April Calendar

The Ravel Project. The Pascal Rioult Dance Theatre combines romantic music and modern dance April 21 at 8 p.m. at the Phil. 597-1900.

Romeo and Juliet. The Russian National Ballet Theater and Orchestra perform the Shakespearean tragedy, April 14 at 8 p.m. at the Phil. 597-1900.

Six Dance Lessons in Six Weeks. A Florida retiree signs up for dance lessons and finds her personality clashes with that of her instructor in this comedy by the Naples Players at Sugden Community Theatre, April 23 to May 17. 263-7990.

STOMP. The eight-member international percussion sensation uses anything but conventional percussion instruments to create unique rhythms, April 25–27 at the Phil. 597-1900.

Vicki Lawrence and Mama. The one-woman show featuring Emmy Award-winning comedian Vicki Lawrence as herself and her endearing character "Mama." April 20 at 8 p.m. at the Phil. 597-1900.

The Wedding Singer. A new romantic musical comedy based on the hit movie. April 1–6 at Barbara B. Mann. 481-4849.

FOR THE KIDS
Imaginarium. Travel through time this month with Lucy: The Story of Human Origins, an exhibit of fossils and artifacts spanning 50 million years; and Be the Dinosaur, an interactive prehistoric exhibit, through April 28. 337-3332.

Lunchbox Theatre. The Florida Rep’s children’s theatre series presents ZAP!, April 5 and 26; Ms. Courageous April 12; and The Mischief Makers, April 19. All performances are at the Brick Bar Theatre and are accompanied by a boxed lunch and an interactive workshop with the cast. 332-4488.

Magic Carpet Concerts. A small woodwinds ensemble from the NPO performs a 45-minute program and answers questions. Geared for children ages three to nine. April 12 at 9:30 and 11:30 a.m. in the Phil’s Daniels Pavilion. 597-1900.

The Princess and the Pea. A prince in search of a wife finds a clever way to tell if a girl is really a princess. April 25 to May 24 at the Broadway Palm Children’s Theatre. 278-4422.

FESTIVALS & FAIRS
Annual Clothesline Sale. Buy original artwork in several mediums (displayed on clotheslines) from local artists, April 6 from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Sanibel Community House. 395-4518.

Art in the Park. The juried show features artwork from Naples Art Association members, April 5 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Park Street by The von Liebig Art Center. 262-6517.

Authors and Books Festival. The sixth annual event will feature dozens of authors exhibiting, selling and signing their books, April 5–6 at Cambier Park from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. 593-1488.

Evening in the Park. Live music, refreshments and art activities for kids at Riverside Park in Bonita Springs, April 11 from 5 to 9 p.m. 297-7227.

Evenings at Coconut Point. Performances along Fashion Drive on the first Thursday of the month from 6 to 9 p.m. 784-0707.

Naples Artcrafters Show. Fine art and crafts show featuring the work of local artists, April 12 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Cambier Park. 352-3036.

Naples Music Festival. Live music by the Gin Blossoms, the Rembrandts, an all-star lineup featuring former members of seven classic bands including Journey, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Santana and more. April 6 from 4:30 to 10:30 p.m. on Third Street South. Proceeds benefit NCH’s Garden of Hope and Courage. 334-3309.

The Village on Venetian Bay. Take advantage of shopping discounts on April 15 for Tax Relief Day. The annual Sidewalk Sale is April 18–20. And enjoy live music, dining and shopping on the first Thursday of each month during Village Nights. 261-6100.

SPORTS & OUTDOORS
Florida Everblades. Our local pro hockey team takes on the Pensacola Ice Pilots, April 1; and the Texas Wildcatters, April 5. All games at 7:30 p.m. at Germain Arena. 948-7825.

Naples AIDS Walk. A walk to benefit the Island Coast AIDS Network is April 5 in Cambier Park beginning at 9 a.m. 337-2391.

Naples Botanical Garden. A Walk in the Woods, a two-hour look at six Florida habitats, is offered April 4 and 9 at 10:30 a.m. 643-7275.

Relay for Life. The 18-hour nationwide event for The American Cancer Society is April 25–26 at Miromar Outlets in Estero. Local music groups will also be performing. 261-0337.

Sunset and Starlight Paddle. See the sun go down and the stars come out on a guided kayak trip through Rookery Bay, April 26 from 6 to 9 p.m. 417-6310.

LECTURES & LEARNING
Collier County Audubon Society. Author Cynthia Barnett talks about the problems with our vanishing water supply at Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary’s Blair Auditorium, April 12 at 10 a.m. 643-7822.

Collier County Museum. A lecture on Florida shipwrecks is April 2; one on Florida Outlaws and Villains is April 9. 774-8476.

Naples Writers’ Conference. Workshops and presentations on the art and business of writing by established writers and publishers, April 5–6 at The von Liebig Art Center. Also, a celebrity author luncheon with authors Janet Evanovich and Karna Small Bodman is April 5 at Vergina on Fifth Avenue South. 593-1488.

The Phil Speaker Series. Acclaimed film critic and author Joel Siegel offers an insider’s account of what the entertainment industry is really like. He speaks April 16 at 8 p.m. at the Phil. 597-1900.

Rookery Bay Environmental Learning Center. Cyril Marks and Karen Relish present on their travels through southern Africa, April 4 from 6:30 to 8 p.m.; The New York Times bestselling author Mary Alice Monroe speaks and signs her book Turtle Summer, April 8 from 6:30 to 8 p.m.; and dive into the ocean and try SCUBA, April 12 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. 417-6310.

Theatre and dance workshops. Beginner tap dancing series and intermediate/advanced tap, starting April 9; master-level jazz or tap, starting April 6; singing basics, starting April 7; and beginning stage management, April 12. All classes at Sugden Community Theatre. 434-7340, ext. 14.

Visiting artist demonstrations and workshops. Subjects this month include big brush watercolor and the use of pastels, through April 4 at the Center for the Arts in Bonita Springs. 495-8989.

All area codes 239 unless otherwise noted.Submit events for this calendar to jenniferf@gulfshorelife.com.

Best Bite
Italian Delight

Yabo’s generous lamb shank is seasoned and pan-seared with rosemary, garlic clove and olive oil. Tomato paste, homemade veal stock and caramelized celery ribs, carrots and onions create a rich layer of tastes. The seared lamb shank joins in, and all are oven-braised in a succulent symphony for the senses. It is served with creamy, homemade mashed potatoes and asparagus spears. Yabo, 16681 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers; (239) 225-9226.
—Ivan Seligman