WHAT TO DO, WHERE TO GO

This week's theatre Glass Menagerie - Tennessee Williams' 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.

>>Beehive, The 60's Musical is on stage at the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall Nov. 14 only. 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.

"Stones in his Pockets" - opens at the Florida Repertory Theatre and 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.

Forever Plaid - The Shoolhouse Theater on Sanibel Island presents "Forever Plaid." The performances run through Dec. 1. The funny and charming musical about the classic 1950s male singing group that gets killed on the way to their first gig - only to be revived for the posthumous chance to fulfill their dreams and perform the show that never was. The Schoolhouse Theater is located at 2200 Periwinkle Way across from the Community Center on Sanibel Island. Call 471-6862 for information and tickets.

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

Classical No. 1 - Jorge Mester, music director/conductor, with Howard Shelley on piano perform "Classical No. 1, Rachmaninoff 2" at the Naples Philharmonic Center for the Arts on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, Nov. 8 - 10 at 8 p.m. Sets include Tchaikovsky - Capriccio Italien; Rachmaninoff - Piano Concerto No. 2; and Brahms - Symphony No. 4. Tickets are $57 for adults and $23 for children. For information or tickets call (239) 597-1900 or online at www.thephil.org.

Mozart's mastery - The Southwest Florida Symphony opens its Symphony Around Town Performances in Cape Coral at the Faith Presbyterian Church on Friday at 7:30 p.m. The series moves to Bonita Springs First Presbyterian Church on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. and Sunday at BIG ARTS on Sanibel at 7:30 p.m. Conducter Michael Hall, with Dr. Michael Baron, pianist and head of piano studies FGCU, present Mozart's mastery featuring two truly dramatic works - Piano Concerto #20 (Beethoven's favorite) and Symphony #39, one of his last and greatest symphonies. After the show, Maestro Hall and musicians offer insight into the music and answer your questions on stage, right after the concert. For tickets or online at www.swflso.org or call the box office at 418-1500.

Friday, Nov. 9

Playing the Word - Pianist Mike Melvoin and Poet Dan Jaffe collaborate for a Night of Jazz at the Florida Gulf Coast University Arts Complex. The event runs from 8 p.m. to 10. Admission is $10 and $5 for faculty, students and staff. For information call 239-590-7209

John Anderson - The Cape Coral Coconut Festival at Sun Splash Family Waterpark opens with Country singe

John Anderson at 9:15 p.m.. The festival will include bands, entertainment, carnival games, food, crafts and much more and of course coconuts. The festival is open from 5 p.m. until midnight on Friday. Admission is $3. For more information call 573-3125 or online at www.cocofest.com.

Saturday, Nov. 10

Loverboy - Lou Gramm, the lead singer for Foreigner, and 1980s rock bank Loverboy and Survivor perform on the second day of the The Cape Coral Coconut Festival. The grounds open at 10 a.m and close at midnight at the Sun Splash Family Waterpark. Gramm is onstage at 7 p.m. and Loverboy performs at 9:15 p.m. Admission is $3. For more information call 573-3125 or online at www.cocofest.com.

Food & Wine - Smooth Jazz 100.1 and The Pink Shell Beach Resort & Spa have teamed up to host the Annual Gourmet Food & Wine Series. The Series is an event which features a Wine Reception sponsored by Austins Wine Cellar, a four-course gourmet dinner with wine pairings, overnight resort room accommodations and live entertainment and dancing featuring the Marc Vee Band. All activities take place at the Pink Shell Beach Resort & Spa on Fort Myers Beach. The cost is $350.00 per couple. Reservations can be made by calling 463-6181.

Sunday, Nov. 11

Elton John - Reginald Kenneth Dwight also known as Sir Elton John will play to a sold-out Germain Arena.

Celtic Artistry - Celtic Artistry with The Blair Band will perform at 6:115 p.m. as part of the 2007/2008 Season of Praise Concert Series at The Village Church at Shell Point Retirement Community. The Blair Band is a Celtic, acoustic, folk group, a passionate, high energy force with an innovative organic sound. The Band performs a combination of traditional folk and contemporary ballad style music with stirring original songs played on traditional Scottish and Irish instrumentals. Tickets are on sale and are $5 each. To purchase tickets or for information about the concert series, call (239) 454-2147 or go to www.shellpoint.org/villagechurch/ events.htm.

Wednesday, Nov. 14

Beehive - "Beehive, The 60's Musical" is on stage 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.

