ARTS
Theater, art, musical organizations flourish over the years
In the 1920s, even before
shown at Vero Theatre, where,
it’s said, Sheriff Billy Frick and
his wife, Adelaide, former
entertainers, created Vero Follies,
from the community. The Civic
Players presented plays in the
1930s and the seasonal Tourist
Club had a mixed chorus that
sang in community concerts
and put on variety shows.
“Churches and the few small
rural schools had gatherings
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CORNUCOPIA
OF CREATIVITY
there was an Indian River
County, there was entertainment.
Movies were
featuring talented people
for music and singing,” said
Ruth Stanbridge, historian with
the Indian River County Historical
Society. “In fact, John’s
Island had a singing school,
circa 1900.”
In a music-loving town
with few venues for concerts,
it often fell on Vero Beach
churches to take up the slack.
Ray Adams, assistant director
at Indian River Charter High
School and a dedicated champion
of accessibility to music,
said Community Church and its
small concert program around
1960, is a good example of this. >>
City of Vero Beach 1919-2019 VeroBeach100.org
BRACKETT COLLECTION, ARCHIVE CENTER, IRC MAIN LIBRARY
In the early days of Vero Beach, Florida Theatre on 14th Avenue was the center of entertainment for the community.
BY WILLI MILLER
INDIAN RIVER COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY
A float in a parade during the 1930s passes the original Vero Theatre, where
Billy Frick played the piano.
/VeroBeach100.org