Arts & Culture

“Annie the Musical” requires a large cast of child actors, but most youngsters and their parents have busy schedules during the holidays. Rather than ask anyone to choose between family and performing, Director Robin Dawn Ryan decided to field two different casts for the musical.

Christmas shows abound in Southwest Florida theaters, but The Belle Theatre in Cape Coral has prepared a program like no other. Belle will celebrate the season with caroling, cocoa, cookie decorating and "A Charlie Brown Christmas."

This week, theatergoers have 17 productions from which to choose, including one new play and performances of Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker by Gulfshore Ballet and Sarasota Ballet.

On December 3, FGCU’s Bower School of Music & the Arts performed its annual Christmas extravaganza, “Joyful & Triumphant” at Moorings Presbyterian Church in Naples. The concert will be broadcast during Christmas week on WGCU HD TV and WGCU FM Radio.

Live theater lovers have two dozen productions to choose from this week, including ten new shows, a holiday tradition and two different performances of the Nutcracker ballet.

The Marco Island Historical Society is hosting a retrospective exhibition of works by Naples-based impressionist painter Paul Arsenault titled, “Reflections of South Florida: A 50-Year Art Adventure,” through Feb. 15, 2025. We listen back to our conversation with Arsenault ahead of the opening reception about his work, his storied career, and his advocacy for protection of our natural world.

Christmas is in the air at area theaters. With three holiday show openings and a few other shows closing, theatergoers have plenty of entertainment options.

Outgoing Executive Director Molly Rowan-Deckart thinks the Alliance for the Arts has a bright future that centers around the unrealized potential associated with its largely undeveloped 10-acre campus and ongoing role as arts advocate and catalyst for change.

Arts of the Inland Gallery in LaBelle will host a juried exhibition of works by artist members on Saturday, Nov. 16. We’ll learn more about the gallery’s efforts to extend visual, literary, and performing arts offerings into Southwest Florida’s more rural inland communities in a conversation with gallery president Stella Luckey and Board of Directors member Brandon Jett.

A small Romanian Orthodox community nestled here in Southwest Florida hosts an annual Fall Festival. Generations gather together to celebrate their faith, culture, and tradition.