— January 14, 2022 —
Charlotte Arts and member events through January 28, 2022.

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)
Friday, Jan. 14, 7:30 p.m.

Heather Ivy
Out of This World
The inspiration for this concert is our country's recently created Outer Space Force. This concert will feature selections that will depict sounds and images from the great beyond by two contemporary composers. Heather Ivy, an internationally acclaimed Modern Classical Soprano, will be the featured soloist. Cost.

Violinist Sirena Huang

Behind the Notes Lecture Series
Florida Southwestern State College Charlotte Campus - Rush Auditorium
(26300 Airport Road, Punta Gorda)
Friday, Jan. 14, 4 p.m.
Join Maestro Raffaele Livio Ponti this Friday for Behind the Notes featuring guest artist and violinist Sirena Huang! Maestro Ponti always hosts a lively and informative lecture on topics such as a composer’s artistic themes, distinguishing characteristics of their music, or comparisons of different conductors’ recordings of the same works featuring on the upcoming January 16 concert. Cost: $25.

Dvořák Violin Concerto
Charlotte Performing Arts Center (701 Carmalita Street, Punta Gorda)
Sunday, Jan. 16, 7:30 p.m.
Barber's Essay No.1; Dvořák's Violin Concerto in A minor feat. Sirena Huang, violin; Jennifer Higdon's To the Point; Ildebrando Pizzetti's La Pisanella. Cost. $65 adult, $15 youth.

The next concert is Feb. 6. From the sounds of Rimsky-Korsakov’s ballet, Scheherazade, to Copland’s classic and sentimental Appalachian Spring, the program represents some of the diverse and varied, yet revered, orchestral works in the classical music sphere. Also featured is Dances in the Canebrakes by Florence Price – the groundbreaking composer who was the first African American to have a composition played by a major orchestra.
Langdon Playhouse
(1182 Market Circle, Port Charlotte)

Exit Laughing
Thursday to Sunday, Jan. 6 to 16, 7:30 p.m., Sundays at 2 p.m.
When the biggest highlight of your life for the past 30 years has been your weekly bridge night out with the “girls”, what do you do when one of your foursome inconveniently dies? If you’re Connie, Leona and Millie, three southern ladies from Birmingham, Alabama, you do the most daring thing you’ve ever done. You “borrow” the ashes from the funeral home for one last card game. The wildest, most exciting night your lives involves a police raid, a stripper and a whole new way of looking at all the fun you can have when you’re truly living. Cost: $22, $11 students.
(96 W. Dearborn Street, Englewood)

Old Ringers
Wednesday to Sunday, Jan. 19 to Feb. 13, 7:30 p.m., Sundays at 2 p.m.
In this semi sequel to Men Are Dogs, four senior women try to fight the shrinking economy and their shrinking pocketbooks by opening a home phone sex service after receiving an unsolicited obscene phone call! This is an adult bawdy comedy and although two characters are reprised from Men Are Dogs the play stands on its own and a production of the earlier play is not a prerequisite! Cost: $23, $18 students.

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

Pianist Bobby van Deusen
The Grill at 1951
Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2 to 4 p.m.
He is a master of ragtime, stride, boogie-woogie and Dixieland genres, though certainly not limited to those. Cost. Purchase tickets in advance through CCZS.

Jam Sessions
New venue and dates: The Grill at 1951 (1951 Tamiami Trail, Port Charlotte), Sunday, Jan. 30, Feb. 27 and March 28, 1 to 4 p.m.
Musicians are welcome to sit in with Mickey Basil, Jay Heavilin, Dave Morgan, Fred Capitelli and Buz Bisbano. Cost: $5 donation. Food and beverage service is available.

Concerts
Monday, Feb. 7 and April 11, 7 p.m.
Gulf Heritage Theater at Military Heritage Museum (900 W. Marion Avenue, Punta Gorda)

Tommy Dorsey Big Band Concert
First Methodist Church, Punta Gorda
Monday, March 14, 7 p.m.
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.

Elements by Birgit Tode


Exhibits: Jan. 12 to Feb. 8
Main Gallery: New Beginnings
Juried exhibit of 2D and 3D art. Deadline to be considered in showcase is Jan. 3. Learn more on website or email exhibits@visualartcenter.org.

Goff Gallery: The Art of Jim Beech

Rebecca Hall: Artist Pamela Jones Imagine That

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.
(1200 West Retta Esplanade, Punta Gorda)
Events at Fishermen's Village are weather permitting.

