On The Gulf
Summer Circus Returns to Asolo Theatre in Sarasota
F
or nearly two decades, The Circus Arts Conservatory and The Ringling have partnered to bring Summer Circus Spectacular to the Historic Asolo Theatre, an intimate theater on The Ringling Museum campus in Sarasota.
This year, performances run through August 8, featuring some of the finest circus artists from around the world performing breathtaking acts of comedy, aerial artistry, juggling, acrobatics, hand balancing, and daring athleticism.
This summer’s performers include:
• Davis Vassallo: Clowning and Slack Wire
• Yelitza Vivas: Hand Balancing
• Noel Aguilar: Juggling
• Emma Grace Clarke: Aerial Spiral
• Duo Transcend: Duo Roller Skating and Duo Trapeze
Performances of Summer Circus Spectacular are Tue-Fri at 11am & 2pm and Sat at 2 & 5pm.
Asolo Repertory Theatre is located at 5555 N. Tamiami Trail in Sarasota. For information, call 941-360-7399.
Songwriter Fest Returns for 12th Year
Island Hopper Songwriter Fest returns to Lee County, September 18-27 with performances by more than three dozen singersongwriters at two dozen venues in Cape Coral, Captiva, Fort Myers Beach, and downtown Fort Myers. Headliners this year are platinum-selling Edwin McCain, recently revealed as Nessy, the Loch Ness Monster on the TV show, The Masked Singer, and rising star Alexandra Kay, whose debut album reached No. 1 on the iTunes All Genre and Country charts and earned her a Top 10 on Billboard’s Current Country Album chart.
McCain will headline Island Hopper Songwriter Fest’s ‘Westin Unplugged’ on September 21, at The Westin Cape Coral Resort at Marina Village in Cape Coral.
Circus Arts Conservatory’s Summer Circus Spectacular runs through August 8 in the Historic Asolo Theatre in Sarasota.
Alexandra Kay is the featured artist at the festivals’ Stars on the River’ concert on September 24 at the Caloosa Sound Amphitheater in downtown Fort Myers.
S ongwriter F e S t S chedule
Sept. 18-20: Captiva
Sept. 21 & 22: Cape Coral
Sept 23 & 24: Fort Myers
Sept. 25-27: Fort Myers Beach
While most Island Hopper shows are free, there are several ticketed events, including the Kay and McCain performances and the closing pool party at Pink Shell Beach Resort & Marina. Other one-of-a-kind
Edwin McCain performs September 21 at the Westin Cape Coral Resort & Marina in Cape Coral during the Island Hopper Songwriter Fest.
ticketed experiences include a songwriter sunset cruise and dinner experiences.
S pecial F e S tival e vent S
September 21
SONGWRITER DINNER Gather (Cape Coral)
September 21
WESTIN UNPLUGGED featuring Edwin McCain Westin Cape Coral Resort & Marina
September 22
SONGWRITER SUNSET CRUISE departs Westin Cape Coral Resort & Marina
September 23
LUMINARY’S DINNER EXPERIENCE Luminary Hotel (Fort Myers)
September 23
ACMA SHOWCASE Davis Art Center (Fort Myers)
September 24
STARS ON THE RIVER featuring Alexandra Kay Caloosa Sound Amphitheater (Fort Myers)
September 27
PINK SHELL POOL PARTY
Pink Shell Beach Resort & Marina (Fort Myers Beach)
Some of the songwriters performing at this year’s festival include: Audrey Spillman, Katrina Cain, Kurt Stevens, Robinson Treacher, Race Ricketts; returning artists Danny Myrick, Frank Myers, Dylan Altman, Jimmy Nichols, Megan Linville; and local artists Claire Liparulo, and Sheena Brook.
Some of the venues hosting concerts this year are: Keylime Bistro & Jensen’s Twin Palm Resort & Marina on Captiva; High Tide Social House and RC Otter’s in Cape Coral; Nervous Nellie’s and Margaritaville Beach Resort in Fort Myers Beach; and the Davis Art Center and Luminary Hotel in downtown Fort Myers.
Additional artists, venues, and schedules will be announced in the coming weeks. Call 338-3500 for information.
New Book Celebrates
Marcus Jansen’s Art
World-renowned artist — and Fort Myers resident — Marcus Jansen, in collaboration with his friends and associate, awardwinning creative director, John Sprecher, are publishing a new
museum-quality coffee-table book showcasing more than 50 of the painters’ choice paintings of the last 10 years, many never seen before. The book, Counterpoint: The Defiant Works of Marcus Jansen, features works that Jansen considers many of his most profound artistic statements.
Counterpoint will be available this fall, coinciding with two milestones in Jansen’s life and career.
The publication will celebrate four decades of artistic production by Marcus Jansen, tracing an extraordinary trajectory from the raw immediacy of 1980s’ graffiti culture to mature, globally acclaimed paintings.
It also marks the 20th anniversary of Jansen’s ‘discovery’ by Jerome Donson, Director of Traveling Exhibitions at New York’s Museum of Modern Art. Donson hailed him as the innovator of a modern expressionism. Jansen’s work has been exhibited all over the world and is in many museums’ permanent collections.
Counterpoint marks the first Marcus Jansen collections book under the artist’s complete editorial and creative control.
Counterpoint celebrates the last decade of Marcus Jansen’s paintings
He has personally curated these works and includes his inspirations, interpretations, observations, and messages.
Sprecher and Jansen have been friends for more than a decade, when Jansen was featured in Sprecher’s COASTE magazine. Sprecher is an internationally award-winning creative director, writer, digital creator, video host, magazine editor and autism educator.
With his brand agency of 40 years, he’s the recipient of more than 1,000 industry awards and editorial praise in local, regional, national and international business and consumer media.
Counterpoint: The Defiant Works of Marcus Jansen, will be available in October. Autographed copies are available for pre-order. For information, call 738-6299.
Lynn Goldsmith’s Photographs at Selby Gardens
Marie Selby Botanical Gardens presents an indoor and outdoor exhibition featuring the work of legendary photographer, Lynn Goldsmith, who is renowned for both her celebrity portraits and fine art images. ‘Shared Light:
Marie Selby Gardens presents, ‘Shared Light: Lynn Goldsmith’, combining images of flowers with intimate portraits of Patti Smith.
Lynn Goldsmith’, on view at the Garden’s Downtown Sarasota campus, combines stunning images of flowers with intimate portraits of Selby Gardens’ artist in residence, Patti Smith.
Over the past 50 years, Goldsmith’s photography has appeared on or between the covers of magazines including Life, Newsweek, Time, Vanity Fair, Rolling Stone, and Sports Illustrated. Her work is held in numerous private art collections and museums, including the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery, the Museum of Modern Art, and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
Goldsmith remarked, “At Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, my photographs of flowers linger in that brief territory between bloom and surrender, where beauty is never separate from fragility. In the Museum, the portraits and moments beside them suggest that our relationships unfold much the same way as flowers do — reaching toward light, opening in trust, bruised by time, yet carrying an elegance that survives even in fading.”
Selby Gardens’ President, Jennifer Rominiecki, commented, “This exhibition beautifully bridges the worlds of fine art, music, and nature through Goldsmith’s evocative floral imagery and her personal portraits of Patti Smith, our artistin-residence.”
‘Shared Light: Lynn Goldsmith’ will be on view
through September 13 in the galleries of the Gardens’ Museum of Botany and outdoor installations positioned throughout the Gardens.
Marie Selby Botanical Gardens’ Downtown campus is located at 1534 Mound St. in Sarasota. The Gardens are open daily 10am-5pm. For information, call 941-366-5731.
Modern Works Festival in Sarasota
Back for its seventh year at Urbanite Theatre, the 2026 Modern Works Festival is a twoweek celebration of new play development and women in theatre.
The Modern Works Festival offers audiences the opportunity to experience new plays as they are being shaped. With a Festival Pass, you gain all-access entry to the work in progress, including staged readings of finalist plays, a kickoff celebration, guest speaker events, artist performances, and post-show conversations that bring audiences and creators into direct dialogue.
Passholders are not just attending a staged reading. They vote for their favorite works and help shape which stories move forward.
Past finalists have gone on to full productions on the Urbanite stage.
Each year, the festival provides employment for more than 40 artists, bringing together playwrights, directors, actors, and stage managers in a collaborative process designed to support bold new work.
Behind the scenes, that process begins months in advance. A team of readers carefully reviews more than 300 submissions from playwrights across the country, narrowing the field to a handful of finalists. Those selected artists are then brought to Sarasota and given the time, space, and resources to develop their work. Each playwright is supported by a professional team, including a director, stage manager, and actors, along with rehearsal and script development time, travel and housing, a stipend, a per diem, and two public readings.
F e S tival S chedule
SEPTEMBER 17
7:30pm Headliner Production
SEPTEMBER 18
7:30pm: Headliner Production
SEPTEMBER 19
2 & 7pm: Headliner Production
SEPTEMBER 20
2pm: Headliner Production
SEPTEMBER 24
7:30pm: Kick Off Party
SEPTEMBER 25
2pm: Staged Play Reading: Finalist #1
5pm: Staged Play Reading: Finalist #2
7:30pm: Festival Guest Speaker
SEPTEMBER 26
2pm: Staged Play Reading: Finalist #3
5pm: Staged Play Reading: Finalist #1
7:30pm: Staged Play Reading: Finalist #2
SEPTEMBER 27
2pm: Staged Play Reading: Finalist #3
4:30pm: Audience Roundtable & Closing Celebration
Finalists & headliners to be announced later this summer. Urbanite Theatre is located at 1487 2nd St. in Sarasota. Call 941-321-1397 for information.
Edison & Ford Winter Estates Celebrates America
Edison & Ford Winter Estates will celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing the Declaration of Independence with a series of ‘Step into History’ presentations. Historians will present on a variety of topics, celebrating 250 years of innovation, courage, and patriotism.
Throughout the site, patriotic décor will be on display and music will be played. Patriotic bunting will be displayed on the historic homes and fences. The gardens will also feature patriotic symbols. The Ford citrus grove features a variety of citrus trees, including the orange blossom, which is Florida’s state flower. The citrus grove will be accented with caladiums to acknowledge Florida as the caladium capital of the world. Visitors can also
tour the Florida native plant garden and imagine how the property may have looked 250 years ago.
S tep into h i S tory
p re S entation S chedul e
JULY 1
11am: How the Menge Brothers Transformed Fort Myers
2pm: Molly Pitcher & Women of the Revolution
JULY 2
11am: Electrifying Fort Myers
2pm: 1776
JULY 3
11am: Cracker Cuisine
2pm: Women Soldiers of the Civil War
JULY 4
11am: In Defense of Fort Myers
2pm: Edison & Ford and the First World War
Mina Edison’s (Thomas Edison’s wife) 161st birthday will be honored on July 6. Throughout the day, historians will give special American history presentations. Visitors will be able to interact with ‘Thomas Edison’ and ‘Uncle Sam’ living history characters from 10am-2pm. A special ‘Insidethe-Homes’ Tour will be offered at 10am and ‘Behind-the-Gates’ Edison Laboratory Tours will start at 1:30 & 3:30pm.
The Edison & Ford Winter Estates are located at 2350 McGregor Blvd. In downtown Fort Myers’ Historic River District. It is open daily 9am-5:30pm (last admission at 4:30pm). For information, call 334-7419.
Edison & Ford Winter
Estates honors Mina Edison’s birthday on July 6.
Ringling Museum Explores the Rise of Art Photography
Drawn from The Ringling’s permanent collection, the exhibition ‘The Evocative Lens: Pictorialism and the Rise of Art Photography’ examines the emergence and evolution of art photography. To distinguish their work from commercial photography and the growing snapshot culture fueled by Kodak’s newly accessible cameras, Pictorialist photographers deliberately emulated the qualities of painters and graphic artists, and their subject matter often reflected themes found in Impressionist and Symbolist art. By the 1910s & 1920s, many of these artists began developing distinct visual languages unique to photography, using the medium to express themselves in new and innovative ways.
Key figures featured in this exhibition include Alfred Stieglitz, Clarence H. White, Edward Steichen, as well as Gertrude Käsebier, Eva WatsonSchütze, and Anne Brigman, pioneering women with significant contributions to camera clubs and photographic societies of the time, highlighting their impact on the evolution of art photography.
‘Evocative Lens’ is on view thru September 16.
‘Evocative Lens: Pictorialism and the Rise of Art Photography’ is on view thru September 16 at the Ringling Museum of Art in Sarasota.
The John & Mable Ringling Museum of Art is located at 5401 Bay Shore Rd. in Sarasota. The museum is open daily 10am5pm & late Thu 5-8pm. For information, 941-359-5700.
Actors Wanted
Alliance for the Arts is seeking performers for its upcoming production of Neil Simon’s The Odd Couple (Female Version) The production is seeking female and male performers, ages 30s-60s, for all eight roles.
Auditions will be held on Friday, July 10 at 7pm and Sunday, July 12 at 11am at Alliance for the Arts.
“I’m incredibly excited to see who walks through the door,” said director Michael Hebler. “The Odd Couple is one of the funniest plays ever written, and I’m looking forward to assembling a cast that can bring these characters to life and have as much fun with the material as the audience will.”
Rehearsals are scheduled to begin on July 13, with performances running August 14-23 at Alliance for the Arts. Those interested may attend either audition date and are encouraged to RSVP in advance. For information, call 939-2782. Alliance for the Arts is located at 10091 McGregor Blvd. in Fort Myers.
FICTION — First Place
When Death Knocks
by Richard Drummer
The double-barreled attack by my internist and oncologist sucked all the air out of the room. I wanted to argue with someone. Punch a wall. They had to be wrong. I had no symptoms. But they had the lab work and the imaging to prove it. I was just the patient. Just a guy with a hundred and eighty days to get my affairs in order, say a few goodbyes, then curl up somewhere and die.
My ex-wife took the news with feigned sympathy. She’d split years ago with half of everything and never looked back. My son was more sympathetic, promising to visit before I passed. That left a few old friends, and we spent that night toasting everything and nothing. A thousand emotion-charged memories twisted in my gut, churning with the beer and cheap bourbon.
I felt like a prizefighter looking back on the bouts I’d endured to get to this lonely station in life. I’d fought my way up the ladder, rung after bloody rung. But this was the knockout punch in the last round, and the scorecard showed more failures than victories. Not the ideal final thoughts for someone shopping for their own headstone.
I took an Uber home, my head spinning as I waded through 44 years of memories, searching for that life-altering event that turned me from optimistic and energized to permanently brooding. One of the few positives of facing death is that you can’t lie to yourself anymore. Nothing came to me that night, but I awoke with a Category 5 hangover and a singular memory swirling in my mind.
Twenty years earlier, I’d left my dreams of musical stardom behind and enrolled in electronics school. I worked hard and did well. One of my new classmates was Steve Skonick, a machine shop rat from the inner city. We became friends and shared class notes. During the third semester, Skonick crossed the line and copied my exam word-forword. It was too obvious to be a coincidence. When called out, he turned on me, saying I was the one who had done the cheating. I never knew why, but they believed him over me. They suspended me from class for a year. Starting over wasn’t an option. I had a solid grade point and didn’t have the stomach or the funds to start over somewhere else. I worked two jobs and marked time until I could re-enroll. That year felt like a prison sentence. My anger grew, as did the space between my wife and me. I rarely saw my new son because I was working fourteen-hour days. In that year, the solid footing on which we had built our marriage washed away, like a sandcastle at high tide.
By the time I started back to school, we were barely speaking. I put all my effort into studying and aced everything. I made every honor list that school had and started a great job the day after graduation. I rose in the company, giving it all the time I could have given to my family had they shown any interest. My career was peaking, while my home life was in shambles. That year spent in a purgatory holding pattern had stolen all that I had fought for. Steve Skonick had cost me so much more than just twelve months. He was
the reason for my lost happiness, and I vowed to look him in the eye one last time before I assumed room temperature.
Minutes into an internet search, I tracked him down to a seedy Detroit neighborhood south of 7 Mile. I bought a handgun and waited the mandatory cooling-off period before delivery, which only stoked the fire. If I had to die a premature death, I would take Steve Skonick with me.
The streetlight at the intersection of Hayes and Faircrest was out, and I turned onto the darkened street, driving past stripped cars and burnedout houses. Halfway down the block stood a dilapidated bungalow with its porch light on. The bare bulb cast shadows on the curled ripplets of peeling paint and a front yard of tall weeds that long ago choked out the last blades of grass. By the looks of things, he had made little use of the diploma he’d cheated me to get.
Parking, I loaded the revolver with five .38 bullets and slipped it into my jacket pocket, wishing I had twelve rounds, one for every month of life he’d cost me. I walked from the car, thinking a gunshot cutting through the dead of night in this neighborhood would be as common as church bells tolling the hours used to be.
The blinds were pulled over the lone window. Inside, I heard a TV playing a police show. Maybe they’d make an episode out of the crime I was about to commit.
I tried the doorbell, didn’t work, then knocked on the frame of a screen door, missing the screen. The TV muted as a shadow moved across the window blinds. Three padlocks clicked, and the weather-stained front door pulled open, hitting me with the stench of stale food and cat litter.
There he stood, clueless to his fate. Steve’s teeth were bad back in the day; now most had rotted out, leaving a few stragglers. He had a week of stubble on his face and bald head. His belly bulged in his wife-beater T-shirt, which was stained with what reminded me of orange Spaghetti-Os sauce. He stared another moment before his eyes filled with recognition. “I don’t believe it,” he said, thrusting his hand through the gap in the screen door. “Jimmy Lake. I never thought I’d see you again.”
Reluctantly, I shook his hand, looking past him into the pit he called home. The TV was twenty years old. The furniture, its wooden bones sticking through the torn fabric, even older.
“I still remember playing video games at your place after class,” he said.
Good memories rewound.
“How’s your wife?” he asked, killing the moment. “Living up north,” I said. “We divorced years back.”
“Sorry to hear that. Mine took off with my best friend. Haven’t seen my kids since.”
I asked the nagging question. “What did you do after you graduated?”
He stared down at his bare feet. “I never did. I bought a car with my Pell grant check, then didn’t have enough money to finish school.”
A good education can’t offset bad decisions. Steve had a lifetime of them. In those early days in school, we both had the same opportunities and bright futures ahead of us. Instead, he stole my success and ruined both of our lives. A little common sense would have lifted him and his family out of poverty. Then again, I’d allowed the grief of that setback to forever destroy my dreams. Both of us had been blind, just to different things, and we’d both failed.
I looked around again, slipping my hand into my pocket, wrapping my fingers around the gun grip. It was time to get this over with.
His eyes met mine. “Dude, I’m sorry. For everything. I would’ve failed that test. You were a good friend, and I stole your work. But it screwed me up. I quit studying. Lost my job. Nothing mattered anymore.” He held his hands up. “I got what I deserved.”
He pointed at me. “I heard that you did well for yourself. Congratulations. You earned it.”
I had. But what did I do with it? I wallowed in selfpity and pulled everyone down into that hole with me. I’d been successful despite what he’d done to me. Only, I was too stupid to let go and enjoy the life I’d earned. A life that was down to its last days. I felt my jaw tighten as my hands dropped to my sides, knotting into fists. I’d heard enough. “I’ve come to repay a debt,” I said. Reaching into a back pocket, I pulled out my wallet and passed him a Benjamin. “You lent me some money back then. I kept forgetting to pay it back.”
He stared as if this was the worst torture I could inflict on him. Forgiveness.
“I don’t remember that,” he said, looking ready to cry.
I turned to leave. “Trust me. I let this debt hang over my head way too long.”
He was still standing in the doorway as I climbed into my car and drove off.
I’d wasted half a lifetime. I vowed not to lose another second and called my son. “Can your old man buy you a cup of coffee?”
He paused. “It’s pretty late.”
“There are some things I have to say, and time is not on my side.”
“Sure,” he said. “Come on over.”
You don’t patch up a lifetime of neglect over a cup of Joe. But you can start. In that moment, that’s all I wanted. A chance to try. •
FICTION — Second Place
From Flat to Forever
by Deborah Garofano
She breezed into the bar of my favorite restaurant on a steamy July afternoon perfect for lounging in the pool or, in my case, on an all-too-familiar bar stool in air-conditioned comfort.
Laptop opened on the bar in front of me, I was sporting several days of stubble which complemented my casual island-guy attire; that is to say, I was wearing a lightweight fishing shirt with the sleeves rolled up fashionably, a pair of cargo shorts almost as old as I was, and flip flops. I was nursing a draft, having decided that lately, I’d been paying more attention to the beer I was drinking than to the keyboard. Since writing was my bread and butter, I’d come to the intelligent conclusion that if I didn’t type more than I drank, I might have to go thirsty.
