


I am thrilled to announce our upcoming season, promising to be our most dynamic and diverse yet. Expect an incredible variety of performances, more shows than ever, and a rich array of classes for adults and children at the Arts Bonita School of the Arts.
We are excited to celebrate the 25th anniversary of our Visual Art Campus and the launch of the Arts Bonita National Art Festivals, marking an exciting new stage for our organization.
This year, we're introducing season subscriptions, allowing you to mix and match genres to create your perfect Arts Bonita Experience. Members get first pick of shows and up to 25% off regular ticket prices. With our concerts selling out quickly, we encourage you to get your tickets early and consider becoming a member to enjoy these great benefits.
We are expanding our educational offerings with the new Helsel Family Dance Studio, led by the exceptionally talented Marissa Jankowski, providing a state-of-theart facility for all levels of dancers.
Our season offers a broader range of classes across all artistic disciplines. Whether you're an aspiring artist, musician, dancer, actor, or simply exploring a new creative passion, we have classes to inspire and nurture your talents. The Visual Art Center offers extensive classes, from stone carving and metalwork to fused glass, clay creations, drawing, painting, and jewelry making.
We believe the arts can transform lives and bring communities together, and we are deeply grateful for your continued support. I invite you to share your ideas and get involved by joining a committee and helping shape our vision and growth. Feel free to reach out to me at alyona@artsbonita.org or 239-317-2345.
Thank you for being part of the Arts Bonita family. We look forward to seeing you at our performances, exhibitions, and classes, and sharing in the joy of artistic expression.
Warm regards,
Executive Director, Arts Bonita
You may have heard that Florida State Arts and Cultural Grant programs have been slashed by $32 million. This devastating cut will have farreaching impacts on our area, threatening the vibrancy and richness of our local arts scene.
The arts are not just a luxury; they are an essential part of our community’s identity, diversity, and well-being. Without adequate support, we risk losing vital programming that educates, inspires, and unites us as a creative community. The loss of funding means fewer opportunities for local artists, reduced accessibility to arts education, and diminished cultural experiences for all.
At Arts Bonita, we are deeply committed to enriching our community despite these challenges. We provide over $100,000 in scholarships annually to our underserved community, ensuring that the arts are accessible to everyone. Our residency program supports local artists, giving them the resources and space, they need to thrive as creatives. Additionally, our art school is recognized as one of the best in the region, offering top-notch education to budding and established artists alike.
We were eligible to receive $150,000 from the state, and narrowing this gap is crucial for us to maintain our programs and support our community. Now, more than ever, we need your support to continue our mission. We kindly ask you to give a little more generously during this challenging time. Your contributions, participation, and advocacy are crucial in helping us navigate this difficult period.
THANK YOU
for being a valued member of the Arts Bonita family.
Together, we can ensure that the arts remain a vibrant and vital part of our community.
SUPPORT US
FRIDAY
JULY 5th
7:30-9:30 pm
“It's a revelation to discover the thrilling retro-electric blues from this astonishing young guitarist.”
— USA Today
Miami-raised Albert Castiglia served an apprenticeship while backing legendary blues musician Junior Wells. He later went on to work with singer Sandra Hall. Never content to allow himself to be confined to any particular category, he embarked on a solo career that’s yielded many critically-acclaimed albums and consist kudos for his exceptional instrumental prowess, his searing vocals, and live performances that have dazzled audiences from coast to coast. It’s little wonder that Miami’s New Times lauded him as South Florida’s “Best Blues Guitarist” or that USA Today was inspired to remark “It's a revelation to discover the thrilling retro-electric blues from this astonishing young guitarist.” M Music & Musicians once noted, “His back-to-basics approach follows in the footsteps of those who fostered the blues in the Mississippi Delta and the smoky late-night haunts of Chicago.” After the highly successful and critically acclaimed release of Masterpiece on Gulf Coast Records, Castiglia was nominated for two Blues Music Awards in the categories of Blues Rock Album of the Year and Blues Rock Artist of the Year and won Blues Rock Album of the Year.
