WHAT TO DO, WHERE TO GO

>>"The Secret Garden" is on stage at the Sugden Community Theatre through Aug. 2. This week's theatre

Wizard of Oz - The classic movie musical "The Wizard of Oz" comes to the Broadway Palm Dinner Theater stage through July 26. The Wizard of Oz, based on the book by Frank L. Baum and the world famous 1939 film, chronicles the adventures of Dorothy, the Scarecrow, the Tin Man, the Cowardly Lion and… Toto, too. You'll hear the songs from the score you know and love such as "Somewhere Over the Rainbow," "We're Off to See the Wizard" and "Follow the Yellow Brick Road." Performances are Wednesday through Sunday evenings with selected matinees. Ticket prices range from $25 to $52. There is a summer special for children 18 and under, tickets are just $18 for dinner and the show. Group discounts are available for parties of 20 or more. 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 in Fort Myers.

Chris Isaak Schoolhouse Theatre - The Schoolhouse Theater presents "Caught in the Net," the sequel to Sanibel's favorite comedy, "Run for Your Wife.""Run for Your Wife" is Ray Cooney's biggest hit and the longest running comedy to have played in London's West End. In this superb, hysterically funny British farce, London cabbie John Smith lives a happy life with his wife Mary. He also lives a happy life with his wife Barbara. Since neither Mary nor Barbara knows the existence of the other, John's cleverly scheduled life is free of incident… UNTIL…a trip to the hospital sends John Smith into the most hilarious mixup of a lifetime. "Caught in the Net" takes place 18 years later, and modern technology is about to lead John Smith's two families into a head-on 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…Come see "Run for Your Wife" on Mondays and Wednesdays and "Caught in the Net" on Tuesdays and Saturdays - all shows are at 7 pm. And don't forget about our special toll relief coupon! Bring us your toll receipt and we'll give you a $5 coupon off the purchase of your next adult priced ticket. That's both shows for the price of one toll! For more information and tickets for the show, please call the Box Office at: 239-472-6862 or check out our website: www.theschoolhousetheater.com.

This watercolor painting by Ann Kittel, a member of the Sanibel-Captiva Art League, is one of more than 100 on display at the Sanibel library and BIG ARTS. Secret Garden - For its Naples summer musical extravaganza, The Naples Players bring to the stage "The Secret Garden," a production based on the novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett. The book and lyrics for "The Secret Garden" were written by Marsha Norman; the music is by Lucy Simon. The Naples Players' production includes a cast of more than 30 and a full orchestra. Tickets for "The Secret Garden" are on sale at The Naples Players Box Office. Also on sale is a return of the summer dinner/show package offered by The Naples Players and Vergina Restaurant. The show runs Wednesday through Saturday evenings until the last performance on August 2, the dinner/show package costs $48 for an adult. After enjoying a three course dinner at Vergina, the ticket holder then watches a performance of "The Secret Garden." On Sundays, dinner follows the matinee. Individual tickets for The Secret Garden cost $30 per adult and $10 for children under 18. The show opens June 27 (opening night is sold out) and runs through August 2. For reservations for the dinner/show package or for individual tickets to any performance, visit The Naples Players Box Office at 701 5th Avenue South in downtown Naples. The office is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tickets also may be purchased by phone at (239) 263-7990 or at www.naplesplayers.org

Friday, July 4

Independence Day - Check out Florida Weekly's guide to activities on our nation's birthday on page A-17.

Upcoming events

Backyardigans - A national touring production of "The Backyardigans Live! Tale of the Mighty Knights" will stop at the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall on July 15 and 16 for two performances. Tickets are now on sale. Since its debut on Nickelodeon's preschool weekday lineup, "The Backyardigans" has become the No. 2-rated preschool show on all of commercial TV among the target audience of preschoolers. The shows will start at 7 p.m. Tickets are $32.50, $27.50 and $17.50. For more information, call (239) 481-4849 or visit www.bbmannpah.com.

Fab Four - The Fab Four, known for their uncanny, note-for-note live renditions of Beatles' songs, return to the Philharmonic Center by popular demand on Saturday, July 19 at 8 p.m. This incredible stage show includes three costume changes representing each era of the Beatles' career. Hear record-perfect live performances of such classics as Can't Buy Me Love, Yesterday, A Day In The Life, Penny Lane, Here Comes The Sun, Hey Jude and many more. Tickets to The Fab Four are $35. For more information or to order tickets, contact Customer Service at (239) 597-1900 or toll-free at (800) 597-1900 or visit www.thephil.org.

