July-August 2022

On The Gulf

Summer Circus Spectacular Returns to the Asolo Theatre

NEWS & PREVIEWS

The Circus Arts Conservatory is again partnering with The Ringling to present the acclaimed 2022 Summer Circus Spectacular at the Historic Asolo Theater thru August 13.

The lineup for the Summer Circus Spectacular includes a wide range of acts, including duo lyra, adagio, hand balancing/contortion, rolla bolla, and more The lineup includes:

Heidi Herriott: Master of ceremonies, Herriott is a third-generation American circus artist. She performs as an aerialist, equestrian and Ringmaster.

Chris Allison: After graduating from the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus Clown College with a major in pie throwing and a minor in pratfalls, he spent the next 11 years touring with the circus, the final three years as the Boss Clown.

The Circus Arts Conservatory’s Summer Circus Spectacular is at The Ringling’s Historic Asolo Theatre in Sarasota thru August 13.

Olga Coronas, Holly Legare: Aerial dream team fuses dance and aerial acrobatics. Coronas is an accomplished aerialist and Legare is an award-winning dancer.

Seida Maite Ramírez Lobaina & Julio Fajardo: Award-winning hand-to-hand balancing and adagio act.

Abrehem Mola: Born and raised in Ethiopia, Mola joined the first of many circuses, performing as an acrobat and juggler before perfecting his rolla bolla routine.

Ricardo Sosa: An accomplished contortionist, Sosa began studying ballet at the age of 6 and went on to train in the state-sanctioned circus school in Havana, Cuba. Three years into his professional career, he became a highly-regarded teacher and mentor.

The Historic Asolo Theatre is located on the grounds of The Ringling, at 5401 Bay Shore Rd. in Sarasota. Show times are 11am & 2pm Tuesdays-Fridays, and 2pm & 5pm Saturdays.

Summer Circus Spectacular patrons can enjoy The Ringling’s Circus Museum on the day of their show for only $5. For information, call 941-3607399.

Experience Van Gogh in Sarasota

The multimedia presentation, ‘Beyond Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience’, the multimedia presentation captivating art lovers in city after city, is on view in Sarasota thru August 5.

Beyond Van Gogh takes viewers on a journey through over 300 of the painter’s iconic artworks in a three-dimensional experience set to a symphonic score and using the artist’s own dreams, thoughts, and words

The multimedia presentation, ‘Beyond Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience’ is in Sarasota thru August 5.

to drive the experience as a narrative.

Including instantly recognizable classics such as ‘The Starry Night’, ‘Sunflowers’, and ‘Cafe Terrace at Night’, as well as lesser known works, Van Gogh’s art comes to life by appearing and disappearing, flowing across multiple surfaces and heightening the senses with their immense detail. Guests will leave with a new appreciation of Van Gogh’s stunning work.

‘Beyond Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience’ is at the Starry Night Pavilion in the East District at University Town Center, located at 195 University Town Center Drive in Sarasota.

The presentation can be experienced Sunday & TuesdayThursday 10am-6pm and Friday & Saturday 10am-7pm. For information, call 800-441-0819.

The Baker Museum’s Summer Exhibitions

Artis—Naples’ The Baker Museum hosts two new exhibitions this summer. ‘True Likeness’ will feature traditional portraits in a variety of media and ‘Recent Acquisitions’ will present more than 50 works that have been added to the museum’s permanent collection since 2019.

‘True Likeness’ presents contemporary portraits from diverse artists in media including video, photography, painting, collage, sculpture, printmaking and drawing. These artists, some familiar, others more on the fringe of the art world, hail from all over the United States. The exhibit addresses the idea that portraits serve as expressions of identity, popular taste and social standing, as well as documentations of personal and communal events and experiences, and individual and collective identity. Their works provide a snapshot of the country’s identity, highlighting and celebrating its diversity.

‘Recent Acquisitions: 2019-Present’ showcases growth of The Baker Museum’s

Art After the Holocaust

The Holocaust Museum & Cohen Education Center in Naples has been gifted a variety of Holocaust-themed artwork since it founding. ‘Art After the Holocaust: - Selected Works from the Museum’s Collection’ will exhibit a cross section of the media in their permanent collection, including:

•Black & White photographic images of contemporary Auschwitz, by Arnold M. Hodes

•Pencil drawings of preholocaust life in Eastern Europe, by Sander Gordon Bergman

•Oil paintings created by Bill Farnsworth for the children’s book, Irena Sendler and the Children of the Warsaw Ghetto

permanent collection over the past two decades. With generous gifts and through museum purchases, the art collection has continued to expand in both breadth and quality within the museum’s clearly defined scope, which encompasses American, Latin American and European art from the 1880s to the present day.

Outstanding recent acquisitions are Deborah Butterfield’s ‘Charlemagne’, an equine sculpture made of driftwood and other found materials, and Dale Chihuly’s outdoor installation ‘Red Reeds, as well as large-scale paintings by Donald Sultan (’Sultan’s Steer’) and Hunt Slonem, (‘Hutch Hutch’).

Other highlights of the exhibition include photographs by Mariana Yampolsky, Philip Perkis and Jack Leigh; two print suites by Louise Nevelson (11 silkscreens from her ‘Façade: In Homage to Edith Sitwell’ (1966) and six lithographs from Ernest Trova’s ‘Falling Man’ series; drawings by two noted French surrealists, André Masson and Max Bucaille; oil paintings by the Mexican surrealist Enrique Chavarria;

and the cubist painting ‘The Three Musicians’, by Ukrainianborn, Jewish-American artist William Meyerowitz, as well as paintings by Mally Khorasantchi and Antonio Guerrero, two Florida-based artists who have created multi-panel, mixedmedia paintings demonstrating the continued importance of surrealism and abstraction in contemporary art.

‘True Likeness’ will be on view thru September 25, and ‘Recent Acquisitions: 2019-Present’ will be on view through January 8.

The Baker Museum, located at 5833 Pelican Bay Blvd. in Naples, is open Monday-Friday 10am-5pm, Saturday 10am-4pm & Sunday 12-4pm, thru July 24.The museum will be closed for summer maintenance July 25-September 6. For information, call 597-1900.

•Woodcut print portrait of Elie Wiesel, by Sr. Mary Charles McGough

Some of the larger works on display, which were donated to the Museum, include:

•‘Flames of Remembrance’, by Hans Godo Fräbel

• ‘Real People ... Real Numbers’, by Henry Schiowitz

Sculptures include:

•Raoul Wallenberg bust, by Ladislav Vina

•‘The Defiant Man’, by Dee Clements.

“Art After the Holocaust” will be on display thru August 31 at the Holocaust Museum & Janet G.& Harvey D. Cohen Education

The Holocaust Museum & Cohen Education center in Naples presents ‘Art After the Holocaust’, an exhibition of artworks from their collection, thru August 31.

Donald Sultan’s ‘Sultan’s Steer’ is one of the artworks on view in ‘Recent Acquisitions: 2019-Present’ at The Baker Museum in Naples thru Janury 8.

Center, located at 975 Imperial Golf Course Blvd., suite 108 in Naples. The Museum & Education Center is open WednesdaySunday 1-4pm. For information, call 263-9200.

The Ringling Presents Works on Paper

The John & Mable Ringling Museum of Art presents the exhibition, ‘The world is just so small, now: Works on paper from The Ringling’s Collection of Modern and Contemporary Art’ thru October 23.

The exhibition brings together prints, watercolors, and drawings by artists working on paper, highlighting the medium as fundamental to the artists’ practice. Most of the pieces are on display for the first time. Shown along with these are several rarely seen lithographs, woodblocks, and a relief print on glass acquired between the early 1960s and late 1990s.

This exhibition features the work of Abel Barroso, Romare Bearden, Francesco Clemente, Elisabeth Condon, Mary Beth Edelson, Leon Hicks, Corita Kent, Ibrahim Miranda, Duke

The exhibition, ‘The world is just so small, now’ showcasing works on paper from The Ringling’s Collection of Modern & Contemporary Art, is on view thru October 23.

Riley, John Scott, David Alfaro Siqueiros, Cauleen Smith, Linda Stein, and William Villalongo, among others.

The Ringling Museum of Art, open daily 10am-5pm, is located at 5401 Bay Shore Rd. in Sarasota. Call 941-359-5700 for information.

Masters of Landscape Photography at The James Museum

The James Museum of Western & Wildlife Art in St. Petersburg brings together two masters of landscape photography, with two concurrent exhibitions:

‘Ansel Adams: The Masterworks’ and ‘Clyde Butcher: America the Beautiful.’

The exhibitions examine the power and fragility of the natural world through the beauty, grandeur, and complexity of

The James Museum of Western & Wildlife Art in St. Petersburg presents exhibitions of photographs by Ansel Adams and Clyde Butcher thru July 31

the American landscape as interpreted by Adams and Butcher in a series of distinctive black and white photographs.

‘Ansel Adams: The Masterworks’ includes 32 black & white gelatin silver prints, spanning four decades of photography. The exhibition, contains some of Adams’ most well-known images of the National Parks, the peoples of New Mexico and the everchanging landscapes of America.

‘Ansel Adams: The Masterworks’ and ‘Clyde Butcher: America the Beautiful’ are on view through July 31.

The James Museum of Western & Wildlife Art features more than 400 works of art depicting the peoples, landscapes, wildlife and history of the American West. The museum, located at 150 Central Ave. in St. Petersburg, is open daily from 10am-5pm & Tuesday 10am-8pm. For more information, call 727-892-4200.

Marisol & Warhol in Miami

The Pérez Art Museum

Miami is presenting, ‘Marisol and Warhol Take New York’, an exhibition featuring iconic artworks and ephemera by artists Marisol Escobar and Andy Warhol. The exhibition chronicles the artists’ friendship, early careers, and rise to success in 1960s New York. It not only offers a glimpse into Marisol and Warhol’s close bond as friends and artistic collaborators, but explores the development of

both artists’ careers over an eight-year span from 19601968, while highlighting their influence on each other, their parallel rises to success, and their savvy navigation of the highly competitive 1960’s gallery world.

Marisol became a central figure in the burgeoning American Pop Art Movement that erupted onto the New York art scene in the 1960s. During this time, Marisol and Warhol developed a deep friendship, often emerging from their studios to attend social gatherings together.

By featuring Marisol’s work in conjunction with Warhol’s, the exhibition seeks to highlight Marisol’s importance within the Pop art movement.

The exhibition includes paintings, drawings, photographs, and archival material, along with rarely seen films by Warhol.

Visitors will see Marisol’s version of Pop — her use of American subjects like John Wayne, Coca-Cola, and the Kennedy family — alongside Warhol’s earliest paintings, sculptures, and films.

‘Marisol & Warhol Take New York’ is on view thru September 5. The Pérez Art Museum Miami is located at 1103 Biscayne Blvd. in Miami. The museum is open Friday-Monday 11am-6pm & Thursday 11am-9pm. Call 305375-3000 for information.

‘Marisol & Warhol Take New York’ is on view at the Pérez Art Museum Miami thru September 5.

Florida C OLLEGE

The DAVE School

2500 Universal Studios Plaza Soundstage #25 ORLANDO

407-385-1100

admissions@daveschool.com

dave.nuc.edu

The DAVE School (Digital Animation & Visual Effects School), has been teaching the next industry professionals for over 20 years. Located on the backlot of Universal Studios Florida ® , this MSCHE accredited school offers diploma programs and bachelor’s degrees in Visual Effects Production, Game Production, Virtual Production, as well as a bachelor’s degree in Digital Graphic Design. The DAVE School consistently produces skilled graduates who are uniquely prepared for industry positions. The DAVE School is proudly recognized as a Rookies Certified School ® , keeping up with industry changes and trends.

Hodges University

4501 Colonial Boulevard FORT MYERS

239-938-7700

admissions@Hodges.edu hodges.edu

Hodges University is where you can Stay Near and Go Far with certificates, associate, bachelor’s, master’s degrees and quick training programs designed for your career goals and employer needs. From nursing, physical therapy, dental hygiene and EMS to business, accounting, legal studies, psychology and technology, our accelerated programs mean you graduate faster with the skills and knowledge you need to succeed, with professors that share their practical, real world expertise. Most of our classes are held in the evenings and weekends, on campus and online. There are no application fees, so get started today. Hodges University is your career accelerator.

OLLEGE Guide

Ringling College of Art and Design

2700 N. Tamiami Trail SARASOTA

941-351-5100

info@ringling.edu

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 eleven 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 www.ringling.edu and follow the College on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube.

State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota

SCF Bradenton

5840 26th St. W. • BRADENTON

SCF Lakewood Ranch

7131 Professional Parkway • SARASOTA

SCF Venice

8000 S. Tamiami Trail •VENICE

941-752-5000

admissions@scf.edu

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.

Contest Winners

Dream Your Ink

by Deborah Burghardt

Isuspect to distract me from his needle, the anesthesiologist prepping me for cataract surgery mentions my tattoo. I wonder if he has one hidden beneath his scrubs. “There’s always a story,” he says, as if he might like to hear mine.

“For my sister. Merri.” I rub my hand across my tattooed wrist like Aladdin his lamp, but alas, no sparkling purple smoke and no giant Genie appear. Unnecessary. The intricate image possesses a quiet magic that enchants my life through memories.

I close my eyes to see: Our blue popsicle lips, red fireball tongues. Merri and me, hula hoops whirling. Holding our breath underwater in a backyard swimming pool. Playing beyond baby dolls with real-live daughters. Merri and me, tackling multiple sclerosis (MS)—twice.

On a sunny September day in 2013, my niece, Autumn, and I pull into Crossbones Tattoos off Fort Myers Beach, a small studio sandwiched between Tina’s Bar and a Bait Shop in a strip mall anchored by Goodwill. The “Dream Your Ink,” sign painted in swirling pastel letters on the window affirms what we’ve been doing for months—seeking symbols we could live with permanently.

Inside, demonic skulls, coiled serpents, empty-eyed zombies, and fire-breathing dragons glare at us from the walls, threaten to leap onto our skin. Not exactly what we have in mind.

A short, muscular man with shaven head approached us. “Hi, I’m Steel. ”

Autumn’s eyes widen. A die-hard Steelers fan, she takes his name as a sign. “Okay then. You’re meant to be our artist.”

We tell him the connection and learn that his nickname originated with childhood friends. “Yeah, they thought they could mess with me. A serious miscalculation. You know—due to my size. Don’t get me wrong. I’m no bully.” His smile reads shy. “I’m really kind of a teddy bear.”

I start helping Autumn explain her ink dream. Oh dear, maybe interrupted her. Steel’s smile slides into a scowl. “Please. Don’t say anymore. Her body, her choice.”

