Artful Holidays
Local performing arts’ greatest gifts come in sparkly wrapping tied up with holiday nostalgia, from traditional carols to theater and pops. Some highlights:
- Through December 18: Coney Island Christmas by The Naples Players at Sugden Community Theatre, Naples
- Through December 1: Handel’s Messiah at Artis—Naples
- December 3: Gulfshore Opera’s Laud to the Nativity at United Church of Christ, Naples
- December 3-4: The Nutcracker at Artis—Naples
- December 5: Holiday Brass at CAPA, Cultural & Performing Arts Center, Naples
- December 9-11: TheatreZone’s Home for the Holidays at G&L Theatre in the Community School of Naples
“Home for the Holidays is a mix of holiday songs, not just classics. We’ll have great costumes – some that light up – some skits, and a nice evening of fun, music, and entertainment that should get you right in the spirit.” –Mark Danni, Founding Artistic Director, TheatreZone
- December 15-18: Naples Philharmonic Holiday Pops at Artis—Naples
- December 18: WGCU’s “We’re All Family”Holiday Concert with Ethan Bortnick at Southwest Florida Performing Arts Center, Bonita Springs
The Classics
Classic theater never goes out of fashion, especially with a little reinvention in local venues. Take, for instance, the My Fair Lady production at Gulfshore Playhouse through December 11. The company adapts the classic musical to its small space with a 10-person cast and two pianos. For a more traditional interpretation of the show, check out the Naples Players’ March 1-April 2 production.
“We haven’t done a musical in nine years. We had to get special permission to do the small version of My Fair Lady. It will be a romping, stomping Edwardian delight.” —Kristen Coury, Founder and Producing Artistic Director, Gulfshore Playhouse
Later in the season, Gulfshore Playhouse stages its version of The Hound of the Baskervilles—a “comedic take on an old classic” that will “leave you howling.”
At Artis—Naples, which expands its Broadway season this year to five performances, 42nd Street takes the stage December 26-29, telling the 1930s timeless tale of sudden stardom in the big city.
Critter Inspiration
At Centers for the Arts Bonita Springs, crocodilians star through December 31 in the “Crocodilian Scratchboards–Paintings and Drawings of John Agnew.” Engraving-like scratchboard renderings, field sketches, and paintings give the intriguing, toothy creatures dimension in this scaly display.
Enter History
The “Windows and Doors to History” exhibition at Marco Island Historical Museum, through February 18, offers a sneak peek of a permanent display of art that will move outside to the museum courtyard come February.
Seven artists have created vivid scenes from prehistoric to modern Marco times. Their work will be installed in 20 faux windows, three doors, and a three-panel column, literally bringing the museum’s indoors out.
Join the Fold
The Baker Museum partners with Naples Botanical Garden for “Origami in the Garden,” featuring artist Kevin Box, who thinks beyond paper with his oversized steel sculptures. The museum, as part of Artis—Naples’ “Scale” theme, will display five of his monumental pieces and about 40 unfolded pieces of origami.
The Naples Botanical Garden will showcase nearly 30 more sculptures beginning December 3, as well as host after-hours Origami After Dark events on nine evenings throughout the exhibition, which closes April 23, 2017.
“The artist transfers origami to a completely different medium and scale. We couldn’t be more proud of our collaboration with the gardens.” —Frank Verpoorten, Director and Chief Curator, Artis—Naples
“Passionately Repurposed: Art from Recycled and Found Materials”
The Naples Art Association at The von Liebig Art Center spotlights 35 to 40 local artists with this Earth-friendly juried exhibition in the Frederick O. Watson Gallery December 10-January 21.
Artists are asked to re-envision recycled materials and found objects while inspiring the public to find creative solutions to preserve the environment.
Tragic Love, through April 16
As part of this season’s cross-discipline “Muses” theme, Artis—Naples musically examines the impact Alma Mahler had on her composer husband, Gustav Mahler, and her later lover, painter Oskar Kokoschka.
The visual component, an art exhibit titled “A Tragic Love Affair,” will be on display at The Baker Museum.
Waxing Artistic
Naples artist Natalie Guess specializes in fine batik art, or “wax writing.” She will show off her stunning work during the “Reflections in Batik” engagement through December 30 at the Naples Depot Museum.
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