David Sedaris, Sarah Brightman, more: Artis―Naples unveils full 2023-24 season
"The Nutcracker" is back. So are musician Chris Botti, Dave Koz & Friends and more.
Artis―Naples has announced its full 2023-24 season with popular mainstays along with new performers and art exhibits. The news comes after the venue in April announced part of the new season includes the Broadway series and the Andy Warhol exhibit scheduled for 2024.
“This season, our programming delves deep into the sensational world of art, immersing patrons in a season-long exploration of the power of our perception," said CEO and President Kathleen van Bergen in a news release.
For a full list of Artis―Naples events and to learn how to purchase tickets, visit artisnaples.org.
So what's new
Satirist and best-selling author David Sedaris brings his wit and sarcasm to Naples at 8 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 18.
The 66-year-old humorist has written numerous New York Times best sellers, with the first being "Naked" in 1997 containing essays about growing up in Raleigh, North Carolina.
His latest book, "Happy-Go-Lucky," published in May 2022 and is a collection of semi-autobiographical essays that delve into a variety of topics such as learning to shoot guns with actress, comedian and writer Amy Sedaris, his sister, leading up to the COVID-19 pandemic and his thoughts on that.
Sedaris was elected in 2019 to the prestigious American Academy of Arts and Letters.
Holiday treat with Sarah Brightman
Certainly a highlight of the holidays, "Sarah Brightman: A Christmas Symphony," as the English classic soprano performs songs for the season at 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 10, in Hayes Hall.
She's perhaps best known as the original Christine Daaé in the musical "The Phantom of the Opera." And Brightman has sold millions of albums and CDs, making her the best-selling soprano in the world. She also holds the record for the best-selling single of all-time, sharing that honor with Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli in their 1996 duet "Time to Say Goodbye."
Their 2007 live version of the song has more than 92 million views on YouTube.
Special symphony performances planned
Alexander Shelley the new artistic and music director, takes the condcutor baton for the first time at 8 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 16, in Hayes Hall with the program "Overture to Alexander — A Toast to the Future." The night will feature Leonard Bernstein's "Overture to Candide," Richard Strauss’ "Overture to Die Fledermaus" and Joan Tower’s "Sixth Fanfare for the Uncommon Woman."
Other season highlights:
"Naples Philharmonic Pops: John Williams Favorites" with Jack Everly, principal pops conductor, leading Williams' most iconic scores including "Jaws," "Indiana Jones," Star Wars" and more. Performances are at various times between Oct. 31 and Nov. 4.
Naples Philharmonic Masterworks: "Death and Transfiguration," 8 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 25, and Friday, Jan. 26, at Hayes Hall, with Shelley conducting and featuring violinist Blake Pouliot. Works chosen for the program are Strauss' "Don Juan," Erich Wolfgang Korngold's "Violin Concerto," Sofia Gubaidulina's "Fairytale Poem" and Strauss' "Death and Transfiguration."
Naples Philharmonic Masterworks: "Rhapsody in Blue" with David Robertson, conductor, and Orli Shaham, piano. Shows begin at 8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, Feb. 15-17, in Hayes Hall.
Naples Philharmonic Masterworks: "An American in Paris and The Firebird Suite," with Shelley conducting, and featuring saxophonist Jess Gillam. George Gershwin's "An American in Paris," Anna Clyne's "Glasslands for Saxophone and Orchestra" and Ravel La valse's "Stravinsky The Firebird Suite." Shows are at 8 p.m. Thursday, March 14, and Friday, March 15, in Hayes Hall.
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Window into Immokalee
Closer to home, "The Face of Immokalee" provides a window into the Collier County community that produces 90% of Florida's tomatoes.
The public art project by photographer Michelle Tricca celebrates the individuality of this agricultural community. The Baker Museum exhibit runs Nov. 18 through April 28.
Musical magic in Memphis
"One Night in Memphis" recreates a magical night at Sun Records, when recording artistsCarl Perkins, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Elvis Presley for more than 90 minutes perform rockabilly, country, gospel and 1950s rock ‘n’ roll music performed live. The show begins at 8 p.m. Monday, March 4, in Hayes Hall.
What about the NIFF with Silverspot closing?
The 15th annual Naples International Film Festival is still happening in October despite Silverspot Cinema closing after 14 years in Mercato, Artis―Naples say.
Silverspot ― which hosts many of the films and discussions during the film fest ― announced last week that it was closing after July 23. However, the Austin, Texas-based Alama Drafthouse Cinema has been discussed as opening in the same spot in the outdoor North Naples mall.
"We were saddened to learn that our long-term partner for the Naples International Film Festival, Silverspot Cinema, will no longer be managing the theaters at Mercato," said David Filner, Artis―Naples executive vice president of artistic operations, in an email last week.
"However, we look forward to conversations with the new theater operator at Mercato, Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, as well as other theaters in the area about potentially hosting the Naples International Film Festival.
"In the meantime, we are confident that wherever we screen films, the 15th annual Naples International Film Festival this October 26-29 will be a great success."
Dave Osborn is the regional features editor of the Naples Daily News and News-Press. Follow him on Instagram and Threads @lacrossewriter and on Twitter @NDN_dosborn.
This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: New Artis―Naples full season: David Sedaris to Sarah Brightman, more