My cheeks a-blush, I slink away to check Steel’s restroom. According to the Google-god that’s how to check out the cleanliness of a tattoo studio. I found a slightly stained sink, soap, paper towels, and the toilet flushed. I’d seen far worse.

I defended myself to my reflection in the mirror. You weren’t trying to control Autumn’s decision, only offer guidance.

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You started young, after all—being expected to substitute for your mother with your younger sister, and father too. They asked you questions and wanted your opinion on what lay beyond you to know. All because the plaque scars in your mother’s brain and spine caused her nervous system to go haywire, short circuit, spark, and burn out.

•••

Autumn flew to Florida at my invitation to celebrate what would have been her mom’s 60th birthday by getting tattoos. My idea surprised people who knew me. Fair enough. I had often judged tattoos to be a passing fancy, a senseless fad, and worse, an act of violence committed against the body. Absurd, but I still associated tattoos with drunken sailors and peg leg pirates who flaunted vile images of naked women on their chests.

My daughter, Amber, had shocked me by getting a tattoo at 19, as I shocked my husband when I revealed my plan to do the same at 64. Back then, I’d convinced myself tattoos ruined any chances of landing an impressive job. Let’s just say, that didn’t happen.

Her decision did stoke my curiosity though and led me to consult on the matter with the college students I taught. They argued tattoos reflected a person’s identity. Symbols inked into skin represented words to-live-by and recognized lost loved ones. Tattoos were not destruction, rather preservation. Not mutilation, rather art, created on a living canvas.

I reconstructed the significance of Amber’s tattoo— the crown on her ankle, representation of her surname, King. In her ink dream, she challenged the confinement of the position to males, reveled in her sense of worth, and established the intention to reign over her life. Times had changed and I wanted to change with them—be a person capable of evolving.

When Autumn expressed the same fears, I had experienced but had never voiced, I saw the opportunity to act on my new awareness. “What if I forget my mother’s face?” she said. “Will I feel guilty for not thinking about her enough forever?”

She was 17 when her mother died. I was 18 when my mother died, 45 when we lost Merri—both from MS. My niece needed more than old photographs and family lore. She needed her mother’s spirit to exist in her body, her mother’s traits to run through her blood. And so did I.

•••

Autumn goes first to show me the pain is bearable. Steel tattoos “MBS”—her mother’s initials in black and red (Merri’s favorite colors) on the underside of Autumn’s left wrist. He calls her desire to place them facing her “upside down,” but she likes having a secret only she and her mom share.

“What do you have in mind?” Steel wanders over

to the counter where I thumb through a Floral Tattoos album. “You don’t need that. I’ll design something for you.”

•••

Last time I saw Merri, she lay on white satin billows in an ebony box as finely lacquered as a Chinese chest. I could see my drawn face, my vacant eyes in its sheen. After Dad died, Merri called us “orphans.” I rejected the label. With Merri in the world, I felt neither abandoned, nor stranded. “We’re the Burghardt Girls—we’ll sister-parent each other like always.”

Who was I now?

We surrounded Merri with roses. Only roses. Only red. Her favorite—perhaps because they symbolized love, romance, elegance, and expense. Perhaps because of the two red rose bushes in our back yard. Had she remembered our planting radishes in front of them? The fragrance of roses and fresh overturned dirt? The taste of dirt on our lips, so eager were we to eat the treat? Maybe Dad’s habit rubbed off on her. For as long as those roses bloomed, he picked one for the pink hobnail vase he set beside Mum.

•••

Instead of red roses, I choose a sophisticated pink I call “rose.” Rose, my color, after my flower girl debut in fourth grade. Mum sewed me a rose velvet dress with satin cuffs, collar, and cummerbund. “More flattering than red for blondes,” she said. “More surprising for a December wedding.”

My turn to lie back in the black leather recliner. Extend my right arm. Steel sits close, masked, his whirring tattoo gun loaded with a tiny needle. I close my eyes and imagine each prick as a dot on a map leading to Merri. Each prick a portal to our past, our secret world of sisters. Some pricks register sharper in my skin than others, though none so sharp as the grief that stabbed me upon her death.

Steel tattoos a rose blossom for Merri and two buds for my parents. He tips the larger rose-colored petals in red, sensitive to my ink dream of representing both Burghardt girls. Tiny leaves sprout from a spiraling stem that ends in a curlicue—like the path we walked to Anthony’s Beach on summer vacation, the grapevines we rode through the woods, our deserted jump rope. •••

Autumn and I agree, since dreaming our ink almost a decade ago, the ache of missing Merri lessened immediately, and has lasted. Sure, time helps heal, but I feel the magic released in a rub to my wrist—Merri’s spirit radiates from deep within me to the place my love for her has been etched into my skin. She comes to me face beaming, her hands overflowing with stories—stories that float straight from heaven to our rose and radish patch.

A Soldier during The Great War

You must have been concerned. And you must have dreamt of your glorious self Returning in victory like Hercules on his horse with an enemy’s head on his hand And the public throwing flowers and yelling out your name

And your wife and even your child with the happiest smiles on their faces. But I now know that your dreams disregarded you.

Your dreams lured you to the deepest shadow and darkness. Obligated under the title of patriotism

Belied under the bond of camaraderie

And mislead under the sweetness of hallucination

You see your comrades lying down missing their body parts, You hear guns firing and screams that follow You taste solidified blood permeated in mud and air

You smell your own feet rotting

You feel regret as you grab the last photo you have of your family. That was now more than one hundred years ago. But that darkness over a century ago swallowed you whole And you still lie beneath the shadow of fear and violence.

Ryan Lee

THIRD PLACE

CHILDREN’S STORIES for Ages 4-9

Suzie Spider Looks For A Friend

by Nancy Lesake

Suzie was the last baby spider to hatch from her mother’s egg sack. All two hundred of her brothers and sisters had already hatched and gently ballooned away on silk threads in the warm breeze. She had been so packed in that egg sack with all the others that she had to stretch all eight of her little legs before she could crawl. Once her legs were stretched and strong enough she began to learn how to climb!

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She loved exploring and found wonderful new things on which to crawl.

Mother Spider busied herself catching tiny bugs for their dinner, so Suzie had plenty of time to play…but there was no one to play with. Being the only one left at home made Suzie a bit lonely, and she wished for a friend.

One afternoon Suzie decided to look into a tiny hole she found in the side of the house. Suzie was a very curious spider and this looked like fun. It was dark in there and very quiet, but she crawled bravely on, hoping to find something or someone to play with. The farther in she went, the more she wished there was light to show her the way. She used six of her little legs to crawl on and two to feel her way along the dark passageway.

Soon she heard feet scurrying around. Hundreds of feet! There appeared to be a small crack along one wall where the sound was coming from. It let in just enough light for her to see a group of ants that looked like they were having a parade!

“It would be so much fun to be part of that parade!” thought Suzie.

Actually, they were hard at work, carrying crumbs that they had found under the big table. They seemed to be excited over their treasure and when she tried to join them, they became angry.

“Go away spider! We found these crumbs first and they will feed our whole colony, so just SCRAM!

No matter how many ants Suzie tried to stop and talk to, they were all rude to her and too busy to stop and play. So Suzie squeezed through the crack and found herself in a gigantic room.

“Wow!” Suzie exclaimed as she looked around.

It was the kitchen and it looked enormous to a small spider. She dashed around the corner and found a cupboard door under the. Sink had not been pushed shut all the way. That looked like a neat place to explore, so she slopped inside where she bumped into something warm and hairy!

“What do you want, you scrawny little spider?” asked the indignant mouse. “This is MY cupboard, where I get lots of leftover goodies that people throw away. I won’t share and I don’t want you here!”

“But I’m lonely and I’d like someone to talk to and play with” said Suzie.

“Well, that’s your tough luck, go find someone else and leave me alone!” grumbled the greedy mouse.

Poor Suzie was turned away again. Feelling even lonelier than before, she left the mouse’s cupboard and crawled all the way across the kitchen floor and into the living room. Suzie had never before been inside the house and it was amazing to see how huge it was. She was creeping along the floor examining all the things she had never seen before when a flash of fur lit right in front of her! As badly as she wanted a friend, this growling, green-eyed cat did not look like a good playmate. With one big swoop of

his paw, Suzie was sent sailing across the floor and banged against the wall. It’s a good thing spiders can crawl fast on those eight legs because no sooner had Suzie gotten half way up the wall when that huge cat began leaping up trying to catch her!

Spiders are gid at crawling on walls and Suzie felt right at home up close to the ceiling. She would just have to bide her time until that angry cat got tired of waiting for her to come down. That’s when Suzie heard a fluttering sound and a cute little moth flew past her.

“Hello there little spider, would you like to play with me?” the moth asked.

“Oh YES, I’ve been looking for a playmate all day, but no one wants to play.”

“Well, I’ll play with you. Just follow me and we will have a lot of fun together!”

The little moth took flight, flitting back and forth, up and down, around in a circle and out the open window before Suzie could even tell it that spiders can’t fly.

“Wait, wait!” Suzie called. “Please come back and play with me.”

FIRST PLACE POETRY

Maritime Muse

I want to dance like moonlight dances on the sea

With a perfect rhythm that rises organically. I want to breathe as deep as a dolphin can dive

So that every last inch of me knows its alive.

Let me paint with the colors of all fish and seashells

And with the same determination with which a wave swells.

I want to know a loyalty as strong as the tide

And flow with fearless freedom, the wind as my guide. For inspiration, look to whomever you choose.

Me? I want the ocean to be my muse.

Megan Dalziel

Gulf Coast Writers Association

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But the little moth was already swooping around the flower garden to play with the butterflies. Looking down, Suzie saw that the angry cat had grown tired of waiting for her and was curled up on the couch fast asleep. She quietly climbed down and crept into the next room wondering if she would ever find a friend. Suddenly she came to a huge shaggy mountain lying right in the middle of the floor She tip-toed up to it to get a better look, but was stopped by a huge, wet nose!

“Wow, what are you and do you want to play with me?” asked Suzie.

“I am the family dog and I’m too old to play anymore. Besides, I’d just crush you with my big paws,” the dog mumbled as it yawned. With that being said, he laid his head back down and promptly began snoring.

The ants were too busy for her, the mouse was too greedy, the cat was too mean, the little moth had flown away and now the dog was too lazy and old to play. Slowly and sadly, Suzie turned away and scooted under the screen door to the porch.

And there, to her delight, were two little girls having a tea party! They were all dressed up in fancy hats and gloves with soda in their tea cups and delicious looking cookies on a platter in the middle of their table. They were laughing and having so much fun that Suzie was sure they would welcome her to join them for tea. She hurried across the floor, up one of the table legs and ran right out to where the platter of cookies sat between the two girls.

“Oh this is going to be the. Best friendship ever!!” exclaimed Suzie.

But no, both. Girls screamed and jumped up, knocking their chairs over backwards and ran from the porch. In their hurry to get away from the spider, they accidently tipped over one of the cups of soda and it splashed all over poor Suzie. There she sat, all sticky and lonesome and she began to cry. Mother Spider heard her crying and came out from under the steps to see what was wrong. She found Suzie sitting in the mess on the table and put one of her arms around her for comfort.

“Come home with me Suzie and I will get you all cleaned up while you tell me what has happened.”

When she was bathed and had her tears dried, Suzie explained to her mother about her awful day and how. Lonely she has been.

“Mommy, why won’t anyone be my friend when I tried so hard to be friendly?”

“Don’t worry Suzie, not everyone you meet will be your friend. But there will be many others that will be happy to be friends with you. I happen to know a little secret. The mother spider that lives in the garage just had her egg sack hatch and the. Babies will soon be big enough to play. In the meantime, I’ll teach you how to make a pretty web and you can teach them when they are a little older.

True to her word, Mother Spider taught Suzie how to

make many different kinds of lovely webs. It wasn’t long before Suzie was making beautiful webs in all kinds of designs and had forgotten all about he awful day. Within days she became the best web spinner in the neighborhood. Never again was Suzie lonesome, as there was always a new batch of baby spiders hatching. Many of them sailed away on silk threads like her brothers and sisters did, but others stayed close to home with Suzie. Now she had lots of playmates and her new friends loved her. Soon they were old enough for Suzie to begin teaching them web design. Suzie’s webs were the prettiest webs anyone had ever seen and she had so many friends she couldn’t count them all.

THIRD PLACE YOUTH

DEATH

Aby Keven Lacayo

cold breeze entered the classroom, following Death who trudged to his desk.

“Hey,” I said as he sat down in his seat. He slowly looked up at me then looked back down at his desk, without a single word. I try to be friendly to him sometimes but he ignores me. I know it’s not because he’s mad. He is just a very silent person. He should at least be grateful that I’m trying to forgive him. I have the right to be angry with him after he attacked my uncle last year. With just one touch, he gave my uncle a heart attack. Then with an entire shove, my uncle took his last breath.

Death stood in the corner at my uncle’s funeral. I gently stood up, trying not to distract anyone. I walked over to Death and stared him in the eye.

“Who invited you?” I demanded. His head hung low, watching his suit. I waited a minute for his response and it finally came.

“I visit every funeral,” he said in his long, groan-like voice, “it’s the least I can do.”

“The least you can do is leave!” I said sternly. With one last scornful look, Death left.

Lately, I’ve been feeling bad for what I said that day. I know he didn’t want to do what he did to my uncle. It was his time.

“What are you drawing?” I asked in a friendly manner. I looked over at his desk. He was sketching a gravestone with flowers on the grass in front of it. I pretended I didn’t see anything and looked away. Class was starting.

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Contest Winners

Mrs. Knowledge began speaking at the front of the room. I was too cold to focus. With Death right behind me, the chills he let off were five times stronger than usual.

Later, when we were dismissed for lunch, I went with my best friends, Hope and Betrayal, to our usual table. While I was laughing about a joke Hope had made, I turned and caught Death in the corner of my eye. He was sitting at the back of the cafeteria. Nobody dared to sit in the same table as him. He was completely alone. He stared at his food, watching it slowly turn black. He then pushed his silky black hair off his eye, which he doesn’t do often, and began to eat. I felt sort of guilty, knowing the right thing to do would be to sit with him. Depression came over to his table and sat down a few seats away from him. Depression had been bothering me for a few months, trying to convince me to hang out with her. I tried to push her away but she just kept coming back. It was nice to see she had made a new “friend”. I continued talking with Hope and Betrayal. After a few

minutes I looked back at Death and Depression and caught them holding hands. It turns out they ended up being more than just friends.

