Artis—Naples brings back favorites, new stars and a 'Star Wars' trip

Fly through the galaxy, battling the baddies in "Star Wars" to 3D music. Cheer Steve Martin and Martin Short as the comic performers re-create one of their Netflix tour specials in Naples. Hear original cast members from the musical "Hamilton" in their own concerts, and meet Michael Ondaatje, author of a new classic "The English Patient."

It's the year of experiences at Artis—Naples. The venue just released its 2018-19 catalog, and has added its star performances to some of the already announced events. Among those for which subscriptions are already on sale: a chance to get close to the Chicago Symphony Orchestra in the first year of its residency, the art-in-motion Rioult Dance New York and the re-imagined Cameron Mackintosh production of  "Les Miserables." They are part of its visiting orchestra, Broadway and dance series. 

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Now the organization is announcing its star-centric shows. They include returning favorites: the comedy of former "Tonight" show host Jay Leno (two shows Jan. 6); singer-entertainer Bernadette Peters (Jan. 16); and the ethereal arrangements of Mannheim Steamroller (Nov. 18) in its Christmas show.

It's a 10 year-party for Naples' film festival

The Steve Martin-Martin Short show is part of a 10th anniversary celebration for the Naples International Film Festival, Oct. 25-28. The pair have been taping their tour, "A Night You Will Forget for the Rest of Your Life" with friendly barbs to each other and musical interludes with Martin and the Steep Canyon Rangers bluegrass band, and their show closing the film festival will follow that high-humor direction.

More:Sample the sillies: From the Steve Martin-Martin Short tour

The festival will also cut the price of its entire opening night festivities this year by $100, so red-carpet tickets will be $69, instead of $169. Films and opening night celebrities are still being selected for that.

"With this being its tenth year, a time for community celebration, we wanted to make it accessible to the community," said Kathleen van Bergen, CEO and president of Artis—Naples. 

Tickets to the Steve Martin-Martin Short evening may be a little tougher to come by, because it's one of the six "Exclusive Access" performances for which the first choice of seats goes to people who have purchased a series subscription of any genre. Besides the Steve Martin-Martin Short show, The Exclusive Access events include two previously mentioned, Jay Leno and Bernadette Peters, as well as:

The Chicago Symphony under Music Director Riccardo Muti, in two different programs: an all-Beethoven night Feb. 28 and the Tchaikovsky Symphony No. 5 March 2. 

Leslie Odom Jr., who played the calculating Aaron Burr in the musical "Hamilton." Broadway actor Odom has also cultivated jazz vocals and has recorded several discs; as a TV actor, he has played recurring and/or star characters on "CSI: Miami," "Vanished" and "Smashed." He appears April 13.

He's one of two stars from the famous musical appearing here. Mandy Gonzalez, the second Angelica in "Hamilton" — she also starred as Nina Rosario in "In the Heights" and as Elpheba in "Wicked" — returns for her second appearance here Jan. 26. Both add a nod to next season, during which "Hamilton" is scheduled.

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Specials detail greatest novels, PGA blunders

Crowds overflowed from Hayes Hall into the Daniels Pavilion and even bought seats in the lobby to listen to Amor Towles, author of "A Gentleman in Moscow," on the public address system when he appeared in Naples on Feb. 15. Taking a cue from that, the organization is bringing in two special speakers this year:

"A Conversation with Michael Ondaatje": The Canadian author of "The English Patient" discusses that story, his career and his new novel, "Warlight," March 9 with Artis—Naples resident critic Elaine Newton. "The English Patient" won the first Golden Man Booker Prize last year as the best English-language novel in the last 50 years.

"David Feherty — Live Off Tour": The former pro golfer-turned-broadcaster, now for NBC, takes his audience behind the scenes and into some of the funniest moments of life on the PGA Tour on Feb. 5. 

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Some things, like Art After Hours, will disappear

The free-admission "Art after Hours" events that brought music and tours to The Baker Museum. They are being mothballed during post-Irma repairs to the building. Artis—Naples shoehorned the events in last season, "but this year it just wasn't possible with what was going on in Hayes Hall," van Bergen said. At least three final Wednesdays, the traditional evening for "Art After Hours," were hosting Broadway musicals or Opera Naples' "Carmen" (April 24).

So a third community day was added on March 9 "and this one is right in the middle of the season, which will give a lot of people a chance to see the Isabelle de Borchgrave paper dresses that were so popular last time," van Bergen said. 

One parking lot: The lot immediately to the rear of The Baker Museum will likely be a construction area. Van Bergen says the organization is working on a comprehensive parking plan, but is not ready to announce it yet. Sites will be made public closer to the season.

More:Happy together: Artis—Naples forges museum, concert hall for a year of creative exhibition ideas

And some things, like bluegrass, are growing

"Over the last few years we're seeing a broadening of tastes in our community, Specifically jazz has been growing, and bluegrass as well," van Bergen said. Accordingly there are some well-known bluegrass names scheduled:

The DePue Brothers Band, a multi-genre group dominated by the four brothers who weave bluegrass, jazz, rock and more into what it calls "grassical" Jan. 11.

Rhonda Vincent, instrumental and vocal virtuoso and top bluegrass recording star Jan. 23

Michael Cleveland and Flamekeeper, headed by the fiddle virtuoso, and five-time winner of the International Bluegrass Music Association's instrumental group of the year award, March 27.

More:The musical you were waiting for: 'Hamilton' comes to Naples in 2020

Special events bring favorite star, flick

"Star Wars" music live: A literally out-of-this-world experience sweeping orchestra dates is a live soundtrack concert paired with the classic "Star Wars" film. For those who want to don their Princess Leia cinnamon bun braids or Darth Vader headgear — both optional — the Naples Philharmonic will perform it Oct. 30. 

Karita Mattila: Whether you think of her as internationally known operatic soprano or the girl next door, because she has a home here, Mattila is the accomplished show woman who will star in this year's New Year's Eve gala Dec. 31.

Boomer music: With baby boomers coming of retirement age, Artis—Naples has accommodated demand for roots rock'n' roll with Neil Berg's "50 Years of Rock 'n' Roll" (Nov. 4); The Drifters, Cornell Gunter''s The Coasters and The Platters (Nov. 12), the Doo Wop Project (Feb. 4), The Hit Men (April 10-12), and tribute concerts to the Eagles (Jan. 19), the Beatles "Abbey Road" album (March 10); and the Everly Brothers (March 20). 

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For those who still like espresso, black leggings and goatees, there's even a folk trio in the style of Peter Paul and Mary, the Band Called Honalee (Feb. 7). 

Jim Brickman, rarely seen here, brings his vivid piano arrangements and vocals to "A Joyful Christmas," Nov. 27.

There also are plenty of returning favorites, such as the Dave Koz Christmas tour Nov. 25 and blue-eyed soul warbler Michael Bolton (Feb. 17). The Capitol Steps ((Jan. 7), Second City (Feb. 15), and "Late Night Catechism" (March 22-23 ) return to fire up  laughs with improv and comedy shows.

This year, art critic Joan Jacobs adds films on art to her Art Talks series, and Rick Harris returns with his "Hooray for Hollywood" discussions of the classics. For the entire catalog, including Elaine Newton's lecture series — Critics Choice and Four O'Clock at the Movies — please see the website or visit Artis—Naples box office. (see accompanying information box)

To see more

Website:Artisnaples.org

Box office: 5833 Pelican Bay Blvd., North Naples

Phone: 239-597-1900.