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APRIL IN NAPLES

(as opposed to April in Paris)

by Claudia Polzin, Independent Consultant
robably many of us remember If you enjoy hearing young people perform – there is a new
some of the pranks that we played adventure for you – the School of Rock – Battle of the Bands on
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Pon family and friends on April 5 avenue is April 20 starting at 7 p.m. Students from beginners
Fool’s Day – but hopefully we have through advanced will perform classic rock songs.
outgrown that by this time (or maybe We all have to admit that we have the most beautiful sunsets
not). Either way – plan to enjoy the ever and one way to enjoy them in April is to go to the Botanical
month of April with all that Naples has Gardens–every Wednesday in April from 5-8 p.m. enjoy Sunset in
to offer. the Naples Botanical Gardens.
All jazz lovers plan to be at the April will also provide you with the opportunity to see Puccini’s
River Park Community Center on April 6 and at Cambier final opera “Turandot” at Artis—Naples on April 27 presented by
Park on April 21 to enjoy concerts from 2-4 p.m. by the Naples Gulfshore Opera. This fully-staged grand opera will be presented
Jazzmasters and Naples Dixieland Jazz Band respectively. These with the Naples Philharmonic Orchestra accompanying. If you
groups feature Dixieland Jazz, which has its roots in New Orleans would like to learn more about this opera from the directors; join
by combining many of America’s musical resources – minstrel Jorge Parodi and Josh Shaw at the Innovation Hotel on April 6 for
shows, ragtime and the blues. During the First World War, this the Prelude to Turandot. The lead role will feature tenor Leonid
musical treasure left New Orleans and the “Jazz Age” swept the Shoshyn, the dramatic tenor at the Odessa National Opera. Join
world during the Roaring 20’s. Jazz continued to be very popular Gulfshore Opera in welcoming Shoshyn for his US debut in this
during the depression of the 1930’s but faded away as the era of grand opera production. This grand opera concludes the celebratory
the “Big Bands” came along in the 40’s. There is truly nothing 10th anniversary season for Gulfshore Opera.
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happier than the toe-tapping Dixieland tunes and nothing sadder Naples own Theatre Zone is celebrating its 19 season; and
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than the sorrowful blues. opening on April 25 is Carrie: the Musical. This musical is based
If your musical taste goes to the Big Bands – there are plenty on Stephen King’s blockbuster 1974 novel, “Carrie” and the classic
of opportunities to enjoy that iconic music. April 7 – from 2-4 1976 film – both form the basis for this musical. Carrie White is
p.m. in Cambier Park the Gulf Coast Big Band performs; April bullied by the popular crowd and virtually invisible to everyone else.
8 at 7 p.m. the Stardust Memories Big Band will be in Cambier However, Carrie has special powers and if pushed too far, she is
Park; April 15 at 7 p.m. enjoy the Naples Big Band. not afraid to use them to her advantage. Unfortunately, the story of
Wandering up and down Fifth Avenue and enjoying the bullying is still true today.
beautiful weather will be enhanced on April 11 by the activities of The variety of entertainment options in Naples can provide
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the Evening on 5 . Up and down the avenue you will experience everyone with something to enjoy – and all with pricing that can
several different live musical performances; plus you can do some make it affordable for all from $0 for walking on Fifth Avenue on
window-shopping (or actual shopping). Pick your favorite cuisine April 11 (unless you also do some shopping) – to theatre and opera
and enjoy the evening beginning at 6:30 p.m. ticketing that makes it affordable for all.
Enjoy sunsets, plays, bands and lectures during April in Naples.

38 Life in Naples | April 2024