Andrew Eccles, ABC A balance of the tried-and-true and try-this come to the Artis—Naples entertainment schedule, one that its officials point out proudly is plumper and starts earlier this year. Among the star power announced Sunday:. A screening of the hit musical film 'La La Land' with the Naples Philharmonic performing its soundtrack (Oct. 24). A rock-classical hybrid concerto pairing R.E.M. Bassist Mike Mills, its composer, with violinist Robert McDuffie and featuring the Naples Philharmonic Youth Orchestra in its local premiere (April 22).
Naples debuts of pop singer LeeAnn Rimes ('How Do I Live,' 'Written in the Stars') (Dec. 4), country/pop crossover veteran Dwight Yoakam (Nov. 5), singer Art Garfunkel (Jan. 14) and singer-songwriter Randy Newman (Nov. 21).
A stable of returning musical stars such as Chris Botti (April 16), Audra McDonald (March 16), Yo-Yo Ma (April 20), Dave Koz (Nov. 26), the Drifters (Jan.
12-13) and the Temptations and the Four Tops (Oct. 22) Fare for early birds Kathleen van Bergen, CEO and president of Artis—Naples, noted that the calendar is not only bigger, but starts earlier. 'Those events represent a really robust fall for us. The first week of November we have already have three events and that's after the week of October 22, when we have the Temptations and the Four Tops and 'La La Land.'
That's just before the film festival, which we're excited about in our first year of producing.' The venue, which has hosted opening night of the Naples International Film Festival throughout its first years, took over its operations in January, in agreement with the NIFF board. Among its hopes, as the van Bergen stated at the time, was the hope to bring more of what Artis—Naples offers to it. That happened fast after the lush musical film 'La La Land' was nominated for the 13 awards in this year's Oscar competition (it won six). The film, starring Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone, is enjoying phoenix moments with both a live concert tour and a live-score version, the latter with Indianapolis, Utah and Sydney, Australia, symphonies, among others. The Naples Philharmonic, which has already recreated diverse film fare, from 'Psycho' to Warner Bros. Cartoons, will perform it for a film screening Oct.
24, two days before the film festival opens here. (Later in the season, it will reprise Max Steiner's score behind a screening of 'Casablanca' for its Pops Series Jan. 9-13.) Two particular events are especially exciting for van Bergen: the debut here of Mummenschanz, the long-running Swiss mask-and-prop theater troupe, and the performance of the Concerto for Rock Band, Violin and String Orchestra with Mills and McDuffie with the Philharmonic youth.
Marco Hartmann 'It shows not only a commitment to our youth orchestra, but for them, there's the excitement that they're performing on onstage with a real rock star,' she said. That concert, and the rest of the youth orchestra's season, will be under the wing of the Naples Philharmonic's new assistant conductor, Radu Paponiu, who joins the Philharmonic this summer. Classical and classics Amid the variety of works, there is more classical as well.
The Masterworks and Visiting Orchestra series have already been announced, as have its two chamber music seasons. Two operas and an evening of operatic music, all with the Naples Philharmonic, are planned as well with the Naples Philharmonic:. Opera Naples' 'Madama Butterfly' Nov. 3.
Gulfshore Opera's 'A Vocal Tour de France' Jan. 31. Opera Naples' 'The Marriage of Figaro' May 10 The Philharmonic will perform in its annual seasonal shows: Halloween, with the Naples Ballet, Oct. 28; 'The Nutcracker,' this year with the Moscow Ballet, Nov. 28 and 29; and Handel's 'The Messiah,' with the Naples Philharmonic Chorus, Dec 2 and 3.
Boys Bb: Many Happy Returns For Machine
Submitted photo Again this year there's special attention to baby boomer sounds, with a raft of concerts, such as the Drifters and the Four Tops and Temptations ones previously noted. Among them is one starring Naples alumna Casey Weston, who has gone from finalist on NBC's 'The Voice' to performances around the country. Concerts designated with an asterisk are part of Artis—Naples' six-show Exclusive Access Series and are only available as part of that package until October. 'In Perfect Harmony': Vocalists celebrate the '60s 'Summer of Love' with hits from the Mamas and the Papas, Crosby, Stills and Nash and more for two shows Jan.
24. Paul Anka. ('Put Your Head On My Shoulder,' 'Diana') Jan. 28 and 28. The Beach Boys.
('I Get Around,' 'Barbara Ann') Feb. 18.
'Gypsy, the Music of Stevie Nicks and Fleetwood Mac Starring Casey Weston,' two shows Feb. 26.
The Hit Men, performers who were part of classic hit bands, recreating their works March 5. Aaron Neville ('Don't Know Much,' 'Everybody Plays the Fool') March 6. The Righteous Brothers ('Unchained Melody,' 'Soul and Inspiration'), with original member Bill Medley March 17.
Rick Springfield ('Jessie's Girl,' 'Don't Talk to Strangers') March 26 And just for fun: political satire from The Capitol Steps Jan. 8; Second City, for four shows Feb. 2-3; Steve Solomon’s 'My Mother’s Italian, My Father’s Jewish & I’m In Therapy' for four shows Feb. Allen, the 'Home Improvement' and 'Last Man Standing' star, performs Nov. 17; A standup show from Howie Mandel ('America's Got Talent,' 'Deal or No Deal,' 'St. Elsewhere'), part of the Exclusive Access Series, is Feb.
Tickets go on sale for single events to subscribers on July 31 and to the general public on Aug.7. Tickets to individual performances that are parts of a series go on sale on Oct. Tickets for Exclusive Eccess concerts—Audra McDonald with the Naples Philharmonic, the Beach Boys, Paul Anka, the Silkroad Ensemble with Yo-Yo Ma, Howie Mandel and both nights of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra’s final residency led by Gustavo Dudamel—are available only to subscribers or people buying a subscription package until later in the season.
CLEVELAND, Ohio - LeBron James celebrates his 33rd birthday today, and while he's out of town (the Cavs play the Utah Jazz in Salt Lake City tonight), people in Cleveland are certainly wishing him well. King James was born in Akron on Dec.
His prowess at basketball showed from an early age. Now considered the face of the NBA, his presence and athleticism help define the current world of sports. Whatever your feelings toward his choice in 2010 to leave to join the Miami Heat for four seasons, you can't deny his return to Cleveland was the defining reason for the city's 2016 NBA Championship. We put together a little virtual birthday card for LeBron, wishing him many happy returns, and we're glad that he calls our city home. Check out the card in the video above.