WHAT TO DO, WHERE TO GO

>>Larry Dinkin, Turandot, a retrospective at the Naples Philharmonic Center for the Arts. This week's theater

The Goodbye Girl - The Naples Players opens its new season at the Sugden Community Theatre with Neil Simon's romantic comedy, "The Goodbye Girl." The show runs through Nov. 8. Performances are at 8 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday. Dallas Dunnagan directs and Meg Pryor choreographs. Music directors are Julie Shaffer and Aurora Wells. Scenic design is by Matt Flynn, and costume design is by Dot Auchmoody. Vergina Restaurant has partnered with the theater again for the season, offering "Dinner and a Show" for $58, which includes a three-course dinner before a stroll across 5th Avenue for the show. Tickets to the show only are $35 for adults and $10 for students 18 and younger. For information and tickets, stop by The Naples Players box office at 701 5th Avenue South, call 263-7990 or go to www.naplesplayers. org.

Women of Lockerbie - "The Women of Lockerbie" opens at the Tobye Studio at Sugden Community Theatre on Oct. 29. The Naples Players' poetic drama by Deborah Brevoort runs through Nov. 22. The Sugden Community Threatre is located at 701 5th Avenue South in downtown Naples. Shows are at 8 p.m.Wednesday through Saturday, Sunday matinees, 2 p.m. Tickets are $20 for adults; $10 for students 18 and younger. For information and tickets, The Naples Players Box Office at 263-7990 or online go to www.naplesplayers.org

>>John Henry, Meridian, will exhibit "Drawing in Space: The Peninsula Project," at the Naples Philharmonic Center for the Arts. Best Little Whorehouse - Broadway Palm Dinner Theater presents "The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas" running through Nov. 15. A sizzlin' good time is coming when Miss Mona and her "ladies" from the heart of Texas entertain politicians, cowboys and even a college football team after their victory. When her legendary house of ill-repute is ordered to be closed down by the governor, Miss Mona and her girls take on the establishment in this rip-roaring, high-octane production! Includes the songs "Hard Candy Christmas" and "The Aggie Song." Performances are Wednesday through Sunday with selected matinees. Dinner is at 5:30 p.m. and the evening shows begin at 7:30 p.m. For reservations and show information, visit www.BroadwayPalm.com, call 278-4422 or stop by the box office at 1380 Colonial Blvd.

Marilyn Monroe at a Brooklyn Dodgers game by photographer Barney Stein. Born Yesterday - "Born Yesterday," by Garson Kanin, opens at the

Florida Repertory Theatre Friday, Oct. 24 and runs through Nov. 16. A perfect play for the heated election season, this play is a classic love story set in the midst of 1940's Washington politics. When Harry Brock, an uncouth & corrupt tycoon, brings his showgirl mistress, Billie, to Washington, her innocence and naivety threaten to undermine his shady business deals. When Harry hires someone to teach Billie the ropes, he gets more than he bargained for. Tickets are on sale through the box office, 332-4488. Visit Florida Rep online at www.floridarep. org

Bad Dates - "Bad Dates," the uproarious smash hit comedy that has left audiences in stitches across the country, runs at Theatre Conspiracy through Nov. 1. Part "Sex in the City," part "Bridget Jones' Diary" and part "The Perils of Pauline," "Bad Dates" is all good fun. You'll be wiping away tears of laughter and sympathy as Texas transplant, single mother and shoe fanatic Haley Walker struggles to raise her daughter, run a popular restaurant and find her way back into the dating world in modern-day Manhattan. Theatre Conspiracy is located at 2711 Park Windsor Dr., suite 302, Fort Myers.

