skills and hilarious approach to magic have earned him acclaim in the entertainment industry and well-known cruise lines. Tickets start at $45. Call 321-327-8759 or visit thetangiersflorida.com.

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4. 'Survivor' premiere party in Rockledge

Join “Survivor” stars Erica Casupanan, Heidi Lagares-Greenblatt, Cassidy Clark, Janet Carbin, Mike Turner, Carolyn “Mama C” Rivera, Ashley Nolan, Kimmi Kappenberg, Joe Del Campo, Jonathan Young, Geo Bustamante, Dr. Carl Bilancione and others for a “Survivor” premiere party at BeachFly Brewing Company, 513 Barton Blvd., Rockledge, on Wednesday, Sept. 27 at 7:30 p.m. General admission is $35. VIP admission that includes reserved seating, photo opps and a gift bag, is $70. Visit beachflybrewing.com or eventbrite.com.

5. 'American Icons' concert in Melbourne

Space Coast Symphony Orchestra celebrates American music in a concert at the Scott Center at Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy, 5625 Holy Trinity Drive, Melbourne, on Saturday, Sept. 23 at 7 p.m. The program features works by Gershwin, Bernstein, Ellington and more. A second show will be at the Community Church of Vero Beach, 1901 23^rd Street, Vero Beach, on Sunday, Sept. 24 at 3 p.m. Tickets are $30 in advance, $35 at the door or free for ages 18 and younger. Call 855-252-7276 or visit spacecoastsymphony.org.

6. 'HaloQween' in Titusville

Titusville Playhouse, 301 Julia Street, presents “HalloQween,” an after-hours Halloween-themed drag show starring Jordyn Linkous on Sept. 22, 23, 29 and 30 at 11 p.m. The show features a cornucopia of songs and characters you will know and love. The event is for ages 18 and older, due to mature content. Tickets are $20. Call 321-268-1125 or visit titusvilleplayhouse.com.

7. 'Silent Movie Magic: The General' in Suntree

Organist Andrew Galuska will provide accompaniment to Buster Keaton’s 1926 silent masterpiece “The General” at Advent Lutheran Church, 7550 N. Wickham Road, Suntree, on Sunday, Sept 24 at 3 p.m. Admission is free. Call 321-259-8515 or visit adventbrevard.org.

8. Fall Kickoff sock hop in Melbourne

Melbourne Municipal Band’s Rock & Roll Revue will kick off their fall season with a concert at the Melbourne Auditorium, 625 E. Hibiscus Blvd., Melbourne, on Friday, Sept. 22 at 7 p.m. Admission to the concert is $15, and there will be free dance lessons starting at 6 p.m. No outside alcoholic beverages are permitted. Call 321-724-0555 or visit mmband.org.

9. Concerts in the Park at The Avenue Viera

The Avenue Viera, 2261 Town Center Ave., hosts live concerts in the Central Park area on Sundays from noon to 3 p.m. The series continues on Sunday, Sept. 24 with East Narrative, followed by Tru Phonic on Oct. 1 and Carl Lewis on Sax on Oct. 8. Outside alcoholic beverages, coolers and food are not permitted. The concerts are weather dependent and may be canceled at any time. Bring a lawn chair. Admission is free. Visit avenueviera.com.

10. Walk to End Alzheimer's in Cocoa

The Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s Space Coast will be at Cocoa Riverfront Park, 401 Riveredge Blvd., Cocoa, on Saturday, Sept. 23. Registration begins at 8 a.m., followed by the opening ceremony and walk at 9 a.m. The event is to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s care, support and research. Admission is free. Visit act.alz.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.

Ushering in a new era of professional dance in Brevard, Prelude Dance Company collaborates with Melbourne Community Orchestra for upcoming concerts.

For FLORIDA TODAY

Prelude Dance Company’s collaboration with Melbourne Community Orchestra ushers in a new era for dance in Brevard. Headquartered at the Dance Zone in Melbourne, the new professional dance company will perform “Le Cirque des Rêves,” the circus of dreams, at MCO’s concerts Oct. 18 and 19.