TUESDAY–JULY 9th
TUESDAY–JULY 23rd
7:00 pm
Flo-ri-da
"Here come the crackers! Here come the crackers!"
You won't find a cracker at the Ritz ... and now, a word from buoyancy realty
Swamp Land Scam
Snowbird
The HOA
— The way we did it up north
I don't get brown much anymore
Letters from the north
Fleamarket bluegrass rap Of vacationers and vacuums
If bullshit was concrete ...
Fertilizer and the law
Red tide and dead water
The bleeping bleeps
I got the lovin' it in Florida but remind me why I stay here blues
Donde esta mi amor
Anita's Fajitas
Beach bum, beach bum, what comes next?
Florida man
Key lime pie
Rick Compton and Betsy Bennett are authors Compton & Bennett. They have been writing and performing original shows since 1995. During their first 15 years, they plowed the fertile field of political and social satire around Naples, Florida.
Since 2010, C&B have published two stage musicals which have been performed by dozens of community and professional theatre troupes across the United States.
FRIDAY JULY 12th 7:30-9:30 pm
Solomon Hicks aka King Solomon Hicks is a 28-year-old guitar phenom from New York City. He invested in music from a very young age, started playing guitar at six years old. Growing up in Harlem he was constantly surrounded by music. Solomon witnessed performances that made a significant impact on his ambitions as a musician and he says: “When you’re around good musicians, it gives you that spark.“
Solomon won the 2021 Blues Music Awards for Best Emerging Artist for his 2020 CD release, Harlem on Provogue Records. The set, produced/recorded by multiple Grammy Award winner Kirk Yano (Miles Davis, Public Enemy, Mariah Carey), showcases Hicks as a writer, player and interpreter.
His original song “421 South Main” made the Top 20 Blues songs of 2020 on Spotify and the song “What the Devil Loves” still gets spins on “Sirrus Bluesville” Radio. Has performed on KISS Kruise V, Joe Bonamassa’s Blues Alive at Sea [2017 & 2019].
He's shared stages with Buddy Guy, Samantha Fish, Tony Bennett, Jeff Beck, Ringo Starr, Jimmie Vaughn, Beth Hart, Mavis Staples, Robert Cray, Eric Gales, Norman Nardini and many others. He is a member of the Blues Foundation in Memphis and has judged the International Blues Challenge in Memphis. He paid his own success forward by teaching music for the Children's Aid Society, working with the Harlem Arts Alliance and the New York City Jazzmobile.
Solomon will have a New Record released in 2024 on Provogue/Mascot Records.
SATURDAY
JULY 13th 7:30-9:30 pm
Get ready for an electrifying night as two-time Grammy winner Marlow Rosado brings his high-energy Celia Cruz Tribute! With over two decades in the Latin music industry, Marlow Rosado is a powerhouse producer, songwriter, and performer. Leading a dynamic 12-piece orchestra, Rosado will deliver an unforgettable tribute to the Queen of Salsa.
With 16 Grammy nominations and various other awards and recognitions, Rosado is a driving force in Latin music and a leading figure in the salsa scene.
Marlow Rosado was born in Puerto Rico and moved to Miami to attend Florida Atlantic University on a full scholarship where he earned his bachelor’s degree in Music Education. After Graduation, Marlow went on to work as a Music teacher for the Miami Dade County School Board where for ten years he dedicated his life to bringing quality music education to the students he taught. These efforts earned him a 2014 proclamation by the superintendent of MDCPS and then in 2015, he earned the Distinguished Alumnus award from the Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts and Letters at FAU.
Rosado’s musical career spans multiple genres, from salsa and Latin jazz to rock and pop. He has released seven studio albums, with his debut album Salsalsa drawing so much attention from the salsa scene, that he would become the first artist in almost 20 years to be signed by the legendary Fania Records. His second album, Retro, was life-altering, as this is the record where Rosado would win the American Grammy for Best Tropical Album, beating out the powerhouse Romeo Santos.
