WHAT’S HAPPENING

'Purple Tea' to unite and educate women about breast cancer

Purple Tea, a symposium outlining developments in the fight against breast cancer, will be held on Feb 23 from noon to 2 p m at the Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre, at 1380 Colonial Blvd , Fort Myers

It will feature a panel of distinguished breast health experts who will discuss advancements in prevention, screening and treatment of breast cancer in a supportive, inspiring environment

The keynote speaker will be Dr Alan Brown, a boardcertified radiation oncologist at Advocate Radiation Oncology Former chairman of the Lee Health Regional Cancer Center Multidisciplinary Breast Clinic, he is nationally recognized for his community involvement and research efforts

The additional speakers will include:

∫ Dr Magali Van de Bergh, a medical oncologist and principal investigator with Florida Cancer Specialists who has led multiple clinical research studies with a focus on lymphomas, chronic leukemias and lymphoproliferative disorders

∫ Dr Natalia Spinelli, a board-certified breast surgical oncologist who specializes in benign and malignant diseases of the breast and is trained in the latest surgical approaches in breast cancer care.

∫ Debra Wilson, who serves as the vice president of oncology services at Lee Health

Attendees are encouraged to dress in purple

The event is free, but advance registration is required

F o r m o r e i n f o r m a t i o n o r t o r e g i s t e r , v i s i t eventbrite com/e/purple-tea-tickets-503552447927 or call Sherri Kubesh at 239-839-6015

Lee Health to offer self-management programs

Lee Health's “It’s All About You” a self-management resource program with the SMRC is offering the following research-based virtual programs for free to the community:

Chronic Disease Self-Management Program

The Chronic Disease Self-Management Program is designed for people ages 18 and older with chronic health conditions to help them learn ways to better manage the chronic conditions and symptoms that often accompany chronic health conditions The workshops are held once a week for six weeks

The program will be offered on Thursdays starting on Feb 23 from 1 to 3:30 p m at the Providence Family Life Center, at 3592 Broadway, Suite 100, Fort Myers. Participants will receive a copy of the book “Living a Healthier Life with Chronic Conditions ”

For more information or to register for one of the programs, call 239-424-3121

'The Last Show'

to open at Alliance theater

T h e T h e a t r e C o n s p i r a c y a t t h e A l l i a n c e f o r t h e A r t s w i l l p r e s e n t “ T h e L a s t S h o w ” F e b 2 6 a t 2 p m a t t h e a l l i a n c e , a t 1 0 0 9 1 M c G r e g o r B l v d , F o r t M y e r s

Written and performed by Derek Lively, it is a new work developed locally and directed by the Alliance's producing artistic director, Bill Taylor “The Last Show” is set in an illegal underground nightclub, in a city where all public social gatherings and all forms of art have been banned

Lively portrays a performance artist who risks arrest and possibly his life to perform for the first (and last time) in front of his dying mother With nothing but a few props and a bottle of cognac, the performance artist holds nothing back because the show is unlike any other that he has ever performed

Lively will host a special Talkback following the matinee performance on Feb 26

Tickets are $25 for members and $30 for non-members

The show contains adult language and content; please use discretion

For more information or tickets, visit ArtInLee org or call 239-939-2787.

'Fanciful' exhibit

opens at Shell Point

The exhibition “Fanciful: Art That Makes You Smile” will be on display now through March 18 in the Tribby Arts Center at the Shell Point Retirement Community, at 17281 On Par Blvd , Fort Myers

The light-hearted exhibit seeks to uplift spirits still coping with the effects of a hurricane

The artists on display are paper sculptor Maxine Brooks, painters Nancy Dimick and Helen Ketteman, and textile artists Barbara Heatherly and Carol Mann, all Shell Point residents It also includes fiber sculptor by Katie Gardenia, who is formerly of Sanibel and Captiva and now from San Antonio, Texas

The exhibition is free of charge and open to the public.

For more information, call 239-415-5667

Last call for Florida Fish Ar t Contest entries

The deadline is approaching for this year's Art of Conservation Florida Fish Art Contest, hosted by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission It is open to kindergarten through 12th grade

Students from Florida can win top honors, international recognition and prizes

Two first-place winners will be selected for each grade bracket (kindergarten through third grade, fourth through sixth grade, seventh through ninth grade, and 10th through 12th grade) one for illustrating the best freshwater fish species and one for the best saltwater fish species All first-place winners will advance to the national competition to be judged for top prizes, including Best of Show

The deadline to enter is Feb 28

To enter, Florida students should submit their entry at Wildlife Forever Florida Art at https://www wildlifeforever org/home/fish-art/fish-entry-forms/florida-entryforms/

It should consist of the following:

