WHAT TO DO, WHERE TO GO

This week's theatre

I Love You - Off Broadway's longest running musical - I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change! - is playing at the Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre. This hilarious musical comedy delves into dating, romance, marriage, lovers, husbands, wives and in-laws. The four person cast will perform over twenty characters in the tricky tango known as the modernday mating dance. The universal themes of the frustrations and pleasures of dating, marriage and love have gained the show lasting popularity and have made it a hit across the country. As a "season opener special" all tickets are just $35 for dinner and show. For tickets call the box office at 278-4422. Visit www.broadwaypalm.com for information.

Romeo and Juliet - The Classical Theatre of Harlem performs Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet" at the Florida Repertory Theatre in an abridged, 90-minute version. The production, which features a multi-racial, multi-cultural cast, begins Friday, Sept. 14 and runs through Oct. 6 at the Arcade Theatre. Set in New York's Harlem in the near future, the play incorporates hip-hop beats and modern dress. And instead of sword fights, there'll be guns and knives. Shows are at 8 p.m. Friday and 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday at the Arcade Theatre on Bay Street between Hendry and Jackson in downtown Fort Myers. Tickets are $34 -$38, $17 for selected seats. Pay what you can performances at 8 p.m. Monday, Sept. 17 and Monday, Sept. 24. For information call 332-4488.

Greater Tuna - The Off Broadway Palm Theatre and Theatre Conspiracy present the laugh-a-minute comedy "Greater Tuna" playing Sept. 13 through Sept. 29. "Greater Tuna" is a hilarious comic satire that launches into side-splitting fun when the residents of the fictional south Texas town of Tuna come hysterically to life. Portraying virtually the entire population of Tuna is Theatre Conspiracy's Artistic Director, Bill Taylor and Pete Alexsy. The audience is taken on a guided tour of the quirks, foibles and downright insanities of the denizens of Tuna. Between these two gifted actors, they portray 20 men and women, and a dog, in a tour de farce of quick-change artistry. "Greater Tuna" began as a simple party skit based on a cartoon in Austin, Tex. and by 1985 it became the most produced play in the United States, finding an instant audience coast to coast. Ticket prices range from $19- $39. Performances are Thursday through Saturday evenings and selected matinees on Saturday, Sept. 15 and Sunday, Sept., 23. Call 278-4422 for information and reservations, visit the box office at 1380 Colonial Boulevard in Fort Myers or order online at www. BroadwayPalm.com.

This week's symphony

Chamber No. 1 - Chamber No. 1, Baroque Favorites will play at the Naples Philharmonic Center for the Arts at 3 and 8 p.m. Classic works from the Baroque era will be showcased in this opening concert, including Vivaldi's much-loved Violin Concerto in D and the "Goldfinch" Flute Concerto. Known for his innovative melodies and themes, Vivaldi wrote more than 600 concertos and was one of the first composers to write visually descriptive music - such as the vivid passages of birdsong in the flute concerto. Another famous chamber work is Boccherini's Cello Concerto, the most popular of his hundreds of chamber pieces. For information or tickets call (239) 597- 1900 or online at www. thephil.org.

Friday, Sept. 14

Photo art - Visions of Florida: The Photographic Art of Clyde Butcher opens at the Center for the Arts in Bonita Springs and runs through Oct. 27. Butcher is often called the "Ansel Adams of Florida". His photography records the undisturbed paradise that is fast disappearing here in Southwest Florida. This extraordinary artist gives us a look at areas seldom seen by tourists or even longtime residents. An opening reception will be held Sept. 28. Center for the Arts is located at 26100 Old 41 Road, Bonita Springs. For information call 495-8989 or on the Web at www.artcenterbonita.org.

Saturday Sept. 15

Art - The Lee County Black History Society, Inc. and La Tertulia Society present "African Legacy Art Exhibition" at a reception for Afro-Cuban artist Rómulo A. Salgado from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Black History Society, 1936 Henderson Ave., Fort Myers. Admission is $5. Call 332- 8778 for information.