That night as I was laying in bed, I couldn’t sleep. Memories of my uncle kept flooding my head. I pictured us laughing together and playing together. I decided that I couldn’t fall asleep without making a quick trip first. I got out of bed, made sure everyone was asleep, then quietly climbed out my window. I got on my bike and didn’t stop pedaling until I saw the dark and misty graveyard. I left my bike on the grass and ran to the grave I had visited millions of times before. I spotted a black figure standing over my uncle’s grave. It was wearing a black coat and had a pale face. I hid behind a tree and peeked out from behind it.

“I’m sorry I had to do this to you.” The voice sounded familiar, “It was your time.” I squinted until I finally realized who I was watching.

Now Death leans over and places a bouquet of

FIRST PLACE

Life is for the Living

Echoes of distant voices, Shroud their tarnished, sleeping soul, Incessant music slowly seeping in, Suddenly jolting, Somniacs arise, To seductive phones filled with surging messages. Wasting heavenly moments, Scrolling through insipid words and meaningless images, Minds bloated– drowning in dings and tings and LOLs. Rushing through life, Absentmindedly checking jammed inboxes and notifications, While missing little ms. sunshine peeking over the horizon, Overlooking the baby blue bird taking its first fragile flight, In lieu of one more like or share.

Eyes glued to the screen–fixated on nothing but believing it’s filled with great meaning. Cast your eyes up–feel the beauty of your breath, The radiant warmth of the sun upon your face. Revel in the melody of trees and wind, serenading your soul Becoming one with the world around you…

For life, is for the living.

Nishini Fernando

Gulf Coast Writers Association

Contest Winners

flowers against the gravestone. I felt a tear slide down my cheek. Everyone in school is scared of Death because he once said, “I’m coming after all of you one day. One by one.” Now I realize that he wasn’t threatening us, he was just stating a fact. It’s true, Death will come for us all one day, he doesn’t want to and we can’t stop it, it’s just the way life works. I watch him get on his knees in front of the stone. He begins weeping. I come out from behind the tree and walk over to him. As I kneel down beside him, I wonder how hard it must be, not being able to touch anyone because you might hurt them. I figure that I’ve already lost a lot, so why not lose a little more and I put my arm around Death and weep. I mourn for my uncle who lies underneath us. I mourn for Death’s struggles. I also cry because I know that the arm that is hugging Death right now is broken.

“So this is what it’s like to touch Death,” I wonder, “Painful.”

We sit here and mourn, waiting for sunrise.

Gulf Coast Writers Association

The Gulf Coast Writers Association is proud to provide a forum for fellowship, education, and information for writers in the Fort Myers and surrounding area communities. Whether you write for pleasure or profit, you’ll find support, encouragement and friendly guidance from our many members to help you improve your writing skills.

Our monthly speakers’ events are informative and fun, providing expert advice on topics such as writing techniques, publishing, marketing, and many others. We also currently offer attendance at the monthly meetings via Zoom, so if you are not able to come in person, you can still participate and enjoy the benefits of Gulf Coast Writers Association’s great speakers, plus keep up with the latest news from the group.

FIRST PLACE CHILDREN’S STORIES

Terror in December

by Leah Miller

SECOND PLACE CHILDREN’S STORIES

Counterculture

by Mary Charles

SECOND PLACE POETRY

Bayou Sunset

by Debbie Walz

SECOND PLACE NONFICTION

A Slip of the Scalpel

by Diane M. Parnell

THIRD PLACE NONFICTION

The Field

by Sally Basmajian

THIRD PLACE POETRY

Minimum Wage – Brianna

by Paul Anthony

In addition to our stimulating monthly meetings, we host an annual online Writing Contest with very affordable entry fees. Besides the Adult categories of Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry, and Children’s Stories, we offer a Youth Division for budding writers aged 11-17 with no entry fee required.

We are very proud of our efforts to promote creative writing to the next generation. This year’s contest garnered entries from as far away as Seoul, South Korea! Both the adult and youth contests are open to anyone and have been given five stars and named by Reedsy.com as one of the ‘Best Writing Contests of 2022.’

No matter what your genre: general fiction, nonfiction, poetry, children’s, young adult, historical fiction, romance, mystery/thriller, memoirs, and more, you’re in good company. Our annual dues are only $50/year or you may pay as you go’ for $5 per meeting after your first complimentary visit.

Visit our website at www.gulfwriters.org and see what exciting things we have in store for you.

What’s your story?

MONTHLY MEETINGS

third Saturday of each month

Word of Life Church

6111 South Pointe Blvd. • Fort Myers

10am-12pm

for information

gulfwriters.org

czarria57@gmail.com

membership@gulfwriters.org

512-632-6350

What Goes On

FRIDAY 1

•Art Reception: Arts for ACT Gallery, 2265 1st St, Ft Myers. 6-9p. Free. 3375050.

•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. 337-5050.

•Broadway & Beyond: Cabaret w Natalie Brouwer & Matt Michael. Players Circle Performing Arts Center, Shell Factory, 16554 N Cleveland Ave, N Fort Myers. 8p. 8003292.

•Dear Edwina Jr: Naples Players’ KidzAct. Sugden Community Theater, 701 5th Ave S, Naples. 6:30p. 434-7340.

•Disney’s Newsies Jr: CFAB Youth Theatre. Center for the Performing Arts Bonita Springs, 10150 Bonita Beach Rd, Bonita Springs. 7p. 4958989.

•Fort Myers Mighty Mussels vs Dunedin Blue Jays: Minor league baseball. Hammond Stadium, 14400 Six Mile Cypress Pkwy, Ft Myers. 7p. 768-4210.

•Morning Boardwalk

Tour: Guided boardwalk tour. Corkscrew Swamp Blair Audubon Center, 375 Sanctuary Rd, Naples. 9:30a. Register. 348-9151.

EVENTS & EXHIBITIONS

•Samuel Comroe: Off the Hook Comedy Club, 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Rd, #1100, Naples. 7 & 9p. 389-6901.

•Sloan: Laugh In Comedy Cafe, 8595 College Pkwy, Ft Myers. 7:30p. 479-5233.

SATURDAY 2

•Broadway & Beyond: Cabaret w Natalie Brouwer & Matt Michael. Players Circle Performing Arts Center, Shell Factory, 16554 N Cleveland Ave, N Fort Myers. 7p. 8003292.

•Dear Edwina Jr: Naples Players’ KidzAct. Sugden Community Theater, 701 5th Ave S, Naples. 2 & 6:30p. 434-7340.

•Disney’s Newsies Jr: CFAB Youth Theatre. Center for the Performing Arts Bonita Springs, 10150 Bonita Beach Rd, Bonita Springs. 2 & 7p. 495-8989.

•Fort Myers Mighty Mussels vs Dunedin Blue Jays:  Minor league baseball . Beerfest. Hammond Stadium, 14400 Six Mile Cypress Pkwy, Ft Myers. 7p. 768-4210.

•Green Buddha: Reggae band.

South Street City Oven & Grill, 1410 Pine Ridge Rd, Naples. 9p-12a. 435-9333.

•Independence Day Celebration: Reading of Declaration of Independence, watermelon. Estero Historical Society Museum, 9285 Corkscrew Palms Blvd, Estero. 10a. Free. 272-1911.

•Open Mic Bonita!: Comedy. Center for the Performing Arts Bonita Springs, 10150 Bonita Beach Rd, Bonita Springs. 7p. 495-8989.

•Samuel Comroe: Off the Hook Comedy Club, 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Rd, #1100, Naples. 6:30 & 8:30p. 3896901.

•Sloan: Laugh In Comedy Cafe, 8595 College Pkwy, Ft Myers. 6 & 8:30p. 479-5233.

•Tasting the Tropics: Tours, demos, activities, tastings tropical fruits. Naples Botanical Garden, 4820 Bayshore Dr, Naples. 9a2p. 643-7275.

SUNDAY 3

•BBQ & Bluegrass: Bluegrass Trailblazers. Point Ybel Brewing, 16120 San Carlos Blvd, Ft Myers. 4-7p. Free. 603-6535.

•Broadway & Beyond: Cabaret w Natalie Brouwer & Matt

Michael. Players Circle Performing Arts Center, Shell Factory, 16554 N Cleveland Ave, N Fort Myers. 2p. 8003292.

•Cruzan Vibes: Reggae & Soca band. South Street City Oven & Grill,1410 Pine Ridge Rd, Naples. 9p-12a. 435-9333.

•Dear Edwina Jr: Naples Players’ KidzAct. Sugden Community Theater, 701 5th Ave S, Naples. 2p. 4347340.

•Disney’s Newsies Jr: CFAB Youth Theatre. Center for the Performing Arts Bonita Springs, 10150 Bonita Beach Rd, Bonita Springs. 2p. 4958989.

•Fort Myers Mighty Mussels vs Dunedin Blue Jays: Minor league baseball Hammond Stadium, 14400 Six Mile Cypress Pkwy, Ft Myers. 12p. 768-4210.

•Jazz Brunch: Roy Gerson & Don Mopsic. The Barrel Room, Twisted Vine Bistro, 2214 Bay St, Ft Myers. 10a-1:30p. Free. 333-2225.

•Open Blues Jam: Live music hosted by Tommy Lee Cook & the Buckingham Blues. Buckingham Blues Bar, 5641 Buckingham Rd, Ft Myers. 3-6p. Musicians welcome. Free. 693-7111.

•Samuel Comroe: Off the Hook Comedy Club, 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Rd, #1100, Naples. 6:30p. 389-6901.

MONDAY 4

•4th of July All-American Cookout: Buffet dinner, open bar, games, activities, fireworks. Marie Selby Botanical Garden, 1534 Mound St, Sarasota. 5:309:30p. 941-366-5731.

•4th of July Bash: The Freecoasters. Sidney’s Rooftop Sculpture Garden, Davis Art Center, 2301 1st St, Ft Myers. 8-11p. 333-1933.

•4th of July Celebration: Naples Botanical Garden, 4820 Bayshore Dr, Naples. 9a-2p. Free admission. 6437275.

•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.

•Danny Sinoff Trio: Jazz piano - Bobby Darin Songbook. Players Circle Performing Arts Center, Shell Factory, 16554 N Cleveland Ave, N Fort Myers. 7p. 8003292.

•Freedom Fest: Live music, kids zone, fireworks. Along Hendry St btwn Bay St & Edwards Dr, downtown Ft Myers’ historic River District. 6-10p, fireworks 9:30p. Free.

•Red, White & Boom: Independence Day

The Americana Community Music Association presents Passerine on July 7 at Tribby Arts Center at Shell Point retirement community in Fort Myers. Call 691-4069 for information.

Celebration. Live music, kids entertainment, fireworks. Cape Coral Bridge, Cape Coral. Trollies available. 5-10p. Free, VIP tix available. 948-3766.

TUESDAY 5

•Art Reception: Harbour View Gallery, 5789 Cape Harbour Dr, #104, Cape Coral. 6-8p. Free. 540-5789.

•Untold Stories Tour: Guided tour. Mound House, 451 Connecticut St, Ft Myers Beach. 10a. 765-0865.

WEDNESDAY 6

•Adam Hunter: Off the Hook Comedy Club, 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Rd, #1100, Naples. 7p. 389-6901.

•Open Blues Jam: Live music hosted by Tommy Lee Cook & the Buckingham Blues. Buckingham Blues Bar, 5641 Buckingham Rd, Ft Myers. 8-11p. Musicians welcome. Free. 693-7111.

•Sunset Stroll: Guided boardwalk tour. Corkscrew Swamp Blair Audubon Center, 375 Sanctuary Rd, Naples. 7p. Register. 348-9151.

•Untold Stories Tour: Guided tour. Mound House, 451 Connecticut St, Ft Myers Beach. 2p. 765-0865.

THURSDAY 7

•Adam Hunter: Off the Hook Comedy Club, 2500

Vanderbilt Beach Rd, #1100, Naples. 7p. 389-6901.

•Buckcherry: Concert. The Ranch Concert Hall & Saloon, 2158 Colonial Blvd, Ft Myers. 7p-12a. 985-9839.

•Dan Miller & Lew Del Gatto Quartet: Jazz. The Barrel Room, Twisted Vine Bistro, 2214 Bay St, Ft Myers. 7-10p. 333-2225.

•Jazz jam: Live music. Point Ybel Brewing, 16120 San Carlos Blvd, Ft Myers. 6-9p. Free. 603-6535.

•Latino History Tour: Guided tour outside. Mound House, 451 Connecticut St, Ft Myers Beach. 2p. 765-0865.

•Naples Big Band: Entertainers 60s-70s indoor concert. Alliance for the Arts, 10091 McGregor Blvd, Ft Myers. 7p. 939-2787.

•Passerine: Americana Community Music Association concert. Tribby Arts Center, Shell Point retirement community, 17281 On Par Blvd, Ft Myers. 7p. 691-4069.

•Paul Farahvar: Laugh In Comedy Cafe, 8595 College Pkwy, Ft Myers. 7:30p. 4795233.

FRIDAY 8

•Art Reception: Cape Coral Art Center, Rubicond Park, 4533 Coronado Pkwy, Cape Coral. 5-7p. Free. 574-0802.

•Darrell Hammond: Off the Hook Comedy Club, 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Rd, #1100, Naples. 7 & 9p. 389-6901.

•Mango Days: Fruit-themed activities & crafts. Immokalee Pioneer Museum, 1215 Roberts

Ave, Immokalee. 10a-2p. Free. 252-2611.

•Morning Boardwalk

Tour: Guided boardwalk tour. Corkscrew Swamp Blair Audubon Center, 375 Sanctuary Rd, Naples. 9:30a. Register. 348-9151.

•Paul Farahvar: Laugh In Comedy Cafe, 8595 College Pkwy, Ft Myers. 7:30p. 4795233.

•Staged Reading: Theatre. Center for the Performing Arts Bonita Springs, 10150 Bonita Beach Rd, Bonita Springs. 7:30p. 495-8989.

SATURDAY

9

•Darrell Hammond: Off the Hook Comedy Club, 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Rd, #1100, Naples. 6:30 & 8:30p. 3896901.

•Garden Talk - Edison’s Bamboo: Demos, presentations, sale. Edison & Ford Winter Estates, 2350 McGregor Blvd, Ft Myers. 10a-4p. 334-7419.

•Mango Days: Fruit-themed activities & crafts. Immokalee Pioneer Museum, 1215 Roberts Ave, Immokalee. 10a-2p. Free. 252-2611.

•Paul Farahvar: Laugh In Comedy Cafe, 8595 College Pkwy, Ft Myers. 6 & 8:30p. 479-5233.

•Stage 2 Improv - Backyard BBQ: Improve comedy. Sugden Community Theater, 701 5th Ave S, Naples. 8p. 434-7340.

SUNDAY 10

•Darrell Hammond: Off the Hook Comedy Club, 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Rd, #1100, Naples. 6:30p. 389-6901.

