WHAT TO DO, WHERE TO GO

The Philharmonic Center of the Arts in Naples presents Stephen Schwartz & Friends Feb. 25.

This week's theater

Jekyll & Hyde - TheatreZone, Naples' only professional equity theater company, presents the musical thriller "Jekyll & Hyde," starring Jason Kraack, at 8 p.m. March 5, 6, 7, 11, 12, 13 and 14; and at 2 p.m. March 7, 8 and 15. Performances are at The G&L Theatre, 13275 Livingston Road, Naples. Tickets: $35-$40; (888) 966-3352 or www.theatrezone-florida.com.

 

Anything Goes - The Naples Players perform "Anything Goes'' Wednesday, March 4, through Saturday, April 4, at the Sugden Community Theatre. Cole Porter's sublime 1930s musical crams a world of joyous archetypes aboard the oceanliner SS America, and then lets them collide happily. Many of Mr. Porter's best-loved songs are here" "I Get a Kick Out of You," "It's De-lovely" and "Anything Goes.'' Tickets: $35 (adults), $10 (students); 263- 7990 or www.naplesplayers.org.

All Shook Up - Broadway Palm Dinner Theater presents "All Shook Up'' through Saturday, April 11. This musical comedy combines Elvis hits with a whole new story full of hilarious twists and turns. 278-4422 or www. BroadwayPalm.com.

Fleamasters presents Jimmy Sturr Feb. 27.

Happy Days - The Naples Philharmonic Center for the Arts hosts "Happy Days - A New Musical,'' Tuesday, March 3 through Sunday, March 8. Happy days are here again with Richie, Potsie, Ralph Malph and the unforgettable "king of cool," Arthur "The Fonz" Fonzarelli. Based on the hit television series, it takes us back to the days of 1959 Milwaukee, complete with varsity sweaters, hula hoops and jukebox sock-hoppin.' Call 597-1900 or www. thephil.org. Doubt - The Gulfshore Playhouse presents the drama "Doubt: a Parable," by John Patrick Shanle, through March 1 at the Norris Center in Naples. Set in a parochial school in the Bronx in 1964, "Doubt" is a gripping story of suspicion cast on a priest's behavior. Tickets start at $30; call (866) 811-4111 or www.gulfshoreplayhouse. org.

Alone Together - Florida Repertory Theatre presents "Alone Together,'' a witty comedy by Lawrence Roman, about a nest that won't stay empty, through March 8. Call 332-4488 or www.FloridaRep.org.

Heidi Chronicles - The Naples Players presents "The Heidi Chronicles'' at the Sugden Community Theatre through Feb. 28. Walk with Heidi through 25 years of American cultural history, watching this art historian's mirthful and touching search for self. Act I, in the 1960s, highlights the freshness and excitement of starting out; Act II takes us into the materialistic 1980s as Heidi and her friends examine their own lives. Call 263-7990 or www. naplesplayers.org.

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 through Sunday, March 29. Call 278-4422 or www. BroadwayPalm.com.

Classic Broadway - Sanibel's Schoolhouse Theater presents "Classic Broadway Abridged,'' a musical review of Broadway show tunes, through March 7. Call 472-6862 or theschoolhousetheater.com.

This week's symphony

Classical No. 4 - The Naples Philharmonic Center for the Arts presents "Classical No. 4, A Voyage to Middle Europe" Thursday, Feb. 26, through Sunday, March 1. Brahms' second piano concerto is a monumental work of extraordinary scope. Arthur Rubinstein Piano Competition winner Kirill Gerstein will perform it with the orchestra. Call 597-1900 or www.thephil.org.

 

Natural Wonder - The Southwest Florida Symphony performs "Natural Wonder'' at the Unitarian Universalist Church Saturday, Feb. 28, and Sunday, March 1. Nature's splendor shines in song as we celebrate the glory of landscapes, the beauty of birdsongs, the majesty of the sea and all God's creatures. Call 418-1500 or e-mail tickets@ swflso.org.

