Gulf Coast Life Arts Edition

The Southwest Florida-based rock band Rosaline celebrates the release of its newest single, “Heartbreakin” with a performance, Oct. 6 at Nice Guys in Cape Coral. The show will also feature performances from other notable musicians in the region. We’ll speak with Rosaline front man Caleb Neff and hear him perform acoustic versions of the band’s new music live in studio.

The use of intimacy choreographers and intimacy coordinators in the performing arts has been growing across the industry in recent years. These experts provide direction in the process of actors performing sensitive scenes that may involve content of a sexual nature, nudity, violence and more. We talk with Laboratory Theater of Florida Artistic Director Annette Trossbach about a new report titled, “A Case for Intimacy Choreographers in SW Florida.”

The Alliance for the Arts in Fort Myers is marking one-year since Hurricane Ian with an juried exhibition titled “Storm Stories.” In cooperation with the Gulf Coast Writers Association, a book chronicling local experiences with the storm is now also available, and the Alliance is featuring a related exhibition of photography by Kinfay Moroti. We’ll explore the Alliance’s “September to Remember” offerings in a conversation with Executive Director Molly Deckart.

The Southwest Florida Symphony’s upcoming performance season features performances by violinists Robert McDuffie and Charles Yang, cellist Sterling Elliot, the Marcus Roberts Jazz Trio, and R.E.M. founding member Mike Mills. We get a preview of the full season in a conversation with Maestro Radu Paponiu and the symphony’s Community Outreach Ambassador Robert Van Winkle.

An exhibition titled “Prison Nation,” is now at the Baker Museum at Artis-Naples. Through photography, the exhibition creates a visual record of the national crisis of mass incarceration. We talk with the exhibition’s co-curator Nicole Fleetwood, Ph.D., who will deliver a lecture about the exhibition Aug. 31 at the Baker Museum.

Southwest Florida-based artist Brian Weaver now has a solo exhibition titled “A New Beginning” in the Grand Atrium at the Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center in Fort Myers. We’ll talk with Weaver about the inspirations behind his vibrant and intricate works, his work with Artsemble Underground, and his ongoing mission of making art accessible to all.

Theatre Conspiracy at the Alliance for the Arts in Fort Myers is mounting a production of Pulitzer-winning playwright Martyna Majok’s drama “Sanctuary City” exploring friendship and the plight of DACA DREAMers.

Florida Repertory Theatre in downtown Fort Myers recently announced plans for an exciting 26th season including drama, heartfelt comedy and three iconic musicals. We’ll get a preview in a conversation with the company’s Producing Artistic Director Greg Longenhagen.

In July Artis-Naples announced full plans for the coming 2023-24 visual and performing arts season. The unifying theme this year is “Artistic Senses – See, Hear, Taste,” and seeks to transcend the boundaries between artistic disciples in a way that engages the senses on multiple levels.

Southwest Florida-based singer/songwriter Sheena Brook and Nashville-based Cajun country artist Sara Douga will perform at the Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center in downtown Fort Myers, July 21, through the center’s Sounds of Summer concert series. Ahead of their performances, we feature music and conversation with both of these dynamic musicians.