SATURDAY
JULY 13th
7:30-9:30 pm
a charming updated retelling of the classic Lewis Carroll stories
Fall down the rabbit hole with Alice as she navigates the curious world of Wonderland on a journey of self-discovery. This 60-minute stage adaptation of the classic Disney animated film and the Lewis Carroll stories makes a triumphant return to the Broadway Junior® catalogue, with an updated script and score made specifically for today’s young performers.
When young Alice finds herself in a strange world where everything seems upside down, she must find her way home…and find herself along the way. As she travels through Wonderland, she encounters all of the iconic characters that audiences have come to love: including the ever-tardy White Rabbit, the grinning Cheshire Cat, a cool Caterpillar, the wacky Mad Hatter, and the hot-tempered Queen of Hearts.
Alice in Wonderland JR. features Disney favorites such as “The Golden Afternoon,” “The Unbirthday Song,” and “Painting the Roses Red” along with brand-new songs, including music from the 2010 live-action film. Whether this is your first experience with Alice or your hundredth, you’ll fall in love all over again with this timeless story of adventure, imagination, and pure fun!
Advertising in the Arts Bonita 2024-2025 Playbill. With a dynamic nine-month season running from September through May, our playbill reaches an audience of 65,000 enthusiastic arts patrons each season. Your ad will not only appear in our printed playbill but also be available online, expanding your reach even further. REACH AN AUDIENCE
THURSDAY
JULY 25th
7:30-9:30 pm
not just a show, but party celebrating the release of Zach’s brand new album
PIANO
Zachary Bartholomew
TRUMPET Benny Benack III
SAXOPHONE David Fernandez
BASS Marty Quinn
DRUMS Rodolfo Zuniga
This concert features an all-star group with musicians from all over the country led by Miami-based award-winning pianist/composer and Resident Artist Dr. Zachary Bartholomew. Zach's virtuosity, musical creativity, and fun energy has made him a fan favorite of audiences throughout all parts of the Sunshine State and his diverse musical repertoire make every concert a once-in-a-lifetime experience. This will be not just a show, but a party celebrating the release of Zach’s brand new album: Balancing Act! Hear the stories behind the compositions directly from the composer and enjoy a night of world-class music and fun! This show features world-renowned trumpeter Benny Benack III from NYC, Grammy & Latin Grammy award winning saxophonist David Fernandez, University of Miami’s professor of Contemporary Bass Marty Quinn, and Costa Rican master drummer and Director of Jazz Studies at California State University, Fullerton Rodolfo Zuniga!
SATURDAY
JULY 27th 7:30 pm
Mark Sanders grew up in Marion, IL, spent 15 years in NYC and now makes Ft. Myers his home. He has appeared in numerous productions and concerts around the world. Mark was seen as Perchik on the Broadway National Tour of Fiddler on the Roof starring Theodore Bikel and has become a favorite soloist with the Gulf Coast Symphony in Fort Myers as well as the Naples and Bonita Springs Concert Bands. He has shared the concert stage with Broadway stars Lisa Vroman, Stephanie J. Block, Christiane Noll, Melissa Errico, Jason Graae and Christina Bianco. Regional Credits include: Mamma Mia (Harry), Memphis, Bridges of Madison County (Bud), Passion (Col. Ricci) and Ragtime (Father). Mark is currently touring his solo show, ONE VOICE: The Music of Barry Manilow, for which he wrote and conceived. His brand-new CD of Manilow’s incredible music is now available. Find out more at MarkSandersNYC.com and social media: @MarkSandersOneVoice
Phil Hinton is a British born pianist, arranger, orchestrator and conductor. He has worked in those capacities for the BBC (British Broadcasting Corporation) and many of the independent broadcasting production companies. He has also arranged and orchestrated the music, played piano and conducted on over 200 major hit albums for artists such as Shirley Bassey, Anthony Newley, Howard Keel, Vince Hill, Andrew Lloyd-Webber and Paul McCartney, to name just a few. He was personal music director to British singing star, Vince Hill, for more than ten years.
