WHAT TO DO, WHERE TO GO

>>The Southwest Florida Symphony performs at three venues this week.

This week's theatre

White Christmas - The musical White Christmas is on stage at the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall Tuesday, Jan. 1-Sunday, Jan. 6. Shows are at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday; at 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and 6:30 p.m. Sunday. Matinees are Saturday at 2 p.m. and Sunday at 1 p.m. As new and fresh as winter snowfall, White Christmas is a shiny package just waiting to be unwrapped. Based on the holiday film classic, this musical follows the comedic adventures of army buddies Bob Wallace and Phil Davis whose romantic pursuit of a duo of singing sisters leads them to a Vermont inn for the holidays. Music and lyrics by Irving Berlin; Book by David Ives and Paul Blake. Tickets are on sale at the box office, by calling 481-4849 or online at www.bbmannpah.com.

Guys and Dolls - The musical fable of Nathan Detroit, Guys and Dolls opens Dec. 29 at the Broadway Palm Dinner Theater. The consummate gambling man, Detroit operates "The World's Largest Floating Crap Game". Songs include Luck Be a Lady, I've Never Been in Love Before, Sue Me and A Bushel and a Peck. This song and dance extravaganza is fantastic entertainment for all ages. It embraces the season with Broadway-style dancing, stunning costumes and the traditional holiday favorites you know and love. Tickets are now on sale and can be reserved by calling 278-4422, by visiting www.BroadwayPalm.com, or by stopping by the box office at 1380 Colonial Boulevard in Fort Myers.

The Last Five Years - Synergy Productions, Southwest Florida's professional musical theater company, in association with the Theater Guild of Southwest Florida, presents the award-winning musical, "The Last Five Years," at the Fould's Theater on the campus of The Alliance for the Arts. The play runs through Jan. 27. A fresh and contemporary musical, "The Last Five Years" chronicles a young couple's romance in a new and exciting way. Critics have praised the music as creative and groundbreaking. The lyrics evoke Stephen Sondheim. The musical style draws from pop, jazz, folk, Rock and classical. Performances are Wednesday through Saturday at 8 p.m.; and Sunday at 2 p.m. For tickets call (239) 236-1645, visit the Foulds Theater Box Office or online at www.synergyproductions.org

>>Jigsaw by Al Oerter

This week's symphony

Symphony - The Southwest Florida Symphony brings the music of the old world masters of Baroque and the 19th and 20th Century Romantics to three venues in Lee County the first weekend in January. The performances will take place Jan. 4 at Faith Presbyterian Church in Cape Coral at 7:30 p.m., Jan. 5 at Estero United Methodist Church at 3:30 p.m. and Jan 6 at BIG ARTS on Sanibel at 7 p.m. This classical chamber orchestra series, conducted by Music Director Michael Hall, offers superb classical music in a relaxed, intimate atmosphere. For tickets go online at www.swflso.org or call the box office at 418-1500.

Thursday, Jan. 3 Art - Art League of Fort Myers will sponsor "Highlights of the Brooklyn Museum", a PowerPoint slideshow presented by Peter Downes on Thursday, Jan. 3. Downes will discuss and illustrate the second largest art collection in the U.S. He will outline the process that an artist needs to follow to have art exhibited in or donated to the Brooklyn Museum. The program will be held at noon at the ALFM Gallery, 1451 Monroe Street, in the River District. For information call 275-3970 of online at www. artleagueoffortmyers.org

>>Featured artist Gabrielle Nappo at Art in the Park in Naples

Friday, Jan. 4

Art - An opening reception for Al Oerter "A Final Turn," runs from 7-10 p.m. at the Arts for ACT main gallery. The exhibit is a tribute to the late artist, Olympian and gentleman. See his first and his last paintings and a video of his four Olympic gold medal wins. Cathy Oerter and the ACT Gallery will be showcasing Al's beginning art works to his final painting finished hours before he passed. For information call (239) 337-5050 or online at www.artsforactgallery.com

Saturday, Jan. 5

Art in the Park - Naples' oldest outdoor art festival celebrates its 51st season by showcasing artwork from Naples Art Association members. This juried festival is a great way to meet the artists and enjoy their original work in a relaxing atmosphere. January's Featured Artist is Gabrielle Nappo.  

