WHAT TO DO, WHERE TO GO

This week's theater

Duet for One - Theatre Conspiracy presents "Duet for One'' in partnership with Lee Mental Health Center, Inc. at 8 p.m. Jan. 9-23 at 2711 Park Windsor Dr., #302, Fort Myers. Violinist Stephanie Abrahams is young, wealthy and attractive, and one of the greatest violinists in the world. Then one day, a strange feeling in her fingers prevents her from playing. The play unfolds as a series of sessions between Stephanie and her psychiatrist. The interplay of her attempts to avoid the reality of her pain and increasing disability, and the therapist's efforts to bring her to face them, deal with them, and accept them, provide both emotional fireworks and remarkable insight into the inner world of the artist. For information, call 936-3239 or go to theatreconspiracy.org.

Dancing at Lughnasa - Florida Repertory Theatre puts on "Dancing at Lughnasa,'' a Tony-winning Best Play by acclaimed Irish playwright Brian Friel, Jan. 9 through Sunday, Feb. 1. This extraordinary story is told through the memories of an illegitimate son as he weaves the tale of his mother and the four maiden aunts who raised him. Set in a small Irish Village in 1936 during the pagan festival of Lughnasa, this haunting play is filled with humor and hope, as a colorful cast of characters leaves a lasting legacy on the mind of an impressionable 7-year-old boy. Call 332-4488 or go to FloridaRep.org.

Out of Order - The Schoolhouse Theater on Sanibel presents "Out of Order,'' written by Ray Cooney, Jan. 12-Feb. 7. Richard Wiley plans an illicit evening in a London hotel. The evening comes to an abrupt halt, however, when he and the lady involved find a dead body in their bedroom. Knowing that the scandal would ruin his marriage and career, he sets about trying to cover up the dead body... but nothing goes as planned. For reservations or subscription information, call the box office at 472-6862

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. a

Singin' in the Rain - Broadway Palm Dinner Theater presents "Singin' in the Rain'' through 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.

Rain - Experience what Beatlemania was all about at the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall Jan. 13-18 "Rain,'' a tribute to the Fab Four, features music and vocals performed totally live, covering the Fab Four from the earliest beginnings through the psychedelic late '60s and their long-haired hippie, hard-rocking rooftop days. "Rain'' is a multi-media, multi-dimensional experience...a fusion of historical footage and hilarious television commercials from the 1960s lights up video screens and live cameras zoom in for close-ups. For tickets, contact the box office at 800-440-7469 or 481-4849.

This week's symphony

Songbook - The Southwest Florida Symphony presents "Rodgers & Hammerstein's Songbook'' at the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall at 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 9, and Saturday, Jan. 10. For tickets, call 418-1500 or e-mail tickets@ swflso.org.

Direct from Ireland - The Dublin Philharmonic Orchestra performs at the Na[les Philharmonic Center for the arts at 8 p.m. Sunday, Jan,. 11. The world-renowned Dublin Philharmonic Orchestra will be joined by five of Ireland's leading pops stars to present The Irish Spectacular, a rousing celebration of Celtic and Irish music. This dazzling concert will feature acclaimed soprano Mairead Buicke, traditional Celtic instruments and the full Dublin Philharmonic Orchestra, under the dynamic leadership of Derek Gleeson, in its first-ever Southwest Florida appearance. 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.

Pops No. 1 - The Naples Philharmonic Orchestra presents "Pops No. 1, A Century of Broadway II'' at the Naples Philharmonic Center for the Arts Jan. 7-11. Some of your favorite Broadway musicals will come to life in this sensational program featuring the greatest show tunes of the past hundred years. Grammy Award-winner Jeff Tyzik leads the orchestra. Also showcased will be tenor Doug LaBrecque, who thrilled audiences on Broadway as the Phantom of the Opera, and Christiane Noll, a brilliant vocalist known for her stunning performance in the original Broadway production of "Jekyll & Hyde." 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.

Wednesday, JAN. 7

Bluegrass - The Norris Center welcomes Sierra Hull and Ron Block at 7 p.m. Sierra Hull is regarded as the future of bluegrass and is a 16-year old mandolin phenom- enon. 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.

Turtle Island - The Grammy Awardwinning Turtle Island Quartet performs at the Naples Philharmonic Center for the arts at 6 and 8:30 p.m. The group has created bold new trends in chamber music for strings, fusing the classical quartet esthetic with contemporary American musical styles. In this dynamic new concert, the Turtle Island Quartet presents its interpretation of one of the most important jazz recordings ever, John Coltrane's "A Love Supreme,'' shedding new light on this classic album while exploring the wonderful ways that jazz and classical music converge. 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, Jan. 8

Doo Wop - Richard Nader's Doo Wop and Rock and Roll Tour IV plans at the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall at 7:30 p.m. Starring The Drifters, featuring Charlie Thomas ("Save The Last Dance For Me"), Gene Chandler ("Duke of Earl"), Kenny Vance And The Planotones ("Looking For An Echo"), and Joey Dee and the Starliters (("Peppermint Twist"). Stroll down memory lane with a star-studded evening with the artists seen on the PBS specials. For tickets, contact the box office at 800-440-7469 or 481- 4849.