We writers can be pretty savvy when we set our minds to it.
“Excuse me,” the lady said as she approached Cassie, the day bartender who tolerates my grumpiness when the words don’t flow. “Do you know anyone who can change a flat?” Flyaway wisps of blonde curls escaped from her wide-brimmed straw hat and circled like lazy moths around her pretty face, rosy from the summer heat.
Cassie being Cassie, she raised her eyebrows and looked at me, a known bachelor and a sucker for a pretty face. Who was I kidding? The newcomer had me at “Excuse me”.
I straightened up and assumed my best knightin-shining-armor look, a challenge to pull off in flip flops. “I got a guy,” I volunteered helpfully.
“Oh, thank you!” she said. “I’m not from around here, and I don’t know anyone on the island.” Primly, she removed her hat, coaxed her golden hair into place, and smoothed her flowery sundress. She settled into a squeaky barstool two seats away from me while I gestured to the barkeep to bring her an iced tea. I thought it might be a good omen that the polish on her fingernails was the exact color of the peach I’d sliced into my cornflakes that morning.
I reached for my phone, pressed a number on my Favorites list, and swiveled my back to her as I waited for a friend to pick up. “Hey, Joey,” I said into the phone. “I’m over at the bar. You got time to change a flat tire for a customer?”
“Sure!” he shouted above the din of his auto repair shop. “Slow day. Be there in twenty minutes; how’s that suit?”
I swiveled back to face her and tried not to stare as one lovely teardrop of sweat trickled down and disappeared into her modest neckline. I looked at her hopeful face and noted the lack of a ring on her left hand, and my heart made a split-second decision. “Make that an hour, and you’ve got yourself a deal,” I said and hung up before he could ask questions.
“He’s real busy,” I said to her, “but I convinced him to break free in an hour or so.”
I was rewarded with a smile of relief so genuine and unforgettable, I thought I might wordsmith it into my novel right after I wordsmithed her into my life. At the very least I wanted to imprint this random encounter in my memory banks in the “forever” file.
I took another sip of suds and angled my body towards her. “What brings you to the island?” I asked conversationally.
She clinked my mug with her own. “I’m a writer,” she said. “I’m participating in a book signing at a local bookshop this weekend. It’s my first book, and I think I’ve got a case of newbie-writer nerves.” She smiled apologetically, took a sip of her iced tea, and continued. “I’m here to ensure I can find the store so I won’t be late Saturday.”
Small world, I thought to myself. “You wrote a book?” I asked. “Congratulations! What’s it about?”
The corners of her mouth turned up, and she projected that smile we authors wear when we have a book in the hopper. By the time we’ve completed fifty full-manuscript edits and typed the proverbial “The End”, we’re ever so glad to scrape it off our plate and into the publisher’s hands.
“It’s a children’s storybook. I wrote it for my niece and nephew, but I passed the manuscript around to some of the mothers in my Pilates class and got some good feedback. So, I thought it might be marketable, and I self-published. My first book,” she repeated proudly. “What about you? Do you read much?”
Nonchalantly, I reached behind me and closed the cover of the laptop to hide the novel I’d been writing—that is to say, I’d been struggling with for the past three weeks. Not many women fangirl on a cranky semipro ball-player-turned-famous-writer these days, but one can never be too cautious, and I wanted this to unfold organically.
“Yes,” I replied. “I read a lot. Crime fiction mostly, although I’d enjoy paging through your book.”
Beaming, she reached in her handbag and handed a copy to me, biting her lip and watching my reaction closely as I skimmed through it. Nice cover, well formatted, cute pictures with bright colors. It looked sellable although it’s not my genre, nor had I made it a practice to review other writers’ work. I had enough trouble penning my own.
Joey got her tire changed about an hour later, and by that time we’d made proper introductions. I’d commented appropriately on her writing style, and I’d convinced her to stay and have dinner with me at the restaurant. Over fried calamari, spicy fish tacos, and island craft beer, I did my best to impart some knowledge of who I was and what I enjoyed in life without revealing my profession. I used vague phrases like “semi-retired” and “used to play a little ball”,
but staying relatively anonymous took some serious maneuvering and elicited perplexed looks on her part.
After dinner we crossed the street to the beach and strolled onto the sand just in time to watch a sunset so brilliant, she accused me of orchestrating it as a romantic culmination of our evening together.
I laughed and gestured to a cordoned-off area in the sand dunes. “Over there is where the sea turtles hatch,” I said.
“Have you ever seen them?” she asked.
“Yep,” I answered. “The females return to the beach where they themselves hatched and lay their eggs. The eggs sit in the sand for about two months. Did you know that the temperature of the sand determines the gender of the babies?” I continued.
“I’m not sure how, but that’s what they say. The warmer the sand, the higher the chances the hatchlings will be females. Then when the eggs hatch, they hustle down the beach to the water,” I added. “It’s like watching a herd of mini mustangs stampede on a tiny scale.”
I think she was impressed because she asked intelligent questions and oohed and aahed appropriately.
Afterwards we sat on the dunes watching gentle waves kiss the shore as daylight faded and screaming gulls swooped overhead, seeking protected rooftop sleeping quarters on the high-rises that lined the beach.
“It’s so peaceful here,” she sighed as the shimmering golden orb flattened and slipped below the horizon.
“That it is,” I answered smartly.
“Do you live here on the island?”
I gestured down the beach to a row of houses, my eyes resting on the one that was mine, a decent bachelor pad on Millionaire Row with tall windows mirroring the fiery sunset. “Down that way,” I said vaguely.
I wasn’t about to tell her that I owned oceanfront on a strip of pricey real estate. Too much too soon could scare off someone I was liking more with each passing minute, and I was savoring the casual, friendly banter of a budding new friendship.
Once back at her car, she thanked me for dinner. Her face lit up when I promised to come to her book signing.
“Oh, would you?” she asked, eyes hopeful. “I don’t know if anyone else will show up, and it’d be great to see a familiar face.”
Little did she know on that fateful day that she was going to fall in love with a New York Times bestselling author and the headliner at her book signing, a confirmed bachelor who had the smarts to bend the rules when the right one came along.
And little did I know I was going to merge my library with hers and marry her the following year, long about the time the mini mustangs were making their mad dash for freedom. •
POETRY — First Place
My Bowl! My Bowl! (A Dog’s Extremely Important Ode)
by Lara Anderson
LOOK at that bowl! That magnificent THING-A-DING! That glorious, round, floor-hugging, shimmery RING! It sits there so still, yet it CALLS out my name— “Come play the SLURPITY-SIP LICKITY-LAP game!”
When my tongue turns to carpet and FLIPPITY-FLOPS to one side, And my mouth feels MUSTY-DUSTY as trails that I’ve tried— There it waits. Unblinking. So shiny. So brave. The RESCUER of dogs and the DROOLY-DRIPS we save!
I prance! I skedaddle! I ZOOMIE-ZOOM-ZOOM And arrive at that bowl with a slide and a BOOM! SLURPITY-SPLASHITY! GLOPITY-GLORE! Some water goes in me, some goes on the floor. And then—oh the DRAMA! The SHOCK! The SURPRISE! A second bowl’s coming before my two eyes! The food bowl approaches! I smell KIBBITY-BIBBITY-BILL! I freeze. I lock in. THIS IS NOT A DRILL!
CRUNCHITY-MUNICHITY, CHOMPITY-CHOW! I eat like I haven’t eaten EVER until NOW! Do I chew? Do I savor? Do I take my sweet time? NO THANK YOU, GOOD SIR, I INHALE, IT’S MINE!
Kibble goes flying! A piece hits my face! I’ll look for it later—Right now I’m in a RACE. SNORT! GOBBLE! HOVER! ATTACKITY-DO! I swallow so fast even I’m shocked how fast I do! Is it chicken? Is it beef? Is it “flavor unknown”? If it’s in my bowl, then it’s sweet as a BONE! I spin. I recheck. I inspect with my nose. Perhaps the bowl HID a few nibbles it still owes.
I LICKITY-LAPITY Left! Right! And Around! Could a miracle crumb be on the ground? And when nothing is left—Not a speck! Not a smear! I look at the bowl like: “I KNOW MORE IS HERE.”
So then you, Dear Bowl, for the slop and the spill, For the mess on the floor and my tummy you fill, You’re not just a bowl—You’re a LEGEND! A STAR! A round little hero! We know who we are!
So hurry, dear human, don’t make me growl, I need more food and water inside my jowl! Just one question—I’ll ask it politely, okay? Is it DINNER TIME NOW? Soon?… I’m STARVING today!
NON-FICTION — First Place
The Letters
by Linda Saether
My hands tremble as I turn the pages, though I have read each one many times. When my fingers brush lightly over the heart his quill has carved into the page — something catches in my chest. Wherever I am, I am yours, he had written, but I hardened myself to the agony of his yearning.
Instead, I turn my thoughts to the subject of his devotion. I imagine the elation she felt when she received his letters, the excitement. Was it love, or pride over being desired by the most powerful man in England? Or was there already, beneath the excitement, a quiet thread of fear, that instinct women have always had about men who love too fiercely and expect too much in return? Only she knew. My heart is heavy because what I do know, and what she could not, is how their story ends.
I am sitting in the manuscript reading room of the Bibliotheca Apostolica Vaticana — the Pope’s private library — and the letter before me belongs to Anne Boleyn.
It is not widely known that the seventeen letters Henry VIII wrote to Anne Boleyn are not held in England. They are here, in Rome, buried in the Vatican archives, where they have remained largely hidden from public view for five hundred years. No one knows with certainty how they came to be here. The most plausible explanation is that they were stolen by agents loyal to Katherine of Aragon — likely spirited to Rome as evidence or leverage.
Whatever brought them here, their presence is one of history’s quiet ironies: the love letters of the man who broke with Rome to marry the woman he wrote them to are locked away within the walls of the very authority he defied.
I had spent months trying to see them.
Since 1883, the Bibliotheca Apostolica Vaticana has been open to what the Vatican delicately terms qualified readers — a designation requiring advance approval stringent enough to discourage most casual inquiries. I had been commissioned by a historical journal to report on the condition of the letters. But gaining access required a lengthy correspondence with the head of the manuscript department - conducted entirely on his end in Italian - before I finally received the letter of Ammissione
Along with my friend Jan, a devoted Tudor enthusiast and photographer, I entered St. Peter’s Square on a morning of ferocious Roman sunshine, and stood
for a moment before the Basilica — finding it more imposing and surreal than any photograph had prepared me for.
Asking for directions in a bookstore, we were sent across the square by a clerk who added, with a note of skepticism: As if you will get in.
This, as it turned out, was not entirely without merit.
We located the Porta di Sant’Anna, identifiable by the Swiss Guards who have protected the Vatican without interruption for more than five hundred years. The guards we met were young and blond, immaculate in their blue uniforms, and deeply unimpressed by our documentation. Why was there no date of entry? Why was the letter a computer printout? I had no satisfying answers. What I had was a photo ID, a signed letter, and the heat of a Roman summer pressing down on us. The guard relented — on one condition. “Madam,” he said, eyeing my shoulders, “cover yourself.” I retrieved a pashmina from my bag without comment because we were close, and I was not going to lose ground over a bare shoulder. As we passed through, I asked why the Swiss Guard served in Italy. He answered without a flicker of hesitation. “Because we are the best.”
There was no arguing with that either.
At the second checkpoint, a clerk behind glass informed me that my identification was not acceptable. My companion could proceed. I would remain.
I weighed my next words.
“Sir,” I said. “It is my name on that letter. If anyone is proceeding, it is me. My identification is acceptable to the United States and to the Swiss Guard. I would think it sufficient for the Vatican Library.”
A silence followed. Our documents were returned, along with two passes to the pharmacy. “You may leave,” he said.
Jan looked at the passes. “The pharmacy? We’re not going to—” I gripped her by the arm and headed for the door. We never found the pharmacy, never looked for it, and proceeded toward the Cortile del Belvedere.
The guard received us graciously and escorted us to an entrance at the far end of the courtyard. A porter guided us to a hallway where we were told to wait. Twenty minutes passed in a silence so complete that the building seemed to be holding its breath. When the heavy doors opened, the man who received us examined my documents, questioned me at length, and finally seemed satisfied. He issued me a Vatican
Library card, then placed a thick sheaf of papers into my hands. “These are the rules,” he said. “Read them. Come back tomorrow. Alone.”
No photographic equipment. No pens. No sharp objects. No cellular telephone. No food. And, much more.
The following morning, I returned alone, shoulders covered, armed with pencils — blunt enough, I hoped, to satisfy the prohibition on sharp objects. When I reached the gate, I raised my card. The guard motioned a group of students aside and waved me through with a small, private smile.
The reading room was large and lumi nous, its vaulted ceiling centered on an ornate painted medallion, its marble floors cream and white with a deep red border. Three tall windows filled the room with natural light. Statues stood in niches along the opposite wall. At the far end, a thoroughly modern digital clock displayed the time in bright blue numerals — an incongruous detail I found oddly comforting, as though time here still moved in the ordinary direction.
nearly five hundred years ago and placed them — without ceremony, without white gloves, without protective glass between us — directly into my hands.
I carried the book to my seat with the careful attention one gives a sleeping child, and opened it.
And there was Henry’s first letter. I thought of Anne.
So much has been made of her in the centuries since — her brilliance, her political instincts, her elegance, her reckless tongue. But when these letters were written, she was simply a young woman basking in the admiration of a man described by his contemporaries as the handsomest prince in Christendom, who had fixed his considerable attention entirely upon her.
I stayed with the letters for a long time, until I returned to the page where he had pressed that small, careful heart into the paper.
Wherever I am, I am yours
She had believed him.
I registered, provided document numbers, and filled in a questionnaire. The librarian studied the screen and looked up, genuinely surprised. “That is a special document,” he said. I agreed.
Fifty-five minutes passed. I memorized the ceiling medallion and the floor tiles. I watched the handsome young priest at the adjacent table turn the pages of what appeared to be ancient sheet music with his bare hands and wondered why he had permission to touch them.
After an additional twenty minutes, a librarian came through a side door pushing a cart. On top lay a thin volume clad in pale blue paper — the kind I remembered from covering schoolbooks as a child. He picked it up and gestured for me to approach the counter.
“This is what you came for,” he said, handing me the book.
I must have stood there longer than I realized. The weight of the book was negligible. The weight of what was inside it was something else entirely. Someone had taken the letters Henry VIII wrote to Anne Boleyn
I closed the book with the care it deserved and returned it to the counter. The librarian tucked it under his arm with the casual ease of a man collecting the morning newspaper and disappeared through the door. Just like that, the letters were gone — returned to the dark, to the vault, to five more centuries of waiting.
I had come to report on their condition. I had my notes. What I hadn’t anticipated was carrying something else out with me entirely.
The article found its readers, and later another author retraced my steps through the Angel Gate, past the Swiss Guards, and into the manuscript reading room. A book followed. Then lectures. I like to think Anne Boleyn would have approved.
But the Vatican had seen enough. No further requests from private individuals have been granted since. Whatever door was briefly open has quietly closed again.
Years later, I received questions from the set designers of The Tudors, a popular television series. What did the letters actually look like? How close had I been?
I answered as carefully as I could. It seemed the least I could do for the Queen. •
NON-FICTION — Third Place
Choices
by Christie Zarria
Awhile ago, a friend of mine asked me, “What do you consider your life motto? You know, something you hope someone will say at your eulogy.” I congratulated her on giving me some serious food for thought and promised to get back to her when I had figured it out.
I found it a bit overwhelming to try and condense my life experiences and the wisdom they’ve produced into one phrase. But I was determined to try. I considered fortunecookie type philosophies that had influenced me over the years - things like:
“Doing what you like is freedom, liking what you do is happiness.”
Or: “Life is like a bicycle; to keep your balance, you must keep moving.”
Or even something cheesy like: “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.”
But that felt like cheating. And I pondered exactly what is a motto, anyway? According to Webster, it is defined as “a short sentence or phrase chosen as encapsulating the beliefs or ideals guiding an individual, family, or institution.” That prompted the thought: what social foundations or significant events have shaped my beliefs or motivated me throughout my life?
My mom had a saying that has stuck with me throughout my life: “The road to hell is paved with good intentions!” She usually spouted that in her abrupt and sarcastic manner after I had failed in some way. And while I cringed at the words, I came to realize that it meant you cannot just say you’re gonna do something, you must choose to do what you say you’re gonna do. As much guilt as that phrase laid upon me through my childhood and even into my adult years, it simultaneously reinforced the foundational principle that I was responsible for my choices, and the consequences of those choices could be positive or negative, depending on how I chose. Even now, when I’m tempted to try and wiggle out of some “good intention,” I can still hear her words in my head…
I pondered my adult years. I married a person who is my polar opposite, which taught me a lot about choosing to love unconditionally, even when it’s not easy or fun. At some point, the revelation that “love is not a feeling, it’s a choice,” became reality - and a living breathing mantra for us through rough years in our relationship. It gave our vow of “til death do us part” a whole new meaning as we learned that contrary to what Erich Segal tried to convince us, love often
means having to say you’re sorry – and choosing the relationship over your fickle, non-trustworthy emotions. This philosophy has preserved our marriage through almost fifty-seven years at this point.
During our years raising a large family in today’s ever-changing world, the philosophy of choosing to love unconditionally, even when it hurts, was constantly hammered home to me. I learned about “tough love” – holding kids responsible for their choices, no matter what. Accountability is never fun for anyone, but enforcing rules and consequences in a large and boisterous family continually underscored the reality that choices matter - good or bad - and they don’t always just affect you, but those around you as well. “Tough love” for us involved making sure that our offspring knew full well that wrong choices would catch up with them, sooner or later, just as good ones will reward you at some point. It was not an easy path and at times, it bucked against the permissive, indulgent culture around us. But choosing to “tough love” those kids through literal hell at times has also yielded the fruit of stronger relationships, independent adult children and a family that still enjoys each other, as different as we all are.
In my professional career, I was blessed with over twenty years in a corporate environment that emphasized and rewarded creativity, teamwork and accountability. I learned that I could choose to succeed or I could choose to just take home a paycheck. Thankfully for me and our future, my bosses inspired and motivated me to go above and beyond - and it paid off, literally and emotionally. My favorite boss, Bob, had a famous speech that he gave to disgruntled employees. We called it the “Be Happy” talk. Basically, he reinforced the idea that working for our company was a choice we had made, we were not indentured servants, and if we couldn’t be happy in our jobs there, we should go be happy somewhere else. He always gave that speech respectfully, but the point was unmistakable, and it stuck with all of us. Making the choice to “be happy” in my job resulted in a satisfying career and an extremely comfortable retirement — but perhaps most unexpectedly, it gifted me with lifelong friendships I still treasure.
So, after all that reflection, I have arrived to my “golden years.” Now I can do whatever I choose whenever I choose, yet I realize more than ever just how much my choices continue to matter. I can say what
I’m thinking, or I can hold my tongue. I can dwell on what I’m losing as I age or I can focus on the rich experiences I’ve had up to this point. I can be cranky about the hard stuff, or I can appreciate the easiness of my life. Each day is an opportunity to decide how the rest of my life plays out. The biggest goal I have in life at this point is to be able to say, when I close my eyes for the last time, that I have no regrets.
So what do I believe is my life motto? If I distill all the philosophies I’ve encountered and incorporated into my approach to life, I’d have to say my motto is this:
Life is a choice. Choose wisely. •
POETRY — Third Place
Pulse
by Teresa Hiatt
A rich red so deep
It seemed I held my own heart But no, just a rose
FICTION — Third Place
Mine!
by Bradley Burt
The ball leaps off the scarred, wooden bat with a loud thwack! Above the seven of us scrambling on the dusty sandlot in the park, it soars in a graceful parabola before curving back to earth, slicing right toward my little brother who prances nervously on the grass. He’s wearing the oversized, almost-new fielder’s glove I let him use for this occasion, while I wear my beat-up old one.
I’m twelve years old, which makes Allan nine, and he’s a fair bit smaller than the rest of us. It’s the first time he’s been allowed to play ball with my friends, a game called Five Hundred, where we earn points for fielding balls hit to the outfield by a lone batter---one hundred for a flyball, seventy-five for a one-bouncer, and fifty for a grounder. The first kid to five hundred gets to be batter. If we fumble any of the balls we’re chasing, we lose the same number of points. When I first started playing the game, I’d quickly learned about the existence of negative numbers!
I’d tried to coach Allan in the game’s intricacies before today’s outing, especially emphasizing the need to call everyone off before fielding the ball so we don’t all collide underneath it.
“Just yell real loud to warn the guys you’re gonna make the catch,” I told him. “When they hear you callin’ for it, everybody else will back off.”
