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This week's theater

Best Little Whorehouse - Broadway Palm Dinner Theater presents "The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas" beginning Thrusday, Sept. 25 and 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.Broadway- Palm.com, call (239) 278-4422 or stop by the box office at 1380 Colonial Blvd.

This week's symphony

Stories in Music - The Naples Philharmonic Orchestra will present a concert event for the whole family when it performs "Stories in Music: Rusty in Orchestraville," the first Family Fare concert of the season, on Sunday, Sept. 28 at 3 p.m. at the Philharmonic Center. Conducting the orchestra will be Andrew Lane. Take a fun-filled journey into the world of symphonic music with the classic Rusty in Orchestraville. Rusty is like many other boys and girls - he takes piano lessons and balks at daily practicing. Musical selections will include "Rusty in Orchestraville," "Harry's Wondrous World" by John Williams, excerpts from Saint- Saëns' The Elephant, Dukas' The Sorcerer's Apprentice, Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue and more. Tickets to Stories in Music: Rusty in Orchestraville are just $15 for adults and $10 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. The Philharmonic Center for the Arts is at 5833 Pelican Bay Blvd. in Naples.

>>Charlie Daniels will perform at the Philharmonic Center on Friday, Oct. 17 at 8 p.m.

Wednesday, Sept. 24

Lisa Williams - "Lisa Williams: Life Among the Dead" comes to the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall at 7:30 p.m. As an internationally acclaimed medium and clairvoyant, Williams has an amazing ability to communicate with loved ones and friends who have passed on to the "other side." Born in England, she was discovered by Merv Griffin and has her own hit show "Lisa Williams, Life Among the Dead," which is going into its second season on Lifetime TV. In additions to appearing on "Good Morning America," "Oprah" and "The Jimmy Kimmel Show," Williams has just completed her first book published by Simon and Schuster. Although many of her readings are in front of large audiences, she also does personal readings and is a trained Reiki and Crystal Healer. Tickets are available at the box office, by calling (239) 481-4849 or online at www.bbmannpah.com. For groups of 20 or more, call Lois at (239) 489-3033, ext. 3122.

Friday, Sept. 26

3 Women of Merit - The Naples Art Association presents a preview reception for its latest exhibit "3 Women of Merit: Part 2 and A Decade of Collecting" from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the von Liebig Art Center in Naples. The opening reception is free for Naples Art Association members and $10 for nonmembers.

Saturday, Sept. 27

Meet the Artists - Florida West's gallery artists for 2008-09 will preview paintings and three-dimensional artworks that represents what is current in art in America today. Awide variety of media and styles will be featured. The Meet the Artists' open house for this exhibition is from noon to 4 p.m. The show runs through Oct. 22. The gallery is at the International Design Center, Suite 115, 10800 Corkscrew Road, Estero. For information, call (239) 948-4427 or e-mail info@ floridawestarts.com

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."

Photo art - Without The photo art of three photographers, Scott Bigletti, Carol Orr Hartman and Paul Rodino, will be featured at the Broadway Palm Dinner Theater Art Gallery through Sept. 27. The exhibit will be on view throughout the theatrical run of "High School Musical." Connecticut photographer Scott Bigletti specializes in live concert shots of topline performers and groups such as KISS, Iron Maiden, Christina Aguilera, Tina Turner, Faith Hill, Charlie Daniels and others. Carol Orr Hartman is a fine-art photographer whose work has appeared in many area galleries. She presents computer images for her gallery work. Paul Rodino uses black and white photos to achieve subtle and dramatic effects. All photos will be for sale. 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.

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

Animal Magnetism - Join Arts for ACT Gallery, located at 2265 First Street in the River District, Fort Myers from 7-10 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 3 for "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.

The Glass Menagerie - The Tennessee Williams' classic opens the season for the Florida Repertory Theatre Oct. 3-12. 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, (239) 332-4488. Visit Florida Rep online at www.floridarep.org

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

Art show - The Naples Art Association will present the Non-Juried All Artist Members Show of Shows exhibition from Oct. 24 to Nov. 9. All NAA artist members as of July 1, 2008, are eligible to submit one piece. Works will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis determined by when registrations are received. Applications are due by 4 pm on Friday, Sept. 26, and must be accompanied by a completed entry form and a check for $35. Artwork receiving is Oct. 18 and 19.

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 - 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. beginning on Oct 3. 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.

Call for artists - The Alliance for the Arts announced a call for artists for "Too Hot to Handle: A Political Issues Show" to be held Oct. 10-Nov. 15. The juried show is open to all artists in the categories of sculpture, painting (including oil, acrylic, collage, watercolor, and mixed media), photography, prints and drawings. Only original artwork will be accepted. An entry consists of one to three artworks. A non-refundable entry fee for members is $25 for up to three entries or $10 for one. For non-members, the fee is $35 for up to three entries or $15 for one. Work must be dropped off by Oct. 6 for consideration. 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.

Born in the USA - The Naples Philharmonic Orchestra presents Born in the USA, the second of two programs in the new Classics Light! Series. This fun, casual, fast-paced concert will be led by Stuart Chafetz, at the Philharmonic Center for the Arts, on Saturday, Oct. 4 at 8 p.m. This exciting program features some of the most beloved popular music of the 20th century, created by American composers, including Gershwin's "An American in Paris" and selections from "Porgy and Bess" Copland's "Dance Episodes from Rodeo" John Williams' "Olympic Fanfare" Leonard Bernstein's "Overture to West Side Story" and much more. Tickets to Born in the USA are $42 for adults and $21 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.

Mozart's Requieum - 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.

American Brass - The Naples Philharmonic Orchestra Brass Quintet with Percussion will present American Brass Festival on Sunday, Oct. 5 at 3 p.m. and Tuesday, Oct. 7 at 8 p.m. at the Philharmonic Center. This lively chamber event, featuring a variety of American music, includes: Joe Green's spirited percussion piece "Xylophonia," from 1925, known for its virtuoso xylophone parts; Dave Brubeck's groundbreaking "Blue Rondo a la Turk," which mixes jazz, classical form and Turkish rhythms; W.C. Handy's classic "Beale Street Blues," a tribute to the Memphis street that gave birth to the blues; and contemporary composer Anthony Plog's "Four Sketches" for brass quintet.Tickets to American Brass Festival are $32 for adults and $15 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.

Charlie Daniels - Grammy Awardwinner 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 hard-core country with hardedged Southern rock - a unique sound influenced by gospel, blues and boogiewoogie. 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.

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 the 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 - Naples Players present "The Goodbye Girl" opening Wednesday, Oct. 15 at the Sugden Community Theatre in Naples. With a theme of lowering one's defenses long enough to form a solid family, even if it isn't the one you pictured, this snappy musical introduces us to Paula, a skeptical dancer trying to make it in New York and finding herself with an unexpected and unwanted roommate. Simon's book is laugh-out-loud funny and Hamlisch's music is catchy. "'The Goodbye Girl' is funny, charming, tuneful, and a perfect evening of musical comedy song, dance and dialogue." - BroadwayWorld.com The show runs through Saturday, Nov. 8.