Turtle Island - The Grammy Award-winning Turtle Island Quartet performs at the Naples Philharmonic Center for the arts at 6 and 8:30 p.m. The group has created bold new trends in chamber music for strings, fusing the classical quartet esthetic with contemporary American musical styles. In this dynamic new concert, the Turtle Island Quartet presents its interpretation of one of the most important jazz recordings ever, John Coltrane's "A Love Supreme,'' shedding new light on this classic album while exploring the wonderful ways that jazz and classical music converge. 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.

Friday, Jan. 9

Bluegrass - The Medicinal Strings Bluegrass Band performs at the Naples Philharmonic Center for the Arts at 6 and 8:30 p.m. Bluegrass-folk artists The Medicinal Strings are a five-member Minnesota-based band whose mission is to inspire and share the arts with people who do not usually have a chance to experience them. In 2005, the group became a certified public charity and it has since played at hospitals, soup kitchens and homeless shelters in cities around the country. The group's vision is "to generate creative opportunities that allow the arts to positively transform the audience as well as the artist." 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.

The Sauce Boss - The Norris Center welcomes The Sauce Boss at 7:30 p.m. He sings the blues, he cooks the gumbo, he plays the guitar, he writes the tunes! He feeds the masses and he makes his very own hot sauce! That's why they call him The Sauce Boss. The center is at 755 8th Ave. South, Naples. For tickets, call 213-3049.

Saturday, Jan. 10

Art Fest - The Art League of Bonita Springs presents the Bonita Springs National Art Festival from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at The Promenade at Bonita Bay, U.S. 41 in Bonita Springs. A $3 donation at entrance gates benefits the Art League of Bonita Springs. The first of two highly ranked outdoor festivals hosted by the Art League of Bonita Springs during 2009, the Bonita Springs National Art Festival welcomes thousands of visitors to view and purchase artwork from 208 artists. Participating artists come from the U.S., Canada, Mexico, South America, and Europe. Known for high quality artwork and a very pleasing venue, the festival continues to grow in popularity. For information, call 495-8989.

Bluegrass - The Medicinal Strings Bluegrass Band performs at the Naples Philharmonic Center for the Arts at 6 and 8:30 p.m. Bluegrass-folk artists The Medicinal Strings are a five-member Minnesota-based band whose mission is to inspire and share the arts with people who do not usually have a chance to experience them. In 2005, the group became a certified public charity and it has since played at hospitals, soup kitchens and homeless shelters in cities around the country. The group's vision is "to generate creative opportunities that allow the arts to positively transform the audience as well as the artist." 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.

Lecture on masterpieces - Thomas Hoving, former director of the Metropolitan Museum of Art and bestselling author, will present an illustrated lecture, "The World's Greatest Masterpieces and Why," at the Philharmonic Center for the Arts at 10 a.m. The cost for the lecture is $32. 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, Jan. 11

Art Fest - The Art League of Bonita Springs presents the Bonita Springs National Art Festival from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at The Promenade at Bonita Bay, U.S. 41 in Bonita Springs. A $3 donation at entrance gates benefits the Art League of Bonita Springs. The first of two highly ranked outdoor festivals hosted by the Art League of Bonita Springs during 2009, the Bonita Springs National Art Festival welcomes thousands of visitors to view and purchase artwork from 208 artists. Participating artists come from the U.S., Canada, Mexico, South America, and Europe. Known for high quality artwork and a very pleasing venue, the festival continues to grow in popularity. For information, call 495-8989.

Tribute - The Gulfcoast Symphony presents a moving tribute to the late Frank Sinatra and Mario Lanza, at 7:30 p.m. at the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall. The evening includes visual images of their lives, with songs like "Come Fly with Me," "Fly Me to the Moon," "With a Song in My Heart," "The Lady Is a Tramp," "O Sole Mio," "Nessun Dorma," "My Funny Valentine," "Witchcraft," "I'll Be Seeing You" and more. For tickets, contact the box office at 800-440-7469 or 481-4849.

Ongoing events

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 262-6517 or visit naplesart.org for more information.

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 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.

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.

Upcoming events

Jazz on The Green - A new downtown Fort Myers Alliance will present Jazz on the Green Jan. 16-17 at Centennial Park. As always, Jazz On The Green brings fantastic music, fabulous food and refreshments, fine art, fun activities and a feeling of community to a sophisticated and festive audience that comes from all over the world. Jazz On The Green isn't just a good time, it's a good cause and a non-profit organization that raises both money and awareness for children and the environment, through the Southwest Florida Children's Charities and Wild About Green programs. For details, go to Jazzonthegreen. com.

Naples City Improv - This group performs Jan,. 15-31, Feb. 5-March 7 and April 24-25 at 8 p.m. at The Norris Center, 755 8th Ave. South, Naples. Cost: $15. If you like "Whose Line Is It Anyway?" style comedy, then you will love Naples City Improv. Join the NCI "Players" as they perform in a series of hilarious, fast-paced, unscripted games that will keep you rolling in your seats. Sit back and enjoy or participate by offering your suggestions as this familyfriendly troupe knocks your socks off. For tickets, call 213-3049.