•Jazz Brunch: Roy Gerson & Don Mopsic. The Barrel Room, Twisted Vine Bistro, 2214 Bay St, Ft Myers. 10a-1:30p. Free. 333-2225.

•Nostaljah: Reggae band. South Street City Oven & Grill,1410 Pine Ridge Rd, Naples. 9p-12a. 435-9333.

•Open Blues Jam: Live music hosted by Tommy Lee Cook & the Buckingham Blues. Buckingham Blues Bar, 5641 Buckingham Rd, Ft Myers. 3-6p. Musicians welcome. Free. 693-7111.

MONDAY 11

•Danny Sinoff Trio: Jazz piano – Sinatra Capitol Years. Players Circle Performing Arts Center, Shell Factory, 16554 N Cleveland Ave, N Fort Myers. 7p. 800-3292.

TUESDAY 12

•Art Reception: Marco Island Center for the Arts, 1010

Winterberry Dr, Marco Island.

5:30-7p. Free. 394-4221.

•Early Birding Walks : Guided boardwalk tour. Corkscrew Swamp Blair Audubon Center, 375 Sanctuary Rd, Naples. 8a. Register. 348-9151.

•Fort Myers Mighty Mussels vs Clearwater

Threshers: Minor league baseball. Hammond Stadium, 14400 Six Mile Cypress Pkwy, Ft Myers. 6:30p. 768-4210.

•Hans Kim: Off the Hook Comedy Club, 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Rd, #1100, Naples. 7p. 389-6901.

•Latino History Tour: Guided tour outside. Mound House, 451 Connecticut St, Ft Myers Beach. 10a. 765-0865.

•Lecture: Florida Pirates - Fact & Fiction. Collier Museum at Government Center, 3331 Tamiami Tr E, Naples. 2p. Free. 252-8476.

•Presentation: Rancho Reality - Latino History at The Mound House. Mound House, 451 Connecticut St, Ft Myers Beach. Reception 5:30p, lecture 6p. Register. 765-0865.

WEDNESDAY 13

•Fort Myers Mighty Mussels vs Clearwater

Threshers: Minor league baseball. Hammond Stadium, 14400 Six Mile Cypress Pkwy, Ft Myers. 6:30p. 768-4210.

•Hans Kim: Off the Hook Comedy Club, 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Rd, #1100, Naples. 7p. 389-6901.

•Open Blues Jam: Live music hosted by Tommy Lee Cook & the Buckingham Blues. Buckingham Blues Bar, 5641 Buckingham Rd, Ft Myers. 8-11p. Musicians welcome. Free. 693-7111.

•Untold Stories Tour: Guided tour. Mound House, 451 Connecticut St, Ft Myers Beach. 10a. 765-0865.

THURSDAY 14

•Dan Miller & Lew Del Gatto Quartet: Jazz. The Barrel Room, Twisted Vine Bistro, 2214 Bay St, Ft Myers. 7-10p. 333-2225.

•Drew Thomas: Laugh In Comedy Cafe, 8595 College Pkwy, Ft Myers. 7:30p. 4795233.

•Evening on Fifth: Live music, dancing, art demos & exhibits, dining, shopping along 5th Ave S, Naples. 6:30-9:30p. Free. 692-8436.

•Exhibition Reception:  Marco Island Historical Museum, 180 S Heathwood Dr, Marco Island. 4:30-6p. Free. 6421440.

•Fort Myers Mighty Mussels vs Clearwater

Threshers: Minor league baseball Hammond Stadium, 14400 Six Mile Cypress Pkwy, Ft Myers. 6:30p. 768-4210.

•Jazz jam: Live music. Point

Ybel Brewing, 16120 San Carlos Blvd, Ft Myers. 6-9p. Free. 603-6535.

•Roy Schneider, Kim

Mayfield, Ray Cerbone: Americana Community Music Association concert. Tribby Arts Center, Shell Point retirement community, 17281 On Par Blvd, Ft Myers. 7p. 691-4069.

•Stand Up or Get Dragged Down - Open Mic Cabaret: Off the Hook Comedy Club, 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Rd, #1100, Naples. 7p. 389-6901.

•Untold Stories Tour: Guided tour. Mound House, 451 Connecticut St, Ft Myers Beach. 2p. 765-0865.

FRIDAY 15

•Beach Clean-Up: Mound House, 451 Connecticut St, Ft Myers Beach. 8:30a. Register. 765-0865.

•Drew Thomas: Laugh In Comedy Cafe, 8595 College Pkwy, Ft Myers. 7:30p. 4795233.

•Fort Myers Mighty Mussels vs Clearwater

Threshers: Minor league baseball. Hammond Stadium, 14400 Six Mile Cypress Pkwy, Ft Myers. 7p. 768-4210.

•Gary Owen: Off the Hook Comedy Club, 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Rd, #1100, Naples. 7 & 9p. 389-6901.

•Latino History Tour: Guided tour outside. Mound House, 451 Connecticut St, Ft Myers Beach. 2p. 765-0865.

•Morning Boardwalk

Tour: Guided boardwalk tour. Corkscrew Swamp Blair Audubon Center, 375 Sanctuary Rd, Naples. 9:30a. Register. 348-9151.

•Music Walk: Live music & dancing at several cafes, clubs & galleries. Downtown Ft Myers’ historic River District. 6-10p. Free. 855-732-3836.

•RC Smith: Comedian. Players Circle Performing Arts Center, Shell Factory, 16554 N Cleveland Ave, N Fort Myers. 8p. 800-3292.

•Ryan Montgomery: Country music concert. The Ranch Concert Hall & Saloon, 2158 Colonial Blvd, Ft Myers. 7p-12a. 985-9839.

•Songwriter’s Round: Sheena Brook, Slim Gillian. Davis Art Center, 2301 1st St, Ft Myers. Cocktails 6:30p, concert 7:30p. 333-1933.

•Trap: Laboratory Theater of Florida, 1634 Woodford Ave, Ft Myers. 8p. 218-0481.

SATURDAY 16

•Americana Community Music Association: Nate Currin, John Butler concert. All Faiths Unitarian Congregation, 2756 McGregor Blvd, Ft Myers. 7-9:30p. 691-4069.

•Drew Thomas: Laugh In Comedy Cafe, 8595 College

Sheena Brook performs during Songwriter’s Round on July 15 at the Sidney & Berne Davis Arts Center in Fort Myers’ Historic River District. For information, call 333-1933.

What Goes On

Pkwy, Ft Myers. 6 & 8:30p. 479-5233.

•Fort Myers Mighty Mussels vs Clearwater

Threshers: Minor league baseball. Hammond Stadium, 14400 Six Mile Cypress Pkwy, Ft Myers. 7p. 768-4210.

•Gary Owen: Off the Hook Comedy Club, 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Rd, #1100, Naples. 6:30 & 8:30p. 3896901.

•Gulf Coast Writers Association Meeting: Guest speaker Charley Valera. Word of Life Church, 6111 South Points Blvd, Ft Myers. 10a-12p. Free. 770-906-7885..

•MangoMania: Food fest, recipe & eating contests, tastings, live music, arts & crafts, kids’ activities, educational, presentations, plant sale. Our lady of Miraculous Medla Church, 12175 Stringfellow Rd, Bokeelia. 9a-4p. Free. 2830888.

•RC Smith: Comedian. Players Circle Performing Arts Center, Shell Factory, 16554 N Cleveland Ave, N Fort Myers. 7p. 800-3292.

•Take Flight Family Day: Crafts & activities that celebrate flight. Collier Museum at Government Center, 3331 Tamiami Tr E, Naples. 10a-2p. Free. 2528476.

•Trap: Laboratory Theater of Florida, 1634 Woodford Ave, Ft Myers. 2 & 8p. 218-0481.

SUNDAY 17

•Cruzan Vibes: Reggae & Soca band. South Street City Oven & Grill,1410 Pine Ridge Rd, Naples. 9p-12a. 435-9333.

•Fort Myers Mighty Mussels vs Clearwater

Threshers: Minor league baseball. Hammond Stadium, 14400 Six Mile Cypress Pkwy, Ft Myers. 12p. 768-4210.

•Gary Owen: Off the Hook Comedy Club, 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Rd, #1100, Naples. 6:30p. 389-6901.

•Jazz Brunch: Roy Gerson & Don Mopsic. The Barrel Room, Twisted Vine Bistro, 2214 Bay St, Ft Myers. 10a-1:30p. Free. 333-2225.

•Open Blues Jam: Live music hosted by Tommy Lee Cook & the Buckingham Blues. Buckingham Blues Bar, 5641 Buckingham Rd, Ft Myers. 3-6p. Musicians welcome. Free. 693-7111.

•Ted Nugent: Concert. BB Mann Hall, 13350 FSW Pkwy, Ft Myers. 7p. 481-4849.

MONDAY 18

•Danny Sinoff Trio: Jazz piano – An Evening of Ellington. Players Circle

Performing Arts Center, Shell Factory, 16554 N Cleveland Ave, N Fort Myers. 7p. 8003292.

TUESDAY 19

•Jiaoying Summers: Off the Hook Comedy Club, 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Rd, #1100, Naples. 7p. 389-6901.

WEDNESDAY 20

•Jiaoying Summers: Off the Hook Comedy Club, 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Rd, #1100, Naples. 7p. 389-6901.

•Latino History Tour: Guided tour outside. Mound House, 451 Connecticut St, Ft Myers Beach. 10a. 765-0865.

•Open Blues Jam: Live music hosted by Tommy Lee Cook & the Buckingham Blues. Buckingham Blues Bar, 5641 Buckingham Rd, Ft Myers. 8-11p. Musicians welcome. Free. 693-7111.

THURSDAY 21

•Dan Miller & Lew Del Gatto Quartet: Jazz. The Barrel Room, Twisted Vine Bistro,

2214 Bay St, Ft Myers. 7-10p. 333-2225.

•Jazz Jam: Live music. Point Ybel Brewing, 16120 San Carlos Blvd, Ft Myers. 6-9p. Free. 603-6535.

•Joanna Conner: Blues band Buckingham Blues Bar, 5641 Buckingham Rd, Ft Myers. 8-11p. 693-7111.

•Ken Miller: Laugh In Comedy Cafe, 8595 College Pkwy, Ft Myers. 7:30p. 479-5233.

•Lavar Walker: Off the Hook Comedy Club, 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Rd, #1100, Naples. 7p. 389-6901.

•Lecture: See You Later Alligator - Poachers, Promoters & Protectors of the Everglades’ Keystone Species. Museum of the Everglades, 105 W Bwy, Everglades City. 2p. Free. 695-0008.

•Naples Big Band: Swing Street at the Hop Dance Party. Indoor concert. Alliance for the Arts, 10091 McGregor Blvd, Ft Myers. 7p. 939-2787.

•The Little Fools: Americana Community Music Association concert. Tribby Arts Center, Shell Point retirement community, 17281 On Par Blvd, Ft Myers. 7p. 691-4069.

•Untold Stories Tour: Guided tour. Mound House, 451 Connecticut St, Ft Myers Beach. 2p. 765-0865.

FRIDAY 22

•Cannan Smith: Country music concert. The Ranch Concert Hall & Saloon, 2158 Colonial Blvd, Ft Myers. 7p-12a. 985-9839.

•Ken Miller: Laugh In Comedy Cafe, 8595 College Pkwy, Ft Myers. 7:30p. 479-5233.

•Lavar Walker: Off the Hook Comedy Club, 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Rd, #1100, Naples. 7 & 9p. 389-6901.

•Morning Boardwalk Tour: Guided boardwalk tour. Corkscrew Swamp Blair Audubon Center, 375 Sanctuary Rd, Naples. 9:30a. Register. 348-9151.

•Untold Stories Tour: Guided tour. Mound House, 451 Connecticut St, Ft Myers Beach. 2p. 765-0865.

SATURDAY 23

•A Night at the Tony’s: Gulf Coast Symphony concert. BB Mann Hall, 13350 FSW Pkwy, Ft Myers. 7:30p. 481-4849.

•Frank Foster: Country music concert. The Ranch Concert Hall & Saloon, 2158 Colonial Blvd, Ft Myers. 7p-12a. 9859839.

•Ken Miller: Laugh In Comedy Cafe, 8595 College

Pkwy, Ft Myers. 6 & 8:30p. 479-5233.

•Latino History Tour: Guided tour outside. Mound House, 451 Connecticut St, Ft Myers Beach. 2p. 765-0865.

•Lavar Walker: Off the Hook Comedy Club, 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Rd, #1100, Naples. 6:30 & 8:30p. 389-6901.

•Meet Artist Christy Noonan: Naples Botanical Garden, 4820 Bayshore Dr, Naples. 9-10:30a. 643-7275.

SUNDAY 24

•Ben Allen Band: Country music concert. The Ranch Concert Hall & Saloon, 2158 Colonial Blvd, Ft Myers. 7p-12a. 985-9839.

•InkMyers Tattoo

Convention: Tattoo artists, tattoo competition, body piercers, seminars, classes, vendors, fashion show, face painting & temp tattoos for kids. Crowne Plaza, Hotel 13051 Bell Tower Dr, Ft Myers. 10a-10p. 785-6636.

•Jazz Brunch: Roy Gerson & Don Mopsic. The Barrel Room, Twisted Vine Bistro, 2214 Bay St, Ft Myers. 10a-1:30p. Free. 333-2225.

•Lavar Walker: Off the Hook Comedy Club, 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Rd, #1100, Naples. 6:30p. 389-6901.

•Nostaljah: Reggae band. South Street City Oven & Grill,1410 Pine Ridge Rd, Naples. 9p-12a. 435-9333.

•Open Blues Jam: Live music hosted by Tommy Lee Cook & the Buckingham Blues. Buckingham Blues Bar, 5641 Buckingham Rd, Ft Myers. 3-6p. Musicians welcome. Free. 693-7111.

MONDAY 25

• Night Walk: Guided boardwalk tour. Corkscrew Swamp Blair Audubon Center, 375 Sanctuary Rd, Naples. 8p. Register. 3489151.

•Danny Sinoff Trio: Jazz piano – Nat King Cole Songbook. Players Circle Performing Arts Center, Shell Factory, 16554 N Cleveland Ave, N Fort Myers. 7p. 8003292.

TUESDAY 26

•Conservation Café - Birds & Coffee: South Seas Cottage, Newton Beach Park, 4650 Estero Blvd, Ft Myers Beach. 8:30a. Register. 765-0865.

•Exceptional Night: For families w kids w physical and neurological challenges. Children’s Museum of Naples, 15080 Livingston Rd, Naples.

Ray Cerbone performs July 14 at Tribby Arts Center at Shell Poiint retirement community in Fort Myers. Call the Americana Community Music Association at 691-4069 for informaation.

5:30-7:30p. Register. 5140084.

