WHAT TO DO, WHERE TO GO

The Naples Philharmonic Orchestra will present Mozart's Requiem, James Cochran will conduct and the Philharmonic Center Chorale will join the orchestra for this special concert. This week's theater

Best Little Whorehouse - Broadway Palm Dinner Theater presents "The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas" running through Nov. 15. A sizzlin' good time is coming when Miss Mona and her "ladies" from the heart of Texas entertain politicians, cowboys and even a college football team after their victory. When her legendary house of ill-repute is ordered to be closed down by the governor, Miss Mona and her girls take on the establishment in this rip-roaring, high-octane production! Includes the songs "Hard Candy Christmas" and "The Aggie Song." 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.

Bad Dates - "Bad Dates," the uproarious smash hit comedy that has left audiences in stitches across the country, opens at Theatre Conspiracy Friday, Oct. 10. Part "Sex in the City," part "Bridget Jones' Diary" and part "The Perils of Pauline," "Bad Dates" is all good fun. You'll be wiping away tears of laughter and sympathy as Texas transplant, single mother and shoe fanatic Haley Walker struggles to raise her daughter, run a popular restaurant and find her way back into the dating world in modern day Manhattan. Witty, endearing and laugh-out-loud funny, "Bad Dates" takes a stream-of-consciousness look at modern-day relationships through one woman's search for thae perfect date—and the perfect pair of shoes. The show runs through Saturday, Nov. 1. Theatre Conspiracy is located at 2711 Park Windsor Dr., suite 302, Fort Myers.

The Goodbye Girl - The Naples Players opens its new season at the Sugden Community Theatre with Neil Simon's romantic comedy, "The Goodbye Girl." The show runs Oct. 15 through Nov. 8. Performances are at 8 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday. Dallas Dunnagan directs and Meg Pryor choreographs. Music directors are Julie Shaffer and Aurora Wells. Scenic design is by Matt Flynn, and costume design is by Dot Auchmoody. Vergina Restaurant has partnered with the theater again for the season, offering "Dinner and a Show" for $58, which includes a three-course dinner before a stroll across 5th Avenue for the show. Tickets to the show only are $35 for adults and $10 for students 18 and younger. For information and tickets, stop by The Naples Players box office at 701 5th Avenue South, call 263-7990 or go to www.naplesplayers.org.

>>Charlie Daniels will perform at the Philharmonic Center on Friday, Oct. 17 at 8 p.m. The Glass Menagerie - The Tennessee Williams' classic is on stage at the Florida Repertory Theatre through Oct. 12. This tale is one of the most beloved and moving stories of the 20th century, and is Florida Rep's World Classic Initiative for 2008 as well as Lee County Library's One Book One Community. Set in a humble St. Louis apartment, it is the story of fading Southern gentility in the wake of Depression-era realities. Tickets are on sale through the box office, ( 2 3 9 ) 332-4488. Visit Florida Rep online at www.floridarep. org

>>SWF Symphony features Reiko Niiya on violin. This week's symphony

Mozart's Requiem - The Naples Philharmonic Orchestra will present Mozart's Requiem, the composer's final masterpiece, on Saturday, Oct. 11 at 8 p.m. at the Philharmonic Center for the Arts. James Cochran will conduct and the Philharmonic Center Chorale will join the orchestra for this special concert. Cloaked in mystery and legend, Mozart's Requiem was commissioned in 1791 by an anonymous emissary, but Mozart died just weeks later, leaving the Requiem to be completed by an assistant. Was Mozart writing his own funeral music? Did he see the emissary as a messenger from the next world? Tickets to Mozart's Requiem are $47 for adults and $22 for students. 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.