∫ An original piece of artwork featuring any fish including one or more of the following Florida native species from the same category: Category 1 (freshwater): Largemouth bass, striped bass, black crappie, bluegill, redear sunfish, spotted sunfish, channel catfish, Forida gar, chain pickerel, bowfin Category 2 (saltwater): snook, redfish, spotted seatrout, flounder, tarpon, mahi-mahi, Spanish mackerel, hogfish, queen snapper, black grouper

∫ A piece of creative writing, no longer than one page, about the chosen species Required for grades 412

∫ A Florida State-Fish Art Contest entry form

The Laborator y Theater of Florida to present ‘Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street’

T h e L a b o r a t o r y T h e a t e r o f F l o r i d a t o p r e s e n t

“Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street” now through March 11

Sweeney Todd, an unjustly-exiled barber, returns to 19th-century London, seeking vengeance against the lecherous judge who framed him and ravaged his young wife. The road to revenge leads Todd to Mrs Lovett, a resourceful proprietress of a failing pie shop, above which he opens a new barber practice Mrs Lovett's luck sharply shifts when Todd's thirst for blood inspires the integration of an ingredient into her meat pies that has the people of London lining up and the carnage has only just begun!

Book by Hugh Wheeler, music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim Based on the 1973 play of the same name by Christopher Bond

Photography and videography of this production are strictly prohibited

Don't wait! Reserve your seats early for this thrilling musical!

Performance dates:

∫ Feb 23, 24, and 25 at 8 p m

∫ Feb 26 at 2 p m

∫ March 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, and 11 at 8 p.m.

∫ March 5 at 2 p m

For more information visit https://laboratorytheaterflorida com/2022-23-season/ or call 239-218-0481

Edison, Ford estates to offer ar t classes for adults

The Edison and Ford Winter Estates in Fort Myers offers opportunities throughout the year to learn painting techniques, create floral arrangements or other pieces of artwork taught by local artists

Classes scheduled for the month of February include the following:

∫ Feb 25: Silk Scarf Painting with Marie Dyer at 10 a m

Marie Dyer has been teaching at the estates for years Participants will paint a scarf that can be worn or hung as a piece of artwork Participants of all experience levels are welcome. Cost is $90 for members or $100 for nonmembers; all materials are included

Seating is limited and registration is required

F o r m o r e i n f o r m a t i o n o r t o r e g i s t e r , v i s i t EdisonFord org

The Edison and Ford Winter Estates is at 2350 McGregor Blvd , Fort Myers

‘Natural Woman: A Tribute to Carole King’ celebrates her music at the Charlotte Harbor Event and Conference Center Feb. 27

If you are a fan of Carole King, you can revisit her amazing music at the Charlotte Harbor Event and Conference Center on Monday, Feb 27, as Charlotte Players presents “Natural Woman: A Tribute to Carole King” featuring Katie Pinder Brown As an accomplished musician and vocalist, Katie takes her inspiration from Carole King’s music catalog and will take you back to that special time in her show She will include a wide range of Carole’s music, from songs you never knew she composed to chart-topping hits that defined Carole King as a superstar songwriter Four talented musicians will be accompanying Katie onstage while she plays the grand piano

This single performance starts at 7:30 p m at the Charlotte Harbor Event and Conference Center, 75 Taylor St, Punta Gorda Tickets are available by calling the box office at 941-255-1022 Tickets and show information can also be obtained through the Charlotte Players website at https://www.charlotteplayers.org. Tickets range from $20 for regular student tickets to $46 for adult preferred

Tickets on sale for ‘An Evening with the Authors’

The Lee County Library System will offer book-loving fans a chance to meet and mingle with more than 20 Southwest Florida Reading Festival authors at the “An Evening with the Authors” fundraiser, planned for March 3 from 5:30 to 8:30 p m at the Edison Restaurant & Event Center in Fort Myers

“This really is an unforgettable opportunity for fans to meet the authors before our big festival,” Melissa Baker, festival coordinator and programming/community outreach manager for the system, said “The dinner is a personal gathering with the writers and without the crowds that festival day will bring Our guests have a chance to interact with the authors and quite likely learn fun facts, too ”

Proceeds will benefit the 24th annual Southwest Florida Reading Festival on March 4 in Fort Myers It is a free, allages outdoor event where fans may listen to and meet a lineup of bestselling authors, explore the latest in books and technology and participate in crafts and activities In addition, there will be a free book for every child and teen, storytelling programs, youth writing contest awards and food truck vendors Several author presentations will also be livestreamed through the festival’s mobile app

Fundraiser tickets are $75 per person and are available through Feb 15

For more information or tickets, visit www ReadFest org

The Edison Restaurant & Event Center is at 3583 McGregor Blvd , Fort Myers

Illusionist Leon Etienne to per for m two shows at Boys & Girls Clubs in For t Myers