This week's symphony

Fall Music Festival - Naples Philharmonic Center for the Arts Fall Music Festival on Oct. 25 features the works of Dvorak, Nielsen and Mozart. Conducted by Jorge Mester, the Naples Philharmonic Orchestra plays Mozart's 39th Symphony, the first of the three symphonies (his last) that he wrote in the summer of 1788, a graceful, melodic work, and one of Mozart's sunniest symphonies. Also featured will be the witty, warm-hearted flute concerto by Danish composer Carl Nielsen. Performing it will be Principal Flutist Suzanne Kirton. For more information or to order tickets, contact Customer Service at 597-1900 or toll-free at (800) 597-1900 or visit www.thephil.org.

Friday, Oct. 24

Larry Dinkin - Groundbreaking abstract artist Larry Dinkin will discuss his singular paintings and silk screens at 10 a.m. in the Daniels Pavilion at the Naples Philharmonic Center for the Arts. In addition, he will discuss his evolution as an artist, in conjunction with the exhibition "Larry Dinkin: A Retrospective." This is Mr. Dinkin's first retrospective and his first exhibition in South Florida. For more information or to order tickets, contact Customer Service at 597-1900 or toll-free at (800) 597-1900 or visit www.thephil.org.

Mamie Holst - With her ongoing series of black, gray, and white paintings titled "Landscape Before Dying," begun in 1997, Mamie Holst explores the inspiring abstract landscape within her experience of Chronic Fatigue and Immune Dysfunction Syndrome. Her work will be on display at the Bob Rauschenberg Gallery on the campus of Edison State College in Fort Myers. An opening reception will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. with a gallery talk at 7 p.m. The Bob Rauschenberg Gallery is open Monday through Friday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. For additional information, call 489-9313 or visit www.bobRauschenberggallery. com

Show of Shows - Naples Art Association members come together for the first annual non-juried all artist members "Show of Shows" exhibition, with a preview reception from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at The von Liebig Art Center, 585 Park St. in Naples. The catered reception is free for members and $10 for non-members. The exhibit runs through Nov. 9 and features works by 92 member artists and includes paintings, drawings, photography, printmaking, mixed media and pastels as well as additive and subtractive sculpture. All of the works are available for purchase. The galleries are open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 1 to 4 p.m. on Sunday. Suggested donation is $5 for adults and $2 for children 10 and older. The public may call 239-262- 6517 or visit naplesart.org for more information.

Saturday, Oct. 25

NASA Art - "NASA Art: 50 Years of Exploration" opens at the Art League of Bonita Springs. The show is a Smithsonian Traveling Exhibition. More than 200 NASA-commissioned artists experienced a behind-the-scenes look at the agency — the scientists, astronauts, and other personnel who shaped the missions and programs. This fascinating look at our nation's space program will appeal to all ages. The exhibit is open through Jan. 24. For details, call 495-8989.

Ongoing events

Student art - As is its fall tradition, the Naples Art Association presents an exhibition of works created by students ages 3 to 15 who participated in summer

ARTScool classes at The von Liebig Art Center. During ARTScool, students learn about various forms of art, what can be used to create art and about the greatest artists in history. At the end of the session, some of most creative pieces are selected to go on to Naples City Hall. The show runs through Jan. 14 and greets visitors to City Hall at 735 Eighth Street South. To learn more about classes at The von Liebig Art Center, call Abigail Miles, 262-6517, ext. 110, or visit www. naplesart.org.

John Henry - Internationally acclaimed sculptor John Henry, known for his sky-high steel sculpture, will kick off his seven-city Florida exhibition, "Drawing in Space: The Peninsula Project," at the Naples Philharmonic Center for the Arts through Feb. 3. Incorporating new works as well as some of his most recognized pieces, the indoor and outdoor exhibition brings together his colorful, monumental works. For more information, visit www.PeninsulaProject. com

3 Women of Merit - The Naples Art Association at The von Liebig Art Center presents "3 Women of Merit: Part 2" through Oct. 19 at the art center, 585 Park St. in downtown Naples. The exhibition features works on paper and canvas and mixed media sculpture by three awarding winning artists — Gisela Miller, Janis Siegel and Joan Brechin Sonnenberg. The reception is free for members and $10 for guests. The center's hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 1 to 4 p.m. on Sunday. Suggested donation is $5 for adults and $2 for children 10 and older. For more information, call 262-6517 or visit naplesart.org.

