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This week's theater

High School Musical - Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre presents Disney's "High School Musical," playing through Sept. 20. This is the first production in Broadway Palm's Sweet 16th Season. The Emmy awardwinning "High School Musical" quickly became a world-wide phenomenon after its 2006 debut on the Disney Channel. The Prather Entertainment Group production follows the muchloved story of the movie, featuring the popular songs from the original movie that include "Start of Something New," "Get'cha Head in the Game," "We're all in this Together" and "Breaking Free." There is a "Back to School Special" of $35 for adults for dinner and the show and $20 for those ages 20 and under. Performances are Wednesday through Sunday with selected matinees. Dinner is at 5:30 p.m. and the evening shows begin at 7:30 p.m. for this production. For reservations and show information, visit www.BroadwayPalm. com, call (239) 278-4422 or stop by the box office at 1380 Colonial Blvd.

Chris Isaak comes to the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall 21A - "21A" by Kevin Kling is playing through Sept. 6 at Theatre Conspiracy's new home, located at 2711 Park Windsor Dr #302, in Fort Myers. This one man tour-de-force stars Jesse St. Louis playing all eight of the people on transit Route 21A of a Minneapolis bus. Structured as a series of monologues in which events occur simultaneously, this hilarious and decidedly different work had them rolling in the aisles at Actors Theatre of Louisville's famed Humana Festival, where it won the Heidemann Award. "The truly unique part to this show," says Artistic Director Bill Taylor "is it is 15 minutes of time on this bus, but each character presents their 15 minutes, one at a time. What is said by one character early on doesn't become clear until later, when you get a different character's portion of that dialogue. It is a great challenge for an actor and a fun puzzle for an audience to piece together."

Tuesday, Sept. 9

Chris Isaak - Performer Chris Isaak comes to the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall Tuesday, Sept. 9. In the course of Isaak's career, he has released nine extraordinary albums, 12 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 are on sale 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.

>>Sara Evans comes to the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall Friday, Sept. 19. Saturday, Sept. 6

Percussion Summit - Legendary hand-drummer Taku Hirano will join percussionists from the Naples Philharmonic Orchestra and other orchestras in this wonderful evening of excitement, artistry and fun at the Naples Philharmonic Center for the Arts at 8 p.m.. Hirano, who has toured the world with such stars as Fleetwood Mac, Whitney Houston and Lionel Richie, is currently performing in Las Vegas with Bette Midler. He has studied the world's leading percussionists and is among the most sought-after percussion artists. Drummer Gorden Campbell has worked with a variety of artists, including Earth, Wind & Fire, Herbie Hancock, Beyonce, Mary J. Blige and others. Organized by John Evans, principal timpanist with the Naples Philharmonic Orchestra. For information or tickets, call (239) 597- 1900 or online at www. thephil.org.

>>Sugarland will headline the second annual "Sam Galloway Ford Lakeside Country Bash" at Lakes Park. Meet the artist - A Meet the Artist gallery reception will be held from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Florida Fine Art Gallery in Gannon's Antiques & Art Center, 16521 S. Tamiami Trail, Fort Myers. The event will celebrate the 81st birthday of oil painter William North. Refreshments, including birthday cake, will be served throughout the day. The reception will take place in conjunction with an exhibit of his Florida beach scenes, painted mostly during his tenure as 2007 Artist in Residence at Delnor Wiggins Pass State Park. For information and directions, call (239) 489-2211.

Ongoing events

ArtFest - ArtFest Fort Myers, the ninth annual downtown Fort Myers outdoor juried fine art festival, announces a "Call for Artists." The Juried Art Show showcases the work of 200 fine artists in a true celebration of "excellence in art." All artwork must be created solely by the displaying artists. Entries are accepted in 16 categories: Ceramics, Digital, Drawing, Fiber, Glass, Jewelry, Metal, Mixed Media 2-D, Mixed Media 3-D, Painting-Watercolor, Painting-Oil/ Acrylic, Photography, Printmaking, Sculpture, Wearable and Wood. Artists are selected to participate through a jury rating of artistic conception, originality and workmanship. Cash prizes totaling $5,000 will be awarded at the festival. For an Artist Application, contact ArtFest Fort Myers at (239) 768- 3602, e-mail info@artfestfortmyers.com or visit the Web site at www.artfestfortmyers and click on "Artists."

Photo art - Without The photo art of three photographers, Scott Bigletti, Carol Orr Hartman and Paul Rodino,

will be featured at the Broadway Palm Dinner Theater Art Gallery through Sept. 27. The exhibit will be on view throughout the theatrical run of "High School Musical." Connecticut photographer Scott Bigletti specializes in live concert shots of top-line performers and groups such as KISS, Iron Maiden, Christina Aguilera, Tina Turner, Faith Hill, Charlie Daniels and others. Carol Orr Hartman is a fine-art photographer whose work has appeared in many area galleries. She presents computer images for her gallery work. Paul Rodino uses black and white photos to achieve subtle and dramatic effects. All photos will be for sale.

