WHAT TO DO, WHERE TO GO

>>Lane at the Foruth Annual Temple Beth El Invitational Art Show Sunday, Jan. 27. This week's theatre

Guys and Dolls - The musical fable of Nathan Detroit, Guys and Dolls runs through Feb. 16 at the Broadway Palm Dinner Theater. The consummate gambling man, Detroit operates "The World's Largest Floating Crap Game". Songs include Luck Be a Lady, I've Never Been in Love Before, Sue Me and A Bushel and a Peck. 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.

The Last Five Years - Synergy Productions, Southwest Florida's professional musical theater company, in association with the Theater Guild of Southwest Florida, presents the award-winning musical, "The Last Five Years," at the Fould's Theater on the campus of The Alliance for the Arts. The play runs through Jan. 27. A fresh and contemporary musical, "The Last Five Years" chronicles a young couple's romance in a new and exciting way. Critics have praised the music as creative and groundbreaking. The lyrics evoke Stephen Sondheim. The musical style draws from pop, jazz, folk, Rock and classical. Performances are Wednesday through Saturday at 8 p.m.; and Sunday at 2 p.m. For tickets call (239) 236-1645, visit the Foulds Theater Box Office or online at www. synergyproductions.org

>>Rising Stars Art Studio in Cape Harbour in Cape Coral is presenting awarding winning guest artist Pam Brodersen. Doubt - Winner of the 2005 Pulitzer Prize for Drama and Tony Award for Best Play, "Doubt, A Parable" is on stage at the Florida Repertory Theatre through Feb. 3. Florida Weekly theater critic Nancy Stetson called Doubt, "as good as theater gets." Doubt is a mesmerizing piece that wrestles with conscience and uncertainty in a 1964 parochial school. John Patrick Shanley, an Academy Award-winning author and playwright, constructs a thrilling and dangerous play that dramatizes issues straight from today's headlines. Performances are Tues. - Sat. at 8 p.m., with 2 p.m. matinees on Wed., Sun. and selected Saturdays. Florida Repertory Theatre is located on Bay Street between Jackson and Hendry in the Historic Arcade Theatre in the Fort Myers River District. Subscriptions and single tickets are available through the Box Office (239) 332-4488, or visit Florida Rep online at www.floridarep.org.

>>Trisha Yearwood hits the stage at the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall on Feb. 13. A Perfect Wedding - Robin Hawdon's "A Perfect Wedding" is on stage at the Sugden Community Theatre in Naples through Feb. 9. It's a bedroom farce. It's a wedding-day fiasco. It's uninterrupted confusion, comedy and mistaken identity. The script is witty; utterly nonsensical and absolutely charming, and answers the question "Who love who?" For information and tickets go to www.naplesplayers. com or call (239) 263-7990.

Caught in the Net - Ray Cooney's "Caught in the Net" runs at The Schoolhouse Theater on Sanibel Island through Feb. 2. The sequel to "Run for Your Wife." 18 years later, modern technology is about to lead John Smith's two families into a headon collision. His son Gavin (with his mum Barbara) and daughter Vicki (with her mum Mary) are discussing having met in an Internet chat room. They are amazed that they both have fathers named John Leonard Smith who are London taxi drivers, and since romance has blossomed, they are determined to meet in person. And chaos ensues. For tickets and information, call the Box Office at 472-6862 or check out www. theschoolhousetheater.com

Cash: Ring of Fire - The Music of the Man in Black ignites the stage of the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall through Jan. 27 in the new Broadway musical Ring of Fire, featuring 38 signature songs from the legendary Johnny Cash. Stories of passion, redemption, humor, and salvation set the stage ablaze in this musical celebration of the world's most famous rebel. Hits include; "Walk the Line," "Hurt," "Jackson," "I've Been Everywhere," "Folsom Prison Blues," "A Boy Named Sue," and the title track "Ring of Fire". With smashing medleys and a hearty bounce in its guitar-driven step, this shindig will have you stompin' your feet and shoutin' for more. Tickets are on sale at the box office, by calling 481-4849 or online at www.bbmannpah. com.

Monky Business - The musical comedy "Monky Business" is running at the Off Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre through March 15. The show features some fun-loving monks who hold a fundraiser to save their monastery. The Monks have a divine plan with plenty of singing, dancing and vaudeville routines. For information and tickets call (239) 278-4422 or online at www.broadwaypalm.com.

