Will March go out like A lion or A lamb ? by Claudia Polzin, Independent Consultant

Remember the song lyric – “March went out like a lion?” With the interesting weather we have had in 2022, it is anyone’s guess what will happen with the weather in the unpredictable month of March. But one thing is certain: there are a lot of exciting arts adventures to be had this month.

Begin the month with the Naples Players at the Sugden theatre and relive the nostalgia of the 1964 movie Mary Poppins and join Jane and Michael Banks on a journey into a glittering world where you can “Step in Time” and take “A Spoonful of Sugar.” The play opens on the main stage on March 2 and is a perfect evening for adults and children – so plan to have a fun-filled imaginative evening with Mary Poppins.

Your regional touring opera company has a couple of unique experiences planned for March – the first on March 3 – with a Style and Song Luncheon at Grey Oaks Country Club –combining opera with a beautiful style show and a delicious lunch. The second is the Gulfshore Opera Gala on March 6, which is a different format for a gala, allowing you to select what you would like to attend. The concert begins at 4 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church in Bonita Springs and features selections from Gounod’s Romeo and Juliet paired with the love story found in West Side Story. Following the concert those that want to continue the journey can proceed to the Bonita Bay Country Club where you will have a delicious meal and more extraordinary
entertainment.

Looking at the line up of beautiful musicals – starting with Mary Poppins, then Romeo and Juliet and West Side Story – you can then continue the romantic world of musicals with the opening of Camelot at TheatreZone on March 10. During March the wonderful entertainment in Cambier Park continues with several of the local bands in our area – concerts are either at 2 p.m. or 7 p.m. and offer a variety of Big Band, jazz and the Naples Concert Band. It is important to note here that the Naples Concert Band is celebrating their 50th Anniversary this season. It is quite remarkable to have a volunteer organization that has grown and continues for this length of time. Congratulations to the Naples Concert Band.

As we come to the end of the month there is a wonderful visual arts experience that you can enjoy. One of the remarkable things
about our area is that we have many nationally and internationally recognized artists that have chosen to live and work here.

On March 27 visit The Clay Place on Shadowlawn and see the works of 5 Painters and A Potter. The five artists are: Phil Fisher,
Natalie Guess, Tara O’Neill, Rick Wobbe, and Paul Arsenault. The potter is Naples’ own Jim Rice who owns The Clay Place and has put this program together for several years. Enjoy the beautiful grounds of The Clay Place, find a new piece of art, listen to bluegrass music and munch on hors ‘d’oeuvres. So what’s not to love about that experience?

On March 30 at the Sugden Theatre the Naples Players will present “When We Were Young and Unafraid” in the Tobye Studio. So whether March goes out like a lion or a lamb – you can enjoy many hours of wonderful entertainment in our beautiful community.