•Fort Myers Mighty Mussels vs Tampa Tarpons: Minor league baseball Hammond Stadium, 14400 Six Mile Cypress Pkwy, Ft Myers. 6:30p. 768-4210.

WEDNESDAY 27

•Cinderella’s Tom Keifer Band w LA Guns & Faster Pussycat: Concert. The Ranch Concert Hall & Saloon, 2158 Colonial Blvd, Ft Myers. 7p-12a. 985-9839.

•Fort Myers Mighty Mussels vs Tampa Tarpons: Minor league baseball Hammond Stadium, 14400 Six Mile Cypress Pkwy, Ft Myers. 6:30p. 768-4210.

•Jay Moreno & Mark Viera: Off the Hook Comedy Club, 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Rd, #1100, Naples. 7p. 389-6901.

•Open Blues Jam: Live music hosted by Tommy Lee Cook & the Buckingham Blues. Buckingham Blues Bar, 5641 Buckingham Rd, Ft Myers. 8-11p. Musicians welcome. Free. 693-7111.

THURSDAY 28

•Brian Smalley: Americana Community Music Association concert. Tribby Arts Center, Shell Point retirement community, 17281 On Par Blvd, Ft Myers. 7p. 691-4069.

•Dan Miller & Lew Del Gatto Quartet: Jazz. The Barrel Room, Twisted Vine Bistro, 2214 Bay St, Ft Myers. 7-10p. 333-2225.

•Fort Myers Mighty Mussels vs Tampa Tarpons: Minor league baseball. Hammond Stadium, 14400 Six Mile Cypress Pkwy, Ft Myers. 6:30p. 768-4210.

•Jazz Jam: Live music. Point Ybel Brewing, 16120 San Carlos Blvd, Ft Myers. 6-9p. Free. 603-6535.

•Latino History Tour: Guided tour outside. Mound House, 451 Connecticut St, Ft Myers Beach. 10a. 765-0865.

•Mike Rivera: Laugh In Comedy Cafe, 8595 College Pkwy, Ft Myers. 7:30p. 4795233.

•Pinky Patel: Off the Hook Comedy Club, 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Rd, #1100, Naples. 7p. 389-6901.

FRIDAY 29

•Fort Myers Mighty Mussels vs Tampa Tarpons: Minor league baseball Hammond Stadium, 14400 Six Mile Cypress Pkwy, Ft Myers. 7p. 768-4210.

SUNDAY 31

•Cruzan Vibes: Reggae & Soca band. South Street City Oven & Grill,1410 Pine Ridge Rd, Naples. 9p-12a. 435-9333.

•Fort Myers Mighty Mussels vs Tampa Tarpons: Minor league baseball Hammond Stadium, 14400 Six Mile Cypress Pkwy, Ft Myers.12. 768-4210.

•Jazz Brunch: Roy Gerson & Don Mopsic. The Barrel Room, Twisted Vine Bistro, 2214 Bay St, Ft Myers. 10a-1:30p. Free. 333-2225.

•Open Blues Jam: Live music hosted by Tommy Lee Cook & the Buckingham Blues. Buckingham Blues Bar, 5641 Buckingham Rd, Ft Myers. 3-6p. Musicians welcome. Free. 693-7111.

•Philadelphia Plowden: Off the Hook Comedy Club, 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Rd, #1100, Naples. 6p. 3896901.

•Pinky Patel: Off the Hook Comedy Club, 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Rd, #1100, Naples. 3p. 389-6901.

•Seussical - The Musical: Naples Players’ KidzAct. Sugden Community Theater, 701 5th Ave S, Naples. 2p. 434-7340.

•Thornton Wilder’s Our Town: Theater. Center for the Performing Arts Bonita Springs, 10150 Bonita Beach Rd, Bonita Springs. 2p. 4958989.

WEDNESDAY 3

•Fort Myers Mighty Mussels vs Bradenton

Marauders: Minor league baseball. Hammond Stadium, 14400 Six Mile Cypress Pkwy, Ft Myers. 6:30p. 768-4210.

•Gregg Hahn: Off the Hook Comedy Club, 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Rd, #1100, Naples. 7p. 389-6901.

•Latino History Tour: Guided tour outside. Mound House, 451 Connecticut St, Ft Myers Beach. 2p. 765-0865.

•Open Blues Jam: Live music hosted by Tommy Lee Cook & the Buckingham Blues. Buckingham Blues Bar, 5641 Buckingham Rd, Ft Myers. 8-11p. Musicians welcome. Free. 693-7111.

THURSDAY 4

•Ancient Forest Tour: Guided boardwalk tour. Corkscrew Swamp Blair Audubon Center, 375 Sanctuary Rd, Naples. 9a. Register. 348-9151.

•Dan Miller & Lew Del Gatto Quartet: Jazz. The Barrel Room, Twisted Vine Bistro, 2214 Bay St, Ft Myers. 7-10p. 333-2225.

•Fort Myers Mighty Mussels vs Bradenton Marauders: Minor league baseball. Hammond Stadium, 14400 Six Mile Cypress Pkwy, Ft Myers. 6:30p. 768-4210.

•Mike Rivera: Laugh In Comedy Cafe, 8595 College Pkwy, Ft Myers. 7:30p. 4795233.

•Morning Boardwalk Tour: Guided boardwalk tour. Corkscrew Swamp Blair Audubon Center, 375 Sanctuary Rd, Naples. 9:30a. Register. 348-9151.

•Pinky Patel: Off the Hook Comedy Club, 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Rd, #1100, Naples. 6 & 8p. 389-6901.

•Seussical - The Musical: Naples Players’ KidzAct. Sugden Community Theater, 701 5th Ave S, Naples. 6:30p. 434-7340.

•Thornton Wilder’s Our Town: Theater. Center for the Performing Arts Bonita Springs, 10150 Bonita Beach Rd, Bonita Springs. 7p. 4958989.

SATURDAY 30

•Americana Community Music Association: Keith Rea, Bill Burkert concert. All Faiths Unitarian Congregation, 2756 McGregor Blvd, Ft Myers. 9-10:30p. 691-4069.

•Fort Myers Mighty Mussels vs Tampa Tarpons: Minor

league baseball Beerfest. Hammond Stadium, 14400 Six Mile Cypress Pkwy, Ft Myers. 7p. 768-4210.

•Mike Rivera: Laugh In Comedy Cafe, 8595 College Pkwy, Ft Myers. 6 & 8:30p. 479-5233.

•Philadelphia Plowden: Off the Hook Comedy Club, 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Rd, #1100, Naples. 6 & 8p. 389-6901.

•Pinky Patel: Off the Hook Comedy Club, 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Rd, #1100, Naples. 3p. 389-6901.

•Seussical - The Musical: Naples Players’ KidzAct. Sugden Community Theater, 701 5th Ave S, Naples. 2 & 6:30p. 434-7340.

•Steely Dan: Concert. BB Mann Hall, 13350 FSW Pkwy, Ft Myers. 8p. 481-4849.

•The Frank Bang 5: Blues band. Buckingham Blues Bar, 5641 Buckingham Rd, Ft Myers. 8-11p. 693-7111.

•Thornton Wilder’s Our Town: Theater. Center for the Performing Arts Bonita Springs, 10150 Bonita Beach Rd, Bonita Springs. 2 & 7p. 495-8989.

•Untold Stories Tour: Guided tour. Mound House, 451 Connecticut St, Ft Myers Beach. 2p. 765-0865.

August

MONDAY 1

• Night Walk: Guided boardwalk tour. Corkscrew Swamp Blair Audubon Center, 375 Sanctuary Rd, Naples. 8p. Register. 348-9151.

•Art Reception: Harbour View Gallery, 5789 Cape Harbour Dr, #104, Cape Coral. 6-8p. Free. 540-5789.

TUESDAY

•Fort Myers Mighty Mussels vs Bradenton

2

Marauders: Minor league baseball. Hammond Stadium, 14400 Six Mile Cypress Pkwy, Ft Myers. 6:30p. 768-4210.

•Gregg Hahn: Off the Hook Comedy Club, 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Rd, #1100, Naples. 7p. 389-6901.

•Untold Stories Tour: Guided tour. Mound House, 451 Connecticut St, Ft Myers Beach. 2p. 765-0865.

•Jazz Jam: Live music. Point Ybel Brewing, 16120 San Carlos Blvd, Ft Myers. 6-9p. Free. 603-6535.

•Julie Scoggins: Laugh In Comedy Cafe, 8595 College Pkwy, Ft Myers. 7:30p. 4795233.

•Naples Big Band: Swing Street Rockin Beach Party indoor concert. Alliance for the Arts, 10091 McGregor Blvd, Ft Myers. 7p. 939-2787.

•Open Mic Bonita!: Comedy. Center for the Performing Arts Bonita Springs, 10150 Bonita Beach Rd, Bonita Springs. 7p. 495-8989.

•Tom Cotter: Off the Hook Comedy Club, 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Rd, #1100, Naples. 7p. 389-6901.

FRIDAY 5

•Art Reception: Arts for ACT Gallery, 2265 1st St, Ft Myers. 6-9p. Free. 337-5050.

•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. 337-5050.

Joanna Conner performs July 21 at Buckingham Blues Bar in Fort Myers. For information, call 693-7111.

What Goes On

•BBQ & Bluegrass: Bluegrass Trailblazers. Point Ybel Brewing, 16120 San Carlos Blvd, Ft Myers. 4-7p. Free. 603-6535.

•Fort Myers Mighty Mussels vs Bradenton

Marauders: Minor league baseball. Hammond Stadium, 14400 Six Mile Cypress Pkwy, Ft Myers. 7p. 768-4210.

•Julie Scoggins: Laugh In Comedy Cafe, 8595 College Pkwy, Ft Myers. 7:30p. 4795233.

•Morning Boardwalk Tour: Guided boardwalk tour. Corkscrew Swamp Blair Audubon Center, 375 Sanctuary Rd, Naples. 9:30a. Register. 348-9151.

•Something Rotten! Teen: Naples Players’ KidzAct. Sugden Community Theater, 701 5th Ave S, Naples. 6:30p. 434-7340.

•Tom Cotter: Off the Hook Comedy Club, 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Rd, #1100, Naples. 6:30 & 8:30p. 3896901.

SATURDAY 6

•Americana Community Music Association: Dana Cooper, Houseboat Jim Visone concert. All Faiths Unitarian Congregation, 2756 McGregor Blvd, Ft Myers. 7-9:30p. 691-4069.

•Fort Myers Mighty Mussels vs Bradenton Marauders: Minor league baseball. Hammond Stadium, 14400 Six Mile Cypress Pkwy, Ft Myers. 7p. 7684210.

•Julie Scoggins: Laugh In Comedy Cafe, 8595 College Pkwy, Ft Myers. 6 & 8:30p. 479-5233.

•Latino History Tour: Guided tour outside. Mound House, 451 Connecticut St, Ft Myers Beach. 10a. 765-0865.

•Something Rotten! Teen: Naples Players’ KidzAct. Sugden Community Theater, 701 5th Ave S, Naples. 2 & 6:30p. 434-7340.

•Tom Cotter: Off the Hook Comedy Club, 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Rd, #1100, Naples. 6:30 & 8:30p. 3896901.

SUNDAY 7

•Cruzan Vibes: Reggae & Soca band. South Street City Oven & Grill,1410 Pine Ridge Rd, Naples. 9p-12a. 435-9333.

•Fort Myers Mighty Mussels vs Bradenton

Marauders: Minor league baseball. Hammond Stadium, 14400 Six Mile Cypress Pkwy, Ft Myers. 7p. 768-4210.

•Jazz Brunch: Roy Gerson & Don Mopsic. The Barrel Room, Twisted Vine Bistro,

2214 Bay St, Ft Myers. 10a-1:30p. Free. 333-2225.

•Open Blues Jam: Live music hosted by Tommy Lee Cook & the Buckingham Blues. Buckingham Blues Bar, 5641 Buckingham Rd, Ft Myers. 3-6p. Musicians welcome. Free. 693-7111.

•Something Rotten! Teen: Naples Players’ KidzAct. Sugden Community Theater, 701 5th Ave S, Naples. 2p. 434-7340.

•Tom Cotter: Off the Hook Comedy Club, 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Rd, #1100, Naples. 6:30p. 389-6901.

TUESDAY 9

•Art Reception: Marco Island Center for the Arts, 1010 Winterberry Dr, Marco Island. 5:30-7p. Free. 394-4221.

•Lecture: Swamp Angels - History of Mosquitoes & Mosquito Control. Collier Museum at Government Center, 3331 Tamiami Tr E, Naples. 2p. Free. 252-8476.

•Presentation: Creatures of The Mound House - Birds to Bugs. Mound House, 451 Connecticut St, Ft Myers Beach. Reception 5:30p, lecture 6p. Register. 7650865.

•Untold Stories Tour: Guided tour. Mound House, 451 Connecticut St, Ft Myers Beach. 10a. 765-0865.

WEDNESDAY 10

•Matt Bergman: Off the Hook Comedy Club, 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Rd, #1100, Naples. 7p. 389-6901.

•Open Blues Jam: Live music hosted by Tommy Lee Cook & the Buckingham Blues. Buckingham Blues Bar, 5641 Buckingham Rd, Ft Myers. 8-11p. Musicians welcome. Free. 693-7111.

•Sunset Stroll: Guided boardwalk tour. Corkscrew Swamp Blair Audubon Center, 375 Sanctuary Rd, Naples. 7p. Register. 348-9151.

•Untold Stories Tour: Guided tour. Mound House, 451 Connecticut St, Ft Myers Beach. 2p. 765-0865.

THURSDAY 11

• Night Walk: Guided boardwalk tour. Corkscrew Swamp Blair Audubon Center, 375 Sanctuary Rd, Naples. 8p. Register. 3489151.

•Casey Frey: Off the Hook Comedy Club, 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Rd, #1100, Naples. 7p. 389-6901.

•Dan Miller & Lew Del Gatto Quartet: Jazz. The Barrel

Room, Twisted Vine Bistro, 2214 Bay St, Ft Myers. 7-10p. 333-2225.

•Evening on Fifth: Live music, dancing, art demos & exhibits, dining, shopping along 5th Ave S, Naples. 6:30-9:30p. Free. 692-8436.

•Gabe Kea: Laugh In Comedy Cafe, 8595 College Pkwy, Ft Myers. 7:30p. 479-5233.

•Jazz Jam: Live music. Point Ybel Brewing, 16120 San Carlos Blvd, Ft Myers. 6-9p. Free. 603-6535.

•Latino History Tour: Guided tour outside. Mound House, 451 Connecticut St, Ft Myers Beach. 2p. 765-0865.

