Ongoing events

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, Morgan 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- 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.

>>Jim Brickman performs at the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall Wednesday, Dec. 19. Artists call - The 5th Annual Edison Celebration of Art is announcing a final "call for artists". The outdoor art show showcases the work of local and national artists as well as emerging artists and Lee County students. The festival will be held at the Edison & Ford Winter Estates on Jan. 26. The application deadline is Nov. 30. Late entries will be accepted until Dec. 8. All artwork must be original and created by the displaying artist. Entries will be accepted in a variety of media. Cash prizes will be awarded for Best in Show, second and third place as well as People's Choice. Edison Celebration of Art is partnering with the School District of Lee County, Edison & Ford Winter Estates and the Sidney and Berne Davis Art Center. For applications contact Edison Celebration of Art at 239- 940-1899 or download the form at www. edisoncelebration.info

>>Last Comic Standing at the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall Thursday, Dec.13 Artists call - The Southwest Florida Craft Guild announces the "Spring Forward" show at the Florida Craftsmen Gallery, 501 Central Avenue, St. Petersburg. The show runs from March 7 to May 11 and is open to all Florida Craftsmen members and non members of Region 7, which includes Collier, Lee, Charlotte, Hendry and Glades county. Acceptable work includes handcrafted art created in wood, fiber, clay, glass, metal, paper, jewelry, sculpture and mixed media. A maximum of two (2) pieces per person saved in 300 dpi jpeg format, along with an artist statement, should be e-mailed to springforward@ swflcraftguild.com. The jurors will be the standards committee of the Southwest Florida Craft Guild. Digital images, photography or painting will not be accepted for the show. Fee for Florida Craftsmen and South West Florida Craft Guild members: $15 for the first piece and $10 for the second piece. Non-member entrants: $35 for membership, $15 for first piece, $10 for second piece. Deadline for e-mailed entries is Jan. 21. For a brochure email: springforward@swflcraftguild. com or call Bobbi Robertson at 239-995-9543 or Cynthia McIntyre at 239-245-7065. 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.

Naples Art exhibit - the Naples Art Association's "46th Founders Juried Awards Exhibition" is on display at The von Liebig Art Center. The exhibition, that runs through Jan. 13, honors the artists who in 1954 joined together to form the NAA, including Grace Lake, Elsie Dorey Upham and George Rogers. The NAA received 455 entries from 244 member artists. Internationally-acclaimed American abstract painter Sam Gilliam, a preeminent artist based in Washington, DC, served as juror. He selected 179 works by 149 artists for the exhibition as well as the 23 award winners. The top three award winners will participate in a three-person exhibition at The von Liebig Art Center next year. The von Liebig Art Center is located at 585 Park Street in downtown Naples and is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m. with free admission daily.

Art - Communication: The imparting or interchange of thoughts, opinions or information by speech, writing, or signs. "Transmissions: A Juried Competition" is the next exhibit at the Alliance for the Arts. Categories are sculpture, painting (including oil, acrylic, collage, watercolor, mixed media), photography, prints and drawings. The exhibit runs from Nov. 30 to Jan. 9. For information call the Alliance at 939-2787 or online at www.artinlee.org. The Alliance is located at 10091 McGregor Boulevard just south of Colonial Boulevard. Visit www.artinlee.org for more details.

Artists call - Florida's Creative Coast Plein Air Art Contest Pine Island, Jan. 12. Matlacha… Pine Island is considered one of the hidden treasures

for creativity and artistic talent in all of Florida. Florida's Creative Coast cordially invites all artists to participate in a Plein Air Art Event as a major part of the second annual Art, Authors and Archaeology. of the creation of many types of visual arts are welcomed. The event will be limited to the first 40 artists responding to the call for participants. Participating artists will be working plein air from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. along the Calusa Heritage Trail site of ancient Indian mounds created thousands of years ago. Artists will be encouraged to donate a piece to benefit the restoration of this historically important southwest Florida treasure. A carefully selected jury representing Pine Island art galleries will choose winning work in various mediums and the best of show. Dec. 7 is the deadline to register for participation. For registration contact Julia Morris, Chair, Artist Committee, at juliasarts@hotmail.com or contact Lisa Benton, Executive Director, Greater Pine Island Chamber of Commerce at info@ pineislandchamber.org or call 239-283- 0888. For information go to www.floridascreativecoast. com