"We're looking forward to our upcoming collaboration with this troupe of outstanding dancers,” said MCO maestro Mark Nelson, who - full disclosure - is the father of Prelude’s founder and artistic director Elizabeth Bublitz.

Bublitz not only grew up dancing at the Dance Zone in Melbourne, but two years ago she bought the studio, together with Prelude Dance Company general manager Gretchen Yarbrough.

The young company has four performances in its 2023/2024 season. While the MCO show will take place at the orchestra’s home base of Melbourne Auditorium, the remaining three productions are slated for Satellite High School’s Performing Arts Auditorium. The company also expects to partner with other community organizations.

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The company is composed of adult dancers ages 18 and up. Auditions attracted dancers from throughout Central Florida, giving Bublitz and Yarbrough plenty of talent from which to choose. Since it is a professional company, dancers will be remunerated financially for their work.

“One hundred percent of ticket sales this season will go to our dancers,” Bublitz explained.

While MCO concerts are free, the orchestra has agreed to allow for a donation and sponsorship table where Prelude tickets for future performances will be available. Sponsorship opportunities include tickets and additional benefits, such as reserved seating, access to rehearsals and meet-and-greet opportunities with the choreographer and dancers.

Bublitz and Yarbrough felt that while ballet was already well-represented in the Space Coast, contemporary dance forms were another matter.

“We strive to be a dance company that will entertain and also educate the community about what dance can offer,” Bublitz said.

Like Bublitz, Yarbrough is a Brevard native and has been associated with the Dance Zone since before she turned double digits in age. Both are educators, too.

Joining the business partners is resident choreographer Sky Morgan, a professional dancer, teacher, choreographer and educator born and raised in Central Florida. The former New York City resident has performed with Ailey Citigroup Theater, the Frederick Loewe Theater and Radio City Music Hall. She too, was a Dance Zone “frequent dancer.”

“When I was growing up, the Dance Zone was home,” she said.

Now she is back to lead Prelude’s inaugural season. As All Hallow’s Eve approaches, “Le Cirque des Rêves” promises to be an evening of dance where the impossible becomes possible. Audience members are highly encouraged to wear masks for this masquerade, which will feature the haunting cadences of Khachaturian’s waltz from his “Masquerade Suite” and the mysterious creatures of Saint-Saëns’ “Carnival of the Animals.”

Subsequent shows include, on Feb. 3, “Bridgerton Ball,” a homage to the popular steamy television mini-series; “Whiskey Business,” a night of hot, hot, hot Prohibition-era jazz on April 13, and “Three Sisters of Fate” July 6. All shows begin at 7 p.m.

For more information, visit preludedance.com or call 321-242-2442.

Whether you're interested in music, theater, festivals or other local entertainment, FLORIDA TODAY has got you covered. Support local journalism by subscribing at Special Offers - USAToday Network.

Photo courtesy of Sobe Surf

From humpback whales to grizzly bears and the California condor, there’s a massive array of fascinating animals to see all across the United States—yet one of the most dazzling forms of life on the planet is totally invisible to the naked eye. Known as dinoflagellates, many varieties of tiny phytoplankton create light when disturbed in the water, transforming a still shoreline into a vibrant mosaic of color for visiting kayakers.

While the phenomenon can famously be spotted in Australia’s Jervis Bay and Puerto Rico’s Mosquito Bay, you don’t need to travel outside of the Lower 48 to witness it firsthand. There’s a wealth of plankton-rich destinations scattered all across the state of Florida as well.

As you plan your next ecotourism-focused voyage to the Sunshine State, the following destinations offer an opportunity to witness this incredible natural phenomenon of bioluminescent waters firsthand, with no shortage of prestigious tour companies in place to ensure optimal viewing conditions.

How does bioluminescence work?

If you’re a budding natural historian, you may be wondering: What exactly makes these tiny organisms tick (and glow)? For the phytoplankton, the answer lies within two molecules in particular: luciferin and luciferase. Upon exposure to oxygen, the two spark up and begin to glow, with blue being the most commonly occuring color due to how light penetrates water.