The Drowsy Chaperone - "The Drowsy Chaperone" opens at the Naples Philharmonic Center for the Arts on Tuesday, Jan. 28 and runs through Sunday, Feb. 3. Get ready to be transported to a magical, wonderful world. A world where the critics are in awe, the audiences are in heaven and the neighborhood is buzzing with excitement. Welcome to "The Drowsy Chaperone," the new musical comedy that is swooping into town with tons of laughs and the most 2006 Tony Awards of any musical on Broadway. It all begins when a die-hard musical fan plays his favorite cast album, a 1928 smash hit called "The Drowsy Chaperone," and the show magically bursts to life. With thrills and surprises that take both the cast (literally) and the audience (metaphorically) soaring into the rafters. For information or tickets call (239) 597-1900 or online at www. thephil.org.

Nunsense - Nunsense, the Outer Critics' Circle Award-winning play will hit the stage at Cape Coral High School for three shows only on Jan. 25, 26 and 27. The "Best Off- Broadway Musical" that became the second longest-running off-Broadway musical of all time is being produced locally by Jodick Productions. The show starts at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday Jan. 25-26. The Sunday Jan. 27 matinee is at 3 p.m. Tickets are $16, $15 for seniors and can be had by calling (239) 297- 3077 or at the door. Cape Coral High School is located at 2300 Santa Barbara Blvd in Cape Coral.

This week's symphony

Pops No. 1, Nothin' But the Blues - The Naples Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Grammy Award-winner Jeff Tyzik, plays the blues at the Naples Philharmonic Center for the Arts on Friday, Jan. 25 at 8 p.m., Saturday at 2 and 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. Highlights include Birth of the Blues, Basin Street Blues, Night Train and St. Louis Blues. For information or tickets call (239) 597- 1900 or online at www. thephil.org.

Saturday, Jan. 26

Art - The 5th Annual Edison Celebration of Art runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Edison & Ford Winter Estates. The outdoor art festival showcases the work of national and local artists, as well as emerging artists and Lee County students. Live music, performance art, art demonstrations, and children's art activities round out the celebration. Edison Celebration of Art is partnering with the Sidney and Berne Davis Art Center, the School District of Lee County, and the Edison & Ford Winter Estates. Net proceeds of the Celebration are donated to the Lee County Schools to foster the music and art programs. Grants are also made available to qualifying teachers in the Lee County Public School System.

Edison Day of Discovery - Celebrating 51 years, the Edison Day of Discovery showcases over 800 student finalists from Southwest Florida at the Harborside Event Center in downtown Fort Myers from 1 p.m. until 4:30. Exhibits include everything from botany, engineering, zoology and medicine. This year's special guest is Dr. Robert J. Lang an avid student of origami for over thirty years is now recognized as one of the world's leading masters of the art, with over 400 designs catalogued and diagrammed. The event is free to the public.

Celtic festival - The 5th Annual Caloosahatchee Celtic Festival, opens at 10:30 a.m. at Centennial Park. Seven hours of non-stop Celtic music on two stages begins at 11 a.m. Featured musicians include Brigid's Cross, West of Galway, Irish Cream, Heartstrings, Marcille Wallis & Friends and much more. Bring your blankets and or lawn chairs and plan to join a great Fort Myers tradition! Admission is $5.00 and children under 12 are free. Centennial Park is located in downtown Fort Myers along the Caloosahatchee River. For More Information call the City of Fort Myers Recreation Division at 338-2287

Ms. Courageous - The children's play Ms. Courageous, presented by the Florida Repertory Theatre, is on stage at 11 a.m. at the Brick Bar in downtown Fort Myers. It's a collage of scenes from the lives of Elizabeth Blackwell and Marie Curie. Blackwell was the first woman in the United States to become a doctor with a medical degree, and Curie won two Nobel prizes for her work in physics and chemistry. Written by Joanna Halpert Kraus, Ms. Courageous explores the difficulties and challenges these two remarkable women faced and overcame. For tickets and more information, contact Florida Rep's box office at 239-332-4488. Please do not call the Brick Bar for ticket information.

Sunday, Jan. 27

Art - The Fourth Annual Temple Beth El Invitational Art Show from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Dubin Social Hall at Temple Beth El, 16225 Winkler Road in Fort Myers. The show features more than 30 local artists representing media such as painting, ceramics, photography, sculpture and jewelry. For further information call 433-0018.

Monday, Jan. 28

Chamber Music - The Chamber Music Society of Southwest Florida launches its inaugural season at the Foulds Theatre in the Alliance for the Arts at 7:30 p.m. Led by mezzo-soprano and Artistic Director Janelle McCoy, the chamber music society will present four concerts that will include international chamber groups, Grammy-winning composers and several regional premieres. The concerts, themed "Journeys," are designed to promote and make accessible chamber music of the last 100 years through lectures, composer appearances and performances in intimate spaces. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased by visiting www.chambersociety.

