WHAT TO DO, WHERE TO GO

COURTESY PHOTO Dave Koz This week's theater

Indian Blood - "Indian Blood,'' by A.R. Gurney, opens at Florida Repertory Theatre Nov. 28. A special showing with $10 tickets will be held Thursday, Nov. 27,

at 8 p.m. "Indian Blood,'' a play the New

York Times called a "snow globe for the stage," is a touchingly funny family portrait, and a perfect comedy for the holiday season. The play runs through Sunday, Dec. 21. Call 332-4488 or go to www.floridarep. org.

On the Hard - The Island Arts Foundation presents "On The Hard," its first Purple Heart Theater production of an original play by local playwright Fay Graetz, on Friday, Nov. 28, running for two weekends. The two-act play is about a husband and wife infected by a dream to cruise the Caribbean. They've sold everything and moved aboard a fixer-upper in a backwater boatyard in Florida. It is a story about the ebb and flow of wanderlust, love and commitment. The show plays Nov. 28, 29 and 30, and Dec. 5, 6 and 7. Friday and Saturday shows are at 7 p.m. with Sunday matinees at 2 p.m. Tickets are $20 and $35 for Island Arts Foundation members and $25 and $45 for non-members. For information, call 218-6061.

White Christmas - The Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre presents "Irving Berlin's White Christmas" 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. 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 278-4422 or stop by the box office at 1380 Colonial Blvd.

>> La Musica by Dania Sierra at the La Casa Del Arte Gallery, will be part of the next Art Walk on Friday, Dec. 5 in downtown Fort Myers. Play On - "Play On,'' written by Rick Abbot, is playing at the Schoolhouse Theater on Sanibel Island through Dec. 6. It's the hilarious story of a community theater group trying desperately to put on a play in spite of maddening interference from a haughty author who keeps revising the script up to the day of the performance. Call 472-6862

Forbidden Broadway - "Forbidden Broadway" is on stage at the Broadway Palm Dinner Theater - Off Broadway, through Dec. 20. "Forbidden Broadway" is the hysterical musical comedy that pokes fun at Broadway productions. For reservations and show information, visit www. BroadwayPalm.com, call 278-4422 or stop by the box office at 1380 Colonial Blvd.

Love Loves - "Love Loves a Pornographer," a contemporary comedy of manners by Jeff Goode, opens at Theatre Conspiracy runs through Dec. 6. Lord Loveworthy has a problem. His only daughter is soon to be married. And the only way to pay for her wedding is to blackmail the vicar who's seducing his wife. But how does a Victorian pornographer commit extortion, without inordinate discord, at tea? Theatre Conspiracy is located at 2711 Park Windsor Dr., suite 302, Fort Myers. Call 936-3239 or go to www.theaterconspiracy. org.

This week's symphony

Meet the Musicians - Orchestra musicians of the Naples Philharmonic Orchestra are participating in this insightful series of interactive performances. Musicians will discuss their instruments and their love of music, answer your questions and perform some of your favorite compositions. Orchestra members, and their children, will be featured in individual lecture/ demonstration sessions. All Meet the Musicians events will be held Mondays at 7 p.m. in the Toni Stabile Building. On Monday, Dec. 1, meet flutist Martha Cornell, with Caroline and Nathaniel. For more information or to order tickets, contact customer service at 597- 1900 or toll-free at (800) 597-1900 or visit www.thephil.org.

Thursday, Nov. 27

Indian Blood - Florida Repertory Theatre will have $10 seats for a special Thanksgiving Day preview of its production, "Indian Blood,'' by A.R. Gurney, at 8

p.m. "Indian Blood,'' a play the New York

Times called a "snow globe for the stage," is a touchingly funny family portrait, and a perfect comedy for the holiday season. The play runs through Sunday, Dec. 21. Call 332- 4488 or go to www.floridarep.org.

Friday, Nov. 28

Elizabeth Ferrer - Elizabeth Ferrer, former director of the Austin Museum of Art, will present an illustrated lecture on photographer Lola Álvarez Bravo at the Daniels Pavilion, Philharmonic Cen- ter for the Arts, at 10 a.m. The lecture is presented in conjunction with the exhibition Lola Álvarez Bravo, on display at the Naples Museum of Art through Sunday, Jan. 4. The cost for the lecture is $25 for adults and $20 for Naples Museum of Art and Friends of Art members. For more information or to order tickets, contact customer service at 597-1900 or toll-free at (800) 597-1900 or visit www.thephil.org.