Scientists theorize that the organisms have evolved to crank up the brightness when faced with predators to attract even larger predators, with hopes that incoming fish will make a quick meal of the phytoplankton’s assailants—and while it’s unclear just how effective of a strategy it is, it certainly makes for a marvelous spectacle for visiting tourists.

When to see bioluminescence in Florida

For a truly unforgettable experience, you’ll want to aim for the late spring and early summer. The creatures are at their best and brightest from roughly July to August, while the entire season typically spans from May to October. Visitors will want to schedule their trip during the new moon to reduce light exposure and ensure bright colors—but fortunately, the plankton can still be seen even with a completely full moon.

If your schedule doesn’t quite align with a peak summer visit, have no fear—plankton aren’t the only glowing marine life to be found across the state. During the winter, comb jellies (a type of jellyfish-like invertebrate) gather in abundance, each one equipped with the same brilliant traits found in Florida’s native phytoplankton.

Where to see bioluminescence in Florida

While glowing organisms abound all across the Sunshine State’s shores, the undisputed champion of bioluminescence ecotourism is the Florida Space Coast. Best known as the home of the Kennedy Space Center, this 72-mile span of shoreline also offers some of the most pristine natural landscapes in all of the state, with major environmental protections put in place back in the early 1960s.

Cities like Titusville and Cocoa Beach are equipped with hotels, bars, and restaurants to keep you fueled and rested during your trip, but the local phytoplankton spend their time just outside of city limits. On the northern edge of Brevard County, Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge serves as one of Florida’s crown jewels for ecotourism, equipped with 140,000 acres of scrub forest, dunes, and marshland. The preserve has earned abundant acclaim for its incredible birdwatching potential, but beyond avian life, visitors can also spot alligators, turtles, bobcats, and—of course—bioluminescent plankton.

Cocoa Beach serves as a fellow gateway to the Indian River Lagoon and—more specifically—Florida’s Banana River. These lush natural features serve as a cradle for Sunshine State creatures both large and small, with crabs, fish, dolphins, and manatees all thriving along its tangled mangrove forests.

Beyond Brevard County, there are a few other spots across Florida that advertise bioluminescence tours. On the opposite side of the state, the Gulf of Mexico hosts high concentrations of the fauna, with tours available during high summer around cities like Naples and St. Petersburg. And for anyone exploring the very tip of the continental United States, Key West boasts its own pockets of bioluminescence, offering dazzling night shows to enjoy in between rum tastings and diving tours.

Tour companies that offer bioluminescent experiences

While it’s technically possible to set off solo in search of bioluminescent plankton, Florida’s many tour companies offer added expertise to make sure that you’re seeing the brightest spots possible.

For visitors hoping to dip their toes into the spectacular biodiversity of both Merritt Island and the Indian River Lagoon, Fin Expeditions has mastered the art of bioluminescence tourism, offering a wealth of curated tours for visitors to enjoy. Guests can reserve a sunset journey for added natural beauty and the bonus opportunity for manatee viewing. For a totally unique experience, fellow outdoor adventure company BK Adventure offers the only bioluminescence rafting tour in the state of Florida, providing visitors with the same stunning views enjoyed aboard a paddle raft, and Sobe Surf gets visitors out on the water after dark on stand-up paddle boards.

Down in South Florida, the phytoplankton tourism scene isn’t quite as developed as its northern neighbor, but there are still a few companies offering trips. For avian aficionados, Naples Outfitters’ Sunset Bird Rookery Tour combines bioluminescent kayaking with birdwatching, transporting guests to Rookery Island to spot hundreds of shorebirds all convening to roost overnight.

Similarly, Key West visitors can discover the spectacular biodiversity of the region firsthand on a night kayaking excursion with Blue Planet Kayak Eco-Tours. As the sun dips below the horizon, guests can marvel at a massive array of native birds, while the dead of night offers the perfect opportunity to view nocturnal Sunshine State wildlife with a headlamp, all while stirring up glowing phytoplankton with each stroke of the paddle.

With its sunny year-round climate, Florida offers no shortage of amazing beaches perfect for basking under the sun. In fact, the Sunshine State boasts many of the best beaches in the US; from lively strips like Daytona Beach to more remote escapes like Canaveral National Seashore, travelers can find the ideal beach destination near Orlando any time of year. The Sunshine State boasts over 1,300 miles of coastline along the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico, providing diverse beach experiences.

