Watch July 6 City Commission meeting online

City commissioners met Wednesday night and people who were not able to attend can watch the video of the meeting on the city’s website.

During the meeting, commissioners approved a contract to resurface the pools at Campbell Aquatic Center, changes to the Police and Fire Pension Plan and outside detail rates for police officers. They also approved the establishment of a Public Arts Program for the city.

Fishing section of Daytona Beach Pier reopens

Grab your bait and tackle, the fishing section of the Daytona Beach Pier at 1200 Main St. has reopened following repairs to replace piles and cross bracings. The pier is open for fishing from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., seven days a week. There is no cost, and a fishing license is not required.

Enjoy a free performance by the Groov Saturday night

Enjoy a night of music at Daisy Stocking Park Saturday night as the city-sponsored Midtown Music Concert Series continues with a performance by The Groov at 7:30 p.m.

The Groov is a genuine smooth jazz, soul and R&B band that is a fresh departure from the traditional or straight-ahead jazz bands that lack "feel" and attitude. The Groov's music will have you bopping, dancing, grooving and feeling great. The Groov is made up of highly-skilled professional musicians, all of whom have been playing for more than 20 years each. Past performances include opening for Earth Wind and Fire, playing at major jazz festivals and opening for other touring smooth jazz artists.

The Midtown Music Concert Series showcases the best local bands from 7:30 to 9 p.m. on select Saturday nights through September. Daisy Stocking Park is at 550 Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune Blvd. Food and drink vendors will be onsite during the concerts. Attendees can bring their own lawn chairs. No coolers are allowed.

This year’s sponsors of the Midtown Music Concert Series include New York Life Insurance, VITAS, VyStar Credit Union and U-Store, Daytona Beach.

Dr. Bethune statue to be unveiled next week

Dr. Bethune statue to be unveiled Wednesday

A series of special activities are planned to honor Dr. Bethune when her statues are unveiled starting next week

At 11 a.m. Wednesday, the marble statue honoring the icon will be unveiled and dedicated in National Statuary Hall in Washington, D.C. For those unable to attend the unveiling, the ceremony will be livestreamed.
In Daytona Beach, a near-identical bronze sculpture of Dr. Bethune will be unveiled at 9 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 18, in Bethune Plaza, which is at the intersection of Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune Boulevard and Beach Street.
At 6 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 18, there will be a premier showing of a feature-length documentary about Bethune in the News-Journal Center’s auditorium. Advance reservations are needed to watch the inaugural viewing of the film, which highlights the journey of the statues being made by sculptor Nilda Comas. The News-Journal Center is at 221 N. Beach Street in downtown Daytona Beach.

Residents can enjoy free movies in the city’s parks

The city is hosting free Showtime in the Parks beginning in July, which are sponsored by Zone 5 City Commissioner Danette Henry.

Friday, July 29: Enjoy a showing of the new “Cinderella” starring Camila Cabello at Derbyshire Park at 849 Derbyshire Road. In this modern musical retelling of the classic story, Cinderella is a poor yet ambitious orphan who dreams of meeting the prince, Robert. Unfortunately for her, her evil stepmother and stepsisters are intent on preventing that from happening. When all hope seems lost, her Fairy Godmother comes into the picture and makes her dream come true. The gates at the park will open at 7:30 p.m. Attendees can enjoy games and activities, a DJ and free hotdogs, drinks, popcorn and candy. The movie will begin at 8:30 p.m. Guests should bring their own lawn chairs and blankets.
Friday, Aug. 12: Enjoy a showing of “Space Jam: A New Legacy” starring LeBron James at Suburbia Park at 700 Heineman St. When LeBron and his young son Dom are trapped in a digital space by a rogue A.I., LeBron must get them home safe by leading Bugs, Lola Bunny and the whole gang of notoriously undisciplined Looney Tunes to victory over the A.I.’s digitized champions on the court: a powered-up roster of professional basketball stars as you’ve never seen them before. It’s Tunes versus Goons in the highest-stakes challenge of his life, that will redefine LeBron’s bond with his son and shine a light on the power of being yourself. The ready-for-action Tunes destroy convention, supercharge their unique talents and surprise even “King” James by playing the game their own way. The gates at the park will open at 7:30 p.m. Attendees can enjoy games and activities, a DJ and free hotdogs, drinks, popcorn and candy. The movie will begin at 8:30 p.m. Guests should bring lawn chairs and blankets.

Tickets on sale to see Killer Queen at Peabody Auditorium

Tickets are on sale to see Killer Queen, a tribute to Queen, who is scheduled to perform at 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 22, at Peabody Auditorium.

Singer Patrick Myers is an absolute dead ringer for the legendary Freddie Mercury (visually and vocally), resulting in a live concert experience that is second only to catching an ‘80s-era Queen performance. Formed in June 1993, Killer Queen quickly became incredibly popular in their native England, resulting in a residency at London’s Strand Theatre, winning “Worldwide Best Tribute Band” at an awards ceremony in Leicester Square and performing stadium shows, including being selected to represent Queen in a re-staged tribute Live Aid concert held by Sir Bob Geldof.

Ticket prices start at $49.75 plus applicable surcharges. Tickets can be purchased online or at the Peabody Box Office between 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Kid Rock, Santana, & Doobie Brothers tributes at the Bandshell this weekend

Daytona International Speedway presents Cowboy, a tribute to Kid Rock, in concert Friday at the Daytona Beach Oceanfront Bandshell. Based out of Roanoke, Virginia, COWBOY is the best touring KID ROCK tribute band in the country. Their attention to detail is uncanny. They will blow you away with their explosive live performance. Josh really captures the energy, the look and the vocal styling and show leaving you wondering if it’s not the Kid himself. Come out to the Bandshell this Friday to see COWBOY and get the chance to win great prizes from Daytona International Speedway!

Saturday night the Friends of the Bandshell present Classic Rock Revival, tributes to Santana and The Doobie Brothers. Santana and the Doobie Brothers are two of the most iconic American rock bands of all time. They have multiple Grammy award-winning hits and classic FM radio songs everyone knows! The Classic Rock Revival show brings back the energy and excitement of these bands in their prime, with the look and sound and multiple hits! Fireworks will follow the Saturday night concert at 9:45 p.m.

All concerts start at 7:15 p.m. There will be food trucks and vendors on site. The Bandshell summer concerts are free to the public with the option to purchase VIP seats for $10 plus applicable surcharges. Guests are welcome to bring their own chairs to the concerts or purchase VIP tickets, which include a seat. VIP tickets are available for purchase online or between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday at the Peabody Box Office at 600 Auditorium Blvd.