— September 23, 2022 —
Charlotte Arts and member events through October 7, 2022

Click on underlined text to learn about:
All events are free unless otherwise noted.
Click on the organization (underlined words) to learn more about any event.
Please confirm COVID-19 precautions in place with each location.
Charlotte Harbor Event and Conference Center | 75 Taylor St., Punta Gorda
Thursday, Sept. 22 through Saturday, Sept. 24

More than 20 live demonstrations by Florida water media artists will be held Friday and Saturday. Mark Mehaffey will present an Exhibition Review on Saturday. The Trade Show will feature several vendors demonstrating and selling their products at a discount to attendees.

The Annual Exhibition will be held at the Visual Arts Center from Sept. 14 through Nov. 14.

For more information on the convention and workshops, visit floridawatercolorsociety.org or e-mail Beverly Yankwitt (bev.yankwitt@gmail.com).
96 West Dearborn Street, Englewood

Dead Man's Cell Phone
Wednesday to Saturday, Sept. 7 to 25 7:30 p.m.,
Sundays at 2 p.m.

While at a café, a man dies. But his cell phone will not stop ringing. The woman at the next table picks up the cell phone and ends up in the middle of all his troubles. Dead Man’s Cell Phone contains adult theme, adult language and will use flashing lights that may bother those will photo sensitivity. Cost: $25, $18 students.

You Know I Can’t Hear You When The Water’s Running: Oct. 19 to Nov. 6
Each act of this four separate one-act plays is an individual story. The Shock of Recognition breaks in on a difference of opinion while a quarrel develops. The Footsteps of Doves a couple picks out a new bed. I’ll Be Home for Christmas shows parents discussing the sex education of their almost adult children. I’m Herbert is a sketch about two old people sitting on a porch in rocking chairs and talking.
Blithe Spirit
The Langdon Playhouse | 1182 Market Circle, Port Charlotte
Thursday to Saturday, Oct. 7 to 15, 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, Oct. 9 and 16, 2 p.m.

This play concerns the socialite and novelist Charles Condomine, who invites the eccentric medium and clairvoyant, Madame Arcati, to his house to conduct a séance, hoping to gather material for his next book. The scheme backfires when he is haunted by the ghost of his annoying and tempermental first wife, Elvira, after the séance. Elvira makes continual attempts to disrupt Charles's marriage to his second wife, Ruth, who cannot see or hear the ghost. Cost: $25, $13 students.
210 Maud Street,
Punta Gorda
Monday and Friday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Tuesday to Thursday 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Nautilus Resurrection by Nancy Griffin.

Exhibits
Color! Sept. 15 to Oct. 12 in Main Gallery
Artists express themselves through 2D and 3D color and the results are spectacular! This is a juried show.
Reception: Thursday, Sept. 29, 5 p.m.

Florida Water Color Society's 51st Annual Exhibition: Sept. 14 to Nov. 12 in Goff Gallery and Rebecca Hall. See Society's information below for additional events.

Falling for Art: Oct. 20 to Nov. 7 in the Main Gallery
The judged and juried exhibit is of 2D art.
Reception: Thursday, Oct. 27, 5 p.m.

Off-Site Exhibits
The Wyvern Hotel | 101 East Retta Esplanade, Punta Gorda
Nix & Associates Real Estate | 2421 Shreve St, Unit 111, Punta Gorda

Classes (begin Sept. 12 and Oct. 17) and Open Studios (begin Sept. 19)
Classes in painting, drawing, pottery, jewelry, glass, photography and fiber arts for four, six, eight and twelve-weeks. Visit the website for a full list of classes and details.

Fiber Arts Studios: Mondays and Fridays 1 to 4 p.m.
Pottery Studio: Tuesdays 1 to 4 p.m. and Wednesdays 9 a.m. to Noon
2D Art Studio: Thursdays 9 a.m. to Noon.
Portrait Open Studio with Live Model: Thursdays 9 a.m. to Noon (begin Oct. 4)

Reception: Tuesday, Oct. 4, 5 to 7 p.m. at The Wyvern Hotel
Six local celebrities are paired with six VAC artists who help them create a masterpiece that will be auctioned. Celebrities include Matt “Van Gogh” Nemec with Wyvern Hotel, Shawn “Dali” Gilstad with The Purple House, Ken “Abstractly” Lovejoy with iHeart Radio, Phyllis “O’Keeffe” Walker with McCrory Law, Pam “J. Mitchell” Monnier with Grand Care Plus, and Melissa “Louise Bourgeois” Lockhart with Helping Hands SW FL. The grand finale and reveal is Nov. 18.

