Something New at the United Arts Council

I would like to tell you about something new for us in one of my favorite arts disciplines – dance.  We were very fortunate to receive a grant from a private donor a few months ago to bring a specialized dance program to patients at the local Parkinson Association. 

 The program was developed several years ago by the Mark Morris Dance Group in New York City in conjunction with their local Parkinson Association.  Due to its popularity, this dance program has spread nationwide to many local associations.  It involves a specialized regimen of dance movements and stretching, set to live piano music.  The goals of the program are to improve flexibility and increase range of motion, enabling patients to enjoy a more rewarding life.

 One of our contract dance instructors in our after-school dance program trained with Mark Morris several years ago.  She encouraged us to find a way to bring the program to Naples. 

It has been operating for six weeks, and now 20 patients – men and women of all ages – attend weekly classes.  The classes are free of charge to the patients.  The current grant will enable us to fund the program for another four months by covering teaching fees for the dance teacher and a piano accompanist. 

 Feedback from the leadership at the Parkinson Association has been very positive.  The patients love it, and attendance at the sessions increases every week.  One patient, who was the first person to enroll, had participated in this program in Chicago. She is a seasonal resident who indicates, “I was really disappointed when I heard that dance was not available at the Parkinson Association in Naples.  Now I am thrilled to be a part of this new program.  I love being able to dance again, and I feel a lot better.”

 This is just one of many programs and services that the United Arts Council provides to the community.  We are proud of the fact that, through the arts, we make a difference every day in the lives of so many people in Collier County!

Ten More Days to Celebrate the Arts

 

Collier County’s own special promotion of the arts has been amazing.  Celebrate the Arts Month is proving once again that we really know how to have a celebration!

 The inaugural Naples Film Festival was a huge hit.  I went by the Mercato one night and it was jammed with people.  What an amazing experience. 

The grand re-opening of the Naples Botanical Garden….by all accounts, it was truly grand.  If you haven’t been yet, don’t miss it.

Opening night at The Phil with Ronan Tynan….opera in the park…free outdoor concerts…street festivals….you might think that all the good stuff has already happened.  Think again.

There’s still much to be seen and to do during the final ten days of Celebrate the Arts Month.  Check out a complete calendar of events at www.CelebrateTheArts.org.

If you’re on Marco Island, you won’t want to miss this weekend’s Fall Arts & Crafts Festival sponsored by the Marco Art League. 

Next weekend, the Renaissance Fall Festival comes to 10th Street sponsored by the Naples Art Association.

If you love music and theatre, The Phil has several offerings including Don Giovanni and Bjorn Again.  The Naples Players present Crimes of the Heart at the Sugden Community Theatre.

The Hyacinth Series presents an organ concert on Sunday, and the Naples Daily News Jazz band is at Cambier Park next weekend.

Holiday celebrations kick into high gear in late November.  The Phil presents George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker.  Third Street’s Festival of Lights begins next week with the tree lighting and continues through the end of the year.  See the giant gingerbread house at the Naples Backyard Mini-Museum.  Stop by Palm Cottage for holiday house and garden tours.

The list goes on and on.  Lots to do.  Only ten days to squeeze it all in.

Enjoy!

 

Celebrate the Arts Month Offers Something for Everyone!

It’s time to celebrate!  That’s the call from our local arts and cultural community every November as Celebrate the Arts Month rolls around. Organized annually by the United Arts Council, Celebrate the Arts Month serves as the season kick-off for the local performing and visual arts community. 

 Most residents don’t realize how huge our local arts scene really is –  46 non-profit cultural groups, 100+ galleries and artist studios, and more than 500 artists and entertainers who call this area  home. 

 Research has shown that the non-profit arts groups alone pump an estimated $250 million into the local economy.  When for-profit arts-related businesses are factored in, that number tops the $500 million mark.

 In announcing the schedule, Council president Pat Antonetti indicates, “We are very excited about the line-up for this year’s Celebrate the Arts Month.  It’s amazing how much will be packed into 30 days in November.  We hope that everyone will join us at these events because there truly is something for everyone.”