While the famous sands and surf of Miami and the Florida Keys, which offer many things to do, get a lot of attention, there are plenty of spectacular yet underrated beaches in Florida within easy driving distance of Orlando. Whether travelers prefer the bustling energy of the famous and beautiful Clearwater Beach or the peaceful isolation of Amelia Island, they're sure to find their perfect stretch of sand near Orlando.

The best time to visit these beaches is typically the fall through spring when crowds are smaller, hotel rates are cheaper, and the weather is milder. Here are the best beaches near Orlando, Florida, perfect for sun-seekers to soak up the sunshine.

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Cocoa Beach

Cocoa Beach in Orlando, Florida, USA

Located just over an hour east of Orlando on Florida's Space Coast, Cocoa Beach offers travelers over 2 miles of stunning sandy beaches with plenty of amenities and attractions. Visitors can sunbathe, swim, try surfing, go fishing from the historic Cocoa Beach Pier, explore the downtown area's shops and restaurants, and even visit the Kennedy Space Center just a short drive away.

Cocoa Beach is a must-visit beach destination near Orlando, with warm Atlantic waters, good waves, and clean sands.

Daytona Beach

Known as the "Birthplace of NASCAR," Daytona Beach offers many things for visitors to do. The beach is about 1.5 hours northeast of Orlando and stretches over 20 miles along the Atlantic Ocean. Visitors can drive vehicles on certain sections of the beach, making it one of the few beaches travelers can park on.

Daytona Beach also features a boardwalk with amusement park rides, shops, restaurants, and nightlife. Of course, travelers come here primarily for the wide expanses of hard-packed sand and gentle surf, making it a classic Florida beach destination.

New Smyrna Beach

Sand dunes next to the ocean on New Smyrna Beach in Florida

Located just south of Daytona Beach along the scenic A1A highway, New Smyrna Beach offers travelers over 13 miles of beautiful white-sand beaches without the massive crowds. Although it is not one of the least crowded, under-the-radar beaches in Florida, it sees much less foot traffic compared to other famous beaches.

Visitors can surf, swim, sunbathe, enjoy scenic coastal walks, go fishing, kayaking through coastal marshes, or explore charming beach neighborhoods like Flagler Avenue. With its family-friendly vibe, diversity of beach experiences, and small-town charm, New Smyrna Beach is one of the best beach destinations near Orlando.

Canaveral National Seashore

Canaveral National Seashore, Florida, USA

For a more natural beach near Orlando, Canaveral National Seashore is an underrated beach worth a visit. It protects over 24 miles of pristine, undeveloped beaches along a barrier island between New Smyrna Beach and Titusville.

Travelers can beach comb, swim, surf, hike, bike scenic trails, explore lagoons, marshes, and marine life, go camping, and observe sea turtle nesting. With small crowds and a wonderfully wild atmosphere, the National Seashore offers a special beach experience away from the busier tourist hubs.

Related:10 Least-Crowded, Secluded US Beaches You Should Visit In September

6 Clearwater Beach

Located on Florida's Gulf Coast, about 1.5 hours west of Orlando, Clearwater Beach is consistently ranked one of the most beautiful beaches in the US and even dubbed America's #1 Beach by TripAdvisor in 2018.

Visitors are drawn to its 3 miles of soft white sand, calm Gulf waters perfect for swimming, lodging varieties, restaurants, amenities on Pier 60, and proximity to attractions like Pier 60, Clearwater Marine Aquarium, and Caladesi Island State Park, one of the most beautiful state park beaches in America.

With beautiful views and a lively beach town atmosphere, Clearwater Beach is a top beach destination for Orlando travelers. Visitors who want more time by the shores can book one of the most beautiful beach hotels in Clearwater, Florida.

5 Fort De Soto Park

Photo of Fort De Soto Park, Near Tampa, Florida

Just south of Clearwater Beach, Fort De Soto Park offers travelers over 7 miles of stunning Gulf Coast beaches, making it one of Florida's largest beach parks. Visitors can swim, sunbathe, collect seashells, kayak, canoe, hike nature trails, bike, camp, picnic, and explore historic forts.