Saturday, Oct. 11

Opera at FGCU - Florida Gulf Coast University Bower School of Music welcomes Guang Yang and Arnold Rawls for a guest artist recital, 7:30 p.m., in the Student Union ballroom on campus. Assisting them is Jeanie Darnell, associate professor of music at FGCU and Alan Darling, outstanding collaborative pianist from Northwestern University. Yang and Rawls are singers in demand with opera companies around the world. Included on the program are scenes from "Cavalleria Rusticana" by Mascagni and "Aida" by Verdi plus works by Mozart, Beethoven and Liszt. Yang will also sing music from her native China. The concert is free and open to the public and no tickets are required. Those wishing a reserved seat, call 590-7851 for reservations.

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."

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 awardwinning 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 "3 Women of Merit: Part 2." For the second year in a row, three women received top awards in the NAA's Founders Exhibition. Joan Brechin Sonnenberg, Gisela Miller and Janis Siegel were each given a $1,000 Founder's award during the 46th Founders Juried Awards Exhibition in November 2007. Selected work by each artist will be shown in this exhibition that runs through Sunday, Oct. 19.

Art of the Quilt - Artists create in many different ways. For some it is with paint and canvas, while others form clay and steel. For members of Art Quilters Unlimited it is the patterns, colors, and textures of fiber and cloth that inspire creativity. In the new exhibit at the Alliance for the Arts, "Art of the Quilt," hosts a contemporary group of art quilters and fiber artists who display recent works from some of their 58 members. The show will be on display in the main gallery through Oct. 4. The Alliance for the Arts galleries are open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturdays. The Alliance is located at 10091 McGregor Blvd. just south of Colonial Boulevard. Visit www.artinlee.org for more details.

Animal Magnetism - The

Arts for ACT Gallery, located at 2265 First Street in the River District, Fort Myers, is exhibiting "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. Political issues - The Alliance for the Arts is showing "Too Hot to Handle: A Political Issues Show" from Oct. 10 to Nov. 15. The juried show was open to all artists in the categories of sculpture, painting (including oil, acrylic, collage, watercolor, and mixed media), photography, prints and drawings. The Alliance for the Arts is located at 10091 McGregor Blvd. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. For a complete prospectus and entry form please visit www.artinlee. org or call 939-2787.

Cele-BRA-tion - "Cele-BRAtion" is at the Art League of Fort Myers gallery in downtown Fort Myers. The show was open to area artists and features original artwork in various media including oils, watercolors, acrylics, digital prints, collages and photography. A portion of the artists' sales will be donated to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. This exhibit will be on view until Oct. 31. The gallery and gift shop are located at 1451 Monroe Street in downtown Fort Myers. The hours are Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. For information about membership and upcoming events call 275-3970.

Upcoming events

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

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

Call for artists - The new daas Gallery encourages all artists, local and international, to be part of this uniquely diminutive collection. A juried collective exhibition of small format pieces. Artists may submit their work by Friday, Nov. 14 for an opening on Friday, Dec. 5. Submission pieces can not to exceed 12 inches on any side. Each artist may submit up two pieces. Veron Ennis, the curator of the Ferrari Gallery in Cape Coral, will jury this "tiny" collection. Entry forms are available at the gallery. The gallery is open from Tuesday to Friday from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. and Saturdays 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Visit www. daasgallery.com for more information.

Art Walk - Eleven historic River District art galleries and venues have united to form Art Walk, a free downtown art celebration, on the first Friday of each month from 6 pm until 10 pm. The next Art Walk is Friday, Nov. 7. Participating groups in the year-round event will include Art of the Olympians, Art League of Fort Myers, Arts for ACT Gallery and Boutique, Community Art Showcase in the Harborside Event Center, daas Gallery, Southwest Florida Museum of History, Howl Gallery, La Casa Del Arte Gallery, Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center, Space 39 Gallery, and Union Street Artist Company. Along with the art galleries, restaurants and other businesses will support the monthly trek. Opening receptions will be held at many of the galleries, along with refreshments and music. Friday Night Live, the popular weekly concert series in the Patio de Leon, will provide a musical interlude between 5 and 8 p.m. as art patrons wander from one art stop to the next.