The event runs from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. at Park St., alongside von Liebig Art in downtown Naples. For information call (239) 262-6517 or online at www.naplesart.org.

Ongoing events

Art - The Naples Art Association's "46th Founders Juried Awards Exhibition" is on display at The von Liebig Art Center. The exhibition, that runs through Jan. 13, honors the artists who in 1954 joined together to form the NAA, including Grace Lake, Elsie Dorey Upham and George Rogers. The NAA received 455 entries from 244 member artists. Internationally-acclaimed American abstract painter Sam Gilliam, a pre-eminent artist based in Washington, DC, served as juror. He selected 179 works by 149 artists for the exhibition as well as the 23 award winners. The top three award winners will participate in a three-person exhibition at The von Liebig Art Center next year. The von Liebig Art Center is located at 585 Park Street in downtown Naples and is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m. with free admission daily.

Art - The Art League of Fort Myers' current exhibit is "Small Packages" at the Gallery, 1451 Monroe Street in the heart of the River District. "Small Packages" contains only original art at affordable prices created by local artists. The exhibit runs through Jan. 11. For information call 275-3970 of online at www.artleagueoffortmyers.org

Art - Communication: The imparting or interchange of thoughts, opinions or information by speech, writing, or signs. "Transmissions: A Juried Competition" is the next exhibit at the Alliance for the Arts. Categories are sculpture, painting (including oil, acrylic, collage, watercolor, mixed media), photography, prints and drawings. The exhibit runs through Jan. 9. For information call the Alliance at 939-2787 or online at www.artinlee.org. The Alliance is located at 10091 McGregor Boulevard just south of Colonial Boulevard. Visit www. artinlee.org for more details.

Art- Harborside Event Center and ArtFest Fort Myers' current exhibit is the "Fabric of Life", a display of 30 spectacular contemporary art quilts created by the members of Art Quilters Unlimited. This juried show runs through Jan. 4 and represents a broad array of fiber wall art from a group of artists who compete nationally in their medium and bring the excitement of color and design to this fine craft. Everyone is welcome to explore the artistic and cultural vibrancy of fiber art and give the gift of art to someone on your holiday list. The exhibit is open Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For information email info@ ArtFestFortMyers.com or call 768-3602.

Upcoming events

Jazz - The Preservation Hall Jazz Band plays at Shell Point Retirement Community on Thursday, Jan. 17 at 7:30 p.m. The group got its name from Preservation Hall, the venerable music venue located in the heart of New Orleans' French Quarter. It was founded in 1961 by Allan and Sandra Jaffe. The band has traveled worldwide spreading their mission to nurture and perpetuate the art form of New Orleans Jazz. Whether performing at Carnegie Hall or Lincoln Center, for British Royalty or the King of Thailand, this music embodies a joyful, timeless spirit. For information or tickets call (239) 454-2067 or online at www.shellpoint.org/ concert2007/concertseries2007.htm.

Art - Ellen Sheppard, who received the 2004 Angel of the Arts "New Artist of the Year" award from the Alliance for the Arts, will have an exhibition of her paintings Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 12 and 13, at the Florida Fine Art Gallery in Gannon's Antiques & Art Center, 16521 S. Tamiami Trail, Fort Myers. There will be a "Meet the Artist" reception Saturday, Jan. 12 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sheppard, a Lee County resident, has been painting "seriously" for eight years. Her medium is acrylic and her main subject matter is landscapes. Gallery hours are 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday to Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sundays. For information or directions call 489 - 2211.