Sara Evans - Country superstar Sara Evans comes to the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall Friday, September 19. The award-winning country singer dominates country radio airwaves, was celebrated as one of People magazine's "50 Most Beautiful People", and attracted a new legion of fans with her spirited turn on "Dancing with the Stars." Evans has earned numerous number-one hits, two of which she co-wrote, including "Born to Fly," "No Place That Far," "Suds In The Bucket" and "A Real Fine Place to Start," which spent two weeks at the top of the country charts. Of the five albums Evans has released, her sophomore set, "No Place That Far," has been certified gold; 2001's "Born to Fly" is double-platinum and 2003's "Restless" and 2005's "Real Fine Place" are both platinum. Evans recently released "Sara Evans - Greatest Hits" - a 14-song collection featuring 10 of her signature songs as well as four inspired new songs. Tickets go on sale Friday, June 20 at 10 a.m. at the box office, by calling (239) 481-4849 or online at www.bbmannpah.com. For groups of 20 or more, call Lois at (239) 489-3033, extension 3122.

Lisa Williams - "Lisa Williams: Life Among the Dead" comes to the Mann on Wednesday, September 24. As an Internationally acclaimed, Medium and Clairvoyant, Williams has an amazing ability to communicate with loved ones and friends who have passed on to the 'other side'. Born in England, she was discovered by Merv Griffin and has her own hit show 'Lisa Williams, Life Among the Dead', which is going into its second season on Lifetime TV. In additions to appearing on Good Morning America, Oprah and The Jimmy Kimmel Show, Williams has just completed her first book published by Simon and Schuster. Although many of her readings are in front of large audiences, she also does personal readings and is a trained Reiki and Crystal Healer. Through her large audience readings, Williams works with loved ones and spirit guides of the audience to help resolve past issues, inform them of situations that they may find themselves in and give closure and healing. Tickets go on sale Friday, June 20 at 10 a.m. at the box office, by calling (239) 481-4849 or online at www. bbmannpah.com. For groups of 20 or more, call Lois at (239) 489-3033, extension 3122.

Chris Isaak - Performer Chris Isaak comes to the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall Friday, September 9. In the course of Isaak's career, he has released nine extraordinary albums, twelve singles (such as "Wicked Games", "Baby Did A Bad Thing" and "Blue Hotel"), been nominated for two Grammy awards, acted in several motion pictures and starred in his own critically acclaimed TV series. His legendary shows with his longtime band Silvertone have entertained tens of thousands of people for over two decades. On Sept. 9, Isaak, with Special Guest Lisa Loeb, comes to the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall. Tickets go on sale Friday, June 27 at 10 a.m. at the box office, by calling 481-4849 or online at www.bbmannpah.com. For more information, visit www.chrisisaak. com and www.lisaloeb.com. Tickets are $39.50 to 75.

Ongoing events

2D/3D All Florida - The 2008 2D/3D All Florida exhibition is open at the Alliance for the Arts gallery. This year over 300 artists submitted entires for consideration in the categories of sculpture, painting (including oil, acrylic, collage, watercolor, and mixed media), fiber art, photography, prints and drawings (no crafts). Forty-seven pieces were chosen for inclusion in the show and cash prizes will be awarded for Best in Show, second, and third places. The show will be on display through August 1st. The Alliance for the Arts galleries are open from 9 to 5 Monday through Friday and from 10 to 3 on Saturdays, located at 10091 McGregor Boulevard just south of Colonial Boulevard. Visit www.artinlee.org for more details.

Cape Library - The Friends of the Cape Coral Library announce a new exhibit which runs through July 31. The Gallery, located at the Cape Coral Library, 921 SW 39th Terrace, off Mohawk Boulevard, is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Featured artists are Rosalie Scanlon, Florene Welebny and June Bennett. Rosalie Scanlon, a graduate of the NY Institute of Photography, has been an awardwinning photographer for many years. She has exhibited photos of school children and nature locally at Big Arts, Art from the Parks, Bonita Art League, Beatniks, Cape Coral Art League, Cape Coral Library, the Visual Arts Center and Ding Darling. Florene Welebny's extensive travels have resulted in a wide and varied perspective for the foundation of her artwork. Her photographic subjects range from classic to contemporary and her work is unretouched. Using only lenses and filters, the magic happens before the button is pressed. June Bennett's early years were spent roaming the historical castles and cathedrals of England, fascinated by the beauty of the great stained glass windows. Creating work in stained glass was only the beginning. She then ventured into fused glass, further developing new techniques at the University of Miami. Now an award winning artist and teacher, her work continues to be exhibited throughout Southwest Florida.