Now, as the ball plummets toward him for the first time, I see him raise the glove a tad over his head, his other hand poised beside it, just the way I taught him. The glove seems almost too big on his skinny arm.
Waving my friends off, not wanting to spoil his triumph, I yell, “Call for it! Call for it!”
And he does…sort of. At the very last moment, he shouts, “Yours!” and ducks away. The rest of us watch disbelievingly as the ball thuds into a sparse patch of grass, bounces once, and lies still. My friends turn as one to measure my reaction.
“You don’t call Yours!” I yell at my brother disgustedly, embarrassed in front of my friends. “You’re s’posed to call Mine! Mine! And then catch the ball!”
Allan just offers that shamefaced grin he affects when he knows he’s disappointed me. And my embarrassment keeps me from reassuring him he’ll do better next time.
One of the other guys, a tall kid I don’t really like that much, gets right in my brother’s face. “What a dork! What a chicken! What’re you even doin’ here?” Allan quails in the face of the attack, tosses my glove
on the ground, and trudges off to the sidelines, head down, shoulders slumped.
“Shut up, Gary!” I say to the kid, wondering if this is when we’re going to have that fight we both know is coming sooner or later. Neither of us likes the other. “Leave my brother alone!” My fists are clenched in anticipation of his response.
Gary glares at me, but chooses to let it drop. He tosses the ball into the batter, and we all trot back to the game---all but Allan, who sits forlornly on the grass to one side. He’s holding my old glove now, after I reclaim my newer one.
He’s not there when the game ends an hour or so later, nor is his bicycle, so I climb on mine and head home without him. As I’m getting a glass of cold water at the kitchen sink, my mother says, “Where’s your brother? Supper’s in half an hour.”
“I thought he came home,” I say. “I didn’t see him or his bike at the park when I left.”
“He’s probably still there,” she says. “Go find him, tell him it’s suppertime.”
With an exaggerated sigh, I make my way grumpily back to the park, which is only a block from our house, but the trip seems like an unfair burden on me. None of the other kids is there now, and I can’t see Allan anywhere. As I’m about to turn homeward, I hear a strangely-familiar noise coming from behind the maintenance shed on the far side of the sandlot.
Bump-badaba-badaba-thunk!
Bump-badaba-badaba-thunk!
I ride my bike across to the shed, and see my brother’s bike propped against the wall. Behind it I find Allan tossing a ball over and over onto its slanted roof. Each time the ball lands, it rolls erratically down the torn and curled shingles, and bounces off the gutter, where my brother waits, trying earnestly to catch it in that beat-up glove.
Bump-badaba-badaba-thunk!
And I immediately remember why I recognized the sound! I used to practice the same drill by myself a few years back, after I’d been told I wasn’t good enough to
NON-FICTION — Second Place
The Taste of Dreams
by Cheryl Lynn Dratler
POETRY — Second Place
Jericho Walls
by Orrin Ladd
play with the big guys. Allan doesn’t know I’m there, so I watch for a few minutes, and I hear him quietly calling Mine! before each attempted catch. Because the gutter deflects the ball’s expected trajectory at the last moment, he misses more than a few. But he keeps trying.
And then, as he bends to retrieve a dropped catch, he spots me. “What?” he says defensively. “You used to do this.”
“Yeah, I did,” I reply, ashamed now of my earlier reaction in front of my friends. “You wanta know a trick I learned that makes it easier to catch ‘em?”
He nods, so I take my old glove from him and demonstrate how to hold back a bit as the ball rolls down the roof, then step into it at the last moment. “It’s easier to catch the ball when you’re movin’ towards it,” I say. And we spend the next little while with me throwing the ball onto the roof and him catching it, more frequently now.
Bump-badaba-badaba-thunk!
And every time he moves in for the catch, he yells, “Mine!”
We lose track of time, but we’re interrupted all of a sudden by my father’s gruff voice right behind us. Neither Allan nor I knows how long he’s been standing there watching, but he says, “Boys! Your mother’s waitin’ supper. We gotta go!”
Allan runs to him excitedly. “Didja see me catchin’ the ball, Dad? I’m catchin’ most of ‘em now! Jamie says I’m doin’ good! Didja see me, Dad?”
“Yeah, I saw you, son,” my father says, tousling my brother’s hair with one big hand. “Maybe we oughta buy you a glove of your own.” Throwing his other arm around my shoulder, he leads us back across the park, each of us walking our bikes.
“I’m gettin’ better, Dad,” Allan says. “You think the big guys will let me play with ‘em again?”
“You never know,” my father tells him, giving my shoulder an affectionate squeeze. “They might, but you never know.”
“Yeah, they will,” I say, “or they’ll be playin’ without me!” And my father squeezes my shoulder again. •
The Gulf Coast Writers Association provides a forum for fellowship, education, and information-sharing among writers in the community. The organization promotes writer welfare and spirit by encouraging members and non-members to pursue writing—whether for personal fulfillment or professional compensation. Founded in 1995, it now has more than 200 members. The group meets the third Saturday of each month.
Gulf Coast Writers Association’s annual writing contest is open to anyone and everyone.
FORT MYERS BEACH
Everglades University
6001 Lake Osprey Drive • suite 110 SARASOTA 941-907-2262
5010 W. Kennedy Boulevard TAMPA
813-868-8160 11731 Mills Drive MIAMI 305-913-0955
5002 T. Rex Avenue • suite 100 BOCA RATON 561-912-2166
850 Trafalgar Court • suite 100 MAITLAND 407-277-0311 ONLINE 561-912-2166
evergladesuniversity.edu
The mission of Everglades University is to provide quality education to adult learners of diverse backgrounds in a collaborative environment where everyone can achieve personal growth. Everglades University is a not-forprofit university offering graduate and undergraduate degree programs that prepare students to enter and advance in their desired fields of study. The University combines small classes and innovative programs with traditional academic values, delivering programs both on campus and online, all taught by well-qualified and experienced faculty, focused on preparation for employment and careers. This student-first mentality has always been part of their culture supporting each student’s individual needs.
Florida Southern College
111 Lake Hollingsworth Drive LAKELAND 863-680-4111
flsouthern.edu
Florida Southern College prepares students to make a positive impact through academic excellence, hands-on learning, and leadership development. With more than 70 undergraduate programs, over 100 student organizations, and 24 NCAA Division II athletic teams, FSC offers a dynamic and engaging college experience. Students benefit from small class sizes, personalized faculty mentorship, internships, research opportunities, and global learning experiences. Home to the world’s largest single-site collection of Frank Lloyd Wright architecture, FSC combines a historic, nationally recognized campus with innovative academic programs. Graduates achieve a 99% placement rate within one year, reflecting the value of an FSC education.
Florida SouthWestern State College
Lee campus
8099 College Parkway FORT MYERS
239-489-9300
Charlotte campus 26300 Airport Road PUNTA GORDA 941-637-5629
Collier campus
7505 Grand Lely Boulevard NAPLES
239-732-3700
Hendsry/Glades Curtis Center
1092 E. Cowboy Way LABELLE 863-674-0408
fsw.edu
Florida SouthWestern State College is the largest and most affordable college in Southwest Florida. FSW serves nearly 20,000 students annually across campuses in Fort Myers, Naples, and Punta Gorda, a center in LaBelle, and FSW Online. Tuition begins at $3,401 per year for full-time enrollment, and 78% of students graduate debt free. With more than 60 certificate, associate, and bachelor’s degree programs in high-demand fields such as nursing, education, and technology, plus active student life and study abroad opportunities, FSW prepares students for career success and workforce readiness.
Ringling College of Art & Design
2700 N. Tamiami Trail SARASOTA 941-351-5100
ringling.edu
Since 1931, Ringling College of Art and Design has cultivated the creative spirit in students from around the globe. The private, not-for-profit, fully accredited college offers the Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in 11 disciplines and the Bachelor of Arts in two. The College’s rigorous curriculum employs the studio model of teaching and immediately engages students through a comprehensive program that is both specific to the major of study and focused on the liberal arts. The Ringling College teaching model ultimately shapes students into highly employable and globally aware artists and designers. For more information, visit ringling.edu and follow the College on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube.
State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota
5840 26th Street W. BRADENTON
8000 S. Tamiami Trail VENICE
Lakewood Ranch campus 7131 Professional Parkway SARASOTA 941-752-5000
scf.edu
Founded in 1957, SCF is the region’s first and largest public college, serving more than 11,000 students annually at campuses in Bradenton, Lakewood Ranch, Venice and online. Students can earn two- and four-year degrees, workforce certificates, and non-credit career credentials. Dual enrollment is available for local high school students to earn tuition-free college credits, and SCF also operates charter schools for grades 6-12 in Bradenton and 9-12 in Venice. Serving as an economic engine for the region, SCF keeps a finger on the pulse of employers’ workforce needs and adjusts programs and resources to promote local development.
SOAK UP THE SONGS IN FORT MYERS THIS SEPTEMBER 18-27
Experience one of USA Today's 2024 top four music fests in the most natural way possible: with sunshine on your skin and a cold drink in your hand. Come for live, intimate performances from some of BMl's best singer-songwriters and stay for more time off in tropical settings. Edwin McCain will bring down the house at The Westin Cape Coral Resort at Marina Village on September 21, and Alexandra Kay will open at the Caloosa Sound Amphitheater on September 24.
Edwin McCain & Alexandra Kay
Follow the music to intimate island and beachside venues across Captiva Island, Cape Coral. downtown Fort Myers, and Fort Myers Beach. Between shows, slow down and enjoy the moment on white-sand beaches, in nature and on the water.
Signuptobenotifiedaboutticketsandstartplanningat lslandHopperFest.com I #lslandHopperFest
ScantoexplorehoteldealsduringIslandHopper:
July
WEDNESDAY 1
•Art After Dark: Naples Art District Studios & Galleries. Receptions, exhibits, demos. Shirley St & J&C Blvd, Naples. 5-8p. Free. 249-1977.
•Blues Jam: Hosted by Tommy Lee Cook & the Buckingham Blues Band. Buckingham Blues Bar, 5641 Buckingham Rd, Ft Myers. 8-11p. Musicians welcome. Free. 693-7111.
•Book Signing: Clyde Butcher. Marco Island Historical Museum, 180 S Heathwood Dr, Marco Island. 2-4p. 642-1440.
•Deb & The Dynamics: Blues band. Cape Cabaret. 4725 Vincennes Blvd, Cape Coral. 6:30-9:30p. 549-3000.
•Sheena Brook: Live music.
Sugarshack Downtown, 27421Old 41 Rd, Bonita Springs. 6p. 829-0407.
•Vince August: Off the Hook Comedy Club, 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Rd, #1100, Naples. 6:30 & 7p. 389-6901.
THURSDAY 2
•Exhibition Opening: Salute to America. Cape Coral Historical Museum, 544 Cultural Park Blvd, Cape Coral. 11a-4p. 7727037.
•Happy Birthday America Party: Interactive activities. Children’s Museum of Naples, 15080 Livingston Rd, Naples. 10a-1pp. 514-0084.
•Mark Evans: Snappers Comedy Club, 8595 College Pkwy, Ft Myers. 7:30p. 479-5233.
•Officer Kevin Eudy: Off the Hook Comedy Club, 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Rd, #1100, Naples. 7p. 389-6901.
•The Princess Concert: BB Mann Hall, 13350 FSW Pkwy, Ft Myers. 3:30p. 481-4849.
FRIDAY 3
•America 250 Block Party: Independence Day celebration, music, kids activities & games, outdoor movie. Paradise Coast Sports Complex. 3940 City Gate Blvd N, Naples. 11a-2p. Free. 252-4386.
•America 250 Concert & Celebration: Eagles & Tom Petty tribute bands. Calusa Sound Amphitheater, Luminary Hotel, 2101 Edwards Dr, Ft Myers. 6p. 314-3723.
•America at 250 - A Symphonic Celebration: Gulf Coast Symphony concert. BB Mann Hall, 13350 FSW Pkwy, Ft Myers. 7:30p. 277-1700.
•Art Reception: Arts for ACT Gallery, 2265 1st St, Ft Myers. 6-9p. Free. 337-5050.
•Art Reception: Bayshore Art
Konstantin Soukhovetski performs in Grand Piano Series’ Narrative Musicales, July 16 at Artis–Naples.
Gallery, 3954 Bayshore Dr, Naples. Tue-Sat 5-8p. Free. 778-4665.
•Art Reception: DAAS Co-op Gallery, Alliance for the Arts campus, 10051 McGregor Blvd, Ft Myers. 5:30-9p. Free. 5908645.
•Art Reception: Davis Art Center, 2301 1st St, Ft Myers. 6-10p. Live music. Free. 333-1933.
•Art Walk: Receptions, exhibits, demos, live music at several galleries & studios in downtown Ft Myers’ historic River District. 6-10p. Free. 313-5129.
•August Zona & Certified: Blues band. Buckingham Blues Bar, 5641 Buckingham Rd, Ft Myers. 8-11p. Free. 693-7111.
•FC Naples vs Portand Hearts of Pine: USL soccer. Paradise Coast Sports Complex. 3940 City Gate Blvd N, Naples. 7:30p. 933-5335.
•Glenn Miller Orchestra: Swing jazz concert. Tribby Arts Center at Shell Point, 17281 On Par Blvd, Ft Myers. 7p. 415-5667.
•Mario Ramil: Off the Hook Comedy Club, 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Rd, #1100, Naples. 6:30 & 8:30p. 389-6901.
•Mark Evans: Snappers Comedy Club, 8595 College Pkwy, Ft Myers. 7p. 479-5233.
•World Cup Watch Party: DJ, food trucks, drinks, VIP tix. Paradise Coast Sports Complex. 3940 City Gate Blvd N, Naples. 2-5p. Free. 252-4386.
SATURDAY 4
•4th of July All-American Cookout: BBQ, games, activities, fireworks. Marie Selby Botanical Garden, 1534 Mound St, Sarasota. 5:30-9:30p. 941-366-5731.
•4th of July Parade & Fireworks: Parade down Estero Blvd to Times Square 10-11a, fireworks over Times Square 9p. Ft Myers Beach. 6-10p. 948-3766.
•4th of July Rooftop Bash: Live music, bbq, view fireworks.
Sidney’s Rooftop Sculpture Garden, Davis Art Center, 2301 1st St, Ft Myers. 7-11p. 333-1933.
•America 250 Concert & Celebration: Eagles & Tom Petty tribute bands. Fireworks, drone show. Calusa Sound Amphitheater, Luminary Hotel, 2101 Edwards Dr, Ft Myers. 6p. 314-3723.
•Fireworks on the Pier: Naples Pier, 12th Ave S, Naples. 9-10p. Free. 692-8436.
•Fourth of July Parade: Naples Pier, 12th Ave S, Naples. 9-10a. Free. 692-8436.
•Freedom by the Bay: Live music, ceremony, fireworks. Bayside Veterans Park, Old San Carlos Blvd & 5th St, Ft Myers Beach. Music 4-8p, fireworks at 9p. Free. 454-7500.
•Freedom Fest: Live music & dancing at several cafes, clubs & galleries, fireworks. Downtown Ft Myers’ historic River District. 6-10p. Free. 313-5129.
•Mario Ramil: Off the Hook Comedy Club, 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Rd, #1100, Naples. 6p. 389-6901.
•Mark Evans: Snappers Comedy Club, 8595 College Pkwy, Ft Myers. 6 & 9p. 479-5233.
•Red, White & Boom: Independence Day Celebration. Live music, kids entertainment, fireworks. Cape Coral Bridge, Cape Coral. Trollies available. 5-10p. Free. 948-3766.
•Red, White & Boom!: Celebration & fundraiser, Food, drinks, fireworks. Cape Coral Pkwy at Cape Coral Bridge, Cape Coral. 4-10:30pp. Free. 772-7037.
SUNDAY 5
•Blues Jam: Tommy Lee Cook & the Buckingham Blues Band. Buckingham Blues Bar, 5641 Buckingham Rd, Ft Myers. 3-6p. Musicians welcome. Free. 693-7111.
•Santi Espinosa: Off the Hook Comedy Club, 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Rd, #1100, Naples. 6p. 389-6901.
•World Cup Watch Party: DJ, food trucks, drinks, VIP tix. Paradise Coast Sports Complex. 3940 City Gate Blvd N, Naples. 3-6p. Free. 252-4386.
MONDAY 6
•Mina Edison’s Birthday: Presentation 10a, behind-thescenes tours of The Mangoes, Ford’s winter home 11a, 12 & 1p. Edison & Ford Winter Estates, 2350 McGregor Blvd, Ft Myers. 10a-2p. Free, 334-7419.
TUESDAY 7
•Art Reception: Harbour View Gallery, 5789 Cape Harbour Dr, #104, Cape Coral. 6-8p. Free. 540-5789.
•Beach Walk: 1 hour guided walk. Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum & Aquarium, 3075 Sanibel-Captiva Rd, Sanibel. 10a. 395-2233.
•Fort Myers Mighty Mussels vs Bradenton Marauders: Minor league baseball. Hammond Stadium, 14400 Six Mile Cypress Pkwy, Ft Myers. 7p. 768-4210.
•Pink Floyd - The Dark Side of the Moon: Music & visuals. Calusa Nature Center & Planetarium, 3450 Ortiz Ave, Ft Myers. 4:30p. 275-3435.
•The Firm Jazz & Blues Quartet: Live music. Cape Cabaret. 4725 Vincennes Blvd, Cape Coral. 6:30-9p. Free. 549-3000.
WEDNESDAY 8
•All That Jazz - Chuck Redd: Naples Philharmonic Jazz Orchestra. Artis-Naples, 5833 Pelican Bay Blvd, Naples. 6 & 8:30p. 597-1900.
•Blues Jam: Hosted by Tommy Lee Cook & the Buckingham Blues Band. Buckingham Blues Bar, 5641 Buckingham Rd, Ft Myers. 8-11p. Musicians welcome. Free. 693-7111.
•Fort Myers Mighty Mussels vs Bradenton Marauders: Minor league baseball Hammond Stadium, 14400 Six Mile Cypress Pkwy, Ft Myers. 7p. 768-4210.
•Pedro Gonzalez: Off the Hook Comedy Club, 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Rd, #1100, Naples. 7p. 389-6901.
•Sierra Club Calusa Group Meeting: Tice Fire Station, 9351 Workmen Way, Ft Myers. 6-8p. Free. 218-1354.
THURSDAY 9
•Art Reception: Meet the artists. Visual Arts Center, 210 Maud St, Punta Gorda. 5-7p. Free. 941639-8810.
•Evening on Fifth: Live music, dancing, art demos & exhibits, dining, shopping along 5th Ave S, Naples. 6:30-9:30p. Free. 692-8436.
•Fort Myers Mighty Mussels vs
EVENTS & EXHIBITIONS
What Goes On
JULY-AUGUST SEPTEMBER
What Goes On
Bradenton Marauders: Minor league baseball Hammond Stadium, 14400 Six Mile Cypress Pkwy, Ft Myers. 7p. 768-4210.
•Jay Hollingsworth: Snappers Comedy Club, 8595 College Pkwy, Ft Myers. 7:30p. 4795233.
•Josh Sneed: Off the Hook Comedy Club, 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Rd, #1100, Naples. 7p. 389-6901.
•Victor Wainwright & The Train: Blues band. Buckingham Blues Bar, 5641 Buckingham Rd, Ft Myers. 8-11p. 693-7111.
•Zach Bartholomew: I’ve Got Rhythm jazz concert. Arts Bonita Performing Arts Center, 10150 Bonita Beach Rd, Bonita Springs. 7:30p. 495-8989.
FRIDAY 10
•Andy Wahlberg: Americana concert, Bill Metts opens. Off Broadway Palm Theatre, 1380 Colonial Blvd, Ft Myers. 7p. 208-1003.
•Art Reception: Cape Coral Art Center, Rubicond Park, 4533 Coronado Pkwy, Cape Coral. 5-7p. Free. 574-0802.
•Fort Myers Mighty Mussels vs Bradenton Marauders: Minor league baseball Post-game fireworks. Hammond Stadium, 14400 Six Mile Cypress Pkwy, Ft Myers. 7p. 768-4210.
•Jay Hollingsworth: Snappers Comedy Club, 8595 College Pkwy, Ft Myers. 7p. 479-5233.
•Larry Venturino’s Summer Comedy All-Star Lineup: w Adam Snair & Joe Latham. Arts Center Theatre, Marco Town Center Mall, 1089 N. Collier Blvd, Marco Island. 7:30p. 784-1186.
•Michael Blackson: Off the Hook Comedy Club, 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Rd, #1100, Naples. 7 & 9p. 389-6901.
