Previous events

Mar27

Woodstock Memories

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FGCU Naples Center - OR online via Zoom, 704 Goodlette Frank Road North, Suite 330, Naples, FL

Carlene Thissen attended the original Woodstock festival. What drew a half million people together in 1969 for three days of peace and music? August 2019 was the 50th Anniversary of the Woodstock Music and Art Fair. This historical musical presentation explains the political, social and cultural events that led up to the festival and why it will likely never happen again. The instructor attended the festival in 1969 and shares her personal memories mixed with her historian’s perspective in a multimedia presentation. Hippie attire is welcome. $32, $27 for members

Mar13

Bus tour of Immokalee

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Immokalee, Florida

Tour leader: Carlene Thissen The bus will depart North Naples at 9am. An all-day tour of Immokalee, beginning with samples at Lali's Mexican Bakery; then a look at Immokalee's early history at the Pioneer Museum; RCMA's beautiful Immokalee historical mural; a drive through several new housing communities; a visit to Lake Trafford Memorial Gardens where the graves are decorated in a way that seems to keep the dead alive; lunch on your own at Lozano’s restaurant; shopping at the Farmer’s Market; a visit to Mision Peniel, a communal garden for food preparation and distribution; and a quick drive through neighboring Ave Maria on the way home! $130, $110 for FGCU Academy members

Mar6

Woodstock Memories performance

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The Clubhouse at Naples Estates, 400 Palmhaven Blvd, Naples, FL

Carlene Thissen and Ben Baker team up for a musical and historical concert about the original Woodstock Festival. What drew a half million people together in 1969 for three days of peace and music? August 2019 was the 50th Anniversary of the Woodstock Music and Art Fair. This historical musical presentation explains the political, social and cultural events that led up to the festival and why it will likely never happen again. The instructor attended the festival in 1969 and shares her personal memories mixed with her historian’s perspective in a multimedia presentation. Free Will offering. BYO small bites and beverages. Hippie attire is welcome. Outsiders are also invited.

Mar5

Carlene Thissen: This lecture, based on a sequel-in-progress to Immokalee's Fields of Hope, briefly reviews Immokalee’s early history and that of its immigrants and takes us on a journey up to 2023. Much of the program covers changes that have occurred in agriculture; career changes in crew leader families; and the emergence of second, third and fourth generation Americans in Immokalee’s population, many of whom never work in agriculture. The lecture focuses on on-agricultural jobs, children of farm workers who have graduated college and returned to work in their hometown; the impact of Immokalee high school sports; and the success stories of non-profit organizations who help. $32, $27 for members

Feb29

This lecture by Carlene Thissen explores the music catalog of Judy Collins, Joni Mitchell and Joan Baez in the historical context of events that influenced their music and the impact their music had on culture and politics. These three vastly different women, who occasionally came together to sing, had varying goals for their music and different degrees of personal social involvement in the issues of the times. Through slides and singing, the class will review and discuss their music and lives, up to and including their lives today. $32, $27 for members

Feb22

By Carlene Thissen: Based on the speaker’s book, Immokalee’s Fields of Hope, this presentation gives a brief history of Immokalee, beginning with its Seminole Indian, white, black and Tejano residents. Then, for most people who live there today, with personal or family backgrounds from Mexico, Haiti and Guatemala, the lecture weaves the political histories of their home countries with the personal stories they have shared. In addition to explaining, Carlene will sing several songs inspired by these fascinating people who live there. $32, $27 for members. Also available online via Zoom.

Feb14

Bus Tour of Immokalee

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Bus Tour, Immokalee, Florida

The bus will depart North Naples at 9am. An all-day tour of Immokalee, beginning with samples at Lali's Mexican Bakery; then a look at Immokalee's early history at the Pioneer Museum; RCMA's beautiful Immokalee historical mural; a drive through several new housing communities; a visit to Lake Trafford Memorial Gardens where the graves are decorated in a way that seems to keep the dead alive; lunch on your own at Lozano’s restaurant; shopping at the Farmer’s Market; a visit to Mision Peniel, a communal garden for food preparation and distribution; and a quick drive through neighboring Ave Maria on the way home! Cost $130, $110 for FGCU Academy members.

Carlene Thissen

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Naples Estates, 400 Palmhaven Blvd, Naples, FL

Judy, Joni, and Joan performance. Carlene Thissen shares a multi media tribute to Judy Collins, Joni Mitchell and Joan Baez, three icons of the 1960s and 70s folk music era. She honors their influences on the times by relating their histories, songs, and intimate stories. This show takes you behind the scenes of their careers and the songs that impact music today. With Ben Baker, Laura Leary, and Carl Granieri. Admission FREE, outsiders welcome, no age restrictions.

Starting in 1998, a series of God-driven events led Carlene back to her true self through the people of Immokalee, Florida. She has written two books about the community: Immokalee's Fields of Hope and Called From Silence: The Father Sanders Novel. Carlene also has written several songs that were inspired by her work there, and will sing them for us at the luncheon. Carlene is still working part-time at the University of Florida in Immokalee, teaching and developing courses to educate the supervisors of farm workers on the laws that keep farm workers safe and in a fair work environment.

