WHAT TO DO, WHERE TO GO

This week's theatre

Grandmother - "Funny, You Don't Look Like a Grandmother!" runs at the Off Broadway Palm Theater through Dec. 22. A humorous, yet heartwarming musical comedy that celebrates modern-day grandmothers in a whole new light. Throw away the granny glasses, shapeless black dresses and Red Cross shoes, and replace them with tennis dresses, skis and a condo in Florida. Tickets are on sale and can be reserved by calling 278-4422, by visiting www.BroadwayPalm.com, or by stopping by the box office at 1380 Colonial Boulevard in Fort Myers.

Buddy Holly - Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre presents the dynamic international hit "Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story." It runs through Nov. 17. The award-winning celebration tells the brief, but spectacular musical career of the legendary Buddy Holly. Performances are Wednesday through Sunday evenings with selected matinees. Beginning Oct. 30, performances are Tuesday through Sunday with selected matinees. Ticket prices range from $25 to $52 with group discounts available for parties of 20 or more. Tickets are now on sale and can be reserved by calling 278-4422, by visiting www.BroadwayPalm. com, or by stopping by the box office at 1380 Colonial Boulevard in Fort Myers.

>>The Southwest Florida Symphony Youth Orchestra presents the fifth annual Pride & Patriotism: Youth Celebrating the Arts and Honoring Veterans concert Thursday, Nov. 7 at 7 PM at the BBMANN. "Stones in his Pockets" - opens at the Florida Repertory Theatre runs through Nov. 18. A runaway London hit and Olivier Award Winner for Best Comedy, this hilarious acting tour-de-force is set in a small picturesque Irish village overrun by a big-budget Hollywood Film. Charlie and Jake, two of the many locally hired extras, uproariously bring to life the 15 characters from this celebrity-crazed hamlet including the self-centered American star of the movie, the quirky crew and some pretty eccentric townsfolk. But when a stone on the path to the American dream leaves one boy broken, they find themselves at a bittersweet turning point. Shows are at 8 p.m. Friday and 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday at the Arcade Theatre on Bay Street between Hendry and Jackson in downtown Fort Myers. Tickets are $34 - $38, $17 for selected seats. For information call 332-4488.

I Love You - Off Broadway's longest running musical - I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change! - runs through Nov. 3 at the Sugden Community Theater in Naples. This hilarious musical comedy delves into dating, romance, marriage, lovers, husbands, wives and in-laws. The four person cast will perform over twenty characters in the tricky tango known as the modern-day mating dance. The universal themes of the frustrations and pleasures of dating, marriage and love have gained the show lasting popularity and have made it a hit across the country. For information call the Sugden at (239) 263-7990. Glass Menagerie - Tennessee Williams' classic memory play runs through Nov. 17 at the Sugden Community Theater in Naples. Williams' work is nearly autobiographical in its poetic depiction of the Wingfield family, Amanda, Laura and Tom, in their seedy St. Louis apartment. For information call the Sugden at (239) 263-7990.

This week's symphony

Symphony - The Southwest Florida Symphony opens its season with Beethoven's Joy Symphony #9 on Nov. 3 and 4 at the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall. Conducted by Michael Hall, the event will include the Symphony Chorus and guest soloists: Esther Hardenbergh, soprano; Kathleen Sonnentag, mezzo- soprano; Arnold Rawls, tenor; and Lester Lynch, bass. If you only experience one symphony in your life, experience Beethoven's Ninth - hailed as one of the greatest symphonic works ever composed and featuring the beloved "Ode to Joy". For tickets or online at www.swflso.org or call the box office at 418-1500.

Thursday, Nov. 1

Art & Music - Coconut Point in Estero, in cooperation with Florida West Arts, presents an "Evening at Coconut Point" from 6 - 9 p.m. Southwest Florida performing artists will be performing at various places on Fashion Drive; and, a fine art exhibition will be featured at the Florida West Arts Gallery on Fashion Drive. Song stylist Emma Lee will be singing favorites from over the decades. Paul Rozmus with his jazzy flute and funky keyboards, accompanies vocalist Islande Jean Tulis entertaining with Jazz, R and B, Rock and Roll and Islande's original songs. Wendy Renee and Alan Linder will perform a variety of music - sometimes joyful and sometimes zany. The Florida West Arts Gallery on Fashion Drive will also be open. "The Season Preview Fine Art Exhibition", introducing the artworks of the 2007-2008 "gallery artists" will be featured. The exhibition is open seven days a week. Hours are: 10 a.m. - 8:30 p.m, Monday - Saturday and 11:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. on Sunday.

