Variety in Paradise by Claudia Polzin, Independent Consultant

During the past year we have been very fortunate to be able to enjoy the outdoors and actually have
found out that we have alternate ways to enjoy the arts in our community and this will continue in the month of April. Many events have been cancelled but others have found ways to pivot and recreate themselves in our “new normal”.

Concerts are still scheduled in Cambier Park – but I would caution you to double check that they are not cancelled before venturing out – at this time the concerts on the schedule are:

April 4 – 2 p.m. Naples Dixieland Jazz Band
April 12 – 7 p.m. Naples Big Band
April 18 – 2 p.m. Naples Concert Band
April 25 – 2 p.m. Naples Dixieland Jazz Band
In addition, the newly opened Baker Park will be home to
Art in the Park on April 3 beginning at 10 a.m.

One of the new additions to the entertainment scene, albeit an old form of entertainment, has been drive-in movies and they continue April 6 and 7 at 8 p.m. at 300 8th street S. April’s feature will be Dirty Dancing. If you didn’t see this movie when it was released in 1987 – it is worth a look – the story of a society girl who is at an upscale Catskills resort with her family and becomes involved with the resort dance instructor. The iconic lift, something you will not forget (but we don’t recommend you try this at home) features Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Gray.

If you have not visited the Naples Holocaust Museum – their exhibit “Girl Power – Heroines of the Holocaust, World War II and Beyond” is definitely something to experience and share with others. This exhibit features radio operators, resistance fighters and social workers who risked their own lives and the lives of their families to fight bigotry, hatred and violence. The museum is open from  1-4 p.m. Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays.

TheatreZone continues with their Showstopper Series and this last show is definitely a showstopper – The Best of Bacharach. This show will feature the music from the composers’ most creative period – l960s through 1970s. Bacharach has won six Grammy Awards and three Academy Awards; and is considered one of the most important composers of the 20th century. Just a few of his songs are: That’s What Friends Are For; Raindrops Keep Fallin’ on My Head; I Say a Little Prayer and What the World Needs Now is Love.

At the end of the month there is something to look forward to – the rescheduled production of Calendar Girls at the Sugden Theatre – opens April 28. This play is based on a true story about
a group of incredible middle-aged ladies in Yorkshire, England. One of the husbands dies of cancer and they decide to band together in a creative way to raise money for cancer research.

Their chosen fundraising tool is a calendar in which they pose in the nude. Needless to say the calendar took the small town by storm but raises money along with eyebrows and brings the
group international acclaim. Just to add some additional spice to the production, a group of local ladies decided to do their own calendar to help raise money to combat food insecurity in our own
community. The calendar can be purchased through the Naples Players website and since its release has raised over $40,000.

Enjoy our community and our great diversity in the arts and remember to share your adventures with family and friends in a safe and thoughtful way.