She has three more books in progress about Immokalee. The one that is closest to publication will be called Harvest of Dreams, stories of the children of the farm workers who have gotten educations and advanced degrees so they no longer have to work in the fields. The other two are Black Immokalee, the stories of American Black people who lived on the south side on segregated Immokalee; and The Haitian Kids, about 10 young people she has loved and mentored for 21 years.

JUDY, JONI, & JOAN TRIBUTE  NOV 5, 2021, 7:00

Previous events

JUDY, JONI, & JOAN TRIBUTE - November 5, 7:00, Norris Center Gulfshore Playhouse. Judy Collins, Joni Mitchell, and Joan Baez are icons of the 1960s and 70s folk music revival in the U.S. Carlene Thissen honors their influence with a concert performance of their tunes and includes behind the scenes intimate stories that inspired the songs - accompanied by Ben Baker on guitar and Stuart Shelton on piano. Tickets $15. https://www.eventbrite.com/.../judy-joni-joan-at-norris... To purchase without a service fee, you can call the box office any time at 239-213-3049 or email us directly boxoffice@naplesgov.com.

Tour of Immokalee - Renaissance Academy

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Tarpon Springs Shopping Center, 75 and Immokalee Road, 75 and Immokalee Road, Naples, FL

An all-day bus tour of Immokalee, including the history of the community, Mexican bakery samples, RCMA's historical mural and migrant early education center, Habitat for Humanity, Lake Trafford Memorial Gardens, Marina, Pioneer Museum, lunch at Lozano's restaurants, a stop at the Farmer's Market and a quick drive through Ave Maria on the way home! Departure information will be emailed three days before the trip. Members $46, non-members $54

CANCELLED - Song Writing Basics - Business

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FGCU Renaissance Academy, 1010 Fifth Avenue South, , Naples

Getting your song to market is often an even bigger challenge than writing them in the first place. This lecture will cover professional demos; copyrights; performing rights organizations; pitching songs to publishers; free streaming music and how to still make money and basics of live performing. $24 members/$29 non-members.

CANCELLED - Song Writing Basics - Melodies

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FGCU Renaissance Academy, 1010 Fifth Avenue South, , Naples

This class will teach you how to create melodies for original songs, including simple music theory and concepts. That will include an examination of various genres of music and how they differ; the importance of notes and chord structure to convey moods and ideas in songs. Attendees are welcome to bring their own ideas and partially finished songs for discussion.

CANCELLED - Tour of Immokalee - Renaissance Academy

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Tarpon Springs Shopping Center, 75 and Immokalee Road, Naples, FL

An all-day bus tour of Immokalee, including the history of the community, Mexican bakery samples, RCMA's historical mural and migrant early education center, Habitat for Humanity, Lake Trafford Memorial Gardens, Marina, Pioneer Museum, lunch at Lozano's restaurants, a stop at the Farmer's Market and a quick drive through Ave Maria on the way home! Departure information will be emailed three days before the trip. Members $46, non-members $54

Mar9

Class Immokalee Agriculture Changes over Time

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FGCU Renaissance Academy, 1010 Fifth Avenue South, , Naples

This lecture discusses the 21st century shift from large numbers of independent growers to three large corporations that dominate Immokalee's agriculture today; how traditional crew leaders fit into the corporate environment; immigration; the rise of Hispanics in farm management and the laws that protect farm workers.

Stories & Songs, a dynamic performance by three completely different kinds of performers, will take you back to places and times you hold dear, enlighten you with new stories, and generate beautiful memories that will stay with you long after this incredible evening! Performers: Carlene Thissen, Tim McGeary, and Dianna Fox Tickets will be $15 in advance, $20 at the door.

Discussion Tour of Immokalee

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Immokalee, Florida - RCMA and Father Sanders Pastoral Center

Private group of wisdom-seeking people. Tour includes Immokalee's mural and RCMA childcare center, Lake Trafford Memorial Gardens, the Produce Market, lunch at Lozano's, and two hour-long meetings with Immokalee leaders to discuss immigration, migration, xenophobia, changes over the years and the vision of Immokalee's future.

An all-day bus tour of Immokalee, including the history of the community, Mexican bakery samples, RCMA's historical mural and migrant early education center, Habitat for Humanity, Lake Trafford Memorial Gardens, Marina, Pioneer Museum, lunch at Lozano's restaurants, a stop at the Farmer's Market and a quick drive through Ave Maria on the way home! Departure information will be emailed three days before the trip. Members $46, non-members $54

Class - Woodstock Memories

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FGCU Renaissance Academy, 1010 5th Avenue South, Naples, FL

What drew a half million people together in 1969 for three days of peace and music? Carlene Thissen attended both the original Woodstock in 1969 and the 50th Anniversary celebration at the original site in Bethel, NY. She shares her personal memories mixed with her historian's perspective in a multimedia presentation. $24 members, $29 non-members

Tour of Immokalee - Renaissance Academy

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Naples, FL Target shopping lot

Carlene is a tour guide for this fascinating day visiting our nearby neighbor, Immokalee. Sights include RCMA's historical mural, the Collier County Pioneer Museum; Lake Trafford memorial gardens; Lake Trafford marina and rustic zoo; lunch at Lozano's restaurant; the newly constructed Our Lady of Guadalupe catholic church; produce shopping at the Farmer's Market; a stop at the Mexican bakery and a drive-through on the way home of nearby Ave Maria.