Johnny Bauer performs Jan. 17 and 19.

Johnny Bauer: Monday, Jan. 17, Noon to 3 p.m.
Enjoy this singer-guitarist who: a variety of music genres, including rock, country, and classics.

Paul Roush: Tuesday, Jan. 18, Noon to 4 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.

Johnny Bauer: Wednesday, Jan. 19, Noon to 3 p.m.

Paul Roush: Thursday, Jan. 20, Noon to 3 p.m.

Mark Syster: Friday, Jan. 21, 5 to 9 p.m.
Enjoy feel-good classic rock and Country music.

Dan Meadows: Saturday, Jan. 22, Noon to 4 p.m.
Enjoy variety music.

Paul Roush: Saturday, Jan. 22, 5 to 9 p.m.

Beth Travers: Sunday, Jan. 23, Noon to 4 p.m.
Enjoy Englewood/Nashville-based singer songwriter whose unique vocal quality is enhanced by her skillful wordplay and creative melodies.

Dave Lapio: Monday, Jan. 24, Noon to 4 p.m.
Enjoy steel drum music.

Paul Roush: Tuesday, Jan. 25, Noon to 4 p.m.

Johnny Bauer: Wednesday, Jan. 26, 4 to 8 p.m.

Terry Dotson and Dave Heveron: Friday, Jan. 28, Noon to 3 p.m.
Enjoy bluegrass and folk.

Kat Orlando Duo: Friday, Jan. 28, 5 to 9 p.m.
Enjoy variety music and jazz classics

Austin James: Saturday, Jan. 29, Noon to 4 p.m.
Enjoy this singer-songwriter country music artist who recently moved to our area from Nashville.

Steve Flagg: Saturday, Jan. 29, 5 to 9 p.m.
Enjoy songs of James Taylor, trop rock, country by this entertaining and engaging performer.

Dan Meadows: Sunday, Jan. 30, Noon to 4 p.m.
(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.

Lori and Tony D'lorio

Bill Fredericks: most Fridays

Tony Boffa: every Saturday

Anne Tomrela & Atilio Marinelli: Monday, Jan. 17

Lori and Tony D'Iorio: Second and fourth Mondays of each month

Tony Boffa Quartet: every Tuesday

Tim Goodman's Jazz Jam: every Wednesday

Musicians change every Thursday
Mickey Basil Quartet: Thursday, Jan. 20
Kitt Moran Quartet: Thursday, Jan. 27
Great Blue Herons by Cheryl McClure
Necklace by Brenda Berdnik
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.

Guest Artists: January
Linda Soderquist, watercolorist, Belinda Duclos, jeweler, and
Gary Skelly, ceramics artist

Featured Artists: Jan. 6 to Feb. 3
Cheryl McClure, photographer, and Brenda Berdnik, mixed media artist
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.

Coming Home by Karen Bell.

Artists whose work will be on display from January through April 2022:
  • Rosana Halprine at Cayo Costa Dental (316 Helen Avenue, Punta Gorda)
  • Lance Henderson at Charlotte Memorial Funeral Home (9400 Indian Springs Cemetery Road, Punta Gorda) 
  • Karen Bell at Kays-Ponger Uselton Funeral Home (635 East Marion Avenue, Punta Gorda)
  • Tina Weida (January), Lionel Lewis (February) and Wanda Carter (April) at Mid-County Library (2050 Forrest Nelson, Port Charlotte)
  • Laura Pucci (March-April) at Port Charlotte Public Library (2280 Aaron St, Port Charlotte)
  • Henry Garcia at Charlotte County Administration (18500 Murdock Circle, Port Charlotte)
  • Darren O’Shea at Charlotte Harbor Event & Conference Center (75 Taylor Street, Punta Gorda) 
  • Larry Palmer, Mary Lundeberg, Tina Weida, Lance Henderson, and Robert Broyles (as of February) 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!
Bion Cantorum
Bion Cantorum, a non-profit vocal ensemble, is seeking singers at all levels for its March 13 and July 4 concerts. 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.
Every Monday, 8:30 to Noon
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.
History Park (501 Shreve Street, Punta Gorda)
Every Sunday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Charlotte Arts member Carolyn Walega will have her art available for purchase during January.
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.
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, Jan. 28. By Noon on Wednesday, Jan. 26, 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.