A Decade of Collecting - "A Decade of Collecting," runs through Nov. 5 at The von Liebig Art Center. Before the center opened in 1998, the Naples Art Association began an initiative to further its mission by collecting original works of art through gift and donation. The collection of mid-to-late 20th century paintings, sculpture, works on paper, photography and mixed media documents the legacy of artists who were influential in establishing Naples as a vital art community. The first works collected were exhibited during the von Liebig Art Center's gala opening. With the turn of the 21st century, the focus of the collection expanded to include contemporary work by artists who have achieved national and international recognition and who have had a Florida connection. The von Liebig Art Center now holds a collection of 175 works of American art created after 1950.

Noodles art - Noodles Italian Café & Sushi Bar combines forces with DeDe Sweet, owner and founder of Sweet Art Gallery, to display works of art from international, national and local artists. Each month, Noodles features an artist to complement Saturday night jazz jam sessions with Paul Rozmus and his Funkyside Band. Hanging through Saturday, Nov. 11 are works by Nancy Oldham Seibert in oils, pastels and arylics, on paper, canvas and wood. Ms. Seibert resides in Naples and in Ohio. Her philosophy of art has evolved synergistically through both paint and the energy created through her brush marks that reflect a certain rhythm in nature. Nature is her source of inspiration; her images stem from Ohio's woodlands, lakes and meadows, and Florida's sea, sky and inland lakes. Coming up in the 2008-2009 artistic season at Noodles: Alberto Cruz, Nov. 12-Dec. 10; Mary Ann Flynn-Fouse, Dec. 11-Jan. 10; Sandi Badash, Jan. 11-Feb. 10; and Kevin Caffrey, Feb. 11-March 10. Noodles Italian Café & Sushi Bar is in Mission Square Plaza at 1585 Pine Ridge Road. Call 370-6577 or visit www.noodlescafe. com.

Mamie Holst - With her ongoing series of black, gray, and white paintings titled "Landscape Before Dying," begun in 1997, Mamie Holst explores the inspiring abstract landscape within her experience of Chronic Fatigue and Immune Dysfunction Syndrome. Her work will be on display at the Bob Rauschenberg Gallery on the campus of Edison State College beginning Oct. 24. An opening reception will be held Friday, Oct. 24 from 6 to 8 p.m. with a gallery talk at 7 p.m. The Bob Rauschenberg Gallery is open Monday through Friday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. For additional information, call 489-9313 or visit www.bobRauschenberggallery.com

Show of Shows - Naples Art Association members come together for the first annual non-juried all artist members

"Show of Shows" exhibition at The von Liebig Art Center, 585 Park St. in Naples from Oct. 25 through Nov. 9. The exhibit features works by 92 member artists and includes paintings, drawings, photography, printmaking, mixed media and pastels as well as additive and subtractive sculpture. All of the works are available for purchase. The galleries are open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 1 to 4 p.m. on Sunday. Suggested donation is $5 for adults and $2 for children 10 and older. The public may call 262-6517 or visit naplesart.org for more information.

Upcoming events

Naples Art Festival - The Naples National Art Festival has been ranked No. 5 among art festivals in the United States by Sunshine Artist magazine. The Naples National has consistently ranked in the top 20 festivals for the past several years, and this is its highest spot on the list. Dates are Feb. 21 and 22 in Cambier Park and along 8th Street South. Almost 1,000 artists will compete to be juried in to the show; those selected will showcase original paintings, drawings, sculpture, glass, ceramics, photography, mixed media, fiber, pastels and jewelry.

Art in the Park - Naples' oldest outdoor art festival in 2008-09 celebrates its 52nd anniversary season of showcasing artwork by Naples Art Association members the first Saturday of the month from November through April. The free, juried shows, on Park Street, alongside the von Liebig Art Center, feature a variety of media, including paintings, photography, sculpture and jewelry. Refreshments are available. Nov. 1 is the first show.

