March in Naples … Winter, Spring or Just Plain Beautiful

Claudia Polzin
Independent Consultant

Part of the joy of living in Naples is that when the rest of country is experiencing a month that can be winter, or spring or just plain messy – we are experiencing beautiful days, exquisite sunsets and opportunities for entertainment that offers something for everyone.

Opening on March 4 at the Naples Players is the iconic musical – “Bye, Bye Birdie”.  The original Broadway production opened in 1960 and was a Tony-award winning success. The film version followed in 1963.  The central character – Conrad Birdie – was a word play on Conway Twitty – who is mostly remembered as a  country western star. However, in the late 1950’s he was one of Elvis Presley’s rock n’ roll rivals. So enjoy fast paced rock n’ roll energy based loosely on Elvis Presley’s life and when he went into the Army.

A second musical theatre opportunity – “Gypsy” will open on March 5 and run through the fifteenth at TheatreZone. The same
era as “Bye, Bye Birdie” but an entirely di­fferent look at that time period. This musical opened on Broadway in 1959 and was loosely based on the 1957 memoirs of Gypsy Rose Lee; and focuses on her mother – Rose – the ultimate stage mother. Many critics have called this the greatest American musical.

Perhaps with all that is going on in our country you would like a little comedy. The Naples Players on March 14 features
Spring Mix – a live, family friendly, comedy show. Classical music appealing to specific audiences is also available – the  Grand Piano Series features renowned artists performing on the 10’ Fazioli grand twice in March at Vanderbilt Presbyterian Church. On March 2 the Italian artist Roberto Plano will perform works of Liszt, Gershwin and Villa-Lobos and on March 30 Finnish pianist Paavali Jumppanen’s concert will feature the work of Debussy, Chopin and Schubert.

Choral music enthusiasts will enjoy Seraphic Fire – Florida’s Grammy nominated chorale ensemble – on March 12 when they
perform Northern Lights: Music of Scandinavia with Conductor Ragnar Bohlin, director of the San Francisco Symphony Chorus.
The visual art world comes alive in the Naples Art District on March 4 and 21 when the galleries – over 60 – are open for the public to tour and meet the artists. The galleries represent artists working in many mediums, nationally and internationally
recognized.

Every month I like to point out the concerts in Cambier Park – and in March there are many – but also some interesting
“pairings”. Days with concerts only in Cambier Park are:

March 1 – Naples Concert Band at 2pm
March 2 – Stardust Memories Big Band at 7pm
March 15 – Gulf Coast Big Band at 2pm
March 22 – Naples Dixieland Jazz Band at 2pm
March 23 – Stardust Memories Big Band at 7pm
March 28- Naples Concert Band at 2pm
March 29 – Naples Big Band at 2pm

Now to the interesting pairings:
March 7 – Enjoy the Art in the Park during the day and stay for the Navy Band Performance at 7pm
March 9 – Naples Big Band at 7pm or the Italian Film Fest in the Norris Center at 6:45pm.

If you have not explored all that the Norris Center has to offer, please go to the City of Naples website and check out all of the
classes and activities that are available to the residents of Naples.

Enjoy month of March and continue to explore all that  Naples has to offer.

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