Welcome the new year with the arts

COURTESY PHOTO Judy McLane performs at The Phil

If you love the arts, then there's no better way to welcome in the new year.

Whatever your taste, you can celebrate the turn of the page to 2009 appreciating and enjoying the arts, whether it's musical or theatrical.

For many it's tradition to spend New Year's Eve at The Philharmonic Center for the Arts (5833 Pelican Bay Blvd., Naples.) Its annual New Year's Eve Gala offers a variety of music, with Masestro Jack Everly conducting the Naples Philharmonic Orchestra. Broadway singer Judy McLane returns (she performed at last year's Gala.) The evening also features saxophone ensemble the Capitol Quartet, and clarinetist Jon Manasse.

The program includes "It Don't Mean a Thing if It Ain't Got That Swing," "That Old Black Magic" and a saxophone version of "Flight of the Bumblebee."

The 8 p.m. concert is preceded by a 7 p.m. elaborate buffet reception with complimentary drinks. Tickets are $150 and available by calling (239) 597-1900 or going to www.thephil.org.

For those who want to attend but have other plans on Dec. 31, the Phil holds a repeat performance Friday, Jan. 2 at 8 p.m. for $79. (It is an exact repeat of the New Year's Eve Gala, minus the food.)

Or, you can attend the Gulf Coast Symphony New Year's Eve Gala and Concert at the Performing Arts Hall (8099 College Parkway, Fort Myers), also a black-tie event. The party starts at 7 p.m. with a multi-course dinner, and party treats.

The concert begins at 9 p.m. You can watch the ball drop in Times Square at midnight on a screen, and salute the incoming year with a champagne toast.

Tickets for dinner and a concert are $125 apiece, with concert-only tickets (plus champagne) running from $60 to $35. Tickets can be purchased by calling the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall box office at (239) 481-4849 or going to www.bbmannpah. com. 

"Salute to Vienna" at the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall Jan. 2.

Opera Naples is offering people an opportunity to be a guest of Count Orlovski's masked ball (from Strauss' comic operetta, "Die Fledermaus.")

The opera ball, which is Opera Naples' major fund-raising event, will be held at the music salon of Maestro William Noll in Naples.

Guests will be surrounded by soloists, chorus and musicians performing Act II of "Die Fledermaus" in English. Black tie is optional, but guests are asked to wear masks.

The evening begins with an open bar reception from 8:30-9 p.m. Cocktails will be served, along with a gourmet dinner with wine. At midnight, there'll be a champagne toast while watching the ball drop in Times Square. Dancing until 1 a.m. follows.

Tickets are $300 per person. To reserve, call (239) 287-8694 or (239) 280-7585.

If you're interested in seeing in the New Year with theater, you have a couple options.

The Schoolhouse Theater (2200 Periwinkle Way) on Sanibel, offers a showing of "The Holly Jolly Follies," followed by a performance by jazz pianist Jon Weber, who's performed all over the U.S. and Europe.

 

The party begins at 9:30 p.m. with hors d'oeuvres, beverages, and a champagne toast at midnight. Tickets are $75 each, and available by calling (239) 472-6862.

Or, you can attend opening night of "Singin' in the Rain" at the Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre (1380 Colonial Blvd., Fort Myers.) The evening begins with a live jazz band playing in the lobby from 6:30-7:30 p.m., and a gourmet buffet that starts at 7 p.m.

The show begins at 9 p.m., with dessert served at intermission. At 11 p.m., guests will receive champagne, noisemakers and hats, and the stage will be turned into a dancefloor for patrons. At 11:50 p.m., the theater will begin broadcasting Times Square on a large video screen, so everyone can participate in the countdown.

Tickets are $100 per person. For tickets or more information, call (239) 278-4422.

"It's going to be a very full night," says Broadway Palm General Manager Susan Johnson. "Tickets are still available, but getting limited."

And if you have other commitments New Year's Eve, you can celebrate belatedly by attending "Salute to Vienna" at the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall (8099 College Parkway, Fort Myers) at 8 p.m. Jan. 2.

According to Mann Hall General Manager Scott Saxon, the event is becoming an annual tradition for locals, who love to hear the Viennese waltzes, polkas and marches, and watch the dancers.

The evening features the Strauss Symphony of America, with Gerhard Track conducting, soprano Ute Ziemer and tenor Joachim Moser, all of Vienna, and dancers from the Vienna International Ballet.

Tickets start at $45 and are available by calling the Mann Hall box office at (239) 481-4849.