Art - The Friends of the Cape Coral Library will host author Linda Bilodeau, author of "The Olive Branch- A Tale of Resistance," and "Stepping Through Seagrass" at 10 a.m. in the Cape Coral Library Meeting Room. Bilodeau uses her former careers in hospital administration and teaching as background for her many stories. Four years ago, she and her husband Richard relocated to their current home on the west coast of Florida. She'll describe her current books and give attendees a sneak peak at "The Wine Seekers" that will be released in Spring 2008.

Auditions - The Naples Players hold auditions for the Joseph Kesselring classic comedy, Arsenic and Old Lace at 2 p.m. at the Sugden Community Theatre, 70l 5th Avenue South, in downtown Naples. The Players are seeking three women (one age 20 - 30s, and two ages 50s and up), and 11 men (ages 20 to 70s.) A variety of roles are available, from small to major. No appointment necessary to audition. Perusal scripts are available at the Box Office with a $20 deposit. Call (239) 434-7340 ext 10. Wednesday Sept. 19

Art - The Sim Gallery of Fine Arts in Cape Coral will feature SIMply Photography at an opening reception from 5 to 8 p.m. The opening reception will be held in conjunction with Saks 5th Avenue and Pignoi's Epicurean Market. Featuring Doug Heslep, Eric Luther and Claudia O'Brien The show will run through Sept. 27. At the Sim Gallery located on the Promenade at the Marina of Cape Harbour and is open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. For information call 541-1004 or on the Web at simgallery@ comcast.net.

Ongoing events

Art - The Art Gallery at Florida Gulf Coast University is hosting inAppropriations: Contemporary Artists that Copy, Sample, Beg, Borrow and Steal through Oct. 13. It features works by regional artist Vyd, Chicago-based video performance group Paul Harvey Oswald and internationally acclaimed artists, Negativland. The exhibition features video, audio and sculptural works by these thought-provoking artists. The artists represented in inAppropriations have the common bond of borrowing news clips, television, music and movie samples and reconfiguring the imagery and sound to achieve their own artistic vision. Many works in the exhibition have socio-political themes, commenting upon our information-bloated culture. Each work in the show has a very biting satire that will definitely grab the attention of the viewer.

Art - "Renditions," the next art exhibit at the Alliance for the Arts, is on display through Sept. 29. "Renditions" is a show by three artists from three different parts of the world whose work compliments each other in a powerful and revealing way. Independently, their interpretations breathe life into a broad range of subject matter and emotion, and each artist is making efforts to communicate universal understanding to various ideas with every stroke of the paintbrush. The artists are Ernesto Masis, Kellen Beck Mills, and Lily Hatchett. The 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 Boulevard just south of Colonial Boulevard. Visit www.artinlee. org for more details.

Art- The Watson Gallery in The von Leibig Art Center in Naples features Awarding Pictures: The Art of Children's Book Illustration through Oct. 28,. Focusing on award winning artists working in the field of children's literature, this exhibition will showcase historic and contemporary artwork in media ranging from painting to video. The exhibition will highlight the significant impact that children's illustrations have had on the art world and the field of children's literature both nationally and internationally. For information call (239) 262-6517 or on the Web at www.naplesart.org.

Art - Arts for ACT Gallery in downtown Fort Myers features the compelling and mood evoking paintings of local artist Stephen Gray-Blancett. Gray-Blancett's work has been featured in numerous publications and is exhibited across the country. His 2005 and 2006 ACT exhibits were huge successes. Also on exhibit is Paul Rodino in the photography gallery and Los Angeles artist, Dover Abrams off the main gallery.Arts for ACT Gallery benefits Abuse Counseling and Treatment Inc., and is located at 2265 First Street, in the historic River District in downtown Fort Myers. Hours are: Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday hours vary. The show will run from Sept. 3 through Sept. 28. A reception will be held Friday, Sept. 7, from 7 p.m. until 10 p.m. The public is invited to attend the free event and meet the artists. For more information, call 939-2553.