San-Cap Art League - Over 100 paintings are currently on view at the Sanibel Public Library and in Phillips Gallery at BIG ARTS. By displaying their work in these Annual Summer Art Shows sponsored by the Sanibel-Captiva Art League the artists attain goals set during past academic and studio studies and during local painting workshops. These shows provide local artists with encouragement to practice and improve their skills while sharing their work with the community to critique and purchase. Some of the artists have only recently started painting while others have won awards and also show their work in art galleries throughout the year. To see current shows call the library, 472-2483, for regular hours. The Sanibel Library has a newly-expanded media center with periodicals, reference material, CD's and DVD's, tapes and computers with internet access for all to use. Phillips Gallery is open weekday afternoons. Both buildings are on Dunlop Rd. near Sanibel City Hall. For Art League information write P.O. Box 1192, Sanibel FL 33957 or call 395-4518. For the Phillips Gallery call 395-0900.

Rauschenberg - Edison College is hosting a celebration of the famed artist's life at the Bob Rauschenberg Gallery on Edison College's Lee Campus, 8099 College Parkway. The Gallery exhibit can be viewed daily through July 3. Hours are Monday though Friday 10 am to 4 pm, Saturday from 11 am to 3 pm, and for this very special exhibit, Sundays from 12-4 pm. For additional information, contact the Bob Rauschenberg Gallery at (239) 489-9313, or visit the Gallery web site at bobrauschenberggallery.com or the Edison College web site at www. edison.edu.

Dance Workshop - The Schoolhouse Theater is holding its first Musical Theater Dance Workshop. In this sixweek series of classes, aspiring dancers will work with professional choreographer/ dancer Bobby Logue, learning original choreography from some of Broadway's most exciting Tony award winning shows. Classes start on Monday, July 7 and run Mondays and Wednesdays from 10 a.m. until noon through Aug. 15. The fee is $20 per class - or save by purchasing a full 12-class session for only $210. Call (239) 472-6862 to sign up or stop by the box-office at The Schoolhouse Theater, 2200 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel.

Space 39 - Space 39 Modern & Contemporary gallery hosts "New Works" featuring the distinguished students of Florida Gulf Coast University. The gallery picked specific pieces from this juried group show to bring to Space 39 for your enjoyment. The exhibit will be on display through July 19. Please call ahead for summer hours. For more information, call (239) 690- 0004 or visit www.spacethirtynine.com.

Friday Night Live -Legendary blues guitarist John Mooney will bring his new Orleans R&B to the next Friday Night Live on July 11. The event is part of a free summer concert series in the Fort Myers River District. The Fort Myers Redevelopment Agency and River District business are hosting Friday Night Live on Friday evenings from 5 to 8 p.m. through July. The events feature a headline band at Patio de Leon and strolling musicians performing throughout the River District. July 11: Headline - John Mooney (blues and New Orleans R & B), Strolling Musicians - Susie Jennings (guitar and vocals) July 18: Headline - Lynn Richardson (jazz and R & B), Strolling Musicians - Screamin' & Cryin' (vintage and modern rock) July 25: Headline - Little Eddie & The Fat Fingers (Chicago-blues), Strolling Musician - Joe Virga (folk, pop and original music). Patio de Leon is located at 2236 First Street and can be accessed from First, Hendry and Main streets. Free parking is available at the Harborside Event Center. For more information, call (239) 332-6813.

Midsummer Night's Sing - Residents can help feed the hungry and give hope to the needy while enjoying an evening of music and fellowship at the 11th Annual "A Midsummer Night's Sing," sponsored by the Galloway Family of Dealerships. The event, planned for Tuesday, July 22, at First Presbyterian Church in downtown Fort Myers, will be a 90-minute performance of hymns, instrumentalists, and special guests beginning at 7 p.m., with doors opening at 6:30 p.m. Admission is at least two cans of food (the more the better) and a voluntary cash donation to benefit The Soup Kitchen of Community Cooperative Ministries. Donations of canned goods also will be picked up by The Soup Kitchen for residents who cannot attend the event. Please call 332-7687 to arrange pick-up of food.