THIS IS SOUTHWEST FLORIDA IN FOC COMING UP IN THE MIDST OF A PROLONGED DROUGHT, WILDFIRES ARE MORE THAN A CAUSE FOR CONCERN WITH NEW FLAMES SPREADING IN SOUTH FLORIDA.

WE LOOK AT WAYS YOU CAN PROTECT YOUR PROPERTY.

BRINGING A CULTURAL SPIN TO SOME OLD WIVES.

TALES.

WE DIVE INTO THE NEW PERFORMANCE THAT IS RESHAPING SOME FAMILIAR FOLKLORE AND PUSHING A CLASSICAL MASTER PIECE TO ITS LIMITS.

WE MAKE THE 17 YEAR-OLD PIANO PRODIGY RESONATING WITH MUSIC LOVERS WITH HIS IMMENSE TALENTS.

HELLO, I'M JENNIFER CRAWFORD.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA REMAINS UNDER EXTREME DROUGHT CONDITIONS AND THE RISK FOR WILDFIRES IS VERY HIGH IN SOME PARTS OF OUR AREA.

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE REPORTING DROUGHT CONDITIONS WILL LAST UNTIL THE END OF MAY.

THAT'S WHEN THE RAINY SEASON TYPICALLY STARTS.

THIS HAS LED TO SCENES LIKE THIS ONE CURRENTLY OFF HIGHWAY.

41 WHERE LOW HUMIDITY AND SHIFTING WINDS HAVE ALLOWED A WILDFIRE TO GAIN MOMENTUM.

THIS FIRE IS ABOUT 6 MILES WEST OF MIAMI AND HAS SPREAD TO MORE THAN 8500 ACRES AS THE RISK FOR WILDFIRES CONTINUES TO STAY HIGH.

IS THERE ANYTHING YOU CAN DO TO PROTECT YOURSELF AND YOUR PROPERTY FROM ENCROACHING FLAMES?

>> MICHELLE STEINBERG, THE DIRECTOR OF THE WILDFIRE DIVISION AT THE NATIONAL FIRE PROTECTION ASSOCIATION.

>> JOINS US NOW WITH MORE MISS STEINBERG.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US TODAY.

IT'S MY PLEASURE.

THANK YOU, JENNIFER.

NOW IT IS COMMON TO WALK OUTSIDE AND SMELL THE SMOKE FROM WILDFIRES THAT THIS TIME IN SOUTHWEST FLORIDA, FIRE CREWS ARE WORKING AROUND THE CLOCK TO KEEP PROPERTY AND PEOPLE SAFE.

FIRST.

WHAT CAN WE DO TO MAKE SURE THAT WE DO NOT INADVERTENTLY SPARKED A WILDFIRE?

>> THAT'S A GREAT QUESTION.

I THINK THAT'S REALLY IMPORTANT FOR PEOPLE TO REALIZE WHEN IT'S HOT, DRY, WINDY OUT, NOT A GOOD TIME TO START YOUR CAMPFIRE, USE, PROTECT, PERHAPS A GRILL OR BE DOING WORK WITH A LOT MACHINES THAT COULD START A SPARK.

THIS IS A GOOD TIME TO MAKE SURE IT'S A COOLER TIME OF DAY.

IF YOU'RE GOING TO DO THAT OUTSIDE WORK.

AND SO JUST BEING VERY CAREFUL ABOUT USE OF FIRE IS VERY IMPORTANT DURING A HIGH WILDFIRE DANGER PERIOD.

>> AND WHAT CAN WE DO IN ADVANCE TO PROTECT OUR PROPERTY AND BUSINESSES?

>> RIGHT.

SO THERE'S LOTS OF THINGS PEOPLE CAN DO TO PREPARE FOR WILDFIRE.

>> AND WHAT WE DO IS ASK PEOPLE TO THINK ABOUT THE OUTSIDE OF THEIR BUSINESSES OR HOMES, THE BUILDINGS THEMSELVES TO LOOK FOR ANY OPENINGS THAT AND AMBER COULD BLOW THIS IS WHERE THIS IS THE BURNING PIECES OF MATERIAL THAT ARE BLOWN OUT FROM A FIRE THAT COULD LAND IN LAWNS IN GUTTERS.

AROUND X, JUST TO MAKE SURE THERE'S NOTHING THERE THAT CAN CATCH AND IGNITE AND THEN BRING FIRE TO YOUR HOME OR WERE EMBERS COULD ENTER INTO THE HOME.

THAT IS A VERY BAD FOR YOUR HOME TO HAVE BURNING EMBERS COMING INTO ADDICTS ARE BEING IN AND IN GARAGES OR THINGS LIKE THAT.

