Celebrating Social & Cultural Events in Naples by Claudia Polzin, Independent Consultant

Celebrating all things Naples begins with the iconic Cambier Park and the Norris Center – home for many entertainment options in our beautiful city. Of the 31 days in March; for 13 of them you can find an entertainment option in one of these locations. These options include 8 concerts by the variety of bands that call Naples home. Because we are a retirement Mecca we have attracted many talented musicians who still want to be able to share their love of music with the community they have chosen. The one thing that all of these groups have in common is that they support education, either by providing instruments to children or scholarships to support their musical growth.

Here’s the schedule for the Big Bands in Cambier Park and the Norris Center:

March 3 – at 7 p.m. in Cambier Park – Naples Big Band
March 7 – at 7 p.m. in the Norris Center – Naples Big Band (special ticketed concert)
March 8 – at 2 p.m. in River Park – Naples Jazz Society Concert
March 9 – at 2 p.m. in Cambier Park – Naples Dixieland Jazz Band
March 10 – at 7 p.m. in Cambier Park – Stardust Memories Big Band
March 16 – at 2 p.m. in Cambier Park – Gulf Coast Big Band
March 24 – at 7 p.m. in Cambier Park – Stardust Memories Big Band
March 30 – at 2 p.m. in Cambier Park – Naples Concert Band

In addition to Big Bands the Norris Center hosts a variety of different options from a jazz saxophonist, to comedy and motown and opera.

Plan your variety of entertainment at the Norris Center:

March 1 – 7 p.m. Saxophonist Luis Alas: a contemporary jazz artist

March 11 & 18 – at 7 p.m. A Cracker at the Ritz: This is the longest running show in SW Florida history featuring a satirical roasting of all things Florida in song and sketch comedy. This show is totally non-political because “Flaw-ida” is funny enough on its own.

March 14 – at 5:30 p.m. Naples Comedy Night with Emmy-award winner Brian Kelly

March 27 – at 4 and 7 p.m. Gulfshore Opera’s production of Dvorak’s operetta Rusalka: This haunting masterpiece brings the timeless Little Mermaid fairy tale to life. Enjoy this captivating story in this fully staged production, performed in a new English translation.

March 28 – at 7 p.m. Jimmy Maxx’s Great Legends featuring the music of Karen Carpenter.

Live theatre in Naples continues at TheatreZone – the iconic Jersey Boys opens March 6 and continues through March 16. This is the 2006 Tony Award winning Best Musical. The play dramatized the formation, success and breakup of the 1960s group – The Four Seasons. This high energy innovative musical is structured in four seasons, each one narrated by one of the members of the group.

Our very own Naples Players will feature one of the world’s most popular musicals – Man of La Mancha. This will open on March 12 and close on April 13. This play was inspired by Miguel de Cervantes 17th center masterwork – Don Quixote and is set during the Spanish Inquisition. The original production opened on Broadway in 1965 and won 5 Tony Awards including Best Musical. One of its most performed hits is “To Dream the Impossible Dream” – so as you remember this song:

Plan your social and cultural events for the month of March. Enjoy live bands, live theatre and the greatest of all art forms-opera!