THURSDAY AUGUST 29th 7:30-9:30 pm
An eclectic concert highlighting all-time favorites from the Great American Songbook and jazz catalog. As always, Zach is joined by an amazing band that will be putting their personal twist on these recognizable jazz classics. Join us for a night of worldclass music that you won’t find anywhere else!
Resident Artist Dr. Zachary Bartholomew is an award-winning pianist, composer and music educator who maintains a highly active performance career as one of the most heavily sought-after pianists, accompanists and sidemen in all of Florida. Since 2021 he has been awarded the prestigious “Artist Performance on Tour'' grant from the state of Florida for his “Jazz Access Tour,” an outreach program that aims to provide underserved communities and schools in Florida with world-class public performances and educational programs.
Zach has headlined at some of the top jazz venues and performing arts centers in the country and has been featured at national and international jazz festivals including the Jacksonville Jazz Festival, St. Petersburg Jazz Festival, Monterey Jazz Festival, Jalisco Jazz Festival and Festival Miami. He has performed with artists such as Sean Jones, Victor Goines, Dave Holland, David Liebman, Ira Sullivan, Carmen Bradford, Byron Stripling, and Dan Miller. He is a full-time music professor at Florida Memorial University, the pianist for the Gulf Coast Jazz Collective and performs regularly with professional organizations such as the Sarasota Pops Orchestra, Naples Philharmonic and the Lake Wales Jazz Connection. His debut album, Balancing Act, is scheduled to be released in July 2024.
FRIDAY
AUGUST 30 th
7:30-9:30 pm
His distinctive sound, characterized by haunting vocals and a stripped-back guitar style, serves as a poignant homage to the blues traditions.
Carl “Buffalo” Nichols is a trailblazer in blues music, seamlessly merging historical roots with contemporary innovation. His distinctive sound, characterized by haunting vocals and a stripped-back guitar style, serves as a poignant homage to the blues traditions while offering a profound reflection on the lived experiences of modernday Black Americans. With each note, Nichols weaves a captivating narrative that resonates with authenticity and emotional depth, showcasing a deep respect for the genre’s origins and pioneers.
In his latest album, “The Fatalist,” Nichols ventures into uncharted sonic territory, embracing elements of electronic music to create a mesmerizing fusion of past and present. Through 808 programming, sampled echoes of blues legends like Charley Patton, and intricate layers of synth, Nichols crafts a rich and textured soundscape that pushes the boundaries of traditional blues while retaining its core essence. Far from a mere experiment, “The Fatalist” is a testament to Nichols’ artistry and vision, offering listeners a compelling journey through the landscapes of sound and emotion, where the timeless spirit of the blues meets the pulse of the 21st century.
Dance Academy Director marissa@artsbonita.org
Coming from the San Francisco Bay Area, Marissa began dancing at the age of 2 and has trained in Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Contemporary, Lyrical, Hip Hop, and Pointe. She mastered her craft at Alonzo King LINES Ballet and graduated with honors from The American Musical and Dramatic Academy in Los Angeles.
Marissa's career highlights include performances in Disney’s 'Mickey’s Soundsational' parade, high-profile music videos, and cruise ship productions. She has also worked as an assistant choreographer for the remastering of Francis Ford Coppola's "The Cotton Club Encore." With over 10 years of teaching experience, Marissa is dedicated to nurturing aspiring dancers and sharing her passion for dance with the Arts Bonita community.
Community Engagement Liaison michael@artsbonita.org
Michael V. Santacroce graduated from Florida Gulf Coast University in Spring 2020, with a bachelor’s of Art. He went on to pursue a career in gallery coordination at the Cape Coral Art Center, where he organized and curated group and solo exhibitions from 2020 to 2024. Michael enjoys interacting with the local community, and sharing his passion for the arts and art education. He is an advocate on mental health awareness and LGBTQIA+ rights and uses his artwork to communicate these messages. As the Community Engagement Liaison, Michael is excited to grow and strengthen the impact that Arts Bonita has on the local community.
Becoming a member is the easiest way to support Arts Bonita.
Receive up to a 25% discount on classes and performances with an Arts Bonita Membership.
