Summertime In Naples

claudia-polzinSummer in Naples is definitely different than our “up north” homes –but it gives all of us who are the “year round” folks a chance to reacquaint ourselves with places of the city that we maybe do not go to during season.

Beginning this month you can enjoy the last concert of the Naples Dixieland Jazz Band for the 2016 season. This concert takes
place in Cambier park and is definitely a happy place to be. There is a special festival for all of us that stay around all year – “Stay in May” the ArtsNaples fifth annual festival that encourages people to stay in May and explore the arts in our community. For the first eight days of May – you can explore classical concerts, chamber concerts, film festivals, jazz concerts and culinary events.

The festival holds events all around the city and encourages you to explore many of our wonderful sites in the community.

Some of the events include concerts by the Belarusian State Chamber Orchestra on May 1 at 2 p.m. at Trinity-by-the- Cove; a Big Band concert on May 6 at 5:30 p.m. at the Naples Zoo, a special afternoon concert by Lyric Soprano Nancy Peery Marriott at the Naples Art Association also on May 6 and a special Mother’s Day open house at Historic Palm Cottage on May 7. This festival offers world class concerts and events at very reasonable ticket prices throughout our community – making it the best of all worlds – a variety of music, dance, culinary events and so much more. It is time to gather your friends and plan some special events during the first part of May. Visit the website – Stay in May to learn about all of the options.

Did you know that we have a 100 voice youth chorale in Naples – we do – a wonderful group of talented young people who work under the direction of Dr. Jim Cochran. They will be performing on May 6 at the Wang Center – if you have never seen them perform – this is the time to enjoy the voices of young people and just spend the evening smiling. The concert is sponsored by CAPA and ticketing information can be found at their website.

Another fantastic professional vocal group will be at Moorings Presbyterian on May 12 – Seraphic Fire. This is their first year of a concert series here in Naples – and will definitely not be their last. This group brings together some of the best voices in the country for concerts on the East and now West Coast of Florida.

Organ music sometimes is overlooked – but not in June – on June 5 there will be Festival of Organ Music at Artis-Naples. The concert features organists from throughout Southwest Florida and always promises to bring wonderful entertainment.

It always amazes me when I am talking with organ music enthusiasts – they travel the world to hear the great pipe organs many of which have been in their home for over a 100 years. So this is your time to come and hear the Cassavant organ that calls Artis-Naples home.

Opening on June 17 is a wonderful exhibit at the Naples Art Association – Camera USA™ National Photography exhibit for 2016. This exhibit will be paired with Pictures in Process. The exhibit can viewed Monday through Friday from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. and is free and open to the public. This is the year that you should explore this wonderful facility that calls downtown Naples home. If you don’t know where it is – Park Street – just a block off of Fifth Avenue. The best part of going to see the exhibit is that parking is probably not going to be a problem.

All through May, June and July you can also take a docent guided tour of Historic Palm Cottage and the Norris gardens. There are also walking tours of the historic district of Naples – so learn more about the history of our beautiful city and explore the beauties of Palm Cottage.

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