Week of Wednesday, July 26, 2023 n Page 20 fortmyersbeachtalk.com Fort Myers Beach Bulletin
PHOTOS PROVIDED J FARLEY PHOTOGRAPHY AND WINSTON-SALEM SYMPHONY
R.E.M. Explored
Southwest Florida Symphony announces lineup for 63rd season The Southwest Florida Symphony, Lee County’s only professional orchestra, featuring musicians who have studied at the world’s most prestigious conservatories, is excited to announce an innovative and diverse lineup of performances for the 2023-24 season. Acclaimed music director, Maestro Radu Paponiu leads the orchestra through its 63rd season of classical music’s most celebrated works, many of which are woven with groundbreaking pieces. The symphony opens the season on Oct. 21 with Brave New Pops, “R.E.M. Explored” featuring selections from R.E.M.’s legendary playlist newly imagined for the orchestra, with R.E.M.’s Mike Mills performing his eponymous “Concerto for Violin, Rock Band and Orchestra” alongside Grammy-nominated violinist Robert McDuffie. On Nov. 4, the orchestra fuses a Masterworks and Brave New Pops Concert, blending classic Masterworks with jazz. The symphony and Marcus Roberts Jazz Trio will perform a jazz arrangement of “Rhapsody in Blue” by George Gershwin in honor of the piece’s 100th anniversary. Also on the program are Aaron Copland’s iconic “Four Episodes” from “Rodeo,” John Williams’ “Star Wars Suite” and Leonard Bernstein’s “Symphonic Dances” from “West Side Story.” The remaining Masterworks classical concert series will feature extraordinary guest artists such as Time for Three violinist Charles Yang, locally beloved pianist Alexandra Carlson, Southwest Florida Symphony Concertmaster Orin Laursen, and Sphinx Competition winner and cello prodigy Sterling Elliot. The third and final 2023-24 Brave New Pops
Southwest Florida Symphony Concert will take place May 18, 2024, and delight audiences with a nostalgic throwback to the 80s and 90s featuring tunes from the days of music television’s acoustical concerts, with returning guest Maestro Andrew Lipke. Additionally, Lipke will present the symphony’s special Holiday Pops program at four venues throughout Lee and Charlotte counties. Season subscriptions and single tickets to select concerts are currently on sale. To purchase tickets or learn more, visit swflso.org/tickets/. For more information about the Southwest Florida Symphony, upcoming season performances and subscription and ticketing information, visit swflso.org or call 239-418-1500.
Broadway Palm is dying to bring you ‘Murder in Paradise’ Broadway Palm is dying to bring you "Murder in Paradise" playing now through Aug. 12. This fun night of murder mystery comedy is an interactive production, wrapped around a four-course meal that is served to your table by the suspects, of course. Bring your imagination and appetite…it’s comedy to die for! You’re invited to a very special birthday party! When you arrive, you’ll be given a new name and a new identity for the evening as you are an honored guest. During the course of the evening, you’ll witness several crimes, including at least one murder, and it’s your job to figure out “who dunnit.” There will be a detective to lead the investigation, but you’re
free to do a little detective-work yourself. Become part of the action or just sit back and watch the mystery unfold while enjoying a fabulous dinner. Prizes are awarded to the person that solves, or comes closest to solving, the mystery. This fun-filled evening is perfect for the entire family and a unique way to celebrate birthdays, anniversaries, or any special occasion! Performances are Wednesday through Saturday evenings and tickets are $65 each. Tickets are now on sale and can be reserved by calling 239-278-4422, by visiting BroadwayPalm.com or by stopping by the box office at 1380 Colonial Boulevard in Fort Myers.
Author, John Gidding will be speaking at Edison and Ford Winter Estates about his newly published book.
HGTV Star, John Gidding to speak at Edison and Ford Winter Estates John Gidding, an architectural designer, tv host, and author will give a special presentation about his newly published book, "At Home with Nature, a Guide to Sustainable, Natural Landscaping" on Sunday, July 30, at Edison and Ford Winter Estates. The book provides plans for turning a turfgrass lawn into a well-designed landscape, with the goal of welcoming pollinators and other wildlife, using less water, eliminating pesticides and herbicides, and minimizing fertilizer use. Books will be sold at the event, and Gidding will be available for signing, starting at 10 a.m. near the Banyan Café at the Estates. The presentation will start at noon and will be held in the South Florida Water Management District building at 2301 McGregor Boulevard, Fort Myers, FL 33901 (next to the Estates). Gidding was previously the host of the HGTV shows “Curb Appeal,” “Curb Appeal Xtreme,” “Designed to Sell” and more. He stars in the popular YouTube show, “In the Room” and is a frequent guest on Rachel Ray. He has designed landscapes around the world; a few of his projects include the Brooklyn Bridge Park, Union Square in New York City, the campus plan for Carnegie Mellon University, and a pavilion for the 2008 Olympics in Beijing. "After years of installing lifeless lawns, I finally came to the stark realization of their ecological harm - ever since, I embarked on a journey to promote native planting," said John Gidding. "In the pages of my new book, I invite you to join me in this voyage where we understand our relationship with nature, in the context of the history of the North American landscape." In partnership with the nursery, FastGrowingTrees, Gidding is facilitating a donation of trees to be planted in the gardens at the Estates to assist with hurricane recovery. Several trees will also be given away to visitors during the event, and some will be donated to other organizations in Lee County. In celebration of Henry Ford’s birthday, the event is free and open to the public (does not include tours, or admission to the museum or laboratory). Register at EdisonFord.org to reserve a seat for the presentation. Registration also ensures entry in the tree giveaways. For more information about the Estates, visit www.edisonford.org. Edison and Ford Winter Estates is at 2350 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers.