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Naples 2001 Annual Events
Please call to confirm events before driving long distances as some dates and times could vary. Check back for more updates!
Includes Goodland, Fort Myers, Marco Island, Punta Gorda, Sanibel Island, Placida, Charlotte Harbor

January
January Annual Mullet Festival
Goodland, 941/394-3041 Fun for all from a fashion show to a fish-cleaning contest. Music, seafood, games, arts and crafts.

January 1, 2, 15, 22, 29 West Palm Beach GreenMarket -- display of vendors with fresh pastries, fruits and Naples Dinner Theatre is currently staging the classic Broadway musical, "42nd Street." It can be seen Tuesday through Sunday nights with matinees Wednesdays and Sundays through Jan. 6. Call for specifics. Tickets for the meal and show are from $35 to $45. Tickets for the show only are $22.50 and $32.50. The theater is at 1025 Piper Blvd. off Immokalee Road in North Naples. Information: 514-STAR.

Through January 6 "Babes in Toyland,"
Ice Cream Theatre at Naples Dinner Theatre is presenting Matinee performances Saturdays, Tuesdays, Thursday and Fridays plus New Year's Eve morning. Lunch is served at 11 a.m., followed by the 12:15 p.m. show. Tickets are $15.50 for adults and $12.50 for children. Information: 514-7827.

Through Feb. 17 "Funny Girl
at the Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre. Performances are Tuesday through Sunday evenings with selected matinees. Tickets are $20 through $39. Call for specifics. The theater is at 1380 Colonial Blvd. at Royal Palm Square in Fort Myers. Information: (941) 278-4422.

Jan. 4 "Same Time Next Year"
Marco Players raise the curtain on Neil Simon's Classic, at 8 p.m. Performances take place Thursdays through Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m. The production can be seen at Marco Players Theatre, 1055 N. Collier Blvd. in the Town Center Mall on Marco Island. Admission is $16 for adults and $10 for students. Season tickets are available. Information: 642-7270.

Jan. 5 "Art"
Florida Repertory Theatre presents the Southwest Florida premiere of Yasmina Reza's Tony Award-winning play beginning . There is a pre-show reception on opening night. Performances are Tuesdays through Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Wednesdays and Sundays at 2 p.m. Information: (941) 332-4488.

January 6 Medieval Faire
Lakes Regional Park Ft. Myers, Fl - A Medieval Faire featuring Live Chess Match, Contact Jousting, 4 stages of entertainment, period food and vendors displaying many period items. The site at Lakes Regional Park features paths through a forest like setting amoung Austalian Pines. Parking is at the Sports Complex and Shuttle takes you to the park. Parking and Shuttle are free. 941-633-5946

Jan. 6 - 7 Piccadilly Antiques & Collectibles Fair
Lee Civic Center in Fort Myers. More than 75 dealers will be featured. There will also be a glass repair booth. Show hours are Saturday are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. General admission is $5, $4 for seniors. The civic center is at 11831 Bayshore Road, exit 26 off Interstate 75. Information: (727) 345-4431.

Jan. 7 Easternmost Piano Quartet
Moorings Presbyterian Church Sunday, at 3 p.m., when the Hyacinth series continues. The quartet is comprised of four pianists from various parts of the country. Moorings Presbyterian is at 791 Harbour Drive, Naples. The concert is free and open to the public. Information: 261-1487.

Jan. 7 Leslie Warlick, violinist,
in concert Sunday at 2 p.m. at Faith Lutheran Church, 4150 Goodlette-Frank Road N. Admission is free, although contributions are accepted to benefit the student scholarship fund. Information: 435-1105.

Jan. 9 "Return of the Natives: Landscaping with Native Plants"
Master gardener Dick Innes. Tuesday, at 7 p.m. at the Rookery Bay Headquarters, 300 Tower Road in Naples. The Friends of Rookery Bay will host this presentation on environmentally friendly, native gardening. Admission is free, but seating is limited. Reservations are suggested. Information: 417-6310.

Jan. 11 "Long Winter's Evening on Fifth"
will be presented from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. along Fifth Avenue South in downtown Naples. Musicians and other entertainers will perform throughout the area, and special attractions are planned at numerous galleries and shops. Information: 435-3742.

Jan. 11 - Jan. 28 "House of Blue Leaves,"
a comedy/tragedy/romance by John Guare, will be staged by Theatre Conspiracy from . It can be seen Thursdays through Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. through Dec. 3. Performances take place at Foulds Theatre, 10091 McGregor Blvd. in Fort Myers. Tickets are $14 and $12 for members of the Lee County Alliance of the Arts. Season subscriptions are also available. Information: (941) 936-3239.

Jan. 13 - 14 Estero Art League Show and Sale
Saturday and Sunday, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Koreshan Unity Foundation's museum building at 8661 Corkscrew Road, Estero. Artists will be on hand to answer questions and provide sales assistance. Information: 992-2184.

Jan. 13 Florida photographer Clyde Butcher
The von Liebig Art Center to moderate a panel discussion titled "The Florida Everglades Restoration Project" . The evening begins with a reception at 6 p.m., following by the talk at 7 p.m. The event is in conjunction with Butcher's current exhibit at the art center, "2001, An Everglades Odyssey." The art center is at 585 Park St. in downtown Naples. Tickets to the panel discussion are $30, and seating is limited. Reservations required. Information: 262-6517.

Jan. 16 "France Afloat"
at 7 p.m. at Collier County Headquarters Library, 650 Central Ave. in Naples. World traveler and Naples resident Ken Lawrence will discuss his journey through the Alsace-Lorraine and Dijon regions of France aboard luxury floating hotels. Seating is limited; advance registration is required either in person or by phone. Information: 263-7768.