•Yappy Hour: Happy hour w dogs, live entertainment. Bell Tower Shops center court, Daniels Pkwy & US 41, Ft Myers. 6-8p. Free. 939-2787.
SATURDAY 11
•Art Reception: Cape Coral Art Center, Rubicond Park, 4533 Coronado Pkwy, Cape Coral. Xp. Free. 574-0802.
•Band on Demand: Improvised music concert. Off-Broadway Palm Theatre, 1380 Colonial Blvd, Ft Myers. 7:30p. 208-1003
•Bubbles Under the Banyans: Bubble art & show. Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, 1534 Mound St, Sarasota. 10a-12p. 941-3665731.
•Fort Myers Mighty Mussels vs Bradenton Marauders: Minor league baseball Hammond Stadium, 14400 Six Mile Cypress Pkwy, Ft Myers. 6p. 768-4210.
•Jay Hollingsworth: Snappers
Comedy Club, 8595 College Pkwy, Ft Myers. 6 & 9p. 4795233.
•MangoMania: Food fest, recipe & eating contests, tastings, music, arts & crafts, kids’ activities, educational, presentations, plant sale; Sheena Brook concert 2p. Winn Dixie Plaza, 9940 Stringfellow Rd, St James City. 9a-5p. Free. 283-0888.
•Michael Blackson: Off the Hook Comedy Club, 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Rd, #1100, Naples. 67 & 9p. 389-6901.
•Open Artist Studios: Dozen artist studios. SRQ East Art Studios, 8326 Consumer Ct, Sarasota. 5-7p. Free. 941-363-1724.
•Sarasota Contemporary Dance: Madison Pineda Bender. SCDE studio. 1400 Blvd of the Arts, Sarasota. 7p. 941-260-8485.
•Selwyn Birchwood: Blues concert. Arts Bonita Performing Arts Center, 26100 Old 41 Rd, Bonita Springs. 7:30p. oa Summer Nights cabaret concert. Arts Bonita Performing Arts Center, 10150 Bonita Beach Rd, Bonita Springs. 7:30p. 4958989.
•Stage 2 Improv: Comedy. Arts Center Theatre, Marco Town Center Mall, 1089 N. Collier Blvd, Marco Island. 7:30p. 784-1186.
•World Cup Watch Party: DJ, food trucks, drinks, VIP tix. Paradise Coast Sports Complex. 3940 City Gate Blvd N, Naples. 4-7p. Free. 252-4386.
SUNDAY 12
•Blues Jam: Tommy Lee Cook & the Buckingham Blues Band. Buckingham Blues Bar, 5641 Buckingham Rd, Ft Myers. 3-6p. Musicians welcome. Free. 693-7111.
•Fort Myers Mighty Mussels vs Bradenton Marauders: Minor league baseball Hammond Stadium, 14400 Six Mile Cypress Pkwy, Ft Myers. 12p. 768-4210.
•Marcus Monroe: Off the Hook Comedy Club, 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Rd, #1100, Naples. 6p. 389-6901.
•Meet Clyde Butcher: Clyde Butcher’s Big Cypress Gallery, 52388 Tamiami Tr, MM 54, Ochopee. 10a-3p. Free. 6952428.
•Open Artist Studios & Galleries: More than 30 galleries & studios in Sarasota Studio Artists Association. Various locations throughout Sarasota. 11a-3p. Free.
TUESDAY 14
•Art Reception: Marco Island Center for the Arts, 1010 Winterberry Dr, Marco Island. 5:30-7p. Free. 394-4221.
•Britton Emert: Off the Hook Comedy Club, 2500 Vanderbilt
‘America the Beautiful,’ photographs by Clyde Butcher, is on view at the Marco Island Historical Museum thru July 11.
Beach Rd, #1100, Naples. 7p. 389-6901.
•Lecture: Post-Impressionists. Venice Art Center, 390 Nokomis Ave S, Venice. 1p. Free. Register. 941-485-7136.
•The Firm Jazz & Blues Quartet: Live music. Cape Cabaret. 4725 Vincennes Blvd, Cape Coral. 6:30-9p. Free. 549-3000.
WEDNESDAY 15
•Blues Jam: Hosted by Tommy Lee Cook & the Buckingham Blues Band. Buckingham Blues Bar, 5641 Buckingham Rd, Ft Myers. 8-11p. Musicians welcome. Free. 693-7111.
•Britton Emert: Off the Hook Comedy Club, 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Rd, #1100, Naples. 7p. 389-6901.
•RC Smith: Snappers Comedy Club, 8595 College Pkwy, Ft Myers. 7:30p. 479-5233.
THURSDAY 16
•Art Reception: Arts Bonita Visual Arts Center, 26100 Old 41 Rd, Bonita Springs. 6-8p. Free. 495-8989.
•Audubon of SWFL Meeting: The Collaboratory,10868 Metro Pkwy, Ft Myers. 6p. Free. 410-6971.
•Ed Regine: Snappers Comedy Club, 8595 College Pkwy, Ft Myers. 7:30p. 479-5233.
•Narrative MusicaleBeethoven & Chopin: Konstantin Soukhovetshi concert. Artis-Naples, 5833 Pelican Bay Blvd, Naples. 4p. 597-1900
•The Spicy Pickles: Swing & blues concert. Tribby Arts Center at Shell Point, 17281 On Par Blvd, Ft Myers. 7p. 415-5667.
FRIDAY 17
•Ed Regine: Snappers Comedy Club, 8595 College Pkwy, Ft Myers. 7p. 479-5233.
•Fort Myers Mighty Mussels vs Lakeland Flying Tigers: Minor
league baseball Post-game fireworks. Hammond Stadium, 14400 Six Mile Cypress Pkwy, Ft Myers. 7p. 768-4210.
•Music Walk: Live music & dancing at several cafes, clubs & galleries. Downtown Ft Myers’ historic River District. 6-10p. Free. 313-5129.
•RC Smith: Comedy. Cape Cabaret. 4725 Vincennes Blvd, Cape Coral. 6:30-9p. Free. 549-3000.
•Sarasota Contemporary Dance: In the Round. SCDE studio. 1400 Blvd of the Arts, Sarasota. 7p. 941-260-8485.
•Summer Sideshow: Live music, art exhibit. Davis Art Center, 2301 1st St, Ft Myers. 7p. 333-1933.
•Wayne Scott Brown: Blues band. Buckingham Blues Bar, 5641 Buckingham Rd, Ft Myers. 8-11p. 693-7111.
SATURDAY 18
•Bubbles Under the Banyans: Bubble art & show. Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, 1534 Mound St, Sarasota. 10a-12p. 941-3665731.
•Ed Regine: Snappers Comedy Club, 8595 College Pkwy, Ft Myers. 6 & 9p. 479-5233.
•Fort Myers Mighty Mussels vs Lakeland Flying Tigers: Minor league baseball. Hammond Stadium, 14400 Six Mile Cypress Pkwy, Ft Myers. 6p. 768-4210.
•Gulf Coast Writers Association Meeting: Speaker - Nacy Koucky. St Hilary’s Episcopal Church, Browning Hall, 5011 McGregor Blvd, Ft Myers. 10a-12p. Free. gulfcoastwriters.org.
•Open Studios: Naples Art District Studios & Galleries. Receptions, exhibits, demos. Shirley St & J&C Blvd, Naples. 11a-4p. Free. 249-1977.
•Sarasota Contemporary Dance: Sabine Dimante. SCDE studio. 1400 Blvd of the Arts, Sarasota. 7p. 941-260-8485.
SUNDAY 19
•Blues Jam: Tommy Lee Cook & the Buckingham Blues Band.
Buckingham Blues Bar, 5641 Buckingham Rd, Ft Myers. 3-6p. Musicians welcome. Free. 693-7111.
•Fort Myers Mighty Mussels vs Lakeland Flying Tigers: Minor league baseball Hammond Stadium, 14400 Six Mile Cypress Pkwy, Ft Myers. 12p. 768-4210.
•Kerwin Claiborne: Off the Hook Comedy Club, 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Rd, #1100, Naples. 6p. 389-6901.
•Maurice Benard: Off the Hook Comedy Club, 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Rd, #1100, Naples. 1p. 389-6901.
•World Cup Watch Party: DJ, food trucks, drinks, VIP tix. Paradise Coast Sports Complex. 3940 City Gate Blvd N, Naples. 2-5p. Free. 2524386.
MONDAY 20
•Fred Rubino: Off the Hook Comedy Club, 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Rd, #1100, Naples. 7p. 389-6901.
TUESDAY 21
•Chi-Town Transit Authority: Chicago tribute band. ArtisNaples, 5833 Pelican Bay Blvd, Naples. 6 & 8:30p. 597-1900.
•Fred Rubino: Off the Hook Comedy Club, 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Rd, #1100, Naples. 7p. 389-6901.
•The Firm Jazz & Blues Quartet: Live music. Cape Cabaret. 4725 Vincennes Blvd, Cape Coral. 6:30-9p. Free. 5493000.
WEDNESDAY 22
•Blues Jam: Hosted by Tommy Lee Cook & the Buckingham Blues Band. Buckingham Blues Bar, 5641 Buckingham Rd, Ft Myers. 8-11p. Musicians welcome. Free. 693-7111.
•Goumba Johnny: Off the Hook
What Goes On JULY-AUGUST-SEPTEMBER
Comedy Club, 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Rd, #1100, Naples. 7p. 389-6901.
•Kellen Erskine: Snappers Comedy Club, 8595 College Pkwy, Ft Myers. 7:30p. 4795233.
•Noel Freidline & Maria Howell: Jazzconcert. Tribby Arts Center at Shell Point, 17281 On Par Blvd, Ft Myers. 7p. 415-5667.
THURSDAY 23
•Beach Walk: 1 hour guided walk. Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum & Aquarium, 3075 Sanibel-Captiva Rd, Sanibel. 10a. 395-2233.
•Deb & The Dynamics: Blues band. Cape Cabaret. 4725 Vincennes Blvd, Cape Coral. 6:30-9:30p. 549-3000.
•Family Fun Night: Live music, dance demos, crafts, games, mini zoo w exotic animals.
Bell Tower Shops center court, Daniels Pkwy & US 41, Ft Myers. 5-7p. Free. 318-8560.
•Josh Garrett Band: Blues band. Buckingham Blues Bar, 5641 Buckingham Rd, Ft Myers. 8-11p. 693-7111.
•Orchid Bingo: Gulf Coast Orchid Alliance picnic. Naples Conference Center, 1455 Pine Ridge Rd, Naples. 6:30-8:30p. Free. 269-6389.
•Shawn Banks: Snappers Comedy Club, 8595 College Pkwy, Ft Myers. 7:30p. 479-5233.
•TJ Miller: Off the Hook Comedy Club, 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Rd, #1100, Naples. 7p. 389-6901.
FRIDAY 24
•A Brother’s Revival: Allman Brothers tribure band. Tribby Arts Center at Shell Point, 17281 On Par Blvd, Ft Myers. 7p. 415-5667.
•August Zona & Certified: Blues band. Buckingham Blues Bar, 5641 Buckingham Rd, Ft Myers. 8-11p. 693-7111.
•Retro Game Night: Board games for families. Naples Depot Museum, 1051 Fifth Ave S, Naples. 5-8p. Free. 262-6525.
•Sarasota Contemporary Dance: In the Round. SCDE studio. 1400 Blvd of the Arts, Sarasota. 7p. 941-260-8485.
•Shawn Banks: Snappers Comedy Club, 8595 College Pkwy, Ft Myers. 7p. 479-5233.
•Spanish Comedy Show: Snappers Comedy Club, 8595 College Pkwy, Ft Myers. 9:30p. 479-5233.
•TJ Miller: Off the Hook Comedy Club, 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Rd, #1100, Naples. 6:30 & 8:30p. 389-6901.
SATURDAY 25
•Bubbles Under the Banyans:
Bubble art & show. Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, 1534 Mound St, Sarasota. 10a-12p. 941-3665731.
•Fran Snyder: Americana concert, Robert Bidney opens. All Faiths Unitarian Congregation, 2756 McGregor Blvd, Ft Myers. 7p. 691-4069.
•Pineapple Fest: Live music –Roots Almighty, David Lapio, Vere Hill, food trucks, bar, plant sales, contests. Peace River Botanical & Sculpture Garden, 5827 Riverside Dr, Punta Gorda. 10a-2p. 941-6218299.
•Shawn Banks: Snappers Comedy Club, 8595 College Pkwy, Ft Myers. 6 & 9p. 4795233.
•Stephanie Hodgdon: Rock concert. Music & Arts Community Center, 13411 Shire Ln, Ft Myers. 2 & 7:30p. 2771700.
•TJ Miller: Off the Hook Comedy Club, 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Rd, #1100, Naples. 6 & 8p. 389-6901.
SUNDAY 26
•Blues Jam: Tommy Lee Cook & the Buckingham Blues Band. Buckingham Blues Bar, 5641 Buckingham Rd, Ft Myers. 3-6p. Musicians welcome. Free. 693-7111.
•Celebrate America: Violin & piano concert. Music & Arts Community Center, 13411 Shire Ln, Ft Myers. 7p. 277-1700.
•TJ Miler: Off the Hook Comedy Club, 2500 Vanderbilt Beach
Rd, #1100, Naples. 6:30 & 8:30p. 389-6901.
TUESDAY 28
•Fort Myers Mighty Mussels vs Palm Beach Cardinals: Minor league baseball Hammond Stadium, 14400 Six Mile Cypress Pkwy, Ft Myers. 7p. 768-4210.
•Francisco Ramos & Kel Perez: Off the Hook Comedy Club, 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Rd, #1100, Naples. 7p. 389-6901.
•The Firm Jazz & Blues Quartet: Live music. Cape Cabaret. 4725 Vincennes Blvd, Cape Coral. 6:30-9p. Free. 5493000.
WEDNESDAY 29
•Art After Hours: Live music, food & drinks. Baker Museum, Artis-Naples, 5833 Pelican Bay Blvd, Naples. 6-9p. Free. 597-1900.
•Blues Jam: Hosted by Tommy Lee Cook & the Buckingham Blues Band. Buckingham Blues Bar, 5641 Buckingham Rd, Ft Myers. 8-11p. Musicians welcome. Free. 693-7111.
•Fort Myers Mighty Mussels vs Palm Beach Cardinals: Minor league baseball Hammond Stadium, 14400 Six Mile Cypress Pkwy, Ft Myers. 7p. 768-4210.
•William Lee Martin: Off the Hook Comedy Club, 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Rd, #1100, Naples. 7p. 389-6901.
‘The Union Artists Studios: ‘The Perspectives That Shape Us’ is on view thru August 1 at Alliance for the Arts in Fort Myers.
THURSDAY 30
•Fort Myers Mighty Mussels vs Palm Beach Cardinals: Minor league baseball. Hammond Stadium, 14400 Six Mile Cypress Pkwy, Ft Myers. 7p. 768-4210.
•Jazz at the MACC - The Music of Stevie Wonder: Gulf Coast Collective concert. Music & Arts Community Center, 13411 Shire Ln, Ft Myers. 7p. 277-1700.
•Michael Loftus: Snappers Comedy Club, 8595 College Pkwy, Ft Myers. 7:30p. 4795233.
•William Lee Martin: Off the Hook Comedy Club, 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Rd, #1100, Naples. 7p. 389-6901.
FRIDAY 31
•Fort Myers Mighty Mussels vs Palm Beach Cardinals: Minor league baseball. Post-game fireworks. Hammond Stadium, 14400 Six Mile Cypress Pkwy, Ft Myers. 7p. 768-4210.
•Memphis Lightning: Blues band. Buckingham Blues Bar, 5641 Buckingham Rd, Ft Myers. 8-11p. 693-7111.
•Michael Loftus: Snappers Comedy Club, 8595 College Pkwy, Ft Myers. 7p. 479-5233.
•Mojo Brookzz: Off the Hook Comedy Club, 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Rd, #1100, Naples. 6:30p. 389-6901.
Aug
SATURDAY 1
•Bubbles Under the Banyans: Bubble art & show. Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, 1534 Mound St, Sarasota. 10a-12p. 941-3665731.
•Fort Myers Mighty Mussels vs Palm Beach Cardinals: Minor league baseball. Hammond Stadium, 14400 Six Mile Cypress Pkwy, Ft Myers. 6p. 768-4210.
•Michael Loftus: Snappers Comedy Club, 8595 College Pkwy, Ft Myers. 6 & 9p. 479-5233.
•String Quartets Reimagined: An Apple Pie Concert. Music & Arts Community Center, 13411 Shire Ln, Ft Myers. 7:30p. 277-1700.
SUNDAY 2
•Blues Jam: Tommy Lee Cook & the Buckingham Blues Band. Buckingham Blues Bar, 5641 Buckingham Rd, Ft Myers.
3-6p. Musicians welcome. Free. 693-7111.
•Fort Myers Mighty Mussels vs Palm Beach Cardinals: Minor league baseball. Hammond Stadium, 14400 Six Mile Cypress Pkwy, Ft Myers. 12p. 768-4210.
•Meet Clyde Butcher: Clyde Butcher’s Venice Gallery & Studio, 237 Warfield Ave S, Venice. 4-7p. Free. 941-486-0811.
•Mojo Brookzz: Off the Hook Comedy Club, 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Rd, #1100, Naples. 6p. 389-6901.
TUESDAY 4
•Art Reception: Harbour View Gallery, 5789 Cape Harbour Dr, #104, Cape Coral. 6-8p. Free. 540-5789.
•Beach Walk: 1 hour guided walk. Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum & Aquarium, 3075 Sanibel-Captiva Rd, Sanibel. 10a. 395-2233.
•Sheena Brook: Live music. Sugarshack Downtown, 27421Old 41 Rd, Bonita Springs. 6p. 829-0407.
•The Firm Jazz & Blues Quartet: Live music. Cape Cabaret. 4725 Vincennes Blvd, Cape Coral. 6:30-9p. Free. 549-3000.
WEDNESDAY 5
•Art After Dark: Naples Art District Studios & Galleries. Receptions, exhibits, demos. Shirley St & J&C Blvd, Naples. 5-8p. Free. 249-1977.
•Blues Jam: Hosted by Tommy Lee Cook & the Buckingham Blues Band. Buckingham Blues Bar, 5641 Buckingham Rd, Ft Myers. 8-11p. Musicians welcome. Free. 693-7111.
•FC Naples vs AV Alta FC: USL soccer. Paradise Coast Sports Complex. 3940 City Gate Blvd N, Naples. 7:30p. 933-5335.
•Josh Rosen: Off the Hook Comedy Club, 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Rd, #1100, Naples. 7p. 389-6901.
•Sail On: Beach Boys tribute concert. Artis-Naples, 5833 Pelican Bay Blvd, Naples. 6 & 8:30p. 597-1900.
THURSDAY 6
•Porkchopz: Off the Hook Comedy Club, 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Rd, #1100, Naples. 7p. 389-6901.
•Troy Thirdgill: Snappers Comedy Club, 8595 College Pkwy, Ft Myers. 7:30p. 479-5233.
FRIDAY 7
•Art Reception: Alliance for the Arts, 10091 McGregor Blvd, Ft Myers. 5-7p. Free. 939-2787.
What Goes On
•Art Reception: Arts for ACT Gallery, 2265 1st St, Ft Myers. 6-9p. Free. 337-5050.
•Art Reception: Bayshore Art Gallery, 3954 Bayshore Dr, Naples. Tue-Sat 5-8p. Free. 778-4665.
•Art Reception: DAAS Co-op Gallery, Alliance for the Arts campus, 10051 McGregor Blvd, Ft Myers. 5:30-9p. 590-8645.
•Art Reception: Davis Art Center, 2301 1st St, Ft Myers. 6-10p. Live music. Free. 333-1933.
•Art Walk: Receptions, exhibits, demos, live music at several galleries & studios in downtown Ft Myers’ historic River District. 11a-4p. Free. 313-5129.
•Justin Silva: Off the Hook Comedy Club, 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Rd, #1100, Naples. 6:30 & 8:30p. 389-6901.
•Larry Venturino’s Summer Comedy All-Star Lineup:
wJohn Charles & Jim Moran. Arts Center Theatre, Marco Town Center Mall, 1089 N. Collier Blvd, Marco Island. 7:30p. 784-1186.
•Passerine: Americana concert. Off-Broadway Palm Theatre, 1380 Colonial Blvd, Ft Myers. 7p. 208-1003
•Troy Thirdgill: Snappers Comedy Club, 8595 College Pkwy, Ft Myers. 7p. 479-5233.
SATURDAY 8
•Fort Myers Roller Derby vs Bradentucky: Female roller derby. Ft Myers Skatium, 2250 Bwy, Ft Myers. 6p. 482-7789.
