ART NEWS

Orchid show on Sanibel

COURTESY PHOTO Olompali by Mark di Suvero The Village Shops, 2340 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, hosts its 15th annual Orchid Show Nov. 21 - 23.

"We think it's the 15th annual show," said Jennifer Chiaramonte of Why Knot & Why Knot Relax. "We've held the show so many years, I've lost track!"

Marilyn's Orchids of Fort Myers will have orchids available to purchase. She will also hold repotting and educational classes during the show days.

The show runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily and is open to the public. The Village Shops will be open and having a sidewalk sale during the weekend as well.

Learn the two step dance and ballroom

Learn or review two-step dance on Saturday, Nov. 22, at Aki's Dance Studio, located at 6300 Metro Plantation Road, Fort Myers.

The affair starts at 6:30 p.m. with a beginner two step lesson followed by open dancing (East Coast and West Coast Swing, Waltz, Cha Cha, Hustle, NC2, Partner Pattern Dances, Line Dances) at 7:30 p.m. Cost is $10 per person with or without the lessons. Dress code is casual but no sneakers or tennis shoes. Bring your own food (snacks and drinks; alcohol is allowed in moderation).

For more information, call Joe Tassia at 508-473-9797 or e-mail Joe@Able-Realty. com.

Mark di Suvero opens at Fairchild Dec. 6

Renowned artist Mark di Suvero's enormous steel sculptures will soon rise over Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden's world famous flowering trees and vines, lush rainforest and bustling butterfly garden. Fairchild will open Mark di Suvero at Fairchild, an outdoor exhibition of five massive sculptures including the never before exhibited "Olompali," during the famed international art fair, Art Basel Miami Beach. The exhibition will be on view at Fairchild, South Florida's oldest cultural institution and the world's leading tropical botanic garden, from Dec. 6 through May 31 at 10901 Old Cutler Road in Coral Gables. The sculptures in the exhibition are on loan from the Mark di Suvero Collection.

SW Florida Symphony announces new sponsors

The Southwest Florida Symphony announced two new business sponsors for the 2008/09 season: Carrabba's Italian Grill and the Law Offices of Joseph A. Troiano. Returning sponsors include Northern Trust, AAA Travel, Oswald, Trippe & Co., Crowne Plaza, Huff Insurance, 'Tween Waters Inn, Fort Myers Toyota, FPL, First Community Bank of Southwest Florida, Diamond Tours, and the Galloway Group Inc.

For information about concert and event sponsorships, contact Jaimie Flack, director of development, at 419-0996.