Opening Night Gala - A spectacular, star-studded gala opens the Phil's 2008-09 season, featuring Broadway and concert hall star Brian Stokes Mitchell, renowned opera diva Measha Brueggergosman and the Naples Philharmonic Orchestra, at the Opening Night Gala, Saturday, Nov. 1, beginning with a buffet reception at 7 p.m. followed by the performance at 8 p.m. Tickets to the Opening Night Gala are $135. For more information or to order tickets, contact Customer Service at 597-1900 or toll-free at (800) 597-1900 or visit www. thephil.org.

Under the Stars - Opera Naples' new season opens the evening of Friday, Nov. 21, with the company's second annual "Opera Stars Under the Stars," at which several world-renowned opera singers will perform a preview of the three full-scale productions on this year's program. The Cambier Park band shell will be the site again this year, in response to enthusiastic patrons who enjoyed the outdoor venue last fall.

White Christmas - The Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre presents "Irving Berlin's White Christmas," "Nov. 20 through Dec. 27. White Christmas is based on the movie classic made popular by Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye and Rosemary Clooney. It's 1954 and two army buddies turned show biz partners follow a duo of singing sisters to Vermont where the girls are scheduled to perform over Christmas. Bob, Phil and the girls decide to put on a show to save the inn run by their former commanding officer. The Irving Berlin score includes "Happy Holidays," "Sisters," "Blue Skies," and the title song, "White Christmas." For reservations and show information, visit www.BroadwayPalm. com, call 278-4422 or stop by the box office at 1380 Colonial Blvd.

Sound and music - The Marco Island Branch Library presents a creative program aimed at discovering "the life of sound and music." Feel more vitality, joy and clarity as sound saluterist Cathy Blair bathes listeners in the unique sounds of singing quartz crystal bowls at The Ancient Art of Sound Program beginning at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 28. The sounds produced by crystal bowls are not just heard by the ear; they are felt in the body, with certain tones affecting energy centers for healing, balancing and meditation. Played in sequence, the harmonious tones are said to excite and balance every cell in the body. Sponsored by the Friends of the Collier County Library, The Ancient Art of Sound is free and open to the public. Advanced registration is required; call 394-3272 or visit www.colliergov. net/library. The Marco Island Branch Library is at 210 S. Heathwood Drive on Marco Island.

von Leibig gala - Save the date, Friday, Nov. 21, for the 10th anniversary celebration of The von Leibig Art Center. The party begins with a tribute at 4:30 p.m., when past presidents of the Naples Art Association will be joined by major donors who contributed to the building's construction, representatives from builder Kraft Construction, Mayor Mayor Barnett and other legislators and community leaders. Following the tribute, the NAA's 47th Founders Exhibition and awards presentation takes place from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. As a special treat, Naples Opera is presenting its "Opera Stars Under the Arts" program under the band shell at 8 p.m. For more information, call 262-6517 or visit www.naplesart. org.

Holiday spectacular - Norris Furniture & Interiors' annual Holiday Spectacular will benefit Ronald McDonald House Charities of Southwest Florida. Tickets are on sale now. Dozens of local designers are decorating wreaths and trees and creating festive tabletop settings for the event. These beautifully decorated holiday items will be displayed at the Norris showroom in Naples the week prior and auctioned off during a silent auction at the gala from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 15. In addition to the designer decorated items, Ronald McDonald House Charities has donated dozens of retired Department 56 Holiday Houses for the event. These collector pieces have decorated the Ronald McDonald House at HealthPark in Fort Myers throughout the years. Tickets to the Norris Furniture & Interiors Holiday Spectacular are $20 per person. For more information, call 649-5151.

