Page 38 - LIN-December 2024-web-file

Time to Celebrate

by Claudia Polzin, Independent Consultant
oping that this article finds reimagines the show. However, it is always spectacular with
everyone safe and recovered sparkling and elaborate costumes, live orchestra and energetic dance
H from our round of hurricanes routines which all combine to leave the audience filled with joy.
this year. We certainly had our resilience As always there are several events in Naples that are truly
tested in many ways this year of 2024. quality events and are free to the public, some asking for a donation,
Now in December it is time to celebrate which is entirely voluntary. First there are the band concerts in
Cambier Park held at 2 p.m. – December 1 – the Naples Big Band;
with music, live theatre and exciting events.
December 8 – the Gulf Coast Big Band; December 15 – the
Two plays featuring the holiday
Naples Concert Band and December 22 – the Dixieland Band.
spirit and season will be produced; one
In addition to the performances in Cambier Park –don’t forget
at the Sugden Theatre in downtown Naples and the second at
to check out the concerts at the local churches – December 1 at
TheatreZone in the auditorium at the Community School.
4 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church downtown Naples;
The Sugden will feature A Christmas Story: The Musical which
December 8 at 4 p.m. at Vanderbilt Presbyterian Church and
will run through December 22. This play is based on the movie
December 14 at 5 p.m. and December 15 at 4 p.m. at Trinity by the
classic which runs on television twenty four hours a day during
Cove Episcopal Church.
Christmas. The story is set in the 1940’s in the fictional town of
In December the City of Naples is host to several events focused
Hohman, Indiana. Nine year old Ralphie Parker and his quest for
on the Holidays – beginning on December 3 at 6:30 p.m. with
the Holy Grail of Christmas gifts an official Red Ryder carbine
the Christmas Parade. December 6-7 is the annual Fifth Avenue
action 200 shot range model air rifle. In his attempts to secure this
South Christmas Walk and Avenue dining. December 6 at 5–10 p.m.
much desired gift he comes up with several schemes to achieve his
features a tree lighting in Sugden Plaza, a live Nativity and
dream of the coveted BB gun. All of the iconic scenes from the
an appearance by Santa and all things Christmas; the event
movie are in this stage production, Flick getting his tongue stuck
continues on December 7 from 10 a.m. – 10 p.m.
to the flagpole, the bullies Farkus and Dill, the leg lamp award, the
On December 7 at 7 p.m. you can plan to come to the Christmas
bunny suit and Christmas dinner and much more.
on Fifth and then go to Martina Long’s Broadway Musical review
In addition to the Christmas Story production at the Sugden
at the Norris Center. Ms. Long has been sailing the seas with
there will be the Trees and Tea Festival, through December 22.
Celebrity Cruise Lines for the past three years but is now trying out
The Festival is free and open to the public from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
her “land legs” with shows featuring Broadway Musicals.
Monday through Saturday. This holiday event is a celebrated event;
For a completely different pace – December 13 at 6:30 p.m. in
with spaces in the newly renovated theatre filled with gorgeous
Sugden Plaza – enjoy A Tuba Christmas; and on December 14 at
trees decorated by local artists.
6 p.m. is the Christmas Boat Parade with viewing at the
The second theatrical production in December will be at
Naples City Dock.
TheatreZone – the traditional “Home for the Holidays” opens Enjoy December in Naples and look forward to a
th
their 25 anniversary season. This production will be held on
December 20-22. This is a Southwest Florida tradition and wonderful 2025.
every year Mark Danni, TheatreZone’s founding artistic director,
38 www.LifeInNaples.net