Wednesday, Feb. 25

Stephen Schwartz - The Naples Philharmonic Center for the Arts features Stephen Schwartz & Friends Defying Gravity — The Music of Stephen Schwartz. Broadway stars Liz Callaway, Scott Coulter and Debbie Gravitte join famed composer Stephen Schwartz in Defying Gravity. 597- 1900 or www.thephil.org.

Thursday, Feb. 26

Antares Quartet - BIG ARTS welcomes the Antares quartet to the Schein Performance Hall at 8 p.m. Antares, comprised of Garrick Zoeter, clarinet; Jesse Mills, violin; Rebecca Patterson, cello; and Eric Huebner, piano, draws from a vast and colorful repertoire for these four instruments. Tickets: $41 floor, $46 loge. 395-0900, e-mail info@BIGARTS. org, or www.BIGARTS.org.

 

Carrabba's Night - The popular Carrabba's night will be held at Estero High School on Williams Road. There will be three seatings: 4:30 p.m., 5:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m., and the jazz band and others from the music program will be on hand to entertain. Dinner includes chicken marsala, mushrooms, prosciutto and Carrabba's Lombardo Marsala wine sauce, served with penne pomodoro, caesar salad, Boule Bread, and dessert and beverage. Tickets are $10; 250-5899 or 994-0219 or www.esteromusicdepartment. com.

Friday, Feb. 27

Off the Walls - The Art League of Bonita Springs features "Off The Walls!" This fun, unusual, high-profile fundraiser provides funds for college tuition scholarships awarded to local high school seniors, as well as scholarships to freshmen, sophomores, juniors and seniors for programming at the Center for the Arts. 495-8989 or artcenterbonita.org.

 

Queen of Cabaret - The Naples Philharmonic Center for the Arts hosts Andrea Marcovicci's "I'll Be Seeing You: Love Songs of World War II." Known as the Queen of Cabaret, Ms. Marcovicci combines dramatic and storytelling talents with an exquisite voice. 597-1900 or www.thephil.org.

Polka King - Jimmy Sturr, America's Polka King, and his orchestra take the stage at Fleamasters at 7 p.m. Tickets: $25; 334-7001 or www.fleamall.com.

Jazz - The Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center presents "Jazz in Fort Myers: A Salute to McCollum Hall," featuring "100 Years of Jazz," a photography exhibit of jazz legends through Feb. 27. The closing night gala will raise funds for the Williams Academy Black History Museum. www. sbdac.com or 333-1933.

Chamber Music - The Gulf Coast Trio — James, Rapp, violin; Bill Dawson, piano; and Sarah Kapps, cello — return to share their magical music-making with the Fort Myers community at 7:30 p.m. at Covenant Presbyterian Church, 2439 McGregor Blvd. The trio will perform chamber music written by Brahms, Bizet, Barber, Schumann, and a spiritual suite by Bill Dawson. Seating is limited. No tickets are required. An offering is taken at each concert. 466-1225 or www.covpcfm.com.

Saturday, Feb. 28

Jazz All-Stars - BIG ARTS welcomes Ed Polcer and his Jazz All-Stars at 8 p.m. in Schein Performance Hall. Explore the golden age of swing jazz as they take the audience on a musical stroll down Swing Street, into the smoky clubs of New York, as they intersperse music with narrative, a bit of nostalgia, and humor. Tickets: $36 floor, $41 loge; 395-0900, www. bigarts.org or e-mail info@BIGARTS.org. Queen of Cabaret - The Naples Philharmonic Center for the Arts hosts Andrea Marcovicci's "I'll Be Seeing You: Love Songs of World War II.'' Known as the Queen of Cabaret, Ms. Marcovicci combines dramatic and storytelling talents with an exquisite voice. 597-1900 or www.thephil.org.