This year’s calendar for Celebrate the Arts Month is the largest (125+) and most eclectic ever.  The schedule includes theatre, dance, music, festivals, gallery shows, museum exhibits, films, arts education and children’s activities – and many of them are free!

 Featured Activities

 Kicking off Celebrate the Arts Month is the much-anticipated first annual Naples International Film Festival (775-3456) on November 5-8.  The new festival group will screen films at several locations.

 The Naples Botanical Garden’s (643-7275) grand-opening events start November 10. The garden has been completely renovated, with many spectacular additions.  Don’t miss this one!

 The Philharmonic Center for the Arts (597-1900) kicks off its season on November 7 with a performance by internationally-acclaimed tenor Ronan Tynan and the Naples Philharmonic Orchestra.  The Phil’s calendar for November runs the gamut from Smokey Robinson on Nov. 8, to the orchestra’s performance of The Music of Led Zepplin on Nov. 18. 

 The Naples Players (263-7990) will keep you laughing with three comedies on stage at the Sugden Community Theatre this month: Lend Me a Tenor (Nov. 1-7),  Much Ado About Nothing (Nov. 1-21) and Crimes of the Heart (Nov. 25-Dec. 19). 

 Other local performing groups are joining the celebration.  Gulfshore Playhouse presents Jim Van Slyke:The Sedaka Show at the Norris Center (213-3049) on Nov. 18-19.  Opera Naples (514-7464) returns with their popular Opera Under the Stars at Cambier Park Nov. 13-14.  TheatreZone’s (888/966-3352) open house is Nov. 15. 

 The Bach Ensemble (732-1055) presents their annual music festival Nov. 14.  The Naples Music Club (775-6867) presents Harps & Flutes on Nov. 8.  Local entertainer, Janina Birtolo, takes her popular one-woman plays to several locations this month; call 593-0177 for details.

 Did you know that Collier County is the home to eight museums?  November would be a great time to visit them all.  Start with a trip to the Collier County Museum (252-8476) for their annual Old Florida Festival Nov. 7-8.  

 Celebrate the Arts Month features several outdoor festivals with artist booths, music and food.  The Naples Art Association (262-6517) presents the Renaissance Fall Art Festival (Nov. 28-29).  The Naples ArtCrafters (352-3036) popular Fine Art & Craft Show is Nov. 14 at Cambier Park.  Marco Island’s popular Fall Arts & Crafts Festival (394-4221) is set for Nov. 21.

 Free offerings for Celebrate the Arts Month include several outdoor concerts and movies at Cambier Park (213-3058).  The popular Evening on Fifth is Nov. 12 presented by the Downtown Merchants Association (435-3742). 

 Virtually every gallery and artist studio in the area has scheduled special exhibits and receptions during Celebrate the Arts Month.  A complete calendar and details for these are online at:  www.CelebrateTheArts.org. 

 Holiday Celebrations

 If it’s November, that means that the holidays are not far away.  Celebrate the Arts Month activities include several early holiday celebrations.  Sing Along Messiah is presented by Voices of Naples (732-0947) on Nov. 22.  The Naples Historical Society (261-8164) presents their Christmas at Palm Cottage tours starting Nov. 11.

 The Festival of Lights celebration returns to Third Street South (434-6533) on Nov. 23. This popular tradition includes the Christmas tree lighting ceremonies and holiday musical performances all along the street. 

 The Philharmonic Center for the Arts presents the perennial holiday favorite, George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker Nov. 28-29, accompanied by the Naples Philharmonic Orchestra.

 Join the Celebration

 As you can see, November’s Celebrate the Arts Month has it all.  Something for everyone, no matter what kind of entertainment and art you enjoy.    The Naples Area Chamber of Commerce will have copies of the Celebrate brochure at all of their Visitor Center locations starting November 2.  You can also check out all the options online at:  www.CelebrateTheArts.org.

 The United Arts Council hosts a Celebrate the Arts Month party on November 14 at the Naples Beach Hotel.  The ticketed event features exciting performances by local groups and spotlights Naples visual artists.  Season schedules for local performing groups will be distributed.  Tickets are $150; to order, call 263-8242.

