What is LIFE IN NAPLES?

Claudia Polzin
Consultant to Nonprofits

Living in Naples means different things to different people – for those of us that live here year round – we find joy in the  months from April to December – when things are quieter and parking places can be found. But for our wonderful “snowbirds” they many times see a very different city – full of events , too many things to try to fit into a week, no parking places and reservations that are hard to come by in your favorite restaurant. But for all of us it is a city and area of Florida that we love – and the issues make us the unique place that we are; and we have a wonderful way of making it work for all of us.

For the shortest month of the year – February is full of many arts adventures – let’s look at the world of jazz – and all of its many forms – there are many times that you can enjoy a wonderful jazz concert right here in Naples. Beginning on February 5 at 2 p.m. – enjoy Dixieland Jazz in Cambier Park. If Big Band is more to your liking you can go to Riverside Park to hear Naples Big Band on February 5 and 19 at 2pm. So fill up your calendar in February – and fit the Naples Jazzmasters Dixieland Band in on February 11 at River Park at 2 p.m.

A different venue for jazz is at Trinity-by-the-Cove – on February 19 at 4 p.m. – the Fred Moyer Jazz Trio – you will hear them play the original charts of Peterson, Evans and Brubeck. But plan to come early this wonderful venue fills up fast. Another unique venue for unique music is Bower Chapel located in Moorings Park – on February 21 at 7:30 p.m. – Bluegrass Central will be featured. This group that has played all over Southwest Florida presents the authentic bluegrass along with Texas Swing, Classic Country and Americana. (FYI – for any of you that are Naples High graduates and you took art a few years ago – you probably will recognize the gentleman playing the upright bass.)

For those among us (myself included) who are lovers of classical music – this month holds a unique pairing – on February 3 – Gulfshore Opera will present Mozart the Concert Arias and other Rare Vocal Gems in the Daniels Pavilion at Artis-Naples. After hearing the beautiful music of Mozart you can see the fictionalized account of the lives of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Antonio Salieri in the Tony Award winning play Amadeus. There has been debate for years as to their relationship and this play focuses on Salieri’s sole ambition to be a great composer and  the fact that the one component he lacks is the Genius of Mozart.

Another unique art form will be featured during February at the Botanical Gardens – February 1, 8, 15 and 22 – Origami After Dark. Origami – the art of paper folding associated with the Japanese culture. This intricate art involves taking a flat piece of paper and through intricate folds creating three dimensional figures.

For this second month of 2017 – I want to digress a little from focusing on the arts – among all of our beauty and opportunities there are those that live among us that are not so fortunate. Please indulge me as I ask you to also find out about the seniors that are homeless, lonely and without hope; and the children that go to bed hungry. Even though you may not think that the arts and these two issues are intertwined – they many times are – many of our arts groups provide support for the organizations that work to meet the needs of our seniors and children. So remember that  even in our world of extraordinary beauty and opportunity there are those, closer than you may think, that are struggling.

Enjoy jazz, classical music, origami and remember all of the people that call Naples home – no matter what their circumstances.