Monky Business - The musical comedy "Monky Business" opens at the Off Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre on Thursday, Jan. 17. The show features some fun-loving monks who hold a fundraiser to save their monastery. The Monks have a divine plan with plenty of singing, dancing and vaudeville routines. For information and tickets call (239) 278-4422 or online at www.broadwaypalm.com.

Art - The Friends of the Cape Coral Library have a new exhibit which runs throughout January. The Gallery, located at the Cape Coral Library, 921 SW 39th Terrace, is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Featured artist is Tom Allen.

Opera - The Southwest Florida Symphony, conducted by Joseph Caulkins, guest soloists from the Juilliard School of Music and the Symphony Chamber Chorus will be on stage at the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 12-13 for Opera Stars of Juilliard. The Saturday night performance is at 8 p.m. and the Sunday performance is at 2:30 p.m. A free pre-concert discussion starts one hour before the concert. This costumed and semi-staged concert is a crowd pleaser. It features five of Juilliard's rising young stars performing opera favorites including scenes from Mozart's "Marriage of Figaro" and Copland's "The Tender Land". For tickets and information go online at www.swflso.org or call the box office at 418-1500.

Chamber Music - The Chamber Music Society of Southwest Florida launches its inaugural season at the Foulds Theatre in the Alliance for the Arts on Jan. 28. Led by mezzo-soprano and Artistic Director Janelle McCoy, the chamber music society will present four concerts that will include international chamber groups, Grammy-winning composers and several regional premieres. The concerts, themed "Journeys," are designed to promote and make accessible chamber music of the last 100 years through lectures, composer appearances and performances in intimate spaces. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased by visiting www.chambersociety.

A Perfect Wedding - Robin Hawdon's "A Perfect Wedding" opens at the Sugden Community Theatre in Naples on Wednesday, Jan. 16. It's a bedroom farce. It's a wedding-day fiasco. It's uninterrupted confusion, comedy and mistaken identity. The script is witty; utterly nonsensical and absolutely charming, and answers the question "Who love who?" For information and tickets go to www.naplesplayers.com or call (239) 263- 7990.

Jungle Jack Hanna - Animal expert Jungle Jack Hanna is on state at the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall Friday, Jan. 11 at 7:30 p.m. Through his nationally syndicated television show Jack Hanna's Animal Adventures, and hundreds of appearances on the Late Show with David Letterman, Good Morning America and Larry King Live, animal expert Jack Hanna has become a household name. Jungle Jack's live show features many of his favorite animal friends, as well as footage from his adventures around the world. Audiences give Jack rave reviews - everyone from the youngest child to the oldest adult is entertained and inspired. Tickets are on sale at the box office, by calling 481- 4849 or online at www.bbmannpah.com.

Willie Nelson - Country legend Willie Nelson returns to the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall Wednesday, Jan. 16. The iconic Texan is the creative genius behind historic recordings like "Crazy," "Hello Walls," "Red Headed Stranger" and "Stardust." His career has spanned six decades, his catalog boasts more than 200 albums and he's earned every conceivable award and honor to be bestowed a person in his profession. He has also amassed reputable credentials as an author, actor and activist. Tickets are on sale at the box office, by calling 481-4849 or online at www.bbmannpah.com.

Neil Sedaka - Pop singer, pianist, and songwriter Neil Sedaka performs at the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall Monday, Jan. 14 at 7:30 p.m. The history of Rock N' Roll would be incomplete without the innumerable contributions of Neil Sedaka. For over fifty years, he has written, performed, produced, and inspired countless songs, and his canon of compositions will continue to stand the test of time. Tickets are on sale at the box office, by calling 481-4849 or online at www.bbmannpah.com.

