“Season” winds down in Naples 2022 by Claudia Polzin, Independent Consultant

This “season” has been almost like the ones of old – with entertainment venues back to almost normal schedules; restaurants have
been filled and beaches and golf courses very busy. But April does mark the end of the entertainment options – the many Big Bands that have provided concerts for years in Cambier Park mark the end of their season in April. So if you have not enjoyed any concerts in Cambier Park and the Norris Center – this is the month to make that happen.

April 3 The Naples Dixieland Jazz Band – 2 p.m.
April 10 Gulf Coast Big Band – 2 p.m.
April 11 Naples Big Band – 7 p.m.
April 13 Stardust Memories Big Band – 7 p.m.
April 24 Naples Concert Band – 2 p.m.

Remember that all of these groups rely on your generous donations and many support education programs for our local music students. One additional item in Cambier Park that you might enjoy is April 8 – Movie Night in Cambier Park at 8 p.m. – enjoy dinner downtown and then a movie in the park.

A couple of plays that I told you about in March will be closing in April – so again make sure you don’t miss them – Mary Poppins
at the Sugden will conclude on April 3 – this is the wonderful story of Jane and Michael Banks and their unusual nanny – Mary
Poppins. Also at the Tobye the play “When We Were Young and Unafraid” opened on March 30 and will conclude on April 24 –
this play was created by Sharon Treem.

The Sugden Theatre also has a wonderful program for children and their KidzAct program will present Shakespeare Abridged on
April 9 and 10. You will experience all 37 of Shakespeare’s plays in one hour, a wild ride that will leave you breathless with laughter.

TheatreZone will be presenting the popular “Bridges of Madison County” – this is based on a 1992 best-selling book by Robert James Waller and the popular 1995 film starring Clint Eastwood and Meryl Streep. An interesting note is that Madison County is the Covered Bridge Capital of Iowa – with six covered bridges in Madison County. The story is based around Francesca Johnson, a beautiful Italian woman who married an American soldier to flee a war-ravaged Italy. While her family heads to the 1965 Iowa State Fair, she spends the four days alone on her family farm. But she is surprised by a ruggedly handsome photographer, Robert Kincaid, who is looking for directions. What happens in those four days may change the course of Francesca’s life. The play will open on
April 21 and run through May 1.

Finishing out the month is one of the most popular operas ever written – Puccini’s Tosca. Presented by Gulfshore Opera at Artis-Naples – the Naples Philharmonic will be the orchestra accompanying the opera not only at Artis-Naples but for the performance at the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall. This opera in three acts premiered in Rome on January 14, 1900; and was based on a play by Victorien Sardou’s 1887 French language dramatic play. When it premiered it received indifferent reviews from critics but was an immediate hit with the public and continues to be to the present. The dramatic force of Tosca and its characters continues to fascinate both performers and audiences and is one of the most frequently performed operas.

This production will be the featured Grand Opera for Gulfshore Opera – Florida’s only touring opera company. Enjoy this last month of “season” and all of that our cultural opportunities have to offer. Be sure to share your favorites with your friends and family.

Enjoy this last month of “season” and all of that our cultural opportunities have to offer. Be sure to share your favorites with your friends and family.

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