June and July at The Phil...

Now that summer is here and their concert season is over you might think that the Naples Philharmonic Center for the Arts has shut the door on big name entertainment, but that is not the case.  In keeping with their mission to enlighten, educate and entertain people of all ages and backgrounds by presenting the very best of the visual and performing arts, the next two months promise to be quite fulfilling for and .

 

Starting things off on June 6 is the Festival of Great Organ Music.  The best organists in will perform a wide range of music on the Philharmonic Center's 3,604-pipe Casavant organ. Selections will include classic organ works from all periods of music history. This exciting program showcases members of the Southwest Florida Chapter of the American Guild of Organists (AGO), including well-known musicians from local churches.

Celebrating the Legacy of Ray Charles, Motown and Beyond is the theme for Saturday June 12 when Ellis Hall comes to . Ellis has committed himself to making sure the music, life and legacy of the pioneering R&B star live on. This acclaimed show features a number of Ray Charles classics, a few Motown favorites and a couple of Ellis Hall originals. Selections include Unchain My Heart, Georgia, Hit the Road Jack, What'd I Say, Just My Imagination and many others.

One week later on June 19 the musical institution Blood, Sweat & Tears take the stage as part of their ten month world tour. With such hits as Spinning Wheel and You've Made Me So Very Happy, they have left an indelible mark on the American music scene since 1968. One of the greatest horn bands in the history of popular music, BS&T fuses rock, blues, pop and jazz to create its own dynamic hybrid known as "rock jazz."

The music of Simon and Garfunkel comes alive on Saturday, July 10 when Jim Witter presents a remarkable tribute that will take you back to the days of flower power, peace signs and Mrs. Robinson. Feelin' Groovy...