WHAT TO DO, WHERE TO GO

>>You've seen them on TV, you voted for them, and now they are here. An evening of great stand-up comedy featuring the five finalists from NBC's Emmy-Nominated laughfest, "Last Comic Standing," plays at the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall at 8 p.m. Saturday. This week's theater

Menopause - "Menopause The Musical Out Loud: Breaking the Silence of Ovarian Cancer.' will be presented by the Jeanie C. Linders Fund at the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 7. The musical is a spirited celebration of real women during an unsettling time in their lives called "The Change.'' A portion of the proceeds will benefit local and regional ovarian cancer chapters. For tickets, contact the box office at 800-440-7469 or 481-4849.

Singin' in the Rain - Broadway Palm Dinner Theater presents "Singin' in the Rain'' Dec. 31-Feb. 14. "Singin' in the Rain'' is set in the era of Movieland in the late '20s, when the arrival of talking pictures is striking terror in every silent film star. It tells the story of the wild and often wacky world of Hollywood where silent pictures are coming to an end. Don Lockwood, Kathy Seldon and Cosmo Brown take center stage in this all-singing, all-dancing extravaganza. You'll hear "Good Mornin','' "Make 'Em Laugh,'' "Fit as a Fiddle'' and the title song, "Singin' in the Rain.'' For reservations and show information, visit www. BroadwayPalm.com, call 278-4422 or stop by the box office at 1380 Colonial Blvd.

Holly Jolly Follies - The Schoolhouse Theater presents "The Holly Jolly Follies'' through Dec. 31 at 2200 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel. Performances are at 8 p.m. Call 472-6862.

This week's symphony

Big Band Bash - Celebrate the New Year with a spectacular Big Band Bash, featuring conductor Jack Everly and the Naples Philharmonic Orchestra, as part of the Philharmonic Center's New Year's Eve Gala, Wednesday, Dec. 31. A buffet reception at 7 p.m. will be followed by the performance at 8 p.m. Joining the orchestra for this unforgettable, fast-paced evening of music and fun will be Broadway singing star Judy McLane, acclaimed clarinetist Jon Manasse and the one-and-only Capitol Quartet saxophone ensemble. Tickets to the New Year's Eve gala are $150. Ring in the New, a repeat of the New Year's Eve performance, without the reception, will be presented Friday, Jan. 2, at 8 p.m. Tickets are $79. 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.

Salute to Vienna - Celebrate the New Year with "Salute to Vienna" as it returns to the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall at 8 p.m., Friday, Jan. 2. Fall in love with Vienna's "Waltz King," Johann Strauss Jr., in an unforgettable and uplifting performance of music, song and dance. "Salute to Vienna'' continues to feature an astounding cast. The Strauss Symphony of America, an exciting maestro, talented European singers, and costumed dancers performing the popular Viennese waltzes, polkas and operetta excerpts are guaranteed to inspire and delight the audience. Featuring The Strauss Symphony of America, Gerhard Track, conductor (Vienna), Ute Ziemer, soprano (Vienna), Joachim Moser, tenor (Vienna) with dancers from Vienna International Ballet. For tickets, contact the box office at 800-440- 7469 or 481-4849.

New Year's Eve - The Gulfcoast Symphony New Year's Eve Gala & Concert takes place at the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall. Enjoy a black-tie gala event starting at 7 p.m. with a multi-course dinner, party treats and special entertainment. Watch the ball fall in Times Square. Full package - dinner and concert - is $125; other prices, $35 to $60. For tickets, contact the box office at 800-440-7469 or 481-4849.

Friday, Jan. 2

Art Walk - Ring in the New Year in style by attending the first Art Walk of 2009 in Downtown Fort Myers. Held the first Friday of every month from 6 to 10 p.m., Art Walk showcases local and national artwork in the downtown art galleries of the Fort Myers River District. The evening culminates with an after party at 10 p.m. The January after party will take place at Envie Lounge, located off the Patio de Leon. Participants in January's monthly Art Walk include the Art League of Fort Myers, Arts for ACT Gallery and Boutique, daas Gallery, Howl Gallery, La Casa Del Arte Gallery, the Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center, Southwest Florida Museum of History and Space 39 Gallery. A free shuttle service, with stops planned near the art venues, and free parking at the Southwest Florida Museum of History and Harborside Event Center, will be available for Art Walk patrons. A map of Art Walk, transportation, and parking will be distributed by participating galleries. For more information, visit www.fortmyersartwalk.com.