Doobie Brothers - The Grammy Award-winning, multi-platinum-selling Doobie Brothers will perform a special concert at the Philharmonic Center in Naples on Wednesday, Nov. 19, at 8 p.m. For more than 30 years, the Doobies have defied categories, combining rock 'n' roll, country, blues, jazz and soul to create a sound all their own. Tickets to the Doobie Brothers are $69. For more information or to order tickets, contact Customer Service at 597-1900 or toll-free at (800) 597-1900 or visit www.thephil.org.

Iconic Performers - Joe Leonardo, professor emeritus, Temple University Theater Department, will present

"Iconic Performers on Broadway," the first class in the series Broadway Medley, as part of the Philharmonic Center's Lifelong Learning arts education program. "Iconic Performers on Broadway" will examine Broadway divas — past and present — from Merman and Martin to Peters and LuPone and will be held on Thursday, Nov. 13 at 2 p.m. in the Toni Stabile Building, located just south of the Philharmonic Center. Tickets for "Iconic Performers on Broadway" are $32. Tickets for the series Broadway Medley are $128. The series includes additional classes: "The British Invasion" on Jan. 29; "Dance on Broadway" on Feb. 19; and "Flaherty and Ahrens on Broadway" on March 19. For more information or to order tickets, contact customer service at 597-1900 or toll-free at (800) 597-1900 or visit www.thephil.org.

Eileen Newton - Elaine Newton, Professor Emeritus of Humanities, York University, Toronto, will present "Loving

Frank" by Nancy Horan, the first event in the Critic's Choice series, as part of the Philharmonic Center's Lifelong Learning arts education program. The series features enlightening commentary on some of the most exciting and important contemporary fiction. "Loving Frank" will be presented on Saturday, Nov. 15, at 10 a.m. in Hayes Hall. Tickets for "Loving Frank" are $30. Tickets for the Critic's Choice series are $180. The series includes additional events: "Let the Northern Lights Erase Your Name" by Vendela Vida on Dec. 6; "Tree of Smoke" by Denis Johnson on Jan. 24; "Mister Pip" by Lloyd Jones on Feb. 28; "Out Stealing Horses" by Per Petterson on March 28; and "Fieldwork" by Mischa Berlinski on April 18. For more information or to order tickets, contact Customer Service at 597-1900 or toll-free at (800) 597-1900 or visit www. thephil.org.

Boys of Summer - North Collier Regional Park will showcase rarely published photographs chronicling the "Boys of Summer" as seen through the lens of award-winning Brooklyn Dodgers' photographer Barney Stein. During Stein's 20 years with the Dodgers, he had unequalled access to the Brooklyn "Bums" documenting some of the most memorable moments in baseball history. The 32 black and white images feature Dodger greats Jackie Robinson, Gil Hodges, Ralph Branca, and legendary batboy Charlie DiGiovanna. The "Brooklyn Dodgers Photographs of Barney Stein" exhibit opens Nov. 13 and runs through Feb. 1.

Navy jazz - The Navy's premier jazz ensemble, the Commodores, presents the finest in America's truly original music on Nov. 6, at 7 p.m. at the Cambier Park Badnshell. A specialty unit of the United States Navy Band in Washington, D.C., the group features 18 of the Navy's top jazz and "big band" musicians. Under the leadership of Senior Chief Musician Philip M. Burlin, the Commodores combine the best of Jazz and popular music.

Roberto Clemente - North Collier Regional Park will host "Beyond Baseball: The Life of Roberto Clemente," Nov. 8 through Dec. 27. For many baseball fans, Roberto Clemente was simply the greatest Latin American ballplayer ever to step out onto the diamond. A right fielder for the Pittsburgh Pirates (1955- 1972), Clemente earned 12 Gold Gloves, appeared in an equal number of All-Star games, won four National League batting titles, and was twice named the league's MVP. On the field, he had fire, intensity, and a cannon arm that gave every ticket holder in the park a show of unforgettable athleticism. Off the field, Roberto Clemente is remembered as a selfless humanitarian. For more information, please contact the Exhibit Hall at 252-4060 or 252-4024.