Art - Florida Gulf Coast University's Arts Complex Gallery is holding an exhibition of paintings and constructions entitled "Every X Marks Somewhere" by FGCU Associate Professor of Art, Morgan T. Paine an opening reception from 5 - 8 p.m. The show will feature works created during Paine's 2006-2007 sabbatical, as well as a large walk-able ramp in the shape of an X that will commemorate the first ten years of the University's life as an educational institution. He will also show his "Life Painting and Drawing," a 24-foot-wide painting that contains a series of panels that represent each of the days of a year, and on which he has worked virtually every day since 1979. The exhibition continues through Dec. 15. The Arts Complex Gallery is located at 10501 FGCU Blvd S. Admission is free. Gallery hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday. For additional information contact the Art Gallery at 590-7199. D.L. Hughley - Being one of the most recognized and popular stand up comedians on the road today, D.L. Hughley makes his first Fort Myers appearance when he brings his hilarious real-life comedy to the Barbara B Mann Performing Arts Hall at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are available at the Box Office, by calling 481-4849 or online at www.bbmannpah.com

Friday, Nov. 2

Art - The Bob Rauschenberg Gallery at Edison College will hold an exhibition of paintings by Florida State University Painting and Drawing instructor Mark Messersmith. The exhibition, titled "A Southern Landscape", with an opening night reception to meet the artist and view the work. The reception starts at 6 p.m. and ends at 8 p.m., Messersmith will discuss his work at 7 p.m. in the gallery. The exhibit runs through Dec. 8. The Gallery is open Monday - Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The gallery is closed Sundays and holidays. For additional information please call the gallery at 489-9313.

Saturday, Nov. 3

Opening Night Gala - From Grand Opera to the Broadway Stage plays at 8 p.m. at the Naples Philharmonic Center for the Arts. A spectacular night of music and celebration opens the Phil's 2007-08 season, featuring opera star Harolyn Blackwell. Widely hailed as one the world's finest sopranos, Blackwell began her performing career on Broadway, in the revival of West Side Story. Tickets are $135. For information or tickets call (239) 597- 1900 or online at www.thephil.org. Phantom of the Arts - Broadway legends will perform short vignettes of the Phantom Raoul and his beloved Christine at the Phantom of the Arts Center Gala beginning at 6 p.m at The Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center. Downtown restaurants, including Harold's on the Bay, Delicious Things, Morgan House, Patio33, Iciban and Heitman House Catering will offer dining at its best. A "phantom" band will cap off the magical evening with music that will make dancing in the streets irresistible. Proceeds from the Phantom of the Arts Gala will be used to begin the muchneeded renovation of the second and third floors of the Art Center. For ticket information phone 337-1933 or visit the Web site at www.phantom2007.com

Quilt Show - The Ford Estate at the Edison & Ford Winter Estates will host a one-day outdoor exhibit entitled,

"A Clothesline Quilt Show," including both contemporary quilts as well as historic quilts from the collections of the Estates. There will be more than 40 quilts on display on clotheslines throughout the palm allee on the Ford Estate as well as 'airing' on the porch railings and on display in the bedrooms. The special show will be from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. A separate ticket price is available for $5 and is free to Estates Members and members of the Southwest Florida Quilters' Guild.

Sunday, Nov. 4

Taste of the Town - The 25th Anniversary Taste of the Town runs from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Centennial Park in downtown Fort Myers. Partake in samplings from area restaurants such as The Sandy Butler, First Watch, H2, University Grill, Cru, Prawnbroker, Bubble Room, Syl's, Mason's Bakery, Channel Mark, Famous Dave's, Dwyer's, Moe's, Friday's, Patio 33, Sam Seltzer's, Stoney's, Taste of NY, Carrabba's, Shrimp Shack, Blue Pepper, Biddle's, Toro, Love Boat Ice Cream and many more. Admission is only $5. Taste of the Town tickets can be purchased at the event.

Tuesday, Nov. 6

Queen Latifah - Hip-hop artist and acclaimed TV and film actress Queen Latifah will perform at the Naples Philharmonic Center for the Arts at 8 p.m. Queen Latifah garnered an Oscar nomination for her role in Chicago. In Naples, she'll perform songs from her latest release, The Dana Owens Album (her birth name), showcasing her rich, velvety voice in jazz standards and various eclectic gems from the Great American Songbook. For information or tickets call (239) 597-1900 or online at www.thephil.org.

Ongoing events

Art- Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month at the Harborside Event Center with a visit to "A Latin Art Affair", the Community Art Showcase fine art exhibition. This cutting edge show features five local Latino artists whose works are as diverse and electrifying as their countries of origin: Doris Ramos, Ernesto Masis, Juan Diaz, Amarillis Veliz and Lidia Dick. This unparalleled exhibition will showcase the rich and varied talents of our own Latino art community. The exhibit runs through Nov. 28 and is open Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For information email info@ArtFestFortMyers. com or call 768-3602.

Artists call - Artescape Florida West 2008, Exhibition I and II, juried fine art exhibitions are open to artists who create two dimensional artworks including original oils, acrylics, watercolors, mixed media and collage; and fine art photography. Both Exhibition I and II will be held at the Gallery on Fashion Drive at Coconut Point in Estero Florida's new town center. The series will also be presented on www. floridawestsarts.com. The opening reception for Exhibition I will take place on Jan. 3, and the exhibition will continue through Jan. 30. The opening reception for Exhibition II will take place on April 3 and runs through May 1. To receive an Artescape Florida West Arts 2008 prospectus and application, call (239)784-0707 or send an e-mail to info@floridawestarts.com . For more information about Florida West Arts visit www.floridawestarts.com

Art - Artist Ann Bischoff paintings and pastels of tropical scenes are on view at Sanibel's Jacaranda Restaurant on Periwinkle Way.