•Julian Sundby & Friends: Concert. Off-Broadway Palm Theatre, 1380 Colonial Blvd, Ft Myers. 7:30p. 208-1003
•Justin Silva: Off the Hook Comedy Club, 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Rd, #1100, Naples. 6 & 8p. 389-6901.
•Kelly Hunt: Americana concert. Arts Bonita Performing Arts Center, 10150 Bonita Beach Rd, Bonita Springs. 7:30p. 4958989.
•Open Artist Studios: Dozen artist studios. SRQ East Art Studios, 8326 Consumer Ct, Sarasota. 5-7p. Free. 941-3631724.
•The Maltese Crow Murder: Theater. Arts Center Theatre, Marco Town Center Mall, 1089 N. Collier Blvd, Marco Island. 3p. 784-1186.
•Troy Thirdgill: Snappers Comedy Club, 8595 College Pkwy, Ft Myers. 6 & 9p. 4795233.
SUNDAY 9
•Blues Jam: Tommy Lee Cook & the Buckingham Blues Band. Buckingham Blues Bar, 5641 Buckingham Rd, Ft Myers. 3-6p. Musicians welcome. Free. 693-7111.
•Duo Formosa: Violin & piano concert. Music & Arts Community Center, 13411 Shire Ln, Ft Myers. 7:30p. 277-1700.
•Justin Silva: Off the Hook Comedy Club, 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Rd, #1100, Naples. 6p. 389-6901.
•Marvilla Marzan: Concert. OffBroadway Palm Theatre, 1380 Colonial Blvd, Ft Myers. 2 & 7p. 208-1003
•Open Artist Studios & Galleries: More than 30 galleries & studios in Sarasota Studio Artists Association. Various locations throughout Sarasota. 11a-3p. Free.
TUESDAY 11
•Art Reception: Marco Island Center for the Arts, 1010 Winterberry Dr, Marco Island. 5:30-7p. Free. 394-4221.
•Fort Myers Mighty Mussels vs Clearwater Threshers: Minor league baseball. Hammond Stadium, 14400 Six Mile Cypress Pkwy, Ft Myers. 7p. 768-4210.
•Lecture: Artists RivalsMatisse vs Picasso. Venice Art Center, 390 Nokomis Ave S, Venice. 1p. Free. Register. 941485-7136.
•The Firm Jazz & Blues Quartet: Live music. Cape Cabaret. 4725 Vincennes Blvd, Cape Coral. 6:30-9p. Free. 5493000.
WEDNESDAY 12
•Blues Jam: Hosted by Tommy Lee Cook & the Buckingham Blues Band. Buckingham Blues Bar, 5641 Buckingham Rd, Ft Myers. 8-11p. Musicians welcome. Free. 693-7111.
•Fort Myers Mighty Mussels vs Clearwater Threshers: Minor league baseball Hammond Stadium, 14400 Six Mile Cypress Pkwy, Ft Myers. 7p. 768-4210.
•Nathan Chester & the Old Souls Motown Revival: Soul concert. Artis-Naples, 5833 Pelican Bay Blvd, Naples.6 & 8:30. 597-1900.
•RC Smith: Snappers Comedy Club, 8595 College Pkwy, Ft Myers. 7:30p. 479-5233.
•Sam Tallent: Off the Hook Comedy Club, 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Rd, #1100, Naples. 70p. 389-6901.
•Sierra Club Calusa Group Meeting: Tice Fire Station, 9351 Workmen Way, Ft Myers. 6-8p. Free. 218-1354.
THURSDAY 13
•Alabama: Concert. Hertz Arena, 11000 Everblades Pkwy, Estero. 7p. 948-7825.
•Evening on Fifth: Live music, dancing, art demos & exhibits, dining, shopping along 5th Ave S, Naples. 6:30-9:30p. Free. 692-8436.
•Fort Myers Mighty Mussels vs Clearwater Threshers: Minor league baseball Hammond Stadium, 14400 Six Mile Cypress Pkwy, Ft Myers. 7p. 768-4210.
•Jazz Legacy Project: Jazz concert w Cleveland Jones. Tribby Arts Center at Shell Point, 17281 On Par Blvd, Ft Myers. 7p. 415-5667.
•Peter Murphy: Snappers Comedy Club, 8595 College Pkwy, Ft Myers. 7:30p. 4795233.
•Rene Vaca: Off the Hook Comedy Club, 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Rd, #1100, Naples. 7p. 389-6901.
•Zach Bartholomew: The Art of the Trio jazz concert. Arts Bonita Performing Arts Center, 10150 Bonita Beach Rd, Bonita Springs. 7:30p. 495-8989.
FRIDAY 14
•Art Reception: Cape Coral Art Center, Rubicond Park, 4533
Coronado Pkwy, Cape Coral. 5-7p. Free. 574-0802.
•Fort Myers Mighty Mussels vs Clearwater Threshers: Minor league baseball. Post game fireworks. Hammond Stadium, 14400 Six Mile Cypress Pkwy, Ft Myers. 7p. 768-4210.
•Jim Lauderdale: Americana concert. Arts Bonita Performing Arts Center, 10150 Bonita Beach Rd, Bonita Springs. 7:30p. 495-8989.
•Rene Vaca: Off the Hook Comedy Club, 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Rd, #1100, Naples. 6:30 & 8:30p. 389-6901.
•Yappy Hour: Happy hour w dogs, live entertainment. Bell Tower Shops center court, Daniels Pkwy & US 41, Ft Myers. 6-8p. Free. 939-2787.
SATURDAY 15
•Cece Teneal’s Divas of Soul: Soul concert. Music & Arts Community Center, 13411 Shire Ln, Ft Myers. 2 & 7:30p. 2771700.
•Chris MacDonald’s Memories of Elvis: Tribute concert.
Seminole Casino Hotel Seminole Center, 506 S 1st St, Immokalee. 8p. 800-218-0007.
•Fort Myers Mighty Mussels vs Clearwater Threshers: Minor league baseball Hammond Stadium, 14400 Six Mile Cypress Pkwy, Ft Myers. 6p. 768-4210.
•Gulf Coast Writers Association Meeting: Speaker - GCWA contest winners. St Hilary’s Episcopal Church, Browning Hall, 5011 McGregor Blvd, Ft Myers. 10a-12p. Free. gulfcoastwriters.org.
•Open House: Activities & exhibitions. Cape Coral Historical Museum, 544 Cultural Park Blvd, Cape Coral. Xp. 772-7037.
•Open Studios: Naples Art District Studios & Galleries. Receptions, exhibits, demos. Shirley St & J&C Blvd, Naples. 11a-4p. Free. 249-1977.
•Rene Vaca: Off the Hook Comedy Club, 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Rd, #1100, Naples. & 8p. 389-6901.
•Stage 2 Improv: Comedy. Arts Center Theatre, Marco Town Center Mall, 1089 N. Collier Blvd, Marco Island. 7:30p. 784-1186.
•Art Reception: Cape Coral Art Center, Rubicond Park, 4533 Coronado Pkwy, Cape Coral. Xp. Free. 574-0802.
SUNDAY 16
•Blues Jam: Tommy Lee Cook & the Buckingham Blues Band. Buckingham Blues Bar, 5641 Buckingham Rd, Ft Myers. 3-6p. Musicians welcome. Free. 693-7111.
•Fort Myers Mighty Mussels vs Clearwater Threshers: Minor
league baseball. Hammond Stadium, 14400 Six Mile Cypress Pkwy, Ft Myers. 12p. 768-4210.
TUESDAY 18
•The Firm Jazz & Blues Quartet: Live music. Cape Cabaret. 4725 Vincennes Blvd, Cape Coral. 6:30-9p. Free. 5493000.
WEDNESDAY 19
•Blues Jam: Hosted by Tommy Lee Cook & the Buckingham Blues Band. Buckingham Blues Bar, 5641 Buckingham Rd, Ft Myers. 8-11p. Musicians welcome. Free. 693-7111.
THURSDAY 20
•Art Reception: Art Center Sarasota, 707 N Tamiami Tr, Sarasota. 5-7p. Free. 941-3652032.
•Audubon of SWFL Meeting: The Collaboratory,10868 Metro Pkwy, Ft Myers. 6p. Free. 4106971.
•Beach Walk: 1 hour guided walk. Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum & Aquarium, 3075 Sanibel-Captiva Rd, Sanibel. 10a. 395-2233.
•Ed Bassmaster: Off the Hook Comedy Club, 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Rd, #1100, Naples. 7p. 389-6901.
•Jazz at the MACC - Celebration of Wayne Shorter: Gulf Coast Collective concert. Music & Arts Community Center, 13411 Shire Ln, Ft Myers. 7p. 277-1700.
•Narrative Musicale - Keys Across America: Konstantin Soukhovetshi concert. ArtisNaples, 5833 Pelican Bay Blvd, Naples. 4p. 597-1900
•Russ Nagel: Snappers Comedy Club, 8595 College Pkwy, Ft Myers. 7:30p. 479-5233.
FRIDAY 21
•Ed Bassmaster: Off the Hook Comedy Club, 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Rd, #1100, Naples. 6:30 & 8:30p. 389-6901.
•Music Walk: Live music & dancing at several cafes, clubs & galleries. Downtown Ft Myers’ historic River District. 6-10p. Free. 313-5129.
•Russ Nagel: Snappers Comedy Club, 8595 College Pkwy, Ft Myers. 7p. 479-5233.
SATURDAY 22
•Ed Bassmaster: Off the Hook Comedy Club, 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Rd, #1100, Naples. 6 & 8p. 389-6901.
Works by Steve Turner is on view July 3-August 2 at the DAAS Gallery in Fort Myers.
What Goes On JULY-AUGUST-SEPTEMBER
•Russ Nagel: Snappers Comedy Club, 8595 College Pkwy, Ft Myers. 6 & 9p. 479-5233.
SUNDAY 23
•Blues Jam: Tommy Lee Cook & the Buckingham Blues Band. Buckingham Blues Bar, 5641 Buckingham Rd, Ft Myers. 3-6p. Musicians welcome. Free. 693-7111.
•Ed Bassmaster: Off the Hook Comedy Club, 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Rd, #1100, Naples. 6p. 389-6901.
•StaLadies Night: Play reading. Arts Center Theatre, Marco Town Center Mall, 1089 N. Collier Blvd, Marco Island. 3p. 784-1186.
TUESDAY 25
•Fort Myers Mighty Mussels vs Bradenton Marauders: Minor league baseball. Hammond Stadium, 14400 Six Mile Cypress Pkwy, Ft Myers. 7p. 768-4210.
•Hank Woji & Roy Schneider: Americana concert. All Faiths Unitarian Congregation, 2756 McGregor Blvd, Ft Myers. 7p. 691-4069.
•The Firm Jazz & Blues Quartet: Live music. Cape Cabaret. 4725 Vincennes Blvd, Cape Coral. 6:30-9p. Free. 5493000.
WEDNESDAY 26
•Art After Hours: Live music, food & drinks. Baker Museum, Artis-Naples, 5833 Pelican Bay Blvd, Naples. 6-9p. Free. 597-1900.
•Blues Jam: Hosted by Tommy Lee Cook & the Buckingham Blues Band. Buckingham Blues Bar, 5641 Buckingham Rd, Ft Myers. 8-11p. Musicians welcome. Free. 693-7111.
•FC Naples vs Union Omaha: USL soccer. Paradise Coast Sports Complex. 3940 City Gate Blvd N, Naples. 7:30p. 933-5335.
•Fort Myers Mighty Mussels vs Bradenton Marauders: Minor league baseball. Hammond Stadium, 14400 Six Mile Cypress Pkwy, Ft Myers. 7p. 768-4210.
•Rachid Badouri: Off the Hook Comedy Club, 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Rd, #1100, Naples. 7p. 389-6901.
THURSDAY 27
•Family Fun Night: Live music, dance demos, crafts, games, mini zoo w exotic animals. Bell Tower Shops center court, Daniels Pkwy & US 41, Ft Myers. 5-7p. Free. 318-8560.
•Fort Myers Mighty Mussels vs Bradenton Marauders: Minor league baseball Hammond Stadium, 14400 Six Mile Cypress Pkwy, Ft Myers. 7p. 768-4210.
•Jimmy McCartney: Snappers Comedy Club, 8595 College Pkwy, Ft Myers. 7:30p. 479-5233.
FRIDAY 28
•Bluegrass Jamboeree: Live music, art exhibit. Davis Art Center, 2301 1st St, Ft Myers. 7p. 333-1933.
•Fort Myers Mighty Mussels vs Bradenton Marauders: Minor league baseball Post game fireworks. Hammond Stadium, 14400 Six Mile Cypress Pkwy, Ft Myers. 7p. 768-4210.
•Funny Marco: Off the Hook Comedy Club, 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Rd, #1100, Naples. 7 & 9p. 389-6901.
•Jimmy McCartney: Snappers Comedy Club, 8595 College Pkwy, Ft Myers. 7p. 479-5233.
•Retro Game Night: Board games for families. Naples Depot Museum: 1051 Fifth Ave S, Naples. 5-8p. Free. 262-6525.
SATURDAY 29
•Fort Myers Mighty Mussels vs Bradenton Marauders: Minor league baseball. Hammond Stadium, 14400 Six Mile Cypress Pkwy, Ft Myers. 6p. 768-4210.
•Fort Myers Roller Derby vs Tampa Bruise Crew: Female roller derby. Ft Myers Skatium, 2250 Bwy, Ft Myers. 6p. 4827789.
•Funny Marco: Off the Hook Comedy Club, 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Rd, #1100, Naples. 6:30 & 8:30p. 389-6901.
•Heat: Latin jazz concert. Music & Arts Community Center, 13411 Shire Ln, Ft Myers. 6 & 8:30pp. 277-1700.
•Jimmy McCartney: Snappers Comedy Club, 8595 College Pkwy, Ft Myers. 6 & 9p. 4795233.
•Waterlily Weekend: Special exhibition, guided tours, talks, demos, family activities. Naples Botanical Garden, 4820 Bayshore Dr, Naples. 9a5p. 643-7275.
SUNDAY 30
•Blues Jam: Tommy Lee Cook & the Buckingham Blues Band. Buckingham Blues Bar, 5641 Buckingham Rd, Ft Myers. 3-6p. Musicians welcome. Free. 693-7111.
•Fort Myers Mighty Mussels vs Bradenton Marauders: Minor league baseball Hammond Stadium, 14400 Six Mile Cypress Pkwy, Ft Myers. 12p. 768-4210.
•Waterlily Weekend: Special exhibition, guided tours, talks, demos, family activities. Naples Botanical Garden, 4820 Bayshore Dr, Naples. 9a5p. 643-7275.
Sept
TUESDAY 1
•Art Reception: Harbour View Gallery, 5789 Cape Harbour Dr, #104, Cape Coral. 6-8p. Free. 540-5789.
•The Firm Jazz & Blues Quartet: Live music. Cape Cabaret. 4725 Vincennes Blvd, Cape Coral. 6:30-9p. Free. 5493000.
WEDNESDAY 2
•Art After Five: Naples Art District Studios & Galleries. Receptions, exhibits, demos. Shirley St & J&C Blvd, Naples. 5-8p. Free. 249-1977.
•Blues Jam: Hosted by Tommy Lee Cook & the Buckingham Blues Band. Buckingham Blues Bar, 5641 Buckingham Rd, Ft Myers. 8-11p. Musicians welcome. Free. 693-7111.
•Magic Men: Off the Hook Comedy Club, 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Rd, #1100, Naples. 7p. 389-6901.
THURSDAY 3
•Brandon Robertson Trio: Jazz concert. Tribby Arts Center at Shell Point, 17281 On Par Blvd, Ft Myers. 7p. 415-5667.
•Tom Shillue: Off the Hook Comedy Club, 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Rd, #1100, Naples. 7p. 389-6901.
FRIDAY 4
•Art Reception: Arts for ACT Gallery, 2265 1st St, Ft Myers. 6-9p. Free. 337-5050.
•Art Reception: Bayshore Art Gallery, 3954 Bayshore Dr, Naples. Tue-Sat 5-8p. Free. 778-4665.
•Art Reception: DAAS Co-op Gallery Alliance for the Arts campus, 10051 McGregor Blvd, Ft Myers. 5:30-9p. Free. 5908645.
•Art Walk: Receptions, exhibits, demos, live music at several galleries & studios in downtown Ft Myers’ historic River District. 6-10p. Free. 313-5129.
•Led Zeppelin II: Tribute concert. Seminole Casino Hotel Seminole Center, 506 S 1st St, Immokalee. 8p. 800218-0007.
Circus Arts Conservatory presents their ‘Summer Circus Spectacular’ thru August 8 at the Historic Asolo Theatre at The Ringling in Sarasota.
•Samuel Comroe: Snappers Comedy Club, 8595 College Pkwy, Ft Myers. 7p. 479-5233.
•Tom Shillue: Off the Hook Comedy Club, 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Rd, #1100, Naples. 6:30 & 8:30p. 389-6901.
SATURDAY 5
•FC Naples vs Athletic Club Boise: USL soccer. Paradise Coast Sports Complex. 3940 City Gate Blvd N, Naples. 7p. 933-5335.
•Samuel Comroe: Snappers Comedy Club, 8595 College Pkwy, Ft Myers. 6 & 9p. 4795233.
•Tom Shillue: Off the Hook Comedy Club, 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Rd, #1100, Naples. 6 & 8p. 389-6901.
SUNDAY 6
•Blues Jam: Tommy Lee Cook & the Buckingham Blues Band. Buckingham Blues Bar, 5641 Buckingham Rd, Ft Myers. 3-6p. Musicians welcome. Free. 693-7111.
•Ton Shillue: Off the Hook Comedy Club, 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Rd, #1100, Naples. 6p. 389-6901.
TUESDAY 8
•Art Reception: Marco Island Center for the Arts, 1010 Winterberry Dr, Marco Island. 5:30-7p. Free. 394-4221.
•Beach Walk: 1 hour guided walk. Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum & Aquarium, 3075 Sanibel-Captiva Rd, Sanibel. 10a. 395-2233.
•The Firm Jazz & Blues Quartet: Live music. Cape Cabaret. 4725 Vincennes Blvd, Cape Coral. 6:30-9p. Free. 5493000.
WEDNESDAY 9
•Blues Jam: Hosted by Tommy Lee Cook & the Buckingham Blues Band. Buckingham Blues Bar, 5641 Buckingham Rd, Ft Myers. 8-11p. Musicians welcome. Free. 693-7111.
•Corey O’Brien: Off the Hook Comedy Club, 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Rd, #1100, Naples. 6p. 389-6901.
•Sheena Brook: Live music. Sugarshack Downtown, 27421Old 41 Rd, Bonita Springs. 6p. 829-0407.
•Sierra Club Calusa Group Meeting: Tice Fire Station, 9351 Workmen Way, Ft Myers. 6-8p. Free. 218-1354.
•Zar the Star: Off the Hook Comedy Club, 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Rd, #1100, Naples. 8p. 389-6901.
What Goes On JULY-AUGUST-SEPTEMBER
THURSDAY 10
•A Band Called Honalee: Folk trio. Music & Arts Community Center, 13411 Shire Ln, Ft Myers. 7:30p. 277-1700.
•Art Reception: Meet the artists. Visual Arts Center, 210 Maud St, Punta Gorda. 5-7p. Free. 941639-8810.
•Eliza Neals: Blues band. Buckingham Blues Bar, 5641 Buckingham Rd, Ft Myers. 8-11p. 693-7111.
•Ron Feingold: Snappers Comedy Club, 8595 College Pkwy, Ft Myers. 7:30p. 479-5233.
•Shayne Smith & Mike Abrisci: Off the Hook Comedy Club, 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Rd, #1100, Naples. 7p. 389-6901.
•Zach Bartholomew: Album release party w James Suggs jazz concert. Arts Bonita Performing Arts Center, 10150 Bonita Beach Rd, Bonita Springs. 7:30p. 495-8989.
FRIDAY 11
•Fort Myers Philharmonic: Mozart’s Requiem & Barber’s Adagio for Strings. BB Mann, 13350 FSW Pkwy, Ft Myers. 7:30p. 350-1520.
•Ron Feingold: Snappers Comedy Club, 8595 College Pkwy, Ft Myers. 7p. 479-5233.
•Shayne Smith & Mike Abrisci: Off the Hook Comedy Club, 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Rd, #1100, Naples. 6:30 & 8:30p. 389-6901.
•Yappy Hour: Happy hour w dogs, live entertainment. Bell Tower Shops center court, Daniels Pkwy & US 41, Ft Myers. 6-8p. Free. 939-2787.
SATURDAY 12
•Art Reception: Cape Coral Art Center, Rubicond Park, 4533 Coronado Pkwy, Cape Coral. Xp. Free. 574-0802.
