The art of celebrating: Fine and performing arts programs fill the November calendar

From Underground Art Wednesday in a North Naples neighborhood of galleries to The Doobie Brothers at the Phil, a pipe-organ concert in a church, and a Tennessee Williams play-reading and an art fair downtown, the November calendar is filled with things to do as part of Celebrate the Arts Month.

Five years ago, the United Arts Council declared November as the kick-off month for the winter/spring season of arts and cultural activities throughout Collier County. This year, the number of programs and activities has more than doubled from what was offered in 2003. Nearly 50 organizations, performers and galleries are presenting programs and events including theater, dance, music, festivals, exhibits, films, arts education and children's activities, many of which are free.

Here are some highlights of the first week of Celebrate the Arts Month, Nov. 1-8. For a complete list of the month's events and phone numbers to call for details, visit www.celebratethearts.org. It's all an important part of how the UAC, which is designated by the state as the official local arts agency for Collier County, fulfills its mission to connect arts organizations, artists, galleries and arts educators with one another, with local audiences and with tourism-related business.

 

COURTESY PHOTO The Commodores jazz ensemble of The U.S. Navy Band

• Art in the Park, the Naples Art Association; Saturday, Nov. 1, on Park Street; 262-6517

• The Dixie Bee Liners, bluegrass concert at Norris Park; 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 1; $10; 213-3049

• The Music Makers, free concert at Cambier Park; Saturday, Nov. 1; 213-3058

• The Naples Philharmonic Orchestra's opening-night gala, "From Broadway to Opera," at the Phil; Saturday, Nov. 1; 597-1900

• "The Goodbye Girl," The Naples Players on the main stage at The Sugden Theatre; 263-7990

• "The Women of Lockerbie," The Naples Players in the Tobye Studio at The Sugden Theatre; 263-7990

COURTESY PHOTO Opera diva Measha Brueggergosman for the Phil's Opening Night Gala

• "Three" by Tennessee Williams, a play reading by The Naples Players; Sunday, Nov. 2, at The Sugden Theatre; 263-7990

• Classic Chamber Concerts presents "Russian Romance:" Monday and Tuesday, Nov. 3-4; 434-8505

• Walking tour guided by the Naples Historical Society; Wednesday, Nov. 5; 261-8164

• NONA Gallery and Studio season opening reception; Wednesday, Nov. 5; 572-3386

• "People, Places and Pets," an exhibit by Tracy M. Rosen, opening Wednesday, Nov. 5, at Rosen Gallery and Studios; 821-1061

• Underground Art Wednesday; 6-9 p.m. Wednesday, Nov 5, in more than a dozen galleries in North Naples; pick up a brochure at Longstreth-Goldberg Art, 5640 Taylor Road, or at Rosen Gallery and Studios, 2172 J&C Blvd.; 514-2773 or 821-1061

• Norris Garden tour by the Naples Historical Society; Thursday, Nov. 6; 261- 8164

COURTESY PHOTO Classic Chamber Concerts "Russian Romance" with Borislav Strulev, Dmitri Berlinsky and Ilya Itin

• The Commodores jazz ensemble of The U.S. Navy Band at Cambier Park; Thursday, Nov. 6; 213-3058

• United Arts Council's Celebrate the Arts Month kick-off party at the Naples Beach Hotel; Saturday, Nov. 8; 263-8242

• The Naples ArtCrafters Fine Art and Crafts Fair at Cambier Park; Saturday, Nov. 8; 352-3036

• A morning of traditional Irish music by Inish, 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 8, at the Farmer's Market on Third Street South and 13th Avenue South; 649-6325

• Celebrate the Arts Month chalk art contest for children at Norris Center; Saturday, Nov. 8; 213-3058

Encore Bank is the presenting sponsor of Celebrate the Arts Month; other sponsors are Ali's Oriental Rugs, Jane and Richard Borchers, Comcast, The Rose Mary Everett Team, Gulfshore Life, Naples Harbour, Northern Trust and WGCU Public Media.

For more information about the United Arts Council of Collier County, call 263- 8242 or visit www.uaccollier.com

If you go

>>Celebrate! For a complete listing of Celebrate the Arts Month events and phone numbers for more information, visit www.celebratethearts.org.