SUMMERTIME IN NAPLES

Claudia Polzin Consultant to Nonprofits

As we move into the months that the activity seems a little slower and the roads less crowded we sometimes look around for entertainment options. Granted there are less during the traditional months that are considered summer – but they are not gone.

The StayinMay Festival will continue through May 7 and brings world-class entertainment to Naples during the month of May which is the beginning of our summer months. The fun with the Festival actually began in late April and we hope that you were able to enjoy some of the great jazz programs that happened in April – Jazz at the Library on April 26 featured the music of Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn.

One of the great young artists of our time was featured on April 27 – Alex Laurenzi – and we hope that got to hear him in concert with legendary jazz artist – Lew Del Gatto.
But the love of jazz continues for the Festival programming – May 3 – New Orleans Jazz. Most of us know the legend of the Preservation Hall Jazz – and you can hear and appreciate one of the legendary New Orleans’ jazz trumpeters – Leroy Jones.

He has been credited with restoring the brass band tradition in New Orleans and is a regular at Preservation Hall. You probably don’t know that if you saw “Sleepless in Seattle” you enjoyed Leroy’s music. Enjoy him live on May 3 at North Naples Church with the great Lew Del Gatto’s jazz band.

On May 4 – if you enjoy a variety of musical genres – join the Festival at Bentley Village and hear the astounding music of Intersection – an award-winning violin trio. But this is not your typical violin trio – this group features everything from classical to jazz. Each of the artists in the trio is an award-winning artist on their own and when they combine their talents you get to enjoy an evening of virtual collaboration between artists and audience.

Have you ever imagined a combination of Brass and a magnificent Pipe Organ – you can on May 5 at Vanderbilt Presbyterian Church, 4 pm. This will be an afternoon of music from Gabrielli to jazz to patriotic music. This unique, first of its kind in Naples features 3
trumpets, 3 trombones, tuba, percussion, piano and a pipe organ with over 3,000 pipes.

All of these musicians are professionals that you hear singularly but to hear them as a group will truly be an afternoon you don’t want to miss. Our own Naples Players makes certain you have theatre productions to enjoy over the summer, Lost in Yonkers takes the stage May 1-26 and Mamma Mia! will get you singing and dancing June 26
– July 28.

The summer months are also when they have productions  featuring local students – it is always heartwarming and uplifting to see talented students – so be sure to check out their website to find out more about KidzAct productions.

The summer months in Naples are also a great time to explore the many art galleries – perhaps this is the time to find the East West Fine Art in Mercato – you can enjoy their unique exhibitions, have a cup of coffee and take a walk.

Maybe you want to enjoy Art After Dark – then head to Crayton Cove on May 11. Crayton Cove is one of Naples’s gems – and if you haven’t found it you really need to take the time during the summer months to explore Crayton Cove.

During the rest of the year we have multiple local bands that perform – but one
continues to provide entertainment for you during the summer months – The Naples Jazz
Masters will perform each Saturday in June and July at The Norris Center 1-3 pm.
Be sure to enjoy Naples during the summer months – let the artists that perform
during this time know that you appreciate them and let your local art galleries know that
you enjoy what they bring to the visual arts in our beautiful community.