— December 3, 2021 —
Charlotte Arts and member events through December 17, 2021.

Click on underlined text to learn about:
All events are free unless otherwise noted.
Click on the underlined words to learn more about any event.
Please confirm COVID-19 precautions in place with each location.
Charlotte Performing Arts Center (701 Carmalita Street, Punta Gorda)

Happy Holiday: Friday, Dec. 3, 7:30 p.m.
With some new arrangements of seasonal songs as well as the familiar traditional music that we all enjoy, it will be a wonderful night of music to fill your hearts with the holiday spirit. Enjoy Christmas Fanfares, Messiah, Festive Sounds of Hanukkah, Christmas on Broadway, March of the Toys, My Favorite Things, Toyland, We Need a Little Christmas and more. Soloist, soprano Melissa Rau will perform an old Austrian carol entitled Still, Still, Still and the Candlelight Carol. Cost.
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.

Exhibits

Main and Goff Galleries: Off the Wall Dec. 4 to 31
Features a variety of 2D and 3D artwork, priced at just $200 or less. Your art purchase from "Off the Wall" will come immediately off the wall, so you can take it home in time for the Holidays.

Rebecca Hall: Holidays in the Hall Nov. 15 to Dec. 24
Features holiday art cards and art decor, as well as the Wall of Ornaments, a fine selection of artist made holiday ornaments to purchase.

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

Classes
Visit the website for a full list of classes and details.

The 13th Biennial National Art Exhibition will begin Friday, Feb. 18, 2022.
Artists can learn more at www.JuriedArtsServices.com.
The deadline to submit art is Dec. 5.
6th Annual South Gulf Cove Fine Art Show and Sale
(14859 Ingraham Blvd, Port Charlotte)
Sunday, Dec. 5, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
More than 15 artists and artisans will display their work in paintings of different media, leather work, fused glass, stained glass, photography, pottery and much more. Cost: Free. Learn more from rhalprine@yahoo.com, 757-997-3424.

Outdoor Chamber Series:
Woodwinds in the Garden
Peace River Botanical & Sculpture Gardens (5827 Riverside Drive, Punta Gorda)
Sunday, Dec. 5, 1 p.m. and 4 p.m.
This outdoor concern features a woodwind quintet of flute, clarinet, oboe, bassoon and horn. Wine and beverages available for purchase. Cost.

Composers Luncheon
Punta Gorda Women's Club (118 Sullivan Street, Punta Gorda)
Thursday, Dec. 9, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Cost: $20 with lunch and glass of wine.

Behind the Notes Lecture Series
Florida Southwestern State College Charlotte Campus - Rush Auditorium
(26300 Airport Road, Punta Gorda)
Friday, Dec. 17, 4 p.m.
Enjoy a lively and informative lecture by Maestro Ponti and 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.

Holiday Pops
Charlotte Performing Arts Center (701 Carmalita Street, Punta Gorda)
Sunday, Dec. 19, 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Discover the magic of the holiday season with the whole family. Expect favorite holidays tunes Sleigh Ride, Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire, music from The Polar Express and more! Cost. $65 adult, $15 youth.
Charlotte Performing Arts Center
(701 Carmalita Street, Punta Gorda)

A Time of Wonder
Saturday, Dec. 11, 3 p.m. auction,
4 p.m. concert
Support Charlotte Chorale at its silent auction with gift baskets, restaurant gift cards, golf and adventures packages, family fun events, craft goods and much more. Enjoy the A time of Wonder concert that begins at 4 p.m. The concert will transport you back to a time filled with memories of children, family, friends, good food and warm wishes. Celebrate the sounds of the season as the Chorale sings and local instrumentalists perform traditional, and not so traditional, Christmas favorites by world-renowned composers George Frideric Handel, John Rutter, Randall Thompson, and Leroy Anderson. Reserved seat tickets can be purchased by calling 941-204-0033. Cost: $25, $10 students.
(96 W. Dearborn Street, Englewood)

A Child's Christmas in Wales
Wednesday to Sunday, Dec. 1 to 19, 7:30 p.m.
except Sunday at 2 p.m.
Filled with love, song and laughter, Thomas’s memories of his curmudgeon uncles, tipsy aunts and boyhood friends makes a perfect way to say Merry Christmas to those you love. Cost: $23, $18 students. Not recommended for children younger than 12.
Langdon Playhouse
(1182 Market Circle, Port Charlotte)