Workshop
The Magic of Cyanotypes with Mairin Wilson: Thursday, Oct. 6
Learning the traditional process of botanical printing with the addition of exploring texture and color. You will learn all about the process of creating this cameraless photos, while you create some modern, artful prints of your own!
Beach Blossoms by Anne Tuttle
Swirly Fish by Jan Pronko
Sea Grape Gallery, a cooperative fine art gallery
113 W. Marion Avenue, Punta Gorda
Tuesday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Featured Artists: Sept. 1 to Oct. 6
Anne Tuttle, colored pencil artist
Jan Pronko, hand-built clay artist
1951 Tamiami Trail, Port Charlotte
Enjoy music while eating in the restaurant. Reservations are required for some shows. Most shows are 6 to 9 p.m. Visit website for details.

Bill Fredericks: most Fridays

Mickey Basil Solo: most Saturdays

Charlotte County Jazz Jam with Sonny Rollins
Sunday, Oct. 23, 1 to 4 p.m.

Tony Boffa Quartet: most Tuesdays

Tim Goodman Jazz Jam: most Wednesdays

Bobby Van Deusen, Charlotte County Jazz Society
Thursday, Sept. 29, 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.

Musicians change every Thursday.
Kitt Moran: Thursday, Sept. 29
Michael White with Mickey Basil Band: Thursday, Oct. 6*
Patricia Dean Trio: Thursday, Oct. 13
Bob Teesdale Quartet: Thursday, Oct. 20
*$4.95 performance fee
1200 West Retta Esplanade,
Punta Gorda

Live music is performed many days throughout the Village. Events are weather permitting. To learn more, visit their website.

Kit Jones: Friday, Sept. 23, 4 to 8 p.m.
Enjoy variety music performed by this musician singer.

Austin James: Friday, Sept. 23, 5 to 9 p.m.
Enjoy this singer-songwriter country music artist who recently moved to our area from Nashville.

Key Lime & Tropical Fest
Saturday, Sept. 24, Noon to 9 p.m.
Enjoy key Lime specialties, live music and fun for the entire family.
Noon to 4 p.m.
• Trop Rock Singer Bill Crowley: First Section
• Steel Drum Musician/Singer John Patti: Center Court
• Singer Dennis McCaughey: Third Section
• Steel Drum artist Dave Lapio: Sunset Beach Club Tiki Bar
5 to 9 p.m.
• Local Knowledge Band: Center Court
• Singer Tommy G: Sunset Beach Club Tiki Bar

Luke Perring: Sunday, Sept. 25, 4 to 8 p.m.
Enjoy country, variety, cover and original songs by this singer and guitar player.

Flatwater: Wednesday, Sept. 28, 6 to 9 p.m.
Enjoy acoustic Country and variety music.

Dan Meadows: Thursday, Sept. 29, 4 to 8 p.m.
Enjoy variety music.

Kit Jones: Thursday, Sept. 29, 4 to 8 p.m.

Luke Perring: Friday, Sept. 30, 4 to 8 p.m.

Paul Roush: Friday, Sept. 30, 5 to 9 p.m.
Enjoy country, rock and standards from the last 30 years with Paul's own songs that tell stories in his own way and time.

Tommy G: Saturday, Oct. 1, Noon to 4 p.m.
Enjoy vocal and guitar trop rock and variety music.

All Mic'd Up: Saturday, Oct. 1, 4 to 8 p.m.
Enjoy upbeat variety music.

Dan Meadows: Saturday, Oct. 1, 5 to 9 p.m.

Dave Lapio: Sunday, Oct. 2, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Enjoy steel drum music.

Lee James: Sunday, Oct. 2, 4 to 8 p.m.
Enjoy variety music performed by this musician singer.

Yard Dog Charlie: Monday, Oct. 3, 4 to 8 p.m.
Enjoy uplifting Florida swamp music – a blend of Cajun, zydeco, folk, country rock and roll and comedy – from the heart with passion and a sense of humor.

Dan Meadows: Tuesday, Oct. 4, 4 to 8 p.m.

All Mic'd Up: Wednesday, Oct. 5, 4 to 8 p.m.

Music Box: Thursday, Oct. 6, 4 to 8 p.m.
Enjoy variety and dance favorites featuring Jaime Garza and Jayar Mack.

Kit Jones: Thursday, Oct. 6, 4 to 8 p.m.

Dan Meadows: Friday, Oct. 7, Noon to 4 p.m.

Yard Dog Charlie: Friday, Oct. 7, 4 to 8 p.m.

Mark Gorka: Friday, Oct. 7, 5 to 9 p.m.
Acoustic singer and musician well-known songs of many genres from the 60s to Pop, Rock and Country of today.

Paul Roush: Saturday, Oct. 8, Noon to 4 p.m.