SO LOOKING AT THOSE THINGS AND THEN REMOVING ANY DEAD OR DOWNED LITTER.

SO YOU'VE GOT LEAVES MAYBE PALM FRONTS, THINGS LIKE THAT THAT YOU WANT TO MAKE SURE YOU'RE GIVING THE FIRE NO FUEL.

THAT'S VERY CLOSE TO YOUR HOME.

>> WHAT ARE EXAMPLES OF RISK REDUCTION PROJECTS AND ARE THEY EXPENSIVE?

>> IT REALLY DEPENDS ON THE PROPERTY.

IT DEPENDS ON WHAT YOU'RE TRYING TO ACHIEVE.

BUT MANY RISK REDUCTION PROJECTS AROUND HOMES CAN BE VERY EASY.

THEY CAN BE A DO IT YOURSELF TYPE PROJECT AND AND PRETTY INEXPENSIVE.

AND SO ONE OF THE THINGS WE ASKED PEOPLE TO DO IS START WHERE THEIR HOME AND THEIR WAY OUT INTO THE LANDSCAPE.

AND THAT MEANS, FOR EXAMPLE, SCREENING SOME VENTS IS FAIRLY INEXPENSIVE AND WHETHER YOU HIRE A CONTRACTOR OR YOU DO IT YOURSELF, IT COULD BE RELATIVELY INEXPENSIVE AND MAKING SURE YOU'RE CLEARING OUT ANY DEBRIS THAT'S FALLEN.

THAT'S SORT OF A REGULAR UPKEEP TYPE THING THAT YOU COULD BE DOING AND PERHAPS WORKING WITH YOUR NEIGHBORS.

IF YOU SHARE A FENCE LINE, FOR EXAMPLE, AND PARTICULARLY A WOODEN FENCE, YOU WANT TO MAKE SURE THERE'S NO MATERIAL ACCUMULATING THERE THAT CAN IGNITE THAT WOODEN FENCE AND WHERE THAT RUNS UP TO CONNECT TO YOUR PROPERTY.

YOU MIGHT THINK ABOUT A LARGER PROJECT THAT REMOVE MAYBE THE FIRST 5 FEET OF THAT WOOD FENCE WHERE IT TOUCHES THE HOUSE.

REPLACE THAT WITH METAL OR SOMETHING ELSE THAT WOULDN'T BURN THAT IS A REALLY GOOD AND EFFECTIVE PROJECT TO INVEST AND >> AND CAN YOU TELL US MORE ABOUT SOMETHING CALLED THE HOME IGNITION ZONE AND WHY THAT'S IMPORTANT FOR US TO REALLY UNDERSTAND THE CONCEPT.

>> RIGHT.

SO THE VARIOUS PROJECTS AND THINGS THAT I WAS JUST TALKING ABOUT ARE IN THAT HOME IGNITION ZONE AND THAT THIS DESCRIBES THE HOME ITSELF AND EVERYTHING AROUND IT WITHIN 100 FEET OF THE HOME.

THAT'S WHERE SCIENTISTS HAVE FOUND THAT THOSE ACTIVITIES IN THAT AREA MAKE A HUGE DIFFERENCE WHEN THE THE HOME IS GOING TO IGNITE FROM A WILDFIRE.

AND SO PREPARING YOUR HOME IN THAT WAY.

STARTING WITH THE HOME WORKING YOUR WAY OUT REALLY DOES REFLECT BACK IN THE SCIENCE OF HOW HOMES IGNITE AND SURVIVE DURING THESE FIRES THAT'S WHY WE RECOMMEND THAT WORK.

>> NOW WE'VE TALKED A LOT ABOUT HOME AND BUSINESS OWNERS CAN DO TO PREPARE AHEAD OF TIME.

WE HAVE MANY PEOPLE THAT RENT HOMES, CONDOS OR APARTMENTS.

WHAT SHOULD THEY DO WITH THEIR BELONGINGS?

IS THERE SOMETHING SPECIFIC THAT THEY SHOULD DO AS TENANTS RATHER THAN HOMEOWNERS?

RIGHT?

LOOKING DOES A COUPLE THINGS.

ONE IS.

>> BEING PREPARED, KNOWING WHAT WOULD A ARE YOU GOING TO GET A WARNING IN THE CASE OF WILDFIRE?

WHAT KINDS OF CONDITIONS YOU SHOULD BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR, FOR EXAMPLE, LIKE I SAID, HOT, DRY, WINDY DAYS ARE THE HIGH BECAUSE OF A WILDFIRE STARTS ON ONE OF THOSE DAYS.