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever
Thursday to Sunday, Dec. 2 to 5, 7:30 p.m. except 2 p.m. on Sunday
In this hilarious Christmas classic, a couple struggling to put on a church Christmas pageant is faced with casting the Herdman kids -- probably the most inventively awful kids in history. You won't believe the mayhem -- and the fun -- when the Herdmans collide with the Christmas story head-on. Cost: $22, $11 students.
Ultimate Christmas Trivia Challenge
Thursday, Dec. 9, 6 to 9 p.m.
Beef O'Brady's (1105 Taylor Rd, Punta Gorda)

This fundraiser for Charlotte Players is presented by the 2021 Comedy for a Cause Cast. Cost: $50 for one, $200 for a team of four.

The next play, Exit Laughing, begins Jan. 6.

Greg Abate Quartet
Monday, Dec. 13, 7 p.m.
Gulf Heritage Theater at Military Heritage Museum (900 W. Marion Avenue, Punta Gorda)
This is the third of seven Jazz Concerts. Cost: $25

Jam Sessions
Sunday, Dec. 14, 1 to 4 p.m.
Held October through April on the fourth Sunday except December (Dec. 14).
American Legion Post 110 (3152 Harbor Blvd., Port Charlotte). Cost: $5 donation.

Visit the website for more details, including how to purchase tickets.

The concert season is dedicated to Mike Parmelee in recognition of his love and promotion of jazz in all its forms. Mike was a founding member of the Charlotte County Jazz Society and served on the Board of Directors for more than 30 years. Revenue from these events supports a scholarship program to assist local high school students pay for their advanced education in music.

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 Becky Van Pelt. Meet the artist on Dec. 15. See below for details. Art may not be representative of art on display.

Artists whose work will be on display from September to December, 2021:

  • Carolyn Walega at Mid-County Library (2050 Forrest Nelson, Port Charlotte) 
  • Reception: Wednesday, Dec. 1, 5 to 6:30 p.m.
  • Becky Van Pelt at Kays-Ponger Uselton Funeral Home (635 East Marion Avenue, Punta Gorda) 
  • Wine & Cheese Reception with artist: Wednesday, Dec. 15, 5 to 7 p.m.
  • Tina Weida at Cayo Costa Dental (316 Helen Avenue, Punta Gorda)
  • Rosana Halprine at Charlotte Memorial Funeral Home (9400 Indian Springs Cemetery Road, Punta Gorda) 
  • Robert Broyles at Charlotte County Administration (18500 Murdock Circle, Port Charlotte)
  • Tina Weida at Charlotte Harbor Event & Conference Center (75 Taylor Street, Punta Gorda) 
  • Laura Pickell at Punta Gorda Library (401 Shrive Street, Punta Gorda)
  • Larry Palmer, Mary Lundeberg and Tina Weida at Punta Gorda Airport (28000 Airport Road, Punta Gorda)

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!
Thanks to the Charlotte County Airport Authority’s partnership with Charlotte Arts, Punta Gorda Airport (PGD) has a new colorful photo op spot for passengers to capture a selfie and share on social media. Local artist Larry E. Palmer's Charlotte Harbor sunset mural is painted on a 10-foot wall in the corridor that connects ticketing and baggage claim in the Bailey Terminal. Learn more!
(1200 West Retta Esplanade, Punta Gorda)
Events at Fishermen's Village are weather permitting.

Joey Gilmore performs Dec. 5 and 12.

Be sure to check out the Festival of Lights and Lighted Canal Cruises through Dec. 31.

Dan Meadows: Friday, Dec. 3, Noon to 4 p.m.
Enjoy variety music.

Jimi Pappas: Friday, Dec. 3, Noon to 4 p.m.

Mark Gorka: Friday, Dec. 3, 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.

Dan Meadows: Saturday, Dec. 4, Noon to 4 p.m.

Joey Gilmore Band: Sunday, Dec. 5, Noon to 4 p.m.
Enjoy jazz and blues music who shared the stage with such greats as James Brown, Etta James and Johnny Taylor. In 2008, Joey was awarded the Blewzzy award for best song, Blues All Over You.

