From Elvis to Saint-Saëns to Bluegrass

Musical May.

Thanks to the Naples Philharmonic Orchestra and some visiting musicians, there are so many different types of concerts scheduled—from classic to pops to kid-centered—that it’s hard to conceive of a musical preference that won’t be addressed this month.

Even Elvis makes an appearance. Well, not the King himself. But in Blue Suede Shoes: The Ultimate Elvis Bash, two renowned Elvis impersonators show that the King still lives on in memory and popularity. Scot Bruce, who played Elvis on the TV show Elvis in Hollywood, portrays the singer in his younger years. Mike Albert, backed by his Big “E” Band, plays Elvis in his later years. It’s all designed to celebrate the King’s enduring appeal (and commemorate his 75th birthday year) in a show that CNN called “The closest [you] can get to Elvis in the flesh.”

For the rest of the month’s musical offerings, the NPO and its musicians are the worthy stars. The final classic concert of the season, Thirds by Saint-Saëns, is conducted by Music Director Jorge Mester and features violinist Timothy Braun. Pieces include Liszt’s Les Preludes and the Violin Concerto No. 3 in B Minor and Symphony No. 3, both by Saint-Saëns.

If pops music is more to your liking, check out From Ragtime to Ritzes, a tribute to Irving Berlin, conducted by Principal Pops Conductor Jack Everly, or Star Spangled Spectacular, the annual Memorial Day celebration, conducted this year by Stuart Chafetz.

The NPO gets down-home in Blue Jeans & Bluegrass, teaming up with legendary bluegrass band Cherryholmes.

The strings and woodwinds take center stage for 20th Century Gems, a chamber concert featuring works by Shostakovich, Hindemith and Devienne. And if you have little ones, introduce them to great music at the Family Fare concert featuring Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition and at three Magic Carpet concerts that focus on brass, percussion and strings.

Music also plays a central role in the Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre’s Ring of Fire, celebrating the music and life of country superstar Johnny Cash. It all adds up to a great new definition of the rhythms of spring!

Blue Suede Shoes is May 6 at 8 p.m. Thirds by Saint-Saëns is May 7–8. From Ragtime to Ritzes is May 1–2. Star Spangled Spectacular is May 27–29. Blue Jeans & Bluegrass is May 13. 20th Century Gems is May 18. The Family Fare concert is May 23. Magic Carpet concerts are May 15, 22 and 29. At the Philharmonic Center for the Arts, Naples, (800) 597-1900,
www.thephil.org.

Ring of Fire is presented through June 5 at the Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre, Fort Myers, (239) 278-4422,
www.broadwaypalm.com.

Hot Ticket

The Naples Players presents Mirandolina in the ETC … play reading series, May 23 at the Sugden Community Theatre. (239) 263-7990,
www.naplesplayers.org.

The Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center presents The House
of Bernarda Alba through May 15. (239) 333-1933, www.sbdac.com.

The Art League of Marco Island opens Texture Takes Form, a juried exhibition. Reception May 4 from 5:30–7 p.m.; exhibit through Aug. 31. (239) 394-4221, www.marcoislandart.com.