Capitol Steps - The Capitol Steps are the only people in Washington who attempt to be funnier than the politicians. The troupe performs at the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall at 7:30 p.m. This troupe of former (but not disgruntled) Congressional Staffers travels the country satirizing the very people and places that once employed them. Over the years, the Capitol Steps have been featured on three national PBS specials, "Good Morning America," "Entertainment Tonight," "NBC Nightly News," and CNN's "Inside Politics." Tickets are on sale at the box office, by calling 481-4849 or online at www. bbmannpah.com.

Ongoing events

Art - "I Am in It: Contemporary Chinese Calligraphic Expressions" is on display at Florida Gulf Coast University at the Arts Complex Gallery through Feb. 16. Guest curator Yiguo Zhang, Director of Nankai University's Art History Center, brings an exhibition of work by five contemporary Chinese artists who have broken from their classical training as calligraphers and applied the discipline to their personal creations. The artists will be conducting talks and demonstrations during the exhibition. For information go to artgallery. fgcu.edu or call (239) 590-7199.

Rauschenberg - Work by world renowned artist and gallery name sake Robert Rauschenberg will be featured through Feb. 9 at the Bob Rauschenberg Gallery on the campus of Edison College. Often cited as the most important artist of his generation, Rauschenberg did more than any other artist to reach beyond contemporary thinking by challenging limits, perceptions, materials and every other boundary in sight. Among those shattered boundaries is an erased de Kooning drawing, one of the most notorious art objects of the century. There will be a closing ceremony Feb. 1 from 6 to 8 p.m.

Art- Harborside Event Center and ArtFest Fort Myers' current 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 runs through Jan. 28 and 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@ArtFestFortMyers.com or call 768-3602.

Art - A juried art show at the Art league of Fort Myers runs through Feb. 23. The Art League is located in the City of Palms parking garage building at 1451 Monroe Street, between Bay and First Street in the downtown River District. For information call 275-3970 or online at www.artleagueoffortmyers. org.

Art - Rising Stars Art Studio in Cape Harbour in Cape Coral is presenting awarding winning guest artist Pam Brodersen whose medium is Digital Imaging. The exhibition is "Island Impressions" and runs from Jan. 25 thru Feb. 11. On Saturday, Jan. 26 there is a meet the artist reception at the Studio from 6 to 8 p.m. Regular Studio hours are 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Sunday.

Call for artists - Florida West Arts, a Southwest Florida performing and visual arts organization, is looking for area "arts as healing" programs - as well as individual performing and visual artists - to participate in ARTS & HEALING to be held on March 29 at Coconut Point in Estero. ARTS & HEALING is presented by Coconut Point, in cooperation with Florida West Arts, and sponsored by the News-Press "Your Health Monthly" magazine. There is no entry fee for the event. The deadline to apply to enter is February 5, 2008. For more information, and to apply to participate in ARTS & HEALING, contact Florida West Arts by e-mail at info@floridawestarts. com or call (239)784-0707.

Call to artists - The Naples Art Association at The von Liebig Art Center in Naples, Florida, invites artists residing in the State of Florida to submit up to three entries of current work (created after January 1, 2006) in any media for ART ENCOUNTER 2008. The fine art and contemporary craft exhibition will be installed in the art center's six galleries from May 10 to June 29. At least $3,000 in cash awards will be presented to artists during the Members' Preview Reception and Awards Presentation on May 9. Works appearing in the exhibition as well as the award winners will be selected by guest juror Brian Dursum, director and chief curator of the Lowe Museum of Art at the University of Miami in Coral Gables. Online entries will be accepted at juriedartservices. com until March 16 with a non- refundable online application fee of $42 ($30 for current NAA members), and late entries (extra $20) will be accepted through March 30. NAA membership is not required. ART ENCOUNTER 2007 featured 68 works by 49 artists from 416 entries submitted by 155 artists. Entries came from as far away as Crystal River and Jupiter. For details, visit naplesart. org or call (239) 262-6517 x106.

Upcoming events

Cirque Dreams - A magical jungle will unfold on the stage at the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall when "Cirque Dreams Jungle Fantasy" comes to town beginning Tuesday, Feb. 5. The critically acclaimed theatrical sensation runs through Feb. 10. Because of ticket demand, an additional performance has been added on Thursday, Feb. 7 at 10:30 a.m. Artistic Director Neil Goldberg and his Florida based Cirque Productions have created "Cirque Dreams Jungle Fantasy," an all new, world class, acrobatic, musical and imaginative adventure that is wowing audiences of all ages throughout the country. Tickets are on sale now and available at the box office, by calling (239) 481-4849 or online at www.bbmannpah.com

Defending the Caveman - The longest running solo play in Broadway history comes to the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall on Friday and Saturday Feb. 1 and 2 at 8 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. respectively. The wildly popular comedy, written by Rob Becker, has become a peacemaker in the ongoing misunderstandings between men and women. With hilarious insights on contemporary feminism, masculine sensitivity and the erogenous zone, Defending the Caveman mines the common themes in relationships that go straight to the funny bone. It has won the hearts of millions in more than thirty countries and is performed in over fifteen different languages. Tickets are on sale at the box office, by calling 481-4849 or online at www.bbmannpah. com.