Jan. 19 - Jan. 20 Fine Art Exhibition
at The Conservancy of Southwest Florida from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Featured will be works by Betti Williams, realistic watercolors and oils; Rachel Kennedy, impressionist oils; and Frank De La Roche, expressions in bronze and stone. The Conservancy is at 1450 Merrihue Drive, Naples. Information: 263-3661.

Jan. 23 Now & Zen
an exploration of Asian harmony and well-being, is the theme of a luncheon benefit at Trudy Labell Fine Art, from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Proceeds will benefit the Children's Hospital of Southwest Florida. Roy's of Bonita Springs will cater and Saks Fifth Avenue will present a fashion show of Asian-inspired clothing. In addition, Walter Hayley will speak on quigong — improving health and longevity by balancing body, mind and spirit. Unique artwork will also be on display. Cost is $88. The gallery is at 1610 Trade Center Way. Information: 593-0211.

Jan. 30 "Champions on Ice"
TECO Arena at 7 p.m. The show features some of skating's most familiar names: Nancy Kerrigan, Katarina Witt, Victor Petrenko, Brian Boitano, Surya Bonaly and others. Tickets are $50 and $65, available at the box office and at all Ticketmaster outlets. Information: (941) 334-3309

January 26 - March 25 Modern Mexican Masters
Works by Mexican Masters Diego Rivera, David Alfaro Siqueiros, Jose Clemente Orozco, and many others included in this private collection celebrating the achievements of Mexican art Naples Museum of Art 5833 Pelican Bay Blvd. 597-1900

Jan. 27 and 28 Naples Invitational Art Fest
a two-day juried show, takes place Saturday and Sunday, , from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Fleischmann Community Park. Works by 200 artists and craftsmen will be featured, as well as live music, a gourmet food court and a silent auction. Proceeds will benefit Eden Florida, a regional outreach program that serves local people with autism. This event has been rated as one of the 100 best art festivals in the country. The park is on Fleischmann Boulevard adjacent to Coastland Center. Information: 263-1667.

February
Feb. 17 Fine Arts and Craft Show
from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Fleischmann Park. More than 75 exhibitors will participate in this juried event. Featured work will include paintings, pottery, basketry, jewelry, photography, cast paper, needlework and more. The show is free and open to the public. The park is on Fleischmann Boulevard, just south of Coastland Center. Information: 434-4692

Feb. 24 and 25 "Reflections of the Spirit,"
Ikebana International hosts a Japanese floral exhibit Saturday and Sunday at Naples Depot, 1051 Fifth Ave. S. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. Demonstrations will be conducted by teachers of the Ikenobo school Saturday at 1:30 p.m. and by teachers of the Sogetsu school Sunday at 2 p.m. A tea house and ginza will be available. Admission is free. Information: 597-6867 or 598-4897.

March 24 - May 20 Post Hypnotic
The first large scale museum exhibition to address the power and viability of optical effects in contemporary Art The Naples Museum of Art 5833 Pelican Bay Blvd. 597-1900

February
Feb 17
Heart Ball - Collier County
7:00pm, 2001) The Ritz-Carlton, Naples - This black tie gala is a nation-wide effort benifiting the American Heart Association. It's purpose is to impact the association's goal of reducing deaths caused by cardiovascular disease and stroke. This event was the first of its kind in Collier County 28 years ago and continues to grow annually. Attracting over 600 influential residents and businesses, it is an evening filled with fine dining, entertainment, live and silent auctions, dancing and committment to the purpose - saving lives! merican Heart Association Contact: Wendy Church 941-498-9288

February - March 76th Annual Southwest Florida Fair
Ft. Myers 941/543-8368 Known as an old-fashioned country fair, this event features agriculture, horticulture, home-baked goods and small farm animals. It also includes carnival rides, games and food booths.

February Edison Festival of Light
Ft. Myers 941/334-2999 One of area's biggest & most celebrated annual events commemorates the birthday of the area's most famous winter resident, Thomas Edison. It features 3 weeks of events. Main events include opening ceremonies; a gala ball; a fashion show & the Edison Festival 5k Race.

February Everglades Seafood Festival
Everglades City 941/695-4100 Celebrating over 25 years of food, fun and great entertainment! Quality crafters, mullet throws, Indian fry bread, street dancing, and more.

February Peace River Seafood Festival and Boat Show
Punta Gorda 941/639-1188 Along with tasty items from the sea, this waterfront festival offers unique arts and crafts displays from around the country.

February Swamp Cabbage Festival
LaBelle 941/675-0369 Barron Park. Enjoy arts & crafts, entertainment, a parade and Seminole Indian food and wares, while savoring the many flavors of swamp cabbage-heart of the Sabal Palm, our state tree.

March
March 63rd Annual Sanibel Shell Fair and Show
Sanibel Island 941/472-2155 To celebrate of one of the finest shelling areas in the US, this annual show features shell displays & crafts with prizes awarded for special categories. A family favorite is the live display of shells by 5th graders from Sanibel Elementary School. Food & entertainment.

March Charlotte Harbor International Air Show
Charlotte Harbor 888/348-5821 The USAF Thunderbirds, US Arny Golden Knights and many world renowned pilots and wing walkers.

March Placida Seafood Festival
Placida 941/697-2451The two-day event features arts and crafts, nautical furniture, fresh Florida seafood and live music on the waterfront.

June
June International Hemingway Festival
Sanibel Island 800/916-9727 Fishing, golf, tennis, running




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