FRIDAY 12

•Art Reception: Cape Coral Art Center, Rubicond Park, 4533 Coronado Pkwy, Cape Coral. 5-7p. Free. 574-0802.

•Casey Frey Off the Hook Comedy Cl:ub, 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Rd, #1100, Naples. 7 & 9p. 389-6901.

•Compton & Bennett – A Cracker at the Ritz: Musical comedy. Center for the Performing Arts Bonita Springs, 10150 Bonita Beach Rd, Bonita Springs. 7:30. 495-8989.

•Gabe Kea: Laugh In Comedy Cafe, 8595 College Pkwy, Ft Myers. 7:30p. 479-5233.

•Morning Boardwalk Tour: Guided boardwalk tour. Corkscrew Swamp Blair Audubon Center, 375 Sanctuary Rd, Naples. 9:30a. Register. 348-9151.

SATURDAY 13

•Casey Frey: Off the Hook Comedy Club, 2500

Vanderbilt Beach Rd, #1100, Naples. 6:30 & 8:30p. 3896901.

•Gabe Kea: Laugh In Comedy Cafe, 8595 College Pkwy, Ft Myers. 6 & 8:30p. 4795233.

•Garden Talk: Demos, presentations, sale. Edison & Ford Winter Estates, 2350 McGregor Blvd, Ft Myers. 10a-4p. 334-7419.

•Meet Artist Christy Noonan: Naples Botanical Garden, 4820 Bayshore Dr, Naples. 9-10:30a. 643-7275.

SUNDAY 14

•Casey Frey: Off the Hook Comedy Club, 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Rd, #1100, Naples. 7p. 389-6901.

•Jazz Brunch: Roy Gerson & Don Mopsic. The Barrel Room, Twisted Vine Bistro, 2214 Bay St, Ft Myers. 10a-1:30p. Free. 333-2225.

•Nostaljah: Reggae band. South Street City Oven & Grill,1410 Pine Ridge Rd, Naples. 9p-12a. 435-9333.

•Open Blues Jam: Live music hosted by Tommy Lee Cook & the Buckingham Blues. Buckingham Blues Bar, 5641 Buckingham Rd, Ft Myers. 3-6p. Musicians welcome. Free. 693-7111.

TUESDAY 16

•Latino History Tour: Guided tour outside. Mound House, 451 Connecticut St, Ft Myers Beach. 10a. 765-0865.

•Darren Carter: Off the Hook Comedy Club, 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Rd, #1100, Naples. 7p. 389-6901.

WEDNESDAY 17

•Open Blues Jam: Live music hosted by Tommy Lee Cook & the Buckingham Blues. Buckingham Blues Bar, 5641 Buckingham Rd, Ft Myers. 8-11p. Musicians welcome. Free. 693-7111.

THURSDAY 18

•Dan Miller & Lew Del Gatto Quartet: Jazz. The Barrel Room, Twisted Vine Bistro, 2214 Bay St, Ft Myers. 7-10p. 333-2225.

•Darren Carter: Off the Hook Comedy Club, 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Rd, #1100, Naples. 7p. 389-6901.

•Dierks Bentley: Concert w Ashley McBryde. Hertz Arena, 11000 Everblades Pkwy, Estero. 7p. 9487825.

•Jazz Jam: Live music. Point Ybel Brewing, 16120 San Carlos Blvd, Ft Myers. 6-9p. Free. 603-6535.

•Lecture: Totch Brown - Teller of Tales in the Ten Thousand Islands. Museum of the Everglades, 105 W Bwy, Everglades City. 2p. Free. 695-0008.

•Lowell Sanders: Laugh In Comedy Cafe, 8595 College Pkwy, Ft Myers. 7:30p. 4795233.

•Untold Stories Tour: Guided tour. Mound House, 451 Connecticut St, Ft Myers Beach. 2p. 765-0865.

FRIDAY 19

•Beach Clean-Up: Mound House, 451 Connecticut St, Ft

Circus Arts Conservatory presents Summer Circus Spectacular, thru August 13 in the Historic Asolo Theatre in Sarasota. Call 941-359-5200 for information.

Myers Beach. 8:30a. Register. 765-0865.

•Latino History Tour: Guided tour outside. Mound House, 451 Connecticut St, Ft Myers Beach. 2p. 765-0865.

•Lowell Sanders: Laugh In Comedy Cafe, 8595 College Pkwy, Ft Myers. 7:30p. 4795233.

•Michael Yo: Off the Hook Comedy Club, 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Rd, #1100, Naples. 6:45 & 8:45p. 3896901.

•Music Walk: Live music & dancing at several cafes, clubs & galleries. Downtown Ft Myers’ historic River District. 6-10p. Free. 855-732-3836.

•Singer-Songwriter

Competition: Concert. Davis Art Center, 2301 1st St, Ft Myers. Cocktails 6:30p, concert 7:30p. 333-1933.

SATURDAY 20

•Albert Castiglia: Blues band. Buckingham Blues Bar, 5641 Buckingham Rd, Ft Myers. 8-11p. 693-7111.

•Gulf Coast Writers Association Meeting: Guest speaker Mary Lou Williams. Word of Life Church, 6111 South Points Blvd, Ft Myers. 10a-12p. Free. 770-906-7885..

•Lowell Sanders: Laugh In Comedy Cafe, 8595 College Pkwy, Ft Myers. 6 & 8:30p. 479-5233.

•Michael Yo: Off the Hook Comedy Club, 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Rd, #1100, Naples. 6:30 & 8:30p. 3896901.

•Symphonic Rocks: Gulf Coast Symphony concert. BB Mann Hall, 13350 FSW Pkwy, Ft Myers. 7:30p. 481-4849.

•Waste Not, Want Not: Food dehydrating demos & food samples. Immokalee Pioneer Museum, 1215 Roberts Ave, Immokalee. 10a-2p. Free. 252-2611.

SUNDAY 21

•Cruzan Vibes: Reggae & Soca band. South Street City Oven & Grill,1410 Pine Ridge Rd, Naples. 9p-12a. 435-9333.

•Jazz Brunch: Roy Gerson & Don Mopsic. The Barrel Room, Twisted Vine Bistro, 2214 Bay St, Ft Myers. 10a-1:30p. Free. 333-2225.

•MichaelYo: Off the Hook Comedy Club, 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Rd, #1100, Naples. 6:30p. 389-6901.

•Open Blues Jam: Live music hosted by Tommy Lee Cook & the Buckingham Blues. Buckingham Blues Bar, 5641 Buckingham Rd, Ft Myers. 3-6p. Musicians welcome. Free. 693-7111.

TUESDAY 23

•Early Birding Walks : Guided boardwalk tour. Corkscrew Swamp Blair Audubon Center, 375 Sanctuary Rd, Naples. 8a. Register. 348-9151.

•Exceptional Night: For families w kids w physical and neurological challenges. Children’s Museum of Naples, 15080 Livingston Rd, Naples. 5:30-7:30p. Register. 5140084.

•Fort Myers Mighty Mussels vs Lakeland

Flying Tigers: Minor league baseball. Hammond Stadium, 14400 Six Mile Cypress Pkwy, Ft Myers. 6:30p. 768-4210.

•Sarah Hester Ross: Off the Hook Comedy Club, 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Rd, #1100, Naples. 7p. 389-6901.

WEDNESDAY 24

•Fashion Night at the Museum: For families & kids dress up, creste handbags, walk runway. Children’s Museum of Naples, 15080 Livingston Rd, Naples. Kids 5-8. 5:30-7:30p. Register. 514-0084.

•Fort Myers Mighty Mussels vs Lakeland

Flying Tigers: Minor league baseball. Hammond Stadium, 14400 Six Mile Cypress Pkwy, Ft Myers. 6:30p. 768-4210.

•Jerry Halliday: Off the Hook Comedy Club, 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Rd, #1100, Naples. 7p. 389-6901.

•Latino History Tour: Guided tour outside. Mound House,

451 Connecticut St, Ft Myers Beach. 10a. 765-0865.

•Open Blues Jam: Live music hosted by Tommy Lee Cook & the Buckingham Blues. Buckingham Blues Bar, 5641 Buckingham Rd, Ft Myers. 8-11p. Musicians welcome. Free. 693-7111.

THURSDAY 25

•Allison Weber: Laugh In Comedy Cafe, 8595 College Pkwy, Ft Myers. 7:30p. 4795233.

•Dan Miller & Lew Del Gatto Quartet: Jazz. The Barrel Room, Twisted Vine Bistro, 2214 Bay St, Ft Myers. 7-10p. 333-2225.

•Dusty Slay: Off the Hook Comedy Club, 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Rd, #1100, Naples. 7p. 389-6901.

•Fort Myers Mighty Mussels vs Lakeland

Flying Tigers: Minor league baseball. Hammond Stadium, 14400 Six Mile Cypress Pkwy, Ft Myers. 6:30p. 768-4210.

•Jazz Jam: Live music. Point Ybel Brewing, 16120 San Carlos Blvd, Ft Myers. 6-9p. Free. 603-6535.

FRIDAY 26

•Allison Weber: Laugh In Comedy Cafe, 8595 College Pkwy, Ft Myers. 7:30p. 4795233.

•Dusty Slay: Off the Hook Comedy Club, 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Rd, #1100, Naples. 7 & 9p. 389-6901.

•Fort Myers Mighty

Mussels vs Lakeland

Flying Tigers: Minor league baseball. Hammond Stadium, 14400 Six Mile Cypress Pkwy, Ft Myers. 7p. 768-4210.

•Untold Stories Tour: Guided tour. Mound House, 451 Connecticut St, Ft Myers Beach. 2p. 765-0865.

SATURDAY 27

•Allison Weber: Laugh In Comedy Cafe, 8595 College Pkwy, Ft Myers. 6 & 8:30p. 479-5233.

•Dusty Slay: Off the Hook Comedy Club, 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Rd, #1100, Naples. 6:30 & 8:30p. 3896901.

•Fort Myers Mighty Mussels vs Lakeland Flying Tigers: Minor league baseball. Beerfest. Hammond Stadium, 14400 Six Mile Cypress Pkwy, Ft Myers. 7p. 768-4210.

•Latino History Tour: Guided tour outside. Mound House, 451 Connecticut St, Ft Myers Beach. 2p. 765-0865.

SUNDAY 28

•Dusty Slay: Off the Hook Comedy Club, 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Rd, #1100, Naples. 6:30p. 389-6901.

•Fort Myers Mighty Mussels vs Lakeland Flying Tigers: Minor league baseball. Hammond Stadium, 14400 Six Mile Cypress Pkwy, Ft Myers. 12p. 768-4210.

•Jazz Brunch: Roy Gerson & Don Mopsic. The Barrel Room, Twisted Vine Bistro,

2214 Bay St, Ft Myers. 10a-1:30p. Free. 333-2225.

•Nostaljah: Reggae band. South Street City Oven & Grill,1410 Pine Ridge Rd, Naples. 9p-12a. 435-9333.

•Open Blues Jam: Live music hosted by Tommy Lee Cook & the Buckingham Blues. Buckingham Blues Bar, 5641 Buckingham Rd, Ft Myers. 3-6p. Musicians welcome. Free. 693-7111.

TUESDAY 30

•Conservation Café - Birds & Coffee: South Seas Cottage, Newton Beach Park, 4650 Estero Blvd, Ft Myers Beach. 8:30a. Register. 765-0865.

WEDNESDAY 31

•Jon ‘Polar Bear’ Gonzalez: Off the Hook Comedy Club, 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Rd, #1100, Naples. 7p. 389-6901.

•Open Blues Jam: Live music hosted by Tommy Lee Cook & the Buckingham Blues. Buckingham Blues Bar, 5641 Buckingham Rd, Ft Myers. 8-11p. Musicians welcome. Free. 693-7111.

Theater

•Art: Jul 22-Aug 7. The Studio Players, Joan Jenks Auditorium, Golden Gate Community Center, 4701 Golden Gate Pkwy, Naples. 389-9192.

•Dear Edwina Jr: Jul 1-3. The Naples Players’ KidzAct. Tobye Studio, Sugden Theater, 701 5th Ave S, Naples. 2637990.

•Disney’s Newsies Jr: Jul 1-3. Center for the Performing Arts, 10150 Bonita Beach Rd, Bonita Springs. 495-8989.

•Fairview: Aug 5-20. Laboratory Theater of Florida, 1634 Woodford Ave, Ft Myers. 218-0481.

•Godspell Jr: Aug 4-7. Venice Theatre, 140 Tampa Ave W, Venice. 941-488-1115.

•Lady Killer: thru Sep 11: WedSun. Murder Mystery Dinner Train. Seminole Gulf Railway, 2805 Colonial Blvd, Ft Myers. 275-8487.

•Rent: Aug 6-14. Fort Myers Theatre, 16120 San Carlos Blvd, #5, Ft Myers. 323-6570.

•Seussical - The Musical: Jul 29-31. The Naples Players’ KidzAct. Tobye Studio, Sugden Theater, 701 5th Ave S, Naples. 263-7990.

•Something Rotten: thru Jul 24. The Naples Players.

Broadway Palm in Fort Myers presents The Wizard of Oz, July 1-August 13. For information, call 278-4422.

What Goes On

Blackburn Hall, Sugden Theater, 701 5th Ave S, Naples. 263-7990.

•Something Rotten! Teen Aug 5-7. The Naples Players’ KidzAct. Tobye Studio, Sugden Theater, 701 5th Ave S, Naples. 263-7990.

•Summer Circus Spectacular: thru Aug 13. Circus Arts

Conservatory. Historic Asolo Theatre, 5401 Bay Shore Rd, Sarasota. 941-359-5700.

•The Birds - A Parody: thru Jul 2. Laboratory Theater of Florida, 1634 Woodford Ave, Ft Myers. 218-0481.

•The Fantasticks: Jul 19-24. Venice Theatre, 140 Tampa Ave W, Venice. 941-488-1115.

•The Wizard Oz: Jul 1-Aug 13. Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre, 1380 Colonial Blvd, Ft Myers. 278-4422.

•Thornton Wilder’s Our Town: Jul 29-31. Center for the Performing Arts, 10150 Bonita Beach Rd, Bonita Springs. 495-8989.

•Trap: Jul 15 & 16. Laboratory Theater of Florida, 1634 Woodford Ave, Ft Myers. 218-0481.

Art Galleries

•Aldo Castillo Gallery: Miromar Design Center, 10800 Corkscrew Rd, Estero. Mon-Sat 10a-5p. Free. 312375-8887.

•Aldo Castillo Gallery: 1634 5th Ave S, Naples. Tue-Sun 11a-7p. Free. 312-375-8887.