IT CAN SPREAD VERY QUICKLY MOVE VERY FAST.

JUST TO BE AWARE OF WHERE LEGO DO I HAVE AN EVACUATION PLAN TO GET OUT OF MY HOME OUT OF MY COMMUNITY AND TO SOMEPLACE SAFE AND HOW DO I COMMUNICATE WITH MY LOVED ONES THAT I AM SAFER FROM THE WILDFIRE.

AND FINALLY, A GO BAG OR EVACUATION KIT IS REALLY HELPFUL.

AND FINALLY, I WOULD SAY FOR RENTERS OFTEN, PEOPLE DON'T THINK OF THIS.

MOST HOMES.

IF YOU'VE GOT A MORTGAGE, YOU PROBABLY GOT HOMEOWNERS INSURANCE.

YOU PRETTY MUCH REQUIRED TO HAVE IT.

BUT MANY RENTERS GO WITHOUT INSURANCE OR ADEQUATE INSURANCE.

AND THAT IS IT'S ACTUALLY A VERY INEXPENSIVE INVESTMENT IN YOUR OWN PEACE OF MIND IN SAFETY TO MAKE SURE YOU CAN REPLACE THOSE BELONGINGS IF THE WORST HAPPENS.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US TODAY.

MS STEINBERG.

THANK YOU.

>> AS WE CONTINUE TO PUSH THROUGH FLORIDA'S DRY SEASON AND APPROACH THE INCOMING HURRICANE SEASON.

MAKE SURE YOU STAY UP TO DATE ON ALL WEATHER-RELATED STORIES BY HEADING TO WGCU DOT ORG.

COMING UP NEXT, A LOOK AT THE CULTURAL DIFFERENCES IN OLD WIVES.

TALES.

HOW A NEW PERFORMANCE CAPTURES THE ALLURE OF SUPERSTITIONS WITH A TWIST.

YOU'VE PROBABLY HEARD THE OLD SAYING STEP ON A CRACK BREAK.

YOUR MOTHER'S BACK OR IF YOUR EARS RINGING, SOMEONE IS PROBABLY TALKING ABOUT YOU AND TO AVOID BAD LUCK, TRY KNOCKING ON WOOD.

THESE ARE SOME OF THE MEDLEY OF OLD SAYINGS SUPERSTITIONS AND OLD WIVES.

TALES.

THAT HAS BECOME THE SUBJECT OF A NEW MUSICAL COMEDY IN SARASOTA WGCU ARTS REPORTER TOM HALL HAS ALL THE DETAILS.

>> WORLD PREMIERE OF LIES SPELLS AN OLD WIVES.

TALES IS PLAYING THROUGH MAY DONNELLY THEATER IN SARASOTA.

>> WOW IS >> THE MUSICAL COMEDY IS A COLLABORATION BETWEEN WEST COAST, BLACK THEATER TROUPE ARTISTIC DIRECTOR.

NATE JACOBS AND HIS BROTHER MICHAEL.

THE SHOW CONNECTS AUDIENCES TO THEIR ANCESTORS AND THE COMMUNITIES IN WHICH THEY GREW UP.

>> LISE FAILS AN OLD WIVES.

TALES.

IS A UNIQUE, BEAUTIFUL HERITAGE THAT'S PASSED THROUGH GENERATIONS.

2 FAMILIES BY THE MATRIARCHS, THE WOMEN WHO TEND TO GRAB THESE LITTLE THINGS ABOUT NIGHT ABOUT HAVING CHILDREN ABOUT MARRIAGE.

ALL SAYINGS MAY SEEM LIKE SULLY SUPERSTITIONS.

>> BUT THEY ALMOST ALWAYS CONTAIN A KERNEL OF TRUTH.

IT.

>> SPIRIT OF WEST OF NO GREAT NEED.

AND I OUR STORY ON THIS CAN SAGE ADVICE ABOUT HOW TO NEGOTIATE LIFE'S VAGARIES.

>> AND NAVIGATE THE SLINGS AND ARROWS OF OUTRAGEOUS FORTUNE THAT'S PRECISELY WHY THE INDOOR.

>> OF IT'S JUST COMING DOWN TO A GENERATION PIKE.

AND I'M TRYING TO GIVE IT TO YOU.

SO THAT'S THE GOODNESS IN IT THAT I'M TRYING TO TEACH MY YOUNGER PEOPLE YOU KNOW WHAT I'VE LEARNED ALONG THE WAY.

>> JACOBS HAS BEEN PONDERING THE CONCEPT FOR A FEW YEARS.

