February Calendar

Naples Botanical Garden. A two-part cultural series this month: Opera in the Garden, featuring Opera Naples Young Artists, Feb. 2; and Hearts in the Garden, featuring love-themed artwork and live music, Feb. 9. Call 775-2969 for tickets. Don’t miss the orchid show and sale Feb. 10 and 11 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; and Dinosaurs in the Garden, an interactive exhibit featuring full-scale dinosaur replicas and a glimpse of the plant world during the Jurassic Period, Feb. 15 to May 15. 643-7275.

Spring Training. The Boston Red Sox play the Minnesota Twins Feb. 28 at the City of Palms Park. 332-8423.

LECTURES & LEARNING

Art lectures. Michael Rush, director of the Rose Art Museum at Brandeis University, lectures on Media Art in the New Millennium at the FGCU Arts Complex. Feb. 1 at 3 p.m. 590-7238. Also, William H. Gerdts, the leading expert on American Impressionism, will discuss American Artists in Giverny, Feb. 1 at 10 a.m.; and Florida-Atlantic University’s David Courtney will lecture on neo-classicism’s secular art and music Feb. 26 at 11 a.m. Both lectures in the Phil’s Daniels Pavilion. 597-1900.

Artful Conversations. The Sarasota Herald Tribune’s Jay Handelman will discuss theater, Feb. 6; and concert pianist Judith Alstadter will talk about making recital programs, Feb. 20. Both conversations part of the Phil’s Lifelong Learning and held in the Toni Stabile Building. 597-1900.

Audubon lectures. Gary W. Schmelz, from the Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum, will discuss the marine shells of Collier County, Feb. 20 at 7 p.m. in the Norris Center. 643-7822.

Ballroom Dancing. Champion dancer Alex Lazo instructs in the Phil’s Figge Conservatory Feb. 12 at 5 p.m. 597-1900.

Beethoven Symphonies. Allen Bonde, professor of music at Mount Holyoke College, will unmask the lighter side of Beethoven’s Symphonies No. 5, 6 and 7 in You Take the 5th; I’ll take the 6th and 7th in the Phil’s Toni Stabile Building, Feb. 13. 597-1900.

David Brooks. The New York Times columnist and commentator on The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer will lecture at BIG Arts on Sanibel Feb. 18. 395-0900.

Donald Jackson, leading calligrapher, senior illuminator to the Queen of England’s Crown office and artistic director and illuminator of the Saint John’s Bible, lectures on A Lifetime Dream: The Saint John’s Bible in the Phil’s Hayes Hall Feb. 3 at 2 p.m. 597-1900.

Garrison Keillor. The man behind radio’s A Prairie Home Companion will speak in the Phil’s Hayes Hall for its Voices of Distinction series, Feb. 12 at 8 p.m. 597-1900.

Hubbard Street Dance Chicago. Members of the famous dance company will offer a class for area dancers in the Phil’s Daniels Pavilion, Feb. 17 at 11 a.m. 597-1900.

Lifelong Learning. The Phil’s adult education programs will offer theater scholar Joe Leonardo’s lectures on opera’s Le Nozze di Figaro, Feb. 26; and the creative process and legacy of Bob Fosse, Feb. 28. Intermediate digital Photoshop class, Feb. 2 and 3 at Naples High School. Carol Rodaro on making books by hand, Feb. 2 and 3. The Smithsonian’s Gregorio Luke will discuss Mexican music, Feb. 3. And from the National Gallery of Art, Philip Leonard will discuss Monet and His Garden at Giverny, Feb. 21. Author Robert Crowe will discuss writing for publication, Feb. 8. Designer Sass Brown will lecture on ethics and sustainability in the fashion industry, Feb. 5. Also, Columbia University’s Rick Harris will discuss the Golden Age of the Studios, Feb. 19. All discussions in the Phil’s Toni Stabile Building unless otherwise noted. Call for specific times, 597-1900.

Literature discussions. The Phil’s popular Critic’s Choice discussion group mulls over Julian Barnes’
Arthur & George with York University’s Elaine Newton, Feb. 15 and 17. Notre Dame’s Paul Rathburn also comes to the Phil Feb. 13 to discuss Hamlet, as part of his Shakespeare lecture series. 597-1900.

Lunch With the Arts. Master gardener Anna Deem will lecture on edible flowers, exotic salad ingredients and sustainable gardening during this complimentary lunch at the von Liebig Art Center, Feb. 12 from noon to 2 p.m. 262-6517.

Marta Sahagun de Fox. The first lady of Mexico will talk on social responsibility in the 21st century as part of the Naples/Fort Myers Town Hall Lecture Series, Feb. 13 at the Naples Grande Resort. 261-6524.

Martin S. Indyk. Middle East expert and former U.S. Ambassador to Israel will lecture at BIG Arts on Sanibel Feb. 11. 395-0900.

Meet the Musician. Meet the NPO’s assistant principal horn, Tracy Leonard, and special guest William Rogan in the Phil’s Toni Stabile Building, Feb. 5. 597-1900.

Naples Art Association. Learn the Thai art of fruit and vegetable carving, Feb. 5; Japanese embroidery techniques, Feb. 8 and 9; and the basic techniques of botanical painting, Feb. 12 and 15; all classes at the von Liebig Art Center. 262-6517.

Naples Historical Society. A lecture from Che Ke Moore on Seminole art through patchwork, Feb. 7 from 7 to 9 p.m. 261-8164.

Naples Writers’ Conference. The fifth annual event will be Feb. 24 and 25 at the Naples campus of International College, featuring a luncheon with well-known crime novelist Alafair Burke Feb. 24, and the Naples Press Club’s Authors & Books Festival Feb. 25.
593-1488.

Phillip Gainsley. The acclaimed music lecturer will hold a talk focusing on the NPO’s Violin Magic as part of the Phil’s Lifelong Learning, Feb. 1 in the Toni Stabile Building. 597-1900.

Southwest Florida Garden and Landscape Conference. Seventeen expert speakers, including Amy Bennett-Williams and Tom MacCubbin, will lecture on new trends, grasses and diseases, Feb. 10 from 9 a.m. to
4 p.m. at FGCU. 461-7500.

Trunk shows. Kevan Hall makes a personal appearance Feb. 1 and 2 at Marissa Collections to showcase his spring collection. Neil Bieff does the same Feb. 22 and 23. Also at Marissa’s this month, the Valentino fall runway collection, Feb. 8 and 9. 263-4333.

Quest 2007. The dinner/lecture series continues with John Stossel of ABC’s 20/20, Feb. 9; and John R. Bolton, former U.S. permanent representative to the United Nations, Feb. 23. Both lectures at 6 p.m. in the Pavilion Ballroom at the Ritz-Carlton Beach Resort. 643-3573.

All area codes 239 unless otherwise noted. Additional reporting by Nisha Barlow.

Submit events for this calendar to RebeccaL@gulfshorelife.com.