Gulf Coast Life Arts Edition

We hear from five Southwest Florida poets who will share their work next week at PoetryFest 2022 at the Sanibel Public Library during National Poetry Month. Ahead of the evening, poets Dorothy Howe Brooks, Dan England, Chris Godwin, Joe Pacheco and John Robilotta recite some of their original poems and share their insights on the art of writing poetry.

A conversation with the Baker Museum at Artis-Naples Director Courtney McNeil about new complimentary exhibitions titled, “Another World: The Transcendental Painting Group,” and “Invisible Thread.” Both exhibitions feature works by artists who strive to transcend the physical world and reach a higher spiritual reality through abstraction synesthetic experiences, and metaphorical representation.

We talk with Love Your Rebellion founder Angela Page about the nonprofit organization’s upcoming fundraiser concert “Rock for Equality,” which will benefit the McGregor Clinic’s efforts to serve those living with HIV.

A conversation with stand-up comedy legend, actor, author and screenplay writer Rita Rudner ahead of her solo comedy performance next Wednesday, March 23 at Artis-Naples.

An installation of works by iconic German-American Artist Peter Max titled “The Peter Max Experience,” is now on exhibition at the Mercato in Naples. Ahead of a series of limited engagement gallery receptions this weekend, we explore Peter Max’s work and its lasting impact with Road Show Company North America Director of Traveling Exhibitions Lesley Smith, who is also a noted Peter Max historian and curator.

Southwest Florida’s regional touring opera company Gulf Shore Opera kicks off the first formal production of its eighth season with performances of “The Bat’s Revenge.” The show is an innovative retelling of Johann Strauss’ operetta “Die Fledermaus.” We talk with the creator of the show, opera director and librettist Josh Shaw, who has come to Southwest Florida to direct performances of this debut production.

Players Circle Theater is currently performing a production of “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time,” based on the best-selling novel of the same. We delve into the show with the director and Players Circle Theater co-founder Bob Cacioppo and the lead actor of this production Harvey Evans. We also explore neurodiversity and highlight resources available for families here in Southwest Florida with co-founder and Vice President of the nonprofit Family Initiative, Anjali Van Drie.

A conversation with and music performed live in-studio by the Florida phantom folk band the Swamp Rats consisting of Scotty Crow on vocals, guitar and cajón and Andy Starkey on vocals and banjo

We speak with Southwest Florida-based visual artist Patricia Turner who conceived of a trio of art exhibitions opening Friday at the Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center in downtown Fort Myers. All the exhibitions include art about women, all by women artists.

A conversation with artist and founder the Drifters Project Pam Longobardi about her exhibition in the Baker Museum at Artis-Naples, which aims to raise awareness about the dangers of plastic pollution in the world’s oceans.