Chris G: Saturday, Dec. 4, 5 to 9 p.m.
Enjoy uplifting, lively tunes.

Joey Gilmore Band: Sunday, Dec. 5, Noon to 4 p.m.

Yard Dog Charlie: Monday, Dec. 6, 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.

Mark Gorka: Tuesday, Dec. 7, 5 to 8 p.m.

Terry Dotson: Wednesday, Dec. 8, 5 to 8 p.m.
Enjoy bluegrass and folk.

Paul Roush: Thursday, Dec. 9, Noon to 3 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.

Mark Gorka: Thursday, Dec. 9, 5 to 8 p.m.

Dave Lapio: Friday, Dec. 10, Noon to 4 p.m.
Enjoy steel drum music.

Mark Gorka: Friday, Dec. 10, 5 to 9 p.m.

Kraig Kenning: Saturday, Dec. 11, Noon to 4 p.m.
National Slide Guitar Champion mesmerizes with his Contemporary folk, acoustic blues, roots rock, and American fingerstyle performance.

Bob Schiele: Saturday, Dec. 11, 5 to 9 p.m.
Performs acoustic and classic rock and originals, including Charlotte Harbor Moon.

Joey Gilmore Band: Sunday, Dec. 12, Noon to 4 p.m.

Beth Travers: Monday, Dec. 13, 4 to 7 p.m.
Enjoy Englewood/Nashville-based singer songwriter whose unique vocal quality is enhanced by her skillful wordplay and creative melodies.

Dan Meadows: Tuesday, Dec. 14, 4 to 8 p.m.

Terry Dotson and Dave Heveron: Wednesday, Dec. 15, Noon to 3 p.m.
Enjoy bluegrass and folk.

Paul Roush: Thursday, Dec. 16, Noon to 3 p.m.

Port Charlotte Middle School Chorus: Thursday, Dec. 16, 5:30 to 6 p.m.

Dave Lapio: Friday, Dec. 17, Noon to 4 p.m.

Paul Roush: Friday, Dec. 17, 5 to 9 p.m.

Dan Meadows: Saturday, Dec. 18, Noon to 4 p.m.

Jason Brownie: Saturday, Dec. 18, 5 to 9 p.m.
Enjoy country acoustic by this singer/songwriter.
(1951 Tamiami Trail, Port Charlotte)
Enjoy music while eating in the restaurant.

Bill Fredricks.

Bill Fredericks: every Friday, 6 to 9 p.m.

Tony Boffa: every Saturday, 6 to 9 p.m.

Glenn Paladino Jazz: most Mondays, 5 to 8 p.m.
Tony and Lori D'Iorio Vocal Extravaganza: Monday, Dec. 13 and Dec. 27
Mr. Romantico and The Diva: Monday, Dec. 20

Tony Boffa Quartet: every Tuesday, 6 to 9 p.m.

Tim Goodman's Jazz Jam: every Wednesday, 6 to 9 p.m.

Musicians change every Thursday, 6 to 9 p.m.
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.

Rise of the Phoenix by Renee Farr.

Guest Artists to Jan. 6
Donna Pape, oil painter, and Renee Farr, glass artist

Guest Artist: December
Janie Duke, glass artist
Monday, Dec. 6: Sandy Acres Ranch
(31550 Washington Loop Road, Punta Gorda)
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.
2001 Shreve Street, Punta Gorda

PGICA offers a variety of classes and programs: art classes, crafting, and exercise classes, 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. Register at PGICA.org.
Aug. 18 to Dec. 31 by appointment

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.
Updates
Cultural Center of Charlotte County
The center will have its final curtain call on Nov. 8, 2021, after 61 years of shows, classes and services for the community.


". . . the arts are a powerful and important part of what unites us as Americans. The arts celebrate our differences through a collective, shared experience."
-- National Endowment for the Arts Chairman Mary Anne Carter
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Charlotte Arts and member events were cancelled because of the Coronavirus (Covid-19) on March 23, 2020. Some member organizations cancelled their events and hours of operation for the season and others are open and following CDC guidance. Please confirm the status of any event or organization by contacting the organization.
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, Dec. 17. By Noon on Wednesday, Dec. 15, 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 additional grants in January for the 2020-2021 school year with support received from the Florida license plate.