THE LOVE OF MONEY AND THE EVIL OF MEN:
The historical thrillers of David Liss look at money and greed
D avid Liss may have set his latest novel, "The Whiskey Rebels," in 1790's America, but it's eerily modern. It's not just his writing style, which make his characters and the events in which they're involved practically jump off the page, but the subject matter: greed, banks, and lending. Full Story
Theatre Conspiracy revisits Shakespeare
Warning! "The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged)" is a high-speed roller-coaster comedy of all of Shakespeare's works and is not recommended for people with heart ailments or bladder problems. Expectant mothers please have your doctors on speed dial. To the descendents of the Bard; the cast apologizes in advance. Full Story
"Inheritance Hijackers: Who Wants to Steal Your Inheritance and How to Protect It"
By Robert C. Adamski (Ovation Books, $16.95)
Most people today have learned to be wary of identity theft, credit card fraud and even e-mail scams — but what about inheritance theft? Whether you plan on leaving an inheritance or may receive one in the future, you could be at risk of becoming an unwitting victim of an inheritance hijacking by a family member, friend or associate. Full Story
Wicked review
ARTS COMMENTARY
From the very beginning of "Wicked," it's obvious that not only are we not in Kansas any more, but we've left Southwest Florida far behind too. Even before the musical starts, we're greeted with a giant map of Oz, with the Emerald City smack in the middle, glowing a magical green. Full Story
Gender research boosts nonprofit effectiveness
GIVING
The PACE Center for Girls honored three extraordinary women at a tea last week at the Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre. The 300-plus crowd of women of all ages (and a few men) listened intently as Berne Davis, Barbara B. Full Story
COUCH THEATER
[ DVD PREVIEWS & RELEASES ]
PICK OF THE WEEK . " Quantum of Solace" - Daniel Craig returns as superspy James Bond in this sequel to "Casino Royale." The film picks up right after the events at the end of the previous movie, and we get a glimpse into 007's past and a key to who he is as a man. The movie then kicks into gear concerning a plot to control the water rights of a Third World country. Full Story
Theater returns to Edison State College
Edison State College's Theatre Program returns from hiatus with a production of "Savage in Limbo." The play is directed by Stuart Brown and performs March 18-21 and 25-28 at 8 p.m. in the Corbin Auditorium. Full Story
Hartel Dance Group performs at Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center
The mesmerizing Hartel Dance Group will perform this week for one night only at the Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center. The Hartel Dance Group will push the boundaries of the human body through its intriguing performance March 20 at 8 p.m. Full Story
Theatre Conspiracy offers half-off Thursday tickets
Theatre Conspiracy announces that residents and employees of the City of Fort Myers can purchase buy one, get one free tickets for Thursday night performances through April 9. Residents must live within the corporate limits of the city. Full Story
S.W. Florida Symphony performs 'Triumph' to wrap up series
The Southwest Florida Symphony Chamber Orchestra celebrates the triumph of battle in upcoming performances. Conducted by Music Director Michael Hall, the chamber orchestra and chamber chorus, with special guest soloists, will perform "Musical Triumph" Friday, March 20, at 7:30 p.m. Full Story
Gulfshore Ballet presents 'BRAVO!Ballet' March 29
Gulfshore Ballet, Southwest Florida's only nonprofit classical ballet school, will host "BRAVO!Ballet" Sunday, March 29, at 3 p.m., at Cypress Lake Center for the Arts. This year's performance will feature dancers from the ranks of the world renowned New York City Ballet. Full Story
French songstress Jil Aigrot transports listeners to Paris
BIG ARTS presents singer Jil Aigrot Friday, March 27, at 8 p.m. in Schein Performance Hall. The critically-acclaimed singer played the role of Edith Piaf in the three-time Academy award-nominated and Golden globe-winning film, "La Vie En Rose." Tickets are $46 loge, $41 floor. Full Story
'Visiting Mr. Green' comes to BIG ARTS on Sanibel
BIG ARTS presents "Visiting Mr. Green" on stage in Schein Hall, Wednesday, March 25. Tickets are $35 adults, $10 students. What starts off as a comedy about two people who resent being in the same room together, the play develops into a gripping and poignant drama. Full Story
Best seats in the house will be raffled at the Phil
The best seats in the house at the Philharmonic Center for the Arts on Wednesday evening, March 25, will be those hand-painted and otherwise embellished for "Have a Seat II… Artists' Chairs," a raffle and auction to benefit the Naples Museum of Art. Full Story