>> IT IS AN IDEA THAT CAME TO ME ABOUT 3 YEARS AGO AND I JUST PUT IT OUT OF THE POST.

IT.

PUT IT ON MY COMPUTER SCREEN AT THE BOTTOM.

>> TO KEEP IT BEFORE ME READ, YOU HAVE TO CHANGE TOO MUCH OVER.

>> SEVERAL MONTHS AGO, THE TIME ARRIVED TO REPLACE PINSPIRATION WITH PERSPIRATION AND THE CORPORATE, THE SAYINGS IN OLD WIVES TALES.

HE GREW UP HEARING INTO A COMPELLING MUSICAL SCORE.

>> THINKING ABOUT THE WOMEN OF MY LIFE, MY GRANDMOTHER, MY MOTHER AND MY AUNTS AND HOW PREVALENT IT REALLY WAS DOING MY CHILDHOOD.

HOW OFTEN I HEARD THAT STUFF IN OUR HOUSE AND OUR FAMILY GATHERINGS.

AND SO I WANTED TO DO SOMETHING TO CELEBRATE THAT UNIQUE HERITAGE OF WOMEN PASS IT ALONG.

SOMETIMES PEOPLE THINK THEIR LIVES.

SOME PEOPLE WHO THINK THEIR SPELLS BECAUSE SO OFTEN AND THE OLD WIVES TALES THAT.

MANY TIMES WITH THEIR ONLY WAY.

TO BE A PART OF TEACHING AND MENTORING AND COACHING YOU THE YOUNG.

>> OH, YEAH.

>> SOME OF THOSE SAYINGS IN OLD WIVES, TALES OR CULTURE SPECIFIC.

MANY MORE ACROSS RACIAL, ETHNIC AND REGIONAL DIVIDES.

LIKE WHAT IT REALLY MEANS WHEN THE PALM OF YOUR HAND INCHES.

I'M FROM ST.

LOUIS, MISSOURI.

>> SO DIFFERENT REGIONS.

IT'S A DIFFERENT THINGS.

SO WHEN I CAME DOWN HERE, >> WHEN THE HEAD IT'S THEY SAY MONEY COMING IN.

IF THE LEFT HAND, IT SAYS THAT MEANS MONEY IS GOING OUT.

>> WELL, IT WAS NEVER A DIFFERENCE IN MY REGION ABOUT WHICH CAN IT WAS IT FOR ME.

IT'S YOU SCRATCHING ON YOUR >> THAT MEANS THAT THE MONEY IS COMING.

ANOTHER SUCH A TRUISM.

>> IS IT TAKES ONE TO KNOW ONE OF MY GRANDMOTHER TO MORE THAN MY MOM DROVE.

IT TAKES ONE TO KNOW ONE.

SO YOU'RE JUST SITTING THERE AND SOMEBODYS.

THEY WERE, YOU KNOW, SON.

SO SINCE ON SO ABOUT SO.

AND SO, AS YOU SAY, WELL, IT TAKES ONE TO NOLA.

AND I GOT OLD ENOUGH TO HAVE REALIZE WHAT SHE WAS SAYING IS THAT THEY ARE TO EDUCATED OFF A MILLION WITH THAT SUBJECT MATTER.

SO THEY COULD NOT BE THAT EDUCATE UNLESS THEY'VE ALSO HAD EXPERIENCE IT IN THE SAME AREA.

PART OF THE FUN FOR THE AUDIENCE TO SEEING WHAT SAYINGS AN OLD WIVES TALES MADE IT INTO THE SHOW.

>> HOW THE JACOBS BROTHERS WILL OF THEM INTO SONG LYRICS AND STORYLINE ON THE WAY >> AND THAT THING, THE JACOBS ORIGINAL SCORE IS AN EXQUISITE KALEIDOSCOPE OF FOLK 30'S.

DELTA RHYTHM AND BLUES 60'S, MOTOWN AND 2010 POP MADGEN OF PUBLIC WORKERS TRADED IN A RANGE BY DANCE AND ARE WELL, AND WEST COAST BY THEIR TROOPS, TALENTED CAST, DELIVERS THE GOODS.

>> JUST TALENT GALORE.

I COULD NOT HAVE ASKED FOR A BETTER FROM SINGING TO ACTING TO TELLING THE STORY OF LIVES BILLS, AN OLD WIVES, TALES.

THIS STORYTELLERS, THERE'S SINGER'S.

THEY ARE DANCERS AND ALL OF THAT HAPPENS ON THE STATE'S DOING THIS SHOW AND IT'S BEAUTIFUL.

