Youth and Family
Student Art Reception & Performances
Sunday, May 6, 3 to 5 PM
at BIG ARTS Center
All ages are invited to join BIG ARTS for a free, fun afternoon of student art exhibits, student vocalists, an instrument "Petting Zoo" and light refreshments.
The Southwest Florida Symphony's instrument "petting zoo" will provide a hands-on experience for young students or adults. A variety of musical instruments will be available to play, with expert instruction on hand.
Exhibits in Phillips Gallery: artwork created by students from Cypress Lake High School, Lexington Middle School, and Sanibel School, and from the Art by Kids with Cancer project.
The Young Artists Awards works with the Pediatric Oncology and Hematology staff at The Children's Hospital of Southwest Florida to exhibit and sell this artwork. Donated art supplies are used in a therapeutic setting for children being treated at the Hospital. Proceeds from the sales will provide assistance to families facing the financial challenges of childhood cancer.
Three students who have been awarded Young Artists Awards for performing arts, will sing in Boler Garden.
"Open Doors: Great Expectations Exhibit" in Founders Gallery: The Open Doors program, funded through donations to Alliance for the Arts, provides classes for children with artistic talent and/or financial need.
Youth Visual Arts Exhibits Open May 4 through 24
Monday through Saturday 1 to 4 PM
Gulfshore Ballet's
Spring Showcase
at Schein Performance Hall
Sunday, May 20, 4 PM
Southwest Florida's classical ballet school, Gulfshore Ballet, will perform their Spring Showcase with performances by Jose Gamero, principal dancer with the Des Moines Ballet, as well as 55 local ballet students. They will present excerpts from masterpieces like Sleeping Beauty and Paquita as well as "A Tribute to Balanchine" and other new works. For tickets contact BIG ARTS Center at (239) 395-0900.
$5
Child 17 and Under Free with Paying Adult
BIG ARTS Summer Arts Camp
Camp runs June 4 through July 27
Monday through Friday, 9 AM to 3 PM
at BIG ARTS Center
Summer arts camp will offer children kindergarten through 5th grades hands-on activities on a rotating schedule that includes acrylic painting, ceramics, dance, photography, performing arts, music appreciation, folk art and general arts and crafts.
Kindergarten through 5th grade tuition is $130 per week, ($105 for week three - Closed July 4th). There is a discount ($115 per week) if enrolling in three or more weeks.
Middle and high school students have the option to attend camp solely as a student or select to participate in the fine arts apprentice program, spending half the day as a student and the other half assisting instructors of K-5 classes as a volunteer to receive community service hours. Middle and high school tuition is $80 per week, courses include photography, basket weaving, film editing, painting, and writing.
Click here for Letter to Parents from Summer Camp Director
Click here for Registration Form (PDF) for K to 5th Grades
Click here for Schedule & Registration Form (PDF) for Middle & High School
Click here for Volunteer Application Form (PDF) for Middle & High School
Past Events
Gulfshore Ballet's
The Nutcracker Suites
Saturday, December 10, 4 PM and 7 PM
Southwest Florida's classical ballet school, Gulfshore Ballet, presents two performances of selections from The Nutcracker.
$20
Child 17 & Under $10
Golden Dragon Acrobats
Saturday, January 7, 7:30 PM
With their award-winning acrobatics, traditional dance, spectacular costumes, ancient and contemporary music, the Golden Dragon Acrobats present shows of breath-taking skill and spell-binding beauty. In November 2005, the Golden Dragons made their Broadway debut to a sold-out audience, and their show garnered adoration from audiences of all ages, nominations for two New York Drama Desk Awards, and universal critical acclaim.
General seating: $42, Loge: $47, Student: $15
Ocean Conservancy's Vikki Spruill
Lecture Presented by BIG ARTS and the
Sanibel Sea School
Wednesday, February 15, 7:30 PM
at BIG ARTS Center
Spruill is the president and CEO of Ocean Conservancy, a nonprofit organization that educates and empowers citizens to take action on behalf of the ocean. Drawing from Ocean Conservancy's more than two decades of work in the Gulf region and her own connection to the beaches of Florida, Spruill will address fisheries and restoration in the Gulf of Mexico, ocean acidification, trash in our ocean, and how seashells can inform and inspire us to understand and promote healthy oceans.
General: $20, Child 17 & Under: Free
Riders in the Sky
Saturday, February 18, 8 PM
Known for their rich blend of Western harmony and unique sense of humor, Riders in the Sky are the two-time Grammy Award-winning group that has captivated audiences of all ages for more than three decades. They are keepers of the flame passed on by the Sons of the Pioneers, Gene Autry and Roy Rogers, but are best known to younger audiences for their performance of Woody's Roundup in 1999's Toy Story 2. 2011 rang in the group's 6,000th live show, celebrating a career run that boasts 700 separate appearances at Nashville's Grande Ole Opry and even a special engagement at Carnegie Hall. Riders in the Sky have released more than 30 albums and have also enjoyed television success as comedic hosts of their own weekly CBS and TNN programs. They have been guests at major events like the Hollywood Bowl and featured on television shows Barney & Friends and Penn & Teller.
General seating: $42, Loge: $47, Child 17 & Under: $15
Bay Street Brassworks
Friday, March 16, 8 PM
Performing a wide variety of musical genres ranging from classical to Dixieland, show tunes, classic rock, swing, big band, and everything in between, Bay Street Brassworks performances have included opening ceremonies at National League baseball games and a special engagement alongside the American Brass Quintet. They will be playing music from their new album, Brass on Fire, including songs played on a 12 foot-long alphorn. Among its numerous awards, the Bay Street Brassworks received the Grand Prize at the New York Brass Conference International Brass Quintet Competition in 2003.
General seating: $42, Loge: $47, Child 17 & Under: $15
Community Chorus
Spring Concert
Thursday, March 22, 7 PM
at BIG ARTS Schein Performance Hall
The Community Chorus, directed by Steven Cramer, is taking a fresh look at old standards, singing favorites from Verdi to Gershwin to Manhattan Transfer. The 80-voice BIG ARTS Chorus, led by Steve Cramer, will be accompanied by musicians hailing from New York City and locals from Island Jazz. They will perform classical, jazz, gospel, and folk music, including a premier performance of an original arrangement of "Shenandoah."
Adult: $10
Student/Child free with adult
Community Band
Spring Concert
Thursday, March 29, 7 PM
at BIG ARTS Schein Performance Hall
Led by Don Knowland, the band will cover an assortment of well-known favorites including Georgia on My Mind, Winds a Whispering, National Emblem March and Genius of Ray Charles.
Adult: $7
Student/Child free with adult
College and High School Students: Click here for Arts Scholarship information
