Behind the Notes Lecture Series

This lively and informative lecture includes an appearance by a guest musician who will be on stage during the Sunday concert. Topics often include a composer’s artistic themes, distinguishing characteristics of their work, or comparisons of different conductors’ recordings of the same piece of music. Cost: $25.

Celebrate the season finale and Judy Garland’s 100th birthday to the lush original orchestrations of Get Happy, Over the Rainbow, The Trolley Song, and other popular songs! After-party celebration included. Cost. $65 adult, $15 youth. Concert ticket-holders can continue their music appreciation through this regularly scheduled pre-concert talk an hour before show time. Musical conversations will illuminate the music on the concert’s program.

Find yourself picturing grand cathedrals and opera houses as the Chorale regales you with timeless sacred music of Italian origins such as Cantate Domino and the O Magnum Mysterium as well as excerpts from operas by Italian masters. The Chorale will also have you swaying in your seat and raising a toast to free-spirited songs like Mambo Italiano, That’s Amore and Arrivederci Roma. You won’t want to miss this concert filled with great music, fun and inspiration that will surely have you saying “Viva Italia!”

 After thirteen years of marriage, William W. Worthingon III (Billy) and his wife Ashley, wealthy New England socialites, are contemplating divorce. Their Massachusetts’ estate consists of a 200-acre compound with a sixteen-bedroom mansion and a smaller beach cottage. Thanks to a pre-nuptial agreement, both know precisely what to expect from a divorce settlement. There is one item, however, that both parties want….and that is the famous Worthington necklace. Since both want to keep the necklace for themselves, both Billy and Ashley devise separate plans to steal the necklace.

Visit the website for more details, including how to purchase tickets. Contact intunejazz@gmail.com.

All are welcome and musicians may sit in with Fred Capitelli and Buz Bisbano. Cost: $5 donation. Food and beverage service is available.

— Will also hold evening session to capture the sunset at 7:59 p.m. —

 Paint every Monday, 8:30 a.m. to Noon. Anyone with a desire to paint outside may join. There are no fees and no instruction. For those who wish, at 11:15 a.m. paintings are shared and discussed. This group meets at a different location each week. Details are posted on the website. Email peaceriverpainters@gmail.com. These events continue through May 9 and will resume Oct. 10, 2022.

Artists whose work will be on display from January through April 2022:

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!

 A down and out mystery writer, unable to pay his rent, hangs up a sign offering Psychic readings in his window. To his surprise, he blurts out to his first customer, an attractive young woman, that her husband is planning to kill her. Much to his alarm and confusion he soon finds himself embroiled in a string of bizarre and hilarious murders. Cost: $23, $18 students.

Upcoming play:

Punta Gorda Isles Civic Association

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

Award winning journalist and local author, Naomi Pringle, hosts her popular classic and contemporary foreign language film series. Come see these outstanding films on the big screen in our building’s spacious, air-conditioned auditorium. Pre-commentary and a post group discussion are included. English captions are provided. Cost: $35 for five classes or $8 at the door for one class.

Need a few hours of delightful creativity? Join local artist Mary Taglieri for a series of lessons geared toward beginner and intermediate artists. Mary’s paintings radiate the beautiful places where she has lived. Her art degree and 40 years of professional experience have won her many awards and her works hang in private collections around the world. Choose Tuesday or Thursday, whichever fits your schedule. Contact Mary at 941-979-0901 for supply list. Cost: $175 for four sessions.

Sea Grape Gallery, a cooperative fine art gallery

Bill Fredericks: most Fridays

Tony Boffa: most Saturdays

Tony Boffa Quartet: every Tuesday

Tim Goodman's Jazz Jam: every Wednesday

La Lucha with Ona Kirei: Thursday, April 28

Rome Saladino tribute to Michael Bublé: Thursday, May 5 (two performances)

Art Students from Charlotte County Schools: April 23 to May 4 for high school and middle school, May 6 to May 14 for elementary school

Florida's Best: May 7 to June 14

Water, Water Everywhere: May 18 to June 13

Judged and juried exhibit of 2D and 3D art of everything to do with water from boating, fishing, shells, beaches and sun! Learn more on how to participate by May 9.

Live music is performed many days, often between Noon and 4 p.m. and 5 to 9 p.m. Events are weather permitting. To learn more, visit their website.

Kelly Reark's art will be on display throughout April.

Carolyn Walega's art is on display. She will be their featured artist in April.

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.

Bion Cantorum, a non-profit vocal ensemble, is seeking singers at all levels for its July 4 concert. Rehearsals start May 10. Must be able to read music and blend with other voices. Some solo work may be needed. Rehearsals are on Tuesday nights from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church of Punta Gorda (25250 Airport Road, Punta Gorda). All concerts are at 3 p.m. on Sundays. For further information, contact Jean Finks at 941-626-1070, Joan Byron at 941-661-1553 or Denny Ausman at 941-204-2900. (The March 13 concert has been cancelled.)

The Lemon Drops Children’s Theater Camp, led by Cheryl Hastings, will include developing acting skills through team building exercises, theater games, improvisations, arts and crafts, and rehearsals. All campers will have a role in the play The Great Gotzalot Bash. This play is a comedy that takes place in The Roaring 20s. Some interesting characters include John Ringling, Mae West, Coco Chanel, Flappers and Keystone Cops. The camp will be 9 a.m. to Noon Monday through Friday from July 11 to July 29, ending with two evening performances on Friday, July 29 and Saturday, July 30.

included in the next issue, please provide it in this online form.

The next email will be released Friday, April 8. By Noon on Wednesday, May 4, 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).