expanding with more street performers and starting a large scale annual or seasonal music festival that will bring full size stages to Fort Myers.”

As Howl says the phenomenon of both of these events feature a variety of mediums and always look to keep things “fresh” with a diverse myriad of artistic expressions. Seeking to bring foot traffic and a spotlight to one of the most interesting districts in our area, Art Walk and Music Walk are jump-starting the innovative spirit of Southwest Florida.

But Downtown Fort Myers isn’t the only venue seeking to entertain you. Debuting as a community orchestra 50 years ago, the Southwest Florida Symphony (www.swflso.org) is Lee County’s oldest performing arts organization. Throughout the years, their music has been treasured in this community and highly sought-after thanks to their innovative take on bringing classical music to life.

The 2010 – 2011 SWFL Symphony season will celebrate past memories, as well as new memories to be made.

“We will be presenting our patrons a season-long celebration of 50 years of music in Lee County,” says Heidi Kelley, Marketing Director for the Southwest Florida Symphony. “On February 26, 2011, you will hear the same program that launched the Southwest Florida Symphony in 1961, including the ever-popular Symphony No. 5 by Beethoven. Even if you are less than familiar with classical music, you are sure to recognize the fatefully tragic ‘da-da-da-daah’ at the beginning. This program will also include Schubert’s breathtaking Symphony No. 8 in B minor, “The Unfinished Symphony,” and Intermezzo from Harry Janos Suite by Kodaly.”

Maestro Michael Hall will once again light up the stage with new classics, traditional favorites, and an infectious love of music. Audiences will also journey and anticipate a season of discovery and excitement with musical diversity, talented musicians, guest artists and breath-taking repertoires. And with every season, the institution seeks to continue fostering the future of classical music.

“We have commissioned two world premieres that were specifically written for the Southwest Florida Symphony,” Kelley adds. “On October 30, the 50th Anniversary kicks off with the world premiere of “Ecce Cecilia,” written by Cape Coral resident and SWFL Symphony violinist, Rachel Cox. The last Classical concert of the season on April 16, 2011 will feature a second world premiere, entitled Pandora’s Waltz – a concerto for flute, featuring our Principal Flautist William Larsen.”

Promising stunning performances of great music and a top-notch cultural environment, the SWFL Symphony says their 2010 – 2011 season will let guests feel the joy of music and enhance the lives of residents throughout the community in a remarkable manner.

Pulling back the curtain on their Lucky Season 13 is the Florida Repertory Theatre (www.floridarep.org). With local and national headlines for comedies and dramas like Boeing-Boeing and You Can’t Take It With You, this season promises to continue providing “fine” theater.

Seeking to “profoundly satisfy”, the Florida Rep will include some of the hottest titles in America, two plays in the NEW Studio and a revival of the company’s inaugural production this season.

One of the funniest plays ever written, Noises Off, will kick off the Rep’s season in October and have audiences weeping with laughter. In this sidesplitting comic romp Jason Parrish, Lisa Morgan and many more will take guests for a ride when a hapless theatre troupe tries to mount a sex farce - while a real-life farce is unfolding backstage!

In February, crowds will also enjoy the Tony-Winning Comedy Thriller adapted by Patrick Barlow, Alfred Hitchcock’s The 39 Steps. Still running in New York, The 39 Steps is the Broadway sensation where Hitchcock meets Hilarious. This treat is part Hitchcock thriller and part Monty Python filled with nonstop laughs, over 150 zany characters (played by just four actors) and some good old-fashioned romance.

But entertainment doesn’t cease here because the Philharmonic Center for the Arts 22nd Season (www.thephil.org) promises lavish entertainment and an exciting and fun 2010 – 2011.

“This is shaping up as our most exciting, star-filled season ever,” said Phil Founder and CEO Myra Janco Daniels. “We hope all will join us for a season of depth and diversity.”

With everything from dynamic speakers like Bill Clinton to musical sensations like the Beach Boys, the Phil is looking at one of the most distinct line up’s they ever hosted. Kick-starting their Broadway series with 9 to 5 the Musical, the Phil will entertain audiences in December and January with the production based on the hit movie featuring Dolly Parton. The Broadway series will also have dreams come alive on stage with the musical sensation Dreamgirls, the story of an up-and-coming 1960s singing girl group and the triumphs and tribulations of fame and fortune.

Continuing on that note, the Gulf Coast Symphony is entering its Sweet 16 season for 2010 – 2011. Founded by its current director and conductor Dr. Andrew Kurtz, the community orchestra is one of Southwest Florida’s dynamic classical music presenters.

This season the Gulf Coast Symphony (www.gulfcoastsymphony.org) promises performances full of life with greatly articulated pieces filled with passion and finesse. Featuring music of the stage with light classics and solid selections, Dr. Kurtz and his team of talented musicians will deliver fitting music that will resonate throughout the community.

“The Gulf Coast Symphony looks forward to continuing to bring live symphonic performances to everyone in our community,” says Gulf Coast Symphony Marketing Director Amy Padilla. “This season holds many surprises with concert series like our Symphonic Sensations series where patrons can expect the return of some incredible guest artists from Broadway like Doug LaBrecque, Sal Viviano and Kip Wilborn.”

Padilla goes on to explain LaBrecque is one of Broadway’s leading stars today. Presenting music patrons have grown up with, La Brecque has performed as The Phantom and Raoul in “The Phantom of the Opera”, as well as having held leading roles in classics like “Les Miserables” and other Broadway shows.

“Lerner & Loewe’s Greatest Hits on Sunday, April 10, 2011 should be a lot of fun also,” Padilla adds. “It’ll be like being musically transported to the Big Apple for one Broadway show after another. And Saturday, December 4, we’re performing Brahms Symphony No. 2 at BIG Arts on Sanibel — the perfect setting for music composed by a man so enamored with nature.”

In addition to sharing their love of music and bringing world-class artists to Lee County, the Gulf Coast Symphony will continue their efforts to focus on enhancing its mission by pioneering family concerts and festivals, reviving the love of classical hits and making music accessible to everyone.

Returning to the visual arts season of 2010 - 2011, the Alliance for the Arts (www.artinlee.org) promises a season reflecting on past accomplishments, while still re-imaging the future. Celebrating its 35th Anniversary serving Lee County, the Alliance will continue to foster the arts with year round classes, workshops and exhibitions.

But that’s not all, launching the community into an exhilarating time of the year, the Alliance’s Walk Through the Arts hosted on October 30 is a free family event showcasing artists, art instructors, musicians, performers and cultural organizations that create Lee County’s cultural community.

ttendees will enjoy hands on youth art projects, demonstrations, mini-performances and much more.

“Our goal is to work together with area artists, organizations and supports to assure a vibrant and strong artistic community that contributes to the economic development, quality of life and overall wellbeing of our community,” says Alliance for the Arts spokesperson Lydia Black.

The Alliance season will continue with the highly anticipated Art Royale on November 20. This year, Art Royale 2010 – It’s All Elemental – will feature a one-night celebration of art displaying the most intriguing artists, tantalizing entertainers and interactive art exhibits in our area. Participants can expect a campus wide showcase that provokes the imagination and stimulates the senses.

With one heck of a line-up, SWFL can see that exploring the talents of this area will be an enticing and extraordinary experience. However, we cannot forget that celebrating the artistic talents of Lee and Collier County, as a community, will build a future of epic proportions.