A BEAUTIFUL SHOW.

>> YEAH, I LOVE THIS CONCEPT OF LIES SPELLS AND OLD WIVES, TALES AND IT WAS REALLY COOL THAT THE CREATOR NATE JAKE, IT ACTUALLY BROUGHT TO LIFE AND IDEA FROM A POST IT NOTE FROM SEVERAL YEARS AGO, IT LOOKS LIKE A WONDERFUL SHOW.

WHAT ELSE CAN YOU TELL US?

>> IT REALLY IS A WONDERFUL SHOW.

YOU KNOW, I GREW MY GREAT, GREAT GRANDPARENTS EMIGRATED FROM SICILY.

SO GROWING UP MY BROTHERS AND I HEARD OF ALL OF THOSE OLD SAYINGS AND SUPERSTITIONS.

THERE ARE A COUPLE OF NEW ONES BECAUSE THEY COME PRIMARILY FROM BLACK CULTURE LIKE THE FIRST PERSON WHO COMES IN YOUR DOOR ON NEW YEAR'S DAY HAD BETTER BE A MAN.

AND IF YOU PUT YOUR PURSE ON THE FLOOR, YOUR MONEY WILL WALK RIGHT OUT THE DOOR.

SO FROM THAT STANDPOINT, IT WAS AS EDUCATIONAL AS IT WAS ENTERTAINING.

>> HAD YOU BEEN TO A PERFORMANCE UP AT THAT VENUE BEFORE I HAD NOT HAVE BEEN DYING TO GET UP THERE FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS.

>> WEST COAST, BLACK THEATER TROUPE PERFORMS IN THE DONNELLY THEATER.

>> IT'S A SENSATIONAL VENUES.

GOT THIS BIG SPACIOUS LOBBY.

THE SEATING RISES GENTLY FROM A GROUND FLOOR, A STAGE AND THE ACOUSTICS AND THE SOUND JUST PERFECT.

>> AND THE VENUE IS SO IMPORTANT.

AND I KNOW ISLAND COAST HIGH SCHOOL IN CAPE CORAL HAS A PRETTY MAGNIFICENT VENUE FOR THEIR UPCOMING PERFORMANCE.

TONIGHT IS THE OPENING NIGHT FOR THE LITTLE MERMAID.

WHY IS THIS SHOW SO SIGNIFICANT?

>> WELL, THIS YEAR THERE ARE 11 LEE COUNTY HIGH SCHOOLS THAT ARE PARTICIPATING IN THE HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL THEATRE AWARDS AT THE BARBARA B MANN PERFORMING ARTS HALL.

ISLAND COAST CHOSE LITTLE MERMAID HAS ITS COMPETITION PACE.

IT IS A HUGE SHOW.

BIG CAST.

BIG PRODUCTION.

BUT IN VIEW OF THE FUNDING CUTS THAT ARE HAPPENING, THE ARTS IN LEE COUNTY RIGHT NOW, IT'S PROBABLY GOING TO BE THE LAST BIG PRODUCTION THAT THE SCHOOL'S ABLE TO DO.

SO THE DIRECTOR, CASEY DAVIS REALLY WOULD HOPE THAT REALLY HOPES THAT THE PUBLIC TURNS OUT AND SUPPORT HER KIDS.

LET'S TAKE A LOOK.

>> SO THIS UPCOMING THURSDAY, FRIDAY AND SATURDAY, WE HAVE OUR PRODUCTION OF THE LITTLE MERMAID, WHICH IS KIND OF A COMBINATION, A COMBINATION OF ALL 5 YEARS THAT I'VE BEEN I CURSED.

IT'S THE BIGGEST SHOW YOU EVERY DIME.

THEY GET VERY EXCITED BECAUSE LOTS OF SPECIAL EFFECTS.

LOTS OF FUN MUSIC DANCING, THE VERY EXCITED ABOUT IT.

SO COME OUT TO THE SHOW AND ALSO TALK ABOUT MY STUDENTS ARE VERY OF TOLD ME IN THE PAST THAT THE REASON WHY THEY EVEN GET UP AND COME TO SCHOOL EVERY MORNING AS BECAUSE OF WHAT WE DO IN CLASS.

>> LAST WEEKEND, A 17 YEAR-OLD PIANO PRODIGY PERFORMED.

AND CAN YOU TELL US MORE ABOUT THIS PERFORMANCE WITH THE GULF COAST SYMPHONY?

>> YEAH, HIS NAME IS WILLIAM.

WOO.

AND HIS PERFORMANCE OF RACHMANINOFF'S PIANO CONCERTO NUMBER 2, JUST WOWED THE AUDIENCE.