Yard Dog Charlie: Saturday, Oct. 8, 4 to 8 p.m.

Dave Lapio: Saturday, Oct. 8, 5 to 9 p.m.

Paul Mezzanotte: Sunday, Oct. 9, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Enjoy upbeat variety music.

Mark Gorka: Sunday, Oct. 9, 4 to 8 p.m.

International Cultural Fest: Saturday, Oct. 15
2001 Shreve Street, Punta Gorda

PGICA offers a variety of classes and programs from art classes, crafting, and exercise classes, including yoga and dance, to lectures on health topics, members’ world travels, financial seminars, and town hall meetings. All are open to the general public. PGICA programs begin on Sept. 2! Some of the programs are listed here. Visit their website to learn more. Registration is required at PGICA.org.

LeBlast: Tuesdays and​ Fridays, 8:30 to 9:30 a.m., $12 per class
LeBlast is a dance fitness, partner-free program based on all the ballroom dances you see on Dancing with the Stars. It combines partner-free ballroom dancing and weight training.
 
Custom Earring Making with Jillian: Wednesdays, Sept. 7 to 28, 6 to 7:30 p.m., $25 per class. Unleash​ your inner fashionista in this class! Jewelry maker and creative business owner Jillian James leads a one-of-a kind jewelry making class using polymer clay. You will leave with one stunning pair of handmade earrings and will be able to pick from three design options. Instructor provides all supplies.
 
Topics in Local and State History: Tuesday, Sept. 13 to Feb. 7, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., $10 per class. History lecture series held on second Tuesday of the month from September 2022 to February 2023 will examine topics pertaining to state, Charlotte County and Southwest Florida history. Instructor: Jennifer Zoebelein.

Ladies Dance Class: Thursday, Sept. 29 through May 2023, 11 a.m. to Noon, $10 per class First class Sept. 29 is a free trial.
For those who want to learn ballroom and Latin dancing but don’t have a partner, and who are looking to improve coordination, balance, body movement and personal expression, this class is for you! You will dance fun variations of Bachata, Salsa, Cha Cha, Foxtrot, Broadway, Charleston, Swing, Paso Doble and the Waltz. It’s not a fitness class, but a dance class. Professional ballroom dancer and instructor: Nathalie Lemoine. Questions? lemoineswfl@gmail.com or 941/830-3151.

Free art exhibits by visual artists at locations throughout the county. Please visit the website to see the locations now open and artists whose work will be on display.

Art by Rosana Halprine. Art may not be representative of work on display.

Artists whose work will be on display:
  • Lance Henderson (Oct), B&D Nature Photography (Nov) and Kathy Przepadlo (Dec) at Mid-County Library (2050 Forrest Nelson, Port Charlotte)
  • Howard Spielman (Sep-Oct) at Port Charlotte Public Library (2280 Aaron St, Port Charlotte)
  • Henry August (Sep) and Wanda Carter (Oct) at Punta Gorda Library (401 Shreve St, Punta Gorda)
  • Rosana Halprine (Sep-Dec) at Charlotte Memorial Funeral Home (9400 Indian Springs Cemetery Road, Punta Gorda)
  • Tina Weida (Sep-Dec) at Kays-Ponger Uselton Funeral Home (635 East Marion Avenue, Punta Gorda)
  • Carolyn Walega (Sep-Dec) at Charlotte County Administration (18500 Murdock Circle, Port Charlotte)
  • Rosana Halprine, Larry Palmer and B&D Nature Photography at Charlotte Harbor Event & Conference Center (75 Taylor Street, Punta Gorda)
  • Larry Palmer, Mary Lundeberg, Tina Weida, Robert Broyles and B&D Nature Photography at Punta Gorda Airport (28000 Airport Road, Punta Gorda)
  • Kelly Reark at Cayo Costa Dental (316 Helen Avenue, Punta Gorda)

Artist of the Month: The artist is recognized at a Charlotte County Board of County Commission meeting. Visit the website to see those selected.

Charlotte Arts is pleased to provide an online directory of artists, cultural non-profits and cultural businesses. With up to four images from each one, you can attend a virtual museum of Charlotte County-area art!
Charlotte Arts' members art on display

Bird of Paradise by Howard Spielman

Award-winning artist, creator and executive producer of television shows and author Howard Spielman invites interested art collectors to his Port Charlotte home studio by appointment. Please Note: There is absolutely no obligation to purchase anything at a home studio visit. He is making this offer so as to make his neighbors in the surrounding community aware of his art. At your visit you can view more than 80 original works of art of varied subjects from florals to landscapes to abstracts and more. Receive a demonstration of Howard’s unique working method he uses to produce his art. Enjoy wine and cheese in a beautiful waterfront setting. Receive a studio discount on all art purchases. Custom sizes are available and art can be shipped. To preview Howard’s art or to make an appointment visit howardspielman.com, 941-875-3942 or highrdwest@aol.com.
Alex Haak is opening his home exhibit of more than 25 oil paintings every Saturday afternoon. Email him by Friday to confirm hours and directions to his Port Charlotte residence.
Southwest Florida’s regional opera company serves Collier, Lee and Charlotte counties. GO enriches the community by offering affordable professional opera theater and vocal music concerts to diverse audiences and a socially responsible musical education initiative.