•Fort Myers Roller Derby vs Thunder City: Female roller derby. Ft Myers Skatium, 2250 Bwy, Ft Myers. 6p. 482-7789.
•Open Artist Studios: Dozen artist studios. SRQ East Art Studios, 8326 Consumer Ct, Sarasota. 5-7p. Free. 941-363-1724.
•Ron Feingold: Snappers Comedy Club, 8595 College Pkwy, Ft Myers. 6 & 9p. 479-5233.
•Shayne Smith & Mike Abrisci: Off the Hook Comedy Club, 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Rd, #1100, Naples. 6 & 8p. 389-6901.
SUNDAY 13
•Blues Jam: Tommy Lee Cook & the Buckingham Blues Band. Buckingham Blues Bar, 5641 Buckingham Rd, Ft Myers. 3-6p. Musicians welcome. Free. 693-7111.
•Open Artist Studios & Galleries: More than 30 galleries & studios in Sarasota Studio Artists Association. Various locations throughout Sarasota. 11a-3p. Free.
•Shayne Smith & Mike Abrisci: Off the Hook Comedy Club, 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Rd, #1100, Naples. 6p. 3896901.
TUESDAY 15
•The Firm Jazz & Blues Quartet: Live music. Cape Cabaret. 4725 Vincennes Blvd, Cape Coral. 6:30-9p. Free. 5493000.
WEDNESDAY 16
•Blues Jam: Hosted by Tommy Lee Cook & the Buckingham Blues Band. Buckingham Blues Bar, 5641 Buckingham Rd, Ft Myers. 8-11p. Musicians welcome. Free. 693-7111.
THURSDAY 17
•Audubon of SWFL Meeting: The Collaboratory, 2031 Jackson St, Ft Myers. 7p. Free. 410-6971.
•Brad Paisley: Concert. Hertz Arena, 11000 Everblades Pkwy, Estero. 7:30p. 948-7825.
•Brad Upton: Off the Hook Comedy Club, 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Rd, #1100, Naples. 7p. 389-6901.
•Songwriters Under the Stars: Acoustic concert w Doug MacLeod, Michael Boswell opens. Calusa Nature Center Planetarium, 3487 Ortiz Ave, Ft Myers., Ft Myers. 7p. 6914069.
•Yates McKendree band: Blues concert. Arts Bonita Performing Arts Center, 10150 Bonita Beach Rd, Bonita Springs. 7:30p. 495-8989.
FRIDAY 18
•Art Reception: Venice Art Center, 390 Nokomis Ave S, Venice. 5-7p. Free. 941-4857136.
•Brad Upton: Off the Hook Comedy Club, 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Rd, #1100, Naples. 6:30 & 8:30p. 389-6901.
•Island Hopper Songwriter Fest: Singer/Songwriters perform at various venues on Captiva. All afternoon & night. Free. 338-3500.
•Music Walk: Live music & dancing at several cafes, clubs & galleries. Downtown Ft Myers’ historic River District. 6-10p. Free. 313-5129.
•Pedro Gonzalez: Snappers Comedy Club, 8595 College Pkwy, Ft Myers. 7p. 479-5233.
SATURDAY 19
•Brad Upton: Off the Hook Comedy Club, 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Rd, #1100, Naples. 6 & 8p. 389-6901.
•Colours of Celine: Tribute concert. Music & Arts Community Center, 13411 Shire Ln, Ft Myers. 7:30p. 277-1700.
•Florida Horror-Fest: Collectors convention. Panels, special guests, movies, cosplay contests. Hilton DoubleTree Hotel, 13051 Bell Tower Dr, Ft Myers, Ft Myers. 10a-5p. 4822900.
•Gulf Coast Writers Association Meeting: Speaker - Lori Joan Swick. St Hilary’s Episcopal Church, Browning Hall, 5011 McGregor Blvd, Ft Myers. 10a-12p. Free. gulfcoastwriters. org.
•Island Hopper Songwriter Fest: Singer/Songwriters perform at various venues on Captiva. All afternoon & night. Free. 338-3500.
•Nikki Glaser: Comedy. BB Mann Hall, 13350 FSW Pkwy, Ft Myers. 7p. 481-4849.
•Open Studios: Naples Art District Studios & Galleries. Receptions, exhibits, demos. Shirley St & J&C Blvd, Naples. 11a-4p. Free. 249-1977.
•Pedro Gonzalez: Snappers Comedy Club, 8595 College Pkwy, Ft Myers. 6 & 9p. 4795233.
SUNDAY 20
•Blues Jam: Tommy Lee Cook & the Buckingham Blues Band. Buckingham Blues Bar, 5641 Buckingham Rd, Ft Myers. 3-6p. Musicians welcome. Free. 693-7111.
•Brad Upton: Off the Hook Comedy Club, 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Rd, #1100, Naples. 6p. 389-6901.
•Island Hopper Songwriter Fest: Singer/Songwriters perform at various venues on Captiva. All afternoon & night. Free. 338-3500.
•Nikki Glaser: Comedy. BB Mann Hall, 13350 FSW Pkwy, Ft Myers. 7p. 481-4849.
MONDAY 21
•Edwin McCain: Island Hopper Songwriter Fest concert. Westin Cape Coral at Marina Village, 5951 Silver King Blvd, Cape Coral. 7:30p. 338-3500.
•Island Hopper Songwriter Fest: Singer/Songwriters perform at various venues in Cape Coral. All afternoon & night. Free. 338-3500.
•Songwriter Dinner: Island Hopper Songwriter Fest. Concert. Gather, 5971 Silver King Blvd, #116, Cape Coral. 5p. 338-3500.
Cece Teneal performs Divas of Soul, August 15 at Music & Arts Community Center in Fort Myers.
TUESDAY 22
•Island Hopper Songwriter Fest: Singer/Songwriters perform at various venues in Cape Coral. All afternoon & night. Free. 338-3500.
•The Firm Jazz & Blues Quartet: Live music. Cape Cabaret. 4725 Vincennes Blvd, Cape Coral. 6:30-9p. Free. 549-3000.
•Songwriter Sunset Cruiser: Island Hopper Songwriter Fest. Concert aboard Silver King, departs Westin Cape Coral Resort & Marina, 5951 Silver King Blvd, Cape Coral. 6:30p. 338-3500.
WEDNESDAY 23
•ACMA Showcase: Island Hopper Songwriter Fest. Singersongwriters TBA concert. Davis Art Center, 2301 First St, Ft Myers. 7:30p. 338-3500.
•Benise: Guitar concert. Music & Arts Community Center, 13411 Shire Ln, Ft Myers. 7p. 277-1700.
•Blues Jam: Hosted by Tommy Lee Cook & the Buckingham Blues Band. Buckingham Blues Bar, 5641 Buckingham Rd, Ft Myers. 8-11p. Musicians welcome. Free. 693-7111.
•Island Hopper Songwriter Fest: Singer/Songwriters perform at various venues in historic downtown Ft Myers River District. All afternoon & night. Free. 338-3500.
•Kevin Sullivan: Off the Hook Comedy Club, 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Rd, #1100, Naples. 7p. 389-6901.
•Luminary Dinner: Island Hopper Songwriter Fest. Concert. Luminary Hotel, 2200 Edwards Dr, Ft Myers. 6p. 338-3500.
THURSDAY 24
•Alexandra Kay: Island Hopper Songwriter Fest ‘Stars on the
River’ concert. Caloosa Sound Amphitheater, 2101 Edwards Dr, Ft Myers. 5p. 338-3500.
•Beach Walk: 1 hour guided walk. Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum & Aquarium, 3075 Sanibel-Captiva Rd, Sanibel. 10a. 395-2233.
•Carlos Mencia: Off the Hook Comedy Club, 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Rd, #1100, Naples. 7p. 389-6901.
•Family Fun Night: Live music, dance demos, crafts, games, mini zoo w exotic animals. Bell Tower Shops center court, Daniels Pkwy & US 41, Ft Myers. 5-7p. Free. 318-8560.
•Gabriel Iglesias: Comedy. Hertz Arena, 11000 Everblades Pkwy, Estero. 8p. 948-7825.
•Island Hopper Songwriter Fest: Singer/Songwriters perform at various venues in historic downtown Ft Myers River District. All afternoon & night. Free. 338-3500.
•Jazz at the MACC - The Great American Songbook: Gulf Coast Collective concert. Music & Arts Community Center, 13411 Shire Ln, Ft Myers. 7p. 277-1700.
•Time Traveler: Moody Blues tribute band. Arts Bonita Performing Arts Center, 10150 Bonita Beach Rd, Bonita Springs. 7:30p. 495-8989.
FRIDAY 25
•Bob Lauver’s Comedy Hypnosis: Arts Center Theatre, Marco Town Center Mall, 1089 N. Collier Blvd, Marco Island. 7:30p. 784-1186.
•Carlos Mencia: Off the Hook Comedy Club, 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Rd, #1100, Naples. 6:30 & 8:30p. 389-6901.
•Island Hopper Songwriter Fest: Singer/Songwriters perform at various venues in historic downtown Ft Myers River District. All afternoon & night. Free. 338-3500.
•Joe Bartnick: Snappers Comedy Club, 8595 College Pkwy, Ft Myers. 7p. 479-5233.
•Mia Vassilev: Concert. Arts
What Goes On JULY-AUGUST-SEPTEMBER
Bonita Performing Arts Center, 10150 Bonita Beach Rd, Bonita Springs. 7:30p. 495-8989.
•The Cold Stares: Blues band. Buckingham Blues Bar, 5641 Buckingham Rd, Ft Myers. 8p. 693-7111.
SATURDAY 26
•Carlos Mencia: Off the Hook Comedy Club, 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Rd, #1100, Naples. 6 & 8p. 389-6901.
•FC Naples vs Chattanooga Red Wolves SC: USL soccer. Paradise Coast Sports Complex. 3940 City Gate Blvd N, Naples. 7p. 933-5335.
•Island Hopper Songwriter Fest: Singer/Songwriters perform at various venues on Ft Myers Beach. All afternoon & night. Free. 338-3500.
•Joe Bartnick: Snappers Comedy Club, 8595 College Pkwy, Ft Myers. 6 & 9p. 4795233.
•The Conjurors: Magic, mindreading & storytelling. Music & Arts Community Center, 13411 Shire Ln, Ft Myers. 2 & 7:30p. 277-1700.
SUNDAY 27
•Blues Jam: Tommy Lee Cook & the Buckingham Blues Band. Buckingham Blues Bar, 5641 Buckingham Rd, Ft Myers. 3-6p. Musicians welcome. Free. 693-7111.
•Carlos Mencia: Off the Hook Comedy Club, 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Rd, #1100, Naples. 6p. 389-6901.
•Island Hopper Songwriter Fest: Singer/Songwriters perform at various venues on Ft Myers Beach. All afternoon & night. Free. 338-3500.
•It’s Not Mansplaining, It’s Old Mansplaining: Comedy. Arts Center Theatre, Marco Town Center Mall, 1089 N. Collier Blvd, Marco Island. 3p. 7841186.
•Pool Party: Island Hopper Songwriter Fest. Concert. Pink Shell Resort & Marina, 275 Estero Blvd, Ft Myers Beach. 5p. 338-3500.
TUESDAY 29
•The Firm Jazz & Blues Quartet: Live music. Cape Cabaret. 4725 Vincennes Blvd, Cape Coral. 6:30-9p. Free. 5493000.
WEDNESDAY 30
•Andy Gross: Off the Hook Comedy Club, 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Rd, #1100, Naples. 7p. 389-6901.
•Art After Hours: Live music,
food & drinks. Baker Museum, Artis-Naples, 5833 Pelican Bay Blvd, Naples. 6-9p. Free. 597-1900.
ongoing Theater
•25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee: Jul 11 & 12.
Naples Players Academy. Kizzie Theater, Sugden Theatre, 701 5th Ave S, Naples. 263-7990.
•Camp Rock Jr: Jul 18-21.
Naples Players Academy. Kizzie Theater, Sugden Theatre, 701 5th Ave S, Naples. 263-7990.
•Dancing Lessons: Jul 17Aug 2. Off-Broadway Palm Theatre, 1380 Colonial Blvd, Ft Myers. 208-1003
•Disney’s Newsies Jr: Jul 13Aug 2. Gulfshore Playhouse Conservatory. Baker Theatre & Education Center, 100 GoodletteFrank Rd S, Naples. 261-7529.
•Dog Mom: thru Jul 26. Florida Studio Theatre. Keating Theatre, 1241 N Palm Ave, Sarasota. 941366-9000.
•Don’t Talk to the Actors: Sep 10-20. Charlotte Players, Langdon Playhouse, 1182 Market Circle, Port Charlotte. 941-2551022.
•Forever Everly: Sep 15Oct 25. Florida Repertory Theatre, ArtStage Studio Theatre, 2268 Bay St, Ft Myers. 332-4488.
•Four Old Broads: Sep 18-Oct 11. Venice Theatre, Pinkerton Theatre, 140 Tampa Ave W, Venice. 941-488-1115.
•Frozen - The Broadway Musical: Jul 17-26. Young Actors Theatre. Arts Bonita Performing Arts Center, 10150 Bonita Beach Rd, Bonita Springs. 495-8989.
•Frozen - the Musical: Jul 1-3. Fort Myers Theatre, 16120 San Carlos Blvd, #5, Ft Myers. 3236570.
•Hadestown - Teen Edition: Jul 23-Aug 2. Sarasota Players. Crossings at Siesta Key, 32501 S Tamiami Tr, # 1130, Sarasota. 941-365-2494.
•Harriet the Spy: Sep 11-20. Venice Theatre, Pinkerton Theatre, 140 Tampa Ave W, Venice. 941-488-1115.
•Head Over Heels: Jul 24-Aug 8. Venice Theatre, Pinkerton Theatre, 140 Tampa Ave W, Venice. 941-488-1115.
•If Anyone Asks…: Jul 1-Sep 6. Murder Mystery Dinner Train. Seminole Gulf Railway, 2805 Colonial Blvd, Ft Myers. 2758487.
•Into the Woods: Jul 30-Aug 9. Student production. Players Circle Theater, 13211 McGregor Blvd, Fort Myers. 800-3292.
•Leaving on a Jet Plane: Thru Jul 19. Florida Studio Theatre. Goldstein Cabaret, 1239 N Palm Ave, Sarasota. 941-366-9000.
•Legacy: Aug 4-Oct 4. Florida Studio Theatre. Goldstein Cabaret, 1239 N Palm Ave, Sarasota. 941-366-9000.
•Les Miserables: thru Jul 26. The Naples Players. Kizzie Theater, Sugden Theatre, 701 5th Ave S, Naples. 263-7990.
•Marvin - A Marvin Gaye Revie: Jul 15-24. Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe, 1012 N Orange Ave, Sarasota. 941-366-1505.
•Modern Works Festival: Sep 1727. Urbanite Theatre, 1487 2nd St, Sarasota. 941-321-1397.
•Murder on Broadway: Jul 8-Aug 8. Broadway Palm Theatre, 1380 Colonial Blvd, Ft Myers. 278-4422.
•Murder on My Mind: Sep 9-Nov 15, 2026. Murder Mystery Dinner Train. Seminole Gulf Railway, 2805 Colonial Blvd, Ft Myers. 275-8487.
•My Way - A Musical Tribute to Frank Sinatra: Aug 14-30.
Players Circle Theater, 13211 McGregor Blvd, Fort Myers. 800-3292.
•Say Goodnight Gracie: Thru Jul 5. Players Circle Theater, 13211 McGregor Blvd, Fort Myers. 800-3292.
•Songbirds of the Seventies: Jul 7-Sep 6. Florida Studio Theatre. Court Cabaret, 1265 First St, Sarasota. 941-366-9000.
•South Pacific in Concert: Jul 16-19. Players Circle Theater, 13211 McGregor Blvd, Fort Myers. 800-3292.
•Summer Circus Spectacular: thru Aug 8. Circus Arts Conservatory. Historic Asolo Theatre, 5401 Bay Shore Rd, Sarasota. 941-360-7399.
•The Last Romance: Jul 22-Aug 16. Florida Studio Theatre. Gompertz Theatre, 1265 First St, Sarasota. 941-366-9000.
•The Lightning Thief - The Percy Jackson Musical: Jul 30-Aug 2. Fort Myers Theatre, 16120 San Carlos Blvd, #5, Ft Myers. 323-6570.
•The Wizard of Oz: Jun 26-Aug 8. Broadway Palm Theatre, 1380 Colonial Blvd, Ft Myers. 278-4422.
•Theatre People or The Angel Next Door: Sep 2-20. Lemon Bay Playhouse. 96 W Dearborn St, Englewood. 941-475-6756.
•Waiting for Godot: Aug 21Sep 6. Laboratory Theater of Florida, 1634 Woodford Ave, Ft Myers. 218-0481.
•What Springs Forth: Aug 14-30. Off-Broadway Palm Theatre, 1380 Colonial Blvd, Ft Myers. 208-1003
•Wizard of Oz - Youth Edition: Thru Aug 2. Asolo Repertory Theatre, Cook Theatre, Florida State Center for Performing Arts, 5555 N Tamiami Tr, Sarasota. 941-3518000.
Art Galleries
•Aldo Castillo Gallery: 1634 5th Ave S, Naples. Tue-Sun 11a-7p. 312-375-8887.
•Alliance for the Arts: 10091 McGregor Blvd, Ft Myers. Main Gallery— thru Aug 1: Union Artist Studios – The Perspectives That Shape Us. Member Gallery— thru Aug 1: Summer Art Campers’ Showcase. Receptions 1st Fri 5-7p. Tue-Fri 9a-5p & Sat 9a-1p. 939-2787.
•Arsenault Studio & Banyan Arts Gallery: Judith Liegeois Designs, 1199 3rd St, Naples. Mon-Sat 10a-5p & Sun 1-5p. Free. 263-1214.
•Art Center Sarasota: 707 N Tamiami Tr, Sarasota. Thru Aug 1: Architects Who Art, Anja Palombo, Cat Tesla, Medium Mutiny; Aug 20-Sep 26: Molly Duff-Clarke, Shaping Sarasota - A Century of Art, Antoine Williams, Icons. Mon-Fri 10a-5p & Sat 12-5p. 941-365-2032.
•Art Lab: Naples Art District, 1819 J&C Blvd, Naples. 646358-2531.
•Arts Bonita Performing Arts Center: 10150 Bonita Beach Rd, Bonita Springs. Hinman Gallery-in-the-Round— thru Jul 24: Geometry in Motion. Mon-Fri 9a-5p & Sat 9a-2p. 495-8989.
•Arts Bonita Visual Arts Center: 26100 Old 41 Rd, Bonita Springs. Main Gallery: Jul 16-Aug 27: Forged & FoundCelebration of Metal in Art; Jul 9-Aug 13: Alchemy & Magic. 2265 First St, Ft Myers. Daily 12-8p. 337-5050.
•Arts for ACT Gallery: Jul 3-Aug 3: ReStyled-ReCycled; Aug 7-30: All Things Alice; Sep 4-28: Quilters Unlimited. 2265 First St, Ft Myers. Daily 12-8p. 337-5050.
•Arts of the Inland Gallery: LaBelle Gallery & Cultural Center, 471 N Lee St, LaBelle. Closed Jul & Aug; Sep Thu-Sun 1-5p. 863-843-2929
•Baker Museum: Artis-Naples, 5833 Pelican Bay Blvd, Naples. Thru Aug 2: Discovering Ansel Adams; thru Nov 1: Stories in Glass & Ceramics; Jul 11-Jan 3: Linling Lu; thru Jul 2027: Louise Nevelson - Dawn’s Forest; thru Aug 2027: From Conservation to Sustainability. Ongoing: Chiluly Collection, Outdoor Sculpture Trail. Guided tours Tue-Sat 11a & Sun 1p. Art After Hours: Free last Wed 6-9p - live music, food, drinks. Tue-Sat 10a-4p, Sun 12-4p. 597-1900.
•Bayshore Art Gallery: 3954 Bayshore Dr, Naples. Receptions 1st Fri, 5-8p. Tue-Sat 11a-5p. 778-4665.
•BIG ARTS: 900 Dunlop Rd, Sanibel. Thru Jul 24: Florida SouthWestern Stage College Students; thru Jul 31: Sanibel School K-8. Show. Mon-Fri 9a4p, Sat & Sun 9a-1p. 395-0900. •Bob Rauschenberg Gallery: FSW State College, Humanities Hall, 8099 College Pkwy SW, Ft Myers. 489-9313. Closed for renovations.
