You may remember it as “The Phil” - but the Naples Philharmonic Center for the Arts has a new name. This year, you’ll be visiting Artis - Naples, a name that reflects the full scope of the arts you can discover on the beautiful Pelican Bay campus.
Let’s begin with the Baker Museum of Art. If you’re new to the Baker Museum, you might enjoy “Art After Hours,” when your museum admission is free. Held the last Wednesday of each month, you can listen to live music in the courtyard, tour the museum exhibits, and enjoy a snack or beverage. Special exhibits this season at the Baker Museum include Papiers a la Mode, with over 60 period costumes, kimonos, kaftans and other objects intricately crafted out of paper by Belgian artist and sculptor Isabelle de Borchgrave. Or check out “An Ear For Music, An Eye for Art” - an exhibit of modernist works from the collection of Ahmet Ertegün, the Turkish American musician and business man best known as the founder and president of Atlantic Records.
If you’re musically inclined, you’ll want to check the concert offerings at Artis - Naples. The season includes a full range of entertainment options. The ever-popular Naples Philharmonic Pops series will set your foot tapping to Broadway and jazz standards, familiar classics from composers such as Gershwin, Hamlisch, and many more. The Philharmonic Orchestra Masterworks series will reacquaint us with beloved classical pieces on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings.
For those who love Broadway, this year’s season will feature some of the greats, including the wonderful classics West Side Story, Evita, and Porgy and Bess. Get your tickets soon and catch the music of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons in Jersey Boys. (I can hardly wait for that one!)
Ballet rounds out the offerings at Artis - Naples, including the Christmas classic The Nutcracker, guest performances by the Miami Ballet, and the Russian National Ballet’s performance of Don Quixote.
Special events on the Artis - Naples calendar are sure to turn heads - headliners include Bonnie Raitt, The Masters of Bluegrass, Harry Connick Jr., Second City, Julio Iglesis, The Moody Blues, The Grascals, Tony Bennett….this is just a sampling of the performers that will be making stops in Naples this season!
Add it up and you will certainly see that Artis - Naples provides an eclectic mix of terrific art and performances throughout the season. Whether you decide to purchase season tickets or select your individual favorites from the Artis - Naples calendar, you’ll agree that this facility is a gem that offers fantastic cultural offerings to all of us fortunate enough to call Naples home.