Saturday, Nov. 29

DUKES of Dixieland - BIG ARTS on Sanibel presents DUKES of Dixieland. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. and the concert starts at 8. The DUKES of Dixieland wear their New Orleans jazz heritage proudly. As globe-trotting jazz ambassadors from the heart of the Big Easy, they weave strands of pop, gospel, and country with authentic New Orleans sounds, and with more than 32 years of tradition behind them, they are the oldest continuing Dixieland jazz band. Tickets are $36 general and $41 loge. Call 395-0900.

Fall Art Festival - The Naples Art Association holds its Naples Renaissance Fall Art Festival on 10th Street South from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.. This is an invitational festival for 150 national, regional and local artists who will sell their original watercolors, paintings, drawings, photography, sculpture, ceramics, glass, jewelry and more. It is a perfect opportunity to find a one-of-a-kind gift for someone special. Food vendors and entertainment will be provided.

The Nutcracker - Naples Philharmonic Center of the Arts presents George Balanchine's "The Nutcracker'' with the Miami City Ballet, conducted by Juan Francisco La Manna. This delightful holiday season family event features more than 100 dancers, dazzling sets and costumes, brilliant choreography and the famous Tchaikovsky score. Among the classic selections in this enchanting and timeless show: "Waltz of the Flowers,'' "Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy,'' "Arabian Dance''" and Russian Dance.'' Bring your whole family and experience the wonder and spectacle of "The Nutcracker!'' Performances are set for 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. For more information or to order tickets, contact customer service at 597-1900 or toll-free at (800) 597-1900 or visit www.thephil.org.

Sunday, Nov. 30

Fall Art Festival - The Naples Art Association holds the Naples Renaissance Fall Art Festival on 10th Street South from 10 a.m. to 5 pm. This is an invitational festival for 150 national, regional and local artists who will sell their original watercolors, paintings, drawings, photography, sculpture, ceramics, glass, jewelry and more. It is a perfect opportunity to find a one-of-a-kind gift for someone special. Food vendors and entertainment will be provided.

The Nutcracker - Naples Philharmonic Center of the Arts presents George Balanchine's "The Nutcracker'' with the Miami City Ballet, conducted by Juan Francisco La Manna. This delightful holiday season family event features more than 100 dancers, dazzling sets and costumes, brilliant choreography and the famous Tchaikovsky score. Among the classic selections in this enchanting and timeless show: "Waltz of the Flowers,'' "Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy,'' "Arabian Dance''" and Russian Dance.'' Bring your whole family and experience the wonder and spectacle of "The Nutcracker!'' Performances are set for 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. For more information or to order tickets, contact customer service at 597- 1900 or toll-free at (800) 597-1900 or visit www.thephil.org.

Tuesday, Dec. 2

Dave Koz and Friends - The Naples Philharmonic Center of the Arts presents "Dave Koz and Friends: A Smooth Jazz Christmas 2008'' at 8 p.m. Four of the top names in smooth jazz team up for one delightful holiday concert. Since his selftitled debut album went to the top of the charts in 1990, saxophonist Dave Koz has been among the world's most sought-after contemporary jazz artists, known for his hip, uniquely infectious instrumental style. Joining him will be Jonathan Butler, Jeff Golub and Keiko Matsui. For more information or to order tickets, contact customer service at 597-1900 or toll-free at (800) 597-1900 or visit www.thephil.org.

