Making the Best of Off Season by Claudia Polzin, Independent Consultant

2024 is a remarkable year for one of the oldest theatre programs in Collier County – the Naples Players – with the completion of a 21 million dollar renovation. The main theatre – Kizzie Theatre has been expanded with box seating (308 seats on the main floor and 144 balcony seats) but, never fear, the wide aisles between the rows on the main floor space remain. They have also enhanced the theatre with space for those that are sensory challenged – so that they, too, can enjoy the beauty that is a live theatrical presentation.

In October you can enjoy two productions in the renovated spaces – from October 2–20 in the Kizzie Theatre get your tickets for the production of Rumors. When the host for the evening dinner is missing, the rumors start. As the rumors run wild as the guests arrive, chaos quickly ensues and a journey of mistaken identities, absurd misunderstandings and tangled truths unfolds.

Opening on October 16 in the Price Studio Theatre you can escape to the enchanting town of Almost, Maine. In this town love, laughter and unexpected connections illuminate the winter sky. This is a heartwarming, whimsical collection of tales that celebrates the extraordinary moments that transform ordinary lives.

Because some of these months can be quite warm, make plans to enjoy the Naples Jazz masters on Saturdays in August and September inside at the Norris Center from 1 to 3 p.m. But if you want to enjoy a stroll on Fifth Avenue – Evenings on Fifth happen on August 8, September 12 and October 10. Explore the stores and enjoy live entertainment and maybe decide to try a new restaurant!

Begin the month of October celebrating National Night Out from 5:30 to 7 p.m. in Fleischman Park. This tradition was started in 1984 in Philadelphia and its goal was to enhance the relationship between neighbors and law enforcement and hopes to bring about a true sense of community. There will be vehicles from police and fire departments with personnel from those departments for the community to interact with and food, bounce houses and a climbing wall.

We can’t forget that October ends with one of this country’s most popular holidays – Halloween. Wander down to Cambier Park on October 26 and, beginning at 3 p.m., celebrate with a fun and festive celebration for the entire family. There will be vendors offering food, candy, and games. The celebration will also have a costume contest and live music. The City of Naples will also host a Trunk or Treat event beginning at 6 p.m. that same day in Fleischman Park.

June 2024 also saw an unprecedented occurrence in the State of Florida – for the first time all funding for the arts and museums in the State was cut from the State budget. This impacts hundreds of arts organizations and thousands of jobs. The arts bring in money and have a significant return on investment for the state. This cut has left arts organizations, especially smaller ones, struggling to be able to maintain their schedules and community activities – so now, more than ever, it is important that you support the arts groups that you love.

Enjoy our beautiful city, celebrate the arts and explore our beautiful parks as they celebrate National Night Out, Halloween or provide a peaceful place to have a stroll. Don’t forget all of the wonderful times you have had enjoying a concert, a play or a museum exhibit – and let those organizations know that you appreciate and support what they are doing in the community.