Individual/Individual + NARM*
$97/$145
•Class, workshop & performance discounts •15% Percent discount on art supplies
•Subscription to E-News announcements •Discount on fee to apply for Juried Exhibitions
•Invites to participate in Open House events •Exclusive invitations to members only events
Artist–Individual/Artist–Individual + NARM*
$125/$165
•All the benefits of Individual •25% discounted advertising in playbills
•Opportunity to sell your work online
•Greater commission at the Arts Boutique (75%/25%)
•Larger discount on fee to apply to Arts Bonita Juried Exhibitions
•Opportunity to be featured in Spotlight Arts Bonita Newsletter
•Discounted tent space at Arts Bonita Festivals and Art Fairs (excluding the National Art Festival)
•Exclusive invitations to participate in pop-up art exhibitions at partner galleries/venues
•Exclusive invitations and discounts to Professional Development and Enrichment event series
Family/Family + NARM*
$135/$175
•Includes all the benefits of Individual, for 2 adults and children under 17 in household
Student (High School/College, Ages 15-25)
$35
•Includes all the benefits of Individual. Must register in-person and present current student I.D.
Teacher (K-12th Grade) $50
•Includes all the benefits of Individual. Must register in-person and present current teacher I.D.
Patron Circle + NARM* (Individual or Business)
•All the benefits of Individual-NARM
•10% discount in the Arts Boutique
$350
•Two free tickets to performance of your choice
Contributors Circle + NARM* (Individual or Business)
•All the benefits of Individual-NARM
$700
•Four free tickets to performance of your choice
•15% discount in the Arts Boutique •Recognition in playbills & class catalogs
•One discounted rental annually
Directors Circle + NARM* $1,250
•All the benefits of Individual-NARM
•Six free tickets to performances of your choice
•20% discount in the Arts Boutique •Recognition in our Annual Report
•Two discounted rentals annually
*NARM (North American Reciprocal Museum Association network)
When you join Arts Bonita at the Individual-NARM or FamilyNARM levels, you automatically gain reciprocal member benefits in hundreds of museums, galleries, botanical gardens and zoos in Bermuda, Canada, El Salvador, Mexico and the U.S.
BECOME A MEMBER
Officers
David Pryor
Chairman of the Board
Kenneth Mack
Vice Chair & Treasurer
Patt Suwyn
Acting Secretary
Fred Weinman
Immediate Past Chairman
Directors
Wendy Aguilera
Elizabeth Buscaglia
Chris Corrie
Jill Fuselli
Don Thomson
Ruthanne Vitagliano
Cheryl Wellman
Nigel Fullick
Liaison, City of Bonita Springs
George Zalucki
Liaison, Village of Estero Community
Staff
Alyona Ushe
Executive Director
Nora Bernstein
Patron Services &
Education Assistant
Danielle Branchaud
Curator
Joseph Brauer
Theatre Artistic Director
Carol Broman
Atelier
Janko Bujila
Facilities
Kel Campbell
Visual Arts
Gillian Cardec
Marketing Associate
Marissa Jankowski
Dance
Wojciech Jankowski
Marketing Director
Marina Lindquist
Patron Services & Boutique Assistant
David Maidment
Finance Director
Ryan Mucko
Facilities
Elena Murray Box Office Supervisor
Chris Pastir
Graphic Designer
Kathy Saldivar IT & Administration
Director
Michael Santacroce Community Engagement Liaison
Jarad Settles Box Office
Seeking to serve the educational and cultural needs of our diverse communities, Arts Bonita offers year-round programming in visual and performing arts. We facilitate opportunities by providing artistic experiences—classes, workshops, panel discussions, lectures, performances and educational art events like our National Art Festivals. We empower by creating a platform for progress, supporting the work of artists of all ages, encouraging an inclusive dialog and promoting equality for all.