Art - "Pots, Prints, and Paintings" runs through Nov. 3 at the Alliance for the Arts. The "pots" on pedestals…the "prints and paintings" hung across the gallery walls. But it's the creators behind the pieces that will really grab the viewers' attention. Both featured artists, Tim Lienhardt and Barbara Yeomans, share a passion for printmaking, an art form similar in method to silkscreen printing. The Alliance is located at 10091 McGregor Boulevard just south of Colonial Boulevard. Visit www.artinlee.org for more details.

Art - The first art show at the Fort Myers Beach Art Association gallery "A Matter of Opinion" will be a display of member's work only. The exhibit runs through Nov. 8. The gallery is located on Donora Street near the Fire Station, one mile south of the Matanzas Bridge on Fort Myers Beach. For information call 463-3909 or online at www.fortmyersbeachart.com.

Art - Artist Randon Eddy's wildlife paintings are on view in Sanibel and Captiva in the Periwinkle Way Seaweed Gallery and in the Andy Rosse Lane Seaweed Gallery. For copies of her popular books for children with stories and illustrations of local animals and nature call 395-4518.

Upcoming events

Symphony - The Southwest Florida Symphony Youth Orchestra, in partnership with the School District of Lee County, presents the fifth annual Pride & Patriotism: Youth Celebrating the Arts and Honoring Veterans concert Thursday, November 7 at 7 PM at the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall. The event celebrates the artistic talents and achievements of area youth through music, art, and an essay contest promoted by the School District of Lee County. Winners of the contest will be on display in the lobby. Estero High School Marching Band, the Cape Coral High School Marching Band and the Veterans Park Academy for the Arts' Chorus will also perform. Tickets are $7 and may be purchased in advance by calling the Symphony Box Office 418- 1500.

Blake Shelton - Country music star Blake Shelton will headline the first "Sam Galloway Ford Lakeside Country Bash" at Lakes Park on Dec. 8, presented by BBL Florida and Lodge Construction. The Lakes Park Enrichment Foundation, Lee County Parks and Recreation and Gator Country 101.9 FM are planning the outdoor concert, which will also include guest performances by American Idol star Josh Gracin, James Otto, Jennifer Hanson and Brad Conner. Tickets are $20 general admission and are on sale now at all Ticketmaster retail locations and www. ticketmaster.com. Avoid ticket surcharges by purchasing tickets at Gator Country, Lakes Park, Veterans Rec Center or the Estero Community Center. For additional information visit www.LakesideCountry- Bash.com or call (239) 432-2006.

Keith Calmes - Acclaimed guitarist Keith Calmes performs at BIG ARTS on Sanibel on Sunday, Nov. 18 at 3 p.m. A teacher and professional musician for more than 20 years, Calmes has performed as a soloist at Carnegie Recital Hall, Alice Tully Hall, the St. Louis Art Museum, and California Institute of Technology. A dedicated ensemble musician, Calmes has collaborated with Broadway diva Audra MacDonald, rock harmonica virtuoso John Popper, and the Juilliard Symphony under the direction of Leonard Slatkin. With degrees in Classical Guitar Performance from California State University Northridge, University of Southern California, and The Juilliard School, he has served as a faculty member at several music schools. For tickets and information contact BIG ARTS at 395-0900 or online at www.bigarts.org Willie Nelson - Country legend Willie Nelson returns to the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall Wednesday, Jan. 16. The iconic Texan is the creative genius behind historic recordings like "Crazy," "Hello Walls," "Red Headed Stranger" and "Stardust." His career has spanned six decades, his catalog boasts more than 200 albums and he's earned every conceivable award and honor to be bestowed a person in his profession. He has also amassed reputable credentials as an author, actor and activist. Tickets are on sale at the box office, by calling 481-4849 or online at www.bbmannpah. com. Groups of twenty or more, call (239) 489-3033 extension 3122.

Beehive - "Beehive, The 60's Musical" runs Wednesday, Nov. 14 at 7:30 p.m. at the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall. With eight wailing women, one hot band, 43 wigs, and 25 cans of hairspray, Beehive, takes you on a journey through the era of love and rock n' roll with 40 of the 1960's greatest hits. It's a high voltage, fast- paced, lighthearted and nostalgic look back at the girl groups and soloists of the period featuring songs made popular by The Chiffons, The Supremes, Aretha Franklin, Connie Francis, Leslie Gore, Petula Clark and more. Tickets are on sale at the box office, by calling 481-4849 or online at www.bbmannpah. com. Groups of twenty or more, call (239) 489-3033 extension 3122.

Tori Amos - One of the most outspoken, creative singer/songwriters of our time, Tori Amos, will return to Fort Myers on Saturday, Nov. 17 at the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall. Amos' first appearance was in 1996. Tickets are on sale at the box office, by calling 481-4849 or online at www.bbmannpah. com. Groups of twenty or more, call (239) 489-3033 extension 3122.