Church Basement Ladies - Broadway Palm Dinner Theater - Off Broadway Presents "Church Basement Ladies,'' a musical tribute to the church basement kitchen and the fabulous women who work there Thursday, Jan. 15 through Sunday, March 29. This funny and down to earth musical comedy gives you a birds-eye-view of the ladies as they debate recipes, plan fundraisers, instruct brides-to-be and keep their pastor on track. For reservations and show information, visit www.BroadwayPalm. com, call 278-4422 or stop by the box office at 1380 Colonial Blvd.

Art Exhibit - The Robert Rauschenberg Gallery features "Lilian Garcia- Roig: Nature of Being There" from Jan. 16-Feb. 21. The paintings of Ms. Garcia- Roig are anchored in the tradition of landscape painting. While her paintings do have the initial impact of looking like landscape "interiors" it becomes immediately clear her work is less illusionistic than a first glimpse might suggest. The Rauschenberg Gallery is located on the Lee County Campus of Edison State College. For tickets, call 489-9313.

Illusionist - The Naples Philharmonic Center of the Arts welcomes David Copperfield's "An Intimate Evening of Grand Illusion'' Monday, Jan. 19. He is widely hailed by audiences and critics as the greatest illusionist of our time. Copperfield has elevated the ancient art of magic to spectacular new heights and redefined it along the way. 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.

Hitmakers - The Naples Philharmonic Center of the Arts presents The Belmonts, Emil Stucchio and the Classics and the Chantels Tuesday, Jan. 20. The Belmonts topped the charts with numerous hits, including "I Wonder Why," "A Teenager in Love" and "In the Still of the Night." Pop and R&B stars The Chantels became nationally known for the song "Maybe" and other hits such as "Look in My Eyes" and "I Love You So.'' The Classics released their first millionselling record, "Till Then,'' in 1963 and followed it with "Stardust," "P.S. I Love You" and others. 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.

Illusionist - David Copperfield performs at the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall at 5:30 and 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 20 and at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 21. His show is titled "An Intimate Evening of Grand Illusion.'' For tickets, contact the box office at 800- 440-7469 or 481-4849.

Elvis Tribute - Chris Mac- Donald's "Memories of Elvis'' plays at the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 22. Mr. MacDonald lovingly brings back the magic of the King of Rock -N- Roll with his tribute. This experienced and energetic entertainer has the honor of being the only tribute artist contracted by Elvis Presley Enterprises for the annual Elvis Week (August) and Birthday Week (January) festivities at Graceland's Heartbreak Hotel for seven consecutive years. For tickets, contact the box office at 800-440-7469 or 481-4849.

Mamma Mia! - Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus' "Mamma Mia,'' the smash hit musical, comes to the Naples Philharmonic Center for the Arts Jan. 13-18. Inspired by the storytelling magic of ABBA's songs, from "Dancing Queen" and "S.O.S." to "Money, Money, Money" and "Take a Chance on Me," "Mamma Mia!'' is a celebration of mothers and daughters, old friends and new family found. To order tickets, contact customer service at 597-1900 or toll-free at (800) 597-1900 or visit www. thephil.org.

Writers' Workshop - Artist/ writer Carol Todaro will present "Wild on the Page: Writing and Drawing as Creative Thinking," a two-day workshop for writers and artists on all levels, as part of the Phil's Lifelong Learning arts education classes. The workshop will be presented Friday and Saturday, Jan. 16-17, from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. in the Toni Stabile Building, located just south of the Philharmonic Center. The cost is $150 and the supply list is available online at www.thephil.org. The Phil's Lifelong Learning program presents more than 120 adult education classes each season featuring world-renowned teachers and experts in music, dance, art history, painting, opera, photography and more. 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.

One-Woman Show - The Norris Center hosts Rusty Brown: A One Woman Show - Painted Women, at 7 p.m. Jan. 22. What are the stories behind the women immortalized with the brush strokes of famous artists? Their haunting portraits look out from museum walls, but what would they tell us if they could speak? These are the questions explored by Fort Myers writer/dramatist Rusty Brown. The center is a 755 8th Ave. South, Naples. Tickets are $12. Call 213- 3049.

Uptown Express - The Norris Center hosts Uptown Express at 7 p.m. Jan. 23. Uptown Express is a Southwest Florida-based '50s and '60s group that has thrilled crowds for the past three decades. Each member of Uptown Express contributes many years of professional stage and recording experience. Uptown Express was founded in the early 80's and has performed with many popular vocal groups, including The Jive Five, The Five Discs, The Temptations and many more. Their signature style reflects warmth and familiarity. The center is a 755 8th Ave. South, Naples. Tickets are $18. Call 213-3049.

Films on Fifth - The Sugden Community Theater presents "The Visitor'' at Films on Fifth at 7 p.m., Jan. 18. The show is at the Sugden Community Theatre, 701 5th Avenue South, Naples, For more information and tickets, call 263-7990.