•Bob Rauschenberg Gallery Annex: FSW State College, bldg. J-118, 8099 College Pkwy SW, Ft Myers. Thru Aug 1: Rauschenberg at 100 - As Large as the World Is. Mon-Sat 10a-4p. Free. 489-9313.
•Bokeelia Art Gallery: Temporarily closed. 8315 Main St, Bokeelia. 738-5280.
•Cape Coral Art Center: Rubicond Park, 4533 Coronado Pkwy, Cape Coral. Main Gallery— Jul 3-30: 250 Years of American Landscapes; Aug 7-Sep 24: Larger Than Life Watercolors. Side Gallery– Aug 7-Sep 24: Symphony of Sound & Shape. Mon-Sat 9a-4p. Receptions second Fri of month. 574-0802.
•Cape Coral Art League: 516 Cultural Park Blvd, Cape Coral. Open painting Wed 1-4p. Meetings 1st Mon 11a. Closed Aug. 772-5657.
•Clyde Butcher’s Big Cypress Gallery: 52388 Tamiami Tr, Ochopee. Jul-Nov: Celebrating
Comedian Nikki Glaser is appearing September 19 at the Barbara B. Mann Performng Arts Hall in Fort Myers
What Goes On JULY-AUGUST-SEPTEMBER
The Cold Stares perform September 25 at Buckingham
250 Years. Daily 10a-4:30p. 695-2428.
•Clyde Butcher’s Venice Gallery & Studio: 237 Warfield Ave, Venice. Tue-Fri 10a-4:30p. 486-0811.
•Coco Art Gallery: Art Council of SWFL gallery. Coconut Point Mall, 8074 Mediterranean Dr, Estero. Receptions 1st Wed 5-7p. Tue-Sun 11a-5p. 949-3073.
•Coco Art Gallery: Art Council of SWFL gallery. Coastland Center, 1924 Tamiami Tr N, Naples. Receptions 2nd Wed 5-7p. Wed-Sun 12-6p. 436-3530.
•Creative Liberties Artist Residencies at Gaze Modern Gallery: ARCOS Gallery, 340 Central Ave, Sarasota. Open studio: 2nd Sat 11a-3p. Mon-Fri 9a-6p & Sat 10a-5p. 941-7996634.
•Creative Liberties Artist Studios & Gallery: 901-B Apricot Ave, Sarasota. Open studio: 2nd Sat 11a-3p. Thu-Sat 10a-3p, Sun-Wed by appt. 941799-6634.
•Creative Liberties Artist Studios, Gallery & Academy: 927 N Lime Ave, Sarasota. ThuSat 10a-3p, Sun-Wed by appt. 941-799-6634.
•DAAS Co-op Art Gallery: 10051 McGregor Blvd, #104, Ft Myers. Jul 3-Aug 2: Steve Turner. WedSun 10a-2p. Receptions 1st Fri 6-10p. 955-0422.
•East West Fine Art: Mercato, 9115 Strada Pl, #5130, Naples. Mon-Sat 10a-7p & Sun 12-6p. 821-9459.
•Eydel Fine Arts Gallery: 800 5th Ave S, #101, Naples. Mon & Wed-Sat 11a-5p, Tue 12-4p, Sun 12-5p. 821-9459.
•Emily James Art Gallery: 720 5th Ave S, # 111, Naples. Mon 3-7p, Tue & Wed 11a-7p, Sat 11a8p, Sun 12-5p. 777-3283.
•Estero Art League: Estero Park Community Center, 9200 Corkscrew Palms Blvd, Estero. Open paint Mon & Thu 9a-3p. Exhibits— Apr 7-May 3: Coco Art Gallery, Estero. 390-2100.
•Florida Gulf Coast University Art Galleries: 10501 FGCU Blvd S., Ft Myers. Arts Complex Lobby— thru Jul 1: Crumbs; thru Sep 30: Diamonds in the Light. Mon-Fri 10a-4p. 590-7199.
•Fort Myers Beach Art Association & Gallery: Cypress Square, 13451 McGregor Blvd, Ft Myers. Thru Jul 20: Beach Bliss.; Jul 22-Sep 7: Essence of Water. Mon-Wed 10a-3p & ThuSat 12-6. 463-3909.
•Gardner Colby Gallery: 386 & 365 Broad Ave S, Naples. MonSat 10a-5p. 403-7787.
•Grand Illusion Gallery: 2443
First St, Ft Myers. Tue-Sat 10:30a-5:30p, 1st & 3rd Fri 6-10p. 461-7245.
•Guess-Fisher Gallery: 985 Central Ave, Naples. Tue-Sat 1-6p. 659-2787.
•Harbour View Gallery: 5789
Cape Harbour Dr, #104, Cape Coral. Jul 7-Aug 2: Terrie Hall, Kori Ann Evans; Aug 5-30: Heather Rivera, Barbara Broderick; Sep 1-Oct 4: Cape Coral Mariner High School Art Club. Receptions 1st Tue
6-8p. Daily Oct-May 11a-8p, closed Sun Jun-Sep. 540-5789.
•Harmon-Meek Modern: 599 9th St N, #309, Naples. Jul-Sep by appt. 261-2637.
•Hirdie-Girdie Art Gallery: 2490 Library Way, Sanibel. Closed Jul-Sep. 395-0027.
•HW Gallery: 462 9th St N, Naples. Mon-Sat 10a-5p. 2636640.
•Island Visions: 2224 First St, Ft Myers. Sun-Thu 11a-6p, Fri & Sat 11a-9p. 282-0452.
•Joel Shapses Gallery: Naples Art District, 6240 Shirley St, #102, Naples. Jul-Sep by appt. 954-830-3156.
•Kelson Gallery: 2359 Periwnkle Way, Sanibel. Tue-Sat 10a-4p. 508-740-0260.
•Larimart Gallery: 2359 Vanderbilt Beach Rd, Galleria Shoppes, #410, Naples. Mon-Fri 10a-7p & Sat 10-3p. 276-0448.
•Lehigh Acres Art League: River Forest Assoc Clubhouse, 13506 Island Rd, Lehigh Acres. Meet & paint Mon 10a-3p. 815252-4927.
•Lovegrove Gallery & Studio: 1415 Dean St., #102, Ft Myers. Tu-Sun 11a-4p. 938-5655
•Lovegrove Gallery & Garden: 4637 Pine Island Rd NW., #102 Ft Myers. Daily 11a-6p. 9385655
•MARA Art Studio & Gallery:
76 S Palm Ave, Sarasota. WedSat 11a-4p, Mon & Tie by appt. 941-914-8110.
•Maggie DeMarco
Contemporary Art: 5760
Shirley St, #8, Naples. Thu & 2nd Sat 1-5p, 1st Wed 5-8p, by appt. 401-527-6554.
•Marco Island Center for the Arts: 1010 Winterberry Dr, Marco Island. Main Galleries— Thru Jul 28: Draw the World; Aug 3-Sept 29: Summertime.
La Petite Galerie— Thru Jul 28: Adriana Rangel-Houser; Aug 3-Sep 25: Luis Manzanares; Aug 31-Sep 29: Rae Ann Ross Lynch. Mon-Fri 9a-4p. 394-4221.
•Method & Concept: 26 10th St. S, Naples. Mon-Fri 10a-5p. 529-2633.
•Naples Art District: Dozens of artists’ studios & galleries. Shirley St & J&C. Open studios Thu & Sat 1-5p, Art After Dark 1st Wed 5-8p. 249-1977.
•Naples Art Institute: 585 Park St, Naples. Summer: Intersections. Mon-Fri 9a-5p. 262-6517.
•Naples Art Studios: Naples Art District, North Line Plaza, 2172 J & C Blvd, Naples. By appt. 821-1061.
•North Fort Myers Art Association: Meets 4th Fri of month 2-4p. Gulf Coast Village, 1333 Santa Barbara Blvd, Cape Coral. 510-8712.
•Odessa Art Gallery: 2330 Palm Ridge Rd, #15, Sanibel. Mon-Sat 10a-5p. 781-864-4314.
•Peace River Botanical & Sculpture Gardens: 5827 Riverside Dr, Punta Gorda. Dogs welcome Tue. Tue-Sun 9a-4p. 941-621-8299.
•Pine Island Art: 4577 Pine Island Rd, Matlacha. 283-4432
•Quidley & Company Fine Art Gallery: 375 Broad Ave S, Naples. Mon-Sat 10a-7p & Sun 11a-5p. 261-4300.
•Rachel Pierce Art Gallery: 1571 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel. Daily 10a-3p. 292-3327.
•Rachel Pierce Art Gallery: Bell Tower Shops, 13499 Cleveland Ave SW, Ft Myers. Daily 10a-3p. 292-3327.
•Rene Miville Gallery: Franklin Shops, 2200 1st St, 2nd fl, Ft Myers. Mon-Sat 10a-8p & Sun 12-7p. 333-3130.
•Ringling College of Art & Design: 2700 N Tamiami Tr, Sarasota. Basch Gallery (Thompson Academic Center, Bradenton Rd; Cooley Photography Center (Bradenton Rd); Crossley Gallery (Hughes Studio Bldg, Bradenton Rd); Goldstein Gallery (E Tamiami Cir; Madeby Gallery (Dr MLK Jr Way); Selby Gallery (N Tamiami Tr); Smith Gallery (Bradenton Rd); Stulberg Gallery (Dr MLK Jr Way); Thompson Gallery (Keating Center, Bradenton Rd). Gallery days & hours vary. 941359-7563.
•Ringling Museum of Art: 5401 Bay Shore Rd, Sarasota. Thru Aug 11: Suncoast Technical College Students; thru Aug 23: In the Flesh - The Nude
in Japanese Art; thru Sep 20: Pictorialism & the Rise of Art Photography; thru Nov 1: 17th Century Dutch Paintings; thru Nov 15: Andrea Carlson; thru Jan 2028: As Earth is to Sky. Circus Museum— ongoing: The Greatest Show on Earth. Bayfront Gardens. Daily 10a-5p, Thu 10a-8p. 941-359-5700.
•Sanibel Captiva Art League: Exhibits (Sanibel Library)— Thru Nov 2: Faces Places & Spaces. Meet 3rd Thu 1-3p, Sanibel Community House, 2173 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel. 322-8593.
•Sarasota Art Museum: Ringling College, 1001 S Tamiami T, Sarasota. Thru Aug 19: Slumpies; thru Sep 27: Something Borrowed, Something New; thru Sep 27: Maria Guzman CapronPenumbra; thru Oct 25: Prints of Sol LeWitt. Mon-Sat 10a-5p, Sun 11a-5p. 941-309-4300.
•Sea Grape Gallery: 113 W Marion Ave, Punta Gorda. Tue-Fri 10a-5p & Sat 10a-4p). 941-575-1718
•Sheldon Fine Art: 460 Fifth Ave S, Naples. Sun-Thu 10a-6p, Fri-Sat 10a-9p. 649-6255.
•Sidney & Berne Davis Arts Center: 2301 First St, Ft Myers. Jul 3-30: America 250 - From Our Roots to the Future; Jul 3-30: Emotions of Everyday Life; Aug 7-27: The Art of Healing; Aug 7-27: Battle from the Brink. Mon, Tue & Thu 10a-5p, Wed & Fri 10a-10p. 337-1933.
•SPAACES Studio: 2051 Princeton St, Sarasota. Fri & Sat 11a-2p & by appt. 941-374-3492.
•SRQ East Art Studios: 8326
Consumer Ct, Sarasota. Dozen artist studios. Open studios 2nd Sat 5-7p. 941-363-1724.
•Sweet Art Gallery: 852 1st Ave S, Naples. Mon-Fri 10a-5p & Sat 11a-2p. 597-2110.
•Tower Gallery Artist Cooperative: 751 Tarpon Bay Rd, Sanibel. Daily 10a-5p. 5790659.
•Tribby Arts Center at Shell Point: 17281 On Par Blvd, Ft Myers. Thru Jul 16: All the Buzz! - Art Quilters Unlimited; Aug 1-Oct 17: New Perspectives II - Shell Point employees; Aug 1-Oct 17: Poster Power - 5 Years of Tribby Exhibition Designs. Tue-Sat 10a-3p. 415-5667.
•Union Artists Studios: Alliance for the Arts campus, 10051 McGregor Blvd, #202, Edwards Bldg, Ft Myers. Sat 10a-2p & by appt. 980-1394.
•Venice Art Center: 390 Nokomis Ave S, Venice. Thru Jul 16: Celebration; thru Jul 16: Val Dwek; Jul 24-Aug 13: Keep It Cool; Jul 24-Aug 13: Beauty of Sumi-E Ink; Sep 18-Oct 8: I Am Humanity. Mon-Fri 9a-4p & Sat 9am-1pm. Closed Aug 22-Sep 7.941-485-7136.
•Visual Arts Center: 210 Maud St, Punta Gorda. Main Gallery— Jul 30-Aug 31: Member show.; Oct 7-Nov 5: Are You Afraid of the Dark? Goff Gallery— Jul
30-Aug 31: Members. Rebecca Hall— thru Aug 31: Members Showcase. Mon, Thu, Fri 9a-4p; Tue & Wed 9a-7p, Sat 10a-4p. 941-639-8810.
Attractions
•Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Seminole Tribe of Florida Museum: Big Cypress Seminole Indian Reservation, 30290 Josie Billie Hwy, Clewiston. Exhibit: Beautiful & Proud, Miniature Marvels, Elgin Jumper. Daily 9a-5p. 877-902-1113.
•Architecture Sarasota: McCullough Pavilion, 265 S Orange Ave, Sarasota. Ongoing: Modern Masterpiece Discovered. Mon-Fri 11a-5p. Free. 941-3642199.
•Artis-Naples: Home of Naples Philharmonic, Baker Museum of Art, Daniels Pavilion, Hayes Hall, 5833 Pelican Bay Blvd, Naples. 597-1900.
•Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum & Aquarium: Great Hall of Shells, Living Gallery of Aquariums. Ongoing photo exhibits: Adorned by the Sea - Brilliant Colors of the Sea. 3075 Sanibel-Captiva Rd, Sanibel. Daily 10a-5p. 3952233.
•Berne Davis Botanical Garden: 2166 Virginia Ave, Ft Myers. Tue & Thu 9am-12p. 332-4942.
•Bishop Museum of Science & Nature: 201 10th St W, Bradenton. Exhibits, manatee habitat, planetarium. Laser Light Nights: thru Sep 5. TueSat 10a-5p & Sun 12-5p. 941746-4131.
•Burroughs Home & Gardens: 2505 First St, Ft Myers. Tours Tue-Thu 11a-3p. register. 337-9505
•Calusa Heritage Trail: Randall Research Center, 13810 Waterfront Dr, Pineland. Guided tours Tue-Sat 10a; Mon-Wed, Fri & Sat 1p. Sunrise-sunset. 283-2062.
•Calusa Nature Center & Planetarium: 3450 Ortiz Ave, Ft Myers. Museum, butterfly aviary, walking trails, animal talks, butterfly talks, planetarium shows daily. Butterfly Journey film: Tue & Thu 3p, Sat 11a. Guided walks select Tue, Thu, Sat 10a; Full moon night hikes select nites. 8p. Planetarium shows Mon-Sat 12 & 2p & Sun 12, 2, 3:30p. TueSun 10a-4p. 275-3435.
•Cape Coral Historical Museum: 544 Cultural Park Blvd, Cape Coral. Museum buildings & gardens. Exhibits: Salute to America. Wed-Fri 11a4p & Sat 10a-2p. 772-7037.
•Children’s Museum of Naples: North Collier Park, 15080 Livingston Rd, Naples. ThuTue 10a-4:30p & Wed 10a-1p. 514-0084.
•Collier County Museum at Government Center: 3331 Tamiami Tr E, Naples. Mon-Sat 9a-4p. Free. 252-8476.
Blues Bar in Fort Myers.
What Goes On
•Conservancy of SWFL: 1495
Smith Preserve Way, off Goodlette Frank Rd. Nature Center, exhibits, kayaking, nature walks, electric boat ecotours. Guided walks Mon-Sat. register. Tue-Sat 9:30a-4p. Free. 262-0304.
•Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary: 375 Sanctuary Rd. Visitor center, boardwalk, exhibits, guided walks, swamp walks, night events. 8a-1p. 348-9151.
•CREW: Corkscrew Regional Ecosystem Watershed. Marsh Hiking Trails, 4600 Corkscrew Rd, Immokalee. Trails open daily sunrise-sunset. Free. 657-2253.
•CROW: Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife. 3883
Sanibel-Captiva Rd, Sanibel. Visitor Education Center, wildlife presentations daily 11a; speakers. Jul Mon-Sat 10a-4p, Aug & Sep 10a-4p. Free. 4723644.
•’Ding’ Darling National Wildlife Refuge: 1 Wildlife Dr, Sanibel. Wildlife viewing, education Center. Guided Shell Walk: Fri 10a; Biking the refuge: Sat 9a. Wildlife Drive: Sat-Thu 7a-dusk; Visitor center: Sat-Thu 9a-4p free. 472-1100.
•ECHO Global Farm & Research Center: 17391 Durrance Rd, N Ft Myers. Farm tours TueFri 9:30a & 1:30p, Sat 9:30a. Technology tours: Tue, Fri, sat 11:30a. 543-3246.
•Edison & Ford Winter Estates: 2350 McGregor Blvd, Ft Myers. Historic homes, gardens, laboratory, museum. Ongoing exhibits: Rebirth & Renewal; ongoing: Fanatics - Edison, Mack & Baseball in Fort Myers. Guided homes tours daily; Automotive Tour: Mon 10:30a; Inside homes tour: Tue & Thu 10a (pre-register); Yoga by the River: Wed 10a; Step into History lectures: Tue & Thu 10:30a & 2p.; Piano recitals Wed 1p. Daily 9a-5:30p. 334-7419.
•Estero Historic Cottage Museum & Nature Center: One-room schoolhouse & historic cottage. 161 Bay Rd, Ft Myers Beach. Wed-Sat 10a-12p. 272-1911.
•Holocaust Museum & Cohen Education Center: 975 Imperial Golf Course Blvd, # 108, Naples. Guided tours. Tue-Sun 1-4:30p. 263-9200.
•IMAG History & Science Center: Exhibits, activities, live sea life touch-tank & feedings, films. 2000 Cranford St, Ft Myers. Mon-Sat 10a-5p & Sun 12-5p. 321-7420.
•Immokalee Pioneer Museum at Roberts Ranch: 1215 Roberts Ave W, Immokalee. Tue-Sat 9a-4p. Free. 252-2611.
•Marco Island Historical Museum: 180 S Heathwood Dr, Marco Island. Thru Jul 11: America the Beautiful by Clyde Butcher. Tue-Sat 9a-4p. Free. 642-1440.
•Marie Selby Botanical
Lee County Sports Complex
HAMMOND STADIUM
14400 Six Mile Cypress Pkwy. Fort Myers 768-4210
JUL 7: vs Bradenton
JUL 8: vs Bradenton
JUL 9: vs Bradenton
JUL 10: vs Bradenton
JUL 11: vs Bradenton
JUL 12: vs Bradenton
JUL 17: vs Lakeland
JUL 18: vs Lakeland
JUL 19: vs Lakeland
JUL 28: vs Palm Beach
JUL 29: vs Palm Beach
JUL 30: vs Palm Beach
JUL 31: vs Palm Beach
AUG 1: vs Palm Beach
AUG 2: vs Palm Beach
AUG 11: vs Clearwater
AUG 12: vs Clearwater
AUG 13: vs Clearwater
AUG 14: vs Clearwater
AUG 15: vs Clearwater
AUG 16: vs Clearwater
AUG 25: vs Bradenton
AUG 26: vs Bradenton
AUG 27: vs Bradenton
AUG 28: vs Bradenton
AUG 29: vs Bradenton
AUG 30: vs Bradenton
Gardens: 1534 Mound St, Sarasota. Thru Sept 13: Lynn Goldsmith & Patti SmithFlowers & Friendship. 10a-5p daily. 941-366-5731.
•Marie Selby Botanical Gardens: Historic Spanish Point, 337 N Tamiami Tr, Osprey. Thru Aug 30: Robert Louis Stevenson - A Child’s Garden of Verses. Daily 10a-5p. 941-366-5731
•Mound House: 451 Connecticut St, Ft Myers Beach. Guided tours Tue, Wed & Sat 9a-3p; programs Tue, Wed, Sat 10a; Shell Mound tours Tue-Sat 10a, 12 & 2p; Garden tours Tue & Fri 1p; Untold Stories tours Thu 2p; Free guided beach walks Tue & Thu 9a at Newton Park, 4650 Estero Blvd, Ft Myers Beach. Wed-Sat 7:30a-6:30p. 765-0865.