Interactive murder mystery offered by Cape restaurant
Fresh on the heels of its success at the Cape Movie Magic Event, Starlight Productions returns to the Santa Barbara Clubhouse Sports Grill & Bar for another fun evening of interactive humorous murder mystery. Full Story
Gulf Coast Symphony hosts free concert
The Gulf Coast Symphony, Southwest Florida's premiere community orchestra, presents a free outdoor pops concert on Saturday, March 28, at 4:30 p.m. at Estero Community Park, 9200 Corkscrew Palms Blvd. No tickets or advanced reservations are required. This concert features "Sounds of the Big Band. Full Story
Charlotte Players present 'Natalie Needs A Nightie'
The Charlotte Players will be performing "Natalie Needs A Nightie," a comedy by Neil and Caroline Schaffner, March 27 and 28 and April 2-4. Performances will be at 7:30 p.m., with a 2 p.m. matinee on March 29. The entire play takes place in the bachelor apartment of Tommy Briggs, in the Sheridan Arms Hotel in downtown Chicago. Full Story
Belly dance show, bazaar set
Spring Hafla, a belly dance show and bazaar, begins at 7 p.m. Sunday March 22. Presented by SW Florida Bellydance, the event is open to the public. The bazaar will feature everything from jingly hip scarves to full costumes and an authentic mezze, a complimentary taste of Mediterranean cuisines. Full Story
Folk duo Jennings and Keller performing at Nita's Sweet Bean Cafe
The folk duo Jennings and Keller will perform at Nita's Sweet Bean Café Saturday, March 28. The acoustic duo of Laurie Jennings Oudin and Dana Keller brings a wealth of experience to their collaboration, from the Broadway musicals of New York to the honkytonks of West Texas. Full Story
Going once, going twice! It's Bond, James Bond
Florida Repertory Theatre will highlight four of the most exclusive auction items up for bid in its annual fundraiser, "The Art of Bond, James Bond," on March 28. Held at the Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center in the Fort Myers River District, the centerpiece of the event is an extensive live and silent auction that features some of the finest goods on the Gulf Coast. Full Story
March 28 is Free Family Day at The Naples Museum of Art
The Naples Museum of Art will host a free-admission Family Day on Saturday, March 28, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The theme is "Norman Rockwell - Carnival Classic!" and a number of special events relating to current exhibitions are planned. Full Story
"A Musical Night with Nature" concert to benefit CREW
Celestial, world, bluegrass, folk, pop, and eco music will float through Estero Community Park, in a concert featuring Kat Epple, The McIltrot Brothers and Susie Jennings, to benefit CREW (Corkscrew Regional Ecosystem Watershed) March 21, from 7 to 10 p.m. at the Amphitheater. Full Story
Symphony Society hosts fashion show luncheon
The Southwest Florida Symphony Society presents a fashion show luncheon, "Mangroves and Everlasting Memories in the Glades," featuring Marjorie Stoneman Douglas, as portrayed by Annie Mrozinski, on March 19. Mrs. Douglas, an American journalist, writer and environmentalist, was a staunch protector of the Florida Everglades. Full Story
Authors to discuss recent books at Burroughs Home
Two authors with ties to Lee County will be featured during a "Historical Fact and Fiction" program at the Burroughs Home, 2105 First Street, Fort Myers, on Saturday, March 28. Full Story
Black Maria Film fest returns
The Edison & Ford Winter Estates, Edison State College and BIG ARTS will bring the Thomas Edison Black Maria Film Festival to Florida for a third season since the festival began its national tour in 1981. Colleges and museums throughout the country host the festival. It showcases independent and experimental film and video. Full Story
Jewish Film Fest under way in Lee
The 2009 Jewish Film Festival of Southwest Florida is under way.' "Love and Dance" is showing at 7 p.m. Thursday, March 19, at the Bell Tower Cinemas. It features a man caught in the middle of the cultural conflict raging between his Russian-born mother and his Israeli father. Tickets are $8. Full Story
Family event celebrates 'fantasy and fairytales'
As part of the Southwest Florida Reading Festival, the Lee County Alliance of the Arts celebrates "Fantasy & Fairytales in Books and Art." This free family event, set for 4-6 p.m. Thursday, March 19, is geared toward children and features storytelling, book art, puppeteering and more. Full Story
Phillips overall winner at 2009 Young Artists Gala
The Young Artists Awards Gala was held on Sunday, March 8, at the Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre before a packed house. The event featured 24 student performances; $20,000 in savings bond scholarships and other prizes were awarded. Full Story
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