NOW WHAT WOULD AMAZE MAY IS THAT WHILE THE ORCHESTRA AND MAESTRO AND HER COURAGE, WE'RE FOLLOWING SHEET MUSIC WELL PLAYED ENTIRELY FROM MEMORY.

IT WAS INCREDIBLE.

IN FACT, LET'S TAKE A LOOK.

PERFORMER, KIWANIS PIANO CONCERTO NUMBER 2 AT THE GULF COAST SYMPHONY THIS PAST SATURDAY AT THE MUSIC AND ARTS COMMUNITY CENTER.

IN A WORD WILL WAS BRILLIANT.

THAT'S NOT EASY.

SAID MAESTRO ANDREW CURTAINS, INTRODUCTORY REMARKS BECAUSE THE PIECE IS SO DAUNTING.

>> IT IS A VERY GOOD TO US.

DIFFICULT TECHNICALLY PART SHARE.

THAT'S PIERS AND KEPT IN ADMITTED TO FEELING A LITTLE SCARED.

>> IT'S LIKE IT'S THE FEAR THAT COMES WITH LIKE THE REVERENCE OF A PIECE SO WELL-KNOWN AND SO GRANDIOSE AND I LIKE.

ON INSPIRING.

>> THE 17 YEAR-OLD DOESN'T YOU SHEET MUSIC.

HE PERFORMS FOR MEMORY.

IT'S WHAT ENABLES HIM TO CONNECT WITH THE EMOTION EMBEDDED IN THE MUSIC.

>> YOU HAVE TO KNOW TO PEACE LIKE.

>> BY MEMORY, BY MEMORY, LIKE YOU HAVE TO BE ABLE TO ENVISION THE SHEET MUSIC WHILE YOU'RE PLAYING.

>> AND IN ORDER FOR YOU TO >> I MEAN, THAT'S HOW I AT LEAST LIKE TO SORT OF MUSICALITY.

I OFTEN JUST LIKE ENVISION THE SHEET MUSIC IN MY HEAD.

AND I SEE LIKE THE MELODIES GOING UP HERE BACK AND THEN MAYBE I GET LADDER THERE.

MAYBE IT'S A LITTLE BIT MORE EXPRESSIVE WHO WENT ON.

BUT YOU THAT'S HOW I AM SORT OF MAKE MY PIECES FLOWE, I GUESS YOU COULD SAY BECAUSE WITHOUT IT THE MUSICALITY WITHOUT LIKE THE PHRASING, WHAT NIGHTS WOULD'VE JUST BECOMES FOR BUCK.

>> THE APPROACH CLEARLY WORKS.

IN APPEARED ON THE VERGE OF TEARS AS HE PLAYED THE END OF THE COUNTRY.

THE SECOND MOVEMENT.

>> I'M ON THE VERGE OF CRIME WHEN I'M PLAYING THIS PART AND IT NEVER GOES AWAY, ESPECIALLY WITH AN ORCHESTRA NOW WHICH, YOU KNOW, THE STRINGS REALLY ADD SOMETHING TO IT THAT YOU CAN'T REPLICATE WITHOUT WITHOUT AN ORCHESTRA.

IT'S THE NEWS THAT THE CONDORS DEMOTIONS, ESPECIALLY BECAUSE IT'S SO WELL WRITTEN.

>> ROCK ON AND OFF COMPOSED CONCERTO NUMBER 2 AFTER A PERIOD OF DEEP DEPRESSION AND CREATIVE SILENCE THAT FOLLOWED THE DISASTROUS PREMIERED HIS FIRST SYMPHONY 4 YEARS EARLIER, MANY DOUBTED HE'D EVER COMPOSED AGAIN.

YOU MAY DOES COME BACK.

WE CAN SURE.

NUMBER 2.

>> I START OFF REALLY QUIET.

IT SORT OF BUILDS BUILDS, BUILDS MORE AND MORE AND MORE.

>> IT MAY BE IMPOSSIBLE TO KNOW WHAT RUCKMAN OFF WAS THINKING AS HE COMPOSED THE FINALE.

THE PIANO CONCERTO NUMBER 2.

BUT WHO KNOWS?

WHATS GOING THROUGH HIS MIND AS HE PLAYS?

WILL CAN ALSO BE SOMETHING OF A SHOW.

THAT'S WHY YOU CHOSE SERGEI PROKOFIEV'S PIANO SONATA NUMBER 7 FOR HIS ENCORE NUMBER ONE OF THE COMPOSER'S 3 WERE SYNONYMOUS.