Music - From Vivaldi to Gershwin and even a bit of Jelly Roll Morton... an evening of great music with the members of Quintus Quintet at the Art League of Bonita Springs from 7 p.m. until 9. Center for the Arts is located at 26100 Old 41 Road, Bonita Springs. For information call 495-8989 or on the Web at www. artcenterbonita. org.

Lecture - The Southwest Florida Museum of History continues its popular "Night at the Museum - An Author's Evening" when it welcomes Gary Mormino from 7 to 9 p.m. Throughout the year, the museum hosts an author from a variety of genres. The event will include light fare and refreshments, dessert, a presentation by the featured author and a meet-and-greet book signing - all for just $25. This month the museum welcomes acclaimed state historian and author, Gary Mormino whose book, 'Land of Sunshine, State of Dreams,' examines the great social, cultural, and economic forces driving this continual transformation of our state. Space is very limited so reservations are a must. To reserve a space call 332-5955. For more information visit: www.cityftmyers.com/museum

Upcoming events

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.LakesideCountryBash. com or call (239) 432-2006.

3 Mo' Divas - A musical celebration of class, sass and style. Created and directed by Three Mo' Tenors mastermind Marion J. Caffey, 3 Mo' Divas plays at the Naples Philharmonic Center for the Arts on Saturday,

Nov. 17 at 8 p.m. The performance celebrates the versatility of the female voice, showcasing a trio of female vocalists and a small onstage

orchestra.

The theatrically staged concert features eight musical genres, including opera, Broadway, jazz, soul and R&B. Tickets are $59. For information or tickets call (239) 597-1900 or online at www.thephil.org.

Michael McDonald - Five-time Grammy-Award-winner Michael McDonald plays at the Naples Philharmonic Center for the Arts on Monday, Nov. 26. Bestknown for his husky, soulful, baritone voice, McDonald is one of the most distinctive and popular vocalists to emerge from the laidback California pop/rock scene of the late '70s. Formerly of the Doobie Brothers and Steely Dan, McDonald has forged a successful solo career with hits spanning the pop, R&B and AC charts. Tickets are $69. For information or tickets call (239) 597-1900 or online at www.thephil.org.

Roger Williams - Shell Point Retirement Community's Sixth annual Fine and Performing Arts Concert Series of 2007/2008 Shell Point Retirement Community presents pianist Roger Williams on Thursday, Nov. 15 at 7:30 p.m. With over 18 Gold and Platinum albums to his credit, Roger Williams is the greatest selling pianist of all time and has been named "King of the Arpeggios." His show-stopping piano magic delights audiences around the globe. Tickets are $25 each, or a season ticket of all five concerts can be purchased for $100. To purchase tickets or receive additional information about the concert series, call (239) 454-2067.

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.

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

Wynonna - Wynonna - A Classic Christmas plays at the Naples Philharmonic Center for the Arts on Tuesday, Nov. 27. Wynonna is taking her critically acclaimed holiday album, A Classic Christmas, on the road in her first-ever Christmas tour. Spreading holiday cheer across the country, Wynonna will combine her smooth vocals and tremendous live presence in an unforgettable performance that will warm the heart and inspire the spirit. Her soulful renditions of such traditional holiday classics as White Christmas and Winter Wonderland and her awe-inspiring version of Ave Maria, make this a special performance for the entire family. Tickets are $76. For information or tickets call (239) 597-1900 or online at www.thephil.org.

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.

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'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 - "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 - Florida Gulf Coast University's Arts Complex Gallery has an exhibition of paintings and constructions entitled

"Every X Marks Somewhere" by FGCU Associate Professor of Art, Mor- gan T. Paine.The show features 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.

Art - The Bob Rauschenberg Gallery at Edison College has an exhibition of paintings by Florida State University Painting and Drawing instructor Mark Messersmith. The exhibition, titled "A Southern Landscape," runs through Dec. 8. The Gallery is open Monday through 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. Art Royale - Art Royale: The Games People Play at the Alliance for the Arts on Saturday, Nov. 17 is about the viewer's interaction with the artist and their art forms. This year the artists are invited to interpret and express their relationship with the theme: The Games People Play. Interpretation might be personal, artistic, cultural, architectural, or esoteric. Artists are encouraged to engage the viewer into their installation - as a participant, a captivated observer; or in a merger with the artist mentally, philosophically, or physically. Tickets are $75 in advance (online at www.artroyale.org through Nov. 12) and $100 at the door. Tickets can be purchased online at at the Alliance for the Arts (10091 McGregor Blvd), or by phone at 939-2787 until 5 p.m. Friday Nov. 16. For information about performers and artists long on to www. artroyale.org.