Saturday, Jan. 3

Last Comic - You've seen them on TV, you voted for them, and now they are here. An evening of great stand-up comedy featuring the five finalists from NBC's Emmy-Nominated laughfest, "Last Comic Standing," plays at the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall at 8 p.m. Come see Marcus, Jeff Dye, Louis Ramey, Iliza Shlesinger, and Jim Tavare as they ignite the stage with the jokes and laughter that made them the final five in America's funniest reality show. For tickets, contact the box office at 800-440-7469 or 481-4849. Barrage - The Naples Philharmonic Center for the Arts presents "Barrage,'' a highoctane fiddle fest, at 8 p.m. The multi-talented cast performs an eclectic mix of music, song and dance. The group of six violinists/vocalists, a drummer, bass player and guitarist offers up a diverse fusion of cultures, musical styles and performance vitality. 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.

Art in the Park - The Naples Art Association at The von Liebig Art Center in Naples hosts Art in the Park. Naples' oldest outdoor art festival celebrates its 52nd season by showcasing artwork from Naples Art Association members from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Park Street, alongside The von Liebig Art Center. This juried festival, held the first Saturday of the month from November through April, is a great way to meet the artists and enjoy their original work in a relaxing atmosphere. Admission is free. This month's featured artist is Charles O'Neal. The center is located at 585 Park Street in Naples and features an extensive art library and gift shop. Call 262-6517 or visit naplesart.org for more information.

Sunday, Jan. 4

Dick Hyman and Friends - Dick Hyman's all-star band returns to the Naples Philharmonic Center for the Arts at 8 p.m. With a spirited new show featuring some ragtime favorites, lively stomp music and a little blues, Hyman's veteran jazz band will delight audiences. 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.

Golden Dragons - The Golden Dragons perform at the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall at7:30 p.m. The ancient art of Chinese acrobatics is an old and long- running tradition that began in China well over 2,000 years ago. The Golden Dragons are recognized throughout the United States and abroad as the premiere Chinese acrobatic touring company of today. World-renowned impresario Danny Chang and choreographer Angela Chang combine award-winning acrobatics, traditional dance, spectacular costumes, ancient and contemporary music and theatrical techniques to present a show of breathtaking skill and spellbinding beauty. For tickets, contact the box office at 800-440-7469 or 481-4849.

Visiting Artists - The Art League of Bonita Springs hosts a Visiting Artist Demonstration with Janet Rogers (Watercolor) from 1-3 p.m. The cost is $15 per person. The league hosts Caroline Jasper (Oils) from 3-5 p.m. Visiting artists offer a two-hour demonstration as a prelude to their weeklong workshops. This is an opportunity to see great artists from around the country and beyond sharing their artistic techniques. Location is the Center for the Arts, 26100 Old 41 Road, Bonita Springs. Contact the Art League for further information at 495-8989.

Monday, Jan. 5

Aaron Lewis - Aaron Lewis of Staind brings his solo/acoustic tour to the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall at 7:30 p.m. Aaron Lewis and Staind have produced six albums: Dysfunction, Break the Cycle, 14 Shades of Grey, Chapter V, The Singles Collection and most recently, The Illusion of Progress. For more information, visit www.staind.com or contact the box office at 800-440-7469 or 481-4849.

Wednesday, Jan. 7

Bluegrass - The Norris Center welcomes Sierra Hull and Ron Block at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 7. Sierra Hull is regarded as the future of bluegrass and is a 16-year old mandolin phenomenon. For the past 15 years, 13-time Grammy Award winner Ron Block has been the spiritual touchstone of Alison Krauss and Union Station, contributing sterling musicianship on banjo, guitar and vocals. The Norris Center is at 755 8th Ave. South, Naples. Tickets are $18 and all ages are welcome. Call 213-3049.