IT'S CELEBRATED FOR HIS TURBULENT MACHINE GUN LIKE FINALE.

>> THE IT >> HAS NO HAS NO PRETENSIONS TO GET.

IT IS OBVIOUSLY SUPPOSED TO BE SOMETHING THAT'S LIKE GRIP ASK ALMOST AT.

AND THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT IT SHOWS IN THE PIECE LIKE THERE'S THIS AUSTIN AUTO AND THE BASE THAT GOES BY AND IT'S.

IT'S ALMOST LIKE REMINDING YOU OF LIKE AN IMPENDING DO, WHICH IS LIKE THE ENDING, WHICH IS SORT OF THE CULMINATION OF ALL OF THIS SORT OF PROTESTS.

CAN US?

I ENJOY PLAYING THE PIECE LIKE IT'S ONE OF THOSE PIECES THAT'S LIKE.

YOU CAN LIKE.

IT'S ALMOST LIKE MISS SO YOU COULD SMILE WHILE PLAYING IT BECAUSE IT'S LIKE IT'S FUN TO PLAY LIKE EVERYTHING ABOUT IT.

LIKE THE TECHNIQUE THAT'S INVOLVED WITH THE IS REALLY FUN TO PLAY.

SO THAT'S WHAT I WANT TO SHOW UP.

JUST.

>> WU HAS ALREADY PLAYED CARNEGIE HALL IN THE KENNEDY CENTER.

LAST YEAR.

HE ALSO WON THE ARTHUR FRAZIER PIANO COMPETITION AT THE SOUTHEASTERN PIANO FESTIVAL.

STILL, HE'S NOT SURE WHETHER HE HAS THE QUALIFICATIONS TO GET INTO JUILLIARD FOR HARVARD'S NEW ENGLAND CONSERVATORY PROGRAM.

NO MATTER.

THERE'S ALWAYS THIS OTHER LOVE PHYSICS.

PLUS, HE'LL ALWAYS KNOW THAT HE WOWED FORT MYERS DURING HIS BRIEF VISIT TO MAKE MUSIC WITH MAESTRO AND RIP CURRENTS AND THE GULF COAST.

FOR WGCU NEWS I'M TOM HALL >> FROM SYMPHONY'S, 2 UNIQUE THEATER PERFORMANCES.

MAKE SURE YOU'RE IN THE LOOP WHEN IT COMES TO THE SOUTHWEST.

FLORIDA ARE SEEN BY FOLLOWING TOM HALLS REPORTING ON WGCU DOT ORG.

COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK, WE DIVE INTO THE RICH HISTORY OF FORT MYERS TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE EVOLUTION OF THE CITY AND THE PEOPLE WHO CALL THE AREA HOME FOR THOUSANDS OF YEARS.

AS THE POPULATION AND INDUSTRY IN FORT MYERS CONTINUES TO BOOM.

IT'S IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER THE HISTORY OF THE REGION EXTENDS BACK THOUSANDS OF YEARS.

THE CALUSA INDIANS LAY THE GROUNDWORK FOR WHAT WOULD EVENTUALLY BECOME THE CITY OF PALMS.

WE LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS IN THIS EXCERPT FROM FLORIDA ROAD TRIP.

>> LONG BEFORE FORT MYERS BECAME A TROPICAL PARADISE, IT WAS HOME TO ONE OF THE MOST POWERFUL INDIGENOUS GROUPS IN FLORIDA LATER IT BECAME HOME TO ONE OF THE MOST LUXURIOUS FORTS AND ALL OF THE UNITED STATES.

THE STORY OF FORT MYERS BEGINS WELL BEFORE IT BECAME A CITY.

A CLUE SOMEWHERE HERE FROM PROBABLY.

>> 6,000 YEARS AGO, THERE'S A SITE IN PALM ISLAND SOUND CALLED US UP ON ISLAND.

THAT WASN'T HAVING IT BY THE CALUSA FOR AT LEAST 6,000 YEARS.

THERE'S A SITE THAT'S VERY SIGNIFICANT IN ESTERO BAY CALLED MOUNTAIN DEW.

AND IT IS BELIEVED TO HAVE BEEN HAVING A FIRM ABOUT 100 AD MAYBE UNTIL ABOUT THE MID 17TH.

THAT NEWS.

>> THE CALUSA MADE THEIR HOME IN WHAT IS NOW THE FORT MYERS AREA FOR THOUSANDS OF YEARS AND THEIR INFLUENCE WAS FELT FAR BEYOND.

BUT WHAT SET THEM APART FOR MANY OTHER NATIVE AMERICAN GROUPS IS HOW THEY SURVIVED.