Trisha Yearwood - Talent, dreams and determination are an intoxicating little cocktail. It's a recipe that has served to propel a lithesome Georgia blonde from local honky tonks to the world's most prestigious stages. Trisha Yearwood hits the stage at the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall on Feb. 13 at 7:30 p.m. Sitting in a Nashville studio listening to mixes of her Big Machine Records debut, "Heaven, Heartache and the Power of Love," it is obvious Yearwood is living the dream and loving every minute of it. With three Grammys, three Country Music Association honors, and 19 top ten singles to her credit, including such career-defining hits as "She's in Love With the Boy," "Perfect Love," and "How Do I Live," it might be tempting to rest on her considerable laurels, but that's not in Yearwood's nature. Tickets are on sale at the box office, by calling 481-4849 or online at www.bbmannpah.com.

Art - An exclusive exhibition by artist legend Peter Max will be on display at the Peter Max Gallery, 370 12th Ave. South, Naples Feb. 16 and 17. The show includes exquisite paintings, lithographs and sculptures. With paintings on exhibition in hundreds of museums and galleries worldwide, Peter Max and his vibrant colors have become part of the fabric of contemporary culture. Max has been successively called a Pop Icon, Neo Fauvist, Abstract Expressionist and the United State's "Painter Laureate." For more information about Peter Max, visit www.petermax.com.

Art - Harbour View Gallery announced that Maru Carreras, brass and acrylic artist, and Joanmarie and Emily Lermann of Radiant Renditions crystal jewlery designs, are the gallery's visiting artists for the month of February. A reception to meet Maru, Joanmarie and Emily is scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 2 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the gallery located at 5479 Cape Harbour Drive, Unit 104 on the promenade at Cape Harbour Marina South. The work of the seven Harbour View Gallery member owner artists will also be on display. Refreshments will be served. No reservation necessary. For more information call 540-5789.

Artfest - Southwest Florida's premier fine art festival takes place in downtown Fort Myers on Feb. 2 and 3. Each year Fort Myers' only free, two day celebration of the arts, decorates downtown with exceptional artwork, entertainment and children's art activities. Attendees can enjoy and purchase artwork in a variety of mediums and prices from nationally recognized artists from across the country and around the world. Its better than a gallery - there is lots of variety - you can talk to the artists - you can view the work of over 200 fine artists in a single weekend - you can introduce your children to the magic of original art.

Art - Space 39 will hold an opening reception Feb. 2 from 6-10 p.m. for "Redline" featuring the works of sculptor, Hal Buckner. This artist is an aluminum sculptor whose works in the last 30 years have been based on the female form. Its' many changes and attitudes reflected are meant to be interpreted by the viewer. His work is sensual and leaves a lot open to the imagination. The exhibit will be on display from Feb. 2 to March 15.

Art - Join Arts for ACT Gallery located at 2265 First Street in downtown Fort Myers on Friday, Feb. 1 from 7 to 10 p.m. for its artful evening opening artist's reception for February. Three dynamic women artists not to be missed, each with unique styles and subject matters, will give you feelings of nostalgia, happiness, romance, wonder and even sadness.

Art - February 8 will launch "Just Desserts" a short Art League of Fort Myers exhibit opens Feb. 8. The exhibit features small paintings and photos of deserts at the 1451 Monroe Street gallery. The real desserts, created by Pastry Chef Karen Schaffer will be available on Feb. 8 from 6 to 8 p.m. Tickets are on sale at the ALFM gallery for $10 each. The paintings also on sale, will be a maximum size of 11x14, and will be priced under $100 with many being in the $50-$75 range. Paintings will be available for one week. All paintings are originals and they are created by local artists.

Bluegrass - Y'all best be gittin' downtown for a night of bluegrass music on the steps of the Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center. Renowned band Cadillac Sky, an International Bluegrass Music Association "Emerging Artist of the Year" nominee, will set downtown on fire, Thursday, Jan. 31. Tickets are free to members of the Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center and $15 for future members. To become a member or purchase tickets visit us online at www.sbdac. com, email us at florida.arts@yahoo.com, or call 337-1933. Tickets will be available at the door on a first come first serve basis. The show begins at 6 p.m.