Clyde Butcher - The Southwest Florida Museum of History is showing renowned photographer Clyde Butcher's new exhibit, "Visions of Florida — A Clyde Butcher Retrospective," through Oct. 31. An award-winning black and white fine art photographer, Butcher's collection will be a combination of 30 pieces comprised of Giclees and some original silver gelatin photographs that show images of Florida in addition to images from the "America the Beautiful" collection. The exhibit will include a running DVD of Butcher's work and methods and an exclusive display of one of Butcher's trademark photographic cameras: a Deardorf. The museum is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday. For more information, please call the museum at (239) 321-7430 or visit www.cityftmyers. com/museum. Edison Celebration of Art - The sixth annual Edison Celebration of Art is announcing a "Call for Artists." The outdoor art festival showcases the work of local and national artists as well as emerging artists and Lee County art students. This year's event will be held on Jan. 31 in front of the Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center. 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. The application deadline is Dec. 15. The entry fee is $85. For an artist application or additional information, contact the Edison Celebration of Art, Inc. at (239) 940-1899, artists.edisoncelebration@ embarqmail.com or alissa@edisoncelebration. info or visit us online at www. edisoncelebration.info.

Art show - The Naples Art Association at The von Liebig Art Center presents "The von Liebig Art Center 2008 Faculty Biennial" through Sept. 21 at the center, 585 Park St. in Naples. The exhibition is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 1-4 p.m. Sunday. Suggested donation is $5 for adults and $2 for children 10 and older. Call (239) 262-6517 or visit naplesart. org for more information. Some of the highlights in the exhibition include two sculptures for Phil Calabro. The work of Carmelo Blandino, a new painting instructor at the art center, is also presented for the first time.

Upcoming events

Sara Evans - Country superstar Sara Evans comes to the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall Friday, Sept. 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 are available 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 Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall on Wednesday, Sept. 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. Tickets are available 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, ext. 3122.

Blood, Sweat & Tears - Tickets for Edison College's sixth annual Edison POPS @ Sunset concert, featuring the legendary jazz/rock bank Blood, Sweat & Tears, are now on sale. Tickets can be purchased through the Edison POPS Web site, www.edisonpops.com. Tables of 10 are $400, and reserved seats are $40. Tables and reserved seats can be purchased online until Oct. 20. General admission tickets are $20 and can be purchased online up to the day of the event. The sixth annual Edison POPS @ Sunset concert is scheduled the evening of Saturday, Oct. 25 on the grounds of Edison College, 8099 College Parkway in Fort Myers. Additional information is available through the Edison POPS Web site or by calling (239) 489-9085. Lakeside Bash - Country music sensation Sugarland will headline the second annual "Sam Galloway Ford Lakeside Country Bash" at Lakes Park on Nov. 8. The Lakes Park Enrichment Foundation, Lee County Parks and Recreation and Gator Country 101.9 FM are planning the outdoor concert with international concert promoter AEG Live. Tickets for the concert are $35 in advance and $40 at the gate, with proceeds benefiting the Lakes Park Enrichment Foundation. Tickets are on sale at all Ticketmaster retail outlets and www. ticketmaster.com, or avoid ticket surcharges by purchasing at Gator Country, Lakes Park or Estero Community Center. For updates and additional information on the upcoming concert, listen to Gator Country 101.9 or visit www.lakesparkenrichmentfoundation. com

Jazz on the Green - The 13th annual Jazz on the Green announced its 2008 lineup which includes Grammy Award winning Latin Jazz artist Arturo Sandoval headlining the Saturday event and NBA star turned successful jazz/funk/R&B bassist Wayman Tisdale headlining the Sunday event. Jazz on the Green is two full days of live entertainment on Oct. 18 and 19 at the Estero Community Park. Concert goers can spread out under the sun and stars with picnic baskets and more to relax, dance and groove at Southwest Florida's premier jazz event. The full lineup features six performers who are headliners in their own right along with three up-and-coming acts. At a one-night only indoor venue these acts command ticket prices of $40 and up individually, which makes Jazz on the Green an exceptional value. For more info and to purchase tickets online, visit www.jazzonthegreen.com.

Animal Magnetism - Join Arts for ACT Gallery, located at 2265 First Street in the River District, Fort Myers from 7-10 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 3 for "Animal Magnetism" by Ken Hoffman from Peoria, Ill. Hoffman, professor emeritus of art from Bradley University, has had his paintings exhibited in Paris, Germany, Poland, Australia, Ireland, and Argentina. He is currently represented by Walter Wickiser Gallery and Amos Eno Gallery, both in New York City. For the past 15 years, the anthropomorphic subject matter of his animal portrait paintings has been the central focus of his work; he strives to convey animal-people expressions, revealing to the viewer how close humans are to animals.

Naples Players - The Naples Players will present staged readings of two short plays by distinguished Spanish author Paloma Pedrero at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 14 in Tobye Studio at Sugden Community Theatre, 701 5th Ave. S., Naples. The program, themed "A Special Night/Una Noche Especial," will present both plays in both Engish and Spanish, and will begin at 7:30 p.m. Advance tickets are on sale for $8 each at the box office and from 7 p.m. until curtain time Sept. 14. Call (239) 263-7990 for information and tickets. A reception for players and audience will follow the readings.

The Producers - The Cypress Lake High School Center for the Arts theater department is performing the hit musical "The Producers" Nov. 20-22.