Upcoming events

Jim Brickman - Jim Brickman Christmas is onstage for one performance at the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall Wednesday, Dec. 19. The warmth and intimacy of Jim Brickman's holiday concerts have been compared to a gathering of friends and family - a special homecoming - that resonates with the true spirit of Christmas. Ever since Brickman's song, "The Gift," became a huge holidy hit along with "Sending You A Little Christmas," people have made his holiday music as much a part of their Christmas celebration as boughs of holly, festive parties and exchanging gifts. Ticket 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.

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.

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.

Art - An exhibit of Florida landscape paintings by Frank Sadera will be held Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 8 and 9, at the Florida Fine Art Gallery in Gannon's Antiques & Art Center, 16521 South Tamiami Trail. There will be a "Meet the Artist" reception on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Refreshments will be served. Admission is free. The artist is known for his large-scale dramatic landscapes, many with soaring sunlit clouds so typical of South West Florida. The exhibit will include new oil paintings shown for the first time. Gallery hours are Mon. to Sat. 10 to 5:30, and Sundays 11 to 4. For information and directions phone (239) 489-2211. A Christmas Carol - A Christmas Carol is onstage at the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall Thursday, Dec. 20. With all the warmth and comfort of a cup of Christmas cheer, A Christmas Carol is packed with laughter, pageantry and gorgeous costumes. Every memorable detail of Dickens' A Christmas Carol springs to life, spine-chilling ghosts, heartfelt renditions of traditional British carols; and all the fascinating characters that audiences have come to love make Charles Dickens' enchanting story a treasured holiday event. Ticket prices 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.

Jethro Tull - The British band Jethro Tull performs at the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall Friday, Dec. 14. Jethro Tull was formed in February 1968 from the ashes of two unsuccessful blues/rock bands of the era. Ian Anderson brought his unique and innovative style of flute playing to a public raised on the guitar-based British bands who courted acceptance at London's famous Marquee Club. Ticket prices are $60.50 and $46 and 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.

Stage 88 -The Everything You Don't Know About Christmas Show an original Stage 88 musical revue will be on stage Dec. 6-22 at the Bonita Springs theater. Surprise guests, audience participation and laughter that will make your belly jiggle like a bowl full of jelly. The revue by Mark McClellan and Sabrina Sharpe runs Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights at 8 p.m. Tickets are $25 and can be reserved by calling (239)513- 8600 or send your reservation request to Stage88@stage88.com. Comedy -Enjoy an evening of great stand-up comedy with the finalists from NBC's popular laughfest "Last Comic Standing," at the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall Thursday, Dec. 13. Appearing will be Amy Schumer, Gerry Dee, John Reep, Lavell Crawford and Ralph Harris. Tickets are $21, $31, $38, and $48 and 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.

Russian Romantics - Russian Romantics is the season opener for the Gulf Coast Symphony on Dec. 15 at the Anderson Theatre - Santini Center for the Performing Arts on the campus of Bishop Verot High School. Selections feature "Variations on a Rococo Theme" by Tchaikovsky, a concert-piece for solo cellist and orchestra Cellist Ian Maksin; the "Symphony No. 6 in B minor, Pathétique, Op. 74," Tchaikovsky's final symphony; and "Isle of the Dead," a symphonic poem by Sergei Rachmaninoff. Tickets are $10, $15 and $20 and can be purchased online at www.gulfcoastsymphony. org. For information call the symphony at 489-1800.