 

Greenmarket - Savor the pure, fresh flavors of local organic and sustainable produce, seafood and more at the first Slow Food Southwest Florida Greenmarket from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. outside Robb & Stucky Interiors, 13170 S. Cleveland Ave., in Fort Myers. Local chefs will stage cooking demos and prepare delicious foods for purchase. Live musical entertainment will further enhance the Greenmarket ambience. www.slowfoodsouthwestflorida. com.

Free Concert - The SWFL Business Alliance presents a free concert performed by the Gulf Coast Symphony titled "Cape Movie Magic." Events start at 11 a.m. The live Gulf Coast Symphony performance, with movie theme music, starts at 5 p.m. at the Cultural Park at 528 Cultural Park Blvd., Cape Coral. Events include vendors and food booths. www.Cape- MovieMagic.com.

Sunday, Mar. 1

Bluegrass Fest - The Acoustic Music Society of Southwest Florida presents the Palmgrass Bluegrass Festival 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Koreshan State Historic Site in Estero. Tickets: $10, children 11 and under are free; 248-8906 or www. palmgrass.com.

 

Love Letters - The Naples Philharmonic Center for the Arts hosts "Love Letters." This touching and humorous play follows the correspondence exchanged over a lifetime by Andrew Makepeace Ladd III and Melissa Gardner, childhood friends born to wealth and position who go their separate ways but continue to share confidences. 597-1900 or www.thephil.org.

Monday, Mar. 2

Mardi Gras Mambo - The Naples Philharmonic Center for the Arts hosts "Mardi Gras Mambo - The Neville Brothers and Dr. John & The Lower 911.'' The Neville Brothers are New Orleans' First Family of Funk - and the musical soul of the Crescent City. Another New Orleans legend is the one and only Dr. John, a four-time Grammy Award-winner, whose music blends voodoo mysticism, rhythm and blues, rock and Creole. 597-1900 or www.thephil.org.

Wednesday, Mar. 4

Evening With - The Art League of Bonita Springs hosts "An Evening With..." Clarita Filgueiras, presenting "The Best of Flamenco" from 7-9 p.m. Music, dance, and the history of flamenco dancing combine to provide a magnificent evening of entertainment. 495-8989 or artcenterbonita.org.

 

Movie Night - A free movie night starts at 6:30 p.m. at Gulf Coast Town Center outside in the Market Place (near Borders). AIA Florida Southwest American Institute of Architects is hosting a showing of Michael Miner's film "A Child of the Sun," documenting the West Campus of Florida Southern College in Lakeland, Fla., designed by Frank Lloyd Wright.

Ongoing events

Schwartz Exhibit - The Art Gallery at Florida Gulf Coast University invites the public to an exhibition of works by nationally recognized painter and printmaker Carl E. Schwartz in the FGCU Library Gallery. The exhibition runs through March 22, and is free and open to the public. 590-7199 or asturdiv@ fgcu.edu.

 

Fine Art - Art Modern Gallery will present ART object, a fine art show highlighting 2D and 3D works by artists both past and present, through March 1. The exhibition showcases a fresh look at innovative works created by artists from the mid 20th century through today. The gallery is at 751 12th Avenue South, Naples; 263-1137.

February Exhibition - Lizio Contemporary Gallery presents "Eros Arrows" through Feb 28 featuring the contemporary works of Florida regional artists. The gallery is located at 430 Bayfront Place in Naples. It has a changing roster of artists so new work can be viewed monthly. 262-7329. Film Series - The BIG ARTS Film Society's Film Series features: "Carmel," on Monday, March 2; "Transsiberian" on Monday, March 9; "Ordinary People on Monday, March 16; "The Rape of Europa" on Monday, March 23; and "Elsa and Fred" on Monday, March 30. Tickets: $7. 395-0900, www.bigarts.org or e-mail info@BIGARTS.org.

Artescape - Florida West's 2009 Juried Fine Art and Fine Craft Exhibition II, the second exhibition

of in a series of three, featuring twoand

 

three-dimensional artworks, takes place through Feb. 25 at Estero's International Design Center. Participating artists are competing for a series of awards.