•Alliance for the Arts: 10091 McGregor Blvd, Ft Myers. Jul 1-31: Members exhibition; Aug 5-28: Colonial ContoursMartha De la Cruz & Dimithry Victor. Mon-Fri 9a-5p & Sat 9a-1p. Free. 939-2787.

•Another Time: 1414 Dean St, Ft Myers. Daily 11a-6p; Fri & Sat 11a-8p. Free. 672-4607.

•Arsenault Studio & Banyan Arts Gallery: 1199 3rd St, Naples. Mon-Sat 10a-5p & Sun 1-5p. Free. 263-1214.

•ArtBeat Studios: 1400 Colonial Blvd, #35, Fort Myers. Wed & Sun 11a-5p. Free. 225-9770.

•Artsemble Underground Gallery & Art Lounge: Bell Tower Shops, 13499 Bell Tower Dr, #151, Ft Myers. Thru Aug 6: Faces & Places. Fri & Sat 3-8p. Free. 2489063.

•Art Center Sarasota: 707 N Tamiami Tr, Sarasota. Thru Aug 26: Faces & Places. MonSat 10a-4p. 941-365-2032.

•Arts for ACT Gallery: 2265 First St, Ft Myers. Jul 1-Aug

1: Doug Smithwick. Mon-Sun 11a-4:30p, 1st, 2nd & 3rd Fri 11a-10p. Free. 337-5050.

•Baker Museum: ArtisNaples, 5833 Pelican Bay Blvd, Naples. Thru Jul 17: Florida Contemporary; thru Jul 24: Pam LangobardiOcean Gleaming; thru Jul

24: Another World - The

Transcendental Painting Group; thru Jul 24: Invisible Thread; thru Jul 24: Annual Student exhibition; thru Sep 25: True Likeness; thru Jan 8: Recent Acquisitions - 2019-Present; ongoing: Chihuly Collection; MagritteReflections of Another world, Louise Nevelson - Dawn’s Forest. Tue-Sat 1-a-4p, Sun 12-4p. 597-1900.

•Bert’s Pine Bay Gallery: 4332 Pine Island Rd, Matlacha. Sun & Mon 10a-5p, Tue-Sat 10a7p. Free. 283-1335.

•Beyond Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience. Thru Aug 5. Sun & Tue-Thu 10a6p, Fri & Sat 10a-7p. Starry Night Pavilion, East District, University Town Center, 195 University Town Center Drive, Sarasota. Reserve. 800-4410819.

•BIG ARTS: Thru Jul 23: FSW Fine Arts Students. 900 Dunlop Rd, Sanibel. Mon-Sat 9a-4p & Sat 9a-1p. Free. 395-0900.

•Bob Rauschenberg Gallery: FSW State College, Humanities Hall, 8099 College Pkwy SW, Ft Myers. Thru Jul 23: Rauschenberg

- From the Collections of Friends. Mon-Fri 10a-4p & Sat 11a-3p. Free. 489-9313.

•Bokeelia Art Gallery: 8315 Main St, Bokeelia. Tue-Sat 10a-5p. Free. 738-5280.

•Cape Coral Art Center: Rubicond Park, 4533 Coronado Pkwy, Cape Coral. Thru Jul 28: On My Walk

Today. Mon-Sat 9a-4p. Free. 574-0802.

•Cape Coral Art League: 516

Cultural Park Blvd, Cape Coral. Open painting Wed 1-4p. Mon-Th 11a-4p. Free. 772-5657.

•Center for the Visual Arts Bonita Springs: 26100 Old 41 Rd, Bonita Springs. MonFri 10a-4p & Sat 1-5p. Free. 495-8989.

•Center for the Performing Arts Bonita Springs: 10150 Bonita Beach Rd, Bonita Springs. Mon-Fri 10a-4p & Sat 1-5p. Free. 495-8989.

•Clyde Butcher’s Big Cypress Gallery: 52388 Tamiami Tr, Ochopee. Daily 10a-5p. Free. 695-2428.

•Clyde Butcher’s Venice Gallery & Studio: 237 Warfield Ave, Venice. Tue-Fri 10a-4:30p. Free. 486-0811.

•Coco Art Gallery: Art Council of SWFL Gallery. Coconut Point Mall, 8074 Mediterranean Dr, Estero. Tue-Sun 11a-5p. Free. 9493073.

•Coco Art Gallery: Art Council of SWFL Gallery. Coastland Center, 1900 Tamiami Tr S, Naples. Wed-Sun 12-6p. Free. 436-3530.

•Creason’s Fine Art Gallery: 331 5th Ave S, Naples. SunThu 11a-6p, Fri & Sat 10a-10p. Free. 949-3073.

•DAAS Co-op Art Gallery:

Inside Butterfly Estates, 1815-3 Fowler St, Ft Myers. Wed-Sun 10a-3p. Free. 5908645.

•East West Fine Art: Mercato, 9115 Strada Pl, #5130, Naples. Mon-Sat 10a-7p & Sun 12-6p. Free. 821-9459.

•Englewood Art Center: Ringling College of Art & Design, 350 S. McCall Rd, Englewood. Tue 9a-9p & Wed-Sat 9a-4p. Free. 941474-5548.

•Estero Art League: Estero Community Center, 9200 Corkscrew Palms Rd, Estero. 489-5216.

•Florida Gulf Coast University Art Galleries: 10501 FGCU Blvd S., Ft Myers. Wasmer Gallery

– Aug 26-Sep 29: Nexus –- FGCU Art Faculty show. Wasmer Gallery in Arts Complex. Mon-Fri, 10a-4p & Thu 10a-7p. Free. 590-7199.

•Fort Myers Beach Art Association & Gallery: 3030 Shell Mound, Ft Myers Beach. Main Gallery– thru Oct 14: Summer Show. Studio 2 Gallery– thru Oct 14: Summer show. Wed & Thu 9a-12p. Free. 463-3909.

•Gardner Colby Gallery: 386 & 365 Broad Ave S, Naples. Mon-Sat 10a-5p. Free. 4037787.

•Grand Illusion Gallery: 2443 First St, Ft Myers. Tue-Sat 10:30a-5:30p, 1st & 3rd Fri 6-10p. Free. 461-7245.

•Guess-Fisher Gallery: Crayton Cove, 810 12th Ave S, Naples. Mon-Thu 11a-5p, Fri & Sat 11a-9p. Free. 403-8393.

•Harbour View Gallery: 5789 Cape Harbour Dr, #104, Cape Coral. Daily 11a-8p. Free. 540-5789.

•Harmon-Meek Modern: 382

12th Ave S, Naples. Tue-Sat

12-4p. Free. 261-2637.

•Island Conclave: 5101 Pine Island Rd, Bokeelia. Tue-Sat

11a-5p. Free. 282-8488.

•Island Visions: 4643 Pine Island Rd, Matlacha. Daily

10a-5p. Free. 282-0452.

•Lovegrove Gallery & Garden: 4637 Pine Island Rd NW, Matlacha. Daily 10a-5p. Free. 283-6453.

•Marc Harris Wildlife Photography Gallery: In Everglades Wonder Gardens, 27180 Old 41 Rd, Bonita Springs. Daily 9a-5p. 283-3354.

•Marco Island Center for the Arts: 1010 Winterberry

Dr, Marco Island. Thru Jul

5: Mara Darrow; Aug 9-Oct

5: Palettes - Warm, Cool, Complementary Colors; Aug

9-Sep 7: Terry Carter. Mon-Fri

9a-4p. Free. 394-4221.

•Method & Concept: 26 10th

St. S, Naples. Mon-Fri 10a-5p. 529-2633.

•Naples Art Studios: North Line Plaza, 2172 J & C Blvd, Naples. Thru Nov 1: Gallery Group Show. By appt. 8211061.

•Naples Art: 585 Park St, Naples. Thru Jul 17: Toulouse-Lautrec - Master of the Belle Epoque; Aug 6-Oct 30: Selections from William Louis-Dreyfus Foundation. Mon-Fri 9a-5p. Free. 2626517.

•Quidley & Company Fine

Art Gallery: 375 Broad Ave S, Naples. Mon-Sat 10a-7p & Sun 11a-5p. 261-4300.

•Quidley & Company Fine Art Gallery: Magnolia Square, 5934 Premier Way, #2100, Naples. Ongoing: Hunt Slonem - Above & Beyond. Thu-Sat 11a-5p. 261-4300.

•Ringling College of Art + Design Galleries: Basch Gallery (Academic Center, 2363 Old Bradenton Rd; Cooley Photo Center (Student Center, 2700 N Tamiami Tr, Sarasota); Crossley Gallery (2698 Bradenton Rd, Sarasota); Madeby Gallery (Student Center, 2700 N Tamiami Tr, Sarasota; Selby Foundations Gallery (Atrium, 2700 N Tamiami Tr, Sarasota); Smith Gallery (Academic Center, 2363 Old Bradenton Rd; Stulberg Gallery (Basch Visual Arts Center, 1188 Martin Luther King Jr Way, Sarasota); Thompson Gallery (Keating Center, 2700 N. Tamiami Tr, Sarasota)— thru Aug 12: Valetta. Mon-Fri 10a-4p. Free. 941-359-7563.

•Sanibel Captiva Art League: Exhibits at Sanibel Community House: Meetings 3rd Thu at Sanibel Community House, 2173 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel. 1-3p. Free. 322-8593.

•Sarasota Art Museum: Ringling College, 1001 S Tamiami T, Sarasota. Thru Nov: Xaviera Simmons. Mon-Sat 10a-5p & Sun 11a-5p. 941-309-4300.

•Sheldon Fine Art: 460 Fifth

Naples Botanical Garden hosts ‘Meditations on Waterlillies,’ an exhibition of paintings by Christy Noonan, July 11-September 15. Call 643-7275 for information.

Ave S, Naples. 10a-10p. Free. 649-6255.

•Sidney & Berne Davis

Arts Center: 2301 First St, Ft Myers. Grand

Atrium— Jul 1-29: Age of Titans; Aug 5-26: Imagine - Artsemble Underground. Capital Gallery— Jul 7-29: Pythonesque; Aug 5-26: Moon-Womb-Bloom - Juli Congress. Mon-Fri 9a. Free. 337-1933.

•Sweet Art Gallery: 2100-A Trade Center Way, Naples. Mon-Fri 10a-5p & Sat by appt. Free. 597-2110.

•The Ringling Museum of Art: 5401 Bay Shore Rd, Sarasota. Thru Oct 23: Works on paper from Ringling Collection of Modern & Contemporary Art; thru Jul 3: Ya Levy La’ford - American/ Roots; thru Aug 13: As long as there is sun, as long as there is light; thru Aug 21: Eleanor Merritt; thru Aug 28: Metadata - Rethinking Photography from the 21st Century.; thru Sep 25: Ballroom Florida - Deco & Desire in Japan’s Jazz Age; thru Sep 25: Marvelous Marbling of Matsui Kosei. Circus Museum– Bayfront Gardens. Gardens of Ringling Guided Tour: Thu 10:30a. Daily 10a-5p, Thu 10a-8p. 941-359-5700.

Sun 12-3p. Free. 614-2050357.

•Artis-Naples: Hayes Hall, 5833 Pelican Bay Blvd, Naples. Thru Jul 28: Student show. 597-1900.

•Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum: 3075 SanibelCaptiva Rd, Sanibel. Thru Nov 28: Adorned by the Sea – Shells in Fashion. Daily 10a-5p. 395-2233.

•Burroughs Home & Gardens: 2505 First St, Ft Myers. Tours Mon-Wed 11a. 337-0706.

•Butterfly Estates: 1815 Fowler St, Ft Myers. Tue-Sun 10a-2p. 690-2359.

•Calusa Nature Center & Planetarium: 3450 Ortiz Ave, Ft Myers. Museum, butterfly aviary, walking trails, lectures & live reptile shows daily. Guided walks Tue, Thu, Sat 10a. Planetarium shows Mon-Sat 12 & 2p & Sun 12, 2, 3:30p. Tue-Sun 10a-4p. 275-3435.

•Cape Coral Historical Museum: 544 Cultural Park Blvd, Cape Coral. Wed-Fri 11a4p & Sat 10a-2p (closed Jul). 772-7037.

•Children’s Museum of Naples: North Collier Park, 15080 Livingston Rd, Naples. Sun-Tue & Thu-Sat 10a-5p. 514-0084.

Wed 10a. Daily 9a-5:30p. 334-7419.

•Estero Historic Cottage Museum: One-room schoolhouse & historic cottage. Estero Park, 9285

Corkscrew Palms Blvd, Estero. Sat 1-4p. Free. 2721911.

•Holocaust Museum & Cohen

Education Center: 975

Imperial Golf Course Blvd, # 108, Naples. Thru Aug 31: Art

After the Holocaust; ongoing: Caught on Film - Wartime Photography of Ken Regele. Guided tours. Wed, Thu, Sat, Sun 1-4p. 263-9200.

•IMAG History & Science Center: Exhibits, activities, live sea life touch-tank & feedings, films. 2000 Cranford St, Ft Myers.

Tue-Sat 10a-5p & Sun 12-5p. 321-7420.

•Immokalee Pioneer Museum at Roberts Ranch: 1215 Roberts Ave W, Immokalee.

Thru Aug 27: Bittersweet

Harvest- the Bracero Program

1942-1964. Tue-Sat 9a-4p. Free. 252-2611.

•Marco Island Historical Museum: 180 S Heathwood

Dr, Marco Island. Thru Oct

1: Birds of Paradise - Birds of South Florida and the Everglades by Inez Hudson.

in the Garden: Tours daily 10a-1p on hour. Daily 9a-2p. 643-7275.

•Naples Depot Museum: 1051 Fifth Ave S, Naples. Thru Aug 20: Wallace Abbey - A Life in Railroad Photography; thru Aug 20: Birds of Paradisepaintings by Inez Hudson. Mon-Sat 9a-4p. Free. 2626525.

•Naples Zoo at Caribbean Gardens: 1590 GoodletteFrank Rd, Naples. Wildlife & botanical exhibits. Daily 9a-4:30p. 262-5409.

•Octagon Wildlife Sanctuary: 41660 Horseshoe Rd, Punta Gorda. Mon-Fri 9a-12p, Sat & Sun 11a-4p. 543-1130.

•Ostego Bay Foundation Marine Science Center: 718 Fisherman’s Wharf, Ft Myers Beach. Mon-Sat 10a-4p. 765-8101.

•Palm Cottage Museum & Norris Gardens: Naples Historical Society, 137 12th Ave. S, Naples. Ongoing: Naples on the Map. Walking tours of Naples historic district: Wed 9:30a; Guided garden tours: 1st & 3rd Thu of month 10a. Tours: Tue-Fri 12-4p & Sat 1-4p. Free. 2618164.