•MOTE Marine Laboratory & Aquarium: 1600 Ken Thompson Pkwy, Sarasota. Daily 10a-5p. 941-388-4441.
•Museum of the Everglades: 105 W Bwy, Everglades City. Thru Oct 3: American Spirit, American Dream (America 250). Mon-Sat 9a-4p. Free. 695-0008.
•Museum of the Islands: 5728
Sesame Dr, Bokeelia. Tue, Thu, Sat 11a-3p. 283-1525.
•Naples Botanical Garden: 4820
Bayshore Dr, Naples. Exhibitions— Thru Jul 12: Blooming at Work; Jul 11-Oct 25: Stories of Air & Soil. Tours daily 10a-1p on hour. Daily 9a-2p. 643-7275.
•Naples Depot Museum: 1051 Fifth Ave S, Naples. Thru Aug 29: The Great Dock Canoe Race. Tue-Sat 9a-4p. Naples Lionel Train Museum inside. Fri & Sat 10a-2p. Free. 2626525.
•Naples Historical Society Historic Palm Cottage: Museum & gardens. Naples Historical Society, 137 12th Ave. S, Naples. Tours: select Wed 9:30a - register. Tue-Sat 12-4p. 261-8164.
•Naples Lionel Train Museum: Inside Naples Depot Museum, 1051 Fifth Ave S, Naples. Fri & Sat 10a-2p. Steam engine ride Fri 10a-12:30p. Free. 262-6525.
•Naples Zoo at Caribbean Gardens: 1590 Goodlette-Frank Rd, Naples. Wildlife & botanical exhibits. Tours. Daily 9a-4:30p. 262-5409.
•Octagon Wildlife Sanctuary: 41660 Horseshoe Rd, Punta Gorda. Tours by appt. 543-1130.
•Ostego Bay Foundation Marine Science Center: 718 Fisherman’s Wharf, Ft Myers Beach. By appt. 765-8101.
•Paradise Coast Sports Complex: 3940 City Gate Blvd N, Naples. Sports facility. Live music Sat nites 5-8p at The Cove. Free. 252-4386.
•Peace River Wildlife Center: Ponce de Leon Park, 3400 Ponce de Leon Pkwy, Punta Gorda. Daily 11a-4p. 941-6373830
•Randell Research Center & Calusa Heritage Trail: 13810 Waterfront Dr, Bokeelia. Museum of South Florida archeology & ethnography exhibits & interpretive walkway. Daily sunrise-sunset. 283-2062.
•Revs Institute: 2500 Horseshoe Dr S, Naples. Classic cars. Guided tours. Tue, Thu, Sat 10a4p. advance tix. 687-7387.
•Rookery Bay Environmental Learning Center: 300 Tower Rd, Naples. Exhibits— Thru Oct 29: Through the Light of the Estuary. Exhibits, daily programs, guided boat & kayak eco-tours. Tue-Sat 9a-4p. 5305940.
•Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation Native Landscapes & Garden Center: 1300 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel. Exhibits, demonstration gardens, workshops. Tue-Thu 9a-3p. 472-1932.
•Sanibel Historical Museum & Village: 950 Dunlop Rd, Sanibel. Guided tours daily 10:30a. Closed Jul-Sep. 4724648.
•Sarasota Jungle Gardens: 3701 Bay Shore Rd, Sarasota. Live animal shows, tours. Daily 10a4p. 941-355-5305
•True Tours: River District History Walking Tour: select Thu & Sat 10:30a (register);
Haunted History Tour: Wed & Sat 8p (register); Cemetery Tour: (register). Franklin Shops, 2200 1st St, Ft Myers. 9450405.
•Williams Academy Black History Museum: Clemente Park, 1936 Henderson Ave, Ft Myers. Ongoing: 50 Years of Hip Hop, Anderson Avenue Economic Renaissance, MLK Corridor’s Revival. Tue-Fri 10a-4p & Sat by appt. Free. 332-8778.
•Wonder Gardens: 27180 Old 41 Rd, Bonita Springs. Botanical gardens, animals, alligator feedings. Guided tours Thu-Mon 1p. Daily 9a-4p. 992-2591.
Parks & Beaches
•Alison Hagerup Beach: 14790
Captiva Dr, Captiva. Dawn-dusk. Parking fee. 472-2472.
•Alva Park: 21471 N River Rd, Alva. Dawn-dusk. Free. 6940398.
•Bailey Homestead Preserve:
Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation. 1300 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel. Walking tours Mon 2p & Thu 10a. Tue-Fri 9a3p. Free. 472-1932.
•Bonita Beach Park: 27954 Hickory Blvd., Bonita Springs. Dawn-dusk. Free. 533-7444.
•Boca Grande Park: 131 1st St, Boca Grande. Dawn-dusk. Free. 839-6008.
•Bowditch Point Park: 50 Estero Blvd, Ft Myers Beach. Dawndusk. Free. 463-3764.
•Bowman’s Beach Park: 1700 Bowman’s Beach Rd, Sanibel. Dawn-dusk. 533-7575.
•Brooks Park: 50 South Rd, Ft Myers. Dawn-dusk. Free. 3400397.
•Buckingham Park: 9800 Buckingham Rd, Ft Myers. Dawn-dusk. Free. 237-9306.
•Bunche Beach: 18201 John Morris Rd, Ft Myers. Dawndusk. Free. 707-6794.
•Caloosahatchee Park: 18500 North River Rd, Alva. Dawndusk. Free. 693-2690.
•Cayo Costa State Park: 4 nautical miles west of Pine Island. Accessible only by boat or kayak. Camping, boating,
The exhibition, ‘In the Flesh: The Nude in Japanese Art’ is on view thru August 23 at The Ringling Museum of Art in Sarasota.
What Goes On JULY-AUGUST-SEPTEMBER
bicycling trails. 8a-sunset daily. 941-964-0375.
•Charlotte Harbor Preserve State Park: 12301 Burnt Store Rd, Punta Gorda. Environmental Center, hiking & bicycling trails, guided hikes. 8a-sunset daily. 941-575-5816.
•Collier-Seminole State Park: US 41, S Naples. Hiking & bicycling trails, boating, camping, boardwalk. 8a-sunset. 394-3397.
•Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park: 11135 Gulfshore Dr, Naples. Beach. Hiking trail, paddling, boating, boardwalk, restaurant. 8a-sunset. 5976196.
•Dog Beach: 14436 Bonita Beach Causeway, Bonita Springs. Dogs can run free. Dawn-dusk. Free. 229-0632.
•Estero Bay Preserve State Park: 4940 Broadway W, Estero. Hiking trails, off-road bicycling trails, boating. 8a-sunset daily. 992-0311.
•Estero Park: 9200 Corkscrew Palms Blvd, Estero. Rec Center. 6a-9p. Free. 248-1609.
•Everglades National Park: Gulf Coast Visitor Center, 815 Oyster Bar Ln. Everglades City. 6953311.
•Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park: 8137 Coastline Dr, Copeland. Hiking & bicycling trails, boardwalk, paddling, historic site. 8a-sunset daily. 695-4593.
•Four Freedoms Park: 4818 Tarpon Ct, Cape Coral. Dawndusk. Free. 574-0804.
•Gasparilla State Park: 880 Belcher Rd, Boca Grande. 8a-sunset daily. Bicycling & hiking trails, paddling, museum. 8am-sunset daily. 941-9640375.
•Harlem Heights Park: 7340 Concourse Dr, Ft Myers. Dawndusk. Free. 839-7062.
•Hickey Creek Park: 17980 Palm Beach Blvd, Alva. Dawndusk. Free. 693-2690.
•John Yarbrough Park: 14608 Six Mile Cypress Pkwy, F Myers. Dawn-dusk. Free. 2181032.
•Judd Park: 1297 Parkview Ct, N Ft Myers. Dawn-dusk. Free. 357-5443.
•Koreshan State Historic Site
State Park: US Hwy 41 & Corkscrew Rd, Estero. Access to Mound Key Archeological State Park. Historic settlement, hiking trials, boating, paddling, camping. 8a-sunset daily, historic site 8a-5p daily. 9920311.
•Kurt Donaldson Park: 180 Hunter Blvd, Cape Coral. Dawndusk. Free. 357-5443.
•Lake Manatee State Park: 20007 State Rd 64 E, Bradenton. Hiking & bicycling trails, paddling, boating. 8a-sunset. 941-741-3028.
•Lakes Park: 7330 Gladiolus Dr, Ft Myers. 7a-dusk. 533-7575.
•Lehigh Acres Park: 1400 W 5th St, Lehigh Acres. Dawn-dusk. Free. 204-1165.
•Lehigh Acres Trailhead Park:
213 David Ave, Lehigh Acres.
Dawn-dusk. Free. 204-1165.
•Lighthouse Beach Park: 110 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel. 7a-dusk. 472-0345.
•Lovers Key State Park: 8700
Estero Blvd. Ft Myers Beach.
Bicycling & hiking trails, boating, paddling. Guided walks select Fri & Sat 10:30a. 8a-sunset daily. 463-4588.
•Lynn Hall Beach Park: 950 Estero Blvd, Ft Myers Beach. Dawn-dusk. Free. 229-7356.
•Manatee Park: 10901 Palm Beach Blvd, Ft Myers. Free butterfly garden tours Sun 9a thru Mar. Free. 690-5030.
•Matanzas Pass Preserve: Temporarily closed. 119 Bay Rd, Ft Myers Beach. Free. 707-3015.
•Matlacha Park: 4577 Pine Island Rd, Matlacha. Community Center. 7a-9p. Free. 771-1078.
•Myakka River State Park: 13207 SR 72, Sarasota.
Canoeing, camping, paddling, hiking & bicycling horseback riding trails, wildlife tours by air-boat & tram, scenic drive, guided walks. 8a-sunset daily. 941-361-6511.
•Nalle Grade Park: 8350 Nalle Grade Rd, N Ft Myers. Dawndusk. Free. 357-5443.
•Naples Preserve: Eco-center. 1690 Tamiami Tr N, Naples. Free. 261-4290.
•North Collier Park: 15000 Livingston Rd, Naples. Free. 652-4512.
•North Fort Myers Park: 2000 N Recreation Park Way, N Ft Myers. Rec Center. Dawn-dusk. Free. 533-7200
•North Shore Park: 13001 N Cleveland Ave, N Ft Myers. Dawn-dusk. Free. 357-5443.
•Olga Park: 2325 S Olga Dr, Ft Myers. Community Center. Dawn-dusk. Free. 694-2291.
•Oscar Scherer State Park: 1843 S Tamiami Tr, Osprey. Hiking & bicycling trails, paddling, camping. 8a-sunset daily. 941483-5956.
•Phillips Park: 5675 Sesame Dr, Bokeelia. Dawn-dusk. Free. 771-1078.
•Pinewood Trails Park: 5901 Pine Island Rd NW, Bokeelia. Dawn-dusk. Free. 771-1078.
•Rotary Park: 5505 Rose Garden Rd, Cape Coral. Tom Allen Butterfly House, nature trails, environmental center. 8a-4p. Free. 549-4606.
•Rutenberg Park: 6500 South Pointe Blvd, Ft Myers. Dawndusk. Free. 340-0397.
•San Carlos Bay-Bunche Beach Preserve: 18201 John Morris Rd, Ft Myers. Free. 765-6794.
•Schandler Hall Park: 419 Royal Palm Park Rd, Ft Myers. Dawndusk. Free. 533-7200.
•Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve: 7791 Penzance Blvd, Ft Myers. Boardwalk, interpretive center open TueSun 10a-4p. Guided boardwalk walks Wed 9:30a. Dawn-dusk. Free. 533-7550.
•Stump Pass Beach State Park: 900 Gulf Blvd (south end of
PARADISE COAST
SPORTS COMPLEX
3940 City Gater Blvd. N. Naples 933-5335
JUL 3: vs Portland
JUL 18: vs South Carolina
AUG 5: vs Lancaster
AUG 26: vs Omaha
SEP 5: vs Boise
SEP 26: vs Chattanooga
OCT 3: vs New York
OCT 7: vs Richmond
OCT 24: vs Spokane
Manasota Key, Englewood). Hiking, paddling, guided tours. 8a-sunset daily. 941-964-0375.
•Three Oaks Park: 18251 Three Oaks Pkwy, Ft Myers. Dawn9:15p. Free. 478-6998.
•Veterans Park: 55 Homestead Rd, Lehigh Acres. Rec Center. Dawn-dusk. Free. 369-1521.
•Wa-Ke-Hatchee Park: 16730 Bass Rd, Ft Myers. Rec Center. Dawn-dusk. Free. 533-7468.
Libraries
•Bonita Springs: 10560 Reynolds St, Bonita Springs. Mon, Wed, Thu 10a-6p, Tue 12-8p, Fri & Sat 9a-5p. 533-4860.
•Cape Coral-Lee County: 921 S.W. 39th Ter, Cape Coral. Exhibit— thru Nov 8: Voices & Votes - Democracy in America. Mon-Wed 9a-8p. Thu 9a-6p, Fri & Sat 9a-5p. 533-4500.
•Captiva: 11560 Chapin Ln, Captiva. Mon, Wed, Fri 10a-4p. 533-4890.
•Collier County Library Headquarters: 2385 Orange Blossom Dr, Naples. Mon-Thu 9a-8p, Fri & Sat 9a-5p. 2527311.
•Dunbar-Jupiter Hammon: 3095 Blount St, Fort Myers. Tue 128p, Wed & Thu 10a-6p, Fri & Sat 9a-5p. 533-4150.
•East County: 881 Gunnery Rd N, Lehigh Acres. Mon-Wed 9a-8p, Thu 9a-6p, Fri & Sat 9a-5p. 5334200.
•East Naples: 8787 Tamiami Tr N, Naples. Tue-Thu 10a-6p, Fri & Sat 9a-5p.
•Estates: 1266 Golden Gate Blvd W, Naples. Mon-Thu 10a-6p Fri & Sat 9a-5p. 252-7109.
•Everglades City: 102 Copeland Ave N, Everglades City. Mon-Fri 9a-12p & 1-4:30p. 295-2511.
•Florida Gulf Coast University Wilson Bradshaw Library: 10501 FGCU Blvd S., Ft Myers. Mon-Thu 7a-11:30p, Fri 7a-8p, Sat 1-6p, Sun 11a-11:30p. 590-7199.
•Florida SouthWestern State College: Collier campus. 7505
Grand Lely Dr, Building G, Naples. Mon-Thu 7:30a-7p, Fri 8a-4p, Sat 10a-4p.732-3774.
•Florida SouthWestern State College: Lee Campus. 8099 College Pkwy, Building J, Fort Myers. Mon-Thu 7:30a-7p, Fri 8a-4p, Sat 10a-4p.489-9220.
•Fort Myers: 2450 First St, Ft Myers. Min-Wed 9a-8p, Thu 9a6p, Fri & Sat 9a-5p. 533-4600.
•Fort Myers Beach: 2755 Estero Blvd, Ft Myers Beach. Mon-Fri 9a-5p & sat 9a-1p. 765-8162.
•Golden Gate: 2432 Lucerne Rd, Naples. Mon-Thu 10a-6p, Fri &Sat 9a-5p. 252-4542.
•Immokalee: 417 N First St, Immokalee. Tue-Thu 10a-6p, Fri & Sat 9a-5p. 252-7073.
•Johann Fust: 1040 W 10th St, Boca Grande. Tue-Thu 10a-6p, Fri & Sat 9a-5p. 941-964-2488
•Lakes: 15290 Bass Rd, Ft Myers. Mon-Wed 9a-8p, Thu 9a6p, Fri & Sat 9a-5p. 533-4000.
•Marco Island: 210 S Heathwood Dr, Marco Island. Mon-Thu 10a6p, Fri & Sat 9a-5p. 252-7064.
•Naples: 650 Central Ave, Naples. Mon-Thu 9a-8p, Fri & Sat 9a-5p.
•North Fort Myers: 2001 N Tamiami Tr, N Ft Myers. Mon, Wed, Thu 10a-6p, Tue 12-8p, Fri & Sat 9a-5p. 533-4320.
•Northwest: 519 Chiquita Blvd N, Cape Coral. Mon, Wed, Thu 10a-6p, Tue 12-8p, Fri & Sat 9a-5p. 533-4700.
•Pine Island: 10701 Russell Rd, Bokeelia. Tue-Thu 10a-6p, Fri & Sat 9a-5p. 533-4350.
•Riverdale: 21471 N River Rd, Ft Myers. Mon-Fri 10a-4p. 5334370.
•Sanibel: 770 Dunlop Rd Sanibel. Mon & Thu 9a-8p; Tue, Wed, Fri 9a-5p; Sat 9a-1p. 472-2483.
•South: 8065 Lely Cultural Pkwy, Naples. Mon-Thu 9a-8p, Fri & Sat 9a-5p.
•South County: 21100 Three Oaks Pkwy, Estero. Mon-Wed 9a-8p, Thu 9a-6p, Fri & Sat 9a-5p. 533-4400.
•Talking Books: 1651 Lee St, Ft Myers. Mon-Fri 9a-5p. 5334780.
•Vanderbilt Beach: 788 Vanderbilt Beach Rd, Naples. Tue-Thu 10a-6p, Fri & Sat 9a5p. 252-7160.
Live Music & Comedy
•Americana Community Music Association Listening Room: All Faiths Unitarian Congregation, 2756 McGregor Blvd, Ft Myers. Select Fri- Sun 7p. 691-4069.
•Bay Street Yard: 2136 Bay St, Ft Myers. Live music select nites. 270-5941.
•Bone Hook Brewery: 1514 Immokalee Rd, Naples. Live music select nites. 631-8522.
•Buckingham Blues Bar: 5641 Buckingham Rd., Ft Myers. Live music select nites. Free
open blues jam Wed 8-11p & Sun 3-6p: Tommy Lee Cook & The Buckingham Blues. 693-7111.
•Cape Cabaret: 4725 Vincennes Blvd, Cape Coral. Tue nites: live jazz 6:30-9p; Comedy nites: select Froi & Sat nites 7p; live music select nites 7-10p. Tue. 549-3000.
•Coastal Dayz Brewery: 2161 McGregor Blvd, Ft Myers, Live music select nites & Sat 2-5p. Free. 204-9665.
•Downtown Social House: 1406 Hendry St, Ft Myers. Live music Wed-Sat nites. Free. 337-7646.
•Englewoods On Dearborn: 362 W Dearborn St, Englewood. Live blues bands Thu-Sat nites. 941-475-7501.
•Fancy’s Southern Café: 2214 Bay St, Ft Myers. Live music select nights. 208-2564.
•Fancy’s Southern Café: 8890 Salrose Ln, #101, Ft Myers. Live music select nights. 5612988.
•Fort Myers Brewing Company: 12811 Commerce Lake Dr, #27, Ft Myers. Live music Wed 6-9p, Fri & Sat 7-10p, Sun 2-5p. Free. 313-6576.
•Off the Hook Comedy Club: 2500 Vanderbilt Beach, Naples. Comedians Thu-Sat & select Sun, Tue, Wed nites. 540-7867.
•Point Ybel Brewing Company: 16120 San Carlos Blvd, Ft Myers. 3rd Thu: Irish Jam Night; live music select nites. Free. 603-6535.
•Rack ‘em Spirits & Times: 1011 SE 47th Ter, Cape Coral. Live music select Fri & Sat nites. Free. 540-7225.
•Snappers Laugh-In Comedy Café: 8595 College Pkwy, Ft Myers. Comedians Thu-Sat nites. 479-5233.
•South Street City Oven & Grill: 1410 Pine Ridge Rd, # 4, Naples. Live music select nites. Free. 435-9333.
•South Street City Oven & Grill: 8845 Founders Square Dr, Naples. Live music select nites. Free. 435-9333.
•Space 39 Art Bar & Martini Lounge: 39 Patio de Leon, Ft Myers. Live music select WedSat nites. 204-9949.
•Sugarshack Downtown: 27421 Old 41 Rd, Bonita Springs. Live music nitely. 301-4321.
•Swamp Cat Brewing: 1943 Fowler St, Ft Myers. Live music select nites. 887-3223.
•Ter-Tini’s Music & Event Hall: 1901 Crystal Dr, Ft Myers. Live music select nites. 344-6147.
•The Beach Bar: 1668 I St, Ft Myers Beach. Live music daily 1-5p. 224-4901.
•The Cove: Paradise Coast Sports Complex outdoor bar. 3940 City Gate Blvd N, Naples. Live Sat & select Fri nites 5-8p. Free. 252-4386
•The Ranch Concert Hall & Saloon: 2158 Colonial Blvd, Ft Myers. Live music select nites. 985-9839.
•The Stage: 9144 Bonita Beach Rd SE, Bonita Springs. Live tribute bands nitely. 4058566.