 So much to do….and only 30 days in November to catch it all….enjoy!

 For more information:

www.CelebrateTheArts.org

239.263.8242

 

Celebrate brochures available after November 1 at:

 Chamber of Commerce Visitors Centers

Hotel Concierges

Encore Bank locations

 

Fall Reflections

September.  The leaves aren’t falling.  The temps aren’t any cooler.  Must be Florida! 

While my little corner of the world in Naples has a lot going for it, weather in September isn’t one of them! What we do have in early fall is time to reflect and catch our breath before the craziness of season rolls in — and time to look forward to what’s coming.  In the arts community, we are truly blessed.  A calendar that’s always full of choices — year round.  Quality. Variety. Lots of free stuff — good to know, especially now!

Under the “reflection” category, it has been a bountiful summer for the arts in Collier County.  There was a time when the sidewalks in Naples and Marco Island were rolled up after May.  Galleries and theaters put up the shutters and “See You In Season” signs.  Not any more.  Have you strolled down Fifth Avenue South or Third Street South on a weekend night lately?  The place is buzzing.  What about a Friday night music fest at the Mercato — you can’t even find a parking place!  It’s crazy — but a “good crazy” for us all.

My summer started off with a trip over to north Naples to see the rock musical Tommy presented by TheatreZone.  Mark Danni’s production was great, with the cast hitting all the right notes. 

I loved, loved, loved Thoroughly Modern Millie this summer at the Sugden Community Theatre.  The Naples Players packed the house  every night with a fresh look at this favorite.  I continue to be amazed at how they find such incredible talent – all volunteers!

I caught several of the early summer free band concerts at Cambier Park– a great place to wheel Mother around in her chair and catch the tunes.  She loved them and I did too.  What a treasure we have in Gulf Coast Big Band, Naples Concert Band and the Naples Daily News Jazz Band!

The gallery scene remained active over the summer too.  DeDe Sweet gets my award for “top marketer” of the year.  I went to her opening at Sweet Art Gallery for the People and Pets exhibit last month, and the place was packed.  And, I mean shoulder-to-shoulder with people who have a real interest in art.  DeDe actively markets her gallery to designers who buy art for their clients.  Yes, there are still many of them who are working over the summer and they were there that night….along with collectors, artists and lots of other interesting people.  Oh, and did I mention the cutest array of dogs that I’ve ever seen?  It was a lot of FUN.  Great job, DeDe!

And of course, what would reflections of summer be without mentioning the  jazz concerts on the lawn at the Naples Beach Hotel.  One of these concerts was my first “cultural experience” after moving to Naples 12 years ago, and it’s still my favorite.  I only made it to one this year, and it was great, as expected – outstanding music, spectacular sunset and fabulous people-watching…and no rain!

In the “looking forward” category, there are so many things.  The United Arts Council helps “kick-off” season this year with Celebrate the Arts Month in November…but more about that in my next post.  I’ve spotted lots of things that are already in my 09-10 “hope to catch” calendar.  Here are a few of them:

* Naples International Film Festival (these guys have done everything right in setting up this one — it should pay off handsomely)

* Grand re-opening of the Naples Botanical Garden (just shows that it pays to think big)

* The Philharmonic Orchestra playing the Best of Led Zeplin.  (Really?  Really!)  

* An exhibit of new works by Dale Chihuly at the Naples Museum of Art (his works continue to amaze me!)

* Classic Chamber Concerts new series on Fifth at the Sugden

* Tommy Tune at The Phil

* The Marco Juried Fine Arts & Craft show in February.  (If you haven’t been to the island lately, this is the time to go!)

* The traveling exhibit of Princess Diana’s dresses at The von Liebig Art Center

* Hal Linden in Beast of Broadway at TheatreZone

* More concerts at Cambier Park, more outdoor art festivals, more evenings of sidewalk entertainment downtown.

Naples.  It’s home and it’s paradise.  I think I’ll stay awhile.

Elaine

Best Bets for This Weekend!