Charlie Daniels - Grammy Award-winner and pioneering country music star Charlie Daniels will perform at the Philharmonic Center on Friday, Oct. 17 at 8 p.m. Daniels is known for his fiery fiddle playing and his band's down-home fusion of hardcore country with hard-edged Southern rock - a unique sound influenced by gospel, blues and boogie-woogie. Tickets to The Charlie Daniels Band are $56. 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.

Classic Rock All-Stars - The original stars of five legendary bands have formed a classic rock supergroup, the Classic Rock All-Stars, who will perform at the Philharmonic Center on Saturday, Oct. 18 at 8 p.m. Featuring: Peter Rivera, original lead singer of Rare Earth; Jerry Corbetta, founder and lead singer of Sugarloaf; Mike Pinera, founder and lead singer of Blues Image and later vocalist and guitarist with Iron Butterfly; and Dennis Noda, formerly of Cannibal and the Headhunters. Tickets to Classic Rock All-Stars 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.

Women of Lockerbie - "The Women of Lockerbie" opens at the Tobye Studio at Sugden Community

Theatre on Oct. 29. The Naples Players' poetic drama by Deborah Brevoort runs through Nov. 22. The Sugden Community Threatre is located at 701 5th Avenue South in downtown Naples. Shows are at 8 p.m.Wednesday thru Saturday, Sunday matinees, 2 p.m. Tickets are $20 for adults; $10 for students 18 and younger. For information and tickets, The Naples Players Box Office at 239 263-7990 or on-line at www.naplesplayers.org

Forbidden Broadway - "Forbidden Broadway" opens at the Broadway Palm Dinner Theater - Off Broadway, Thursday, Oct. 16. "Forbidden Broadway" is the hysterical musical comedy that pokes-fun at Broadway productions. It run through Saturday, Dec. 20. For reservations and show information, visit www. BroadwayPalm.com, call (239) 278- 4422 or stop by the box office at 1380 Colonial Blvd.

Born Yesterday - "Born Yesterday" by Garson Kanin opens at the Florida Repertory Theatre Friday, Oct. 24 and runs through Nov. 16. A perfect play for the heated election season, this play is a classic love story set in the midst of 1940's Washington politics. When Harry Brock, an uncouth & corrupt tycoon, brings his showgirl mistress, Billie, to Washington, her innocence and naivety threaten to undermine his shady business deals. When Harry hires someone to teach Billie the ropes, he gets more than he bargained for. Tickets are on sale through the box office, (239) 332-4488. Visit Florida Rep online at www.floridarep.org

NASA Art - "NASA Art: 50 Years of Exploration" opens at the Art League of Bonita Springs Sataurday, Oct. 25. The show is a Smithsonian Traveling Exhibition. In 1958, soon after the inception of the U.S. space program, an art program was created dedicated to the accomplishments, setbacks and excitement of space exploration. More than 200 NASA-commissioned artists experienced a behind-the-scenes look at the agency - the scientists, astronauts, and other personnel who shaped the missions and programs. This fascinating look at our nation's space program will appeal to all ages. The exhibit is open through Jan. 24.

SWF Symphony - "European Tour Part One: American Music in France," plays Sunday, Oct. 26 at the The Village Church at Shell Point with the Symphony Chorus, Sarasota Key Chorale and Reiko Niiya on violin. Be the first to hear the program that will be presented throughout France this summer.

White Christmas - The Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre presents "Irving Berlin's White Christmas," "Nov. 20 through Dec. 27. White Christmas is based on the movie classic made popular by Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye and Rosemary Clooney. It's 1954 and two army buddies turned show biz partners follow a duo of singing sisters to Vermont where the girls are scheduled to perform over Christmas. Bob, Phil and the girls decide to put on a show to save the inn run by their former commanding officer. The Irving Berlin score includes Happy Holidays, Sisters, Blue Skies and the title song, White Christmas. For reservations and show information, visit www.BroadwayPalm.com, call (239) 278-4422 or stop by the box office at 1380 Colonial Blvd.