Art - 15th Annual Aquarium Exhibition is a popular event at the Cape Coral Arts Studio. The exhibit depicts life beneath the waves, either real or imaginary, with multi-media works created by area artists. Enhanced by special lighting and sound effects, the gallery is transformed into an underwater experience. The exhibit runs through Sept. 14. A reception will be held on Friday, Sept. 14 from 5 to 7 p.m. The Cape Coral Arts Studio is as 4533 Coronado Parkway in the Cape. For information call 574-0802.

Artists call - As one of the top-rated outdoor fine art and fine craft shows in the country, the Raymond James Gasparilla Festival of the Arts is officially calling all artists to apply for its prestigious 2008 show being held March 1-2. Each year a select number of accomplished artists and rising stars from around the globe are chosen to participate in this celebrated show. This year these remarkable artists will vie for the coveted $15,000 Raymond James Best of Show Award and an additional $52,500 in prize money. The deadline to apply is Sept. 30. To apply, visit the festival's Web site at www. gasparilla-arts.com; or for more information, email gasparillaarts@yahoo.com.

Art - The photographs of Jane Calvin are on display through Oct. 20 at the Bob Rauschenberg Gallery on the campus of Edison College in Fort Myers. The exhibit is called "Discontinuum:" Photographs by Jane Calvin. Since the early 1980s, Jane Calvin has been developing a personal artistic style that is undeniably her own. The photographs she creates are made by building large installations, often roomsized, where she combines slide projections and physical objects, text found in pulp romance and mystery novels or children's books, and words and letters written out in Calvin's own hand.

Art- Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month at the Harborside Event Center with a visit to "A Latin Art Affair", the Community Art Showcase fine art exhibition. This cutting edge show features five local Latino artists whose works are as diverse and electrifying as their countries of origin: Doris Ramos, Ernesto Masis, Juan Diaz, Amarillis Veliz and Lidia Dick. This unparalleled exhibition will showcase the rich and varied talents of our own Latino art community. The exhibit runs through Nov. 28 and is open Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For information email info@ArtFestFortMyers. com or call 768-3602.

Art- Storytelling Through the Mail: Tall Tales Postcards is on display through Sept. 22 at the Center for the Arts, 26100 Old 41 Road, Bonita Springs. The Tall Tales postcards fall into different categories, but all are based on the genre's extreme exaggeration. For example, there are the "oversized fish" postcards. Fishermen are known for boasting about "the one that got away." On these postcards they could send images of gigantic fish to their friends. Gallery hours: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and noon - 5 p.m. Saturday. Closed Sunday. For information call (239) 495-3999 or go to www.artcenterbonita.org

Upcoming events

Comedy - Comedy Central's Brian Regan will perform at the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall on Thursday, Sept. 20. Regan is one of the hottest comedians performing today. In sold-out theaters across the country, audiences keep coming back time and again to see what's new in the comedy world of Brian Regan. Known for his clean act that delves into the simple but comical aspects of human behavior, both adult and child, Regan had developed into one of the best stand-up comedians in the country and began nailing down national TV appearances: MTV Half Hour Comedy Hour, Pat Sajak, Arsenio Hall, and ... every comic's dream - The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. Tickets are on sale at the Mann box office, by calling 481-4849 or online at www.bbmannpah. com or at www.livenation.com .

Comedy - Comedian Ron White will perform at the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall Thursday, Sept. 22. Tickets are available at the box office, by calling (239) 481-4849 or online at www.bbmannpah.com. Groups of twenty or more, please call (239) 489-3033 extension 3122.

Tori Amos - One of the most outspoken, creative singer/songwriters of our time, Tori Amos, will return to Fort Myers on Saturday, Nov. 17 at the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall. Amos' first appearance was in 1996. Tickets are on sale at the box office, by calling 481-4849 or online at www.bbmannpah. com. Groups of twenty or more, please call (239) 489-3033 extension 3122. The Fort Myers engagement is sponsored by Chico's Charities.