Best Bets for This Weekend (September 11-13)

 A weekly update from the United Arts Council on fun things to do this weekend in our local arts & cultural community

 Percussion Summit 2009 (Saturday)  –  Baroque from A to Z (Sunday)  -  Naples Philharmonic Orchestra  -  597-1900/ www.thephil.org

 A Day at the Beach with Artist Emily James  –  Naples Art Association  –  262-6517/ www.naplesart.org  -  Friday & Saturday

 Betty Newman Exhibit  -  Marco Island Center for the Arts  –  784-4436/ www.bettynewmanart.com

 Small Wonders at Waterside: Journey through the Everglades   –  Children’s Museum of Naples  –  514-0084/ www.cmon.org  -  Saturday

 Naples Jazz Masters  –  Norris Center  –   213-3049  –  Saturday

Get a jump on the weekend – visit Fifth Avenue South tonight for their popular Evening on Fifth.  Call 435-3742 for details.

 Also – Be sure to check out today’s Naples Daily News for their new Arts feature section in Neapolitan! Remember to watch the paper every Thursday for news from the local arts community and timely information about upcoming activities.

 For more information on these BEST BETS:   http://www.uaccollier.com/toptenbestbets.htm 

For a calendar of ALL events:  http://www.uaccollier.com/calendar.htm

 

 United Arts Council of Collier County
Enriching lives and strengthening the community through the power of the arts  –  Phone:  239.263.8242

Support the Arts with Pizza!

What are you doing for dinner this Friday night?

We are very pleased to announce a partnership with the California Pizza Kitchen restaurant at Waterside Shops.

Visit the restaurant on the first Friday of the month (starting this Friday, September 4) for lunch or dinner, present the promo flyer, and they will donate 20% of your check to the United Arts Council.

Please forward this message and share it with your co-workers, friends and family. If you have any business lunches to schedule, please consider coming to California Pizza Kitchen on the first Friday — or consider this for dinner with your family.

For the redemption coupon, visit our website: www.uaccollier.com

This is a great way to show your support for the arts and enjoy a great meal!

Hope to see you on Friday. We really appreciate your support!

Best Bets for This Weekend

Best Bets for This Weekend  (August 28-30)

 A weekly update from the United Arts Council on fun things to do this weekend in our local arts & cultural community

 

White Tigers!  (thru Labor Day only).  Naples Zoo.  262-5409.

www.napleszoo.org

 

Juried Member Show – Marco Island Center for the Arts. 394-4221.

www.marcoislandart.com

 

Naples Jazz Masters – Norris Center. 213-3049.

 

Concert Series at the Waterside Shops. 598-1605.

 

Dick Jay – Tribute to the Everglades Exhibit. Naples Backyard History. 594-2978.

www.naplesbackyardhistory.org

 

Palm Cottage Tours – Naples Historical Society. 261-8164.

www.napleshistoricalsociety.org

 

Click here for more information on these BEST BETS:   http://www.uaccollier.com/toptenbestbets.htm  

For a calendar of ALL events, click here:  http://www.uaccollier.com/calendar.htm

 

Welcome to the United Arts Council’s blog.  This is new to us!  We hope to provide you with news from the local arts community in general, as well as updates from the U.A.C. 

For information about artists, entertainers, galleries and arts & cultural destinations in Collier County, visit:  www.Collierarts.com.  You’ll find a calendar with event postings now through next season!

If you would like to receive a weekly email from us with the “Best Bets” for the upcoming weekend, please email me at:  ehamilton@uaccollier.com.

At the UAC, we need more teachers for our after-school programs. We offer classes in art, music, photography, film, dance, etc.  to at-risk students in elementary & middle schools. Some classroom experience preferred. Flexible schedule – good hourly rate. Work one afternoon or several–whatever works for your schedule.  Times are 3:00-6:00 p.m.  Locations in Immokalee or East Naples.  Minimum three month commitment required.  Fax resume to 263-3830 or email jpaine@uaccollier.com 

More news to follow as we master the technology domain!

Elaine Hamilton, Executive Director

United Arts Council of Collier County