Caught in the Net - Ray Cooney's "Caught in the Net" opens at The Shoolhouse Theater on Sanibel Island on Thursday, Jan. 10. The sequel to "Run for Your Wife." 18 years later, modern technology is about to lead John Smith's two families into a head-on collision. His son Gavin (with his mum Barbara) and daughter Vicki (with her mum Mary) are discussing having met in an Internet chat room. They are amazed that they both have fathers named John Leonard Smith who are London taxi drivers, and since romance has blossomed, they are determined to meet in person. And chaos ensues. The show runs through Feb. 2. For tickets and information, call the Box Office at 472-6862 or check out www. theschoolhousetheater.com

I Am in It - "I Am in It: Contemporary Chinese Calligraphic Expressions" opens at Florida Gulf Coast University on Thursday, Jan. 10 at the Arts Complex Gallery. An opening night reception is from 5 p.m. until 8. Guest curator Yiguo Zhang, Director of Nankai University's Art History Center, brings an exhibition of work by five contemporary Chinese artists who have broken from their classical training as calligraphers and applied the discipline to their personal creations. The artists will be conducting talks and demonstrations during the exhibition that runs through Feb. 16. For information go to artgallery.fgcu.edu or call (239) 590-7199. Bike Night - The downtown Fort Myers River District will host Bike Night on Saturday, Jan. 19 from 6 p.m. until 10. The event features live entertainment from Deb and Dynamics. For information call 229-8526.

Cash: Ring of Fire - The Music of the Man in Black ignites the stage of the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall in the new Broadway musical Ring of Fire, featuring 38 signature songs from the legendary Johnny Cash. Stories of passion, redemption, humor, and salvation set the stage ablaze in this musical celebration of the world's most famous rebel. Hits include; "Walk the Line," "Hurt," "Jackson," "I've Been Everywhere," "Folsom Prison Blues," "A Boy Named Sue," and the title track "Ring of Fire". With smashing medleys and a hearty bounce in its guitar driven step, this shindig will have you stompin' your feet and shoutin' for more. Performances are Jan. 22 through 27.

Doubt - Winner of the 2005 Pulitzer Prize for Drama and Tony Award for Best Play, "Doubt, A Parable" hits the stage at the Florida Repertory Theatre on Friday, Jan. 11. Doubt is a mesmerizing piece that wrestles with conscience and uncertainty in a 1964 parochial school. John Patrick Shanley, an Academy Awardwinning author and playwright, constructs a thrilling and dangerous play that dramatizes issues straight from today's headlines. It plays at the Florida Rep from Jan. 11 - Feb. 3. Performances are Tues. - Sat. at 8 p.m., with 2 p.m. matinees on Wed., Sun. and selected Saturdays. There's a Twilight Performance at 7 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 13. Florida Repertory Theatre is located on Bay Street between Jackson and Hendry in the Historic Arcade Theatre in the Fort Myers River District. Subscriptions and single tickets are available through the Box Office (239) 332-4488, or visit Florida Rep online at www.floridarep.org.

Opera - The Met Opera Live in HD Series continues presents Verdi's Macbeth on Jan. 12 at 1:30 p.m. at the Regal Cinema in the Bell Tower. The Met Opera's critically acclaimed HD Series has expanded this season from six live simulcasts to eight live and eight encore performances on hundreds of movie theatre screens nationwide. The Florida Repertory Theatre is the Met Opera's Local Arts Sponsor in Southwest Florida. Single tickets and Met Opera memberships are now available online and at the door if available. Tickets are $22 for adults, $20 for seniors and $15 for children. For information on tickets and membership, please visit Met Opera online at www.metopera.org/hd or call (800) Met Opera (638-6737).

Rauschenberg - Work by world renowned artist and gallery name sake Robert Rauschenberg will be featured beginning Jan. 11 at the Bob Rauschenberg Gallery on the campus of Edison College. Often cited as the most important artist of his generation, Rauschenberg did more than any other artist to reach beyond contemporary thinking by challenging limits, perceptions, materials and every other boundary in sight. Among those shattered boundaries is an erased de Kooning drawing, one of the most notorious art objects of the century. The exhibit runs through Feb. 9. There will be a closing ceremony Feb. 1 from 6 to 8 p.m.