Ongoing events

Al Oerter Exhibit - "Al Oerter: Artist and Athlete,'' an exhibit featuring paintings by the late Olympian Al Oerter, is on display through Jan. 3 at the Alliance for the Arts, 10091 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers. Call 939-2787 or go to artinlee. org.

Bring in the New - This Fine Arts Show is a judged collection featuring the multi-media work of members who belong to the Art League of Fort Myers. Artists will display their latest oil, acrylic and watercolor paintings as well as collages, mixed media, fiber works and photography — all original works of art. The show will continue during gallery hours until Jan. 30. The gallery and gift shop are open on Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m.

Skin - "Skin," a collection of provocative and uncensored, yet tasteful and brilliant, masterpieces by three prominent Southwest Florida artists, runs at daas Gallery through Jan. 31. April Clary, Doug Heslep and Daniel Lovely accepted daas Gallery's invitation to expose these images freely and without boundaries. The group, in alliance with the gallery, plans to break the mold and dare to display images intended only for mature audiences. Beautiful nude bodies of both male and female are the common subject for this exhibition. For more information, visit www.daasgallery.com or call 939-1194.

Arts for Act - This month the Arts for Act Gallery features a group exhibit by 21 artists, two authors of the National League of American Pen Women, paintings on paper and canvas by Greg Stuart and a Silent Auction Fundraiser for ACT hosted by David Dehart of Florida Gulf Coast University of donated art by local high school- and college-aged artists. The Florida Chapeter of the National League of American Pen Women was organized in Washington D.C. in 1897. It grew rapidly and became officially a national organization with chartered branches in 1921. Arts for ACT Gallery, located at 2265 First Street in downtown Fort Myers.

Arturo Samaniego - Arturo Samaniego's artwork will grace the walls of La Casa del Arte the month of January. Mr. Samaniego was born in Mexico City, his formative years were spent between that of Gothic metropolis and his mother's home town of Alicante, in Spain. From those two very rich traditions he started absorbing his family's many influences: there were opera singers, journalists, artists and writers. His first formal studies in art took place at "La Esmeralda," the famous school founded by Fridah Khalo and Diego Rivera. La Casa del Arte is located at 1803 Hough St., in downtown Fort Myers. Call the gallery at 313-5607 or check the Web site for new seasonal hours at www.thearthousefortmyers. com.

Founders Exhibition - The Naples Art Association at The von Liebig Art Center is having its 47th Founders Juried Awards Exhibition through Jan. 18 at the art center, 585 Park St. in Naples. Gallery hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 1 to 4 p.m. on Sunday. Suggested donation is $5 for adults and $2 for children 10 and older. The public may call 239-262-6517 or visit naplesart.org for more information.

Scott Causey - BIG ARTS hosts black & White with the Color of Scott Causey through Jan. 3 in the Founders Gallery. Mr. Causey's ceramics are surrounded by an array of back and white artwork. BIG ARTS is at 900 Dunlop Road, Sanibel. Visit www. BIGARTS. com.

Biennial Exhibit - BIG ARTS features work from artists who have won major awards in juried and juried shows held within the past two years by 10 member leagues from the tri-county area. The exhibit is in the Phillips Gallery through Jan. 3. BIG Arts is at 900 Dunlop Road, Sanibel. Visit www.BIGARTS.com.

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 NASA-commissioned artists experienced a behindthe 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.

Art Fair - The Fort Myers Art Fair, a juried fine arts festival, takes place at the Bell Tower 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. For details, visit www. artfestival.com

Art at the Edison - daas Gallery presents Arts at the Edison the fourth Thursday of every month, starting Jan. 29, from 6-9 p.m. Artists do live demos and display their works throughout the venue at The Edison Restaurant & Bar, 3583 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers. For more information, go to www.edisonfl. com.