>> THEY RELIED ON THE SURROUNDING ESTUARY IN ESTERO BAY FOR THEIR FOOD AND 95% OR SO OF THEIR FOOD.

IT CAME FROM THE BAY WEATHER WAS FISH OR SHELLFISH AND THEY WERE VERY PROMINENT, VERY POWERFUL CHIEF THEM WHERE THEY HAD CONTROL OVER OTHER TRIBES AND OTHER CHIEF COMES AROUND THEM.

I WOULD SAY THE OTHER NATIVE TRIBES WERE SCARED OF THEM.

WHAT'S INTERESTING IS THE CALUSA DIDN'T REALLY HAVE CONTROL OF THE FOOD SOURCE.

NORMALLY WHEN A TRIBE OR THE COMMUNITY HAS CONTROL OF FOOD SOURCE THAT THEY HAVE CONTROL OF THEIR NEIGHBORING COMMUNITIES, THEY DON'T REALLY KNOW WHAT HAPPENED TO THEM.

THERE'S NO CALUSA STILL EXISTING TODAY.

SOME OF THEM MARRIED INTO THE SEMINOLE TRIED OR THEY TRAVEL TO CUBA OR THEY DIED OF A WARFARE OR DISEASES.

>> FAST FORWARD TO THE 18, 100'S IN THE AREAS MILITARY IMPORTANCE CAME INTO PLAY.

FIRST CAME FORWARD.

HARVEY, THEN IN 18, 50, A NEW FORD WAS ESTABLISHED NAMED FORT MYERS.

>> MAJOR GENERAL TWIGS AND FEBRUARY 14TH, 18, 50, HE ESTABLISHES FORT MYERS.

HE NAMES FORT MYERS FOR HIS DAUGHTER AND LOVE THE OFFICER ABRAM SEE MINORS ACTUALLY FUN FACT, NEVER STEPS FOOT IN FORT MYERS.

>> BUILT FOR THE SEMINOLE WARS.

AND THEN LATER USED BY THE UNION SOLDIERS DURING THE CIVIL WAR, THE FORT BECAME MORE THAN A MILITARY POST.

IT STOOD AS A SPECTACLE.

>> IT WAS A LUXURY RIGHT?

IT REALLY WAS.

IT WAS JUST.

>> A BEAUTIFUL, BEAUTIFUL FORT.

IT HAD SHALL WALKWAYS >> WHEN TORRE SAYS WHITE GLOVE SOLDIERS.

>> BUILDINGS MADE OF YELLOW PINE 57 BUILDINGS.

WE HAVE A STATE-OF-THE-ART HOSPITAL HERE.

COST THEM $30,000 TO BUILD A BOWLING ALLEY.

IT WAS JUST A SOLDIER STREET.

>> AFTER THE CIVIL WAR, THE FORT WAS ABANDONED.

THAT'S UNTIL ONE MAN STARTED A NEW CHAPTER FOR IT.

THERE WAS A MAN BY THE NAME OF MANUEL GONZALES, AND HE WAS A BOAT CAPTAIN.

HE WOULD BRING MAIL AND SUPPLIES BETWEEN KEY WEST AND TAMPA AND HE OFTEN SET.

>> IT PICKED UP IN THE FORT AND HE KNEW IT WOULD JUST BE THE PERFECT PLACE TO HOMESTEAD AFTER THE WAR.

SO IN 18, 66 AFTER THE WAR, HE COMES TO MAKE HIS HOME INSTEAD AND REALIZE IT'S BEEN COMPLETELY LOOTED BY PIONEERS AND SETTLERS AROUND THE STATE COULD COME IN AND THEY'VE COMPLETELY RANSACKED AND TAKING EVERYTHING.

THE FLOORBOARDS, THE ROOFS, THE WINDOWS.

SO WHEN HE GOT HERE, HE LETS IT WASN'T THAT STATE-OF-THE-ART FORT.

HE HAD REMEMBERED FROM THE MAIL.

>> COMING UP ON OUR NEXT PROGRAM, FLORIDA LAWMAKERS VOTE TO REDRAW THE STATE'S CONGRESSIONAL MAPS.

WE EXAMINE THE IMPACT THIS DECISION WILL HAVE ON SOUTHWEST FLORIDA AND THE UPCOMING MIDTERM ELECTIONS.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.

MAKE SURE YOU HAD TO WGCU DOT ORG WHERE YOU WILL FIND ALL OF OUR STORIES.

WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU NEXT TIME RIGHT HERE ON SOUTHWEST FLORIDA.

IN FOCUS.