Page 20 - LIN.JANWEB

diversity

in the Arts

naples style

by Claudia Polzin
r emember New Year’s Eve 2000 – when half District. You can enjoy a walking exploration on January 4 from 5 – 8
Consultant to Nonprofits

the world thought that everything would p.m. or January 21 from 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. Explore 38 galleries ranging
come crashing down when computers would from contemporary art to abstract and expressionist, printmaking,
not be able to deal with a new century? Well here furniture makers, jewelry, hand painted clothing, American pop art
we are starting the 17th year of this new century and ceramics. This wonderful art district is located in North Naples
and during these 17 years the arts opportunities off of Pine Ridge Road – have an enjoyable evening or afternoon
in Naples have grown exponentially – many getting to know some of the wonderful artists and artisans that make
groups that were struggling have expanded and Naples their home and share their talents with us every day.
grown and many new organizations have sprouted As we celebrate the arts explosion we welcome a premiere chorale
artistic wings. ensemble – Seraphic Fire to Naples. This group began 15 years ago
An example of this is that we now have two professional theatre on the East Coast and since that time has garnered many awards
companies – one performing musical gems that are many times and accolades for their superb chorale work. This year they will also
forgotten and the other performing premiere pieces and tried and celebrate by presenting eight world premiere compositions emerging
true theatre. Theatre Zone is beginning its 12th season and in January and established American composers. Their concert on January 19 at
will feature George M! focusing on the Broadway icon George M. Bower Chapel will feature a celebration of their 15 years.
Cohan. He started out in vaudeville and later became known as A group that you might not have heard of, unless you are a brass
the “father of musical theatre,” with such notable hits as Give My enthusiast, is the King’s Brass Band. They will be performing at
Regards to Broadway. This production will be featured every weekend North Naples Church on Goodlette, on January 22 at 7 p.m. The
in January at the theatre located on the campus of the Community story of how this group got started is very unique – the founder Tim
School of Naples. Zimmerman was teaching middle school band in Detroit and having
Gulfshore Playhouse our second professional theatre company problems getting his students to practice (surprise) – so he decided
is entering its 13th season and from January 7-29 will be featuring that if he could get them performing they would see the value of
the world premiere of Do This by Karen Siff Exkorn. The story of practicing. So he took 14 of his students and contacted a couple of
one woman’s journey through marriage, motherhood and a maze churches – where they went and performed the offertory. He soon
of obstacles as she navigates her way through an unexpected life- started getting calls for a brass group – and realized that this would be
changing experience. a great idea and so thirty years ago the King’s Brass Band was started.
In our very own Cambier Park you can experience two local groups If cabaret and wonderful artistry is your preference you don’t
that always promise to entertain – the Naples Big Band performing in want to miss Gulfshore Opera’s second Gala Concert – January 22
January on two dates – January 23 at 7 p.m. and January 29 at 2 p.m. with the concert beginning at 3 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church in
Or you can hear the Naples Concert Band on January 15 at 2 p.m. Bonita Springs. The featured artist is Patricia Racette – who returns
featuring Glenn Basham, concertmaster of the Naples Philharmonic. to a genre of music that she first fell in love with when she was a
An example of the explosion of the arts in Naples is perhaps one child – cabaret.
that you have not had the chance to experience – the Naples Art Explore our wonderful diversity in the arts – January in Naples.

20 Life in Naples | January 2017