A Swinging Christmas Sunday at Purple Heart Theater
The Island Arts Foundation will be hosting the ninth annual Christmas Concert at the Purple Heart Theater on Sunday, Dec. 19, from 4 to 7 p.m. The show will go on rain or shine.
This year’s theme is “Friends” and will feature several guest artists who have appeared on the Foundation’s stages over the preceding ten years. Headlining the event will be multiple Grammy Nominee, Gene, “King Sax” Walker. Walker has played with such notables as The Beatles, Isley Brothers, Aretha Franklin, Sam Cooke and many others.
According to IAF Musical Director and pianist, Michael Baer, “Gene is the quintessential stylist and plays with a tenor sax sound that captures over 55 years of American pop and jazz music. He is one of the Theater Band’s favorite guests and audiences love his friendly, laid back attitude. He also plays some great swinging Christmas music”.
Over the years the IAF and Purple Heart Theater have presented some pretty hefty headliners, including Gary Puckett, Mitch Ryder, two-time Grammy winner, Honeyboy Edwards and three members of the Ray Charles Orchestra. In addition, among other events, locals are treated to an annual two-day Blues festival, a community concert by the Edison College Big Brass Band and the popular members only, Thursday Night Soup Bowls where you just never know who will make an appearance since it is known for surprise guest artists.
As in years past, the concert will feature a full holiday dinner and offers an opportunity for non-members to mingle with IAF members in the award winning theater known for its unique architecture, woodwork and stained glass windows.
IAF president Carl Conley urged members and guests to hurry up and make their reservations. “Last year we had over a hundred folks join us for the holidays, this year we are holding the guest list to eighty to afford more room and relaxation. Our treasurer, Karen Mills, and her crew have been decorating all week, and I know that the volunteers are going out of their way to see everyone has a good time. We still have a few seats left but we are giving priority to our members, so if you’d like to come out and join us for a musical Christmas, let us know.
The Island Arts Foundation is a 501(C) (3) non-profit incorporated to promote the performing arts and has produced more than 70 shows. For several years members have “roamed” the Island, producing shows at multiple venues including The Surf Club’s Seaside Pavilion, the greens at Fort Myers Beach Golf Club, the Channel Mark, Warfield’s, Anthony’s On the Gulf, The Mound House and Bowditch Point. Collaborators include Lee County Park and Recreation, The Town of Fort Myers Beach, Covanta Energy, Ramada Inn, Waterside, Bay Beach and numerous other generous patrons of the arts.
The Purple Heart Theater is a privately owned facility that the IAF has called home since 2004. They are located at 2915 Estero Boulevard and can be reached by calling 765-6988.