With smaller crowds than Clearwater Beach and a wonderfully natural environment, including mangroves and wetlands, Fort De Soto Park is a great option for Orlando travelers seeking beautiful beaches in a pristine setting.

4 St. Augustine Beach

St. Augustine Beach, Florida

Located 2 hours northeast of Orlando along the Atlantic Coast, St. Augustine Beach offers travelers over 4 miles of pristine shoreline just south of America's oldest city, St. Augustine (which offers lots to see).

In addition to typical beach activities like swimming, surfing, and sunbathing, visitors can explore historic Spanish colonial attractions in town, go on a dolphin-watching cruise, play beach disc golf, or kayak through Salt Run inlet. With a great family vibe and a wealth of amenities, St. Augustine Beach is a top beach destination near Orlando.

3 Honeymoon Island State Park

Panorama of Caladesi Island and Honeymoon Island State Park, Florida, USA

Situated just north of Clearwater along the beautiful Gulf Coast, Honeymoon Island State Park offers travelers 4 miles of unspoiled beaches in a protected state park setting. Visitors can swim, sunbathe, hike nature trails through wetlands, observe wildlife like osprey and pelicans, go fishing, picnic, camp, and spot dolphins offshore.

Honeymoon Island is a protected barrier island ecosystem that provides a scenic natural beach experience away from larger crowds, perfect for Orlando travelers.

Related:10 Most Beautiful National Park Beaches You Should Visit This Summer

2 Amelia Island

A View Of Amelia Island's Fernandina Beach In Florida, USA

Located just south of Georgia's border, about 2.5 hours from Orlando, Amelia Island offers 13 miles of beautiful Atlantic coast beaches with plenty of natural beauty. Visitors can swim, sunbathe, surf fish, hike scenic trails at Fort Clinch State Park, kayak through salt marshes, take horseback rides along the beach, and explore the island's charming Victorian-style downtown Fernandina Beach.

Amelia Island is a gorgeous beach destination near Orlando with quaint inns, pristine beaches, abundant wildlife, and peaceful vibes.

1 Siesta Key Beach

Siesta Key Beach, Sarasota, Florida

Located on a barrier island off Sarasota, about 2.25 hours from Orlando, Siesta Key Beach is renowned for having some of the world's finest and whitest sands. The beach stretches for eight miles, with amenities like playgrounds, volleyball courts, snack bars, and beach gear rentals.

Visitors can relax on the sand, swim in the calm, clear Gulf waters, enjoy magnificent sunsets, check out beachfront restaurants and shops, and revel in this slice of beach paradise near Orlando. When not in the water, Sarasota offers many things to do in summer (as well as year-round) for visitors to keep themselves entertained.

BREVARD COUNTY • MELBOURNE, FLORIDA – Twelve current and former Florida Tech faculty members have been named Best Scientists in the 2023 rankings from research.com, a leading academic platform and research portal.

Using a measurement called the Discipline H-Index that calculates a score using publications and citation metrics for a specific discipline, as well as a wide range of data sources, research.com carefully evaluated nearly 167,000 scholars over more than two dozen areas on Google Scholar and Microsoft Academic Graph.

Here are the Florida Tech faculty cited in the new ranking, followed by their discipline:

? Richard Aronson, ecology and evolution

? Mark Bush, ecology and evolution

? Philip K. Chan, computer science

? Martin Glicksman (emeritus), engineering and technology

? Larry Hench, materials science

? V. Lakshmikantham, mathematics

? Eric Perlman, astrophysics

? Joshua Rokach (emeritus), chemistry

? Steven Shaw, mechanical and aerospace engineering

? John H. Trefry (emeritus), earth science

? Robert van Woesik, ecology and evolution, environmental sciences

? David Wilder, psychology (behavior analysis)

Hench and Lakshmikantham have passed away.

“Research.com really cares about the quality and visibility of research and our mission is to offer leading researchers better exposure of their achievements,” the site noted.

“Our rankings of scientists are based on transparent procedures based on well-established metrics gathered from trusted sources of data.”