Where to Go & What to Do
5K Run & Walk (Nov. 19, registration 7:30am) First Heroes for the Homeless 5K walk or run at Ave Maria (Annunciation Circle) in Naples. Music, refreshments and lots of fun. Strollers and dogs welcomed. Proceeds benefit St. Matthew’s House. 239-774-0500, stmatthewshouse.org
Christmas on Third (Nov. 21, 5:30pm) Third Street South, full of twinkly lights and wonderful red and silver decorations, launches the holiday season as the mayor lights the official Christmas tree. Music and bells resound from courtyards and plazas, Santa arrives, the crèche is alive at Third and Broad, and … the snow falls―which it continues to do every evening during the week. 239-434-6533, thirdstreetsouth.com
Dave Koz Christmas Tour 2016 (Nov. 27, 7pm) “Santa Koz” returns with saxophone tunes and holiday cheer. This nine-time Grammy winner epitomizes smooth jazz, has played with such artists as Ray Charles, Natalie Cole and Shelby Lynne. Special guests Jonathan Butler, Kenny Lattimore and Ashford and Simpson’s Valerie Ashford. Hayes Hall, Artis-Naples, 5833 Pelican Bay Blvd., Naples. 239-5971900, artisnaples.org
George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker
(Dec. 3, 2pm and 8pm; Dec. 4, 2pm) Miami City Ballet brings its spectacular production of George Balanchine’s The
Nutcracker to Hayes Hall. Beautiful music, detailed sets, amazing special effects and a cast of international stars. Artis-Naples, 5833 Pelican Bay Blvd., Naples. 239-5971900, artisnaples.org
Laud to the Nativity in Naples (Dec. 3, 7pm) Celebrate the Christmas season with a Renaissance-style pageant, featuring Laud to the Nativity by Ottorino Respighi, and Ceremony of Carols by Benjamin Britten. United Church of Christ, 5200 Crayton Road, Naples. 239529-3925, gulfshoreopera.org
Holidays in Paradise at First
Presbyterian in Bonita Springs (Dec. 13, 7:30pm) Nir Kabaretti conducts the Southwest Florida Symphony Orchestra in an eclectic mix of holiday favorites. First Presbyterian Church, 9751 Bonita Beach Road SE, Bonita Springs. 239-4180996, swflso.org
Holiday Pops at Artis-Naples (Dec. 1517, 8pm; Dec. 17, 2pm; Dec. 18, 7pm) Featuring the Naples Philharmonic Chorus and Youth Chorus. Led by Naples Philharmonic Assistant Conductor Yaniv Segal, the program promises to remind us why music is such an important part of our year-end traditions. Vocalists Nick Ziobro and Julia Goodwin lend their vibrant vocals and presence. Hayes Hall, Artis-Naples, 5833 Pelican Bay Blvd., Naples. 239-597-1900, artisnaples.org
Ethan Bortnick: “We’re All Family”
Holiday Concert (Dec. 18, 2pm and 7:30pm) Ethan Bortnick has traveled the world performing his music and millions have seen him on PBS. He’ll bring his inspiration, musicality and entertaining showmanship to a holiday concert. Southwest Florida Performing Arts Center, 11515 Bonita Beach Road SE, No. 101, Bonita Springs. 239-389-6901, swflpac.com
Improv Cafe (Nov. 5 and Dec. 3, 4pm) First Saturday of every month at 3pm, be as involved as you’d like—whether you’re setting a scene with suggestions or on stage as a player. Moe Auditorium, Center for Performing Arts, 10150 Bonita Beach Road, Bonita Springs. 239-4958989, artcenterbonita.org
All That Jazz, featuring Wallace Roney,
trumpet (Nov. 2, 6pm and 8:30pm) Mentored by Miles Davis, Wallace Roney’s explosive trumpet has bolstered big names in jazz such as Tony Williams, Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers, Herbie Hancock, Dizzy Gillespie and many others. Performs with the Naples Philharmonic Jazz Orchestra. Daniels Pavilion, ArtisNaples, 5833 Pelican Bay Blvd., Naples. 239-597-1900, artisnaples.org
Around Town: Naples Philharmonic
Chamber Ensembles (Nov. 4, 7:30pm) Musicians from the Naples Philharmonic perform chamber pieces, including Brahms’s Piano Quartet in C Minor, Dohnányi’s Serenade in C Major and Strauss’s Till Eulenspiegel’s Merry Pranks. Florida Gulf Coast University’s Tobe Recital Hall, Bower School of Music, 10501 FGCU Blvd., Fort Myers. 239-5971900, artisnaples.org