Art Exhibit - The Art Galleries at Florida Gulf Coast University is hosting an exhibition of works from members of the Fort Myers arts community, Leo and Krista Johnson, in the FGCU Library Gallery through March 6; 590-7199 or asturdiv@fgcu.edu. Weekly Concerts - The Fort Myers River District offers its free concert series, Friday Night Live, each Friday night through March from 5-8 p.m. in the Patio de Leon. Upcoming performances include: Brentford Sound (ska and reggae) on Feb. 27; and John Mooney (more great slide guitar and originals) on March 6. Patio de Leon is located at 2236 First Street; 321-7100.

Wild Things - A captivating wildlife exhibit, "Where the Wild Things Really Are, II," by photographer Sallie Rich, is open at The J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge on Sanibel through Feb. 28. Gallery hours are 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. seven days a week in The Duck Stamp Auditorium of The Visitor's Center at The Refuge on San-Cap Road.

Art at the Edison - daas Gallery presents Arts at the Edison the fourth Thursday of every month 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; www.edisonfl.com.

Upcoming events

Art Exhibit - Artist Jo-Ann Lizio will exhibit her mixed media "assemblage" abstracts at the BIG ARTS Founders Gallery. "The Work of Jo-Ann Lizio" exhibit opens Wednesday, March 4. An artist's reception is set for 5:30-7 p.m. Saturday, March 13. The exhibit runs through March 31. 395-0900, www.bigarts.org or e-mail info@BIGARTS. org.

 

Juried Show - BIG ARTS Phillips Gallery will host a juried theme show, Text in Art, which features art with text, numbers or letters as a design element, opening Tuesday, March 3, and running through Tuesday, March 31. An artist reception and awards presentation will be held from 5:30-7 p.m. is Friday, March 13. The juror is Joan Osborn- Dunkle, abstract artist and gallery owner in Naples. Her juror's talk is at 2 p.m. Tuesday, March 3, in Phillips Gallery. 395-0900, www. bigarts.org or e-mail info@BIGARTS.org.

Big Bands - Veteran jazz musician and educator Henry Ettman will present "Today's Big Bands," the final class in the series "The Big Band in American Jazz: From Ragtime to the Swing Era and Beyond," at 2 p.m. Thursday, March 5, as part of the Naples Philharmonic Center for the Art's Lifelong Learning arts education classes. The class chronicles the origins and evolution of large ensembles in jazz. 597- 1900 or www.thephil.org.

Circus - Florida's Famous Circus Sarasota is coming to the Big Top at Gulf Coast Town Center Friday, March 6, through Sunday, March 29. Circus Sarasota presents an all-star lineup with an unparalleled array of thrilling acts for its 12th season of performances. There are 32 performances, including matinee and evening shows. Tickets start at $10 per person. www.CircusSarasota. org or (877) 355-9805.

DJ Quest - DJ Quest of 105.5 THE BEAT will host his sixth annual birthday bash: Celebrating for a Cause, with proceeds benefiting The Bob Rauschenberg Center for Living, the county's primary treatment center for HIV/AIDS Friday, March 6. DJ Quest wants to fight back with music and entertainment in an effort to generate $10,000 for the Rauschenberg Center. The event will be held at the Reserve Cigar & Wine Bar. Tickets: $10. 839-2563 or Felicia@ somonsmanagement.com Ronnie Ford - daas Gallery features premiere master Scottish painter Ronnie Ford in a March exhibition. An opening reception is set for March 6, in conjunction with Art Walk night. Mr. Ford's work features a highly textured surface and use of contrasting colors that captures the French and Scottish landscapes. The exhibition runs through March 27. www.ronnieford.com or www.daasgallery.com.