Arts Bonita is Supported in Part by:
Partners in Excellence
($50,000 to $100,000)
John & Anne Roberts
Sharon Hendry Foundation
Larry & Beverly Hinman
Partners in Hope
($10,000 to $49,999)
Collaboratory
Karin Moe
Thomas, Beverly, Stephen & Leah Tranovich
Partners in Success
($1,000 to $9,999)
Bebe & Bob O’Toole
Danna Eisman
Lena Neal & Keith Hynes
Patt & Mark Suwyn
Marilyn Lightner
Dean & Alice Fjelstul
DLMC Foundation
Loretta & Greg Menuez
Jill & Peter Stern
Lucile & Maurice Pollak Fund
Gulfshore Private Home Care
Richard & Pam Stolz
Scott Hansen State Farm
Amy Samoylenko Russian
Alyona Ushe
Arthur B. Brisker, Hazel M. Brisker
& Alicia J. Brisker
Cynthia Nesson
Dan & Pat Jorndt
Donna Elliott Family Foundation
Drs. Jitendra & Saryu Desai
Fred Darling
Jill Augustine
Joel Shapses & Gerald Pyser
Lena Neal
Linda Cummings
Michael & Nancy Beebe
Scott Macdonough
Theresa Conelias
Vicki & Michael Konover
Joy Ammerman-Frank & Denis Frank
Society of Friends
($500 to $999)
Marena Loeffler
Gregory & Loretta Menuez
BJ Cooper
Amy & James Matesich
Carl & Diana Grissom
Donna & Ron Kuhnen
HLH Law Group
Jeannette & Paul Flickinger
Julie Spencer Groves & Bruce Groves
Mary K & Ken Walter
Michael and Julia Milone
Michele Olsen
Nancy & Howard Cohen
Rosmary Lipman
Sustainer Circle
($250 to $499)
Judith & Tom Maish
Judy Tobey
John & Nancy Rittenhouse
Gisselle Calleja
Christine Brewer
Louis & Kathleen Liguori
Timothy & Dennison Carroll
Maureen Rennie
Diane & Peter Jones
Kathy Breitowich
Roger & Marjory Gelfenbien
Rose Greytak
The Art Guild of Naples
Don Grule
Gary & Kellie Weilheimer
Barbara Brenton
Jane Harris
Margaret Spitzer
Carol & Scott LaClair
Dee & Alan Harris
George Davis & Norma Swan
Jason Poulin
Kathy & Alvin Krug
Linda Wingard
Marilyn & Craig Douglas
Teres & John Lucot
($100 to $249)
Barbara Worden
John Jackson
Julie Held
Evelyn LaBriola
Brenda Abbott
Cherrill Cregar
Elizabeth Buscaglia
Eric Bornquist
Judith & Wolfgang Diehl
Sandra Apple
Sara O. Edwards
William & Nancy Hunt
Beverly Tippmann
Shelley Anderson
Mary Beth Lachmann
Richard Romano
Russell Jones
Donna Marcotte
Jacquelyn Snyder
David Allen
Grace & Larry Becker
Majken Elgaard
Donald & Kimberly Thomson
Tom Skiles
Barbara Shapiro
Alan & Eve Hyatt
Beverly Friese
Carol Klein
David & Vivian Maletzky
Debbie & Scott Gutterson
Debra Allegretto
Dolores Claeys
Donald A. Insul
Dorothy Campbell
Elizabeth Graves
Georgia Strange
Glenda Madden
Jan Cabana
Jean Mador
Jerome & Ann Marie Hiznay
John & Lisa Spear
John Ribas III
Joyce Waddell Bailey
Julia Olander
Julio & Joanne D’Antonio
Larry Goldman
Linda & Franklin Edwards
Marjory Rubacky
Maxime & Jay Freilich
Penny & Gordon Allen
Rcihard Niehaus
Robert & Ingrid Bornstein
Robert Gagnon
Robert Uroda
Ruthe Sholler
Victoria & Edward Novak
Dive into musical theatre, dance and visual art programs designed to inspire and nurture your talents. AGES 4-18
One Week Full & Half-Day Sessions Before, Lunch & After Care Available Save With Discounts & Scholarships REGISTER TODAY!
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