FGCU Wind Orchestra (Nov. 6, 3pm) FGCU’s Bower School of Music Wind Orchestra performs in Hayes Hall. ArtisNaples, 5833 Pelican Bay Blvd., Naples. 239-597-1900, artisnaples.org
Casting Crowns: “The Very Next Thing”
with Matt Maher and Hannah Kerr (Nov. 11, 7pm) Multi-platinum and Grammy winning Casting Crowns at Germain Arena with The Very Next Thing, the band’s new studio album. Contemporary Christian as well as upbeat, freshsounding tracks, this collection’s true impact is found in lyrics centered around identifying and acting on what’s right next to you. Joining them are Matt Maher and Hannah Kerr, two outstanding solo artists. Doors open at 6pm. Germain Arena, 11000 Everblades Parkway, Estero. 239-948-7825, germainarena.com
The Naples Philharmonic presents:
Classical Mystery Tour (Nov. 11, 8pm) Hear your favorite Beatles hits with the help of the Naples Philharmonic and a talented four-piece band. Hayes Hall,
Artis-Naples, 5833 Pelican Bay Blvd., Naples. 239-597-1900, artisnaples.org
Patchouli & Terra Guitarra, A Live
and Local Event at Artis-Naples (Nov. 12, 6:30pm and 9pm) Influenced by flamenco and world music, these two award-winning guitarists create beautiful soundscapes. Daniels Pavilion, Artis-Naples, 5833 Pelican Bay Blvd., Naples. 239-597-1900, artisnaples.org
Celebrating American Song (Nov. 13, 3pm) Reminisce by celebrating what makes American music great. United Church of Christ, Beverly Hall, 5200 Crayton Road, Naples. 239-529-3925, gulfshoreopera.org
All That Jazz, featuring Wycliffe
Gordon, trombone (Nov. 16, 6pm and 8:30pm) Wycliffe Gordon has performed with the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra, the Wynton Marsalis Septet and was voted Down Beat magazine’s best trombonist from 2012 to 2014. He’s been a featured soloist in multiple jazz documentaries, including PBS’s Swingin’
with the Duke and Ken Burns’ Jazz. Joined by the Naples Philharmonic Jazz Orchestra. Daniels Pavilion, Artis-Naples, 5833 Pelican Bay Blvd., Naples. 239-5971900, artisnaples.org
Third Thursday on Third (Nov. 17, 5pm) Enjoy fine music and great coffee on the third Thursday of each month on Third Street South, Naples. Musical performance by Felix Jiles in the Fleischmann Courtyard. 239-434-6533, thirdstreetsouth.com
The Naples Philharmonic presents:
Handel’s Messiah (Nov. 29 and Dec. 1, 8pm) Experience the power of the 100-voice Naples Philharmonic Chorus, directed by James Cochran, presenting Handel’s masterful oratorio. A commentary on the life of Christ, Messiah remains Handel’s best-known work, with performances particularly popular during Advent. Hayes Hall, Artis-Naples, 5833 Pelican Bay Blvd., Naples. 239-597-1900, artisnaples.org
Havana Cuba All-Stars (Dec. 5, 8pm) This 11-piece band is touring the United States for the first time and showcasing some of Cuba’s finest musicians. Combining fresh sounds and traditional Cuban forms, these all-stars have found a winning formula. You’ll hear bossa nova and cha-cha-chá rhythms flavored with Caribbean influences from a variety of exotic instruments. Hayes Hall, ArtisNaples, 5833 Pelican Bay Blvd., Naples. 239-597-1900, artisnaples.org Artis-Naples Masterworks Series: Joshua Bell plays Tchaikovsky (Dec. 8-10, 8pm) Thrill to the soaring sounds of Joshua Bell’s violin as he performs Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto, Bach’s Ricercare from The
Musical Offering and Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 1. Andrey Boreyko conducts the Naples Philharmonic as it provides accompaniment to Bell in this installment of the Artis-Naples Masterworks Series. Hayes Hall, ArtisNaples, 5833 Pelican Bay Blvd., Naples. 239-597-1900, artisnaples.org
All That Jazz, featuring Kenny