Carmelo's Italian Ristorante (321 W. Retta Esplanade, Punta Gorda)
Sunday, Nov 6, 6 to 8:30 p.m.
GO Divas will perform a variety of vocal ensembles featuring rich harmonies from opera scenes to popular, contemporary songs of the 60s and 70s while you enjoy a delightful Italian plated dinner at Carmelo’s in a beautiful outdoor courtyard setting. Their diverse, new program will feature pop favorites like "Bohemian Rhapsody" and "Happy Together," ensembles from The Magic Flute and Carmen, and an exhilarating passage from Handel's Dixit Dominus. Appetizers and cash bar available starting at 5:30 p.m. Cost: $125 concert, appetizers and dinner.
Charlotte Performing Arts Center | 701 Carmalita Street, Punta Gorda

The Charlotte Chorale has a rich history in Charlotte County presenting quality choral concerts since 1989. The Chorale has continued to expand its repertoire to include many classical and symphonic choral pieces as well as a broad spectrum of contemporary music, spirituals, multi-cultural music, foreign language, and devotional works with wide appeal to all audiences.

Under the continued and outstanding leadership of Dr. William B. Dederer, Artistic Director, the Chorale will present a three concert choral series in the 2022-2023 season.
  • Christmas concert, Treasured Sounds of Christmas, along with the Second Annual Silent Auction, on Saturday, Dec. 3, at 4 p.m. The concert will include beloved and beautiful Christmas and holiday music from past and recent years. The Silent Auction will offer opportunities to bid on local and state-wide recreational activities, local dining gift certificates, personal services and various gift baskets. 
  • Voices of Spirit will be performed on Saturday, Feb. 25. This concert will be a celebration of music inspired by the universality of mankind’s relationship with creation: awe of creation’s wonders, reverence for its beauty, joy in the mystery and spirit thereof.
  • Reflections will take place on Saturday, April 15. This concert will celebrate the 10 year anniversary of the Chorale being under the direction of Dr. William Dederer, and will feature some of his favorite compositions.
  • Additionally, the Charlotte Chorale will host a special concert appearance of The Dallas Brass, on Sunday, Feb. 26 at 4 p.m.

Tickets and reservations for the three Chorale concerts and the special concert, featuring The Dallas Brass can be purchased by calling the ticket office 941-204-0033. Individual concert tickets are $25 adults, $10 students, or season tickets (three Chorale concerts) are $65 adults, $25 students.

For more information about The Charlotte Chorale, its performances and upcoming events visit www.charlottechorale.com or call 941-204-0033.

The Charlotte Chorale is also seeking new adult singers with passion and ability for performing choral music! Seasonal residents can be accommodated. Previous ensemble singing experience preferred. If interested, please contact Membership Coordinator Jean Sutton at 864-420-3146.
If you wish to have arts and humanities information
included in the next issue, please provide it in this online form.
The next email will be released Friday, Oct. 7. By Noon on Wednesday, Oct. 5 please provide information on Events, News and Opportunities for this e-newsletter (member events only), the online cultural calendar (all arts and humanities events), and member news and opportunities for artists (posted on website).
Support Charlotte Arts

  • Give a gift of membership to Charlotte Arts. The membership helps ensure the success and vibrancy of the entire cultural community. Memberships for artists, individuals and families are $50, nonprofit, government and university-based organizations are $75 and businesses are $100. If you already are a member, thank you. Please encourage others to support Charlotte Arts by becoming a member.
  • Are you shopping on Amazon? Amazon will donate 0.5% to Charlotte Arts of the price of your eligible AmazonSmile purchases.
  • Purchase the "State of the Arts" license plate tags. A portion comes back to Charlotte County to support quality arts and humanities programs, including Arts in Education classroom grants. Charlotte Arts is pleased to offer grants in support of teachers within Charlotte County Public Schools who incorporate arts and humanities into their curriculum. Charlotte Arts has awarded a total of $143,195 in grants, providing arts and cultural programs to more than 52,600 students. Charlotte Arts is anticipating offering grants for the 2022-2023 school year with support received from the Florida license plate.