Upcoming events

It's a Wonderful Life - Cultural Park Theatre Company presents "It's a Wonderful Life'' Dec. 5, 6, 7, 11, 12, 13, 14, inspired by the classic American film. A live radio play is performed as a 1940s live radio broadcast in front of a studio audience. Five actors perform the dozens of characters in the radio play as well as produce the sound effects. For tickets, call 772-5862 or visit www.culturalparktheater. com. Latin Dance Party - Champion dancer Alec Lazo, familiar to Philharmonic Center audiences for his performances with the Naples Philharmonic Orchestra, including Fiesta at the Philharmonic - will lead a new series, Latin Dance Party, as part of the Phil's Lifelong Learning arts education classes. This hot class is for upbeat, progressive singles and couples of all ages. Classes will be held in the Daniels Pavilion on Mondays at 7 p.m., on the following dates: Dec. 1, Jan. 26 and March 9. Tickets for all three classes are $96 or tickets can be purchased for a single class date for $32. For more information or to order tickets, contact Customer Service at 597-1900 or toll-free at (800) 597-1900. Call For Artists - Artists are needed for ArtFest Fort Myers' "Art Under 20" High School Art Competition and Exhibit, with applications due Dec. 10. Entries will be accepted in five categories: Drawing, Mixed Media, Painting, Photography and 3-Dimensional. Artwork will be display and judged at ArtFest Fort Myers Feb. 7-8. Call Kristin Woolam, 768-3602, e-mail info@ArtFestFort- Myers or visit www.Art- FestFortMyers.com 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 p.m. until 10 p.m. The next Art Walk is Friday, Dec. 5. 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. Holiday Carol Sing - Area residents can celebrate the holidays at an old-fashioned sing-a-long and help feed the hungry at the Holiday Carol Sing Tuesday, Dec. 9, at First Presbyterian Church in downtown Fort Myers. Admission is at least two cans of nonperishable food for The Soup Kitchen, operated by Community Cooperative Ministries, and a voluntary cash donation. It's the 18th year for the popular event, which is organized and sponsored by the Galloway Family of Dealerships. Because of the overwhelming popularity of the event, an additional 1 p.m. performance has been added this year. Two other performances are planned at 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. The doors will open 30 minutes prior to show time. For more information, call 332-7687. Quilters Unlimited -

Art Quilters Unlimited will have

an opening reception on Dec. 4 at Cummings and Locckwood Offices from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. There will be 37 quilts on display. E-mail AQU.info@yahoo.com.

Ongoing events

NASA Art - "NASA Art: 50 Years of Exploration" is on display at the Art League of Bonita Springs through Jan. 24. The show is a Smithsonian Traveling Exhibition. More than 200 NASAcommissioned 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. For information, call 495-8989.

New exhibit - The new daas Gallery is having a juried collective exhibition of small format pieces opening Friday, Dec. 5. Veron Ennis, the curator of the Ferrari Gallery in Cape Coral, will jury this "tiny" collection. The gallery is open from Tuesday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturdays 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Visit www.daasgallery.com for more information.

Call for artists - The Fort Myers Art Fair at the Bell Tower announced a call to artists for its juried fine art fair Jan. 3 and 4. The two-day festival is open to all styles and mediums of artwork, including paintings, sculptures, photography, glass, ceramics, and mixed media. Interested artists should contact Howard Alan Events at (954) 472-3755. Applications are also available online at www.artfestival.com

Arts for ACT - Arts for ACT Gallery, located at 2265 First Street in downtown Fort Myers is featuring artists Darryl Pottorf, Renee Rey and the Core Artists from Howl Gallery all of November. Rising Stars- Rising Stars Art Studio, Inc. in Cape Coral has a new exhibit. "Dragonflies," created by metal sculptor Steven Swenor. Dragonflies are symbols of harmony, good fortune and serendipity. The show runs through Nov. 30. The studio is located at 5781 Cape Harbour Dr., #105 in Cape Coral. Call 541-9992.

Winners Exhibitions - Florida West Arts presents the 2008 Artscape Florida West Award Winners Exhibitions Nov. 29-Dec. 27. Featured are acrylic and oil paintings by Carol McArdle; watercolor paintings by Christine Scott; fine art photography by Cynthia Walpole and Lynn Berreitter; digital imagery by Arthur Gerstein; pigmented ink on canvas by Pam Brodersen; and acrylic on silk mosaics by Christina Thompson. Contact info@ floridawestarts.com or call (239) 948- 4427.

Holiday Exhibition - Florida West Arts presents the Holiday Members Exhibition including two- and three-dimensional artworks by Florida West Arts artist members Nov. 29-Dec. 27. A variety of styles, media and subject matter is featured. Contact info@ floridawestarts.com or call (239) 948- 4427. Open Houses - Artists will meet the public at two separate open houses on Saturday, Nov. 29 and Saturday, Dec. 6 from noon - 4 p.m. The open houses are part of the International Design Center's "Home for the Holidays" event featuring festive trees and holiday decorations. In addition, community groups will perform holiday favorites in the Grand Atrium from 1-4 p.m. The Showcase is open from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday - Friday and 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. on Saturday. Contact info@floridawestarts.com or (239) 948- 4427.