Washington, vocalist (Dec. 14, 6pm and 8:30pm) Virtuoso vocalist’s range spans four octaves. Called the “Superman” of the Bay Area jazz scene, Kenny Washington’s soulful interpretations and spitfire scatting set his rare talent apart. Performing with the Naples Philharmonic Jazz Orchestra. Daniels Pavilion, ArtisNaples, 5833 Pelican Bay Blvd., Naples. 239-597-1900, artisnaples.org
Third Thursday on Third (Dec. 15, 5pm) Enjoy fine music and great coffee on third Thursdays on Third Street South, Naples. Band TBA. 239-434-6533, thirdstreetsouth.com
Itzhak Perlman with the Naples
Philharmonic (Dec. 20, 8pm) Itzhak Perlman enjoys superstar status rarely afforded a classical musician and has performed with every major orchestra and at venerable concert halls around the globe. Aficionados have the opportunity to enjoy Perlman perform with the Naples Philharmonic, conducted by Yaniv Segal. The evening will include Britten’s
Soirées musicales, Bruch’s Concerto for Violin and Orchestra No. 1 in G Minor, John Williams’ Theme from Schindler’s
List, Jennifer Higdon’s blue cathedral and Respighi’s Pines of Rome. Hayes Hall, Artis-Naples, 5833 Pelican Bay Blvd., Naples. 239-597-1900, artisnaples.org
ON STAGE
Miami City Ballet present Giselle,
with the Naples Philharmonic (Nov. 1, 8pm) The story of a young peasant girl deceived by a smitten prince, Giselle has remained an enduring masterpiece for 175 years. Gary Sheldon conducting. Prelude begins at 7pm. Artis-Naples, 5833 Pelican Bay Blvd., Naples. 239-5971900, artisnaples.org
NELSON ILLUSIONS at Southwest
Florida Performing Arts Center (Nov. 3, 7pm) The largest touring illusion show in the United States has more than 30,000 pounds of equipment and is three times larger than any other touring illusion show. Southwest Florida Performing Arts Center, 11515 Bonita Beach Road SE, No. 101, Bonita Springs. 239-3896901, swflpac.com
Improv Tonight! (Nov. 5 and Dec. 3, 8pm) First Saturdays for some of Southwest Florida’s best improvisational comedy. Wine, beer, sodas and light snacks. Moe Auditorium, Center for Performing Arts, 10150 Bonita Beach Road, Bonita Springs. 239-4958989, artcenterbonita.org
The Capitol Steps, at Artis-Naples (Nov. 5, 8pm) America’s favorite political satire troupe is back in Hayes Hall in what might be its busiest season—a presidential election year. The Capitol Steps began as a group of Senate staffers who set out to satirize the very people who employed them. Hayes Hall, Artis-Naples, 5833 Pelican Bay Blvd., Naples. 239-597-1900, artisnaples.org
Films for Film Lovers: Title TBA
(Mondays, 7pm) Monday nights, make your opinions known at a lively discussion after the film. Wine, beer and non-alcoholic beverages, snacks and popcorn are available. Moe Auditorium, Center for Performing Arts, 10150 Bonita Beach Road SE, Bonita Springs. 239-4958989, artcenterbonita.org
Naples Philharmonic/Opera Naples
presents: Puccini’s Turandot (Nov. 9, 8pm) This semi-staged performance brings the orchestra on stage for a dramatic tale of unwavering love and determination as Prince Calaf works to win the hand of his beloved Princess Turandot by solving riddles that could cost him his life. Ramón Tebar conducts. Hayes Hall, Artis-Naples, 5833 Pelican Bay Blvd., Naples. 239-597-1900, artisnaples.org
The Rat Pack with Sandy Hackett at Southwest Florida Performing Arts
Center (Nov. 11 and 12, 7pm) Sandy Hackett and Lisa Dawn Miller have created an authentic, avant-garde theatrical production based on the musical and comedic legacy of the Rat Pack, capturing the relationship, respect, love and timeless laughter of that once-in-a-lifetime moment in history. Southwest Florida Performing Arts Center, 11515 Bonita Beach Road SE, No. 101, Bonita Springs. 239-389-6901, swflpac.com
A Taste of Opera at The Strand Country
Club, Naples (Dec. 8, 6pm) Dinner with light entertainment of popular melodies