Relaxing with the Naples Locals

Claudia Polzin

Hope you have been enjoying summer in Naples – it has been a little warm but surprisingly I have found that the evenings have for the most part been very pleasant. So continue to enjoy and explore all that we have to offer in beautiful Naples.

Every month you receive information in this great magazine about the Naples Art Association which is housed at the von Liebig Art Center downtown Naples. This is really one of our jewels in the city and if you have not explored it please do not delay – through September 4 there is an exhibit – Gareth Rockliffe: The Great American Coastline. Explore the captivating and diverse coasts of America – from the Pacific, to the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Coast. Rockliffe is a Naples native and spent over two years photographing the coasts of our great land – providing you with an opportunity to travel to beautiful spots you may have not been able to visit personally. If you did not know – the gallery is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and is free and open to the public. So there is no reason to not have this on your list for the end of the summer months.

While there be sure to pick up information about classes for adults and children and visit the fantastic gift shop.

Once you have acquainted yourself with the Naples Art Association be sure to put another exhibit on your calendar –  September 21 – October 26. This exhibit gives you the opportunity to participate – the exhibit – Your Choice 2015.

Artists are invited to submit a work of their choice, any media, and awards will be based on your vote. So when you go and visit you will have the opportunity to vote on your favorite – so don’t miss this chance to be an art critic – and remember art is in the eye of the beholder.

For a very short time in August you can still be able to see the Naples Players production of Legally Blonde – it will close on August 9 – so if you have not seen this wonderful comedy – be sure to check your calendar and get this on your schedule. The next production for the Naples Players will open on October 24 – Spinning Into Butter. This play is written by Rebecca Gillman, an American playwright. In light of many events in our recent history this play may be very timely as it focuses on racial discord on a small New England college campus.

I know that it sounds very frightening but the lists of all of the Galas and events to fund the many nonprofits in our area will start appearing in September. (Just to really frighten you – last year there were 67 Galas/events during January and February alone.)

In August and September the Naples Jazz Masters will be providing you with wonderful concerts on Saturday afternoons at the Norris Center in downtown Naples. So just imagine a stroll through the Rockliffe exhibit at the von Liebig and then walking through Cambier Park to the Norris Center for the 1 p.m. concert. We know that Season is just around the corner when the concerts begin in Cambier Park – and that will happen on October 11 with the Music Makers, the Naples Concert Band on October 18 and Jazz on October 28.

These months are your last chance to enjoy the reason you moved here with less traffic and congestion before we welcome back all of our wonderful seasonal visitors – so don’t miss the opportunity and spend some time with the Naples Players, at the Naples Art Association and concerts at the Norris Center and Cambier Park.

Enjoy our city and make new friends at every opportunity