•Timeless: 2218 First St, Ft Myers. Daily 11a-6p; Fri & Sat 11a-8p. 332-8463.

•Tower Gallery: 751 Tarpon Bay Rd, Sanibel. Daily10a-5p. Free. 340-6467.

•Union Artists Studios: Alliance of the Arts, 10051 McGregor Blvd, #202, Edwards Bldg, Ft Myers. Sat 10a-2p & by appt. Free. 980-1394.

•Venice Art Center: 390 Nokomis Ave S, Venice. Thru Jul 21: Dark & Light. Mon-Fri 9a-4p. Free. 941-485-7136.

•Visual Arts Center: 210 Maud St, Punta Gorda. Thru Sep 25: Members Showcase. Mon & Fri 9a-4p, Tue-Thu 10a-7p, Sat 10a-2p. Free. 941-6398810.

•Watson MacRae Gallery: 2340 Periwinkle Way, #G1, Sanibel. Mon-Fri 11a-5p. Free. 472-3386.

Attractions

•Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Seminole Tribe of Florida Museum: Big Cypress Seminole Indian Reservation, 30290 Josie Billie Hwy, Clewiston. Daily 9a-5p. 877-902-1113.

•American Museum of the Military & First Responders: Naples Airport, 500 Terminal Dr, Naples. Mon-Sat 10a-4p &

•Collier County Museum at Government Center:  3331 Tamiami Tr E, Naples. Thru Aug 27: Viewed from Above - Aerial Photos of Collier County, 1920s to Today. Mon-Sat 9a-4p. Free. 252-8476.

•Conservancy of SWFL: 1495 Smith Preserve Way, off Goodlette Frank Rd. Tue-Sat 9:30a-4p. Free. 262-0304.

•Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary: 375 Sanctuary Rd. Guided walks, swamp walks, night events. Daily 8a-1p. 348-9151.

•CREW: Corkscrew Regional Ecosystem Watershed. Marsh Hiking Trails, 4600 Corkscrew Rd, Immokalee. Guided walks OCT-APR. Trails open daily sunrisesunset. 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 Mon-Fri 10a-4p. Free. 472-3644.

•’Ding’ Darling National Wildlife Refuge: 1 Wildlife Dr, Sanibel. Wildlife viewing, education Center. Exhibjts–Jul 5-Aug 30: Upcycled Wonders.Visitor Center- MonSat 9a-4p; Wildlife drive- SatThu sunrise-sunset. 472-1100.

•Edison & Ford Winter Estates: 2350 McGregor Blvd, Ft Myers. Exhibits.

Homes tours Tue & Thu 11a; Automotive Tour Mon 10:30a; Home Tours Tue & Thu 11a; Yoga in the Moonlight Garden

Tue-Sat 9a-4p. Free. 6421440.

•Marie Selby Botanical Gardens: 1534 Mound St, Sarasota. Jul 16-Sep 25: Flora

Imaginaria – The Flower in Contemporary Photography. 10a-5p daily. 941-366-5731.

•Marie Selby Botanical Gardens: Historic Spanish Point, 337 N Tamiami Tr, Osprey. Butterfly House.

Thru Aug 2023: Seeing the Invisible. Daily 10a-5p daily. 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 11a & 1p; 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. Tue-Sat 9a-4p. 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 1: Legendary Gladesmen. Mon-Sat 9a-4p. Free. 6950008.

•Museum of the Islands: 5728 Sesame, Pine Island Center. Free. 283-1525.

•Naples Botanical Garden:  4820 Bayshore Dr, Naples. Jul 15-Sep 11: Christy Noonan - Meditations on Waterlillies; thru Nov 2023: Stickwork interactive sculpture installation. Music

•Peace River Botanical & Sculpture Gardens: 5827 Riverside Dr, Punta Gorda. Tue-Sun 9a-4p. 941-6218299.

•Randell Research Center: 7450 Pineland Rd, Pineland. South Florida archeology & ethnography exhibits. Mon-Sat 10a-5p & Sun 1-5p. 283-2062.

•Rookery Bay Environmental Learning Center: 300 Tower Rd, Naples. Thru Oct 28: The Land They Love - Rookery Bay Reserve Staff & Volunteer Art Show. Exhibits, daily programs, guided boat & kayak tours. Mon-Sat 9a-4p. 530-5940.

•Sanibel-Captiva

Conservation Foundation Nature Center: 3333 SanibelCaptiva Rd, Sanibel. Exhibits, programs, guided tours. MonFri 8:30a-3p. 472-2329.

•Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation

Native Landscapes & Garden Center: 1300 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel. Exhibits, demonstration gardens, workshops. Mon-Fri 8:30a-5p & Sat 10a-3p Jan-Apr 4721932.

•Sanibel Historical Museum & Village: 950 Dunlop Rd, Sanibel. Exhibits. Tue-Sat 10a-1p. 472-4648.

•Shangri-La Springs: 27750 Old 41 Rd, Bonita Springs. Garden tours Tue & Wed 10a. 949-0749.

•Shell Factory & Nature Park: 16554 N Cleveland Ave, N Ft Myers. Shell exhibits, Animal exhibits, petting farm, Christmas house, natural history exhibits, water games, video arcade, miniature golf,

The Baker Museum at Artis—Naples hosts the exhibition, ‘Recent Acquisitions: 2019-Present,’ thru January 8. For information, call 597-1900.

What Goes On

playgrounds, zip line. Daily 10a-5p. 995-2141.

•True Tours: River District History Walking Tour: select Sat 10:30a; Haunted History Tours 8p; Tours begin & end at Franklin Shops, 2200 1st St, Ft Myers. By appt. 9450405.

•Williams Academy Black History Museum: Clemente Park, 1936 Henderson Ave, Ft Myers. Mon-Fri 9a-5p & Sat 12-4p. Free. 332-8778.

•Wonder Gardens: 27180 Old 41 Rd, Bonita Springs. Botanical gardens, animals, alligator feedings, Marc Harris Wildlife photography gallery. Daily 10a-2p. 992-2591.

Parks

•Bailey Homestead Preserve: Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation. 1300 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel. Walking tours Mon 2p & Thu 10a. Free. 472-1932.

•Bonita Beach Park: 27954 Hickory Blvd., Bonita Springs. Free. 533-7444.

•Bowditch Point Regional Park: 50 Estero Blvd, Ft Myers Beach. Free. 4633764.

•Bunche Beach: 18201 John Morris Rd, Ft Myers. Free. 707-6794.

•Caloosahatchee Regional Park: 18500 North River Rd, Alva. Free. 693-2690.

•Collier-Seminole State Park: US 41, S Naples. Free. 394-3397.

•Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park: 11135 Gulfshore Dr, Naples. Beach. Free. 5976196.

•Estero Park: 9200 Corkscrew Palms Blvd, Estero. 2481609.

•Everglades National Park: Gulf Coast Visitor Center, 815 Oyster Bar Ln. Everglades City. Free. 695-3311.

•Four Freedoms Park: 4818 Tarpon Ct, Cape Coral. Free. 574-0804.

•Hickeys Creek Mitigation Park: 17980 Palm Beach Blvd, Alva. Free. 693-2690.

•Koreshan State Historic Site State Park: US Hwy 41 & Corkscrew Rd, Estero. Free. 992-0311.

•Lakes Regional Park: 7330 Gladiolus Dr, Ft Myers. 5337575.

•Lovers Key State Park: 8700 Estero Blvd. Ft Myers Beach. 463-4588.

•Lynn Hall Park: 950 Estero Blvd, Ft Myers Beach. Free. 229-7356.

•Manatee Park: 10901 Palm Beach Blvd, Ft Myers. Free. 690-5030.

•Matanzas Pass Preserve: 119 Bay Rd, Ft Myers Beach. Free. 707-3015.

•Myakka River State

Park: 13207 SR 72, Sarasota.

Canoeing, camping, wildlife tours by air-boat & tram, scenic drive, guided walks. Free. 941-361-6511.

•Naples Preserve: Eco-center. 1690 Tamiami Tr N, Naples. Free. 261-4290.

•North Collier Regional Park: 15000 Livingston Rd, Naples. Free. 652-4512.

•Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve: 7791 Penzance Blvd, Ft Myers. Free. 5337550.

•Veterans Park: 55 Homestead Rd, Lehigh Acres. Free. 369-1521.

•Wa-Ke-Hatchee Park: 16730 Bass Rd, Ft Myers. Free. 432-2154.

Live Music & Comedy

•Americana Community Music Association

Listening Room: All Faiths Unitarian Congregation, 2756 McGregor Blvd, Ft Myers. Select Fri, Sat, Sun 7p. 6914069.

•Ben Allen’s Backyard Grill & Pub: 12655 Tamiami Tr E, Naples. Live music select nites. 304-9552.

•Bert’s Bar & Grill: 4271 Pine Island Rd, Matlacha. Live

music nitely, Wed & Thu 12:30-3:30p & Fri-Sun 12:306:30p: Calypso Magic. Free. 282-3232.

•Big Storm Brewery: 4721 SE 10th Pl, Cape Coral. Live music Thu-Sat nites. Free. 257-1401.

•Buckingham Blues Bar: 5641 Buckingham Rd., Ft Myers. Live music select nites. Free open blues jam Wed 8-11p & Sun 3-6p. 693-7111.

•Buddha Bar & Grill: 12701 McGregor Blvd, Ft Myers. Live music Wed-Sun. 4828565.

•Cape Cabaret: 4725 Vincennes Blvd, Cape Coral. Live music Wed-Sat 7-10p & Marty Stokes Band select Sun

1:30-5:30p. 549-3000.

•Cottage Bar: Shucker’s, 1270 Estero Blvd, Ft Myers Beach. Live music nightly. 765-5440.

•Coastal Dayz Brewery: 2161 McGregor Blvd, Ft Myers, Live Music Bingo select Sat 2-5p. 204-9665.

•Coldwater Oyster Market: 5611 Six Mile Commercial Ct, Ft Myers. Live music select nites. 220-5918.

•Downtown Social House: 1406 Hendry St, Ft Myers. Live music nitely. 337-7646.

•Fort Myers Brewing

Company: 12811 Commerce

Lake Dr, #27, Ft Myers. Live music Wed 6-9p, Thu 6:309:30p, Fri 7-10p, Sat 2-5p & 7-10p. 313-6576.

•Laugh-In Comedy Café: 8595 College Pkwy, Ft Myers. Comedians Thu-Sat nites.

479-5233.

•Lobby Bar: Luminary Hotel, 2200 Edwards Dr, Ft Myers. Free. 314-3723.

•Matanzas on the Bay: Petey’s Upper Deck, 414 Crescent St, Ft Myers Beach. Live music

Mon-Sat 5-9p & Sun 12-5p.

463-3838.

•Millennial Brewing: 1811 Royal Palm Ave, Ft Myers.

Live music Fri nites 6-9p.

271-2255.

•Naples Beach Brewery: 4120

Enterprise Ave, #116, Naples.

Live music Thu 7-9p, Fri

6-9p. 304-8795.

•Nauti Parrot Dock Bar: 19001 San Carlos Blvd, Ft Myers Beach. Live music

Mon-Sat 12-9p, Thu-Sat

6:30-9:30p, Sun 4:30-7:30p.

314-5667.

•Nauti Parrot Oasis: 17200

Tamiami Tr S, Ft Myers. Live music Mon-Wed 5-9p, Thu

1-9:30p, Fri 1-5p & 7-10p, Sat 12:30-4;30p & 7-10p.

208-2340.

•Nauti Parrot Tiki Hut: 3448

Marinatown Ln, N Ft Myers.

Live music Mon-Sat 12-9p & Thu-Sat 6-9p. 208-2340.

•Off the Hook Comedy Club: 2500 Vanderbilt Beach, Naples. Comedians Thu-Sun & select Tue & Wed nites. 540-7867.

•Ollie’s Pub: 1019 Cape Coral Pkwy, Cape Coral. Live music select nites. 540-7867.

•Oxbow Bar & Grill: 1300

Hendry St, Ft Myers.

Live acoustic music Sun afternoons. Free. 314-3723.

•Palace Pub & Wine: 1317

Cape Coral Pkwy, Cape Coral.

Live music & burlesque select nites. 217-0919.

•Point Ybel Brewing Company: 16120 San Carlos Blvd, Ft Myers. Thu: jazz jam

6-9p; Sat: Jeff Lyons 1-5p; 1st Sun: Bluegrass 4-7p. Free. 603-6535.

•Rack ‘em Spirits & Times: 1011 SE 47 th Ter, Cape Coral.

Live music Fri & Sat nites. Free. 540-7225.

•Riptide Brewing: 987 3rd Ave N, Naples. Live music Fri & Sat nites 7-10p. 2286533.

•Riptide Brewing: 28120

Hunters Ridge Blvd, Bonita Springs. Live music select Fri 6-9p & Sat 7-10p. 9499945.

•Roadhouse Café: 15660 San Carlos Blvd, Ft Myers.

Live jazz 6:30-9:30p. Wed:

Danny Sinoff Trio; Thu: Jazz-Matics; Fri: Tony Boffa & Friends; Sat: Danny Sinoff Quartet; Sun: Ricky Howard. 415-4375.

•Smokin’ Oyster Brewery: 340 Old San Carlos Blvd,

Ft Myers Beach. Live music nitely 6-9p. Free. 463-3474.

•Sneaky Pete’s: 3465 Bonita Beach Rd, Bonita Springs. Live music Wed-Sun. 4988887.

•South Street City Oven & Grill: 1410 Pine Ridge Rd, Naples. Live music select FriSun 9p-12a. 435-9333.

•Sp ace 39 Art Bar & Martini Lounge:  39 Patio de Leon, Ft Myers. Live music Wed-Sat nites. 2049949.

•The Barrel Room: Twisted Vine, 2214 Bay St, Ft Myers. Live jazz & blues. Thu 7-10p: Dan Miller & Lew Del Gatto Quartet; select Fri & Sat 8p-11p: blues bands; Sun 10a-2p: Jazz Brunch w Roy Gerson & Don Mopsick. 333-2225.

•The Ranch Concert Hall & Saloon: 2158 Colonial Blvd, Ft Myers. Live music select Fri & Sat nites. 985-9839.

•The Rhythm House: 16440 S Tamiami Tr, Ft Myers. Tue & Sat 6:30-9:30p. 466-8326.

•Whiskey Park: 3300 Mercantile Ave, Naples. Open Mic Wed nites; live music Fri & Sat nites. 263-6777.

•Z’s Music Kitchen: 12655 Tamiami Tr E, Naples. Open jam Mon 6-9p; live music Fri & Sat 6-9p. 3049552.

Ashley McBryde opens for Dierks Bentley, August 18 at Hertz Arena in Estero. Call 948-7825 for information.