WHAT TO DO, WHERE TO GO

>>Australia's Ten Tenors play at the Naples Philharmonic Center for the Arts on Friday, Dec. 7 This week's theatre

Almost Maine - All is not what it seems in this magical new off broadway comedy - Almost Maine, is onstage at the Florida Repertory Theatre until Dec. 23. When the Northern Lights hang over the mythical town of Almost, Maine, its residents find themselves falling in and out of love - in the most unexpected, unusual and hilarious ways. This play inventively explores the mysteries of the human heart and touches audiences with laughter, heartbreak and hope. Tickets are $34 -$38, and $17 for selected seats. For information call 332-4488.

Holly Jolly Christmas - Holly Jolly Christmas runs through Dec. 25 at the Broadway Palm Dinner Theater. This song and dance extravaganza is fantastic entertainment for all ages. It embraces the season with Broadway-style dancing, stunning costumes and the traditional holiday favorites you know and love. 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.

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.Broadway- Palm.com, or by stopping by the box office at 1380 Colonial Boulevard in Fort Myers.

Arsenic and Old Lace - This classic comedy Arsenic and Old Lace takes a cheery look at an eccentric family who mix murder and mayhem to give a new meaning to the idea of "charity work." The Naples Players rendition of Arsenic and Old Lace runs through Dec. 15 at the Sugden Community Theatre. For information call the Sugden at (239) 263-7990.

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 .

The Nutcracker - Broadway Palm Children's Theatre presents The Nutcracker playing Dec. 7*, 9, 11*, 14*, 15, 18*, 21* and 23, 2007. The holiday classic is about a young girl who is given a beautiful nutcracker. She dreams that it comes to life and battles against the Mouse King and his army. The nutcracker defeats the mouse king and is transformed into a prince. All performances begin with a buffet at noon and show time at 1 p.m. (except where indicated*, lunch is at 10:30 a.m. and the show is at 11:30 a.m.) The chef's spaecial buffet includes children's favorites like hamburgers, hot dogs, french fries, chicken and more. Ticket prices for lunch and the show are only $15 for all ages. Tickets are now on sale and can be reserved by calling (239) 278-4422, by visiting www.BroadwayPalm. com, or by stopping by the box office at 1380 Colonial Boulevard.

This week's symphony

The Genius of B's - Conducted by Michael Hall, with pianist Christopher O' Riley, The Southwest Florida Symphony performs Britten, Beethoven, Barber and Bizet at the Barbra B. Mann Performing Arts Hall on Friday, Dec. 7 and Saturday, Dec. 8 at 8 p.m.. The genius of four B's features Beethoven's masterful Piano Concerto #4, with O' Riley of NPR's 'From the Top'. United these musical treasures demonstrate four extraordinary composers. For tickets go online at www.swflso.org or call the box office at 418-1500.

Thursday, Dec. 6

Fabric of Life - An Opening Reception for "Fabric of Life" runs from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Harborside Event Center in the downtown River District. This special evening will include 3-dimensional art, such as ceramics, glass and fiber. Music and complimentary refreshments will complete the festive evening. Everyone is welcome to explore the artistic and cultural vibrancy of fiber art and give the gift of art to someone on your holiday list. The exhibit is sponsored by the Harborside Event Center and ArtFest Fort Myers. It's a display of 30 spectacular contemporary art quilts created by the members of Art Quilters Unlimited. This juried show represents a broad array of fiber wall art from a group of artists who compete nationally in their medium and bring the excitement of color and design to this fine craft. For information email info@ArtFestFortMyers. com or call 768-3602.

Friday, Dec. 7

The Ten Tenors - Australia's Ten Tenors play at the Naples Philharmonic Center for the Arts at 8 p.m. They have charmed audiences around the world with their dynamic mix of vocal power - featuring a repertoire that ranges from jazz to opera to pop. The Tenors fuse brilliant musicianship with comedy and a flair for performance resulting in an unforgettable show. They've played sold out concerts in Europe, the United States, Canada, Asia and Australia and they sold out at the Phil in their 2005 Southwest Florida debut. For information or tickets call (239) 597-1900 or online at www.thephil.org.

Saturday, Dec. 8

Blake Shelton - Country music star Blake Shelton will headline the first "Sam Galloway Ford Lakeside Country Bash" at Lakes Park 1:30 p.m. (gates open at noon), 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.

Art - An exhibit of Florida landscape paintings by Frank Sadera will be held Saturday and Sunday 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 largescale 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.

Art Divine - Members of the Fort Myers Beach Art Association open an exhibit of framed and unframed art for sale in an event called "Art Divine." All works are priced under $99. The "Art Divine" sale will be open until Jan. 10 so there will be plenty of time for everyone to purchase holiday gifts or something for their own home. The art association has many award winning artists displaying their fine artwork throughout the year. For information call 463-3909 or onlline at www.fortmyersbeachart.com

Tuesday, Dec. 11

Wedgwood master - The Waterford Wedgwood Company store at Miromar welcomes Waterford Master Artisan Gerry Treacy for a special appearance and product signing from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. In this rare visit from Ireland, Treacy will discuss Waterford Crystal and sign purchases made at the event. The Waterford Wedgwood Company Store is located at Miromar Outlets in Estero. For more information call 992- 9216 or email napleo47@wwusa.com.

Holiday Carol Sing - Celebrate the holidays by joining in song at the 17th Annual Holiday Carol Sing at the First Presbyterian Church in downtown Fort Myers. There are two performances, at 4 and 7 p.m. Doors open 30 minutes prior to showtime. Santa Claus will be there along with 150 voices from local choirs. Admission is two cans of food to benefit The Soup Kitchen of Community Cooperative Ministries. Voluntary donations also will be accepted for The Soup Kitchen Fund. The event is presented as a community service by the Galloway Family of Dealerships.

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- Harborside Event Center and ArtFest Fort Myers' next exhibit is the "Fabric of Life", a display of 30 spectacular contemporary art quilts created by the members of Art Quilters Unlimited. This juried show represents a broad array of fiber wall art from a group of artists who compete nationally in their medium and bring the excitement of color and design to this fine craft. Everyone is welcome to explore the artistic and cultural vibrancy of fiber art and give the gift of art to someone on your holiday list. The exhibit is open Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For information email info@ArtFest- FortMyers.com or call 768-3602.

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

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. Demonstrations 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

Art- The Cape Coral Arts Studio will exhibit the work of the late Jean Inman in a "Memorial Tribute". The exhibt opens Friday, Dec. 7 and runs through Dec. 28. For information call 574-0802. The Cape Coral Arts Studio is located at 4533 Coronado Parkway, Cape Coral.

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 holiday 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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. Ticket prices are on sale at the box office, by calling 481-4849 or online at www.bbmannpah.com.