Art Exhibit - The Alliance for the Arts hosts an opening reception for State of Abstraction: Fort Myers, from 5-7 p.m. Friday, March 6. The exhibit, featuring artists Veron Ennis, Leo Johnson, Raymond Hernandez, Jonas Stirner, Mamie Holst and Lily Hatchett, runs through March 27. 939-2787 or www.artinlee.org.

Benefit Concert - BIG ARTS' annual benefit concert presents perennial island favorite John Pizzarelli, with special guest Aaron Weinstein, at 8 p.m. Friday, March 6, in Schein Performance Hall. Tickets start at $125 for general admission; 395-0900, www.bigarts.org or e-mail info@ BIGARTS.org.

Art Exhibit - Florida West Arts' Invitational Fine Art Exhibition, "A Prelude

to Spring," featuring the two- and threedimensional

 

artworks by artists from near and far, runs March 7-25. There will be a Meet the Artist open house from 1-4 pm. Saturday March 7. Florida West is located in Estero's International Design Center.

Star Crossed Lovers - The Southwest Florida Symphony performs "Star Crossed Lovers'' at the First Christian Church in Fort Myers Saturday, March 7. Conducted by Michael Hall, this concert featuring some of the most beloved music of all time: Bernstein's "Symphonic Dances from West Side Story" and Prokofiev's magnificent "Suite from Romeo and Juliet."

Choral Masterpieces - The voices of the Philharmonic Center Chorale will be showcased in "Choral Masterpieces" at 4 p.m. Sunday, March 8, at the First Presbyterian Church in Naples. James Cochran, director of the Philharmonic Center Chorale and Youth Chorale, will lead the 75-voice Philharmonic Center Chorale. Tickets: $22/adults, $10/students. 597-1900 or www.thephil.org. Keith Lockhart - The Naples Philharmonic Center for the Arts presents Keith Lockhart and the Boston Pops Esplanade Orchestra Monday, March 9. Lockhart is only the third conductor to lead the Boston Pops since 1930, following Fiedler and John Williams. 597-1900 or www.thephil.org.

Dance Workshops - Globetrotting writer, event and film producer and bellydance superstar Tamalyn Dallal's "Backroads America Tour" brings her to Southwest Florida March 10-12 for a book-signing event and two dance workshops. Ms. Dallal's aim is to build a bridge between small towns throughout America and the people she met during her 40 Days & 1001 Nights project, to promote peace and understanding between cultures. Book signing: 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, March 12, at Kindred Spirits, 3333 Del Prado Blvd., Cape Coral, 542-3500. Bellydance workshops: 8-9:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 10, at Etudes de Ballet, 3285 Pine Ridge Rd., Naples, and 8-9:30 p.m. Thursday, March 12, at Rhythm in Motion, 3333 Del Prado Blvd., Cape Coral. Cost: $30; 768-5575.

Critic's Choice - The Philharmonic Center's Lifelong Learning arts education program presents "Mister Pip" by Lloyd Jones on Feb. 28; "Out Stealing Horses" by Per Petterson on March 28; and "Fieldwork" by Mischa Berlinski on April 18. 597-1900 or www.thephil.org.

Wicked - The Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall hosts "Wicked,'' Broadway's biggest blockbuster, March 7-29. Long before that girl from Kansas arrives in Munchkinland, two girls meet in the land of Oz. One - born with emerald green skin - is smart, fiery and misunderstood. The other is beautiful, ambitious and very popular. How these two grow to become the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good Witch makes for a completely satisfying musical. (800) 440-7469 or 481-4849 or www.bbmannpah.com.

Rusty Brown - Writer/dramatist Rusty Brown performs this season at area venues. Upcoming dates include: "What I've Learned From Witty Women'' at Sanibel Congregational Church on March 17 and Cape Coral Library on March 19; and "Encore! Encore!" at The Landings on Feb. 26, the Sanibel Library on March 4 and Pelican Bay Women's League on May 4. Library appearances are open to the public. 433-2633 or tannnbrown@ cocomcast.net.